Even Weird Homeschoolers Have Field Day...

I have to say that in elementary school field day was MY FAVORITE day of the year.  Snow cones(which I never had money for but usually bummed off of a friend), hot dirt, the 100 yard dash (which I often won), and no desks.  Memories like that make me wonder if homeschooling is a mean thing to do to my kids(only for a moment).  But this year we attended our first homeschooling field day and it was great.

I love my double the trouble babies.

And I was just snapping here - irresponsible photography - and caught this cute little hug.  Brothers gotta hug!  Elijah won first place overall for the sack race.  We're really hoping some day he can get a sack racing scholarship to one of the top schools in that sport. 

Meghie came with her darling kids since she is planning on homeschooling with K12 too...it was a good time.  And yes, Andrew and Flynn dominated the tug-of-war.

I love my K12 program.  I love the teachers, the programs, the free stuff, and the fact that I get to be with my boys so much.  I love them all immensely and they all make me so proud to call myself their mother.  I don't deserve them - really, I don't.  I love you, boys.

I want to win this nesting box!

As of now my hens are nesting in a cardboard box.  I know it's ghetto but it works.  I didn't know what I might do until I saw this today...

Isn't it great?  It even has a fold down roost.  I think my 8 hens would love it...don't you?  So, I've entered the giveaway for it - so should you!

Sometimes dandelions are quite dangerous...

One of my favorite parts of taking photos of kids is how unexpected they can be - how they can take things in a direction I would never have thought of.  I love it.  It makes me happy - and often - it makes me laugh - really HARD!  Last Saturday, that very thing happened.

It all started with a classic cute shot of blowing dandelions...

Take a deep breath...

And blow...

Oh no!  There was a miscalculation of how far away that dandelion was!

And a couple minutes later it was still a problem...

Ahh, kids.  They're awesome.

The Nielsen Family: Utah Valley Family Photography

What a lovely evening with the sweet little Neilsen family.  And lovely Lehi was the perfect spot for a little family time...

 This was the little guys first experience with bubbles...it was so darn cute!

Smith Family: Salt Lake Family Photography

I don't typically shoot big groups but since Dave and Jamie are old friends I was willing to make an exception.  They live in a beautiful house in Daybreak and we walked around town in the freezing cold but they were such good sports you can't tell!  Thanks for a fun evening guys!

Good Day, Sunshine

Last week it was so warm and beautiful.  It was spring in all it's glory.  Here you can see the bing cherry tree in our front yard.  In a couple months this tree will be brimming with cherries.  I can't wait.  Seriously, my excitement for summer hearkens back to elementary school days when all you could do was dream of the last day of school and the beginning of freedom.  Now I'm excited for camping, vacations, no school, but most especially...FRUIT!

Last family night we bought a frisby and headed over to the park to play.  It was so dreamy and fun.  If it's been a while since you've thrown a frisby - get out there and do it.  It's one of life simple pleasures.

 

I love Andrew's dancing here.  These are his classic moves.

My oldest is the greatest helper.  He fastens seat belts and helps watch the babies.  And he honestly never complains about it.  I want to tell him how great I think that is but I don't want him to know that complaining is an option.  Isn't that terrible?

And here's my baby.  He looks so tiny to me - I guess that's the way of the youngest.

Best buds.  Three and a half years apart and they still love to play.  They're so different and still so good together.

Summer, here we come!

The hens have left the building...

Well, even though it has snowed twice in the last three days, it is spring.  And since our pullets are all about 5 weeks old - it was time for them to move on outside.   And thank heavens it was time because by day two I was sick of them being inside.    Don't judge me too harshly for the yard...it was snowing!  ...  Ok, it's time to mow and weed.

Their coop looks ginormous right now but these ladies are going to grow grow grow over the next few months until this place is quite cozy.  At that point this coop will be used mostly for sleeping and laying eggs - and they'll have a run to roam around in.  They're just so young and vulnerable right now that I think I'll just keep them inside for a couple months.

Already I can't help but just stare at them.  Gosh, I need a farm.  Peter feels the same way too.

In garden happenings, I 've got some good news and bad news.

The good news is that my oregano and sage are coming back on their own and are growing really well.  In fact, I think tonight we'll have some homemade pasta with sage and oregano, butter, and parmesan.  So tasty.

The bad news is that I was so frustrated that my 12 month old kept digging in my starters that I put them out too quickly and most of them haven't made it.  Hmpf.  Oh well, we'll see if I can't being a few of them back and buy the rest at the nursery.

I still have to get the rest of my starters out there but I've got way too much going on right now.  Welcome to the rest of my life, eh?

And, in other news, today we home-schoolers took a book run to the thrift store.  I love buying books.  New and old.  In fact, old books excite me even more than new ones.  And it doesn't hurt that they cost between fifty cents to a couple of bucks.

So, all in all, it was a good day.