The last time I wrote was in April. A 9 month old Victoria was crawling to her little heart's content and the rest of us were still trying to make sense of life. At least it felt that way. At least it feels that way. Changes. Everything changes. Constantly. The one thing that this mothering thing can guarantee 100% is that: changes. And so, in the life-time that I haven written we have seen some changes. Here goes a sketchy attempt on an update.
House: the blueprint for this house has changed (there are advantages to slow moving renovations after all!). In a moment of inspiration (or madness, take your pick!), the kids and I swapped the dining room for the living room. Now we eat in a very comfortable space right off the kitchen, and we visit all the way in the room that has been the most versatile in our journey through this project-house so far. The "den" (or like Giselle would say "I call it the Dungeon"). The current dining room is (for now) destined to be the forever setting of our family meals. I won't even start on what is to become of the den-now-living/school-room, because our downstairs is still far from being finished. Our bedroom, though! Our bedroom is only lacking some accessories and wall art (and night stand lamps), but that is mostly because I haven't found anything I really, truly like and I don't want to settle. Next up: boys' and girls' rooms respectively.
School: the books were "officially" closed, though what home schooler mama truly stops the training, the teaching, the finding of learning opportunities at any given chance? Right? So Nature Journaling, water colors, some lingering Math, books, magazines, lots of play, field trips, as much beach as we can squeeze in, as much sun as we can soak! Summer just got here and it already feels like it's slipping away.
Family: One of the main reasons it feels as though we're already losing our much awaited Summer is because last year we were left in want! Between having a baby and the chicken pox back to back, we were left feeling like we skipped last Summer altogether. Because of that, I almost feel in a hurry to take advantage of every little bit of good weather and sun we can! It's silly, I know.
So far this Summer, we have visited the Wild Center!
We had a great time. Meeting an owl and a snake, walking the wild walk, Leo loved the otter, we did some water color nature journaling there too. It was a really fun, fun day.
We graduated a Kindergartener. And a very cute one at that!
With her dearest friend, Addie.
Our little Gelly Bell, she's the most introverted of our children. Shy out the gate, but when she warms up to you she is charming and talks up a storm! She is well into learning her letters and sounds, but she is taking her time. She loves all things girly and princess, she loves to twirl and dance and boy does she have love (and an opinion) on clothes and shoes! We love our sweet little girl!
We climbed a mountain!! We went on a 5 mile (?) hike/climb to Ampersand Mountain! It was one of the hardest things we have done together, and we were beat at the end of the day, but it was SO worth it! The kids did so amazingly well! We were so proud of them. Giselle climbed the entire thing herself with only one meltdown near the end!!
Ben carried Leo like this the whole entire time! Plus the back pack!
There is more to our Summer, but I should cut this here before it gets too lengthy!