Monday, April 13, 2020

A month to ourselves

We celebrated Clara's 13th birthday this month

It's always a delight to see the Wade Family

And Clayton turned 17! Still can't believe how big my nephew is already.


We bought the Nintendo Switch the Friday the kids got out of school. I decided it was a good idea to have some new forms of entertainment around the house. Not to mention Mike and Alex have been asking for it since last fall. 

We put some carrots, beets, lettuce, and spinach in the ground.

And reinforced our garden fence against chipmunks 

I attempted to take a relaxing bath one evening. I got some visitors that wanted to splash. 

We've been taking morning walks before school. The kids race from line to line

After our morning walks we have reading time

Evan is doing really well at reading

Evan also taught himself how to ride a two wheeled bike this month. It took him 40 min of falling trying to get going, but he did it and he hasn't had any issues since. 

Eliza doing some art work with chalk

Looking for worms on our walk

Alex is also up and running on two wheels. 

We've taken a few family bike rides together

Eliza has started riding her tricycle

The shins of a new bike rider... ouch

Working on one of their morning lessons using the computer

Alex has been helping Eliza learn her letters

Evan reading his Bob Books

Alex learning to type

We've been playing lots of games this month.

The boys helping me make some yummy cheese bread


Finished product, tastes delicious. Too bad we can't find more bread flour.

The kids were excited to see snow when they woke up. We had our morning walk and threw snow balls from one line to the next

Made some snow men because it was great packing snow



and of course a snow ball fight

Eliza has started bringing down all her stuffed animals after naps. I don't know how she makes it down the stairs with all of them.

The kids needed to get out of the house so we traveled to one of the state parks near us. The kids decided to walk in the water with their shoes on, so we went onto the pier, but then they were throwing goose poop, so we went back to the car to throw Frisbee. 



In this strange time we have been washing anything we can instead of using wipes. 

Eliza helping me make the donuts

Everyone wanted to help

Morning walk fun wish shadows while our donuts rise

Donuts are ready to fry

They are ready to eat

Yum!

The beginning of the kids cat cake. We were supposed to have a party for the kids birthdays, but we couldn't because of the stay at home order. So I decided we would celebrate it anyway.

The table we bought last month has come in handy this month with the home schooling. Everyone has their spot and pile of work.

Completed cat cake

Birthday gifts from Aunt Shawn, so much fun!

Happy quarantined birthday guys!!

Alex finally has enough Pokemon cards to play with Daddy.

Nana gave Eliza a bunch of dress up stuff and a tea party set.

Which both Eliza and I enjoyed playing with.

Daddy even got in on the fun.

Alex got dressed up on his own and read the tea party book she got at lunch.

Evan got a new game for his birthday. Fling the flowers in the frogs mouth.

Being creative one morning. Covered the table with paper and gave them colored pencils and crayons. 

More games this one is kids Sequence!

Eliza having the boys race for her

Alex was my private chef one day during naps.

Such a handsome chef.

Alex taking extra precautions from the COVID 19 

A morning bike ride for all of us but Daddy.

Eliza helping me install a kickstand onto Evan's bike.

Evan helping me build a new raised bed in the garden.

Some mustard spinach coming up

I met a few of my MOPS moms for a morning gathering. It was nice to get out in the sun and have a chat.

Eliza was cold one morning on our walk so I gave her my coat. She's so little.

Eliza helping me clean out the garden from the leaves we put in in the fall.

Eliza and Alex helped me plant more carrots and beets.

And we planted some flowers in my newly expanded flower garden area.

More games Ticket to Ride

Morning walk in the rain

Evan helping Eliza with her letters.

Making paper mache balloon eggs

Alex had a nice idea to go visit with Great Grandpa for his birthday. So we picked some of our daffodils and sang him happy birthday.

After visiting with Great Grandpa we went to see my brothers graves. The kids thought that I knew everyone else in the graveyard as well, I did/do not.

Strong Daddy!

Evan is still wearing the costume we got 4 years ago, it's almost up to his knees now. Love his style.

Painting their pinata 



Last night as a 6 year old

Happy Easter! He has risen! and they found their Easter baskets. Alex's was placed on a heat vent... so we had to put his sweet treats in the fridge for a bit. They all got bells for their bikes and Eliza got streamers for her Spiderman bike.

My 7 year old is rolling in the cash thanks to Grandma Jamie and Grandpa Bart.

My goofy girl

I gave Mike a hair cut during nap time. He was feeling rather shaggy.

Alex opening his Harry Potter wand, very excited. 

Eliza did great at hitting her pinata

Evan ready to hit his pinata 

Alex with his pinata

The aftermath

Happy birthday Alex!!


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Finally got Mike's pictures in the album, this has been an issue lately. Please enjoy these as well.

Got to love Evan's expressions

Eliza helping me make french toast bake

Sprinkling on the cinnamon and sugar

Evan ready to play some Tball.

Eliza on her tricycle, I don't have a picture of it, but Eliza has been riding her bike with training wheels and doing a great job!!




Keeping Busy is our middle name

We joined some friends for bowling, turns out the boys really enjoy it. Evan is already perfecting his form. Eliza tries really hard to get ...