September

We started off the month still hanging out in South Dakota. Lots of games, lots of reading, and online school and music class. My dad and I also had the chance to work on a couple hobby things together. He taught me about soldering because I bought a cheap soldering kit when Matthew broke his book lamp, but hadn’t learned how to use it yet. I brought the lamp with me and he was able to teach me how to fix it. We spent a couple of days messing around with the dulcimer that he built years ago and then he reminded me about the lap harp/“music maker” they’ve had forever. I got it out and tuned it so the kids and I could play on it. It took forever because it has 15 strings(!!) which were all out of tune, but it was kind of a fun way to spend an afternoon. Of course we compared gardening tactics-I actually got to teach him something about pollinating cucumbers and zucchini. And I learned a little about leather working while watching him make his dog harness. We like hanging out; it’s fun. 

Apple picking!

The kids and I picked ten pounds of honey crisp and then I made applesauce, apple butter, apple crisp, and snacked on plenty of raw apples. 

These two also had a sweet relationship as Adaline got braver around Boomer and learned what he likes.

Epic building day

Dying Easter eggs

My sister-in-law showed us how to dye eggs using cool whip and it's one of my favorite methods now. Of course we all couldn't help eating the cool whip along the way.

Before we knew it, a dance party had erupted.

Easter egg hunt, then a fire in the driveway with hot dogs and smore's

After three weeks, it was time to head home and deal with real life.

I didn't catch all the "welcome to ______" signs this time, but I did draw this lovely one while bored in the car. The kids did a fantastic job again, and even with more bathroom stops, we made it in less than 25 hours-a bit faster than the way out.

Ahh back to normal life.

"First day of kindergarten" picture. This wasn't really the first day, just the first day I thought to take a picture.

two days after getting home, we woke up in the morning and felt like it was strangely dark relative to the time. I looked outside and couldn't see the sign or the sky, just all this dark orange/brown smoke. It was incredibly eerie and my camera couldn't even capture it. The whole day was dark and weird. It reminded me a little of the eerie feeling and green sky that you'll see before a tornado.

Ash covering eeeeeverything

Goofy kiddo waiting for music class to start

I've only updated my calendar twice since March (as opposed to every month). Both times it was underwhelming to put a small handful of events on it. I went to fix it after getting home, but gave up because what would even go on it and would I even look after before it was outdated again? Probably not. Also, I think I'm so funny.

Cutest batman of all time, and Christian Bale is in that competition

He's been calling me "my mom" semi-consistently for probably a month and I hope he never stops. It's even better when he just calls me "my" for short.

Finally gave this handsome dude a haircut

Adaline's home schooling got pushed back a bit while I've been focusing on Matthew and getting all of his assignments checked off, but we finally got some math in.

Obviously a library day

The kids said they were riding an elephant, Andrew said his knees hurt.

Matthew has been having a really hard time with all the screen time he has to do for school. I decided to just not do his zoom meetings for a couple days and on the 2nd or 3rd morning, he woke up and made his bed, cooked breakfast, and set the table all of his own accord. He is incredibly helpful and affectionate normally, and unfortunately super sensitive to screen time. I'm hoping we can find a good balance for him going forward. 

A couple Saturdays ago was so much fun! Andrew had the idea to go hike around the reservoir and we had a great time letting the kids lead the way and explore bugs, moss, and rocks. After hiking, we grabbed burgers and shakes at Lumpy's (thankfully filled them up for lunch and dinner so I didn't have to cook) and then washed the cars to clean off all the dead bugs (from the road trip) and ash. Washing the cars turned into the kids following the water down the curb and clearing the way for it to make it to the drain. They crack me up.

Why do I always let this happen??? I thought I had more of a base tan and that our hike was going to be shorter. oops

These punk kids are always escaping out their window. In fact, I have a few hilarious stories surrounding them, but I don't feel like putting them out there for the world, so just ask me sometime.

Sensory bin party:

He's always stealing my smoothies

This is the best my basil has EVER done! I'm so proud of it and I love having enough that I can come out anytime and pick as much as I need. 

Fresh basil pesto straight from the garden on a sourdough crust!

Every. single. day. my kids end up covered in mud. I could barely just see the whites of his eyes, and then he promptly slammed the door and ran away.

She keeps looking so grown up and it always catches me off guard

We have two working toilets again and will hopefully have a finished master bathroom very shortly!

Adaline finished level one of her reading curriculum which we have been working on for a year and a half. I am so proud of her!

I love this independent kiddo. I was cooking dinner and he came into the kitchen saying he was hungry. So what did he do? He spotted the mangos, grabbed a knife, and made himself a snack. I'm so grateful he knows how to take care of himself.