Journal: August 1, 2023

Happy Monday!

Wowza what a busy month! In between running around like a crazy woman, we had some special sweet moments, not to be forgotten.

Atlas Crate

I can’t remember if I talked about this before – so I apologize if it is a repeat. Jacob’s been getting a “watercolor subscription box” every month for quite a while. It was his activity and he loved it. But the company discontinued them and when I asked Jacob what he wanted to do – he wanted to try something different. We found this great company and he decided to do the geography (or Atlas) box. Every month he gets a box with information, activities, art, and recipes from a different country. He is loving it so far! His first box was just about the world and he made this fun little globe that he keeps on his desk in his room now.

Spider Webs Poem

In language arts, Ben did a fun activity with a Spider Webs poem!

Pulley

Jacob and Sarah have been learning about motion and simple machines in science. We had a really fun activity building a complex pulley system at home!

Homemade Ice Cream

For Father’s Day we got Mark a homemade ice cream maker! We finally got around to making some ice cream for the Fourth of July and it was oh so yummy!

Cherries and Blueberries

I expanded my canning knowledge a little bit more! We got these delicious cherries and blueberries and they were YUMMY! I made quite a bit of Danish Cherry Sauce and Blueberry Sauce. I learned it takes a LOT of blueberries to can much of anything! But both are so good on ice cream, pancakes, yogurt, YOU NAME IT! We love it!

Puzzles

I have never been good at puzzles. The kids FAR SURPASS my abilities. But I am also in a stage of life that if I sit down to watch a movie with the kids, I always fall asleep. So I’ve started to try and improve my puzzle making skills. They take me WAY too long but I do feel like I was faster with the second one so that’s progress!

State Fair

Mark and the kids love to tease me with how much they love all things Star Wars. I have tried. I promise I have tried. And I don’t dislike it – but I would never pick it. The kids and Mark love watching it, and as much as I tease them about it, I secretly love that they have something that they all love to do together. But occasionally, I have to throw in a movie that is more my style. Enter STATE FAIR! One of these days, I am going to woo someone over to my side.

Naps

My heart is so grateful these four have one other. They are the best of friends and I love watching each of their unique relationships.

Glasses

This little lady is getting GLASSES! I will most likely do a whole post about it once she gets them. But right before we left on our trip she got checked out and so now we just need to get her glasses! YAY!

Simple Machines Unit Projects

We finished our Motion and Simple Machines unit in science and to wrap things up I got Jacob and Sarah each their own unique project to see what they learned. This was a really great Mom move! Sarah made a cannonball launcher and Jacob built a domino machine (it places the dominos down for you. These were way too cool – we all loved it! Full review of our unit coming…later…so many other posts still in the works.

Clegg Family Reunion

Beautiful week with my family. FULL POST HERE

Berning Family Reunion

Then a beautiful week with more family. FULL POST HERE

Space Cowboys

Ben finished up his first season of coach pitch! Read the FULL POST HERE.

WATER WATER WATER

It has been a wet wet spring but we have continued to have some wet wet summer afternoons as well. This day was particularly a doozy!

Sister Patricia Holland

I have loved getting to know more about Sister Holland. She was an incredible woman. One of my favorite quotes that I need to post somewhere I can read every day is: “If I were Satan…I would keep women so distraught and distracted that they would never find calming strength and serenity…catching them in the crunch of trying to be superhuman instead of realistically striving to reach their individual purpose and unique God-given potential. We must have the courage to be imperfect.”

Stander

Lydia got her new stander probably a month ago now, but I didn’t have a picture last time. It is bright and fun and we just went for it with the design! She is doing so well with it!

Pioneer Day

We celebrated Pioneer Day last week – full post coming soon!

Math

Jacob finished his math for the year! It was A TON of work but he was so focused and did so well! Now for a little break!

Glowing Nature Crate

Lydia’s koala crate for this month was all about glowing nature. We did a mushroom lantern and a firefly puppet. They are so much fun!

Brazil Crate

Jacob’s crate for July was BRAZIL! He made a foosball table and these sweet treats (which I cannot remember the name of!).

Sweet Notes

Sarah is our words of affirmation girl. She is the best at leaving little notes for us to find. I absolutely love that about her.