Back It Up.

 I have a lot to catch up on. 

But first, I had to document this pivotal moment in Harris's life this past week when he scaled a mountain by himself and needed help getting back down. Here is that dangerous mountain:

After he climbed up and realized how high up he was, he screamed and cried and begged for help. Of course I, being full of compassion and motherly love, couldn't get my laughing body off my bed to help him. I kept calling out, "Just step down!" and he would yell, "I can't!!!" This went on for awhile, I'm ashamed to admit. It was just the laugh I needed at that moment.

In other news, the weather is getting so much better. SPRING! And with Spring, we have been doing many outdoorsy things.

First off, hundreds of thousands of snow geese stop at a wilderness preserve about 20 minutes from our house every spring on their way back home from their winterly migration. And with the hundreds of thousands of snow geese come hundreds of thousands (not really, but lots) of Pennsylvanians to watch them fly around.

Yes, I was partially covering my head because I was afraid they would poop on me. That has happened to me before, both literally and metaphorically. 

Entire green hilltops looked like they were snow-capped from all of the white geese sitting on them. It was fun, it was beautiful AND this homeschooling mom got to check the box for science that day with ease. 

Because we all know that I'm amazing at science.

We have also done many, many trips to the park and creek by our house. The first time we went after it turned warm, June was doing what she does--observing nature. And so the second time we went back, she came prepared with rain boots and jars and a backpack full of "equipment". She waded out into the creek and collected shells and water samples and cattails and a bunch of other things. That girl IS a scientist through and through.

We also were able to dog-sit for 45 minutes one day. VERY exciting.

I'm beginning to feel myself cave on the dog front. I have so many people telling me NOT to do it because they are so much work, and I have a plethora of small children that already need help. But I could see a dog being extremely beneficial to June. Thoughts?

Also, we bought a butterfly kit on Amazon, and after two weeks all of the caterpillars formed their chrysalis:

Here you can see all of them in the chrysalis except for the one on the very left, who hadn't formed it yet but was in the preceding J-shape. Wouldn't it be amazing if they emerged on EASTER DAY!!?!?

Science lessons? Check check check. I've found that I am not the best science teacher but I'm a decent science facilitator. I will provide the experiments and the materials and the books. Luckily, my girls are both very self-motivated in this area.

Last week, we studied about the armor of God, and of course Dan went all out.

June turned 9! Gwen made her a birthday crown.

And Gwen and Harris and I made her a candy bar poster.

I feel like birthdays should be fun and spontaneous and full of adventure, but I came up with an idea that kinda kills all of those ideals but also guarantees a good experience. I made up a worksheet for each birthday kiddo to fill out at the beginning of the month where they can pick their family activity, type of cake, type of presents, and what they would like for birthday dinner.

June picked to go to the movies. Of course, we are lucky to have a best friend living next door and he's always up for our shenanigans.

And she had her favorite dinner of shrimp, cheesy grits (which were burned and yes she did notice), corn on the cob and a super duper chocolatey cake.

Which means I have been a mom for 9 years. What in the world. 

The End.