Jumping into April...

After my last post, I realized I spoke too soon whenever Jaxson followed in Madelyn's footsteps. He only got sick twice...which was a blessing! I am pretty sure we are out of the woods now and doing much better! After talking to our pastor's wife, I heard that others we were near at church, this past Sunday, had gotten the stomach flu as well. Oh, such a *sharing* group of folks we are! ;)

In the top photo are a couple books I am reading. I really enjoy Answers in Genesis and Ken Ham...so I look forward to learning more in these books of his! Do you ever visit the AiG website?  It is absolutely chock full of great information...wonderful for homeschooling families and all people alike! There is something there for everyone and so much learning to be done!

Speaking of *reading*....as I sit here and type, Madelyn sits in the chair identical to mine...just beside me...and is reading Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. She must like it a lot, for she is sailing through it quickly. I love books like that...the ones you just can't seem to put down (or *do* set them down out of necessity but it's terribly painful to do so).

The White Rabbit put on his spectacles. "Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?" he asked.

"Begin at the beginning," the King said gravely, "and go on till you come to the end: then stop."

(Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 12)

Where are the boys, you ask? They have decided to brave the cloudy, damp, dismal weather outside and ride their bikes for a bit. I am so glad spring has arrived...my children have a love for the outdoors that cannot be quenched!

 Tomorrow begins the month of April...I can hardly believe where the past three months have gone to! I have our calendar all changed and set up for April...

The chore chart is ready for a new month, too...

It's amazing to think that our school year is winding down...we have under 40 school days left to go! The children have been learning and growing in wisdom and knowledge. It's always the things I don't *expect* them to get that they seem to understand the most! I love when something *clicks* inside their head when they understand something new...those are fantastic moments that I feel blessed to experience. 

 Ruthie kept Jaxson company when he wasn't feeling well....

Xavier....

I am working on knitting a super-cute top for my niece, Eloise. I will be sure to share it with you when I am finished!

The children doing some artwork...

Around the house...cleaning has been going on (the normal amount *plus* extra laundry, scrubbing, and disinfecting to get all the sicky-ness out of the house).

Some photos around the little red kitchen...

Rolls for supper...

A soft place to lay my head at night after busy days...

 Well, I have eggs on the stove, waiting to be peeled and "deviled"...as well as knitting projects and books awaiting my attention! ;) I hope you each enjoy your weekend! Thank-you for stopping by to visit!

Warmly,
Katy

Nipped by a Bug

My Madelyn got a bit of the stomach flu Monday night. She was sick for about 6 hours or so. She rested most of Tuesday...and I wasn't feeling 100% either...so all the children and I had a *down* sort-of day (no schooling, no housework). Yesterday, Madelyn was feeling better and things seemed to get back-to-normal. Thankfully, no one else has seemed to have caught the bug. I am so grateful to God...as the stomach flu is (in my opinion) the *worst*!

We have been working on getting schoolwork caught up, housework done and the children have been trying to enjoy the sunshine as much as possible...but oh my, the ticks are *bad* this year and they sure do love my Jaxson. I have seen more ticks this past year than I have in my entire life!

So...unfortunately, there isn't much to post on lately. I made bread and noodles Monday...but haven't done much baking since.

Madelyn, the owl, *before* the bug got her...

Thank-you for stopping by. I am sorry I don't have much in the way of "interesting" to post about...but this is my life ~ the good, the bad, the exciting and the not-so-exciting! ;)
I hope your week is going well!

Kindly,
Katy

A Slow Weekend at Home

After beautiful weather the previous week, we were met with an abundance of rain this weekend. Although the children were a bit disappointed, as they desire to play outdoors as much as possible, I didn't mind a nice, (sort-of) quiet kind of day (especially since I still have a bit of a cough and the boys have theirs, as well). I had candles lit throughout the house and the days were spent relaxed and *together* (my very favorite way to spend time)!

Chris and Madelyn played a few matches of chess...

I did some reading and crocheting (I have a knitting project I plan on working on soon, too!)...

The children spent time reading through the day, as well...

Super Jaxson!

Chris got a hankerin' to make some marshmallows...so he did (although he accidentally broke my stand-up mixer in the process...oops!)...

Today, along with schooling and my myriad of home chores to do...I need to get feed and scratch for the chickens, run to the post office, pick up refills for Jax's eye drops, talk to a car insurance rep (as we are looking at different ones...in hopes of saving money...often, simple phone calls are all it takes to save money!) and also do our taxes (fun, fun...). So it will be a busy Monday. I look forward to Mondays as they are a great opportunity to get things done! Often, after a weekend (whether a busy or slow one) I feel like I need to just get everything in order...and Monday is *the* day to do it!

 I hope you enjoy *your* day!

Warmly,
Katy

Lessons Out-of-Doors

These March days have been gloriously sunny and beautiful! The children and I thought a day *out* in that weather would do us some good! We're all snarf-aling and coughing...but it's much better to do so when the air isn't freezing and harsh on your throat and lungs! :)

I suggested we take our schooling outside to work on....as Madelyn declares: "I love homeschooling!". So we packed up our books and pencils and out we went...

The grass was still wet from the early morning dew, so we put a plastic tarp down under our picnic blanket. :)

The sun was warm and glorious...but super bright and eventually became too-warm as it bore down directly on us. So, we moved to a shadier side of the yard, next to the house.

Ruthie even wanted to join us!

After I explained a lesson to the children, I continued work on a crocheted gift for a friend...

I finished it up in no time and I really like how it turned out. I am finishing up a few more things for this friend and then will pack them up and ship them off to her (she has been extremely kind and generous to me lately and I wanted to do something in the form of a *thank-you* for her!)...

And, do you remember in the recent past, how I was a finalist in a Rafflecopter contest (top 5 out of 7,000)? Well, I didn't win the grand prize (a Kindle Fire) but...they *did* send us t-shirts and stickers (which came in the mail yesterday)! Not quite as exciting as a Kindle Fire...but we'll take it! ;)

So now, to start a new day...it's suppose to be another beautiful day of sunshine (followed by a rainy weekend). I have caught up completely on washing and hanging out the laundry...maybe I will strip the children's bed sheets and get them out on the line today. :) I hope you enjoy your day and weekend ahead! Thank-you for stopping by!!

Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied,
Katy

Hungry?

I made cinnamon rolls yesterday! They are almost finished (that's what happens in a family of five after dessert and then breakfast the next morning! ;). If you haven't tried the recipe I use for cinnamon rolls...you definitely should! It is delicious! You can find that recipe HERE!

Have a **great** Thursday!

Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied,
Katy

A Lovely Beginning of Spring!

Yesterday was the official *first* day of spring. It feels wonderful outside! We have been enjoying sun-filled, warm days here in Western PA! The grass is turning from that brown/ick sort of color to a lovely green. It's almost as if, in the winter, everything is in colors of gray and white...and as spring arrives, the colors come alive! The children have enjoyed many hours of play outside!

I have gotten out some of my favorite cleaning books...full of homemade cleaner recipes and organizational tips...

School-time almost seems like torture to the children (X especially)...getting some reading, writing and 'rithmetic done before running outside makes it seem as though I am punishing them! (I must admit, while I was out hanging loads of laundry on the clotheslines, it was quite beautiful and hard to come back *in*doors!)...

A few photos of *in*side...

As well as spending time, daily, in my Bible...I have started reading the book The Children Trap. It is about the dangers of public schooling (most of which I am already aware of....thus why we educate at home). **If you are looking for reasons why you should homeschool ~ IndoctriNation is a video I recommend to any Christian with school-age children. It is full of information....how the public schools got started and who is at the root of them, too. I also have books I could suggest!**

Jaxson and Xavier have caught my cough. X is especially hit by it...

I'm still baking (as usual). Below are just normal loaves of bread...but I found THIS recipe that I would like to try sometime soon, too!

Jaxson had another appointment for his eye at Children's Hospital, yesterday. We had a safe trip there and back again (although, in the parking garage, the van stalled out on me a couple times when we were getting ready to go home! I was a bit nervous....but luckily we made it home safe and sound!) Here he is, watching a little Tom and Jerry while waiting for the doctor to come in...

Everything is looking good. She took one of the stitches out in her office, since it was coming loose anyway...but it was one on the very end. To get the rest taken out, he will have to be under anesthesia (scheduled in the middle of April). He has a bit of irritation where the stitches were coming loose, so we had to up his drop dosages again...but it's a small price to pay. We are so thankful he has his eyesight!

One of my littles (Xavier) fell asleep in the chair *before* bedtime, one evening! He must have been quite the tired little guy! He plays hard! I know one day, when he is taller and a *man*, I will cherish these photos...him all curled up and cozy on a chair!

We are keeping pleasantly busy here...we are so thankful for the lovely weather and days we have been given. We are looking forward to **all** the wonderful days ahead (Lord willing). :) I hope you are enjoying your week as well!

Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied,
Katy