A Week's Worth

We can't get enough of Farmer Boy. It has been our favorite by a long shot. George and I try to beat each other to the read with the kids. Today the chapter is "Christmas". Amelia says, "Mama, I've got to read this one with Daddy." We read so much. Reading with the children means answering piles of questions, but not with Farmer Boy. Laura Ingles Wilder knew that children needed to know things. She gives detailed explanations of that which needs explaining. And she gives imaginative play a huge boost and her description of chores make them seem like the best thing ever!

 As long as George Wilder can wiggle, he can listen. I'm the same way. Wiggling is good. He hangs like a monkey from the trampoline while Daddy and Amelia read and read and read. We've read so much lately. We've read about the American Indians, the Revolutionary War, the Aztecs, the Mayans, Louis and Clark. They are so very curious and intrigued. We recently read about John Paul Jones. The famous sea captain during the Revolutionary War. Half way through the book, the British and the Americans were fighting and fighting. George Wilder asked, "Are we American?" When I said "yes", he jumped up and down with excitement. I recently had to introduce the children to the National Anthem. I let Whitney Houston sing it for them on youtube. I cried. They asked a lot of questions.

And when we don't read, they do. They read and write and play school and ask me to take William away because he is tearing apart their school, their office, their library, their tent, their race track. He just wants to be a part of it all. However, he is quite hungry these days, so anytime I offer him food, that helps distract him for awhile. And he loves to eat with a fork or spoon and definitely not in his high chair.                                                                    

 Friday night is pizza night. I make it from scratch. A recipe from a long time family friend. My mom used to make it and now I make it and it is our favorite. Pizza, spinach salad and chocolate chip cookies for dessert are the Friday night staple. Come join us any time!!!!

 

I've had many lessons in my life on the appropriate way to stack a dishwasher. Sometimes I stack it just the way Grandpa and Grandma Mirly would like, but most of the time it looks like this and it always makes me laugh!

 Color project by George Wilder. He loves to spin it until it is white! It's been color project week. We mixed red cabbage juice with backing soda and soapy water and with vinegar and lemon juice. The acids turned orange and bases turned purple.

 I recovered the stools. My first recovery project.

 Reading more Farmer Boy. George Wilder listens and plays.

 Mandan Indian shields.

 Corn planting projects for my dearest Amelia.

Reading and rest time.