Outside my window…the hummingbird feeder has been refilled.  Now if only our woodpecker friend would stay away and leave some food for the hummingbirds!

I am thinking…and dreaming up plans for next year.  Armed with great booklists, I am designing our own history and science plans.

I am blessed…with an amazing glimpse into my childhood.  Mom just turned all the old 8 mm home videos into DVDs.  I was one happy baby!  I love that there was not a single laptop, computer, smart phone or kindle in sight in those videos!

I am remembering…our recent trip out to the Alpaca Ranch.  The kids really look forward to our visit each year.  I am always so impressed by Lyn and all of her amazing work.  Her story is so inspiring!  My favorite part of the tour is always seeing how the yarn is made.  The kids favorite part?  It’s a toss-up between feeding the alpacas, petting the dogs and making a craft with Lyn (this year they made felt snakes).

I am thankful…for a visit with Mom recently.  It was much needed and much loved!

In the freezer…homemade ice cream.  Chocolate chip mint ice cream made with coconut and almond milk.  William’s idea.  He wanted to use the mint in the garden and he insisted we use honey as the sweetener.  I’m not a big fan of the ice cream (I’m not a big honey fan) but the kids love it.  William’s persistence paid off.

I am wearing…shorts and a pink t-shirt.  Yep, it’s already weather for shorts.

I am creating…magnetic fishing poles and magnetic fish.  William (once again!) had a bright idea that it would be so fun to take a dowel and add a string so he could go fishing.  When I suggested maybe putting letters on the fish (to review letter sounds) or math facts on each fish, he gave me a dirty look and said that’s not quite what he was imagining.  Can’t say I didn’t try to turn it into something educational!

I am laughing…at Raymond and Debra…I can’t help it…I’m addicted.

I am loving…all these happy, busy children…

I am inspired…by Andrew Pudewa’s Nature Deficit Disorder talk.  I’ve had the book Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv on my shelf for quite awhile…I’ve picked it up and started it multiple times, but it just keeps getting put to the side.  Mr. Pudewa does an excellent job of summarizing Richard Louv’s book and putting his own perspective on the subject.  I highly recommend it!

I am reading…A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith for book club and The Living Page by Laurie Bestvater.

In our learning room…Greek Mythology, the circulatory system, and prepositions.

One of my favorite things…wildflowers in the spring.

A peek into my day…

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