After a long and unplanned sabbatical, there's only one thing that can get me back in the saddle... 

 

...sharing some adorable photos with you! This is Little Running Squash on a bag of wood shavings tooting her little heart out on a recorder...which should always be played outside. Ever since moving to the farm seven years ago, I have felt just a smidge of regret that the little ones have not had a "play structure" to climb and swing on. But on more than one occasion I have been delighted to find that some farmhouse ingenuity more than compensates, and I am the blessed recipient of the joy and laughter.

And I should mention that this particular musical entertainment lasted a very long time...

  

We had a Charlotte Mason moment on the farm when we discovered (for the first time) a Monarch caterpillar that Joshua harvested from the field. Violating what every good home~educating mother knows about documenting discoveries, this is all we have on our nature study. Documentation neglect aside, we were able to observe the amazing transformation from the caterpillar... to chrysalis... to butterfly...

 

 If there is anyone else out there feeling overwhelmed by life and unable to get on top of the enormous responsibilities, take joy in the small accomplishments of your day and try to free yourself from the guilt of what remains undone.

"And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought..."

            Isaiah 58:11

Farmhouse Backyard, Sunshine and Putting the Toy Company Out of Business...

Last week was absolutely amazing weather here on the farm! For a couple days, we actually had what I feel is the perfect day: 75 degrees, sunshine, fluffy clouds in a bright blue sky, no humidity...just gorgeous. Of course, we made the most of it, and as I headed out to hang laundry, Natalie and Anna were bounding up from the barn with their newest toy...an up-to-the-shoulder sterile glove!!! Who would have thought that for pennies, such fun could be had on a spring day?

Thanks goes to Josh and Jenna for finding something creative for the little girls to do while they cleaned the barn :)

Never to underestimate the willingness of the little ones to help, the twins equipped Natalie and Anna with a couple of scrub brushes and away they went, cleaning the hog feeders. Honestly, these moments are some of the best rewards of our life here on the farm!

A different day, a different mission...how many frogs can we catch down at the pond? I LOVE that these girls aren't afraid to handle these cute little creatures, and that they really think these froggies are capable of having a race...

And finally, who would have thought that this perfect little egg would be randomly laid in the middle of the pasture, untouched by the horse, the cow, and the little steer jumping for joy? Anna was pleased as pie that she discovered this treasure...

...and I, once again, was reminded of the passing joys and treasures that children bring every day of our lives. I'm trying so hard to imprint these memories in my mind for the future...

I hope you have sunshine tomorrow, and I hope you find something to rejoice in!

Scavenging...

Tomorrow is Natalie's third birthday and we set ourselves to scavenging through our "resources" to see what we could find. No matter what cool toy we find, it seems little attention is given to it, especially considering the price tag. So after analyzing her habits and activities, we decided that an old calico dress from my life in the '80's would serve well if we repurposed it into a prairie skirt. So off came the bodice and on went a new casing with elastic. I am in process of adding a little bit of bridal illusion for some appropriate "poof", then with the remaining fabric I am trying to create a bonnet. THAT is much more challenging. I think I'm tackling something a bit outside my expertise. Thank goodness we're working with a three year old...

My Great Idea

My intentions were good...but the results were bad. Just plain bad. The idea came together and seemed to have great potential, and it was even based on sound Biblical concepts. The plan was to have several vintage jars (to add character and minimize the potential look of clutter) lined up on the shelf filled with a variety of candy. Plain and peanut M&M's, jelly bellies, malted balls and chocolate covered raisins. On every jar would be a character trait, with the definition, and each time a child demonstrated that character trait, they could have a reward from the jar. An extra incentive? A sibling could recognize another for displaying a particular character trait. Encouragement, biblical character development, a reward system...it was all good.

After making a small (worthwhile) investment in candy, the jars were lined up and ready to go. We also agreed that we would offer a piece of candy for a potty training incentive, so implementation began immediately. One snag...no ink in the printer. Though the enthusiasm was high, we held off starting the rewards for the older children because I really wanted them to have those character definitions. This would be great learning, and fun!

Each night went by with no ink, no definitions, but I was still doing my share of work. So I felt a little reward would be encouraging to me. And once during the day I needed a little something. And then a handful.At night daddy sometimes needed a little handful too, and just for fun I would join him.

The little ones would always choose the pretty jelly bellies for their potty-training treat (one!), but the older children began to notice the level of candy steadily dropping in each jar. I was guilty, and though I wanted them to exercise self-control, it was clear that I had none. It was absolutely pathetic. So, the jars are empty and put away, and mommy is the poster child for needing to develop the character quality of self-control.

From size 12 to size 4

How we made a size 12 dress fit my tiny Anna, who is almost 4 years old...a small tuck at each shoulder, then stitched down approximately 1 1/2 inches on each side (front and back). Then, we hemmed the sleeves. I'm sure the length could be a bit shorter, but we love long princess-like dresses! And the real treat? We were blessed with this dress for free!

Kathy