signs of spring

The slacker beast within is growing to preposterous proportions. I am such a procrastinator sometimes. I am realizing that if it doesn't NEED to be done by tomorrow I certainly won't think about it today. That pretty much goes for everything. It should probably change. I do better when I make lists for myself. This morning I made a to do list. Blogging was on it so I am blogging because it's been awhile. My to-do list has lately been filled with the joys of dealing with the insurance company. Jason and the kids were in an accident a little over a week ago. No one was hurt (thank you Jesus) but the van was totaled and we are now in the market for a new minivan. If you have any suggestions for us they would be much appreciated. Looking for a new mini van is unfortunetly on my to-do list today too and has been for a week. I looked at one today but I just want more for less...who doesn't I suppose.

Although we've still been experiencing the occasional flurry or snow shower the signs of spring abound around here. We've all been getting outside more which is a very very good thing. The boys in particular want to be out everyday playing w/ their new truck. I got a great deal on it from my friend Alison (thanks again Alison!!). It was particularly adorable when they showed their new toy off to their friends.

Another thing that may be becoming a spring tradition was finishing and submitting our stories for the Reading Rainbow Contest. Everyone did such a great job. They all went through the same detailed revision process that Bella did last year. They brainstormed and wrote drafts and planned out their illustrations and then put it all together. Each story was very different and they really captured the personality of each kid. Hannah's story was about a Chair named Four-legs and she used photographs that she doctored up on the computer for her illustrations. Bella's story was about a lion in the jungle who learns a lesson about obeying his mom. She used "peek-a-boo" flaps in her illustrations. Nova's story was about a starfish and a crab that were best friends. She did her illustrations Eric Carle style by painting paper and then cutting it out int he shapes of her characters. Isaac's story was about a dog, cat and mouse who went on a fishing adventure. He drew all of his own illustrations (very well I might add). They were all very proud of their hard work and so am I!

The stories aren't the only things we've been hard at work on. Isaac and Nova started their new set of phonics books from the Explode the Code series. They really breezed through their last books and are being a bit more challenged by these but they are excited about working hard and doing a great job! While they are busy with phonics, Mika has been honing in on her scissor skills. The cuts little tiny pieces of paper and makes confetti all over the kitchen. I'm amazed at the focus and attention she has sometimes. She was cutting pieces of paper for more than a 1/2 an hour the other day!
We've also been doing some fun things with poetry this month. I have been reading lots of poems to them (they love the funny ones by Shell Silverstein of course) and we have been re-writing poems by changing the nouns, verbs, adjectives and prepositions. It's funny to see what they come up with. We've been doing lots of mad libs to reinforce the parts of speech too.

We had a great time visiting a local dairy farm. The farm is called Cricket Creek and they sell raw milk and cheese. They also make their own bread (which is super delicious) and have free range eggs. Isaac liked the raw milk so much he drank almost our whole 1/2 gallon. He's never been much of a milk drinker so it surprised me. I will make it a point to get some every so often. If I could afford it I would buy it all the time...it was pretty delicious. The farm was very quaint. The kids loved seeing all the animals, especially the baby cows. They had fun chasing the free range chickens and they made butter at the end of the trip.

I can't believe this weekend is already Easter. I am so unprepared. The week after we are going to take our April vacation from school. It's well needed. Hopefully I can tame the slacker beast and get some things done!