Fairy Village

Lizzie has occupied herself for hours over the past weeks creating a fairy village. Even daddy lent his technical skills to assist in building a tiny swing. Each morning the village is inspected for signs of the fairies activities. Every day berries are gathered, firewood re-stacked, fresh flowers strewn and stories are told.

The 3rd Grade

Lizzie and I stepped into the back yard to document her passage into the 3rd grade! I apologize for the kid-pic heavy post but I couldn't choose just one ;)

 

It is truly a delight to learn with this little person every day.

We always take time out for a bit of twirling....or at least Lizzie does!

 

 "Are we done yet Mom?!" (this one might be my fav)

And...more twirling.

 

Welcome to the 3rd grade Lizzie. I can't wait to see what we learn together this year!

Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade

Springfield Home

Our house-hunting excursion to Springfield, Missouri was a success. We viewed all sorts of houses....and I mean that literally.

 

Patrick did well navigating our new city. It helps that it's laid out like a big grid and we were armed with Google Maps.

Took a bit of time to explore one of the local parks and skip a few rocks on Lake Springfield.

We did our fair share of eating out at many of the fantastic local restaurants.

Lizzie finally got to visit a Krispy Kreme...Daddy's all-time favorite doughnut place!

Spent some time on campus and visited Strong Hall to see where Patrick will be working this Fall.

Lizzie says the back yard of our new home smells like a fairy garden 'cuz it's surrounded in honeysuckle. 

Now time for the part I'm dreading.... p-a-c-k-i-n-g.

To Market, To Market

To Market, To Market, assemblage with old cuckoo clock frame

Finally put one of these cuckoo clock frames to good use. We always quote the second line of this Mother Goose poem to Lizzie when pulling back into our driveway at home after a road trip or visit to the grocery store. My parents did the same when I was a kid....

....home again, home again, jiggety-jig.

Emily & Henry

Emily & Henry preparing to color Easter eggs & have a tea party. 
by Lizzie Scott, age 8

We are preparing to color our Easter eggs just like these two bunnies :) Wishing all of you a pleasant Easter weekend....hippity hop!

Lucky Us

Lizzie created a Saint Patrick's Day cartoon and I asked her permission to share it here on the blog (you can click the cartoon to enlarge). Patrick and I both thought the main character was eating the gold but Lizzie explained his mom had made his favorite fruit salad so he had something lucky happen to him after all ;) We attended the local St. Patty's Day Parade yesterday and Lizzie said she was luckier than ever 'cuz she caught more candy at this parade than last years. Oh....and we all got to eat Lucky Charms for breakfast....lucky us!

Fall Things Zines

We made "Fall Things" zines over the weekend to celebrate the beginning of the new season. Lizzie and I filled ours with things that remind us of Fall and Patrick did a literal interpretation of 'things that fall in the Fall' (and other times of year!). If you want to make one too, here are instructions on how to fold a mini zine. We used the single page option, no staples necessary. Happy Fall y'all!

Sundays Fundays

Lizzie hasn't missed wearing her Little Miss Sunshine, Sundays Fundays shirt, for a Sunday since she got it over a year ago. Now Sunday's are officially our family fun-day. (I swear she was having fun despite that look. hah!)

Today we decided to take our co-pilot bike trailer on a long-ish ride and explore the Linear Trail here in Manhattan. It was a gorgeous Kansas day and before we knew it we'd covered over 6 miles and then had to pedal back to our car.

Twelve-ish miles is not bad for us and the longest ride for Lizzie yet. And yes...she did pedal the entire way!

Of course we had to stop for a few Instagram shots on an old bridge.

Patrick is Mr. Chippy Paint over on IG. You can find him @elasticity if chippy paint is your thing.

I don't mind stopping for Patrick's chippy paint images 'cuz he's always patiently stopping for my "just-a-quick-look-see" at antique malls 'n thrift shops when we're out and about. I'm tellin' ya....marriage is all about compromise ;)

Mom (me!) insisted on a quick family snapshot at the end of our trail. We all agreed it was a great Sunday Funday....

....and then we polished off our day with "bicycle soup". Hope you had a Sunday Funday too!

2nd Grade

Yay for 2nd grade! Another year of homeschooling has begun and it's already lookin' like a fun one.

1st Grade, Kindergarten

Mrs. Marsh

I think all mothers love to receive little notes from their kids. This gem was discovered inside an old coloring book I thrifted awhile back. Isn't it darling? I know that I'll be enjoying all the tokens of appreciation on this Mother's Day and the little notes will be tucked away for safe keeping in a special box kept just for that reason. Happy Mother's Day!

Tying Shoes

Big news...Lizzie learned to tie her own shoes this week! I think this new pair of pink Converse did the trick nicely. She had been wanting another pair just like these cuties, ever since she outgrew them a couple years ago. We did insist on them having laces and not velcro of course. Now we just need a few trips to the park this weekend to break them in!

Writing Stories

Many stories are being written 'round our house these days. We've also just discovered the treasure trove of Sparkle Stories. Worth every penny since Mommy enjoys listening to them too. A Happy Tuesday and a Happy April to you as it's the first time I've popped in this month!

Happy 7th Birthday

Happy 7th Birthday Lizzie!
We've enjoyed every snippet of time spent with you
this past year and look forward to a new one.
We love you.

xoxo,
Mommy & Daddy