Memorial Day and A Birthday

We had a cookout and a birthday party on Memorial Day. Bethany had a birthday and I don't usually blog about birthdays but since we celebrated hers on Memorial Day I will this time. It was a nice day and we all enjoyed visiting with each other. Unfortunately, a few couldn't be here because of sickness or work or even going to the airport. 

We did Bethany's birthday first and even ate cake and ice cream before we cooked. Just decided we would do that as all the kids wanted to. 

After cake and ice cream we cooked and the kids went outside to let the balloons go. 

Brother and Sister -- they used to play together all the time as kids -- Emily was quite the tomboy. 

I am so glad my kids are so close to each other and enjoy spending time together. It makes our family cookouts so much more fun.

I also love that our grandkids can spend time here and play with their cousins and aunts and uncles and everyone seems to have fun and get along -- most of the time. 

Bethany got a fairy house door and steps for her birthday and she put it together and got it set up before the night was over. 

Fairy Houses and Ducks

Bethany has been working on a fairy house for days now, but I haven't gotten out to see it. Today I walked outside to see what it was that she had spent so much time on lately. She was out back working on the fairy house. Today Piper, Bella, and Claire were helping a little but mostly looking. Bethany was quite proud of her house and she has spent hours and hours entertained out there just fixing it up. I found it rather cute.

They had to stop working on it as it started pouring down rain. Bethany even ran out in the rain to make sure her house was not leaking and it wasn't.

After dinner most of the kids went out to the porch and sidewalk to play in their jammies. It was nice after the rain. 

After a few minutes Andrew came around front with the ducks and they spent the next 30 minutes playing with them. Nice ending to our day -- except Andrew, Jordan and Bethany had their math tutor coming so they still had some school to do. 

Winding Down

We are pretty much done with this school year. We may continue with math all summer and our nature journals, but that is about it. Piper will continue school as she has struggled all year long and we can't afford to stop. But, she will just be working on her alphabet and numbers and phonics. 

Since we are just about finished, we have spent more time on nature studies and art. I have come to really like our nature studies and looking at what the kids have written and drawn in their journals. 

I am ready to be done with school and enjoy some down time this summer. I am hoping to do some short day trips with the kids but not much else.  

Piper started her physical therapy and she thinks it is fun. 

Andrew ended up at the ER this week and had to get 7 stitches in his leg. 

The kids spent over an hour painting and drawing this afternoon. It has rained so much it is hard to get out to play so it has been a good week for art.

Baking is also something we did this week since it was raining so much. Andrew baked some cookies and took them to our neighbors.