Just Checking In . . .

The weather outside . . .
Overcast and a bit drizzly. I don't mind too much. We (the kids and I) picked up a cold a week ago and it just won't let go. Blasted colds. So we are moving at a much slower pace these days. I sure hope we are feeling good by the weekend. We have some special visitors. So for now, inside and somewhat restful we are today. Again.

I'm listening to  . . .
Sniffling noses and the hum of the humidifier. The humidity is back for the summer. Not my favorite part of living in the midwest.

In the kitchen . . .

Key West Chicken Sandwich from Iowa Girl

A good mixture of easy dinners and some refreshing flavor as well. We're still working on new routines with having a nursing infant. I'm excited to be in the season of cooking and feeding the family from the garden. We thoroughly enjoyed the asparagus again this year. We are now using broccoli from the garden and will start cutting some lettuce, spinach, and kale too. I love how open the kids are to eating vegetables when it is straight from the garden. Nutmeg was exclaiming the other day how much she loves kale and dill the other day as we worked in the garden.

In the yard and garden . . .
Lots happening out there. Some of you saw the video of the
kids catching a bunny the other day. Yesterday the kids were thrilled to catch a snake. Oh my! We had to look up what kinds of poisonous snakes there are in our area. Being from Alaska, I don't know much in that department. Turns out the snake was fine but I'm still not sure what I think of the kiddos catching snakes. Hmm. As you saw our yard is full of dandelions. I don't mind them too much myself but I do think the Mr. will be putting down something soon to try to tame them a bit. So much for dandelion foods from the yard. ;)

And yes, the garden is a hotspot for weeds too. After the weed jungle last year due to my pregnancy, it is a TOUGH year as far as weeds go. I'm trying to be overwhelmed with it. My goal is to take the kids outside for 10 minutes everyday (when we aren't sick) to weed together. We had our first try the other day.  It was a good experience. I think it will be a great chance to instill a bit of work ethic and gain some knowledge about plants and gardening. We got a good chunk done of weeding done as well.

Doug is working on putting a fence around the perimeter. The straw is helping a good bit with the weeds.

This year we've got potatoes, broccoli, peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots, kale, onions, beans, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, a few leeks, dill, cilantro, tomatoes, peppers, two eggplants, and even a melon plant. 

Two rows of potatoes this year. Yum!

Trying out a bean tepee for the beans to grow up.

Doug built a trellis for the peas.

I'm reading . . . 
The seventh book in the "Anne" series. I've just started reading How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare. So excited about this one. I'm sold on the value of teaching Shakespeare, even to young children.

We are reading aloud . . .
Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. We are not reading the series in chronological order as the series is generally sold today. We are reading it according to publication date. You can read all about this debate in articles around the web.

Learning, learning all the time . . . 
We will be slowly decreasing our study load. We'll finish the math books this week. We'll finish out our history and science books in a couple weeks. Basil finished the reading program quite some time ago and Sage is just about there.

This summer I hope to do a little bit of skill maintenance every day. A little writing and some math fact drill. And of course, the learning in the garden.

Nutmeg will be doing her "school" this summer. This summer is a big time of learning for me as well. I'm reading up on what we'll be doing next year. Third grade for the boys. Phew! Third grade is a big step up. I think I'm set on what we'll do for Latin. I've got some exciting/promising thoughts for writing. I'm reading about how to teach Shakespeare. Good times!

Around the house . . .
Bleh. Just trying to keep things from complete mayhem until these colds heal up.

Mr. Mace . . .
Oh goodness, I haven't kept you updated on his milestones very well. Thankfully I have my little blue memory book to keep track of things. It sure is handy. The poor little guy is stuffy this week as well. I just hate it when babies are sick. It's the worst.

Anywho, on Mother's Day he rolled over for the first three times. Back to tummy. I saw him once roll from tummy to back. He's now doing a sort of army crawl. Just a little. More a schooch maybe. Is that a word? Schooch. Anyhow, that's what it looks like. I just started him on food. I have to make sure there are no lumps whatsoever or he chokes on it. Unlike Nutmeg who wanted nothing to do with baby food. I start slowly with the food. So far he's had banana, avacado, and rice cereal. Wow, last night he was ravenous. He kept grabbing the spoon from my hand. I have a feeling he's going to be a lot like Basil. A good eater.

Plans for the rest of the week. . . 
Get rid of these colds!! Heal up and try to get the house a bit more presentable before our visitors come.