April school things

We wrapped up most of our school year in April, and it was pretty full! Our CC co-op finished up for the year early in April (which was sad for everyone, really. We loved our co-op group.), and then we were set to finish up our whole school year during the first week of May.

Our local minor league baseball team, the Durham Bulls, hosted a game with $5 tickets for school children, and a big chunk of our co-op went together. This is the only picture I got. Please enjoy Brynn's whole MOOD here.

In a strange twist of irony, we did botany for science two years ago- during the pandemic when the Duke Gardens were closed and we couldn't go to observe anything. We did space science this year- when the planetarium at UNC had very strange hours that never worked out for us. So. I'm clearly very talented at choosing our science curriculum. But, the gardens are open again, and we enjoyed going to observe and enjoy (and talk to all the dogs out walking with their owners) and pooh-poohed our non-matching science curriculum.

During Holy Week, I had planned to make pretzels with the girls and discuss the origin and history of them as aids in teaching about prayer, so I asked two other friends if they and their kids wanted to join. That evolved into going over to the house of one of those friends, making pretzels outside with our combined 12 children, running and playing, and eating celebratory cupcakes for Lily's birthday. It was a really great day! And our pretzels turned out wonderfully.

My friend's sons (6 and 5) took such good care of Hallie while we were there. They very carefully drove her around in this chariot (which she loved) and generally kept very close tabs on her and made sure she was ok. It was adorable.

Most of the crew eating birthday cupcakes

Hallie was really feeling it.

Claire and Lily made models of the solar system, which was a really fun project for all of us.

Keeping Hallie and Brynnie busy and engaged is a constant challenge, and I'm always looking for new and creative ideas. Some work well and others...not so much. Gotta try everything to see what sticks.

We do so much more during a school week than I ever remember to photograph. Maybe I'll remember to do a "Day in the Homeschool Life" at some point to give a more well-rounded picture. But until then...bits and bobs it is!

Easter 2022

Thankfully, Lent and Easter this year were spent in a much more normal way than the past two years (I mean, if we discount Ash Wednesday being held outside), including Palm Sunday and its accompanying processional!

They were VERY excited!

Hallie had no intention of relinquishing her palm branch.

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day with the chance to go to church unmasked, worship with our church family, and then spend the evening Easter-Feasting with friends.

Sisters Shots on Sunday: Easter edition

Easter baskets! Our baskets were made by our favorite Mrs. Romine and are a highlight every year. Please enjoy Brynn's face!

We do so love our feathery Easter ears.

Our "backyard" is very limited, but the girls are great sports and have a good time hunting eggs, nonetheless.

Hallie even got in on the fun!

We headed to a supper potluck with friends that evening and had such a fun time. It was fun and a little bittersweet, all at the same time: 3 families (including us) already knew we would be moving (us for a short interim and 2 other families permanently). We've all been friends for years, so we enjoyed a good, last, normal hurrah to celebrate Easter together.

We even managed to get a great group shot!

It was a really lovely Easter Sunday, and I'm really grateful I get to log it in my memory bank.

Lily's 6th birthday!

For Lily's actual birthday, Gran and Grandpa came to town to celebrate with us, and we set aside the day to hang out at our Museum of Life and Science!

Lily is our cat-loving girl, and she always gets very fun and clever cat-themed gifts.

Breakfast casserole and chocolate donuts for birthday breakfast

Siblings always love to investigate the birthday girl's new goodies

This lion's getup was especially a favorite.

Lily even wore the mane and ears on our birthday outing to the museum (I made her leave the tail at home, though)

We rarely pay the extra fee to ride the train, but we do for special occasions!

Grabbed a family photo

It genuinely thrilled me to see her wearing her mane all day.

Lily is such an incredibly fun little girl. She's hilarious and spunky and very tender-hearted and an animal lover. She feels her feelings in such a big way, and her brain works in such a clever and different pathway than mine does. 

Being her mom makes me a better version of myself (in a long-term way...often our differences bring out the worst in me in the short term, until I learn a better way to proceed). She helps me to see things I wouldn't necessarily notice on my own, and I'll always be grateful for how she makes me laugh every day.

I'm so very thankful that God gave us Lily. She's nothing like I ever expected her to be, and I'm so glad for that! Happiest of birthdays (back in April) to our Lily.