Daffodils and Robins

 "Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn."

-Lewis Grizzard

I don't know this author, but I do like this quote. What a perfect representation of Spring. And March really does feel like the very, very beginning. Little glimpses of the warm days ahead. The thawing earth with the slightly warm breezes that can turn crisp in a second. I have stepped outside this March and felt like the doom and gloom of winter is slowly leaching from my body. There are robins singing and searching while little daffodils are poking their heads out of the ground. It's hopeful and refreshing! The kids have felt it too as we collapse every night with tired bodies from running outside and dirty feet from stomping through mud. And we love it.

We have had hotdogs over the fire, picnics under the tree, and school in the sunshine. We are garden-planning, sunshine-chasing, dirt-digging, barefoot-running, kite-flying, freckles-peaking, worm-hunting, spring-loving enthusiasts. 

We haven't done much lately other than play outside. We have gone to co-op, though, but that has also mostly been outside :) We visited the maple syrup grove for the third year in a row where we learned about tapping trees and what it takes for maple syrup to run. Just like the garden, I find it amazing when food comes from the earth and then to learn about what it takes to harvest said food. Our God is so good to give us everything we need from our planet. Plus there's nothing like the sweet smelling maple smoke from the sugar house to signify the end of winter and the start of spring!

 Afterwards, we played at the nature preserve down the road where we found a deceased raccoon hanging out of a tree (a bit shocking for all of us!). We also found a squirrel's tail, a flock of turkeys, and a herd of deer all in the same day. Nature never stops changing, teaching, and fascinating us.

The next co-op we attended was simple and sweet, but that is sometimes the best kind! We flew kites, basked in the sunshine, and played together for 4 hours. Just what we needed :)

The next week was a celebration of the Spring Equinox where we had to move inside due to tornadoes followed by a dusting of snow. Spring truly is surprising!

We did some science experments, read books, made a wind craft, and planned for our days of sunshine :)

And to finish out the month, we visited the geology department of Illinois State University to learn about rocks! I love that our group is full of different kinds of mamas with different passions and connections. After one mom got HUNDREDS of free rocks off facebook marketplace from a collector she decided to make a day of it. That, combined with our fellow ISU professor's connection to the geology department, made for a great experience! The kids got to see ISU's rock and mineral collection, including fossilized dinosaur poop! And Mr. Paul, the geologist, let the kids take home their very own dinosaur bone and fluorite (Illinois's mineral). Then they picked out several rocks from the hundreds to do experiments with and to add to their own collections at home.

Other than co-op, our days have been slow and simple. Life updates for us include:

Isla- She has started a new reading curriculum and loves it! Like I knew it would, her reading has started to really pick up. She just needed a better motivation. She has continued with violin even though she does not enjoy practicing. She is excited to get into the garden with me and we are both dreaming of warmer days. Lately she tells me she wants to be an orinthologist, violinist, farmer, and maybe a mom when she grows up :) I love her passions and interests!

Ewan- For the last year and a half I have suspected some sensory issues and other behavioral struggles, but I have never followed through on seeking help, for many reasons. Well, as of the last couple months his issues have amplified and he now has worsening symptoms like chronic exhaustion from sleep disturbances (I also suspect sleep apnea). Next week we are seeking three different avenues of help in hopes of getting to the root of his issues. I keep reminding myself this is not the end of the world and we will do our best to meet his needs. In other news, he has started to show an interest in learning to read. He loves to join Isla in a workbook and enjoys "doing school". He has started to express interest in soccer and karate. And he's still the snuggliest little boy around.

Eleanor- The funniest kid in the world with the largest vocabulary has to be Eleanor. Without trying to, she gets us laughing all day long. She speaks in full sentences, but her "s's" don't always work. So instead of "spoon" it's "poon" or instead of "strawberry" it's "tawberry" and I love it. She does anything her siblings do, whether they want to include her or not. She loves Clifford, dancing, books, snacks, baths, "cones" (scones), and playing outside. There's not much she doesn't like, but whatever you do, don't turn on the robot vacuum. 

I love my babies and I'm grateful to do every-day-life with them. Our spring has been full of fresher foods than what winter offers, books and games every day, endless tea parties, crafts and drawings, chores and spring cleaning, and a lot of school time.