I don't like reading books on a screen. I like the feel of a book in my hand. It's a matter of principle. I like to be able to page through a book. I like the smell of the pages. I like that it is complete entertainment in itself, and doesn't contain inner distractions. Like Facebook. And Pinterest. I pretty much had my mind made up that I don't read books on my phone.

That's all fine and good, but then Clay bought me a digital book. Orange Jumpsuit: Letters to the God of Freedom. I can't put it down. And by that I mean I sit down and the usual distractions are non-issues. I just want to read!
I guess the screen wasn't the problem. I just needed a gripping book.

Wyatt is really growing in his artistic abilities. I love to see his imagination come to life through his drawings. Here he is drawing a cold sun :) We were at a joint birthday party for my nephew and niece, and the table was covered in paper for the kids to leave their mark.

Bowling Day!

Sometimes you just have to say 'yes'.
"Mommy can we play bowling tomorrow?"
What I want to say is 'no'. It's loud, annoying, and they don't clean them up when they're done. I suppose those are valid enough reasons, but not valid enough to crush the dream. I am learning that I need to say yes when possible.
So today we turned our hallway into a bowling alley, and had a blast!

It Tickles!

Today was haircut day in our house! This only happens about twice a year. You think I'm joking.
I'm not.
:)
Markus is so cute when the shaver comes out. He is so ticklish! He giggles and giggles, and it is quite a job for me to keep reminding him to put his shoulders down. I love those little chicklet teeth! It won't be long before he starts losing them.

Eight Months

It has taken me until my fourth baby to settle into the groove of mothering, slow down, and just enjoy. And what a joy it is. Which is not to say I didn't enjoy the other three as babies. I did! But this feels like another level. I'm being brought deeper, to delight in the softness of his skin even more, the glitter in his eyes even more, and I do not catch myself longing for the day when he will not need me like he does now. How sweet it is to be loved by you, Deacon. I'm in no hurry for you to grow up.

Deacon

Sweet little go-getter, ready to head out of the house to grab some supper with friends.
This guy seems so much bigger now that we have him in a convertible car seat. He has gotten to the back-breaking point that I am no longer willing to carry his infant car seat around anymore. It had its conveniences, but I was rather tired of bruised legs from uncomfortably carrying a 30lb of bucket around.

By the way, every one of our kids has worn that toque when they were a baby. I love it.

Partiers

Our kids came home today, after spending the last two days at my mom and dad's house. They LOVE sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa's. Today was also special because they went to their friend's birthday party, and came home with balloons and ring pops!

While this was all going on, Clay and I were at the local annual homeschooling conference. We had a great time learning, connecting with friends, and connecting with each other as we are still trying to figure out what this whole homeschooling thing looks like for us.

Free

How My Kids Are Sweet, #87: They are joyous about free stuff, even when it is not for them. Any one of them would be swimming in the shirt that will be coming in the mail, but to them it is a victory just that we are getting it. I guess I have taught them to appreciate a good deal :)

Library Finds

The kids and I stopped at the library this afternoon, because I had requested The Invention of Hugo Cabret and it was ready to be picked up. I know it's a young adult novel, but I don't do much reading for fun lately, so it seemed like a good way to get back into it...until I saw it on the shelf and realized how huge it is! Not to worry, half of it is actually illustrations. Yessss.

I was also thrilled to find All New Square Foot Gardening because I need to figure out how to maximize my tiny yard. I am not a master gardener, but I sure do like trying. And Prairie Feast, written by a local woman who only ate Saskatchewan foods for a year. Sound boring? Anything but!

Play

I don't often have a chance to get a photo of all four kids in the same place, but here they are. Markus is busy crafting a story to go along with his picture, Bailey is arranging magnets on the fridge to hold her picture, Wyatt is making sure Bailey doesn't do something that will require him to step in with his expertise (humbly, of course), and Deacon is taking it all in.