Spent a wonderful day with just the little boys this week on the nicest day this year yet.  It was such a joy to feel the warmth of the sun again.  Just the sort of day for a bit of spring cleaning and outside reading and play.  We swept and cleaned windows a bit, and scrubbed the deck all clean.  Just a week ago the deck was still covered in ice and snow; now the birds are singing and splashing in the backyard water puddles, and we can bring out our quilt.  We made rock gardens and read a stack of favorites.  There will be a lot of chilly days yet, but the hope of spring is here.

3.29

Everything seems more manageable when the pencils are sharpened.

3.25

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A very happy box came in the mail today.  When Banner of Truth has a sale a person must seriously reconsider the plans they had to get some new yoga pants.  The books won.  I am delighted to have these friends.

3.24

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Moon

 This boy loves his moon.

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Our late evening delighted moon gazing may be (partly) courtesy of...

the fact that we are currently pumping water out of the back yard in hopes of being able to get at the well to fix it.  And by "we" I mean them.

3.20

Happy Spring! 

The sun has been coming out a bit more and the piles of snow are starting to melt.  Crazy northern kids think upper thirties/low forties is sweatshirt weather for riding bikes outside.  And can they wear their flip-flops?!  Um, no not yet--month with an "r" in it and all.

The bits of beautifully fresh air give hope for warmth to come!  Shades and drapes don't have to be pulled against the chill nearly as much either, and the little guy has been eagerly looking for the moon out the window each night when he goes to bed.  

Dragons & dinosaurs always a favorite for afternoon drawings

Herb tea

Been enjoying the wonderful truth taught at the 2019 Ligonier National Conference "He Is Holy" this week while I clean my stove and catch up on family photo albums and such.  

(Only ten years of photos to go through... I may be here a while.) 

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Remember

"[R]emember, remember, remember the signs.  Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night.  And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs.  And secondly, I give you a warning.  Here on the mountain I have spoken to you clearly: I will not often do so down in Narnia.  Here on the mountain, the air is clear and your mind is clear; as you drop down into Narnia, the air will thicken.  Take great care that it does not confuse your mind.  And the signs which you have learned here will not look at all as you expect them to look, when you meet them there.  That is why it is so important to know them by heart and pay no attention to appearances.  Remember the signs and believe the signs.  Nothing else matters.  And now, daughter of Eve, farewell--"

from The Silver Chair
by C. S. Lewis

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And speaking of owls...

Little owl cable knit?

Very happy indeed.

Weekend treasures

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Snow

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3.7

School planning is always better with this little friend to keep me company!

Foundation verses and New City Catechism children's questions in colored pencil rainbows.

Listening to some of our favorite songs from the questions too!  Available to stream or for free download from bandcamp on The Gospel Coalition website.

Foundation Verses (Fighter Verses younger children's version)

The New City Catechism

Songs from the New City Catechism

Songs from the New City Catechism 2

Songs from the New City Catechism 3

Songs from the New City Catechism 4

Songs from the New City Catechism: Lead Sheets

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"Made!" he calls to me from across the kitchen.  Look what I made!  He so very carefully made a block tower by himself.  He was quite pleased with it, and kept it nice for a while before toppling it.