Dog Days

image courtesy of dibytes

I love the “dog days of summer”. I love to feel the warmth of the sun! My St. Bernard, on the other hand, is looking forward to winter. I used to love winter and still do but nowadays I can only handle so much of it. You see, I'm pretty much cold during the whole winter and can never get warm. That can get tiring after a while. If I had a fire place that would be a different story. I'd probably sit in front of it all winter long and be content. 

Here are all the things I love summer for: 
Sprinklers 
Sunshine 
Longer daylight 
Green everywhere (my favorite color) 
Thunderstorms 
Lightning Bugs or Fireflies (depends on what you want to call them) 
Starry skies at night
Listening to the frogs sing in the evening 
Listening to the birds sing in the morning 
Enjoying lots of play time with the kiddos 

I'm sure there is more I just can't think of any of it right now. 

Of course, most good things have their down side too. A few things I don't like about summer; mosquitoes (we have a lot around here), humidity, lawn mowing. 

I'm actually enjoying my summer though. We are doing a little summer school. We are reading a nature reader and a history reader, doing some math work etc. How is your summer?

Summer Bucket List 2011

I thought this was a great idea, especially since I wanted to accomplish a lot with the kids for the summer. We probably won't complete everything off this list, though.

Educational

• Watch episodes of Liberty's Kids on rainy days
• Collect wildflowers and identify them
• Identify several trees and collect the leaves
• Learn to identify local birds by appearance and song
• Continue to learn new hymns each month
• Keep caterpillars and watch them grow into butterflies   ✓

Pure Summer Fun

• Local Fishing Fair ✓
• St. Louis Zoo
• Picnic
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Regular trips to the park
• Farmer's Market
• Flea Market
• Go on the bike trail often
• Catch Lightning Bugs - A must ✓
• Make ice cream
• Road trip
• Read together ✓
• Watch fireworks ✓
• Go to a patio concert ✓
• Pirate Festival
• Make sun tea

Life in May 2011

What a long month it has been. Yet, it still seems to have flown by.

I had a lovely Mother's Day because, after church, we went to used book sale! I love books, especially if they are cheap. I even found some books we will be needing for the next school year. I got a big box full for only $14.  I was really excited because I found the complete Anne of Green Gables series for 25 cents a piece.  

I had a birthday this month. That means I am now 32. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I kind of feel like this means I'm getting old but I honestly don't feel old. I'll just take it one year at a time. I am praying that I can age with grace. I don't want to make a big deal about getting wrinkles. Even though I feel a little panicky when I look in the mirror and see crow's feet and a line going straight across my forehead. This post is pretty inspiring.

My family had a reunion. We have it every year at a park. We actually lucked out on the weather because they were calling for storms for that day..

I also have some news worth rejoicing over! Trista was baptized this month. I'm so proud of her! Below is a video of my cousin, who was just ordained the week before, baptizing her. 

We also had some crazy wind here and lost the top half of one of our maples. Now it is only half its height.

When it hasn't been raining or storming we have been spending a majority of our days outside. We had a pretty good month. We are now looking forward to June and summer!

Free tree at Lowe's on 4/23

Free tree at Lowe's on 4/23

http://www.lowes.com/cd_Earth+Day_817240224_?UserSearch=earth+day&langId=-1&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&N=0

Easter coloring printables

http://www.123printcards.com/easter1/

http://www.mes-english.com/coloring/easter.php

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/04/01/free-easter-printables/

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/christian-easter/

http://www.123certificates.com/easter_bookmarks.php

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/christian_easter_coloring_pages.htm

April Calendar Planner download

 Here's a calendar and planner for April
<http://www.examiner.com/homeschooling-in-denver/download-your-april-201\
1-calendar-planner>

Happy Spring!

THE BLUEBIRD

I KNOW the song that the bluebird is singing,

Up in the apple-tree where hejs swinging, 

Brave little fellow! The skies may look dreary,— 

    Nothing cares he while his heart is so cheery.

   Hark! how the music leaps out from his throat!
   Hark! was there ever so merry a note?
   Listen a while and you'll hear what he's saying,
   Up in the apple-tree, swinging and swaying.

   "Dear little blossoms, down under the snow.
   You must be weary of winter, I know;
   Hark, while I sing you a message of cheer!
   Summer is coming and springtime is here.

   Little white snowdrop, I pray you arise,
   Bright little crocus, come, open your eyes;
   Sweet little violets hid from the cold,
   Put on your mantle of purple and gold!
   Daffodils! Daffodils! Say, do you hear?
   Summer is coming, and springtime is here!"

E. H. Miller