Teepee buildin'

We had a teepee on Dry Bridge, then on Rebel Ridge, and now we have one here too!  This time built completely by the children!  Apparently there were several collapses before they were able to get the sticks to stand, but it now seems fairly sturdy.  Hannah had a ball crawling through the openings until she finally conked out.  See the little pink, red and blue bundle in the first picture?  That's her fast asleep. Of course there were bows and arrows to be made, food to forage, and gold to be found.  All and all, a lovely way to spend a lazy (for me anyway) saturday.

Finally Finished!

A pair of socks long in the making!  I bought this yarn back on my thirtieth birthday, really feeling like knitting some socks.  Here they are!  A year and a half later!  Socks are surprisingly easy.  I've always been intimidated by tiny yarn, tiny needles, and the idea of gussets and 'turning a heel', but there is really nothing to it.  Hannah seems pleased, especially having the fun of taking them off!

Some bits about yesterday.  E, J and G played in the fort above all morning without quibbling!  They even let Hannah in for a bit, though the roof was not so stable.  Demolition and clean up went a little less smoothly, considering that the inside of their "house" was packed with stuff... you know wrapped up "presents" from nearby "villages" and the like, lamps, supplies, food, etc.  Very involved!

Next picture is of Gabriel's game he made up.  Talk about involved! There are guards, scouts and a jail.  Fortunately he makes my moves for me as well as his, because I really couldn't quite keep the rules straight.

Today was beautifully warm and sunny, so play was mostly outside ( I caught a glimpse of Ella prancing out in a gown, shawl and headdress).  Joshua and I did play several rounds of dominoes~ including blind Hughie~ which was the version he liked the best, and he played domino solitaire by himself for a long while after my time was up.  Last week we had gotten a book of domino games from around the world out of the library, which is where we were learning these games.  We read a few stories too.  Hedgie's Surprise, Virginia Lee Burton's Maybelle (not quite the caliber of Mike Muligan and Katy, but good), and The Greatest Skating Race by Louise Borden.  The last was an interesting WWII story from the Netherlands.  Appropriate because we had just watched Hans Brinker twice the week before.

March Snow!

Our snow came down fast and furious! By the afternoon it was already starting to melt.  Joshua was at first disappointed, because snow meant missing his first soccer practice.  However, he put on two hats, a scarf, and a smile:).  Just Ella and Joshua and I walked down to the barn while Tucker stayed in with Gabriel and Hannah.  ~Which is why they are missing from these pictures!  Today we were back to sunshine and playing soccer in the yard.  What crazy weather!  I hope my peas and spinach are still alive under the ground!  Perhaps I planted them a bit too early?

Twelve Months!

I thought I'd put this here for posterity sake.  Also, I couldn't make it all the way to eleven months and then not put up something for the big one year milestone!

Eleven Months

Christmas Tree Hunt 2011

Cut, carried and decorated by the Yoders small.  Merry Christmas to all!!!!

Ten Months!

Hannah Banana

 I really want that banana!!
We laugh at this now...

 That doesn't taste quite right

Mmmmm.... Delicious!

And that's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown

Today Ella went out on her own and picked out a Christmas tree for the children's room.

 Then she oh so lovingly helped Gabriel make ornaments for the tree.  Together they decorated it, and put up the lights.

Ella even put up lights all around the boy's beds.

I had been tempted to tell them to clean up their room before they started decorating, but I'm so glad I didn't!