Presentation Day 2023

So proud of my trio for their presentation day success! 

Adrian talked about Nissan Trucks.

Audra talked about Canadian Eskimo Dogs

Anna-Kate talked about Flower Gardening

Ribbons for all! 

 

Happy 12 and a HALF!

12

11.5

11

10.5

Ten

9 1/2
Nine

8 and a HALF

EightSeven and a half
SEven
Here's 6 1/2
Six
5 and a HALF
Age five.
Here's 4 1/2
Here's 4.
Here's 3 1/2.

Here's 3.

Here's 2 1/2,  
Here he was at 2.
Here he was at 18 months.
(And before that, I wasn't a blogger).

Happy 12 and a HALF to Adrian! 

Adrian, 

You are growing BIGGER and BIGGER.  At 5ft, 2inches, you're almost as tall as me. You eat, and eat, and eat.  You eat a feast and are still hungry.  I just keep giving you handfuls of walnuts.  

You are more responsible than I am. You do all your jobs and chores just so. You keep track of my things that go missing. You remind me of things I am supposed to do. I am so thankful for you! Otherwise I'd literally be lost.

You're  still the king of safety.  We tried to get you to stay home for an hour alone. You said that you didn't think that was safe. (Even though you're more responsible than me.)  You decided it would be better to be home alone with our neighbors, so went over there.  

You are an unbelievable artist and have set up a thriving business drawing people's vehicles.  You keep your financial books, do all your correspondence and pass out business cards.  Very professional. Your other favorite thing to do is to all things model trucks. Creating, researching, collecting, customizing. 

You start your day putting smiles on people's faces.  You get up on weekdays and wave to all vehicles that drive by for two hours.  People in town know you as the waver. You have your regulars who expect you.  HONK HONK is what we hear all morning long.

Although you're totally someone who would want to always be home and squirrel away, you're actually quite good at doing new things and interacting with people. You're liked by so many. 

Oh, one more thing.  Even though you now think my hugs are annoying, I will absolutely keep hugging you.  You are very special and so loved.

Love, Mom

Adrian with his birthday prizes and Justin with his anniversary prize.

Sap collecting

 One does not just go collect the sap. No.  One must get dressed appropriately prior to departure. A pre-requisite, naturally. Also, those buckets must be fetched from the upstairs over the garage. They are the only collection buckets suitable. 

Snow play

 Today we had a marvelous time with some homeschooling friends.  Sledding. Snacks. Snatching poultry. Sugary maple candy on snow.  Simply splendid.  (Thank you!)  Couple photos pilfered from a friend. (Thank you!)

Tapping

 I know I'm someone who loves to do all things homesteading usually, but I am not a fan of tapping trees, for a number of reasons. (I want to enjoy the last bit of winter, we can purchase syrup at low cost from the Amish, the wind blows the sap buckets around here...even though we tie them on, we could use a more professional setup to boil a lot of sap).  It dawned on me that my kids are old enough to just do it on their own. I asked Adrian if he wanted to tap some trees and he did want to.  It took me a ridiculous amount of time to find the spiles, but somehow it's all together and he got tapping.

Didn't take long for a couple of sisters got in on the action. 

All I hear is the wind whipping right now. We'll see if there's any sap still in the buckets tomorrow.

Mama Made: New Dress

 Her 4-H Presentation is gardening (unless she changes her mind in the next week). I'm pretty sure I made a new something for my other kids' first presentations all those years ago.  She loves it.

Snowdays

It seems like we have been getting quite a bit of snow every other day as of late. We've been doing the things we love on repeat.  X-Country ski. Good food. Games. Crafts. Animals. Repeat. I know it will all melt soon and we will be outside in the gardens for hours a day, so we're enjoying the last bits of winter joy while we can.