A Little Catch Up and Some Talk About Creativity

 Happy Tuesday, my friends!

How's the pollen count around your neck of the woods? 😷🌳 Ours is causing a lot of trouble around here lately. I read the report for the week and the oak trees and the pine trees are the culprits and we are surrounded by both! 

But...life must go on, sneezing or not!

Our first day of homeschooling went great! These girls love to learn and they love keeping busy, so I made sure we had our work all lined out, even down to "recess" in the backyard while I fixed lunch. 

Today is a school day, so I spent yesterday getting their boxes full of assignments and planning our lunches for the week. This is bringing back so many memories from all my years of teaching the boys. 

It's tough teaching different ages, because they are on different levels in reading and math and you have to accommodate for all the different workbooks and abilities. I remember with the boys, I felt like a ping pong ball, going back and forth between the two, trying to teach two different levels (6 years apart). At least with the girls, they are closer in age, so that makes it a bit easier. 

On Sunday night we got to keep Asa and Sunday James, so Morgan and Collin could go out to dinner for his birthday. 

These boys are such a joy and typical boys...active! They never stop moving! Well, I did get them to slow down with a bowl full of goldfish crackers and some Thomas the Tank on tv 😅 Sunday will sit and play with toys and Asa enjoys his trucks and building blocks. He loves to read too, which always blesses me to see. 

Look at those curls 😊 The minute they walk out the door, I miss them! 

Other than playing with babies and teaching the girls, I managed to get my big puzzle framed and hung on the wall. I hung it in the hallway and will probably start a collection of puzzles along that wall. I won't frame all of them, but if it's a pretty scene and one that takes a while to do, I will frame it, rather than take it apart and store it for no reason. I used to pass my puzzles along to a friend, but now I see that they can become pieces of art for our own walls and fun conversation pieces, as well.

On the dinner table...

Last night I made baked potatoes and fried up some bacon to put on top, along with butter and cheese. It was a simple, delicious meal. 

Today I am fixing the girls some turkey and swiss sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls, with chips and dip and pickles for sides. I also bought a pound cake and cool whip for an afternoon treat. They will love that! 

I've got a few simple meals planned for the rest of the week and then Friday night we will celebrate Collin's 27th birthday at our family dinner. 

On the creative front...

I've been working on gathering supplies for a project I want to do for Mother's Day. (Can't tell what it is, in case anyone is reading along. I don't want to spoil the surprise).  I used to be so creative and fill my days with making things for people. Somehow that has gotten away from me over the years, but I really want to add that back into my life. 

I will say that taking time to make things and be creative, sure feeds your soul. When life gets so busy with the work of life and you find yourself feeling empty, do something creative with your hands and your empty tank will start to fill up once again. This shouldn't surprise us. We were made in the image of a creative Father. It only stands to reason that we were made to create, as well. 

The fun thing is that creativity looks different for all of us. 

Some are creative with cooking, some with baking, some with organizing, some with crafts, some with mechanics, wood work, and the list goes on and on. My boys are creative with making music and putting words to their songs. Other people sew and garden. 

There is no end to the ways we can be creative and I believe, it's a must. It's something inside of us that wants to create, so I encourage you to find something, if you've put that aside for all the responsibilities you have. Even if it's just for one hour a week, you will notice a lift of your mood and spirit for taking the time to do it. 

Well, that's all I have time for today. I've got 3 little girls showing up in a few hours and I have to be ready to put on my teacher hat for the day. 

I hope to get back here sooner, rather than later, and visit with all of you.

Until Next Time...

Blessings!