Catching creatures

 

He caught a frog and a lizard. The kid can't just leave things alone. He still chases butterflies, too.

Simon's projects

A word search

A giant paper airplane

Word math

A list of 50+ types of utters (totally normal kid here)

Schoolwork

Basement Time

 During the dark evenings of winter, Zac and the kids developed some games they would play in the basement after supper while I cleaned up and prepared the bedtime snack. As far as I can tell, it mostly involves Zac trying to get them while they try not to be gotten. There's always lots of screaming. Sometimes they talk about gulls so I think the game has evolved a lot over time and now includes different characters. The current iteration involves a fort with lots of complex tunnels underneath that Zac rebuilds differently every evening, so they have to figure it out again the next night.  At any rate, the kids absolutely love it.

Clemmons Educational Forest

 We came here with our friends Rob and Kate about 4 years ago. I sort of forgot about the place for a while, but as parks continue to be crowded, I'm trying to find some more off-the-beaten-path places to go. So this weekend I took Simon and Alice and met Jess and Anna at the forest. They had loads of fun just playing in the forest in different spots. I doubt we even hiked two miles. But it was a nice way to get out of the house so Zac could work on painting the kitchen.

Alice four years ago...

We got Chinese food for takeout and I got this fortune. How nice!

Rey at the Library

Alice and I ran into Rey (Star Wars character) at the library today. I like how they put a mask on her.

 

Johnston Mill Nature Preserve

 A friend from work recommended Johnston Mill Nature preserve for a hike, so I took the kids there to check it out with Jess and Anna while Zac worked tirelessly on the kitchen remodeling project. It's always fun to still be able to find new places to explore. It was a great little hike, and we'll need to go back when it's warmer so we can play in the creeks. Although, technically the kids did get in today, even although it was chilly.

Simon's Solo Puzzle

 Simon got this puzzle for Valentine's Day and he did the entire 500 pieces all by himself! He was so proud.

After admiring the completed product for a few days, he was ready to crumble it up and start over, but was surprised to learn her could pick it and it stuck together.

Lake Benson & White Deer Park with Izzy

We had a warm Sunday and I picked up Izzy to spend the day with us. We went to the adjacent Lake Benson and White Deer parks, where the kids had a blast. It was so nice to have a warm day!

Since it was 75 degrees, they of course ended up playing in a creek!

Mess

 Our living room is almost always a total disaster because of Simon's method of playing.

Another time I found a fishing lure stuck in a pillow.

Grocery list

 I found this post-it notes on the wall outside my office when I came out for a break.

Alice is requesting more croutons (which she snacks on) and meat.

Simon goes back to school

 They opened up the schools again for K-3 full time, and grade 4-5 on 3-week rotations for the first time since December.

Simon went back to school today! Zac drops him off in the morning and then works from his office. Life just got a little easier.

Valentines

 Simon made this picture by following a drawing lesson video in his online class.

Alice made this one. She does not know the alternate meaning of being catfished.

We made and decorated sugar cookies.

Simon made a card expressing his love for the cat.

He also made present packets for us.

I created a 10-clue treasure hunt for the kids to find their Valentines day gifts.

I just love Simon's expression as he opens up cat treats.

Simon made some stuff to put in the fire

Alice's cards

The kids trying out a fishing game Zac got them.

Beasts

The cat often hangs out at Alice's work station during the day. 

Zac got me a new computer because the old one kept crashing when I was on Zooms with my students, so now it's downstairs for Alice to use for gaming.

 

Target practice

 

This kid is really into various targeting activities and practices relentlessly. Our house is being destroyed little by little.

Simon solves problems

 Every day for school, Simon has to do these "quick write" responses to prompts. I love his confidence and optimistic outlook!

Simon's fishing lure

 Simon worked with Zac to execute his vision of a giant fishing lure.

National Parks puzzle complete!

 Tom got us this puzzle for our late Christmas gathering. I did most of it, which was quite relaxing and a great way to detox from Twitter for a while. Simon would work on it a bit every morning and show me the pieces he found. I let him put in the last pieces to have the fun of finishing the puzzle.