It is so mild outside today! At about 3:00, while Caleb was napping, I went out with a blanket to look at a catalogue. Soon Grace came and joined me. We had about 10 minutes of relaxation time until the boys started gathering around.
They were wearing shorts for the first time this season. As soon as Grace saw them she got up and ran to the house. . . . “I don’t have any shorts so I’m wearing Ethan’s”, she explained when she got back. Hmmmmmm. . . . . .okay, cute actually!
Next thing I knew, they were all wading in the pond. And then Grace plunged in. I could not believe my eyes.
If you squint and look in the middle of the picture, you will see her swimming!
She had to run to the house to get into a hot bath. Then I decided to dare Ethan to jump in. He paced around, considering. He would get near the water, then walk away. Finally I said, “Hurry up E, my camera battery is going to die!!” When he realized I would be taking pictures of him he said, “Oh alright! This will be a great picture!” That’s my boy!
To give you an idea of how crazy this is. . .the kids were outside this morning in winter coats.
Ethan did not even hesitate. He got right out of the water and ran non-stop to the house to get into the other bathtub! And next came Davy-do. I hadn’t realized that he was up at the house, finding a life jacket. I tried to talk him out of swimming, but he insisted.
Jacob looked on in amusement. He would NOT join in the “fun”. *sigh* I guess one of my children actually has grown into some common sense. David thought the water was too cold and I thought he was so precious when he sat down on the edge of the pond and said, “I’m gonna wait until it gets warmer”. He doesn’t realize that it takes a long time for a pond to warm up.
I did some cartwheels outside in the grass and helped Grace with hers.
David and Grace planted seeds.
I have lots of things growing, but I’m mostly excited about the rhubarb. My goal is to actually bake with it this spring! Last year I just never got around to it. And the year before that we didn’t live here.
I found an awesome skirt in the Eddie Bauer catalogue that I really want. It’s not on sale yet though. We’re going to FL at the end of the month and it’s giving me the urge to get a couple new things for summer.
We had a rough day yesterday so today I was determined to have a better day (of homeschooling). Today I separated the kids (rather than all of us sitting at the table). We were still all in the same room but they each sat in a different desk/spot. We did devotions together and then they each had a list that I wrote of their daily assignments. They knew they had to do everything on their list by themselves. If they needed help they had to ask me for it, but if they knew what to do than they had to go ahead and just do it. In other words, they were much more independent today. There was a lot less talking going on which was great. I didn’t do any preschool work with David.
Other than school work, we’ve spent most of the day outside. It’s been so nice to feel the warm sun.
Thank for the input on yesterday’s post. I was/am so blessed by all of your comments. I’ve heard a lot of great feedback from it. I can’t wait until next question!
How are things with all of you?
Good to be Home 
it’s dreary and drizzly here again today…how fair is that! I want your weather! We haven’t seen the sun since last Thursday….LOL Looks like the kids had a blast! Suz
Brrrrr!
This makes me so cold! It very cold here today! Jeni was outside wearing flip flops! I realized this was the case and ran outside with a pair of shoes and some socks. She seemed offened. I was freezing! She had to be freezing also. What’s a mom to do? When will it be warm? Cute pictures!
FUN! Of course, here in South East Texas it is almost warm enough to swim! Not sure about water temps, but believe me a few weeks ago the Beaches were packed!
Looks like something my kids would do. Cold water has never seemed to bother them, but then the water never does get warm here. Great pictures!
It’s warmer here…but not warm enough for this!Those photos make me c-c-c-c-cold!:o)Wonderful post yesterday…I couldn’t possibly add a thing to what was already written by your faithful readers.
You can still do cartwheels?? I’m really impressed! Glad you had an afternoon of fun after the rough day ~
Wow, I’m a bit south of you and we weren’t swimming today. I can’t wait to though :).
BbbrrrrrrrRRRR!!! (chattering teeth!) Your kids are so adventurous, and I LOVE the way you are too, as a Mom!Enjoy these innocent days before Grace is way “above” such things as using her brother’s (orange!) shorts so she can swim in the pond! Sweet, precious times! I must confess a bit of envy for the sunshine you’ve had today…it has been chilly, rainy, and gray here for several days. BUT, the daffodils are blooming everywhere!
It is such a beautiful day here! I went for a walk on my lunch and I didn’t want to go back inside! I got home, got my rubber boots on and jumped in or creek–good thing its not knee deep. I weeded a little. Do you have any mint at your house? Would you be interested in some? How about baby lilac trees/bushes? I know we talked about that last year. You have lots of watery areas near your house and the mint LOVES it! It will spread too. Can you still do splits too?
The sun is shining here but I have not heard of anyone who has gone swimming yet. Way to go kiddos!A strawberry rhubarb pie sounds really good right now. I hope you will enjoy using it this year.Precious picture of you and grace.
Oh my it is so nasty here today maybe we will get some warm weather since looks ;ike you are having it nice. Not sure where you actually live? We are here in Central IL sothat may be the difference!
I’m doing well. My new schedule idea is working out better. I am more consistently getting the truly important things done. My kids loved seeing your pictures of your kids swimming.
Oh my! Your kids crack me up. The sun made me so happy today. I’m glad your homeschooling day went better. We have some sprouts on our seedlings already.
LOL!!!! awesome! better them than me though!! I HATE being wet and cold. haha.
Woo Hooo! That water must be REALLY cold. Do you have a way to measure the temp?And great capture on Ethan running into the water!
You beat us by two days. As a child I grew up by a river. Mother and Father would let us go swimming whenever we felt brave enough to take that cold plunge. I remember once going on April 10th because that was my sisters birthday. Way to go!
I love all the pictures! I can’t believe Grace just jumped in the pond! It had to be freezing cold! Silly girl! I love how her brothers (well, most of them) followed suit! Hysterical!
Sounds like you had a good day of school and sunshine!
Holy cow, I’m cold just looking at them swimming. It was only 61!! LOL Yikes. I need to get my stuff all planted, but I have so many yucky shady spots, we’ll see what actually grows this year.
I laughed at your sensible little guy….getting a life jacket. 🙂 I bet that characteristic stays with him his whole life. 🙂
I completely understand about separating the kids at the school table….and making them be more independent. 🙂 I totally “hear you” on that one!! 🙂
Ouch that water has to be sooooo cold! I remember the snow pictures not long ago. I jumped in a glacier fed lake when I was 13 and the impression of COLD stays with you….you are seeing memories being made. They are all so cute. I love the one of you and Grace on the blanket.
My David was kind of grumpy today and had a hard time with the school work. He said he had a headache and felt like he was fighting something. I am praying he doesn’t get sick. We are going to Nana and Grandpas on Friday for the weekend to help them out, build railings on the walkway and clean up the garden.
I am excited about some new books. I found a bookstore I had a gift card for when waiting for David yesterday. They were also giving 25% off to educators…I have an ID card for our homeschool group so I was able to get an extra book with the discount. Two books on prayer and one Bible study on Jesus I made a Thai recipe with some pork loin we had…..it was yummy. Prob too many spices and tastes for little ones, but my guys liked it. It cooked all day with soysauce, rice vinigar, peppers, ginger , garlic, brownsugar….at the end you shred the pork and put in peanut butter and coconut milk and serve with rice and limes.
Night! God bless, Jenny
I used to beg my parents to let me go in the water as soon as the ice was off. Now I just shiver thinking about it! Hope your kids hang on to their adventurous spirits (and don’t get pneumonia in the process, haha). What a fun spring memory for them all!
Are you working on your own polar bear club? lol. The cold doesn’t seem to bother them as much as it does the adults. Glad you were able to have a better day of school. Sometimes changing things up is the key, but darn it, I forget that!
Those pictures make me smile. I love the splashing picture.
It’s been warm a while here in Alabama, but not quite warm enough for swimming. Some of my brother’s friends go fishing this time of year, and one of them took a tumble into the lake. David said it was obviously a bit too cool still for swimming. I’m just daydreaming about when it’s finally time to go to the beach and soak up the sun and enjoy the warm water.
Total sidebar: I have never been able to do a cartwheel. Always wanted to, but never quite got it down. I took gymnastics for a couple of weeks when I was in first grade, and the teacher took my mother aside and suggested that perhaps another activity might be better for me. I’m way less than coordinated.
My, my! What BRAVE children you have! I’m more like Jacob!
Brr that water looks so so so cold!!
You should see my smile reading about you doing carwheels!