Backyard Buddies

We spied a new friend in the backyard last week: a Northern Flicker!

We're guessing this is the same guy that was pecking at our roof a few days earlier.

Here comes the sun!

Washington winters (even this past one, which was comparatively very pleasant)

sure make you thankful for the sun!

Did you notice our friend, the hummingbird?

Love, Us

Hoffman Academy

Thanks to the advice of our dear friend, Sarah, 

we have started a new kind of piano lesson for the kids.

Hoffman Academy (totally online, great education, and amazing price!) has been wonderful.

Check it out!

Here are the kids after learning about proper piano posture.

Pretty sure Hoffman Academy will be part of the Escriva Catholic Academy for years to come.

Love, Us.

Recent Snuggles

Love, Us.

Daily Happenings: Library and Rosary Time

For today, here are some pics of daily happenings here.

First, the day always ends with quite a few books to be picked up in the library, 

due to many hands leafing through them throughout the day.

Also, we are still going strong getting our daily Rosary in,

but now it also includes a daily fight about who will be holding Hector.

Love, Us.

Our Family Paschal Candle: A New Tradition

I've thought of doing this for several years.

Since we spent all of the Triduum and Easter at home this year, 

I finally had the time and materials on hand to finally do a family Paschal candle!

Before adding the cloves:

It turned out OK. 

Love, Us.

For Easter: Little Hector on my Shoulder

Love, Us.

The Crazy and Quiet Moments of a Day

One sunny day last week very suddenly clouded over and hailed out of nowhere!

The hail was tiny, but came down very thick for about 60 seconds before turning into rain.

The kids ran outside to "enjoy" the event.

The day wasn't all excitement, though.

There was also plenty of time for reading and quiet snuggles.

Love, Us.

The Newest Addition to ECA: Recess!

It isn't like we never took breaks in school, but they were never strictly active in nature. 

Joe reminded me how healthy a required "run around time" would be for our active third grader.

So, when Escriva Catholic Academy started up again after our Babymoon, 

we started having a required recess every day for David.

It has been a brilliant addition to our schooling!

Thanks, Joe, for the inspiration!

Take a moment to note the always-improving cabin walls!
We are really hoping to finish by Easter.

Love, Us.

Hector's 1 Month Pictures

We made a point of documenting the little chubby guy on his one month-day.

  

Love, Us.

David Snuggles at Bedtime

Note of import: This is our new wonderful "Paula Boerboom blanket"!

Love, Us.

A New Pizza Night Tradition?

If you know my husband, he is constantly attempting to better his life in small ways.

Currently, he is thinking that although pizza night is a wonderful family tradition,

it may be best if the adults try to cut back on the weekly pizza intake.

So...what did he choose to replace the pizza with?

Steak, of course!

And he offered to do the cooking!

Yes...he wore eye protection for the occasion. Ha!

They were great, and I hope the new tradition sticks!

Love, Us.