I'd like to think I've grown in the 2 years, since I last wrote here. I re-read previous posts to get a sense of where I was and what I was thinking. I have grown and I want to keep reaching arms open to what this life offers.

 In this large city I have learned so much about our world and in turn myself. I spent 9 years exploring minimalism in all of it's depths and breadths. It has morphed and changed, the community with it. I spent the last 10 years very involved in creating a home. We moved 6 times and each place brought a different kind of experience. From the style of home to the types of neighbors, we have made each place a home.

 As we come upon living in this city 3 years and in this house 1 yr, I am thinking about how I can bring forth the richness of our area. I am not sure what I will put in this space. I created a homeschool instagram and must confess that I am disappointed at how "nice looking" I made it. I hope in this space I can share again the real life. Time is more on my side, as these kids are getting older and more independent. I hope to create something true and authentic here. Let's try.

They have found their love of chalk again. Spring brings a new box and this is the first year Daniel has been able to really join in the fun. Ellie is starting to find a playmate in Daniel. It is giving Dillan some of his own time and space. It is also teaching Daniel more cooperative play. Ellie is seeing her power in trying to tell/teach him. She may have used the excuse this week that "Daniel told her too" , when she was caught jumping on her bed recklessly. Daniel just smiled and kept jumping and giggling. They are joining forces already!

 Where's Daniel?

Easter came and went... This is about all I caught of it! Everyone on facebook was posting their beautiful family photos and I was knee deep in blurry, pjs, chocolate covered faces. they were all blurry and I am not sure that we made it out of pjs... I had a good giggle. We weren't even going to try. Maybe next year :)

 Dillan is working hard to master money. Something has really clicked this month for him. He choose this out of a box that he hand picked items for. I told him to choose anything he wanted to put in the box and we would work on it the next week. He also has in his box- an exercise band, a tape measure, a sharks flashcards and an emotions robot "to teach Daniel emotion signs". We are working on sad, mad and happy. Dillan has taken this on as his job to teach them to Daniel. It's a pretty big boy thing to do and I am very proud of him and admire his confidence.

 I am finding little spots to add color and welcome Spring! I need to get outside -with the camera and take a picture of the Fairy Garden the kids made. They did a great job and while I need to fix the water feature, are making new things for it every week with stuff they find exploring. If only I could figure out a way to stop Daniel from throwing things off the Balcony.... That boy.....

Daniel Turned 2!!! And Dillan lost 2 Teeth!
 Joe and the kids did their traditional- everyone makes a cake for the birthday kid. They decorated it with frosting and edible bees. Ellie and Dillan picked them out for Daniel's cake at the store.
 He is thinking "How should I eat this"?

 Oh yah, that's how!

 Yum1
 Presents came in the mail from relatives. He is a loved little boy and has had quite the roller coaster of 2 years!

 We went out to eat, to a new to us, Mexican restaurant. It was fantastic. I didn't have to clean it up OR make it. That rates it a meal well loved.

 I set Daniel up a nature table. He has been so interested in tinkering with rocks and sticks. The other kids are enjoying it too. But Daniel is just beyond excited and mixing up all kinds of things.

 Happy 2nd Birthday big boy. We are so glad to hear your giggles and see your smiles.

We took a walk under the big Texas skies and notice signs that Spring was coming! I still haven't gotten used to the blues and bright clouds. Its an amazing sight.

 We spotted some deer tracks another day when we explored a new park area. The kids are doing a Wild Adventures club and have a great time. We are doing them some weeks as a group and other weeks on our own. Nature has so much to offer.

 This is how you can find Dillan most days. We made a list of all the things he wants to learn about. It is 20 items deep and includes things like sharks, human body, dragons, why the sky is blue and are all fish scales sharp?

 We have been taking weekly trips to the library and are fortunate that ours has an empty large patio and tables. We sat and had a picnic and then ventured onto water coloring our surroundings.

 Dillan worked really hard at saving up enough money for this Ozobot robot. It took him 2 months and he can not be parted with it... unless it is charging. He is learning so many skills with it. I kicked in half the cost and wrote it down for homeschool :

 Ellie is interested in doing school and now on top of wanting to write, she wants to read. It is a fine line between interest, ability and strong will. I started her on a writing and reading program that she can do as she wants too. It seems to be keeping the peace and she is really picking up on it. Her favorite pass time is writing everyone letters and putting them in our "mailbox".

We eased back into homeschooling after Daniel was sick. We tried making magic solid slime. It was pretty gross.. which means the kids thought it was pretty cool!

They choose some book marks at the Target dollar spot. It's like a magnet drawing us in. Its awful and wonderful.

 We are discovering the power of games. Now that Ellie is interested in learning some rules for games and Dillan is trying to master games, they have found a fun way to play together. I jump in when I can and on the days Joe is home can actually partake in a round of Old Maid. Although, today we gave Daniel his own cards and that was good enough for him :)