June in Our Home

tomatoes from our garden

June in our home was very peaceful.  We spent much of our time swimming - in the river and at the homes of several friends. 

Hannah & Samuel worked a few days here and there on their "schoolwork."  Hannah is getting better and better at reading!  Sammy is very interested in learning his letters but is too antsy to sit still for to long.

Mr. Clark found a box turtle on the side of the road and brought it home for the kids.  It's a girl that Hannah promptly named 'Shelly.'  Hannah & I spent a morning researching what kinds of habitats box turtles need.  We then set to work building a habitat for our little girl.  We collected soil, flat rocks, a shelter and an old pot that we converted into a "pool."  We also investigated what kind of food Shelly would need to survive.  Hannah & Sam are proud of Shelly's new habitat and I'm excited that we had a fun and interesting science lesson!

Our little family has also been harvesting the fruits of Mr. Clark's labor!  In early spring he planted a small vegetable garden for our family.  So far it's yielded sweet snap peas, a handful of cucumbers and a bountiful supply of tomatoes.  I love that we've worked together as a family to plant, care for and harvest all of this food.  Our children are learning the rewards of hard work and patience. 
Mr. Clark has also invested a lot of time into building nesting boxes for our chickens.  We're all anxious for them to start laying eggs...I'm very excited about this prospect!

Altogether we've been blessed by working together as a family to care for all of our animals, our garden and our flower garden.  Hannah & Samuel are realizing that they are crucial to our family, that they are needed every day to share in the work.  Even if it's something as small as watering the flowers on the porch or feeding the chickens, they know that they're invaluable to Mr. Clark and myself.  They're proud that they're helping and that they're needed.  They're learning responsibility and thriving in their roles as caretakers!

My Gratitude List:
#55  sweet, juicy, delicious watermelon

#57  my sweet babies playing in the sprinkler

#58  Sammy randomly singing 'Sing Hosanna' or 'Ba Ba Black Sheep'

#59  Playing football with Hannah & Samuel in our front yard

#63  a beautiful evening @ a local river with Mr. Clark, Hannah & Samuel

#69  a free bedroom set from our very dear friends!

#74  bug bands!!