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The last few months have been full of questions and uncertainty for Zac and I as we attempt to navigate this life of career and family. Without sharing too many needless details, the gist is that there has been a lot left "up in the air." Truthfully, although we have some questions answered and a few decisions made, we still are a bit "up in the air."

After months of questioning whether we were ready to buy a house again and plant our feet firmly...somewhere, we have decided to stay in our current house for another year. With a child in school just up and moving anywhere, whether across town, across the state, or across the country (that's been considered too) is not an easy choice to make. Although I sometimes ache for a home of my own again, I am also relieved to have been settled in one place for almost two years now! That's a long time considering that we've lived in three houses since our move to Moscow just over three years ago. But really, we are settled here, the space works for us, we have neighbors we adore, and simply put...it's home.

This summer River AND Magnolia will be attending the summer program, part-time, at Gold Mountain Community School. We know we lucked out last summer with Molly, but finding a great nanny two years in a row, in a college town, just doesn't happen. It's rare that a preschool program really pops out to me as potentially outstanding (I'm very particular) but Gold Mountain did. Leeanne, the owner and teacher has a teaching philosophy firmly rooted in all things play-based, child-initiated, and developmentally appropriate...we seem to be kindred early childhood spirits.

So with that, after we heard from Leeanne just a few weeks ago that she can indeed take Maggie and River this summer, we have checked another unknown off the list. We are hoping it will work well for River to adjust to a group setting with his sissy with him (really though, he's generally our easy-going child), and for Maggie, an entire summer of play and new friendships will be a gift.

I'm sure I'll be posting more family updates soon as we answer some of those lingering questions, but for now, here's a glimpse of life these days...

Building, Fixing and Constructing

Aunt Sara and Uncle Brad just bought a house in Sandpoint and luckily had some leftover hardwood flooring for River. 

"This is the best thing you ever let me do!" -Magnolia

I have this urge to fill space with color, I've been really holding back. So after the decision was made to stay in this house for another year I headed straight to Moscow Building Supply for some paint. 

Nature is Cool

Palouse Falls

Ever since our move north, our list of places to visit and hike has grown tremendously. 

Palouse Falls has been on our list for awhile now.

It couldn't have been a more beautiful day to finally check it off the list.

Daddy and B

I'm not quite sure when sticking out your tongue replaced smiling, but I'll take it.

Of course they could have played right here in this spot all day.

I'm not sure if it's all the biking and running she's been doing lately, but Magnolia had no trouble taking on the steep trails! We couldn't keep up with her. 

This little boy of mine...

This is why Mommy usually takes the pictures;)

Spring

Normally each year there is a defining day for me that spring is finally here. It hasn't been so this year, rather than a full day,we've had a slow and gradual transition of just a little more time spent outdoors over a of period days. 

It started with an official spring trip to Sandpoint. 

After a little bit of a hike we made it to a spring beach, where we tossed off our shoes, threw down our coats, soaked in the sunshine and grudgingly accepted the brisk breeze.

It seems as though once we've spent a few more hours outside each day we start to feel so suffocated (and bored) indoors. This week after school we headed straight to our "fairy forest." Magnolia, River and Cora spent two hours chasing fairies, building "fires," and gathering nature. I just sat and watched...that forest was full of happiness.

post fairy forest fun

 We even ate fireside this week!

And of course we can't sneak by a park now without stopping to play.

And lastly, Magnolia's Spring Student Led Conference.

She proudly, yet quietly, sat in Ms. Corwine's big chair to take the lead in her conference to share her work. She specifically shared what she feels she's excelled at (reading, which we of course knew) and what she identified as something she needs to work on (writing certain numerals forwards instead of backwards).

She was also pleased to share her expedition work (Dirt to Dinner).

I loved the student work displayed all over the class, Magnolia loved sharing it. 

Proud of those plants!

Happy Spring Friends!