Our Little Classroom

We have a smaller sized bedroom which made the perfect little classroom for Kindred! At first, I wanted to do a nature or classical literature themed room (hence, the DIY giant chalkboard) but that is just not Kindred. She is sparkles & rainbows mixed with giggles & energy! So, we scrapped those plans and went with color! We purchased the alphabet line, the white board, & the posters from Amazon.

The garland was also from a local thrift store, 

although there are so many available on Amazon and Etsy.

Her desk and bookshelf are from a local thriftshop and I got them for a steal! 

Berg painted both of them.

The magnetic or hanging daily calendar is her favorite thing
and has been my biggest headache! It is so cute and comes with male & female
child and lots of outfit choices...
BUT,
the magnets do not want to stick and slide down the board.
I added little self-adhesive velcro dots to keep everything in place.
AND THEN,
the calendar itself keeps buckling from the string it hangs from!
So, I will have to add a wooden dowel or something else to support it.

I have an Amazon wishlist for the things I want to add to the classroom but I am trying to pace myself and choose wisely since we are limited on space. I will update and add to this post as it evolves. 

Happy Birthday, shug!!

Love you, Ash!!

Happy Birthday, Bob

I miss you every day...

Today

🌈👧👧👧❤️

Goes To Nashville Once

DIY Chalkboard

We built a giant DIY chalkboard for Kindred when we first started home educating. I could just see this nature-inspired, technology-free classroom with classic literature & illustrations...and then I saw the brightly colored classroom of The Moffatt Girls and I said 'Okay, that is definitely more Kindred." So, I hauled the big chalkboard into our kitchen hallway, apologized fifty times to my husband for changing my mind two days after the project was completed, and started over.

We grabbed a 5x6 board from Lowe's, 3x3s for the trim, and a miter box to cut the angles. 

We used a primer spray on the board.

Rust-oleum chalk board paint had the best reviews on the different DIY blog posts I consulted.

This is after the first coat. We did three coats and it still dried a little funky.

If I were going to attempt this again, I would use a different type of board than the one we used.

I would also have my dad cut the trim with his saw as the miter box either malfunctioned,

or my husband was just a little off in his measurements.

He says it was the miter box.

This board is very solid and quite heavy. The girls are using it to draw almost daily and they are so creative in their artwork!! I'm happy with how it turned out. 

Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights

Last night, our family went to see Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo. It was the largest lantern display in the country and it was absolutely magical!!

Most of the animals were put up, as the temperature was dropping quickly, and it was past their bedtime. But, the lantern animals were just as fascinating to Kindred.

We talked about the meaning behind the festival and Kindred was excited to learn more about Chinese culture.

We are so grateful to all who brought this festival to our lives and hope it returns next year!!

Frozen 2...again.

How many times can two girls see Frozen 2 over holiday break?

No, really. How many more times can we possibly see this movie?

Grandpa David

Kindred loves when her Grandpa David comes to visit!! This time around, she got to show him the camera she received for her birthday. It was so sweet to hear him teaching her the first of probably many photography lessons. She has no idea who her Grandpa David is in the photography world, as evidenced by her stating "That's how YOUR camera works, but I know my camera."

He explained how a camera sees light and Kindred took the lesson very seriously. 

She has taken her camera around everywhere searching for light. 

She definitely inherited two sets of the photography gene, 

so I'm excited to see how she grows in her love of making pictures!

The Story of Ruth

My father-in-law's book tour came through our city this week. Berg and I rushed to campus to catch a lecture about his career in photojournalism, as well as the nonfiction part of his book; the 1969 California flood that almost took his life at 17, and did indeed claim the life of his mother. I watched Bergen as previously unseen old family photos flashed on the screen. My husband is a man of few words in public, but over the years I have learned to watch his eyes for what he isn't saying. It was a lot for him to take in. It was a lot for every one in the room to take in.

I am the same age David's mother was when she lost her life. Hearing her story, at this time of many changes in my own life, adds to my sudden urgency to really go after my dreams.

David is such a good speaker, and photographer, and teacher, and friend, and he's the best Grandpa David we've ever met! We are so lucky to have him in our lives!!

Bergen wasn't happy with how his hair dried since we were in a hurry to get there so I improvised a shot to draw the focus away for him. You're welcome, honey. Also, it was freezing when we left and we had to park far away thanks to all the dynamic parking solutions WKU likes to completely ignore. We decided to run and I was still running when I turned around and saw that Berg had given up behind me. So, let it be known that I won...in a dress...and boots with a heel.

Vintage

I took a snapshot of these pictures of my dad & his sister in a family album 

and they are such a couple of cuties!!

Happy Birthday, Naiya!!

And now it's Naiya's turn to be the birthday girl!! We celebrated her special #5 with a fancy princess tea. Kindred loves any excuse to dress up so she was thrilled to try on a new dress! Nova declined because she was already adorable in her little sequiney Love shirt.

Sugaree, you are so loved. 

I wish you blessings of health and happiness on your fifth trip around the sun. 

(Getting the balloons from Party City wound up being a hair-raising experience for Kindred.) 

Unicorn Trifecta

Coordinating a unicorn necklace on her unicorn dress with her unicorn leggings 

and looking FABULOUS today!

SIX!!!

Even though I can hardly believe it, Kindred turned six whole years old yesterday. I surprised her with balloons and cupcakes for her classmates at lunchtime. We've decided to celebrate a "half-birthday" this summer because we can't really party with friends or extended family while Naiya is still in treatment. All girls were well enough to come over and celebrate a little cousin-only party though! Yay!!

Nova suddenly looks ten and needs to slow down her growing spurts!! 

Naiya and Kicky on the karaoke machine.

A little rainbow gluten-free cake with six candles for six years of love & magic!!

Future Stylist

I mean...

Toothfairy Is On Her Way!

She lost her first tooth!!

Welcome 2020!!