Week in the Life {How Many Hours Outdoors Is Too Many?}

What a truly beautiful weather week.  The sunshine made it quite difficult to want to be inside with our lessons, and honestly, knowing winter is coming, there were several times I told the children to close their books and go out into the sunshine.  I have no regrets about the amount of hours they spent getting fresh air and vitamin D.  None. At. All.

Sunday, November 1st

My sunshine-y girl and I got up with the sun (time change - blah).  

However, since I still didn't have a working dryer, and the wind was blowing and the sun shining, we did get two loads of laundry out before worship.  Thanks, Evie.

Evie got up so early that she caught a nap before worship.  Lucky duck.

After church we came home and spent the day together, just being.  Trying to recover from the time change.  Yawn.

Monday, November 2nd

More gorgeous weather.  

Evie was a grump but she got a new tooth out of the deal so that's just life sometimes.

We got going on some school first thing, in between sunshine breaks. 

I paused all 4 children to have a mini lesson on voting and why it's important and tied Mia's writing for the day into the lesson.

At lunch, Mike and I went in and cast our early ballots.  Cousins came over to play in the afternoon, and the house was filled with laughter.  Mia and Rogan were having a discussion about voting here, and Mia pulled out her writing to show him.  

Snuggling my grump.

We were not adjusting to the time change well.  Here we are at dusk, grilling and playing outside.

Tuesday, November 3rd

Zayden was ready to learn before I was even able to get out of the pjs.

Tuesday morning was swim class.  Instead of sitting and watching and keeping Evie happy inside, she and I went for a walk and then asked permission to play on the small outdoor playground at the Y.  We both needed the sun, the other children were safe with 2 in water instructors and 1 sideline guard, and it was lovely to get a snippet of time with just this little darling.

After swim, we picked up groceries at both Wal-Mart and Hy-Vee, and I put them away while the children ran through the shower.  Natalee had PT, and Mike took her this time, while I finished lunch and then helped this little bitty try to be happy.  Teething is hard work.

Natalee and Xavier had piano lessons, and while they were gone with Mike, I made supper.  I had Ameliya go close Ruby into the garage at dusk, and when she came in she said, "Mom, Ruby is sure staring at something in there!"  How shocked we were to see this Eastern Screech Owl had come to visit!  What a beautiful thing to see.

Wednesday, November 4th

Another glorious weather day.

I scheduled a light school day on Wednesday, so that we could go help clean and freshen up the church a bit before hippotherapy.  We went after Evie's morning nap, and were able to get in about an hour and a half of helping dust, sort, pitch, and wipe down the sanctuary, nursery, and fellowship area.

The children ate their packed lunches during Natalee's hippotherapy session (she ate on the way) and then played outside.

Evie loves the barn kitties.

Natalee got to go to the outdoor arena.  Isn't it lovely?

The children did a little bit of school, and then played and enjoyed the rest of the day. 

Evie has started getting a hairbrush after her bath and wanting to brush her hair.  Such luscious locks she has.

Thursday, November 5th

Should have brushed harder last night - that hair is wild!

Evie has issues with personal space. 

What's that?  We went outside?  Oh, yes we did.  Playing till dark everyday!

Zayden and Mia made a dinosaur land.  Evie sat in it.  Ha.

Evie wasn't feeling the group photo op.

Friday, November 6th

Daddy had the day off.  We were supposed to be preparing for my cousin's wedding, but she had to postpone the reception due to the pandemic, so we just had a day together instead. 

Mike took the kids to PE, which meant I got a break and Evie got her morning nap.  After gym, Natalee had a zoom appointment, and then we worked through some school and then soaked in the outdoors.  

First birthday gift for this guy!

Our kids used to play this in Phil and Sara's back yard.  Now we have a yard with trees!

Saturday, November 7th

As per the theme of the week, we spent Saturday outdoors.  We cleaned in the garage, Mike hung up the Christmas lights, and the children played and played.  We took a bike ride, and enjoyed the weather, because we knew eventually the warmth would end.

In a nutshell, that was our week.  As much sunshine as possible, while it lasted!