Birthday Week!

 Birthday week for Ruby meant all things girly, lots of indulging in what she likes (reading) and dreaming of things to come. Stretching her birthday over a week this close to Easter required some calendar wrangling, and we started a week before her birthday this year. Holy Week deserves due attention too, after all.

Friday night was the first Big Event of Ruby's week, featuring a sleepover party. Ruby helped me make cupcakes the day before, and the girls each got to ice and decorate theirs with super special toppings like chocolate chips and Reese's Pieces that you can't get here.

 And of course, everyone got to eat their candy. Which may have put a few little tummies over the edge.

 We watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the old version. I like the candy tie-in and also the fact that author Roald Dahl lived in Dar es Salaam as a child and was inspired to write the story by this enormous concrete factory that overlooks the city.

The girly-ness of it all was almost overwhelming at times....

 Ruby's best pal Happiness came early and stayed late...they are so good together! This is a perfect snapshot of their friendship - they aren't always doing the same thing together, but they love each other. After the rest of the kids left Saturday morning, Ruby read one of her new books (Snow White) to Happy while Happy blew bubbles across the book for atmosphere.

 Now this is going to revolutionize Ruby's life: after months of trying, I have finally mastered French braiding. This child's thick, curly hair is tricky at best to style in tropical heat and humidity.

 Grandma sent some window clings for the kids and they've been having a ball with them.

 Great investment: the trampoline we got on sale at Game last summer has been a huge lifesaver. We are on it at least once each day. Everyday is like summer!

 School has gone on for us while the other schools are out. Don't worry - we will take a few days off this weekend. And next week. And we spend plenty of time each day playing and having fun. Who says education has to hurt?

Anyway, Henry found this artifact in the yard this week, and we put it in vinegar to try and clean it a bit. It has been working happily all day. We're on a water unit and have conducted all sorts of related experiments and activities, might as well throw a little acid in there.

It turned out to be a penny that we pressed at Conner Prairie before we moved here. I have no idea how it got in the yard, or even to Dar.

 This is homeschool - Ruby reading to Henry in the hammock. We do a lot of reading out here. Today's selection was Ruby's choice (hey, it IS birthday week!) - Robin Hood. Happy seven years to my girl!