It was just a perfectly lovely Earth Day today.  But let me start with yesterday, the day I turned 37.

I just felt so full of blessings yesterday.  My entire family made me feel so special.  It wasn't the gifts that they gave me (which were very generous and much loved) but with the amount of care that was taken to make sure that I felt loved!  My dad bought me beautful flowers and a mushy card telling me that I am a wonderful daughter with a heart of gold.  My one sister made me a bookmark and card from our favorite "American Idol" (this is a running joke between us, but it meant a lot that she took the time to be crafty to get me to laugh!) and my other sister lavished me with sweet smelling cherry blossom goodies from Bath and Body Works.  She also took the time to pick out really funny e-cards to send me at midnight so she could be the first to wish me a happy birthday.  My Mom made me an INCREDIBLE dinner, all my favorites, and a scrumptious homeade cake w/ homeade frosting.  And the kids -- Emme made me a planter that she painted and planted w/ seeds, Jacob colored me Pokemon pictures, and Jennah gave me a polar bear pencil holder.  They are all cherished gifts. 

Today was beautiful in another way!  God granted us the miracle of a cloudless blue sky and 80 degree weather for Earth Day!  We spent the day in the backyard cleaning up and getting flower beds ready.  Clearing areas to plant.  Filling bird feeders, hanging up new suet, creating bird baths, etc. 

We saw a HUGE crow across the street, butterflies flitting around the blooms, and so many little song sparrows enjoying a good meal.  God was EVERYWHERE today!

As for school, we have two movies to watch this week:

We are going to do further study on the beaver this week so we are watching IMAX: Beaver.  Also, since we are still in the colonial era, we are watching "This is America, Charlie Brown"!  I also let her watch part of "The Story of America" last night which is about John Smith and Pocahontas.  She pointed out many things that we have studied.  Most of the movie wasn't suitable for her though, so I sent her off to play!

We'll be doing planting this week in the backyard, visiting Greenfield Village, having a playdate with another homeschool friend, and doing plenty of birdwatching!

All of her "table work" subjects are going great:  Math, reading, phonics, handwriting.  We're doing another week on forests and hopefully will finish up her notebook on that.  We are still studying birds too, which is an ongoing study, right now we are focusing on spring birds.  I ordered a book that has a list of the birds from SE Michigan -- and also the best places to look for more of the rare visiting birds.  I'd love to catch a look at something exciting!

Ok, well it's time for me to get to bed -- I hope you all have a fascinating homeschool week!

Many blessings to you and your families,

Sherry