Little Loves...

Happy Monday!
Have I mentioned before how much I love Mondays? 
They are fresh - they are new - and it's like we've been given a clean slate from all the days previous.
I like clean slates.  I need them.

And for us, anyway - this particular Monday was vomit free - so we, really, could only come up in the world.  We have an insanely busy week ahead of us these next few days, also.  So, I think - knowing that today was our only quiet day home with just the boys and I - made me savor it just a bit more.

Nothing spectacular happened, really.
But, it was warm and sunny....and school actually got accomplished relatively smoothly...and we're having leftovers for supper, which is always lovely, in my book - because it involves little or no work for me....and we have no agenda for our evening tonight - which is always nice...

And it was just slow.
And peaceful.
And puke-free.
I'm still really savoring that last one.

So...it's been awhile.
But, I think it's time for an Amy's List of Loves.
Don't you?  Okay.  Here we go:

Over the course of the weekend, Jesse - our only soldier who did not get sick, by the way - earned himself a little trip to Build a Bear.  He's been working - we've been working - for AGES to help him stay dry at night.  By day, he plays like a puppy - and by night he sleeps like a dead man, and the poor kid just never woke up whenever he had to go to the bathroom.  But, this past month, something clicked and I think we're golden.  So, this was his reward.  Kaden got to do the same thing when he broke his habit of sucking his thumb.  And can I just say -- this is one smart business?  Oh my goodness.  They know what they're doing...

I cleaned out my purse this weekend.  This is what I found just inside the main compartment.  I believe, in total, I found about 16 matchbox cars, 6 packs of gum, 3 tubes of toothpaste, a mini mouthwash, 3 mini hairsprays, about 5 lipsticks, and the list went on...and on...and on.  I think I have purse hoarding issues.

Rustic Raspberry Pie.
Healthy.  Super easy.  Super delicious.  Minimal ingredients.
Want them?
Fill a pie plate with whatever berries you have - fresh or frozen.  Shake 3 Tablespoons of minute tapioca over it (this serves as a thickener).  Stir in 1/2 cup pure maple syrup - or half maple syrup and half honey.

For the crust mix:
1 heaping cup spelt flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup olive oil
4 tablespoons cold water.

Roll it out and place on top.  Obviously.
I will warn you - if you use all spelt flour, the rolling part is a little tricky.  It doesn't necessarily look "pretty."  Hence, the term "Rustic" Raspberry Pie....

Bake at 350-375 degrees until crust crisps up and fruit gets bubbly.
Approximately 45 minutes.
Voila.

See?
Plate licking good.
I do try to teach my children manners...

Best served over a rousing game of Cribbage.
Even better if I win.

Letting my girls run free while we played outside this morning.  Coop getting a much needed mucking out - bonus.  Me almost getting stuck in the tiny little opening at the side.  Priceless.

Swinging with the wee one.

Taking pics of my middle boys' mad jumping skillz...
And holding waaaaay back on the laughter when he did the most amazing of faceplants into the white stuff.
We're talking up the nose, down the neck, and all through the teeth.
Go big or go home, Baby.

Finding a curriculum that clicks with this little one's brain and teaching style.
He is not a typical textbook student.  By aaaaaannnnnyyyyy means.

For whatever reason - memorizing the basic 26 letters has been very very difficult for him.  I found this book:  "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" where they learn the sounds first - as opposed to the names of each letter...it's called the "Distar" learning approach.  Somehow, someway - this clicks with him.

So we are rolling with it.

Fresh eggs.  Warm and cozy...
I will never get tired of collecting eggs from my coop.
This makes me very happy.

Snow profiles.
Notice the front - NOT the back, please...

So, there you have it.
A wee list of weekend and Monday loves.
Happy Day, friends!

May your evening be filled with a yummy supper, cozy cuddles, and early bedtimes.
If those are the sorts of things that make you happy....

Love, Peace, and Chicken Grease...
#4231-#4245 ~ My Joy Journey