We went to Pittsburgh’s National Aviary this week for a homeschool field trip, I squeezed in a bit of crafting, and we’ve been spending time around the house this week! It has been a fun mix of exploring, creating, and simple moments—my favorite! Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to lately 😊
Exploring Pittsburgh’s National Aviary🦩
I was able to secure free passes to Pittsburgh’s National Aviary via our library and took the kids on a field trip to see all the birds and do some learning. Oh how I love the Aviary! It’s so cool to be in the middle of Pittsburgh and step into the Rainforest room at the Aviary and feel like you’re in another country. It’s so peaceful to be surrounded by nature and birds 🫶
We were able to see a sloth climbing a tree, visit birds up close, and learn all about their habitats. We saw toucans, eagles, bats, canaries, pheasants, penguins, vultures, owls, flamingos, and so many more birds!
I was a little nervous about packing up diapers, snacks, a stroller, dealing with potty training, naps, battling Pittsburgh traffic, parking, and wrangling three kids but our morning at the Aviary went so smoothly! The kids were absolutely enamored with the exhibits and were so well behaved. Whew!!
When we first had Dakota, just going to the local park up the road felt intimidating. I’m slowly finding my stride with outings and juggling three kids. What I’ve learned is that you just have to go for it with things like little trips. The only way to do it is to do it! I’m so glad we went.
It was awesome to see Sadie get in some hands-on geography and learning! Our outing to the National Aviary was a great reminder that the effort of packing up kids, snacks, and strollers is worth it. We all had such a great time and I have so many sweet memories from our time together.
I’m always striving to pause and acknowledge the good days—the ones where the kids are happy, potty training goes smoothly, and the morning flows with ease. After our Aviary adventure, we shifted gears back at home. The kids dove into playtime, and I got to enjoy a little playtime of my own: crafting!
Crafting Fun for Fall 🎃
My mom was at our house on the day I pulled out our fall decor. She was telling me that she didn’t have any fall decor of her own. Her comment sparked an idea—I decided to put together a craft for her to have some fall cheer in her home.
I ordered wood pumpkins, paint markers, paint and got to work! I decided to make “Yaya’s Pumpkin Patch” (Yaya is what the grandkids call my mom!).
I painted the pumpkins, wrote each of the grandkids’ names on them in paint marker, and glued bows onto the stems of the girl pumpkins.
It was a fun and meaningful project! My mom likes her new “pumpkin patch” and I especially loved creating something that celebrates her special role in our family’s life 🤍
Everyday Life Lately 🏠
Life lately has looked like lots of playtime and school. We’re not up to anything too crazy and I love it. Just the everyday housekeeping, moments of connection with the kids, and little joys like baking and reading really fill me up!
Sadie asked me if I would draw with her the other morning and she knows that is always an immediate yes from mama 😬
She also decided that an empty box needed to be made into a puppet show. I love her creativity!
The three musketeers played some sort of pretend game with blankets for a while and it was adorable. I love that Sadie and Mordecai always want to include Dakota in their games 🥹
The kids loved snuggling on the floor while Jimmy read them this book.
Mordecai joined me for my chiropractor appointment. It was sweet to go on a mommy-Decky date, even if it was just to the chiro. I’m so proud of him, too. He used to be terrified of the sound of the chiropractic table moving and now it doesn’t phase him!
We all know it’s pumpkin spice season and nobody is more excited about it than me! I even force all things pumpkin upon our baby 😂
Sadie had a snuggle session with our mini black panther!
We went to our homeschool room this week! We hadn’t done school there in a while because it’s just so nice outside (we often do school on our front porch) and it’s hard to juggle getting there with Dak and Decky’s nap times but I’m so glad we went. Mordecai and Dakota played with Paw Patrol toys together after we did our Bible lesson.
Sadie girl enjoyed a change of scenery, I loved that we could spread her books out, and everyone at Jimmy’s shop took turns holding Dakota during their lunch break!
Mordecai loved being able to see daddy in action at work. Decky is learning to operate the crane at a young age 🤣
Dakota was content sitting on my beat up yoga mat while I folded laundry outside. Trying to take advantage of the nice weather as much as possible!
I took a picture of Dakota and Sadie was being silly in the background!
Our ordinary days may not seem exciting, but I truly treasure them. Our life is a mix of messes, markers, laughter, books, flour, laundry, and sweet moments with tiny humans. I wouldn’t trade it—the good or the hard—for anything.
Other Notes and Thoughts 📝
- Jimmy and I have been taking a parenting class at our church and were encouraged to find out our kids’ love languages. Mordecai and Dakota are a little young for this, but I guessed Sadie’s love language was quality time. I had her take the quiz and I was right! Based off of that, I’ve been trying to find small ways to connect with her each day. Time spent reading, baking, and going on bike rides together are all wins for us 🚲
- A few recipes I’ve been making lately: mini meatloaves, peanut butter banana granola, and freezer breakfast sandwiches 🥪
- Sadie tried out a cool grooved handwriting book set with magic ink! It made her handwriting practice a little more fun for her ✍️
- Mordecai was in need of a haircut so I gathered my courage and did it myself. Last time I cut it myself, I buzzed it a bit too short. This time was better! The more I practice, the better I’ll get ✂️
- I have a few pages left in Meet Me at the Cupcake Cake. It was cute! I think I’ll move on to the sequel next 📚
- Fun fact: seven years ago today was Sadie’s due date! Little did I know I would be pregnant for another week, ha. I wouldn’t change a thing about how Sadie entered the world, though 👶🏼
That has been our week so far! A field trip, crafts, and everyday life. All the good stuff 😊
Living My Full Life 