Journal: Summer is here

TODAY

Out my window:  Sunny and warm.  We got about 2.5 inches of rain last weekend, which was hugely great.  If we got another large-ish rain the ponds and such around here would be back where they should.  It was a pretty isolated thing though, so pretty grateful for what we did get.  Forecast is pretty moderate for this time of year, barely breaking 90 in the seven-day.  We've been spending a lot of afternoons at the park.

Clothing myself in:  Jean shorts and a college t-shirt.

Around the house: We bought a new vacuum.  Our old one had been smelling and acting a little funny so Aaron had it looked at and they pronounced the motor.  We got a Riccar (we'd had a Sears Kenmore previously).  Anyone else have one?  It seems like it should be a good vacuum.  There are a few features that I miss from my old vacuum, but a few more on that I like that the old one didn't have.  People shouldn't analyze vacuums so much though.  I think I have a problem...  Getting our basement ready for overnight guests this week.  Laundered a bunch of sheets and towels and did some cleaning down there.  It will be a busy upcoming week with VBS, our guests and a family reunion!!

 

The baby/toddler: He is a handful these days, but what two-year-old boy isn't?!!  He has learned the word "no".  He loves to throw rocks in the lake (much to the dismay of the HOA.  We try to limit him, really, there's just not much reasoning with a two-year-old ;-D)   

 

The kiddos:  Gemma has been doing lots of biking.  Our neighborhood park is at the corner of our lake, and the path around the lake is about 1/3 a mile and is almost entirely visible from the park, so she can ride around while the rest of us are at the park.  It really is a great setup.  Her reading continues to improve...her expression tickles me and I LOVE it when she reads to her brothers.  Gemma likes to spell words to me instead of just talking.  Her phonetic spellings are sometimes quite amusing.  She and Kolbe just finished their May Saturday swim lessons.  They both had a bunch of fun, and they both went down the big outdoor slide (with their teacher) today.  This iwas very brave for them, and they loved it!!

Kolbe would fish all day every day were it up to him.  Most of the time we are at the park he spends down by the pond poking around rocks and bugs and such (if he's not fishing).  Our neighbor made him a quilt (she is making them for the other kids, but his was done first) and it is so wonderful.  Dump Trucks, and a little road and bright blue and yellow and green and so many little details in the stitching!  He has slept with it every night.  What a keepsake.

In the kitchen: French Dips, sour dough and green beans, Baked Ziti, some salads...we've had a lot of salad lately (usually with chicken or fish on the top/side), and Breakfast Casserole and probably waffles for guests are on my menu at home this week, plus some out-of-the-house reunion eating. 

Crafting: Ack.  No way.  I think I'll piggy-back on the neighbor's quilting prowess, haha. 

Learning:  VBS this coming week for both big kids and Gemma has Art Camp the following week.  We made up a "homework chart" for Gemma to loosely follow.  We've only been at it for a week so I'm not going to say "success" or "failure" just yet, but it seems to be a good guide and I am trying to not be a big stickler about having to do things every day.  AHHHHH balance.  I started Kolbe's handwriting book with him and think it's going to be just what he needs to help him practice good pencil grip. 

Reading: Finished Unbroken.  It was very good.  About 1/3 through Something Other Than God.  Liking it a lot.  Also read If I Stay this week.  It was kind of dark, but a good easy fiction.  All of a Kind Family Uptown and Stuart Little plus tons of picture books from the library with the kids.  I love how the Summer Reading Program always seems to rejuvenate us around here.  Speaking of, this was a great article. 

Watching:  Meh, not much of anything exciting.  I can't seem to keep my eyes open after about 9:15, so that kind of limits my options, haha.

Bringing me joy: The relaxed-pace of our Summer mornings.  Praying Morning Prayer before anyone else is up.  The land (park, pond, paths) around our house.  Even though we live in the 'burbs, I'm grateful our kids are able to get a relatively authentic outdoor experience (for Kansas anyways, heh heh).  Celebrating my hubby's 35th, just the quiet, simple traditions that our kids get so excited about.

Thinking about: Night-weaning Clem.  He had made some good strides sleeping longer stretches in his own room at night, and then went through a rougher patch here the past several weeks, but now is back to sleeping a *little* better on his own (and nursing less when he is in with us).  I am debating about actively night-weaning around his birthday, but still not entirely sure...

Pictures to share: 
Gemma on her (second to) last day of school and Kolbe on his last day of Speech with his gifts for his teacher.

Journal: Ten minutes

Going to see if I can get through this in ten minutes...
TODAY

Out my window:  It was h.o.t. today, after a very cool last week.  This weather.  Spring would be nice.  But I'll take this over the cold.  Currently the kids are in bed, Aaron is mowing, I'd rather be reading but thought I'd update.  Quickly.

Clothing myself in:  Jammies.  It's after 8 people, that's what you get.

Around the house: We have a family of Baltimore Orioles that lives, I think, in our neighbor's backyard.  They love our deck.  They eat at our hummingbird feeder and knock on our windows (for real, it woke us up one morning).  Territorial much?  Makes for some fun bird-watching.  We've seen numerous hummingbirds already.  Don't think we've ever seen them this early. 

 

The baby/toddler:  He climbs.  Today I found him up on his changing table and asked Gemma why she had put him up there.  She hadn't.  I also watched him climb all the way UP the big slide at the park.  The big slide that, at before 2, our other kids were just starting to go DOWN.  I watched him do it the first time and he struggled at the top.  I stood by, but did not help him, hoping he would get frustrated and give up.  Nope, he figured it out and scaled it another 5-6 times quite quickly.  He keeps me on my toes.  He loves to yell "cheeeeeeese" when he sees a camera.  If I say, "one", he says "two".  And "ready, GO" is a favorite phrase.

 

The kiddos:   So much outdoor play.  Makes me happy.  Makes everyone happy.  They've been fishing a lot.  They can both get a fish off the hook and toss it back in the water on their own (we removed the barb from Kolbe's hook so he wouldn't injure anyone, himself included, too badly).  

Gemma's last day of school is Thursday.  Really looking forward to having her around more and the change in pace this will bring.  Apprehensive about lunches.  That is always a batty time of day for my kids.  So much food to prepare in a day, sometimes I feel like I barely finish one meal and it's time for another.

In the kitchen: Speaking of food...  I made a yummy seafood alfredo last week with homemade alfredo sauce.  It was pretty tasty.  We have found these bags of seafood at Kroger that have octopus, squid, mussels and a little bit of shrimp.  I used a bag of it and added about another half bag of straight shrimp and OH it was good.  Honey Chicken last night, leftovers/black bean quesadillas tonight.  Meatloaf and baked salmon coming up later in the week.  And some salads. 

Crafting: Sewing autograph pillows with the kindergarteners last week!  Lots of fun!!!

Learning:  Got a rough summer "learning" schedule made up for Gemma.  A few Kumon workbooks, math facts, reading (summer reading program starts this week!!), computer time and handwriting made the list.  Divvied stuff up with her so she just has 2-3 activities per day.  Still debating about doing stuff in mornings or afternoons.  Leaning towards morning.  Not sure whether to take a little break once school is out or just jump right in.  My kids like routine...

Reading:  Finishing up Unbroken.  It was really good, I learned a lot about WWII, at least the war on the Pacific Front anyways.  I'd say more, but I know one person who is planning on reading it and don't want to spoil anything.  Started All of a Kind Family Uptown with Gemma. tonight.  Kolbe asked me to get him some books about tornadoes and volcanoes from the library so I did, and we picked them up Saturday after swim.  The kids were sitting around the living room looking at them and he hollered in at me, "mommy, these books are AMAZING!"  Made my day.

Watching:  Some Royals MLB.  A couple episodes of Survivorman: Bigfoot.  Most compelling sasquatch evidence I've seen to date.  Nothing much else of note.

(I am already past ten minutes and hubby just came inside, I need to wrap this up.)

Bringing me joy: My family.

Thinking about: Some of the punky things I have done in the past.  If I did or said or posted something punky to you (directly or indirectly), I am sorry.  I don't know why I've been thinking about this lately, but I have.  My communication skills suck sometimes.  I'm getting better.   I hope.  ;-)  Anyways, communication -- and my ability to do so appropriately and in a Christ-like manner -- has been on my mind.  I am a work in progress. 

Pictures to share:  

Food for Thought: routines, bedtime and FOOD

I haven't done a Food for Thought post recently, but my tabs are about ready to explode; so even though it's not Saturday I thought I'd "unload" here, with just a wee bit of commentary because I have a million other things I should be doing...

Three Questions to Ask Your Child Every Night - This was neat.  I think I will start doing this.

A Helpful Guide to Becoming Unbusy - So practical.  I liked numbers 3 and 5 the best.

I posted these chore charts before, recently, but thought I would again because I like them.  I am going to print one off for some daily "school" type activities for Gemma in the summer as well.  She was recently asking about school-work during the summer, so I told her we'd figure out a mutually agreeable schedule together!

Truth Cannot Contradict Truth (Address of Pope John Paul II to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (October 22, 1996) - We've seen and heard a lot about evolution lately, watching Cosmos and seeing some information that was sitting around our Church, so Aaron had me look this up, as he vaguely remembered when it came out. 

Why Are Doctors Recommending this Toxic Drink? - I had never heard of BVO before but Aaron had.  Apparently it is pretty nasty stuff.  I've never done the glucose test during any of my pregnancies, but I know it is pretty routine.  This would be worth researching a bit more if it concerns you.

The Most Food-Dye Laden Processed Foods - I found this interesting, what with Kolbe's sensitivity issues and such.  Reaffirms how important it is to eat "clean".

Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup - This is tasty.  I add cubed chicken breast, baby bellas, and chopped fresh spinach.  The kids used it as a "dip" for their cheese quesadillas.  I had a glass of pinot on the side.

Santé!!!

Journal: Monday

TODAY

Out my window: Cloudy, dreary, cool.  We got a little (less than an inch) bit of much needed rain over the weekend, and it's a cool start to the new week.  

Clothing myself in:  Typical "Monday" fare, we'll leave it at that.

Around the house: Laundry today.  I have finally made the leap and phased out the last scented/dyed item from our home: laundry detergent.  The soaps, lotions, shampoos, etc. have been gone for quite some time, but when it came to detergent I was addicted to the smell, plus I liked the results (Arm and Hammer + Oxi for the past several years has treated our clothes quite well).  I finally decided with Kolbe's problems, and just liking the idea of being more natural etc. that it needed to go.  I am on my last load of the old stuff today, and will switch to All Free and Clear (with oxi) from here out (unless I really don't like it...).  I've been using Seventh Generation Free and Clear on my towels and dipes, and scenting it with lavender essential oils, so I will do that with the All as well.  And to be honest, I am starting to prefer the natural lavender smell to the fakey-detergent one so that didn't take long.  I like the Seventh Gen stuff but I don't think it will cut it for my kids' clothes.  We'll see how the All does, I've heard good things. 

Starting work on our Winter 2013/14 Photo Book.

 

The baby/toddler:  New words this past week: spoon, robot, helicopter, cheese, Thomas, love you, shoe, poopy, plate, treat, carry me, ketchup (haha), yay.  This is such a fun stage!  Something new every day.  He is very much an (almost) two year old little boy, which can be exhausting some days but boy he's sweet.

 

The kiddos:  We went to my cousin's wedding this past weekend and they had fun dancing up a storm.  We felt badly leaving when we did, they were having so much fun, but we had an hour-and-a-half drive home and a busy (Mother's) day the next day and felt it to be in everyone's best interest to get going before 8:30.  Great lightning show on the drive back, and everyone was asleep by the time we got home (thank goodness we had brought jammies), so all's well that ends well.

They're both really enjoying Saturday swim lessons, and actually seem to be learning some stuff!

Gemma...has been so delightful lately, it is just amazing how much she has grown up since, oh, early March or so.  Just so many things that I was sooooooo worried about with her have completely worked their way out.  I love her, she is a wonderful little lady.  She is also starting to take more an interest in the piano so I think I will start her with lessons (with me) this summer and if she really likes it will probably put her with someone else down the road if it becomes apparent that would be a better fit.

Kolbe has gotten into a habit of repeating everything he says.  "Can I have some gum? Can I have some gum?"  "I love you.  I love you."  It is bizarre.  Back in December he cleared his throat all the time.  He went through a phase where he was constantly putting his fingers in his nose and mouth about a year ago.  Funny kid.  I love him and all his little quirks though, he is my sweet, snuggly little dude.

In the kitchen: Was going to do Shepherd's Pie tonight, but changed my mind at the last minute and did a batch of Mexican Chili on this chilly Monday.  Chicken Tortellini tomorrow (soup much?), a birthday dinner, some fish tacos, and I'm sure we'll rummage up some other good stuff.  Lots of fresh fruit in the fridge!  How do we live without it all winter??

Crafting: Oh, oh, OH, I actually have something!!!!  I am helping Gemma's kindergarten class with their autograph pillows, so today I sewed up about five and flipped and pressed them.  Later this week my sewing machine and I get to go help finish them up in her classroom.

Learning:  Nothing out of the ordinary.  We've hit the home stretch, with eight days of school left for Gemma!!  We will have our final preschool co-op of the year this Friday.  Hard to believe!

Reading:  Finished Sarah, Plain and Tall with Gemma and started Skylark.  Still working on Stuart Little with both big kids.  The kids listened to Chickens! and other stories on the way to the wedding.  I'm enjoying Unbroken, but need to get busy (it doesn't read as fast as your typical novel) as someone ;-) has requested it from the library and now I don't have any renews left...  The kids also found some story book compilations that were mine when I was a kid, so we've been reading some out of them lately. 

Watching:  Cosmos.  We need to catch up on the last few episodes of Alaska: The Last Frontier that we still have on our DVR.  Duck Dynasty reruns never get old.  

Bringing me joy: My hubby, oh he is so, so so so wonderful.  

Thinking about: stuff that I don't feel like airing on a semi-public forum.

Pictures to share:  

Gemma has started wearing my t-shirts for jammies!  Is she really that big??!

Kolbe and his Chuck-truck.  He was very excited when I picked this up from a Facebook swap group.  It has kind of fallen out of favor since the novelty wore off, but it was definitely the $2.50 I spent on it.

When you are the third child you do things like eating apple crisp straight from the pan while sitting on the cabinet, and falling asleep with a cracker in your mouth.

Journal: Summer is coming

TODAY

Out my window: Hot.  This weather is just all over the place.  Highs in the mid-nineties (for real) all this week, but then it looks like it should be a little more moderate come next weekend/early the following week.  The kids are begging to play out in the pool.

Clothing myself in:  Jean shorts I got on a FB resale group ($5 well spent!) and a t-shirt.

Around the house: Took a few more bags of stuff to Goodwill this week.  I am finding that getting rid of stuff has kind of a snowball effect.  The more you get rid of, the more you realize you don't really need.  I have a few items (wedding gifts we've still never used) I'd like to try to consign. 

 

The baby/toddler: New words this week: ready, sissy, bubby, choo-choo, ball, go (which he likes to proclaim loudly at the end of every song during Mass).  He has an opinion about everything, including his wardrobe.  He is always heartbroken if "choo choo" or "ball-ball" shirts are dirty.  His belly-button is doing this funny thing.  I noticed he had been messing with it and it has, like, popped all the way out.  It's a little bizarre.  He didn't have an outie before, now he has a back-and-forthie.  Weirdness.  I never took him in at 18 months because that was smack in the middle of cold/flu season and the doctor's office is not my fave place that time of year, so I'm thinking of taking him in for a combined 18 month/2 yr well-child visit and make sure everything is OK with it.  Aaron says he figures he'll just say to keep an eye on it for now.  Anyone ever seen this?

 

The kiddos:  Started swim lesson this past Saturday.  First Gemma was super excited and Kolbe didn't want to go.  Then Kolbe was super-excited (so much so that Friday night he hollered at us from bed at 8:45 PM, still awake, to ask if it was time to get up yet) and Gemma was trepidatious.  They both ended up having a blast!  We go every Saturday in May, and we'll see about a 2wk session later in the summer.

They are obsessed with talking about underpants and poop.  Really?

They are getting to be so good at fishing, they can pretty much fish by themselves, including taking the fish off the hook and tossing them back in.  They do hit snags here and there, but for the most part I am amazed at their skills.  I am so happy for them.  When I "fished" as a kid it was a stick with a piece of yarn tied to it while I sat on top of our dog house.  True story.

In the kitchen: Sushi last night, leftovers (sushi and some stuff from the grill) today.  Spaghetti, crispy chicken salads with homemade vinaigrette, chicken picadillo, chicken fajitas, baked fish... lettuce salads and steamed veggies for sides.  Maybe a broccoli salad with the fish.  Lots of fresh fruits: straberries, watermelon and cantaloupe have been frequent faves of late.  I have a new drying rack and one-quart stainless-steel saucepan thanks to an unfortunate mishap last week.

Crafting: Who are we kidding?  I should probably remove this before I get accused of being some sort of crafting imposter.  I'm not even sure why it's here in the first place...

Learning: Gonna buckle down and finish up this school year!!  Looking forward to the change in pace summer will bring.  Thinking about Kolbe's needs next year which -- aside from his speech classes -- mainly include lots of time to play and be a little boy, reading books and doing some simple "school" stuff together.  I'd like to work some on handwriting/fine motor activities with him, just so we can hopefully get his pencil grip looking a little better before kdg.  He knows his numbers really well (much better than Gemma did at this age) and his letters less well (not quite as well as Gemma did at this age).  He spends much less time coloring/drawing/writing which I'd guess is gender-related.  We may try library story-time regularly next Fall.  He went a few times last year, and then a little boy apparently hit him (I wasn't in there with him :-( and he has never wanted to go again so I haven't forced the issue.  

Reading: Started Sarah, Plain and Tall with Gemma.  Got the Children's Book of Virtues from the library (maybe some mealtime reading?)  Reading Unbroken myself (Erika have you read this?  I think you'd like it...) and have a handful of teen-fiction on the hold-list at the library.  I go through spells with personal reading, I am in a reading-spell currently.  Probably need something religious to round-out my book-stack.  Still working through The Joy of the Gospel here and there.

Watching:  River Monsters finale is tonight.  We've been watching Outrageous Acts of Science and it's pretty cool.  Cosmos should be wrapping up I think??  It's been so thought-provoking.

Bringing me joy: We have a Bishop!!  Watching his Ordination on television was the next best thing to being there...actually, considering the fact that I have three young children, it was probably better than being there.  Time outdoors with the kids.  Having a good friend with whom to hang out during swim lessons.  Walking with Clem.  All Clem's new words.  My older kids' love for the outdoors.  Chatting with my hubby.  A tasty bottle of wine. 

Thinking about: I wonder if I have seasonal affective disorder.  I am always so much happier this time of year, and have trouble wrapping my mind around just how I survive winter every year...  I am hoping summer vacation is not too much a shock for Gemma.  I think she likes school more than she lets on, and she seems to thrive on predictability.  I have tried not to talk too much about school being out as I don't want to stress her out.  We'll see what the next few weeks bring, I know they are going flyyyyyyyyy.

Pictures to share: 

A couple weeks old...the Lenten Cross was so great this year.  Looking forward to it again next Lent.