Journal: end of Summer

TODAY

Out my window:  Warm, muggy, light rain.  We had a realllllly cool week two weeks ago, it was hot last week, and is supposed to be pretty moderate this coming week.  It has really been a nice Summer weather-wise.

Clothing myself in:  Some grey Old Navy shorts with green and pink Target tank-tops.  

My SIL got married yesterday and I got a new dress for her wedding.  It was so much fun having something new to wear, I hadn't purchased a nice new dress for years.  Probably college.  The shopping trip may be the best part.  We took all three kids to Von Maur, still not sure whether that move was nuts or savvy, but we came out with not one but two dresses, for less than what we'd planned to spend for one.

Around the house: I got some new frames for our living room wall.  We have an 11x14 family picture and then had 4 5x7 frames around it with pics of the kids/Aaron and me.  The 5x7 frames just always seemed a little small for the space, but I have tried to ignore it for years.  Finally something snapped on Friday and I decided we needed 8x10 frames for that spot instead of the 5x7 ones.  I went and picked some up at Hobby Lobby, and would you believe they still had the exact frame that I had in 5x7s.  I am glad because I always thought they complemented the 11x14 frame very nicely.  It looks so. much. better.  One of those little improvements that I see all the time and am shamelessly nerding-out over.  

Getting ready to have carpet laid in the basement (optimistically this week, more realistically probably in another week or two) and then we'll get Gemma's room all set up down there, so there will be a big flurry of stuff and then it will be nice to have everyone settled into their new spots. 

 

The baby/toddler:  He is talking so much, he will string 3-4 words together to make a sentence.  He has strong feelings about, well, pretty much everything.  Aaron's sister got married yesterday and he screamed for the entire wedding Mass.  I seriously missed the whole thing.  We sat in the Church office and he hung on the doorknob and screamed "daddy, daddy, daddy" more times than I could count, I actually tried to count but lost count.  Aaron sang the Responsorial psalm and there was sort of a mix-up in communication and he ended up not coming back to the pew like I thought he would after the Psalm.  Long story.  Miserable hour.  You don't want any more details, trust me.  Nights have been great!  He still wakes up once or twice, co-sleeps sometimes but much less, and doesn't even ask to nurse anymore.  He still likes his milks at nap and bedtime, but nights are so much better.  It makes me giddily thrilled, I actually look forward to bedtime/nighttime now!

 

The kiddos:  Both had a blast at the Wedding.  Thank goodness my parents were there, as they ended up sitting with them during the Mass while I, um, hung out with Clement.  They made fast friends with a couple kids at the reception and had a blast running around and dancing.  Kolbe, oh my that boy has some moves.

I'm looking forward to the school year.  Gemma had Totus Tuus (Bible School) last week and really enjoyed it.  It was really nice having something to keep her engaged during the day, I anticipate first grade being a very good fit for the whole family.  We got her all registered, and uniforms and supplies are ready to go.  I even let her pick out a special hair bow to match her uniform.  Kolbe told me last week that since "sissy was in [Bible] school he was ready to go back to 'special school' (speech)," so he seem anxious to get back in the school routine too.  He will have two half-hour sessions of speech a week this year.

In the kitchen: Fajitas (as long as I make it to the tortilla store) and a pot of chili on the menu this week.  Eating dinner with family one night, and we will be gone one evening so will do something simple then.  Aaron will probably grill on his day off, that seems to be about par for the course around here lately.  He has started grilling on the smoker, and I never thought I'd notice the difference but the meat really tastes a lot better than stuff grilled on our propane grill.  HUGE difference. 

Crafting:  I decorated a matte and framed Clem's Baptism picture for his 2nd Baptism anniversary.  Better late than never.  Both older kids had been given special frames for their Baptisms that I like to get out on the day of their anniversary, and little Clem didn't have anything so I got some scrap-booking stuff and put one together.  I was pleased with how it turned out.

Learning:  Thinking about what kind of things I'd like to accomplish with Kolbe this year.  I think we will do a modified Letter of the Week program...we are doing weekly co-op again with one other little boy so I think each week we will get a book and do some sort of literary extension activity (craft, etc.) to go along with the story.  That's the plan.  Planning on tackling some Handwriting Without Tears with him as well, as he seems to have a longer way to go to be "ready" for kindergarten. 

Reading:  I am trying to read too many books at once, but the one that has made its way to the top of my stack for now is Beyond the Birds and the Bees: Raising Sexually Whole and Holy Kids.  I have every high hopes for this book and can't wait to finish it (which is good, since it is an ILL and I have less than three weeks to read it). 

Watching:  Clifford the Big Red Dog is currently playing on my television. 

Bringing me joy: Some one-on-one (two?) time with the boys this past week.  Watching Kolbe dance.  Reading Little House on the Prairie with Gemma.  Children who were relatively well behaved at Mass this morning.  Talking with Clem, how he says "taaaaayyyyy" (OK) when he answers me.  A new place to get fresh eggs.  Celebrating eight years of marriage.  Good books.

Thinking about: God's mercy.

Pictures to share: 

The two-year-old with his trademark "scrunch face."

Journal: Fourth of July

TODAY (started Friday evening)

Out my window:  Fireworks.  Gorgeous weather for the Fourth.  It was even prettier yesterday.  Is this July?  In Kansas??

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

Around the house: Got the furniture (mostly) moved out of the bedroom in the basement.  We are having the ceiling re-blown this weekend, painting it in the next week or so (hopefully) and re-carpeting the basement within the next month(ish) in preparation to move Gemma downstairs and both boys in Gemma/Kolbe's room.  I *think* we're ready for this...we shall see.  Gemma is not a huge fan of the basement, and Clem is not a huge fan of sleeping through the night, soooooooo...  I will be glad to get all the shuffling around done.  We still need to get some odds and ends, this and that, so it will be an ongoing project for the foreseeable future.

 

The baby/toddler:  Our conversations of late go like this:

Mommy: Clement, how old are you going to be on your birthday?
Clement: NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

The sad thing about that is that "two" is the one number he knows.  He was playing hide-and-seek with Gemma the other day and they were taking turns hiding and seeking.  When he was the seeker, he would go to the stairs, bury his head and go, "two, two, two, COME!!!" and then run to look for her.  It was adorable.  

He also likes to point his finger at you and make this really weird guttural sound with his teeth and throat.  Boy much?

When he is finished with something (the toilet, a toy, etc.) he will shout from wherever he is, "DONNNNNNNE MOMMY!!!!"  It is so cute.

One of his favorite snack foods is a banana.  When he wants one he will come to my feet and yell, "A NANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

By the next time I blog he will be a two year old. How?

 

The kiddos:  They've been pretty excited about their Fourth of July fireworks.  Kolbe's faves were smoke bombs and poppers (we live pretty dangerously over here) and Gemma is excited because we are letting her stay up late tonight (the boys are in bed sleeping).  She and daddy are currently on a fire-fly walk and then she is going to watch some fireworks with us.  Such a big girl!!  She was pretty excited to get to do something so special!

In the kitchen: Aaron smoked some pulled-pork and it turned out super good.  He's been honing his method for several years now and I think he's really got it down.  Pizza next week and probably more salad and I'm making some honey chicken to celebrate Clem's bday with my family.

Crafting: heh heh, does the basement remodel count?

Learning:  We've been keeping up with daily schoolwork in the mornings 2-4 days a week.  The kids seem to be enjoying it pretty well, Kolbe asked to "do school" this (July 4) morning and I had to remind him it was a holiday.  ;-)

(continued Saturday morning)

I was interested in starting some virtue study/character formation with the kids, and a few of my friends recommended the PACE program.   My friend Michelle was kind enough to loan me her guide, and we got started the beginning of this month.  It is so easy, and so wonderful.  Stories from The Book of Virtues and The Moral Compass, recommended picture books, divided by age level, for each virtue, Bible stories and quotes (writing and other extension activities are available as well).  I made a paper with our virtue on it for the fridge so we are frequently reminded of it, and we read a book/story/discussion during breakfast.  Boom.  Done.  Did I mention how easy this all was to pull together?  Mama is thrilled. 

Reading: The kids finished their goals for the Summer Reading Program at the library.  Kolbe and Gemma both did 100 bks, and Clem had 25 on his chart.  We came home with copies of The Mitten, Bear Shadow (I love Frank Asch's bear stories...I may or may not have picked this one out myself for Clement), and Let's Count Goats, plus the assortment of restaurant coupons they give out.  The thing the kids were MOST excited about though was a coupon for a "shopping spree" in the Walgreens toy aisle (up to $9.99 value).   We had a blast spending about 45 minutes shopping together.  It was like our Target runs, only they actually got to buy something!!  They are pictured to the left with their loot, they all picked their things out with no help from mama (besides reading prices...over and over and over ;-)

I have too many books going on at once:
The Hidden Power of Kindness (this is positively wonderful, the kind of reading I consider "candy")

The Book Thief (I am really trying to like it, but the writing style is so odd)

Living Beyond Your Feelings (yes, a self-help book, I know...)

Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence (just started this one, I have super-high hopes)
The Problem of Pain 

Just started The Long Winter with Gemma.

Watching:  Duck Dynasty's current season.  I still like the show, and I think the Robertsons are a great family, but I definitely think the older seasons were funnier and less staged.  Oh well.

Bringing me joy:  Fourth of July fireworks, watching Gemma watch them for the first time.  Kolbe's excitement over buying firecrackers at the local Knight's tent.  Oh my word, that boy! Aforementioned Walgreens trip.  Chatting on the phone with my dad.  Going to the Fourth of July parade in my hometown.  For years, after we moved, I didn't go.  Had no interest in going back.  And while I have zero desire for small town life, I am to the point where I do enjoy going back for the parade each year.  And the kids love it!!  Well, except for Clement, who clearly had better things to do (zzzzzzzzzzzzzz).

Thinking about: Kindness.  Minimalism.  Consumerism.  Electronics.  Balance.  Sibling relationships.  Responsibilities.  Parenting.  Wash machines. The price of peace (which sometimes is very expensive and can involve things like corn starch all over my kitchen floor).  How's that for stream-of-consciousness?  

Pictures to share:  

Cousins at the parade.

And this.  My boy.  My dear little four-year-old first-born son in his ever-crooked bicycle helmet.  I hope that I can always remember how he looks like this, because it just melts my heart every single time.

Journal: mundane

TODAY

Out my window:  Damp.  Cloudy.  Mild but humid.  We've had lots of rain this June.

Clothing myself in:  Jean shorts and a t-shirt.  And I have my hair up and my bangs back in a headband because I am realllllly in need of a haircut.

Around the house: I got some of my old stuffed animals out for the kids to play with.  They think my Alf doll is scary.  Any other "Alf" fans out there?  I've cleaned some more stuff out of storage and sold a few things on FB the past couple weeks.  Looking at another trip to Goodwill or somewhere like that in the near-ish future.

 

The baby/toddler:  Saying more and more words.  Cheesecake, done-mommy, down, "and me" (shouted urgently if he feels like he's missing out on something the big kids are doing).  He will repeat just about anything.  Lots of interest in the potty.  Yesterday I think he only had two wet dipes all day.  We'll see if anything comes of this.  Keeping my expectations low.

 

The kiddos:  Finishing up on their reading goals for the library Summer Reading Program.  Their sunflowers are growing so much, and Gemma had her first bloom this week. 

In the kitchen: Spaghetti and homemade meatballs with canned green beans; shredded crock pot pesto chicken with spinach and tomatoes on focaccia (long name, but actually not super fancy or difficult at all), salads with crispy chicken on the top, oh my we've been having so many salads this summer.  It is so tasty and so super easy!!!  We got these honey-crusted sunflower seeds from Aldi that we've been putting on them.  I am not typically a sunflower seed person, but these things are amazing.  They no longer carry them though.  I am going to cry when ours are gone.  Steak/chicken wraps with lots of fresh veggies tonight and tomorrow is up in the air.

Crafting: Gemma has been braceleting up a storm and I altered a dress for her and took her uniform jumpers out so they will fit her next year.

Learning:  Schoolwork in the mornings has been going pretty well.  We've been working on stuff for half-an-hour give or take, 3-4 days a week. 

Reading: Mainly the same stuff as last week. We've been enjoying some picture books by Patricia Pollaco, and are getting towards the end of By the Shores of Silver Lake.  I really appreciated the picture book recommendations in this post.

Watching:  Meh.  Not much of anything exciting.

Bringing me joy: Reading to Gemma at bedtime.  Family walk in the nature park.  A visit from my uncle from DC.  Pretty orchids from my hubby.  Minimalism.  The Litany for Liberty.  Time outdoors.  I'm not a huge outdoor person, but I like it this time of year all right and oh it does wonders for the kids' moods. Which in turn does wonders for my mood.

Thinking about: Meh.  Not much of anything exciting. 

This was a short post.  Apparently there is not much going on in this neck of the woods.  CHEERS!

Pictures to share:  

Nature walk.  They were letting their butterflies go.  Sometimes they can be so sweet with each other, I love it!

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:  

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.

Journal: this, that and the other

TODAY

Out my window:  Sunny, windy and warm.  The big kids are playing outside with the "helicopters" from our maple tree.  Looks like a cooler week is in store, but spring is in full-swing for sure and I know I'll blink and it will be 105.  Some rain would sure be nice.

Clothing myself in:  Old Navy bermudas and a T from Maurices.  

Around the house: Nothing of note.  My mom was so kind to give us a "date afternoon" last week so we did some shopping, grabbed some appetizers at the sushi place down the street, went to Adoration and came home before the kids went to bed.  Because we are exciting like that.  I won't even say what we shopped for.  Starting to think about getting the basement bedroom ready for Gemma this summer.  We need to get the ceiling redone, paint, and then we're going to re-carpet the basement.  We use the basement some now (we have a futon, desk, piano and some toys down there), but I think once we have a bedroom in use down there we'll use that area of the house even more.  I'm not a huge fan of the layout in our basement, I think the way they used the space was terrible, but I am grateful for the space never-the-less.  Aaron has been spending some time outdoors getting the yard all spruced up for the spring.  He works so hard.

 

The baby/toddler:  He is getting quite a few words (at 21 months): more, milk, bubby (Kolbe), mommy, daddy, drink, water, kitten, grandpa, dry diaper, flower, love you, uh-oh... I think he is more verbal than Kolbe was at this age, but way less than Gemma.  He kisses me so many times a day, and if he is angry about something (usual two-year-old problems) he will start kissing me while he's still crying as if to say "I'm sorry".  It is very sweet, and reminds me of my Kolbe, who is so very remorseful after a rough bout.  I gave Clem his first full haircut with the clippers.  I had trimmed the back before, and my sister scissor-cut the whole thing about 6wks ago, but I decided it was time and took the clippers to it yesterday.  He looks like he's ready for summer!

 

The kiddos:  Gemma is just getting so grown up.  I cannot believe it is almost the end of her Kindergarten year.  Less than a month left!!  It has been a good year for her, for all of us, and I think she is ready for the transition into all-day school for first grade, although I will miss her being around in the afternoons.  We go to a big parish where the median age is like seven.  OK, it's probably not that low, but it is a parish full of young families, so this year being involved in the school has really started to make us feel more at home in the parish.  Not that we didn't before, but now it feels like we've really found our niche and it makes me look forward to the years to come.

I finally got around to buying a kids' hair-cutting cape.  Kolbe is quite grateful, haircuts were not his fave, and I trimmed him up yesterday when I gave Clem his cut and he was pretty pleased to have a cape to wear.  He haaaaates how the hair feels on his skin.  I feel like I get better at this hair-cutting gig each time I give one, and with two boys these clippers have already paid for themselves multiple times over. 

In the kitchen: Seafood linguine, french dips, baked salmon, breakfast casserole.  Lots of fruits and veggies on the side, probablhy some rice with the fish and sourdough with the french dips.  I joke to Aaron that when I am done raising kids I want a pet sourdough starter.  Until then, Dillons has a very tasty, healthy version from their bakery.  Also going to try my hand at homemade alfredo sauce.  Figure that's another thing that's probably better for me to make homemade vs. buy in a jar.

Crafting: 

Learning:  Ready for the break from school, hopefully we can find a nice balance of structured and un-structured learning for the summer.  I love all the outdoor play that comes with this time of year, and I love having older kids who can play outside and be creative on their own!!!

Reading: I have several fictions on the hold shelf at the library.  I need something light and easy, and when I have a book (or several) I find that I waste spend less time on the internet.  I picked up one of these books for my nephew's First Communion, and also got one (Therese) as a read-aloud for Gemma.  They look promising.  I have started A Shepherd in Combat Boots, am still working on The Joy of the Gospel, and requested Nothing Short of a Miracle (anyone read it?) from inter-library loan.  I am admittedly a very skeptical person, I am hoping this will be an opportunity to increase my faith.  Lord I believe, help my unbelief.

Watching:  Baseball.  Cosmos.  River Monsters.  The back of my eye-lids.

Bringing me joy: Holding Clem's hand while we walk to the park.  Flowers.  We've had some really good days lately, and that makes me absurdly happy. 

Thinking about:  How you are really a trooper if you've made it to the end of this post.  Sometimes I bemoan the time I spend blogging, but then on the flipside I really enjoy going back and reading old posts.  Such a conundrum.  Oh first-world problems...

Pictures to share:  

Kolbe and me on my 34th birthday.