Journal: back to Summer! and some pictures

TODAY

Out my window:  Warm, muggy, cloudy-ish.  We didn't get near the rains predicted for this week immediately around us, but less than a dozen miles north of us they had seven inches the other night.  Remarkable.  The kids are going to VBS at a neighboring parish this week and wanted to play at their park one day this week, so we picked Tuesday and had a picnic lunch and they played for two hours.  It was a bit muggy but in the seventies.  We couldn't have picked a better day.

Around the house: QUARANTINE IS OVER!!!  WooHOOOOOO!!!!!!!  Other than that, nothing of note, really.  Our sheets and bedspread in our master bedroom are starting to seriously wear out (like, I have mended them multiple times), so I think we may be in the market for new ones at some point.  Christmas maybe?

 

The kiddos:

Gemma has been fantastic of late.  Oh, she has had her not-so-fantastic moments as well but over all, oh my word.  She is really stepping up in her big sister role with the boys... she will play for hours with them at the park.  She has been putting them to bed.  Reading to them for 20-30 minutes at a time.  It is wonderful to see her blossom, and I am enjoying this more-grown-up version of her more and more every day.  Life is so different around here than it was five years ago.

Kolbe is having a BLAST at VBS this week.  I mean, Gemma is having a great time too, but Kolbe, WOW.  He will come up to me a dozen times a day to tell me a long drawn-out story about something that he got to do or something he learned or saw.  This is very un-Gemma.  I have learned just to be quiet with her and let her tell me what she wants, when she wants, and not press the issue if she doesn't feel like talking.  And she usually doesn't.  But I've made peace with that.  I digress...  If this week is any sort of prelude to how kindergarten will be for Kolbe, I think it will be a great year.   

Clement is getting a taste for what it's like to be the only kid at home in the mornings this week.  He plays incredibly well by himself, which really mystifies me.  Maybe it is because he is so used to playing with his siblings that it is a welcome reprieve?  I don't know.  But it tickles me.  His favorite thing to do of late has been making picnics with our play food.  This is a very intricate process which can sometimes keep him busy for 45 minutes or an hour.

In the kitchen: I made bierocks this week.  I think the last time I made them was when I was pregnant with Clement maybe?  They were super-tasty.  We've been having more salads.  They taste good anytime, but especially during Summer it seems.  Planning on a chicken stir-fry next week, but I still need to hammer out the rest of my menu.  The kids have eaten more meals outdoors than in this week.  My kitchen floor has never stayed so clean (relatively speaking of course) for so long.

Learning:  VBS!  The program that they use at our parish (and it's the same one they are using at the neighboring parish) is such a great boost to their faith lives.  I love it.  We've done a lot of reading.  I was telling a friend the other day, I had the best-laid plans to do some more academic things this summer (handwriting practice, math facts, etc.) and we really haven't done anything.  That said, I feel like thus far we've had an incredibly educational summer, simply taking advantage of the opportunities around us.  The kids have written letters, played with pattern blocks and puzzles and some of our more "educational" toys at their leisure, we've had a huge variety of books, especially with our weekly themes. You can learn so much simply from observing and taking advantage of the world around you.  I have often thought I'd be a fan of year-round school, but I am really appreciating the extended break this go-around.

Reading: I've been trying to have some sort of rhyme and reason for the chapter books I read with Gemma so we've been focusing on the early days of Kansas, and the westward expansion in general.  We're currently reading the Prairie Skies Trilogy and it's fantastic. It's giving us so many things to discuss (general premise: an abolitionist family movies to KS in the 1850s in hopes of making it a free state during the time of the Kansas-Nebraska act) .  As an aside though, it was pretty funny (well, it's funny now) the other day she was really mad at me for something, and she yelled, "YOU ARE TREATING ME LIKE A SLAVE!!!!!"  Oh dear...

I'm keeping up with my usuals, although my main focus now (aside from finishing up with Theology) has been Happy Are You Poor.  Wow.  Just wow.  I am also trying to read/mediate from The Imitation of Christ each day.  Good stuffs.

Crafting: I added this category back in so I could show off Gemma's perler-bead prowess!  These were a great diversion for all three kids when we were stuck in quarantine!

Watching:  MLB.  Oh, and also The Hobbit.  I cannot believe it but I think I am finally getting really hooked on this LOTR business.  I know, right?

Bringing me joy: VBS, listening to the kids sing their songs and dance and be so excited about the faith is energizing.  And reading good books...to myself and my kids.  I am so grateful for books.  :-)

Thinking about: the fact that I have at least three other things I should be doing right now, but I wanted to blog an update before it got too far away from me. 

Pictures to share:  

Just a few more...Some new pics for our collage frame.  Love these kids!

Bedtime snuggles.

Eating mulberries on our nature walk.  Won't be too much longer and he'll be too big for his sweet ride on daddy's back. 

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:  

Christmas 2013

We had a white Christmas this year...the kids had fun playing in the snow the Sunday before Christmas and it stuck around until the end of the week!

This year's salt-dough ornaments (minus their jewel decorations...)

Christmas morning

Family pic at Church

Ponies and new footie-jammies made for a happy morning for Gemma (and a photo bomb with his new guns in the back!)

Kolbe with his robot, Quiver the Stygimoloch (this is a very cool line of toys, by the way), and Clem with his ramp racer.

The kids were a lot of fun to shop for this year, and I think they are enjoying their gifts.  We have spent some nice time with family and friends and are thoroughly enjoying the holidays!

Journal: briefly?

Brevity has never been my strongest suit, but I don't have a ton of time and would really like to journal.  We'll see if I can pound this out before Clifford is over....

TODAY

Out my window:  Sunny and hot.  And humid.  We have had so much rain, it's insane.  In a good way, but insane nevertheless.  Sunning diapers this afternoon.

Clothing myself in:  Gray short/capris from maurices...something I had looked at late winter but not bought, and then went back and got a couple months later because I kept thinking about then.  A good purchase, I like them.  And a tank and a T.  See what I mean about brevity?

Around the house: More decluttering.  It feels so good.  Now I need to get the stuff I have sorted OUT of the house.  Maybe a trip to goodwill later??  I have a whole bag of stuffed animals from when I was a kid.  Too many to get out and let the kids play with.  I feel silly storing them.  I mean, I will never use them and seriously no one is going to want them.  But the thought of throwing them away.... well...  Sigh.  OH stuff.

Oh, and I got a new (bigger) basket for the library/other books in the living room and I like it.  :)

 

The baby: Has been taking more steps, and loves walking if you hold his hands.  He gets this adorable, proud smile on his face and his eyes just light up.  He waves at you if you are across the room.  He really liked my lasagna last night.  Tried cow's milk today, was pretty "meh" about it.  LOVES drinking water from Gemma's water bottle.  I bought her a new one so she gave her old one to him.  He is very proud of it.  Twelve months old and already wanting to be like the big kids.  I wish tooth number 8 would hurry up and cut through.  Nights have been...restless.  Lots of nursing.  During the day when he wants to nurse he has started coming over and tugging on my shirt.  It is cute.  Naps are a mess.  I'm just rolling with it (HA) with school starting so soon.  He'll level out sometime.  At least that's what I keep telling myself.

 

The kiddos:

Gemma starts school in a week and a half.  In the meantime I feel like we are just in this huge holding pattern with our routines and pretty much everything.  She is excited, but from some things she has said and done I know she is fairly apprehensive and anxious as well.  Any extra prayers sent her way for a peaceful and happy transition would be appreciated.  She is worried about "missing out on all the fun" and "not having enough time to play."  Valid concerns when you're five.  She saved enough money (it didn't take long, as Larry has been giving her a dollar after Mass every Sunday) to buy Rainbow Dash pony, so that is her latest excitement.  She has been coloring pony pictures today.   

Kolbe has an obsession with robots.  He talks about them all the time.  He also talks a lot about helicopters and how he wants to buy one.  I am not exactly sure what he wants, but I'm afraid his expectations are probably a little high.  He also asks me quite regularly to "play roll" which involves sitting on the kitchen floor and rolling a car back and forth.  He would do this for hours.  I let him take one of his "Larry dollars" to the store and he bought this little spring-loaded "button racecar" from the dollar bin at Target he had seen (and talked about daily and maybe thrown a big fit about) about 2wks ago.  He was beyond ecstatic.  Until he broke it by jamming the key in and trying to pull it out. without pushing the button (those darn curious three-year-old minds).  Then he was beyond sad.  Like, lips-turning-purple, crying in bitter anguish sad. (tell me my kids aren't the only ones who get so upset they forget to breathe and their lips turn blue/purple...)  I surprised him and ran to Target and got another one after he was in bed last night.  He was pretty thrilled to see it on the kitchen table this morning and has been much more careful today. 

In the kitchen: Lasagna with lots of veggies baked in, chicken pizza, meatloaf, baked flounder.  Lots of fresh fruit.  Simple side dishes this week, it is so easy to just pull a bag of veggies out of the freezer and steam them.  

Crafting: I have some uniform material I'd like to use to make some hair-things for Gemma for school.  Maybe I'll use the neighbor's serger and make some bows?  Still mulling it over...  I have never made hairbows before. 

Learning:  Reading books.  Lots of books.  I got an alphabet poster from the dollar bin at Target and hung it in the kitchen at Kolbe level.  He knows some letters (like the ones in his name, and a few others) but I thought this might ignite more daily interest in recognizing his ABC's.  The "K" has a picture of a kid beside it, and I told him it was "K for Kolbe" which he thought was pretty cool.  Been working quite a bit on Gemma's handwriting book with her. My sis saw a good deal on some HWT paper that she ordered for me, so we've been using that in addition to the book lessons.  A few people shared some shoe-tying links with me, so I think we will revisit that together as well, and we've been talking a lot about telling time.  Oh, and Kolbe has been really into puzzles lately too.   

Reading:  I go through spells with reading, and am definitely currently in a dry period. 

Watching:  Gold Rush: South America, the three episode off-season is finally on!  Aaron also got into Inkmaster a couple years ago and it just started a new season (I am hiding my head in shame).  The drama makes me laugh, they are like a bunch of middle-schoolers.  The show itself is actually kind of interesting though.  Have enjoyed watching the Royals WIN lately too!!

Bringing me joy: Confession and chatting with my SD.  Always such a good refresh.  Finding a $13 ring to wear while my wedding ring and band are being re-dipped.  I hate going without a ring sooooo much.  Rainy nights.  Family swim-time at the gym, especially the part where Kolbe told me my swim shorts were, "SOOOOOOOO AWESOME, MOMMY!!!!!!!!"  I love that kid. Daily Mass.  Adoration.  Silence (when I was at Adoration...it's kinda hard to come by around here).  

EEK!  Clifford is over.  Better hurry....

Thinking about: Kindergarten and the big changes in our lives that are coming soon soon soon.  Teaching my children through example and my relationships with them without being overbearing and just plain mean.  OH parenting is soooooooooooooooooo hard. 

Oh, and the Our Father.  Thanks Deb.

Pictures to share:  

Kolbe with the spider he engineered all on his own.  He gave it to grandma and I kindly requested she give it back when she was "finished" with it for his keepsake box.  

CATERPILLAR!

(belated) Birthday celebration with my side of the family

Journal: Week of May 20

TODAY

Out my window:  Warm and muggy.  Survived the big storms over the weekend unscathed.

Clothing myself in:  Monday clothes.  Very glamorous.

Around the house: Caught up (thru March) our photo albums and updated some pictures in frames.  Working on the monthly photo-collages for Clem's first-year calendar.  I wish I had just done this for all my kids.  So easy and comprehensive.  Oh well.  I also am working on getting all of our photos uploaded to SmugMug.  Cleaned some light fixtures and the front windows and blinds.

 

The baby:  He was sick a couple days last week.  Mainly just a fever and lethargy.  Teething?  He was one snuggly little guy whatever the case.  His napping of late has been abysmal.  I am so much less anal about sleep with my third, it is kind of funny.  But I still wish he would nap better. Lately I'm lucky if I get 15 minutes out of him in his bed/on his floor.  He sleeps on me great, but the more kids we have/more we have going on the less convenient that is.  He is currently snoozing in my arms while I type and the kids are watching TV.  He will sleep in the back-pack carrier or the stroller or car though if we are out and about so I suppose I shouldn't complain.  When he is awake he gets around and likes to get into just about anything his curious little hands can reach.  Except for toys.  Toys are apparently boring.

 

The kiddos:  I'm not sure what to say.  Sometimes they play so well.  Sometimes they fight so horribly.  I have been trying to parent them in a more peaceful and loving way...especially thinking about the way I talk to them.  If I don't want Gemma to say, "knock it off," in a snotty, disrespectful tone to me, then maybe I shouldn't say it to her.  Trying to look at things from their perspective instead of mine.  Sometimes I do better than others.  Motherhood is hard.  I liked this article on the topic.

They have been playing in the backyard a lot and I am so grateful for the times they play nicely out there for long periods.  Gemma has a really nice [farmer's] tan.

In the kitchen: Baked Ziti; Pulled Pork with Quinoa and Black Bean salad; family bday dinner; Fish Crisp; lots of fresh fruits and veggies in the fridge to prepare for sides...we are loving all the spring and summer fresh produce around here.  Aaron will probably grill something this week too.

Crafting: Helped Gemma make a couple pillows for "Baby Lamb" and "Buttercup" her stuffed lamb and bunny friends.  And that's about it. 

Learning:  We went to the zoo last week -- just the kids and I -- and had so much fun.  Hoping to make it over there again this week maybe.  

Reading: Started St. Francis of Assisi: A Biography, my latest Catholic Company review.  This is a little off the beaten path from my usual fare (in a good way), but my SD recommended it, and then it was on the CC review list so I took that as a sign I should read it.  I kind of wish I were reading it on an e-reader (which I don't own), because there have been more words than I'd like to admit that I should be looking up.  I also requested The Running Dream from the library because it looked good (stumbled upon it on Amazon).  Still keeping up with Catechsim readings [most] days.  Just started section III.  The part at the end of section II on marriage was great.  Every married Catholic, or Catholic considering marriage, should read it.  It is short but oh so good.

Watching:  Nothing out of the ordinary.  I got this TV survey thing in the mail after doing a phone survey which entailed locking myself in the baby room while Kolbe or Gemma (or maybe both of them) screamed at me from the other side of the door and it is kind of stressing me out.  My husband channel surfs too much.  :-) Why do I let myself get roped into these things?  They paid me like $30 for the last one I did though, so maybe they will send me more money.  Money in the mail is fun.

Bringing me joy: Spending an hour in Adoration.  I appreciate Adoration so much more now that my life is so, um, loud.

Thinking about: Having a plan for storms.  We really have no plan.  I mean go to the basement yeah of course, but it got kind of iffy looking Sunday afternoon and I was grabbing shoes and flash drives and stuff in case we had to head down.  To the creepy area under the stairs that is probably spider infested.  And we should probably have water down there?  And food maybe??  Or an axe?  Or a radio that doesn't rely on electricity...  I don't know.  See, as much of a planner as I am, this is something I really have no plan for.  And probably should.

Pictures to share:  

Gemma with the birdhouse she painted.  This has been an ongoing project since Christmas.  She is hoping Daddy will help her hang it tonight.

Kolbe: "I drew a eleshant!!!!"  He was very proud, he's been really into the magnadoodle lately.  That is one toy that is really a favorite around here.

Clem at 10 months!  Seriously.  Where has this past year gone?

Journal (14th edition)

TODAY

Out my window: Sunny.  The wee bit of snow we got is almost melted, and it is actually pretty mild out.  It is supposed to get colder than cold around Christmas though.

Clothing myself in: Sweats, tank, sweatshirt.  Really that is about the only thing I wear during winter unless we're leaving the house, and then the only thing that changes is jeans instead of sweats.  I am beyond help.  I do dress up for Mass though, I just never happen to blog on Sunday mornings. 

Around the house: Cleaned (vacuumed and dusted) the basement.  Even though I have a regular rotation for cleaning chores, I usually only clean the basement once a month (or more likely every 6 weeks).  I also took some extra time with my kitchen cleaning today, and we cleaned the deck doors, which were quite nasty after wind and not enough moisture.  And fingerprints, and face marks, etc. etc. etc. 

 

The baby: He's sooooo cute.  Have I mentioned that?  Some days I feel like he is my little slice of sanity in our crazy house.  He is quite the napper, some days he will nap for close to a four-hour stretch in the morning.  He's gotten pretty regular with his sleep, with a nap in the morning and one in the afternoon and is fairly predictable about his bedtime (depending on how late his last nap is).  Nights are a little much less predictable.  Some nights he only nurses 2-3 times.  Other most nights I lose count.  Co-sleeping keeps me sane and (mostly) rested though so I can't complain, but boy can he be the milk-monster (that's what I call him on his particularly "nursey" nights).  I really shouldn't knock it though, he is such an easy baby during the day, and honestly I look forward to his nighttime snuggles (for the most part). 

 

The kiddos:  Gemma and Kolbe have started going out to play in the (gated and locked) backyard by themselves in the afternoons and this has been a new-found joy for all of us.  They've actually been doing this since late summer, but I am grateful they will still go out on the colder days, bundled up in coats and such.  It is so nice to be able to send them out...good for the mental health of everyone in the house, especially in that 3:30-5:30 PM time range.

Gemma has developed a recent attachment to "Baby Lamb", a stuffed lamb that Clem got from my aunt when he was born.  She is very affectionate and loving with it, errr "her."  She is constantly putting her down for a nap, doctoring her, or pretending she was just born and I have to come visit them at the hospital (Gemma's bedroom).  She also has to sleep with Baby Lamb every night.  It's cute and sweet.

Kolbe has recently discovered his spit and is quite fascinated by it.  He doesn't actually spit (yet) thankfully, but he likes to blow bubbles and do other gross things that I don't feel like talking about with it.  Ugh.  Boys.  I guess I better get used to it.  ;-D Kolbe is typically pretty indifferent about reading stories, but he has requested this one incessantly this week. 

In the kitchen:  Christmas feasting mainly.  Hubby is making sushi to take to his parents' on Christmas eve.  I'm planning on making some Mexican Chili on Wednesday as our friend Fr. Nick will be joining us for dinner.  Just kind of leaving the rest of the week up in the air.

Crafting:  We finished the salt-dough ornaments and their gift-bags this week (picture below, don't look if you want to be surprised ;-D)!!!

Learning: See "crafting", this has been our main project this week along with our regular Advent chain daily activities.  Still hitting reading lessons here and there with Gemma.  Once the new year rolls around (and we get past birthdays too) we'll get back to more regular reading and handwriting lessons, etc.  I sure have enjoyed our Advent though, it's been good.

Reading: We finished Little House on the Prairie today.  I actually found myself crying as the family packed up and left the little house.  And I don't even have pregnancy hormones to blame that one on.  I also found it rather difficult to explain to Gemma the conflict between the Indians and the white people (she had some questions), and to be completely honest it really gave me a lot to think about myself.  I hadn't remembered that being such a prominent part of the story (and I probably read that series a good 8-10 times as a child), I guess we perceive things differently as kids.  We're going to skip Farmer Boy (I think that will be a good one for my boys here in a few years) and begin On the Banks of Plum Creek next.

Bringing me joy: Texting with my sister.  Reading with the kids.  Advent.  Classical Christmas music all day every day this week on NPR.  The O Antiphons.  Anticipating Christmas.  Taking the kids to visit our friend Bertie in the nursing home.  Classical Christmas music all day every day this week on NPR.  Time with Aaron in the evenings after the kids are in bed.  Oh, and the Christmas music on NPR.

Thinking about: Salvation History.  Looking forward to reading this book in more depth.  There's so much I feel like I don't understand about humanity in general I guess.  "Lord I believe, help my unbelief." 

Pictures to share: 

Snowy day (their awesome daddy took them out to play)!

Gemma and Kolbe after making popcorn ball snowmen with our sweet neighbor Miss Jo.

 
This year's ornaments!!

Clem riding around with Daddy (I love Kolbe peeking out of the bathtub in the background).

CHEESE!

Journal (13th edition)

TODAY

Out my window: Sunny and warm (for December).  It rained last night!  But there were only 2/10ths in the rain gauge this morning.  I suppose I should be grateful that we got any, but oh I was wishing for a gully-washer.

Clothing myself in: The usual.

Around the house:  Got lots of gift-wrapping done this past week.  Continually sorting through items and trying to live more simply with what we truly need and not so much extra "stuff".  That being said, I have some bumGenius 4.0 diapers with inserts, some 3.0 size large all-in-ones, some overnight doublers and some Thirsties size medium covers I am looking to sell if anyone is interested. Condition is used but still good.  Plain and simple, I just bought more than we needed.  Price is negotiable, I would just be happy for them to get some use. 

 

The baby: Oh goodness, he's so cute.  He's rolling and squirming all over now and starting to notice and be intrigued by toys.  He finds Gemma and Kolbe to be highly amusing.  I often wonder how Gemma ever got entertained...I don't know what Clem would do without his older siblings' antics, I am amazed (and grateful) at how entertained they can keep him for quite the long stretches at times.  Aaron has commented on how interactive he is getting, and I am glad to see Clem and daddy finally getting some special time together.  Those first 5-6 months are definitely all about mama, and while I treasure that time and am sad to see it go, I can't dwell on or live in the past so it is fun embracing this new phase of his babyhood.   

 

The kiddos: Gemma is sooooo into making pictures (and other homemade craft items...kites, crowns, frames, etc. etc. etc.) for people.  Oh my heavens we have piles and piles of envelopes and other odds and ends to take to people every time we go somewhere.  Seriously, she will spend an entire morning (and I am not exaggerating) making pictures for people, putting them in envelopes, and writing their names on them.  I don't want to hurt her feelings and just throw them away, (although sometimes I do without her seeing...and half the time she finds me out!) but by the same token I'm just not always sure what to do with the massive amount of things she makes for people (namely family and neighbors)...

In the kitchen:  Baked Ziti; Smoked Gouda and Spinach Chikcen (recipe from my Betty Crocker cookbook); Mexican Chili; Chile Rellenos; hoping to make some peppermint bark today if I can find some candy canes with natural (or no) color, as Kolbe seems to have a food-dye sensitivity. 

Crafting:  Finished Kolbe's Christmas blanket, it turned out really great!  I have a lot of other ideas in my head, namely they involve the sewing machine.  I hope to tackle them within the decade.  We made these napkin poinsettias (after reading this book) for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  They were really easy and fun, Gemma could almost do them on her own.  We have started the salt dough ornaments!!  Waiting for them to cure so we can begin painting.  (Oh shudder...children + non-washable paint is sometimes a bit more stress than I can endure.  We don't do any serious cookie baking around here for the holidays though so I figure this is a good enough alternative).

Learning: See above.  Mainly Advent activities.  Spending some time on Scripture/Salvation History with our Jesse tree readings has been good.  Really liking the Advent chain.  

Bringing me joy:  Hearing Gemma sing at Mass.  Stopping by Church this week and hearing Gregorian Chant playing over the sound system in the Church and gathering space...totally totally made my day, maybe my week.  Hearing Clem laugh.  Kolbe talking.  Seeing the kids (especially Kolbe) get sooo excited about seeing Christmas lights.  Colombian coffee.  We had been on a week or two kick of "coffee surprise" (meaning, dump all the random coffees leftover in the cabinet together and muscle through them each morning).  Oh how grateful I was for a cup of straight Colombian when that was over.  The sweet stories in this book.  My family, plain and simple. 

Thinking about: Parenting...this post really got me thinking.

Pictures to share: 

He's getting sooooo big.

Journal (11th edition)

TODAY

Out my window: Feels like late Fall.  A bit chilly but lovely really.  I am mourning the loss of the leaves from the trees until next Spring. Just not a huge fan of winter, for multitudinous reasons.  But alas, it is upon us.

Clothing myself in: Black sweats, one of these cami/tanks that are oh so comfy and great for nursing, and a college sweatshirt.  Comfy.

Around the house:  Thinking about Feast of St. Nicholas and Christmas gifts and have done a bit of shopping (online and in stores).  Keeping things very simple (especially with our children) this year.  Along that vein, anyone have any recommendations for a good wooden block set, preferably colored?  I'm looking at a few but wondered if anyone had a set they liked that they could recommend?

Started decorating for Christmas.  It seems so early, this early Thanksgiving really threw me for a loop.  On the brighter side, this gives us more time to enjoy our decorations.  I figure if I'm going to put forth the effort, then I want to be able to enjoy them for more than a week or two.

 

The baby: Has started sucking his thumb.  I am still unsure how I feel about this.  I had purposely not introduced a binkie with him.  Gemma and Kolbe both took binkies and getting rid of them was definitely a process.  Although probably easier than getting rid of a thumb.  But he will soothe himself with it sometimes which is super cool.  Like I said, I am not sure how to feel about a thumb-sucker.  I am trying not to encourage or discourage it, but have found myself doing both.  Mixed messages much?

 

The kiddos:  Recent conversations with the kids:

Gemma: Kolbe, what's your favorite animal?

Kolbe: BLUUUUUUUUE!!!!!

Gemma: NO! I said, animal!!

Kolbe: (in his typical monotone inflection) Oh. A'mal tatters. (animal crackers)

When we were talking about what we were thankful for I had to explain a little more to Kolbe just exactly what 'being thankful' meant, so I said, "thankful is something we are really glad that we have at our house...so Kolbe, that are you thankful for?"  To which he responded, "Oh. Ha'ween tandy." (Halloween Candy, for those of you who don't speak 'Kolbe')

He's a man of few words, but man does he crack me up sometimes.  ;-D

In the kitchen:  Chicken Alfredo; Meatloaf with Quinoa and Kale Salad; (extended) family birthday dinner.

Crafting:  I finished a HUGE amount of photo organization last weekend, namely getting all our albums caught up, labeled, organized etc., and also made up a book on Shutterfly that I will order in December when I have five years of monthly pictures.

Got some sports-ball print fleece at Joanns on Black Friday for a super good deal and am going to "make" a blanket for Kolbe's bed for him for Christmas.  And by "make", I believe I will wash it, cut it to the right length (I purposely bought too much, not wanting to have not enough) and call it good.  I am a little iffy about sewing on fleece as it stretches funny (in  my experience), and I don't want to do a tied one.  Since fleece doesn't fray I figure I'm good taking the lazy way out.  Any advice?

Working a lot lately on our Advent plans.  Hoping to blog about them soon.

Learning: We had fun with this handprint turkey craft this week.  Lots of cutting, and messy (but washable) paint.  But fun for sure.  Have I mentioned I am a sucker for handprint art?

Bringing me joy: Listening to Handel's "Messiah". Thanksgiving and time with family.  My hubby having some time off work.  The huge kick my kids get out of seeing Christmas lights, especially our neighbor's across the street.  Just the coming holiday season in general...seeing things through the joyous eyes of my children helps me stop and appreciate the simple things.  A working wash machine.  Preparing for Advent...hands-down my favorite liturgical season.  A sweet (professional) picture of our three. 

Thinking about: Christmas gifts.  Advent.  See above.

And our Christmas letter.  Anyone want to write it for me??

Pictures to share: 

My sister took a nice "up and down" photo of us on Thanksgiving, and then I said, "OK let's take one the other way," meaning landscape instead of portrait.  Aaron thought I meant he and I should switch places.  Hence the over-the-top cheesy weirdly posed picture.  Think I should frame it (haha)?  See the side bar for the "real" one.

Journal (10th edition)

TODAY

Out my window: It feels like Fall.  It's nice.  Highs in the 50s or 60s, lows in the 30s or 40s, slanty light, trees are past peak.  The kids played this afternoon at the park with one of the neighbor kids and we all had a nice time outdoors, albeit a bit chilly.

Clothing myself in: jammies

Around the house: I wiped the kitchen cabinets down with Murphy's Oil Soap today.  Good stuff, good stuff.  Takes away all the grime (we don't have cabinet pulls, so the wood gets really grimy) and leaves the house smelling so fresh.

 

The baby:  Is noticing his surroundings so much more.  He is starting to take an interest in toys and rattles and such, and loves sitting in the bouncy chair and "playing" with the big kids.  He is so entertained by them, it's wonderful.  Even though most some days I feel like I am losing my mind, I feel like I've really hit my groove with three. 

 

The kiddos:  Aaron set up the train set for the kids (they got it for Christmas last year and I packed it away because it kind of drove me crazy).  They are much better ages for it now and have been having a lot of fun with it.

Kolbe....I think we have FINALLY turned the corner with this potty process.  I started putting him in regular underwear (not training pants, not pull-ups) this week around the house (no pants, just underwear)....and he GOT it!!!  Several days now he has had no accidents, AND he's been telling me when he has to go, going back to the potty, pulling his undies down and doing his business all on his own.  I'm not calling it yet, but we are soooooo close.  YAY!!!!!!  And while I'm talking about Kolbe, he is so funny, he wakes up at LEAST once during the night hollering for his "tudders" (covers).  He kicks them off and is somehow incapable of re-"tuddering" himself so he just yells "tudders mammy, tudders mammy" until I come in, and after I cover him he says "shanks mommy" in this sleepy little grateful voice.  It would be kind of annoying if it weren't so darn cute.

Gemma has it in her head that a kitten is going to come to our house and knock on or meow at the door and she will rescue it and keep it as her pet in a cage that daddy will bring home from his office (??) and I will give her a milk bowl for it and we'll get the kitty milk from the store for it and she will take care of it and when it grows up to be a cat she will let it go and get a new kitten (kid you not, she said that).  She has been through her plan with me no less than 100 times.  I finally snapped and said (rather crossly), "GEMMA, we are NOT getting a kitten."  It didn't even phase her.  She has big plans, I tell you.

In the kitchen:  Lazy Sunday Casserole; Pizza with red sauce, meat, mushrooms and bell peppers; Thanksgiving feasting

Crafting:  I designed a little photo collage in powerpoint to have printed for our Christmas cards.  If anyone hears about Walgreens doing 4x6 free prints like they did last year around this time, please let me know!!  I am very pleased with how the collage turned out.

Learning: Read a handful of books about pilgrims and Indians this week and made paper plate pilgrims.  We mixed our own "face color" which was fun for the kids.  Also made these paper Indians with watercolors and crayons.

Bringing me joy: The thought of my hubby having some time off this coming week for the holiday.  He rarely has time off work, so when he is home from work on a regular work day it is a real treat!!!!

Thinking about: How far removed we are from the whole "first time parent" scene.  This is neither good nor bad, and I am by no means claiming to be any sort of expert when it comes to parenting.  It has just dawned on us of late that we're not really "newbies" anymore. 

Pictures to share: 

First fire of the year on a cold Sunday last week.  With hot chocolate and some stories, it was quite cozy.

Journal (8th edition)

TODAY

Out my window: I'm actually "cheating" and typing this on Friday night.  It's dark and the deck door is open with cool air coming in.  It's nice.  Last night Aaron and I sat out on the deck after the kids were in bed and drank hot tea and visited and it was just positively lovely.  It's so awesome being married to my best friend.

Clothing myself in:  New black yoga pants from Kohl's...I got them a couple weeks ago and realllllly like how they fit.  They are so comfy.  And a t-shirt because it got warm again.  Almost warm enough to dig the kids' warm-weather clothes back out but I refused.  Enough already, I am very tired of all this back and forth, although I really like the warmer weather, in fact I think I'm ready for spring...

Around the house:  Continually de-cluttering and going through things.  After three babies it is becoming apparent the items (clothing, blankets, towels, etc.) we need and the ones that are just extras, so I've been going through things and saving what we really use, or could need for future babies, and have several bags to donate to our favorite pro-life charity.  I've really been thinking about living "simply" lately and tryig to reflect this in what I deem our family "needs".

 

The kiddos:  Had such a fun Halloween!!  More on that HERE.  They (and Aaron and I too) seem to be fighting mild colds.  Bleh.

The baby: OH I love him.  He is so cute.  I could just gush about him, really.  Poor guy seems to have picked up the cold as well.  He is taking it in stride though, bless his heart.

In the kitchen:  Spaghetti, Honey Chicken and Tuna Melts are on the list so far.  Probably steamed veggies for sides, we are so boring and predictable around here when it comes to side dishes it really is pathetic.  But hey, it's healthy and easy.  We also have a bunch of leftover pork shoulder that we'll probably use in wraps and/or pork and noodles.

Crafting: Yes, you are reading this correctly.  I actually have something for this category!!!!  Last weekend I crafted an Advent wreath for our family. We like to light our Advent candles all three meals a day during the season, and in recent years this has caused us to go through an insane amount of taper-candles in a four-week period, not to mention the wax mess from over-zealous toddlers blowing them out.  So I took our old wreath and pulled the wire candle-holder deal in it out, hot-glued the wreath (greenery) and some pretty purple and pink embelishments to a charger plate and am awaiting our candle order to arrive (the candles will sit in the middle of the wreath).  This was the most reasonable place I could find unscented pink and purple candles.  Apparently they are hard to come-by locally (unscented ones anyways, and I did not want scented Advent candles).  The shipping was pretty steep on this website, but I was able to get three purple and one pink 3"x6" pillar candles for around $28 shipped.  Not too bad and I'm hoping they'll last us for several years.  Once the candles are in our wreath will be ready (a month early, but glad to have this ready to go never-the-less)!

Learning:  Did some Halloween worksheets and workbooks this week.  Reading lessons are coming along, we're doing about half a lesson a day now, and interspersing that with some Green Light readers from the library.  Gemma really enjoys those, so it seems we've hit a good groove after our bump in the road.  Handwriting is coming along, I'm anxious to finish the preschool book and get started with the Kdg one as Gemma is already writing lowecase letters on her own, and I want to make sure she is doing her letter formation correctly.  At the rate we're going though we still have several more months (at least) of the Get Set for School book.  Gemma still grips her pencil incorrectly (like mother like daughter I suppose) unless I remind her a million times.  I'm almost to the point of just letting it slide since it doesn't seem to bother her and she writes fairly well...

We had lots of fun talking about the Saints while doing this craft on All Saints Day.  For the month of November we'll read a saint story each morning during prayers from one of our Saint books.

Reading: I checked out The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila from the library but haven't started it yet so the jury is still out.  I am sure it's a wonderful work, we'll see if it's right for me here and now.

Bringing me joy: Seeing the kids (and their daddy) have so much fun on Halloween.  Having the saints to inspire us and intercede for us in Heaven.  Listening to the Daily Readings each day on my phone.  I haven't had much luck being disciplined enough to read them each day even though I get Magnificat, but listening to them seems to be a really good fit, usually as I'm preparing dinner.

Thinking about: Advent...I can't believe it's less than a month away now.  I've traditionally made a paper chain of "Advent actions" for the kids, but this year I am saving the trouble and ordering this one.  The price is good but you have to order 36.  I may will be hitting some of you up...  Let me know if you're interested (if I know you personally)!  I am selling them for $2.50 which is a bit more than retail ($1.60) and donating the extra money to our local Carmelites.  You can find more details on my Facebook page.

Pictures to share: 

Oh my sleeping boys.  I just can't quit taking pictures of them.