TODAY (started Wednesday afternoon, finished Thursday morning)
Out my window: Sunny, windy, warmish. It has been up and down, but now it seems we're having more nice days than cold. The kids are currently all playing in the backyard. LOVE!!!
Clothing myself in: Capri sweats and a t-shirt. I looked nicer earlier, but I don't think anyone really cares one way or another.
Around the house: I finished my last "big" spring cleaning chore (kitchen cabinets), so I am now "done". But the first windows I cleaned are already looking dirty again. Bleh. This housework gig is never-ending.
The baby/toddler: Cute. Has been eating a ton lately, but still enjoys nursing plenty at night. Come on kid!! ;-) He is the kissiest little fellow, he kisses me a million times a day. He has such strong feelings about pretty much everything. He loves his stuffed kitten so much, I decided to order a "spare". Just in case.... He's been napping less (under an hour), bedtimes have been smoother, and he sleeps a bit later in the mornings. It works. OH sleep, once we get in the groove with something it seems another factor changes. Such is life.
The kiddos: Let's see. Gemma has seemed to need less sleep lately, but she still goes to bed at the same time as Kolbe since they share a room. The past week or so I've been going in and reading to her from a chapter book after Kolbe goes to sleep. It has been so nice. Cozy. We just finished All of a Kind Family Downtown, and now we're reading More All of a Kind Family. I also decided it's time for a chore chart for Gemma. I found this one and customized it for her. She has 2 chores a day (in addition to the regulars like making bed, feeding fish, tidying play areas, etc.) So far so good. She is really growing up lately, I am noticing so many things about her that are just so much more mature than even six months ago, namely she is beginning to show remorse for her actions (that is HUGE) and I am seeing a ton more empathy from her as well. Oh my baby girl...
Kolbe is just Kolbe. I enjoy him in such a different way when Gemma is away at school. I'm so glad I get this time with him. Still working on the speech. Sometimes I worry about how he will be doing come kindergarten, but I suppose that is over a year away. Still.... I thought about making a chart for him but then thought it may squelch his enthusiasm. He loves to help with laundry and vacuum the kitchen, and he makes his own bed most days. So for now we'll leave it at that.
In the kitchen: Black bean and Chicken Tostadas; Meatoaf with edamame and green beans; Meat and Veggie Lasagna with mixed veggies on the side; wraps; salmon patties and simple sides. This past weekend we grilled some steaks and I steamed asparagus and made mashed potatoes and homemade white gravy. It was mighty tasty.
Crafting: durrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Learning: Thinking about Summer and what our days will entail. I think I'll mainly focus on math facts, handwriting and reading with Gemma. I figure she gets enough science going to the zoo and traipsing around the lake, trees, etc. around here. Homework can be somewhat of a battle with her somedays, I think she is just "done" and thus has a bad attitude. So we'll see how summer goes. I also got her Kumon books on time and money. Kolbe has some new speech exercises we've been working on. The kids have been playing together, all three of them (!!!!!!), better and better as the time goes by, so I anticipate lots of basement and backyard play. The other day they played...all three of them. BY THEMSELVES. In the BASEMENT (this is huge, since that's where the monsters and other scary things live). For ONE AND A HALF HOURS. It was amazing. I had to document it here, and am thinking about writing it on a paper and taping it to my fridge so when I am in the midst of wanting to leave and never come back I remember they CAN do things like that!!
Reading: Still working my way through The Joy of the Gospel. Trying to read the Passion narratives from The Better Part this week. At least from Matthew for starters. I'd like to read John as well. I think his story of the Passion speaks to me the most, maybe for no other reason than I accompanied for the men's choir several years when they sung the Passion, and it was the Passion according to John, so whenever I read it these little snippets of song go dancing through my head. Hmmm... I also checked out Ten Days to a Less Defiant Child upon the recommendation of someone, in light of some of my struggles with Gemma. I really, really hated the title, but still tried to have an open mind about the book. I skimmed/read about the first half one afternoon while the kids were playing and it just wasn't for me.
Watching: Not a whole lot this week. Here's a great commentary from Fr. Barron on the Cosmos series that my uncle (hello!) shared with me. I believe there are 1-2 episodes left of the series??
Bringing me joy: The graces and beautiful liturgies of Holy Week and the coming celebration of our Lord's Resurrection. Gemma. Gratitude. Good books. Spring weather. Looking forward to an upcoming family reunion with relatives, some of whom I haven't seen in decades!!!
Thinking about: Logistics for said reunion. Confession. My Faith. Kolbe's skin issues.
Pictures to share:
I took some pics of the kids on our deck to update our frames in the hallway and my MIL's grandkids frame. I thought they turned out pretty sweet.
And a few outtakes. The kids have figured out the whole "making faces for pictures" game. Oh joy. I blame school, they hadn't figured this out up until now, haha.
