Journal: I'm still here

TODAY

Out my window: Sunny, but maybe more rain?  We have had so.much.rain. the last month.  So much.  We are definitely on the cusp of that transition between Spring and Summer.  We are starting to have more summery days than springy ones it seems.  How did that happen?

Around the house: The kids!!  They had their last day of school on Thursday so THEY are around the house now.  It's good.  It's different.  It's not that I mind having them around, because I don't, but school brings so much good structure to our days, that the prospect of summer honestly had me a little terrified this year.  But it's all good.  It will take some adjusting, but we have a decent amount of activities in June and it seems like we all do better when we have something structured to do.  I will report back...

A part of my desk broke off (thanks, I think, to a certain three-year-old who wriggled his toes on it to boost himself up one too many times), so in order to fix it (in order for Aaron to fix it, I should clarify) I had to empty out my file drawers so it could be tipped on its side, which spurred me to go through my files (I think our burn/shred pile about tripled) and I got us down from three drawers to two...one of those drawers is household-type paperwork, the other is educational/letter-of-the-week stuff for the kids which continues to dwindle as they get older.

I spent the first day of summer break altering Gemma's uniform jumpers and getting a few other things in order for next school year.  I know, I know.....

 

The kiddos:

GEMMA seems to have hit a rough spot lately.  I don't know if it is the transition from school to summer (she really liked her teacher and I know she's going to miss her) or what but she has been not-so-pleasant to be around at times and it is so hard to know how to help her and communicate with her.  Sometimes I feel like I have just completely failed at parenting (that sounded way more melodramatic than it was intended to).  We'll work through it though, so enough of that.  She is devouring chapter books like no-one's business (she is currently on a Beverly Cleary kick, I have NO idea where we'll go next) and her cursive writing is beautiful.  She is obsessed with doing two-minute-math drill worksheets by herself and with Kolbe.  She will have a bit of a hiatus from her piano lessons this summer and as much as I'd like to teach her I just don't know that it's going to work out (without ruining our relationship).  Sigh.  Her playing has come a long way in the few short months she's taken lessons and if we don't continue with lessons this summer I think she will at least continue playing.  She is signed up for a tumbling class at the Y in July, plus art camp, VBS and swim lessons with her brother(s).

KOLBE had his first baseball practice this past week.  He was so stoked he could hardly eat or sleep the 24 hours leading up to it!  I think it lived up to his expectations.  We have a bit of time off for the holiday weekend and then we will be back at it with one game and one practice a week for 8 weeks.  I hope he has fun!  He and daddy enjoy watching the Royals together.  Kolbe learned to tie his shoes the week before school was out so he earned his shoe-bead (which is a big deal in kindergarten) RIGHT under the wire!!

CLEMENT has had his world rocked with the advent of summer and both older kids being home all day.  He'll adjust.  His favorite things to do lately are color pictures of his choosing that I print from the computer (this can get exhausting, I don't have a wireless printer, and he can be kind of -shall we say- choosy at times) and watch/help me cook.  I am amazed at how much more patience I have with him while I'm cooking than I did with the others.  I think it's because I don't have anyone littler at my feet begging to get up and help too.  He loves smelling all the spices, whisking eggs, and asking a million questions about how things work and what particular ingredients are for.  It's fun.

In the kitchen: It's Aaron's birthday weekend and he has been champing at the bit to work on his piece-de-resistance - a whole brisket on the smoker.  So today is all about hanging around the house, yard work, lawn chairs, cold beers and babysitting the smoker.  As long as the kids can remain relatively sane, it will be a good day.  I made a cheesecake yesterday so that is on the menu for dessert.  YUM!  Planning on a broccoli and rice casserole and some corn on the cob to go with the brisket.  Later this week we'll have salads, sweet-and-salty chicken thighs with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies, and hopefully some good leftovers!  Some sort of fish on Friday.

Learning:  I made some "learning loops" for the kids this summer, with the motivation of screen time earned after completing the allotted amount of tasks from their checklists (which include independent reading, various writing activities including regular journaling, and math facts).  It's too early to make a judgment on how this is all going to work out long term, but so far they are more motivated than I've ever seen them about working on school work during summer.  I found this website and it is so great for generating customized math worksheets. 

Reading: I have started Seeking Spiritual Direction and I think I'm also going to read He Leadeth me at the recommendation from a good friend (whom I've never met, funny story) so we can discuss it together.  Not in person.  Because we've never met.  The kids and I are on book 2 of the Mouse and the Motorcycle series, and we're also reading a book about St. Damien of Molokai.

Watching: MLB and River Monsters.

Bringing me joy: faith, family, community, good books, coffee, "morning dates" with Aaron (and a cup of coffee) before the kids are up, pretty weather, thunder, organizing things, prayer...God is good.

Thinking about: So much has happened in my life the past month (hence no blogging)...I have accepted a part-time teaching position (music!) at the kids' school this coming school year. I am amazed at the way this all fell into place, and while I'm a bit terrified of the big changes ahead (change is hard!) I know that God will continue to see us through this new stage in our lives if we continue to place our trust in Him and pray that we may always do His will.  I will be job-sharing with a good friend with whom I've worked on other musical escapades in the past so I know we'll have good times.  I will have both kids in class (this is both exciting and terrifying as well)!  Clem will be attending preschool (more excitement and terror).  I am trying to find some college courses in which to enroll and get my license current again (I'll NEVER go back to school, I'll NEVER teach again, boy am I getting full from eating my words with a side of humble pie).  I have a lot on my mind.  But it's all good (as Pete the Cat would say).

Pictures to share:  

Aaron found some baby bunnies while he was mowing at the neighbors'.

As I go through my pictures, finding animals seems to be a theme around here of late (the kids currently have a red-eared slider in a bucket and just watched a soft-shell turtle lay eggs in the rocks at our park).  We enjoy our little slice of nature here in suburubia.

Tuesday Random Five (May 12, 2015)

Normally I put my Random Five on Facebook (and I probably still will, so my apologies for the repeat...I know there is at least ONE of you out there who reads this and is not on Facebook though).

1. Nature.  SO much nature around here.  Multiple fishing trips (just behind the house) each week, sometimes the kids keep the fish in a big five-gallon bucket for the afternoon; we caught a box turtle who peed in our trunk on a road trip this weekend; there is currently a red-eared slider in a bucket on the deck; moths, lady bugs and other random crawlies in the bug cage; a millipede in a plastic container; worms every time it rains and butterfly season is sneaking up on us. It is always something, but boy does this sure keep the kids entertained!!  As does playing in the mud.  Sometimes it is just better not to know until it is time to clean them up and come inside.  I consider it the price of peace.
2. Clement.  He is so funny.  He eats lots of bananas, sometimes three a day.  Every time I hand him one he sets it on the table standing up and says, "it looks like a bridge," before I open it for him.  He has been hugging me and saying, "mommy, you're the best!" several times a day recently. He has very vivid dreams, and often wakes up (sometimes in the middle of the night) with very odd requests.  The ones that come to mind of late are having to cast his fishing pole in the backyard and reel it back in at 2am, insisting on a bite of hamburger from the fridge before he would calm down, and needing to clutch a pretend pineapple that I continually had to hand to him until he fell back asleep.  You can't make this stuff up.
3. Books.  I got a bunch of picture books on CD for our road trip this past weekend, and the kids really enjoyed them.  Kolbe has continued enjoying them this week at home, and we got a few more when we were at the library yesterday.  I see these becoming a staple over the summer.
4. Summer.  It's coming! 6.5 days of school left.  I volunteer in Gemma's classroom for the last time this week.  I can tell that she, as usual, has a bit of trepidation about the impending changes even though she is excited for vacation!  She was talking last night about how it was a little sad to have her last time with her teacher so I can tell she's mulling it over anyways.  We are working on our "list of things we want to do" and I am making a "here are some things you can do when you are bored or driving me crazy" list.  I also have our daily routine pretty well hashed out.  Hopefully.  Time will tell.
5. Marriage.  60 years of marriage!!!  Our road trip was to celebrate Aaron's grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary.  I was so glad to get a picture of them with our kids.

Journal: It is October

TODAY

Out my window: Dark.  Cool, on the verge of cold tonight, but it was in the 80's most of the past week, and there are more 80's forecast for the coming week.  I have this horrible feeling that it's going to go from Summer to Winter without much Autumn in between this year.  We're hoping to have another fire in the chimenea this weekend, the weather should be favorable.

Clothing myself in: Jammies.  BUT...I went shopping week before last and got a bunch of new tops and a couple new pair of jeans so that was a nice boost to the wardrobe.  I think I will cry if Maurice's ever closes or drastically changes the style of clothes they carry.  I feel like they really hit the thirty-something-mom wardrobe better than just about anywhere else I've looked.

Around the house: Meh, not much.  We got smartphones this past week so learning the ropes on those has been fun.  It is so funny to see my hubby -- who has only ever owned a flip-phone -- with a smartphone.

 

The baby/toddler: Strooooooooong feelings, but always so loving once his ragefulness passes.  When he is angry and then gets over it, he always comes over and kisses me on the leg and says, "love you too".  I think it is his way of "apologizing" or at least recognizing something went wrong and now it's all better.  It is sweet (and so much easier with my third) to watch the process.  It's hard to deal with those big feelings when you're only two!!  I wish I had some of the insights that I have now when Gemma was that age.  Sigh.

 

The kiddos:  Kolbe got to bring the Angry Birds Jenga game home from his Speech teacher to keep for the weekend.  He was so.very.excited about this.  Super-stoked.  It's actually a pretty cute, simple game.  I might even be inclined to buy it...  Maybe. 

Gemma.  I am trying so hard to help her deal with her anger.  It is kind of two steps forward, one step back.  But it is making me look at myself and how I handle (or don't handle) my own anger.  So maybe if I can make some strides in the right direction myself, I can help her as well.

In the kitchen: My neighbor shared a recipe with me last week and it was so yummy and simple!  Chop cabbage very finely and saute with onion and garlic in some olive oil until desired texture.  And 1lb cooked taco meat (I have a very simple recipe for homemade taco seasoning) and top with some chopped cherry tomatoes.  Stir together, and serve (optional: in tortilla bowls) topped with MJ cheese and sour cream. 

This coming week we've got chili, pizza with lots of veggies, loaded potato and chicken casserole, and probably some fish tacos.

Crafting: durrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Learning:  Big week for Catholic feasts!  We made our annual Angel Cookies, and broadened the cookie cutter selection to include St. Francis of Assisi (animals) and St. Therese (a flower, a heart, and a cross) cookies as well.  The kids have enjoyed all the extra treats. 

I have some books about fire safety that I've had from the library for awhile, waiting to get them out, and Gemma was asking some about fire-safety tonight so I think we'll get those out this weekend.  

We have a garden spider in our front yard.  She has been there all Summer, and we've kept an eye on her as she has grown and moved her web up to a bigger area.  Last Sunday we caught a couple grasshoppers and tossed them in her web and watched her catch them and spin them up.  I really despise spiders, but man this little gal is pretty cool.

Reading: Mainly keeping up with Theology.  I am also reading Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids.  I'm not that far in, but I've heard good reviews, and like/identify with what I am reading so far.

Watching:  MLB POST-SEASON, baby!!!!

Bringing me joy: Seeing my hubby excited about Tuesday's Royals win.  Some new clothes.  Gemma had the day off school Monday and the kids and I had a super-great day together.  Like, one of the best days I've had in a long time.  It set a nice tone for the rest of the week as well.  Theology class.

Thinking about: balance.

Pictures to share:  

The cookie makers

The kids after the Parish Picnic.

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!

June recap

Wow.  Has it really been two weeks?  June has been insane.  I'll just do a recap with pictures for now and hopefully journal again soon. 

We've had two weddings (cousin and brother, both on Aaron's side).  We danced and wore funny hats and caught up with out-of-town family and ate too much candy (well Gemma and Kolbe did anyways).  

We took a fun family trip to the zoo. 

As I mentioned in my last post, Gemma spent a week at VBS and the boys and I helped in the daycare.  

We watched baby birds hatch in the nest in our birch and in our neighbor's tree (this might have been late May??) and Kolbe followed a baby bird that couldn't fly yet around the lake (and into the neighbor's yard where he belonged, we could hear mama squawking at us).

We went on a froggy walk (that turned into a swim) in the temporary pond behind the house. 

We had professional pictures taken of the kids (see sidebar too).

We've had fun going to daily Mass (trying to go once a week) and playing at the park with friends.

We are working on our goals for the Summer Reading Program at the library.  Gemma chose the lofty goal of 100, and Kolbe 40.  G is about half way there and Kolbe is pretty close.

The older two just completed two weeks of swim lessons at the Y.  It was their first time to take and I'm calling it successful.  Neither of them "passed", but they definitely progressed and had fun (aside from a few small hiccups with Kolbe) and that was what I was looking for.  They needed to learn how to put their faces in the water from someone other than mama.  We signed up with a couple friends, so Clem and I enjoyed some chat/playtime every day while the big kids swam and that was really nice.  Kolbe even ventured down the "big blue slide" with his teacher on the last day.  Gemma did not.  The apple does not fall far from the tree, folks.  I am debating another round of lessons later in the summer. 

We celebrated Flowercup the fish's first birthday.  I think I will blog about this separately as I have some really cute pictures I haven't gotten off my camera yet.  Yes, you read that right.  We had a birthday party for our fish.  Bet you'll never guess who planned and executed that one...

The rest of the month should be a bit more quiet.  The heat has settled in here and we have made the decision to put in a well, in an effort to keep our yard alive in a less expensive (long-term) and time intensive manner. 

HAPPY SUMMER!!

Look, look!

Look what we have under the lilies in our front yard!!