Journal: that week we watched way too much TV

TODAY

Out my window: Sunny but mild (enough). The heat (and humidity) seems to have broken a bit, we'll see what the rest of the Summer brings.

Around the house: Television. ugh. Lots of television. (Well, lots of DVR. The kids do not have free reign on the remote or the guide). Poor Kolbe has been so sick this week. It started with a sore throat Friday/Saturday AM that I didn't think much of, but by Sunday had turned into a full blown double ear infection and by Monday morning his left eardrum had ruptured. He has also had a high fever, very red eyes, a cough, sores in his mouth and a random rash on his upper thigh. But he seems to have turned the corner this morning (and so far no one else is sick.....) Thankful we have a daddy who can keep a close eye on his ears. So in the meantime television it is.  Usually the kids get to watch 2-3 shows after lunch, but this week it has been on and off pretty much all day every day.  Which I don't love.  But the few times that I am sick I know that nothing feels better than laying on the couch, sleeping, and having some TV on in the background.  So on we trudge.  Max and Ruby, anyone?

I have a love/hate relationship with the TV.  Part of me would like to just quit cold turkey.  Part of me knows (and likes) that it is a reasonable distraction (when used in moderation) for the kids.  I would totally boot cable but then we wouldn't get any Royals games.  I could do without the other stuff we watch, but I (and especially Aaron) would really miss MLB 6-7 months of the year...  #firstworldproblems

 

The kiddos:  Well, you know what's going on with Kolbe.  When he has felt good enough to be up and around we've played lots of Chutes and Ladders.  

Gemma seems to be doing well.  She has been so into baby dolls lately, which is a totally new thing for her.  I even found an easy pattern online for a simple fleece dress (fleece! no hemming!!) and we have made a few of those.  She is currently borrowing an American Girl bitty baby (I think that's what it's called) from Grandma's house and she looooooooves this doll because its eyes close.  I am thinking I am going to need to overturn one of my "nevers" and purchase an American Girl (oh my word) baby doll for Christmas.  Unless anyone else knows of another quality doll whose eyes close.  I know she is probably (maybe?) getting on the upper end for playing with dolls (maybe not? I remember playing with dolls when I was probably too old to play with dolls), but even so...  How long do girls usually play with dolls?  And in other Gemma news, her school-is-coming-induced-anxiety seems to be way down from what it was last year and the year before.  Thank you God.  I am glad she and Kolbe will have each other at school this year.

Clem is Clem.  I have been trying to prepare him for the changes that are going to come when the kids start school next week, it's going to be a totally new world for him!  I think we'll have fun.

In the kitchen: This week:

pizza

grilled meat with broccoli and rice casserole

crispy chicken salads (these have been at least once a week this summer)

meatloaf, mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli

creamy tomato tortellini

I made a batch of Alton's oat waffles this week that went over very well with the little people in our house. I also made these twice baked potatoes one day last week and they were soooooo good.  About one in every five, maybe ten new recipes I try is a real keeper, and this DEFINITELY falls into that category.  I buttered the potato skins before baking, used more garlic than it called for (go figure) and added some green onion when I sauteed the kale.

Learning:  The kids are currently working on coloring pages (does anyone else HATE printing coloring pages because it is SUCH a pain), dot to dots and mazes.  At least they are not watching TV.

Reading: I read Getting the Marriage Conversation Right earlier this week. It was written prior to this year's supreme court decision but after all the Prop 8 stuff (so in that sense, it is a little "dated", but the message is really timeless).  It was really good though, especially the FAQ part (which made up probably half the booklet).  I have often thought that maybe the state just needs to get out of the marriage business entirely, but this book made an incredibly compelling case for the importance of the state's involvement in promoting "traditional" marriage as the basic unit of society, simply because in "defining" [traditional] marriage, the state really isn't defining anything, but simply reaffirming a universal reality.  It was a short read (like, under an hour) but it really helped me clarify my thinking on the issue, and the talking points were incredibly beneficial in helping one stay on track and keep focused in a conversation (not that I have many of these conversations...), as often conversations tend to derail when points are brought up that really aren't applicable to the issue at heart.

I am loving, LOVING Theology for Beginners. Seriously, after being taught this stuff in class last year the doctrines are just coming alive!  It is like brain candy.  Yes.  I am a nerd.

I also skimmed/sped-read Simplicity Parenting yesterday.  It was good-ish, but nothing earth-shattering (to me) and definitely seemed lacking as there was no religious aspect to the book.  I suppose to a family who is neck deep in activities and household clutter there would be some good takeaways, but I didn't find a thorough read to be worth my time on this one.

Watching: heh heh heh.  See above...

Bringing me joy: Time with the kids.  I am so grateful I get to spend all day, every day (excepting school time, for which I am also grateful) with them, I love them so much.

Laughing with Aaron.  We watched several Jim Gaffigan clips on his phone the other night and were totally cracking up.  Then last night there was this commercial (and I can't for the life of me remember what it was for or find it online) where a guy keeps missing shots with things he throws, and he tries to throw a cabbage at his grocery cart and misses and it blows apart, and, well, maybe you had to be there.  But it was so funny we rewound it and watched it again.  And laughed.  Again.  Yep.  Had to be there.

Thinking about: Shtuff.

Pictures to share:  

Big fish, little fish (can't believe they have fished and CAUGHT in August!!)  And can someone please tell me when the heck Gemma started looking like such a big kid.

 Really guys?

Clem will sleep anywhere.  Sometimes I do funny things to him when he is asleep because it is entertaining.

Journal: June and a Summer slowdown

TODAY

Out my window:  Sunny and warm.  Today is the first time I've run the air conditioner before evening.  This has been the longest stretch (5 days?) we've had without rain for awhile.  There's been about a 20% chance every day but we seem to be out of the super rainy pattern.  I tell you, it's either feast or famine around here with the weather.  We've had some very pretty mornings and evenings, but the days are definitely getting warmer.

Around the house: Meh, not much.  It's been pretty low-key around here (see below).  The kids have been doing some really creative playing though with Gemma being out of school and that's been fun to see.  Sometimes I feel like I am so at my wits' end with them, and that they always fight, and can't entertain themselves etc. etc. etc., so these days when they play for hours, HOURS together and work through their squabbles on their own make me realize that life really is pretty good in our little corner of the world.

 

The kiddos:  All three kids currently have Hand, Foot and Mouth disease.  Joy.  Gemma has had it since last Thursday evening, though we didn't know for sure that's what it was until she came up to me Sunday morning (she had been fever free since Friday PM and was acting fine) while we were (frantically) getting ready for Church and said, "what are these funny spots on my hands?"  NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!  Needless to say we ended up splitting Masses that day.  The boys both came down with it within the past 24 hours, so we are still quarantined for 10+ days.  Good times.  We had to miss VBS, reschedule swim lessons and Gemma is missing out on a friend's birthday party this coming weekend.  Sigh.  Trying really hard to make the best of it.  A neighboring parish is letting our kids come to their VBS in several weeks though so that's a real bright spot.  After the initial fever, Gemma has felt fine and been her normal self, which is good and bad.  I am glad she doesn't feel super sick, but it is hard being cooped up in the house when you feel fine.  They can still play out in the yard, and we've let them do a little fishing behind the house as long as no one else is around.  We will probably OD on TV today since both boys have fevers and are definitely feeling more under the weather, although currently the kids are making life-size replicas of themselves on big white paper with seemingly every craft supply we own.  Hopefully the boys' cases are as mild as Gemma's has been.  Still waiting for their spots to appear.

In the kitchen: This week:

Dijon chicken with boiled potatoes and steamed green beans

homemade beef, pepperoni and mushroom pizza

French dips with WW sourdough, au jus and broccoli salad

vegetable tortellini

I need to work on next week's meal plan...shredded Mexican chicken is tentatively on the menu, we'll see what else I come up with.

Learning: I have not been forcing the issue.  There are more educational activities I would like to be doing, but it is also nice to not have WWIII over a math facts worksheet.  The kids all have summer  journals and we are trying to write in them daily.  We've done a lot of reading.  Our "routine" that I made up before summer started seems to be a pretty good fit.  I will be anxious to jump back in fully the week after next when we are un-quarantined.

Reading: The usuals.  My Theology class only has three more sessions and I will be finished up with that!  Hard to believe!!  It has been a great year; I have learned sooooo much.  The kids and I decided to do a "theme" each week for library books, so this week (among others) we have a whole pile of books about chickens.  I hope to discuss these further in my next Read Aloud Thursday post.  As far as chapter books go, reading The Moffats with all the kids, and The Courage of Sarah Noble with Gemma at bedtime.

Watching:  Baseball, River Monsters, an episode of Good Eats here and there.  Honestly nothing of note.

Bringing me joy: prayer.

Thinking about: forgiveness.

Pictures to share:

Birthday wishes to one of our favorite readers!!

Saying farewell to our dear neighbor.  SO sad to see them go.

Journal: a very very quick update

I am going to attempt to do this very very quickly, as evidenced by the title of this post.

TODAY

Out my window: Cloudy but sixty-ish.  The weekend was great and the ten-day is amazing.  I'm calling it.  Spring is here.  Amen and that other "A" word we don't use during Lent.  ;-)

Clothing myself in: meh.  Thinking about warmer weather clothes.  Is it sad that my first thought was, "I wonder where I can find some new t-shirts."  Yeah.  t-shirts.

Around the house: Oh man, I rocked the Spring cleaning this weekend.  Got all the cabinets washed and lemon-oiled PLUS did all the blinds and windows.  I have never, EVER (well at least since having kids) done that much deep cleaning in a (mostly) uninterrupted stretch.  I think it is having kids who are a little older and more self-sufficient.  And the nice weather, as they played out back the majority of the time.  Just a few more smaller-ish chores to knock off the Spring list.  I had to pull out bins because the kids were asking for shorts (HA) over the weekend, so I have that process started.  I even made a list of things the kids may need for the upcoming season.  Because ignoring wardrobes and letting them work themselves out apparently isn't going to work itself out.

 

The baby/toddler: Barfed this morning but has seemed fine-ish the rest of the day.  I have heard numerous other people talk about their kids having the same sort of "illness", so we'll see if it makes its way through anyone else.  Still trying to get the puke smell out of his bedroom carpet.  Blurgh.  SO over sickies. OH, and he knows his ABCs and can count to 12.  It is so adorable.  

 

The kiddos: They get along so well when they play outside.  It really is wonderful.  We always get to this part of the year and I wonder, marvel really, over how exactly we survived another Winter.  Seriously...

In the kitchen: Hubby made pulled pork for us yesterday, so that is what the priests are eating tomorrow.  Coleslaw on the side and some tater puffs for us.  Maybe a pizza tomorrow?  Some tacos.  Steaks on Thursday for a guest and a new recipe from Alton Brown for spinach stuffed flounder on a bed of rice and cheese sauce on Friday.  I need to either go find the recipe (since we deleted the show) or rely on my super-awesome memory...  I baked some chicken tonight and am making quesadillas for the kids.  Simple is the name of the game sometimes.

Crafting: merp

Learning: Beginning to think about Gemma's First Reconciliation/Communion prep.  I am looking at using this book with her at home and have had several great recommendations for read alouds.

Reading: Well, the usuals, and then oh my...I picked up a copy of Saints: A Closer Look by Fr. Thomas Dubay last week and I am going to need to bump something from my Top Ten list of books because it is fantastic.  My Theology teacher quotes Dubay quite frequently, and I am listening to some podcasts on the interior life and mystical prayer that are also largely based on his writings and oh.my.wow. Goooooooood stuffs.

Watching: Gold Rush finale.

Bringing me joy: Theology. Breakfast and time catching up with a dear friend. Reading. Family. Prayer. Springlike weather. Springlike weather. Springlike weather. Springlike weather. Springlike weather. Springlike weather. Springlike weather. Springlike weather. Springlike weather. Springlike weather.

Thinking about: Prayer. Heroic virtue. The saints. Co-redemptive suffering. And wardrobes.

Pictures to share:  

Kolbe drew a snowman-pig-alien (and then Clement ripped its head off).

Gemma's train town.

Journal: Hello March

TODAY

Out my window:  Snow.  About 4 inches of it.  Hello, March.  Did you not get the memo?  It is March.  That should mean Spring.  Stat.

Clothing myself in: Jeans, tank, sweatshirt thing, double socks.  And my trusty apron, because I am working on some food prep.

Around the house: Gemma got to spend the night with my parents on Friday, so it was just me and the boys Saturday.  Since I don't do a lot of chores or cooking on Saturdays, I decided to sit down with Shutterfly and hammer out our 2014 photo book.  Whew!  I worked for probably 4+ hours (on and off) but it is finished and ordered!  Can't wait to get it!!  I did a month per two page spread (mainly) and wrote a paragraph of simple captions for each month.  Much more manageable than doing quarterly photo books (which was my original plan).  Now, if I am really on the ball I can start the 2015 one now and just do a spread a month. We'll see...

 

The baby/toddler: He says the "L" sound for every "R" when he speaks.  For instance, today he is wearing his GLEEN shirt.  It is really funny listening to him talk.  He is very articulate for 2.5 (IMHO) and I love conversing with him. 

 

The kiddos:  Well, Gemma woke up and puked during the night and now she has a fever today.  Bleh, I thought we were done with this.  Just kind of waiting for the other shoe to fall with the boys now.  Clem slept late (7am) this morning, and then laid around on his bed for like an hour around 10, but now he is acting normal, so who knows.

Kolbe, oh my it is good to have him back after his little whatever that was back in January.  He is so stinkin' sweet.  He tells me, "I love you," and "I am having the best day ever," and "I am so glad that you are my mommy," dozens of times a day.  It is incredibly endearing.  I got him new underwear this past week and I think he has thanked me for them no less than 37 times.  He has started writing me letters, where whatever he wants to say he just writes the first letter.  Like, for "I love mom," he will write "I L mom."  I remember Gemma doing this (although I think it was when she was four).  So sweet.  He is progressing, even if he is a little behind where she was. 

In the kitchen: Last week we had a pot of chili to share with my in-laws while watching basketball; a leftover night (and the Fathers had some shredded Mexican chicken); beef roast with potatoes and veggies and some homemade Honey Oatmeal Wheat bread; Nantucket baked cod (yummo) with roasted brussel sprouts (us) and roasted asparagus (Fathers) -- see picture...hey! I've got to take a break and do some quality control once in awhile).  This week I'm currently in the prep stages for two big pans of lasagna (one for us, one for the Fathers), roasted broccoli and cauliflower and some focaccia bread on the side; some salads, maybe with crispy chicken; Dijon chicken with wild rice, green beans, and whatever fresh fruit is a good price this week; veggie tortellini soup (thanks Mlada!) with some hummus with chips and baby carrots.  I tell you, springing for the double oven when we redid the kitchen has proven to be a good call.

Crafting: I have decided cooking counts as crafting.  So there.  See above.  And to add to that, I made my first French Silk Pie week before last.

Learning:  Working a little more on handwriting with Kolbe.  I chatted with the OT at the school where he attends Speech regarding his abysmal pencil grip, and after looking at some samples of his handwriting, she has assured me to just let it go while encouraging activities that will build arm/hand strength and encourage a proper grip.  This was relieving.  He writes very nicely, and every time I try to correct his grip it ends in frustration. 

Reading: The usuals, Theology, Philosophy, Confessions.  I am enjoying the Philosophy sooooo much.  It really makes me think, I usually have to re-read every few paragraphs to really wrap my mind around it.  I wish I could take a class, but I feel like I am absorbing enough with the reading to make it worthwhile.  This particular book is incredibly accessible to someone without much prior philosophical knowledge, so that helps.

Watching: Sneaking up on the end of the Gold Rush season, and we saw where there is going to be a season 7 of River Monsters.  Yeah.  We are TV super-nerds.  

Bringing me joy: Kolbe.  Morning Prayer, especially when I can drag my lazy-bones out of bed before everyone else is up.   Coffee.  An evening spent catching up with good friends.  Listening to good music on my phone with my new speaker.  Looking forward to this CD!!

Thinking about: The interior life.  Sin and flaws/vices.  Cooking.  Spring.  I have decided to not think about new-season wardrobes this year, they will just work themselves out.  Really.

Pictures to share:  

Kolbe has been really into dominoes lately.  This is his domino rendering of a robot.

My uncle texted me this the other day and I thought it was funny.

Journal: Halloween 2014 + November

TODAY

Out my window:  Cool, cloudy, dreary.  Autumn.  November.

Clothing myself in:  Jeans.  Tank.  Hoodie.  I call these my "work" clothes.  Sounds more professional that way...  

Around the house: A bit more decluttering.  It is ongoing.  I've said it before, but the more we get rid of, the less I find that we really "need."  I'm also finding that we are finally getting to the point in our declutterization (that's a word, right?) that I am spending far less time organizing our things, and far more time just living.  This is what really draws me to minimalism.  To that note, I really enjoyed reading this short article, The Simple Joy of One. 

 

The baby/toddler:  He had a fun Halloween.  Oh he was SOOOOOOO excited to be Spider-Man and just for Halloween in general.  You'd think he remembered it from last year, although I don't see how that would be possible.  He was probably just taking his cues from sis and bubby.  I didn't think I was going to be able to convince him to dress up, but when we went to Target to get Kolbe's costume they were BOGO, and it seemed silly not to walk away with a free costume we would use, so I let him look around, and drew his attention to the "blue (he loves anything blue) Spider-Man."  And boy did he bite.  It was all he talked about the past few weeks.  He was a very enthusiastic Spider-Man the day of Halloween, and had a blast visiting our friend Bernadine and grandparents before dinner.  By the time we donned our costumes to trick-or-treat he was a bit less enthusiastic, and about halfway around the neighborhood he was just weeping with tiredness.  We actually had to cut it short with him (at which point he wept the entire way home, the entire way through his bath, and the entire time it took to lay with him while he fell asleep, which was pretty short, but still...), and as it turns out he woke up the next day with a fever.  Thankfully that was short-lived, and he still got to enjoy most of the day.  He is still talking about "Ha-ya-YEEN!!!!"

The kiddos:  They both had fun Halloweens as well, Gemma as a pony and Kolbe as a blue robot (Optimus Prime, but he was adamant that he was just a blue robot).  We got a lot less candy this year, probably hit at least 1/3 less houses due to either lights not being on or people just not being home.  Not sure if it was due to Halloween being a Friday, a HS football night, or what.  But honestly I am actually grateful for less candy.  Although it makes it harder to pilfer...  I did toss a lot of the junk stuff after they were in bed Friday (makes it easier with Kolbe's dye allergy), which I felt mildly bad about, but I also feel mildly bad about giving them dye-laden Skittles, so oh well.  Last year I ended up throwing the rest of our Halloween candy away after Easter (we packed it away for Lent and the kids forgot about it).  Don't think that will happen this year.

Oh, oh, OH!!!  And for the first time ever, we -- by some amazing miracle -- actually got the extra hour of sleep that the time change brought.  I don't know how but the kids slept in AND we slept in (until 6ish new time, haha, perspective...).  It was glorious.  Clem has been a pretty early riser since then though.  Oh well.

Clem was just sick for a day (about 24 hrs) with his fever, Kolbe caught it the next day and now seems better as well.  Gemma was a little under the weather last week (although not enough to miss school) so I am not sure if that was a less severe version of what the boys had or if she will be going down soon.  I am betting on the former.

In the kitchen: Lasagna and green beans, Crispy Chicken salads, Fish a la Foil (a new recipe from my neighbor involving white fish, swiss cheese, shredded carrots and green onions, YUM!) and leftovers, as we are still eating on stuff Aaron grilled last weekend.  I spilled an entire cup of hot tea on my recipe binder last week while trying to get a jump-start on dinner one afternoon, so that was mildly stressful.  It dried alright, and I reorganized it, grouping main dishes by meat (chicken, beef, etc.).  I am not a huge recipe person, but I have enough that it is helpful to have them organized in a user-friendly way.

Crafting: uuhhhhhhh, I dyed some pumpkin seeds to use for a craft with our little pre-school co-op.  A couple teaspoons of rubbing alcohol+food coloring of your choice in a jar with the number of seeds you want to dye.  Lid the jar tightly and shake them around, adding color until you get the desired shade you're going for.  I dried them in a very low-heat oven and they turned out really great.

Learning:  The usual.  Kolbe has really taken off with writing and drawing.  Just like Gemma, he is reaching a point where he spends a good portion of his time during the day with his color box and paper.  He has started asking me how to spell words and today he wrote Gemma a letter that said, "Dear Gemma I hope that I really love you so much."  I hope that she likes it, he spent like 45 minutes pouring his heart into it.  Last week I thought I'd see how he did writing on the kindergarten lined paper and was amazed how he took to it (we work specifically on handwriting once a week).  He is making great progress with his letters.

Reading: In November with the kids.  One of my favorite pictures books.

"In November, at winter's gate, the stars are brittle.  The sun is a sometime friend.  And the world has tucked her children in, with a kiss on their heads, till spring."

And The Clown of God, as I think it goes so well with the stewardship renewal this month. 

For myself, still working through The Hidden Power of Kindness, Clutterfree With Kids, Theology and Sanity and a few others.  I am making progress, really, I'm just reading too many things at once.  And it has been too long since I've read any fiction...

Watching:  The World Series.  Well, last week anyways.  The Royals played a good season and an especially good postseason.  I was surprised how emotionally invested I was. in the series.  Anyways...  Hoping to maybe make a game at the K with the hubs next Spring.  Now that baseball is over we have Gold Rush and there have been some new Survivorman episodes and we have a bunch of Alaska: The Last Frontier from last season and this on our DVR.

Bringing me joy: November.  As much as I despise winter, November and Advent bring me so much joy.  This may be my favorite time of year, although November and Spring are probably a tie, for different reasons.

Thinking about: Advent.  I'm doing a presentation with our moms' group at Church this week so it has has me thinking (and planning).  Trying to decide what will work best this year for our family.  Starting to also think a bit about Christmas gifts...

Pictures to share:  

One more from Halloween.

Journal: I'm still here

TODAY

Out my window:  Sunset, cold, calm.  I'm not sure what the weather was today, or yesterday for that matter, or really any day the past week but I heard we hit 70, last weekend??  Who knew?!

Clothing myself in:  CLOTHES!  First time I've been out of my jammies since last Friday.  For real.

Around the house: Well, I feel like I'm finally doing more than just treading water, so that is a good thing.  Last Friday afternoon I got hit with some bug, and let me tell you, it was SOME bug.  I am guessing flu??  At any rate, I was sicker than sick for four days.  FOUR!  I haven't been that sick since, well, ever maybe.  At least not in the last 15 years I know.  The kids and Aaron have all had it as well, although (thankfully) no one else was nearly as ill as I.  We're all still at various stages of recovery.  Maybe next week we'll be back to normal.  I'll just say it, I HATE January and February.  So much.  Gemma's birthday was Saturday.  I'm pretty sure I wished her Happy Birthday somewhere in between yelling at her for this that or the other while Aaron was at work and being passed out on the couch.  It was great, let me tell you.

 

The baby:  Still doesn't feel great.  Super clingy today.  Nursing a ton, which is hard on me because I'm still recovering and his marathon nursing sessions are wearing. me. out.  He did however sleep mostly through the night (in our bed) the night before last and it was woooooooonderful (he'd never really done that).  I don't expect it again anytime soon, but it came at a good time.  We noticed last week that he has both his top molars. 

 

The kiddos:  Gemma is six now.  Like I said, her birthday was kind of a bust but we did get out last Thursday to bday shop with the kids at Academy Sports.  Gemma picked out a new girlie 20" bike and a cat helmet.  She asked us to take the training wheels off our other bike about a month ago, and she really is too big for it.  This one should last her awhile.  It is pink and yellow and white and subtle yet very girlie.  It has foot brakes and was just what I had in mind.  I'm glad we were on the same page on that one.  ;-)  Kolbe is four now.  He had a super duper birthday yesterday (according to him).  I am grateful his expectations are so low.  We got him a RC car which was kind of a bust because it is a battery hog and has broken really easily, but he spent the whole day with it yesterday so I guess that's what matters.  He also got a fishing pole at Academy that he is in love with and has been practicing casting in the yard.  He was so mad last weekend when the weather was warm but there was still ice on the pond.  Stinkin' Winter.

In the kitchen: I haven't cooked much but am baking some fish tonite.  Aaron made some amazing Chicken and Brown Rice Soup last night.  It was like healing in a bowl.  MMMMMmmmmmmm.  Hoping to get back to cooking next week.

Crafting: Nothing really, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.  Oh wait, no I didn't.  That was just my couch.  Again.  Sorry, lame attempt at humor.   I put together our Family Fall Photobook on Shutterfly and am anxiously awaiting its arrival.  That's such a more fun option than regular old photo albums. 

Learning: It's pretty much been survival mode.  Gemma has missed three days of school now.  She was really sick on Wednesday, and then Thursday we didn't send her because she had been so sick all day the day before and was a little warm in the morning.  She bounced around happy all day yesterday and was so excited to go today, but then woke up with a 2 degree fever, so even though she felt fine and has acted fine it's not like I could send her.  She cried, they were supposed to have Show and Tell.  Pretty big deal.  We've been keeping up with her homework and such.

Reading: nothing

Watching:  I have a children's television, HGTV, FoodNetwork hangover.

Bringing me joy: health.  for all of us.

Thinking about: Spring.

Pictures to share:  

Gemma, the bracelet maker extraordinaire

One for everyone!

Journal: sick

TODAY

Out my window:  Cloudy, breezy and cool.  Very fall-like, and it's not supposed to get out of the sixties for most of the next week.

Clothing myself in:  Grey sweats and a t-shirt.  I got some new sweats and a couple sweatshirts (exciting, I know) from Old Navy that I'm sure I'll get to try out this week.

Around the house: Oh my, have our children been sick.  It started a week ago Thursday, early in the morning, when Gemma started running a fever.  Then, she seemed better, and then she was sick again, and then she went back to school Tuesday and Wednesday, and then Thursday she was so sick she literally slept all day.  I *think* *hope* *pray* she is better for good now.  The boys...same story.  This is the virus (I assume) that will not leave.  Not too many symptoms besides fever and lethargy.  Both big kids' ears were a bit red but have since cleared, and Gemma had a cruddy cough and Kolbe a croupy one, and the baby threw up several times the first day he was sick...whenever that was...It has been a week.  I was able to run a couple errands yesterday afternoon when Aaron was home, so that was nice.  We picked out the clothes that we'll wear for family pictures next weekend (if we are well and photographable by then).  What else?  Not much, not much...

Oh yes, I've had my eye on this crucifix for quite some time now, and recently needed to make a purchase from Autom so I added it on and it has since come.  I like it a lot for prayer-time/our liturgical decorations on the kitchen table, as it's a bit bigger/sturdier than the other one we had. 

 

The baby:  Is super-snuggly when he is sick and has slept a lot more than his usual nothing-ish during the day.  He has also started "hitting", aka rambunctious toddler-boy behavior.  Lots of redirection and "give me fives" and reminders for "soft, gentle touches".  He is growing up so much, it's ridiculous.  Pretty soon I probably need to change the heading of this category to "toddler"...

 

The kiddos:  By Friday Gemma was champing at the bit for our friends to drop her schoolwork off and started working on it immediately after it came.  She also told me how excited she was to go back to school.  I was glad to hear this.  She is pretty matter-of-fact about school, not really loving or hating it, so I was glad to hear she missed going.  She will get her "report card" next week, and has Adoration at school this week.  Gemma is also very into nature, each time she is outside she comes back with leaves, flowers, acorns etc. so I had her start a nature journal notebook.  We'll see if her enthusiasm for it continues.

I have been meaning to document this here, whenever Kolbe wants you to hold him he asks you to, "come sit on my lap, mommy (or daddy)."  It's so cute!  He has been one sick little dude, he literally slept almost non-stop (albeit restlessly) from 5PM yesterday until about 3 this afternoon.

Both big kids are scheduled to start Catechesis of the Good Shepherd classes this week.  I do not think Kolbe will make his first class, sadly.

In the kitchen: Fried Chicken (store bought, I know...) tonight; have the fixin's all ready to put together a taaaaasty meat and veggie lasagna tomorrow; something easy (quesadillas?) with broccoli salad; linguine or some other shrimp dish; whatever else I feel inspired to make, that's the loose menu for the week.  I will probably make some more whole-grain banana choco-chip muffins as well, the kids really enjoy those for breakfasts and snacks.

Crafting: Noth.ing.

Learning:  We managed to get in a few Gg week activities last week and did a neat Rosary activity a friend brought by (since we had to miss out), but all in all things were pretty subdued.  Gemma is learning about bats at school, and has been bringing home word lists to learn sight words and her phonics decodable words.  She has learned about Creation, Jonah, and it appears they are working on Noah now.  I am beginning to see her making some bigger strides in her reading which is exciting.  I am so excited for her to get to the point where she can sit down and read (and understand!) books all on her own.  Her teacher puts together a little newsletter online with their lessons/objectives for the week, so it is nice to see what she is working on and do some enrichment things at home as we're able.

Reading: Almost to finish The New Evangelization and You.  The last few chapters have been great, very inspiring.  For Gg week we enjoyed Chavela and the Magic Bubble, Days of the Blackbird (a story about a girl named Gemma), Growing Vegetable Soup and The Gingerbread Man.  Gemma got her materials for BookIt! and has already read (been read to) her goal of 8 books for the month. 

Watching:  MLB playoffs, lots of Little Bear with sick kids, I discovered the show Little Einsteins, and have really enjoyed it with the kids too!  A couple Pawn Stars are on the DVR queue ready to watch, we have been watching this show on Sunday nights sometimes called Alaska: The Last Frontier, and it's pretty neat.  Less than two weeks until the Goldrush season premiere!!!!!!!!!  Yes, I'm really that excited.  

Bringing me joy: A quiet Mass and witnessing the Baptisms of some new parishioners.  Kolbe's speech teacher telling me what a pleasant kid he is.  Working on Gemma's homework with her.  Cute new soft-sole shoes for my little toddler.  Spending a fun Tuesday afternoon with the kids when everyone was healthy for a whopping 3 hours!  Beer dates "in" with Aaron.  Snuggling my sick kiddos.

Thinking about: Charity.  Evangelizing. 

Pictures to share:  

I took these a couple weeks ago for our frames in the hallway.

Being very silly.

Journal: Fall break

TODAY

Out my window:  Sunny, warm and windy.  Supposed to be a big cool down tonight.  

Clothing myself in:  One of those days where I know I'm not leaving the house, so I'm dressed like I'm not leaving the house.  We'll leave it at that.  Looking forward to breaking out the hoodies tomorrow!

Around the house:  Got all the kids' clothes out and ready for Fall (did I say that last week?), and have some of their warm-weather stuff packed away.  It usually slowly dwindles out of their closets and we're completely done with the warm-weather stuff by November-ish.  OH clothes.  They are taking over my storage room.

 

The baby:  I am convinced he just doesn't like naps.  Seriously, I am lucky if he gets an hour a day (typically much less), and most of that time is spent with me either rocking or laying with him.  He does go to bed early though, and sleep until a decent hour in the morning, so I am trying to make peace with the lack of naps.  I find that if I set the bar low with my expectations, things go a lot better; because if I put him down expecting him to get a good nap and then he doesn't (surprise surprise), I am suuuuuuper grumpy when Aaron is home for lunch, and that's no fun for anyone.  He also like to nurse.  A lot. Some days (and nights!) it is endearing, some days/nights it is exhausting.  He is not the world's greatest eater either, and he is my first who will not drink cow's milk at this age.  Tricky, tricky babies.  He has been pooping on his little "poop chair" lately though, so that's been nice.

He likes our toy broom a lot.  He carries it all over.  Weird?  Now I just need to teach him to sweep a little more effectively.

 

The kiddos:

Gemma is on Fall break from school (PT conferences) and the poor girl is SICK.  We were supposed to go to the Pumpkin Patch with some friends today so she was realllllly bummed to miss that, but I told her we'd try to go some afternoon.  All she has is a fever and lethargy, no other symptoms really so hopefully it runs its course soon.  We'll see if the boys get it too, sigh.  It has been a low-key couple of days.  Her conference went well, it sounds like she is doing well academically and socially at school and really thriving while she is there.  I really enjoyed visiting with her teacher (Aaron was supposed to go with me, but ended up staying home since she was sick) and it made me glad all over again that she is at our Catholic school.  Hearing about/seeing all that she does at school makes me really relieved we are not homeschooling.  I just can't fathom that for our family now.

Kolbe is a three-year-old little boy.  What can I say?  He is so sweet though, he is always very remorseful for his mischief, which I find terribly endearing.  The other night he was throwing food at the dinner table and I was calmly (amazing, right? doesn't always happen that way but I've been working on it...) trying to help him stop and the baby had the gall to sit in his high chair and just laugh his little head off every time Kolbe threw a piece.  These next few years with two boys at home all day should be, um, interesting.

In the kitchen: Fish Tacos tonite with fresh avocados, and we had some flounder and shrimp (surf and surf) last night too.  First batch of chili for the season last Monday (and I even made my own taco seasoning for it...easy and tasty) and some crock pot chicken, WW pasta and green beans earlier in the week as well.  Up next week: Meatloaf, Chicken Tostadas, family bday dinner (spaghetti!) and baked salmon.  Whatever fresh or frozen veggies that strike my fancy as sides...maybe some sweet potato fries too.  Aaron has also decided to start refining/educating his beer palette so he's brought home some various tasty ales to try.  Last night he ran to the liquor store after the kids were in bed and got some Ovila (Sarah, have you or Ryan had this?) and we had a "date".  It was so nice (and the beer was very tasty).

Crafting: Nothing. At. All.

Learning:  Ff week for Kolbe, with our typical letter of the week activities.  We also made Angel Cookies for the Feast of the Angels and had some special activities for Sts. Therese and Francis this week as well.  So many good Feasts the first week in October.

Reading: The New Evangelization and You, and I pulled out my copy of Hinds Feet on High Places earlier this week and have been reading from it.  I really never re-read books, but this one is sooooooo good.  I am thoroughly enjoying it the second time through.  We've enjoyed several of our favorite picture books this week too: Pascual and the Kitchen Angels, Saint Francis and the Wolf, Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, May I Bring a Friend? and Too Many Pumpkins!  I love reading books to my kids.  Clem still isn't so much into books, but Gemma and Kolbe both really love being read to. 

Watching: Every children's show we have recorded on the DVR, it seems, with Gemma being sick.  Our latest children's faves around here are WordWorld, Wild Kratts, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That, Bob the Builder, Barney, Clifford and of course the age-old favorite, Little Bear.  What are we missing out on?  Anyone else have faves to share?!

Bringing me joy: Watching the kids at the parish picnic this past weekend, they had so much fun.  Aaron and I are both what you would probably call introverts (hello understatement), especially when it comes to crowds, so the Parish Picnic isn't really our cup of tea, but we knew the kids would enjoy it and OH they did.  I am sooooo glad we went, it still brings me joy thinking about the fun they had...  Hoodie weather (to come).  Reading good books.  Playing in the basement with the kids.  A "date in" with Aaron and just chatting with him.  Good friends.  A fresh haircut.  Listening to Aaron read the Mo Willems "Pigeon" books to our kids.  Meeting with Gemma's teacher, especially starting the conference off with a prayer gave me so much joy and gratitude.

Thinking about: Daily Mass.  We have been going twice a week (when Gemma goes with her class) plus Sundays obviously.  It is so hard.  The boys are nuts.  Gemma does fine on her own (and really Kolbe does too) but both boys + her (on Sundays) is often the recipe for a very bad nightmare in which you don't wake up.  I know we are gaining grace and teaching our children about God and worship, but oh dear heavens it is just plain scaaaary bad some days...    Stewardship and to what exactly we are being called to do as individuals and a family.    Christmas.  OOOHHHHHH holidays.... 

Pictures to share:  

Gemma was so excited to get her face painted with a rainbow and butterfly at the parish picnic.

Kolbe was quite proud of the swag he won at some of the games.  He carried it around almost constantly the first few days of the week.

Clem signing "more"

Journal: Chicken Pox part deux

TODAY

Out my window:  It. Is. Hot.  The landscape around the neighborhood is kind of depressing, so many big trees were lost in the windstorm.  It looks so different and this won't be remedied anytime soon.  Bleh.  

Clothing myself in:  Meh.  I did get a fresh haircut which feels good!!

Around the house: Our garbage disposal quit working yesterday.  It actually ended up being a short in the switch (which caused the dishwasher to be without power as well).  Thankfully it was a relatively fast fix, the electrician was out this morning and got the power back up and running.  Dishwasher is humming as I type.  Creature comforts...it is odd for me to think that 50 years ago probably no one had dishwashers or garbage disposals.  I should be more grateful.  While the electrician was out, Aaron took the opportunity to have someone help him hang new light fixtures in the kitchen and dining room, and so the kitchen renovation begins!!  We've picked out our counter-tops and backsplash, and have a pretty good idea on appliances, sink and faucet.  Looking very forward to getting started here in a couple months!!

 

The baby: Would be the 'part deux' of the Chicken Pox mentioned in the title.  He took them pretty well up until last night which was incredibly rough.  Like, he would sleep for 5-10 minutes and then be restless for 10-15 minutes.  Back and forth.  All. Night. Long.  It was a long night, and he's pretty clingy today.  Hopefully he will be on the mend soon, he has a BIRTHDAY on Thursday!!  I don't like to see him sick, but part of me is really glad he ended up getting the pox and we can just be done with it for these three.

 

The kiddos:  Are a little stir-crazy, being in quarantine mode again but not having the edge taken off due to being sick themselves.  Lots of basement play, and they've been playing in the backyard some too.  Their latest favorite outdoor activity is Easter Egg hunts.  For real.  They take the parade candy and gum they got from the Fourth of July parade and put it in the eggs and hide them all over the yard.  So funny.  Keeps them entertained though.

Firecrackers made a big impression on Kolbe.  Lately he has been building and lighting pretend firecrackers made from random toys and kitchen items.  It is very cute.  

Gemma seems to have turned a corner lately.  We still have our issues, but she has been doing better in the listening and sass departments, and actually showing some contrition when she does get sassy and angry.  Baby steps.  This makes my heart happy though.

In the kitchen: Pork Cutlets and Quinoa Black Bean Salad; Spaghetti and greens; Cheesy Chicken Tostadas; Baked Salmon, rice pilaf and veggies.  And probably some sort of tasty birthday treat for the big ONE year old. It will definitely be a quiet birthday with him still being contagious.

Crafting: I mended a hole in Gemma's blankie....

Learning:  I have some telling time stuff all ready to go for Gemma, and some watermelon books and a paper plate watermelon craft to do with both kids.  Gemma read most of Hop on Pop last week.  The big kids both reached their reading goals for the library's Summer Reading Program so the two of them and I took a trip to the library together to hand in their charts and get their prizes.  It was fun doing something just the three of us.

Reading: I am getting behind in my Catechism and really should be finished with St. Francis by now.  Sigh.

Watching: My uncle was telling me about a show by the name of Zero Hour that I'd like to check out OnDemand.  Anyone else seen it?  Some Royals baseball.  That's about all.  

Bringing me joy: Reminiscing about the past year with our sweet Clem.  I can not BELIEVE it has been a year since his birth.  Watching the kids play, especially Kolbe and his firecrackers and listening to Gemma with her ponies.  Good friends.  Chatting over the fence with the neighbors in the evening.  Gemma and kindergarten.  I have made peace and I am getting really excited for the school year, I think she is just going to love it, especially getting to learn so many new things.  I am excited for her and excited for this new stage in our family.

Thinking about: How old Gemma seemed at a year.  Clem still seems like such a baby. I think your perspective must change the more kids you have??

Pictures to share:  

The kids went to their first parade on the Fourth of July.  We all had fun!