Journal: Easter 2016 (and lots of pics)

TODAY

Out my window:  Sunny and gorgeous.  The kids have the day off school and have been playing outdoors since we got home from our lunch out (see below) and errand eggstravaganza.  Funny though, less than 36 hours ago when I looked out my window we had about 4 inches of snow and the most beautifully (albeit odd) white Easter landscape you could dream of.  Yup folks, after a winter of literally no snow, we woke up to a white Easter. 

Around the house: I have this little space in our dining area, between the cabinetry and the deck door, where we have a rounded corner shelf mounted on the wall, below which is the prefect place to tuck our three drawer cabinet for craft supplies and legos (things used at the dining table).  It is one of my favorite spaces in our whole house (weird, I know) because a.) I am able to get so much bang for my buck space-wise, and b.) because the little shelf-top is the perfect place for our liturgically-themed items.  It is a place we see often (most of our prayers are said at the dining table) yet it is fairly out-of-the-way.  Win-win.  Enough of that.  As I accumulate more items over the years it is fun doing things for specific liturgical seasons and days, and this year I was pretty pleased with what I came up with for the Triduum.  Top L-R is Holy Thursday and Good Friday, bottom L-R is Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday/Easter Season. The white orchid (artificial) has been stored in the basement for several years, I am so glad I found an excuse to pull it back out (and that I didn't KonMari it).

The kiddos: Hmmm, not much.  Here's some pics from their Easter egg hunt at grandma's.  We really don't do much to observe the more secular aspects of Easter around here (don't shoot me, but the kids don't get Easter baskets or hidden Easter eggs or anything, shhhhhh, don't tell them that's a thing...) so it is fun for grandma to put on an egg hunt for them.

They were really excited to get to play in the snow Easter morning, and it was perfect conditions: wet snow, relatively warm outside, sunny.  I mean, the boys went back out in it after lunch barefoot.  BAREFOOT!  They built a few little snowmen in the morning, and then made a snow-blob with the remnants of said snowmen after lunch.  The snow-blob cracked me up.

In the kitchen: Today I took said children with day off on many errands and promised them a pizza date as well.  We went to Pizza Hut, and it was the kids' first buffet experience.  They had a blast!  Kolbe got two plates of pizza, a huge plate of vegetables (I know, right?) and then I think two or three more plates of pizza and dessert.  Clement got his dessert first (and last), and Gemma marveled numerous times that it seemed very wasteful to get a new plate each trip to the buffet. She also said she thought we should just stay there forever (um, is my cooking really that bad?) and asked me why I didn't order any wine.  Whaaaaaaa?????  It was lunch!  Barely noon!!!  Add to that the fact that we rarely eat out and I know for a fact I have never ever ordered wine when out with the family (and also don't make a habit of drinking at lunchtime).  And last time I checked, Pizza Hut's wine-lists wasn't all that stellar.  Where does she get this stuff? Gave me a good chuckle.

Learning:  The big kids both went to Holy Thursday and Good Friday Mass/services with me and Aaron respectively, and all three kids and I went to Stations on Good Friday.  I am hoping maybe we can go to both aforementioned Triduum services as a family next year, it has been years since I went on Good Friday.  The kids asked about the Easter Vigil, but right, wrong or otherwise, I just wasn't feeling it.  So long, so late, so past bedtime after two nights at Church past bedtime already.  Some year.  My point in putting this in the "learning" category: I just love LOVE that our Faith has such beautiful, meaningful rites and rituals that teach us so much about Jesus and our Redemption story.  

During the next few weeks we'll be doing Bible readings from the Via Lucis at the breakfast table.  I was really excited, for our Lenten Cross this year we only used our children's Bible for one of the forty readings, for the rest I just read straight from my RSV.  I love reading to the kids from the actual Bible.

Reading: Still working my way through Fire Within (Dubay).  Gemma and I are reading Caddie Woodlawn together, The Moffat Museum with the whole crew at the breakfast table, and Gemma is reading the Ramona Quimby and Betsy Tacy series' on her own.  No links today.  :)

Watching: Eh, not much.  Opening day is a week from today! But the Royals actually play Sunday evening.  Can't believe it's practically baseball season again.

Bringing me joy: Easter. Grace. Liturgy.  Incense. The Year of Mercy.  I am loving the Divine Mercy Novena this year. A pretty great end to errands today after a rocky start.  I love my kids.

Thinking about: 

Pictures to share: 

Family at Church after Easter Mass. Love all the bells and smells of the Triduum services and the flowers and brand-new Paschal Candle Easter morning. He is risen! He is risen, indeed!!

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: Christmas Eve

TODAY

Out my window:  Dark, cold, about 3 inches of snow on the ground.  Pretty.  It should be a white Christmas in these parts.

Clothing myself in:  Grey sweats, turquoise sweatshirt.  Since it's Christmas eve I will change later.

Around the house: Wrapped our last gift last night.  Well, except one I'm still waiting on to arrive...

 

The baby:  Sweet as ever.  He has been napping so much better the past month or so, it's been really nice.  I think he's ready for a big-boy bed, but we really don't want to buy one as the baby room is kind of a dedicated baby room (read: we wouldn't have anywhere else to keep it) and I don't feel like collapsing the crib, etc. etc.  I'd convert the crib to a toddler bed, but I can't lay in it with him and to me that kind of defeats the purpose. 

 

The kiddos:  Gemma got one of those bracelet maker Fun Loom things from her godmother for Christmas.  That girl is going. to. town.  I was kind of surprised she caught on so quickly.  The box says "8yrs and up" and even though she is into that kind of stuff I still thought it might be tricky for her.  I mean, when I was trying it out the night before (after kids were in bed) so I could help her with it the next morning, Aaron suggested I rename it the Dammit Loom.

Kolbe is so full of Christmas cheer, he is adorable.  He is my Christmas carol kid (LOVE hearing him sing) and Frosty the Snowman has hands-down been his favorite show of the season. 

In the kitchen: Spaghetti last night, which is a fave with everyone around here!  Aaron is carving up the Christmas Sushi today, and he'll be running the smoker on Thursday.  The rest of the week will work its way out and there will be no shortage of good things to eat I'm sure.

Crafting: ehhhhhhh, after the above comments about the loom I think I ought not claim anything here.  The salt dough ornaments are complete though, another successful year of ornament  making with the kids.

Learning:  Each day over break I'm having Gemma choose two things (her choices are math, reading and handwriting) to work on during homework time.  I googled "Common Core Kdg Math Worksheets" and was thrilled to come up with a ton (click here) that align with the standards, so I printed all stuff I know they've worked on at school.  (Strangely?) she has really been liking those and has chosen one every day.  I figured we'd just keep our regular routine (which includes hw each afternoon) over the break, and that seems to be working out well.

The little elves wrapped all the salt dough ornaments and got them labeled correctly (I hope!) so we are good to go! 

Reading:  I started A Certain Small Shepherd with Gemma, and hope to finish it sometime soon.

Watching: We started a special on The Vatican last night on H2.  I was a little dubious, because I do not typically trust the History Channel's angle on things that involve the Church and Jesus Christ.  The first part of it was interesting enough, but then I fell asleep.  Lame.  So the jury is still out, indefinitely probably.

Bringing me joy: Advent.  I love this season so much.  Family.  The snow.  Parish Mission.  Playing with the kids.  Coffee with a friend.  NPR Christmas music and my Advent at Ephesus CD.  Cozy fires in the fireplace.  Bedtime, I love the kids but I love when they go to bed too and the house is quiet...and then I pass out of exhaustion before I can really truly enjoy it.

Thinking about: Getting the kids up for the day.  Time to sign off!!

Pictures to share: 

We have some construction going on near our house, the kids thought the dirt piles were awesome!

Anyone need some size large Thirsties diaper covers?  $30 for the lot of six, excellent condition (they have just never fit my kids quite right).

Journal: Snow

TODAY

Out my window:  Snow on the ground and sunshine.  We're supposed to get hit with another snowstorm tomorrow.  Holy cow, it's either feast or famine around here.  Grateful for the moisture, but um, wow.  We have not had, like, any snow in forever (seriously, it's been several years) and now this?  Just rolling with it.  Spring will come soon.

Clothing myself in:  Jeans and a (new!) coral colored long-sleeve tee from GAP.  Black socks.  Fresh haircut, ahhhhhhhhh and even a small bit of makeup (we went to Mass this morning).

Around the house: Starting to take stock of spring/summer wardrobes for the kids.  I ordered a bunch of stuff from Kohl's for the kids and almost all of it is going to work, including their summer shoes (Kolbe's and Gemma's...I have purchased these Nike sandals for 3 or 4 summers now and they have staying power.  They cost a little more but it is worth it to me.  I can toss them in the washer, the kids can put them on by themselves, they are pretty much all the kids wear for every day.)  As you can see to the right, Gemma was particularly pleased with her night dress (she's been asking for one for months) and the matching one it came with for Baby Lamb.  I still have some odds and ends I need to pick up, but we're actually sitting pretty good (big sigh of relief).  I even got a few things for myself!

The baby: Has a tooth!  Who knew?!  I kept checking the bottom and nothing doing, and then today I felt his top gums and what do you know there's a big 'ole honkin' tooth there.  I thought they were supposed to get their bottom teeth first??  That's what my other two have done.  Silly babies.  He is starting to sit very well on his own.  And he will eat chunks of banana and avocado from his tray/our fingers and actually open his mouth eagerly for it.  I am all for finger foods, if I can avoid the hassle of processing and pureeing this go-around I will be beyond thrilled.  He really likes watching the big kids play, and I think part of him really wishes he could be up running around with them.  Soon enough, baby, soon enough.

 

The kiddos:  Have totally been loving the snow.  I totally love their daddy who is willing to take them out (twice one day even!) to play in it.  

On a more serious note, I think we are going to have Kolbe assessed for his speech issues through our local school district.  Like I told a friend (whose boys have also had speech problems), "first it was cute, then it was funny, and now, well, not so much."  He is beginning to talk lots and lots more, but is not getting any easier to understand (in fact, probably harder).  Aaron and I sat down and started going through the alphabet, and there are sooooo many sounds he is unable to make.  I know Gemma talked extraordinarily early (and well), so my bar was probably pretty high, but we are definitely wondering if Kolbe could benefit from some help.  We'll see...

Gemma has started narrating her life by song.  It is very cute.

In the kitchen: Baked Ziti with fried zucchini; Quesadillas; Chicken Stuffing Casserole with mixed veggies; Salmon patties with simple (probably canned) sides (a la Lenten Friday)

Crafting: Hmmmmm, nope.

Learning:  Lenten activities mainly.  We have gotten some good books from the library lately.  I always appreciate getting good book recommendations (Kansas Mom has some good recommendations here) so if you've read anything good with your kids lately, sound off! We also pulled out our snow stories and have particularly enjoyed The Snowy Day and Snowmen at Night.  Kolbe has gotten really into cutting lately, so I am trying to be more deliberate about giving him things to work on. 

Reading: Finished Unconditional Parenting.  Glad I read it, it's given me lots about which to think.  I've gotten ahead with my Catechism reading for the Year of Faith and am really enjoying it.  I'm perusing The New Read-Aloud Handbook, and am looking forward to starting Fill These Hearts and looking at a few others I have on hold at the library.  I think we are going to put By the Shores of Silver Lake down.  It's just getting a little too above Gemma (in my opinion), and she has so many questions.  I don't want to shelter her or censor things, but some of the things we're encountering just seem a bit much for her.  I picked up a used copy of Happy Little Family, so I think we will start that this week. 

Bringing me joy: Gemma saying "thanks be to God" from across the house when I'm listening to the daily Mass readings while I cook dinner.  Cocktails.  Chatting with my hubby.  A snuggly baby at night.  A fresh haircut.  Snow.  Longer days.  Pink toenail polish.  Gemma singing "Like a Shepherd" to me at bedtime.  Little things.     

Thinking about: Prayer.

Pictures to share:  

Two more.  Sorry for the picture overload, with only blogging once a week (it seems anymore) or maybe twice, I like to share what I can when I can!

Gemma built a church with their bocks and animals.  See the priest
at the front?

Big snow 2013

It's been so long since we had a big snow (or any snow for that matter) I decided it was worth its own post...or at least pictures with captions anyways.

Kolbe was so proud of his snowflakes...a big circle with a hole cut out of the center!!

Gemma's snowman!

Snowcream!!

Gemma was a little more detailed with the snowflakes...you should have seen the kitchen floor when we were done!

 

Outdoor play, courtesy of daddy!!

This is what Gemma's snowman looked like the next morning, it was half buried with all the snow overnite!

Gemma wanted to practice making a snowman in the house with her "kit".

Happy snow day everyone!!!

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!

Feast of St. Nicholas 2011

It is really neat - as the children get older - to watch various traditions develop in our family.  St. Nicholas is one of those really fun traditions.  Gemma made sure all our shoes were set out on the fireplace well before bedtime (actually, it was even before dinner I think) on the eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas.  

And as expected, St. Nicholas left some fun treats.  Candy canes and M&M's, some fancy buttons in Gemma's shoes (she loves playing with buttons), a book for each child, and a board for building with their duplo-blocks.

 

And if that wasn't enough, after examining the treats at the fireplace, they headed over to the deck door to realize there was a very light dusting of new-fallen snow!

Gemma begged and begged and begged and begged and begged to make a snowman.  Since daddy is off on Tuesday mornings, and is pretty much the best daddy in the world, he took her out to play for a bit.  No snowmen were built (imagine), but he said she had fun playing abominable snow monster with the buckets of snow he scooped up for her.  It's the little things!