the life pursuit

snowdayyy!

2012-01-20T10:20:00.008-05:00

From 01/20/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

Our morning kick-started with a wake-up call at six am. Fortunately, it was the good news that Brookline Regional Catholic had a two-hour delay, which meant that Jack had no school. Unfortunately, that meant that everyone was up. At six am.

Our morning was leisurely... Jack was never more excited about hot breakfast. I overheard him talking to his bunny, "There's one person who makes the BEST steel cut oats in the world! It's my mom." We sadly saw Mike off a little after 8:30, at which time we began readying ourselves for playing outside in the two or so inches of snow that came yesterday evening... but we took it. Thirty-two minutes and a ransacking of our closets, basements and attic for winter gear later, we headed out the door into the freezing cold. I'm surprised I managed to outfit them all-- Abigail in a pair of Jack's waterproof pants, Jack in very snug snow bibs, all of them in wrongly sized boots, but they were dressed. For snow. Ten minutes after we came out, Iris was eager for a morning nap (the poor child was miserable, stumbling around in the white stuff, of which she was not a fan-- "Yuck! EeeeYuck!"). The others played for an hour or so before the promise of hot chocolate lured them indoors... their mother was getting cold and pouty.

They're currently playing "Beach," and taking breaks from laying on their towels to run laps around the first floor... burning up, as usual, requesting to put on shorts and short sleeves. And I'm freezing with the gush of breeze they're creating with each lap, sipping on my mug of hot tea. Iris continues to doze.

I'm looking forward to weekly "in-date" night with the man of my dreams tonight. And thankful for our new dishwasher, which I just started for the first time, that we were able to replace our old, leaky one without a worry of money... and for a climate with drastically different seasons.

competitive mothering

2012-01-19T22:35:00.010-05:00

While I'm re-posting articles that have resounded with me lately, here's another thought provoking read (When mean girls become mommies). I'll admit, I've been on both sides of this article. I have at times cast thoughtless judgments. And I have spent all too much time being concerned with the opinions of others, trying to justify my actions. And why? If we are consumed by the scrutiny of others and forget our acceptance (and all-consuming love) with God, we'll drive ourselves 'round the bend (or at least to lost sleep). I have. Wouldn't it be a wondrous thing if we all (myself included) supported each other in our motherhood and accepted that there are countless valid and effective ways of parenting (and living, in general) that vary vastly from family to family, situation to situation?

I was reminded of this--

"Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against  quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who  listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a  workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the  word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it  will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like  gangrene... Nevertheless, God's solid  foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows  those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord  must turn away from wickedness..."

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love  and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23  Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because  you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not  quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not  resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope  that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the  truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the  trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."

~Timothy 2:14-26

...and here, a snippet from scripture on the uselessness of concern for silly things...

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

~Matthew 6:25-34

For mothers with only one child...

2012-01-19T21:01:00.010-05:00

...or two or three, or any number of children...

this is a worthwhile read.

don't take our money

2012-01-19T17:18:00.003-05:00

After I got off the phone with a telemarketer today, Jack asked who it was.

Not really thinking, I replied, "Just somebody who wants to take our money."

He seemed very concerned and said, "That's not very nice. What did he say? I'm going to make a sign that says 'No taking our money.'" And he promptly set to work doing so.

Yarn Along

2012-01-18T09:08:00.010-05:00

From 01/18/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

My sister gave me this gorgeous homespun yarn for my birthday last year, and I've finally made up my mind on what to knit with it-- this Krtek scarf. I like how it looks knobby/cable-y without cables (not that I mind them), and it echos the varying thicknesses in the yarn. Knitting has been so relaxing for me lately on these confined winter days. I have been loving sitting down with my tea and needles during nap time, catching up on some shows or audio books.

A good friend and mentor (and my sponsor when I became Catholic) recommended and gave me The Five Love Languages a few years back. Mike and I only started reading it a couple of months ago out of curiosity and a desire to read something new together, and we're almost done. Neither one of us fits neatly into one language, but we don't overlap on any of them. Needless to say, we've both been making extra efforts to speak the other's "languages," and I've never felt more blessed by or in love with this man- courtship included. The guy makes my stomach do flip flops... know what I mean?

I'm joining Ginny's Yarn Along.

From 01/18/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

Unrelated-- I didn't have time to adjust my camera at all, but here are the girls (ballerina-clad), watching our Christmas tree meet its demise this morning. Finally moving on...

star crossed slouchy beret

2012-01-16T15:38:00.005-05:00

From 01/16/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

I finished my hat. The pattern was kind of tricky (it was recommended for intermediate, and I usually go for beginner), and I kept asking my sweet husband to assist me with calculating proper stitch numbers, as they weren't included after increase and decrease rows. I had considered a couple of hats with with leaf-looking patterns that included lace and were more delicate in appearance, but I'm glad I chose this one, despite the mistakes. I like the chunkiness of it- more practical for the cold. And I like how it's asymmetrical. Besides looking neat, it absorbs mistakes well.

experimenting some

2012-01-12T20:58:00.005-05:00

Ever since bringing home a sheet from school on the upcoming science fair, Jack has been anxious to do some experimenting of his own. He talks about "science fair projects" like they're akin to amusement parks. Jack was eager to find the "science experiment section" at the library this morning, where he scored quite the supply of books, from which I had to sort out and pick a select few. We also returned home with selections about the rainforest, the planets, math, the Chinese New Year (one of Abigail's choices), dinosaurs (a weekly requirement), and some board books, all chosen by the kids. I was happy to go over our usual limit of ten books a week because there were none of the usual Disney and cartoon characters that seem to inevitably end up in our bag.

Jack and I experimented with baking soda, red cabbage powder and some citric acid (from a basic science kit that came with some some instructions for simple project) this morning while Gail was in school and again during the girls' naps.

From 01/12/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

The first experiment was color-changing liquids, in which he enjoyed pouring the different liquid compositions back and forth to see the changes.

From 01/12/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

A good scientist always documents his findings.

From 01/12/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

The second experiment was this volcano, which erupted with color-changing lava.

From 01/12/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

The child could have sat and poured the citric acid solution (citric acid and water) on the miniature baking soda (+ flour, water and red cabbage powder) volcano ALL afternoon, I suppose. I had to make another, larger volcano once he'd decimated the first with citric acid.

Let me say, it is inspiring for me to see how thirsty for knowledge these kids are. I think it's inherent in most kids... I'm just glad to be witnessing it first hand... seeing their own interests emerging, and with such eagerness on their parts. They ask so many questions throughout their days, and we just need to be willing to look for the answer or provide a means for them to discover on their own. I'm thoroughly enjoying this being a mom and a teacher. What a blessing.

our little Odette

2012-01-11T21:07:00.009-05:00

After getting all of the letters correct on her first try all day, Abigail finally got her Swan Lake CD. I was pleased with myself for finding something she actually really loved (and I love listening to)- she laughed out loud she was so excited about it.

From 01/11/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

The kids floated and twirled around the living room all evening. For never really witnessing a ballerina in action- only me, in my ill attempts to resemble one (Can you picture me, leaping and leg-kicking in our living room? Don't.)- I think Abigail may actually have a real knack for ballet, for dance in general. She talks with great enthusiasm about "when I take dance lessons" more and more. There's a studio right down the hill, which I've seen little people emerging from with bouncing tutus, and the previous owners of our house began sending one of their daughters there at a young age (they still commute here, five years after their move). We may have to look into it.

Here are our budding artists...

"Hide"

2012-01-11T20:57:00.003-05:00

Mike took this video this morning while I was taking Jack to school. She loves to hide under the little wood island beside the fridge...

Yarn Along

2012-01-11T18:52:00.004-05:00

From 01/11/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

I recently misplaced my favorite winter hat, hence, I'm making a little something for myself: this Star Crossed Slouchy Beret. I've been reading this book for a book group I'm in with other ladies from my Catholic Moms Group. I've only read five and a half chapters, but this is one of the most beautiful spiritual books I have ever read... and one that I'm sure I'll continue to refer to in years to come-- it is written in retreat format, based on a soul whose contemplation during her short life was: LOVE. I've found it difficult to keep my underlining to a minimum with this one. Truly phenomenal.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along.

all on a Monday morning

2012-01-09T15:03:00.011-05:00

Jack woke up with a bad-sounding cough, which he's had for a few nights now, and I may have been too hasty to ask if he wanted to stay home (he did, of course). He skipped on Friday, too, so we could party on Epiphany, and Gail missed on Tuesday (inclement weather). I'm beginning to really love hooky days.

There are all too many days when the mere thought of homeschooling exhausts me. For the past couple of weeks, however, the days when they've all been home have been so enjoyable... the kids have been delightful, and I've felt so at peace, all of it by the grace of God. I've been yearning for more of these days when we're all at home. While I hope that having them home every single day is a part of God's plan for our future, right now I'm trying to revel in their occasional days off.

We had all sorts of fun this morning. We played "pretend" for the longest time, Jack an orphaned baby kinkajou, whom I adopted; Abigail, an especially high-maintenance newborn ballerina, named Delaney (what else?); and Iris a number of players, including a kitten, a baby and a ballerina.

From 01/09/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

I love when pretend play includes a nap.

From 01/09/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

Jack and Gail made doughnuts and "golf balls" out of Play-Doh, which we made use of for numbers practice, while Iris peered through some picture books and sweetly named the mostly upside-down pictures.

From 01/09/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

making oinking noises

From 01/09/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

The big kids did some coloring/activity pages and flash cards at their own request (which, again, gives me hope about homeschooling, their excitement and taking an initiative to learn- especially when I may fail). Abigail is so close to getting all of her letters, which she's been wanting to go over about ten times a day. Her confusion now lies with 'V' and 'Y'-- one can see why. And increasingly less often, 'C', which she sometimes mistakes for a 'K'- again, understandable. We told her when she nails them all consistently, we'll reward her with a special surprise (not that I'm the least bit worried about her progress in this- she just thrives on the encouragement and has been showing such a great interest in learning letters as of late). I've already ordered the music of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake for her so we don't have to listen to #14 from Ever After on repeat. We do now. It's the best "dancing song" we've got to offer. We also danced, in costume, I in my dress (which I discovered was actually my grandmother, Honey's), as Abigail said I can't dance if I'm not wearing it.

From 01/09/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

taking turns with some 3-D glasses that were lying around...

From 01/09/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

I'm thankful for these moments today. For these dears.

Opportunity

2012-01-08T10:10:00.003-05:00

Abigail: "Jack, do you know what a poppornuninie is? It's when you can do something. It's when you can learn something."

baby doll

2012-01-06T21:52:00.005-05:00

From 01/06/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

We joined the Wards last night for our weekly pizza night (and the Cramers, too), and Abigail was quite in her element with little Laney, whom Heather mistook as a doll when she came. Abigail adores babies and was so pleased to just sit there (or lie) on the couch holding a live one. So sweet.

From 01/06/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

Iceberg

2012-01-05T21:53:00.007-05:00

From 01/05/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

We're having an Epiphany party at our house tomorrow morning with a bunch of moms from my Catholic Moms group, so the kids and I went to Trader Joe's today after we got Gail from school to pick up some snack-type foods. I haven't been to the store with all three of them (or any of them, for that matter) in a long time, but the whole outing was a pleasant one. We got beautiful flowers, for one. I love the picks from Trader Joe's. The kids were all in good spirits... well-behaved... considerate... even helpful. And as we were nearing the last aisle, I spied a stuffed Emperor Penguin stuffed way back on one of the lower shelves. I pointed him out to the kids and said that some poor kid had probably put him back there while playing and was missing his buddy right now. I was glad Iris didn't mistake him for her own "Chick-Chick" penguin puppet that she got for Christmas. We walked him up to the front of the store, where I got a woman's attention and told her my suspicions about the lost friend. She had a spark of mischief in her eyes as I handed the penguin to her, and she told us to wait right there. She told the man sitting behind the little closed in office area, and he perked up, "Ah! Where did you find him?" I told him, and he commanded the woman, who had already gone to get a Trader Joe's reusable bag that was filled with something, "Give them a lot of treats!" Then he spoke to the kids, "You found Iceberg!" Jack had been holding a reusable bag of our own, and the woman asked if she should just put the treats in his bag. I said "sure," still not sure myself what was going on. It was all very bizarre. The kids were excited as heck, though, and now Jack has the idea that he's going to hide his animal friends and have our party guests find them tomorrow for "extra food." So, take heed, if you venture to the Bethel Park Trader Joe's, keep an eye out for a rather large stuffed penguin, and you too could be the recipient of a few fistfuls of organic fruit leathers and candy sticks.

picking up the slack

2012-01-05T19:49:00.000-05:00

From 01/05/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

Tonight, when I was making dinner, Abigail asked me to do her flashcards with her. We do these multiple times a day, and she's gotten to where she only misses five or six now- the same ones consistently-- c,d,f,g,v,w. Anyway, I couldn't put aside what I was doing right then, so I was thankful for Jack, who piped right in and said that he'd play with her. He kept praising her when she'd get one right. They were so sweet, I had to stop and snap a picture.

moms can be princesses, too

2012-01-04T20:45:00.012-05:00

I haven't been too much of a New Years Resolutioner over the years, but who doesn't at least give an inward look for possible self-betterment when a new year arrives? So, I decided to make one "resolution," if you will (in addition to the every-day goals to be a better mother and wife, a healthier, more faithful person, etc.). I've been trying to be more timely about fulfilling (reasonable) requests and more attentive to the kids in general. But I've found myself too often falling into the trap of saying, "After I finish [x], I'd be happy to," when I could easily just drop the silly household tasks I find myself doing throughout a day to play Ring Around the Rosie or snuggle on the couch or crack out the easel and paints right then. It's actually been paying off drastically.

We let Abigail skip preschool yesterday morning after observing a mini school bus attempting to back down the icy hill behind our house. The kids and I had a lovely day at home, and I think I can safely say it was Abigail's most pleasant and well behaved day... ever (at least since she was older than one). Today may well have been her second. We've really been hitting things off, playing ballerina and princess, dancing and snuggling and coloring and reading to our hearts content. Other things are have been on hold... the sink is full, the laundry piling below the clothes shoot, clutter is accumulating... at least for a while. Those things can wait. Why make the kids? (It seems like such an obvious thing, I know.) They will grow up quickly, their days and years ever-fleeting. Through my ongoing thanksgiving list, it's been becoming more and more clear to me how much so. For now, this seems like the best way to slow down time... to relish every moment I have with these amazing and wonderful little people. Even the moments I used to wish would pass quickly. (There is value in the ugly, in the dark. God uses those moments to reveal himself, as opportunities to grant graces, if I am receptive enough to perceive them in the first place)

From 01/04/2012 (by Eye-Fi)

What's with the princess dress, you ask?-- We were dancing to the music of Ever After this morning when Abigail handed me a pillow and said, "This is a present for you. It's a princess dress!" I seemed to recall a certain whimsical dress stashed in our closet that I grabbed from my parents' house a couple of years ago as a possible Halloween costume (I think it's my sister's). So I told her I'd open it upstairs, where I found the dress and put it on to surprise her. The look on her face and the delighted laughter that followed after I came back down wearing it were priceless. She kept looking at me in awe the rest of the morning, like she couldn't believe her mother actually owned a princess dress. "I love your dress, Mom"- she must have told me this a dozen times. The girls and I danced (all of us in costume- even little 'Rus), perfecting our gracefulness (we have a long way to go), until we had to pick up Jack from school and head to Kindersports. And then again after dinner until bedtime (Jack just spun around, a crazed dragon).

Yarn Along

2012-01-04T09:41:00.004-05:00

From 12/20/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

It's been a while, and last night, with the ground finally completely covered in white (none of that ugly grass poking through business) and single digits promised over the night, I got the urge to knit. A little hat. I've been reading some from a few different books, but I'd have to say that this new Christmas book takes the cake as my current favorite. All of the kids love it and request it over and over. And it's one I'm happy to read on repeat.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

personal (and honest) hairstylists

2012-01-03T13:40:00.005-05:00

Grandma sent home a baggie of unused combs in fun colors with which the kids have been having a blast. Jack and Gail set to work combing my unruly tresses as I sat on the couch. I had to coach them on the how-tos, like start at the bottom, no brushing upward, etc. As they combed, Abigail said, "You're going to look like the most beautiful ballerina!" Jack chimed in, "Yeah, everyone will say, 'Yeah, she looks great!' No one will believe it!" (?) After they finished, and I had a nice comb-over-my-face-do, they inspected their work. I asked, "How do I look?" Jack: "Um, not that great."

Christmas in Wisconsin

2011-12-30T14:49:00.005-05:00

From 12/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Iris may be a high-speed eater, but her gift unwrapping pace was record-breaking slow-- we started to think she was unwrapping as slowly as she was on purpose to drive her brother bonkers.

From 12/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

No Christmas is complete without a singing reindeer made out of garland.

From 12/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

She tossed her own Christmas books to the floor and asked Grandpa to read her my new Chickens in Your Backyard book.

From 12/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 12/30/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Playing with distorted faces effects...

From 12/30/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Our trip to the Midwest has been a flurry of events and activity ever since we left Pittsburgh hours before the sun came up on Monday morning, starting with Mike feeling sick shortly into the drive and me getting pulled over shortly after relieving him of the driving. I only got a warning for the speeding, which I didn't even realize I was creeping up to while trying to feed a banana to Iris in the seat behind me to keep her from waking her sick dad. But the less-than-merry she-cop did send us on our way with a citation for improper child seat restraints and a burned out headlight, which we've been meaning to fix for the better part of a year (and shoot, at 8:30 on a sunny morning, I didn't even need to have the lights on). The girls had wiggled their arms up and over their harnesses, and Jack had his belt tucked behind him. We're sure as heck cracking down on them now.

Mike continued feeling better throughout the day, though I ended up driving for more than 9 hours of the 12 road hours of the trip. We pulled into Grandma and Grandpa's house around 4:30 and had a nice chunk of the day left for visiting before bedtime. The next morning, I awoke feeling nauseated and was sick with flu symptoms the rest of the morning. I guess here is as good a place as any to get sick, as I was able to get some rest for the next two days while the kids were well occupied.

Will and Ashley arrived late Wednesday night, and the kids were excited to see them in the morning and exchange gifts after breakfast. All the kids enjoyed their new puzzles, books and puppets- and Abigail her leotard and ballerina slippers, which she's been wearing every chance she's had since, including naps.

This afternoon, I showed Jack this post from the Wards, and he was inspired to make his own puppet theater in Grandma and Grandpa's basement to showcase their newly acquired performers. He made "tickets" for each of the adults and gathered us all together for the show, whose plot was just as much a mystery to the puppeteers as the audience. It was sweet though, complete with a superhero bunny and cereal character performances. And a little bathrobe-clad sweetie, who kept stealing away under the makeshift curtain.

It's unbelievable to me that we'll already be packing up to leave tomorrow (and leaving first thing the next morning). Granted, I was sleeping for a good portion of our time earlier on, and there's been a lot filling our days (and evenings after the kids go to bed playing Apples to Apples and Cranium), but these visits seem to be getting shorter and shorter. I'm sure we'll fit in another puppet show or two before we go.

Happy birthday, Jesus!

2011-12-25T20:10:00.001-05:00

The kids awoke this morning around 7:15, and they came downstairs, a flurry of wonder and excitement around 7:30, after I'd turned on the Christmas lights and gotten the cameras ready.

Mike and I were pleased to see a huge improvement from last year (we had to stop Christmas on account of ungratefulness). There were yelps of glee and faces lit with joy. And a lot of gratitude. Jack was surprised to find the milk and cookies mostly gone and a note, highlighting their generosity this Christmas (they gave some gifts to the less fortunate this year)and reminding them of the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus.

From 12/24/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 12/25/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

They enjoyed their gifts (all of which, I think, were their "favorite!") while I fixed eggs and bacon to accompany our cinnamon swirl bread. We sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and took our time with breakfast (except for Jack, who made an exception this one day of the year in hopes of moving on to opening the gifts that remained under the tree) while finishing the final reading for our Jesse tree.

From 12/25/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I could tell this child was happy today... she rarely cooperates for me when I pull out my camera... and today, she kept the radiant smiles coming. On a side note, they wore these robes all day- during lunch, naps, dinner... almost to the neighbors' to deliver some bread. And they are wearing them now in lieu of blankets to bed.

From 12/25/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

making some Christmas calls...

From 12/25/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Find the ornament! We hid the pickle ornament, as tradition, before opening gifts, and they wanted to continue the game after gift opening... and again later in the day after naps... with different (kid-friendly) ornaments.

We spent the rest of our day listening to beautiful traditional Christmas music, reading new books, coloring and stamping, making more Christmas cards (a favorite pastime of the kids lately), talking to extended family, packing, and just relaxing with our immediate family. How incredibly blessed I am by these three little people and by my truly thoughtful and loving husband.

All of this because of a little baby.

I'll leave you with this...

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T20:44:00.001-05:00

We had a lovely, relaxing Christmas Eve at home playing with the kids, baking, napping, attending Mass and getting ready for Santa (read here).

Church was, as expected, packed to the brim with the Easter and Christmas folks. And as a consequence (of kids who aren't used to church), the screams and laughs and loud talking of children (and sometimes their parents) resounded around the church throughout the service. *Though I can't claim to have always been attentive and pious during my childhood church-going days even though we were regular attenders, especially on Christmas Eve, when my sister and I had a habit of becoming hysterical.* At the sign of peace, the woman beside us turned toward me and said, "I have to tell you... your kids are SO well behaved. I mean, they're probably the best kids in the building. They are SO good. Really." So that made me beam. For the record, she wasn't talking about the youngest Ryan, who was as squirmy as all get-out and pretty fussy toward the end of the service, which was 50% longer than usual.

From 12/24/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Watching the dough mix for our cinnamon swirl loaves. My mom used to make this bread every Christmas Eve-- I couldn't pass up this yummy tradition.

From 12/24/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

the kids following Mass

From 12/24/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

He couldn't wait to change.

From 12/24/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

(notice the bottom of the tree has been a bit mangled, ornaments rearranged.... Alas, she's still standing)

the wait is over

2011-12-23T14:40:00.013-05:00

(at least for this baby)

I was honored to escort the eager Ward girls to meet their new "Baby D" last night shortly after the birth. The girls seemed rather pleased after we got there to find out that they wouldn't have to play any more "dragons" (at least no more than Jack was requesting of them), as they had another sister, following in alphabetical succession with a fittingly beautiful name, Delaney Fay.

From 12/22/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

proud big sisters

From 12/22/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

She was perfectly tiny with that silky newborn skin and as precious as she could be. She made her next oldest sister, Carrigan (who was taking to her new role as big sister with ease), look huge.

From 12/22/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Abigail and Jack came with me to the hospital today to welcome Laney with birthday cards.

From 12/22/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Congratulations on your sweet new addition, Ward Family!

All-School Carol Sing

2011-12-22T15:15:00.007-05:00

All of the grades (Pre-K through 8) performed a different carol at their All-School Carol Sing this morning. The three and four-year-olds were together singing "Jingle Bells."

From 12/22/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I guess I don't have the special touch like Mike (she falls asleep in his arms every Sunday at Mass), but she was miserably tired throughout the event, squirming and pressing her face and back of her head into me. At least she was pretty quiet. She was out as soon as I put her in her car seat.

From 12/22/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

The merry performers

(!) Don't watch if you get motion sickness. I was holding an extremely tired and squirmy child and zoomed way in with the camera, so every little movement of my hand was magnified.... it does get better.

superbusyday

2011-12-21T20:33:00.007-05:00

(Exuse the poor picture quality)

The kids had a blast at Kindersports this morning. Can you tell?

From 12/21/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

baby posse

From 12/21/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Jack and his preschool friend, Aiden.

From 12/21/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Abigail and her friend, Heather (they're in the same preschool class) doing the hula-pull (pulled by yours truly).

From 12/21/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

An appearance by (an eyeliner-wearing) Santa...

From 12/21/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

As they left the gym, each child (there were like 20) was handed a wrapped gift (amazingly gender and age appropriate books)...

From 12/21/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

...and seated at a table with mac 'n' cheese, cupcakes, cookies, chocolates, Christmas candies, those little barrels of sugar (Lil' Hugs), snack packs of pretzels with nacho cheese... gag me. They ate the mac 'n' cheese and a cookie, and we quickly headed out before they ingested any more garbage.

From 12/21/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

But the staff at our Rec Center is so great- they really care about the kids and put on a great program for them with running around "play time" in the gym and story time afterward every Wednesday. We're grateful to have it, even if it means an occasional junk overload.

From 12/21/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

After we returned from taking a meal up-town right after Kindersports (and getting badly lost along the way), we hung with this fun crowd while their mama (Happy birthday!) went in for a more in-depth midwife appointment. Two of them (the Ryan girls) had late naps, but the others fared (well until after dinner) without. Iris had just skedaddled, but the next time we have a group shot with the Ward kids, there will likely be SEVEN little people (!)

ten on Tuesday {Advent edition}

2011-12-20T13:59:00.001-05:00

Haven't had one of these in a while

1. I finally pulled out some of our Christmas decorations yesterday morning... I remember as a child when December seemed an interminable stretch of days, countless links on my paper Advent chains, and what's this? We're already six days before Christmas Day, and I'm just pulling out my lights and garland. I think I prefer waiting this late. It's Christmas Day that begins the big celebration. Epiphany isn't until the 6th of January. I'd be happy to leave them up well into the new year....

From 12/19/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 12/20/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 12/19/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

He asked me to take this posed shot of him hanging an ornament he made at school. {love}

2. Jack had his Christmas party at school yesterday morning. As with his Halloween party, he came home with a large department store bag full of individually wrapped bags of candy and small toys from faculty and classmates. And he has 22 kids in his class. Who are these parents? Abigail had a much more meager and reasonable take-home from her party.

3. I feel very at peace with our lack of shopping this year. Besides their couple of handmade gifts, we got the kids three gifts each (as Jesus received) to be from "Santa"- a small stuffed sort of toy, a book (actually two books each- one about the Nativity and one other- that I nabbed cheap from Scholastic), and a bathrobe for the older ones (to serve as portable soft blankets, of which they are enthralled). Last year, I was torn about the idea of Santa because of his secularism but figured we still had another year to decide, as the kids were still small and oblivious. I recently read this article from CatholicMom.com, and I thought she summed up what Santa should be perfectly. He could be used to teach of the gift of unconditional love, as Jesus' love for us. They receive gifts simply because they are loved. How do the kids respond when an elderly woman asks if they've been good (Is Santa going to pay them a visit this year?)? They don't have to be perfect, of course.

4. On Thursday, both kids have an "All School Carol Sing" concert that they're anticipating, fervently practicing their song. This will be their first stage performance. The preschool number: "Jingle Bells." Surely they could have come up with something a little more Christian at a Catholic school?

5. We got in touch with our German roots last Thursday night at Hofbräuhaus, where we went to celebrate Kaethe's birthday. It turned out to be a great venue for kids. Abigail skipped her meal to polka (with the rest of the kids, who ate a little faster). I wish Mike's phone would have taken a better video, but it was too dark-- they were all so cute, at times lined up, kicking their legs together, holding the sides of their dress skirts while doing merry little jigs. Some of the kids were standing on the chairs, holding their plastic kid cups up for toasts while singing German drinking songs-- "Oi! Oi! Oi!" They gave the accordion player a run for his money with requests. Because our kids know their German polkas. See some pictures here.

6. Speaking of celebrations (with some of our favorite people), we went to the Children's Museum's "Holiday Event" two Fridays ago (a joint-family activity with the Wards in lieu of exchanging gifts this year). I left my bag at home, which contained my camera, but you can once again see pictures here.

7. Jack has been reading! All on his own volition, too. Words like "ball," "cat," "pig," "log," and "zap!" and sometimes bigger words, but it's more and more every day. And, he's been writing quite a bit. I think he'd be happy if I wrapped him up a little pad of paper. I may. I love seeing how proud he is with himself, how enthused he seems by it all. He's anxious to read on his own. I love that during quiet time, he'll sit up in his room with some of the baby board books and just read them aloud to his stuffed animals. "Red hat, green hat, yellow hat... Oops!"

8. Abigail has taken her time a bit more with learning her letters, but we've been trying to go through her flashcards every day (recently, she's been asking to a lot more). If she gets a letter right, she gets to keep it. She loves this game, though it is at times frustrating for both of us when she just starts listing letters of the alphabet. Like this afternoon. We decided it wasn't a good time for Mommy to do flashcards. It was, however, a good time to listen to the Ever After soundtrack and pretend to be a princess (great music- and Jack even loves it because some of the songs sound scary, which obviously means there's a dragon).

9. We'll soon be gaining a new family member! Uncle Will and Ashley got engaged last weekend. We're thrilled for them both (marriage is grand!)- and that we'll be getting to see a lot more of Ashley. She's really great with the kids, who adore her.

10. We're joyfully anticipating. Not long now...

From 12/20/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Prayer Request

2011-12-16T23:04:00.005-05:00

My friend, Christine (Our Ordinary Life), was involved in an accident this morning with her fifteen month old son, Sly. A tractor trailer ran up over the curb, over Sly's stroller and Christine's feet and came to rest on his legs. He had to undergo surgery today and will be in Children's PICU for at least the next two weeks, during Christmas. If you pray, please lift up this family.

Here is the news story.

pajamas

2011-12-16T16:46:00.005-05:00

From 12/09/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

As a reward for suffering through Jo-Ann's with me a couple of weeks ago, I let the kids each pick out a fabric. They like to browse those. I didn't tell them what they'd be used for, but I got a cheap pattern for pajamas. I was thinking I'd get some plain white tees and print something that echoes the fabric print on each of them. But I'd rather not venture out to any store before Christmas (it's been ten days since we've been to the grocery store, so we'll have to make a trip down the street to Aldi). Next week they'll be getting just the bottoms.

Christmas treats

2011-12-16T16:35:00.002-05:00

Mike accompanied Jack to his gingerbread house making party at school this morning. He even took a few pictures!

From 12/16/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

(I take the responsibility for his bad haircut, which seems to be magnified in this photo. It's a work on progress)

From 12/16/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I'm just realizing how small he is compared to his classmates (that's only about a quarter of his class).

As soon as they got back, Jack was understandably eager to show off his dear little house.

From 12/16/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

And to point out every last detail. My boys did an awesome job.

***************

The past couple of days we've been making progress on our Christmas cookies. When you've got helpers, it takes a little longer-- making multiple batches of dough, pressing out Christmas shapes, sprinkling, baking, icing. Now they finally get to be eaten.

From 12/15/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 12/16/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

All of Abigail's had little chunks missing...curious.

From 12/16/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I came back into the room after cleaning up a few things in the kitchen, and Iris had the biggest cookie available (a large Christmas tree) in her hands and was hastily cramming into her mouth with a look that told me she was only claiming what was rightfully hers. I didn't have the heart to take it away from her. She hadn't been snacking on icing from her fingers like two other little elves.

From 12/16/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

the difference a year makes

2011-12-13T14:35:00.005-05:00

After collecting Jack from preschool yesterday morning, I took the kids to the Science Center for a nice morning of free play away from home. While there, we were handed coupons for free hot chocolates from Eat 'n' Park, so what do I do after we finish our packed lunches in the Science Center cafeteria? We go to Eat 'n' Park, of course. Me and my gaggle of three, who did not take naps the day before. Not one of 'em. And Abigail's dress sleeves were soaked because she can't keep herself from practically going in head first at the water play station every time we go.

The three women who held the door open for us at Eat 'n' Park began their comments of what a wonder-mom I was (when you venture into the public eye with more than one child, you're suddenly a hero). I told them this didn't happen often, and was about to happen a lot less often, as Jack and Abigail kept weaving under foot of the waitresses milling past. "You have such a good handle on them." Are you watching my children? What handle? Lately, it seems they've been running away with the reigns. {But today, I laugh}

#1. Walking back to the car with Jack from school yesterday, another mother remarked to me how she had a teenager already. Her daughter waved her away, "Don't hold my hand, Mom!" I nodded, "I know what you mean." Just that morning, the boy had an utter m e l t d o w n because we wouldn't let him wear one of two sweatshirts that were dirty on his floor from being worn every single day last week. And we, heartless parents that we are, wouldn't allow him to don only a short-sleeve t-shirt in the middle of December. None of his seven or eight long sleeve shirts would be "cool enough." Come again? Just one of many adolescent moments lately.

#2. I have heard other moms' woes on the destructiveness of little boys. We've learned that they can be brutal with other family members, wild and rambunctious in public places and just do whatever they please when you're trying to get them to do the opposite, especially if missing consecutive daytime naps, but in our case the bulk of the property damage has been due to our middle child, a girl. On the past three days alone, she has spent nap time spreading moisturizer all over our bedroom- the carpet, the dresser, the bed, my clothes (at least she was attempting to clean it up once she was through her rampage), I've found her feet traced (fortunately in pencil, this time) on the tiles of the bathroom floor, she's stamped blue ink all over herself, her clothes and the dining room table, she's drenched a roll of toilet paper through with spit, and she's broken a little Mickey snow globe that she got over Thanksgiving- with her teeth (thank the Lord there were no injuries from that one!). And don't get me started on her spontaneous scream-wails. Mike and I agree this is the worst. possible. noise. Period.

#3. At Iris' 18-month check-up this morning, Doctor H observed, "We have a kitty." No, we have a Christmas tree that has insanely sharp needles. This morning, I was contemplating throwing her out on the street (the tree) for all the times I had to advise, "No touch. Just say 'Hi'." She wanted more than a wave and hello. Oh, here is a new ~~development~~ regression-- she, very authoritatively, sticks one or both of her hands up as she's yelling, "NO!" as if to halt our commands mid-air. She's got the attitude. And she's got to do things herself. She wants to feed herself yogurt with a spoon and go potty on the toilet. She wants to do everything her older siblings are doing. And usually, we indulge her. It's a problem.

These things aren't so bad or unusual, I know, but the past few days have been at times a real challenge, and I like to remember that our days were not always filled with picturesque trips to farms and museums, submissive, low-maintenance children, and patient, tireless parenting. We have the girls in the same room again, which makes for more nighttime wakings, and less sleep all around. We have a four-year-old going on fifteen. A teething and frustrated-at-times 18-month-old who wants desperately to be at least three. I fail daily and unleash my impatience and my stress. I raise my voice more than I'd like to admit.

But I'm at a much better place than I was last year around this time. I was heading into a winter depression, augmented by isolation and self neglect, perfectionism and self-consciousness, feelings of guilt and despair... I've come a long way through the support of family and like-family friends, and Christian counseling (Of which, I'm hopeful, I wrapped up my last session yesterday), and things are looking up. I (still) have an amazing husband who takes the kids on walks to look at Christmas lights when I've had long days and surprises me and does his best to show me and tell me how much he loves me on a daily basis. And those three terrors are mostly just great big lovebugs who just occasionally act like normal one and three and four-year-olds. I'm blessed. Exceedingly.

Above all, I have Christ, whose power is at its best in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I can "lay aside every weight, and the sin which... so easily besets [me], and... run with patience the race that is set before [me], looking to Jesus the author and perfecter of [my] faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Thank you for indulging me in this post.

From 12/12/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

mesmerized

From 12/12/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

making shadows

From 12/12/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Extracting "swallowed" foreign objects (You wouldn't trust her to do it?)

From 12/12/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Newton air hockey

From 12/12/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Finding Nemo

From 12/12/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Here, my camera battery died.

We did get two compliments when we were done with our hot chocolate and cookies (they gave us those free, too)-- the old man who was sitting behind us, with whom Abigail kept flirting, and the woman who rang us up. They were actually pretty good, and quiet (their mouths were full, and they seemed to have run clean out of adrenaline at that point).

the tree

2011-12-11T10:25:00.006-05:00

Now we remember why we didn't go back to Allison's Tree Farm in Aliquippa last year. We made the mistake of forgetting this year. Traversing the entire lot and back again, and after finding not much of anything (the pretty ones were wrapped with Caution Tape because they, Norwegian Spruces, shed their needles like no other), we finally settled on one we'd seen earlier. The Blue Spruce looked to be dieting and was too tall but had a redeeming wispiness to it. I advised Mike to just saw it off at least a foot up from the ground (we measured it around 10' and were looking for one a bit less than 9'). He said we'd just adjust accordingly at home. Once he lugged it out to the tractor road and we rode back to the main building with it, the boys measured it and handed Mike a price tag of $78 (the ticket of a 10-11' tree). For a skinny, lopsided tree Mike ended up cutting two feet off of the bottom at home in order to fit it, tree stand and all, into our living room. Oh yeah! We were robbed the last time we came here. And again today.

From 12/10/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Charlie Brown

From 12/10/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

There were plenty of this size.

From 12/10/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Iris found a tree hole (which Abigial said looked like a nest) where she plopped herself down for a bit.

From 12/10/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

We were so, sooo cold with numbed faces by the time we walked all the way back to our tree. I failed to notice that our kids weren't exactly dressed for trekking across a Christmas tree farm in icy temperatures (Abigail was in dress shoes and thin leggings, Jack in a light fleece jacket, Iris had bare ankles, none of us had hats or gloves except for Mike, who gave his hat to Jack...)

From 12/10/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

There's our svelte and leaning beaut.

From 12/10/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Riding back on a tractor made up for freezing. So did hot chocolate.

From 12/10/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

~A sleepy girl after a long morning (we stopped at the Robinson BK for Mike's favorite and to let the kids run around in the play area, as if they weren't already whipped.)

***************

From 12/10/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

How many ornaments can they fit on one branch? Our experiences show about seven.

From 12/10/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 12/11/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

She's got more ornaments per square foot than billboards in Time Square, but I'm kind of a fan of a gaudy Christmas tree. Especially one that's been lovingly adorned by little hands.

From 12/11/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Christmas (and everyday) sewing

2011-12-08T13:34:00.002-05:00

I said I was done with Christmas crafting, did I? Rubbish.

I was satisfied with not doing any more- the kids are expecting very little in the way of gifts this year (they know the Ryan Kids Christmas Fund is going to those who could use a little help this holiday)- but what's a few more gifts if the only cost is time (and a very little bit of fabric that I don't already have on hand)? I've been finding it therapeutic and a good way to put my hands to use after-hours while catching up on audio books and some of my favorite tv shows, and having Mike read to me or just talk. And the kids and I have been spending eversomuch quality time in Jack and Abigail's Diner (the play room in the basement) before the temperature dips lower than the polar ice cap, as it always seems to. I wish I'd snapped a shot of Jack's dear write-up on the chalk-board before he caught on to my readying of my camera and hastily smeared it. It read something like "JACK + ABeGLS DIMeeR" (in little person handwriting that gets me every time). They mill about, serving me meals and I get projects done at about an eighth of the time they take me during quiet time/naps and when they're all in bed. Truly inefficient, but we have oodles of fun playing ConnectFour and babies, putting wooden puzzles together, and sometimes even collaborating on projects.

The other day, Abigail requested a diaper for one of Jack's many bunnies, so she selected a fabric, and I made a couple of flannel-velcro numbers that would be suitable for the larger stuffed animals right then and there (I made some for her smaller babies when she turned two- super easy).

From 12/02/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

The boy has been lobbying to hold the peddle down for me. He said to me the other day, as we were collaborating on a quilt for Abigail, "Maybe we can put my name on the present, too!" Of course, sweet boy. Of course. What four-year-old requests to help his mama sew his sister a quilt? I love it. Because I know he's the type who won't shun knitting or sewing for its femininity. My grandfather was the one who knew his way around the sewing machine and stitched up curtains for their airstream years ago.

The quilt isn't a Christmas present, though. As it stands, a bedspread is not the top of a three-year-old's wishlist. But I had fun making it, and she likes it. Our kids have a strange fixation with blankets of all kinds. The girliness of this one was a hit, too. I was going through my scrap fabric and found one charm pack for this fabric line, Moda's Breakfast at Tiffany's. I eBayed myself four more and used batting I had on hand. Here are some pictures of the finished project, which took me parts of three days to complete (mostly the nap time and after-hours parts). I've been working on a couple of other quick and easy projects, which I hope to post about later.

happy St. Nicholas Day

2011-12-06T10:26:00.008-05:00

I can't find my camera moment to take a picture of our own finished ornament, but Jack and I made this little dear (tutorial at wild olive) after Mass this morning, as it's his special day. It's easy to do with kids and "very cute," in Jack's words (You could also glue, if you don't have thread or want to make it more younger-child friendly). We read his story and did some of the activities from St. Nicholas Center, a cool site especially for Ol' St. Nick. Abigail came out from preschool today wearing a red construction paper mitre (a bishop's headdress), which she made during their St. Nicholas celebration.

dahntahn winter wonderland

2011-12-04T22:16:00.009-05:00

For the second year in a row, we've joined our good friends, the Kubiliuses, at PPG Place's Wintergarden and Market Square to scout out some of the city's holiday candy-for-the-eyes. Some, actual candy!

From 12/04/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Mike and I remarked that when making plans for ANY outing, we should make sure the Steelers are playing first. Parking was a breeze, and we had the place practically to ourselves.

From 12/04/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

International Santas

From 12/04/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

A sleepy Olive joined us.

From 12/04/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

A fantastic shot of the kids! Molly holds her own. (Jack was "that" dinosaur,the partly-fossilized T-Rex behind him).

From 12/04/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Jonas, Jack and Daniel (and Tom)

From 12/04/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Godmother and goddaughter.

From 12/04/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

The kids spend quite some time just chasing the pigeons in Market Square after we had lunch at Cherries Diner.

From 12/04/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Downtown architechture- also eye candy.

From 12/04/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

We watched the ice skaters while listening to their Christmas music for a while before calling it nap time. We had a beautiful day.

"Dahntahn" is Pittsburghese for downtown (Here's a taste of our cringeworthy dialect, so hideous at times that it's become (only mildly) endearing: Santa Claus is goin' Dahntahn)

O, how we love Eeerusss!

2011-11-29T23:08:00.010-05:00

(because she's very sweet)

Our sweet doll hit the one and a half milestone today. As I walked hand-in-hand with her down the stairs this afternoon, I recalled how just a year ago I was lugging her solid body around myself in order to get her from hither to yon. She was hardly rolling over, let along scooting or making any sort of forward (or backward) motion. And this evening, she was taking her turn on the mini trampoline, bending her head low and bucking her little front half as she buckled her knees, as if that would propel her body upward, like her siblings. She made no successful period of flight, but it was highly amusing. Even to her.

She's not a fan of sharing, especially when her cousin is competing with Mom's lap space on Sundays, but we're doing what we can to remedy that. And she will NOT have any part of being the odd man out. No siree. One of the bigger ones mentions his/her favorite pastime, and she mimics, "Hine seek! Hine seek!" bolting for one of the kitchen cabinets or her token hideout between the fridge and radiator. They play "race," and she makes haste, chanting, "Yun! Yun! Yun!" while circling their first floor "track" (she, unaware of and unaffected by their running laps around her).

Jack and Gail have no qualms about her taking home the good eater award. She would eat muffins of any variety for every meal and then some if it were up to her, but she also likes all of the fruit I've tried giving her, olives, avo"cados," corn, peas, turkey, cheese, yogurt, dried fruit, sweet potatoes, PB&Js, pasta, "ceayul," and oatmeal, to name a few. She loves to eat. It breaks my heart to have to turn down her seemingly constant requests for food, wherein she tugs at the cabinet or pantry doors, naming whatever it is she's craving.

She's putting increasingly more words together- just some that come to mind--

"wook foun'!" (Look what I found!)
"Uhnnuh know!" (I don't know- said especially when we ask her where something is with emphatic intonation)
"Go 'saeee" (Go outside)
"Puuh shews" (put on shoes)
"make cake" (speaking of their play food)
"Go nigh' nigh'"
"Sit dow. Guh giwr." (Yes, she's praising herself)
"I wan' it."
"Dipe chain" has turned into an assertive "NOOOOOOOO!" when I ask her if she needs a diaper change (and I know the answer).
And the essence of the alphabet, the Our Father and numbers to twenty, her most distinguished being "eighteen" and "tenteen."

One of these days we will remember to break out the video camera for a myriad of smooches planted with animation and zeal (and sometimes a lot of tongue).

From 11/28/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

(very me when I was little^)

From 11/28/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Sometimes, we can hardly stand the sweetness.

Advent- Jesse tree

2011-11-28T21:51:00.005-05:00

From

From 12/07/2010 (by Eye-Fi)

(photos taken last year)

Speaking of Advent, we pulled out our Jesse tree this evening. Jack, especially, seems to be of a more appropriate age now for the readings that go along with the symbols-- he's been very enthusiastic about our nightly scripture readings as of late-- hopefully that trend will continue. Here are the readings we use. They're simple enough for young children children to understand, and you can supplement more with the given Bible verses.

We're using the little felt Advent wreath given to Jack by his Godmother- a nice visual for the kids to see the progression of Advent- as well as a traditional Advent calendar. We may incorporate one or two other activities into our Advent traditions- ideas I've picked up from other moms. One really neat idea is that of starting with an empty crib or manger, which each family member softens with straw earned by a sacrifice, a prayer or a work of mercy. After Christmas, the family gathers before the Infant Savior, in his now-padded crib, for their evening prayers or for Scripture reading. The empty crib or stable represents ourselves, empty. And we are filled with Jesus' love and mercy.

blessed

2011-11-28T15:15:00.005-05:00

I know Thanksgiving Day is a thing of the past (but let thanksgiving ever be in my thoughts and on my lips)-- welcome in Advent! However, there are a few more things I want to remember from our trip...

From 11/26/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Our God is an awesome God.

(Happy birthday, Mom!)

the makings of a Christmas tree

2011-11-25T21:38:00.003-05:00

From 11/25/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 11/26/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

We ventured to the beautiful Pine Valley Farm yesterday in sunny, 70 degree weather to find a tree for Mimi and Pop. They couldn't find one quite tall enough, but the one we ended up bringing back home shaped up quite nicely. The kids had a ball decorating it (it, bottom-heavy with ornaments).

open studio 11- winter lake watercolor

2011-11-25T11:51:00.000-05:00

From 11/22/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

winter lake

watercolor
8"x10"

The day after I did the Iris watercolor, I sat down at nap time to attempt another painting... this one a landscape, as I've never been too adept there. I've always avoided them. My sister's the watercolor pro. I was trying to finish this one for a gift, so I worked through most of the evening and after the kids went to bed and finished by 11:30. The time flew-- as they say, I was having fun. I still have a lot I could improve, but I think I've found a new medium.

thankful

2011-11-24T19:07:00.019-05:00

Today's count...

morning snuggles with my blonde girl, her pixie smile,
baby sleeping in until 9:30 (13 1/2 hours of straight sleep),
blueberry pancakes and bacon,
a cloudless sky,
kids running a pretend restaurant at the park,
little boy climbing on an earth mover,
walking hand-in-hand with my elf baby,
finding puzzle pieces that fit,
card games during nap time,
a sweet, independent and imaginative boy,
a wonderful five mile run beside a wooded stream with my Pop,
the roar of water rushing,
orange light streaming through trees,
the smell of fallen leaves, fires burning,
baby girl crouched planting kisses on ceramic pigs,
a cat covered in blankets and toys... and the joy of children squealing after her,
mini trucks and dinosaurs parade arranged on the floor,
baking smells,
blonde "pinkie tails" bobbing,
my handsome, kind-hearted husband, loving glances,
turkey, roasted sweet potatoes with almonds, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, soft rolls, sauerkraut, stuffing, cranberry salad, homemade pies
a baby girl pointing at food, requesting more "tur-ty"
my brothers, uncles entertaining,
mother-daughter conversation,
PopPop reading to children exhausted, their passing out at the end of a full day,
more card games with family,
fun memories of years past, my sister who couldn't be here this year,
family and friends far away,
this life I don't deserve, the blessings...

From 11/23/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 11/24/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From Thanksgiving in MD I

From 11/24/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

open studio 10-- Pink Iris watercolor

2011-11-23T21:40:00.001-05:00

From 11/09/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Pink Iris
watercolor
4"x6"

I haven't attempted watercolor in years (not counting the Curious George set of paints that Jack got for Christmas last year). Last week, I decided to pull out my set of Winsor & Newtons, and though the two-hour piece has plenty of flaws that I will know how to better avoid next time, it was a great learning experience. And it was satisfying to see the little piece unfold. I was pleased with the outcome.

monkeying around

2011-11-22T17:28:00.004-05:00

Finished these two aprons up between packing today (while the kids did an amazing job of entertaining each other and feeding me all kinds of meals). They'll be perfect for two little monkeys.

From 11/22/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Two Christmas gifts down.

pretty in pink

2011-11-18T14:04:00.005-05:00

I don't know aboutchu, but I have room for more than one birdhouse in my soul...

From 11/18/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

You can't have one without the other. Upon seeing Jack's colorful birdhouse last night, Abigail lobbied to paint her own. So today, while Jack was at school, I got out the pinks and purples (her bribe for doing a good job at Mass), but not without much encouragement to do the WHOLE thing. She got bored with it after taking her sweet, sweet time painting one side of the roof and kept whining that I'd given her too much paint. Oh child. She was pleased with the result, though, and made Jack close his eyes to surprise him when we brought him home from school. It is an angelic little home.

Our pizza night was canceled due to illness tonight, so I was trying to decide whether I should attempt to take them all downtown to meet Dad via the 'T' (Pittsburgh limited train system) for Light-Up Night this evening or whether we should stay put and make the little personal pizzas with veggie faces (Jack found these in one of his High Five magazines and asked to make them) and watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. We've been out so much this week, I'm leaning toward the latter. It sounds ever so much more relaxing.

make a little birdhouse in your soul

2011-11-17T20:08:00.008-05:00

From 11/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

just like his mom (the tongue)

From 11/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

He's been on me for a while to paint this thing that we picked up in the dollar bin some weeks ago at Joanne Fabrics. And he exuberantly talked about the bird that was going to live in it (as well as how much he was enjoying painting it) the whole time he worked... the fluff we'd provide for a nest, the bird seed he would sprinkle diligently as the days get colder and snowier. He melts my soul. I love him.

Another full but blessed day: Mass, couch time with the oldest and youngest, storytime at the library and making friends, a nearly empty and newly renovated Children's Museum with good friends after restful naps, turkey dinner, family rosary and a little girl eager to lead...

I'm thankful for today

2011-11-16T20:04:00.006-05:00

I'm thankful for it, but I'm glad today is nearly over. We had fun, that's for sure, but it was one of those days where I felt like I was running all day from one place to another with few breaks in between. And while a day like today is welcome every now and then, it definitely reminds me of all the reasons I'm thankful I don't have the kind of life that forces me into this kind of busyness daily, where I have to rush around, inevitably stressed. Just taking Jack or Gail to school and picking them up every day wears on me, at times. I just retraced our many routes today and figured we put 64.2 miles on the van today alone, and when we live in a city where everything is a hop, skip and a jump away, that's an awful lot.

We did make it to Mass this morning. I feel on days like today, we can't afford not to. We've been making it more often, and I've been rewarded with lessening cries of complaint each time (and some singing along with the Mass- from Iris, no less). After Mass, I readied two different diaper bags, lunch for me and three kids and got the girls out the door in time to get Iris to the Cramers' a little after 10 (They live across town in Highland Park). Heather graciously watched her and brought her, with Olive, to their Music Together class while the big kids and I had other musical plans.

Gail and I hopped back to Brookline to collect Jack a bit early from school and then skipped to downtown, where we were scheduled to attend a Symphonic Stories performance at Heinz Hall with some fellow Catholic Mothers. I'd missed an earlier memo from a group member about reserving parking, and we ended up encircling the streets of downtown for forty minutes finding only filled garages and parking lots.

Once we were five minutes into the show already and still coming up empty (or full), I asked the kids what they thought we should do since I couldn't find parking. Jack said "Maybe go to a movie theater." After thinking about it for a few seconds, I thought that was an excellent idea-- the fact that we were just us, without Iris (when does that ever happen, when Mike isn't around?). So I called Mike and put him on the job of finding a kids' movie playing around noon, preferably on the northeast side of town (near the Cramers). He found Puss in Boots playing at the Waterworks Theater at noon and we made it just in time. They had to fire up the reel just for us. We were the only ones in the theater. Abigail sat completely still and mesmerized in my lap for the duration of the movie-- her debut trip to a theater.

After the movie (which was pretty cute and was a huge hit with our kitty-loving boy-- and he noted that "Puss" had the same name as a kitten as the kinkajou we saw yesterday- "Pequeño"), we picked up Iris, who seemed to have enjoyed her time with her cousin (and aunt and uncle). And they all managed to have nice, long naps/quiet time (Jack was caught up playing Puss in Boots in his room).

I woke the girls because we'd lost power during nap time, and Mike and I decided via cellphone that we should meet him downtown and go to dinner somewhere. At 5:15, it was already mostly dark, and the thought of entertaining three small children who are moderately afraid of the dark by myself all evening didn't sound like fun. Neither did getting those three children ready in the dark to go out. It wasn't. Poor Iris was quite upset about not being able to see anything.

The kids voted Eat 'n' Park. Work duties kept Mike out in the van on his laptop for the duration of dinner, so I had the three of them myself at a restaurant- a rare treat. We managed only one outburst (from a girl who thought I'd used a bit of her syrup).

Now I sit and write on the glow of the battery-powered laptop. Our power is out again. There's something so welcome about the power being out (now that the kids are fast asleep), and I plan on retiring this artificial illumination in a minute.

I want to slow down. Fortunately, I can. I'm a stay-at-home mom. The stationary life sounds more and more appealing to me. No dropping off and picking up. No rushing here and there. Just living. And having time to notice things. And be thankful. For all of the gifts... everything.

Thank you, God, for this busied yet spontaneous and exciting day. For the graces at Mass and baby girl singing... for blonde girl sitting in my lap enthralled by her first picture show... and having it all to ourselves... little boy's enthusiastic retelling... family close... children's eyes wide in wonder at city lights... crayons and coloring pages... for the candlelight flickering dim.

wherein Jack meets a real kinkajou (and more!)

2011-11-13T21:51:00.013-05:00

Have you ever even heard of a kinkajou? Ever since we came home with this cereal from Whole Foods one time, Jack has had one not-so-minor obsession. When asked what his favorite thing in the whole world is, this little Amazon-dweller is his quick reply. The child daily has a birthday party for "Kinkajou," or "JouJou," wherein we all have cake, celebrating the next year (or previous year) in JouJou's life. You see, Jack's imaginary honeybear only ever reaches the age of five, at which point, he begins to shed his years, until, after zero, he "goes back into his Mama's belly" and is subsequently "born again."

Kinkajou's prompted Jack's very real desire to uproot our family and move to the Amazon Rainforest. We've explained to him the huge expense and impracticality of this on several occasions, but he has resolved that Mike will work even more in order to get money to fund our boat trip (if we live in the Amazon Rainforest, we'll see kinkajous every day. Thus, we won't have to buy one, so that at least cuts out that expense. (Domestic ones cost between $1-2K. Don't think we haven't done the research.)

One day last week, Jack asked what zoos were host to the kinkajou. I told him that sounded like a good question for Uncle Rob, who works in the education department at the Pittsburgh Zoo. I asked, and what do you know? Rob said they were right here in Pittsburgh... and that he'd work on arranging a meeting for us! That thought had never crossed my mind. But I immediately thought of how stoked Jack would be when he'd get to see a real live one (and how he might not realize what an amazing opportunity this would be-- he is only four, after all).

After we picked up Gail from preschool, we met the Cramers at the education department for our backstage tour. Rob explained the rules (like keeping out voices low), and that most kids who come to the zoo only get to see the animals outside (and in indoor exhibits) but that we were going to see some other animals today. In the first room, Rob expertly pulled out a prehensile-tailed skink and then and a baby alligator, named Cliff, from their holding areas. Olive seemed like she'd been raised with the creatures, and I think she would have been content to climb into their mouths, if her parents would have allowed it (and if it had been possible). But Jack and Abigail couldn't be convinced to go near to them. Jack said it was because he didn't want to get his fingers slimy, but he's always been especially cautious.

From November 15, 2011

And then, Rob asked if there was an animal Jack would especially like to see at the zoo. I'd told Jack that we were going to go to the zoo today, but he wasn't expecting to see any kinkajous (he'd bought my story that they weren't "in season" and that they were likely visiting relatives in South America for the winter). So when Rob emerged with one, and we asked Jack what it was, his eyes grew wide and started to laugh, "A kinkajou!" Wish I'd captured that face. Priceless.

From November 15, 2011

His (her?) name was Pequeño ("small/little" in Spanish), and he was dark with a fluffy, sweet-potato-colored belly. He kept burrowing into Rob's folded arms, a bit skiddish, as my own kinkajou. The kids enjoyed lifting his prehensile tail, and noting how it would loop around and cling to their fingers.

From November 15, 2011

Rob showed us (and let us touch most of them) a menagerie of fascinating animals to round out our V.I.P. tour-- a boa constrictor, an armadillo (fantastical little Popples, those are, with their funny hook hands) , a leopard gecko, a hedgehog named Penelope, a porcupine, some turtles and owls, and a female tarantula (named Jeremy).

From November 15, 2011

I really kept feeling like we'd won some V.I.P. package, or that we were on a Make a Wish Foundation "wish" (completely undeserving)-- what a wondrous and exciting opportunity it was. And, Rob, if the kids can't yet express their full appreciation, let me tell you again how thankful we were to get this kind of behind-the-scenes treatment, to be invited into your exotic world. What a treasure! We're pretty lucky to have you as family.

Wounded Warrior run

2011-11-12T13:49:00.005-05:00

I wish I'd thought to take some pictures of our Life Runners group after our first race together this morning. The race was the Wounded Warriors 5 miler, and we had as pretty a morning as we could have hoped for in the middle of November- not a cloud in the sky and the temperature rising to the upper 40s by the end of the race. The course was gently rolling and encircling the beautiful North Park lake- a course not too intense, which I especially appreciated after having trained exclusively on the 'mill.

After finishing, Jack asked if I won. Between the 5k and the 5 mile, there were more than 500 runners, but the mass didn't seem too speedy overall, and obviously not, because I apparently got a medal for being one of the top three women in the 5 mile (we were joined by the 5kers partway through, and it was hard to tell how far back I was from the front). Our crew was cold and worn out from playing on the playground (my sweets came to cheer me on!), and we left before the awards ceremony, but the organizer of our group emailed me to say he'd gotten my medal for me. My time was somewhere around 40:15 (8:03 mile pace). I don't know if they post results online though, so I doubt I'll ever know for sure.

I felt honored to be running to support the Wounded Warriors Project as well as well as LIFE, as all of our runs are lifted as a prayer to the unborn-- and on such a glorious morning.

*Update- my medal was for getting 2nd in my (20-29) age group

turtle:shell as teacher:school

2011-11-10T15:54:00.004-05:00

We drove past the kids' school today on our way home from an outing to Robinson, and I told the kids, "No one's there today" (the school was closed because of Veteran's Day). Abigail quickly corrected me, "No one, except for Mrs. Kaduck {the kids' preschool teacher}." I informed her Mrs. Kaduck has a house, just like us, where she eats and sleeps and spends time with her family when she's not getting the run-around by three and four-year-olds. Abigail could not get over this fact for the rest of the day. I heard her after nap time at the table talking to herself, "Mrs. Kaduck has a house! Hahahahah!" as if I'd shelled her out some utter hogwash.

I'm grateful for preschool

2011-11-09T14:39:00.006-05:00

This morning, we forgot to put Jack's snack bag in his backpack to take to school. I returned home to get it, and when I dropped it off in the bin just inside his classroom, I watched Jack, unaware of my presence, merrily carrying on with his buddies, looking so at ease. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but I'd selfishly like to have him home, and reassurances like these touch me so deeply and are gifts to me at just the right time. We had such a great day on Abigail's day off yesterday (Voting Day) visiting friends across town. We don't have many weekday mornings with all of them home at the same time anymore. But, for now, this opportunity to send them to Catholic preschool a few hours a week has been revealing only blessings for our family-- for the ones at home and the one at school on any given day.

That first week of school was rough. Abigail didn't know what to do without her foremost playmate. She was bored, and nothing I'd suggest would ease her discontent. The girls didn't know how to play with each other. But, in the absence of their brother, they've blossomed into outstanding playmates, and I get served three-course meals beside the baby dolls.

Jack and Iris have found a little less in common, but they have profited on their time without Miss Boo. Iris cashes in on more cuddle time, which is harder to come by when her lap-competing sister is around. Jack also has more time to play in his own world, uninterrupted. And they occasionally touch me by playing the dearest games of hide and seek, wherein Jack calls to his baby sister, "I'm beside the 'fridgerator, Iris! Come over here, Iris." And she finds him. They giggle. He's happy to have a little person playmate. She eats it with a spoon.

When the two homeschoolers and I go to pick up the third from school, I find that that 2 1/2 hours is just the right amount of separation time. I (and the other two) can't wait to see them, and they can't wait to see me (and the other two). And my relationships with the ones not in school have prospered at the same time. We've made it to Mass when we can- once, every day of the week! Maybe you can imagine how much easier it is to take two than three. Or baking with the "help" of two instead of three. And our trip to the new South Hills Trader Joe's yesterday was, I'm guessing, more enjoyable with two than three.

I'm not saying in any way that having less kids around is preferred- it's the opposite. I relish the days when one of them has a day off, and we get to be back to "normal." We have been trying to make the most of this season of our lives and have reaped a great reward. I don't know what we'll be doing as far as school goes next year. I can't foresee that far. I take comfort in knowing that God does. He knows what's best in the long term and has a plan laid out for us. So we will trust in Him. Despite what the world tells us.

Yarn Along

2011-11-09T07:04:00.001-05:00

From 10/14/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I finally finished the last of three caps for the kids-- I hope they like them (I sure do). I'm going to take a bit of a break from knitting to recover more from being sick and under-rested last week, and then I might trade in my knitting needles for the Brother, but in no timely fashion. No more Christmas crafting for me (or shopping, for that matter). I've cleared my project plate as much as possible in order to slow down and focus on the coming season of Advent. That's the greatest gift I can give to my family. I think.

I'm a good ways into Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and recently began I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux e for my new Catholic Moms book group. On audio is C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, which is heavy for me at times, and I tend to daydream, but my attentive and comprehending husband has sat and and helped me to wade through some of it.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along.

Yarn Along- cheery scrap cap #3

2011-11-02T10:04:00.004-04:00

From 11/02/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I'm getting pretty efficient at these festive caps. Mike even helps when I get to the triple-color rows, manually rotating the skeins for me with expert precision. I've made the young child size, an infant size and now, I'm making the toddler size for Gail (the light pink one). So far, the sizing has turned out perfect without doing gauge swatches.

I started reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, at the suggestion of a friend. Looks like it'll be a good one. Lengthy, but a goodie.

Hop over to Ginny's Yarn Along for more in the knitting/reading party.

gimme the creeps

2011-10-31T22:02:00.005-04:00

I was in bed with the light out before midnight last night-- late, but not too insensible. I didn't fall asleep until almost 3 am, though, as a poor, feverish baby cried out every few minutes, Jack awoke howling a shrill, desperate scream because of a bad dream, and Abigail was awake and singing (what else?) because of her sister's frequent cries. After Jack's nightmare, we allowed him to sleep on our floor, so we moved Gail into his room to get some peace and quiet. The rest of the night was more restful, and we all awoke when we were usually about to walk out the door to school.

The girls were still out when we left, but when we got to St. Pius, one other confused mother was standing in their empty room, asking if they had school. Apparently, Halloween is big enough to close school.

So we went back home and found a very sick and lethargic Iris, who threw up a few times after eating/drinking a bit and just wanted to be held. She went down easily for a morning nap, of which she's been having less and less. Since the to older kids are never home on weekday mornings anymore, we took advantage of Iris being asleep and brought out the Creepy Crawlers bug maker Tay gave me a few years back. They enjoyed making their own slimy creations, and I was snatched back to a time of crouching on the mustard-colored shag carpeting of a bedroom in my grandmother's house, filling the metal molds with the green, orange, purple and back goop. And the smell!

From 10/31/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

The plastigoop and Goop FX ready for transformation!

From 10/31/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

The oven, working its spell.

From 10/31/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Poor doll awoke, clearly very uncomfortable. She contentedly sat in her chair, though, with a few toys while we finished our critter making.

From 10/31/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Jack, testing the waters.

From 10/31/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Our disgusting creations!

Sometime amidst all of the bug making, I started to feel ill, so I called Mike to give him the lowdown on the home front, and he said he was starting to feel sick as well. He came home around 2, when the troops were laid out for naps, and I was able to catch a 2+ hour nap. I felt worse upon waking. Mike felt bad but well enough to take Jack to All Saints Mass at church, and us girls held down the fort while trick or treaters came and looted our bowl of candy on the porch. I wasn't feeling up for manning it out there this year, and no one in the city actually knocks on doors, at least not in our neighborhood. Mike took Jack out when they returned.

We'll see what tonight holds, but Mike and I are at last feeling quite a bit better now. And all's currently quiet.

October snow

2011-10-29T11:16:00.004-04:00

From 10/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

a (headless) dragon, a ballerina and a clown

2011-10-28T21:48:00.010-04:00

First off, we think this is a sweet clown (Thanks, Carrigan, for providing the costume!)

From 10/28/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

After naps, we hit up Google's Halloween party, though we really only took advantage of the cubical to cubical trick or treating and not the planned activities. We had pizza night to get to. Priorities.

From 10/28/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Jack forgot his dragon "head" at home. Details.

From 10/28/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Just realizing that the only thing in her bag was a slip of paper (which she promptly tossed to the curb) when her brother's and sister's were half-full. Cheated.

utter silliness

2011-10-28T10:23:00.006-04:00

Jack had his Halloween party at school this morning. It seems that most of his classmates' parents took the liberty of sending in treat bags much like Valentine's Day. When we picked him up, his backpack was brimming over with skull and witch and jack-o-lantern toys and gobs of treats. When he dumped it out on the counter, he was blown away, "Hoooly smoookes!" I sifted through as he was distracted by everything and sneaked some of it into Abigail's bag from yesterday, as she got maybe three pieces of candy and a bag of chips, along with some funny glasses and other Halloween trinkets. I can't believe we're headed to Google's Halloween party to be bombarded with even more sweets.

What did we do for the rest of the morning until nap time? We laughed. And laughed hard.

From 10/28/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Until we cried.

Yarn Along- girl's cheery scrap cap

2011-10-26T13:32:00.005-04:00

From 10/14/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I pulled a couple of really late nights to finish Jack's cap and have moved on to one of the girls'-- the finished size will determine which one, but I think it will be small enough for Iris. This one truly is a "scrap cap," as I'm using mostly what's left of a few skeins of yarn. And I like how they've come together. I'm still reading (and thoroughly enjoying) Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. It's making me realize my habit of going about my days without noticing the multitude of God's graces around me, despite the terrible things, the misery abounding in the world today. How many gifts go unnoticed? This is right up there on my list of recommended reading.

Recent/current audio book "reads": Just finished Fahrenheit 451-- Ray Bradbury, what a clever man. Currently listening to Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton.

Here's a glimpse of Jack's finished topper-- can't wait to see it atop my darling boy's mellon.

From 10/26/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

See what others are knitting/reading over at Ginny's Yarn Along.

new kitchen help

2011-10-24T22:31:00.006-04:00

This afternoon, I'd pulled out the "helping stool" (which Jack and Abigail usually take turns on dumping or stirring or electric mixing), Iris climbed up, I took Iris down, Iris screamed. She was not going to stand and wait in the wings this time around. Thus, she was thrown into the stirring world of "helping" mom with food prep the kitchen. She was might-y proud of herself. At my attempts to aid her little hands, she waved them away, calmly stating, "No." I got this, Mom. Now beat it.

From 10/24/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

She kept sticking her fingers in the mix and then looking up at me with a wrinkled nose like she just couldn't believe it {electric mixer turned to off for photo-op).

Yarn Along- cheery scrap cap

2011-10-19T07:06:00.005-04:00

From 10/19/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

It's getting to be that time of year again-- the time for layering and Christmas crafting. Jack's large noggin is outgrowing his Norwegian Star Earflap Hat I knit a couple of years ago. He loved it, so I opted to make him this one (in the biggest size)-- in the same vein, but a bit more colorful-- for Christmas. I like that it gives freedom for a lot of the design/color options-- I found a cute alternative pine tree pattern here, on Kate Oates (designer of Tot Toppers) blog that I'm planning on using for the main pattern. Depending on the outcome of this one, I'll make feminine versions for the girls. I just started reading One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.

From 10/18/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

The eyelet yoke cardigan is done, except for the button. I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Check out Ginny's Yarn Along.

Triple B Farm Frights

2011-10-17T15:12:00.009-04:00

I joined the three and four-year-old preschool and kindergarten classes on a fieldtrip to Triple B Farm this morning (Mike stayed home with Iris, as younger siblings weren't allowed- a real shocker, since this is CATHOLIC school. Really, where are the large-family sympathies?). It as nice to have some free hands, though, and to give the big kids my undivided attention.

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Psyched on a school bus!

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Bee Barn

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I want one.

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

This is about the time things started to get unnerving.

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I think the permission slips failed to mention that the fieldtrip doubled as a haunted farm tour.

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

These characters moved, mind you.

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Jack and Gail are the only living beings in these photos.

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Can you guess all of the scenes?

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I liked how the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe had a good number of her fifteen pumpkin children sacked out in the playpen (quintuplets?)

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

A little less unsettling was the cast of VeggieTales-- they're already gourds. They fit right in.

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I thought this was amusing- the Noah's Ark gang leading each other to the ark, hand in hand.

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

*shiver* Those uncanny lifelike horse heads shoddily mounted on hay bails got me. (phew, we made it through Pumpkinland)

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Taking a hayride around the farm...

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Jack was pretty thrilled about this dirt-diving serpent.

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

We each got to pick a little pumpkin for keeps.

From 10/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Nightmares or not, we had a beautiful day. And now all three of my own are sacked out upstairs.

overheard at the breakfast table

2011-10-17T07:46:00.005-04:00

Abigail, flipping through Lois Ehlert's Planting a Rainbow: "I think these flowers have wheat in them."

Jack: "Yes, Abigail, flour does have wheat in it."