The First Day

Summer's over???

Wow! I can't believe it's gone already! I can't believe that I haven't posted since June. So much has happened, and yet, not much has happened. I am trying to get everyone prepared for the first day of school, which is right after Labor Day weekend. I really would just like to postpone it for another month. I want one more month to spend with the kids...carefree play days...adventures...popsicles and picnics. I don't want to go back already.

Our summer has been pretty great. Every body has been healthy, mostly happy, and eager to enjoy the days. With four kids, there must be a temper tantrum thrown in for good measure from time to time. It also seems that they just keep growing right before my eyes...which is happy and sad all rolled in to one...but mostly happy!

Before we dive back in to the school routine, we do have one more camping trip planned. All of the kids are looking forward to it, as are Daddy and myself. The weather is supposed to be about perfect too! Of course, the weather has been pretty good over all any way. If summer must come to a close, this is a pretty nice way to do it.

Blessings all over the place!!

I will try to get back here and fill in the summer and keep up with the now real soon! Haha! That is pretty funny to me...like I will have any more time with school demands!

Smiles to all!

Summer, summer, summer,....!

that is what the kids chanted for the whole.last.minute. of school yesterday. at the top of their little lungs! another school year has come and gone. the girls did well and have been promoted to the next grade. my princess assures me that it is a good thing. a part of me would rather stop time and keep them right where they are. just a part, though. i really do love who they are, how they are, etc. i know that i will enjoy the growing up people that they change in to each and every day...i just wish i had more time to enjoy the people they were, have been, are at this very moment....

regardless, they have learned and grown, and are wonderful. life is good.

this and that

i thought i would be back before now...it's been crazy busy...crazy fun. the kids have activities four nights a week right now, and we were packing to go camping. it was pretty hectic, but camping was great! lots of bike riding, roasting marshmallows, squirt gun fights, crafts and playing board games. everything went really well...especially for the first camping trip of the season. we usually try to get out prior to memorial day, but this year it just didn't happen. A brought her bff Ms.M on the camping trip too. that was nice...she is like another member of the family. grandma and grandpa camped right next to us. Mr. P came along with them...and things still went smoothly...will wonders never cease?

after the big camping weekend, it was back to business. softball, karate, softball, music programs,running, haircuts, lawn mowing, playdates, garden planting, field day,daddy/daughter dance, field trips, school politics...you know...the usual. in fact, we are still in the middle of all of that now! we just need to get through the end of the week and some of it will let up. this is the last week of school. we just need to tie up those loose ends. it's all good though...good stress! did i just say that? good stress?

A had field day and did well. this year she participated in hurdle relays, hurdles, and bounce ball relay. B also had her field day. at her grade level, the entire class participates in a variety of activities...running, parachute play, tug-of-war, sack races, obstacle relays, ball throw, etc. she had a ton of fun, as did her entire class. both were blessed with beautiful weather. softball is going really well and B is loving it. hopefully the Daddy will be able to make it to a game this next week. his work schedule just hasn't been cooperating. karate is moving along nicely too. i am really glad that we tried it. this is one activity i would like to keep going in the fall. we'll see. girls on the run is winding up and the celebration walk/run is coming up soon. this is another activity that has been a true blessing, and i would like to keep it in our schedule. it has been an awesome growing experience for A! B is looking forward to participating this next school year too.

the girls took the Daddy to the annual Daddy/Daughter dance again this year. again this year, they all had a wonderful time. the theme this year was princesses...great for one of the girls and not so great for the other...B just isn't in to ruffles and fluff...never has been. still...a great time. i enjoy their excitement as they prepare for their night out with Daddy. better enjoy it now...before they grow out of it. maybe they won't. i can dream, can't i?

B had a play date with a new friend this week. actually, some one she has known for a while...just not that well. they have gotten closer this past school year, and we were finally able to coordinate something. G is a very nice little girl, and we hope to see more of her over the summer. B was so excited, and I am so excited for her. she has always been one to be surrounded by lots of friends, but has just a few "favorites". then again, that is the best way as far as I am concerned. sometimes lifetime true friends come in to your life early....and stay!

once we wrap up the school week, we head out on our annual girls trip to chicago. the girls are so excited, as am i. they have worked so hard planning and saving for it. this year, a couple of friends are going with. it should be a great trip! ...let's just pray the weather is great too!

later...
the Mommy

Mother's Day

Mother's Day went nicely. We didn't get to go and play at the park like we wanted to. I rained ALL DAY!!! I did start out the day enjoying a very nice breakfast made by the Daddy and the kids. A and B did most of the work, but C and D did help a little. They all helped eat it! It was "dewiscious"...as C so nicely put it. I also received some nice cards and gifts made at school by A, B, and C. We then went to church, stopped by the cemetery for the Daddy's Mother, and then went to my Mom's for dinner. It was nice overall. We didn't do much, but the time we spent together and the joy on all the kids faces as they put themselves out there to do something nice for me was really all I needed after all! I am truly blessed!

gone

I can't believe it has been so long since my last post. It was the night before Easter the last time I was here. Easter went well. It was a day of joy, peace, and reflection for me. My "babies" are all so very wonderful, and I am so very blessed. My cup runneth over! We spent part of our Easter Sunday with my Grandma (and my Aunt and her family, as my Grandma lives with her). This is not our norm. We usually spend these holidays with my parents and family...however, this year Grandma and Grandpa were in Hawaii. All four kids took the change in our Easter festivities in stride and had a wonderful time. When we arrived home from our visit, Daisy (Grandma and Grandpa's dog) had helped herself to chocolate and jelly beans! I don't know how she got on the table...I don't think I want to know either! I also don't know how she managed to NOT get sick. Thank You God for small miracles!

Since then, life has been trudging along. I have been in a bit of a funk as of late, and am trying to get out and stay out. There are some very negative people in our world, and I have let them get to me. I am trying to pull away from them to get back to a brighter side of life...My children, my husband, and myself deserve that.
So, I am working on myself. I am worth it, my kids and husband are worth it. Our family is a most precious gift...SO VERY WORTH IT!

I have lots of little notes to make here. Lots of tidbits about life here with my beautiful blessings. I will leave them here a little at a time...

...starting tomorrow. I deserve a good nights sleep.

Until later...

Me

Decorating Eggs

We did just that tonight...decorate eggs...lots of them. Of course, we don't get as fancy as some do. We keep it pretty simple, a white crayon, eggs, and the good, old-fashioned, basic Paas coloring kit. The kids love it though...and the Daddy and Mommy love enjoying it with them. They all get so excited about coloring Easter eggs. They love to experiment with different combinations of colors, the depth of colors, and trying their "own" special techniques. We had a very nice evening as a family...simply dipping eggs in food coloring. Who would have thought......

Oddly enough, none of the four of our children really cares for hard-boiled eggs. Guess who is going to be eating lots of egg salad next week. Maybe we will take deviled eggs to dinner tomorrow...eat eggs with our salads for the next week...come up with some more ideas for hard-boiled eggs....

The Easter Bunny is alive and well at our house. Carrots were left on the table with Easter baskets for the Easter Bunny's midnight snack. All went to bed in anticipation of his visit, dreaming of yummy treats to be found in the morning. The kids excitement is contagious...I look forward to their anticipation and joy.

Speaking of the Easter Bunny, the Daddy and all four kids spent the day together last Saturday as I attended a ACS Benefit Scrapbooking Crop. One of the stops in their day of adventure was to Walmart. While there, the kids had the opportunity to have a free photo taken with the Easter Bunny. The ONLY one to partake was Mr. C. I didn't know anything about it until Daddy told me to be sure to stop in and pick up the photo. C told me that no one else would do it, but he had a picture taken so his Mommy would be so Happy! Isn't he sweet?! He then told me that the Easter Bunny in the photo wasn't real because it was a costume, and the REAL Easter Bunny must have been busy taking care of all the baby bunnies. Daddy also told me that the Easter Bunny never spoke...C told me that the Easter Bunny DID talk, but that it was very quiet and Daddy should have heard it. C said the COSTUME Easter Bunny sounded like a girl, but the REAL Easter Bunny is a boy like Daddy. He was so serious about it and adamant too! I don't know why, but these details were VERY important to my very handsome four year old. LOOOOVE HIM!

Of course we celebrate what we feel is the real reason for Easter, and will be sure to remind ourselves of that in the morning too.

On another note, I really thought we had turned a corner and were well on our way to spring. A week ago we enjoyed a 57 degree day of playing outside. Yesterday....2.5 inches of snow!...and 27 degrees! We won't be wearing the pastel, short-sleeved, "springy" clothes for Easter. We will be wearing long sleeves, sweaters, and snow boots! Though, it was nice to enjoy the kids love of snow with them "just one more time" for this winter.

Have a Happy Easter!!

Notes

I see it has already been more than a month...boy, that went by fast! I guess I'm not doing so well on the writing more frequently goal I set for myself. That's the way a LOT of things have been going around here lately...who am I kidding...for a LONG time now. I'll just keep trying!!!

Here are some random thoughts, observations, and things that make me smile.

If you ask D what a rooster says, he will very joyfully tell you, "clock-a-loodle-loodle-loodle-loodle-loo.

D practically lives on his hand-me-down, ride-on, International Tractor. It's a foot powered one. He loves it... as did its first owner, my now 16 year old nephew. There is a "storage" area under the seat. The seat (roof of the tractor) lifts up and little farmers can carry things with them while they are riding. For D, it is usually his favorite blankie, stuffed bird "Teet-teet", stuffed penguin "Pingid", or his lambie...AKA "Nambie". If he is told to get his boots on so we can leave, he rides the tractor to the porch for his boots. He rides up next to his boots, puts one on, spins the tractor around, and then puts on the other boot. When it is time to leave, he rides the tractor to the door and parks it there to await his return. When it is time for bed, he rides the tractor to the bottom of the stairs and parks it at the base of the stairs for his return in the morning. He LOVES it. Of course, C did too. What's not to love...tractor, storage, rolling along. I'm going to miss it when he outgrows it. I love the pure joy both of the boys find/found in riding it.

Spring is almost here and the kids are so very ready for it. They have really enjoyed playing in the snow, but they are ready for mud, bikes, sandboxes, swings, and everything outdoors. I am too. They played outside today for a while. They were in the sandbox...trying not to get muddy...playing with the dump trucks, bulldozer, road grader, excavator, and shovels. It was like finding long lost friends! They came in red faced, invigorated, and so very, very, happy! I was pretty happy about it too. They had a good time, and didn't even get all muddy...I am so very proud! Of course, I don't always discourage playing in the mud, but the mud is still a bit too cold.

B and C have been playing together, happily and willingly, more frequently. Are pigs flying somewhere? I don't know if it is simply their personalities or their age difference, but much of the time, they are at odds. They are the best of friends or worst of enemies. They don't seem to find the middle ground very often. Lately though, they have been spending time in that middle ground. It is really, very nice to see. Some day, I think they will be very good friends.

All four of our kids have Bitty Babies, and the girls each have a couple of AG dolls. A, B, and C have all been playing with their dolls together. It is amazing to watch. I feel that learning to care for their "babies" will some day help them to care for their real babies...even the boys. C takes such good care of his "Baby Clyde". He can be so rough and tumble one moment, and so very gentle the next. Today, C told everyone that they would need to be quiet for a while because Baby Clyde was sleeping and he didn't need to be woken up...and he was sure to give gentle reminders as needed. Though the girls are growing out of the baby play, especially A, the three older kids have been playing with the dolls pretty regularly. They even brought down the doll crib, high chair, and extra doll supplies, for everyone to play together. (The girls do have their limits...the boys simply cannot play in their room!) I'll take it. It is worth the extra clutter of the baby paraphernalia to see the playing and growing right before my eyes. I will surely miss that someday too!

The Daddy recently got a laptop computer. (I know...we are on the cutting edge of technology in this house) On the computer is a chess game. None of us no how to play chess. A found the game when exploring the Daddy's computer and began exploring how to play chess. She didn't know what she was doing, but kept trying none-the-less. The Daddy tried to help her with what little knowledge he had of the game. He remember being shown the game as a child but never really learned. So, I went to the library and found a great, user friendly book about chess. Together, A and the Daddy have been trying to learn how to play chess. It is so nice to see our 11 y.o. daughter and her Daddy bonding over chess. After 40 games, they won two in a row against the computer. They haven't won any more...yet. They keep trying, and are doing it together, and it melts my heart.

B is growing in her friendships. She was never really a loner, but rather played with everyone. She was never alone on the playground. She was always happy, but didn't really have a particular friend or friends she preferred to play with. I think that is good in many ways, but she didn't seem connected to her schoolmates at all. She still seems to be friends with the majority of her classmates, but she is now more connected with a number of kids in her class. Both boys and girls. Maybe I am just hearing their names more frequently. Regardless, it is nice to see her so happy and enjoying school and her classmates. She is sweet, and fun, and really is a great person.

C is avoiding going to bed lately. He wants to stay up until Daddy goes to bed. The Daddy told him to get his teeth brushed and to go potty so he could go to bed. Of course, C told the Daddy that they would be going to bed at the same time. The Daddy informed C that it was past his bed time and he needed to get moving. To this C replied, with his hands on his hips and shaking his head, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! What ARE we going to do with you?" Of course we were both thinking the same about C!

I am so proud of all four of our kids. I think they are amazing. I love them so much!

I am also so very proud of my parents. They are both retired now, and are currently enjoying an extended visit to Hawaii. They are loving life and enjoying the fruits of their labor. They are trying new things, meeting new people, and living in the moment. I am so happy for them!

I have been letting stressors in my life get the better of me much too often as of late. It is really nice that I am blessed with the company of these amazing people that are so full of reminders of how good life can be!

Another blessing for all of us is that the Daddy has been home EVERY night for the last two weeks! Trucking can be difficult that way, being gone over the road...especially with children. We really miss him when that happens! So, we are really appreciating that he is HERE, with US! Yay, Daddy!!!!

More later...I should get a little sleep.

...because tomorrow, as C says, is a brand new day!!!

Michigan Weather

Over the last week or so, out weather has been all over the place. Practically balmy (for February) to blizzard-like conditions. We even had 2 1/2 snow days this week. We enjoyed the falling snow, playing in it for at least an hour at a time. There was sledding, shoveling, and the making of snow balls, snow forts, and snow angels. School closed early. We had at least eight inches of snow on the ground in our yard, and we were snowed in. Literally. I had to shovel us out the back door. We couldn't get the van out of the garage. No one could get in the driveway. In many ways, it was blissful...even for me - the Mommy! It was just the kididdles and myself. The Daddy was out on the road. He did make it home Friday afternoon and plowed the drive. We are, once again, free to come and go as we please. Except that, in one day, the temperature has dropped 37 degrees, and the wind chill is now well below zero. What a difference a day makes!

So...we are now confined to the house...fighting colds...and cabin fever...

Computer Time and Noses

i am now returning from my self-imposed vacation from the computer. for more than a month now, i have logged on only to retrieve work schedules and urgent emails. everything else had to wait or was trashed. i will try to catch up from the holidays a bit...a little at a time...and continue forward. all is well here. i am trying to focus more on the positive, and not feel bad about not being, doing, or having everything perfect all of the time.

now, let me share a conversion i just had with my four year old.

i was sitting at the computer working. my four year old saw me and disappeared down the stairs. he returned with a brush and tangle spray (because that is what he sees Mommy do with his sisters). he climbed on the chair standing behind me.

C: "Mommy, i'm going to make your hair beautiful."
Me: "oh, thank you. i would like that."

he proceeds to spray, and brush, and spray, and spray, and brush. as he is doing this, i can hear the slight congestion in his breathing.

Me: "i think we may need to get you some medicine." (well, vitamins and zicam.)
C: "but why?"
Me: "because your nose is sounding a bit stuffy, and Mommy doesn't want you to get sick."
C: "but, i'm not sick. see, i can breath." ( he breathes in and out for me a few times)
Me: "yes, i know. but that conjestion wants to get in your nose and live there and we don't want that to happen."
C: "but, that's why i pick it Mommy!"

it is good to know he's thought things through.....