Lucy

"Hold her...me."
"I do it!"
"Sammy, hug.  Jack, hug.  Kayla, hug." All before she can go to sleep.
"Read it, me."
"Berries!"

These are some of the things we hear from our baby girl these days.  She always has something to say.  We'll notice murmerings of things we've just said, almost as if it's an afterthought to her.  Like a quiet "pass it please" after we've asked someone to pass the butter.  The rest of us grin at each other, sometimes laugh out loud depending on what she's repeated.  I think that's one of my favorite things- the quiet (or not so quiet) glances and smiles between all of us at what these littlest ones have to say.
She reads books to herself and I will catch things like, "Rabbit in bed.  Bear night-night.  Rabbit blankie."  She makes us all laugh time and time again.  It's a strange pull between loving who we see her becoming and aching that she is growing up.  Even the bigger kids want to get one of her hugs or have a chance to hold her.  Kayla gets that job most often but Sammy tries for it, too.  He says she's our baby.  I know she's getting further away from being "our baby" every day.
I held her the other night and kissed her cheek.  She gave the slightest grin and leaned in for another.  It became a game and the more we played, the bigger her smile got until we could do nothing else but giggle, the both of us.
For today, she's still my baby girl.

A Couple of Book Suggestions

Today has been a good day.  Yesterday, not so good.  I'll chalk it up to an exercise in sanctification and be thankful for that day and today.  The older kids started learning to do laundry this morning.  They loved it.  Hopefully that training will pay off in the long run.  We did start soccer practice last night for both of the older kids- both on the same night.  I love that!  Keeps us home more the rest of the week.  The girls on Kayla's team think she is just "so lucky" because her daddy is her coach.  I tend to agree with them.

We actually got to an art project this morning!  The kids made "pretty and useful" containers, as they are called in the comprehension guide for The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook.  Even Lucy got to spread some glue and make a collage with tissue paper.  I hadn't heard of these chapter books before but I am so glad we found them.  There's a whole series, and they are just sweet little stories for girls. 

                                                       

This book is a must read if you have little ones at home.  Sammy, Lucy, and I all loved it.  It's especially good when Brian does the King's voice.  The king just doesn't want to get out of the bath no matter what ideas everyone comes up with.  When someone said it was time to eat, he declared, "Today we lunch in the tub!"  He also battles, dances, and does a couple other things in the tub. Sam laughs every time.  Great book.

Family Time

We have spent a lot of time the past few days watching the Weather Channel at Mom and Dad's- which is fine by me because we don't have it at home and I really like to watch it.  Always have.
There's something about the anticipation of the hurricane.  Brian was in a good sized gas line.  My brother and his wife got the last of the unleaded at one station and were in some heavy interstate traffic as people evacuated the Outer Banks and Hampton Roads.
We're home now but the last I heard, my parents lost power. Other than that they said things aren't too bad.  I guess the worst of it will come through tonight.  Praying for them.
In between Weather Channel sessions, we had a really good time together.  I love my family.

Pirates.  I don't know what Lucy's thinking here but I love how Kayla and Grace jump right in with the boys.

Friday morning Sammy took a tough one.  Under that band-aid and all around his eye is now a nice shiner.  It's hard for me to look at.  Poor guy.

Water always seems to be in the cards when we are at my parents.  I love this one.  Jeff got the kids back pretty good.

Even dumped a wagon full of water on his own kid.  

Low down.

Lucy loved "helping" with the water balloons.  She didn't mind when this one popped on her.  Just said, "I get wet."

Mom never lets us go hungry.

This is one of the few times Grace sat still for me.

Buddies.

Good Times

We're taking a break from the news coverage of the coming hurricane and having a pre-hurricane party party.
My brother's family and ours are at mom and dad's and the Redskins are playing.  So, you bet we're all watching, some of us more into it than others.

Good times.

Earthquake!

Well now THAT was different.
We just had an earthquake.
Yep.
The center was a few hours away but indeed we felt it.  I didn't realize what was happening until it was over and now the kids keep claiming more and more earthquakes are rattling their beds, their toys, etc...  It was just the one episode but I know what the talk of the town will be for a while now.  At least until the hurricane makes landfall this weekend.  Shouldn't bother us much but my parents may see a good bit of it.

I have loved this cooler weather.  It was down to 49 this morning!  It surely hasn't felt like August.  I guess it helps get me into more of a school mindset.  The kids got out this morning and decided it was "freezing!"  Jackets and blankets followed.

Saturday

We've been on our new chore charts for a couple of weeks now and they're working out pretty well.  I did notice this week that there wasn't quite as much laundry in the kids' basket as usual.
It was in Sammy's closet.
Full of little boy clothes.
We might have a little fine tuning to do on the chores.
And a lot of laundry to work on today.

After we got all of that taken care of we headed out.  First stop was the recycling center.  Sammy's been enough times that he's now Recycling Manager for our family.  Didn't know that until today.

Then we went to Heritage Days at the Montgomery Museum.  They had the usual booths and vendors along with some colonial activities.

They also had ice cream from Homestead Creamery.  Lucy and I shared cherry vanilla.  Yum.

Have a good Saturday evening!

It's Not Over Yet

First day of public school in Montgomery County=Day at the MC public pool (aka the Frog Pond) for us.
So nice to be there without the crowds and with some of our homeschool buddies.
It was not the warmest of days so the kids were blue and shivering most of the time.  Jack was begging to go home by the end.

I have to say I looked out my kitchen window this morning as our little friend next door was getting on the bus.  Her pool that the kids played in so much this summer was nowhere to be seen.  I felt a touch of sadness at that.
Later I noticed that our pools are no longer out either.  The baby pools that the kids put at the end of the slide and under the bar swing.  Or the one the barbies hung out in

while this kind of thing was going on:

 There's a part of me that likes looking out into a yard scattered with toys and sticks that have doubled as swords and bows.  It means there have been children out and about, enjoying the day they've been given.  Not without some drama- there's never a lack of that.  

It's a good thing the array of "stuff" doesn't make me too crazy because I would be long gone by now if it did.
And soon enough, the weather will cool, the leaves will fall, and we will venture indoors more and more until it warms again.
Until then, though, it's only mid-August.  I'm not putting those pools away yet.

Some Freedom

School is back in session- at least somewhat.  I was going to wait until next week but was feeling the need for a lot more structure than summer was giving us.  Brian and Kayla mounted a dry erase board (actually shower wall material) on the wall and I love it.  Kayla's been playing school and teaching Sammy more letters and whatever else he will cooperate for.  She's dying to learn cursive so she's practicing all she can.
I think Sam has heard the older kids spell words in order to get something often enough that he's decided he'll give it a try sometimes.
Like, "Mom, B-W-O-I-X."
Blank look from me.  Then, "Can you help me with that?"
He spells again with a smile on his face then points to what he wants.
It makes me laugh every time.

Lucy is just over a year and a half and is talking so much she seems older than that to me.
This morning as I was making pancakes I heard, loudly:
"Me pancakes is ready, Mom?!?!"
Coming right up, little one!

I had a thought yesterday that I really want to hold on to.  I spend a lot of energy worrying about how we spend our time, are the kids learning all they should, what would they be doing in school, blah blah blah...All the what-ifs.  Worrying robs me of my joy, among other things, and I realized that I should enjoy this freedom that I/we have to homeschool my children on our time, our schedule, as we see fit.  Is anyone really going to come knocking on my door and quiz my kids??  Probably not.  Am I just letting them sit around and learn nothing.  Of course not.  More importantly, we've been given freedom, at a great cost, not based on any person here but on the work of Christ.
SO, hopefully I can spend more time enjoying our days (especially the rest of these summer days) and less time fretting.  Now THAT would be nice!

"For freedom Christ has set us free..."  Galatians 5:1

My Birthday

Jack:  "Mom, how old are you today?"
"38."
Jack:  "Wow Mom.  It won't be long until you're old enough to be a grandma."
Hadn't thought of it that way.
It is my birthday!  Again!  It seems like I just posted about last year's birthday.  We're planning a trip to Claytor Lake Beach today but it's raining right now so we might have to come up with a plan B.  Pizza for dinner and a most delicious chocolate caramel cake.  Seriously.  Chocolate cake with a buttery caramel filling.  Sammy really wants some for breakfast.  I'm tempted.
Hope YOU have a good day!

Million Dollar Question

The million dollar question:  How do you get a good picture of all the kids, minus the silliness?

Don't know but these make me laugh.

Chores and Yorktown

Vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, and bathroom cleaning: check.
Kids' rooms clean:  check.
Breakfast cleaned up:  check.
The best part of it, the kids did it all except for washing the dishes.  I love this new chore schedule.  They are really doing a great job.
Why is it, then, that there is so much left to do???  Our room is still a little messy.  There's been a load of laundry in the dryer for two days and more that needs washing.  So many little projects that I really keep meaning to get to.  Sigh...  I have a hard time not gauging our day based on how the house looks.  I know better but still...Don't want to put all that pressure on the kids.  I want them to learn responsibility and how to do their chores well but I want them to play and be kids, too!
Anyway, thought I would post some pictures from our trip to Mom and Dad's.

We went to Yorktown with Mom a couple of weeks ago.  The boys were impressed by the cannon, of course.

This just makes me laugh.  We were at the Nelson House, which was the home of Thomas Nelson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  It's a little strange to walk around a house that's so old and saw so much.

The thing I loved about all of this is there are pictures of my brother, cousin, and me all dressed in these same clothes when we were little.  Well, maybe not the same ones but similar.

Later we went down to Yorktown Beach, on the York River.  The water was fine...

Just enjoying the water.

Full

I looked out my window this evening while holding my bowl of ice cream and smiled.  The driveway and road in front was full of cars.  And do you know, I realized I love having a full driveway.  It means there are friends in the house.  We had a  going away ice cream party for a friend who will be missed.  Even though it was a little sad, it was also a really nice time.  Perfect weather, yummy dessert, and good friends.  I'd have to say my cup is full this evening.

Joining the Masses

I joined the masses yesterday and got my own FB account.  After a couple of years reading Brian's, I decided it was time.  It's a little addictive, though.  I'm trying not to be on it ALL the time but today Jack said, "Mom, why are you still on fb?"
I guess kids are good accountability.
Right now the kids are all at the pool with Brian so the best thing for me to do is get off of here and head for the couch with a book.
Have a great afternoon!