Saturday Date

"Mom, this is the most fun I've ever had.  Is it the most fun you've ever had?"
Sam and I went on a date this afternoon.  He had hot chocolate and I had a latte.
We shared a giant chocolate chip cookie.
We played Toy Story go fish, drew pictures, and read a book.
This little guy was a great date.  So happy and chatty.
What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
He's a delight.

A Few Things

1.  Down with stomach bugs.  It's slowly making its way around our family.
2.  I love Cranford.  Last night it made me cry.  Really cry.  Can't wait to watch it again.
3.  I had the craziest dream last night that I was in labor.  It's so vivid-it has stuck with me all day.  When I woke up my sides were hurting.  Maybe that's why I had that dream?
4.  I wish you could have been a fly on the wall at our house tonight.  You might have:

*seen this cute little thing in sunglassess after her bath
*heard Sammy say slowly, seriously, while shaking his head, "I have a bad feeling about daddy tonight."  (Daddy being the sick one today)
*heard me say, "Lucy!" after she got into the refrigerator again and helped herself to another clementine. She said to me, "It's o-tay Mom.  Really."   (I've heard that several times in the past few days.)
*seen Kayla take on bath time for Sam and Lucy.  She really wanted to be helpful.  And she was for a time, though not long after I got them settled in the bathroom, you would have-
*heard screaming and splashing and found a really wet bathroom
*after all of that, you would have seen Kayla holding Lucy in her lap and gently wiping water off her forehead.  Lucy doesn't know how good she's got it.

And now, to finish getting ready for tomorrow!

Sunday Evening

It has been a good Sunday.  I got a nap, read the paper, and played Sequence with the kids.  Well, until Lucy woke up and was sitting on everyone's cards and putting extra chips all over the board.  We called it quits after that.
Just had a nice conversation with my mom and now maybe we'll watch "Cranford."  I've heard lots of good things about it.
A few things I heard today:
Jack:  "I love the way a new book smells, just before you open it."  Me, too.
Kayla, after peeking in her room when Lucy was in bed:  "Mom, Lucy is just soooo cute laying there playing with her hair and holding her puppy."
Sam, after I asked him if he remembered how much I love him:  "Ummm, as far as the sun's light can go?" Even more, buddy.

It's Friday

My kitchen window looks over to my neighbor's driveway, which has had a storage pod in it for a week or so.  The truck to take the pod away just pulled up.  And I have to say it makes me a little sad.  Some sweet little girls are moving and my kids have enjoyed them so much.  Hoping for nice new friends soon.
Our whole day is a little off.  Kayla has a stomach bug- yuck.  I imagine germs crawling on everything I see.  She's a little pitiful and watching Sound of Music.
The boys are outside on this beautiful January day.  I really need to call Jack in so we get some sort of school work done today but I hate to take him away from the warmth.  Maybe a few more minutes.  Or maybe we'll just take Granny's advice and "get back on track Monday."

Favorite verse from this morning:

"You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound."

Psalm 4:7

It's not about our stuff or our circumstances, is it?

Lucy's prayer from this morning:

"Father God.  Thanks that I potty train."

Loved that.

Wednesday Evening

Tomorrow we head back to CC.  
It has taken me quite a while to get my ducks back in a row.  Not the kids.  
Just myself, my stuff.  
But...I think I'm ready.  We'll see.  I'm realizing just how nice this break has been.  We've been moving at a slower pace, which really hasn't seemed slow but at least less busy.  Routine is good, too, though, and it has been good to get back into one.
Lucy is doing great with her potty training.  So far, pretty easy.  I am surely thankful for that!
Yesterday she looked at me with her big smile and said, "Guess what, Mommy!"
"What?"
"I wuv you."
Oooohhh you know that made me squeeze her good.
We are reading The Railway Children together in the mornings.  I love starting our school day that way.  This book is turning out to be a new all time favorite.  Kayla couldn't wait to find out what happened next and they begged me to keep reading.  It's really a wonderful read.  Pick it up, even if you don't have young ones at home.  You'll enjoy it!

A Little Snow

Last night, looking through the windows into the darkness, everything seemed quiet and peaceful.  You couldn't tell then that there was just a skiff of snow covering the ground.  It didn't matter.
This morning, our world is still white.  The grass poking through is obvious now but it's still pretty.  The wind still blows and there are flurries in the air.
It's not helping my motivation to get in a full day of school.  Neither is the fact that the children, all but Lucy, have been down playing in the basement (nicely!!) for a good hour now.  Do I really want to interrupt that?
I think I will let Lucy keep on playing with her baby- singing to the doll and laying her in the cradle, talking to the baby, covering her with many blankets.  "Baby's happy, Mom."
Maybe I will tidy up around here for a bit then call the others up while things are still good down there.

From earlier this morning:  When Sammy looked out the window this morning, he said, "Mom!  Winter's finally here!"
Jack said, "I guess I'm gonna make some money today."
I think he's forgotten about that already.
Enjoy the day!

Back to It

I love this picture.  Those two enjoyed some good cuddle time on the couch last night.
We are easing our way back into the world of Latin, US geography, math, etc...  A little at a time.
Lucy ventured into potty training this morning.  So far, so good.  Her new favorite song is "Chin Up," which I only know from the movie "Charlotte's Web."  She says chim up, which makes it that much cuter when she sings.
The wind is blowing and with it a little snow.  It's a good day to be inside and keep working on this Christmas whirlwind that hit our house.
Happy New Year!