Cheri's Visit - And Grandma's Birthday

Since Aunt Marie and Uncle Adam were bringing their four little ones for the week, Aunt Cheri came up - and brought Great- Grandma Sylvia with her! It was very nice to see them both, and we had a very enjoyable visit.

Aunt Cheri played a lot of ball with the kids! Some of them had no fear of the ball - and some learned how to "crack it" - but they all had fun. Seeing that we didn't really have enough to "teams" there would be two in the outfield... the way it worked, once you batted and ran to home - or got out - then you went in the outfield. You were in the outfield for two runs of people. That way everyone could bat and everyone could be in the outfield! They had a blast with this, and at one point Aunt Marie was pitching.

Of course, during all the gaming, the little guys were doing their own thing. So cute! And grandpa? Well, you can see he found a great place to nap!

But... the best part was a surprise celebration for Grandma's birthday (seeing that we did it early). While the majority of us were gone to church, Aunt Cheri made her favorite cake - German Chocolate (and we all know just how hard that cake can be)! She hid it at our house - and our boys (well, Jeremy and Peter) made brownies for dessert - so she really was surprised! Funny stories, though - Aunt Cheri had to make the frosting 3 times... it's tricky and they really mean it when they say stir constantly!... and you really do need sugar in it. AND - we forgot the flour in the first batch of brownies... that's what happens when I'm instructing two youngester, trying to keep the daddy out of the batter and then starting putting away the ingredients already used (and put away the flour instead of the sugar)! We were a funny bunch of bakers!

But, as you can see, the cake was gorgeous! Mine never come out looking so good! And it was, of course, scrumptious! (The brownies were good an gooey) I already posted pictures in the earlier post of the aprons we gave Grandma, but you'll see a beautiful pitcher that Cheri made. And Kansas cousins gave the best gifts of all - the brought themselves and completed it with hugs!

Before Cousins

Cousins came for a visit..... that meant getting ready. I'm sure our getting ready was very different than that across the road - after all, they didn't sleep with us. Still, it was quite the handful with little kids!

Bob went off to Scout Camp - for the whole week - so I figured it was time to finish up some sewing projects. Okay, I'll be honest, I knew my time was running short. We were making cousin size aprons for Lynne for her birthday - that way kiddos can stay clean when they cook or bake with Grandma. Her birthday would be in two weeks. So I had a few to finish cutting out and I had all over them to cut liners for - I like my aprons (and that of my kid's) to be sturdy. And while I was at it, I decided to cut out one for Jacob (which he's seen... and worn... but wont' officially receive until our FHE family party for him) and a larger one for Jeremy... and had Beth's to do anyway. We had decided on 3 boy sizes and 3 girl sizes for Lynne - that gives a couple of extras, but makes it work out better for longer. That meant I was working on 9 aprons.

I was also altering a one piece swimsuit pattern to both fit me and become a tankini (seeing that I'm still nursing my little one). That was a scary project because altering swimwear is not like altering regular patterns and to change it on top of that, and make it something I thought was cute and have it all come out right... let alone that I had never sewn on lycra before.... okay, it was scary.

It was the next week (after Bob returned and the same week that cousins would be arriving at the end of) that I finished up all the aprons and then went crazy on my swimsuit - sink or swim, so to speak - or I wouldn't have anything to take the baby into the water with. The suit was originally finished up the day they arrived - though I hated the bottoms... they ended up much snugger then I would have liked and the skirt was a bit shorter than I had wanted.... but seeing that I was so round in the hips - yes I'm very curvy - I just couldn't feel comfortable with it. I did not have any more of that same color lycra (I'd bought all my lycra at least four years ago on clearance), but I found another color that seemed to work well. So I made a second set of bottoms, being more careful and changing the design to make sure the skirt did what I wanted - the under piece was perfect. I was very glad that it was the bottoms that I was redoing and not the top - the top took a lot of time, pinning, setting and all that. But, fortunately, it came out the first time! Anyway, I ended up with a fairly okay cutish suit... mostly, it's something I felt comfortable in - and even felt good in. That's saying something to this woman who's body is far from skinny and smooth - some day I might get back there, but I'm not holding my breath!

In amongst this, I was taking the kids across the road to swim in the afternoons - it was rather warm and the water was great for them. So I took along Jacob's water shoes - his all around shoes really - and some pieces of black lycra and spent the time hand sewing some "socks" to the shoes, so they didn't keep falling off his feet! They turned out well - and he wears them every where. If one comes off - which is very rare - he brings it to me to put on... he'll bring them to me when he wants to go outside as well!

As you see, I don't have pictures of everything - and we took pictures of the aprons on the kids at the end of the visit - and included my kids' aprons on themselves (You'll notice two sets of nearly matching aprons... Annie and Beth (pink and yellow trim) and then Haley and Gabi (orange and green trim)... that doesn't count the Eli and Jacob, who we didn't take a matching picture of, or Jeremy's that matches the medium boy one for Lynne) - but that's a bit of what we were doing getting ready... I wont mention that the kids and I cleaned the house three times before company arrived and it still was trashed the first time Aunt Cheri came through - though we cleaned it again that same time to get ready for Sunday... she happened to come back to hide Lynne's birthday cake on our counter and was probably quite surprised to see the house in order - I'm not sure she's ever seen it in such order - some what tidy onces, and trashed at least twice! (Yes, we can clean... we do clean... but it rarely ever stays that way)

Jeremy's 6!

Is it any wonder I'm always behind on post now a days? I must be busy or something....

Anyway, now that I'm more than a month away from Jeremy's birthday, I thought I probably ought to post some pictures! His birthday hits after school gets out - so, the invites were put in the last Friday Folders going home. Sounds fine, right? Well, the reality is (or so I believe based on what I discovered about myself) that we parents are excited enough to not have school - or things to send back - that we avoid the Friday Folder - figuring we'll get to it eventually! (Am I a terrible end of the school mom or what?)

Anyway - one family full of friends was unable to make last minute due to illness that attacked throughout the night. We certainly understood that - and were grateful not to have it passed on to our house. Only one school friend made it - and his mom called after the original RSVP date (see what I mean about Last Friday Folders). Still, it was Jeremy best friend from school so that worked out well. And small is never a problem around here - seeing that we have plenty of our own kids running around and making noise!

He wanted it to be Tom and Jerry - and I didn't have the energy (or the non-interrupted-from-baby ability) to accurately decorate such a cake... so, he chose an imagine and we printed one to stick on. Sound familiar? Seems like the habit I've begun to develop for him. Anyway, he, of course, wanted a strawberry cake - so I took a recipe that I have for an amazing lemon cake (one I altered and created as my own without even trying the original - I know, I'm crazy that way) and swapped out the lemon for vanilla and then added real strawberries. It was sooooooo good! Very moist, but held together - and a deep, rich flavor! YUMMY!

They spent the bulk of party time playing water guns - can't go wrong with water, right?

Our little FHE family party was fun too. Jeremy got exactly what he asked for (which included two chess games)! He has lots of chapter books to help propel him into the world of "long books"! And best of all, since he had chosen homemade ice cream sandwiches, he made us all be "candles" that he got to "blow out" one at a time. That's what they do in Kindergarten, and so we did it here - seeing that candles on ice cream doesn't always work out so well.

So, our first little man has moved up again - 6! I still shake my head at every child's milestones - because I can't believe the time has gone so fast!

It's Short

Eating dinner last night, we had garden salad... no big deal, we do this a lot. Then Peter says "I love these tawns!"

"Tawns?" we question "What are tawns?"

"Oh, you know. These little crunchy things." He holds up a crouton.

"Those are called croutons. Don't you remember?"

"Yeah. But it's just short for that."

Later in the meal, he mentions the "tawns" again and Bob asks again what they are...

"Dad... it's short for croutons.... you already know that."

Reading Awards

It pays to read... literally!

Last year, without knowing it would happen, the girls were the top ranked readers for their reading program and each earned a certificate to the local book store. This year, there were four awards given. I have not been there most of the time because of Jacob's nap schedule, so I've not been keeping up. But, the awards went to the top four kids - Gabi, Beth, Jeremy and a friend of Beth's.


Anyway, the awards this year were twice as much as last year, and they were for the book fair instead of the bookstore... which basically doubled their spending amount again because the book fair was buy one get one free!

Not being there for the awards, I took a picture of them with their books instead - four books each... they are very excited! (Don't mind the strange attire... it was backwards day today)

(Now - they're waiting on the details of the library's program)

Spring Sing

This year's Spring Sing was a collect of altered Disney songs. When I say altered, I do not mean keep the tune and change the words. I mean shortened, or sometimes changing a word of phrase to make it "politically correct".

In preparation, the kids kept complaining that the songs weren't complete, or were too slow, or they weren't going to get to do the whistling, or they changed the words.... whatever. My kids just haven't learned that it's okay sometimes to do those things for school. Or they were just edgy because school is coming to an end. Who knows.


But when it came down to it, they sang every word, sang well and did a wonderful job.

Bob was on a field trip, so he didn't get to see it and I thought, for all of three seconds, that I might record it for him to watch. But that was quickly changed to, I'll do my best to get a picture here or there... after all, Jacob was pulling on me. =)



Lynne, Peter, Jacob and I went - we were in row two - all the kids could see us - and, for the most part, Jacob (who was ready for a nap) was really good... except when I put him down where he couldn't reach the cover to the camera lens (I removed it and gave it to him so I could take a few pictures).

Peter

... took a header....




At least he's healing quickly.

Memorial Day

So the week is nearly over and I'm just getting to this, but I wanted to share how I felt.

This particular Memorial Day we went out to the cemetery - we don't always do this. I remember as a kid I played in the band and we always went to the Veteran's Cemetery and listened to the services and to taps and saw the tiny American Flags.

First off - these pictures don't even come close to doing the scene justice.

This year we went to see the flags, and imagine my awed surprise when I saw this:


It was overwhelming to me - the cemetery itself is not a rectangle, but these huge flags were around each section of the cemetery. After seeing several sections like these and coming up to one of them, already feeling the spirit, I had the thought: "It's like everything inside is being protected by America!" As that thought entered my head, tears sprang to my eyes, because, indeed, everything inside is protected by America - not the sections of cemetery, but the actual people, the country, by all that it stands of, aided by soldiers - everyone standing guard, fighting to protect what is inside - just as those flags symbolized.


I particularly loved the section of the cemetery where the most veteran's had been laid to rest, because in addition to these large flags all around, the ground was covered with the little ones too. Like sentinels surrounding each of us. The power and strength of which is unbeatable.

That's how I saw things that day. Our Country. A just cause. A righteous desire. A God driven people. Volunteers who serve and fight to preserve. Protected by angels.

God Bless America! Let Freedom Ring!

Jacob, Jacob

The little man is really moving along. He's growing so fast - I have even noticed him getting taller. It's just not fair that they can't stay cute and snuggly forever... so we're enjoying it while we can. (Though it would be easier to enjoy if he weren't up and down all night long... every hour, and when I'm lucky, it's only every two hours)

Allergies seem to be under control, though when he's sleeping less he does break out, if he rubs he breaks out, and when he get into certain things he breaks out. If food is left on his face (even just while he's eating the rest of it) he also breaks out - not with all foods though. Sensitive, sensitive. But we generally have it under control and he's eating solids all day long (and nursing at least as much if not twice as much). With all that, you'd think the little guy would be a rolly-polly O... nope... he's not. (But Jeremy was much the same way when it came to eating everything all the time and nursing like crazy as the same time)



Like all little brothers, Jacob just loves to be involved with the siblings. Wherever they are, he wants to be. Whatever they're playing with, he wants to play with. It's been good for him and they are generally tolerant.. but when they decide tolerance isn't the name of the game there is a lot of sadness (and often frustrated yelling). It's happened with all the younger siblings, so I at least know it's normal. But I try to encourage them to find ways to teach him to play they way they want him too understanding that he won't get it right away. It's a work in progress.


The other day everyone was outside play - Jacob, of course, wanted to be with them. But after a little while he was not content to be in his stroller watching (probably because no one was pushing him around), so I finally let him out on the pavement (we don't have any grass and with the deer so free in our yard, well, I'm reluctant to put him in the middle of it... plus it's gotten a be on the over grown side for now). I was surprised he didn't immediately want to be picked up as the sun had been beating down on the asphalt, but he was more interested in the pitcher with a little water left from the kids having their snack. He had a great time dumping out the rest of the water and then playing in it.

Later, after we'd gone for a walk up the road (my friend and I with 9 kids in tow), I let him down again while she and I were talking and he went right for the bubble stuff. There was no more solution, though I'm sure the blower still had residue on it. He was having so much fun -I just had to grab the camera, because I can't guarantee I'll remember what it looks like when he get older. It's my only way to hold on to his baby-ness!


He's also been working on walking on his own since three days past his 9 month mark. Since that day he'd walk to family members - usually only a few steps. But we've played this game with him at night when Bob has been here having him go back and forth. He gets to excited, and we clap and encourage him. Even when he'd go (the distance being farther) and he'd start to loose his balance and sit down - we'd still clap and tell him he did a good try and try again. He got to liking the claps so much that he'd take a few steps, stop, look at us, then sit down and start clapping. It's pretty cute.

As he's progressed, he's even added "yeah" to his clapping, to mimic us. And, as of two nights ago, he's walking across the rooms, he'll let go of things and walk toward people, or even let go of people and walk toward things. He's officially a walking man now.... the down side, I don't think I'll get a picture of him 'standing on his head' (he would get on both feet and hands, then stick his bum in the air and put his head on the floor... it was the cutest thing, I loved it so much, but I never had a camera in my hand or even close... I'm going to try to convince him to do it again some time... but it may not happen).



Oh.. and did you notice his two front teeth... they're in enough to actually see now... no more yet, and no sign of any more coming in the near future either.

Dance Dance Dance

Crazy, crazy dance week! I still don't understand the point behind having rehearsal every single night all week long. Although, they do a real ballet and I guess putting the different people together in each scene does need practice... still, that could be accomplished in other ways too - and tap, well, that certainly doesn't need the over drill! Of course, that's also the mother in me who is looking at the whole picture - dance, school, dinner, sleep... you know... the whole big thing!

Anyway - we made it through and we're recovering nicely! (Thank goodness)

I was sick - and so was Jeremy - but we did the drop off and pick ups. The baby wasn't sleeping well, so one of those days he finally fell asleep and we were going to need to run out to drop off kids - thank goodness for mother-in-laws.... she ran the girls in so Jacob could sleep!

And this time of year is extra busy for Bob - you know, end of the school year and all that....


Friday afternoon till past dinner, I had the girls and Jacob at dress rehearsal. Once again my mother-in-law came to the rescue watching the other boys - she did it again Saturday morning. Jacob was great through Friday - down and crawling, getting wonderfully dirty and trying to grab anything interesting that was in his way. Saturday morning's dress rehearsal he and I took a little walk, he fell asleep and had a little nap in the stroller, and he generally did okay. In fact, for part of it he was down right happy! But, as time wore on, and he wasn't at home to do whatever he wanted, and all that, well, he wasn't quite so happy. He did get to a point where he was more aware of the music, and every time a dance would start up he'd start bouncing with a huge grin on his face!



I take pictures during dress rehearsal on Saturday because I don't want to deal with heads and all that during the night. It was a good thing I did too, because Jacob was more than done with dance stuff, fussed quite a bit and (seeing that it was also past bedtime and he'd not had good naps) he was very tired! (Not to mention that there was this issue with moving chairs around, after they had been reserved, and our chairs completely disappeared so we were no longer on an aisle and landed in the middle instead... but that's another story, which I won't get into here as it's a very bitter and irritating one for me).



The down side to taking pictures during rehearsal was that they hadn't completely figured out the lighting yet and were playing with it. So, as you see, Beth's pictures aren't as bright (and no, I've not taken the time to lighten them yet, I do know how and I will before putting them in an album). And they forgot to pull the black curtain across the backdrop for tap. Still, it was much easier to take pictures then and at least we have some photographic memories!

They did Alice in Wonderland this year - Gabi was a rose being painted red...... and Beth was a flower of some sort in the beginning. This was also the year that (in this dance studio) Gabi was able to do a tap dance.



I must admit that I miss the true "recital" form of dance recitals. The girls don't get to preform like they did in Maine, and we don't really get to see what they've learned in ballet - and for the younger kids, tap. The actual ballet is neat... but I have a friend who said that where she went as a kid (not around here) they had a "recital", all the classes doing a full dance, then intermission and then followed it up with an actual ballet. I love that idea... .but, when your dance teacher is over 80 years old (literally ... though she's in amazing shape and really knows her stuff) it's not likely that we'll see anything like that any time soon.


Any qualified, aspiring, modest dance teachers ready to take over in the area?

Well... like everything else this time of year, I'm glad it's done. Just waiting for school to get out and then we can move into summer mode... wonder if the weather will follow suit.....

10 Years

This May brought me to ten years of mother's days and ten years of marriage (as my anniversary was just days after mother's day). That's a lot of time, at least from a younger perspective. In reality, it's time that has flown right by.

I can still remember my pregnancy with Gabi, my labor and delivery, the moment she was placed in my arms. I can still remember the panic of knowing that I was now responsible for one of God's children - that she was perfect and untainted and that the world was corrupt and would try to corrupt her. It was both a wonderful and fearful feeling.

The years have passed and we've both learned so much. That's what life is all about - that's what families are for - to help us learn and grow in the best ways.

As the years went by, Beth and Jeremy and Peter came along... then, after considering moving into a different phase of life, we welcomed Jacob. The mention of each child brings a flood of memories - the waiting, the anticipation, the struggles, the love, the laughter, the courage, the tears, all of it. Each one has added something special to our family. Each one has taught me more than I could ever have imagined. I would most certainly never have come so far on my journey in life without them.

Our anniversary went by nearly unnoticed this year. Not because we forgot, but because dance took front row. Life was busy that week - it always is. So no special celebration, but the kids understood. We celebrate with them because it marks the day our forever family was started!

I was sick, or I might have figured out a way to make it special anyway... but a day or two later I was feeling better and so Peter and I made heart shaped mini apple turnovers. A very yummy treat, even if it was a little later (and we enjoyed them in our various runnings here and there).

Ten years is a milestone in the society we live in, but ten years is still barely a scratch in the time line of eternity. I am forever grateful that I chose Bob and that he chose me. Our lives have not been perfect, for, like everyone else, we have our ups and downs and trials... life makes sure of it, but we have come through time and again to show life that it can't get the better of us. Together we make a wonderful team - and when you add our five amazing children, our team becomes invincible. Not because we are perfect, but because we help each other to achieve perfection - one step at a time! We have our eye on eternity - and eternity with all seven of us together!

We've done ten - we'll do it again! Let the journey begin!