The Arts

This homeschooling thing is my thing. I luv watching them grow and change before my eyes. They 'get' new concepts, I get to see the firsts, and the pride they have in accomplishments. Academically and the others.  I can not believe how much growth has happened in the last 3 months. I have to stand back sometime and remind myself, these are the years! The years they are growing and developing into the people they will become. And I get to have the front row seat!!

So this year we are expanding into some arts. Private art lessons with a teacher, ballet lessons with a homeschool group, and piano lesson with Nana.

They are luving these things, and I luv that they luv it!

Piano - the girls are in lesson, and teach him on the side!

Art Lessons - a good friend use to teach art at high school!

water colors - the sky!

Ballet - the last class of the session.

class photo with the teacher!

flowers for their 1st 'recital' (the wall paper behind their is gone today, i'll post pics once its painted!)

Peek-a-boo - and little miss is learning the fine art of peek-a-boo during ballet.

peek.....

a-boo! (they did this all on their own, no staging!)

That's all I have in me. We've been painting the kitchen and front entry way which leads to late nights, and small ones lead to early morning which = exhaustion! We have 2 birthdays in the next week and a funeral tomorrow for my dads brother.

As I finish this post my oldest practices piano behind me...and I luv it!

The Dust

The kitchen renovation has brought the condition of my house to this.

But today marks the last day! Goran will sand for the last time tonight, and then I will begin cleaning. Vacuuming the dust, spraying the dust, and wiping the dust. Then putting the kitchen back in the cupboards. This will involve cleaning them all, inserting fresh laminate paper, and putting all the things back in.

I'm excited to have a functioning kitchen together! I'm looking forward to a fresh pot of squash soup, and the warm smell of banana bread wafting through the house!

November 15, 2011 Amazing Sunshine

The weather is amazing! Sunshine and beautiful temperatures. Bare feet, and short sleeves. I wanted to make the best of this last beautiful day. Off we slipped to Nana and Paka's for piano lessons, and a nature walk in the woods. Watching the kids run along the path, all 3 together, laughing, and talking, being friends. It was peaceful, and heart warming. The baby held close to my heart, breathing against me, smiling, laughing, and pointing at the others. Eventually she slipped into a slumber and rested against me for a sleep.

Pics courtesy of Paka!

my momma and I sitting and talking and the kids just playing <3

Thanks Dad for taking the pictures! I just wish I had one of you.

um, Friday

Its Friday. 7 days since I last posted. I week of some great memories, some stress, and now a peaceful night at home, just me and wee ones.

We are in the middle of this,

oh it will be worth it!

And I am not luving it. Its messing, dusty, I have lost my kitchen, and the end is nowhere  in sight. Although the man of the house thinks fishing next weekend is a great idea.....and a lengthy discussion about getting the kitchen to a point of function first was had, and priorities were reviewed. So, he will go fishing, and the kitchen will be at the point of function. And maybe even pretty for Christmas! (a fresh coat of paint goes along way!)

It will be worth it. In the end, with a peninsula, and breakfast bar, cabinets, and a dishwasher...it will be worth it. Some day in the future...off in February, or March?

So as Goran began demo last weekend we went for a sleep over where the children, played with friends, ran outside, slept with the kitty, and sewed fun animals. Me - I chatted for hours with a very dear friend, ate great food, and had a nap. Oh it was glorious. All of it.

baby was sleeping on Mama

 

I got kitty cuddles too!

We have raked mountains of leaves in the yard, and wait for the last leaves to fall to finish the job.

sandals in November!

 

the baby wanted to help too!

I emptied the compost bin on the garden and my dad came and tilled my garden. The littles watched and luved it! Bryan watched Paka unload the tiller and start the tiller, and would and walked behind him had we let him!

oh, i luv my Dad so much!

they luv their Paka so much. this - they will never forget!

We have fallen into a weekly routine, after a slow start this fall, which involves fun for everyone!

ballet - the girls luv it! (leg stretching exercises!)

library in PJ's for story time, its a hit!

 

And now as this week draws to a close, I look forward to big progress on the kitchen, fresh clean laundry, and a visit with another dear friend, I don't see enough, and miss so dearly!

{this moment}

{this moment}

{this moment} 

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by SouleMama

 

 

Happy Halloween 2011

The energy was contagious. They were so excited!! We don't make a big deal about Halloween. Costumes tend to be something around the house that we have, or something we can use again. And they have been great about it. It was about a month ago the discussions and talks began. Skeletons, a ballerina's, a pumpkin, and one who couldn't make up his mind. He had started with skeleton, then Harry Potter, but then a fire fighter, but this morning again changed his mind again. I have to say I like what he changed his mind to.

The day began with a Halloween party at a friends, and lots of kids to play. Treats, and costumes, smiles, laughter and pictures.

nursing a sweet pumpkin

The day continued on with pumpkin carving, and the excitement grew. Bryan was a wee bit confused asking questions like "Do we do trick or treating today?"and saying "Its getting dark!" at 5:00pm.

When it was finally time, the girls were ready and waiting to begin with the neighbors house, but Bryan was standing quit confused. "What do we do?"

I explained that he would knock on the door and say, "Trick or Treat," to Tony.

"Then what?" he asked.

The girls laughed and giggled at the door. "Come on Bryan!" Urging him on. "Then he will give us candy!"

He got a bit of a lopsided smile and agreed, and trucked out the door to get started, while I got the baby ready. Seconds later I saw running back up the side walk and threw open the door the girls happily laughing right behind him.

"He gave me candy!"

It took no urging at all to get him to the next house, or the next one...or the last one :)

I followed behind, pushing the stroller, and walking the dog. I waved and called "Happy Halloween" and chatted with the neighbors I know. I was  a bit nostalgic, as I followed and watched, the smell of the fallen leaves strong as they crunched first under the weight of the stroller and then under my feet.

I watch now.  The big ones teach the little ones. I can remember so clearly taking Angelina by the hand and saying happy Halloween so she would mimic me. I remember her little face looking into the bag at the first door, and turning up to me, with such wonder and excitement. 

This was different, but I enjoyed it immensely. It was lovely, and relaxed, and their excited laughter made me smile and laugh.

I slip my pics from the night into the blog. They reflect, and will remind me, but its like a video in my mind. And I will play over and over, and smile each time.

I am so blessed!

{this moment}

{this moment}

 A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired my SouleMama