This Sight

I luv this sight from my front window. My kids luv this sight!  To me it means a dear friend has come to visit. To chat with over tea and soup, and laugh as our toddlers toddle around the room. To my children it means they have someone to read them stories, play with another baby, and sit in the big yellow bus.

When this bus pulls up, it is going to be a great day, no matter what!!

Eight

Dear Angelina

Eight years ago, my life in changed in a way I didn't know possible. The pain of labor was real, and you were on the way. I can remember the fear and terror! I remember the stop lights passing and the contractions building as I gripped the door handle of the car for dear life when Daddy drove us to the hospital. I thought I would die.

18 hours later, the sun shining through the window, the room erupted in cry's of joy as you took your first breath and tiny you was placed on my chest. My life, changed in a instant as my heart exploded with luv for my 1st born child. A love I could never imagined even existed.

8 years have flown by in a heart beat. From first smiles, to walking and talking, becoming a big sister, the first day of school, and schooling at home. You have your favorite things, some changing day to day, but you are always an amazing girl! You are kind and loving, and always happy to help out. You love to make us laugh, and quick to give hugs and kisses to a sad sibling. You make friends easily, but keep a few close as your 'best friends'. This year you have begun and love ballet, and continue to make leaps and bounds with swimming. You have taken on the piano as well, and love to hear the tunes you can put together. You excel in your academic studies, math, reading and writing. We have found a perfect math program that fits you to a tea, and we can not seem to get enough library books out every week to keep you busy!

Your smile lightens up a room , and your laughter is contagious. The way you call me 'Mama' touches my heart every time. You wait patiently for sisters and brother and help out any way you can.

We are blessed to have you in our family. I am blessed to call you my daughter, and to have the privilege to raise you.

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Happy Birthday my sweet girl! I truly hope your day has been good, that you enjoyed the time spent together, with birthday cake and candles, and your birthday cousin.

they share the same birthday!

 

toe nails drying

 You are 8!!

I luv you.

Mama

{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

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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!