Small Successes

Today has been an OK day--but I don't feel like I've really DONE anything. So this is actually a good exercise for me. . .

1. I made homemade, lowfat, sugar-free, yummy, pumpkin bananna muffins for breakfast.
2. I talked to a friend on the phone, and I think gently pointed out that husbands need loving care too.
3. I homeschooled my 7 year old, even though I often let his lessons slide because they go so fast. As of 5 pm only the 13 year old still has work. . . and that's her issue, not mine. . . ">

Snow Day

We did do our lessons today. But a snow storm must be celebrated! We did so with molasses candy. My sister and I have fond memories of eating Maple Candy off trays off snow with wooden sticks during the sugaring off in Montreal. This is easy to replicate at home--cookies try collecting snow all day. Maple Syrup doesn't fit in the budget right now--so we just made molasses candy. Very yummy! Very festive! Now it's very Bedtime! ( after some careful tooth brushing!)

Boy and Toy

John Henry assembled his lego plane in record time. And all by himself. I delight in my children's concentration, joy, and satisfaction in a job well done. How come he can't do his chores with the same fervour? But I have to admit he cleared and wiped the table eagerly when the logo work depended on it.
Happy 7th my sweet son!

Perspective

I can't post the video directly, but follow this link for a very funny and astute political commentary from Jon Stewart.

Small Successes

1. I baked ginger muffins for breakfast.

2. I have persevered for 3 days on my coffee fast.

3. I cleaned my bedroom, including dusting the degrees (that's Bachelors, not temperatures)and art.

Swing Time

I just can't resist. Everyone has to see this. The previous clip from Swing Time ends just before Ginger gets fired for saying that she can't teach Fred how to dance. The wonderful Fred does this to save her job. (of course he had been pretending because he wanted to spend time with her. . .) WATCHING THIS DANCE i CAN JUST FEEL HIS HAND ON THE SMALL OF MY BACK. . .I didn't mean to shout that--must have been sub-conscious.">

The part of the speech that made me happy. . .

I was thinking Obama was quoting Fred, but it really is Ginger! Glad he likes the old musicals as much as I do!">

Resurection pillow

Amazing what a 9 year old can do with some old sweaters, needle and thread, and fleece from the North Haven Sheep.

Bathtime for Theo

Games

I have entered a new phase of mothering. The enjoyable evening of board game playing. I have always been one to play. From Mary Catherine's babyhood John and I have both encouraged everything from wrestling, to hide and seek, to monkey in the middle.

But board games are different.

We got the two little boys to bed tonight, did 45 min of dishes, and cracked open our new Scrabble game--thanks Cioce Anne! John Henry was paired with me. Thalia was impressively independent most of the time. Mary Catherine was a word shark, grabbing the double letter scores all over the place. It was so fun! We talked about different letter and word combinations, strategy, and the difference between vowels and consonants.

It is good for me to realize that, at the end of a FULL week, mere hours after being sure that all these children were out to drive me NUTS, I had a genuinely enjoyable time being with these individuals. I really like them, their ideas, their blossoming personalities.

There are still dishes to do(the greasy pots), the floors are not picked-up, the boots are ready to be tripped over by the door, but I have had fun with my babies so here is all aright.

Attention Everyone!

The Tree has left the Building. . .

Christmas-time visit to Christmas Cove

We had a lovely visit with the Meyers. Good food-wine-and conversation. As they said--we'd get together like this infrequently even if they still lived in Maine--so It was as if they'd never left. But we do miss them when they are gone! Counting down to June. . .

You know it's time to de-clutter when. . .

Only one King makes it to the manger on Epiphany because the other two got lost somewhere in the master bedroom, and the childrens room on their way. . .

Busy life--not time to download

Late nights, early nights, late sleeping, frozen pipes, birthed babies. It all adds up to presents not made, and photos not taken. FYI the plan for the photo is to have everyone holding a duck. . .cunnin' eh? Use your imagination. . it may be an online valentines card. John has to Bake tongiht--meaning he'll get home at 3 am-ish, and I have some epiphany prep-and school prep to squeeze in somewhere.

But--I have had the joy of doula-ing little Shannon into the world. I'm such a birth junky. But a room full of midwives, and OB nurses is a friendly place for a birth junky to be!

The frigid temps have frozen a few conviences. Toilet. Bathtub. Washing Machine. But I do have the kitchen sink. Thank goodness! Now I can still wash dishes, without the bribe of a hot bath afterwards to motivate me. joy. I feel like lent has come early. Maybe I'm working off some time in purgatory. I don't know about you, but dishes with no bath-reward is inhumane!

If the clothes and diapers can hold out till Wednesday I think we'll be ok--it's supposed to really warm up then.

Recent conversation:

Thaddeus: Is this GIRL hat?
Mom: Not if I put the flowers in back.
Thaddeus: Oh. OK.

Lightening responses! Quick intellect! Mom-ing sure keeps me on my toes.

Motivational saying of the week: "When you learn from experience, there is no graduation."