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."