Have I mentioned how much I love our Preschool Mondays? Because I really do.
Preschool Monday joy...
Preschool Monday joy...
283/365... enJoy
I just can't help myself. This (and possibly these) is what gets me through potty training, my least favorite task of motherhood.
You don't look cute on the potty for long joy...
You don't look cute on the potty for long joy...
282/365... enJoy
October 25, 2008
Seven year old Travis, upon hearing that we won the bid to purchase our land, said, "I feel like a dog is just seven months away from being in my clutches."
Mommy (to then five year old Sam): "What is your favorite part about us buying land?"
Sam: "Dogs."
Mommy" "Well, what do you think you want to do when we live out there?"
Sam: "Play with my dogs."
We told them all along that as soon as we moved out there they could get a dog and for the past three years they have been diligently saving up their money. We have talked about dogs and how badly they want one almost every day. With the market being what it is and the reality that it might be a while before the dream of living on our land comes true, combined with the fact that our sweet boys aren't getting any younger and have proven that they have what it takes to love and train and care for a dog, Jimmy decided it was time to find them a puppy. We've spent that last ten months researching exactly what we want in a family dog and then waiting for just the right time (as in, not just after our sixth child was born) for a liter to be born with the breeder that we had chosen. Last April he told us that he would have some puppies in October and when he called to let us know that he had just what we were looking for we knew it was time to take the plunge.
So this morning we woke the kids early and told them we were going for a hike. That's not unusual for us, but when Travis asked where we were going and Jimmy told him we were driving to a mountain in GA Travis had this look on his face like we'd officially lost our minds. He said something to the effect of, "We have great hiking less than 30 minutes away. Why would we drive for 3 hours?" Jimmy promised him it would be his favorite "hike" ever. Knowing that they didn't have even the slightest clue that we had been looking for a puppy, much less had decided to go ahead with it, made it pretty much the hardest secret I've ever had to keep. Giving a gift that you know the recipient will love is a pretty great feeling, but surprising people with the desire of their heart (especially when those people are your own little people) pretty much just makes me want to melt into a puddle right on the spot.
(I will confess that as we were pulling up the driveway Jimmy mentioned the he felt as one might feel the very second they step off of the bridge they've decided to bungee jump off of. You know, where you're not exactly sure you've made a good decision but it's too late to turn back. ; )
When we arrived they all piled out and we had them gather behind the car where we asked if they knew why we were there. We had pulled up to a home and it was pretty obvious that we weren't there to hike. : ) When jimmy finally made the big announcement that we were there to meet and choose our new puppy it definitely took a minute for the reality to set in! Sam later told me that he thought Jimmy was kidding and that the only reason he knew it was true was because I was snapping pictures like crazy and saying, "It's true! It's true!" He said, "Mom, I knew you would never joke about something like that." : )
I'm not sure that any of us was prepared for the cuteness we would find when we made our way into the kennel where the puppies live. Seriously.
While we were all completely enthralled with this pile of sweetness, Jack had been walking around the garage area visiting with the other older puppies and checking the place out. He walked out of the garage for a mere second and, to my utter disgust and horror, returned proudly carrying a dead rat. Yes, it was a rat. A really big rat. And yes, it was dead. Very, very dead. I stood there completely frozen wanting to "rescue" my baby (who wouldn't have dreamed that he needed rescuing) but knowing there wasn't a chance in you-know-where that I was going to actually touch that thing, when the brave breeder swooped in and accepted Jack's offering and the brave breeders (embarrassed) wife swooped in and offered to go wash his hands. I asked her to wash them in boiling bleach. I still shudder every time I even think of it and all Jimmy can say is that he can't believe the one time I don't think to take a picture it's when our two year old shows up with a dead rat. If that kid doesn't come down with some crazy disease it will be a miracle.
Anyway, back to puppy selecting.....
After a lot of snuggles and finally making a tentative selection of the sweetest little male pup, we took a tour of their land and got to meet many of their dogs. Our pup's parents are Sammie and Diesel and I think they make a fine couple.
As we were gearing up to leave Travis asked Mr. Young what he would need to be doing in order to prepare for our puppy to come home in six weeks and Mr. Young told him that he would need a place to sleep, some healthy food and "a boy who is willin' to teach him everything he needs to know." He told Travis that these dogs are really smart and all they want to do is learn how to please their people. He told him that his puppy would be learning whether Travis was meaning to teach him or not, so he better know what he wants to teach him and be ready to do it. Then they shook hands.
As we were heading to the car I realized we were one kid short and I had a hunch I knew where I might find the missing one....
After we got started down the road I pulled a dog training book out of my bag and handed it back to Travis. After reading a while he commented on how he thought it might be hard to discipline and train our dog in ways that the pup might not understand are for his own good and out of Travis' love for him and I knew exactly what he meant.
We're really glad we "jumped" and can't wait to bring our newest addition home in a few weeks.
Giving good gifts joy....
(oh, and I just want to add one last picture of my Knight in Shining Armor who valiantly scraped dog poo off of my shoe. A pooper scooper (for the kids to use!) is at the top of the necessities list!)
Seven year old Travis, upon hearing that we won the bid to purchase our land, said, "I feel like a dog is just seven months away from being in my clutches."
Mommy (to then five year old Sam): "What is your favorite part about us buying land?"
Sam: "Dogs."
Mommy" "Well, what do you think you want to do when we live out there?"
Sam: "Play with my dogs."
We told them all along that as soon as we moved out there they could get a dog and for the past three years they have been diligently saving up their money. We have talked about dogs and how badly they want one almost every day. With the market being what it is and the reality that it might be a while before the dream of living on our land comes true, combined with the fact that our sweet boys aren't getting any younger and have proven that they have what it takes to love and train and care for a dog, Jimmy decided it was time to find them a puppy. We've spent that last ten months researching exactly what we want in a family dog and then waiting for just the right time (as in, not just after our sixth child was born) for a liter to be born with the breeder that we had chosen. Last April he told us that he would have some puppies in October and when he called to let us know that he had just what we were looking for we knew it was time to take the plunge.
So this morning we woke the kids early and told them we were going for a hike. That's not unusual for us, but when Travis asked where we were going and Jimmy told him we were driving to a mountain in GA Travis had this look on his face like we'd officially lost our minds. He said something to the effect of, "We have great hiking less than 30 minutes away. Why would we drive for 3 hours?" Jimmy promised him it would be his favorite "hike" ever. Knowing that they didn't have even the slightest clue that we had been looking for a puppy, much less had decided to go ahead with it, made it pretty much the hardest secret I've ever had to keep. Giving a gift that you know the recipient will love is a pretty great feeling, but surprising people with the desire of their heart (especially when those people are your own little people) pretty much just makes me want to melt into a puddle right on the spot.
(I will confess that as we were pulling up the driveway Jimmy mentioned the he felt as one might feel the very second they step off of the bridge they've decided to bungee jump off of. You know, where you're not exactly sure you've made a good decision but it's too late to turn back. ; )
When we arrived they all piled out and we had them gather behind the car where we asked if they knew why we were there. We had pulled up to a home and it was pretty obvious that we weren't there to hike. : ) When jimmy finally made the big announcement that we were there to meet and choose our new puppy it definitely took a minute for the reality to set in! Sam later told me that he thought Jimmy was kidding and that the only reason he knew it was true was because I was snapping pictures like crazy and saying, "It's true! It's true!" He said, "Mom, I knew you would never joke about something like that." : )
I'm not sure that any of us was prepared for the cuteness we would find when we made our way into the kennel where the puppies live. Seriously.
While we were all completely enthralled with this pile of sweetness, Jack had been walking around the garage area visiting with the other older puppies and checking the place out. He walked out of the garage for a mere second and, to my utter disgust and horror, returned proudly carrying a dead rat. Yes, it was a rat. A really big rat. And yes, it was dead. Very, very dead. I stood there completely frozen wanting to "rescue" my baby (who wouldn't have dreamed that he needed rescuing) but knowing there wasn't a chance in you-know-where that I was going to actually touch that thing, when the brave breeder swooped in and accepted Jack's offering and the brave breeders (embarrassed) wife swooped in and offered to go wash his hands. I asked her to wash them in boiling bleach. I still shudder every time I even think of it and all Jimmy can say is that he can't believe the one time I don't think to take a picture it's when our two year old shows up with a dead rat. If that kid doesn't come down with some crazy disease it will be a miracle.
Anyway, back to puppy selecting.....
After a lot of snuggles and finally making a tentative selection of the sweetest little male pup, we took a tour of their land and got to meet many of their dogs. Our pup's parents are Sammie and Diesel and I think they make a fine couple.
As we were gearing up to leave Travis asked Mr. Young what he would need to be doing in order to prepare for our puppy to come home in six weeks and Mr. Young told him that he would need a place to sleep, some healthy food and "a boy who is willin' to teach him everything he needs to know." He told Travis that these dogs are really smart and all they want to do is learn how to please their people. He told him that his puppy would be learning whether Travis was meaning to teach him or not, so he better know what he wants to teach him and be ready to do it. Then they shook hands.
As we were heading to the car I realized we were one kid short and I had a hunch I knew where I might find the missing one....
After we got started down the road I pulled a dog training book out of my bag and handed it back to Travis. After reading a while he commented on how he thought it might be hard to discipline and train our dog in ways that the pup might not understand are for his own good and out of Travis' love for him and I knew exactly what he meant.
We're really glad we "jumped" and can't wait to bring our newest addition home in a few weeks.
Giving good gifts joy....
(oh, and I just want to add one last picture of my Knight in Shining Armor who valiantly scraped dog poo off of my shoe. A pooper scooper (for the kids to use!) is at the top of the necessities list!)
281/365... enJoy
One of the many reasons that I love the curriculum that we have chosen to use is the fact that it's designed to be used by families who have children that span several ages. It covers all of the liberal arts in a four-year cycle from Creation to the present and has reading lists, projects and assignments laid out for every stage of learning. Not only does it save my own sanity to have our family learning in this way (since it allows me to plan the same topics for all of the kids rather than having all of the kids in their own various studies), but it also encourages unity as we're all learning the same things together. Even the little boys are able to get in on our studies and be actively involved in the topics that we're covering. For example, one day last week after learning about the Prohibition, Ben came downstairs during rest time to ask me a question. He said, "Mommy, why did that bootwegger wady hide beer in her boots? Was it so the Police wouldn't find her beer and take it away?" Silly me, I thought all of that fussing and fighting that he was doing with Jack over the duplo blocks while we were reading was keeping him from paying attention. : ) Learning together also allows us to party together and everyone knows how much we like to party!
To celebrate to end of our nine week study of the early 20th century (1900-1920) we donned our best Roarin' Twenties clothes, set up our own Speakeasy and danced the night away. Our friends Brittany and Evan came to show us some moves and I think you'll agree that their students were quick studies. Even the littlest ones got in on the fun as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington rocked the house.
History should always be this fun joy...
To celebrate to end of our nine week study of the early 20th century (1900-1920) we donned our best Roarin' Twenties clothes, set up our own Speakeasy and danced the night away. Our friends Brittany and Evan came to show us some moves and I think you'll agree that their students were quick studies. Even the littlest ones got in on the fun as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington rocked the house.
History should always be this fun joy...
280/365... enJoy
Welcome to the town of Justice, population 5 (sometimes 9, depending on how cooperative the extra 4 are willing to be). This town was painstakingly built over a period of several days and contains various industries, a postal system, an amusement park and, of course, a jail. The town of Justice also has its own currency called "galleons", which are a certain type of leaf that is easily obtained from the trees surrounding the town. It seemed like a great idea at first (previous towns had used homemade paper currency that took a good bit more time to make), but it didn't take long for the shop owners of Justice to realize that there really can be too much of a good thing sometimes.
When one resident wanted to purchase a highly desired object from another resident, the owner of said item decided to price it unreasonably high at 30 galleons in an effort to dissuade the would-be buyer. The hopeful buyer, however, would not be outsmarted and quickly agreed to the outrageous price and then skipped away and picked 30 galleons off of a nearby tree and returned to claim her purchase. The original owner of the item learned a very valuable lesson in that moment about the value of a galleon, and from that moment declared that the residents of the town of Justice were no longer allowed to pick another galleon from any tree and that any galleons exchanging hands from thenceforth would have to come from their current supply. The financial aspect of the town became much more steady, productivity increased as the residents began to trade services in exchange for galleons and the trees were a whole lot happier. Though I heard a rumor that crime might have increased a little from those who had yet to come up with a product to sell....
All they'll ever need to know about economics they're learning in the backyard joy...
When one resident wanted to purchase a highly desired object from another resident, the owner of said item decided to price it unreasonably high at 30 galleons in an effort to dissuade the would-be buyer. The hopeful buyer, however, would not be outsmarted and quickly agreed to the outrageous price and then skipped away and picked 30 galleons off of a nearby tree and returned to claim her purchase. The original owner of the item learned a very valuable lesson in that moment about the value of a galleon, and from that moment declared that the residents of the town of Justice were no longer allowed to pick another galleon from any tree and that any galleons exchanging hands from thenceforth would have to come from their current supply. The financial aspect of the town became much more steady, productivity increased as the residents began to trade services in exchange for galleons and the trees were a whole lot happier. Though I heard a rumor that crime might have increased a little from those who had yet to come up with a product to sell....
All they'll ever need to know about economics they're learning in the backyard joy...
279/365... enJoy
About a month ago my dear friend and sister-in-law determined that her sweet Cattie was great with child(ren). A few minutes on Google told her that once she noticed the growing belly the pregnancy was already well under way and birth would likely be soon. From that night on I slept with my cell phone right next to me, anxiously and excitedly awaiting the opportunity to hone my doula skills. When the full moon made its appearance last night I jokingly suggested that it might be just the nudge Cattie needed to birth those babies.
If she ever overheard us talking about how we would help her in her time of need she must have rolled her golden eyes because girlfriend knew she wasn't going to need any help at all. In fact, she waited until the whole house was quiet, found herself the perfect little corner (and the perfect pair of brand new Patagonia shorts) and popped three little kittens out like it was no big thing. When I found my phone blinking with three missed calls right in a row and all from the proud Grandma and Grandpa, I knew the day had finally come.
You can believe there were some excited kids when I told them to load up in the car so we could go and meet their newest cousins! And let me tell you, Cattie is a natural little mama. She even seemed proud to watch us all ooh and ahh over her little collection of babies. And then, just to prove even further that she didn't any help, just a few minutes after her crowd of admirers left her alone and gave her a few minutes of peace she went and had two more little kittens!
You were awesome, Cattie, and if your cousins have their way with your Uncle Jammies they'll invite you over here to visit with one of your babies any time.
30 minute old kittens (and one tired Cattie) joy....
If she ever overheard us talking about how we would help her in her time of need she must have rolled her golden eyes because girlfriend knew she wasn't going to need any help at all. In fact, she waited until the whole house was quiet, found herself the perfect little corner (and the perfect pair of brand new Patagonia shorts) and popped three little kittens out like it was no big thing. When I found my phone blinking with three missed calls right in a row and all from the proud Grandma and Grandpa, I knew the day had finally come.
You can believe there were some excited kids when I told them to load up in the car so we could go and meet their newest cousins! And let me tell you, Cattie is a natural little mama. She even seemed proud to watch us all ooh and ahh over her little collection of babies. And then, just to prove even further that she didn't any help, just a few minutes after her crowd of admirers left her alone and gave her a few minutes of peace she went and had two more little kittens!
You were awesome, Cattie, and if your cousins have their way with your Uncle Jammies they'll invite you over here to visit with one of your babies any time.
30 minute old kittens (and one tired Cattie) joy....
278/365... enJoy
"Mommy, I made a promise to myself that I would snuggle you every single day."
~ bwk
Little boy snuggles joy...
~ bwk
Little boy snuggles joy...
277/365... enJoy
Five words: Leopard Forest Coconut Chai Latte + Six words: Surprise Delivery from a Thoughtful Friend
= One Delicious Wait in the Co-op Car Loop
Yummy hot drinks on a rainy day (when I have to wake little kids from naps to go and get big kids) joy...
= One Delicious Wait in the Co-op Car Loop
Yummy hot drinks on a rainy day (when I have to wake little kids from naps to go and get big kids) joy...
276/365... enJoy
Believe it or not, until today I had never carved a pumpkin in my entire life and I was shocked when Jimmy said that he had never carved one either! Determined not to allow our own children to be so deprived, they got to have their first carving experience with our community group tonight. Patterns were chosen and designs created and everyone got down and dirty getting those pumpkins cleaned out and carved up. They all worked tirelessly and their efforts paid off in some really impressive looking pumpkins!
It will probably come as no surprise to anyone who knows Ben and Jack, but while most of the group was working hard on their masterpieces those two little boys were more than happy to keep Norie company over by the new fire pit. I'm sure the bag of marshmallows and roasting sticks had nothing to do with that...
Thanks for your hospitality, Meullers!
A perfectly fall-ish evening joy...
It will probably come as no surprise to anyone who knows Ben and Jack, but while most of the group was working hard on their masterpieces those two little boys were more than happy to keep Norie company over by the new fire pit. I'm sure the bag of marshmallows and roasting sticks had nothing to do with that...
Thanks for your hospitality, Meullers!
A perfectly fall-ish evening joy...
275/365... enJoy
Saturday afternoon at the races joy...
