Mother's Day 2016

Happy Mother's Day!

"No; a woman's function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute.  I will pity 

Mrs. Jones for the hugeness of her task; I will never pity her for its smallness."

 --G.K. Chesterton

Field Trip Day :: The Zoo!!

Today we had a field trip day!

Arwen loves it when we get to the zoo because she gets to practice her photography skills.  She was quite proud of this shot:

Since I put Arwen in charge of the photos, I am actually in some of these pictures, and, since I'm growing ever so well in the virtue of humility (yes, I jest), you might actually get to see a glimpse of that not-as-cute-as-some "baby bump" I'm sporting (I mean, I would never say my baby is not-as-cute-as-some, but I'm not my ideal image of pregnant beauty)

On to the zoo!  We totally lucked out this visit with amazingly good weather so all of the animals were out, plus, there had been some new births!

A baby gorilla was recently born (here he is on his mama's back) and was very fun to watch!  At this point Eowyn was pretty much loving the zoo.

Then we saw...the orangutan!!  It was a 34-year-old adult male and I'm not going to lie...he was a little scary.  Eowyn was seriously, um, concerned. 

I couldn't hold her forever (due to the belly), but I got help:

(still clinging tightly)

As we moved on she started perking up again.

Even he's no longer officially the baby boy in the family, at 4-years-old he'll still hitch a ride:

All 8 lined up to see the bears:

In an amazingly foolish act of teen-age imprudence, Arwen at this point suggested to Eowyn that she would "throw her in with the bear"...at which point Eowyn came crying and screaming back to yours truly, and then to her father because, yes, I can't really carry my toddlers for long over "the belly".

Must love peacocks (actually, pea fowl, according to the sign).

Luckily by the time we saw the promised "baby giraffe" (and the elephants) Eowyn was feeling less traumatized by the trip.  Because this was a sort of "end-of-the-school-year" celebration, we let the kids ride on the carousel and the train (I know, spoil, spoil).

So yes, at the end of this beautiful morning at the zoo, and after seeing all of the amazing animals, Eowyn's favorite part?  Riding the "horsey" on the carousel with her Daddy.

Next week? Back to work! We've got to wrap up this school year so I can focus on more important things like getting my baby's clothes washed and folded in a dresser!  Newborn diapers!  I tell you: a mother of 8 has so little time to nest!

Spring Homeschool :: Taking it Outdoors!

When the skies are bright and blue after too many chilly and drizzly Spring days, our bodies and I think even our souls yearn for the outdoors!

 

Dandelion leaves and maple leaf buds are gourmet treats for a rabbit: even these creatures seem to bask in the fresh air and sunshine (and more varied diet) after the long winter in our garage!

finding clover in our neighbors lawn

I sat with Rosie and tried not to be distracted by the littles and the rabbits so we could work through some easy readers from CHC.  We had quite the coincidence! 

Rosie had already found a "baby rolly polly" bug after church and made a pet of it, giving it a slice of apple and placing it on her desk in the schoolroom.  She ran in and added her ladybug to the bug jar:

"young entomologist in the making"

 Despite appearances, we made it through two readers and went in for a snack!  It was a successful morning of homeschooling at its best!

Monday Morning in May::Daybook

Outside my (boys') window:

Surprise!  The egg count is up to 3 as of this morning!  I love how robins will do that--get you all excited by laying just one egg and then add another every day for a while.  I'm wondering if we'll get four before the laying is through.

(photo credit: Arwen)

Last week was so painfully grey and cold and full of rain.  I honestly really really have a hard time without seeing the sun.  A couple of those cloudy days the sun did break through for a couple of hours, so I was able to make it through.  God is merciful even in little ways.

(photo credit: Arwen)

This morning the sun is shining clear and bright!  Good weather is predicted for this week.  I intend to bask in every ray--outdoors as much as possible!

(photo credit: Arwen)

May is the month of Mary:  I was so very delighted to discover that the new statue of Our Lady placed outside of our neighborhood parish is "Our Lady Seat of Wisdom"--the title of Mary that our Galadriel is named for.  The priest is going to consecrate the statue after the May Crowning next week and we intend to be there!  (I'll try to get a picture of Galadriel with her "patron statue").  

Funny: last night I told Galadriel the title of the statue of Mary and she said, "A statue, in my honor!"  We laughed and said, "no, you were named in her honor!" 

May is for priestly ordinations and travel:  I have a brother who is going to be ordained this May.  In Europe!  (prayers welcome)  I cannot really go 7 months pregnant with 8 children in tow...financially or physically (or psychologically) so I will wait for him to visit in June and say his "first Mass" with us here.  My husband and I, however, have decided to send a "representative": Arwen!

While I recognize that this is a huge and exciting opportunity for her (one I certainly have never had!), the Mom in me is trying to keep my anxiety at bay as I anticipate sending my daughter to the other side of the world!!!!!  Keep in mind that I'm a home-schooling mom.  I'm probably more attached than most moms to their kids.  This one is stretching me.  (Even if she is going with my parents!)

A few plans for the month:

Baseball.  Practices start tonight.  My husband is head coach for Gimli this year.  I get to take Aragorn to his practice now that he's moved up to another league and not on Gimli's team this year.  Tomorrow is Galadriel's first softball practice (and first time on a team sport!)  She couldn't be more excited (or cuter in her softball uniform!).   

My husband did have to beg for an assistant coach to sign on:  come late June there's a "little someone" who is due to arrive.  He trumps a baseball game--and there's no way I'm doing this alone!! Happily, a kind uncle offered to assist, so we've got a back up if hubby needs to make a fast get-away to the birthing center!:)  

Track.  Arwen is excited because she's got field events at her next meet (the last one was indoors and just had the running.)  Long jump, shot put and discus ahead!  I'll let you know how it goes:).

Prayerfully pondering:  high school.  Are you sick of hearing about this?  I'm still waiting for the new "classical curriculum" high school opening in our area to announce location and headmaster.

...I am also honing in on my favorite home schooling for high school options.  I'm praying so hard (and probably making my husband crazy by talking his ear off) about what is best for my oldest daughter next year.

I have a pretty strong "philosophy of education" that I apply to no one but my own family, and it flexes for each child's temperment and learning style.  I'm opinionated and picky when it comes to giving what is good, true, and beautiful to my children.  I want them to learn how to work hard and have discipline in their education, but I don't want to "kill" their love of learning by driving them through tedious and dry material just because it's part of some set curriculum.  It's all a balance, and I don't think I have it all figured out!

The thing about Arwen in particular is that she is a girl who is always up for a challenge and new experiences.  I think that school would be a thrill for her.  However, she is also very detail-oriented and self-motivated.  She would thrive with a demanding and set curriculum (she loves lesson plans and checklists!)  But she also has needs for a healthy social life.

I have more thoughts to add on that point, but I have a little boy who wants to read Dr. Suess right now--so I'll post and write more on that later!

Happy Monday!  Happy May!!

{This moment}

(photo credit: Arwen)

(Outside of the boys' room window.)  Another sign of Spring during a week of "April Showers".

Last Day of April Daybook

Outside my window: Our gorgeous spring--the one that blessed us so graciously on Bilbo's birthday at the park--fled.  "Old Man Winter" pulled us back into a week of cold and grey and drizzle...with wind. 

     My poor daffodils have not a bud, and these happy little tulips bravely attempted a bloom, only to be stalled out by the lack of sun and chill.  My yard receives almost no direct sunlight, due to lots of tree-shade and the placement of the house.  Every single bloom is a great victory to me.  I took a picture of these tulips on a particularly dreary day--it was my defiant act against the nasty weather: I believe that Spring will come!

 

True Confessions: Many have heard me joke that I am "solar powered".   Some might suggest I have "SAD" (seasonal affective disorder).  Entirely possible!  My spirit holds steady for a day or so, and then I start to fail.  When the skies are universally grey, matching the concrete, I truly struggle to be cheerful.  I think that might be why God sent me children!  

"Special days":

Have you ever heard of a "special day"?  My dad began this tradition with us.  I may have only gone on one or two in my life, but I remember them with great joy.  Well, for better or for worse, as we began to have more children I thought that in order to let each child have moments where they feel singled out and cherished, I would introduce "special days".  

For better or for worse again, because I'm really not the organized type, this tradition has sort of devolved into an on-request basis.  Occasionally, one child or another will have a special request.  This time it was Bilbo: he LOVES to go out for lunch, alone, with his mom or dad.  It actually became a little birthday tradition.  Except his birthday came and went and we didn't get a chance to make it happen.

I personally have a hard time dragging myself away from the family at midday.  I don't really eat lunch.  And I really don't prefer the mall!  But Bilbo LOVES Panera!  And somehow Rosie managed to get an invitation to join in.

 After sharing a sandwich, I took the two to the Lego store to gaze at some of the amazing sets.  (I got a nice idea for Rosie's birthday next month!;))  Then over to Barnes and Noble because Galadriel has finally taken off in reading and I wanted to find some new books to keep her on her reading kick.  I got some American Girl books from a series we don't have and some Magic Tree House.  Bilbo and Rosie added to their "Beanie Boo" collections.  I could write a whole post on Beanie Boos.  Bilbo only has one other.  Rosie? I think she told me her collection numbers in the teens (but most are of the mini or small sizes)--and they're ALL on her bed!  If anyone knows about me and my issues with stuffed animals...you will know that this is an exception in our home!  But, Rosie is so cute, and she loves them so much...I'm opting to just ignore the mounding clutter in an effort to see her collection as a sweet hobby for a 5-year-old.

On the way home Bilbo said, "Wow, Mom, you really spoiled us".  Yes.  Yes I did!:)

Wanna See the Sibs?

I've been having SO much fun watching Reina's siblings' pictures come in!  The breeder asked that we all write in and share a little about our first year.

Reina was one of only three black puppies in the litter of 8.  The rest were golden.  I personally would have chosen a golden puppy, but my kids insisted they wanted black.

After seeing all of the pictures come in, and loving how cute each of the dogs turned out to be at a year old, I have to say that I think my kids were right! I love Reina the best! (But of course, I'm prejudiced).

On to the photos!

This was the first picture to come in--definitely more curly than Reina.



This one was more "red golden" and...maybe curlier still?




The golden one is Reina's brother, the black one is her BIG SISTER (from the first litter!)
This family loved their first dog so much, they got a second with the last litter.  I think both look a lot like Reina.  More wavy/fluffy coats than tight poodle curls.



This one cracks me up, but reminds me of how much Reina loved the snow this winter!



Again, one of the curlier puppies--just a bit more of that poodle coat:



And here's Reina hanging out with us last night:

A couple more with her brother and BFF Casey:

You can see how curly his coat is--he just got shaved down, too.  (Reina's sitting)

This has been an awesome year!

(That's only 6 of the 8 puppies, so I'll upload if the other owners share more).

**We're up to 7 of the 8.  Just the final black puppy is left to update:)