Food pyramid

Today in science Emerson had to work on learning the food pyramid and the requirements for a healthy body. With our recent bout of illness and an over abundance of sugar from Halloween I felt it perfect time to make this a family activity. The girls caught on super quick about what is a good choice for healthy eating...being a vegetarian myself I beamed with pride! But, I was surprised to see what a 3 year old considered healthy! Blaise's pyramid consisted of following: Grains: popcorn and bread
Vegetables: carrots and green m&m's
Fruit: purple grape juice
Milk: chocolate milk and ice cream
Meat and Beans: he decided at this point he would be a vegetarian too!
Does this worry me? Yes it does that is why I am constantly hiding little veggies and fruits in places you would never imagine...recently spaghetti squash found it's way in pasta and sauce! Yogurt was filled with magic berries that make you strong! I will do what it takes but oddly enough when he goes to other people's houses he eats like a horse! Maybe I should ask for cooking lessons for Christmas.

Election Day

Today is a day to vote! It is our right and privilege! I am thankful for that. I will be there in line with all four kiddies! Regardless if you vote yes or no or for a specific candidate please vote! Otherwise you can not sit back and complain about the way things are going!

Goodbye Sparky Gordon

Today was a sad sad day in our household. We had to say goodbye to a dear friend. Our little mouser went back to the farm. My son was especially upset as he named the cat Sparky. Even though the cat came to us with name of Gordon we all agreed he looked more like a Sparky. The furball pretty much won his way into all of our hearts but after a horrible asthma attack it was apparent Tony's allergies would keep us from keeping the cat as a permanent pet. It is moments like this I struggle to find something to teach the kids to be thankful for. The tears and sadness outweigh any attitude of gratitude. Time does heal all wounds and I suppose time moves faster for the young.....for that I am thankful.

Four months old!

I can't believe it and I say this every month but my baby boy is 4 months old today! I am thankful I made it this far. Ha ha I am serious number four was a real eye opener. Benedict reminds me a lot of Julia. He is extremely happy and throws a smile at anybody. He is very content in any one's arms and has played "pass the baby" on many occasions. I think what has made him so unique is how strong he is. Already belly scooting and rolling and rocking to whatever it is he wants. He is almost able to hold himself in a sitting position before he falls over like a weeble wobble. Benedict is becoming his own little voice and discovering his place in our family.

Extra hour of what?

Well we had to turn those clocks back and that led to a conversation of what would you do with an extra hour? Tony wasted no time in saying he would sleep, but I wanted to really think about it. A whole hour to myself? Would I waste it on extra chores or tv or computer..then I read my morning devotions today... Why not give an hour to God. It hit me that quite often my prayers are jumbled, interrupted, or half finished with the bustle of raising a family. Julia recently received a package in mail from St. Philomena foundation and I look forward to reading it for my extra hour. Maybe even two hours if I can sneak away that long!

Game night

Once a week we try to have a family night. The kids love this time. We play a board game or we work on a puzzle. I started thinking about how the oldie but goodie hobbies are still around. In an age of technology you can still find people, like my mom, working away on a 500 piece puzzle. My grandmother is in an old folks home and they have oodles of puzzles laying around for people to work on. The other day Julia asked me what checkers was? Shocked, I immediately had to find an online version of the game. I am thankful that these hobbies still exist. Sitting at a puzzle or a board game forces the family to pause, take turns, laugh together and just enjoy each others company! We discovered this about each other: Tony is still just as competitive, Julia has an awesome memory for facts, Emerson is really patient and dedicated to finishing the challenges, Blaise likes to throw the die, and Mom is still trying to perfect the cheese popcorn recipe from Taratuta side.

God the artist

We are thankful for the colors of the season. Julia and Emerson

Meet my mouser

Although not an animal lover I have allowed the kids to acquire bunnies, fish, and a hamster. I am never fond of mice in fact I am utterly terrified of them. Every Fall one or two attempt to set up shop in our garage! It totally freaks me out and I beg Tony to PLEASE take care of it...I have threatened to get a cat if need be. Well this Fall I came across a homeless mouser. My dear friends that live on a farm came across "sparky" recently. It seems people have this notion that since they live on a dirt road they are taking in all sorts of strays. Well I am thankful I can have a sense of humor as you can see Sparky isn't pulling his weight! class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;">

The small things...

I am a simple person, a plain Jane if you will. I always tell the family it's the little things that make me happy and grateful. Waking up to my little smiling faces makes me happy. Catching my kids hugging each other when noone is looking. Watching the birds at the bird feeder enjoy the seed my son threw out to them. Listening to prayers at night and hearing them asking for blessings upon their pets. Discovering my husband mopped the floors just to be helpful. These little things grow the gratitude in my heart. Recently Blaise asked me to read him one more story at bedtime just to "spend more time" with me. I melted and of course consented. It's the little things...

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
-Mother Teresa

Employees

Tony just let me know it is Employee Appreciation Day at work! He is thankful for all his co-workers and all the stuff they put up with!

TGIF

Thank goodness it is Friday! We made it thru the week...the kids are feeling better...Tony only has to work a "little" bit tomorrow....and the sun is shining right now!

Art

Imagine her surprise when she opened up her art book today and saw her activity for today. "this is perfect mommy"

Jan

Well the brain cells are on fire around here this morning. Everyone is thinking of what they can be thankful for. Collectively as a group we all mentioned grandma Connell at one time or another. She is so encouraging to the kids always sending them positive tidbits of mail and little things from garage sales. She keeps Tony on his toes by reminding him how to stay healthy and for me well she is faithful, humble, sweet and content. We love you grandma Jan and I know she would rather have me post a picture of a card she sent Julia then one of herself so here goes:

Laptop

Julia is still under the weather but has managed to come up with something she is thankful for. Her laptop. She loves to email her grandma Connell and her nana. She can write stories on it and do her school work as well!

Muscles

Benedict is thankful for the strong men in his life!

My faith

Emerson pondered all morning what she was thankful for and then piped up "I love my catholic faith" that was good enough for me.

Legomania

Blaise is thankful for his legos. He builds the biggest trucks and buildings. From morning until night this is where we find him constructing things.

Keurig K cup

Ok so this isn't an endorsement merely opinion. Today's attitude of gratitude stems from a week of little or no sleep. We seem to have a cold virus running thru the house and every night I have had one or more children wander in my room. This has resulted in a lack of sleep. If it was not for my Keurig ohh I don't know what I would do. I feel like I have my own little barista in my kitchen. I spin the carousel, pick a flavor, and get ready to face the day....

Hot Water Bottle

Tony is thankful for his hot water bottle. He has always had to use one to sleep. He has Never gone to sleep without one. It goes with him on trips and he recently bought a second one when kids started getting headaches too!

Naps

Benedict is thankful for naps and Mommy is too!