Paczki Day

Come on did you really think I would forget?!? Today the kids and I discovered that Paczki are a Polish Catholic tradition. Considering they are part Polish on Tony's mothers side they talked me into celebrating a part of their heritage. They are also part Finnish on my dad's side and Finns are known for their spas... Hmmmm wonder where I can find a local spa?

Be-attitudes

God blessed me with a willful child! I say that positively because I know when she is an adult her strength and stubbornness will make her succeed in whatever she puts her mind to. That being said, it doesn't make it an easy task to raise such a child. I was a pleaser growing up... I pleased my teachers, my parents, my friends, I did whatever they told me out of FEAR of losing love, respect and friendship! It made for an unhappy existence thru no one's fault but my own. I am truly glad that Julia is courageous and strong and not fearful. She recently shared with me a poem she came across. It is not written by her but certainly speaks volumes of who she is. I always tell her she only must please God first and she agrees with me.

BE humble enough to realize you still have a lot to learn.
BE ambitious enough to know you can be anything you want to be.
BE easy enough on yourself to enjoy, to laugh, to have fun.
BE mature enough to take responsibility for what you do.
BE proud enough to take care of your body, your mind, and your spirit.
BE confident enough to see that who you are inside is more important than how you look outside.
BE wise enough to choose your friends carefully.
BE absolutely sure that, wherever you go, whatever you do, YOU ARE LOVED by God.

Author unknown

Inventory

Spring Jackets (check)
Sunglasses (check)
Justice Jeans (check)
Old Navy tees (check)
Shoes (check)

Getting a jumpstart on spring shopping for four ( exhausting)

Shopping and Food

Need I say more...

Presidents Day

Banking Holiday! Yahoo! Normally I have a doctor or dentist appointment on a banking holiday, but today lucked out that I have neither. The painting is done and we are still waiting on word about the beds. So do we do schoolwork or go have some fun? That is always the proverbial question! We are three weeks ahead of a normal school system and so a day off is acceptable I think! Tony has been wanting to go north to the outlets at birch run and I have a list of baby items and household stuff I need. In order to make it seem fun for the kids we will surprise them with a stop at Tony's restaurant. Anyone that has been there knows how huge the platters of food are and the sundaes are big enough for an army. They are all bringing their allowance money in hopes of stopping at a book store. We have ballet tonight so we are hitting the road early to get back in time. Happy Presidents Day!

Finger Food

I decided to try out some fresh peas today with Benedict. He loves his greens and I was looking for a fun distraction while getting lunch ready for the gang. To my surprise he got right to business and picked each one up and popped it in his mouth. It was so adorable watching his chubby little fingers grasp the little green peas. He is cutting a third tooth and this one has been bothersome so anything to get his mind off of it is a blessing. Yesterday we gave him Jans Frozen Banana and that was helpful too! Blaise was even curious about what was going down and I told him to try out the peas. He ate a few just to be a good sport but I think he prefers his a bit hotter!

Super Dad

Well he did it! I am really impressed but in between coats of paint drying, Tony put Julia's desk together. He went out and got her the pink chair although she wanted turquoise it was better than black!
It didn't take him too long to put it all together and the two of them sat in her room and chatted and watched animal planet on her tv while they worked. I stayed away as I knew she wanted the time with just her dad.

Memory Lane

I got a wake up call at 3am from Blaise! He was wondering when his room was going to be finished! Early bird gets the worm. As Tony started painting I began to reflect on all the changes this room has undergone. When we first built we painted this room lime granita and it was Julia's playroom. Then Emerson came along and Tony painstakingly painted it sage and yellow for me. Three years later Blaise entered the scene and we transformed it into Tinkerbell green and the two of them were bunkmates! Well now the girls each have their own space and the boys are going to be bunkmates! Blaise picked bracing blue which is a bit darker and not a baby blue! He did not want a baby blue! This will be last time this room is painted! If God blesses us with more we will build an addition!

Teachers Pet

Every teacher has one. Mine just happens to be tall, dark and handsome. You will never guess who is back with his nose in the books! Tony has decided to take a religious home study course. Unbeknown to me he went ahead about six weeks ago and ordered this course based on the mass. He is encouraging me to participate as well and has even offered to share his book..awww how can I say no to that? So, instead of sitting in front of the box at night I think we will become study buddies. To be honest giving up my night time tv time will be hard at first, but the benefits will outweigh the negative.

Friday drama

I am running late today in my blogging due to typical chaos and drama! Oh where to begin? Well let's start off with positive first...today is kits doll party, which means all her doll friends arrived and are in midst of crafts, playing, doing doll like stuff! The girls are having fun too! Blaise is not! Lately he has been how shall I put it?!? Testing his limits...well I can't blame the kid he is shuffled from activity to activity all specifically for his two sisters and then we arrive and what is the first thing people want to do? Hold the baby and coo at the baby! He isn't jealous of baby but I think he is a little OVER the girl stuff! To top it all off he had high hopes of sleeping in his brand new room this weekend when we discovered that someone stoled his bunk bed delivery! Ok let me explain for I know someday I will find this funny! They supposedly delivered the shipment to our house yesterday and someone by a different name signed for it! Delivery guy swears it was our house! I was home when supposedly this transpired and I doubt if I would overlook a hundred pound box! Sense my sarcasm!
Anyways we have to wait a certain time to allow them to investigate our claims. Meanwhile I have visions of someone named bubba resting easy on our bunk bed! Sweet dreams huh?
Instead of wallowing in doom and gloom I am trying to get his mind off of the missing bunk beds and give him a day of Friday fun.....I will let you know how that goes, in meantime Bubba, kindly return the box as my son needs a bed to sleep in! Thank you!

Making a Deposit

I didn't want to go today, my mind and heart were not in right spot. Instead of thinking about helping out the poor I was thinking of how hard it would be taking the boys today along. When I got to the food bank I realized I was surrounded by my allies. Mommy friends get it! Especially ones that homeschool. They had a spot to keep Blaise busy and it involved smashing boxes, and they all took turns holding the baby and entertaining him. I was encouraged and felt myself revived. This is why I homeschool. These are my core group of women that let me know I NOT crazy for doing what I do! The food bank was an awesome experience for all the kids but I think God meant for me to get something out of it as well.....a friendship deposit at the food bank.

Food for Thought

I love this one! Tony sent it to me this morning!

Treat the people you live with as if today is the last day you have to spend with them. One day you will be right and you will be glad you did. -mustard seeds

Food Bank

Today the Little Flowers are going to the Food Bank to stock shelves. Tony and his company did this awhile back and I am excited for the kids to have the same experience. It isn't in the safest of places and I am bringing Blaise and Benedict as well. I suppose the good outweighs the bad though. I never used to worry about going places as a single gal but with the addition of children I have acquired a sense of vulnerability. I am taking my MILs advice and keeping all doors locked and if it looks really bad I will just keep on driving! I am sure it will be fine though and the girls are looking forward to helping out today and meeting some special new people.

The Little Maid in an Idle Mood

Today we were graced with a puppet show via Julia and her project from the allegory she has been reading. Considering some stuff that has been transpiring lately I felt it appropriate to share. It is a story of a maiden idly sitting around doing nothing ( humanity)
When the devil comes knocking at her door portrayed as a "friend" ...she does not want to open the door so she cracks it open thinking it will be fine! Alas...the devil has come in to her house( soul). She rushes to see the king (Jesus ) who forgives her and reminds her to always be on the look out and not to be idle. Idle hands are the devils work.

A Writers Dream

About a year ago Julia gave her old desk to Emerson as an early birthday gift. We recycle gifts a lot around here! Well she had hopes and dreams of getting a more contemporary desk to write at and use her lap top on. It took us awhile to find her just the right one but this morning it came! Oh joy!
Here's the bad news: it has to be put together and we all know how that goes over with the Banker! So for now we look at boxes in anticipation!

Valentine Greetings

School for us and then a valentine treat with mommy. We made cards for our friends at religious Ed and our teachers. Happy Valentine Day to all!
Thanks for the cards, e cards and text messages!