Fun with the Cousins

Kids loved playing with their cousins. Benedict made his first baby friend! Jenny outdid herself with all the amazing food. It was one of the best days ever for our family and we can not wait to see them soon at our house!

Over the hills and thru the woods...

To Aunt and Uncle's house we go!
This has been the song in our heads this morning. The kids are so excited to visit Tony's sister a couple of hours away. Few months back it became apparent to Tony and I that their was more to life than work and more work. He was so involved with the bank and I with the kids we became enclosed in a bubble and lost sight of the big picture. Tony comes from a really large family. Our kids were starting to ask questions and it became a mission for 2012! Little do those Taratuta sisters and brothers know but we are going to make a concentrated effort to see ALL of them this year! Jenny and Jeff were one of the closest and the girls really wanted to meet the cousins. So off we go today and hopefully begin a tradition of getting together more with Tony's family. A little less work and a little more family fun makes for a happy family!

Reflections

Today started off like any other...feed em clean em and load em up for errands and a 4 h meeting. We never know just how God is going to throw us a curve ball do we? While shopping I received a call that a friend's father in law had passed away in his sleep last night. The pain and surprise was raw. It dawned on me how suddenly life can be stripped away from us. A week ago I had just had a conversation with someone about how we should always be ready for that day. The day we meet God. My heart goes out to this family as they grieve. My family will be their for them in whatever capacity they need. We never know do we? We should always be ready.

Favorite Toy

I hear tons of Mommies say they could very well throw out the toys and still find ways to entertain their babies. My mom told me once I was a very content baby. Easily entertained by pots and pans or socks. Times have not changed for sure. All of the kids at one time or another discovered their feet and with that discovery came the feat of pulling off the socks. Benedict has taken it one step further though. He loves socks, he loves chewing them, rolling them, shaking them and watching me fold them. We tested our theory out and put all his toys on the floor and some socks. He went right for the socks! I have always said it is the simple things in life that can bring great pleasure. I doubt the sock fetish will last but he is cute playing with them. I imagine when we go to Stride Rite for that first pair of shoes he will find a new obsession.

Death of a Twinkie

Ohhh it was a sad evening last night. Tony heard on the news that the Twinkie makers were filing for bankruptcy and it was a second attempt at saving the Twinkie. Tony told me he had a few in his day, also some ho hos and cupcakes from the same company. Alas, and here is where it gets mournful...I have NEVER had a Twinkie! My brother and I were not allowed to have such delicacies. Don't take this the wrong way, but my mom gave us things like peanut butter and banana sandwiches, cottage cheese and fruit, and honey granola bars I remember those well! Yummy! I don't know where Tony got all his contraband from as Jan is the epitome of health now. Regardless, there was fear that the Taratuta children may never taste the sweet cream of a Twinkie! So we found a box, they were on sale and I let the kids dive right in! Poor Benedict glumly watched and his mouth watered...ahh if only he could have one too! Don't worry little buddy they have a shelf life of 25 years I will save you one. And for the record, I feel no remorse at never eating a Twinkie!

Groceries Galore

Well I survived a trip to the store yet again! We got three days worth of food due to fact that they ran out of large carts. I can only get so much until we run out of room and it is time to go.

Out the door

Wrote the list
Collected coupons
Packed the snacks for kids
Bundled up
Wally World here we come!

Mother Hubbard

TGIF right?!? I woke up to snow! The kids are giddy with excitement at finally getting the sleds back out. I am drinking a cup of joy to make myself excited about grocery shopping. Our cupboards are bare and the fridge is screaming for food. I should have gone yesterday but what is the fun in that?!? I thought it would be neat to document what it is like to go to the store with my gang!?!? So buckle up it is going to be a bumpy ride.....

Play pals

Although many claim Benedict resembles Blaise and Emerson more in looks I have found that he is a clone of Julia's personality. When Julia was a baby we always said she came into this world alert and ready for a party. To this day she loves a crowd, is a sponge for anything new, and craves stimulation. She is my night owl as well. Lately Benedict has been a bump on a log in the morning but once the sun goes down...watch out! He is laughing, engaging, and mimicking all the sounds we throw his way! He is babbling ma ma ma ma and da da da but I am not sure if he is realizing that is who we are. I am exhausted by 7 pm as Blaise and Emerson have been up since 5 am so I appreciate my Julia bounding in my room at night begging to play with her baby brother. They sit their and play peek a boo and patty cake and I just sit by in a coma like state wondering where these two get their energy from? I love watching my kids interact and bond.

Package in the Mail

Kids love getting a package in the mail. Especially if it contains their birthday present. My aunt Sharon and Grandma Koppela sent Julia and Blaise their birthday presents yesterday. We came home from the library to two huge boxes sitting on our front porch. They couldn't wait to open them up. Here is the sweet part. Awhile back my aunt had mentioned my gram k. made these no sew blankets and she inquired about what colors and things the kids may like on their blankets. Emerson received a pink one on her birthday and Benedict got a Teddy bear one as a baby gift. Imagine Julia's surprise that someone gave her something that was her favorite colors! Blaise adored the cars and the blue and red made him smile. They quickly curled up on the couches reading books with their cozy new blankets! Just in time as it is going to get colder here soon! Thank you so much to Aunt Sharon, Uncle Tom and Gram Koppela!

Velvet Jewel Box

If I had a velvet jewel box,
Here's what I'd put inside:
the painted leaves of autumn
before their brown and dried,
the tangy nip of winter
that tries to bite my nose,
the white lace of a snowflake,
the wild wind as it blows,
the roaring rush of rivers
when ice melts in the spring,
the chirping songs of baby birds
learning how to sing.
So carefully I'd place the touch of pussy willow fur,
the rustle of the daffodils,
the prickle of a burr,
And sunshine sinking
oh so deep
right into my skin-
If I had a velvet jewel box
To put my treasures in.
By Bobbi Katz

This was poem we did in poetry today and it sparked an inspiring conversation about true treasures. When asked what they would want in their own treasure box I received the following answers
Julia: I would put all the colors of summer and look at them in winter, smell of rain, a rainbow, a baby's laughter, and mist from a river.
Blaise: I would put orange leaves in my box and throw them at daddy.
Emerson: a flower, my special rings, guardian angel medals and a piece of paper with a picture of my rabbit..

This led to great conversation about treasures. Each girl was given their own sacramental treasure chest to keep in their rooms. These were purchased years ago when they were small and every time they do a sacrament another silver coin will be given to them as a reminder.