Fairy Garden

Last Summer the girls became interested in fairy gardens. All winter they researched in books and collected materials to make one in our backyard...Saturday, Tony took the girls shopping and they collected the supplies to begin this seasonal project. Julia created a fairy pond, chairs, and pretty little flowers for growing. She toiled all the soil and followed her landscaping sketch that she drew herself. Emerson helped select a few decorations and they both will be responsible for the upkeep. As the weather warms they will add appropriate perennials so that next year they can sit and enjoy the fairy garden. They have discovered a mysterious thing though...someone or something has been leaving glitter and sparkles along the path...could it be a fairy? This fairy has left very large footprints behind....

Flying High

Who knew air could be so fun!

Air Zoo

Today after mass we are surprising the kids and going to an air zoo in Kalamazoo. It has all the fixings of an actual space and flight experience. There is also a ferris wheel and 3D movie. I think Tony and I are just as excited to experience this as well. We have pretty much gone to every single museum for kids in the state and this one has been in the back of my mind for some time.

Shakes and Toys

Tony had some honey-do tasks today while Julia and I went sandal shopping. We agreed to treat the kids to shamrock shakes after dinner if all tasks were completed. The kids had other ideas in mind...it seems the Toy Factory in town was going out of business and they were having a fifty percent off sale! Well with allowance money in hand they all made their way downtown. I love a great sale and I love the fact that they could spend their own money and feel the pride! Julia found a bunch of craft activities, Emerson bought a wooden horse stable, and Blaise bought two bath tub toys! Now our little one doesn't quite earn his keep yet by getting any money but when Daddy saw the cute little stuffy he could not say No! I think he will make it his favorite as he cuddled on it and fell asleep. We did get our shakes and walk by the water and feed ducks and just hang out a laugh. It was a perfect day!

Saint Patrick

At age of 14 he was taken off by raiders to Ireland as a slave. In his captivity he turned to God. By his early 20's he had fled his captors and returned home with a new passion and a desire to become a priest. His preaching of the faith resulted in many converts. Quite often he is shown holding a three leafed clover which is symbolic of the trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Today is a celebratory day for many Irish people. Although the focus tends to be on green beer and shamrocks and leprechauns... The origins of today began as one man serving and listening to God's call to convert the Irish back to their faith.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Honey

Last night Julia became sick. I knew something was awry as she has been extremely emotional lately and that is normally a sign of an illness to come. Sure enough at almost midnight she tearfully came in my room complaining of s stuffy nose and sore throat... I gave her some medicine but she still was complaining of not feeling up to par. So we snuggled down in the bed a d sipped on some honey tea and rode out the night. Tony was up as well with Blaise who seemed restless and it was quite the pajama party! I am walking in a fog now and wondering what the day will bring. I will say this much I am so appreciative of Benedicts Godmother for giving me the huge jar of honey from their farm. We have used it countless times for all sorts of recipes and illnesses! Nature's cure!

No Excuse

My daughter just reminded me I didn't blog today...I went grocery shopping, I made breakfast, lunch and dinner! I cleaned out the garage and managed to make New England Indian Pudding for a history lesson! I vacuumed and put all the laundry away but forgot to blog! I completed all school assignments with the girls and made it to math club where they ran a mock store and learned about tax and percentages... But I forgot to blog! We said our rosary and angelus today, but according to my Julia there is no excuse! I must blog about something.... Hmmmmm?

Park Day

Today is Lily's birthday/adoption celebration. Rabbits have birthdays too! It also happens to be gorgeous and a Wednesday! All good reasons to plan a park day! Emerson wanted to invite a friend and make a day of it! Lily requested Mac and Cheese for dinner and ice cream sundaes...she has an advanced palate for a rabbit. She will be surprising the guests with Bunny bucks ( chocolate bars in shape of a dollar) and a balloon game! I am excited as this will be Benedicts first time at our local park.... I have recollections of taking each baby here for the last 9 years and now I get to take him. I wonder will he like the slide? Swing? Or monkey bars best? Will he be overwhelmed like Blaise was or a go getter and social butterfly like Julia. Time will tell that of course. For now he is satisfied to sit and watch and take it all in!

Easter Decor

Today is the day! I have been putting off dragging out my spring decor for two reasons: we are still observing Lent and I have an issue with a Robin! Last Spring this crazy Robin showed up and perched himself on our front porch... He would tap at our front window, defecate on my wreath and all over the mirrors on the cars in the driveway. This went on the entire spring until he/she found s mate and built a nest. I was relieved to be done with him! Well who should reappear tapping away but psych robin! The neighbors and I noticed He's Back! I have tried everything from pictures of owls, dogs, noisemakers! You name it but nothing scares this bird away! I had to throw out a lot of my cute spring decor that he "marked" so this year I just wasn't in the mood to decorate. Well the kids are getting antsy... They want to see the door wreath as it signifies school is almost done and summer is here! They love helping put up the little decorations so I decided bird or no bird we will do it! Even tho we don't celebrate the Easter bunny aspect I have quite a bit of Easter decor to put inside the house... So we are rushing to get to school so we can get it done and then decorate. I see the "stalker" hanging around my front porch already but I have a new plan this year, It involves a hose and a 4 year old looking for something to do... You fill in the blanks!

Weather Report

This is Emerson Taratuta reporting live on location of my deck. Yesterday I was flying a kite and now I am playing in the rain. My mom is not too happy as she just mopped and we all went walking in the mud. It is windy and wet but really fun. Blaise's umbrella blew away so he is using a pink one but we told him real men use pink! I have been running around looking for some worms and I found one and put it in the driveway for my dad to see when he comes home. Well this is Emerson reporting live...... Goodbye!

Go Fly a Kite

Wasn't it gorgeous today here in Michigan! Tony was in such a great mood he tuned up the girl's bikes. I think my girls grew! Emerson looked mammoth on her barbie bike and Julia was so tall and lanky on her bike it was comical. Looks like I know what we are getting them for Easter surprises! I also took Benedict outside for fresh air! He loved sitting in his wagon watching the kids ride around on their bikes... Then Tony got this grand idea to go buy some kites and fly them around. It was such fun watching them fly around! Sadly Julia's kite got tangled in our neighbor's tree. Oh well it was time for dinner anyways.

Lent Readings

Every night before bed Julia and I have been doing a Lent devotional. Last night we read the story of the prodigal son. It was interesting to hear her viewpoint as a child and my own viewpoint as a mother. It enlightened me how I have changed...once like her I had the childlike viewpoint from the side of the son, now as a parent I can relate to the father greeting his prodigal son. Compassion and forgiveness are powerful qualities to share. It is easy to share them with your own family but not always easy with others. My mother's church has an online website and last night I came across their site in search of blogs for her. They had their purpose and vision statement and then they listed the bible verse 1 Timothy 4:12: Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
It stuck out at me as I realized that was what Julia and I were discussing in our Lent readings. Setting an example of love and compassion. She mentioned how she enjoyed certain people's company but did not always like the choices they made. I reminded her we are to love the sinner but avoid the sin. Love does not mean looking the other way or pretending you don't see the sin, it is a firm but loving stand against wrong while embracing and praying for the broken spirit. We had a great moment last night in our talk about duties towards others...

All 4 One

Well today was 4h and boy did those kids get some stuff accomplished! We finally came up with a club logo: all 4 one
And they designed a club flag which we will work on next month. They democratically chose a shirt color( let me tell you 16 kids that was hard!)
And we also decided on upcoming themes for our meetings...though summer seems far away for some the fair is just around the corner for these kids! We are going to practice our showmanship of rabbits and critters and learn how to be interviewed by judges. I just found out most families camp the whole week at the fair which any one that knows me can laugh and say " I'd like to see the day she camps!" well I am considering it as it seems all the families do this to be close to animals and events that run all week into the weekend! Julia really is getting excited about the fair and this 4h group and although it is not my cup of tea I am watching her prosper into quite the 4h-er! Can you sense my pride just a teensy bit?!?

Get Well Grandpa John

Please keep Grandpa John Connell in your prayers! He was in hospital and is doing better but scheduled to have surgery on Monday! We love you Grandpa! Julia, Emerson, Blaise and Benedict!
Get well soon!

Night at the Dentist

Well Tony and I discovered a new way to get a cleaning in. We tag teamed our appointments last night. After a Little Flower meeting I managed to squeeze in grocery shopping and dinner. I bathed the little ones and they went to the dentist office in their pjs! They all had fun with that one. We met Tony there and he and I both got a cleaning in! I love our dentist as he is most understanding when our clan arrives. It went well and I have to say we decided to make the next appointment at night as well!

Hunters Bag

Julia finished up her studies of the Civil War. We had so much fun we decided to travel back in time and learn about the American Revolution. Her first assignment was to make a replica of a hunters bag. Boys of a certain age were given one by their mothers when they were old enough to hunt and provide for their family. It was a precursor for fighting in the revolution as well. If mother gave you a hunters bag be prepared to defend your political views. Julia certainly has no war to fight and Tony has never touched a firearm so she decided to put her bag to use by keeping her cell phone and camera in it. These are her weapons of choice! I want to add she had to make the pattern out of newspaper and hand sew the entire bag. She could only choose brown felt, chamois, or leather as that is what they used back then. She has decided to make a pink one for Emerson and a tie-dye one for herself in future.

Eight is Great!

Eight Months old Today!
I know time is flying by when I am telling complete strangers that Benedict is six months old and the kids are correcting me telling them he is almost eight months! Somewhere I lost some time! So here are the updates: he has tried every veggie and fruit he is allowed too and loves them! He still has to avoid the cereals due to tummy troubles but does well on dry bagel and toast...he is clapping, crawling, standing up against an edge or rail, and getting into hilarious predicaments. He has said ma ma so many times I am officially declaring it his first word and Bu Bu is pretty close to bye bye so I accept it as well! He loves to put anything and everything in his mouth which really freaks me out and at times I find I have this desire to rinse his mouth out with bleach... Which I don't so please no emails about travesty of bleach! He is jovial and curious but still walks on serious side at times. Many have called him a mommas boy but I recall people saying that about Blaise, who asks me a million times a day, when is daddy coming home. My sister in law gave me a fabulous tip about foam and his car seat so our travels are much easier and no crying so far! He seems happier riding along and babbling away to his sidekicks! One of his most favorite past times is playing in water! He is my super splashed... I mean face first blow bubbles throw up the water and laugh hysterically super splasher. This is a first for me as the others were content in the tub but not maniacs like this guy. I have considered a life jacket for him at times he is trying to climb out of his tub and go head first into the two inches of water I have put in for him. I explained to Blaise we are practicing conservation of water as he wonders why he has so little water in his side of the tub now. Alright enough gushing, eight is truly great so far and every day is a new discovery!

Laundry

Tuesday is always strip the beds and wash all the towels and linens... I have done this every Tuesday since I have been married... It seemed a lot easier years ago... My little helper likes to sit in laundry basket while I fluff and fold. It takes me all day but by tonight it will all be put away and beds will be ready to go...that is five beds in case you lost count! So that is my Tuesday!

Crown of Thorns

One of our Lent activities is to make a dough crown of thorns. Each child made their own crown and inserted as many toothpicks as they could. The toothpicks symbolize their sins and the idea is to remove a toothpick everytime they do a good deed or sacrifice, thus taking away some of Jesus' suffering. By having a tangible object it hopefully inspires them to have an empty crown by Easter!

Appreciation

All my little chicks and Rooster are back home and life seems to be back to normal. A few observations I made were how excited the girls were to
see me, how refreshed they seemed, and how relaxed Tony was. In fact he was so relaxed he had to watch the game yesterday after his tiring adventure of shopping, swimming, movie watching and continental breakfasting! Poor thing!
Blaise was ecstatic to have his "Bonnie" back and he and Emerson immediately went into his room where the two little gangsters concocted mischief for future days. Julia turned up hours later after making sure I didn't remove, touch, investigate or redecorate any object in her room! When we all met for dinner there was much chatter about the events of the past two days...I realized I truly missed the noise, the chaos and even the extra laundry and mess... I know someday they will be all gone out of the house and it will just be Tony and I. Time goes by fast this I know so I appreciate these moments where my family is all together chattering and laughing...even big daddy rooster was missed for his bellowing and prancing around and noise! Back to normal! Thank Goodness!

Cookie Jar

When I was pregnant with my first I had this vision of Suzy homemaker! I didn't sew, couldn't cook, but it didn't matter I pictured my calling as one in an apron cooking and cleaning with a smile and having a hot meal ready when husband came home! Ha ha I laugh now at that...one thing I have accomplished is finally getting a cookie jar! I can thank my mom for that. She gave me her flour jar that she wasn't using and it is perfect. I just got it yesterday so today before the girls get home Blaise and I have been busy making cookies to fill it. A cookie jar with four kids is a must have in my mind. I may not be the ultimate Suzy homemaker but I am sure trying.