Lucy

Lucy's preschool class performed the nativity for the parents last week. Lucy was bursting with enthusiasm and couldn't stop smiling. They did it twice so the children could play different parts. Lucy was Mary and the Innkeeper. She loved being dressed up, saying her part, and singing. And I loved watching. She looked adorable in costume.

Well, it finally happened. Little Lucy gave herself a haircut. Apparently, she didn’t like her hair hanging in her eyes, so she took a pair of paper scissors down to the basement and fixed the problem. So, now she has short little bangs. Fortunately, she has a cowlick in that same place, which causes all of the hair to lie to the side naturally. So, it doesn’t look as bad as it could have. I figured it was bound to happen at some point. Hopefully, this will be the last time.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

Spencer and Charlie enjoying homemade bread after school. I remember loving coming home from school to the aroma of fresh baked bread. My mom made such yummy bread. We'd spread it with butter and honey or homemade strawberry jam. I'm glad my kids are enjoying the same tradition. They complain about so many of my meals, that when I get a thumbs up, it makes all my effort worth it.

Sawyer has been so bummed about the lack of snow in Kansas compared to Michigan. So, yesterday, after school, he couldn't wait to put his snow pants on and play around in it. I love it when the boys go outside and play. For some reason, I always feel like being outside is productive, even if they're not really doing anything. So, if that's what it takes to keep these boys outside all winter- bring on the snow!


I bought this nativitiy set in Israel several years ago while on study abroad there. Each Christmas, I've been careful to guard it from little hands. But, this year, Lucy beat me to it. Before I knew she was unwrapping it, both the staffs were broken. And now that it's on the mantle, she just can't resist taking it down to hold baby Jesus, look at Mary and Joseph, and rearrange it over and over again. Now, instead of being on the mantle, she's moved it closer to the floor and it looks like this:

Last year was the first time we bought matching stockings and an artificial Christmas tree. Before that, we had makeshift stockings and a real tree or no tree (especially when we travelled). So, breaking out the decorations these past few weeks has been really fun. The house feels cozy, we've got the Christmas music playing, and lots of yummy smelling things baking in the oven. Since emerging from six weeks of nausea, my taste buds are back, stronger than ever.

Thanksgiving

We just returned from a wonderful Thanksgiving in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Kim and Clark were terrific hosts. I’m grateful we have such loving families. Some of my favorite moments of the weekend were:

Watching people hit the Elmo piñata Kirsten purchased for her birthday. She doesn't care for Elmo, so she bought a pinata for the kids to whack away at in celebration of her 40th birthday. They had a ball.

Eating all the yummy food. Everything tasted SO good. I ate and ate and ate. This year I made a relish tray, cheese ball, mashed potatoes, and streusel topped pumpkin pie.

Watching the kids have so much fun with their cousins. They all slept in sleeping bags in Kim’s playroom. They stayed up late every night telling scary stories. Now that we’re home, the kids keep saying they’re scared to go alone to different places in the house.

Reading a good parenting book and having Spencer and Charlie snuggle up and fall asleep next to me on the couch.

Watching the kids play “Virus” in the backyard as well as football and other games. They had a ton of fun together.

Having a relatively easy ride to and from Oklahoma. It took three hours each way.

Relaxing on the couch with a book while the kids played.

Smelling the scents of Kim and Clark’s freshly cut Christmas tree.

Playing six- handed Rook.

Watching the grandkids wrestle with grandpa

Listening to Christmas music.

Eating Kim's yummy homemade bread.

Friday, we all visited Woolaroc, which is the ranch of billionaire Frank Wright. It was fun to see all the wild animals (especially one with an electrical cord wrapped around his antlers). Lucy was fascinated with an Indian display where several members of the tribe were dancing. She couldn’t stop talking (loudly) about how they “were sticking their bottoms out.” (But her word choice was different). Where does she learn such talk?

Cidermill

Friday, the kids were out of school, so we joined a bunch of friends at the cidermill. They had a 10 acre corn maze, wagon ride, bails of hay to jump around on, and corn bins to play in. Of course, we had to finish things off with fresh apple cider and donuts. Fall is one of my favorite times of year, with the cool air and beautiful colors. I just want to soak it in.

A Day at the Farm

We live near a working farmstead. So, when the kids came home from school on Thursday, I told them to pile in the car, because I had a surprise for them. We cruised over to Sonic to get half priced lime slushes (which was a huge treat to them) and then spent an hour at the farm. The highlights were watching a live cow milking, going on a pony ride (Charlie and Lucy), and feeding the goats. I crouched down to take some pictures and within seconds, the goats had untied my shoes and chewed several holes in one of my favorite shirts! Darn it. But, the kids loved it and could have stayed for hours. Here are a few pics...

This was the result of getting a little too close to the goats.

Lucy's taking swimming lessons

I'll tell you what. This is a far cry from when Spencer and Sawyer first took swimming lessons. Things looked much differently then. Especially me. In those days, I held one boy by the hand (if he hadn't escaped and was running wild), had one in the stroller, and the other strapped to my back. Those were the good old stressful days back in O'Fallon Illinois when I was totally exhausted from daily life with my three amigos.

And for some reason, despite my efforts in getting everyone to the pool, Spencer decided he really didn't want to be there and refused to get in the water. So, then, of course, Sawyer didn't want to get in the water either. And then there was me, kneeling down by the side of the pool with Charlie on my back, trying to be patient and encourage my children, but also feeling frustration and anger welling up inside because they weren't cooperating. I remember being very light headed at one point and was grateful I didn't just fall into the pool myself, Charlie and all.

Yes, those were the old days of swimming lessons. I'm liking the new ones much better. I love seeing Lucy's enthusiasm for this new experience. I love that she's not afraid to leave my side, but rather, says, "bye Mom," with a smile, as she confidently walks to her class. I love her fearlessness about putting her face in the water and other things her teacher asks her to do. And everytime I go to Lucy's lesson, I feel grateful for the stage of life I'm in. I love being able to sit alone and watch her, or read a magazine, or make a to do list, or whatever else I want, for twenty five uninterrupted minutes.

The Gaucho...

is the new hit around here. I picked it up at a garage sale a few weeks ago and gave it to the kids as an early Christmas present (because it was a little hard to hide?). They love to come home and ride around our culdesac after school. I've loved it because it keeps Lucy busy during the hardest part of my day (dinner time). She and Charlie ride around in this thing like nobody's business, eating their little snacks (sometimes big snacks, one time I found most of the pantry riding around with them) and feeling all sorts of freedom.

This brings back all sorts of fun childhood memories for me. We had a little ATC we called "the seventy", which we'd ride all around our huge back yard. I remember loving the feeling of being able to drive something by myself, the wind rushing through my hair, and not having a care in the world. Those were the good ole days. Live it up with the Gaucho, kids!

Fun Run

This morning we went to the boys' school for the annual Fun Run. We arrived just as the race was starting, so the boys took off and ran the whole way, while Brad and I brought up the rear with Lucy. She was a hoot to watch as she ran full throttle to the finish line- smiling from ear to ear, with raised arms yelling "Hooray, we made it." All the volunteers were wowed by her energy and enthusiasm. Little did they know, she'd been on Brad's shoulders most of the race.

Then, we quickly replaced all the calories burned with food from donors. There were all sorts of booths set up with freebies which the kids soaked up. It was a great way to start the morning.

Charlie with his teacher Mrs. Runnels

Charlie's Night Out

Charlie and I had our night out on Wednesday. He wanted to play tennis, so we went to a nearby highschool and had a great time. This kiddo has some serious tennis potential. I loved that:

• he was playing with a racquetball racquet.


• we didn't have a tennis ball, but a rubber bouncy ball.


• we found a tennis ball on the court and ran ourselves ragged trying to keep track of it. (It reminded me of "Scrat" trying to keep track of his beloved acorn in Ice Age.)


• my six year old thinks I'm a tennis expert.


• I have a few more years to play with him and still have an edge.


• we got to enjoy a lime slush at Sonic.


• we walked up and down all the aisles of the dollar store looking for the perfect purchase.


• he is always eager to share with his siblings.


• he melted my heart at the end of the night when he said, "Mom, thanks so much for playing tennis with me and taking me to the dollar store..." Those words mean so much!