Ummm, summer

We are loving summer!! I love having the kids home with me. I love the relaxed schedule. The kids love catching fireflies in the late evening, watching the primrose open, sleeping in, and having some good, relaxing family fun. The children seem to really enjoy being together and playing with each other. It is fun to watch them interact together. Of course, we had about two days of adjusting after school was over. Adjusting to being together so much, and not being stimulated constantly. But they have done really well. We have spent a lot of time outside. While the children play in the sandbox, water or just using their imagination, I have time to work in the garden.

In May, Ashley lost her first tooth! She was so proud and happy! I also was very happy for her. The teacher made a big deal over losing teeth, and Ashley was worried she wouldn't get her name on the bullentin board. Whew, we barely made it!

The kids have also done very good at helping out around the house and doing some chores. It's hard for me to get them to do their chores, that is one area I need to improve on. But, they are very capable to helping out.

And little Violet, she is growing so fast! She nods her head yes and no, loves her mommy VERY much, runs and climbs all over the place. Still not a lot of words, but there is a lot going on around here and she will learn.

Just a little update, I need to do better at blogging. But my little children have been keeping me busy, and I love it!!! Baseball is now over, swimming lessons are over, we have visited the library several times, we are reading, we are playing, and we are eating good, and summer needs to last FOREVER!

Reflecting on a Monday, Is it Monday?

No pictures today, I am sorry. I know it has been awhile, and I am not sure I have even taken any pictures recently. (isn't that awful!!!!) Since it has been so long, I thought I better give an update on everyone.

Jacob, baseball is keeping us very busy! Between practice and games it takes three evenings a week. This means keeping him focused on coming home from school, snack, homework, completing chores, eating supper and then going wherever. A big change from our normal routine!! Jacob earned his first game ball this evening. He is pretty proud and is well deserving of this accomplishment. I missed the game tonight, since I have sick girls at home. He loves baseball! He seems to really like sports at this stage in his life.

Ashley, ballet is wrapping up for her. Her performance is the next weekend. So, next week means rehearsal every evening! She is on stage for just a short time, so rehearsal time for her is short as well (thank goodness). Kindergarten is flying by. She is reading really well and does really well in school. I am just so proud of her! We are going on a field trip tomorrow and I am looking forward to spending some time with her. Tomorrow evening the younger classes from her school are putting on their spring performance.

Rachel, she is conversing so well for her age. We have some pretty deep conversations and I sometimes feel like I am talking with someone much older than her 3 little years. She is such a young lady, so considerate of others and such a wonderful help in the kitchen! She loves baking cookies ( we did today) and will "help" wash dishes, anything to work beside me. She is full of personality which is emerging more and more everyday.

Violet, oh my sweet "little one". She is fairly quiet, has yet to find her voice. Her new talents are, waving bye, bye, making the shhhh sign, dada, mama (constantly), sound like HI, and my favorite is the kiss. Friday, I got my first kiss from Violet. She leaned her head to my cheek, with open mouth and made the sound mmmmawww. The sound I make when I give her kisses. Oh so precious!!! her teeth are just ripping her gums! She has 4 new teeth breaking thru! I do believe it is making her miserable. She is no longer sleeping thru the night, and prefers to be held all night while yanking my hair out of my head! I am trying very hard to be patient. This will not last forever! (right????)

In regards to our health, we have dealt with ear infections, strep throat, stomach bugs, viruses causes fevers, flu, ear infections again, strep throat again, more viruses, etc..... it seems never ending. Violet is clear of her ear infections now. Rachel now is the second to start running a fever again. Ashley is coughing and complaining of a sore throat. (I am hoping/praying no strep throat) Rachel was checked today and was negative for her strep throat(thank God!) I guess with four children this is to be expected, but really? Must it last this long? I have tried bleaching and have changed toothbrushes so frequently, but lets get real! Anyway, I don't want to dwell on this too long. I just don't have time during the day to get to my computer. My kids when not feeling well, seem to need a lot of hands on attention. Which they are certainly getting! :)

Next time, more pictures............

Bikes, Smiles, and Baseball

Jacob has a new bike!! Well, new to us anyway. We found this wonderful used yellow bike, that Jacob just loves! His old bike was getting smaller and smaller every year. We have been looking for a used bike for him for a little while, and this Hummer of a bike is just perfect for Jacob and he loves it. It has a very sturdy frame and even has shocks in the front of the bike. (Jacob told me this would be great for bike jumping at a church campground where we go camping!*cringe*)

Jacob is playing baseball this year! He is so excited and is learning so much. Jacob has asked for the last two years to play and this year, I said yes. So, here Jacob is, happy and playing baseball. I take everyone to practice. The girls get time to play together on the playground at the school, and I follow Violet around as she walks everywhere. As long as the weather is nice, it is a wonderful time to spend outdoors. With the cooler weather, it's a little harder, but still fun.

Sand, dear, dear sand.....

Dear Sand, I chose to welcome you into my house this summer. I really do not want you IN my house, but since it doesn't look like I have too much choice, welcome.

The kids love to play in the sandbox! I put a bucket of water next to the sandbox, so they go back and forth from the water to the sand. Sand gets everywhere and in everything. I have little girls with sand caked in their hair. Hair gets in their face, they brush the hair away with wet hands and then again with sand covered hands. They have been having so much fun, it's hard to stop them, and I don't. The sandbox is like a magnet! Violet goes towards the sandbox as soon as she is outside. Speaking of Violet, that little girl can climb a six foot stepladder up into the playhouse and then immediately heads to the slide to go down head first! After one major heart attack, I now pay super close attention to her. This is hard since three other children are vying for my attention, but I talk to them with eyes on Violet. I am afraid to leave one child to watch Violet because if anything happened I don't want the child in charge to deal with that responsibility. Sometimes I have to pull Violet away to help someone else, which causes her to throw a huge fit! I thought the other day, I'll take her clothes off to save sand caked clothing and that will help laundry. Found out that Violet can take her diaper off very easily and will fuss when it is put back on. Hmmm, that idea didn't work. So, back to an increasing laundry pile.

So sand, I will deal with you this summer. I may not always be happy about it, but I will get you in my house and you will be swept away!