Random Thoughts

A few things from this week:

Leah's career aspirations: she mentioned she thinks she may want to work at Crayola.  She thought maybe she could sort crayons and but them in boxes, or maybe she could make markers, because she knows how to make markers (she got a marker maker kit for Christmas).  She had an elaborate plan but also wondered for sure how to make the pink and gray since with her colors, she could make red, but not pink.

Anne's goodnight sentiments:  she's been mimicking me lately in a cute way and repeating what I say. So, she'll usually say, "Goodnight big angel, or "Goodnight my darling sweet pea." It's pretty cute hearing her come up with things to say.

I know there were a few more things, but I can't remember at the moment.

Words from Anne

I am regretful of so many things that I'm sure I won't remember since I'm not getting them recorded often enough.  However, I am fully enjoying the moment when things are said.  Anne has been full of good stuff lately.  She's sometimes calling me the names I call her.  Like when I put her to bed lately, she'll tell me, "Goodnight big angel." (vs. me telling her sweet or little angel).  Or, "You're such a sweet little peanut," is what she said tonight.  On a more serious note, when she was praying, it was the first time, unprompted, that she prayed for anyone who needed prayers "even if they don't like God."  That last part really struck me - that she considered the fact that others may not be in much of a relationship with God at this time, and then even more how she wanted to pray for those people.  I just really thought it was rather profound for her to say that.  Hmm, from the mouths of babes.  Jesus' words in action about the children and the Kingdom of God!

First Day - a New Version

The first day of school rolled around last week.  This year looks a bit different.  After much discernment, prayer, and research, we decided to try homeschooling.  So away we go.  I still had to capture some pictures.  Luke was still sleeping, so he missed out.  Here's the rest of the gang:

 

 

May the fun begin!

The things we choose to wear...

Even when we don't have to!!

Happy 5th Birthday, Anne!

Anne turned 5 on the 5th of this July. What a joyful little girl.  She of course loves Frozen, and loves swimming, playing dolls, and riding the EZ Roller with her neighbor friend.  I love when she opens her eyes so wide when she's excited or very interested in something, and her big blues shine through.  She plays well with kids her own age and those older & younger.  We spent the day around home and she wanted to have an Ariel party & cake, Pizza Hut, and swimming.  She got a cool new unicorn bike helmet, a new Ariel mermaid, books, clothes, and more.  It was a wonderful day to celebrate her.

Cinderella and the Prince

Today Anne was asking to listen to music.  She asked to listen to the song Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman.  I was going to start it, but for a moment I blanked on who the artist was.  I said, "Who is that?"  Anne replied, "Cinderella, Mom."  I said, "Yes, I know, but who sings it?"  Her sure reply, "a prince."  Why wouldn't the song "Cinderella" be sung by a prince?

The Luckiest Lady

Anne and I sometimes play the game with saying "I love you."  She'll say she loves me, I tell her I love her.  Then one of us will say, "I love you more."  And it goes on, more, more, more, etc.  then sometimes she says, "I love you a million million million million (...lots of times she says it)."  Then I'll say, "Wow, that's really a lot!" And her reply, "You must be a lucky lady!"  If she only knew how true!

Shhh! It's a surprise!

Anne, Catherine, Luke, and I went to Costco today.  It is one of the few stores I still go to.  If it's not at Costco, I don't usually pick it up anywhere.  But, today I did buy a shirt, pants, and jacket type thing to wear when walking/jogging in the cold.  I said to Anne, "Anne, maybe you guys could wrap up these clothes for me and give them to me for a Christmas present."  I wanted them, just don't really NEED them, so I figured they could give them to me.  Her response was priceless since I'd just picked them out and put them in the cart and in all seriousness she said, "OK, Mom, but I'm NOT going to tell you because presents are supposed to be a SURPRISE!"

Who is that?

New dress, brushed hair, who could that be???

Who are these growing up kids?

Looking good to me.  Can't believe how much older they look in these pictures!

One of My Favorite Things

Anne is so joyful all the time and she is just so much fun to be around.  She has a simplicity to her that I love watching at her age.  She knows what she likes and she knows what routine she's used to.  She will typically ask what is planned for the following day and whether I have work, Atrium, or whether her dad & brothers will be home or at work & school.  I have to say, though, that one of my favorite parts lately is seeing the joy in her of having her siblings all home.

If she realizes it's the weekend and her brothers & dad will be home, she is SO excited.  She really loves to have those boys around her.  And they, too, are very happy with her.  Each of them plays with her in their own way and it is so fun to watch.  Lately, she has even wanted to have her bedtime books read to her by Leyton instead of me. She wants Leyton to lay by her.  Jacob is so good at imaginary play with her no matter what the topic of the moment is.  Nathaniel will talk so gently to her and get her anything she needs.  She just seems so happy with all of them.  It's as if that's what makes her day complete.  Don't get me wrong, she really enjoys playing with Leah & Catherine, too.  She & Leah are upstairs right now playing dentist.  I can hear them taking turns calling the next "patient" and they also needed napkins to unfold and put on their shirts like they do at the dentist.

Watching these siblings is so much fun.  If getting to enjoy watching my children with each other is the reward for sweeping the kitchen floor twenty times a day and mopping up milk spills over and over, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Advice from a 3 year old girl

This morning I was loading the dishwasher after we took the boys to school.  The girls were sitting at the table.  Leah told me she was going to paint Anne's nails.  They sat and discussed their color options.  The next thing I heard Anne say was, "You can NEVER go wrong with PINK!"  With her tone and inflection, it was the cutest thing.

Things We Say

we have sure been in the basketball spirit lately. It has made the girls act more like cheerleaders. Leah has been saying that she wants to be a cheerleader in college and asks if that's ok. I've said, "We'll, I don't know. Let's just wait and see. (Aka highly doubtful, but I won't crush your thoughts today)" then the next part has a preface...the boys have asked what I would give them if they make it in the NBA. They have asked if I would give them $100. Well, I figure that's a pretty good deal. I've even said I'd give the, $500. They obviously haven't thought about that the last thing they'd need if they ever get to the NBA is $500 from dear old mom. But, it makes for a fun conversation. So then back to Leah. She asks abut being an NBA cheerleader. "Mom. If I be an NBA cheerleader, will you give me $100?" I reply, "Sure." I then have another child running off blissfully at the idea of a little cash that will never materialize under the current agreements.

After all of this talk, Anne calls out, "Mom, when I grow up, can I be a Princess?" ... And this is with a little grin and big eyes and much expression.

The other interesting comment comes from Catherine and Jacob. She's really been chatting up a storm. I'm sure she has her mind running and we are all left to wonder what the babbling means. It seems very intentional. I recently heard her say what I thought was, "hi." Jacob, however, disagreed. Thanks to his reading and English teachers (I should tell them, too), Jacob said, "No, Mom. She said 'oi', you know, the vowel diphthong." Oh, pardon me, how could I have misunderstood. What a funny guy (although her was quite serious).

The girls on their recent "wedding day"

Little girls.  So much fun to catch their little moments.  We had some flowers recently and they decided to dress with heels on and carry flowers around and say that it was their wedding day.  Precious girls.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Anne!

Why not celebrate her at her half birthday this month, too?  Well, we also celebrated her on her actual birthday, of course.  Little Anne turned 3 in July, and I am sure the word I think of most when I think of Anne is JOY.  She is just the perfect example of a joyful little girl.  You can often watch her prance around the house dancing to her own tune or requesting I turn on music for her to dance.  She loves to wear dresses every day, whether they are in season or not.  She is very playful and loves to do puzzles, dance, play Legos, Play-doh, and many types of imaginary play.  She enjoys Dora and Minnie Mouse quite a bit.  She and Leah are becoming closer friends and it is very fun to watch them interact.  It is clear that Anne really looks up to her big sister.  Her brothers are always looking out for her, too.  I cherish the time I get to have with Anne every day.  She will mostly consider herself a "big girl" except when the idea of school comes up.  Then she says, "I'll stay with you, Mom, 'cause I'm just a little girl, right Mommy?"  Sure love her!

Happy Birthday to...

...well, all my children.  It seems I missed posts for all of their birthdays except I caught Catherine's first.  SO, time to catch up.  We'll get Anne, then Leah, Jacob, Leyton, & Nathaniel.  We are into our odd year of ages.  Anne turned 3 in July, Leah 5 in October, Jacob 7 in December, and Leyton & Nathaniel 9 this month!  Wow. 

Twas the night before Christmas...

What a lovely evening.  Mass at 6:30 (which wasn't over packed, so it was wonderful), then home for snacks and bedtime.  Anne went in to brush her teeth and I had to enjoy: "Goodnight Santa who's watching me."

Our joyful little three year old.  Merry Christmas!

Anne's Saint Talk

So this is an older story, but still one to capture.  It was in may actually, that the girls and I went to Mass and then were back at church for May Devotion.  Anne often enjoys looking at my prayer cards.  She was looking through them and we were naming the pictures.  She said, "and this is Saint Annie..." And then she said, "Where is St. Mommy?"....if only, but I know I'm far from that accolade!  So sweet of her to say, though!

Ballerina

We received a bag of clothes from a friend today and it had plenty of little girl items. Anne found this and needed to spend the rest of the day as our little ballerina.

"Pop, Pop...

...dinosaur, Pop pop bear, pop pop grass," sings Anne as she holds her little BOP BOP Dinosaur. Oh the oldie, "Bop Bop Dinosaur" by Jim Cosgrove resurfaced this week when Anne found our little stuffed Bop Bop. Her version of the song was quite cute, though. When she misplaced the critter in the night, she came to us, "I can't find my pop pop." I should let Jim hear about that. He is on a new path, though. He started a regular full-time job at Hallmark this week. I'm sure it's quite a change of pace for him! Sure is fun hearing her sing it.