Hot Tip of the Day

A turkey baster is a really good tool for cleansing dog poo out of a baby's mouth.

Eavesdropping

I was hanging out my bedroom window the other day listening in on a conversation between JT and his sisters. They didn't know I was listening and the whole thing provided me with some small level of amusement as I witnessed JT trying to make sense of these critters he calls sisters. The conversation went something like this:

Ruth, Betsy and Miriam sitting in the grass when JT comes by.

JT: Whatcha doin'?

Betsy: Making grass wreaths.

JT: What are they for?

Betsy: We're going to give them to the poor people.

JT (after a long, thoughtful pause): How many poor people do you know?

Ruth: Twelve.

Miriam: Eight.

JT: Oh. (He looked perplexed, opened his mouth to say something, then stopped and walked over to Philip who was watering his garden) Hey Philip, they're making grass wreaths for the poor people.

I didn't hear Philip's response but then I saw JT sort of shrug his shoulders and wander off in a different direction. The whole thing was particularly joyous for me to witness since JT didn't make a single derogatory comment. He was really just trying to figure it all out. Now I *know* he's making progress.

Philip's Garden

What started out as a homeschool project is turning into a what looks like a nice surplus of vegetables for our summer eating. Philip took on the management of this garden plot and has really impressed me with his diligence and passion for the project. He and the girls spent many hours digging up the plot out of a grassy spot in the yard. They turned the whole plot over no less than 4 or 5 times. Then Philip planted some seeds that a farmer friend of his passed on to him - he has watermelon at one end and pumpkins at the other. The rest we planted as seedlings - zucchini (you can see the beautiful yellow flowers), one tomato plant towering over the rest in the back left of the garden, some more watermelons of a different variety, yellow squash, green peppers and a few more I know I'm forgetting. We were limited to whatever seedlings the farm we visited had as I was only making one farm trip with 12 people so, while it would have been nice to plant some peas or beans, it just didn't happen this year. He's been out there watering daily. Miriam planted some broccoli in the front yard (so some people have flowers bordering their front walk, we have broccoli...d'you have a problem with that?!) and JM and the other girls planted sweet potatoes. I'll let you know how things grow...

Under the Big Top

I got to go to my first ever circus! Muff called Adora while Ben and I were in Kansas City and asked her to check with me about treating the whole crew to a one ring circus. Checking with me went right by Adora and she immediately assured Muff that of course we would all go! What great fun! All the cousins were there - except Maegan who was working at the Cow. We got there nice and early as we were all so excited to be there. We were first in line for the camel rides - I pulled the old, "I never got to go to Disney World so can I ride on a camel, Dad" blink the eyelashes and smile trick. I was the first one on the camel...


It was poorly attended and hot as you-know-where since it was the first show of the run and the afternoon of the first day off school. So we had front row seats and spent our time pouring water on each other to cool off. My personal favorite moment was the clown who came out in his underwear as his pants chased him...um...he chased his pants...around the ring. What a hoot! There were Chinese acrobats and a contortionist and a dog and pony show and elephants and camels and a clown and a trapeze act, fun, fun, fun!! Which reminds me, for those who don't know it Ringling Brothers Circus (which this wasn't) figures every kid should get to go to the circus at least once in their lives so they give a free ticket to every kid under a year old. Just go to their website and sign up your newborn and they'll send a ticket to you in the mail good for anytime in the life of your child and, yes, they do have a provision for adopted children too! Anywho, here's the two pics I got off my cellphone. I'm sorry I didn't have my camera but it got to pouring down rain anyway so maybe we're better off that way...
Miriam, Ruth and Addison on the camel:



J ohn Michael (second from front) and David (behind JM) on the elephant in the big ring:

Sharing

Nate's New Trick

Besides figuring out this trick, he's also gotten seven teeth, more CURLS on top and can crawl like a pro...

DOD

I've been working on getting John Michael and David to pay attention in church since they want to receive Eucharist in the worst kind of way. Every Sunday, they go up to the altar, carefully fold one hand over the other and look up at the priest expectantly. JM almost got Fr. Rob once...Anyway, today I reiterated to David the importance of saying the prayers along with the congregation and he took on the task with great attention. He managed to get through about every other word as the congregation spoke, "Lord I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed." Then he turned to me triumphantly and repeated, "Mom, only the say the word - I can do that....See? WORD!"

Special Olympics!

DOD

Last night I was nursing the baby and listening to my husband bathe John Michael and David. It was late, they were very dirty and we wanted to get them in bed so we could have some time together. I heard Fr. Joel pull David, who obviously was not cooperating, out of the tub and attempt to get him dry. Fr. Joel finally said with quite a bit of exasperation in his voice, "David, lift up your hands!" Blissfully unaware of his father's sense of urgency, David gleefully proclaimed, "We lift them up to the Lord!"

Buy the CD!

I posted the link to Alden's website so now you too can order the CD and put My Mommy's a Pirate on endless loop in your brain! Check out my new My Favorite Links section!

DOD

I was laying in bed nursing the baby this morning when David showed up at my bedside. He loudly asked me, "Mom, can I have breakfast?" "Well, David," I replied, "didn't Daddy already give you breakfast?" At this his whole demeanor changed. He looked down at the floor and shyly shifted his toe across the floor then he said slowly, "Yes...Daddy got me breakfast...but still..." Then he sighed and looked deeply into my eyes with a look that said, "My poor deluded father actually thought what he gave me for breakfast would suffice."

Happy Mother's Day!

For all intents and purposes my Mother's Day began on Saturday. Since we now have *two* moms in our house, I wanted to be sure Nehemiah had a little something for his mom too. Of course, I waited until the last minute to get it together which really complicated things. Fr. Joel was occupied with the days' activities at church (congratulations, by the way to Father Jeff!) so I was left with all the running around. I farmed out Ben to a neighbor who took him to his buddy's baseball game before taking him to his Sibshop in the morning and Alpine Climbing class in the afternoon. That same friend also picked up Philip from basketball after Fr. Joel dumped him there on his way to church. Meanwhile, I dropped Adora off at school for her final final and drove everyone else to the t-ball game. We got everyone out of the van, across the highway and to the baseball field for practice and then used the half hour before the game to do some errands. This involved dragging 5 kids (including the two babies, the 2 year old and the 3 year old - Thank you Jesus for JT!!) into two different stores, in and out of the van, back to the parking lot, back across the highway and back the 1/4 mile hike to the baseball field. I got everyone settled down and Nathan began to scream. He screamed for 3 days straight as his two canines worked themselves into place so I was prepared. He'd been drugged and numbed but still was feeling owey and howly.

Somehow with a screaming Nathan on one hip I managed to knead the blue clay for Nehemiah's handprint project, work it into its picture frame and get Nehemiah's hand firmly embedded in it. Just as I was trying to wipe the blue clay from my hand with a half-dry wipee, still balancing a screaming Nathan on my hip and trying to coral Nehemiah who was also covered in blue clay, one of the moms sheepishly turned to me and said, "I'm sorry but is this one yours?" and pointed to John Michael. I gave her a wary look and hesitantly responded with a "...yes..." to which she replied, "I'm very sorry to say this but he's pooped on the bleachers." Sure enough my little Ornery Pants had pooped in his underpants, pulled it out with his hands and wiped it on the bleachers. I realized my little half-dry wipee was going to get a bigger workout than I had imagined...

I didn't see much of the game but I did see the that the girls were enjoying themselves even if Ruth had suddenly decided to do everything with her left hand and Miriam was confounded by the idea of a foul ball (she hit the ball, she ran, now why was everyone screaming at her to go back *home*?!). They finished up and we carted everyone the 1/4 mile back to the road, across the highway, into the van and home...ahhh...another Saturday morning accomplished (oops, forgot to pick up Adora so had to turn back and go back to the college...) and Nehemiah was sufficiently prepared to present his mother with a special surprise for Mother's Day.

The actual day was wonderful - the most wonderful day I can remember really. I awoke to my dear sweet husband telling me to go back to sleep and take my time...he would get the kids roused and ready for church. This is no small task for two people and I was perfectly content to let him fly solo on my special day. After a leisurely snooze, I nursed Nathan and carried him downstairs for the day's first interface with the objects of my motherhood. My ears were greeted with a strong chorus of Happy Mother's Days coming from around the breakfast table. Philip ran over to Nathan, baby talked "Happy Mother's Day, Nathan!" and then looked deeply into my eyes and said, "Mom, can I have a banana?"

I noticed Betsy had assumed my usual Sunday morning role of Neatness Officer. She had the spray bottle, a hairbrush and wipe rag and was busily going about the task of brushing hair and wiping breakfast off of faces. She did a much better job than I thought...she might even earn herself a new title!

After church I had the privilege of serving as altar guild...which meant blessed silence alone in the sanctuary - a job I cherish deeply since it affords me some of the few quiet moments I get in a month. We also had plenty of food leftover from Saturday's ordination reception and so Fr. Joel took on the task of Food Police to the screaming masses while I enjoyed my contemplative tasks on the altar.

We went home and I was treated to the ultimate expression of my own personal love language - my family DID something for me - they cleaned house. now you can buy me flowers or even chocolate, you can hug me, sing to me or cheer me on but if you really want to tell me you love me, clean something! And clean they did....while I rested...and read...and fiddled around and then Adora and I escaped to plan out our own evening's entertainment. We came home with three new card games and 7 new movies and the rest of the evening was spent playing There's a Moose in the House and watching American Hero after we were treated to a show by Ben and Philip and a brief exchange of gifts. The show featured Ben and Philip singing My Mommy's A Pirate while acting it out in costume with props. I enjoyed it so much I demanded two encores. Ben's shows have finally arrived at the point of as much enjoyment for the audience as for the actors. The gift exchange included a new George Foreman grill for me and Nehemiah's presentation of handprints to Adora. It was perfect...really!

I have the best family in the world. I know, I'm a bit biased, but I really think it's so. My children may be a bit loud and dysfunctional at times but they're mine and I love them like crazy. I love their crazy Dad and I love Adora and our beautiful godson. Our household may be messy and loud and crazy but it's what God planned out just for us and this is what motherhood is all about.

New Car!

Adora purchased her first ever vehicle - a 1997 Mercury Villager. Now she has her first Mom Mobile - if only she had her license she could drive it! (ok, we're working on it...)

Independence Day

Betsy finally managed to get those training wheels off her bike! She did extremely well, rolling off alone after just a very few attempts with me clinging to the backside of her seat. Here she is enjoying her new-found freedom.

She calls this a deep turn...

John Michael and David are *not* ready for no training wheels!

Adora's First Riding Adventure

Adora has joined the ranks of horse back riders in our household. Here she is atop of Blondie enjoying her first real riding experience. She's pretty good at grooming too! Meanwhile, Strider was babysitting the wee ones. I put a blanket on the ground for Nathan and Nehemiah and Strider decided it looked like a great place to take a nap. He didn't leave much room for his charges and he wasn't very good at keeping track of them either....

And as soon as the twins learn how to use those crops, they'll be on the back of a horse too...

Jr. LAX Dude

Davey wants to get in on the sports action in the worst kind of way. He decided to try out the lacrosse gear while he waits for his gymnastics class to begin in a few weeks...

Aviary Adventure

JR T-Ball

John Michael finally got in the sports fray with his first official sports practice - t-ball. He's now in a YMCA t-ball clinic for 3 and 4 year olds and, let me tell you, I had forgotten what fun this age can be at these things! The sport was all new to them and I'm not sure who was more fun to watch - the tots or their 20-something moms.

They started off the practice with a little glove work. JM got very frustrated very quickly when he realized he couldn't throw the ball with his left hand because he had a glove on it. I have since rectified that and bought him his very own lefty glove. The right-hander glove lasted all of about 3 and a half minutes before he threw it on the ground in frustration. Having a left-handed athlete is all new to me!
After about a million and a half whacks at that tee he finally sent the ball sailing about 8 inches across the grass and got to run. He was one of the few who actually knew to run to first base. Most of the other wee ones were told to run and run they did - on and on and on and on......

T-ball can get tiring and sometimes it's more fun to just sit and play with the cones. I missed a great shot when they were both wearing them on their heads...

T-Ball!

The girls have started t-ball. They are all on the same 5/6 league team. I figured Miriam would be happiest playing with her sisters and she is really enjoying it. They are the only 3 girls on the team, towering over their male 5 and 6 year teammates. I think they have decided the best thing about t-ball is wearing UNIFORMS! They love those matching orange socks and clunky shoes...

Betsy at bat. Her first swing at the ball only clipped the top third of the tee - pretty good, huh?!

Ruth's idea of playing 2nd base. She learned this technique from her teammates and then actually improved upon their methods. You might note that she is in an upright standing position and there is no dirt pouring out of her glove!

Miriam in the outfield is another step in the right direction. She is actually watching...well, something.

I'd say I'll keep you posted about their standings this season but they don't exactly keep score in this league. They get as many swings as they need, no walks or outs and when they hit 5 runs it's time to move on in the inning. You gotta start somewhere and I forgot how much fun this league is to watch!

In praise of A Little Cow Music

My brother-in-law has done it again. Alden has come out with his second self-produced album of children's songs and this one is fantastic! He struck a deal with the local dairy stand which sports a large fiberglass cow in the front. He would write a song just for the dairy stand and they would play it on endless loop and sell his CD's at the counter. It's a wonderful marriage of music, ice cream and plain silliness. His tunes are so singable I've been singing them in my sleep...ad nauseum...I actually have video of David sitting on his potty singing:

My Mommy's a pirate

oh what can I say!

She's out on the high seas

almost every day

She may be a scoundrel

and a flea biting scum

but I still love her

because she's my Mum!

The actual words are "sea-going bum" but we all know by now that David has his own take on life. My favorite moment with the album though was the day I was driving down the road talking to Alden on my cell phone at the very moment his voice was belting out:

Blah Blah talking

at the wheel or when she's walking

We need towing

oh please watch where you're going

.....my mom was talking on her cellular phone

The almost Twain-esque social commentary found in songs like Video Games All Day and Daddy's Got a Tattoo is completely lost on Philip who does a very funny muppet-like dance as he hears video sounds ringing in his head and dreams of the day when he can actually play video games all day. As far as he's concerned, Uncle Alden is his biggest ally in the video game war he's waging with his mum (in which she really does seem to him to act remarkably like a vicious pirate).

All 3 of the big boys suddenly take on that competitive edge around their eyeballs when the title song comes along. Each one is mysteriously compelled to become the first one able to recite every word of the long list of ice cream flavors and add-ins with the same remarkable speed with which Alden plays and sings. Listening to that song always creates a frenzy of competition with lips flying and ears glued to the speakers. We can never play that one just once - we have to repeat it again and again in hopes of increasing the number of words per second escaping from their lips at each go 'round.

Oh, I could go on and on about this album. We love everything about it. But for now I'll stop here and post his website as soon as he gets it up. That way you too can do what we do - buy 10 copies at a time and hand them out to every poor kid who invites one of our brood to their birthday party....