I cannot believe that it has been a full 2 months since I have touched this blog! Phew! We have done so much and there is even more to report. What a summer and it has yet to end! Alexander starts kindergarten this year. Oh me, oh my! And after months of thought and deliberation, we have decided that I will be homeschooling him this year. It wasn't our first choice (it was our third), but it's the one that works for our lives, currently. I am so excited. I have the curriculum books on hand and my mix includes... Continue reading

Man, after a week of being at home, I am ready to get outside and have some fun! Alexander's fever finally broke today! Phew!!!!! We needed to get outside and stretch our legs... all of us! So, we started the day with a walk. Benj went off to work and I managed to get the out-of-sync crew together for a walk/stroller ride/bike ride. Alexander peddled down one alley and then decided that he had enough! I'm impressed that his body could even muster the energy to do that considering it had been aching all week! Before the walk, Alexander counted... Continue reading

Don't forget friends, I do everything in spurts (including blogging). I feel as though I haven't done a thing creative or productive in the past week (beyond laundry, dishes, toilets, etc...). Then I must remind myself that we are home bound due to a nasty fever that won't leave Alexander! He is on day 5. This virus is one that we recognize. It made it's way through our friends and we were due for a visit. And so it's here... and so I feel as though a life of PJ's and netflix will never end. We started off the summer... Continue reading

Ok... we are online again! Yes, these few weeks have been FULL of adventures. Big and little decisions have been made! Projects and crafts have been completed! Plans have been made! Today, we spent some time at The Brownsville Children's Museum. Such a great place. Here is my super crawler/climber! And my other two who are ready to pack up and get out of this joint! Continue reading

Papa is off on a new adventure! He wishes it was on a motorcycle! This was pictured on the way to the airport... his real adventure is training for a new job. Unfortunately, he'll be gone for an undesirable amount of time. That makes us a sad household. He's a necessary piece to our pack! Here we are dropping him off on at the airport on a RGV rainy day. Unfortunately, the picture was taken hastily and resulted in a fuzzy picture. Oh well, it will have to do! Our #5 was snoozing in the van... we decided to let... Continue reading

We spent the morning exploring. I must admit though... I am trudging through it. My heart keeps me moving forward.. offering activities and positive experiences to the kids... BUT my body and brain are TIRED! I'm due for a little break where I can re-energize. All I need is a few hours all to myself! Ahhhh... that sounds glorious right about now. I heard an amazing segment from NPR about childhood imagination and the influence that TV and toys have had on a child's creativity, imagination, and executive functioning. What a great segment... you should read it: NPR Well, then... Continue reading

These kids are watching our every move. It's fun to see them imitate... This is his saw. Have I mentioned that he's only 4? Yes, he received a lengthy lesson on how to use a saw. He also has a list of rules that pertain to it's use . He respects this tool. He also respects us and uses it properly (thankfully!). If you ask him what he wants to do when he grows up, he will tell you that he wants to be a Lumberjack! We aren't sure where he came up with this idea, but you better believe... Continue reading

I'm definitely a sucker for making things by hand. I often take the arduous route in a task. This has it's up and down sides. I like the feeling of an object when it is original, made with love, and simply beautiful. I shy away from things made from unnatural fibers. I just happen to like the feeling and smells of cottons, linens, woods, and wools. Now this isn't to say that the other side doesn't exist in my house. But, I try to keep a healthy balance. Now that I've stated my case, here are a couple of beauties... Continue reading

Ahhhh.... It just looks so gorgeous! I received this little jewel from my sister-in-law and her mother. They are both trained bargain hunters. I believe that her mom found this piece of pottery at a garage sale. Well, I love it no matter where it came from. For one, I think it is just beautiful. But, the real reason is that my own mother (who passed away almost 9 years ago) used to collect this same pattern ( I think it's Frankoma). I grew up looking at this pottery. It is imprinted in my memory forever. I crawled, toddled, danced,... Continue reading

He's up on his knees! That little Andy is going to be my most active child. From the first kick in the womb, he's been my mover! Here he is getting ready to move around the world: And I tried to get a picture by natural light, but notice how much he was moving! Oh no! Crash landing! Time to baby proof for the third time! Continue reading

I definitely create in spurts. Sometimes, I just get tired out so I take a break from things. BUT, today is not that day. I've been steam cleaning the carpets and rearranging things. In doing so, I've been inspired to add to the house (and so has Alexander). A newly painted growth chart (instead of pencil scribbles). And... the best thing of the day... Alexander learned how to use the sewing machine. He sewed himself a Thomas pillow case! Continue reading

The smile lasts from start... to finish! And from the peanut gallery (or should I say cheering section)... They were busy creating smiles of their own. Continue reading

This is why I love having the TV OFF! Alexander created a birds' nest today. This was a project that he came up with by his own free will! Those colorful balls are eggs. I would love to live in such a vibrant nest! My children watch very little TV (and when I say TV, I mean vidoes or netflix... we stream things onto the computer. We don't have an official television as the main focus in our house). At the moment, they may watch a video once a week. Yes, it is sometimes a struggle to find something for... Continue reading

Continue reading

I was curious to see how chamomile would grow in Texas... So far, our chamomile is quite happy with the weather. And Alexander is very happy to make chamomile tea. It has become a common drink in our house! I recommend this plant to all families with small children. It is so fragrant and children love to pick the flowers. ! Continue reading

This is how she likes to be... now, at 2 1/2... This is our morning 'cuddle'... or should I say, all day cuddle. I know that it won't last forever, that someday I won't be able to hold her so close. She'll be too big to lay in my lap. I'm already seeing the change in Alexander now that he is 4. Our cuddles are few and he is too big to lay in my arms. I'm sad to see my first baby go, but oh so happy that he is on the right developmental path! So... for now, I... Continue reading

It's Friday and we are officially resting. We had a very positive week. Our #1 best news this week was that my sister is in GOOD health. She had us on edge these last two months waiting for some serious news. During her waiting period she picked up knitting and sent the kids this: A gorgeous bag to put anything in! Sissy saw the picture of the little girl and claimed the bag. Alexander likes to remind her that the bag is for the both of them! Good luck, Alexander! Continue reading

There he is! Right in the middle! This is the very beginning of yesterday's lesson. This picture was provided to me from another mom. I forgot my camera and I had to have a picture... so I waltzed right up to the mom with the best camera and said, "PLEASE!" I am so proud of him! He has no hesitation. He is doing exactly what the instructor asks! He is ready for this! I am so glad that we waited until now. Now and again, doubt pops up about our parenting style. I see everyone around me scurrying to this... Continue reading