Daybook: Updating

I'm not going to apologize for the silence. I've learned in the past that silence can be golden. Especially internet silence.  Especially when you can revisit your original reasons for blogging and re-prioritize a bit. But most especially for a reason like this one:

Little Dude has been keeping me busy, of course.  But more on him throughout the course of this Daybook.....


Outside my window~
Sun.  Blue skies and sun.  We went to the park today, and I got 2 hours of in-your-face sun time.  It felt glorious, and even Little Dude's cheeks are a tad bit pink.

I am listening to~
My girls play nintendo and my boys play poker with a friend.  The hours of outside fun this morning has made them content to sit and relax this afternoon.  It's Spring Break. We all feel content.

I am wearing~
My comfy (and very well-loved) jeans, t-shirt and crocs.  Hair in a messy bun.  I've promised myself that I will actually style my hair tomorrow.  I think.  :P

I am so grateful for~
Friends who organize park outings.  I never would have gone, never would have organized it... just would have feebly attempted laundry or writing while refereeing fights and putting off endless requests for playdates.  It was a lovely, refreshing change.

I'm pondering~
Schedules.  More on that in a bit.

I'm reading~
The Roots of Obama's Rage by Dinesh D'Souza.  My pick for bookclub next week.Very interesting.

I am thinking~
That Little Dude needs to get in some semblance of a groove any day now.  He is the king of the castle, and I never can plan anything!  Lol.


I am creating~
A new Nut House normal.  Our sports schedule this season requires that we be away from home at dinnertime 4 out of the 5 weeknights. So, we'll be eating dinner at 4:30 on those nights.  DH and I have it coordinated so we know who needs to be where, and when.  On the nights he works late, I'll be flying solo, but it's doable.  Texting one evening with a long-distance kindred spirit while waiting at Sports Fan's practice, I decided.... no complaining.  We chose this. 3 kids on 4 teams. 2 girls in dance. It's crazy, but we homeschool after all.  We are together all day, every day.  We can eat earlier.  We can regroup after practice and showers and pray the rosary.  If there is any time in our lives this can work, it's now.

On my iPod~
Nothing new, except maybe more old radio shows for Action Man.  Tales of the Texas Rangers, anyone?

Towards a real education~
Oh dear. 'Tis that discerning time of year again.  We've always said that we take homeschooling one year at s time.  We mean that literally.  Oy, this time of year is always hard.  :)

Towards rhythm and beauty~
Trying out the new schedule this week.  Still recuperating from my solo weekend... still grateful for energetic sisters who swoop in and whisk children off to games in the freezing windy conditions.  Still trying to re-vamp chore charts....  Still a work in progress.

To live the liturgy~
Lent snuck up on me this year, I admit.  I found our good deeds jar, got some dried beans, chatted with the kids about our sacrifices and hauled them off to mass on Wednesday.  But more needs to be done.  The boys had a friend over yesterday who told them that he was giving up TV for Lent.  The boys' jaw hit the floor as Action Man said, "Dude, that's hard!"  And the friend looked at them and said, "Yeah.  Isn't that the point?"

I am hoping and praying~
For our schooling decisions, and for many many other intentions that have come to my attention this week.  So much heartbreak and sadness out there.  Keeps my worries in perspective.

In the garden~
Tomato plants go in this weekend.  My red pansies out front look glorious... and looks like spring is here for good!

Around the house~
Chaos.  We emptied out the girls' rooms thinking that we would be hosting our friends from Wisconsin for the week.  They got the flu, however, and turned around before they even got to us.  Very sad. And the toys are everywhere.  This weekend will necessitate a huge clean up.

From the kitchen~
Lenten meals, coupled with soccer practice means quesadillas on the go.  :P  The kids have homeschool gym class at a park this afternoon, minutes away from Sports Fan's practice. So tempting to pack a picnic and stay... we'll see.

One of my favorite things~
Little Dude's ears.

:P

What Our Holy Week Looks Like

We've been honored to play surrogate family to this amazing young athlete this week.
















Soccer runs in our blood, and my kids are used to the long games, the hours of sunlit afternoons perched on bleachers. They come prepared.





















We are always watching family. My boys, my sister, my girls...

This time we are the stand-in family. To help a Mama who has become a dear friend. To ease her worry and provide close support... and cookies.

:P





















We cheered on this corner kick goal. And on the penalty kick goal. And the very first goal. With a hat-trick, Paddy was the man of the day!






This is, by far, my favorite shot...

















Sports and family. Like rhythmic heartbeats, they go hand in hand.

Even 2000 miles away.


:)


*for more, better quality photos, and a lovely narrative, visit Charlotte.

Just When I Thought...

... we really were growing corn in our backyard:


















I was greeted by the sight of this beauty first thing in the morning:
















My landscaping neighbor told me what these were, but since I apparently can't even tell the difference between a pansy and a petunia,* the name of these beauties completely escapes my mind...
















But they sure are pretty!



*As revealed so eloquently when my knowledgable neighbor informed me that he had a flat of petunias to give me. And then asked, "You do know what a petunia is, don't you?" Whereupon I triumphantly pointed directly to his pansies. Yup, I'm a smart one!

:)

Because I am well loved...

We are celebrating my birthday today by:

~Having the bug exterminator come over. Nothing drastic, thank heavens, just making sure we don't see too many of these running around the floors. BTW: Little Boo does an awesome impression of a dying cockroach... flailing legs and everything. Need to get a picture up sometime....

~Inviting the stomach flu in for a quick visit. Sunday it was Little Love, yesterday it was Little Dear. Wonder who's up for today?

~Hoping to get to the Rangers game tonight. Yes, all of us. Aren't I so generous to share? It will be fun to watch my peanuts gorge themselves on hot dogs, cotton candy and sprite enjoy the game in the Texas sunshine.

~Also received many thoughtful cards from various family members and a lovely gift from an even lovelier sister. Thanks, everyone! Much love to you!


Have a great day, y'all!

:)

And Then God Snickered....

Looks like I'll be playing soccer after all. My captain said it's too late to pull out, and I need to get my lazy rear off the couch and running. I guess God figures I need an extra push, and so here it is. Maybe it's more that He realizes I need this outlet. Yes, that's what I think, too.

:)

I am happy, but thinking I'm gonna pay for it.

But don't worry, no matter how sore I am, I'll try (really really hard) not to complain.

Promise.

:)

The many shades...

... of RED.

As in, sunburn.

Yes, we went to the lake today. One more hurrah before we scurry off to points north.

And even though I thought I was being careful in re-applying the sunblock... holey moley.

I never knew that red came in so many colors.


And so, for "dessert" tonight it's:

Aloe, solarcaine, lots of H2O, and advil...

:)

Moh- Skee- Tow

As in, "yet another reason one would want to live in Texas in the Spring."




I don't know what the deal is, but the mosquitoes this year are awful.

Must be all the rain.

All I know is that these little buggers are getting cheeky. (pun definitely intended... you should see the bite on my face)

Even though the entire family partakes in the daily ritual of immersing ourselves in DEET... the darn things find the one spot we missed, and feast away.

Or... wait until nightfall, and then they suck on your unsuspecting arms and face... and even the palms of your hands. I should know, because along with the beaut on my face, I have a huge one on my left hand. It is constantly irritated due to the frequent washing of the hands that all Mamas have to undergo...

I think I'll be investing in some Skin-so-Soft now.

:)

What Saturdays are all about...

First, a mini-recital...



































Then, it's onto America's favorite pastime....




















... BASEBALL!














































How was your Saturday?

:)

ETA: Read the proud Papa version of the game here.

The Uncraftiness of Nutmeg

This post over at Waltzing Matilda's had me thinking.

Go, read it. I'll wait. And while you're there, notice her right-hand side bar with the different topics she has written about. Notice the word "crafts".

Now, type the word "craft" into the search window at the top of my blog.

I bet only this post comes up.

And so now you have realized my own dirty little secret.

My children are Mama-craft deprived. I can't say they are craft-deprived period. Just Mama-craft deprived.

I don't do crafts.

The main reason is because I never really think about it. I love to buy craft-y things for my kids to use on their own: paints, stickers, wood, glue, paper, markers, crayons, ribbons, etc. But as far as any adult-led crafting? Uh uh. That's not me.

Am I proud of this? No. Absolutely not. I'm a bit ashamed to admit it. I read everyone else's crafty creations and click on by, not daring to comment, to admit my own uncrafty nature.

Here's what I do love to do:

Painting
Drawing
Cooking
Baking
Listening to Music (all kinds)
Being Outdoors
Playing and Watching Sports
Exercising (with kids)
Taking Trips

I hope that's enough for my kids. I hope they see the value in those things, not the hole left by the lack of handmade what-nots around the house. I hope I can have the patience to impart these joys to them... especially the cooking and baking.

Mostly, I'm okay with my aversion to crafts. Much like my aversion to ironing,(scroll down to "I") I accept it and am only embarrassed when it is revealed in public.

Which is what this blog is about.

Me...

Warts and all.

:)

Thanks to Grandpa...

...this is what our sons' room looks like.

My Father-in-law was the night editor for the Vancouver Sun for years. He still enjoys going through the Sun, and it's rival up there, The Province, and sending out articles to the families who no longer live in the area.

And when playoff hockey is going on?

My boys get the privilege of being the recipients of these exclusive Province posters of the Canucks...
















And we get to hear them chant the headline from the front page of the Sun over and over:

"BRING ON THE DUCKS!"


Game 4 tonight... we'll be watching!

:)

Birthday.... Wishes?

Here are the reactions of our little peanuts when they were reminded remembered that today is my birthday:

Little Dear: How old are you, Mama?

Me: 35

Little Dear: I thought you were past 35!

Sports Fan: I thought you were 28! (guffaws)

Little Boo: I thought you were 21!

Little Love:(mimicking) I fot you 21!

(Both break out into hysterics)

Sports Fan: Remember a loooonnnngg time ago when you were 33?

Me: Um.... (struggling to remember) ....Yes

Sports Fan:(sympathetically) That was a very long time ago.


*And so I am off in a few to prove my age by playing soccer against those 21 year olds who my kids think I am not. Then DH will treat me to dinner out with friends. Should be a lovely day.*

Springtime means...

... potty training!

So many of you have written posts, waxing so eloquently on the commode usage of your resident royals.

I was beginning to feel left out.

Never fear, Mama, says our littlest princess. At the tender age of 31 months, Little Love has suddenly mastered the throne. As in, no messes, no mistakes. (I know, y'all want to strangle me.) But, of course, we have our own little wrinkle.

Since she has already mastered this skill, she'd rather not be so proud as to display it.

Oh, no, lets not get too carried away.

Only when Mama can cajole her to wear her beautiful undies and "be a big girl" does she oblige. Her thinking seems to be: Been there, done that.... what's the big deal?

And so, this morning she's back in pampers. And, for the time being, that's ok. My strategy has been that when she gets dressed, it's undies all the way.

:)

New Neighbors

These guys have been regulars around here. Their incessant pecking punctuating the Spring afternoons. I wonder if each new pair that comes along must have their own new hole?

It was quite humorous to watch this guy, because after I took this picture, he was startled by a squirrel that emerged from the very hole he was poking his head into. With much indignant squawks and scolding chatters from Mr. Squirrel, they went their separate ways...

Guess our yard is not big enough for the both of them. I wonder which one will emerge the victor?

My Excuse...

...for not blogging yesterday.

:)

Ahoy There , Me Hardies!

Enjoying the beautiful Southern sun this morning is a whole band of pirates that have invaded our backyard:


The little cutie sitting down in the front is none other than our little China Doll. Can you believe how much she has grown??




And here they are, giving me their best pirate growl...

ARRRRRGGGGHHHH!

Obviously...

...Spring cannot come fast enough.

:)


Nor can my body get in shape quick enough. After spending most of last week walking around like Frankenstein (completely stiff-legged) I arrived at my soccer game yesterday to a short-handed team, playing a very substitute-stacked team, and I had to play center midfield...

For those who are soccer challenged, that would be the one position that needs to be all over the field at once, offense and defense. In other words, so fast people might think you could bi-locate.

I am very much not that fast. Not even close.

This is what I was like last night:















Rearing to go for the week!