Object Lesson

I'd like to give our days some sense of rhythm, so I had decided to try using the Kids of Integrity resource from Focus on the Family. I thought 15 minutes of a story/activity on a virture after breakfast every morning would be a great way to start the day. Last night I selected what I wanted to use, randomly choosing respect. Yea, Monday morning of my first week without work and I was feeling very organized.

I told the kids at breakfast that we will get dressed and then I have something fun planned. Before we all finished breakfast, Lanelle had got down and peed on the carpet. Grrr! I put her in the tub while I cleaned that up and Kellen wanted to get in too. Fine, they have a bath and I'll quickly do the dishes first. When I go to get them out I was horrified! They had dumped the whole bottle of my Euclan wool wash (I had washed my sweater last night in the bathroom and fogotten to put it away). It is not cheap! And they have been warned and punished many times about not wasting soap in the tub. It has happened more times than it should. They are not dumb, I know they know better! As, Lanelle later told Dad, "Mommy, got very, very, very angry at us."

Out of the tub, dressed, and assembled downstairs (in record time) we began. I skipped the object lesson. I figured they had made their own. We read and talked about the verses I had chosen - I focussed on the points of listening to your parents. On to the poster about what is respectful and what is not. Lanelle answered the first question of "what is not respectful?" with "wasting Mommy's stuff." She later added that peeing on the carpet is not respectful. Kellen really seemed to get the part about respectful listening. I had calmed down by the end of our "discussion."

I hope they don't create too many of their own object lessons. I think I am still looking forward to these little times together.

just for fun.

making: lip balm with the beeswax I bought yesterday - hopefully this afternoon!
cooking: swisschard and potato soup - tonight
drinking: coffee - just finished the cup
reading: through knitting pattern blogs
wanting: to know if I'm planning for a boy or girl
looking: at my silly Lanelle watching the Dragon movie perched on the back of the couch
playing: with beeswax - soon
wasting: my precious afternoon - here
sewing: a could choose from the stack of pattern and material - projects planned and waiting
wishing: I could go cross country skiing this afternoon with Ian
enjoying: the current (and momentary) slow quietness in the house
waiting: to be done this little exercise to begin some fun
liking: the scarf I am almost done knitting
wondering: what decision will be made
loving: the idea of not having to rush out the door in the morning to work
hoping: I might have this baby early
marvelling: at how quickly my kids are growing
needing: to start working on some Christmas projects
smelling: ?
wearing: my only good fitting maternity pants - which I'm sure you know if you've been around me lately.
noticing: the clock is moving too quickly
knowing: this next year is going to FLY by
thinking: about pulling out the lip balm instructions
bookmarking: the cutest sweater dress I want to knit - in case I have a girl
giggling: at Lanelle's cute voice and expanding vocabulary
feeling: not as overwhelmed as yesterday, a little more thankful than 5 minutes ago, but still so tired.

Finished!

I did finally finish my sweater! I was quickly sewing on the buttons before my ride came for a girls evening out to the Rankin Sisters. I love it! Wish I could have managed a better picture, but it was just me and the camera timer. I'll have to add another picture later - the teeny, tiny bit of wool left over. I was holding my breath the last little bit. I am also finished work now. Hard to believe! Today was the last day and it was actually kind of sad to walk away. I'm looking forward to the holidays and to getting into a good routine at home. Hoping this one arrives a little before the due date, but I'll try to just enjoy the time at home!

Sledding Fun

I sent Ian out to go sledding with the kids so I could have a quiet morning. He even took Ivan and Dominique out too. I was having selfish hobby time, but kept thinking about them having fun sledding and felt like I was missing out! So, I made hot cocoa and packed up some muffins to have offerings to join the adventure. I guess its my own fault that I don't feel like I get enough quiet time - I don't want to miss out on other fun either!

This was my view as I approached the hill.

Only Ian and Lanelle were interested in my offerings. The other kids were having way to much fun to take time for carob chip muffins and hot cocoa!

I'm glad I didn't miss out.

Weekend Getaway

I had the idea to getaway for a weekend and thought the kids would enjoy waterslides. The thought crossed my mind to go to Minot, but that was more of a getaway than I wanted. At the last minute, I tried to find a place in Regina and could not find a hotel with waterslides that had a room! Ian was driving home through Weyburn that night and decided to stop and check at a hotel there. All my plans for shopping while they played on the waterslides disappeared, but lots of quiet (and some knitting time) sounded fun. So off we went. They hated the waterslides, they begged Dad to play with them in the pool (which was too deep for them), and mostly they tortured him...

We actually bribed Kellen with the promise of a new transformer to eventually get him to try the waterslide a second time. Ian had missed catching him the first time and he'd went under the water, which he hates. I was sure he'd end up liking it if he gave it a chance. His first response to my promise/bribe, "It's okay mom, Christmas will be here before I know it." He did try twice more, but it wasn't fun and he wasn't doing it again. In his defense it was a dark, totally enclosed slide and was super fast (Ian can attest to that - it caught him off guard the first time he went down! And he had Lanelle with him that time. It took them quite awhile to come up. Thus, Lanelle's refusal to go again.)

So, the waterslides - not a hit.

However, I did not realize how exciting the hotel would be. I'm thinking it was their first time in a hotel, which sounds like they never travel. They've stayed in a vacation home, in relatives home, in a tent... but unless someone can jog our memory, we're pretty sure it was their first time in a hotel. Their own big bed to share had them over the moon. Oh, and I can't forget the excitement of the elevator or having a turn to use the card to get into the room - seemed to be the most amazing things EVER!

I am often surprised at what is exciting to them. Things that honestly seem a little ridiculous to me. Then, something I am sure they will love - they hate. That's kids, I guess! But then again, who would think a weekend at a hotel in Weyburn would sound like a good idea!?

Disappointment.

We've checked out this book from the library numerous times. Lanelle LOVES it and I quite like reading it and admiring the pictures. So, I thought it would be fun to buy it for her for Christmas.

I naively thought I would be able to find one for around $20. Well, my search on amazon discovered it was around $350 for a hardcover copy. I few other "unknown" sites which would scare me ranged from $150-$800! Isn't that crazy! I can't imagine paying $350 for a children's hardcover book, even one has wonderful as Lotta's Bike. I would never let my child touch it then! I'm sadly dropping this off the Christmas list.

I have to admit, it crossed my mind to check it out again and report it missing. I wonder how much they would charge me? (Don't worry, I won't!!)

Anyhow, if you know any secrets to buying older books for reasonable prices, let me know! And, if you get the chance to read this special book - Enjoy - because it is apparently VERY special.

Pointless Goal Setting.

I wish I could sleep in on Saturdays. Definately didn't happen this morning. We were having pancakes while watching the sunrise. Kellen had to take some pictures out the window.Although, there were probably many goals I should have set for the day, I was tired. So I set my goal of finishing this sweater for myself. Hoping for a quiet day. Deciding that movies could be on the agenda. Ten minutes into the show, Lanelle decided we should go out for a walk. Goodbye sweater, I'll be back.Off for a walk with the sled, stopped at the library, the coffee shop, and we even stopped to sled down the little hills in the park. I was shocked it was almost 1:30 when we walked in the door. So lunch became a quick assorted plate of food while the kids chose Princess Bride. The final sleeve grew a little in about 30 minutes, but then there were fights to break up, a boy who had to make a snowman craft (he is now in love with my glue gun), kids that wanted to play a game WITH mom... Then I decided I'd better cook at least one of the giant pumpkins sitting there and get it in the freezer and better get some laundry done. I'm not sure how the afternoon disappeared. Then supper, bedtime, another load of laundry, dishes...Here it is after 9pm, the sweater won't be done. Seriously, is there any point in setting a goal? I think its only disappointing.

Double Bed?

Lanelle had still been in the habit of joining us in the middle of the night in our bed. Until one evening she snuck into Kellen's bed and slept there all night with him. Well, it's slowly become a new habit. At first, Kellen wouldn't let her sleep with him, but I would let her get in if he was already sleeping. She just doesn't like sleeping alone! Kellen had started allowing her to get into bed with him, but tonight I was blown away when Kellen went to her room and asked her to come to his bed. He doesn't want to sleep alone now??!! I had never considered having them in one room with a double bed and the baby in a room by him/herself - but, I'm getting pretty thoughtful about it as this seems to have become a long term habit! I think its so cute how well they sleep together!!

Can Dad's be Wrong?

Kellen: Mom, can Dads sometimes be wrong?

Me: (thinking, what on earth is this about) Yeah, I guess, sometimes (Not sure I want to admit that, if he's trying to get away with something...)

Kellen: (after a long comtemplative pause) Because Dad said its still fall, but I think he's wrong. (gives a funny shrunched up face and shakes his head) It sure looks like winter to me.

Slipping.

Days have really been slipping away on me. Actually, I feel like a whole season slipped away on me. I find myself trying to grasp the fact that I will be done work in less than a month. I can't seem to believe just how soon it is that our family is going to grow.

I have been enjoying things - new activities like skating, obsessions like knitting, funny kid things like Lanelle's imaginary friend "Poopy", and necessary things like stories and cuddling. It's been a great place to be, but I feel a shift coming on. I'm glad I've been relaxed about life and purposeful about enjoying the little moments. I don't want to let go of that but maybe its time to be a little more purposeful about making some things happen. Maybe because its time for some more organization around here. Probably because a new baby will soon be here and there is a great season of life change approaching.

I guess saying that here is an announcement to myself to make the changes I crave instead of contemplating. And, being here is a part of my habit when I start getting caught up on pictures. These are looking like a LONG time ago, now that we are buried in snow.

It was good to get in a visit to the farm during harvest.So much fun to wash carrots with Grandpa Bill.

Funny to remember Ian getting dressed up with the kids to go trick-or-treating. (And I think Ian was more excited than the kids about getting in costume!)

So, fall is gone and we move on to the next season. For so long, my answer to the kids question about when the baby will come has been "not until there is lots of snow." Well, there is lots of snow. That in itself has changed the rhythm of life. Ian was out the door just a few minutes ago for another all night snow removal shift. The kids and I have been missing walks and garden times. Tonight Kellen asked "When will spring come? I want to plant. I love planting!" I was tempted to just agree with him, but decided to remind him of some of the fun things to enjoy this winter season. Skiing, skating, snowmen, and of course the baby coming!

City Adventure

I've become a super homebody, but yesterday going to the city sounded like fun. With plans to go to the 3D Hubble Imax show we were bouncing out the door. I just about ignored the phone, but ran back up the stairs to grab it. Ian was calling to say his deer hunt was a quick success and he was already on his way home. So he was able to meet us in the parking lot with 10 minutes to spare. I'm glad he was there to giggle with me as we watched Kellen repeatedly try to grab those stars that kept coming at him!

I didn't feel the need to get home to help skin the deer, so the 3 of us enjoyed exploring some new trails.Kellen begged to take some pictures and I'm glad I said yes. I will definately have to do it more often. I might actually get to be in some pictures! I also found it super fun to see what all he had taken pictures of - piles of leaves, close ups of the trail, lots of trees, bark, bushes, and he even got a super good one of his sister telling stories while she walked! I cancelled all my plans for shopping and we went crazy at a library instead! I thought for sure they'd tell me I was over my limit as I plunked the huge pile down. Not only books, but a pile of DVDs and CDs (such a novelty that we don't have access to at the little Fort library!)

I usually complain about going to the city. Without an attempt at errands or shopping, it was a great place to go on an adventure!

Curried Lentil Soup

I am missing summer. Fall has changed the world around us, our routines and even our meals. Lots more soup going on. I like this simple lentil soup, but its not so much of the kids favorite. Kellen politely said, "It tastes a little different." But he did manage to eat a barely adequate amount of it. Lanelle ate up most of the carrots.

1 1/4 cups lentils

1/2 cup brown rice

6 cups vegetable broth (or I use water and salt)

1/4 cup olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3-4 carrots, diced or grated

2 T curry powder

While lentils and rice are cooking, saute onion and carrots in olive oil over medium heat. Add the curry. Add curry mixture to lentils and rice. Simmer until rice and lentils are cooked. Can serve with a dollop of yogurt.

Climbing a Mountain

Kellen said to me the other day at lunch "I'd like to go on an adventure! I want to climb a mountain!" Well, its not quite a mountain, but the statement prompted us to go for hike up the hill to the flag. We had so much fun! I like Kellen's adventures!

Garden Update

Well, I didn't update the garden progress like I intended. I actually started ignoring the garden itself - other than quickly grabbing some potatoes, carrots, or cucumbers. So, when the frost warning was issued and I was prompted to have a late night garden hunt with a flashlight, I was pleasantly surprised to rediscover some of my garden.

I had a lot more squash than I thought. I have a rubbermaid tub in the garage and threw a few on my counter. The flying saucer looking ones are pattypan (I think). A new one to me, not an exciting tasting one, so I might have to get creative. I had forgotten about the hot peppers also - fun to see some of them so big. I had almost given up on the kohlrabi, they just weren't doing much at all. But, I did find about 8 good sized ones!This is how I wish my brussel sprouts had looked when I cut down the stalk...

...but mine were signifcantly smaller.However, we still got a big bowl full. And, I have to say they were the best tasting ones I have ever eaten!! I have lots of herbs waiting to be dried. I dried out my lemon balm leaves in the oven overnight, so I am still enjoying tea. I blanched enough swiss chard for at least 8 batches of soup...

so, all in all it was a success, but I still will do some things differently next year!

Lanelle's Green Sweater

I finished knitting my first sweater. Moved beyond hats and leg warmers. I am exceptionally proud and find I have been annoying myself by having to tell everyone I see. And now I have told you!

Recipe: Zucchini Cream Soup

2 c chopped onion
1 T butter or oil

3 c chicken broth
4 c chopped or grated zucchini
1/8 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce (sometimes...)
salt and pepper

1/2 cup skim evaporated milk

Saute onion. Add other ingreds except milk. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Blenderize! Stir in milk. Enjoy and love.

Seems like lots of onion, but it doesn't overwhelm. I have used frozen chopped zucchini all winter long for this soup. Simple but perfect. Let me know if you like, Julia!

cozy days.

I'd rather tell myself we are having cozy days instead of rainy days. I asked yesterday at work, "what would go well with hot chocolate and marshmallows for supper?" Well, we had creamy zuchinni soup. But, at the super table I enjoyed when Kellen said, "I think we should have hot chocolate tonight!"

Anyhow, earlier this morning it was looking like another cozy day. But now I see the sun shining and Kellen is asking if we can go to the beach - maybe! We'll have a good one whatever we do - the weekend has begun in our house!

Perfect Weekend.

I woke up this morning with a wonderful feeling about the fullness of life. We had a great weekend. Got a few things done and had a few good adventures. This was the highlight - a hike, brunch, and egg gathering at Kerry Farm with some wonderful people. We enjoyed taking time to smell the flowers, pick some berries, and marvel over a caterpillar. Sue is so knowledge about flowers and plants, it was so fun to pay a little more attention to what's around us.

Kellen and Lanelle were such good hikers, I was really impressed with how well they did and how much they enjoyed it. Kellen wanted to show me how high he could jump - fun action shot, eh?

Taking a closer look!

Taking a snack break at the top of the hill. They were starting to get tired...

Refreshing to cross the creek at the end...

It was hard to get pictures in the dark barn. Lanelle learned to be gentle with the eggs after throwing the first one in the basket.

The kids got to help wash the eggs and candle them to check for cracks. Sadly, I don't have any pictures of the beautiful brunch. Sitting on the patio shaded by the gorgeous old stone house around the beautifully set tables was so fun!

Pretty fun to poach super fresh eggs for breakfast this morning! The kids thought it was pretty cool that they had gathered them and washed them.