just another trip to the library. or not

Audrey loves a particular baby.

the baby looks like this

she makes Audrey feel like this

Audrey goes through phases where she totes her unnamed baby around everywhere we go. Like to the library. That's not unusual in and of itself since little girls have been known to dote on their dolls since back in the day when they constructed them out of corn cobs or some such nonsense. We have to look a little closer to the present day to find little white girls doting on little black babies, but again, not that unusual. At this point we're still a mom with her three kids taking a trip to the library.

Enter Elliot, who usually travels with a basketball. This time he wanted to roll with a new crew. President Barack Obama, to be exact. To the untrained eye, he may look like a regular old black male barbie doll, but to the kids in our house he is always referred to as Barack Obama or simply Barack. Although Isaac has been making a point to let everyone know that, while he calls him Barack, he's not really the President. Thanks for the clarification there, Bug. In their defense, he came dressed in a tuxedo during the heart of election season and there is more than a passing resemblance.

Well, today Barack was sporting a pair of bright orange swim trunks, instantly transforming him into "Nakee Barack Obama," which is fine, until a certain little boy feels the need to use his non-library voice to express that sentiment in a library.

So now we're a mom with her three (probably mismatched) kids toting toys from a nana who celebrates diversity in her gift-giving choices. And I'm good with that. Which is a relief since Elliot picked out the Little Keisha board book at the library, a sweet little story about, what else, a little black baby doll named Keisha. And the story continues.

more fun with the church lady

Audrey was praying tonight and said, "Hmmmm. I have to think of what I'm going to pray about. It's going to be unusual. I'm going to thank him or HER for something." (her emphasis)

seriously

Jim's cowlick. Check, check, and check.

His hair always plumes like that. Elliot's too. And Audrey has the exact same cowlick, but it's a bit less noticeable with her long hair.

Jim's brown eyes. Check, check, and check.

exhibit A

exhibit B

exhibit C

case closed!

Jim's spring allergies. Check, check, and check.
Insert a snot-nosed picture here or one where I'm chasing a raw-nosed child with a kleenex as if it's a medieval torture device. I'm sure I have a picture like that somewhere, just can't find it tonight.

Is there even an iota of DeNae in the bunch of them?

our favorite part of the day

Every night we wrap up our evening with all five of us crammed into Jim and my bed to read stories together. After hugs and kisses shared between siblings, Audrey's admonition to Elliot to "sleep well and long all the way until morning" and last drinks of water, I put Elliot to bed, then go to Audrey's room to read her chapter book and put her to bed. Finally it's off to Isaac's room to finish the chapter book (we're on the 6th Chronicles of Narnia book and he can't get enough) that Jim started and put him to bed. At each pit stop, we talk about our favorite part of the day. I always pick something fun or silly or sweet that happened with each child. For a long time Audrey just said, "Same as yours" no matter what my favorite part of the day was. Lately she's been on a kick where she says, "The whole day was my favorite" as she waves her arms widely around her room as if to capture the wonderfulness of the entire day in her statement. That's a pretty good life, if you ask me.

Well, today it was unanimous! We all shared a favorite part of the day: frisbee golfing! Mondays are always a shortened school day since Audrey has dance in the morning, so we headed to dance armed with a picnic because we were going to picnic at the park with dance friends. It was a chilly morning, but was warming up nicely as we left the park, hinting at the beautiful day yet to come. We've talked about trying our hand at a Frisbee golf course near our house so I asked the kids if we should go after naps. Apparently that was the best idea I've had in ages! Jim finished working in time to join us for a wonderful afternoon of walking, chasing errant frisbees flying through the forest, keeping Elliot from wandering too deeply into the forest, teaching Elliot the differnce between sticks and cigarette butts (gross!), enjoying the laughter and fun of an afternoon spent together on a new family adventure, and, did I mention, chasing frisbees. It was a blast and everyone wants to go again soon. Even Elliot who has quite the wicked frisbee throwing stance, but there's definitely more bark than bite as it always plops at his feet.

we never knew if it would go forwards, backwards, or sideways. In fact, I joked that to ensure our safety, we may have to wait in the car. It was a joke, but it was true!

walked and walked and walked for miles on those little legs

every once in a while he took a break from walking to throw it directly at his feet. It worked for him.

Isaac's aim improved as we played

so close!

Audrey walked and played for a while, then rode in the stroller until she got this close to every basket before deciding she wanted to try again. apparently she wasn't up for a challenge today, but she had a blast anyway

love this sweet picture

traversing the woods. A tick check at home found one on him and one on Isaac, thankfully not attached

fun was had by all. Elliot loved the bridge and wanted to go back and forth

 

A fantastic afternoon together! We'll definitely go frisbee chasing again soon!

follow the leader

Sometimes we follow my lesson plans to a T. Sometimes, but not very often. I have a pretty organized plan for each school day, but there is plenty of time to follow the lead of a child's great idea, take a break to play a game like memory or spinner, run around the house a few times if people are rambunctious, or bake together if we read a story that has food in it and someone asks if we can make bread. It's part of the beauty of homeschooling. We get done what needs to get done, but it's on our own time line with plenty of fun sprinkled in.

A few months ago we read a book called All Those Secrets of the World, by Jane Yolen. It is a beautiful story about a family split up when the father must go to fight a war in Europe. To connect the story with social studies, handwriting, spelling, and current events, I found the addresses of a few soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan so that Isaac and Audrey could send them letters and pictures. We talked about the different sacrifices that soldiers and their families make and some of the reasons that there is war. We talked about the importance of supporting soldiers even if we don't support the war. Isaac piped in and said, "Well, then instead of writing to soldiers, why don't I write to the president to ask him to stop the war?" "Hmmm," I said to myself, "why couldn't he do that?" It was actually a great idea and a little piece of civics added to our day. We talked about the people that make decisions for our country so we could decide who Isaac should send his letter to. Then we looked up the addresses of President Obama, Vice President Biden, our senators, and our representative. We talked about using our voices to help people and to get people thinking about things that are important to us. We talked about how eventually kids can vote and that's another way to be a part of our country and our government. My little idea spawned Isaac's big idea which led to enormous conversations for a 6-year-old, but we had them in ways that made sense to him.

Isaac's letter was simple. "Please try to stoq (sic) the war. we (sic) are worried about the soldiers. Isaac"

To date, Isaac has heard back from Vice President Biden and a senator. Isaac was so excited to get letters, but immediately noticed that Joe Biden's letter had nothing to do with his initial note, so then we talked about form letters and very busy politicians! He was happy that the other letter was related to stopping the war. I was thrilled that they responded at all because it showed him that his letter was read by people who make important decisions for our country and our world every day.

I want him to know his voice matters. It is important. It can be used to do great things in big ways like trying to stop a war or in small ways like singing a baby brother a lullaby. Either way, Isaac, that voice of yours is important. Use it wisely. Use it kindly. Use it in love. It matters. Just in case you ever wonder.

Add this to the list of things you never wanted to hear uttered from your sweet one-year-old's mouth!

Elliot: I put my hand in my diaper. I have poop on my hand."
me: Oh. OK. Let's wash your hands. Then we'll change your shirt because you got poop on your shirt. Next time you go poop, tell mama and I'll change your diaper.
Elliot: OK. Mama. I go poopers.
In my mind-Gee thanks!

The obsession continues!

a snippet of tonight's bedtime conversation after we'd talked a bit about playing basketball tomorrow
E: "Mama. I reach top of basketball hoop?"
me: "Not yet, but someday you'll reach the basketball hoop."
E: "When I reach top of basketball hoop. I be so excited!"
He was smiling from ear to ear at the amazing things he'll be able to do.

kinda like this!

Fun with Ferdinand-a week in review

Last week we read a sweet little book about a bull named Ferdinand. It was brimming with all sorts of activities for my eager little learners. The Story of Ferdinand is set in Spain, so we cooked meals and desserts native to the country, meaning lots of measuring, pouring, stirring, and cleaning up, but also lots of fun resulting some tasty meals and one big flop. (Tapas may be delicious at restaurants, but we had minimal success for a huge output of time. Won't be doing that for a while!) The kids donned their paint smocks to interpret Picasso's Blue period, Rose period, and collage as only a 3 and 6 year old could. We read about Spain, talked A LOT about why people think bull fighting is fun, and even got out a pillow case and pretended we were matadors and bulls. TORO!! (Elliot's favorite!) Ferdinand grew a lot throughout the story, so we got out our rulers and yard sticks and measured thngs big and small throughout the house. We talked about fiction books and how lots of authors use the clue Once upon a time to start their stories. Then we worked together to write and illustrate our own book, "Lots of Animals." Flamenco music and fancy footwork filled our days as we studied Spain, its geography, some of its history, and food. I'm sure there's more, but that's what I can think of now.

Isaac experiments with the Blue period and collage together while wearing a bike helmet, of course

Audrey's Rose period painting results in a fire engine

We ended the week with a field trip with other homeschoolers to a really cool and educational ballet performance. We had a fun week and I'm pretty sure we'll be playing matador for a while! Audrey tried to teach her friend how to play, but Emily thought she was crazy! I guess bull fighting isn't all the rage on the preschool scene.

bright sunshiney day

The city just built a new beach and park in our neighborhood and we have taken advantage of it already in these early,but uncharacteristically warm days of spring. We biked there last weekend and timed it at 4 minutes, 56 seconds. Not bad at all. Going to the beach is usually a big event with lots of foresight involved as we pack up a picnic, load up a few sand and water toys, along with water, sunscreen, and a basketball. But, now we can just bike to the beach for the morning and be home for lunch. We are thrilled.

The kids frolicked and ran and splashed and made mud and created imaginative games and buried people's feet in the sand and laughed and had a splendid afternoon.

Elliot was in heaven the minute his feet hit the water. He's going to be a water baby this summer!

Filling the bucket to make more mud and going deeper and deeper every time.

They would start at the sidewalk and run full-speed to splash into the water. Our half-hearted attempts at keeping them relatively dry were for naught.

Isaac writes our names in the sand.

sandy toes are the cutest.

I'm trapped in jail by the police officers.

Isaac's cartwheel

Audrey and Isaac chased each other along the water's edge for a long time. It was so sweet to watch them invent games together and to hear random bursts of laughter.

This tired girl needs a rest

Isaac spots a loon

And shares his find with Elliot

nana hangover

Last weekend nana flew in for a quick visit. By quick I mean she flew in at 10:30 am friday and flew home at 10:30 am sunday. Even when she's just here for a quick jaunt, nana likes to pack in the fun. We met her at the zoo right away on Friday for an afternoon of animal gazing. That night the sun-kissed and zoo-tired kids had a cousin sleepover, which sounds more exciting than it was since they were all exhausted and in bed by 7:45. We met Uncle Cory and Aunt Katie for breakfast the next day to do a Maclain hand-off and then went to the mall since nana promised everyone new summer sandals. We headed home for a nap, then the fun began anew because Uncle Cory, Aunt Katie, and Maclain came back for some park fun and a delicious meal of fajitas on the grill, chips and guacamole, and homemade strawberry shortcake. This led to a late bedtime for four exhausted children! We got up the next day, Jim brought my mom to the airport and we headed to church for the 10:45 service followed by Audrey and Isaac's spring musical practice. We even walked to the beach for an afternoon frolicking in the sand once Elliot woke up from his nap. Whew! What a weekend.

Which explains why Elliot, a tried and true 1:15 napper from way back in the day, walked up to me at 11 am, before lunch, placed his exhausted head on my shoulder, and said, "Elliot sleepy. Will you put me night night?" I thought he was joking, but he asked a few more times so I brought him up and he went right to sleep and slept for over 2 hours. Yep, the nana hangover was in full effect last weekend!

I hated to wake him up from his early snooze, but we had to get Audrey to dance class for her recital pictures. The boy was OUT!

proof

See, three really is perfect!

All the better to explore bugs with. One gets scared and there are two for moral support. Until they get scared, too, then the original scared one feels a fit of bravery just in time to help out.

All the better to take pictures with. They don't always turn out the way the photographer intended, but you always have someone to make you giggle.

All the better for making a bed with. Three kids under a sheet being swooshed by mama is just good clean fun! Until Elliot's chin clunks Audrey's head. It's true that the chance of injury increases with three, but the tears dry quickly and the laughing quickly resumes!

All the better for exploring the beach together. Three sandy, soaking feet mean it was a great afternoon building sand castles!

Joy and love and music and giggles abound in this house that is perfect with three. Just in case you ever wonder.

Consider yourself warned

She may look unsuspecting, but don't be fooled. If Audrey casually saunters over and nonchalantly requests a chance to play Memory with you, seemingly the smarter and more experienced grown up, there is  a fair chance that you will get whooped. She misses nary a thing and pounces on every opporunity. If you turn a giraffe over and she knows where the other one is, she will eagerly wait with her hand poised over the other giraffe card, just waiting for you to flip yours over so she can rack up another match. Her pile grows and grows as she scouts the game with eagle eyes. It is so much fun, but you have to bring your A game to hang with Audrey. She's a force to be reckoned with on the 3 3/4 year old Memory circuit.

Always one to stop and smell the dandeflowers (her word)

speaking of Audrey, this is just wrong. My beautiful, lightly make-uped little girl looks so grown up.

One is fun, two is spectacular, three is perfect. But one, one is really fun!

Sometimes I forget the fun that is to be had when I have an extended amount of time alone with one kiddo o'mine. Today I was the lucky recipient of a few hours with Elliot. Can I just say how funny this boy is? His personality is as big as his belly laugh, which is saying a lot because his laugh is booming!

Jim went to work in the wee hours of the morning so he got home early and Isaac requested the dada chauffeur for dance class. Audrey wanted to go with meaning, cha ching, mama/Elliot time! He tried on some big clunker dada shoes while I changed and we hit the windy road for a jog. Elliot kept a running commentary going the entire time, mostly revolving around the themes of getting down, playing basketball, and lamenting the fact that I was jogging past slides that he, obviously, should be sitting on. Luckily I could distract him by talking about the ball he was holding, the robins and mallard ducks flying around, and a myriad of construction vehicles at our disposal for just such a distraction occasion. He would look back at me and smile and giggle for no reason at all, but really the best reason of all. He is a happy, loved, joyful boy and seeing me is enough to make him smile.

We passed two parks on our jaunt and I finally gave in at the third park when he looked back and, over the gale force winds, shouted, "Can I slide down that slide now, mama?" How could I ignore that? Plus we were almost home so the whole workout wasn't blown. He climbed and crawled through tunnels, but wouldn't go through the tunnel head first, instead insisting on twisting his legs around while inside the little tube, the whole time complaining about his sticky shoes. I tried to get him to just put his hands down, but apparently that was a really bad idea. But, no matter, he worked it out and zoomed down slides, took a break to play a little basketball, rode on a toy puppy, and was back to the slides. "Watch me, mama!" "I climbing, mama!" "I in the tunnel, mama." "Will you chase me, mama?" And today I could do all of that and more. Sometimes, a park day with one is just right.

After a while we (mostly I) were ready to head home so I could start supper. Once there were found pine cones and ladybugs, which, according to Elliot, meant we needed bug nets and shovels. He spent a lot of time checking out the ladybug and touching the pokey pine tree, but even more time breaking my heart with his every little move, remark, and smile. I love this boy. Three is definitely perfect, but one, one is really fun! Just in case you ever wonder.

The original mama/Elliot hour

loving the park last summer

loving his mama at the park

getting loved right back!

huh?

What, pray tell, can a 21-month-old possibly be dreaming about if they wake up from nap and the first muffled and sleep-filled words heard through the monitor are "We will, we will rock you?"

blink

As parents, we spend a lot of time lamenting the speed at which our children grow. We chart their growth on door frames and marvel at the inches gained every six months. We save locks of hair from first haircuts and the first itty bitty tooth lost. We wonder at how quickly they go from malleable litttle people always perfectly posed for a photo op to spunky little toddlers always on the go. We look back at photo albums in awe at the rapidly changing child before us. We blog silly or poignant stories that capture a moment in time that can never happen again. We do all this in a futile attempt to make time stand still for just a moment, just one moment, as we soak up this beautiful time that passes by in the blink of an eye.
But sometimes, despite our unceasingly watchful eyes, little milestones still sneak up on us. Sometimes, in the blink of an eye, they go from little boys who need help washing their hands in the bathroom sink to big boys who can turn the water on in the kitchen all by themselves. They go from little girls who need help pulling shirts over their heads to big girls who get dressed all by themselves. They go from baby boys that you're pretty certain will never sleep through the night to little boys who go down with a song and a prayer and a few parting words about basketball before being down for the count until the next morning.
And you marvel at the years that have passed and the way your life has changed and the love you feel. And you smile a big, proud, tearful smile. And you try not to blink quite so often.

I'm with her.

One of the many things I love about Audrey is her unending and infectious optimism. "How was your snoozer?" "GREAT!" "It's a sunny day. Let's go to the park." "Oh, GREAT!" Life is a great big adventure to her with fun around every corner, whether that corner leads to a pile of dirt, a park, a zoo, or the laundry room.

Elliot seems to be following her lead because lately most questions are answered with a resounding, "GREAT!" "How was your snack?" "GREAT!" "How are you this morning?" "GREAT!" Laughter, the kind that leaps straight out from the belly and echoes off walls and booms from room to room, is heard here and there and everywhere whenever it strikes Elliot's fancy. Someone made a silly face. Hilarious. He tripped on his toy semi. Nothing could be funnier. He went potty on the toilet. Earth shattering. Life is a party and Elliot RSVPed with a resounding YES!

It's kind of hard to be less than great with these boisterous, joyful children bounding about my home. Just in case you ever wonder.