Grandmother of the Year

My mom, affectionately known by my kiddos as Nealy, is so great with her grandkids. Three weeks ago, she took Maya for the day and they did all kinds of fun stuff together. Then, last weekend, she did the same thing with Chloe. Chloe had been counting down the days til her "Saturday with Nealy." She came home with a giant smile, a brownie, and a pair of new ballet shoes. Today is Elena's day with Nealy. All the kids feel loved and valued when they get to go to Nealy's. It's a special treat to spend time with her.
I vividly remember a discussion my mom had with my grandmother, "Granny", when I was little. We would spend days at both grandmas' homes, but one was much more fun. Granny asked my mom, "Why aren't they as excited to come over here, like they are for their Grandma Madge?" My mom answered, "Because their Grandma Madge does lots of fun stuff with them. When they come over here, you tell them to get out of your hair or they'll get a bopping." LOL We did enjoy going to Granny's because we loved her, but the fun of our visits consisted more of time with our cousins than quality time with her.
The reason my kids all love their Nealy is because she views them as a blessing, not a burden. You are a blessing to us all, Nealy! We love you!

Co-op Days

Today was the first day of our new homeschool co-op. We joined the Charlotte Mason Fine Arts Group so that we could accomplish those subjects that often don't get done: art appreciation, music appreciation, hymn study, nature study, poetry, and Shakespeare. The kids had a great time, learned a lot, and made new friends.
We started the day with prayer and hymn study. This month, we're discussing Amazing Grace. Very interesting history behind that great anthem!

Maya went on and on about her new best friends, who just love her cool hair-do! Maya is not shy, so it doesn't surprise me that she's "so popular" (her words). Isaac mostly talked about snack time, and Elena, ever the firstborn, detailed for me what she learned about Handel and Rembrandt. Chloe was mostly disappointed that they didn't get to do the self-portraits that were scheduled (ran out of time). I think she was looking forward to some quality mirror time.

My sister, Jamie, and I are in charge of the preschoolers. Unfortunately, Jamie ditched me claiming some sort of household epidemic or other such lame excuse. Regardless, I had a good time with my group of littles. We read a poem, a bunch of Mother Goose rhymes, a counting book, and one of our favorite classics: The Story of Little Babaji.

Speaking of Splish, Splash

I scored at the thrift store the other day and found three kids' life jackets for $3 apiece! Perfect for all our trips to the lake! I went looking for a backpack for Chloe, but came home with these and a few books instead. (I never can pass up a good book.) Shortly after we got home, a package arrived: the swimsuit I'd just ordered for Chloe. (I'm telling you, if you want a good deal, buy swimsuits in winter!) So, Chloe put two and two together, ran upstairs and came down proudly displaying her new suit and life jacket. Just seconds before I snapped this picture, she and Daniel were doing the backstroke on the giant beanbag chair. (I'm still not a fan, but the kids love the thing, so I suffer and make a motherly sacrifice.)

Splish, Splash. . .

I'm so thankful for winter, because the cold weather means less baths. Summer wore me out giving so many baths! In the heat of last summer, Isaac and Maya were taking a karate class in the park. I wasn't a fan of staying and letting the kids play in the park because then I'd have to come home and give 6 baths before naptime. (I don't want sweaty kids in their clean beds!)
Isaac and Maya can now take showers independently, and Elena and Chloe take showers too, but they need a bit of supervision. ("Right is off. See the labels I made with the big arrows??")
So the only baths I give nowadays are for Daniel and Lydia, and I bathe them together despite the fact that we're a modesty-loving family. Four is the magic age for separating boys and girls I've decided. Anyway, they are adorable and I love watching them play together in the bathtub. Daniel only needs me to add soap to his scrubby; he learned how to bathe himself at the orphanage and is quite thorough. Lydia wants the same treatment and I let her believe she does a good job of it. Then I scrub her down myself.

As Lydia was putting the "wetters" on the shower wall, she was attempting to sing the Letter Factory songs: "The B says aaahh. The B says aaahh." One day, I'll correct her. For now I just enjoy her mistakes.

Encouragement for Wives

In a chapter titled, "So Show Me What a Keeper at Home Really Looks Like!", author Jennie Chancey tells this great story about her greatest heroine, her mom:

My mother once participated in a Bible study with several older women. These women were quite liberal in their beliefs and insisted all those teachings in Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 were purely cultural and time bound and didn't apply to modern-day Christians. Mom quietly disagreed, stating that true freedom only comes from submission--to God first, then to a husband. Jaws dropped all around the room, and one attendee burst out, "Why, Bettie! You're the most liberated woman I've ever known! Just look at all the things you've done!" My mother smiled and looked around at the shaking heads and shocked expressions. "That's just the point," she replied. "Submission is the freedom to be creative under a God-given authority! Submitting to my husband does not stifle my gifts; it puts them to their best use. My husband wisely directs the projects I undertake in the home and helps me to see when I am taking on too much. He knows my talents and can often tell me how best to use them." Heads continued to shake around the room. One after another, these older women confessed frustration with their "equal" marriages and marveled at my mother's contentment and joy as a submitted wife.

~Passionate Housewives Desperate For God, pgs. 164-165

Who's the Boss??

Kyle and Isaac were playing "Who's the Boss?" Kyle asks, "Who's the Boss?" and Isaac, placing his life on the line, boldly says, "I am!" So Kyle asks one more time, being the merciful man that he is. Again Isaac risks all and declares, "I am!!"
Then Kyle's eyes grow so large they may bug out of his head, and he shoots lasers at Isaac through those monstrous eyeballs. Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, Kyle darts across the room and grabs Isaac, pins him down, and repeats the question until Isaac finally gives in and in a voice of humble surrender squeaks out: "You're the boss."
Tap out or black out, Isaac.

Little Red Riding Hood

Poor Misha. Does she look like she's having fun? For the queen of the castle, I must say that Misha has gotten surprisingly tolerant. She's so patient with the kids. Not that she enjoys all their antics:
She was walking backwards around the kitchen trying to get her riding hood off. After I snapped the picture, I showed some mercy and took it off her. Pictures first, sorry Misha!