AJ, Sporting Green

I have a friend who blesses us with clothes for Solomon when her boys outgrow them. She recently gave me a bag in which I found these cool sunglasses. Her little guy must have accidentally thrown them in.

AJ found them on the counter and decided to wear them as she was playing waitress at lunchtime. Is it the hair or why do I see my sisters during the 70"s??

Be Nice, You Two

Nathan and Franchesca were goofing around on his birthday, she was singing Happy Birthday in her opera voice and generally bugging him; throwing things in his hair repeatedly after he had asked her to stop. Being a boy, he resorted to physical dominance to try to subdue his (perceived) attacker.

I was huddled UP on the hearth, in front of the fire trying to generate some heat. (See future blog for advise from teenage son on this topic). I had been playing with my camera, deleting pics and pretending to shoot a few for "technical reasons". I was recording them the entire time. I got a few shots of them in the midst of the struggle for control. It was super funny to see him get her hands tied and make her promice to stop just to watch her throw more decor into his hair and the battle resume. Frequently, she will be injured from this sort of play. She always returns. They are only 20 months apart and have always been really good friends.

OOOOOKAY...?

Keeping up with this house is an ongoing, never ending series of little tasks, that when done consistantly, will keep the officials from condeming it. Nothing formal although I've researched lots of ideas and tried several official "systems". One thing that I have to do is when I notice that 1 of the commodes needs cleaned is to immediately get the cleaner (which is blue), raise the lid, coat the bowl and leave. Someone (including myself) eventually needs to use the facilities, wonders about the blue and reminds me that it needs scrubbed. If I walk away without first coating, forget it. Today I coated the bowl early in my bathroom early, then walked away. Later I asked Solomon to assist me with the 14 t-shirts of his waiting to be carried to his room. As he walked past, he moaned "OOOH, I LOVE THAT TOILET SMELL".

Here he is at Nathan's Boys Only Sledding Party

Good Word Picture

Today Franchesca was working on a story and including this: "The fear melted away like a Popsicle in 100 degree weather". I could really get ahold of that.


Here she is with Lily. Obviously not in the recent weeks.

Kids ask lots of questions

Today we had been talking about vertibrates and such which prompted Solomon to ask "Momma, when you were in Florida, did you almost step on one of those poisionous Jell-O fishes?".

It reminds me of when Nathan would call the thing on the wall the "billitin board" and other such adorable words and phrases that I wish I would have put down in writing somewhere.

The Breakfast of Champions

I've been a bit concerned about Adrianna's limited food list as it is shrinking (and there has never been a ton on it). She doesn't like very many foods and honestly, isn't really interested in eating very often (she MUST get that from Doug).

This week in an effort to get some good, old fashioned FAT into her (not the good kind either) and encourage her appitite, I bought her favorite thing: frozen, breaded chicken. (Horror).

She was tucked in when I returned from the store so I told her what I had bought and said goodnight. When morning arrived, she actually jumped up, made her bed, got dressed and began pleading for me to let her have "just 1?" piece of chicken for breakfast.

She is growing according to the charts. It seems like just yesterday this pic was taken.

Good to Laugh

Solomon has been doing copy work latey and was working from a story about the Wright Brothers when the name Orville came up. I told the kids that one of Daddy's Uncles was named Orville and there is also some famous popcorn called Orville Reddinbakker (sp). Solomon was thrust into one of his fits of laughter that go on and on...When he finally could speak in sentences he questioned "Oval Roverbaker"? Then more fits of laughter. We've been laughing over it for days.

White Christmas

Ok, I'm a little behind.

We did have a delightful Christmas Day, yes-even without opening any gifts. I realize now that the kids really had not developed that full blown American addiction to "more". This was a good way to find out for sure.

One thing the kids really wanted to do that day was go sledding and boy was it icy and fast.

I was the only Mom on the hill that day. I imagined all the others sitting with their female relatives around the fire, taste testing their fabulous deserts with steaming coffee in peace, having sent their husbands to manage the sledding hill....(Probably they were picking up all the wrapping paper, tripping over all the new toys on the floor, flipping the dishwasher, and getting ready for round 2 of food).

We had a lot of fun and got a great workout as those hills on the golf course are a bit more than sitting behind the tractor while it pulls you around in circles!

On New Years Eve we had a grand evening of eating lots of junk (and pop), playing games, exchanging gifts and counting down the hours until the new year. Some of us made it until midnight (6 minutes after was the best they could do).

Now for January and February and March....

Just A Wee Bit Too Early

Last night around 10:00 we realized that we were completely out of coffee. Zero. Doug knew he was going to need to plow in the early morning to get out anyway so he decided to plow us out, then venture out to Family Fare for some Cinnamon Hazelnut. He got Nathan out of bed, thinking that riding to Holland in a blizzard for coffee at 10:40 at night is something a boy of (almost) 13 would thrive on. He was right.
They pulled out out of here as I was headed up to prepare for sleep and I fully expeceted to be getting a call soon after with them either A. In the ditch or B. Turning around due to impassable roads. I had just finished my beauty treatments when i heard shuffling sounds from downstairs. They had safely returned with not only the treasured coffee but also Pop Tarts! I didn't even know they were made and distributed in the United States anymore but Nathan had eaten them on his last campout and talked Doug into some for the fierce and potentially dangerous ride home.
When Doug came up to bed he noticed that Franchesca was sitting on her bed putting her socks on. She was fully dressed but her hooded sweatshirt was on backwards! Her bed was made and she told him that her clock said 8:00 and she thought she had overslept. She was greatly relieved when he told her it was 11:30 p.m. and that she had the entire night to go. She has been waking at 5:45 a.m. for about a month now then begging to go to bed around 6:30 p.m. Must be this winter weather and lack of sunshine inflicting this tortureous schedule into her body.

The Tree-2008

We decided to prolong our annual tree hunt by a week this year. Actually, we are considering holding our gift exchange between our immediate family on an odd day: New Years (Eve). We really want to focus on the Reason for Christmas on the 25th, even if it is a technicality. We know that the kids realize that this time is about Him, but this seems like 1 more way to walk that out in a practical way. We are feeling or suggesting that gifts are wrong, only that we want to focus on something else on the given day.

Since we'll be needing the tree to hold it's needles a bit longer this year, we just got her up this week. She's huge, almost 14'. We found her while hunting in the rain last Saturday. That certainly brought our expectations down in terms of finding just the right one.

Sleepover

Not long ago my Mom surpassed her 74th birthday and turned 75! Her actual birthday landed on a Monday and she spent it giving out Thanksgiving baskets at her church all day then going to a local restaurant to indulge in perch for dinner. Several of us kids met up with them at my sisters house for cake afterward. Mom really likes German Chocolate and my sister created this FABULOUS, lower fat version (without all those eggs in the frosting!) for the adults while I prepared a dirt cake for the kids. I say prepared and that I did but I forgot to bring it. One of the kids asked as we approached Holland "Did we remember the dirt cake"? Silence. They didn't ask again, assuming that naturally it was in the van with us. Unfortunately, it was at home in the fridge and the card sat right by the phone where I left it.

This was all remedied by a quick trip to Meijer where we bought a cute (plastic looking) 6" triple chocolate cake complete with chocolate filling, frosting and flowers. The kids devoured it and the adults indulged in a more mature version with nuts and coconut. Doug was very willing to handle the dirt cake at home in the fridge. I believe it was gone by 5:00 the next day.

My sister gave Mom a card inviting her for a birthday sleepover that Friday; one that would include my niece from out of town. The card said to arrive at 3:00. When she arrived, they lazily suggested driving north for some coffee, window shopping, etc. When they left their house, J. dialed my cell phone, let it ring until I picked up and then promptly hung up. This told me to drive to their house, let myself in, find Mom's suitcase and swiftly head north. Our plan was to surprise Mom a sleepover at a great lakeside B&B for a night of relaxation and fun. I was chosen to be the welcoming committee (snowman) on the front porch as they drove past, apparantly on their way to Starbucks (the opposite direction). I placed a call letting them know when I would be there and began to get excited.

Wouldn't this be fun, having a night to myself with grown ups, doing something new and different...the suspense of the wait...having them drive past and there I would be? What I didn't plan for was the temps and wind off of lovely Lake Michigan. Lucky for me I had pulled on a wool sweater beneath my Gap down vest which sustained me for the first 10 minutes. I was eagerly awaiting their arrival, perched on the front steps like with bags over my shoulder. What little sun had bravely peeked out for my ride north soon slowly faded leaving an amazing view and a chill on my face. The beauty of the scene held me for nearly a minute then I had to step back under the porch roof for protection from the wind. I began to only wander onto the steps as I heard the approach of a vehicle and did little dance steps to keep warm as I had visions of the others in a warm vehicle, probably drinking hot coffee, oblivious to me losing my good hair day! My wait was distracted only by listening to the handyman who was installing the outdoor Christmas lights swear to himself on occasion.

Just as I was preparing to announce my arrival to the front desk, lest they think I was homeless and a little not right (with the dance moves and all), the red car turned the corner. I dashed to the steps and with frozen hands waved and swung Mom's overnight bag back and forth to show her she would be needing it (I don't think she ever made the connection). I believe she said "Isn't that Brittany"?

What followed was a really fun night of dinner where we were joined by yet another sister (and a grumpy waitress) leftover cake, hot tea and lots of remembering and laughing. We sat by the fireplace until 1 a.m. talking about chitlins (what are they anyway?), gizzards and chicken liver. We spoke in Southern and used words we normally wouldn't (like uuurp). We remembered who got to stay up late eating popcorn while growing up (not me). We asked Mom wierd things like "where did you ever come up with baked beans and weenies with bacon on top"? We discussed the merits of making lard at home and heard tales of

growing up in the south eating it on bread for a sandwhich.

It was a grand time, in a simple sort of way. A treasure to be remembered and perhaps an annual event to be built upon. Next time, I believe I'll wait inside.

Cold

Which would you prefer? Being caught in such a whirlwind that you don't have time to blog? Or having lots of time but nothing to say in a blog? Does balance really exist? Can it be achieved while raising 4 children, 3 cats and a dog?

I have so many photos dating as far back as September that I was just loading (and longing after) and had to post this one from late September, when the lake had begun her descent into hibernation for the winter. The water temp was 62 and the air was not much warmer.The forecast for the following day was in the low 50's and Nathan needed to perform this water rescue if he wanted to advance in rank the following week so it was no or never. It is difficult to imagine that we were in the same dull, harsh, unforgiving Michigan that surrounds us right now. And yet, she returns each spring without fail.

Meet Saki

This is the new feline in the family


We are still uncertain of the gender but it is difficult when they are young! It is very "busy" and will bound, leap, hide and attack endlessly (sounds more male don't you agree)? The vet will soon proclaim the long awaited announcement of gender, leaving 2 kids jumping with excitement and the other 2 claiming a refund.

Saki is the name of a Japaneese liquor made from fermented rice but no, our 12 year old boy did not choose the name based on a beverage from the East but merely shortened the word KAWASAKI. Boy? Girl? Name it after
a dirtbike.

Blogger Quiz

Ok, you clever blog followers....time for some good, clean online fun.

Here is the $1,000,000 question:

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY LEG?

A. I fell into a drainage ditch while training for another marathon?

B.Nathan ran into me with the snow plow while he was learning to drive the truck?

C. The Kitchen Aid mixer went into orbit trying to knead my Garlic Rosemary Braid?

D. I fell off the 12 pitch roof I'm helping Doug to shingle (my new day job)?

E. The line to vote last Tuesday got a little out of control?

F. The horse bit me?

NEED A CLOSER LOOK?

I know there are some of you who are pretty darn smart out there so SOMEBODY has to get it right. Put your thinkin' caps on now!

Do do do do, Do do do- Do, Do, Do, Do, Dododo (Jeopardy song)

The Letter K

Solomon was working with the letter K and needed to find a picture of something that begins with that sound, cut it and glue onto his sheet.

He decided to draw one instead.

He told me this is his Aunt KT and she had been out in the wind.

A Time For Everything

Sweet Blackberry didn't survive....

What Now?

This precious thing came to us yesterday before we realized that she just wasn't well. After winning the heart of everyone, she fell gravely ill and went back to her Mom to (hopefully) recover.

Nathan's cat Ellie was not here when we arrived back home from Florida in '06 and the girls have always begged me to let them get him a new one, fully at their expense. This last Saturday I relented. She has amazing eyes and razorlike teeth and claws. I really hope to have more pics of her up here in the future.

Haddie had her braids removed yesterday, Franchesca felt certain that she wouldn't want them in for too many days in a row as they would itch and sometimes a girl just wants to let her hair hang down.

I know, I know, it's beginning to look like a zoo around here. The Zebra is coming next week.

Warm Weather Snow Day

Yesterday we took the day off most homework, declaring the last (?) warm day of the season a "snow day". Since travel and busing are not problems for us during the winter, we are often doing our work when the school kids are snowed out of their work. We like to stack up those days and use them for when it is lovely out instead of trecherous.

We enjoyed the warm temps, raking the leaves in Grandpa's backyard, our animals and each other.

Queen Esther has arrived!

Her name is really Haddie, which reminds me of Hadassah (Queen Ester) who saved her people from demise.

I like to think that Haddie was sent, for such a time as this: To save my children from horrific scenes in their minds of ponies kicking their Mother. So far, she is off to an amazing start.

She is a real beauty, inside and out. She is gentle, smart, obedient and is quickly adjusting to her transition to our home.

In her short time here, she has encountered Lily, the tractor, new water, loud boys on bikes, strange cats, new grass, a pond, a lawnmower, a new place to sleep at night and the neighbors puppy (Diesel) bounding at her in a scene reminisent to David and Goliath. She never batted an eye.

Franchesca and I gave her a day of beauty today. We braided her mane in what we call a Country Braid, nothing too stuffy and stiff for showing...just an informal look for everyday grazing.

She is restoring the idea that mere size does not bring with it brute force.

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow (?)

Or: Bye Bye K.C.

K.C. is the first horse that has ever stepped foot on our property. We picked her up 2 weeks ago. She is a pretty paint (white with chestnut markings) and a beautiful bi-color mane but...Pretty Is As Pretty DOES.

I battled with K.C. for 6 days trying to convince her that I was indeed in charge. She really needed to take an Emily Barnes manners class and I should have picked up on that when she took over an hour to load into the trailer.

I wanted it to work out with K.C. I worked for hours each day with her. The children were excited to have a horse on board and Franchesca loved every minute of the day including scooping poop and working in the pouring rain on raking out the (mud) path that K.C. wore in front of the gate. She and I would rise early and greet K.C. with cheer in our voice and coffee in hand (well, me anyway) but she just didn't have that thankful spirit.

That Friday she kicked me. I'm so glad it was me and not anyone smaller. As it was, she got me in the knees and I knew that my first instincts about her was indeed wisdom speaking.
Her name was spelled Casey but we changed it to K.C. and very fitting as the kids now refer to her as Kicker Casey.

It was a great lesson about charm being deceitful.

Note the nifty new holding compartment for shavings that Doug made. The tractor bucket pours them in at the top and they are "served" (Solomon term) out either of the 2 doors at the bottom. He is a great helper when the stall needs cleaned.