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Tea Time for Our Lady of Sorrows Feast Day

September 15, 2008 By Laura Leave a Comment

Today is Our Lady of Sorrows Feast Day, so I’m be sharing a little special something I did with the kids, to learn a bit about it, and acknowledge it. Over the weekend, we decided to look around in The Christmas Tree Shops. If you don’t have one of those near you, I feel bad for you. It’s such a great, affordable place, and I always come out with more than I planned on getting. So I try not to go in often. : ) But this time we all went in – and being the season to sell autumn decorations and goods, I had to control myself with every turn. However…..we did let the kids each choose a mini loaf ceramic pan, with the intention of letting them bake some mini loaves on Sunday.

Sunday got away in terms of baking. So then it got pushed to Monday…which is today. This morning, somehow we went way off track of our usual school morning routine. We got into helping the kids put finishing touches on some paper crafts they had started yesterday ( I’ll be blogging about that soon), and then we had to clean up the mess made in a flurry of creativity. By the time we were done, we realized we really needed to get the kids to their schoolwork, so we decided to move family devotion to the afternoon (usually done first in the day). Since we were going to do that, and it was the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, we decided to whip up some Quick Bread first and let the mini loaves bake while we did our school work, and plan on having an afternoon ‘tea’ together, and discuss the Feast Day, after school and lunch.

Boy did the house smell good while school work was getting done. Banana bread – one of our favorites. Soon the timer went off, and it was time for them to come out of the oven and cool for a bit.

The kids we so excited to have their own loaf (not to be eaten ALL at once) that they ate lunch a bit faster.

So we gathered in the sun room for Devotion, and discussion of the Feast Day while having a ‘tea’. We have had a ‘tea’ time a time or 2 before, but it was hot cocoa or something for them in the past. We just called it tea, for the sake of a tea time. But this time they tried some real tea. It was apple cinnamon decaf, and the little ones were pretty excited to try it – even though {A} tried to let them know they may not care for it, since she had tried it before. But she too was willing to try it again. Turns out, she still didn’t like it, 2 others didn’t think they did either. and the last thought it was ‘ok he guessed’. They sipped here and there as we chatted about the Blessed Mother, but not quite like they do hot cocoa. Their own little banana bread loaves, however, they were really enjoying.

For our discussion, first, we asked the kids how many times they could think of off the top of their head, when Mary, the mother of Jesus, might have experienced deep sorrow. Naturally, they all guessed his crucifixion, and death on the cross. {A} also named the time when Mary searched for three days in Jerusalem for her son, who was missing, and later found Him in the temple, teaching. Once they were done throwing out their thoughts, we taught them the 7 times Mary experienced great suffering in her life. We talked quite a bit about it, and how hard many of those times must have been. We can only try and imagine. (And as a mother, I don’t even want to. But I must, to truly begin to appreciate her sacrifice, and reasoning for it.)

It was a lovely tea time, even if the tea itself wasn’t the hit they hoped. There will be others, no doubt. Probably many in the coming cold season. We just leave the table with a warmer feeling inside. Perhaps it’s the tea. Perhaps it’s feeling a bit more in touch with our faith than when we sat. Or maybe it’s just the time together. In any case, we find tea time is good for the soul.

On a somewhat unrelated note, we might mention how Sunday ‘got away’. At some point, either while we were at mass, or picking up lumber at Home Depot, our little friend ‘Webington Ringaling’ broke free in the house…and we still haven’t found him.

Paintin’ Seashells and Movin’ Dirt!

September 13, 2008 By Laura Leave a Comment

Yesterday was a typical September Friday, here on the farm. Ok, we really don’t live on a farm, but I like to pretend we do. : )

After all of our school work was done, the kids really wanted to paint some of the oodles of seashells and treasures they collected on a long seashore excursion they had gone on the day before. We just love these September days…working in new school books, and spending many hours of our free time outdoors, exploring, imaging, learning and creating, (sometimes working) where the unbearable heat is now just a memory, and we can sense those beautiful Autumn days coming down the road.

The deck table seemed like the best place for the kids to get to work painting their seashells. The long and cold winter days are closer than we like to think too, and we’ll have plenty of projects to do gathered around our family table indoors, when those days are here! So for now, we prefer to take advantage of nice weather, drawing in deep breathes of the fresh clean air, with every stroke of the brush.

They get so immersed in their work, their little serious expressions always catch my attention. And it’s QUIET!

After a half day of work, Daddy got to a home project of his own ‘up in the mountains’, as our kids call them. What they really are, are huge mounds of dirt, as the aftermath left from our home construction. As the excavator dug out the earth for more house, it got dumped right up there….in where we used to call ‘up in the woods’. (Not very deep woods, mind you. lol). The dirt piles, right outside of our school windows which we spend some of our school time peering and glancing out of, have nonetheless served us much enjoyment. With our bird feeders out there, we have watched so many species of birds come and go, studying their habits and markings, not to mention the critters of the furrier kind, and their antics. But our goal is to turn the ‘mountains’ into an upper yard, with part of it also serving as a more charming bird sanctuary.

So, Michael had begun moving a little dirt on another day, but not really having a firm plan of exactly what or how he wanted to do it. Meanwhile, the kids had been begging to go up and help. So yesterday, the whole idea of what needed to be done gelled in his head, and he got to work. This time when the all of kids asked to help, he said ‘sure!’. Of course, he didn’t expect them to really be much help, or last very long. After all, it’s hard work, lifting and throwing shovel-fulls of dirt! Especially if you’re 6 years old, and less than 4 feet tall!

Here’s the big pic of what is being worked on. I believe Michael will build one more retainer wall at the top. It’s all going to be LOVELY when we finish bringing to reality the visions in our head. We love projects like this!

They worked really hard, and as time passed, collectively, were really ‘moving mountains’!! Goes to show you what a little team work can do!! What’s better, is that this is their idea of FUN!!! I admit…I was in the house working, because I had to. But I couldn’t help sneaking out quite regularly, just to watch their persistence, and to take photos of course.

While they all worked very hard, we need to give props to our little girl. While the other kids took breaks, alternating digging with playing, running and climbing elsewhere, {O} kept on working. She was ‘loving it’, as they say. With the exception of a lunch break, this little half-pint dug in and threw dirt for 4 hours straight!

And was still smiling…….

After clean-up and dinner prepping, we had a nice meal of fresh vegetable stir fry pockets, with cheese of course. But the kids did not let me forget that it was ‘Friday night’!! They have had these new big new glow sticks that friends of ours gave them, and they have been wanting to play with them at night. But really, having time to play would require them staying up late. So I had told them they had to wait until Friday night. Thankfully, once I gave that answer, they didn’t ask again. They just counted down the days and discussed their excitement amongst themselves. So the night had finally come, an when I told them they had to pick up their toys, and be in pajamas and all washed up first, the agenda got done faster than usual. ; )

And so they played, and like with everything they do, their faith was not forgotten……

Shane’s ‘Jesus Fish’….

3 little angels, …..pretending, we think. lol

Soon it was really time for bed. They put up less resistance than usual, and as they lied in bed, they didn’t sing as many songs together as they usually do, as they drift off to sleep. I guess they were pretty tired, and there is no wonder why!! After all….they moved mountains that day.

Meet ‘Webington Ringaling’ – a Ringneck Snake

September 7, 2008 By Laura Leave a Comment

I swear that half the fun of getting a new pet, is naming them!

‘Webington Ringaling’ was rescued by {A}. She was on a job site with her Dad on Friday, when she spotted him, with his tail all caught up in a spider’s web. (Thus his cool name.) He’s a Ringneck snake. He’d probably been dangling there for hours, but just couldn’t break free. He had been in the shade, and lucky for him, {A} saved him before the approaching late afternoon sun got to him.

Aside from our formal lessons, every day occurrences like this, are how Science is taught at our home. Natural, real curiosity leads to research, and research leads to reading, and learning. Real life observation provides even more.

There are 12 subspecies of ringneck snakes found over much of the eastern and southern parts of the United States, as well as parts of the Pacific Coast States. ‘Webington Ringaling’ is just a baby, only about 4 inches long. But adults can range from 10-27 inches in length. {A} has learned all kinds of facts about ringnecks, and exactly how to care for this one for awhile, providing for him a safe and healthy environment while she observes him. She’s handled him some too, but not much, because this variety of snake is edgy and nervous, and shouldn’t really be handled unless necessary. (The photo below counts as ‘necessary’ in my book.)

Not sure how long we’ll allow her to keep him. It may depend on how fast he starts growing. He has everything he needs in his terrarium, and she feeds him small insects and slugs. So he’s in a pretty happy environment for the time being.

Just makes me wonder what lessons God has in store for us next.

Our First Day of School /Thoughts on a New Homeschooling Year

September 6, 2008 By Laura 1 Comment

We really view homeschooling as 24/7/365, and the world is our classroom. But in early September every year, we begin the new cycle of academic plans I spent the summer putting together, as well as fresh new books. Some homeschoolers do not ever refer to grade levels for their kids, but we tend to. While they may work ahead of their grade level (or behind if necessary), in any given subject, they generally are all at a grade level. So for all intensive purposes, we have a 6th grader and 3 1st graders this year.

If you haven’t been able to tell, we all love school around here. We just love what and how we do it, and love that we can. : ) But there is something especially exciting about the beginning of a new school year. I get butterflies when the boxes of new books start coming in, and everyone is begging to open those boxes, too! We all love the feel and smell of new books.

And then there is all of the new school supplies. Freshly sharpened pencils crowned with perfect erasers, that new special pen, notebooks filled with fresh white blank pages, just waiting to be covered in the new knowledge that awaits us. And then there is the new crayons, so beautiful you hardly want to use one….but you can’t stop yourself……the fresh set of paints….the folders you can’t wait to put something in. Yeah……there is something thrilling about new school supplies.

This year, being our 4th home schooling (the first 2 only being with one school aged child, formally), I am more prepared and organized than ever. We really want to be better at living the Liturgical Year, as we are called to do by our faith anyway. (We are Roman Catholic.) It’s a lot! We did make efforts last year, and very much enjoyed what we made time to do, but we know we can do better. We WANT to do more, because it really is so spiritually fulfilling, for all of us. So each school day, we will start as we always have, with our Daily Devotion, which in simple terms, is family prayer/scripture study time, and lots of discussion, together. There is much more to study, always more to learn, and more implement more regularly in our faith-practicing daily lives. The greater hope is to bring us closer to Christ, which is the point of every single day.

Other than that, {A} is very excited to start Latin this year, and {J, O and S} are super excited about having ‘Spelling Quizzes’ this year! That “q” word just makes the giggle with anticipation.

Next we’ll just share some photos from the day, with possibly brief explanations. Keeping in mind, this blog is a record for our kids’ memories, as much as sharing with others.

So we starting the first day with Devotion, outside. After prayer, we learned about St. Gregory, as it was his Feast day, and then the kids sang some songs and the dances that go with them, which they learned at VBS. I should have video’s it for you all, knowing how cute they were going to be. But alas, I only took photos.

Here they are rump-shakin’ and a-raisin’-the-roof, praisin’ the Lord! lol. (Can we get an ‘Amen ‘?!)

Then it was time to go in for some more formal work.

They just did some writing, copywork, math, direction games, and had an art/drawing class – which they very much enjoyed. We started with all of the formal subjects the next day. {A} did all of her subjects for the day.

”

Oh, and how we can I forget ‘First Day of School’ photos? I came across LAST YEAR’S first day photos, and was blown away with how much they have grown and changed!! I thought it would be fun to share them and post them side by side. Unreal.

I sure wish they wouldn’t grow like that. Must be all the food they eat. But I’m glad I take so many photos, so we never forget. I hardly remember {A} looking so young and little last year.

Here below was our whole gang last year. I guess I didn’t take this group shots this year, for the first day. And {A} had hers taken in one of the rooms she loves to do her school work in most – the sun room.

Later on in the day, every one spent more time doing some casual reading. (They all love to read and read around here.) I only took a couple more shots of {A} and {S}. As I’ve posted these photos tonight, I see the color is looking off (only) on the blog. I’ll have to look into what the deal is with that but, I’m sure you ‘get the picture’. lol’

Well…that’s about it. I’m tired now. Are you?? (And do you smell somethin’?)

A Day Worth Celebrating!! – Our Triplets Turn 6!

September 3, 2008 By Laura 1 Comment

This past Sunday was a very special day in our family; it was half of our family’s birthday!! Our triplets ‘babies’ turned 6!

As I probably mentioned in our oldest daughter’s birthday post a couple of months ago, birthdays are celebrated in a big but different way, in our family. Basically, no one works or has school, and we spend the day together, discussing and celebrating our loved one’s life in the ways that feel right to us. Every family is different, as we all well know. For us, annual parties with piles of presents never sat well with us. It just wasn’t what we wanted to do every year, as much as we LOVE to plan celebrations. It just seemed to us that the presents become the focus of the gathering — especially for children, who are still learning/being taught what matters most in life. I think that perspective became all the more important to us to really try to implement in our children, when we arrived at a child’s birthday party some years ago. When we got there, and came walking up the driveway, the birthday child started to coming to meet us, and I personally was initially very impressed with such manners, to greet their guests like that. But then the first words the child said to us were, “Where’s my present?“. We had one of course, but that kind of stuck with us, and gave us a new determination with how we wanted to try things differently, and try to redirect to the most meaningful parts of the day. Granted, teaching such values is a constant work in progress, but the kids seem to be pretty focused most time on the true meaning and purpose of Christmas, birthdays, and the like. We do give and accept gifts, as you’ll see in this post, too. But as a family, we really do focus most on our traditions and time together, thankfully, than the gifts. Although those are always pretty exciting too, huh? They are more like bonuses.

With that being said, I know some of you have been chomping-at-the bit (for different reasons I imagine), and checking many times a day (we’re flattered!) for this birthday report, with all of the sorted details and photos……so here it is:

J, O and S’s birthday was really beautiful. Really. I’m still flying with glee from it, to tell you the truth. Just an emotional, exciting and FUN day, that created such memories! Weather-wise, it was beautiful, but the whole day was as wonderful as we had hoped and planned it would be. It started on our bed. They always ask to hear the stories of when we were expecting, and all of the crazy things that happened while they were all crowded in there together. But as we tell stories, they are always watching the clock, waiting for those official minutes of the morning when they were actually born. We purposely skip the whole labor part, as that is a horrifying and terrifying story, that even I prefer to forget (but can’t seem to). So we skip right to the moments of joy!

Next the little bedheads, still in their boxers and t-shirts, which we call pajamas, headed to the table to wait for their (our family’s) traditional birthday breakfast.

We have pancakes often enough, but they are just extra special on birthdays.

They usually prefer strawberry yogurt with their pancakes, instead of syrup. But this day they chose syrup, so that gave me reason enough to let them have their first surprise of the day;

Electric (well battery powered) toothbrushes. I could tell by their expressions that they weren’t sure how excited they should be about this first surprise. Then I heard one of them suggest that they go try them out right away………..

It might have been the longest they have ever brushed!! They came out with great BIG smiles, and I swear their teeth were whiter! We’ve heard lots of extra and longer buzzing in the bathroom in the past 2 days. Let’s hope the thrill of it sticks around. : )

Then the phone rang, and it was their Papa (my father)….who sang Happy Birthday to them over the speaker phone. (He could have/should have been a country star, just so you know. He has a great voice, loves to sing, and self taught himself guitar and harmonica….which he can really jam on and often entertains us. The kids LOVE it.)

Once we were all ready, we headed to Mass. It happened to be Sunday, and {A} was THRILLED that she was scheduled to serve on yet another special occasion to her. But what a beautiful way, anyway, to start this special day. The trio’s Daddy and I loved going to Mass on their birthday, and having such an opportunity in that way, to give thanks to our Heavenly Father, for the gift of these children He has given us. They could very easily have been ‘taken back’ to Heaven, on more occasions than we care to remember, while in utero or the NICU. I personally begged and pleaded while on bedrest, and admittedly ‘made a deal’ with God, to keep these babies in an earthly way. He granted my (our) constant prayers I presented with him throughout our expecting these babies, both through my 6 months on bedrest as well as when they were in the NICU initially. I am keeping my promise to Him, in return, and will until the end of time. My gratitude is present in my heart every day I live, with every breathe I breathe. So at mass, as I gave thanks once again, the emotions just kept on coming. How many ways can you be thankful for such beautiful and healthy children, who didn’t have great odds in having such a life??

After Mass and some brief ‘hang-out- time with our friend Fr. Bob, who presided at this mass (see? perfect!), we headed home to change and grab lunch. Because…..we needed to head out to the big surprise of the day!!

Color Me Mine,….an AWESOME and FUN pottery painting place. The kids just could not figure out what they wanted to do all together for their birthday this year, so their Daddy and I came up with something we were SURE they would love doing. They walked into this place with wide eyes, and ‘wonder’ written all over their faces. Once we explained to them what we were doing, the 4 kids all chose a plate to paint (well, except {J}, who initially really wanted to paint a piggy bank,,,,but being the Mama, knew he would be sad later when everyone was eating off of the special plate they made…so I talked him into what I knew he would ultimately be happy with.).

They could paint it and design it anyway they chose. I have to tell you…2 of them were insisting they needed to use a butterfly ‘for Meme’. That is my mother, who passed away. (As if the day wasn’t emotional enough.) They see butterflies as her spirit visiting them, and reminding them that she loves them and is still here, as many people see butterflies representing their own loved and lost ones, I guess.

Figuring out what they wanted to do, and getting set up was the hardest part. But once they got going, they felt really settled and were as happy as clams to get to work!

The photos in this post are just a handful of the ton of photos I took on this day. Truth be told, I always have a hard time choosing which photos to post in the blog. Any photos of our kids are my favorites, and any from THIS particular day was especially special. But I did my best to narrow them down. Who minds?

{A} decided on a couple of ‘add-ons’ to adhere to the sides of her very personality-evident plate:

{O} really wanted a job at this place. Once she was done working on her plate, she was washing everyone in the place’s brushes and sponges. lol

Their father and I were very busy the whole time, helping them get more paint or showing them how to do whatever, and I was taking all the photos I could as well. But there was one thing I wanted to do before they closed shop………a family hand-print plate. We managed to get it done, and my husband hand-lettered our names under all the prints, all the way around. THAT will be a treasure of mine for a long time to come. Well…forever!!

Of course, all of the pieces you have seen are very ‘undone’. We are very excited to pick them up in about a week! Once they have been glazed and kilned, the color will all be ‘popped’ and they are going to be just beautiful!! It’s just another somethin’ to look forward to! (For you too…since I’ll take photos and put them on the blog, I am sure.)

After we scrubbed up and left Color Me Mine, still kind of covered in paint, and with smiles seemingly painted on too, we left STARVING!! It was time to go out to dinner, and 2 of the kids wanted to go to the 99. 2 others wanted to go to a seafood place. {S} wanted baked scrod, and {O} wanted fried shrimp. We figured out that we could probably get both of those things at the 99 anyway…so that’s where we went. What a LOVELY and enjoyable dinner together. We just laughed (hysterically at times) and chatted over a nice meal. {S} did indeed order baked scrod, with broccoli (yay!) and apple sauce. {O} could have ordered fried shrimp, but changed her mind to chicken tenders. The other 2 ordered burgers. Anyhoo…..here was a nice birthday celebration bonus. Our (excellent) waitress came to out table, and let us know that 2 of the kids meals were free (for the purchase of each adult meal), because the Red Sox won the night before!! SERIOUSLY??!! (Not that the Red Sox won….lol, but about the free meals because they did.) Well……. OK!!! I guess that’s the deal they offer. We love that. : )

On the way home, balloons were on the urgent agenda. The birthday trio REALLY wanted them. So we stopped on the way home to get them, and somehow that experience was pretty fun too!! They were allowed to choose their ribbon color too, so they were thrilled. Then the cashier, who was one of those people who had never seen/known triplets before, was an especially (puzzling) hoot. We were cracking up on the way out.

Once we got home, we still had a few things to do. A couple more surprises, and the ‘coffee cake’ they specifically requested (for months) for their birthday cake. There was also sweet message on the machine for them; a quite amusing ‘Happy Birthday’ duet and message from their grandparents. We listened to that a few times. : )

Their big sister, {A}, is just the sweetest big sister when it comes to their birthday. She starts planning weeks in advance. Once her birthday is over, anyway. She really works at figuring out just what she wants to get them, and insist on using her own money. she makes pretty good money for a kid, as she enjoys being our business assistants here and there, and we like to compensate her when she does. She saves most of it, and spends a little. So as their birthday approaches, she asks us to drive her to the places she needs to go, and we do. So she was pretty excited, as she always is, to give them their gifts. She always knows just what they’ll flip over:

{J} loves penguins, and puppets……..

Not too long ago, the kids Papa came down for their pre-birthday visit, and gave the kids a gift. He gave {O} a purse, which I thought was perfect. She’s so into girls things. In accepting the gift, {O} amusingly said in her sweet and grateful little tone “Well thank you, Papa! I don’t know what I have to put it in it, but it’s nice! Thank you.’ {A} remembered that, and got her plenty of purse things to put in it……

Last year, {A} bought {S} a blue hummer toy. He LOVED it…had it every moment of the day. Until one day it rolled off the table and broke. (A few times, actually….and we fixed it over and over). Eventually it was just done, from playing with it, and it dropping so many times. So he really wanted another one, and said so a LOT! Do YOU think he looks happy?…….

Then we had one more surprise for them, before cake.

They have been using an educationally based computer program called Jump Start. They’ve been using the 1st grade one for over a year, and seemed like they needed something more challenging, so we got them the next level up. Mind you, this isn’t a school thing we give them. It’s something they like to do in their spare time, outside of our formal school time, for FUN. It’s all parts of writing, reading, math, science, social studies, thinking skills, music and art. So….”sure kids! You can play with that for awhile!” They are getting a refurbished laptop of their own that is fast enough, because {A} needs hers for science and history/geography. (Here is {O} below using the program the next day.

The next day we realized there was some mail and books that came for them that we forgot to give them the (late) night before. Not to mention the pile of thoughtful cards they got more in the mail that day. They were all very sweet/funny, and they even got some handmade cards that were very appreciated by them. They also appreciate the phone calls they received with birthday wishes over a few days time.

So that was our wonderful day, in a nutshell, believe it or not. : ) Although I am (very) excited to share our always exciting first day of (home) school with you, (oh my goodness…the abundance of photos I took), I wanted to share this day first. I will be blogging about our unexpected first day of school soon, somewhere in between the work I have, school and everything else important. I need to go through and process the photos before then too.

Thanks for reading all about this big day in our family! We appreciate the visitors, as we share, and record our daily family life we are so blessed with.

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