Day Seventeen

Today was one of "those days"...at least one of "those mornings" for me. I was feeling down, feeling doubtful, feeling like I needed to get away. The two younger kids were fighting a lot. I think that it all started out with one VERY grouchy toddler. It was hard to stay positive. We managed to get all our work done, but it was just hard.

However, after talking with a sweet sister who somehow has a way of putting things into perspective for me, I felt better. Thank God for encouragement from someone who understands.

Tomorrow is a new day. There is grace. And I'm thankful. I wouldn't trade my job for anything.

The day had a good ending...I'm also thankful for that. When we were at the park in the evening during Aidan's soccer practice, the two little brothers played quite nicely and we had a great game of tag, lots of time on the swings, and a few games that Dominic made up. The above picture was a genuine hug in a moment of "hug base tag" (if you hug another person who's playing, you're both unable to be tagged). It was great fun.

Day Sixteen

It was a great fall day. Aidan had his first pottery class at The Arts Center. He was comfortable within seconds of being there. The instructor really has a way with children (that's a total understatement). I showed up to pick him up and saw my little man helping clean up the potter's wheels, scrub off equipment, and rinse sponges. When he noticed that I had arrived, he said, "Hi Mama. This is SUCH a fun class!" After he was finished cleaning up, he showed me the four "little pots" that he had thrown on the wheel. He was a little disappointed that we couldn't take them home, but he's excited to glaze and fire them next week.

Day Fifteen

Oops. Sometimes Aidan hurries through math. We're working on that.

Day Fourteen

Today we received two small glass viles full of harvester ants in the mailbox. It was the highlight of the day. The boys watched them throughout the day as these little insects busily worked from the moment they were introduced to their new home.

Ant farms. Get one for your kids. They're awesome....and cheap.

Aidan wrote down some observations in his nature journal and sketched a few things while Dominic drew a fine picture of an ant. Proverbs 6:6 says "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise." The boys got a kick out of the song I know from childhood (taken from this verse).

However, when I read them the warning about not letting the ants out and Dominic realized that the ants were "biting ants", he was a little taken aback. He downright freaked out when he thought the lid was open. I had to explain that they're not killer ants. Active imagination? Check.

Day Thirteen

A sunny Saturday it was. We took advantage of the weather and harvested some veggies from our garden. We've had cucumbers coming out of our ears for months and finally we're harvesting green beans! Here's a shot of Aidan as he's picking beans while holding his shirt up with his mouth. The funny thing is that I remember harvesting beans into my upturned shirt when I was young. Great memories.

Day Twelve

Today I'm ever so grateful for the homeschool group that I get to be part of this year. This is our second meeting (and the first one with all of our kids). It is truly a Godsend. We played in the park from 11 until 4:30. The sun shone down on us for most of the time. Thanks to all of the beautiful moms who are a part of this. I am blessed.

Day Eleven

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." - Jacqueline Kennedy

And just FYI, I wouldn't recommend this book, but Simeon simply HAD to pick a few out on his own.