my baby

It is happening right under my feet but it's still hard to believe. I would think after having 3 others, I would know that there's this window of time when your babies transform into little people. They shed their babyness and strive with all their might to be big. That season has come and invaded my home. There's a baby in the house who's looking up to his older siblings and striving to figure out what will make him a "cool dude". The bath tub toys have slowly disappeared. They have been disposed of because of yuckiness and I've known that plastic containers, toothbrushes and bubbles are enough to satisfy my little one. But last night, he threw me for a loop. It's bath time for my baby and he declares, "Everybody else takes a shower; I want to take one too." We tried out a booster seat for my sweet boy for a few days last week and he just looked too old and too big for that. He's still sleeping in his toddler bed being over run by stuffed animals but he just seems too little to move into anything different. He chooses chapter books at the library for me to read to him. He answers questions correctly during class. He sings our Latin "Second Declension" song under his breath as he moving about the house. He helps me mop,vacuum, dust and clean the windows. He buys his own gum at Walmart and practically gives most of it away to friends and family without hesitation. He knows that he has to be a whole hand older before he's allowed to watch Star Wars. Thankfully, he hasn't figured out that he's too big to snuggle in bed with me in the morning. Thankfully, his favorite place to hear a story is in my lap. He's growing up but I suppose he'll always be my sweet baby boy to me.

The unknown

Sometime ago I skimmed the pages of one of those homeschooling books that advocates for denim skirts, reading only the classics, making fresh bread and all the other things that go along with that! One chapter that I did spend a little more time reading had to do with boys! I don't remember too much from this book but I do remember their advice. If your family includes boys seriously consider moving to an area where you can have a small farm. Boys need to be kept busy and productive!

On this point, I couldn't agree with the authors any more. There's a part of me that would love to have a small farm.

And since there is no small farm in our near future, I suppose we will make do with what we have!

I have not been included in the planning sessions for what will be occurring with this pile of red clay nor have I been privy to how long this project will continue. I've just been handed over loads and loads of very dirty jeans. I suppose when you live in NC and you have a few warm winter days, there's no telling what will happen when you are encouraged to enjoy the sunshine.

The Farm

Last week when the weather was relatively warm, we invited ourselves over to our friends' farm.

Although our kids do have lots in common, I think one of the major commonalities amongst them is their love for animals and desire to have their own furry friend.  Well, I probably shouldn't say furry as there is a strong contingency that would go for gills, scales or basically anything that breathes!

A new season

One week ago we told Peter that if he could save up $100 we would split the purchase of an Ipod Touch. After lots of conversations with others and between Philip and I, we realized that it was just time. Our precious is growing up and before we know it he'll be in middle school. Although he's still 10 and to me it is still very young, I realize that if he's going to make it in the real world he needs to know how to navigate the electronic world.

I am not ready for video games to invade our family time. I'm not ready for my 3 year old to be exposed to the concept of not waiting patiently but being given a game to play to pass the time in the Doctor's office. However, I must admit that the more I learn about this device the cooler it sounds! I hope that I get a turn using it. Meanwhile, Peter had far more money in savings that we realized. Combine with that and Christmas money and a few odd jobs, it took him less than a week to save up. However, the wait for the Ipod to arrive was arduous for him. When we saw the FedEx truck pass our house, he was sure that his package was on his truck. So he waited outside for a long while to no avail! However, the postal service brought the package to our mailbox this afternoon.

Donations

So I just discovered that I had yet to post some photos from December. I have been getting together weekly with two other families as we have formed a Co-op. Our kids have learned together and played together beautifully. Near the end of last semester, we challenged our kids to see if combine they can find 50 toys that we could donate to a local charity.

 After we delivered the toys to the Christian Help Center, we were going Christmas caroling at a local nursing home.  The kids were signing Christmas cards to give out to the residents.

 It was really amazing to see the kids come together and give their things.  I expected them to see toys that their friends were donating and wanting to take them home.  However, it never happened.

 The kids collected 127 items!

Snow Day

We had our first snow day 2013.  We had the perfect amount of snow to pull out the sleds and strap on all our snow gear.  The kids were outside by 7:30am to enjoy the white stuff.  We hardly stopped until 12:30 for a much belated breakfast.

After enjoying our small hill in the front yard, I remembered that 2 years ago I purchased plastic sleds that had never been used.  I dusted them off from the top of my closet and they were christened!  After we had had enough sledding, snowman building and hot chocolate, we headed to the woods behind the church.  We took a lovely walk in the woods and ended up finding a beaver's dam!  It was a great day.

Belated Russian Christmas

It was a tradition growing up for my Mom's side of the family to gather for Russian esChristmas. We exchange gifts, eat yummy Russian treats and enjoy time together. I have many fond memories of this time. It's been a long time since, my mom has made Halupki (Stuffed Cabbage). With a full day ahead of us, it seemed the perfect time to introduce my kiddos to this long standing tradition!

We had a good time making Halupki and everyone enjoyed the finished product. Maybe next year we can add Borscht and Kolaches to the menu.

Peter Skiing - 2013

Ruff Ridge

After a day of rest, our ski legs were ready for some hiking. We tried out a fairly new trail for us this year. We were introduced to this trail last year but didn't explore it completely.

It was a beautiful day to be on the mountain!

After skiing

It's hard to top a day or two of skiing but somebody has to try.  We spent Wednesday giving our legs a bit of a break and heading to a few of our favorite Boone shops.  We started at Goodwill.  I think I spent the best money I've spent in a while there.  Emma and Ryan both scored watches for $1 each.  Ryan has never been so interested in the time than he has since he got this watch.  He has just about mastered being able to read the time correctly.  Nathan scored a $2.00 ambulance that he has carried everywhere and continuously says thanks for buying this for him.  Peter bought himself a $0.50 stuffed animal!  We rounded off our purchases with a puzzle, Outburst Jr., clipboards and a few shirts for Philip.  I really do enjoy shopping at Goodwill.

Though it's hard to top those bargains, we did make our traditional stop at Mast General to buy lollipops and admire all the cool (and very expensive) outdoors equipment.  We had lunch at a really amazing restaurant.  F.A.R.M. Cafe is a new restaurant in Boone that is a non-profit organization whose mission is to Feed All Regardless of Means.  So there was a suggested price for lunch with the option of volunteering to pay off your meal or to eat without cost.  We had a wonderful made - from scratch and fresh from local farms meal. 

 After a nice day in town, we settled in to work on puzzles and play games and eat left overs!

The crew

The crew arrived Sunday evening as we prepared to hit the slopes first thing Monday morning. Before hitting the slopes, we needed to hit the hot tub - a favorite activity of all the kids.

After skiing for about four hours, everyone was ready for some lunch.  Our kids only get Pepsi's twice a year.  Once on the ski trip and once after their camping trip!  It's definitely a prized treat.  Even Nathan is chugging one down.  I have to admit the sugar and caffeine helped keep us all going until we closed the slopes down at 4:30.

We gave out honorary awards this year. Peter received: Most improved control. Emma received: Most improved speed.

Nathan had a fantastic time on the slopes.  He received " Rookie of the Year" award.  On our last trip up the mountain, Nathan feel asleep on the slopes.  Philip skied with him the entire way down the mountain between his legs.  About half way down, Nathan fell asleep again!  Needless to say, he was one tired little fellow.

Ryan won this year's "Most Improved" award. After spending a good amount of time with his Papa on the bunny slope, he moved on to Easy street. It took about three runs down the green slope and then it clicked. After that, you couldn't stop him. Ethan shared in the "Rookie of the Year" award. He did a super job going down the slopes.

Ryan received "Most improved of the year". 

Papa and Nathan share a little down time as the big kids hit the big slopes for a little while.  It's hard to believe that Bob was able to ski with all 6 of his grandkids.  He did a great job coaching Ryan this year and trying to keep up with the older three. 

Caleb had a terrific time hitting the slopes.  His award for the season is "Most likely attempt all the jumps".

We all survived a full day of skiing!  It was a beautiful day to enjoy God's creation.

Skiing - 2013