read aloud

I had the girls agree on a 'big book' for me to read aloud to them this summer. They chose Little Women. This wouldn't have been my first choice right now but they all agreed. So it's a good choice. We started today. I pray for consistency. ;) (The Hobbit is still sitting by my bed, bookmarked at like chapter 3)

last day of school

WooHoo! I don't know who's more excited, me or the kids, but today is the last day of school for 3 months. Yippee. I'm so ready to be able to stay up late and NOT have to be up before 6am. Not that we will be lounging all summer but changing up the busy is good!

I always have lofty goals to accomplish every summer and rarely accomplish much but nonetheless, this year is no different.

*The girls will rotate kitchen chores weekly. Those chores include: lunch helper, supper helper, table setter. I may relieve them of the unloading of the dishwasher for the summer....or maybe not.

*I want to teach the 2 older kids to do laundry. Not that I want them to fully take that job over but I want them to know how to do it.

*I want atleast Jaci able to bake a cake from a mix and maybe some other baking. They've never done any sort of baking by themselves. I know, bad mamma.

*Computer time will be limited to 30 minutes a day. They can break that up into 2 or 3 slots but no more than 30 minutes total.

*Scheduled reading time - on their own and together. I'm going to have them pick a book of the Bible to have finished by August, as I will have the entire Bible read by then. :)

*Another fun thing I thought of.....I bought them each a notebook to write down their "See what God will do" moments. This is a mantra burning in my life right now. I want them to remember what they see God doing in these days.

I have a feeling we'll be doing a fair amount of traveling most of the summer so these things will fit into life however and whenever we can. Hopefully. Yay for summer schedules!

kindergarten is looming

We found out today that Robin will have the same Kindergarten teacher that Chandler had - Yay! We so love Mrs. S and her para Mrs. R. Amazing, fun ladies. Robin is going to have a blast this fall!

"Step Up Day" is on Monday. The older girls will visit their new classes for the last hour of the day and Robin (and us) will go in and explore her new classroom. Fun times. I will have a Kindergartener, a 2nd grader and a 5th grader in '08/'09. Where does time go?

catchin' up with the kids

I'm horrified that I haven't posted here in almost a month. Being a mamma has been a hoot these last weeks. The best time was when we were at DisneyWorld last week and watching the girls' faces. Especially Robin's. They had so much fun. I felt like a credit card commercial. Disney for a day - $350. Food for the day - only God knows. The look on my 4 year old's face when she saw Cinderella - priceless.

Right after we got home, Chandler had her end-of-year field trip, which I was scheduled to go on. We took a hike down a local nature trail, which really wasn't as boring as I thought it might be. Here's a few photos....

Picnic lunch first

It's nice to have good friends you can be goofy with!

Pretty purple flowers

It's the wise old owl. And our guide, though very environmentalist, was fantastic with the kids.

Yeah, that's my brave baby, touching the nasty ol' snake. I didn't get anywhere close. :)

It is a pretty place.

birthday glory

I'm going to continue reveling in my 30th birthday glory for another minute over here too. Sorry.

My kids each bought me a gift 'from them'. They were excellent choices. Each one.

Jaci bought me jewelry. Black necklace and black and silver bangle bracelets. With them, a card. In it, written: Thirty is great. It is the beginning of a new life. Your eldest daughter, Jaci
She's 9.

Chandler bought me scissors. (mine disappeared a while back and this indeed, was a fabulous gift) In her card? Thirty is good. Thirty is a birdy. From your middle child.
Have a told you what a nut this one is?

Robin bought a candle. A oh-so-yummy-smelling fruity, gel, jar candle. She didn't have any amazing words of wisdom, just I LOVE YOU. I'll take it!

I know I was sick but, man, I was tearing up, feeling totally blessed, when they piled into my bed, bearing gifts that morning. Here's me and my 'middle child', helping me be happy at my surprise party.

all growed up

My baby just went on her first sleepover last night. (sniff, sniff) I wasn't home.

She's stayed at Memo's (my mom's) lots of times and also a couple family friend's houses, while Mitch and I were away. But that was with her sisters and was instigated by mom and dad.

Last night was her staying - with a friend - by herself. I guess she's all growed up now. I also know this because her daddy just saw her swinging outside. And she can pump all by herself. Sigh.

And while I'm in this mommy mode, can I recommend to you an amazing book that will make you cry? A teacher showed me "Let Me Hold You Longer" a couple weeks ago - she warned me to grab the kleenex. Yep, I needed it.

My Robi-bird (12/06)

Easter 2008

Me and my crew


My princesses

It's nice to have an 'acting big brother'
(a great friend from church)

It's the eggs - that horror of horrors, I didn't quite get HARD boiled. Soft-boiled easter eggs are not so resilient and quite messy to clean up after a lively easter egg hunt.