Happy Birthday, Bear!

Today is my sweet Claire-bear's 6th birthday.  Is my "baby" girl already six?  Of course the time has passed by quickly, but in a way she seems so much older.  She is an old-soul, you might say.  Very wise for her young years.  She's our "little bit", our petite one, so it is always a surprise to hear such mature talk from such a small fry.  And she is cute, beautiful is more like it,  inside and out.  Always smiling and loving her pig-tails.... or "elephant ears".... she's called them that since she was two.  A happy and loving girl, sensitive and her heart always on her sleeve.  Theatrical and passionate, sometimes dramatic but surprisingly calm and level headed for one with such flair.  Quick to dance to any beat and will belt out a tune for any audience willing to look her way.  A heart that loves Jesus and cares for everything, living or not.  Especially those things that are tiny.  Defender of the cat, catcher of bugs, picker of flowers and giver of leaves to Mama.  She laughs at her own jokes and cries at movies.  A brilliant artist with talent beyond her years and an eye for detail.  In drawings and in life.  An honest heart, a friend to everyone, a giver of all that she has and my double hugger at bedtime.

You are beautifully made, Claire Rebecca, and I love seeing God use you in His very special way.  You are a gift to me, and I'm so glad I get to be your Mama.

irony

silence

Silence is something we don't have alot of at our house. There are many small people in a muy small space, therefore, it is usually loud.

And when it gets too quiet, you worry. That usually means that something is wrong or someone is somewhere doing something they shouldn't be doing.

You know, things like eating dish soap or crawling on top of the piano. Or coloring the baby with a Sharpie. Things like playing in the trash can or throwing things in the toilet or emptying the fridge. And my personal favorite, playing in my make-up.

This is what that one looks like, by the way.


And in case you are wondering, those are all things that actually happened at my house this week. Along with, a trip to the doctor, 2 ear infections, a visit from my Mom (which was a great thing, by the way), one call to Poison Control, several computer repair attempts, and several other exciting things I'm too tired to remember.

So, silence? We haven't had much of that lately. And when we have, we've tried to end it quickly. However, when things are moving at this pace around here, my blog does go silent.

I've just been catching up on living life and writing about it will have to wait for a while. So I'm just taking a minute to say hello and let you know that I will be back when things slow down a bit.

Or at least when I have a few more moments of silence.

submarines

This week blogging has once again become a casualty of our busyness. But, before I forget this, I have to write it down.

Tonight at bedtime, Claire (our ocean animal lover) pops her head up as I'm tucking her in.

She whispers, "Mom, when I grow up and I'm a Mommy, I want to be one of the guys that drives a submarine."

"Okay. That sounds great.", I whispered.

"Mom, will you go with me? We can drive it together and you can help me."

I assured her that I would be happy to and she snuggled down and went right to sleep with a smile on her face.

I can just see us cruising around the ocean together.

I would love to ride in a submarine with this sweet little girl. I hope she still wants me to when she's a "mommy".

snowflakes

It's been snowing this week.  Again.  I've decided that, although we don't get nearly as much snow as some of our fellow northerners, we get plenty up here.  We've enjoyed a winter so far with enough snowfall for playing and not enough to make you crazy.  There is a fine line there.

But no  matter how many times it snows, it never, ever gets old to the kids.  They run out into is as fast as they can get their little boots on.  Every time, you would think it was the first time they'd ever seen snow.

And every time, they immediately stick out their tongues and try to catch a snowflake or two.   And they usually do.

There's just something about the feeling of a fresh, crisp snowflake on your tongue, I guess.

But, try as you may, if you still can't catch one....


You can always just lick one off the door.

Really.  I'm sure it's clean.

brotherly love

Claire Bear

I like photography.  No, that would be understating it a bit.  I crazy like photography.  I especially like taking pictures of my kids.  And other people's kids.  And pretty much everything else.  Especially kids.  

If you've read my blog at all, this comes as no surprise to you at all.  What you may not know is that my sweet husband also crazy likes photography.  He loves taking unique shots and is great at capturing the everyday beauty in things.   I love that we get to share this, and I hope that one day we'll get to spend lots more time together taking shots of beautiful things.

Since I'm always sharing my photos, here's a couple of shots he took the other day of one of the beautiful things that lives in our house.   She was heading out the door to play.  And now, next winter when she's a big 6 year old, we can remember exactly what she looked like this winter in her stripy hat with tassels. 

These are the beautiful things we don't want to forget!  I love you, Claire Bear!

Happy Birthday, Claire Bear!

As is custom at our house, days like this start with pink pancakes.  Today one of them was in the shape of the letter "C".

Because today the birthday girl was sweet Claire.  She's 5 years old now, and we've celebrated all day.   We started with our traditional birthday breakfast.  Complete with sausage, specifically requested by the birthday girl.  And we had lots of balloons and pink.  And of course there were presents.  And all this was before 7 am.

We celebrated all morning.  And then the real party began.

This afternoon we had friends over for a Princess Tea.  All the girls were dressed in their princess finest.  And the boys were knights, of course.  We had tea and cake and fancy little tea party food.  All of this is so Claire.  And she was beaming.

We ate chocolate things and held out our pinkies while we sipped raspberry tea.

Our friend Mrs. Nicole talked in an English accent and everyone giggled.  We nibbled and were proper.  But mostly giggly. 

And then we made princess picture frames.  Except for the knights and princes, who all made very manly frames with football stickers on them.

All of my little princesses had a good time.

And of course there were presents.  Lovely ponies and little dolls and clothes for dolls and games.  So much fun.  Claire just loves surprises.  If she thought anyone was talking about what she might get for her birthday, she would run from the room with her ears covered.  She loves the anticipation of it all.  

She loves all things pretty.

So with so many pretty things to play with, what else was left to do, but play?  So play we did.  And played and played.  And it was fun.

And here are all the merry party-goers.  I mean, the royal court after the Princess' Tea.  (Except Sir Nathan who slept through most of the party but thoroughly enjoyed the cake when he did finally wake up.)   It was a fun, fun day.

Happy Birthday, Claire!  You really are such a joy to us everyday.  We love your sweet smile and your girly ways.  You are growing up so fast, but you will always be our special Claire Bear!  

A picture is worth a thousand words...

highlights

I so love to blog and so miss when I can't do it, but it's been a busy few weeks here at our house.  As much as I would love to go into way more detail than anyone actually cares to read, I'll hit the highlights because I'm very, very sleepy and am heading to bed soon.  

So, here they are.

In no particular order.  

With some pictures.

Again, in no particular order.

School is going well.  I am learning lots.  We made wigwams and tepees and learned what a Calumet is.  The girls then made leaf outfits for their pet-shops so they could live in said tepees and wigwams. We studied pilgrims and stars and we're growing kidney bean plants and an herb garden. The kids started art class with other homeschoolers on base.  Way cool.

We've done more playing at parks and walking on beaches.  We've visited a fall fest and rode horses (pictures later) and checked out the libraries.  Ken and boys found a starfish, the girls found crabs.  Fall arrived and it's chilly outside.  The wind blows here like crazy.  We saw a skunk in our backyard.  It sprayed our neighbor and his dog.  We also still have lots of raccoons, but after reading this story we decided to leave them alone.

We found a church we like.  It's Evangelical Free and more contemporary than we're used to, but the teaching is good and there is lots of good fellowship.  I have been questioned by a few I have met there as to whether or not I am "the lady with 5 kids."  Yes, I am.  And I still wish the church (read, protestants) was more open to life.

Hannah and Grace are spending lots of time riding their bikes.  Our fearless little Gracie, who just took off the training wheels is even riding down steps now.  Claire burns rubber, or plastic as the case may be, on her big wheel.

Jake and Nate are really beginning to bond as brothers.  Nate just loves watching his big brother do everything.  They "play" blocks together and Jake loves to make him laugh.  They take a bath together now and there is lots and lots of splashing.  We're getting the firsts tastes of having "boys".  I think it's going to be fun.



Nathan is all over the place.  He army crawls like a pro and easily gets from lying down to sitting.  He's even beginning to pull up on things.  Definitely a mover and a shaker.  He's as sweet as ever and has spunk.

Ken is working hard as a student.  Tests and papers are now part of the norm.  This is a somewhat busy trimester for him, but things should ease up in a few weeks.  Either way, he's a student and that's pretty great.  We're still liking base housing.  Made lots of friends.  Joined a homeschool group here on base and lots of mommies and kids to hang out with.

I'm still taking lots of pictures.  Of everything.  And I love it.

The older 4 kids are all in one room now.  It's like a slumber party every night.  They are really liking the arrangement and doing really well.  Nathan is now out of our room and we finally have our own room again.  Stand by for another baby.  

Just kidding.  

I think.

boogers

Honest to goodness conversation I had in the car today.

After discussing exactly what a "booger" consists of and correcting one of our daughters on why is is socially incorrect to pick one's nose...

"But why?"

"It's not polite, sweetie.  You should just use a tissue."

"But what if I don't have a tissue."

"Then ask Mom and we'll find one."

"But what if we can't find one, and I really, really have to pick my nose."

At that point, I just dropped the conversation and kept driving.

A few minutes of silence.

"Mom, what if I'm laying the in road  and I can't wipe my nose on the pavement and someone ran over my legs so I can't go get a tissue and my mouth is taped shut but I can't breathe because my nose is so full of boogers.  Then can I pick my nose?"

"Yes, sweetheart.  Then you can pick your nose."

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

I dare you...

Really, I dare you....

because you really can't do it....

especially if you happen to be a grandparent....

I dare you to look at this picture....

without smiling.

Go ahead....

I dare you.

And now, speaking of smiling, remember track and field day at school?  The day when you get to play outside all day?  The day when the air is full of excitement, intermingled with the smell of sweaty kids?  Well, that day was this week at Hannah's school and a great time was had by all. Ken got to stop by for a while and cheer her on and take a few pictures.  (You know if we were there, pictures were taken.)  Hannah came in the first in one of the track races and 1st in the hula-hoop contest, but the true highlight of the day was the water balloon toss.  Good times.

3 peas in a pod

This is what I found when I went in to check on the girls tonight before I went to bed.  This is a twin bed, mind you.  I guess you can never be too close.    :)

Update:  Hannah told me this morning that the new sleeping arrangement was due to the thunderstorm last night.  Apparently there's safety in numbers.

Start 'em early

I love it when my little ones want to copy what I do.  The girls are especially into being mommies and doing everything mommies do.  Hopefully, one day, they will be mommies.  All the practicing will not be in vain.   We're just aspiring to start Titus 2 training early.  :)

Kids say the funniest things

Here's a few snippets of real conversations I had with a few of my kids this week:

Claire:  Mommy, will you give me my cup of ice water?

Me:  Where is  your cup?

Claire (being completely sweet and sincere):  Oh, I haven't ordered it yet.  Will you get me a cup of ice water, please?

Well, it works at McDonalds, right?

Yesterday, in a conversation with Grace (my child of many deep thoughts):

Grace:  Mommy, I think that there is food in Heaven.

Me:  Really?

Grace:  Yes, I think they eat bread and grape juice.

Well, makes since to me.

And in yet another conversation with my sweet and sassy 7 year old, I was reminded of how much little ones learn from their friends.  Shudder at the thought.

Hannah (speaking of a neighbor girl who she considers her BFF):  Mom, she's my sister from another mister!

WHAT?!?!?  I suppose I will soon have to explain the intricacies of that statement.  Soon, but not today.  :)

Short hair for all my friends!!!!

....again!  Once again, I have gone through the house with scissors and given every one a short, low maintenance  haircut....then they even styled it themselves, see?   It started because Gracey gave herself a cut a few days back and it was in desperate need of "evening up".  Of course, once Gracey got a haircut, everyone else needed one as well.  Jake, though not pictured here, got his usual military cut as well.  I love the girls with long hair, but I must say the time spent not dealing with squirming and brushing is great.

For a quick baby update....we are at due date minus 2 days!  I'm hoping to see our little one anytime now, hopfully by Wednesday or Thursday or I have a feeling we may be inducing.  Please keep praying for a healthy baby and safe delivery, as well as for the other little ones who will be getting lots of extra love and snuggles from Nana and Pa while we're in the hospital.  

We'll keep you "posted".  :)

This pose isn't something you can teach...either your a diva, or your not.  :)

Starfish

Claire was sprawled out on the floor like this the other night...perfectly still.  When Ken asked her what she was doing, the answer was simple.  "I'm being a starfish."  Well, of course.  This little girl has the most amazing imagination.  Notice the leotard on inside out...she dresses herself too.  :)

Our first blog...

Well, we are officially entering the world of blogging. After ready everyone else's blogs with much envy, I decided to take a giant leap into the 21st century and create our own. I have to admit that I have no idea what I'm doing, so I'm making no promises. And if I'm as disciplined with blogging as I am with scrapbooking...well, you get the picture.

For all of you whose blogs I've been enjoying but those of you I haven't seen in years, I'll give a brief update of what we've been up too lately. We are now living in Carmel, IN. Ken was transfered here with the Navy last year and so far we have loved it here. The weather is beautiful, the people are friendly and it's close to Ken's family, which is great. Ken gets to be home most every night and so the family time with this job has been great. Speaking of the family....here's the run down.

Hannah is now 6 and has just finished Kindergarten. She's still the "first child" in every way. She is smart, strong-willed and has an amazingly innate need for justice.

Grace is 5 and will start school in the fall. She is a typical "middle" child who loves to be different, is very giving and loving and is Hannah's #1 sidekick.

Claire, now 3, is a sweet, independent little girl who can usually be found playing with her animals and carrying around baskets of toys and other items she's collected.

Jacob, 2, the lone boy...so far. He is a very happy, very spunky little boy who is very chatty and has a love for all trucks, balls and Jay-Jay Jet Plane.

Last fall we had been expecting our 5th little one, but lost the baby at about 3 months. We named him Jordan and are looking forward to seeing him in Heaven one day.

Our newest news is that we are expecting again in February. We just saw the heartbeat today on ultrasound for the first time. Of course, we are thrilled and more thankful than ever for this blessing.

It's quite likely that I won't be blogging often, but I'm hoping to stay in touch and would love to hear from all our old friends in blogging world.