she's here

Introducing Issabelle Rose
Born on Monday January 26th at 6:04 pm. 8 lbs 10 oz 20 1/2 inches
We are all excited and doing well. Glad to be home and enjoying our sweet girl.

in the fresh air

Getting outside into the brisk cold air always makes me feel so much better and alive. The boys have such a great time. They have a fort that they have been working on for awhile now and then of course there is the sledding hill. So much fun to be outside with them all.

a day in the life of us:: 1-21-15

So I have been reading many posts about a day in the  home school life- mostly over at simple home school.

I thought I would write one about our life right before the baby comes because things will be different in a few days. This is an average day in our life. I wouldn't say homeschooling since we really live an unstructured way and learn in all that we do. So this was what the day was like on January 21, 2015.

6:00am: Harkin wakes up to nurse, then rolls over and goes back to sleep for another hour or so. Eric comes in about 6:30 to say good-bye for the day.

7:30am: Harkin wakes and we snuggle and play in his room. The big boys wake slowly and read or quietly play in their room.

8:30am: We are all awake and having breakfast together. Then chores: laundry, dishes, garbage, recycle, and walking the dog.
The boys practice handwriting or quick review of math and then have some time to read, play or work on  a puzzle.

10:00am: We all gather for a group activity. Today the boys were working on the structure lesson. Some days it is their own thing or a planned activity from me. Some days this would be when we headed out to do errands or go to the library.

10:45am: The big boys switch off playing with Harkin while I work on a few essential skill work with each of the boys individually.

11:15am:We have a quick snack and then everyone gets bundled up and heads outside to play. Harkin loves being with his big brothers and this gives Mama a little break. I do laundry, check email, rest, or whatever else needs doing.

1:00pm: The kids have come in and and we are having lunch. It is a bit later than I would like for Harkin but that is just the way some days go. After lunch we clean up and read a book together and then it's nap time for Harkin. William and Landon spend some time in their room reading alone. I usually doze off  for about 20 minutes with Harkin before leaving his room.

2:30pm: I come downstairs with the big boys. I try to read to them and then we all do something quiet. It varies each day: crafting, science project, playing, baking, scrap booking,  etc. Today Will  wants to read more and Landon continues to work on his whittling skills.  I write a blog post.

3:30pm: Harkin wakes up. Everyone hangs out together playing. William decides to go downstairs and workout for bit.  Most days the boys go back outside. I try to join them to get some fresh air myself.

4:30pm: Afternoon chores. We straighten up the house and get firewood.

5:00pm: I start dinner, while one of the big boys showers and the other one does some work on the computer. (Landon is currently using Reading Eggs to help with his reading and William is working on a code program.)  When they are done, they help with dinner, get the table set and feed the dog. Harkin is happy doing his own thing or snacking with Mama while I cook dinner.

6:00pm: We sit down to eat dinner. Most nights Eric is able to eat with us or walks in the door while we are eating. Everyone is happy to see Daddy.  After dinner we clean up and have some hanging out time with Dad and start getting ready for bed.

7:30pm: Harkin heads to bed with Mama. The big boys read with Eric or play a game.
Then they are in their rooms quietly. Landon turns his light off at 8:30, William reads until 9:00 and then off to sleep. If Harkin falls asleep quickly then I will read with the boys before they go to bed.

9:00pm: I come down to finish cleaning up for the night. Dishes and laundry. Then I try to knit or read. Eric usually reads or watches a show. Most nights he is asleep by 10:00. I should be also but lately I haven't been sleeping well. I am ready for the baby!!


That is kinda how our days go. It varies regularly, but we try to have meals, chores and nap time on a regular basis. Lots of reading and playing.

due date

So today is my due date and there is nothing going on. I am ready to meet our little girl but she wants to stay inside a bit longer. Hoping by the weekend, she'll be ready to meet her big brothers. 

Maybe she is waiting for Mama to finish this little hat for her. I did get a sweater done though, which I am happy about.

structures # 2

 Will's

 Landon's

This week in Landon's architecture class he was learning about line segments. They used straws and paperclips or hole punches to attach them. William decided to join in this week. His is the top one while Landon's is the bottom one. Landon made playground equipment for his playmobil.

They both enjoyed doing this project and spent quite a bit of time on it. There was problem solving when one way wouldn't work and they had to do it differently. Then they had a great sense of accomplishment when it all worked out. A good mornings work.

a new skill

The boys have been busy practicing and making things with their new skills of whittling. Another Christmas gift, a book with ideas and a new knife. Makes for a perfect afternoon activity when the temps are below freezing.  I am really pretty proud of them as one of the things they made ( a gift) took them a lot of time and required patience. But I suppose when it is something you desire and want to do you will work hard at it until it is done to your liking.

little bits of harkin

 Loving smoothies. He sees the blender and gets SO excited. Starts jumping around and shouting "yeah".

 Being at the table with his brothers doing his "work". Just like them.

Going to the library with his very own book bag. He gets 5 new books each time and loves to carry them all by himself.

duct tape swords

Landon received this book for Christmas and has been busy making many of the weapons. This past weekend Eric helped all the boys make the swords after they had gotten all the materials. Harkin is thrilled to be just like his big brothers and they all have fun together battling. I would never have given a 23 month old a sword years ago, but as this is number 3 and he has older brothers to watch, things change.

the working man

While the boys and I spend some time together working in the mornings, Harkin has discovered what he likes to do best. Moving trucks, cars, blocks or anything else from the living room to the office. He is a very busy guy with lots to do.

around the house

Just some little bits of our days.

Playing, helping with chores, relaxing by the fire with a snack and puzzles, and painting-- a favorite activity these days.

I have been looking back on pictures and the blog and love when I post about the daily little things. Helps me to remember how much these days mean to me. I have hardly taken any pictures this month so I am trying to do better and to post about the normal everyday things. I want to capture the everyday moments and cherish them. These are the ones that matter and make up family life.

a reading spot

The stairs seem to have become a favorite reading spot these days. I suppose because it is close to the fire and if people are using the chairs at the counter, one person needs a place to sit.  We only have two.  I wouldn't call it the most cozy place but it is central to everything and you are close to everyone. 

a finished project

I had started these so long ago and then the last little part of putting faces on had me stop for a bit. I am new to needle felting so they came out OK. They are a gift for our niece. 

Harkin was dying to play with them so I suppose something should be on order for him soon. Right now I am trying to finish a sweater up for the baby.

William posed them and took the picture. He said the reason one is up higher is to make the photo interesting:)

time alone

I am trying to make some time to  be alone with each of the older boys before the baby comes. It is not too often this happens. Last Saturday Landon and I headed out to see a movie, get some frozen yogurt and do a little shopping together. He was very excited about escaping the craziness as he called it. Harkin had been bugging him all week. So it was a nice little break. He was so very grateful and once back home excited to be with his brothers again.

Tomorrow William and I will head out. They each get their choice of activity, and since we never go to the movies, that is their decision. Different movies though.

getting ready

39  weeks! things are going fine and we are just about ready for our sweet girl to arrive. You can tell we are not first time parents as we just bought a car seat and I still haven't gotten out the bassinet and co- sleeper for our bed. This weekend. There is still plenty of time I keep telling myself.

This past weekend we moved the dresser from Harkin's room into our bedroom. I had to do some switching around but we managed to put all of the baby's clothes into the top two drawers, then Harkin's clothes fit into the bottom drawer. He also has the top two drawers of my dresser. It saved us of having to buy another dresser at the moment. I thought he was going to be upset that I was moving his clothes around but he wanted to help. He gave me all of the clothes form the tub and kept saying baby's. We talk about a baby inside mamas belly but I am not sure if he really grasps the whole thing. We'll just have to wait and see.

Still a bit worried of how he will manage a night away from his mama, but it must be done. Everyone keeps telling me he will survive. I still can't believe we are going to have another tiny one in the house. It is just so exciting!!!

architecture class

Landon is taking an online architecture class. His first project was to create a structure using toothpicks and marshmallows. He was learning how lines connect at points. This is just a basic beginning to architecture but he loves to build and construct things so it will be a fun 12 weeks!

some painting

The boys have had some fun painting and creating some neat things this past week.

my silly little man

the day to day

The past week or so we have been a bit under the weather and have just been at home enjoying all our new gifts and one another. Trying to get over being sick before their sister makes an appearance. And catching up on some sleep, since it will be severely lacking soon.  The weather has been extremely cold so it has been good to snuggle and be inside all together.  We are just about on the mend which is a good thing.