here we are

So I have been gone from this space for far too long. It has been almost two years since I have regularly posted. Since it is the first day of Spring and Spring is for new beginnings, I thought I will try again.  Our life has been full and so much goes on. Time is going by too quickly. I need this space to reflect on our days and to keep a record of what happens in our life.

These two obviously have grown to love(tolerate) each other :)

faces of my girl

She keeps us smiling all day long. She loves the sweet and cute and then can head out and be a mud girl. She has her own style when she gets dressed, even though she "accidently" cut a hole in her leggings yesterday. It is so very hard to believe she is almost 6 years old!! I am so glad we are home and can spend so much time with each other.
 

september slipped away

I know we are now in the middle of October, which is crazy for me to comprehend.

The past eight weeks have really flown by. Every day it has been soccer, which means lots of driving and preparing for dinners way early in the day. Not to mention that we have been trying hard to get in our studies. It has been fast and furious in the fact that I feel like I am on the go but in all honesty I really am not. Our days start late due to the later nights. Most days I can go with the flow but there are days I start to panic and think we are not doing enough, especially William.

It is has been hard for me to relax but I know that he is learning quite well. He is a very bright young man and loves to read and any sort of trivia. We have been managing a new device as well. A phone for him, which is a good thing but is taking me some time to get used to. Trying to help him manage his time on it. He loves to read soccer news.

Harkin has joined his big brothers in wanting to do lots of lessons. He wants to learn how to read, spell words and loves numbers! Trying to manage everyone's time with Mama has been challenging but we are starting to get a decent routine.  Landon is taking a more independent route this year and then of course Issabelle thinks she should be doing something. We usually sit and do some type of creating as her "lessons". The days are full of activity but I wouldn't change it. I love being the one to help with their learning and do enjoy my time with them, although it does seem to be slipping by.

This week soccer ends for a bit and we are going to try and do a few excursions and enjoy the rest of the fall weather. Snow is on the way soon.

september

It is hard to believe the month has come to an end. I kept feeling like we were just getting started. We had a good one though. Soccer has taken over our afternoon/evenings- every day. It can be tough on some days but we have tried to stay at home during the day so that it isn't overly crazy.

Landon also started riding again. He loves it so much. He has moved up to a much bigger horse which is happy about but also is taking a bit of adjusting to.

We have started some new studies, right now the boys are loving practicing math and William is covering civics. I am facilitating a math club for Landon and many of his friends. William is volunteering at the library, while we are there. William is still averaging a book a day. I really can't keep enough books in the house.

Landon also started a Lego League team. He is very excited about it. They will go to a competition in December.  He builds at home every day some pretty awesome structures.

We are listening to Anne of Green Gables in the car and even Harkin is following along. He says he really loves the story.

Issabelle and Harkin are growing and learning every day. We play, read, do yoga, ride bikes, and create together most days.

There were a few good baking days, as we participated in a bake sale to raise money for a homeless shelter.

We went to a pumpkin chunkin' festival and the boys got their trebuchet out and made a few adjustments on their own so it shoots much better than before.

There were about four days straight of making paper airplanes, modifying them to fly better and seeing how far they would go.

Our days may not be typical of most, but that is what I love. In their experimenting and play they are learning and accomplishing so many things.

a delightful gift

Another year has passed in my life and I take time to pause and reflect on how it has gone. It seems to me that lately I haven't felt very productive or that I am not really doing much with my life. The rainbow tonight was a happy sign for me. Felt like a blessing was upon me and that this next year might be the one where I stop looking for that something else and just enjoy what is in front of me. You can always be searching for the end of the rainbow but may never reach it. The gold is a stretch. I say enjoy the colors as they expand and be delighted by what it is. A beautiful picture before you. That is what I truly have in front of me each and every day. I need to remind myself of this more often. There is beauty and rainbows in the day to day life, some days they shine a little brighter while other days it may be hard to see, but they are always there. Waiting for me to look up, breathe and take it all in.

18 month photo shooot

18 months! Time is flying by and we are loving every minute of watching this little lady grow. She is so funny and right now trying to be so very independent. But will come running back to Mama, Daddy or one of her brothers when needing a hug.

She mimics everything we say and do and wants to try all that her brothers can do. She is talking so much and understands all that we say. Most of her teeth are in. Sleep is a funny thing. Nursing is going strong. Hair is wild and crazy. Bangs her head  a lot. Has a a few tricks up her sleeve- like locking herself in the bedroom. Gave us all a scare but Daddy got her out.  Loves doggies and broccoli :) She'll rough and tumble with the boys and then be all sweet and cuddly.

Simply love and joy!!

halfway through november

My days are flowing from one to the other. We are busy and then not so much, but I always seem to be tired. The month has started off fine, I just can't believe we are in the middle already. I think the mild temps are throwing me off.
A gentle recap of what has been going on:
I started running in the mornings again. I run around our driveway which is just like a track. This way the big boys can keep an eye on the the two little ones but if they need me I am not far away.
New slippers for Harkin which he is SO very excited about.
Rock climbing continues for William.
Open gym time is happening for Issabelle and Harkin and they have a total blast jumping and doing tricks. Issabelle crawls all over the place but her favorite thing is trying to climb the small slide.
Landon is attending a full day arts program. The theme is toys and games and he is currently designing his own game. I am excited to see the final results and they will have a reception when the class finishes.
We had our home school group which the boys learned about bees and honey making. They made their own beeswax candles. homemade granola and talked about the first Thanksgiving.
We have read many books about Thanksgiving and made several of our own crafts. Harkin was in awe of the fact that I painted his hands- he wanted to do it over and over. The big boys were happy to do it too- even more so than Harkin I think.
William and Landon have started Archery again and are loving it.
Riding lessons are still going on for Landon.
We've studied Roy Liechtenstein and made our own self portraits, comic strips and invented super heroes.
Issabelle got a wagon just like Harkin's and has a great time walking around following Harkin.
Harkin got two new trucks at the goodwill for the sandbox and loves them.
With all these activities we are busy Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The rest of the week are home days. We clean, do projects, stack wood and just relax at home with toys, games, baking, books, drawing, etc.
It is a full life but oh, so good.

issabelle right now

:: I believe she is teething. She is chewing on everything and has an extremely strong bite if you let her suck on your finger.

:: Grabbing out for everything. She sometimes pulls the boys' hair.

:: Found her toes this week and is so very excited about it.

:: Watching us as we eat and makes movements with her lips as if she wants to eat. We're not there yet, still all mama's milk.  Did have a drink of water though the other day.

:: Her face lights up whenever she sees one of us. She knows who her family is and seems to adore us.

:: Has the cutest rolls you ever did see.

:: Is sitting up  and wants to see everything. Gets so mad when she is laying down and can't see.

:: Spending lots of time on her belly and made herself scoot around in a circle.

:: Still working on the whole nap thing. She takes cat naps and then loves to just be in mama's arms all day long.

:: Has become quite the chatter box. Especially first thing in the morning. Which is by far my favorite time of day with her. We snuggle when no one else is awake and tell secrets to one another.

She's my sweet girl.

6 weeks

So here is a picture of me from Thanksgiving. I am not loving it, but my family would like to see what I look like these days. I am not often in front of the camera.  So from today we have 6 weeks to go. It has gone by pretty quickly but at the same time I am trying to savor it. I do love being pregnant.  This time around I am much more tired than usual, and also found out a few weeks ago that I was anemic so that added to the tiredness. Not to mention a little toddler who keeps me busy all day long.

We are all getting more and more excited. Harkin has begun saying hi to the baby in my belly, although I am not sure he really understands. Landon loves to feel her move and kick, while Will just wonders from afar what a little sister will be like. I know they are all going to be great with her. Right now they all play and help one another so beautifully.

With the holidays and our busy fall schedule I am so looking forward to settling in for the winter months and just getting to know our sweet girl. I have just started to knit her something as I feel she should have at least one handmade that was meant for her. The blanket I started way back when got torn out. I did not like it  and have plans for a new one, it just may be a bit. I am still trying to finish a sweater for Harkin before Christmas.

She keeps me up at night moving and kicking all over the place. I still  wonder how it is so amazing that I am pregnant again and that we are having a girl.

I am in a constant state of gratefulness for my family and the life we are living.

slowing down

We finished up most of our classes and are now in a baking, crafting and home mode. I had lots of plans on my "to do" list for the month of December, but now I am rethinking it all and will scratch most of it. We just need some time to relax, clam down and gather in.  The boys are super excited about the holiday season. I am tired a lot lately. Eric is working lots of overtime and will be going away for a week soon.  Our unscheduled time needs to be just as it is. Be bored and watch the icicles slowly drip. Read lots of books, snuggle, play and knit! No particular plan to our day. Lets see what happens. I am trying to keep things simple and remember to cherish the small moments of everyday. That is what life is made of. 

Wishing everyone a lovely start to your week and hoping you can find time to slow down and enjoy the days.

enjoying the view

I recently read a book by Anna Quindlen that reminded me to fully enjoy life.  She says that enjoying the view is living your life to its fullest.  That is exactly what I have been trying to do the past few days. Instead of running for my camera to "capture" life I am standing just taking it all in. "Enjoying the views".

* watching Harkin dump all of his toys out and move them from place to place

* enjoying one of our last warm days outside- splashing in puddles, picking up leaves and seeing the excitement in my child's eyes at experiencing nature

* listening to the big boys mine rocks by the river, dig holes and smash sticks- things boys do

*crafting with all of them, Harkin just enjoying the process while the big boys really concentrate and create wonderful pieces of art

*still being asked to tuck my 11 year old in

*loving holding such tiny hands in mine

*still in awe that we live in the woods where it is peaceful and full of adventure each day

*watching Harkin imitate his big brothers in all that they do- the good, the bad and the funny

*smiling as Harkin anticipates Daddy's entrance each morning into his room for kisses and hugs as he leaves for work

*laughing as the boys rock out to Dad's music during the late afternoon hours

Hoping to remember to always enjoy the view and wishing you all the same.

fragments

* this week was a tough one, full of bickering, way too much yelling and overall yuckiness

* by night all I wanted to do was crawl in bed and fall into a deep sleep,  not that that happened. Harkin wakes often and usually with some sort of scream these days.

* soccer finally finished so now we can have our evenings back

* Harkin went from calling me mama to mommy- his little voice melts my heart

* rain, rain and more rain

* working hard on making a big breakfast for my growing boys so I can tame their hunger beasts

* love watching my boys get so excited over new books from our library trips

* played a new game with the boys "egyptians"

* had robotics class and horseback riding lessons

* baked corn muffins and apple turnovers with William

* love listening to the gentle sounds of Landon's guitar playing

* Harkin got his first toothbrush (we had been using a finger brush) and loves to do it himself, after mommy does it. 

* Harkin is 20 months old today!

* hoping for nicer weather this weekend and some calmness among our house

activity notes

This fall seems to find us wanting to try out so many activities. We are trying our best to get onto a regular routine and rhythm with our days. Some days go better than others. I am not always a morning person so that can throw us off a bit. Then it all depends on just what life brings our way that day.

A few things we are trying out:

William is participating in a photo contest, so he is always thinking of photos to take and where he should take them. We are trying a few online classes. Landon is taking a series of classes about the History of Weapons. He sits in on the class and then afterwards I am thinking of having him write a brief report about the weapons of that day.  They both are taking Taekwondo online. We were going to do a real live actual class but scheduling it in with soccer was just not going to happen. So this works. We are at home, it is a live video and if they have questions they can chat with the teacher.  We have our bi-monthly artist class here with all of our friends. We are joining in on a few field trips, plus hoping to take a few on our own. We read constantly, with a trip to the library once a week. There will be guitar, archery and horseback riding lessons.  A book group and robotics class. Mama might even try TaiChi. And the boys are desperately looking forward to trying out this freestyle class that will help them with their ski tricks.

My father always said if you want something done, give it to a busy person. I decided to have a packed fall because once January comes around we are going to hibernate and enjoy our newest bundle of joy.

With all this we still manage to be home for afternoon nap and rest. We don't want to rock Harkin's world too much. Not to mention we all need the down time. We can nap, read, or create as long as no one wakes the baby.

15 months

This little guy turned 15 months old today. Can you believe that? I am still in awe how fast it is going by. Everyday he learns something new and understands so much. He is great to play with and even tries to hold a conversation with you.  I love how he gives hugs and kisses all the time. Such a sweet little man and simply adores his brothers. We are so blessed to have him as a part of our family. I am trying to hold onto these days and not rush through them. I am so glad that I get to be there for all the moments. It's a hard job at times, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

here we stand

You may have noticed it was a bit quiet around here the past few weeks. We have been here and have been going about our daily lives. I have just been trying my best to enjoy it all and really have not been up to taking that many pictures or really writing all about our lives.

I know there are a few people who read the blog regularly and like to see what we are up to. Sorry.  I just have been a bit tired at night. My little 13 month old is very busy and his big brothers tend to need mama almost as much. So by nightfall all I want to do is snuggle in bed with a book and my man.

Although the calendar says it is almost the first of April, we are still in such winter mode, with another 8 inches expected this weekend. We have been trying to get in as much season's end skiing as possible.

We will welcome spring when it finally arrives but are happy to wake up to snow still. One of the best winters to date and we are lucky enough to live so far north.

So we take each day as it comes and are trying our best to live it fully and mindfully.

This is where we stand.

reading needs time

One of the great benefits of homeschooling is: TIME

Time to lay in bed all morning, afternoon and late into the night and read if that is what one is so inclined to do.

William recently read all 7 Harry Potter books. In two weeks. Some of these books are over 700 pages. He couldn't put them down.  He was just so excited.

When he finished them and realized there were movies he couldn't wait to watch.
Last weekend, Eric took Landon with him to CT for the day. William made the popcorn and then him and I snuggled to watch the first movie, all during Harkin's nap. It was fun for him to see the differences from the book to the movie.

He is hoping to see all the movies some day but for now we will just let the wonder of words keep the story alive.

so green and full

Watching the landscape change over the past few weeks has been magical. It's our first spring in VT and it truly has been wonderful as the buds, shoots and flowers bloom. Our walk in the woods is so different than fall and winter. With the trees filled in overhead I feel like we are walking in a secret world. I am so grateful that we have moved here and are able to fully enjoy it all.