7 Quick Takes

1~  We began doing a little bit of school each day this week.  Just a math sheet and some Explode the Code to review.  The first couple of days were a little rusty, but it's improving quickly.  We'll continue this next week and hopefully be all ready to go for September 7th.

2~  Book study on Tuesday was as amazing as expected.  I am always so inspired by Sally Clarkson, but also by the triumphs and fallings (not using the word failings on purpose) of my precious friends.  It is such a gift that we have each other to walk this motherhood journey with, and that we feel free to be open, honest, and vulnerable with each other, knowing that there is no judgement.  Just love.  Encouragement.  Joy.  Blessings.

3~  Michie spoke of Eucharistic Adoration, and I am once again reminded that I need to make this a priority. She said, "It's changing me.  It is physically changing me.  Being in His Presence is changing me."  I desire that.  Annelise is now at an age that I can pull this off without her, so it's time to see where it will fit in the schedule.

4~  I SO missed FND last night!  We, our whole family, were at the wedding of a childhood friend of mine.  It was beautiful and lovely and pure, and that is refreshing.  The kids had fun, tried six different kinds of cake only to decide that they didn't like a single one, danced it up in our own little corner, and stayed up WAY too late.  But, we missed our FND friends.  We will make up for it tonight with gusto.

5~  Speaking of the wedding.  Last night was our first taste of having to really get ready with women in the house.  I spent over an hour straightening Mary-Grace's hair.  Thank goodness Ava's only needed to be dried.  I got mine done during my 4:00 hair cut.  And still, it felt like a zoo trying to getting it all pulled together.  But we did it, and they were all lovely and handsome.  I think I lost a few pounds in the process.

6~  The weather these last few days have been such a Fall tease.  It feels like a treat.  I bought some autumn simmering potpourri at Hobby Lobby a couple of days ago, but I haven't brought myself to simmer it yet because my house has been a mess.  I need it to look like it smells....gotta paint the picture I see in my mind.

7~  I'm baking cakes today for FND...one for our John John who will be ONE on Tuesday, and one for his daddy.  We won't say how old he is!

Then and Now

We had our first marriage proposal yesterday.  After trying to kiss Ava on the lips, and being told, "No, on my cheek. We're not married," Micah asked Ava, "Wanna get married?!"  She looked at him and pushed him away, then said "When we're bigger."

Later at our house, they talked about it again.  Ava repeated the "when we're bigger," and followed it up with "I'll wear a beautiful dress!"  Micah replied, "And I'll be a firefighter!"  Ava: "And I'll be a rock star!"

Out of the mouths of babes...these two are a mess individually, and they are certainly a big mess together.

But, really, they are the best kind of mess.

Growing Up....

Yesterday was a lovely day.

It began with coffee with Creme Brulee creamer, as all good days do.

I straightened my big girl's hair (a major feat!), and she and I got all gussied up.  I even let her wear my wedding pearls.

We went to a fancy tea party with all of her sweet friends...laughter, silliness, learning to be gracious and proper, sharing gifts, making memories.  And the mamas had a great time too.

Beautiful mini-cupcakes that Mrs. Mary Kay got for the girls.  They were delicious.

I love that no matter how many times you tell children to sit on their bottoms to watch others open gifts, they just can't help but lean in close, full of excitement, wonder, curiosity.

It's quite possible that these three were still recovering from the sugar high their mothers gave them the night before...

Then came a surprise.  I offered Mary-Grace a trip to the mall with Zoe, Marie and Ani (and their mamas) to get her ears pierced.  At first, she said no even though she's been asking for awhile.  Then she asked if we could just go to the mall to check it out, see if anyone else was getting theirs done so she could watch.  So off we went.

This is Mary-Grace's first mall experience with just the girls.  I'm so glad I pulled out the camera when I did.  Thank you Kelle Hampton!

Not so sure about this...

Thankfully, Mrs. Kessie knew to ask for two ladies to pierce both ears at the same time.  We found the right place.  We watched a man get his ears pierced (Kessie went and told him that he had to smile the whole time because a little girl was watching him).  She was unsure.

We picked out earrings, sat in the chair, asked the friends to go walk around and not to watch, and commenced wiggling and crying.  The lady cleaned her ears and she FLIPPED OUT.

Then I found out that once the earrings were opened I still had to pay for it.

I begged and pleaded, telling her that I didn't care either way, but could she please just do it since it was paid for.  I said that I was paying this time, but that was it.  The next go round was on her dime.  She cried and wiggled and said no.  A lady and her daughter (she looked about 10) were waiting their turn, staring her down.  I told them to go somewhere else; I hope I was polite, but I really don't remember.  I was trying not to lose $30.

Then my girl got smart on me.  She asked for a treat, like an ice cream, if she did it.  I said sure, absolutely.  Then she asked if she could get a toy if she went through with it.  I said I'd think about it.

Then I got smart. I said, "If you do this, I'll buy you a flexible Barbie."  This is the Barbie she's been wanting for months, but we've been telling her she had to wait until Christmas or her birthday.

She was sold.

I held her arms, the ladies pierced, she SCREAMED, then curled up on my lap and cried.

Her friends, and more importantly my friends, were watching through the glass from afar.  They came running in with yays! and you did its!, and she was so proud.

I think this is my favorite picture of the day. I love the glisten in my girl's eyes, still left from her tears, and the support of her friends around her.  It feels prophetic...like there are so many of these joy-filled and tear-filled moments ahead of these girls...moments they will share together. And I was beat red in the neck, just like my mom gets when she's hot and stressed. Last night after Mass, we went on a wild goose chase for the Barbie.  We'd already been to the south side Target with Kessie and Zoe.  Dad and the siblings came along and we hit ToysRUs, Walmart, north side Target and Albertsons.  Would you believe we found the darn thing at Albertsons?!  And for $5.50 more at that!  But my Gracie was happy, and that made me happy, so there you go. When we got home, we went about the bed time routine, and sat on beds for prayers.  I looked at Mary-Grace sitting on her bed by her Daddy, with her freshly straightened pony tail and newly pierced ears, wearing her new cupcake shirt, and it hit me:  she is a big girl now.  I looked at Phil and mouthed, "she looks different".  She looked older, bigger, less "baby".  I was proud, sad, overwhelmed at what's to come, but mostly just grateful that she's ours. And then I snapped this picture... She's still my big baby girl...she always will be.  And tonight, I'm not so worried about getting her to stop sucking the fingers and give up the blankie.  There's plenty of time for that...later.

7 Quick Takes

1~  Annelise can sign all done.  I'd have to check the scrapbooks, but I think this makes her the earliest signer.  Jacob might have been earlier, but not by much.  I have LOVED signing with our children, and the big kids love relearning all their signs with a new little.

2~  Mary-Grace lost her second tooth this week...pulled it out all by herself.  What a woman!  Her brother would not even consider this option.

3~  FND consisted of beignets, Smirnoff Ice, beer, cupcakes (both the edible kind and the kid kind), lots of belly laughing, lots of bouncing-off-the-walls kids, and, I'm not sure how we fit it in, some real good adult conversation.  Joseph and Annelise still love each other.  When she was fussing at the table, he starting making kissing sounds at her to make her smile. I know he's full of "my do it" and "no" at his house right now, but he's such a little gentleman around my little lady.

4~  Today Mary-Grace and I are going to her Little Flowers Tea Party...this ought to be a hoot!  Afterward, I am surprising her with a trip to the mall to get her ears pierced.  A few friends are tagging along.  I'll report back with pictures if it's a success.

5~  I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and walked through the Fall decor aisles.  I could smell crisp air, football, gumbo, pumpkins, and camping.  All in Hobby Lobby.  Come on Fall!  I'll even take 80 degree temps.

6~  My Christmas shopping list is mostly made.  I'm such a shop-ahead girl.  For the most part, I don't like buying at the last minute.  I like to stay home during Advent, reading picture books, sipping coffee/cider/hot chocolate, and waiting for Him.

7~  My monthly moms' book study is on Tuesday, and I can't wait for my cup to be filled again.  It's time...I think I've forgotten everything I learned last month (which of course I swore I'd NEVER forget.)  Ahem.

Little Sisters

7 Quick Takes

1~  We celebrated our 10th Anniversary yesterday. It's so hard to believe that it's been ten years, and yet it really feels like it's been forever.  We went to a movie (Grown-Ups), and laughed until we hurt.  Then we went to dinner at Carabba's where we ate ourselves sick, and stopped by Bed, Bath and Beyond to pick up some new candles.  Once Annelise is weaned and the weather is cooler, we're going to really celebrate with a weekend in New Orleans.  We haven't gone away together, just the two of us, since I was pregnant with Jacob, and even that was just a quick one night at a B&B.  I can't wait!

Just cause she's cute...

2~  Although you'd never know it if you walked into my house right now, I did a lot of organizing today.  I spiffed up some bookshelves and rearranged some cabinets and closets.  It feels so good to know the clutter is purposeful now!

3~  We used some anniversary gift money to get a Flip Video Camera and a new lens.  We had so much fun trying them out tonight at FND.  We even caught Annelise showing everyone that she can point to her head!

4~  Speaking of FND, tonight we celebrated Ani's 10th birthday.  I can't believe we have friends who have ten year old children.  Blows my mind.

5~  We also celebrated the end of the week with Smirnoff Ice wine coolers.  Last week we tried the original (which was fabulous) and the Blueberry Lemonade (which was alright).  Tonight we had the pineapple.  Holy cow, Batman.  I have found my drink!

(This would be the drinks going to our heads...just kidding)

6~  Joseph can bust a move to "Ninja Tuna".  Enough said.  And he LOVES Annelise, who he calls "Ham-n-Cheese"!  Courtney asked him if he wanted to play with James and Jacob, and he said, "No, my play Jacob's baby."  It's so sweet!

7~  Mary-Grace had a huge shining moment this week.  Jacob spilled some milk on the floor next to the table right before dinner.  He went to get a rag to clean it, but the rag in the sink had smashed banana on it, and he FLIPPED OUT.  I calmly told him to rinse off the rag, clean his mess, and eat his dinner.  He refused to touch the banana in order to clean out the rag (which, I gotta admit, I probably wouldn't have done at his age either).  He stormed out the kitchen saying he just wasn't going to eat.  A few seconds later, my sweet girl got up from the table, rinsed out the rag, and cleaned up his spilled milk.  This girl can give me gray hair, but she sure has a heart of gold.

Paci or cigar?

These babies are real boys now...

...who have discovered whoopie cushions, and on the way home from a play date today they hatched a plan to invent a tooting machine to put in people's pockets.  Yep, this mama was proud.

Jacob:  But, what if they're not wearing shorts or pants with pockets?

James:  Hmm...well, it would have to attach somewhere, maybe their shirts.

Jacob:  Yeah!

James:  Or IN THEIR UNDERWEAR!!

*much laughter*

So watch out...you might end up with a tooting machine stuck on you.  They said the people would look around for where the tooting noise came from, but they wouldn't be able to find a whoopie cushion.

Apparently this is an invisible, very small tooting machine.

Be still my heart.  My baby is a boy.

**Edited to add:  According to the daddy over here, they've been beaten to the punch.  It's called ifart.  And it was already on his phone.  This totally confirms the notion that boys never really grow up.**

Today...

...I felt like Super Woman when the kids and I grocery shopped at Sam's, Walmart, and Veron's in 100 degree temps, and I didn't kill anybody (or even want to!)

...All four of my babies took fabulous naps, and I had some down time with adult conversation.

...We had a wonderful drop-in visit from the Hamiltons...even the babies were thrilled to see each other and play light sabers with Joseph.  

...As I was making coffee and piddling about the kitchen, James walked in from the school room with my girls' hair brush.  Without saying a word, he walked to the trash can and started pulling hair out of it saying he couldn't even see the bottom of the brush because there was so much hair.  Courtney watched him, and said, "We really are family."  Yep.

...Our daddy stopped at Piggly Wiggly for us on the way home, saving us a trip to the smelliest store ever.  That place makes me want to gag, but they have fabulous meat sales!  Thanks, babe.

Favorite Things....

. . .celebrating Grammy's 80th birthday.  She was in her element with all of her friends there.

. . .overhearing a conversation between Papa and a friend of his about how wonderful Phil and I are to be homeschooling, and how smart our children are, and how great it is that they are not exposed to all the junk that comes from going to school, and how our kids are so well-socialized because all of our friends homeschool.  It was precious!  And of course, I know that homeschooling brings no guarantees, and that my children's intelligence is much more about their God-given talents than about my teaching ability.  But it is really nice to hear your 82 year-old grandfather being so vocal in his support of you.

. . .Fr. Keith asked Jacob today what he thought about his Nana, and he responded so very seriously, "My Nana is my favorite person."

. . .watching my boy overcome so many fears lately.  In the last two weeks, he has really started to come into his own.  He jumped off the diving board and swam to the side.  He processed into Mass today without one of us right next to him, and went up to get his award when his name was called.  He visited with strangers today at the party, and even helped serve the cake.  I was so proud of him!

. . .hearing Annelise say Nana and Dada for the first time today.

. . .beginning to plan our school year.  My new planner came yesterday, and I can't wait to fill it up.  I mapped out the whole year's worth of History and Science.  I'm so excited!

. . .new hairstyles for my big girls.  Ava is loving her shorter hair (and I'm loving the look and how easy it is to deal with).  Courtney gave us a flat iron and some product, and Mary-Grace is sporting straight hair for the first time in her life...she LOVES it and while I don't think it looks like my Gracie, it's SUPER CUTE!

. . .a brother and sister who really are the best of friends.

. . .introducing my children to this:  The Secret Garden Broadway Soundtrack.  They love it as much as I do, and now we're reading the book and discussing all the differences.

7 Quick Takes

1~  I began the 30 Day Shred on Monday.  I couldn't walk for two days, and I couldn't sit without falling most of the way for three days.  Going to the bathroom was painful just to make contact with the toilet seat.  I am proud to say, however, that things are much better after day 5...it's still kicking my butt, but I am much more mobile and feel more like 40 as opposed to 105.

2~  Lots of play dates this week...just what the kiddies ordered.  We are so very blessed in the friend department.

3~  I have a new desk!  Well, new to me again.  It was my mom's as a child, then mine, then hers, now mine again.  It fits perfectly in the spot I needed it to fit in, and only one day in and not even fully functioning, I am LOVING having my very own workspace.

4~  Ava got THE most adorable hair cut today.  She keeps saying, "Hi! I'm Kit!"  She bears a stark resemblance to Kit, the American Girl Doll.

5~  I want to paint my kitchen chocolate brown, pull up the peach tile floor, rip out the counter tops, and get new cabinet doors.  Like tomorrow.

6~  A very dear friend confirmed today that new life grows inside.  I'm praying for a healthy baby, a healthy mama, and a GREAT, EASY pregnancy.

7~  FND...I am going to be so sad when these precious people move to Texas, but I am so glad we are making beautiful memories right now.  The pancake art was repeated tonight, but with Blueberry Lemonade Smirnoff Ice drinks and delicious coffee to boot.  Our worship time was....well, it was as beautiful as can be expected with nine young children.  I love this new tradition!

Pictures tomorrow!