It's Been One of Those Days

Yes, it has been one of those days.  The day when either you are really sick, and everyone else is rip roaring ready to go, or everybody else is sick.  Thankfully, I am healthy...and stay that way!  All the children are in different stages of illness at the moment.

The baby has not only a cold, but is also teething.  His poor little face is smothered in drool, and his nose is runny, and eyes watery plus that dreaded cough.  He hasn't wanted to leave his comfy place nestled in close to my chest all day.

The eldest boy has the cough.  He really seems fine other than that, but after going through a bought of pneumonia and croup (multiple times), every time I hear him cough, I get that dreaded fear again of "what if".

Our girl, well she seemed totally fine other than the residual cough from her last weeks cold.  After visiting one of her best friends today, she came home, immediately went upstairs and fell asleep.  This is the child that has taken only and handful of naps since she was a year and a half ..... so I knew something was up. The rest of the day, she laid on the couch feeling puny.  I really try to be polite with others when it comes to germs.  My dear friend so graciously allowed my daughter to come over today so I could tend to the boys - I so apologize my dear friend if we have passed on the sickness to your family - so not intended.

It's a lot to emotionally to take in when everyone wants you to hold them, nurse them all day for comfort, help them fall asleep, read them a book, make them a special meal, put together a puzzle etc.  It really sucks to see your children sick, and realistically, all you can do is help make them comfortable while they recoup.

Tonight my husband and I found ourselves in that mode of caring for everyone else while trying to help each other through a tough blip on our family timeline.  My husband and I are similar in some ways.  One of those is in dealing with stress.  After 8 years of marriage, I've noticed that when stressed we both tend to get a bit of wanderlust.  Due to work schedules, classes, and such a trip is not in the cards for us right now.  We then tend to travel in our minds.  Sometimes it is separately when we are working through something emotionally or together when dealing with a difficult family issue.

My husband's latest dream.... a Hagglund.  Have you ever seen a Hagglund.  It's one of those transport vehicles they use in the icy land of Antarctica, and elsewhere.  It is actually a really cool vehicle to use on sand, in muddy bogs, lakes, and just about everywhere.  Well, he thinks we need one.  Sure, why not!  Did you know you can get one refurbished from Sweden for only $35 K delivered to your door.  Can you imagine the places you could travel in one of these!

 

While the children were resting on the couch and watching Where in the World is Carmen San Diego, amidst our dinner prep, and a bottle of wine, we found ourselves chatting about travelling.  Reminiscing over our New Zealand trip...where we would go next time, places we would like to see in the U. S.,  maybe even Australia?  Gosh, and what might Europe be like?  Oh the places we could go.

Do you think we are feeling a little restless?  For now we are needed here, at home to give our little ones the love and care they need.  All those travel plans will come when the time is right.

As for tonight we just hope it is a peaceful one.

Oh and if you are looking for a good wine.  Check this one out.

Casa Castillo - Thank you Uncle B and Aunt J.,
We really enjoyed this tonight!

                                                                    Casa Castillo 2010

Puzzle Obsession

With the wet and rainy weather over the past month, and what feels like a revolving door of illness amongst the children, we have needed something other than T.V. to pass the time while being inside and/or recouperating.

Yesterday, I stopped in at the local Dollar Store, and found a couple of children's puzzles...of course for a dollar.  Lately the children have seemed to have sparked a renewed interest in puzzles, so I thought a couple of fresh ones might be nice. Evidently the latest and greatest in puzzles are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Tinkerbell.  Upon delivery, they devoured them, redoing those puzzles several times over.  

After our son's speech class today, we dropped back in to the Dollar Store to pick up a couple more.  They have decided that it is their mission to put together all the puzzles we own this week.  It was nonstop puzzle making around here today with continued plans for more tomorrow.

Over the past few years, I have observed the puzzle piecing abilities of each child.  At different ages of development, puzzles have been easy or difficult (piece placement).  What was easier for one at a certain age was far more difficult for another at the same age.  I don't know if it is gender related or just some people have an easier time with puzzles than others?  All I know is at this moment, their brains are open to this activity, and they just both really seem to like doing puzzles....which is a really good thing.

What I had purchased to be used as a watercolor painting
board also works really well as a puzzle board!

A few of the puzzles from today.

What a Walk Means to Me These Days

The past couple of months, the weather has also been a bit gray to downright rainy.  We've had a few days of beautiful weather, and yesterday was one of them.  Absolutely clear blue sky, the sun shining, birds chirping....a day where you could easily climb up on Maria's mountain and belt out the chorus to "The Hills are alive" from The Sound of Music.

It was a day where I knew I had to be outside.

Going for a walk these days has a much different definition than it did when there was just one little one to think about. With our first child, I would pack her in the jogging stroller and away we would go, walking and running all over town.  She spent a lot of time in that stroller.

With two it wasn't quite as fun and free living. I was lucky enough to receive a double stroller/bike trailer from my brother.  I figured this would be a great way to keep getting out and getting fresh air and exercise. It is supposed to ease tension, increase endorphins, right?  Well I found that on my walks with two sitting side by side, they would pick at each other constantly.  After being the mediator/enforcer, I found myself more frustrated than happy by the end of these walks.  Fast forward another year or two.  No one wants to ride in the stroller anymore, they want to walk, or ride bikes or tricycles.  Seriously, how can anyone get their heart rate up with a 3 year old who wants to doddle.

Lately it has been a little better, but trying to keep track of one who wants to ride fast up ahead, and one who is still working on balancing and is behind me, all while pushing the stroller, I feel as if my head is on a swivel.  Not to mention all the aggressive looking dogs that reside in our neighborhood, and cars backing out of driveways, or crossing at 4 lane intersections with two bikes and a stroller.  These walks are not relaxing in the slightest.  I feel like I need a nap by the time we get home.

Yesterday, my husband took the two older children out to lunch.  This left me and the baby alone at the house.  As soon as they were gone, I packed up the little one in the jogging stroller, and off we went.  Freedom!!  It felt like the good ol' days.  I walked fast.  I looked around.  I noticed a lot of new things that I have missed in trying to keep track of everyone.  It was wonderful!

I really do enjoy taking the children out on walks or adventuring, but yesterday, because I could go at my own chosen pace, I probably could have walked for hours. The best part of it all.... I came home with a clear head and happy heart.  Yaaayy for sunshine!!

My walking partner - pretty adorable isn't he!

A Child's Life Lesson - Being Happy for a Friend

Cardboard and Duct Tape Ice Skates - Courtesy of Mama

The local ice skating rink has a yearly American Girl ice skating party.  It's just a fun afternoon when girls and boys can bring their American Girl doll and skate with their friends.  This year our daughter invited a new friend to come with her.  It was fun to watch them side by side with dolls in hand, wobbling their way around the rink.   By the end they were skating faster, and making a few spins.  

With this being our second year to attend, we knew what to expect.  An hour and a half worth of skating, and then the raffle..... an American Girl doll - Girl of the Year!  This year it happens to be Isabelle - the ballerina in training.  

Now these dolls are ridiculously expensive, and we have told our daughter if she wants another doll, she needs to save up her money and buy it herself.  She has purchased one before by working little jobs around the house, and taking care of the neighbors cats, and saving up her money.  So, she knows what it takes to get one.  But the idea of winning one - oh my!

So the time comes for the raffle.  Each child wins a little something; ice skates for their doll, and AG book, or other little trinkets.  Finally the raffle for the doll.  Lo and behold, our daughters friends name is called.  She won!!  How cool is that!  I took a deep breath knowing that my daughter was going to be pretty disappointed.  She comes over to me very excited for her friend, and then has a sad look on her face.  Gently I said, "you need to be happy for your friend".  At the age of 7, when AG dolls are quite the center of her attention right now, I am pretty sure it was extremely hard to put on a genuine smile.  I was so proud of her because she didn't get all pouty like I have seen in the past.  She was very excited for her friend, and did her very best to "hold it all together".

Her sweet friend let her hold the doll, put on its ice skates, and even carry it out to the car when we were all finished.  It was a huge learning and growing experience for my daughter.  When we were alone, she did tell me that she was super disappointed about not winning.  I told her that it was normal to feel envious, but it was also important to be happy for someone else.   Someday it might just be her.  

Best Buddies

With all of our children, we never found out their sex prior to birth.  I was absolutely positive that our last child was a girl (mother's intuition..right?).  Surprisingly, when my husband told me we had another boy on our hands, I was shocked.  But...I am so glad!

My husband and our oldest son have that special bond.  I get to enjoy these beautiful gifts throughout each day.  Unfortunately life and health insurance cost money and  someone has to fulfill the role of bread maker, but I know in a heartbeat that my husband would jump at the chance to be with the children all the time.  So, I am thankful for my husband that he has this little shadow wanting to emulate and spend time with him any chance our son can get.  Just the other day, my son asked "when was he going grow face prickilies just like dad?" I am pretty sure our son thinks his dad walks on water at this point.

The two started calling each other "Best Buddy" around a year or so ago.  They have their special "Best Buddy" dates....sometimes it's just going to the grocery store, out to lunch, or for a doughnut and milk.  With another future "best buddy", I was a little worried about how our older son would handle it.  I heard him ask his dad when "littlest best buddy" will get to come along with them on Best Buddy Days.  They are already planning adventures, and I am sure it will be a ton of fun for them all.  Hmm.... if only men lactated, it could be so much sooner.

                                             I see glimpses of the Best Buddy Trio already

~Forestry Mama

**This life is a whirlwind of a ride. You only get one chance, so make the best of it!

Ok, I admit it.  I love Pinterest!  I do a lot of dreaming about all the things I could make from this website.  Realistically, I make what I can, and pin the rest for a later time.

For the next couple of months, we are studying the Earth - primarily geology, land forms, and a bit of geography.  While we will have many learning experiences here at home, I plan to get us out in the field as much as we can.  A potential road trip could bring some awesome possibilities for learning! 

I have had this  Felted Continent Map - Rythm of the Home on my geography board for quite some time, and finally decided this weekend to pick up what I needed at JoAnn's Fabrics.  The hardest part of this whole thing is free hand drawing the continents.  While crafty, I am no artist.  I used the 9" x12" acrylic felt peices in different colors, and a bronze Sharpie to write out the labels on some scrap white fabric.

In conjunction with this felt map, we'll be using our globe, some of the ideas from the Rythm of the Home site, The Seven Continents of the World Jigsaw book, Me on the Map, Maps and Globes.  I also really like to use Enchanted Learning additional worksheets or learning materials.

I'll add more later on in relation to our geology studies.

~Forestry Mama

**This life is a whirlwind of a ride. You only get one chance, so make the best of it!