Cricket is Nine!

 Our boy just turned nine!  NINE! Can you believe it?  It was strange enough to have the eldest turn ten, but now that Cricket is nine I am kind of freaked out.  It is going so fast! 

We started the weekend (yes weekend!) of celebration with going out for breakfast.  His choice was to go to the little cafe up the street for homemade donuts.  Good choice, huh? 

 His other idea for the day was unfortunately unobtainable because the weather just did not cooperate with us.  He wanted to go hiking....but we went bowling instead.  It was fun!  Sorry no pictures though.  I was too busy holding our little girl who wanted to crawl all over the bowling alley.  We ended the day with a cookout, despite the cold weather, and had a cozy supper together.

 Owl wanted to be sure I took a picture of baby A too, and wanted to pose with her.  Umm, okay, cutie!  J tucked them all into bed, so I could make the birthday cake.  Cricket wanted a giant German Chocolate Cake.  (with as many layers as you can make mom, okay?) 

The next day we had J's mom and dad over to celebrate.  Cricket and Grandpa actually share a birthday so it's extra fun!

 Just after he blew out the candles.  I tried to get an action shot, but he was too fast for me!

 Badger made Grandpa one of his famous pop-up cards.  I love it that he loves to make cards.

 And here is my brilliant boy, patiently enduring the challenge of being watched while he tries to read his birthday card.  I won't say more about that right now, except that I am constantly amazed with how this boy deals with challenges.  He amazes me.  He always gives the other person the benefit of the doubt, he is forgiving.  He loves to play!  And is happy and busy and just fun to be around!  He also is amazingly smart and has a soft heart.  I couldn't be prouder of him.  I am so blessed to be his mama.  I can see his little new baby face the day that he was born forever in my memory like it was yesterday.  And although he's growing up faster than I ever imagined I am so excited to see what God has in store for him!  I love you my son.  (And papa does too.  So much!) 

Happy Birthday!

Being Creative

 If you could take a snapshot of us these days it would be an action shot.  It'd be of two or more of us gathered together making something.  Faces smiling.  Right in the midst of a creative project.  Undoubtedly the background would be messy, because who can keep up with all the chores when there is glorious creativity happening!  We've been doing a lot of this....

 Actually J and I have been playing music together at our church.  It's been really great to do it together and we enjoy making music together so very much!  The little lady is totally into the guitar, and in love with her papa, so sitting in his lap with the guitar is the best thing ever as far as she's concerned.

 We've also been trying new things.  This year for Easter we dyed our eggs with onion skins.  It was really easy.  We decided to just put the onion skins (that we had been saving for a few weeks) into the pot with the eggs while they were boiling.  We drew on them first with white crayons to make some designs.  When they were done cooking they were a lovely shade of orange.

 What?  You think that doesn't look like eggs in the pot?  Well...that's because I just couldn't throw that beautiful orange water away so I added some vinegar and some yarn!  Then I let it dry and now it's a lovely shade of orange too.

 We've been making lots of sentences.  Lots.  And you can't tell in the photo but he actually thinks it's really fun.  Tons of words on cards, one sunny, soft spot on the rug and one happy boy making sentences with crazy words.  He usually makes them nonsensical because he can.  And it's fun.

 As it warms up outside I am feeling the rush of "hurry up and finish knitting everything you want to" because soon it will be planting season.  Followed by weeding season.  And then if we're lucky harvest season.  I finished making baby A some little ruffled diaper covers.  Here's one in cream wool.

 Can you see how she stands on her tippy toes?

 No, I haven't cut her hair yet.  That's just how it is.

I also finished making another bookmark.  This one is a Scottish Thistle!  For a friend of mine who is getting ready to move to Scotland.

And all of this creating leaves us feeling pretty much like this... Happy.  Filled up.  Together.

This Last Week....

Life just keeps going, doesn't it?  We have had a busy week, but it's been fun!  And maybe even a little productive too. :)  Here's what we've been up to.....

 Badger and The Little Lady are the best of friends.  He is the first one she looks for in the morning.  She says his name!  And he is so patient and good with her.  He loves to make her giggle and I think he is enjoying his first experience with a little girl adoring him.  It's really fun to see their sibling relationship develop.  I'm loving it.

 She is all cuteness....

 She has the sweetest expressions....

 And she has started eating Cheerios. Which is so fun.  She loves to eat and is super sensory with touching and mouthing everything.  I literally save her from certain death several times a day, because she puts everything in her mouth.  And though I watch her without leaving her at all, it is really hard to keep all the little pieces out of reach with four big brothers.  Today I found a teeny, tiny rock in her mouth!  And I had just vacuumed!  Anyway....she is my little monkey.... I am smitten.

 And I'm not sure if you can see it in this picture, but she just got her one top tooth! 

Also this week....we made spring cutout cookies.  It's getting more fun as the boys are more able in the kitchen.  I mixed up the dough while they did school and then let them have at it.  They rolled the dough and cut it mostly by themselves.  Then the next day I frosted while they decorated. 

 Look at those goofy smiles.  We were having a fun time.  And I didn't think of it until I saw this picture, but Badger was reading an encyclopedia about the Revolutionary War (i think it was volume 4)  while decorating cookies.  That's normal right?  This kid still plows through books faster than I can provide them. 

 Also this week, the boys had their first sleepover.  Well, first "friend" sleepover.  (we get to have our cousins usually once a summer!)  It was just two extra boys, but super fun for them.  And as you can see although it's supposed to be Spring already, we still have snow!  That didn't stop them though from playing out in the sun.  They were playing "The Battle of Bunker Hill".  And all I have to say about that is, it's really, really good to have other homeschooled boys to be our best buddies. 

 One of the highlights of my week was one morning when I got a bit of alone time with my boy.  This one just can't get enough of the outdoors.  So while the baby napped, I bribed the eldest boy with a new book to watch her so I could get outside too.  We chipped away at the thick ice that still haunts our front yard. 

 We drank some warmth together.  This boy loves coffee.  (don't worry I only let him have a sip)

 We chatted while he lay in the hammock and I pulled ice off the sprouts from the bulbs that are desperately trying to come up through the cold.  He told me about his hopes for the Summer and how much he loves his brother.  What he wants for his birthday.  How he loves that his Papa has been going for long walks with him.  This kid is such a dreamer and has such a soft, wistful heart.  Of course he is also the one who gets into the most trouble sometimes!  But oh how he has my heart!

 

 And over the week the ice slowly melted away.......

 ......enough so that we could clear off the little side porch and pull out the red chairs.  In the morning it's the best spot to grab a little sunshine and some attention from a brother.

 And lastly....I just had to include these pictures of the littlest three playing together.  The little girl just has to be right where they are.  Notice the boy's hand trying to keep the Legos away.  They are so patient with her and she so persistent!

 Look at how big they are compared to her.  That is boy #3 and boy #4.

 My little punkin.....

Love.

Rats!

We have added to our family....it was awhile ago actually.  Late last summer, I think.  One of the boys had wanted a pet mouse for several years.  Ever since he read the Redwall series (by Brian Jacques) when he was five he's been in love with mice.  I've been trying to wait it out, but then this fall when he mentioned it yet again, I was ready to think about it.  So off to the pet store we went, just for some information (hmm mmm, riiiiight) and home we came with two dumbo rats.  They were babies then.  Adorable as can be, and apparently much more social than mice, who really do not like to be held.  And the truth is, we just love them!  They are so cute and sociable and the boys are doing a really good job of cleaning out their cage and feeding and watering them. 

 Boy #3 loves them.  I was surprised at first at how brave he was with holding them.  Their quiet, busy nature seems to suit him.

 Their names?  Little Tan and Noir. (french for black)  Such good little buddies for our crew.  It is especially helpful for getting certain things done....like math or spelling....because those kinds of things are far more fun to do with a rat in your pocket.

Hen Is Four!

Our littlest boy turned four this past weekend!  This past year has been such a good adventure with you my son.  You have awakened the playful part in me that I had forgotten about.  (I think you got that gift from your papa)  I am so glad to be your mama.

 Hen started reading this year.

 Learned how to play chess with his big brothers.  And became a big brother himself!

May this year bring many blessings to you my dear one.  Papa and I are so very proud of you.

Lego Creations

 We had a crazy end to our week last Friday, which included a head injury.  Don't worry everyone is fine now.  It was just an accident that happened while we were playing with friends in the gym and it was just a gash on the noggin.  But it did mean that Hen had to lie low for a few days, which meant that all the boys had to lie low, because that sweet little boy just has to do what his brothers are doin'!  So we got out the Legos.  And after two whole days of Legos all over the family room here's what we have.   A Star Wars Republic Drop Ship....

 It is hard to explain to you just how enormous this thing is and all of its capabilities.  It's wingspan is about two and a half feet.  It has a cockpit, opening doors for missile storage and can shoot missiles.

 Here is  close up of the front.  It can also hook up to the AT-TE Walker.  You can see how it sits on top a little in this photo.  What you can not see is how Badger designed a fully functioning latch system that runs inside the AT-TE which allows the bottom structure to accept the Drop Ship and support its weight. 

I'll admit to you that I do not really care about Legos.  (i know, i know)  But I am so very captivated when this boy of mine can make them DO things.  He has such an engineering mind, and is growing in his skills.  I know some of you will appreciate this post more than others (uncle brian?)  But I just couldn't not "mark this one down."  These kids are so extraordinary, and it should be celebrated.

Seeds and Homemade Bagels

 It's that time of year again!  Time to plant seeds!

 This year we are trying something a little different and planting in toilet paper rolls.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!  Supposedly it works well because you can just pop them right in the ground without disturbing the roots of your seedling, and the paper roll just biodegrades in the garden.  You have to put them on a watertight tray though.  And...we learned the hard way that you also have to be careful not to bump them when you are filling them with dirt because obviously the dirt comes out of the bottom when tipped.  I imagine this will be less of a problem once there are plant roots growing though.

 Hen was very excited about digging in the dirt.  And remembered some forgotten tulip bulbs that needed a home.  So he got right to it, filling up a pot for them.  The older boys made a paper funnel to help get the soil into the tubes a little more easily.

 Wait a second...Hen....you are supposed to be putting dirt in the pot....hmmm......

Cricket helped too.  He is always ready for a project this one.  I love that about him.  He's totally rockin' that long hair too, isn't he?  

 What did we plant?  Parsley and Basil and Kohlrabi.  We hope to do broccoli and a few other things this next week.

 The little girl loves to watch her brothers in action.  She is such a riot watching them, laughing at them, chatting with them.  She is saying words!  This morning she said "stinker!" clear as a bell.  Ha!

 Also this week, Cricket got his hair cut.  And while I am all for him having choice with things like his personal style, I have to admit that I like his hair shorter.  This picture shows a wee bit of the brotherly goofiness that these two eldest guys get up to.  It's way more entertaining in real life.  Trust me.

 

Our other project for the week was making bagels.  So fun!  I have no idea why it took me so long to try making them.  Maybe they seemed too involved somehow.  It was so easy though.  Although Badger mixed up the dough entirely by himself and all I had to do was help him finish the kneading.  It is so helpful to have a boy who knows his way around the kitchen.

 Here they are before their water bath.  Then...into the pot for seven minutes!

 We decided to put some sucanat and cinnamon on top, because we...okay me.....I....was having a need for a treat that day. 

 Goofball.  My adorable, helpful goofball.

 Here they are all ready to be popped into the oven.  Yum!  They were a treat indeed.