Freya and Pumpkins

 

I will now pick up this gigantic pumpkin!

Instead I will now roll this gigantic pumpkin!

Oh forget it, I will just take a seat!

My Baby Freya Turned 2… back on June 1st.

 

My baby turned 2 on June 1st.  It is now October and I’m trying to get back into posting more.  This is her birthday letter that was written months ago.

Freya,

Happy 2nd Birthday! It's been quite a year with you.

We are still waiting for you to sleep through the night. Daddy and I are praying hard that this will happen soon.

You are so determined to let it be known that you are indeed part of this family and that you do also need attention. You have a scream that goes right through the other 5 members of this family. You smile when you have truly annoyed your siblings, especially your biggest brother.  That smile and laugh is unforgettable.

You love to play outside. And when you are crying, letting you outside is the miracle remedy. You also love playing inside the car which is mostly fine until you find my stash of candy and gum.  You have an obsession with shoes, which I can totally understand. You are constantly taking your diaper off to put on Kenzie’s underwear but haven’t quite mastered how to get “it” in the toilet. This has created for some huge messes in this house. You pick out your own clothes and you like to dress yourself. And you don’t like when I try switch up the outfit that you so thoughtfully pulled out.

I've learned a lot from you as a 2 year old. All messes can be cleaned up (Kenzie has taught me this one too). Water never gets old, no matter where it is coming from. Tricycles were meant for riding in the street only. Kitchen counters were made for dancing on. When all else fails, yogurt makes great paint. Pure maple syrup was meant to be drank. And that there is never enough chewable vitamins to make you happy.

 

You have certainly completed our family. Sometimes I try to stop and just watch you. I've found it difficult to juggle life's daily tasks with four children. But you so often remind me that I need to stop and take joy in the little things in life. You remind me that there was a time in all of our lives when we never judged one another but only loved and accepted each others differences.

I am so blessed that God has given you to me. I pray I still have the energy, as you grow, to teach you and guide you in the ways that God has directed me to. I pray that you have the desire in your heart to know the one and only God who gave His life for you. There are no words to describe how much I love you.

-Mama

Van Saun Park- One Year Later

 

 

 

My two middle children.  They rock!

HS Highlights

We’ve been riding on the homeschool roller coaster now for 2 weeks.  And as much as I want to have structure and routine, I learning to be flexible because we all need our breaks at different times.  I’m seeing the needs of each of my children and also seeing how unique each of them was created.  We all have a different vision and I love having the opportunity to see life through their eyes as I observe them in action.  We have had some struggles along the way but through these struggles we are each learning a little bit more about one another.  I’m glad I’ve made this decision and I’m excited to travel down the roads to come, where ever they may take us.

A few highlights from this past week:

         

 

    

We finished our paper mache globes.  We won’t be doing a paper mache project again for a long long time.

We had a bake sale with play-doh cookies.

Freya has begun to help herself to breakfast.

    

We learned about mountains and started to make our very own mountain ranges out of egg cartons.

We made gluten free cookies.  These went along nicely with our talk about mountains because they resembled mountain ranges as they cooled.

We flew our kites.

These are just a couple of the things we have been doing.  I’m excited to see where this upcoming week takes us.

Homeschoolin’ Day 3

Today we started making paper mache globes. Although they are not looking too bad, I did realize one thing about myself.  I am terrible at making paper mache.  The kids didn’t like the feel of it because it was so lumpy.  FYI, paper mache is supposed to be smooth.  If you look closely at my picture you can see some of the lumps.  I was thankful we were making a globe because our lumps turned into a talk about mountains.

Homeschooling Day 2

 

Today we ventured out to Cattus Island. I had never been and had no idea what to expect. I did know it is a state park so I figured there would at least be a nature hike we could do. Not only was there a short hike, that even Freya could do, there was also a visitor center with lots of hands on activities for the kids.

Homeschooling Day 1

 

I took the plunge today! My kids will no longer attend public school...unless we come realize that homeschooling isn't working for either them or me. Aside from reading I didn't focus on any academics today, although we played and when you play you learn. My husband felt strongly about field tripping and finding activities the kids could do during the day as we embark on this first week of homeschooling. We met a local homeschooling group at the park today and playing we did.

Kids Workshop

 

I love these Home Depot and Lowes Kids Workshop Saturdays.  Materials and tools are provided and the kids leave with a lollipop in one hand and a balloon in the other.  All this for the low price of… free! 

All four of my kids love these even the little one.

Getting ready.

Showing off all her hard work.

Back to business.

Drummer Girls

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."

by Henry David Thoreau.

 

 

 

Griffith Park

Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA

Mama Tip: Don't ever attempt to force a photograph of 4 kids, instead allow it to just happen. You will get a much better picture along with little frustration for yourself and your children.

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Santa Monica Pier

On top of the Santa Monica Pier ferris wheel. I can now check this off my bucket list.

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La Brea Tar Pits

Running down the hills at the La Brea Tar Pits is way more fun than learning about the history of them... especially for a 20 month old.

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Cali

Only 2 days left in Cali.

Kenzie- Venice Canals

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Unusual Places

Sometimes you have to look in the most unusual places to find a little laughter and joy.

I don’t like blurry pictures but this is the best I could get.

When you're tired, you're tired.

He hasn't napped in months yet falls asleep in the shopping cart grocery shopping.

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New Sky

 

I’m really loving my new New Balance New Sky sneakers.  I especially love them because they are super light and made out of recycled water bottles.  I so glad that after I’ve wore these babies out they can be placed in the recycle bin as apposed to the regular trash can.

Hello Daffodils

Dear Daffodils,
Glad you are so anxious to make your arrival but it is only January. I must say it was nice to see you peeking out. Hang on for a couple more months.
See You Soon, Your Owner

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Sorry

My oldest has an interesting way of expressing himself. 

While driving I became so frustrated with him, over what… I cant remember.

When we arrived home he said, “look at the window,” then walked into the house.

This is what I saw:

In the midst of the dirt and grime on the window the word sorry, spelled in bendaroos.

He was able to spell the word backwards and switch every letter so that it read perfectly from the outside of the car. 

#8

Korben,

Here we are again. You are now 8. Eight years ago I became a mom when you entered the world. What a journey it has been. So many highs and lows... especially in the beginning when exhaustion, post partum depression, and nursing struggles set in. I thought I would never make it. You’re my oldest, my engineer and computer whiz kid, just like Daddy.

What was then…

This is now.

You still love sprinkler systems. And now that you are using the computer more you not only draw sprinkler systems you also create them in power point. You also create intricate road systems and architect awesome houses. These times on the computer are important for you as they give you downtime without being surrounded by your siblings.

Building an above ground sprinkler systems.

One of your most memorable days this year was when you build a computer with Daddy. You were so excited and learned a lot through the process.

There are days when you suck the life out of me; these days I am depleted of every ounce of energy and patience. And then there are days that, through your amazingly creative mind, you take the daily grind of life and give it an awesome perspective, by taking simple supplies and creating the most amazing "sculptures" of the things in the world around you. These creations make me smile and thank God for your amazingly inquisitive mind.

This mother thing isn't easy for me. And there are many things I am sorry for. As the oldest there are things that I have tried with you that I now know were wrong and unfair. Not long ago, we were able to have a great conversation around this very thing and I'm glad you were able to forgive me for all the times I royally screwed up. I don't know what it is like to be the oldest, this isn't the position I hold in my family. But I have gotten to know you better and better over the years. I have realized what works for you and what sets you off. This doesn't mean that I am not going to mess up a millions more times. I'm sure glad that we have a God that forgives us and teaches us to forgive others.

God has hand picked me to be your mother. There are some days you tell me you want a different mom… but you are stuck with me. I pray that God would give me the wisdom to mother you in a way that you mature into a confident secure Godly young man.

Happy Birthday!

I love you.

-Mama