what we are up to: February

Hi there!

I have not checked in much lately.  I was thinking of this little Internet space recently, and although I often wish I had more time to write and reflect, I am grateful for my other creative outlets as well.  I have been occupied in crafting a few ballet dances for our end-of-the-year recital and enjoying the process as usual.  Choreography does not come easily to me but I do appreciate the artistic outlet it provides, during this busy and often tedious season of being home with three little ones.  A maker is gonna make, after all.

What I do love about this "journal", is that it helps me to step back and contemplate beauty in my life and the preciousness of time with family.  My days are filled with the business of the small stuff. They are like scattered puzzle pieces of bits of time spent making meals, cleaning-up meals, laundry and repeat.  Special moments are scattered throughout:  kisses from my babies,  snuggles during a picture book, soaking in the sunshine at the park, nursing of a scrapped knee, and watching a little boy sleep.  Without significant markers or big events, it can be challenging to step back and piece together this messy, chaotic and wonderful puzzle.  

So here are some of the things we are up to, that I do not want to forget.

Our Saint Valentine's Day Spread

Dominic

This delightful boy is hard at work through his second semester of Kindergarten.  I keep meaning to write about how homeschooling is going; but in short it has been so. good.  Our one-on-one lessons take about one-hour to complete, so he spends the remaining hours of his day playing with his brothers, spending time outdoors and listening to audiobooks.  In just this past week he finished re-listening to Charlotte's Web, Peter Pan and Ralph S. Mouse.  We are also currently reading Pipi Longstocking together, recommended by Whitney.  He is especially excited about tee-ball season starting up.  Yesterday Coach Daddy hosted a meet-and-greet for the team, and he shyly told me when he got home that he really liked one of the kids he met and hoped that they could become friends.  Dominic is also starting the countdown to his 6th (!) birthday, which is coming up in April.  We spend a lot of time discussing what the theme of his birthday celebration will be.  It changes from day-to-day, from Wild Kratts to Knights and Dragons to Horses.

Gabriel

I already shared that this three-year-old recently potty-trained.  He is still doing awesome.  He has also been dressed-up as a dog named Octo for over a month.  We aren't sure why he loves being this character, but morning until night, he is a (very-convincing) dog.  It is very cute.  In addition to his canine habits, Gabriel still spends his entire days playing with his Disney Cars.  His older brother joins in most of the time.  Sometimes I can't tell whether they are talking to me or making character voices!  Gabriel and Dominic also recently started playing ice hockey and Gabriel is especially loving it.  He is the smallest little guy out on the ice but has no problem stealing the puck from the bigger kids.  Gabriel is gifted in the athletic department and easily plays up in any sport that he tries.  In addition to hockey and swimming, he has also been working hard to master the sign of the cross.  He says it slowly, proudly and intentionally in way that absolutely melts my heart.  

Nicholas

Nicholas is as busy as a one-year-old can be, hitting one milestone boom after another. He has been on the move for about a week.  Is there anything more adorable than that little unsteady toddle of a newbie walker?  Didn't think so.  He is still eating like champion and finally has his top two front-teeth to help him out a bit.  He demands food all day long and so far he loves all foods except for (dairy) milk and yogurt.   He takes two-naps, one in the morning and one in the late-afternoon.  He still hasn't slept through the night, but is typically only waking once or twice to nurse these days, if his teething isn't causing restlessness.  He still holds the title of resident rooster, in making sure that we get up to start our day around 5am.  His favorite activity is to be held, while he points at objects for us to name.  He has been somewhat clingier and fussier than usual these days, as his toddler personality and, ahem, temper is slowly emerging.  We are working on some sign language to help him communicate more easily and so far have mastered "milk" and "more".  He gives wonderful mmmmmuah kisses and spends much of his time entertained by his big brothers.

Enjoyed a park-day with good friends

Our plans for this week are to continue plugging away with schoolwork, do a lot of reading-aloud, swimming lessons and tee-ball practice for the kids, work for the grown-ups and living out the season of Lent as a family as best as we can.