Drip, Drip, Drip!

Thats what we hear outside of our windows! Coupled with the chirrup of wee little birds, the warm air smelling of wetness, and the blue sky we had yesterday, 'twould make one think it is spring! At night, when the darkness hides the blanket of still calf-deep snow, I've found my ears straining for the sound of peepers. Speaking of calf-deep snow, I am actually quite thankful that it still lays aground, for it covers the mud for a while longer! I'm expecting that this warm hint-of-what-is-to-come isn't going to last, so I'm glad to miss an early endless stream of mud tracked through this wholly carpeted house.

We have so far enjoyed our 'surprise vacation.' Apart from Andrew's cabin fever and my broken routine, I think we have made good use of this time! School is still being done - though not at the usual times - and the boys have even had a different teacher (much to their delight!). We've continued our Underwater Theme - don't ask me why - and I think the kids have enjoyed it. Abigail now knows more about sea creatures than I do, and I'm the one who was supposed to be doing the teaching! Actually, she absorbs information from books like a sea-sponge absorbs water, and thereby she learns more than I could ever teach her in the 24 hours I'm given each day. Do any of you think that your allotted 24 hours are actually shorter than 24 hours other people get? Or am I the only one...

Lydia has started talking more. Yesterday, she kept finding random shoes and bringing them to me, asking me to put them on her little feet: "Grunt... Grunt... Grunt" with a couple of pointed jerks of her finger, was how her demand was stated. I told her to say, "Shoe on, please." Much to my delighted surprise she said, "Shshshshshooo AH!" And she hasn't stopped since! She especially likes Abigail's dress shoes, of course!

Phinehas is progressing in his reading and it has been LOW STRESS for me! I just get to listen as Andrew patiently urges him on, guiding him through his stubborn unwillingness and into peals of laughter as a story is created out of the words:

Andrew: "Phinehas is..."

Phin: "BIG!"

A: "... and riding a..."

P: "PIG!"

A: "... while wearing a..."

P: "WIG!"

A: "... and eating a..."

P: "FIG!"

A: "... and dancing a..."

P: "JIG!"

And Liam has finally had someone to spend FOCUSED time with him working on shapes and colors. I can see that Liam thrives with one-on-one time; he has just been shining with smiles and overflowing with giggles lately!

And me? I've been basking in the presence of my best friend, cherishing the glances, the smiles, and the shared laughter over the antics of our wee ones. I love my man! And he is coming along day by day. His leg's range of motion is steadily (but slowly) improving and his pain is lessening. I know he gets stir-crazy, but honestly! He is NOT the typical male! He hasn't complained a bit! Except for his crutches, you wouldn't know he is hurt. He still manages to be my hero each and every day.

Hm. By now you are all probably gagging so I'll stop! *grin!*

And now I'll be off to start on the ever rotating pile of dishes (that should have been done 4 hours ago!)

Merry Belated Christmas!

And Happy New Year!

As you can imagine, our December was very full of fun! I've been meaning to post some things for a couple weeks, but, alas, I never got around to it. So, at long last I'll share a few fun pictures from December:

Here is a picture of our gingerbread nativity scene - that turned out 100% different than how I had envisioned. First of all, the dough I made was basically useless. I could barely cut out the walls for the stable! So, I trashed the rest of the dough and hurriedly tried to think of different ways to make people. As you can see, we used marshmallows and toothpicks! We had dried fruit stones, caramel hay bales and miniature animal crackers for animals. See if you can find the fire with the spit over it... including the animal cracker cow. That, of corse, was Phin's idea.

A day or so later, the kids painted their paper-clay figures that they had made the week prior. Even Lydia pained her wee little hand! It was fun to hear them chatter amongst themselves about who they wanted to give each piece to.

Christmas eve was spent at Andrew's parents' house with many of the Aunts, Uncles and cousins. The kids had fun sledding (sorry - no pics), being VERY noisy, and of course opening presents from loving grandparents. That was complete and utter chaos!

Christmas morning we spent at home, just us! We put together puzzles, read new books, and tried out some new prizes. Then, in the afternoon, my family joined us for waffles! When I was a kid, waffles with berry sauce, whipped cream, real maple syrup, bacon, sausage, orange juice and whatever else we could imagine was the tradition for Christmas brunch. We turned it into lupper and made an afternoon out of it!

My sweet sister, Mae.

She gave me a gift that made me laugh and cry: First Aid Strips. It was a band-aid box filled with little pieces of paper that had quotes, inspirations, verses, and messages from her, Andrew and the kids. It was perfect! And, I can use it again and again on those dreary days when nothing seems to be going the way it should. Absolutely perfect!

My brother-in-law, Joe and niece, Ezibelle.

Ezi professes that I am her favorite Aunt (at least on her mom's side!)

So, there you have it! A glimpse into our winter holidays!

Christmas Cookies

Early this morning the thin white clouds looked steely gray as the winter sun crept above the hills. The bare trees were sharply silhouetted in dark lines. I heard an argument break out; the chirruping and scolding was easy to locate. Six or eight little chickadees chased each other loudly around the stark trunk of a sleeping oak. Suddenly, heralded by the noisy birds, the morning light changed from cold and distant to bright and near. The steel-gray clouds transformed into silver and the dead silhouettes became regal sentinels as the little birds brought life to the scene. Even their scolding voices changed to teasing banter as they flitted around the trees. I felt my heart quicken and my sleepy eyes awake as once again I found beauty in a cold winter land.

Today we made Christmas cookies! I will share our recipe, as it is my favorite. I never was a fan of the doughy sugar cookies. These are lightly and lemony with a crisp hint of cinnamon and nutmeg – the perfect accompaniment to a hot cup of spiced chai. Yummy!

Lemony Christmas Cookies

Sift together:

2 c Flour

1 t Bkng. Power

½ t Salt

½ t Cinnamon

¼ t Nutmeg

Heat together til butter melts:

1/3 c Butter

3 T Milk

In Large Bowl put:

2/3 c Sugar

Add Butter/Milk mixture

Add:

2 Egg Yolks**

½ t Lemon Extract

Mix in Dry Ingredients.

Chill

Roll and cut out with cookie cutters.

Bake at 400* for 3 ½ - 7 min (depending on size of cookie and oven accuracy)

**set aside egg whites to make a big jar of egg nog to drink while cutting the cookies J

We put on some Christmas music, made the afore mentioned egg nog, and grabbed all the cookie cutters from the cupboard. As you can see, the children had a blast. And, I’ve decided that no mom of young children should ever even attempt to make Christmas cookies without another adult present. Today Katie, a friend of mine, came to help. Her cheerful presence made cookie time so much more manageable… as well as the ensuing mess. If she hadn’t been here, I would have been vainly trying to be sure that no messes were made (HAH!) and we probably wouldn’t have had such a fun time.

Before we started decorating, each kid ate one little cookie with promises of another one, this time decorated, after lunch. Lydia, the poor little fourth-born, so wanted to contribute to the decorating! Finally, she chose herself as ‘Quality Control Manager’ and casually swiped a cookie that had been lavishly decorated by Phinehas. I just couldn’t take it from her! (The fortune of being a fourth!) The other kids didn’t begrudge her a bit as they knew their treats were coming.

We really did have a lovely time!

The First Snow

Last night a winter wind howled through the trees and over the eves. The dark was thick and heavy - not thick enough to stop the neighbors flood light from seeping through our windows, but thick enough to stop the twinkling of the stars and the shining of the moon. We woke to a steady, dreary rain that fell in gray sheets and flooded out long dry crick bed. Then, around 10:00 big snowflakes mingled themselves with the rain and by noon a blanket of white covered everything. The kids bundled up and eagerly ran out to throw throw snowballs at each other. O! How I love the first snow! It is clean, quiet, and fresh and chases away the gray of late fall.

In celebration of the first snow, we decorated. One of my favorite things to do is cut green branches from various evergreens and bright rose hips from prickly bushes and create pretty things to add color to our house. The kids and I cut out the snowflakes - honestly, I only did 4 or 5 of them! Abbi and Phin did the rest! (Liam's contribution was tiny scraps all over the floor.)

Here is the Carpenter frolicking in the 'snowfall' - hehe!

Here are some pictures of our nativity scene - from Ecuador!

And one last one of our newest addition to the energy expending activities in our home: An indoor hammock!

6 Years (and 5 days) Ago

On Thanksgiving Day, 6 years ago, Abigail Dawn was born! She entered this world as the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. She stole the heart of her Papa and Mama and just about anyone else who knew her. She was much celebrated by all our friends and family.

This year, again on Thanksgiving day, Abigail Dawn celebrated her 6th birthday. I know every mother says this but, "How did she get so BIG?!" My sweet baby girl that made me into a Mama is growing into a sweet young lady. When I look at her I see so many things! I see a little girl who loves to read; I see a cowgirl riding on her horse; I see a horse tossing its head in the wind; I see the apple of her Papa's eye; I see creative ideas bursting forth from an ever busy little mind; I see a daydreamer, flying high above the pages of school work to far-off places; I see a fountain of giggles and a well of laughter; I see a spring of songs bubbling out; I see a budding artist, a blossoming writer; I see a generous giver; I see a wonderful helper; I see a kind older sister; I see a source of joy. And often I see myself. Usually when us moms see ourselves mirrored in our children we see the negative parts of ourselves (well, at least I do). But on Abbi's birthday I saw an expression on her face that no one else could possibly have completely understood and it was a treasure to me.

As she was unwrapping her presents from Grampa and Gramma, she came to some books. The top one was fun, filled with animal stories. The bottom one made her gasp, sit back and stare. I don't know if anyone else saw her face, but I did. And I knew just what she was thinking and feeling for I have felt that way before. In her hands was a book that she loves (we have borrowed it from the library on may occasions). Her expression was one of shock and wonder and joy, yet she could hardly squeak out a 'thank you.' All I could think of was the overwhelming rush I felt when Andrew asked me to marry him. My little girl who is growing up so fast, yes - she is quite a bit like me. But I guess that isn't necessarily a bad thing!

Anyway, that is a silly little story, but one that I will remember and treasure forever.

Abigail's birthday festivities stretched from Thursday (her real birthday) to Saturday, when we celebrated with my side of the family. Her celebration started with a breakfast date with her Papa and ended with a very fruity "Sorbet" cake (rather than an ice-cream cake). In between were lots of gifts from loving family, lots of laughs and very much fun.

"Now," you ask, "where are all the pictures?" heh. Well, I'm ashamed to say it, but we only have a few. I totally forgot to get the camera out on her REAL birthday, but Andrew did manage to snap a few on Saturday.

And so we begin our seventh year as parents - surely the most difficult, yet most rewarding thing I've ever done!

Boots as Baskets?

When you send your four year old son up to the chicken coop to let the birds out and you see him wearing your barn boots, by all means do NOT smile to yourself, give a little chuckle and say (like all mothers), "Don't trip, son!" Instead, insist that he promptly change into his OWN boots. If you don't the following might happen:

When he returns to the house, bringing a poop covered egg in his bare hand, you stifle a shudder and tell him to quick! wash it off and put it in the fridge. He then joins you at the table for some school and about three minutes later nonchalantly says, "Uh... I accidentally cracked a little bit of egg into your boot." Pause as you try to figure out how THAT one happened, then ask him to bring you the boot.

When he delivers the boot, tentatively inspect it and find nothing wrong! Breathe a sigh of relief and say, "But Phin, there isn't any egg in here! It is perfectly fine!"

"Oh," says Phin. "I guess it was the other one." And he scampers off to fetch the other boot.

When he brings it, a quick glance reveals not only a 'little bit of egg' but a whole LOT of cracked egg and a whole uncracked egg! Not knowing whether to laugh or become irate, pick up the boot (which has chicken poop all over the bottom) and try and clean out the ooey, gooey mess. Be sure to ask your son how many eggs he put in the boot. (He says 2) After rinsing for a while, just as you are about to shake out the last drops of water, PLOP! out comes ANOTHER cracked egg! (Note: that makes 3 eggs that were in the boot.)

After a couple minutes of muttering and sputtering and being completely baffled at the mind of a four year old, ask your son WHAT he had been doing! What did he answer? Carrying the eggs!

Yes, he put all the eggs (except the poop covered one) into the boot and proceeded to WALK with the egg filled boot down the hill and into the house. Definitely not the most conventional egg basket, eh?

She's Walkin'

And she's off! Lydia is walking! Yes, with many stumbles and trips and flops, but she is going a little further each day. She is so proud of herself! She totally knows she is super cute... and she knows she is the apple of her papa's eye. How fun to watch your children happily cross each little milestone. Soon enough, she will be running!

Happy Birthday, Liam Michael!

We celebrated Liam's 3rd birthday today! THe day started out with Phinehas singing a "happy birthday" solo, bright and early this morning - before anyone was out of bed!!! That was super cute. (Of course later, when we all sang, Phinehas felt that it wasn't necessary for him to participate so he just sat there sticking his tongue out at his brother!!!)

Liam completely understood that we were celebrating him today and he soaked up being 'center stage.' He grinned from ear to ear each time someone wished him a happy birthday, asked him how old he was (he tried to convince us he is now 5), or asked him about his special day.

He had balloons, a train poster, and special rice crispy treats made by his Papa! He got his own red train, a special wooden car that he and Papa got to put together, and a RED cowboy hat. He had baked oatmeal for breakfast and meat loaf for supper and he got to drink all the fresh cold milk he wanted to (we are in Wisconsin staying with some friends on an Organic Valley Dairy Farm.) He had sunshine and a cool breeze, and in spite of the usual couple of tumbles he has in any given day, Liam made it through with giggles and grins.

We sure are thankful for this little man! It has been a delight watching him grow. He is FULL of imagination and creativity. Liam is a good little worker who loves to help Papa and Mama (especially Papa, of course!). He likes to sing and laugh, and he loves to be tickled (like all our kids!)

Hooray for your birthday, Liam Michael!!

The Absent Mind of a 4 Year Old Male

What was that I was saying earlier? Anyway, Phinehas just broke a very nice pyrex dish of mine. He dropped it on the concrete porch. What was he doing? Carrying Tiger Tom inside of it, pretending he (the cat) was dead, and taking him away so people could see him. (I had to bite my cheek to keep from laughing as I told him that that was NOT what he should have been doing!)

It continues! After the glass was cleaned up, Phin was outside. He came running in and said to his Papa, "I just stepped on a piece of that broken glass that you missed!" Andrew said, "What did you do with the piece you stepped on." Phin's reply? "I put it back on the concrete!"

And then, later:

Phin came rushing in. "Mama, Mama! Papa is bringing the laundry in for you!"

"Wow!" I said. "He must love me!"

"Yeah, and I do too!"

"You love me?"

"No, I love Papa and Papa loves you!"

The Mind of a Male

I never had brothers. I never saw the crazy things boys build, the crazy things boys do, the confident walk that proves boys think they are invincible. I never saw a baby boy turn into a toddler, turn into a young boy, turn into a mini-man, turn into a young man, and then into a real man; I've only seen what a real man looks like - just look at the Carpenter. But, I didn't see what it took to make him that way. Now, I've heard stories. Lot of them. Stories that make me shake my head, marveling that the Carpenter is even alive today.

And, now I have two boys. They are both as different as night and day, yet as alike as two peas in a pod. And they are both absolutely different from Abigail... and even more different than me!

Today I caught a glimpse of what I'm in for. Now, mind you, Phinehas is only four. We took a trip down to the neighbors lovely pond after lunch for a wear-you-out-swim before nap time. Into the back of the Suburban went Abbi's and Phin's bikes. Once we got to the neighbor's l-o-n-g driveway, we stopped, got the kids' bikes out and let them ride. They did wonderfully! Then, after our swim, we told Abbi and Phin to ride back up the driveway. I won't tell you about Abbi's ride, but suffice it to say it was very... girly (emotional, challenging, and pretty slow). Well, Phin on the other hand, took off like a shot. When he got to an incline that was a bit of a challenge he jumped off his bike and, running, pushed i til he reached more level ground. Then on again, and off like a rocket. Well, he kept going (we were following in the Suburban). And he kept going. He passed the neighbor's house and kept going. I was starting to get a little nervous. "I don't think he is going to stop, Andrew! Would he really be so foolish as to try and ride home?" Well, he kept going... and Andrew stepped on the gas and whistled for Phin. Fortunately, Phin heard the whistle and responded because, sure enough! Home is where he was headed.

He had no doubt in his little mind that he could conquer riding down the road to our place. You could see that, in his estimation, he was (is) invincible!

Oh, boy! Hang on, mama! Its going to be a l-o-n-g ride!!

Some More Additions!

Below you will see some pictures of the newest additions to the Bajus mini-farm! I have to confess that they are not very high on my list of favorites, but I sure am getting a kick out of watching the children with them. Their purpose is to reduce the number of chipmunks around here - they sure have their work cut out for 'em! In the pictures below, Liam is holding the one named "Chow Mein" and Abigail is holding "MooShoo." Yes, I named them. I honestly can't believe Chow Mein tolerates Liam holding him! In fact, he seems to like it!

And here is my monkey:

There really is no holding him back. I remember climbing on precarious things as a child; I survived (and so did my mother!)

Finally, here is a picture of calendula blossoms from my garden. I'm drying them so I can use them in skin salve making. How exciting to use herbs from my own little garden!!