Oh, the girliness!

Lately Jane is WAY into her shoes and jewelry. She has to put on her necklaces, bracelets and sparkly shoes immediately upon waking up from a nap or in the morning. This photo was taken not in late morning, or after lunch, but at 7, yes, 7 am a few days ago!

So, for the far away aunts, uncles and grandparents, Ann can now sit on her own and play, she has her two bottom teeth, and she has started eating rice cereal, bananas, carrots, pears and the McCartney staple baby food, guacamole! Jane hugged her Friday and said, "I love you with all my heart!" Cate loves to play with Ann, too, which is a huge help.

Overheard at the library

At the library yesterday I overheard two moms talking. One was saying that she had decided to allow her little boy (probably 18 months) to watch one video a week. Once, four years ago, that was me. I smiled, admiring her idealism and sharing her sentiment. I also wanted to (and did, for most of Cate's first year) use cloth diapers. I thought about making my own baby food. We bought a lot of baby food that never got eaten. Guacamole is much more enjoyable for all of us.

I have had some wonderful days with my children this week, fascinated by how they learn and play and experience the world. And videos? Yes, we watch them. But half of our days this week were video and TV-free (now an accomplishment in my willpower, because Cate certainly asks and asks and asks.) We keep our TV in the basement, and we may not get the converter box come Feb 17. (We may be one of those "unprepared" households who might fall off the face of the earth. I kindof say "bring it on.") I have found my children like to read stories as much as they like to watch a video. They also like some very noble and beautiful musicals Fiddler on the Roof (see photo for my girls singing Matchmaker) and Sound of Music. I think they have the stomach for these rich works of art because they have not been fed a steady diet of whatever awful kid shows and commercials are on TV.

I love how they play and sing and are mostly oblivious to all the latest fad toys and clothing they could have. I love how they don't like most Disney movies because the villains are scary. Sheltered? Possibly. But sheltered for the right reasons and from the pop kid culture that is only preparing them to be consumer adults. Let them be kids. Let them sing their hearts out, enjoy the sunshine, make messes having real tea parties, build with blocks, cuddle with mom, romp around with dad.

Sometimes I just need to remind myself why I'm trying to do things the way I am doing them, and why I want to homeschool. Perhaps that is what this post is about. I'd love for us to be able to do "one video a week" but for now we limit as much as we can, and we are sure to spend time outside, read tons of books, get our hands dirty finger painting. Maybe when we have a clothesline outside and I am not working the cloth diapers will come out of their box again, too.

Ordinary work with extraordinary peace

Happy New Year! It feels like spring today - a balmy 63 degrees. My days are filled with normal, everyday "mommy" type things - today it was a trip to Office Max, then the doctor, then the post office. And usually I get lots of "my, you have your hands full!" comments. Going through a regular day with three little ones is simply normal now, and I allow extra time for everything to accommodate bathroom breaks, snacks, walking on rocks, jumping out of the van (rather than being lifted by me) buckling their own car seats, etc. After our errands, we landed at Sacred Heart of Mary church, where I had one more errand (turning in some paperwork) but we spent an hour and a half there, playing on the playground, walking in the cemetary and visiting Jesus in the church.

My meditation reading this morning was about Jesus working for the vast majority of his life on earth in a simple carpenter shop, doing very ordinary work and having very ordinary interactions. This was a great comfort and inspiration to offer all the little things, and little moments of the day to Him. It reminded me to wait patiently while they get buckled, to listen patiently to their observations and stories, to laugh.

OK, above you see Jane flaunting her new skirt over her "leohard" and to the left you see Cate showing her form in what looks like gymnastics, but could be pilates. Those were both Christmas day!

I am really enjoying Advent this year. Perhaps it is because I still have vivid memories of morning sickness from last year, but this year I am not wishing for the time to go faster, and I have taken advantage of my energy and time at home to bit by bit prepare our home and hearts for Christmas. We have made a different cookie or treat every few days, I have been slowly cleaning parts of the (town) house and we have lit the Advent wreath before dinner probably 4 nights out of each week. Maybe my expectations have become a little more realistic but I have simply enjoyed all of the preparations and the season. I don't have all these undone tasks. Granted, our Christmas cards are just an idea at this point, but we can do that during the Christmas season. I have especially enjoyed hosting small groups of friends for dinner each of the last three weekends. We are blessed to have our faith, our beautiful girls, our families and our wonderful friends.

Snuggle

These girls love to snuggle! My favorite times of day are when they wake up in the morning (it's even better if I have had 30 minutes or so of quiet time before they are up, but that's rare) and when they wake up from their naps. No, Ann does not sleep between her sisters, but I think if she could talk that's where she would prefer to be.