Home

My BFF gave me this mug recently.  Life is good. Let's stay home. After my crazy day yesterday, home is just what we needed today.  Feeling back like myself again.  Amazing how just being home is the best medicine.

(And a BIG thank you to Melinda, Carson and Tanner for the 'new to us' coat. Adrian won't take it off.)

Keeping on

Although there were parts of today that were good, on the whole, I could really use a do-over.  Or perhaps at the very least a trip to Australia, where they don't have bad days.

I'm determined for tomorrow to be different. I'm up too late, but am putting every effort of my being into tomorrow being a good day.  Laundry, dishes, cleaning. Books are out and ready for our morning readings. The waters are filled for the animals tomorrow. Homemade banana muffins are still cooling.  A peach smoothie is prepped (with home canned peaches). Coffee is ready to go with a flick of a switch. A Lebanese meal like my grandfather used to make is made and ready to go into the oven, much of it with homegrown goodness. 

In a sea of overwhelming, exhausting and headache worthy moments, it sometimes feels next to impossible to put one foot in front of the other. But, I'm a mom and it's a mom's business to turn impossible into possible. That's just what we do. Make things happen. I'll keep on keeping on and tomorrow is bound to be better.

Thrifted

 Books. Because I'm obsessed.  Three brand new metal garden tools, still in the plastic. A used Loop Hoe, which I have been wanting.  $4.75.

A carhart horse shirt for my horse girl. A 100% wool sweater (which we use for sleeping sweaters). More books, because I cannot leave a store without a book.  Smartwools for me. Little House on the Prairie VHS...if I can figure out how to get the darned thing working. Vintage scissors, which I am apparently collecting because I am a fan. $4.50.

And my trio with the bigs wearing their finds and because I love them so.

More Outside

Week goals: Get 'em outside! Each day. 

Or if they are already outside daily, increase their daily time outside.

Our goal is 3 hours a day for our big two and once a day for our baby.

Let this week be the week of Fresh Air!

Outside

My kids have always been outside kids.  Everyday, regardless of weather, we are outside. I have fond memories of them waking up and meeting me outside when I was hand milking or coming inside in time for bed after a summer sunset, dirty from head to toe. I'm so fortunate that I have panoramic windows in the kitchen so I can see them playing. In those warmer weather months, a seamless outside/inside transition is occurring almost hourly. However, in winter, although we go outside, the time we are outside is usually less. Maybe it's the cold temps or the ice. Maybe it's because it takes an hour just to get all the winter gear on, (okay, maybe not an hour, but a long time) and by the time they are out there they are hungry/thirsty/have to go to the bathroom.  Maybe we just enjoy the fire inside.

Long and short of it, regardless of weather, kids NEED to be outside.  Since we have the right gear for them, it is possible for them to be comfortable in just about all elements.  We have found that one short winter outdoor play time is not enough.  We've been helping get that snowgear on again and again in a day, sending our kids out twice, even three times a day. We're aiming for a minimum total of 3 hours a day outside.

It tell you, it helps. It helps with focus, learning, cooperation, appetite and sleep. They play better together, are more creative, they are kinder to one another and listen more attentively. They are more regulated, calmer and happier.

My husband and I are working on joining in their outside time as much as possible. We had a family walk today tracking turkeys. I cleared the ice out of our driveway with Adrian and Anna-Kate on my back. Justin brought the big kids sledding.  Tomorrow we are planning on ice skating. Regardless of age, we ALL could use some more outside time.

Three hours total outside a day regardless of weather for the kids, that's our goal. Adults joining some of that time daily, that's our goal too.  Anyone else want to join us in a commitment to get outside more, regardless of the weather?  Fresh air is a good thing for the soul.

Home sweet home.

Fireside.

Loving these January days.

NINE months!

Well, Miss Anna-Kate, NINE months!


6 months
(Here's 3 months, newborn.)

Giggles, smiles, snuggles. You love anyone and everyone. And will let anyone hold you.

You love food. You have figured out how to sign 'more'. Which means you want 'more' food all the time.  You'd much prefer solid food opposed to milk.  You like everything. My favorite is how you do ankle circles in the high chair on repeat when you are happy.

You move. Fast. All over. And everything goes into your mouth. 

You're calm, happy, content and fun. You talk all.the.time.  "Mamamama, dadadada, bababababa". You have no idea what you are saying, but you happily chatter on and on and on and on.

In the last few months, you've been on four flights. You are the world's most perfect travel partner.

You're the 'one more' I begged for and the one no one knows how we ever lived without. Thankful for you, Miss Anna-Kate.