WARNING: NOT for LITTLE EYES (May Give Away Secrets)

Today, M lost a tooth. Literally. Sometime between the quesadilla he had for lunch and the marshmallow he was chomping as dessert, he realized his tooth was gone. Retracing his steps, as well as pulling apart the gooey treat, turned up nothing. This led to some distress, even while being assured the tooth fairy would still come.

Finally, just before bed, he came to me with a proposal: "Mom, I know who the tooth fairy really is. Can't I just borrow an old tooth and stick it under my pillow tonight?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, "Surely, I'M not the one who dresses in fairy wings and tutus, wearing TIGHT pink tights at night to bring money to the tooth-losers in our house." (Growing up, my siblings and I all knew my Dad was the T.F. - and this is the exact image that had me giggling to sleep on the lucky nights when I had tucked a tooth under my own pillowcase.)

In the end, I revealed the T.F.'s secret stash, an old tooth filled in as a prop, and Micah's own Daddy T.F. delivered the reward.

What kids won't do for some loose change & a little make-believe! :)

TMI??

During our mini-unit on babies, I may have scarred my children. The video I showed them described the postpartum bosom as hard & as big as as bowling ball. (J & M nearly wet their pants, they were laughing so hard.) And, ya, I rock as a teacher.

WNTW: Homeschool-style

The other day, Micah came downstairs in a very colorful ensemble. Red shorts, blue pants, and a multi-colored shirt were involved. I suggested a few tweaks in the outfit, but he quickly pointed out that the white in the shirt matched the white in the shorts. And the blue in the shorts matched the blue in the pants. I guess the yellow and black in the shirt, as well as the red in the shorts, were just bonus colors. Truthfully, because I knew we would only be around other home-schooled families that day, I let it go. (We're pretty much a non-judgmental group when it comes to fashion.) Later that afternoon, he put on his red snow boots before going out to take care of our chickens. And that was when he announced the ensemble was complete, and perfectly matched. Don't you agree??

Funny Hair

I have this thing during pregnancy. Well, during always; but heightened during pregnancy. I get sick of my hair. So, in an effort to not be too drastic, I cut bangs yesterday. Gabriel spent the rest of the morning giggling every time he looked at me, telling me he was laughing at my funny hair. He took this picture, but I had to move to get into the shot. Enjoy my silly hair!

Big Brother/Big Sister Class

On Saturday, we took the kids to the hospital for a class about welcoming our new baby. We've been doing sort of a mini-unit on this at home, so I really didn't know if the class would be overkill. Turns out it was a great experience; even the reluctant biggest brothers walked away with (mostly) good things to say about it! I only teared up twice (well, only noticeably twice)... when we were shown two brand-new babies. But I'm nine months pregnant, watching my three oldest children carefully toting around baby dolls while we tour the hospital I am about to give birth in, and listening to visitors and nurses coo about how sweet they were. I really don't think it counts that I teared up when the nurse approached the nursery window and held a precious little newborn to the glass for our children to see. I wish I had remembered my camera; they were all very sweet.

...Except when Gabe wanted NOTHING to do with the baby doll. He pretty much freaked out and practically threw it on the ground. It was pretty large and floppier than most of his sister's dolls, so I am choosing not to read anything into it. He did thank the "home teacher" for the cookies and movie before we left, and is still wearing his "I'm a Big Brother" button he received for passing the class.

I'm also choosing not to be concerned that Micah repeatedly shook his doll, held it upside down, and was generally ridiculous in his handling of it. The teacher eventually suggested he not be allowed to hold the actual baby. But he was the sweetest with Gabe and loves babies generally. So, please. He's 7 and dolls aren't his toy of choice.

They are all very anxious for their little brother's arrival. I'm nearly ready; we just have one more day of schooling to finish up, then it's time for me to really get serious about preparing for this little one. Wish us luck! :)

Skunked

As I near my driveway, I am alarmed to see a truck with the word "SHERIFF" emblazened on the side. A moment later, I decode the words "Animal Control Officer," as well. Before my mind has time to run through the list of possible scenarios, G comes racing toward me (and my still-moving vehicle), clad in pj's and bare feet. As I get out of the car, he excitedly announces, "I go to dee baf-room! I go to dee baf-room!" (His best friend's mom is trying to potty train him. I am not on board yet, being eight months pregnant and busily trying to finish our last month of schooling.)
I grab him before he runs into the street to give his report to more passers-by, and we make our way to the backyard, where the "sheriff", neighbors and the rest of our family have gathered.
Soon, it becomes apparent that a skunk has made its way into our empty chicken coop (the hens haven't come in yet for the evening.) He is now trapped, having somehow survived a close-range shot from our neighbor's crossbow. The AC officer intermitently strategizes with Clint and visits with his friends, our crossbow-owning neighbors. (They run the local animal shelter and are apparently on friendly terms with Mr. AC). I thought AC officers came, trapped little critters, then took them away for you.
One hour later, and watching through the window with my little ones, I conclude it is not so simple a process. Finally, as we are finishing up with our nightly prayer and scripture reading, an overpowering stench wafts through through the house and we see Mr. AC carrying a body bag out to his truck.
I put the children to bed, showing them this picture before kissing them all good night. (WARNING: This isn't the bloodiest picture ever, but you may want to skip it just the same.)
(Actually, the one they saw wasn't this gruesome, but I'm sure it still led to some pretty sweet dreams.) Then, I head downstairs where my husband - who has now been outside with skunkie for over 2 hours - comes in. The scent is overpowering, so he obligingly leaves his clothes in the garage and bee-lines it for the shower. (This is reportedly the second streak of the evening; the first occurring just before I came home when G came outside and announced his feat with the potty the first time.)
He goes to the grocery store for me (this guy knows how to pamper a pregnant wife!), we watch a great documentary ("Paper Heart"), and then go to bed. I am occasionally awakened by the need to dry heave; pregnancy super-smell mixed with skunk spray all around and in our house apparently does that to me.
And I hope for a little less adventure tomorrow. :)

Autumn's Birthday

We made a deal with our kids long ago... a friend birthday party every other year, and a simple family affair otherwise. Somehow, A didn't get her friend party last year (perhaps someone forgot to remind her?? oops.) Consequently, she was overdue this year.

She had 6 guests (including little brother, who filled in for a missing friend) and enjoyed a very low-key, cat-themed party at our home.



Autumn thoroughly enjoys any girl time she can get, and seemed to have a great time with her sweet friends.



We enjoyed showering her with gifts, pizza and treats later that evening, too.

She's my sweet, girly girl. She's had her heart set on an American Girl doll for quite some time. I've been reluctant because it's just a lot of money for a doll, but we finally said she could save half of the money herself (from her allowance for weekly chores). Then our gift would be the other half of the money. The idea came to me a few months ago, and I really didn't think she'd be disciplined enough to do it. But she was more motivated than I realized and had the money together the day before her birthday.

I made them matching pajamas (which should fit A for the next couple years at least... I purposely made hers big.)


I'm so grateful for my daughter. She changes the dynamic of our family and life just would not be the same without our little bit of sugar & spice! :)