update

In case you saw me around town and were wondering how much longer i could POSSIBLY have...

I'm due next Friday (thought it was Thursday, until I just checked the calendar. Slightly depressing realization). At my last Dr.'s appointment, he tried to persuade me to be induced (he's got a lot of family in town, apparently.) I hate Pitocin, and declined the offer. So, we're just hanging out (WAY out) & playing the waiting game.

A's Annual Ballet Performance

...lasted about one minute, during which time the camera AND video camera ran out of memory. So, while Clint & I frantically fumbled to delete unnecessary pictures & videos, we were still able to notice how much she has grown since last year's performance. She was very poised and graceful; don't know where she got that from, but it was very sweet to watch. What made the experience sweeter still was the fact that her three brothers were in the audience, captivated during the performance and cheering her on afterward...before being whisked away to arrive a little late to J's soccer game. This girl is definitely loved!

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! :)