Exciting news!

The rock pile is gone! The rock pile is gone!

John worked very hard both Saturday and Sunday to clear this project off our list (I helped a little here and there). We both wanted this project completed before the colder weather complicates things, but we have had a busy (1st excuse) and wet (2nd excuse) fall.

We are so happy to not have the kids crawling around in the rock at every opportunity and cleaning up the stray rocks from wind/rain and children. Im glad we don't see our pile every time we drive up and I'm sure the neighbors are glad to see our project completed as well!


It also doesn't hurt that the landscaping is looking pretty nice right now! At least the rock part is looking good - maybe not such much the plant part.

Soccer

Amelia played her last soccer game of the season on Saturday! Here she is with her medal!

Gemma

We were in our hotel room getting ready to go somewhere. I already can't remember where. However, getting 5 people ready to go anywhere is a lot like herding turtles. It is slow going and a lot of backwards progress before you get forward motion.

Gemma was singing bits of her favorite song, "Let it Go". William and Amelia were fighting about something. Gemma started Singh g louder to hear herself over the bickering between the two bigger kids.

Finally, she stood up on the bed and flung her arms wide belting out "Let it Go! let it Go! I love peanut butter jelly"!

Her declaration was just what the big kids needed to interrupt and derail their argument.

Everyone dissolved into laughter, which lasted less than 10 minutes before the next fight broke out.

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Gemma

We stayed in a hotel this weekend outside of Chicago with the kids for their fall break.

I woke up Friday morning and heard Gemma flop over in her portable crib. She gave a big sigh as she started to wake up and made adorable sleepy noises. These little noises are so reminiscent of her baby noises, they strike me in the heart. Another flop, a big sigh and I prepared myself for the heart warming baby noises.

Instead, after the big, satisfied sigh sigh came words.

"Peanut butter jelly"

My not so little baby was thinking about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

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Not tired

Not tired mom. I not tired. Do you believe her?

Mama is

This morning, Gemma and had this conversation while she sat on the potty chair (nothing exciting happened on the potty, but the conversation was good).


Gemma: William is boy
Mama: yes, William is a boy
Gemma: demma is girl
Mama: yes, Gemma is a girl.
Gemma: mama is mama
Mama: ... Sure. Mama is a mama.

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An art

I am working on a school project with Amelia. In one area, she has to indicate her favorite sport. She is slowing sounding out the letters, kindergarten style : socker.

We talk when she is done.

Mama: do you have another sport you like?
Amelia: like gymnastics?
Mama: sure, or ballet?
Amelia: Mooooom! Ballet is NOT a sport. Ballet is an art ( she flips her hair behind her shoulder and I swear she rolls her eyes).

Mama: (mouth open)....

Mama: well, sure, whatever you think.

Heaven help us when she is a teenager.

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My job

My job is a blessing.

I only work 8 hours a week currently, but those hours are important for so many reasons on so many levels.

On a weekly basis, I am reminded to be thankful for what I have, my childhood, and my upbringing.

Every single week I hear stories from my students that remind me that the stress I am facing are manageable. Sure, my life can be hard, but I am not dealing with the overwhelming worry that they deal with on a daily basis.

I can't go into detail much, as it isn't fair to them. These are just a few stories I have heard THIS year over the last few months.

However, I am thankful that :

No one held a gun to my head while pregnant.

No one threatened to kill themselves while my children were present.

My mother didn't tell me every morning I was stupid and wasting my time with school.

I didn't have to live in my car and work 2 jobs to pay child support.

My parents didn't ask me to drop out of school to support our family.

My husband is supportive in every way possible. He has never threatened me or our kids.

I never have to pick between paying bills or feeding my kids.

If we need to see a doctor, we go to the doctor.

I don't worry that I will lose my place to live because I got a flat tire on the way to work.

Gunshots aren't regularly fired in my neighborhood.

There is so much more. These people are working so hard to change their lives for the better in the midst of unimaginable stress.

My life is so good.

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Amelia's turn

Not to be outdone, when Amelia saw William writing, she scampered to the table to join him. Here is her letter

Dear Megan,

I like spending time with Andy *. I also like spending time with you.

Ps I hope to see you soon.

From Amelia




*(note: she originally had had love and then debated whether or not she should love Andy as he isn't in our immediate family of 5. She looked to me for help and I made her puzzle it out on her own).

Andy's letter

I have been making William do some extra writing on the weekends as the primary complaint from his teacher is that his handwriting is frequently illegible.

William's reply: well, you never make me practice.

Not such a great reply because I don't mind one bit listening to an extra 15 minutes of wailing if it means my precious sweetheart develops his fine motor skills to his teachers liking*.

*i totally agree with her position. Upon inspection, much of his work is entirely illegible and requires much frowning to discern the meaning. It's something we need to work on.

This week, William wanted to write a letter to his cousin, Andy.

Translation:

Dear Andy,

I haven't seen you in awhile so what are you going to be for Halloween? Do you like Pokemon?

From William A.H.

ps write back
Pss use all information. Ok?
Psss. Use initials.

Dad's night at preschool

Thursday was a special night for Gemma! She had a Daddy's night at her preschool! It was a Halloween themed event and costumes are encouraged. before the party, I asked Gemma if she wanted a spooky costume or a pretty costume and she requested a pretty, pinct (pink) costume.

Done.

After dinner, we cleaned her up and helped her into a pink princess dress from our costume box. The moment she had it over her head, she started to twirl. It was a moment I will never forget. We have no in focus pictures as she was in constant motion, with a huge smile on her face. You could tell she was the most beautiful girl in the world.

When she slowed down, she said "pinct Elsa?"

Amelia started to correct her and inform her there's NO pink Elsa.

I hushed the big sister and agreed. "Pinct Elsa". This did not sit well with Amelia , but she bit her lip and decked her sister out with copious amounts of costume jewelry and lamented over the fact I would not allow Gemma to wear makeup to her party.

We took a few pictures outside and then she waved cheerily at my without looking back.

Then daddy whisked her away to an evening of fun, games and crafts. She adored every minute.

But mom,

My bed IS made! I made it in the shape of a smiley face!

Where is william?

Can you find William? I couldn't. Turns out, his head was stuck up inside his pillowcase. He is a nut.

He is such a heavy sleeper once he is asleep, I don't ever worry about waking him up.

Fall party #2

Here is William's party with the game I made John help me with (told you he is great. ). We took apart a skeleton decoration and the kids had to find the pieces and put them back together again in the correct order.

I was so busy running this station in the hallway, I didn't get to see much of the rest of the party!

Fall party

The big kids had a fall party at their school on Thursday. Siblings aren't allowed at the parties, so there was much schedule juggling happening that day. Daddy rearranged work (big thanks for such an involved and supportive husband). The parties for the kids were at the same time, so there was quite a bit of juggling for Mama as well.

Amelia was so excited. She selected the most fall-y outfit down to her socks (pumpkins) and hair (Orange/black ribbons). William settled on an orange shirt. He is so easy (in regard to clothing).

Amelia's party was very well attended. There was probably one adult for every two kids. William's party had only 4 helpers, so I ended up needing to stay there for the bulk of time. It ended up being difficult to even take pictures as I was running around and helping with different jobs to complete.

Stay tuned for a few pictures from William's party.

Little Ms Independant

I turned around and found this on Friday morning. Two seconds earlier, Gemma had requested her "milt" (milk). I told her she needed to wait a minute.

Apparently, she has this under control.

William

William: mom! Mom! Do you know some people can live to be really old?

(I brace myself for learning that "old" people are 20 and positively ancient)

Mom: really? That is amazing!

William: yeah! One woman loves to be 200!

Mom: really? That seems very old (and I'm relieved to know that I won't be quantified as really old until 200).

William: yeah! She must havE experienced so many things! It's amazing to think about all the different times she saw!

Mom: it sure is! She also must have eaten a lot of vegetables. You know, so she could stay so healthy... (Shameless vegetable plugs are allowable in the mom handbook from
2012).

William: mooooom....really? With all the other amazing things, that's all you can think of?

Mom:.......
(Processing)
(Guilty of being shallow)
(Pride for raising such a smart child)
(Must try harder)
(If you would just eat more vegetables, maybe I wouldn't have to talk about them all the time)

Well, staying healthy is important to living a long life, but you are right: someone who is 200 years old has probably seen many interesting things.

William: so. If she was 200 years old, how long do you think it took?

Mom: took for what?

William: you know- for her to get that old?

Mom: ... 200 years.....
(Still have some things to teach him. Sure he still has a few things to teach me)

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My baby

My baby, my teeny tiny baby is right now, this minute sleeping in a big girl bed for her nap.

How is this possible?

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