To Grandmothers house we go...

Livy enjoying her first Turkey Day.
The Children at Grandma & Grandpas!

The Star of the Show.

Thanksgiving was lovely. In fact, this whole long weekend was grand. Lots of cooking, some projects, lots of reading. It was nice. I know with all my heart that I have so much to be thankful for. Tomorrow begins another very busy week. Right now, I am catching up on dishes and laundry and clutter.
SOME MISC. UPDATES AS OF LATE:
Olivia is officially in size 4 diapers and size 9-12 clothing and has moved on to the next step carseat. Olivia is officially crawling. So this is exciting yet dangerous.
Isabelle has a loose front tooth, I think the tooth fairy will be making a visit any day now.
The kids haven written their list to Santa, I just have not mailed it to the North Pole yet.
I have recently finshed the book: Sarah's Key. Sad but good.
So nice to sleep on new sheets.
It cracks me up, the combination of things I find in Ben's pockets when I am doing the laundry...I just ask, what is this little boy thinking when he collects this to keep?
Thinking about getting the kids Bunk Beds.
Olivia has been asked by our church to play an important role in the Christmas Eve Mass Pageant: Baby Jesus. So, we are all excited for this...except...if they find a younger (less mobile) baby to play the part, she may be replaced. Isabelle is to play an Angel and Ben is to be a Shepherd.
We all need haircuts. Isabelle wants hers very short. I am trying to decide if I should have mine all chopped off or let it grow.
Must buy Egg Nog next time I am in the store.
(and dog food and kleenex).
o.k., Olivia is crying...gotta go. I dedicate the Johnny Cash song; Cry Cry Cry to my sweet baby girl. goodnight all.

Blessed by Three.

While we try to teach our Children all about Life,

Our Children teach us what Life is all about.

- Schwindt

How true is this quote? Every single day I learn so much from these sticky loud little people. They consume my thoughts and my arms and my heart. I must have done something right along the way to deserve such gifts in this lifetime. Thank you, Lord. They are the brightest lights on the darkest days. They fill my soul with joy. My prayers for my children are constant and faithful. I know that the greatest thing I can and will ever do in this world, is to :Love & Cherish:

Isabelle, Benjamin & Olivia

...and on a less mushy and non-serious note,
I will leave you with this:

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

She had so many children she didn't know what to do.

She gave them some broth without any bread.

She whipped them all well and put them to bed.

THE END.

God Bless Olivia

We are so Blessed. Olivia had such a Wonderful Baptism. Thank you to everyone who shared this special time with us.

Olivia's Baptism

GOD BLESS OLIVIA

I couldn't believe the amazing light in this photo.

More Photos and Comments to come...

A few more Paintings.

I love how this little owl turned out. :) (sorry I am in an owl mood lately...well always).

I saw this idea online and fell in love with it, so tried a hand at my own version.

This painting is for Isabelle since she has been asking me for one.

This painting is for Ben since Isabelle got one, he also required one.

The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves. C. G. Jung

Owl Pocket Painting.

I found these mini little canvas's on mini little easels at Michaels. I love this size painting, it is so adorable, it's like you could totally put it in your pocket and whip it out at anytime. Or Hey, throw some ART in your purse and pull it out and set it up anywhere you are. Dining at a boring restaurant that has little decor or atmosphere? Whip out a pocket painting and surround yourself with loveliness. (no I am not tired, in fact I think I might have had too much coffee...)

Soups On

Misc. Round-Up
* I have some paintings to take pictures of to post. It has been so wonderful to sneak in some painting time here and there.
* Olivia is crying now so this post will not be long, I cannot linger, I cannot think.
* I made the best super simple dinner tonight and it goes as follows: Buy a package of Bear Creek Broccoli Chedder Soup. To make it super special add some extras such as : fresh cooked chopped broccoli, shredded chedder cheese, cooked and cubed ham steak - the end. Add some fresh bread/rolls/ biscuits or whatever. I can't even tell you how good this was. If I wasn't stuffed to the gills I would go have some more...of course that means make a mess with getting it and more dishes...never mind no thank you.
*k, guess I'm done. good night/sweet dreams.

Art Day - Remembered

The signage that made the day Official on the Homefront.
The empty canvas that I never got to work on due to constant needs of the little people and so forth. It was a nice thought though.
A Play-doh sculpture by the Artist: Benjamin. (This is when I noticed paint on the wall and promptly washed it away).
A few of the masterpieces.

This is my one and only project completed that day. Medium: Oil Pastels on Paper. :)

So this day took place a few Sundays back when Noah was leaving on a business trip. I wanted to keep the kids engaged so I declared it to be: ART and CUPCAKE Day! I knew that I was definetly in for some work. I knew I would have some regrets (clean up), but I also knew that the kids would have such fun...so I went for it. We listened to music, baked and ate (pinkalicious cupcakes), painted and colored and shaped and cut and glued.... It was a good day...and I must remember to do these more often. It was brave of me to take on this day, but in the end - little damage, much exhaustion, many smiles and laughter and only a few google eyes still to be found here and here. Not bad.

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These days...we are all a little bit sick (cough, sneeze, sinus and such). for dinner I've been trying some new recipes that are working well: Zesty Porkchops, Chicken Alfredo... they all turned out good. We had teacher conferences at school today and I am so proud of the kids. They are doing so well. Tomorrow is a half day of school. Recently I started reading the book: Little Bee by Chris Cleave. It's good. I am forming a little reading group to discuss it in a few weeks (If you are local and want to join us, please do so!). I am kind of hoping this may launch me into establishing a new book club...I really miss being involved in this type of leisure. The trick will be planning and attending a meeting...kid free. Wish me luck...I may be a dreamer, but I am not the only one. Tomorrow morning I may attend my first Spin Class (intense bicycling), but it will mostly depend on Olivia's health and my errand list. I think that is all I have to say at the moment cuz I want to do some other things so: bye.

Halloween Fun

I made fruit bowl (snack o lanterns) out of oranges...

...and mummy hot dogs and peanutbutter/pretzel/cracker spiders.

Let the Trick Or Treating Begin... (at the park)....

next to the streets.
I didn't get any super amazing pics of the kids this year...I don't think they could sit/stand in one place long enough...but this for some reason is one of my favorites. I captured the witch...the bat...and the cat; together.

A Little Black Cat that crossed my path...

Bat Ben...