True Confessions

I'm not that particular about sugar. There, I said it. Actually, I haven't put too much thought into sugar until recently, upon finding many of our new friends here in Ohio to be very sugar conscious. (As in "is that sugar free lemonade you're serving?") I didn't know there was such a thing.

The occasional sugar cereal is even consumed first thing in the morning. Dessert is served most every night. I can hear the gasps of horror right through my screen. Sorry.

It's not like we go crazy. (Disregard above photo - Crockett is a rule unto himself. And no, I didn't give him the whole box of generic Lucky Charms. He did that all on his own). It's just not that big a deal to me. It's puzzling that we as a culture worry so much about what goes into our little one's mouths and throw caution to the wind regarding what goes into their hearts and minds. Let's face it: there's not a whole lot of good, clean, fun offered to our children anywhere.

Call me crazy but I think Jesus might agree. Not only did he say it's not what enters a man's mouth that pollutes him, but what flows out from his heart (Matthew 7:18-23). The bible also teaches us, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23).

Guarding the little ones' hearts is a full time job in this world. I don't want to take it lightly. Surely it's this busy vigilance that allows my little one to be left to his own devices in the kitchen once in a while... Ahem.

Wordless Wednesday: Butterfly Kisses

Get Inspired. Check.

I'm back from the Family Centered Learning conference in Lancaster. What a little get away! I rented a PT Cruiser for my 800 mile round trip trek. Sounds a bit Thelma and Louise (if you forget that the average age of a PT Cruiser driver is like seventy-five), but really our second vehicle may or may not have traveled well. The air conditioner certainly would have given out and stick-shifting it up the hills of Pennsylvania is not my idea of a relaxing ride.

I arrived at my hotel in the early afternoon, took a little siesta and headed out on the town. I was a bit fearful of getting lost - so I didn't venture off the beaten path too much - but poked around historic downtown Lancaster and had a nice quiet dinner with the company of a magazine. I'm not sure when I last read a magazine cover to cover - unless you count The Classical Teacher.

Alice, Meredith, Margot, and Mary Ellen did a wonderful job with their various subjects, but it was most fun just to get to meet them! I also had the pleasure of chatting with Karen, Margaret, and Diane. It really was a lovely time of meeting new friends and gearing up for the year ahead.

Meanwhile, back at the homestead, Hubby was on a whirlwind tour of his own - taking the children to music lessons, the zoo, the pool (twice) and the Ohio Caverns. I wouldn't do all that in a week, let alone two days! Needless to say, we're all happily exhausted. Goodnight, O Internets.

Blink.

My little Elbow lost her first tooth last night. There was none of the mom-chasing-the-wiggly-toothed-child-around-the-house with this one. She basically did it on her own, with me coming in as relief on the final tug. Much hoopla followed.

She's changed so much this year. When I look in on my daughters at night, it's Elbow who always makes me think: where has the time gone? Not yet six and I already feel like if I blink too many times with her I'll miss something big.

Which is why I'm especially pleased it came out last night. Tomorrow I head out for a little mommy getaway. Very exciting. Audio books for the car, a hotel room ALL BY MYSELF, and a fun home school conference are in my future. Did I mention I'd have time ALL BY MYSELF? Just sayin'.

Do I Know You?

Making overdue dental appointments for my oldest three yesterday, the receptionist - after hearing their ages - said "what were you thinking?"

I proceeded to tell her their was another one too young to get his teeth checked. She changed her tune when she found out he was about the age of her grandson, whom she adores - obviously. I guess one is adorable but four - not so much.

I became her "new best friend" though when I mentioned we were home schoolers and were very flexible with our schedule.

Alrighty, then. I went from deranged mother to best friend in a matter of about thirty seconds. Not bad, considering I hadn't even had my second cup of coffee.

Nana and Papa

My parents are visiting this weekend; a less-frequent treat now that it requires an airplane ride. It's been the hottest week we've had this summer, so we've spent our time together at the pool or the museums.

Papa and the big three built a tee-pee in the woods, Nana's been entertaining the girls with made-up stories about those famous Swedes Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka and Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr. Her version has been going on for over a year now, and is sure to continue on our drive to their lake cabin later this summer.

Vintage Toys

Toddzilla scored all his dad's old GI Joe toys when we were in NY last week. They were all poised for the ebay auction block, when he swooped in on them like only a boy surrounded by Barbie's and American Girl Dolls could. Hubby's reliving his childhood with a vengeance now.

He's still the brother of two big sisters though, evidenced by the dainty smear of purple glitter make-up on his nose.

That's My Boy!

The guy at Lowe's said he's never seen a pit bull get through this screen door saver. Notice the edge has been completely severed. They don't make anything stronger. Leave it to my 17 month old to bust right through. 'Atta boy, Crockett.

In other news, I'm happily planning for fall at the Living Waters Academy. For some reason, I'm especially excited about cursive with Bobo. And these planners too! (Who knew they came in a Lutheran flavor as well?) The girls will love having their very own date books. (HT: Elizabeth).

I'm Going!

I'm very excited for a personal retreat, not to mention meeting some of the wonderful bloggers who inspire me on a daily basis.

Back Home

We're back from a long road trip to Upstate New York, where Hubby grew up. Other than several gum related disasters on the way home (Cinderella Barbie may never be the same; she's in the freezer awaiting her fate), we managed to travel over a thousand miles with wee ones relatively well. We stopped at Niagara Falls on the way there - Crockett more interested in catching a seagull than seeing the sights - but I forgot my camera on this trip so I have nothing to show for it. Other highlights include the van speakers going out at the best parts of our audio books. Necessity is the mother of invention; a good beating of the dashboard proved a temporary solution. When the speakers gave out, a chorus of "Bump it, Dad!" rang out from the back.

Good friends from Fargo were in town yesterday with their four (almost five) children, so much fun was had despite the impending doom of piles of laundry and mail to go through. It's off to work I go...

The Wisdom of Almost Six...

On seeing me actually use the straps in Crockett's high chair, Elbow quipped: "I don't mean to be mean, but you should have thought of that a lot earlier."

Wordless Wednesday: Garbage Day

The 4th Revisited

Rocky start - much grumbling and murmuring among the troops. Turned out to be a great night with new friends. And for the first time ever, we were all in attendance at the fireworks. Crockett did not appreciate the noise level but pretended to be amused by the pretty lights in the sky, grunting his approval here and there. Good memories: Toddzilla wearing a spider man costume to the party, "it's red, white and blue." Bobo and Elbow learning how to play football on the front lawn. Crockett making it way past his bedtime to be a part of the feistivities. God bless America.

Now you know how our day is going...

Bobo: I'm sad to say, holidays do not go well for the Waters family.

Fourth of July Plans

Rain threatens to put a damper on some of the festivities this year; here's hoping the fireworks are a-go.

At home, we'll do some patriotic coloring while listening to School House Rocks CD America Rocks. We may use Wee Sing America instead - it just depends which one I can locate first. If time allows, we may tackle some of these Fourth of July games, crafts, and quizzes too.

We'll try reading the Declaration of Independence. If little attention spans don't comply (I'm seeing Crockett climbing on the table at this point), at least we've got the Preamble somewhat ingrained from the America Rocks CD.

I want my children to love the history and traditions of this wonderful country we are privileged to live in. I want them to respect and honor the men and women who continue to fight for the freedom we take for granted every single day. I hope they come to appreciate that the type of democracy we call home is the exception, not the rule, throughout the world.

Back to the plans part...

We're entertaining our bible study group with a cookout tonight. If it rains, (which it's been doing all morning) this could get very interesting - twelve children and eight adults inside for the evening. Sounds delightful.

Tomorrow night it's a party at a friend's home and then fireworks. I'll probably bring Crockett home while Hubby takes the big three to the show.

Happy Fourth to you all!

Long Summer Days

Hubs was not altogether pleased that I let the boys dig under the front patio pavers. It did occupy them for a good 2 hours. On a day that Hubs pulled a twelve hour stint at work. I'm definitely not letting that become a habit. (The work thing; we'll see about the digging).

Anyway, the days have seemed extra long because I've been battling it out with my coffeemaker for a good three weeks. It works when it wants to. Some mornings I awake to freshly brewed coffee (oh happy day!), some days I have to pour boiling water in there to heat up the element enough to get a seriously weak cup o' joe. Some days nothing works and mama's grumpy. Just when I begin to cave and declare tomorrow the day to ditch it, it pops back to life as if nothing ever happened. UUggghhh...

I bit the bullet and threw her out today. Goodbye highly expensive and beautiful Cuisinart carafe-less friend; we've been through a lot together. Hello reliable old Mr. Coffee - welcome to our world.