We start music lessons early in our family.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Snow day!!
We got our first snow of the new year yesterday. The girls were SOOO excited to see the snow outside their window first thing in the morning! There was already quite a bit of accumulation, and it didn't stop dropping fat, wet flakes until midday. The disadvantage of homeschooling is that you don't get snow days off from school. The advantage, however, is that you DO get 2-hour recesses instead of naptime. :)
Ah, the requisite snow angel! There are now several of these all over the neighborhood, with the highest concentration in our front yard. At first, Katie had no interest in making a snow angel too -- she preferred doing this:
Joseph made a snow angel, too!
However, it was under protest. I don't think he liked his snowsuit.
He much preferred watching us crazy people from the warm indoors.
Of course we got out the snow saucers, an inheritance from one of my former roommates, and made good use of them!
Katie demonstrating proper backwards-sliding technique.
Whee!
This was impressive -- Miriam started at the top of the slope and slid perfectly right between the gate posts. (Of course, she missed several times, as well -- occasionally I'd see the fence shake with her impact, followed by her giggling.)
The girls also made up their own winter-themed contact sport:
I just love the sound of both of them giggling hysterically. :)
After so much fun (with no nap) they thoroughly wore themselves out. This is Katie at about 6 pm, right after dinner.
...and right before she rolled over and fell off the couch, still asleep. :)
We had ice last night, so you can imagine what a great day today is for sledding! The girls are out again right now, making the most of the winter fun while it lasts.
Ah, the requisite snow angel! There are now several of these all over the neighborhood, with the highest concentration in our front yard. At first, Katie had no interest in making a snow angel too -- she preferred doing this:
Joseph made a snow angel, too!
However, it was under protest. I don't think he liked his snowsuit.
He much preferred watching us crazy people from the warm indoors.
Of course we got out the snow saucers, an inheritance from one of my former roommates, and made good use of them!
Katie demonstrating proper backwards-sliding technique.
Whee!
This was impressive -- Miriam started at the top of the slope and slid perfectly right between the gate posts. (Of course, she missed several times, as well -- occasionally I'd see the fence shake with her impact, followed by her giggling.)The girls also made up their own winter-themed contact sport:
I just love the sound of both of them giggling hysterically. :)
After so much fun (with no nap) they thoroughly wore themselves out. This is Katie at about 6 pm, right after dinner.
...and right before she rolled over and fell off the couch, still asleep. :)We had ice last night, so you can imagine what a great day today is for sledding! The girls are out again right now, making the most of the winter fun while it lasts.
Monday, January 26, 2009
There's no tradition like a new tradition!
Here are just a couple more pictures from the Christmas season. (We're still celebrating -- in fact we just took the tree down on Saturday but only b/c there were more needles on the carpet than the tree -- but these are the last of the documentation.)
On New Year's Eve I found myself in the extraordinary position of being all alone the whole evening. All the children were in bed, and Mr. Pickles wasn't feeling well so he went to bed early too. I decided to take the opportunity to try out a new tradition, an idea I got from Notes from the Trenches: making a gingerbread house to be eaten on New Year's Day. Ideally it should have been started on the 30th, to be decorated on the 31st, but that didn't happen. Miriam and I made the dough earlier in the day, but it wasn't until the evening that I finally had the opportunity to bake it. I used the recipe and pattern from the latest edition of Joy of Cooking, which left lots of leftover dough for gingerbread men. (I think I'm all set in the gingerbread consumption department for at least another 11 months.)
I cut out patterns out of posterboard (something I always have on hand for school), and then while everyone was sleeping I rolled, cut out, and baked the various shapes. Needless to say the house smelled absolutely fabulous for the rest of the night! (Hmm, maybe my gingerbread consumption needs haven't been completely fulfilled....) I left them out overnight to cool and harden, and then assembled everything the next day.
I used royal icing for adhesive, which is just powdered sugar and beaten egg whites. When it dries it's nigh indestructible. There's just that whole "when it dries" part that took a lot longer than I was expecting -- "dry enough" led to a structural collapse. Fortunately I had enough icing to glue it together twice.
FINALLY it all adhered and we were ready to decorate!
It was simple this year: just candy canes and gum drops. I think next year I'll alter the pattern -- the roof was really, really heavy, which added to the problem of keeping the whole thing together. I really had to slather on the icing and brace the walls with soup cans while it dried.
"One for the house, one for me, one for the house, two for me, three for me, one for the house..."
Finished! And with a light dusting of powdered snow. :)
the rear view
Hansel and Gretel's witch has got nothing on this house!
I think Katie ate most of the snow and gumdrops herself.
This was a lot of fun to do, and a delicious way to finish off the Octave of Christmas. We're definitely doing it again next year! I've already got ideas for the next house's construction and decoration....
On New Year's Eve I found myself in the extraordinary position of being all alone the whole evening. All the children were in bed, and Mr. Pickles wasn't feeling well so he went to bed early too. I decided to take the opportunity to try out a new tradition, an idea I got from Notes from the Trenches: making a gingerbread house to be eaten on New Year's Day. Ideally it should have been started on the 30th, to be decorated on the 31st, but that didn't happen. Miriam and I made the dough earlier in the day, but it wasn't until the evening that I finally had the opportunity to bake it. I used the recipe and pattern from the latest edition of Joy of Cooking, which left lots of leftover dough for gingerbread men. (I think I'm all set in the gingerbread consumption department for at least another 11 months.)
I cut out patterns out of posterboard (something I always have on hand for school), and then while everyone was sleeping I rolled, cut out, and baked the various shapes. Needless to say the house smelled absolutely fabulous for the rest of the night! (Hmm, maybe my gingerbread consumption needs haven't been completely fulfilled....) I left them out overnight to cool and harden, and then assembled everything the next day.
I used royal icing for adhesive, which is just powdered sugar and beaten egg whites. When it dries it's nigh indestructible. There's just that whole "when it dries" part that took a lot longer than I was expecting -- "dry enough" led to a structural collapse. Fortunately I had enough icing to glue it together twice.
FINALLY it all adhered and we were ready to decorate!
It was simple this year: just candy canes and gum drops. I think next year I'll alter the pattern -- the roof was really, really heavy, which added to the problem of keeping the whole thing together. I really had to slather on the icing and brace the walls with soup cans while it dried.
"One for the house, one for me, one for the house, two for me, three for me, one for the house..."
Finished! And with a light dusting of powdered snow. :)
the rear view
Hansel and Gretel's witch has got nothing on this house!I think Katie ate most of the snow and gumdrops herself.
This was a lot of fun to do, and a delicious way to finish off the Octave of Christmas. We're definitely doing it again next year! I've already got ideas for the next house's construction and decoration....
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Christmas 2008
So, our Christmas celebration! Well, insane people that we are, we decided to try to attend Midnight Mass again this year. We made the kids take a nap that afternoon (thankfully they complied). We put them to bed at the usual time, and then woke them up at about 10:30 to get ready to go to Mass. This was probably the most difficult part -- Mr. Pickles had to hold Miriam upright and start getting her dressed before she showed any signs of life. She didn't really wake up until I accidentally pinched her leg while trying to put her tights on. Katie bounded right out of bed once we got her awake.
The girls wore their matching dresses from Grandma B. (for which I am so grateful, since I didn't have a chance to do any shopping for them).
The Mass itself was beautiful; there's something unearthly -- in a good sense -- about being awake in the middle of the night. Because the girls were a little sleepy, they were perfect angels during Mass. All they wanted to do was sit and lean against the nearest parent. Joseph, on the other hand, was in his maniac stage of tiredness, and kept our hands full. By the final blessing he'd had enough of this being awake thing and shrieked until we finally left.
When we got home we discovered that Santa had come while we were gone!! So of COURSE we had to see what he brought:
...a dollhouse for all that furniture inherited from Mommy! We put the house together (the elves didn't do it b/c it was easier to fit into Santa's pack while still in the box, don't you know) and put the furniture in, and had a snack of pulla. The time stamp on this picture is 2:30 am.
Santa also brought some wooden vehicles for Joseph, handmade by elves. (The airplane with its spinning propeller is his favorite.)
I think we finally called it a night around 3 am, and all slept in the next morning. Christmas Day itself was very peaceful and lovely. After our late morning, we stumbled downstairs, the girls opened a couple presents, we had a huge feast of a breakfast (with more pulla), and then had the present opening fest.
the cutest little package ever! Isn't he scrumptious?
We got lots of things we wanted, and a couple things we didn't know we wanted, and the obligatory present or two that we didn't want. But all in all, a good haul this year! :)
These adorable pj's are from Nana. I'm glad I can still get them to dress alike!
Katie LOVES little bitty things. She was so excited to get these little bunnies!
All right, a football! I'm sure it will be put to very good use soon.
Wow, Grandma E., thanks for the great box!! :)
The Aftermath
Sometime around noon we finally got dressed, and I started on dinner (which I made as simple as possible -- ham, boxed potatoes au gratin, salad, and razzleberry pie), which we ate early in the afternoon. Afterwards we played with our toys some more, and then went over to some friends' for dessert. So we got the best of both worlds -- a quiet family celebration and a party with friends. It was just a lovely, lovely day!
The girls wore their matching dresses from Grandma B. (for which I am so grateful, since I didn't have a chance to do any shopping for them).
The Mass itself was beautiful; there's something unearthly -- in a good sense -- about being awake in the middle of the night. Because the girls were a little sleepy, they were perfect angels during Mass. All they wanted to do was sit and lean against the nearest parent. Joseph, on the other hand, was in his maniac stage of tiredness, and kept our hands full. By the final blessing he'd had enough of this being awake thing and shrieked until we finally left.When we got home we discovered that Santa had come while we were gone!! So of COURSE we had to see what he brought:
...a dollhouse for all that furniture inherited from Mommy! We put the house together (the elves didn't do it b/c it was easier to fit into Santa's pack while still in the box, don't you know) and put the furniture in, and had a snack of pulla. The time stamp on this picture is 2:30 am.
Santa also brought some wooden vehicles for Joseph, handmade by elves. (The airplane with its spinning propeller is his favorite.)I think we finally called it a night around 3 am, and all slept in the next morning. Christmas Day itself was very peaceful and lovely. After our late morning, we stumbled downstairs, the girls opened a couple presents, we had a huge feast of a breakfast (with more pulla), and then had the present opening fest.
the cutest little package ever! Isn't he scrumptious?We got lots of things we wanted, and a couple things we didn't know we wanted, and the obligatory present or two that we didn't want. But all in all, a good haul this year! :)
These adorable pj's are from Nana. I'm glad I can still get them to dress alike!
Katie LOVES little bitty things. She was so excited to get these little bunnies!
All right, a football! I'm sure it will be put to very good use soon.
Wow, Grandma E., thanks for the great box!! :)
The AftermathSometime around noon we finally got dressed, and I started on dinner (which I made as simple as possible -- ham, boxed potatoes au gratin, salad, and razzleberry pie), which we ate early in the afternoon. Afterwards we played with our toys some more, and then went over to some friends' for dessert. So we got the best of both worlds -- a quiet family celebration and a party with friends. It was just a lovely, lovely day!
Gearing up for Christmas!
Here's another attempt to update the blog before the kids grow up. :) These are from December.
This year, St. Nicholas came to our house twice -- first on his feast day to fill the kids' stockings. They left pictures they drew for him, in addition to their Christmas wish lists, hoping to butter him up, I guess.
(why yes, they're tired -- why do you ask?)
St. Nick left lots of little things like bath toys, that cross stitch kit for Miriam, a wooden rattle for Joseph, mini sticker books, an umbrella for Miriam, decadent sipping chocolate for Mrs. Pickles, a nifty 3-in-1 pen/pencil/stylus for Mr. Pickles, and the requisite chocolate coins, among other little goodies that it is now too far in the past for me to remember. The kids were pleased with all the good things they got, and Mom was happy to get a jump start on her Christmas shopping, especially since I got to spend the next month wavering between "functioning" and "miserable."
Hey, did you know that Santa's cap is basically a floppy miter?
Every Advent our parish has a dress-up living Nativity set -- you may recognize it from our past Christmas pictures.
Miriam has always loved it.
Katie, however, was a most reluctant Madonna. (although she lightened up after she saw the picture of herself. I think if we had taken another after showing this to her, she might have looked less... sulky)
Joseph liked his lamp.
For the last few days before Christmas, we followed the O Antiphons, hanging a representative medallion each day on a French Christmas tree that I had to make for Miriam's CCD party.
Christmas Eve found us busily making our house fair as we were able, trimming the house and setting the table:
...with Pulla, of course! It's not Christmas without Pulla. Miriam is becoming an expert pulla-maker.
mmm, all browny and delicious, waiting for their icing.
Because I had limited energy, Mr. Pickles made eggnog cookies, which the girls decorated, to leave for Santa.
They were really, really good. (Note our Advent pillar candles.) :)
Finally, the tree all decorated and waiting:
A note about the tree: in this picture it's actually standing up straight. But shortly afterwards it began to lean. Alarmingly. Every time we arrived home, we'd see more of it in the window. Finally one night at about 3 in the morning, we were awakened by "Crash! tinkle! tinkle!" and rushed downstairs to see the poor thing toppled over, making a puddle on our carpet. Lovely. Just lovely. Doesn't everyone like to mop up a soaked carpet in the middle of the night? We just stood it up and cleaned up the water, leaving the re-decorating for the morning. Getting it to stand upright, however, was a puzzle. Our stand is really simple -- basically a short spike thing in a bowl with feet. You drill a hole into the bottom of the tree and set it over the spike. Well, either the hole was way crooked, or way small, but the tree would not go down all the way, nor would it stand up straight unassisted. We finally ended up tying a pink ribbon (all I could find in a hurry) around the trunk, threading it behind the bookcase shelf, and tying it to one of Mr. Pickles' hand weights. MacGuyver would have been proud! Well, it definitely made for a memorable Christmas tree. :)
This year, St. Nicholas came to our house twice -- first on his feast day to fill the kids' stockings. They left pictures they drew for him, in addition to their Christmas wish lists, hoping to butter him up, I guess.
(why yes, they're tired -- why do you ask?)St. Nick left lots of little things like bath toys, that cross stitch kit for Miriam, a wooden rattle for Joseph, mini sticker books, an umbrella for Miriam, decadent sipping chocolate for Mrs. Pickles, a nifty 3-in-1 pen/pencil/stylus for Mr. Pickles, and the requisite chocolate coins, among other little goodies that it is now too far in the past for me to remember. The kids were pleased with all the good things they got, and Mom was happy to get a jump start on her Christmas shopping, especially since I got to spend the next month wavering between "functioning" and "miserable."
Hey, did you know that Santa's cap is basically a floppy miter?
Every Advent our parish has a dress-up living Nativity set -- you may recognize it from our past Christmas pictures.
Miriam has always loved it.
Katie, however, was a most reluctant Madonna. (although she lightened up after she saw the picture of herself. I think if we had taken another after showing this to her, she might have looked less... sulky)
Joseph liked his lamp.For the last few days before Christmas, we followed the O Antiphons, hanging a representative medallion each day on a French Christmas tree that I had to make for Miriam's CCD party.
Christmas Eve found us busily making our house fair as we were able, trimming the house and setting the table:
...with Pulla, of course! It's not Christmas without Pulla. Miriam is becoming an expert pulla-maker.
mmm, all browny and delicious, waiting for their icing.Because I had limited energy, Mr. Pickles made eggnog cookies, which the girls decorated, to leave for Santa.
They were really, really good. (Note our Advent pillar candles.) :)Finally, the tree all decorated and waiting:
A note about the tree: in this picture it's actually standing up straight. But shortly afterwards it began to lean. Alarmingly. Every time we arrived home, we'd see more of it in the window. Finally one night at about 3 in the morning, we were awakened by "Crash! tinkle! tinkle!" and rushed downstairs to see the poor thing toppled over, making a puddle on our carpet. Lovely. Just lovely. Doesn't everyone like to mop up a soaked carpet in the middle of the night? We just stood it up and cleaned up the water, leaving the re-decorating for the morning. Getting it to stand upright, however, was a puzzle. Our stand is really simple -- basically a short spike thing in a bowl with feet. You drill a hole into the bottom of the tree and set it over the spike. Well, either the hole was way crooked, or way small, but the tree would not go down all the way, nor would it stand up straight unassisted. We finally ended up tying a pink ribbon (all I could find in a hurry) around the trunk, threading it behind the bookcase shelf, and tying it to one of Mr. Pickles' hand weights. MacGuyver would have been proud! Well, it definitely made for a memorable Christmas tree. :)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Another Daybook
FOR TODAY, January 18, 2009...
Outside My Window...
it is night. I should be packing or doing something "productive." But I feel moved to navel gaze, and hey, if you feel like it, you should do it, right?
I am thinking...
that our Church is in for an interesting ride over the next few years. The battle lines are more clearly drawn now. The election of Obama can be a good thing in this respect.
that our Church is in for an interesting ride over the next few years. The battle lines are more clearly drawn now. The election of Obama can be a good thing in this respect.
I am thankful for...
the example and prayers of the martyrs.
the example and prayers of the martyrs.
From the kitchen...
garlic and dill encrusted pork loin roasted with potatoes and pears, steamed asparagus, herb salad with cranberries and vinaigrette, and white zinfandel, served on our china. It's Sunday. We try to make it more special.
garlic and dill encrusted pork loin roasted with potatoes and pears, steamed asparagus, herb salad with cranberries and vinaigrette, and white zinfandel, served on our china. It's Sunday. We try to make it more special.
I am wearing...
one of my favorite skirts, a swirly brown corduroy from J. Jill. The rest isn't important.
one of my favorite skirts, a swirly brown corduroy from J. Jill. The rest isn't important.
I am creating...
a more enjoyable school experience for my kids by being more creative and less schedule-driven. I hope.
a more enjoyable school experience for my kids by being more creative and less schedule-driven. I hope.
I am going...
to Colonial Williamburg! We're fleeing the city for the next couple days, to return in time for the March for Life.
to Colonial Williamburg! We're fleeing the city for the next couple days, to return in time for the March for Life.
I am reading...
the Fat Flush Plan by Ann Louise Gittleman. I started eating more sensibly the day after New Year's, and I've already lost 3 inches off my hips. 3 INCHES!!! If this keeps up, I may attain my ballerina figure again!
the Fat Flush Plan by Ann Louise Gittleman. I started eating more sensibly the day after New Year's, and I've already lost 3 inches off my hips. 3 INCHES!!! If this keeps up, I may attain my ballerina figure again!
I am hoping...
the bishops will be given the courage they need to stand against the Culture of Death.
the bishops will be given the courage they need to stand against the Culture of Death.
I am hearing...
sounds of football on TV from the basement.
sounds of football on TV from the basement.
Around the house...
we got a new TV!! It's a 32-inch flat panel LCD screen. And it's very nice. I was reluctant to get a new TV (why get a new one? our 30-year-old hotel TV with built-in radio and alarm which I inherited from a roommate still works fine!) but now I can't understand how we ever got along without it! You can actually, you know, read words on the screen and stuff!
we got a new TV!! It's a 32-inch flat panel LCD screen. And it's very nice. I was reluctant to get a new TV (why get a new one? our 30-year-old hotel TV with built-in radio and alarm which I inherited from a roommate still works fine!) but now I can't understand how we ever got along without it! You can actually, you know, read words on the screen and stuff!
One of my favorite things...
Christmas lights. Our tree is still set up. That will come down soon, but I think the rest of the decorations are going to remain until Candlemas.
Christmas lights. Our tree is still set up. That will come down soon, but I think the rest of the decorations are going to remain until Candlemas.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
let's see... freezing our tails off in Williamsburg, making the most of the indoor waterpark we'll be going to afterwards, freezing our tails off at the March for Life, making the most of the parish's chili dinner afterwards, catching up on laundry, oh and housecleaning. Going to Williamsburg will be our "school" this week.
let's see... freezing our tails off in Williamsburg, making the most of the indoor waterpark we'll be going to afterwards, freezing our tails off at the March for Life, making the most of the parish's chili dinner afterwards, catching up on laundry, oh and housecleaning. Going to Williamsburg will be our "school" this week.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
from The Simple Woman
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sisterly Love?
...or simply a wish not to have to do school work? I found this message written on a napkin:
"to KAtie I wish
that We cod PLay
forever Love
Miriam"
"to KAtie I wish
that We cod PLay
forever Love
Miriam"
Sunday, January 11, 2009
What Rainy Days Are For
(These were taken back in September.)
You know you've had a successful puddle-stomping excursion when you come home looking like this:
and your pink kitty rain boots are like this:
You know you've had a successful puddle-stomping excursion when you come home looking like this:
and your pink kitty rain boots are like this:
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