We welcomed the new summer this past Sunday by taking the first kayak rides of the season! Christopher enjoyed it much more that Grace did! We all had a great time at the river -- Annie and Martin, Ooma and Oompa, Margaret, and even Mrs. Schap and John Mooney (or as Christopher says John "Smooney") were all there. Most importantly, we ate lots of yummy food. Food always tastes yummier after you realize that you actually LEFT IT ALL AT HOME and have to run in and buy all new food at the cute little IGA in Delphi.

If you are using a lamp to symbolize the sun as you teach your children about the phases of the moon, don't touch the bare socket. Not only will it hurt like mad, but your kids will laugh at you as you jump around in pain.

Not that I know from experience. I'm just saying if . . .

PeterXavier officially said his first word (besided "Mama"and "Dada") today. He finished nursing, looked up and said :

"Yum!"

This weekend we took the kids to the "Bug Bowl" at Purdue. This was the second year we had taken them and I am so impressed with what a neat event this is. We got there early in the day, before the crowds hit. The college students run all of the boothes and they were all so eager to talk to the kids and teach them different things. One guy showed Christopher how to lasso a "bull", Christopher, Grace, and Andrew all got to spit crickets -- but no one won a prize. One of the best things was the "make your own Chia Pet" booth! By the time we got to that booth, the crowds had landed, so we grabbed supplies to finish at home. The next day my mom and Fr Alex helped the kids finish them. Christopher's has four eyes. I don't know why, but he wanted it that way. This is a realy cute project, but I hope that the "hair" really grows, otherwise I'll have some disappointed little kids!

I love this blog by a Mama of four boys, but apparently, Ben would be Off Limits to them!

Incidentally, this is not the first time that one of her posts as reminded my of my brother!

Today was a busy but productive Saturday. It was a fun day, but it sure would have been better, had it not SNOWED. It's April, in case you didn't notice. Anyway, we spent the AM cleaning up around the house. Andrew even got the lawn mowed, just as it started to rain. His dad stopped by with donuts -- I had just been thinking that he hadn't been around in a while, when I heard him rapping on the door. Christopher asked him "So, Lolo, what did you speak on that island?"

This evening my parents, Annie, and Martin stopped by after Mass and invited us out to dinner. It was really fun to all go out together. PeterXavier probably ate more than everyone else combined. we are going to end up living under the bridge just trying to feed this kid.

Hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow, because the kids really want to go to the bug bowl. Christopher fondly remembers spitting crickets last year and he wants to try to beat his record this year. Gross.

I am trying this again. We will see if it works this time or not.

Aprons – Y/N? When I remember, I wear one of the ones that my mom made for me.

Baking – Favorite thing to bake:I am really into baking right now. I LOVE the King Arthur Whole Wheat Baking book. As for favorites, I am not sure. I love to bake bread, I love to eat cookies, but making crackers is really fun too. . . this question is too hard.

Clothesline – Y/N? I have never tried a clothesline, but it might be fun.

Donuts – Have you ever made them? Yes. In brownies with Mrs. Rausch.

Every day – One homemaking thing you do every day: My whole life is homemaking, so this could be a pretty long list. To save from boring you, I'll shorten it. Laundry, make the beds, make a meal, clean the kitchen, laundry, make a meal, clean the kitchen, laundry, make a meal.

Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freeze?Yes. I love it.

Garbage Disposal – Y/N?Yes! Again, I love it!

Handbook – What is your favorite homemaking resource?King Arthur Whole Wheat Baking!!! And "Home Comforts" by Cheryl Mendelson.

Ironing – Love it or hate it? This is embarassing. I have an ironing basket. When it gets disgracfully over filled, my mother takes it home and everything comes back freshly pressed! She LIKES to iron (or at least that's what I tell myself) Besides, I tried to iron a shirt today and it took three hours, a bit of yelling, and multiple breaks to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and snuggle the crying (is that a work of mercy? it should be.) before I finished.

Junk drawer – Y/N? Where is it? Oh, I have to many to count.

Kitchen: Design & Decorating? I like to call it "Tuscan". It is very grapey.

Love – What is your favorite part of homemaking?My family sitting down to a fresh and yummy homemade meal.

Mop – Y/N? I used to mop a lot but than I got new flooring in the kitchen, it is kind of the color of dirt. I am not sure I have ever mopped it.

Nylons – Wash by hand or in the washing machine?wash. I don't hand wash anything. Except the kids.

Oven – Do you use the window or open the oven to check?OPen
Pizza – What do you put on yours? I really like to make pizza at home. I like cheese with different sauces and crust variations.

Quiet – What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment? Freak out. Something must be seriously wrong if it is quiet in my house.

Recipe card box – Y/N?I do!! Mary Hack gave it to me for a shower gift!!

Style of house –An "Alhambra" Sear's kit home circa 1920. I love it!
Tablecloths and napkins – Y/N?I like cloth napkins. As for tableclothes, they just get pulled off by little hands. We stick to runners.
Under the kitchen sink – Organized or toxic wasteland? Toxic wasteland. Unfortunitly, PeterXavier likes to hang out in there.

Vacuum – How many times per week? Ever since I was prego with Christopher, my husband has been the vacuumer in the house. I would say he does in once or twice a week.

Wash – How many loads of laundry do you do per week?Oh boy. Maybe eight or ten. Certainly once a day, mostly more. It depends on the number of vomits, spilled juice, and wet pants we have in a day. Ok, maybe fifteen.

X’s – Do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off?No

Yard – Y/N? Who does what?Andrew does that. Or doesn't might be a better way to say it.

Zzz’s – What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?I would love to say I tidy the house before I go to bed, but that would be a lie. I think clean the kitchen is the true answer.

So that is it. Now you know what a rotten house keeper I am. Feel free to copy and paste to your blog -- just leave us a link in the comments! Or if you are a non-blogger, try to answer it in the comment section!

I had filled out that entire "meme" from Annie's page and then I lost the whole thing!! I will try again later, but I haven't got the time now.

The best way to learn something is to have to teach it to someone else. The great thing about being a parent is that you are constantly teaching your children new things. This lent and Easter season, I feel like I have been doing this even more so than in the past. Therefore, I have spent these times paying more attention to just what exactly is the reason for Lent and the magnitude of the gift that Christ gave us.

We spent Holy Saturday really preparing for Easter. Granted, we were preparing for the party -- which translates into a whole lot of baking. So I made a concerted effort to make all of the food items directly relate to the reason for Easter. This way the kids got a double lesson -- cooking and preparation, coupled with a big dose of theology.

We baked a batch of "Hot Cross Buns". These are traditionally a Good Friday fare, but since I didn't learn that until Holy Saturday, we will eat them on Easter! The story goes that the monks would give them to poor beggars on Good Friday -- they were the only luxury allowed on this solemn day.

We also made "Resurrection Cookies" which were an awesome way to teach the kids the entire passion story. From the scourging at the pillar all the way to the empty tomb on Easter morning. The kids really got a kick out the whole project. And my dad really liked the cookies!

All in all, our afternoon in the kitchen brought us many blessings -- the meaning of Easter really hit home with the kids, I thought more deeply about exactly what Christ did for us, and all my Easter treats got made!

When taking Super Heroes to the Children's Museum, be prepared for looks, comments, and the occasional photo shoot.

Christopher was especially proud of his Superman curl. Quiet a feat, considering his absolutely straight hair and the lack of curling equipment.

Oh my gosh! My mom just called -- the tree in their yard just fell on the car and crushed it!! Good thing it didn't hit the house!

Alrighty -- I just finished Danielle Bean's new book Mom to Mom Day to Day. It was a wonderful read, tailor made for the busy mom. The tiny chapters, chock full of wisdom, make it easy to pick up and read a snippet in between wiping noses and pouring juice. Her "seasoned mother" anecdotes and advice reassure any mother that she is not alone in her quest to raise (many) happy and holy children.

The book was conveniently organized in to chapters pertaining to different aspects of the mothers life -- from husbands to diapers, and spiritual reading to book reports. Each chapter then culminated in a beautiful and pertinent prayer.

The tone of the book was not one of an author trying to put you in your place and prove to you what a superior and far holier a mother she might be. Rather she is a friend, seasoned in the art of motherhood, reaching out and sharing her wisdom. She freely shares her mistakes and shortcomings, hoping that the reader might laugh and learn right along with her.

She gives suggestions as to increasing ones spiritual life and infusing the Catholic culture into every aspect of the families life. She is not a zealot about this -- shirking familialy duties to spend hours in silent meditation -- rather, she shares with you the delight and richness of Catholic culture and how these traditions can bring more beauty and joy to family life.

I suggest all Mama's, those to be, those of a few or many, even those whose children are grown, grab a copy and curl up to laugh, learn, and realize you are not alone on this motherly path to heaven. Even if the path is paved with dirty laundry.

Woohoo!! Danielle Bean's new books AND an order of Vermont Cheese Powder -- in the SAME DAY!! Can life get any better??

I'll report back when I can tear my self away from the book. And after the cheezy crackers (hence the cheese powder) have been made!

Why. on. earth. am I getting telemarketer calls looking for Caitie Beardmore??

Once again it has been a LONG time since I have posted. This time I am totally blaming my husband, who has been monopolizing the computer lately. He as been doing all of our accounting so that he can turn everything into the accountant and, God willing, we will get a big fat tax return. Of course, poor Andrew has done this once before. It takes about a zillion hours to do and the last time, just after he finished, some creep stole our computer. And of course, we had no back up, so it was back to square one for Andrew.

As Annie mentioned, my parents had a great party last Sunday. Great food, TONS of people, and of course some great ping pong matches. The German Baptists smoked us all. I guess their lack of Netflix leaves them plenty of time to hone their ping pong skills.

PeterXavier has been sick on and off for the last two weeks. I think we have finally eradicated the evil germ though. God bless the man who discovered Ammoxacillan. Some times it is the only thing that will do the trick.

One nifty thing I did this past week was to sprout my own wheat and make Sprouted Wheat Bread. It still needs some fine tuning, but it turned out pretty well. I had never sprouted wheat before, but if you plan ahead, it is not hard and it 's pretty fun!

I am off to clean the bathroom. Have a great day!

A Big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my niece and God Daughter ZITA!!!

Here is what we have been doing lately. It is the Lenten Calender that the kids made. I got the idea out of a great book called "Guiding Your Catholic Preschooler." I modified it a bit to fit my children and it has worked beautifully. Each day, the kids choose to either pray, fast, or give. They are simple little things like "Give Daddy an extra hug" and we "fast" from things that will assist in developing good habits like "mean words". I am shock at how excited the kids are about this little project. They love to find out what day it is and decide what to do that day. It also keeps me more constantly aware of this Lenten season and reminds me of my own fasts and sacrifices.

The other little project we did was to make Sacrifice Beads. We read a little story about St. Therese, who received a set of bead from her sister and then we made our own. The kids love to make sacrifices for Jesus. Christopher showed his beads to Andrew and then said "Daddy! Don't you know St. Therese of the Child Jesus?!"

And seriously, their behavior has improved. It's amazing! Maybe I'll tell the kids that Lent lasts until Christmas this year.

Today I had to go work at the shop with Andrew. For reasons that cannot be disclosed on this open forum (but TRUST ME, if I make it to Blue Jacket tomorrow, they will be disclosed. LOUDLY. and ANGRILY. Have my Martini ready.), we had given Molly the day off. It was one of those really happy busy days. The door was open and the wonderful breeze was coming in from outside. Everyone was happy because of the great weather. The mayor came it and this man introduced him to his grandson "this is the mayor of the TOWN!" The little pirate boy thought that was pretty cool. Small town. Or not so small. (I'm not kidding about that martini. make it a double.)

And Uncle Andy came it. That was funny. He told us we's "pay for this weather" and judging by the fridged breeze in the house right now, he was right. He reminded me of Grandpa, the walking Farmer's Almanac. He also said "What the H*** is wrong with people??" I agree (see Martini notes. Do they make triples?)

Dear Mr. Cold,

Meet my new best friend. You had better watch your back.

I love how silly Christopher looks here! He is pointing to the picture he drew of Clifford (and he wrote "Clifford" on the bottom) Who knew that Norman Bridwell was from Kokomo!! And his wife's name is Norma. Do you think that is for real? I mean, what are the odds?? I think he must use a pseudonym.

Yesterday, my mom, Margaret, and I took the kids to the Children's Museum and went to Georgetown Market -- the best grocery in the world. My mom hadn't been to GM before. We had a great time choosing our different sugars, flours, and spices. It's just so FUN to shop that way. And it is always exciting to get something you have never heard of and experiment with it. Like the last time I went I bought a grain called Quinoa. I have read about it enough to recognize the name, but nothing more than that. It is so yummy! It is a little like couscous, but a bigger grain so it is a more firm. It makes a great replacement for boring old white rice.

The museum was great as well. The kids always have blast when we go -- but we always stay about five minutes to long and expeience the Great Meltdown on the way out the door. Margaret was nice to have along -- she is such a big helper. The nice thing about really big families is that the generations overlap and all help eachother.

This neat little arrangement is the kids new drum set. They created it themselves. Between this and the last pitures I posted, I am wondering why I ever purchase toys.