32 Weeks

With only 8 weeks to go, it's starting to feel really close!!! Actually this pregnancy has flown by. We found out around the time we moved, then we went through the holidays, now I'm busy with 'The Passion of the King'. So between all of that and homeschool, hockey, dance, and everything else in between, there just isn't time to sit around and wait. Now that I'm going every other week for check-ups, the weeks are just clicking by.

I feel great...maybe my easiest pregnancy. They've all been easy, but I haven't even dealt with heartburn or sciatica this time. I'm praying that delivery comes with the same ease.

We're still working on names. I think we've pretty much settled on a girl name, but still go back and forth with the boys. I'm enjoying every second of it...my favorite thing is feeling the baby flip and kick. It's exciting to think how this new little one will change our family dynamics and fit in.

Sleepover Twins

Nathanael had his little buddy, Sean, sleep over again. They are so sweet together and I'm glad they can count on each other as friends. Nathanael learned how to use "nuts" appropriately in a sentence during this particular sleepover, and I don't mean the kind you eat. But I don't blame Sean. It was bound to happen. I explained to him that it is not a bad word and some families use it, but our family does not and it's inappropriate. Boys!

They got to wear matching outfits for bed.

We have bed space for 12 in this house, but these 5 clowns opted for the floor. This is how you settle kids down for bedtime, right??:

Pig pile on C!!! You almost can't even see Sean.

Hiking

Friday was 60 degrees and no public school, so when my friend asked if we'd like to go hiking, our school day got derailed and turned into a field trip. Laurie introduced me to a new park I'd never been to. It was beautiful with a lake and beach area, brook with waterfalls, and hiking trails.

We started off all together. It took about 7 minutes before the first kid had taken the first plunge and got wet and muddy...oh, well...what can you expect from 8 boys!?

They decided to find their way across the brook and hike up the steep side of a mountain. The big boys were able to balance and walk across. The little guys got creative.
While they explored, Laurie and I watched Owen and TJ find great fun in throwing rocks into the brook. Trevor would giggle almost everytime he heard his splash.

The boys were gone on their adventure long enough that we started to worry just a little, but thankfully, thanks to modern technology, they were only a phone call away. We asked them to please come back down and meet us at the beach area. Fruit and crackers were enjoyed by all.

These guys were also enjoying the beach, but seriously, it's still March and Mr., we really don't want to see you in your boxers!!!

Strip Hockey

The boys like to play mini games of knee hockey throughout the morning. It's a tactic to get a 5 minute break from school. Trevor says, "Cumbo, Nano! Awnna pay hockey?" Then Colombo and Nathanael look at me like, "Oh Mom, we can't deny him. Look how cute he is. Just 5 minutes?" Somehow on this particular day, TJ started with a full set of pj's and slippers. Then we lost the pants, then the shirt. The slippers stayed because they are like 'skates' and make it easy for him to slide around on the floor.

See, this is how it started...full pj's. The bottoms are inside-out and backwards, but ON, nonetheless.

Decorating Eggs

Lisa and Bethany and their girls and my Mom all came over this afternoon to decorate eggs! For eight kids under 10, it went very well without any major mishaps. The worst of it was Amanda's hands, I think. (The shirt looked like that BEFORE we started.)

When all was said and done, we did about 8 dozen eggs!

These cousins are always so sweet together. I think they all just adore time spent with one another. It's really neat to watch them growing up together.
Madison worked intently, with much attention to detail.
Too bad Tim and his kids couldn't be here. We web-cammed with him with everyone here, so they could all say hi.

Yay For Spring!

To celebrate the start of Spring, Rita's Italian Ice was giving away ice today. Each person got their own regular size italian ice for FREE. They had about 16 flavors to choose from. It made for a nice little afternoon treat for us. We did nothing but giggle for the 20 minutes we sat and enjoyed our strawberry, peach, and lemonade flavored treats.

Wardrobe Malfunction

"Back Then" History Fair

We had our "Back Then" History Fair for our homeshool support group. Families could choose any person, place or thing from history. Our family chose "Life When Jesus was a Kid". We learned about what kids wore, their chores, what they did for fun, rules they followed, climate, food, and lots more.

We displayed pita bread and dried fruit for everyone to try and also a Mezuzah, which is the metal box that Jewish families would have on their doorposts. Verses were written on parchment and inserted in the box. As parents went in and out of the house, they would touch the box and then kiss their fingers to remind them of God and His commandments. What a great idea!

The kids all wore costumes. TJ was totally into it. Here he stands in front of our little synagogue school with the "No girls allowed" sign. One activity we had at our table was to stomp grapes. The children "back then" used to do this job because the adults were too heavy and if the seeds of the grapes broke, it would make for bitter wine.TJ and his little friend, Galilee
One family did "Armor and Swords"- Colombo gives one a try
He is sooo stinkin' cute!

Here he holds a foam plane from another family's table.

Other tables included rare coins, medeival life, civil rights, the sewing machine, girls in Victorian times. It was a very successful event.

Big Improvement!

Two days ago, Nathanael had never riden a 2-wheeler. Now check out his mad skills! He can now get himself started, steer, and stop. He's zipping around all over the cul-de-sac like an old pro!

Big boy...Big day!

I had my routine prenatal check-up this afternoon. I left Trevor napping and the other 3 outside playing while Colombo worked in his office. An hour and a half later when I returned, Madison and Nathanael said, "Mom, we have a surprise for you. Go stand by the mailbox and close your eyes."

A moment later when Madison yelled, "Look!", I looked up to see Nathanael pedaling a 2-wheeler down the driveway! In the time I was gone, Madison had not only taught him to ride a 2-wheeler, but had also taught him a little song she made up to help.

Try Again

For some reason, in my last post, the video of TJ wasn't playing correctly. So here it is again:

And here's a bonus feature from dinner time:

(BTW, he does have pants on at this point.)

Everyday Life

Just thought I'd post some moments from our everyday life.
I LOVE being a mom!!!

Here we are at dance class on Thursday afternoon.
Madison's on the far right:
Don't they looked thrilled to be there:
This is a typical school morning...Trevor is in his homeschool uniform and I'm trying to work with Madison and Colombo amongst all the comotion:



During a beautiful, almost-Spring weekend, Daddy took the kids on a hike in the woods:

The ever-imaginative Madison gets Nathanael to join her for a picnic lunch that she made all by herself.

Hockey Banquet

C4's team had a pizza party to celebrate the end of the season. The food was great...salad, pizza, and cake! It was short and sweet. The coach handed out goodie bags (no trophies this year?) and said a little something about each player.

C4 and Coach Kelly

29 Weeks

Feelin' great!!!!

Another Missing Tooth

Her 1st front one is almost completely grown back in just in time to lose the other one. Daddy pulled it for her.

Spring Fever

Last week, I was soooo jealous to read on my sister-in-law's blog that they were enjoying 74 degrees in Colorado Springs. But then, we had a treat of a weekend...nearly 70 on Saturday and 60 on Sunday. The kids enjoyed some outside play time with friends and even snuck on some shorts!Now I'm REALLY anxious for spring, but here in the Northeast, the weather has already changed and there still could be some more winter to endure.

Dance Competition #2

Madison had her 2nd big dance competition, Dance USA. Her and I both felt more prepared for this one. She added a second routine, a duet put to 'Rockin' Robin'. Her and her partner, Maddie, learned it in just 4 short weeks and they did great!!!

They dance so well together! They both LOVE it and their steps are so in sync with one another. It was a fun number with an adorable costume. They scored a 'high gold' for it and got #1 Overall for their division.

Next up was 'Pajama Time', the same one she performed at the last competition. Her group did fantastic- marked improvement since January.

They scored a 'high gold' and #2 Overall for their division. Most importantly, they all had fun!

Madison was very touched by all the fans that came out on an early Saturday morning to support her.

Auntie Lisa, Avery, Gramma, Pop & Christina, Ninny, Uncle Nicky, our neighbor Jules, Daddy, C4, Nathanael, and Trevor

Later when we got home, our neighbors, Bob & Jules, had left a special package at the door.

And then when I went to bed, this is what I found on my side of the bed:

She is so sweet!

Nathanael?

Nathanael, you can play on the computer for 5 more minutes, and then you need to find something else to do.



Nathanael, do you hear me? I'm talking to you.



Nathanael?



Nathanael?

[I spin my office chair around...]

Magic Monday

Today turned out WAY different than planned. Colombo was in Vegas for a conference and we woke up to 6 inches of snow, so my original plan was to stay in my bathrobe in the house all day, maybe nap with Trevor...UNTIL I remembered that Jonathan and Andrea were in town for a visit and my friend Laurie invited us sledding. So here's how the day actually went...

I finally hopped in the shower around 11:00 while the kids were finishing up school. As I was drying my hair, Madison came to tell me there was a delivery at the door. Coming out of my bedroom I see the front door wide open (thanks to Nathanael who knows better than to open it to a stranger!). I see a beautiful fruit basket and balloon and a nice man with a big smile staring down at TJ who is wearing a shirt and NOTHING from the waist down. C4 and Maddy are jumping up and down with excitement. That dude was like, "OK, lady, just sign so I can get out of here."

The Cards sent this to thank me for the baby shower....not necessary, but oh, what a treat!

Next came sledding with friends. Not Trevor. He's not a fan. See how much he's enjoying it!
At the top of the hill, Lauire snapped pictures and even treated us to a box of hot chocolate.

Madison and Kevin set a new record.

Nathanael goes down backwards.

And Jon and Annie came by to snap a few pictures of Gabby on a sled.

Then onto Ninny's for hot chocolate, fireplace, snacks, and to hang for a while.

Jon and Annie had dinner plans elsewhere, so we headed out to my Dad's for dinner and 'night' sledding. On the way, we picked up Lisa and her 2 girls. Dad served pancakes and real maple syrup he'd gotten from his trees and boiled an hour before.

The Sledders

Trevor opted to stay in and play the favorite, 'Penguin Pat.'

The kids were not in bed til 11:00, but we had such an incredibly fun day!!!