Spring Break

Today was a sad day, yet a day of thanks.  We were sad that our friends the Parays had to leave again but so thankful they were able to come.

This trip included the traditional trip to Corbetts Burgers and Soda Bar,

for something new we went Rock Climbing...

we celebrated Lance's birthday...

took the traditional baseball shots....

but mostly we did what mattered most; we hung out and spent time together.  The kids played basketball, baseball and all matter or games inside and out.  Mae and I walked and talked and sat and talked.  Time together with best friends makes you feel whole again.  We are all looking anxiously to their next visit, in the meantime we send them off with our love and ask God bless them and keep them safe.

Grand Slam

Well..... Lance has yet to technically hit a grand slam but today was definitely a Grand Slam kind of day.  Today was opening day at West Raleigh, Lance's entrance away from rec ball into the more competitive club ball.  Since tryouts Chris has marveled at the incredible differences between the two.  It started with the night of draft when Lance's new coach actually called him to welcome him to the team around 8pm that night.  What a relief it was to get that call, not many kids who don't play fall ball make it in the spring.

Today was another welcome surprise.  After the opening ceremonies the team got together for the quick team picture but also to announce who the team Captains would be for the season.  I nearly cried when they announced Lance.  What a honor to be picked out from among a group of kids that had only known him a few weeks.  Now he'll never be able to deny when I tell him God has gifted him with natural leadership.

We are looking forward to a season of continued excitement as he plays and learns more about this sport he is so passionate about.

Beauty All Around

I was so excited when I saw my first daffodil this year.  I had planted 60 and I wasn't sure any were going to come up.  Then one, then two and now I think all 60 actually bloomed.

I got the idea a while back that the daffodils would look best with my beautiful children planted among them.  Last night my wonderful husband checked that to-do off the list and here's the results.

Lance's Last Year as a Boy

After this year, my precious baby boy will not only no longer be a baby but will begin crossing the bridge from boyhood to manhood.  He already looks like a man-child and his voice is cracking.  However, I'm thankful he still retains the innocence and simple pleasures of boyhood too.  He's not too cool to play with any of siblings or their friends, but that is not to say he's immature.  He is growing in wisdom and responsibility beautifully.  He is beginning to join in conversations with Chris and I after dinner, foregoing watching shows.  He has always enjoyed a little alone time and now I think even more so (It can sometimes even be hard for me to find him when he's hiding out for a bit).  It's all part of growing up.
He continues to excel at school and I am proud when I see he is popular among his peers.  Not that I care about popularity but I'm glad that he has not lost the ability, he had as a baby, to make friends and be a leader.  These are great blessings and skills, ones that elude many including myself.

Since the Paray's will be here next week, we didn't do a big celebration today but rather a drawn out celebration over the past week.  It started with the Tiger Rescue Trip.  Then since Chris had taken the day off we went shopping for new catcher's gear for his gift after the field trip.  Over the weekend, Chris set up his new basketball hoop and slowly unwrapped his other gifts from family, one day at a time. Finally, today on his birthday he actually had baseball practice and his coach/team celebrated by having him run the team gauntlet much to his humor.

It has been a joy to see Lance growing up in so many positive ways over the last year.  He remains our beautiful boy in every way.

Dear Lance,

May God keep you and bless you always.  May you seek him first in all you think and do and may you always walk with joy in the path He has designed for you.

All our LOVE ALWAYS!

Mom, Dad, Jared, Titus and Amber.

North Carolina Tiger Rescue

Today we went on a field trip to the "North Carolina Tiger Rescue".  The name is a bit of a misnomer as they had a great variety of large cats not just tigers; such as cougars, ocelots, and lions to name a few (but no bears).

If it had just been a place to walk around and see big cats in confinement (they aren't really in cages but large paddocks), there wouldn't be much to write about it or recommend it.  What made the field trip so interesting was our guide.  He was passionate about these cats and had a story to tell about each one, such as how they ended up there (plethora of interesting stories there) or unique behaviors like how some cats lure the vultures into their paddocks to kill them for entertainment.

I was very thankful we went on a cool day, in the heat of summer it would not have been very comfortable.  The animals have shade but there isn't much shade on the trails between.  The Rescue is really a neat operation, one in which as long as its legal to own these beautiful animals as pets, there will always be a need.  Everyone had a really great time.  Our guide did an awesome job catering well to all ages including the Amber crowd.  Chris and I look forward to going back someday for an adult evening tour, to see the cats in their most active state. 

Mozart Live!

As an optional field trip for my class at SEEK we bought tickets to see "Mozart Live" at the NC Symphony.  It is a production based on the series "Classical Kids", that incorporates historical fiction to teach children about different composers, while at the same time exposing them to their music.

We listened to the CD on our way to and from our trip to Florida (the kids obviously liked it).  So I thought I knew what to expect, a theatrical live version of the CD.  Much to my enjoyment and surprise ,though the two were similar, they most certainly were not the same.  The kids sat spell bound as the story unfolded, immersed in the beauty of the music.

I definitely give it two thumbs ups!  The perfect timing was just a bonus.

Winter is FINALLY here!

When we saw our first snow flurries shortly after baseball season ended, in early November.  I decided the great "they" were right and we were in for a snowy winter.  Yay!  We went shopping made sure everyone had the all the snow gear they needed.  We were prepared. 

Since it was going to be snowing all winter (right?), we assumed we would have to take a break from golf till spring.  So we spent some time deciding how to occupy the boys bodies during this cold season.  We chose swimming.  Since I was unable to find someone to coach, for now they will have to deal with Coach Mom.  We have been swimming twice a week since December and its working rather well.  Knowing that they have to finish their school work in order to swim has been a great motivator.  Titus is working up to 30 min. and his brothers are holding at 45min.  I am working on little things with my little knowledge but the goal is not to create Olympic swimmers but to simple get some good total body exercise.

Then the Indian Summers started arriving at the end of December through last weekend..  It was so warm, we did play golf.  We also took the opportunity the last few weeks for Chris to clear the forest of vines and the dreaded brier (which we burned). We had all given up on seeing snow this year.

Then last night Winter finally arrived, in all its white splendor.  When we went to bed we didn't have much hope for any accumulation but were very pleased in the morning.  It wasn't the depth of the snow that made it so great for sledding but the think layer of ice that formed on top.

Needless to say I declared today a "Snow Day".  All four were out sledding and accumulating snow for for their igloo for over three hours this morning and after lunch went back out again.  I think we had all the young kids in the neighborhood out front sledding at one point today. In addition to playing, I was pleased to see Lance and Jared working hard to clear the steep drive way of our elderly neighbor so it doesn't ice over on her tonight.

I don't love the cold but I must admit I do love the beauty of a new snow.  Chris took a lunch break walk with me to enjoy the beauty throughout the neighborhood. Even if for just a little while, I'm sure glad winter finally came.   The children thoroughly enjoyed their Snow day (Titus even went swimming in the creek for a bit. Ugh).

Chris said we officially have the coolest house ever. A sledding hill, forest, and a creek.

On an aside:  My little birds have been very thankful for our feeder the last few days and we have been so thankful for their visits.  We even have identified one new visitor this year, a Hermit Thrasher, which brings us to 29 species of birds identified at the feeder so far.

Refreshing

In addition to getting back to our regular schedule of school and activities, SEEK began this week on Titus' birthday (I brought cupcakes for his to share with his classes).  He was thrilled, in fact ALL the kids were thrilled to be back at SEEK.  I was a little apprehensive as this is my first year teaching.   I've chosen to teach Art & Music to the 8-10 year old crowd called "Who Made That?" with my friend Amanda.  The T-Shirts for class were only just finished two days before class, supplies only arrived on Monday its been a bit hectic to leading up to Thursday.  Then Friday, we took Titus on a date to the Natural Science Museum..

When Saturday finally came around, it wasn't a big surprise that I was tired and feeling a little under the weather.  But rather than curl up in bed I decided to go out to see the daffodils, then decided to weed a little, then to crush/compost the old marigolds, then to remove the remaining old landscape fabric, then to wander our property a bit.  By the end of all my little add-ons I found I was feeling much better.

Sunday, we all sat outside, this time together.  We discussed our plans for the property.  Chris and Amber kept me company while I visually moved around a dozen tomato cages trying to figure out how I wanted to plan out our garden.  It may sound like work but it was invigorating to my soul.  Indian summers are a beautiful thing.

Alas the warm weather didn't last and its back to being cold again today but the weekend warm weather provided much needed refreshment.  It's amazing the healing power of little time spent working with your hands out in God's beautiful creation.

The Mighty One Becomes Six

Now that he is six, I will have to admit he's not a baby anymore.  I will also have to admit he is growing up mentally and physically.  Chris says the numbers don't lie.  He also says it's because he's my youngest boy that he always seems the same to me, that I just want time to stand still and he's right but alas it will not.

There are so many great things about Titus that do stay the same:

• His smile that can light up any room and is generally plastered on his face at all opportunities.  He has been this way since he was the littlest baby.
• His tenacity.  Titus can truly climb any mountain (or climbing wall) in his way and have fun along the way.  Thankfully, he also has the athleticism to avoid great peril.
• Which goes along with his love of the outdoors.  He loves to explore God's creation, bringing me out often to see his new discoveries, which is a blessed break in my day.
  
• His love of discovery and new experiences.  He wishes we did science experiments every day.
  
• His amazing intelligence.  Though he's only started formal teaching part time I continue to be amazed at how quickly he has taken to reading.  Though considering what an early and verbose talker he was maybe I shouldn't be.
  
• His single focused determination.  Titus does what Titus wants to do only when and how Titus wants to do it.  Though he's willing to take suggestions from time to time.  I'm praying he will always use this power to stand firm for God.
• His devoted love for his family.  He and his little sister still remain two peas in a pod.  During the day he hangs with Amber but when its time to play rough he hangs tough with his big brothers.  He is my best shopping companion and Daddy's big helper in tasks much bigger than him sometimes (like huge piles of mulch).
  

The biggest part of his birthday celebration occurred while we visited friends and family in Florida.  He really wanted to go to Legoland, so we did. 

However, we still wanted to do something special on his actual birthday.  Time is something Titus really values and since he is now six we decided that we would take him on a date, just mommy, daddy and him.   He decided he wanted to go the Natural Science Museum downtown.  We let Titus take us around to his favorite parts of the museum, Chris and I just tagged along.  We all had a blast.  I think dates will have to be a new tradition with all the kids.

Though it is hard sometimes to let them grow older, I'm very happy he's growing up so big and strong in every sense.  My prayer is that he will always channel his great energy to achieving God's purpose in his life and no matter what the future holds that he will never stop smiling.

Rabbit Day Book Review - January

We are more than half way through the school year and its going rather well.  I had a bit of hick-up in December where I questioned our history choice for a bit.  I spent some time sampling other history curricula, only to end up back where be started before the Thanksgiving break.  Thankfully, I didn't get off track for too long; this time.  I guess these times of question are good, even when nothing changes, because it gives me a greater sense of confidence about what we are using.  We did start doing one thing differently.  I am using the quotes at the beginning of each chapter of Synge for Dictation practice and ironically I have seen a big improvement in the boys spelling.  Therefore, I am going to continue with this and scripture memorization with Scripture Typer for the remainder of the year, in lieu of the spelling and grammar worksheets we had been using.

On our trip to Florida we took the time to listen to three audio books; two were from the Classical Kids collection that produced Beethoven Upstairs that the kids love to play over and over again.  They were Halleluiah Handel! and Mozart 's Magnificent Voyage.  The one on Handel is interesting because it picks up where Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery left off using the same main supporting character.  It stresses the power of music to empower people.  Mozart was a bit more a fantasy.  The kids enjoyed both but Beethoven is still their favorite.

The third audio was our first audio from the famous Jim Weiss, "Galileo and the Stargazers".  I found his voice tolerable and the book certainly kept the boys attention, but I was irked at the stories historical inaccuracies, particularly regarding Archimedes.  They seemed to try to bring the story into modern times sacrificing accuracy in the process.

Speaking of history, Chris read the boys a true treasure this month, The Apprentice by Pilar Llorente. My friend Brandy had recommended this as their families favorite book on the Middle Ages/Renaissance, so I didn't pre-read.  The story takes place in Italy and revolves around a young boy who is apprenticed to become an artist.  The story was so enthralling, I found myself asking them to wait so I could listen.  Finally, I had to sit down and finish it myself one night.  One the main characters has the most Christ like, in his approach to life, I have ever found in children's literature.  I wish more books would stress such incredible positive character modeling for children. 

Lance read Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright for his independent read this month.  I'd found it on an odd list of books I wouldn't read, books I liked a lot and ones I'd never heard of; the later being the most useful.  It a simple, yet entertaining, book about a summer break spent exploring and making new friends.  If your children need video game entertainment, they'll hate this book.  If they enjoy the simple pleasures of traditional everyday life of kids they should enjoy this thoroughly.  I'm happy to say my darling boy did.

I took another chance this month and let Jared read Stuart Little by E.B. White for his independent read again without pre-reading.  I had seen the movie years ago and Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White is a family favorite, so I took the chance.  From Jared's review it was definitely a bit more suspenseful.  His only real complaint was the the foot didn't finish, it left him hanging he felt.  In my eyes that turned into a great thing, when he decided the only thing to do is write the sequel.  I'll let everyone know when its in print.

In my never ending attempt to find good historical fiction, I stumbled upon a comic/graphic novel version of Don Quixote, called The Last Knight by Will Eisner  Much to my chagrin this was a favorite of all three boys, so much so that I became over familiar with it as they read it aloud to Titus, again and again.  I'm not a big fan of comics/graphic novels but it made me familiar enough with the story to realize I had no interest in reading the original (Think Disney vs. Grim Brothers Cinderella, sometimes Disney's version is better or at least less graphic and offensive.)