Life At The Circus

I didn’t really know my great grandparents.  All but one had passed away before I was born and my GG died when I was 2.  I have one fleeting memory of her sitting in a chair in my grandparents dining room, but the rest I get from stories and pictures. October could have been deemed “Great Grandparent Month” at the circus.  My children are so blessed to have 4 living great grandparents in their lives today.  We got to spend some special time with each of the great grandparents this month and I am so very thankful that for the memories we made. At the beginning of the month, Scott’s Nana flew out from CA to spend the week in Annapolis.  Many, many wonderful memories were made while she was in town.  Later in the month, we went to PA to spend the weekend with my family.  We enjoyed an evening of playing with bubbles at my Mema and Pap’s house. At the end of the month, we had Scott’s grandpa over to celebrate his birthday.   We en...

I got my love of sports from my dad.  I can remember watching Pirates games at 5 when he was out of town, just to make me feel closer to him.  In high school, my dad would take me to Penn State Football games to watch my cousin play in the Blue Band.  I think my dad made sure that we attended every kind of professional sporting event at least once.   He took us to Orioles games, a Capitals game, a Bullets game and once we even attended a preseason Redskins/Steelers game.  While most kids were learning their states and capitals, my dad was quizzing me on cities and sports team.   He’d name a city and I’d name the professional football and baseball teams from that city.  I saw a baby bib this weekend that said, “I was born a Steelers fan.”  Though I am bit big for a bib, this most definitely describes me.  Dad taught me lots about sports, but without a doubt, my love for the Steelers is the biggest sports heritage he passed on to ...

Today I had planned to write a sweet and nostalgic motherhood type post about my littlest cast member.  But, when quiet time rolled around my head was aching, my mind racing, and the right words and sentiments weren’t coming to me.   Because today… *Today I tried to do 2 days worth of school in one morning since we’ll be out of town on Monday *Today I made banana chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast *Today I skipped my morning cup of coffee b/c I thought I’d enjoy it more in the afternoon on my way to gymnastics and didn’t want to have too much caffeine *Today I learned that perhaps I like coffee for more than just it’s savory sweet taste and warmth… judging by the groggy haze and head ache I’ve experienced today, I am wondering if I also like it’s caffeine… *Today, my husband will return from his business trip!!!  *Today I sent the kids out for recess.  Later my 4 year old came into the house with dog poop on her shoes only I didn’t notice until ...

The outing started out so beautiful and picturesque.  The drive there was lovely… leaves just starting to change, sipping my pumpkin spice latte, even the clouds looked “fall like” (amazing how everything looks lovely when the kids aren’t requiring you to referee from the drivers seat… thank you Psalty the Singing Songbook )  We got to the farm and the kids happily ate their lunches while I nursed the baby.  Then we were off to pick apples.  The kids were so enthusiastic, we had 32 lbs picked in less than an hour.  (and that was even with me slowing them down so I could take pictures).  Since apple picking went so well, I decided to prolong our afternoon and head to the pumpkin patch.  Clearly I did not heed the age old advice to quit while I was ahead . The baby fell asleep on our way to the pumpkin patch, so I decided instead of wearing him, to just carry him.  (mistake number 1)  The kids grabbed a wheel barrow and eagerly ran of...

I love my daughter.   Obviously, I know , but I love the head first approach she takes at life.  She dives in, full force with no fear.  And if she falls, it doesn’t bother her, she’ll pick herself up and dive again.  She hasn’t had it easy in the health department.  At 6 mths she had her first asthma episode.  Since then, she’s dealt with nebulizer treatments with very little complaint.   It’s a fact of life for her and she handles it well. Around her second birthday, Scott and I noticed her eyes were starting to cross a little.  It wasn’t blaringly obvious, would happen now and again, but enough that we took her to the doctor to have it checked.  After a referral to the pediatric ophthalmologist, she was sent home with glasses.   I braced myself for a battle (b/c getting her to keep a barrette in her hair was a full out war most days), but she put them on without complaint and kept them on ever since.  No fights...

I heard the alarm go off and was grateful when Scott woke to take the first shower.   Shortly after I heard the enthusiastic chatter of my youngest daughter in the bathroom and I happily rolled over for a little more shut eye. Next thing  I know I hear Scott turn off the tv and gather the big 3 to “have a chat”.  I then hear, “ Guys, what does Daddy do for her job?” “Goes to work to take care of us”  “Right.”  “And what does Mommy do?”  “She takes care of us at home.”  “Right,   Does Daddy go to work on Sunday?”  “No.”  “Right… but does Mommy get a day off?”  “No.  Right… so you know what we can do today?  We can help Mommy by you guys getting dressed all by yourself.  So why don’t you go back, real quietly and we’ll surprise Mommy.  She’ll come out and be so surprised to find you all dressed and ready for church.”  I then hear the eager “quiet” scurries of 3 kids as they go to get dressed for ...

So many things I want to remember from this stage of life…the sweet way she mispronounces her baby brother’s name…. and the way his face lights up with recognition when I walk in a room…the raspy way she belts out songs in the back seat, and the sweet way he kisses his sisters goodbye before heading into school… I know I think I’ll never forget and yet those who’ve gone before me say I will.  So this week I jotted down a few of their one liners that made me smile. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 year old:  Mama we’re playing “hide and go to seeker”   (I also love the way she told me the rules of the game as if it was a new game her brother and sister invented just for them) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gave my 6 yr old his first spelling test last week.  When I was explaining how spelling tests worked, he asked, “Am I allowed to think about it or do I have to just write it down?”  (I assured him he was ...

5 years ago this month, God took her home to heaven.  Though the truth is, Alzheimer's/Dementia took Grandma from us long before then.  At first she’d just forget what time we’d be leaving for church the next day or when we’d be eating dinner.  Later she forgot her grandchildren, children, and eventually even her own identity.  Bit by bit the disease took more of her.  I remember walking into the care facility the weekend Scott and I had gotten engaged.    At this point, Grandma wasn’t able to have coherent conversations anymore.  She’d say rhymes or gibberish or murmur under her breath.  It was incredibly hard to visit her b/c you knew she didn’t know you, and she couldn’t even hold a conversation with you.  And the pained look on my father’s face as he watched his mom like that always tore my heart out.   I’d still go with my dad when I was home from college, we wouldn’t stay long, but I just felt we should still go....

A few pics to sum up the week and highlight a few of my favorite moments. My favorite part of our home schooling day is the beginning.  We start with the pledge and a very loud and off key rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.  Warms my patriotic soul! Q: What do home schoolers wear to school? A: whatever they want.. ie leotards and camos We made a discovery this week.  The kids like board games.  And better yet, they are finally at an age where they can all follow the scope of the game and play for real.  It has made playing so much more fun, though I still attest that Shutes and Ladders is the worst game ever! I was reminded this week of how much the kids love to hold their brother.  Too often I am rushing from one thing to the next and don’t take the time to let them enjoy him.  I gave each of them a lil time to hold him.  Their faces lit up with joy and I realized that slowing down for a minute or two was well worth it. ...

Last week my dad entertained the kids by letting them take pictures with his phone.   My youngest daughter had so much fun!  I laughed out loud when after taking this picture, she exclaimed, “Papa, you didn’t smile!”