Karate Class

I've decided that I totally suck at trying to get pictures while the children are moving.  Yes, there is a setting on my camera to make it easier.  Yes, I always forget to take the time to switch over to it.  Yes, perhaps that is a sign that I am a tad lazy and complicating matters more than I need to on a regular basis.  And yes, it means way too many pictures end up out of focus. Sigh.

Anyway, half the class was unable to attend karate this afternoon so I thought I would take the chance with fewer kids in the way to grab a few pictures.  Just the middle kids since the older two are in the adult class. Please ignore the slightly goofy karate instructor.  I swear some days he's worse than the kids in the class but perhaps that is why they seem to click with him so well.

Ice Skating

We headed to Batavia today to meet up with some friends and go ice skating.  The rink has open skating in the middle of the day when most folks are in school or at work. This translates to a mostly empty rink.  Which is the perfect venue for a bunch of kids who are learning (and falling).  Since I was hanging out with the younger two, the pictures are wee bit blurry at times and not so close.  It's a bit hard to get decent pictures when you are not near the action but I did try.

 Gabe did an awesome job. He actually stayed out on the ice for most of the time we were there and even let go of the wall.  His oldest brother spent a decent amount of time helping to haul Gabe back off the ice and onto his feet.  I have to say Bryan did a wonderful job of willingly helping Gabe try to figure things out.

Abby spent the first few laps around the rink using the wall for support but then she let go and took off a bit.

I know the kids would love to do this on a regular basis and I truly wish we could because everyone has a great time and comes home just a wee bit tired.

Picture Time

Court of Awards

The boys' scout troop had their annual Christmas dinner tonight.  The evening also doubled as a Court of Awards.  This is always an interesting event for us since it is meant for the entire family.  Usually the younger children only make it part way through the evening before they are done and ready to head home but aside from a minor meltdown from Robert, they did rather well tonight.

Bryan and Sean both advanced to the second class rank.  I'll admit that I am not entirely sure where this puts then in terms of Boy Scout rankings but I do know they are making steady progress.

Kieran will join their troop in January and is looking forward to the chance to be with the bigger boys.  Ok, he's jumping out of his skin excited over the chance to join the big kids.

Cookie Decorating Party

Alan and I will admit that we are not quite up to trying to do everything we normally do for Advent and Christmas this year.  I did not make an Advent calendar and even failed to buy the chocolate ones at the store.  The nativity sets are not out (although I'm not sure where we would put them anymore).  Most of the feast days have not been celebrated. I really doubt any cards will go out this year and the few adults we do usually send gifts to won't be getting anything this year.  It's just not where we are at the moment.  And yet there is a need to try to keep things a tad normal or fun for the kids. So we invited some folks over today for a cookie decorating party.  Translation: we just came up with an excuse to have some friends over.  Cookies, lunch, playing outside, and a house full of friends who just came to spend time together.  Something we really need to do more often.  And, yes, I did totally lose count of how many cookies were eaten and watched a few little ones dump entire bottles of sprinkles on top of their cookies.  But it's all fair in love and sugar, right?

And There Goes the Streak

Last night Gabe took a header into the hat and mitten box.  Apparently that is what happens when you are running in the house. Which led to a trip to the ER because, of course, you can't split your head open in the middle of the day when you can go to the doctor or earlier in the evening when the urgent care center is open.  You'd think a head wound on a child would be a reason for some urgency but apparently not.  They spent about 5 hours there in total.  Perhaps the problem was that Alan had managed to do a decent job patching things up before they left home so the wound was not gaping or bleeding heavily.

Either way Gabe finally made it home with 6 stitches right smack dab in the middle of his forehead.  Our first kid ever to need them.  I'll admit that I am a bit shocked that we avoided them this long.  Apparently there is a lot of appeal to getting to spend all that time alone with Dad and leave the house at night dressed in your jammies.  So Gabe is none the worse for the wear.  Just hoping next time someone splits their head open that they are polite enough to do it earlier in the day.

Happy Birthday Kieran!

Kieran turned 11 on Wednesday.  Yes, this post is a wee bit late because I was waiting until I pulled the pictures off the camera.  I've been running a bit behind on most things lately.

 Kieran is rather focused on trying to be different than everyone else lately.  I suppose that sometimes happens when you are part of such a large crowd. So he requested a pie rather than a birthday cake.  He also made sure to pick a restaurant for his dinner out that no one had chosen before.  He's currently taking fencing lessons (a birthday gift) and is thoroughly enjoying them.  Alan says he is picking up on things very quickly.

Here's hoping you had a wonderful day buddy.

Happy Birthday Ellie!

Ellie turns 2 today.  Currently several of her siblings are arguing over who will get to make her birthday cake.  This pretty much illustrates exactly what her role is around here. She's the one everyone wants to spoil and take care of and fight over.  Right now I am currently fighting a battle with her older siblings trying to convince them that it is not necessary to spoil her so darn much.  As cute as she is, I can see the attitude becoming an issue if it is not reigned in soon.

I can safely say that Ellie loves her baby dolls.  She is often seen carrying one or two of them around the house.  She still seems to think that the diapers somehow go on the dolls' heads but we're working on that one.

She also loves her brother Robert.  I've watched her climb into his lap and just walk up to him and hug him. The two of them rather remind me of Katie and Liam at the same age.  Which just slightly worries me.

Her favorite book is Wrapping Paper Romp and she will ask you to read it over and over and over again.  The other day she brought the book to Gabe to read to her.  Gabe did his best considering he has not yet mastered reading.  He told her he would read it to her silently.  After flipping through the pages, he handed the book back and informed her he was done.  Ellie was not amused and looked at the boy like he had two heads. Clearly he did not understand the read to me request.

I will admit that I consider Ellie's happy temperament and laid back personality to be the result of having so many wonderful siblings around.  To be completely honest, I have spent most of the past two years being slightly or not so slightly emotionally burned out.  About the time she was born, I was still dealing with a wee bit of a mental breakdown due to life and family.  Once I finally started getting back on my feet we were knocked over by a miscarriage and then the pregnancy.  But luckily for Ellie, when Mom was not available to pick her up and carry her around and dote on her, she always had a sibling standing by who was more than willing to rock her to sleep and toss her in a baby carrier and spoil her slightly rotten.  She may not have always had a parent taking care of her but she has always had more than enough love and care.  We've found ourselves pointing out to the older boys that she likely views them as another adult type person in her life.  Yes, Mom and Dad are special but those big boys get just as many hugs and smiles and she runs to hang on them when they come home.  I hope they all realize what a special relationship they have together.

Anyway, happy birthday to Miss Ellie.  You truly hold a special place in our family.

A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy

A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy by Sarah A. Reinhard arrived on our doorstep somewhere in the second half of my pregnancy.  I will admit that I was a little skeptical that there would be much new in the book for me given that I was currently smack dab in the middle of my eleventh pregnancy.  I was surprised to find that there were things for even a seasoned Mom to glean from this book.

First, this book is not full of the nitty gritty physical and medical aspects of what is going on when you are pregnant.  If that is the kind of book you are looking for, this one is not for you.  Second, this is not a book that you will sit down and read in large chunks. This is a book meant to be taken in slowly in small pieces over time. Unless it arrives in your home when you are already most of the way through your pregnancy. Then you just might find yourself reading the entire thing at once.

What this book is a spiritual guide to the path you travel when expecting a new baby. Each chapter covers a week of your pregnancy.  Your experiences are covered from a faith based or emotional perspective. Each chapter ends with a short prayer that is relavent to that phase of your pregnancy.

I'll admit that a few weeks after our little Isabel died, I saw this book laying on my bedroom floor and found myself reaching for it.  Yes, that seems a little strange to some folks I suppose.  But I had remembered seeing something in the book on stillbirth so I found myself sitting on the floor paging through the book looking for something that might help me sort out the mess in my mind.  Although the  topic was covered very briefly, it did help me to realize that the path we are currently walking is not one we are traveling alone.  I suppose my one complaint was that the topic was touched on so briefly that I felt a need to read more.  I know folks do not like to dwell on the possibility of losing a baby rather than bringing one home but when it happens, you need something to lean on without leaving the house.

One particular section of the book that spoke to me the first time I read it was the reminder to pray for our husbands.  Alan often reminds me that it's incredibly hard for him to connect to the baby during pregnancy or to watch the times I'm in pain for some reason or another.  There is something about a pregnancy that can leave a husband feeling incredibly helpless.  Our last pregnancy was full of so many minor bumps in the road that I know Alan was feeling particularly helpless this time around.  The reminder to focus on praying for him and the burdens he carries was particularly needed.

If we are blessed with another pregnancy, I hope to be able to say that I was able to spend time each week reading this book and praying my way through each week.  But until that time, I hope to recommend this book to other expectant mothers, both first time moms and those of the more seasoned variety.  We can all use the reminder provided that each chance to carry a new life is the greatest gift and miracle that will ever touch your life.

Saint Catherine Laboure and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Marianne Lorraine Trouve has written a new book for the Encounter the Saints Series covering the life of Saint Catherine Laboure.  As with the other books in this series, this biography is written at a level that is perfect for children in the 8-10 year-old range.  The story is told in fairly simple terms while managing to give a decent amount of detail.  A glossary is also included in the back of the book to explain terms in the book that may be new to the reader.

I found this book to be a quick simple read. The story was engaging without being overwhelming.  Even though it is written for youth, I found that there were a few details in the story that were new to me.  This book is a wonderful way to introduce your child to the story behind the miraculous medal.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Saint Catherine Labouré . The Catholic Company is the best resource for all your family Advent activities and supplies this year, such as Advent wreaths and calendars for kids, as well as Christmas decorations such as nativity scene sets and religious Christmas gifts for the whole family.

Isabel

Our sweet baby Isabel. 

Fencing Lessons

Kieran has been asking for fencing lessons for years.  He tolerates karate but has even asked if we could afford fencing lessons if he stopped taking karate.  For many reasons, fencing simply does not fit into our budget or family plans. I refuse to fill our schedule up with individual classes/lessons for just for one child.  I'd rather spend more time at home and not drive everyone crazy.  Family time is a greater priority.  Plus most of the fencing lessons are on the other side of Rochester and they are very expensive. So they never were considered.  However, the other day I was flipping through a catalog we received for some local recreation programs and found an introductory fencing class for elementary kids.  It is just a 6-week session and was still out of our budget in general but his grandparents are chipping in on the classes for a birthday present. When we split the cost in half, it almost brought it down to the level we normally spend on birthdays.  Since Kieran has been wanting fencing lessons for so long, I decided I was willing to spend just a little more than usual. 

Alan took him to the first session last night. We did not tell him where he was going to keep it a surprise.  The kid was beyond thrilled.  Just judging from the grin on his face when he arrived home last night, I think we can safely say he is thrilled with his birthday present.  Yes, I know his birthday is in December but the class is now.  I think he won't mind no presents on his actual birthday because this experience is much better than a new toy.

Field Trip Friday

I arranged a field trip to Stokoe Farms for today. I thought since we had such a great time on the weekend, that it would be a great trip for the group.  However I am going to come out and say that they really stink at arranging field trips.  I received little direction on the organizing the trip from them (information regarding what we'd be doing, time frames, etc.) and the place was sheer chaos when we got there.  Perhaps it was because it was Friday but seriously, sheer chaos.

Pretty much the only time Robert was not crying.

Every group was supposed to have a schedule and stick to it. But at no point did anyone in charge at the farm make sure people were where they were supposed to be at the right time. So we often found ourselves waiting for our turn at an event (trying to stick to our schedule as requested) only to find that when our time arrived, other folks were there pushing us out of the way.  Add to this chaos the fact that it was cold, windy, and miserable and we opted to come home after lunch rather than stay all day.  We did get our pie pumpkins from the field so at least we have those and the kids got to ride the train and go down the slide. But in the end, I will say I was not at all impressed with the farm today.  Not impressed at all and I arrange field trips on a regular basis.  I've seen the good, the not to great, and the ugly. This one was fairly close to the bottom of the heap for me, I have to say. So we came home and made hot chocolate and the kids are watching a movie instead.

Happy Birthday Katie!

Katie turned 8 today.  It seems rather amazing that she is quite that big.  In many ways, she acts so much older.  Any time Ellie cries at night, Katie is right there taking care of her before we have a chance to get into their room. I walked in the other night and found Katie doing the half-asleep baby carry trying to bring her sister into her bed so she'd stop fussing.  The two of them are wonderful together.

I do believe Katie had a great day today, even with the massive bumps in the road.  She tested for her orange belt today.  Helped her older brother make her birthday cake (which frankly looked awful because apparently we were not in a following directions kind of mood today but it tasted great).  Sean managed to lock my keys in the house as we were trying to leave to head out for her birthday dinner so Alan had to come home to rescue us. This meant that by the time we made it to the restaurant, they were rather busy and we had to wait for a seat.  And if you've ever had to wait for a table for 11, you know that the wait is never a short one.

I do believe our little lady had a wonderful day. I can't quite believe how much she has changed over the past few years.  Happy birthday, Katie.

Karate Testing

Last week the older boys had testing week in their karate class. Both advanced to orange belt.  This week, the younger kids had testing week in their class.

 Abby joined the class several months after the other kids so she is not as far along as they are at the moment. She received her second stripe on her white belt today.

Katie, Liam, and Kieran all advanced to orange belt today.  I don't have decent pictures because the camera battery died on me but such is life. I tried. I will admit that I am slightly wondering what it takes for you to not advance to the next level with their instructor but maybe as they continue to progress, he'll get a tad stricter.

Field Trip Friday

We spent a slightly chilly, kind of wet day out at a Civil War field trip today.  I really wish they had put on an actually reenactment at least on a small scale but the kids enjoyed what they did have available.  All of the kids enlisted in the Union Army and most of them spent some time drilling for battle.  I'm not sure exactly what they actually learned but everyone says they had a great time.

The Farm Trip

Bryan got his first paying job this year working at a local farm turned tourist attraction.  I have mixed feelings about these sort of places. On the one hand, it's great to see family run farms find a way to keep their farms profitable and in their family.  On the other hand, it's incredibly sad that government regulation of farming has made it so hard for family farms to be profitable on their own.  It makes no sense to either pay farms to NOT plant crops or to pay them to leave a certain amount of their crops in the fields, unharvested until they are no longer usable.  I know in some warped Washington-ese way this is a sensible way of controlling food costs but I just can't get behind not producing and bringing to market as much food as possible and donating the hopeful excess to those in need. But I imagine this shows that I am too soft on those who struggle to make ends meet on their own or something (or so I've been told).

Anyway, this weekend the farm held military appreciation weekend. The weekend started with a 5K run/2 mile walk to support Troops for Trees which is an organization which helps provide Christmas trees to military members overseas.  For the rest of the weekend, military families received free admission. These are the kinds of offers I look for when planning activities for the kids.  Free and discounted admission make things much easier on the budget and keep the family from feeling the pinch of a tight budget. The weather was kind of iffy which kept crowds away and we only had to deal with a few random sprinkles here and there.  The kids had a wonderful time enjoying all of the rides and activities and we used Bryan's employee discount to cut our lunch costs in half (as I told Bryan: you know me, I always ask for any discount possible so of course I asked if they'd give us a discount since you worked here).  So here are a few pictures.  Ellie was able to enjoy her first train ride and go down the giant slide with her big brother.  Even with the cooler weather, everyone had a blast.

The giant human hamster wheels.

Corn Mazes are not that much fun when your kids like to run way ahead of you.

Maybe you can't see Ellie's face but she has the biggest smile in this picture.