Saturday Morning Sickness

Is it an unspoken rule that stomach bugs must strike during sleeping hours? Is there something wrong with 11 a.m. on a random Tuesday morning?

Last night was rough!

Thankfully it seems to be isolated *knock on wood* and she is on the mend. However it occurred to me through bleary eyes last night that I really do have big girls. Sigh. An accident might have been had. Whether from embarrassment or a sense of responsibility, my sweet little lady attempted to clean both herself and her bed up. She eventually had to throw in the towel and call for help, I felt a little guilty having slept through all her efforts. It was a little shaky the rest of the night, and I'm sure I will feel it all day, but I suppose I should be thankful she still calls for me?

That brings me to another question:

Why do I invite the sickness into my bed?

What was I thinking? Why is my gut reaction to cradle and snuggle with the plague? To have it on my pillow?!! I cringe just thinking about it... However, every time I invite them in and snuggle up. I guess it's part of the game.

*Shudder*

Play For The Big & Small

Play is important for everyone! Doing something that bring you joy is absolutely essential, especially for the little people. I'll spare you the play is important speech and tell you that I don't think my children are getting enough. While I initially bemoaned the lack of structure in their classroom, I am growing to appreciate the amounts of free time they are given. I only wish there was more to offer. There seem to be three options in their classroom after you've finished your work:

• Reading
• Blocks
• Hooliganism

After almost five months, I'm sure all are looking a little tiresome. School still feels off limits to me in terms of openly complaining, so I've tried to focus on home. Only it feels like we're never there. 

Our typical day is:

• Up, drive, eat
• 45 minutes of play
• School
• Hour of play
• Drive
• Dinner, Bath, Book, Bed

Rinse and repeat. 

I can honestly say that in terms of neatness, our house is greatly benefiting from this. I just feel like they are missing out on something. Walks, hikes, and tramping through the woods are no longer part of their daily routine, now reserved for rare treats. I'm anxious for winter to make a real appearance or move out so spring can come. However, I'm not sure what I hope to do during spring. It will be HAM, the dog, and I, and although we can do the same things we once did I don't think we will enjoy it nearly as much. Scratch that, the dog will love it and my van will reek of wet dog and swamp. 

Is anyone else growing tired of the school monotony? 

Now on to big play. I'm struggling with my PL. I think I've gathered the courage to try printing, but I'm not sure if I want to buy a digital kit, rely on freebies from the nets, or try my own.

I tried some title cards. While I don't love them, I don't hate them either. I also don't know how they'll print. Sigh. I think I need some inspiration. 

On the bright side, it has made for nicer collages. Only when I take the time to throw some together. 

Has anyone tried just doing it themselves?

I attempted, only once, to browse around for ideas. Some of these people must do nothing but embellish their books everyday! They certainly put my attempts to shame, and then I grow discouraged. Which is exactly why I am almost finished November. Sigh. I suppose I'm over thinking it too much. I just need to buy a kit and be done with it. Hopefully I can accomplish a little something before the first month of the new year is finished.

Happy

It's the little things like this:

That remind me that there really is no place like home. 

2014 Review

I'll just file away my melancholy post about missing my children now that school is back in session. We were graced with a snow day, without much snow, but we're surviving just fine. So while my toes regain some feeling I'm going to finish up Marcia's end of the year questions. 


1. What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?
New to me in 2014, I can't think of anything amazing. In fact, all I can come up with is building the shed. I am rather proud of that. I got to plan and assemble a building. I roofed for the first time. I bought my first ladder. I might even finish the shed before it's first birthday! A properly locking door and paint touch up is all she needs!
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for this year?
I'm not one for resolutions, or big changes. I am happy to report I wanted us to work on eating better and eating at home. Both were successful!
3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
I read, and slept, after a week of working! I'm not use to the daily work grind and it takes a lot out of me when coupled with the holidays.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My first true love, Orion.

5. What countries did you visit?
We didn't. We did go to NYC, that's like another country. ;) 

6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
I'd like to have more discipline and impulse control. Maybe I should just shy away from Tar.get.
7. What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Not a specific date, but the summer of 2014 weighs heavy on me. It was a season of lasts knowing my ladies would be starting school in the fall. 
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Building a shed! It still stands! 

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not believing in myself and my abilities.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankful nothing of mention.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A proper camera bag. My poor camera is well loved, and now well protected.
12. Where did most of your money go?
The house: furniture, mortgage, repair & upkeep. Travel is a very close second. Sigh.
13. What song will always remind you of 2014?
If I can banish Let It Go from memory, it would probably be Roar. It was one of the first songs the ladies started to belt out.
14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Hiking. Without and without little people.
15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Asking for 5 more minutes. I'm guilty of trying to finish up too much at the expense of playing with the ladies.

16. What were your favorite TV shows?
I'm not sure I classify as a true watcher of TV but I do watch Downton Abbey & GoT. Bless Cousin and her HBOGo sign-in.
17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope. I'm currently sparring at work, but I feel more pity than hatred.
18. What was the best book you read?
I'm not really a favorite book kinda girl. I just read them. Is that weird? I did re-read the Lowry Giver series, again.  
19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I'm love The New Basement Tapes, but I loved them all individually prior to this.
20. What was your favorite film of this year?
I re-watched some classics, I can't say that I've seen a new release in the last 5 years. 
21. What did you do on your birthday?
We saw book of Mormon and had delicious dinner of BBQ Brisket! Drool...
22. What kept you sane?
Am I sane?

23. Who did you miss?
Not a who, but a what - NAPS! I really miss having that time and it's been hurting my PL.  
24. Who was the best new person you met?
I can't say that I've met anyone new, certainly not anyone I'd classify as wonderful.
25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014?
As 2014 came to a close I came to realize that I have to also fight for myself, for the things I need and want. 

Christmas Catch-Up

Did you know Christmas has come and gone? That we've started a new year??

Here I am finishing up September in PL. So much for starting the year off fresh. I am happy to report we had a wonderful holiday season. I was busy but the Captain and the ladies had a leisure time off from school. If we could all be so lucky. My one noteworthy accomplishment this holiday season was family pictures. We have oh-so-few pictures of the ladies with their grandparents. They see them at least once a week, yet as I compiling the picture books for the grandparents I found about 3 pictures of them together. 

For good measure I also got one with my parents. 

I nearly forgot my tree picture this year! This is becoming an after Christmas tradition, but I suppose timestamps don't matter. A few snaps while they take a break from playing and all is well in my world again. 

This is what I love!

Looking back at Christmas, I have to admit some guilt and disappointment. I thought my puppet theater would be a bigger hit. I don't see it lasting very long in our home though. My guilt stems from the play table. It was really a gift to myself. Bins to sort and store with a place to play. It is genius and serving it's purpose very well, but its not genuinely a gift for them. Whomp, whomp.

Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday!