A Week of Thanksgiving

Have I ever mentioned my life is crazy? Because it is and who has time to post on a blog?! However, my heart has been full in the past days as I reflect on all the amazing gifts God did for us this past year. So I think I will spend this week leading up to Thanksgiving do a little pubic expressions of praise. The work of God is meant to be on display in the lives of His people after all. And though our society may choose to use this holiday as a football and shopping occasion, it is truly so much more. And if you need a little help getting in the mood for Thanksgiving, here is playlist I am listening to:
Spotify Thanksgiving Music

These three crazy happy little ones have filled my days with work, tears, and smiles. Their presence in my life is undoubtedly a work of grace and I am grateful that God allows me to be their mother!

Watch the Sky

The wee ones and I spent some time outside this morning. After enjoying sidewalk chalk and shadows, Ethan laid on the ground and told me he was going to "watch the sky." This delightful activity kept us all entertained for a while, discussing and observing what may be found in the sky. Here is the list we came up with:

Stars (but you can't see them during the day)

Airplanes and the moon

Clouds

Birds (geese were the favorite)

Our flag

 

Hope you all can take some time to watch the sky and find some amazing things above!

Building Your Vocabulary: Baby Talk

I love listening to my children learn to talk. From the first coos and babbles to hearing "Mama!" spoken recognizably to my toddlers mixed-up sentences, the sound of their voices is a delight to my ears. In my experience, every child learns to talk a different rate. In some families children are very slow to move beyond the basics, while other families have non-stop talkers. My parents love to share about all their experiences with me as a very young talker. (I am their first-born, so it is much easier to remember.) A one year old with an impressive vocab of 40ish words, who would talk to anyone who took a moment to listen. Neither of my children have been quite so voluble as that, but they have a good grasp of a variety of words, and Ethan can speak in sentences (not grammatically correct of course). Considering that I am their mother, and that their father also has natural ease of conversation, I am not surprised. It seems to be in the genes.

Recently someone made a comment about my child's speech. They were impressed with Ethan's level of conversation and made the observation that I must never have talked "baby talk" to him. The comment surprised me! Why would it make a difference?

As I think about the massive amounts of parental advice and training books on the market, I recall seeing articles from certain doctors and therapists who encourage speaking to your child in full sentences, and being very careful not to use any baby babble. There are others who encourage babbling, music, poetry, reading to your kids, sign language, and a lot of other methods for teaching our babies how to communicate. Hearing tests, toddler speech therapy, and families who are bilingual are addressed all over the mom blog world. Everyone has an opinion and everyone has a different result. And most kids do learn to talk, eventually. So what I have done to ensure my children learn to talk? Honestly, it is pretty straight forward, I did what came naturally to me.

From the womb I talk to them, not because a book or doctor told me too, but because I wanted to. It is more often a conversation with myself that I sometimes direct at the baby. "Your big brother made such a mess? Are you going to do that too?"

From the time they are born I talk to them, because I enjoy talking. It is not a conversation describing everything or teaching. It is mostly observing, admiring, and thinking out loud.

From birth I have read to my kids, because I love to read. I collected story books, and usually read several right before naptime each day. Occasionally, Ethan decides to "read" a book to me. His rendition of "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" cracks me up.

Both Roman and I are careful to use 'please' and 'thank you' when we take something from our children (even something they are not supposed to have). Both Ethan and Saoirse learned to say 'thank you' very quickly. 'Please' took a little longer.

And I talked baby talk with them. I still do. Short sentences, incorrect word order, raspberries, tongue clicks, babbling. You name it, I do it. The process of learning our language takes time, and I like hearing their mixed up speech. Eventually, we will teach them the rules of grammar, and boundaries of speech. Right now they are trying new words and seeing what happens, and it is way too cute to correct.

Poem: Book Learning A few thoughts on the glut of parenting books.

Some Things I Let My Children Watch

As a follow-up to this post I thought I might share some of the media I have chosen to let my kids watch and why. Ethan took a while to learn how to sit through movies, and Saoirse is slow to learn too. But I did make Netflix a daily babysitter during the past holiday season. Now I am trying to cut back on my children's TV time. We don't actually own a television so the solution was quite simple. Move the laptop from the living area to the master bedroom. This made it more inaccessible to me, and for Ethan became an "out of sight, out of mind." Still, there are times when I really appreciate the work time that Netflix gives me. So I pull the computer out and pull up my list of chosen shows.

Since my children are so young, I have a lot of control of what they watch. I pick the shows and one of my standards is: do I want to hear this? I will admit Thomas the Train drives me nuts, so does Daniel Tiger. So my children remain unfamiliar with the otherwise beloved characters.

 Topping the list of shows I can tolerate in the background is Curious George.

Ethan's absolute favorite show is Curious George. And he has learned a lot from the busy monkey, impressing his father with knowledge about car washes and rockets, as well as special dance steps (quick, quick, slow). I appreciate the shows upbeat nature and the encouraging of helpfulness and admiration of what is right under your nose. Fostering a love of animals, interest in nature, eagerness to learn, and exposure to a variety of interests, i.e. the symphony, gymnastics, magnets, are all regular parts of this darling show. I have no idea how many times Ethan has seen every single episode, but he sure does like it!

 Another favorite show is Justin Time. The shows focus on history and cultural geography is really neat. The main character's imagination takes him from ancient China, Egypt, and Greece to building skyscrapers in New York, visiting the Eiffel tower, and traveling through various parts of the North American continent. As a history buff, I love introducing my son to the past through this simple, yet exciting show. Ethan's developed an interest in Vikings and sailing in general from this show.

You can't have a fireman in the house and not watch firefighter shows. Fireman Sam is a courageous hero and helpful neighbor. I love watching Ethan get excited about danger and hear him yell advice to the characters in this British series.

 

 

Although Saoirse has yet to develop any particular interests, I enjoy the Tinker Bell movies and hope she will too. Not quite the same fairy as J.M. Barrie originally created, she is none the less a delightful character. She often learns things the hard way, but is ever ready to admit her mistakes. The realm of tiny creatures holds great enchantment and fascination to me, and I have a feeling Saoirse will readily enter into the charm of fairy houses and grass dolls when she gets a little older.

 

 

 

The list would be incomplete if Winnie-the-Pooh were absent. Call me nostalgic and old-fashioned, but I enjoy the classic tales of A.A. Milne very much. I recall my own childish imaginings of The Hundred Acre Wood and how I wished to roam it. I should like to think my children are beginning their own imaginings in this classic setting.

 

 

So this is what I have given my children to watch. The is filled with simple, wholesome education. Shows that hopefully teach them about the excitement in the world around them. I want to have curious children, I want them to travel around the world and through time, I want them to be brave and ready to help others, I want them to love the beautiful Creation we are surrounded by. I think I have chosen the right shows to encourage their growing minds.



 

Books for a Little Girl

She is always pulling books off the shelf and looking through them.

I can leave her in the crib with a stack of books and she will be content for ages reading to her dollies.

Her favorite books are the Eric Carle books.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?

Her other favorite is a recently acquired copy of Corduroy, the lovable bear with the missing button. She does not sit still for me to read the story. She staggers up to under the weight of the giant board book, ready to turn the pages and babble out a tale on my lap.

I wish I knew the story she has so imaginatively created.

This is some of the books our family received for Christmas.

And with a gift card I bought the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie bookset from Costco, along with a copy of The Wizard of Oz. When I went to pay for it Saoirse was busy turning the pages, babbling away, much to the delight of the older folks in line behind us. The saga of voracious readers and library aficionados continues...

Building Your Vocabulary: Describing My Kids

The American's use of language is rather pathetic. I personally think that texting is sending us further down the slippery slope of weak language skills. Being something of a poet, as well as an avid reader (when time allows) I appreciate those who have a well-endowed vocabulary.

Around Christmas, our homes are enriched with the lyrics of ancients carols, beautifully describing the glorious gift of God. Then there are cheesy, modern limericks that attempt to capture a joyful spirit. And the same phrases used in every generic card and letter. It would be pleasant to hear a few more old terms, and unique descriptions come up in the Christmas cards and letters. So if I were to send out a Christmas letter (which I am not, just pictures) what unique words would I use to describe my children?

Ethan:

Inquisitive ~ given to asking questions

Accommodating ~ willing to help

Ardent ~ intensely eager

Emphatic ~ forceful or insistent

 

Saoirse:

Effervescent ~ bubbly, enthusiastic

Vivacious ~ lively and spirited

Warmhearted ~  affectionate and kind

Winsome ~ innocently charming

 

What words would you use to describe your children?

 

Also, check out these thought from Hayley over at Carrots for Michaelmas about Christian art and music.

 

Real Motherhood Link-up

Link-up: What Real Motherhood Looks Like

As mothers we all want to be awesome. And most of the time we are, it just doesn't look like we think it should. So if you are feeling like a failure as a mother (or maybe just as housekeeper) check out this link-up hosted by Sarah from Mommy Notes and Mandi from Messy Wife.

For everything that gets done something else must be left undone. 

This does not make a mother lazy, it simply means she must prioritize her activities.

Clothes waiting to be put away because I folded them while the kids napped and then sat on the couch taking weird pictures with my son.

The piano becomes the regular drop off from my planners, Roman's business ideas, and all sorts of other random stuff. (An unopened birthday present, an orange felt beret I made, etc.)

It seems inevitable that the dishes are stacked two days high when I need to make dinner right away. So I was the pan I need and return it to the stack. I try to be diligent, but dishes are my least favorite of all household chores. I frequently mop the kitchen floor while letting the dishes sit for tomorrow. Baby crawling into every mess down low takes priority over the ones she can't reach!

And so many days motherhood means no make-up, tousled hair, and clothes that have done double duty as napkin and hankie. What can I say? Everything in life takes time, and the to-do list will never grow any shorter. Each day I am presented with choices about what needs doing right now. 

We move forward and I will look back someday to see how things have changed. I hope also to see that we lived a full and happy life, with children who carry a zest for life, a passion for the Lord, and a deep love for home and family in every undusted, unwashed corner.

When Daddy Works Nights...

Kids eat cereal on the couch in diapers

and fight over it.

We have little dance parties!

Ethan takes pictures of Mum.

Ethan takes pictures of the couch.

In general things get a little crazy when daddy works night shift.

Chocolate Cake

Could I be callous to
His pleading request?
Oh, Mum please make
Cake!
Oh, it's the best!
Lucious and sugary
And just a bit buttery
Today would be nice to have cake to
Eat!

         So I measure, I stir, then I bake their confeCtion.
           Chocolate crumbs on the little lips that smAck.
    A mixture of buttercream and bittersweet blocKs.
It melts in the mouths which smile thank you to mE.
 For one little moment CHOCOLATE CAKE is perfection!

~Caitlin Mallery

Who Holds the Hand?

Baby Running Barefoot

When the white feet of the baby beat across the grass
The little white feet not like white flowers in a wind,
They poise and run like puffs of wind that pass
Over water where the weeds are thinned.

And the sight of their white playing in the grass
Is winsome as a robin's song, so fluttering;
Or like two butterflies that settle on a glass
Cup for a moment, soft little wing-beats uttering.

And I wish that the baby would tack across here to me
Like a wind-shadow running on a pond, so she could stand
With two little bare white feet upon my knee
And I could feel her feet in either hand

Cool as syringa buds in morning hours,
Or firm and silken as young peony flowers.

~D.H. Lawrence

Raspberries

The sunshine is casting hazy light on emerald bushes

The ruby fruit glistens surrounded by silken strands

Of spider webs; the sweet notes of song birds

Are high pitched in the wind. On the dirt

Small feet are eagerly treading, and

POP!

In the mouth each raspberry is heading.

The dirt-covered fingers pull hard at a branch

Plucking with vigor sweet, tangy delights. The squeals

Drown the sounds of the geese flying high.

The sapphire eyes search for prize that misses

The bucket completely. The soft cheeks are stained

With the sheer joy of summer.

Each dew-washed berry, sun-ripened and hot,

Is melting my heart by a smiling result

For those toddlers teeth glisten pink on white.

As they beg with faces upturned for just one more berry

PLEASE!

~Caitlin Mallery

Things I Learned in June

There are always little things going around the blogosphere that people share in, contribute to, etc. I barely have time to manage the posts I make let alone join in a list of other things. But since I was drawing a slight blank on what to write, I was inspired by these bloggers to share of the things I have learned over the past month.

1. My not-yet-two-year-old son talks in his sleep, mostly about balls and dogs. He also sleep walks.

2. Changing lanes on a the freeway is about watching around you and not always minding your car manners. You just have to be a little selfish.

3. Each of my children can eat a whole banana faster than I can make a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich.

4. My grandparents funeral arrangements (and they are in great health).

5. The only piece of furniture we have that I cannot move by myself is the piano. Full dressers, beds over shag carpet, bookshelves with everything remaining intact, DID IT.

6. The battery in our car was the original, therefore 10 years old. It died while we were in Oregon.

7. Saoirse has a great deal in common with Goldilocks. She likes things just right, not too hot or cold.

8. Roman panics more over a cleaning emergency than medical one.

9. The difference between monkeys and apes:  monkeys have tails, apes do not.

What little things did you learn over the past 30 days?

Dance

I have always loved to dance, my ballet lessons were the highlight of my weeks as a little girl.

Roman also enjoys dancing and we frequently dance in the kitchen, and our children seem to enjoy it too.

I hope Saoirse likes to dance around the house in a tutu.

And yes, I think everyone should don nice clothes and go out dancing with our spouse at least once.

Sleeping Babies

Sleeping babies are so sweet, and it gives me a sense of confidence that they trust me.