Picture Day

Today was picture day at our house.
I started taking an online photography class on Monday. It’s through Squam Art Workshops and is being taught by Thea Coughlin. I’m learning so much!
I’ve spent the past 3 days applying what I’ve learned and practicing, practicing, practicing. Today, with Kassy acting as stylist, the girls got to be my models. We have another session planned for Bella and Maya in the morning. Maya was being pretty silly and a little impatient today, and we ran out of good light by the time it was Bella’s turn this afternoon. That’s not to say I had been working terribly long. “Good” light disappears up here around 3:30 and the ISO starts creeping up. Why risk the graininess when you can start again the next day with perfect lighting and crisp pictures? Anyway, to say I am pleased with how they turned out would be a major understatement. I am totally in love with these sweet little faces. If you can’t tell, they’re a little in love with the camera.

Holiday Mornings

This week has been sprinkled with Christmas activities. Sunday was filled with Christmas lessons and Sunday School nativity re-enactments. Monday morning we made a mountain of paper snowflakes while listening to Christmas music. That night we attended a Christmas party, thrown by one of our homeschool groups, complete with crafts, food, cookie decorating, games, The Grinch, and hot cocoa. Tuesday we had an all day baking day with friends. The end result was 5 containers filled with goodies, ready to go to friends and neighbors, and still more left over for us to munch on.
This morning there’s been a Christmas movie and, thanks to Taproot, a paper doll farm family helped fuel imaginations. Chocolate covered hands walked little paper animals to and fro as the mama (complete with baby in sling), papa (who even took turns carrying said slinged baby), and sister tended them. Little voices changed pitch as each character spoke.





Meanwhile, scissors were snipping away as Kassy prepared a shoe pattern for sewing. Maya’s Christmas present is in the works! That girl of mine can do anything she puts her mind to. Can’t wait to see the finished product.

Milk is heating on the stove as the beginning of a batch of yogurt is in the works. It’s my second batch, actually. The first was lost when I neglected it to capture everything else that was going on around here. The temperature got a little too high. I’m thinking of trying to concoct a cherry apple flavor for this batch. We’ll see how that turns out.

In the mean time, I’m loving these mornings full of imagination, relaxation, and the holiday spirit.

Tonight at Our House

Tonight at our house…
A warm fire blazed in the fireplace.
Christmas cards were created and ordered.
Brief contact was made with several old friends and family as I searched out new addresses for our impending cards, each one feeling like a refreshing visit.
“Elf, the Broadway Musical” soundtrack made its household debut in the background.
Games of Checkers and Candy Land were played on the rug, even by the oldest.
A chalkboard Christmas collage was drawn and even Mama enjoyed getting in on the fun and ending up with colorful, chalky hands.
Homemade sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting were created by our in-house baker, Bella.
Pink gingerbread boys and girls, Christmas trees, and candy canes were decorated.
Sprinkles were sprinkled and eaten by the jar full. Luckily, it was only half of our stash.
Mom was shocked when all children asked if they could just save the second cookie for tomorrow.
Top secret gift plans were made.
Messes were cleaned up by all. Many messes.
Scriptures were read.
Stories were read by big sister, Bella, to little sisters.
Bed time protests were acknowledged and then ignored.
Payers were said, lotion put on dry skin, kisses and hugs given.
One child got tucked in several times.
Two, giggling oldest sisters raced down the stairs to see who could get the bathroom first, lending their elephant-like tromping to the silence that was falling on the rest of the house.
Mom and Dad listened with a smile to figure out who won.
True silence finally fell, and a proud, and very tired mama, relaxed as she could only at this time of day, and reminisced on what a blessed scene her house had been that evening.

A Retreat to the Shore

A few weeks ago we spent the weekend at the beach on a "family retreat" with our fellow family practice residents and their families. I grew up just minutes from a beautiful beach but have never had the opportunity to actually stay on site. I tried it, and I like it!

  There's something mesmerizing about the whole atmosphere. I'd go to take a peak out the window of our condo and then find myself still standing there 5 minutes later just taking it all in: the pattern of the waves breaking, the sea gulls who seemed to be floating on a blanket of unseen wind, the endless horizon. The more time I take to notice the vast intricacies of nature the more amazed I become at this world. I find it intriguing  that I can still discover new things that captivate me and awaken a childlike interest that seems to have been asleep. This is when I excitedly call my girls over to share my findings and am usually tickled to see them light up with amazement too.

  We arrived on a Friday evening in time for dinner and to settle in and prepare for the full day ahead of us. Saturday morning I was up with the sun and found ways to busy myself until the family awoke. I think poor J.T. was looking forward to a restful morning, but those hopes were dashed by a busy mama and six little chattering girls rushing about and excitedly getting ready to start our day.

  We were at breakfast by 7:30 and on the beach by 8:15 ready to start our morning of sea shell collecting, wave jumping, and sand castle building. We spent the day in the sun and then enjoyed dinner on the beach.

I do have to say that the highlight of the trip came Sunday morning. We were heading out early, but I had promised the girls one last walk out onto the beach before leaving. As we gazed out over the water I saw it. First one, then another and so on. A pod of dolphins were crossing the horizon not far from shore. Once again the giddiness surfaced, and we stared in amazement as they leaped from the water, occasionally stopping and playing with each other. As I stood there with my girls, I took note that this was one of "those" moments. The ones you'll never forget and the ones you'll pull back to mind as you look back over the ups and downs of parenting. For that moment we were sharing a feeling, a love, an excitement. Their faces were glowing and so was mine. That familiar moment of parenting re-surfaced. The one where you know, not just feel or believe,  how blessed you are to know and love these little ones. You take a mental picture, hoping never to forget any detail, because you also know how fleeting these moments are.