Preschool with Shortcake

For preschool we followed along with the free Getting Ready 1 schedule that Allinonehomeschool.com created. We added in some favorite activities from Heart of Dakota and joined her big brothers in some of their activities, but mainly she just did lots of playing and helping mom.

Happy 5th Shortcake

The memory of Ed whispering "it's a girl" to me and my eyes not fulling believing that the little sweet babe that I held was actually a girl this time is still so real. How she turns five years old today, I don't know. Shortcake-adorable-sweetness, how we love you!

Shortcake turns FOUR!

Our princess Shortcake is four years old!

At four you:
- Luv your "friends" (AKA: brothers)
- Play kitty for hours
- You ask if we think you're pretty and clearly state that "gurils are pretty, boys are cool"
- You nap for about an hour every day but you party and keep Agent L up when it's time for bed
- Doing things "all by myself" is important to you
- You adore being tickled and laying down begging Papa to tickle you more
- You sing songs about God and about how you're never alone with Him and you sometimes slip in "don't be mad mom, I'm just a princess having fun" (seriously!)
- You love being outside and you can chase a soccer ball and tackle along with your brothers
- And finally, you love pink, pink, and more pink and dressing up like a princess.

Planning a party, but not

Dates are flying by and I find myself dragging my feet to plan Shortcake's fourth birthday party.  Her big day is two days away and the family party is five days away.  It's not the sentiment that "she's growing up too fast".  There is that but what it really is . . . is that we've passed over the half-way mark.  Of her nearly four years she has spent over half of them without knowing my mom.  Bless Oma's heart because she is a dear heart but Shortcake knows Oma, not Grandma K and it hurts so terribly.

This is all probably compounded since it looks like the family home is as good as sold.  Last weekend I breathed the smells of home that I'll probably never smell again, open doors and cupboards for the last time, ran my hands over shelves my Grandpa built, spent time in the last room my mom ever had consciousness in.

I probably shouldn't be writing when I weep.  It's all pretty raw right now.  How do we become so attached to stuff and places?  Lord please help me to be more like you because of this pain.

Talla Teening!

Agent L (age 6): "Shortcake you're talla teening!"
Translation: "Shortcake you're tattletaling!"

TOlater

Shortcake's version of tomorrow at 3.5 year old = TOlater.

Understandable only to her

 












Shortcake (at 3 years) is caught in the middle of this beautiful stage where you can carry on a conversation with her and understand each other fully and then all of a sudden she switches to a language that is perfectly understandable onlytoher.

Project Life - Week 16

Shortcake pretending to be a brunette?

Project Life - Week 11

Theme: Morning

In the mornings we gather at the window to wave good-bye and blow kisses to Papa as he heads off to work.  Love that man.  Then off we go to breakfast, chore charts, and lessons.

Since taking this photo, the company that EH has worked at for the last 15 years closed its doors.  It was a surprise to us all.  We're in the process of sending out resume, after resume, after resume and seeking God's will for this next phase of life together.

Project Life - Week 9

Theme: Blue

Shortcake, 3 years

Welcoming Papa Home

Papa is home!  Not from some long trip, just home from a day at the office.  He is loved.

This was Agent L's spot in the boys' room.  Since he moved over with Shortcake to share a room I wanted to capture a quick photo of him and the ABC train he worked so hard on last year.  It was hard to snap a shot in-between all his ninja moves!

Project Life - Week 7

It all started with Math.  Agent E likes a little head massage while he's thinking through his multiplication tables, so I obliged him.  Shortcake wanted to show some love too so she found Agent H's head while he studied his AWANA lesson.  She has such gentle hands.  And then Agent H returned the loving act.  I love how Shortcake's eyes are closed and she is just resting in his tender hands.

Mom, I Love You in . . .

I left off washing the kitchen floor when Agent L came in from outside and showed me Shortcake's winter boot.  Meaning it's 13 degrees and she's outside without foot cover and her foot is probably covered in snow.  Brrr!  I bundled up quick and waded my way through last night's 12 inches of snow to the backyard.  Norah was reclining on the plain of snow, Agent H was holding her foot above the snow with his own hat wrapped around it. Bless his heart. Her sock was drenched.  I wish I had thought to bring extra socks.  Back into the house I trudge.  Two layers of dry socks and a boot back in place and mission accomplished.  The boys have named their rescue team B'nF Rescue (Backyard and Frontyard Rescue).  I love their imaginations and the thrill they get at helping others.  When all was said and done Agent L looked at me with sparkly eyes and said "Mom, I love you in your snow pants".  Never mind the below freezing temps, my heart melted . . . again.

Flowers in my Heart?

Shortcake has been overhearing her older brother, Agent L, lamenting "My heart is broken!" when he doesn't get his way in life (I'm talking toys, bigger snack, etc). So tonight she tried out the same words. I looked at her and said "No honey, your heart is beautiful". She thought about it for a little bit and asked "There flowers in my heart?" "Yes honey, there are flowers in your heart."

Project Life 2014 - Week 4

Last week's photo challenge was "window lighting".  I turned the camera to M (manual) . . . scary!  I tried lots of different shots and decided the kids just move too fast for me to get a shot that isn't blurry.  This is Agent L's lovable Philbin and Shortcake's very loved Lambie.

Here are a few of my other attempts just for memory's sake.

Little Miss Shortcake showing off the banana patch that I attached to her monkey pjs.

Bunk Bed News

Big news in the world of Agent L and Shortcake. They now share a room! The transition has included many night time giggles but overall has gone smoothly. Agent L is very proud to now be on the top bunk and Shortcake has that huge full size all to herself! Thanks Dad for passing the bunks on to us.















































Agent L is learning that it's a little tricky learning to make your bed on the top bunk and Shortcake has found that she can reach the cd player now and likes to stand there and listen to the music (currently playing is Bear Tune for Kids, adorable woodsy music).

Shortcake and my mom

Last week we celebrated a birthday for Shortcake.  Three years old!  I'll post pictures of the tea party her brothers and I had for her and her party with our families soon.  For the moment I just want to post this picture.  Her birthday is especially hard for me.  My mom only got to celebrate one birthday with Shortcake.  So I tuck her into bed at night with the pink afghan my mom made for her and remember to her the woman she barely knew, and I try not to let the tears flow during worship at church but there's something beautiful and raw and healing about tears in worship.  I miss you mom.

Upcycled Tights

So here's the shot of Norah and her upcycled tights.  Last week she was wiggling her little finger into a hole in the knee of them making it bigger and bigger.  Now, they are her favorite thing to wear.

The "how-to" is just to free-hand cut out a heart from scrap felt.  I used a blanket stitch and some doubled up thread to attach it.  It might go together faster if you don't have a pile of boys asking questions and sitting on you as you stitch but "hey" it's all about what works for you.  I have to say that my inspiration came from a friend at My Life Inspired.  So cute!

Hugs and Merry Christmas!

Never Fear!

Never Fear . . the General, Shortcake, and lamby are on the job!