There's no true purpose to this post other than the fact that I have been mourning small updates of my children. Personal statements or observations towards each one.
I feel like I write many moments on my heart, yet I know in years to come only so many will stay with me. I made a point to bring out my camera a few times in the past month or two. Sadly, these are all of the images wrapping up the end of our (not so) winter.
A few words to hopefully awaken a memory in time to come...
Scarlett turned five on January 24th. What a wonderful birth story to share with her and her always welcoming ears. This day is so special to us because it's a testament to promise and faithfulness. Hope. This girl still remains quite a mystery to us.
Lately she refuses to wear anything but dresses, summer dresses that is. I have learned to let go of my dreams of dressing her, even shopping for her because it has become such a battle. I had to really dig deep to figure out that it was more about my pride and my preference over her opinion and point of view. So, she wears dresses. Sometimes completely barefoot on a walk in the middle of a wind storm. And she couldn't be happier. This outfit I somehow caught her wearing, soon to be changed, of course.
Ladida sent us this beautiful dress and hat combo. Since I have been slacking in taking their yearly portraits, we decided to take advantage of her adorable outfit and snap a few pictures.
With what was maybe five minutes, she started happy and quickly turned sad. Still figuring out this girl thing. It's quite volatile. Lord help me!
School. Lots of school. We are in a wonderful rhythm right now and we have really figured out what works best for all of us. Everett has especially decided to become very disciplined in his work, which is a welcome relief as all he really wants to do is play or draw.
Carter just completed his third grade math curriculum. He is so proud to be working at a fourth grade level. His goal is to blow through fourth as well. He's quite a kid.
We use some sort of art medium every day. It keeps everyone's minds open and receptive. Creative and energized. We mix it throughout the week depending on when we need that creative push.
Sometimes it's first thing in the morning, other times we save it for the end of the day.
Scarlett is such a blessing. She has taken on the role of Mother Hen and boss lady in the morning. She directs and instructs the twins for a good two hours while we get the bulk of our neccesary work done. Often I will ask them to head to her room where she will lead "reading lessons", "cooking class", and of course play house and puppies. I am so grateful for this dynamic.
A lot of the books we are reading are set in pioneer days, where children had far more responsibility, work ethic and freedom than children today. It's been invaluable, what they are learning through literature. It inspires them in so many ways. We had finished up Swallows and Amazons; a tale of a group of siblings who were able to sail their boat to an island and camp on their own for a week. They were nearly the same ages as my oldest three. So much creative play came from it. I let them just go with it as it seemed to be a physical form of narration. Of course, they woke one morning needing to make a fire. Normally I would wait until after school work was done, but the sun was rising and it seemed about right.
I've been learning a lot lately to say yes to little things that seem to be a bother, but will hopefully be written on their heart as special memories and experiences.
Everett observed one day that the birds would stay longer if they had to "work for their food". Since his observation (which has been proven true thanks to some charting!), the whole crew has been making mud/ bird seed pies. This way the birds have to peck through the soil which causes them to stay longer even with a bunch of children watching through a window!
While the babies nap (which has been fewer and far between), Scarlett is expected to do "room time". You will often find her sitting as close to the doorway as she can. She loves her brothers and hates to be left out of anything.
Feet. :) Treasuring each of these moments.
My new, very unrealistic goal is to hop on here once a week. Without having content even, just to document the children. I'm afraid the longer I go, the harder it is to pick up the camera.
We have an incredibly busy month ahead with several birthdays and travel for both Jason and I, which seems like no better time to start. ;)
See you soon.