I was just thinking the other day, that I haven’t seen the children swimming in our pond since we came home from vacation almost two months ago. So, I took a few pictures yesterday when they all took a dip. David was the one who came up with the idea, and before anyone could do anything, lil’ Caleb stood on the yard, took every stitch of clothing off by himself, and ran down the hill after his brother as naked as a jaybird. I grabbed his undies and his life-jacket, and one by one the rest of the children joined us down at the pond.
Grace practiced her dives off the jumping rock:
Jacob helped keep an eye on his little brother:
David was as happy as a fishy, in this picture you will see the same face he makes as we go up the escalator at the mall. He reminds me, constantly, how to really enjoy life with all I’ve got!
He spent some time, floating:
Will this be the last swim of the season? We’ll see!
The leaves are slowing changing colors:
TODAY, Rich reminded me that he leaves on Monday to go on a three day business trip. As Caleb would say, “I not like that.” We had a nice morning together and then he got restless and wanted to go out (he can rarely spend an entire day at home) so we headed out to eat for lunch, and then the mall (of all places). I haven’t been to the mall with all the children in a while and I left convinced it is a crazy place. It was so crowded, full of people spending money right and left. And. Yes. I did, too. I bought myself some maternity clothes. You would think I would be all set in that department, but I gave them all away and have NOTHING. Well, now I have some things, but I had to start from scratch again. At JC Penney, I bought a cute sweater, a pair of pants, and ummmmmmm, oh yes, a pair of those dressy sorts of capris that you can wear with heels. They are black and cute. At least, I hope they are. I’ll have to wait until my fashion consultant tells me they are (my sister, Amanda).
On the way to the mall I had Rich stop at a thrift store. He hates thrift stores, but I love them. Today all I found was a couple of books, but one of them was this:
A 1937 copy of On the Banks of Plum Creek! It’s an ex-library book, with a tape on the binding, but the binding is solid and the book opens so nicely in my hands. I love it, absolutely love it. It’s the best 50 cents I spent all day long. The illustrations are so dear:
This one is for my aunt Colleen, we used to play in hay together, too. This is the part in the story when Laura and Mary cannot resist sliding down Pa’s freshly stacked hay. They sure get in trouble, but “they never had so much fun.”
I used to imagine I was Laura, but look! I’m just like Ma Ingalls now!
And here is the happy little family, on their way to town. Birds and butterflies surround them, Ma looks so serene with baby Carrie on her lap, and the girls are so spotless, pretty, and clean! It’s a beautiful day on the prairie~
I can’t wait to read this copy out loud to the children, they will love it. Who doesn’t love the Little House books??
When we got home, I took a couple of pictures of my doodle-bug, Grace. She’s got her balloon from the restaurant, an apple from a farm stand that we stopped at on the way home, her book, and Sprocket. Remember, he was at the beach with us on Monday, too. I guess they’re attached.
Remember last week? I ordered my happy shoes (which STILL haven’t arriv
ed)?
Well, today I bought Grace her own pair of happy shoes. My friend Lea Ann would love these. Of course, they have no high heel, but still. They are red.
So now it’s about 6ish and it’s raining outside. Jake and E are playing Yahzee, Grace is pretending to be a horse on the porch, Caleb is on the porch, too, and I just heard him say to Grace, “Get it, Horse!” Rich is watching football and David is eating chips and cookies (we already at a pot roast dinner).
Ever since we got home from shopping I’ve been trying to avoid the children. Do you want to know how I know I’m popular? Because they find me wherever I am! I talked to my mom for a while, and they kept a comin’ —I’m trying to sit here and type, and they keep a comin’. I just had to tell Grace NOT to come in through my window! I thought, since Rich was going to be gone for THREE DAYS, that I could at least have two hours of quiet, but no. I just have to laugh. My children love me, what can I say?
Can you believe, in two weeks, I’ll be half done with this pregnancy???? Keep praying for me, and for the baby, that everything goes well, and I would greatly appreciate it. I can’t tell you how excited I am, for this baby to be in my arms. When I wake up in the middle of the night, I think and dream about him/her.
Jacob just called from the kitchen, “MOM! I GOT A YAHZEE!” Is that cute or what? I’m in my room with the door shut, but he still assumes I would want to know/or, wants me to call out, “Good job, Jake!” Which *is what I did.*
I hope all of you are having a great Saturday. I’m thinking of all my far-away friends and family and sending out warm wishes, hugs, and smiles. And, the same goes to my xanga pals as well. I’m quite excited to know, if one of you *Angie* has finally had her baby boy?
God bless and keep you all!
Love ~Shanda~
PS, all the exclamation points=Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte, which I am not used to drinking at this time of day.
Good to be Home 
“He reminds me, constantly, how to really enjoy life with all I’ve got!”I could replace that “he” with a “she” to refer to Ainsley. That’s exactly how I think of her, too. Kids who enjoy every little bit of life are so much fun, but oh so tiring, as I know you know. :)Your day sounds so nice. Mine was busy and fun, but my kids got very tired and cranky at the end. They are both already in bed.That book just makes me smile. I love “Little House.” My husband is operating a power tool in the other room and I must go find out what that is all about…
Such a sweet post, Shanda. You are having a lovely weekend. Grace’s shoes are very cute! Your latte sounds very yummy!!
Oh, the cinnamon dolce lattes…it must be that time of year again. I must see if sometime tomorrow I can get one! I spent the day busy at home. I’ve done a lot of dishes, all the laundry, baked chocolate chip cookies, and made homemade cinnamon rolls. We’re hoping to have some dessert company. Dave is grilling cajun chicken and fresh veggies…may be one of the last times…we’ll see. See if you can get in a bubble bath tonight. 🙂
Your day sounds so exciting. I have been yelling at my football boys in their games since 9:45 this morning. Been a busy day. I can’t wait to find out what you are having. And I love those little red shoes. How adorable. Do they come in a 10? LOL. Have a great evening. I will think of you while Rich is away.
We love the Little House books! One year I used the Prarie Primer (a full unit study curriculum) when our three oldest daughters were young. That fall we made a trip to Mansfield MO to Rocky Ridge which is where Laura last lived and wrote all nine books. Oh, that was one of our best vacations! Thanks for sharing this original book….I still love these illustrations as well as the new Garth Williams’. Enjoy!!!
Shanda I simply LOVE your posts. You really are a modern day “Little House on the Praire” family! …now I wanta go and buy me a pair of happy shoes. I wonder what they will look like.
We just got the whole set of Little House books to read…but not as cool as that old one! LOVE the red shoes! How fun!
what a great day for you….i love reading about the children as mine are almost all grown. i miss the games around the table, trying to find quiet in the bathroom and never getting it 🙂 and sticky little fingers. hope you are well and the baby is growing. blessings on your Sabbath…melinda
I was watching the weather report and saw all the rain hitting your area right now, so I had to come on the computer and see if all is well.I wish it was light enough for you to go outside on the porch to take a picture. If it’s still raining tomorrow morning, I love to see what it looks like.Does the pond ever get to much water in it?I like your “new” book. I so enjoy finding treasures like that for 50 cents!And Grace’s fun shoes are delicious
Your book find reminded me that I have two original Bobbsey Twins books tucked away and my girls are just at that age now where they would enjoy me reading those to them.Grace’s dive! Can you believe I was a life guard but never polished the art of diving???!!! I guess as long as you could get in the water quickly, and pull someone out, that was all that was needed!My children must *really* love me, too . . . If I go to the restroom, there’s usually someone knocking on the door!
Ooooo ~ what cute happy shoes!!!
You are such a cute, sweet Mom! I love reading your posts!
Awwww….waht a sweet, comfy post. 🙂 When I had Jakey I had to start all over with preggo clothes too. 🙂 The fun thing was I had an online friend that was preggo at the same time…and we could compare cramps, cravings and all the wonderful things expectant moms talk about. :)Love the fact that your kids love you and want to be with you. Today Jakey told me, “Mom, I love you mucher than much.” (LOL) I lvoed that.
I love the pond pictures…what little fishies you have there, kids after my own heart 🙂 I love Grace’s happy shoes so very much. I’m glad you guys had such a lovely day, I’m enjoying listening to the rain and wind. I hope you’re having a good night, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Love, Trish
Sounds like you had a wonderful day with your family. I hope things go well for you & Rich while he is away. Grace’s shoes are very pretty!
Shanda,What a loverly day! I’ve been a wee MIA from my blog but have been reading my subs via my email.I did finally have my sweet baby boy. Jesse Elijah was born on May 21th 2008 234pm. He was 7 pounds 13 ounces and 21.5 inches long. He is now 3.5 months old He has a 3 month well child visit on Tuesday I’ll give you his specks then… he is 18 pounds on my scale weighing he and i then weighing just myself and subtracting. He has been colicky but appears to be outgrowing it. He is a sweet little guy. Full of smiles and laughter.He watches everyone already like he wants to join in and play too. I have pictures on my blog but I seriously need to update it. Birth AnnouncementJesse PicturesI have been writing you forever but have yet to mail it. bad aren’t I.Maybe one day by the time you have you new baby.I miss my xanga pals. Maybe soon I’ll have more organization and can keep updating my page and download pics from my digital camera.
I have the same edition, same condition (with the love-worn corners); except I have Little House in the Big Woods. It has an orange cover. It is a treasure! I teach English to kids, and use it when I want some familiar objects to teach the adjectives “new” and “old”. Obviously, it is old; and some children have asked me why I keep such an old book, why don’t I just buy a new one?? Unfortunately, with their beginning English skills, it is hard to explain the charm of an old, treasured book…I just say, “I like it!” Have fun reading it to your kids!
what a gem you scored in that book! WOW! i must admit that the pic of pa, on the happy wagon with butterflies and birds surrounding, shattered my michael landon image. when my girls were growing up, every night after supper we’d file into the living room to watch “little house on the prarie” (which i had taped). watching how that family related to each other was a learning experience for us all. it could almost be considered family devotions.
i love your explanation of random family life at your house! so cute! so real! **shouting from behind closed doors with encouraging yahtzee congrats**
i think every mother can relate to you when you say how “popular” you are! LOL! i saw a bumper sticker on a car the other day that i think you could relate to:
SOME DAYS ALL I WANT TO BE IS A MISSING PERSON
^^ i’m laughing at the bumper sticker above!!speaking of clothes shopping… reminds me that “little something” i had for you is STILL sitting in the top of my closet!!! better hurry and get it posted! “I shall make every attempt to get that thought into my head!” (as Harriet Smith said to Mr. Martin from Jane Austen’s, Emma) :)the happy shoes make me happy too! such girly prettiness.enjoy the last days of swimming season~
Loved reading your sweet post. It is a comfort to me. Just said good bye to my sweet middle son Nick and his wife Alicia. They are moving to Colorado and leave early tomorrow AM. We went and helped them to finish packing and loading up and made them dinner. All my sons were here this weekend which was so sweet. The eldest, Dan and his wife Heidi, left at 7PM to drive home ( they live in central CA. ) So tonight my mommy heart aches. David and I cried. I have been asking God for grace for us….He is faithful! love, Jenny
This blog is all about rejoicing Shan and I’m doing that with you! You are in my prayers. I love you. Love, Lish
Shanda, I just read this for the first time and smiled at the reference to my baby at the end of the post…do you remember your comment about him possibly arriving on Labor Day? lol – your prediction came true! (Not a day too soon!!!) I so identify with your feelings about the mall, and I haven’t even shopped with children yet. I prefer online shopping ANY day! From the comfort of my own home.You found the greatest things; I LOVE old books, love Little House, and love the illustrations in the version you found! Also, the red shoes are so adorable. I bet they will remain in Grace’s memories of girlhood years from now.HUGS to you and know I am praying for you this week while Rich is away!
I love your new/old find of the little house book. I love old books, too. Thanks for the memory of the haystack sliding/tumbling. I still think I had a concusion from that tumble. But we couldn’t tell my parents about it….
Love you and hope your week goes well. If you need some sanity – give me a call.
Love you!
Colleen
I laughed when I read your P.S., that is so “YOU” to say something like that!
That book is a wonderful find..wow, I would just want to hold it and run my hand over the pages! Thank you for sharing some of the illustrations!