(Last night, Jacob held Sarah, she cried in protest but he didn’t let go until she settled down. Then she was fine and they snuggled on the couch together watching TV and playing with my phone.)
The children didn’t have school today because of Veteran’s Day. It’s been so nice that I wonder if some of my recent sad feelings have been triggered by the huge change of having them gone half the day. Now I know that we can look forward to these vacation days and that it will feel so good and right, being together again.
We spent some of our morning outside. As you can see, we needed hats. Funny hats. Seth’s was a lion hat and he said “roar! roar!” a lot. While they were busy playing, and he was still roaring, I decided to run around the pond for a little exercise. As I ran off, I heard Seth start to cry and yell, “Mama, come back! Me not scary!” He thought I was running AWAY FROM HIM. LOL
It was a little on the chilly side, but we kept warm by playing. The boys had fights with sticks, and they all did some jumping on the trampoline and swinging, throwing rocks, running around……
Seth was a little emotional outside. He was happy one minute (when everything was going his way) and then sad (when things weren’t going his way). I tried to get a picture of him several times and I was finally successful when he was swinging. He can’t keep the smile off his face when he’s swinging~
After about an hour of fresh air, we went inside to watch BUSY TOWN. I thought Sarah was too cute, this is one of the first times she’s watched a show.
I hope this helps.
I found sweet Grace, writing a letter on her bed, with her cat. Grace turned 12 on the fourth, when she was at her Grandma’s house. She’s getting mature in many ways, but the little girl comes out still and makes my heart sing. I’ll recognize a silly face, or a certain tone of voice, and I remember she’s still my little girl. Always.
I gave her horse puzzle for her birthday and she’s been working on it. She loves puzzles.
Strollers are all the rage here. Rich and I bought an umbrella stroller for Sarah when we were staying in the hotel last week, and Sarah has a new stroller for her baby doll, so the brothers are having a great time racing them around. In fact, fighting over the stroller is what prompted me to have one of the boys write “I want to be nice” earlier in the day. It’s also why the stroller is now put away out of sight.
But, before it was taken away, they made up a fun game involving quarters. When it was David’s turn to ride, he would give Caleb a quarter and Caleb would push him to the top of the driveway and then RACE him down the length, with David hanging on for dear life. And little Seth trying to keep up. David got four turns (for 4 quarters) and then it was Caleb’s turn again.
I put the little ones to bed after lunch and then the other children played the computer.
While the boys were in my room playing, Grace and I tried to find something on TV. There was nothing to interest me, so she watched the Animal network (of course) and I did something I haven’t been relaxed enough to do in months; I SLEPT on the couch. I just woke up a little bit ago and I’m still here, under blankets. Seth is snuggled up by my side (he just woke up, too).
How’s your day going?
Good to be Home 
My day is going well. It’s about to get a lot busier as I am having a kids’ birthday party for 2 grand-daughters and a great grand-daughter. They’re all about the same age and all have birthdays fairly close together.
I love the homey style of this post. Sounds and looks so inviting. I feel so much more connected to you all and can just imagine what everything. I have been putting away laundry,picking up, soaking some vintage linens, catching up on blogs, FB, and email. Getting ready to do some school work with David. Snuggling sounds good. A cool, sunny day here, with rain in the forecast.
Sounds like a great morning! Look at all the fun!I’ve been busy PAINTING my formal living room and finding ways to employ my nosey toddler while I do it.
What a fun day for your family! Grace reminds me of my daughter who used to do a lot of writing at that age.
I babysat two of my granddaughters this morning.They have a kitten that is so long suffering and patient!I like how your cat seems so content with your children.We are currently petless and sometimes I missing having an animal around……..
My children are fascinated with our umbrella stroller too. I’m afraid someone will fall out and crack their head. They go so fast and turn on two wheels. (It’s easier to look the other way and let them enjoy it, I guess. My heart skips beats to actually watch the “fun”.)
We had about five inches of snow fall last night. Our first measurable snowfall. Nothing like you had, of course!!! :PJessica and I went Christmas shopping all day. She was off school, so it was a perfect day for it. Just got home a little while ago.I was looking all over the place today for a little pig for my 3yo granddaughter who adores piggies!Finally found one. She’ll be happy.Thought of you as I was on the hunt.:)D xo
Seth is the most precious looking lion I have ever seen! I love the note (I want to be nice)…one of the best things for a mom to have in her treasure trove for later viewing (YEARS later) is a note such as this. ( : My day was good; ran a few errands witth my Rich and did alot of photo editing. Our red-haired boy is 171/2 now and wanted to spend the day with his best buds….eating insane amounts of food. I don’t mind him wanting to be at his friends’ house (they have way more room and way better toys and way younger parents who are way more fun) but I do have mini panic attacks at the thought that he, my last child, is going to be out on his own before I know it! And look at your Grace; 12 already!!!! I love what you wrote about her. Sweet, pretty girl!
Lovely to have all your children home, playing together. It is a big change for you to have your children gone and I am sure thats contributed to your feelings. You have a lovely family and it shows that you put in a lot of effort.We have had a quiet family day today (Saturday). My eldest son is playing cricket (all day). My yougest son who is 10 is helping my husband do some gardening. My 12 yr daughter is baking. And I’m about to pot up some hanging baskets.Love your photos, especially with your cat.
I just love that the cats fit right in!
Love pictures of children in HATS! 🙂
Sounds like a lovely fall day together!For me, my day’s been busy this morning with taking the dog to get a heart worm test, going witnessing with people from church, running errands, but this afternoon is lazy and warm 🙂 Love’n it! About to figure out something to make for dinner 🙂
So glad you guys are getting settled back into your home. I bet it feels so nice to be all together again.I always enjoy coming over and reading your blog….so do my kids, especially my girls. They love seeing the “baby”. =)Seth’s hat is so cute, and I love how he was roaring and then told you he’s not scary. Such a cozy and relaxing post.Hope you are having a good weekend.
And now I want a cat:):) How ADORABLE caleb is with the kittty curld up sleeping in his arms:) so sweet!!! Shanda I have had the same feelings of sadness lately…I think it a combo of the weather, husbands working crazy hours and we miss them, the kids in school and we miss them, then when they are home it gets so crazy sometimes then we feel guilty if we are not perfectly patient with them and so on and on it goes:) Your Saturday looks wonderful int heat you got outside and that makes a world of difference! Mine was horrible:( But today is a new day and it WILL be better!! Much love to you today!
Seeing just the bottom of her shoes on the swing and the “I want to be nice” made my day! I love how many ages you have under your roof it is the very BEST life, teenage right down to baby and everything between!