I took their little hands in mine and dug roads with matchbox cars, helped carry his small bucket of water, pushed her swing so high, showed them pretty leaves, drove them downtown, walked to the thriftstore in the sun and watched them toddle straight to the toys. They just knew it was going to be a fun day with mama, and their trust humbles me.  I read books, listened to their conversations, handed out mayonnaise with cheese sandwiches (his favorite), snuggled, and watched them play through the windows of the dollhouse. 

I feel that I’m watching their sweet childhood through a window, too, my heart longing for that simple magical place that belongs only to them, ever thankful that I’m close enough to watch and savor it, and them, with so much joy.  Childhood only lasts a brief moment in time, but the memories of it last forever.

“A woman’s life is nine parts mess to one part magic…….”  G. Martin

I found the above quote this morning and really liked it.  It speaks true for me as a mom right now (um. for the last 15 years, actually).  I own my 90% messy days, these days with just enough magic (10%) to make it all worth while, thank the Lord.  He makes everything beautiful.  Bring on the day.

The laundry sat there all morning and it’s still sitting there now.  Sarah’s hair was a mess.  But she was smiling, wearing clean clothes and deliciously cuter than anything.

Seth and Sarah are learning to play together independently without needing supervision and that’s magic.

But the things they find to do are sometimes messy.

Who polished your pretty toes, Sarah?

Seffy did!

The dishwasher is broken and there are a ton of dirty fiesta dishes on the counter but when we looked at the bright blue sky I said I don’t care; let’s go.

Sarah and Seth walked with me to see our gardening friend down the road.  He cut them sunflowers.  Magic.

They broke their heads off on the way home.  Mess.

We put them in teacups anyway.  Magic.

I didn’t plan to take a single photo today, I didn’t want to be distracted from this real-life messy morning.  But the magic parts beckoned and out came the camera.

Oh yes, it’s been a one of those ordinary mornings home with toddlers.  messy.  but magical.

Right now I wouldn’t wish to be any other place in the world.  But if you ask me that again in five hours I may answer differently.

In a few short years,

running errands will never be this interesting for me again.

From 7:30am until 2:30pm you’ll find me at home (usually) with just Seth (3 years old) and Sarah (20 months old).  My other five children all go to school now (I used to homeschool), and for the first time in years I’ve just got preschoolers here with me for seven straight hours.  Now remind me, how do I do this again? 

Thankful:  that I have preschoolers & that I have two of them because it’s much more fun with two (or more!)

The Difficulty:  Filling the hours with worthwhile activities suitable for their age level. 

Question:  What is your preschooler’s favorite thing to do?

In a typical morning, I get the school children out the door and then I do some cleaning as Seth watches a show on TV.  When I’m done with the chores, I spend quality time with him and Sarah. 

By FAR, our favorite activity is reading books.  (I’m attaching the link to our current favorite library book at the end of this post, it’s so cute.  They ask for it over and over.)

We also do puzzles.  This one is our very favorite.  I love the colors and the fact that the pieces are interchangeable and printed on both sides, making it very easy for little ones to work on.  Each picture is of a child from a certain country, wearing a native costume, with the name of the country printed on it.  Seth asks me, “What’s this one’s name?”  And I tell him what country he or she is from.

You end up with a circle of children=so sweet! 

We have playpen time.  I usually put them in separately, because Seth tends to play rough with Sarah.  The main objective of the playpen is to allow Seth and Sarah to both learn to play quietly, in one spot, for about 15-20 minutes.  This is not easy to do when you’re the last borns of a big family and used to A LOT of entertainment happening around you the majority of the time.  They are more dependant on THE FAMILY to entertain them, and don’t have as much of an attention span to entertain themselves.  So, we’re working on this important skill.

This week, the playpen has also become a tent.  We put a twin sized sheet over the top and I let them both in it to play (I was folding clothes nearby so I could keep an eye on them).

The next thing I knew, the tent had turned into a hammock.

(Sarah Joy is holding a Melissa and Doug ice cream cone, another favorite plaything.)

Later, to my utter despair, I discovered that Seth (Sarah was already out) had taken all my folded clothes off the couch and turned the playpen/tent/hammock into a laundry basket.

“Why?”  I asked.  He said he wanted to make his tent “dark”. 

A few other favorite activities:

Going outside to play and collect the eggs.

Turning those lovely eggs into baked goods:

And, eating snacks.

Yes, life with preschoolers is a grand adventure.  Seth and Sarah are a bright and energetic twosome.  They remind me of the Wrigley’s doublemint gum jingle:  “Double Your Pleasure^®, Double Your Fun^™“

All the playing makes the little dears me all tired out so I’m very good about giving them an afternoon nap (they’re sleeping as I type this) so they have plenty of energy for more adventures all the way up until bedtime I can have an hour or two of peace and quiet!

Teatime?

“It is a great thing to take these young and tender lives, rich with so many possibilities of beauty, of joy, of power, all of which may be wrecked, and to become responsible for their shaping and training and for the upbuilding of their character.  This is what must be thought of in the making of a home.” JR Miller

Over the Christmas holiday, I read a book (not the book pictured above) about how to enjoy everyday life in the home, as families.  It was an inspiring and beautiful book.  However, nothing really excited me very much until I read a little section about making bathtime a happy event in a child’s day.  This, I could do! 

Giving the little ones their bath is ordinary event that I typically rush through without thinking much of the fact that bathtime is, in the world of a child, a undeniable favorite time of day.  And I understand, because as a busy mama, a retreat to my own big bathtub filled with hot water and fragrant bubbles is STILL a favorite time for me, too. 

I’ve been waking up to the fact lately that just because I’m a mom of seven children doesn’t mean I have an excuse to let ANY one of my children to be unkempt.  It’s so easy to get lazy, or forgetful, or rushed, and to let *the young boys run to the bus in the morning with dirty fingernails and hair standing on end.*  

There have been times when I would look at a child and think, “When WAS the last time he/she had a bath?”   

These things happen as life goes through busy seasons, but in general I do believe that as women, part of our great responsibility as mothers is to keep our children well-groomed, no matter what their age.  These little ones are a reflection of US, and all through the ages, women (our grandmothers) have taken pride in their sweetly dressed and combed sons and daughters.  It is a God-given joy in life to do the job He gave us as well as we can with what we have, and I want to take advantage of this joy in raising my family.

Here are some suggestions for bathtime according to age groups.

For the Littles (babies, toddlers):  bubble bath, tear-free shampoo, gentle washing soap, lotion, and powder.  Very carefully wash faces and hands throughout the day as needed (no scrubbing necessary unless magic marker is involved), change clothes as needed, use powder at diaper changes.  Keep nails short.  Brush teeth.

For the Middles: (around ages 5-9)  Yummy smelling shampoo and conditioner, fun scrubbies, bubblebath, detangling spray for the girls, and vaseline (for chapped lips or dry skin patches).   The boys in this age bracket are particularly prone to poor hygiene if left to fend for themselves.  They still need their mamas, so do a daily “once-over” inspection.  Comb hair, use a spritz of hairspray if necessary to keep those cowlicks in place.  Fix the girls’ hair and have fun with ribbons and barrettes.  I have found that a spray bottle filled with water is very helpful with fixing hair.  Make sure children change underwear and socks daily, and have perfectly clean clothes and shoes that fit for school and church (they grow so fast!)  Supervise good tooth brushing and flossing.

It’s important to start verbally teaching these children good grooming habits, so that by the time they are in the older group they can take care of themselves! 

For the Olders:  Deodorant, lotions, brushes and combs, hair styling sprays and gels, face wash, perfume and cologne, good shampoos, soaps, and body washes.  Soon the older teenagers will need razors and lessons on shaving.  The older girls need their own stash of personal items, hair things, and basic cosmetics.  Girls with long hair may still need help, and I still put ribbons in Grace’s hair at times. 

I still have to remind my older ones if I notice certain things are being neglected, but for the most part, all we need to do with these older children is keep the bathroom well stocked.  Trips to the dermatologist or orthodontist may also be in order if they are troubled with any of those particular issues that come along with these growing years.

*I generally have my children bathe or shower daily (or, sometimes twice daily!)  The little ones do tend to sleep better after a good long soak, and as we can’t leave them alone, it gives me the perfect excuse to sit down and read a book or magazine as they play in the water. 

*I always gave my little babies baths in the kitchen sink, lined with a thick towel.

*Sometimes if the middle ones are really bored and going stir-crazy, my solution is for them to “go take a bath”!  Then, they fill the tub with water and toys and have a grand ol’ time.

*I go through my children’s clothes constantly, to donate to goodwill, or hand down to a sibling, things that a particular child has grown out of.  I throw away anything that’s got big holes or stains (it happens).

*Remember to wash outerwear now and then. Those jackets and coats get pretty dirty, too. 

Enjoy making your beautiful children clean and sweet, and please let me know if you have any thoughts about this topic, unless it has anything to do with ironing.

“It is in her own home that this warmth of heart and this openness of hand are first to be shown.  It is as wife and mother that her gentleness performs its most sacred ministry.”  J.R.Miller

Rest assured, if you are a mama of preschoolers, I can tell you that there WILL come a day when you can take your children with you to the bookstore and relax with them over books. 

Don’t let anyone give you the idea that teens are difficult because it’s just not true.  These lovely older children can wipe their own noses and can wander around without getting lost.  Odds are they WON’T spill their hot chocolate.  They don’t need you to take them potty, they can talk to you in a mature fashion, and they won’t pull books off the shelf just to throw them on the floor.  On top of all that, they’re just as cute as their preschool siblings!

Recently, I was tired, I needed some R n’ R, I needed quiet, I wanted to be AT THE BOOKSTORE. 

(one of my favorite places to be, you see)

What I needed, too, were some comfortable, *tried and true* friends to come along.

Happily, but not surprisingly, Jacob, Ethan, and Grace were more than willing to make the trip.

(it’s one of their favorite places to be, too)

While we were there, we had deliciously creamy hot chocolate and nobody spilled.

The boys quietly wandered around and looked at books together, while Grace stuck by me and chattered.

We sat, all cozy, at little round tables to enjoy our books and magazines.

I didn’t read a thing to them, but daughter Grace read to me.

And, although I tried to wipe a few noses, no one would let me. 

We can only be said to be alive in those moments
when our hearts are conscious
of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

All that we behold is full of blessings.  ~William Wordsworth

Our littlest, youngest of the siblings, the baby.  Biggest brother Jacob asked to buy the dark green dress for her.  She wore it to church today and learned to leave her hair pretty alone.  I bounced her on my knee to keep her quiet during the prayers, Scripture readings, and announcements;  I held her in my arms as we stood to sing the grand old hymns.  She tried to sing along.  She squirmed.  She made eyes at the people behind us.   On our way home from church she put her finger in her mouth and fell sound asleep.  Papa carried her to her crib and gently left her to nap.   Later, I went upstairs to get her because she’d been there long enough and I missed her.

Sitting down in a chair, I kiss her cool, soft cheek and brother Davy snaps the picture.

Of a delighted mama, and her delightful princess, on a Sunday afternoon.

Tomorrow Sarah Joy turns 7 months old.  Once again, for the seventh time, I have fallen in gentle mother-love with a sweet-sweet babykins.  How thankful I am for our house full of children.  What a blessing they are.  I never dreamed being a mother would feel this way.  

Older daughter Grace and I spent some quiet time together this afternoon, looking at magazines and drinking coffee.  She also wrote a letter to her friend, Brooklyn, and I nursed Sarah.  Later on, Sarah was sitting on the floor playing and just as cute as could be…..so I scooped her up and had Grace take a couple pictures just outside the door with the snow as a background.

Rich has had this week off from work and he just got back from taking the four older boys to get their hair cut.  The two of us are going to sit and drink coffee together now.  (A Mom can’t drink too much…coffee…can she?)

Tomorrow we plan on driving to NY to visit our parents.  Please pray for us as we travel.  Thank you!

Sending lots of love in the direction of all my friends.  I hope all of you are well.  Let me know what you’ve been up to, won’t you?

*Shanda*

PS.  This dry winter air.  Most of the pictures Grace took made me look quite wrinkled around the eyes.  It was quite a jolt to see them and realize….I’m getting….old……er………………..

This picture was taken in Plymouth, MA.  I am standing, with my young children, in front of the Pilgrim Mother statue.  I love the Lord with all my heart and gazing at this statue of a MOTHER made my spirit soar and pray to God for the strength and wisdom to honor him as I raise my precious children, these gifts from God to me.

This inspiring quote was on it:  “They brought up their families in sturdy virtue and a living faith in God without which nations perish”

I’ve thought about this quote so much that it actually comes to my mind quite often now.  Can you believe these words are engraved on a public monument in our nation?  “A LIVING FAITH IN GOD, WITHOUT WHICH NATIONS PERISH”  (!)

Motherhood is IMPORTANT and HONORABLE and OF GOD!  Think about that today, while you’re folding all those clothes, smiling, & passing out hugs, back scratches, and popcycles!

Much love to you all~ Shanda