School Day Blues...

Last week marked the first day of 5th grade for Nate and 1st grade for Gabe.  They were both eager to start a new year because even though we packed our summer full of fun activities, I often heard, "We're bored."  Well, there you go, boys...now I'm bored :(

 

 

We adjusted to our new routine pretty well.  Adri continued to sleep in a little later, which gave me some time with the boys in the morning to chat about the new day, pack lunches, and give them their morning pep talk (maybe it's more for me).  If we don't pray together, I always pray for them each morning, and it's usually the same.  "May they enjoy what they learn today.  May they develop good friendships.  May they be a good example to at least one other student today."  They're sick of hearing it, but I'm sure they'll thank me one day...and maybe do the same with their kids :)

 

As far as Adri goes, she was LOST (I missed them a little, too)!  I can't count the number of times last week that she asked me, "When are the boys coming home?"  I encouraged her by talking about how fun it would be to have a mommy/Adri lunch date every day (no boys), and how fun it will be to just have girls in the house for a few hours everyday.  I have also continued to keep her napping...in my bed with me!  That's something that didn't happen too much this summer because we were always on the go!  Okay...there is ONE good thing about school starting :)

 

Yesterday I took Adri to meet her teacher and drop off her school supplies.  Sending her off to school didn't seem like it would be a big deal this year because she went last year.  I had a TOUGH time last year.  I think I cried everyday that I dropped her off for about 3 weeks!  But yesterday, during naptime, I saw this.  This isn't the face of just a 4 year old...BUT MY BABY GIRL!  And suddenly, I began thinking about how she wouldn't be the baby anymore and then she seemed SO GIGANTIC!   

 

As tired as I was and even though I promised that we'd nap together, I couldn't sleep.  After about 15 minutes of staring at her, I came out to the kitchen to get dinner prepped.  Then I saw this.  Before her nap, she put out the paint set, water bowl and paper because she was going to paint when she got up.  Now that girl...just a little planner...like her Mama!  And sure enough, the second she woke up, she was at the counter with her paintbrush in hand.  I hope she shows this kind of organization when she's not at home...makes a mama proud :)

 

So, today was her big day!  Eager to start her "4 year old school," and as if it couldn't have been planned any better, I sent her off to the same teacher that I sent Nate to, 6 years ago!  Dear Mrs. Lechlitner, may the Martin's not send you to retirement! 

 



And as I sit here with my zucchini, avocado and egg scramble and cup of coffee, this is what I look down to...my sweet Keely girl.  She's been there with me through every celebration, milestone and trial for the past 13 years and she's let me love on her while I rejoiced and while I cried...more times than I can count.  And here she sits today, missing a few members of her family :(  She knows the house is quiet and while I thought she'd enjoy the peace and quiet, I can see her sadness.  I know, Keely...it's too quiet.  But you just wait!  It's about to get really loud again around 3:30 and then even louder again in a few weeks :)

 



T E N ! ! !

I've always been one of those moms who cries when I sing happy birthday to my kids, but what's up with me today?  Pregnancy hormones?  Maybe.  Or maybe it's because I just got a text from Matt saying, "I love you, Supermom," or another text from a friend saying, "Happy 'birth' day."  Just when I was feeling like my kids are growing up in the blink of an eye!  I just can't help but be thankful for each of these little Houdinis and thank God for giving them to us.  There was a time when I never could have imagined that we'd be a family of 6!  Just a great lesson in how our hopes and dreams are so small compared to what God has in store for us!

Nate left for Webelo camp this morning and it's the first time in history of our 10 years together that we're not spending his birthday taking some special trip or going on the adventure of his choice.  I was a little nostalgic with him this morning and voiced my sadness.  He responded, "We don't have to spend every birthday together for it to be a good one."  UHHHHHHH...YES WE DO!  

What happened to that sweet little peanut that used to suck his thumb while cuddling his patchy?

The kid that used to play Thomas Trains in his 'choo choo' underwear is long gone.  I'll never see Pursy or James on his little hootie again!

 They've since been replaced with boxer briefs and in place of his Scooby Doo bubble bath are hair gel and deodorant.  He's becoming a young man!  Ahhhhh!  He has his lapses and I sometimes have to remind him that he isn't 2.  But when I step back, I appreciate his sensitivity.  You NEVER have to wonder what he's thinking, which is a quality he gets from his mom :)  At least he got something from me...I can't look at that kid without seeing a mini Matt!

My favorite things about his are his love for his friends and family, his eagerness to be an inventor, the sweetness he has for babies, and his politeness.  

Happy 10th Birthday, Nate!  I love watching you grow and change...your kindhearted little soul makes this Mama smile :)  Promise me, you'll never be too old for candlelit pancakes on your special day!

For the first time, he only wanted money as a gift.  Here he is this morning adding it up...the wheels were churning about what he could buy!

Have an awesome time at camp, little Buddy.  I'll miss you like crazy and eagerly wait for our birthday bash next week!  

 

Update:

 

We had a fantastic day of swimming with Cade, Eli, Morgan, Gabe and Adri at the pool!  Thank you Jim and Teri for allowing us to use the Surface Country Club!  The kids had a blast!  After a day of swimming, ice cream and water balloons in the sun, we came back to our house for pizza, cake and presents!  Thanks to all who made this day great for Nate :)

 

 

Our Farm

The kids are constantly asking when we're going to build a barn so we can have a farm and be farmers.  There are three things wrong with this...

1.  I want them to be content with what we have.
2.  I'm tired of them asking.
3.  We already have a farm, right?

So, today, I asked them to define farm and the definition that we agreed on, although not totally accurate in the dictionary, was that "a farm is place where you grow things."  Ahhhh, now, the question, "What do we grow?"  Well, we had a good time listing everything and came to the conclusion that we do have a farm.  I enjoyed coming up with the list and the kids enjoyed searching for the pictures on the computer.  So, here you go...a summary of harvest from the Martin Family Five's (soon to be Six) little Markleville homestead :)

About 9 of our 10 acres is a hay field, and one of my favorite views from the back porch is just after the hay has been cut and these round barrels sit in the freshly cut pasture.  

Chickens, of course!  Our ladies not only give us eggs, daily, but also have taught us many science lessons!

Cats.  We have two outdoor felines that often remind us how badly they'd like to relocate to indoors and no matter how adorable, we're holding strong.  This is the only situation in which I'm thankful for allergies :)  I. Don't. Do. Litter!

Dogs.

Blackberries, rasberries and mulberries.

Strawberries.  Although I've never been able to do much with them because as quickly as we pick them, they are gone!  We planted a few more plants this year, so next year, hopefully, our crop will be bigger.

Frogs...yes, frogs.  The window wells to our basement is like a breeding ground and nature preserve for frogs and toads of all kinds.  It makes for pleasant sleeping when the windows are open and fun times for the kids if they need something to do :)

 Zucchini, zucchini and zucchini.  I can name it three times because I love it that much!  And as of this week, we have began our zucchini harvest.  I have enjoyed the delectable vegetable at almost every meal since!  Also, in the garden this year are tomatoes, peppers of many kinds, onions, cucumbers, and ASPARAGUS!  Asparagus runs a close second to my favorite veggie and after our wild asparagus didn't make it's appearance last spring, we replanted a new variety.  Next spring, we should be getting some nice stalks!

Also something new, we tilled and planted a melon and pumpkin patch this year.  It's small and we're just testing our abilities to grow these little treats, but so far, so good!  

Per Adri's request...sunflowers.  

And last but not least, my favorite thing to grow around here are these little Houdinis!  Our blessings are plenty and I am content with this precious life on our little farm.  There you have it, kids...you're farmers :)