Understanding Elisabeth

I love this girl. Elisabeth is easygoing, yet she is stubborn and strong-willed. She is loving and sensitive and, yet, she is ferociously independent. She is quiet and introspective but she is also loud and the most un-shy child I have ever met. She is a tomboy who loves sparkly, girly dress up clothes.

All of these things that make her our little Elisabeth I get. I understand them. I understand her.

It warms my heart when others get her as well. It warms my heart even more when it's someone Elisabeth spends significant amounts of time with, like her preschool teachers. I received a letter from both her teachers the other day that said a lot about our girl and the everything they said pointed to the one thing they didn't say: they get her.

A chorus of birds... and not much else

Quality, not quantity. That's what is important, no?

I agree. It's just that, when it comes to this blog, this stupid, absurd electronic thing that I, for whatever reason, feel the need to do, I hate skipping a day, even when I have nothing to say.

Today was spent outside and at the dentist (you try taking four kids, three of them patients, and yourself to the dentist and see how long you're there!), but this morning at drop off I was playing with my new video app for my iPhone. The video will make you dizzy because I was walking while filming and it shows; I never intended on sharing it. However, I love that you can hear the chorus of bird accompanying us on our walk up the path to Elisabeth's preschool. And I love how the kids are racing and yelling at each other. It's just...so... everydayish.

Dashed Dreams

Is this not the very picture of sadness?

Today at the Audubon this,



the fire tower, was closed, making it impossible for the Hankster to climb to the top. It was closed the last time we were there. And the time before that.

Let's just say that Hank was looking forward to that part of the day.

Ice Volcanoes

Ice volcanoes, or ice-canoes as they're sometimes called, were in full bloom at Elisabeth's preschool yesterday. After her teachers told me they were going to take the kids down to the beach to see the ice formations during class, the big kids and I plotted a hike down to the beach as well to witness them in all their glory after we picked Elisabeth up from school.

First off, Elisabeth is a real trooper. She is only four-years-old, and she's short, so that means she has short little legs. The hike down to the beach from her preschool building is a quarter of a mile, minimum, depending on which trail you take. By the time we picked her up she had already made trek there and back once and then Madeleine, Hank, Caroline and I were asked her to do it again. She was game for it, though, as long as she could have a quick rest and lunch first. So, off to the main area of the building where we staked out a table next to the (unlit-- boo-hoo!) fireplace to eat our sandwiches and clementines and pour over the trail map and decide which path we wanted to use to travel to the beach.



After we ate our fill, we put on our snow pants, boots, etc. and prepared to head out into the sunny, high twenty degree day for Caroline's first hike!









We made it down to the shores of Lake Michigan without incident and spent a long time down there exploring the ice formations on the beach and discovering the perfectly preserved layer of snow under the sand-- how cool! Doesn't it look like the kids are walking on the moon?













And, just because, here is a picture of Madeleine. I believe the technical term for what's wrong with this picture is "it's too bright." In all seriousness, I was playing with a new lens and trying out different aperture settings and shutter speeds and even though I think I had the aperture set too low for the bright day (or maybe the shutter speed too high? Or neither?) I still like the picture.



Our relatively short hike down took twice as long (or more!) on the way back up because we decided to walk down the length of the beach and come up the other end. We didn't realize that what a looooooooong trail that was. Poor little Elisabeth was exhausted by the time we made it back to the main building, and so was I!

Harvest Soup Party

In honor of Thanksgiving, today Elisabeth and her class hosted a harvest soup party. Every child brought in a vegetable (Elisabeth chose green beans) and they were all dumped into a large pot with some broth that one of the teachers made. The kids chopped and added the vegetables during class today and by the time Madeleine, Hank, Caroline and I arrived at 11 a.m., the party was ready to start.

Elisabeth waiting for perform the songs she and her class had practiced for all the parents and siblings.



The bowls of hot, delicious soup waiting to be eaten.



Elisabeth taking her turn in the performance. Each child added their own plastic vegetable to the pot on the middle of the rug and took a turn stirring their "soup" as the song about soup continued.



The big kids enjoyed the soup.



Elisabeth wanted to sit by her friends, not her family. *sigh*



Afterwards the kids played in the classroom.



What a fun party a group and three and four-year-olds can give!

Rhythm of Today

Some days start out well; they develop a certain rhythm and things just go right. Other days that rhythm is off and things spiral downward. It's hard to fight the cadence of a day. The kids are going to react to each other how they choose to do so and the weather will be what it is; things will go as they're meant to and all I can control is how I react to events and my surroundings. So, generally, I choose not to fight it. If the day is good, I enjoy it, if it's going poorly I just suck it up and muscle through. Those are the only options there are, really.

Today started out well. The sun was shining and the two youngest girls under my roof when I woke were happy. The rhythm of today has been good, and each event has only made it better. Not only is the sun shining, but it's a gorgeous, warm fall day. Elisabeth was treated to a typical day at preschool but a normal day there is an extraordinary morning for her. She embraced the crisp fall air and was treated with a hike down to the shores of Lake Michigan to see the waves crashing against the shore. Caroline and I ran errands. They were errands that I set out on being somewhat nervous about what I would be told as I ran them, but the men who helped me at Ace Hardware this morning were helpful and reassuring. It's amazing how much a simple, somewhat stupid, household task being completed can add such sunshine to my day.

True, it is only 1 p.m., and with hockey and book club still on the agenda for the day, the drumbeat could change. My kids and I may fall out of synch. Clouds may yet screen the sun. If they do, so what? We still had a great morning, and I am thankful.

October 20, 2009

A blog post based on today's events would look like this:

Oversleep, rush the kids out of bed, eat breakfast and make coffee, drop Elisabeth off at school, come home, work with the kids (spelling, reading and math this morning), organize the pick-up of Hank's old ice-skates that someone from our town bought on eBay, clean kitchen, wake Caroline up for diaper change and quick feeding, pick Elisabeth up, talk to other moms on playground as kids play at Audubon for awhile, talk on the way home about H1N1 and the importance of washing hands, get home, unload car and start lunch.

Blogable? Not so much.

This afternoon I will make lunch (ham and eggs today), relax for a little while (right now), get through grammar and history, the kids will work on Latin on their own, Madeleine will practice piano, the big kids will do their chores (unload dishwasher, put laundry away, wipe down bathroom sinks and feed the cats) and at some point I'm gong to throw dinner together since the evening will be rushed. Hopefully the kids will have time to get out and play before evening (they almost usually do).

Blogable? Not so much.

This evening will we eat early, take Hank to soccer practice, go to church for a bible study, come home, get the kids ready for bed (quickly; it will already be past their bedtime), lights out and that's it. Time to relax. While we are at soccer and church about five or six episodes of The Office will record for us and we'll watch a favorite or two after the kids go to bed.

Blogable? Not so much.

In addition all of the exciting events mentioned above I will also do laundry (one load down, one more to go), wash dishes oh, say, 40 million times (at least that's what it feels like), nurse and change diapers a ton and various toy and school books clean up.

Blogable? Not so much.

Pretty much I would say I could copy and paste this post every day because it's a fairly accurate picture of what most days look like here. So, instead of boring you with details (which I already did) I leave you with this ridiculously low quality video of one of my favorite Office moments. The Jim and Dwight scenes are among my favorites and this might be my absolute favorite.

Birthday Follow-Up

Don't worry, if you're sick of hearing about Elisabeth, tomorrow we'll switch gears to Hank since he turns seven tomorrow.

How did the birthday girl celebrate? She went to preschool in the morning and after the kids came in from their hike (an impressive hour and thirty minutes in the rain!) Caroline and I visited the classroom (big kids were with Dad and Diana). We picnicked on the floor and Elisabeth was awarded the special treat of holding a beach ball of the earth and walking around a big, felt sun cut-out in the middle of the picnic four times as the kids sang a song about the earth going around the sun. Then she blew out a birthday candle as the kids sang happy birthday and then ate their snack (whole grain crackers and bananas).

Afterwards we met a friend for a special birthday lunch at Boston Market (I have no idea why E wanted to go here; we rarely ever go, and it's been months since we were there). The kids had a great time!

The necklace she's wearing was given to her at preschool as a birthday gift. There's a "4" on the other side.

The party continued at our house after by having a play date. The best part? No bossy older brothers and sisters telling the two friends how to play!

While the kids played and Caroline slept, I whipped up an angel food cake for the birthday dinner that evening. That evening, as I finished a batch of Fannie Farmer's Seven Minute Frosting, E walked in and decided she wanted to frost her cake. "Really, Elisabeth, are you sure you wouldn't rather do something more fun?" I pleaded, I cajoled, but it wasn't to be. Elisabeth wanted to frost her own cake. For those of you who know me well, you know I about died. I am not an artist, I never pretend to be, but if I were, food is my palate. Imagine, if you will, working on a painting if you're inclined that way, and having your four-your-old daughter ask if she could help you touch it up when you were almost finished. Yeah, that's how I feel about cooking and the cake. But I let her. Everyone should be proud of me.

She did a pretty good job though, no? (I did clean up the edges of the platter once she finished, and she allowed Madeleine to help with the sprinkles.

And, like I said yesterday, we feasted on grilled cheese sandwiches and broccoli. After E blew out her candles (five because our family has always added one for good luck ever since I can remember) she then opened presents from Madeleine and Hank that they had saved their own allowances to buy. She will open her present from Joe and me next weekend in Door County, but Madeleine and Hank were too excited about the gifts they'd chosen to wait (a knock-off Barbie from Madeleine who announced after E opened it, "It cost THREE dollars!", and a play cell phone a remote key chain thing from Hank).

Elisabeth went to bed exhausted, but very content with her fun day.

Elisabeth's First Day of Preschool

Since the day Hank finished up at our local Nature Preschool we've been itching to go back. Hank had such a fantastic year and this preschool is everything that I think preschool should be, with the emphasis being on playing and learning outdoors and not worrying about letters and numbers and all the various "schoolish" tasks that older children are capable of mastering quickly when they're a bit older (and I won't even get into how Hank just sort of absorbed it all even though it was never officially "taught" at this same preschool by just seeing and hearing it around him).

Well, now it's Elisabeth's turn to harvest a garden, make salsa, search for animal tracks in the snow, catch butterflies and all the other fun and exciting things her brother did three short years ago and yesterday was her first day.

I don't know if Elisabeth was really nervous; she barely seemed fazed by the events of the day, but she does look a touch nervous in this first picture, no?





And, naturally, Madeleine insisted on getting in on the picture taking as well.



Once we got there, Madeleine and Hank shifted into hyper-gear and insisted on helping Elisabeth do everything. This resulted in no small amount of objection from the small, yet independent, Elisabeth Jane, and finally Joe and I were forced to intervene and tell the big kids to back off. Notice, though, how in both of the following pictures, the first of Elisabeth walking up to the front door through the front play space and the second of her hanging her backpack up in her newly found cubby, Elisabeth's "helpers" are never far off.





How did Elisabeth handle the big day? Well, she barely had time to bother to say good-bye to anyone and barely turned her head when we all left the classroom. Her teachers gave us a more hearty good-bye than our daughter did. And at pick-up Elisabeth was full of good cheer and stories about her fun morning. Hank asked her if she'd had a super fun time and Elisabeth answered, "No! It was REALLY fun!" So, there you have it.

Almost There

A month or so ago I looked at our calendar the week preceding Caroline's technical due date and happily looked at the events we'd scheduled. Some people thought we were crazy-- won't you be in the hospital? they'd say. After having three kids, all born well past their due date, I felt confident that scheduling things only a few days before my due date wouldn't be a problem.

And it wasn't. In fact, I feel so blessed because instead of sitting around my house analyzing every contraction and twinge I enjoyed a pleasant day with friends on Sunday afternoon. I was able to watch my two older kids jump in up to their necks in Lake Michigan's frigid water at Harrington Beach State Park. I relaxed and had a fun time eating and chatting with other Lutheran home-schoolers while the kids shrieked over newly found turtles and played various games with other kids. I was treated to an enjoyable night of stargazing with those far more knowledgeable than I who were able to pass along their knowledge not only to me, but to my kids.

And last night Joe and I were fortunate enough to have an extremely pleasant and relaxing evening with good friends who were nice enough to make the drive down to see us and eat a wonderful meal at one of my favorite Milwaukee spots.

But now I am ready. I know, I know, Elisabeth has an important meet the teacher event at her preschool on Wednesday morning and it would be better if I were there, but I can feel the why-am-I-still-pregnant crabbiness setting in and I am just ready. Never mind the arbitrary eviction date scheduled for Friday* (scheduled more for liability reasons than medical ones, but such is the state of health care in America today-- but I won't get into that in this post). I am ready now. Ready, ready, ready.

Do you hear me, Caroline? I'm ready!

*UPDATE: Nope, not Friday, next Tuesday, September 1. After my appointment today my OB thought it would be good to give her a few more days to come on her own since my body does seem to be progressing that way but he's not willing to go past Tuesday. Considering that he's letting me try a vaginal birth after two c-sections, I'll take whatever time he'll give me. I'm still awaiting final confirmation from my OB's nurse that the surgery is scheduled, but once I know I will update, I'm sure. And, of course, I'm still optimistic I'll go into labor on my own prior to September 1.

UPDATE 2: September 1 at 8:45 a.m. it is. Unless she's born before that, which would be most, most excellent. One way or another, this baby is coming out SOON!

Nature Preschool: The Next Student

All of you who have been reading my blog for awhile know how much our entire family adored the nature preschool Hank attended in the fall of 2006 and the spring of 2007. If you take a look back at my link I am sure you will see why.

Unfortunately, we're not the only family in the area that feels the same way about the preschool. Each year new classes are created, new teachers are hired and still, there are long wait lists.

However, due to Hank's alumni status, we were given priority registration and next year Elisabeth will be in the same class Hank was (and with the same teachers too, I hope!) when he was a student. It's hard to believe Elisabeth will be old enough for preschool (even harder given her stubborn determination to hang onto her diapers, something that could preclude her from attending if we don't figure something out within the next few months, but that's a whole 'nother post, and I don't even know if I'll make it because only parents of strong-willed children would even come close to understanding, everyone else would just think, "Well, just make her already!" to which I just have to laugh and roll my eyes. I wish!) but, amazingly, she is. Had she not gotten in at this preschool we probably would not have sent her at all, but since she did, we are all so, SO excited!

Here's my favorite post that encapsulates everything Hank did when he was a student there. I can't wait!

Nature Preschool Wrap-Up

What a great year Hank had. As I mentioned, Hank's preschool year is over. On his last day we received a CD with over nine hundred pictures on it that his teachers took throughout the year. I've had such fun going through it and thought I would share some highlights (clicking on the picture collage will make it larger).

September 2006: harvesting the garden, making salsa, forming new friendships and exploring Wisconsin wildlife in the fall.


October 2006: chilly, wet hikes, apple harvesting, counting with dinosaurs and collecting falling leaves.


November 2006: raking, lessons on turkeys, duck watching and leaf crowns.


December 2006: snow in the sensory table, visitors from Sweden (and they brought candy--yum!), snake lessons (I believe the snake pictured is a Fox Snake, though you'd have to ask Hank for verification) and sledding (Hank's favorite preschool activity).


January 2007: more sledding, snowshoeing, lessons in animal tracks identification, playing with Spot and Dot, pajama day and snow hikes.


February 2007: making paper snowflakes, building snowmen, a Valentine's Day party (do you see my dad in the background?), a lesson on owls, examining a frozen pond and a touch and feel session with different pelts of fur and animal skins.


March 2007: March is maple sugaring month. The kids tap trees, collect sap, boil the sap (and eat s'mores while they wait!) and make their own maple syrup.


They also go sledding some more, work on their insect identification skills, go looking for birds (clearly a large stick is a necessary tool for all serious bird watchers) and relax with friends.


April: wet, wet, wet spring hikes, climbing trees, learning about eggs and how different animals reproduce, measuring water sources as the snow melts and licking up the last morsels of a favorite snack.


May: soaking wet play times on the playground, catching tadpoles, a Mother's Day party, planting a tree, planting seeds indoors, reading books outside and, finally, time for cupcakes and chatting with other children who are now old, familiar friends.

Last Day of Preschool

Yesterday was Hank's last day of preschool. Remember how unexcited he was to go on his first day? That didn't last long and, in fact, Tuesday and Thursday mornings have been the mornings he's most eager to get out of bed and get dressed; he loves his preschool that much.

But, like all good things, this too must end.

One last drive through the Nature Preschool grounds keeping our eyes peeled for wildlife while navigating the winding, twisting road.


One last bear hug good-bye for Hank's friend T_____.


One last mad dash for the front playground and one last impromptu, after school play date.


One last trip down the "fast" slide.


And one last trip for Elisabeth down the "slow" slide.


One last assembly under the bridge for rock gathering and digging.



And, finally, one last walk to the car. Good-bye, Nature Preschool. We're really going to miss you next year.

Welcome, Spot and Dot

This is Spot:



And this is Dot:


Spot and Dot are brother rabbits and they belong to Hank's preschool. Believe it or not, being their caretaker over school vacations is a sought after, highly coveted position. We won the lottery this go 'round for half of Hank's Spring Break, and we brought home our prize yesterday.

Only, we had a small mishap. A teensy, tiny, silly little problem.

While carrying their rather large cage down to the basement the bottom of the cage fell out from under itself. Yes, you read that correctly; their cage broke in two while being transported down the stairs. Thankfully we were almost all the way to the bottom stair, but everything went flying: their rabbit litter, their food, their water...and... Spot and Dot!

OK. I'm exaggerating a bit. Spot and Dot didn't really go flying so much as they fell. Straight down. And they're rabbits; they landed on all fours and appeared relatively unaffected. Oh, I'm sure they were scared beyond belief, thinking to themselves, "Who in tarnation picked these people to watch us!?" But physically? They're fiiiine.

And they seem to have forgiven me. They're just as cuddly and playful now as they are at Hank's preschool. Of course, they hid under a shelf in their cage for a couple hours after The Incident, but I'm pretty sure they would have done that anyway, fall or not. You know, new surroundings and all that (nod along, folks, nod along).

Would you forgive me if I told you how awful I felt? And stupid? Yes? Good.

Hidden Object

Hank and I spotted this in the woods this morning driving out of the nature center where Hank's preschool is located.

Can you spot what we saw?