May flowers..

If any of you follow Dave’s blog, NO, this is not a hijack due to the gross chicken post J  I just have a few minutes on my hand and felt like doing a quick update.  Dave does a great job of capturing some of our day to day moments, but I like to ramble on about my latest organizational tasks and things about the kids...so here I go.

The weather has been AWESOME the past month.  It makes such a huge difference to be able to pop out into the front or backyard with minimal work.  Or, send the older 2 out on their own while Robyn and I get some work done around the house.

Packing has been going super.  I made a list of things to be working on each week, and I have been able to stay on top of it without being overwhelmed.  Currently, half the kitchen is packed up (you know  all those things you use once in while but can get by without for a month such as a brie baker, fondue pot, wine glasses, etc?)  The upstairs walls have been cleared of hooks, stickers and pictures.   The bedrooms are down to the bare basics of clothes and bedding with just a few toys and books out.  Most of our books, and 3/4 of the toys are packed up.  My sewing and scrapbook and art supplies are packed away. The storage room has been purged, organized, packed and labelled.   I have lots of little decor items packed away.  I have been trying to make a weekly list, and just tackle the packing tasks as a rainy day arrives, or the kids are just playing really nicely for an hour here or there.  On the packing list this week is to take down all the pictures and wall hangings on the main floor, and in the basement, and get them all wrapped and packed up, as well as do some work in the filing cabinet.

It’s been taking up most of any spare time I have, as I am finding myself needing 10-12 hours of sleep in the course of a 24 hour period.  I find this totally frustrating to require a daily nap, and early bed time, but am trying to listen to my body, and take the sleep I need to grow this little baby.  I remember needing a lot of sleep when I was pregnant with Jesse, and so I am feeling like this is another little sign that maybe I’m carrying a boy.  Just my hunch...although I think there is a greater chance it’s a girl, my inkling is a boy.  We’ll see in due time...

The kids are doing great.  This is Jesse’s last week of homeschooling for the year, and I’m happy he’ll have June off to spend extra hours outside.  He adores riding his bike, and spends any minute he is allowed outdoors in the front or backyard.

Robyn seems to have a similar outdoorsy love, and spends half her time inside putting on different shoes from the entry way and asking me to go out.  Dave and I were dreading having an 18 month old to sunscreen this summer, as we remember both Jesse and Janna having meltdowns over being sun screened at her age, but oddly, she really loves having sunscreen applied.  If I pull it out and start lotioning up the other kids, she runs over and butts in the way and hollers frantically at me to give her a turn with it.    She likes trying to ride all the little (and big) bikes and scooters outside, and appreciates ants and bugs and dirt.

Janna is not as enthralled with nature.  While she loves heading out for a shopping trip, church, a Tim’s date, or errands, she does not like the “elements” that surround her outside.  The bugs, the dirt, the wind...etc. all severely ruffle her feather.   She often snuggles up on my lap on the step or our front lawn chairs while the other kids play and run around.   It’s funny how different the kids are, and fascinating to watch them in their own uniqueness.

Dave is in the last stretch!  He has been running or biking into work several times a week in an attempt to get in exercise during this extra busy time.   A few more weeks of classes and then the final shove.  The banquets and evening commitments have started, and I forgot how much I dislike doing dinner and bedtime on my own, especially after caring for 4 or 5 kids on my own since 6 am.  But, the summer is in the horizon, and having a good chunk of time off together is worth it ( I think?!)

Well, kids are finishing up snack, and we are going to head outside as there is a pause in the rain.  It might storm a bit later, so we’ll suck up the fresh air as we can.

Thanks for reading! I’m out!

Chrissy