Domestic Adventures

We’ve had a wonderful week, but this morning awoke to a sick little girl who needs lots of tender loving care. She’s nestled on the couch watching the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe right now, and only half awake, curled around a mixing bowl - just in case.
Just a day in the life of a mommy, and though it’s not my favorite kind, I’m so glad for the privilege of taking care of her today. I’m glad to be the one to wrap her in her princess blanket and deliver water and saltines. I’m glad to stroke her hair and tell her stories about dwarves and magical rose gardens. I’m glad to pray for her and comfort her.
This post by SouleMama reflects the same kind of gladness in motherhood, joy in the right now, and it was good to read this morning.

Expected around the first of June.

Yes, I’ve had a terrible time getting around to blogging lately. And I don’t even have pictures to post for the day.
We did, however, have a lovely Thanksgiving which included…

watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade in our PJ’s while drinking hot chocolate
making delicious pancakes on my new griddle
teaching Emmaline how to make paper snowflakes
baking a wonderful cranberry apple pie
feasting with family
starting Prince Caspian with Emmaline

I am thankful for so very many things.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble…
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Psalm 107: 1,2,8,9

Aren’t these things so pretty? Tricia is the great crafter of all sorts of beautiful things, hence the name of her shop, all kinds of beautiful. Thanks, Tricia!

Despite the fact that several people suggested it, and the fact that it would have been a pretty good fit, Emmaline did not dress up as Sarah Palin for Halloween. All she needed was a little business suit and some snazzy shoes. Still, I think my kids are too young to be going around dressed up as political statements.
Real Halloween pictures coming soon.

So many of the blogs I visit make me wish I sewed. This blog, however, Grosgrain, just amazes me. Even if I did sew I would not be producing these wonders. Plus she has gorgeous photography of her adorable daughters modeling. And get this, she gives away her creations weekly, like this 1700’s French gown (a la Marie Theresa) - in itty bitty sizes! So go, look, be ye inspired.

Those of you who know me probably already know of the pregnancy we lost.
Trent and I have been blessed by the peace of God, who is unfailing in His comfort and strength.
Physically, I am doing well, recovering quickly and without complication.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31

It’s End of the Year Program season. Monday night, we went to see the school’s year end musical program. Each grade sang a few songs and there was a special slide presentation for the graduating eighth graders. Emmaline performed her little heart out. It was beautiful

Thursday, we went to school for kindergarten day. Last year, we attended as an incoming family. This year Emmaline and her class showed off all their kindergarten skills. Above, they are reciting their class motto: “We kindergarteners stand for truth and excellence!” I love this motto and am thinking of adopting a variation for our homeschool next year.
Each of the kids also presented their parents with two books they’d been working on throughout the year. One is a letter book tracking their handwriting progress and the other is a treasure her teacher put together. Inside are pictures from the beginning, middle, and end of the year and a collection of “Famous Sayings” from each of the kids.

A few of my favorites:

“I introduced the class to Mrs.Bickish as we did our first day tour of the building. Emmaline enthusiastically told her, ‘I’m a brand new grader!’”

“At prayer time one of the boys requested prayer for Emmaline not to color scribblescrabbly. She said, (in a what do you mean kind of tone)’I color politely.‘”

“It was Emmaline’s turn to give the weather report. She said, ‘Sunny, a thousand feet warm, a tiny bit windy, no fog; that’s all.’”

I have at long last updated the link to one of my favorite writers, Catherine Newman. Catherine is a very different parent than I am. She is a hippie, all-natural, who-needs-a-marriage-certificate, let-your-boy-wear-all-the-pink-he-wants kind of mom. I am decidedly not. However, she is me in so many ways. She is worried and anxious, she loves her children so fiercely, she sees the absolute beauty of childhood and treasures the preciousness of it all - but sometimes not until after she lets loose an emotional tirade. Her writing is absolute magic, which is probably why you’ll find her articles filling Family Fun and more recently Wondertime magazines. I followed her blog Bringing Up Ben and Birdy at Baby Center for several years before she moved here. Though she no longer writes for Baby Center, her old entries are absolutely worth checking out - if you have a few hours, that is. The hilarity and reality of if will suck you in, even Trent has spent long hours reading and often laughing too hard to speak.
So go. Enjoy.

I’ve recently been lamenting the lack of one-of-a-kind restaurants in the area. My favorite restaurant (Za Bistro) closed a while ago, and it seems hard for any non-chain to stay in business.
I’m so glad my mom and I stumbled upon Cafe Papillon. I’ve driven by often, but it doesn’t look like much from the outside, just a tiny room with two tables outside. I was surprised to be seated on a lovely deck behind the restaurant with trees and flowers hiding us away from the busy street. The menu of sandwiches and salads was simple, but filled with the lovely cheeses and freshness of french cuisine and the service was wonderful. Though it was lunch time, it was amazingly quiet and Emmie and Micah could roam the deck while we waited for our order. The children were thrilled to be served their drinks in lovely glass goblets (though it made me a little nervous to watch Micah sloshing his orange juice around). The food was great and when Micah exclaimed with glee at the sight of the black olives accenting his plate the server (who I believe was the owner) showed up with a whole plate full of olives for Micah. Olive heaven.
Next door is a antique shopped owned by the same man and we peeked into the windows. I wasn’t willing to enter with two tired and antsy children, but Cafe Papillon is definitely worth another trip and maybe next time we’ll manage to do a little shopping too.