Catching Up

Once again I have fallen behind on the dozens of posts and pictures I'd love to have shared since Christmas. The kids have done a great job documenting the highlights while I have been enduring a trimester of intense morning sickness, reminding myself that it's okay to just survive this stage and to put some of my extra projects on hold. We've kept up with our schoolwork and made it through basketball season, two spelling bees and a semester of Destination Imagination. I'm eager to say goodbye to the nausea/exhaustion and to "welcome" my second trimester migraines which are a breeze in comparison. Perhaps my energy will return, and I'll get some of those pictures posted before too long. In the meantime, here are some quotes from the kids...

This first one isn't humorous, but it surprised and pleased me. As background I'll mention that we've received some mild criticicsm for our rigorous approach to English and our choice of curriculum (Shurley English) which is VERY heavy on drilling, classifying, memorizing... Our philosophy is that children should be drilled in the fundamentals of English/writing before they branch off into more creative forms of expression.

Anyway...Stella was at the eye doctor recently. When the technician asked her what her favorite subject was in school, she didn't even hesitate in answering, "GRAMMAR."

Recently I've been feeling kind of badly about my lack of opportunity for gourmet cooking. As someone who loves experimenting in the kitchen, it has been a little bit frustrating to be so limited in what I can share with my family at this stage of life(due to time and budget limitations). The other day Leo made me smile when he came up to me and said that he was really in the mood for cioppino and creme brulee! I guess that I haven't been a total failure in exposing them to some of the finer forms of cuisine. :)

And now for Rus...

to his older siblings after they all snuggled in one bunk listening to Odyssey...

"Turn off that stupid modern technology light at bedtime!!"

"The Bible says, 'Only criticize your parents if they criticize you.'"

On coupon clipping day, I hand Rus the stack of newspaper inserts when I'm done with them, and he diligently clips out every picture/coupon that looks appealing to him. The other day he asked, "Mom, may I use the dangerous scissors if I'm careful?"

"Mom, I have the feeling that I love being with you."

Sis (Stella) has reached a whole new level of responsibility since she found out that she's expecting another sibling. She has taken it upon herself to learn all sorts of domestic skills that will prove invaluable when I have another little one demanding my time and attention. She completely supervises breakfast for her little brothers, brushes their teeth, gives them their vitamins and flouride, and chooses Tert's daily outfit and puts on his cloth diapers each morning (not to mention supervising and playing with the boys throughout the day). She asked me if I'd please teach her how to cook some meals this summer; in the meantime, she observes me in the kitchen every chance she gets. The other evening, I was heading out to the gym and said that Daddy would have to man the waffle iron if anyone wanted more dinner. She replied, "That's okay! I'll WOMAN the waffles while you're gone!" :)