March Madness

I don't have as many pictures or stories from this past month as I was pretty much in survival mode with Will working lots of late nights due to his high school's basketball team's amazing accomplishments combined with his regularly scheduled late nights.  I like to say that parenting is ideally set up to be a two person job, but at times I feel like to get ahead it really is more of a three person job, at least with three young kids.  Since it was mostly just me and the kids in March my focus was making sure everyone was fed and rested.  At one point I decided that it wasn't worth the health or money savings to eat home cooked meals with Will gone, and so had an epiphany moment that at least until his schedule cleared up a bit, we would rely on Jimmy John's and other convenience foods.  The reality however, is that it is just as much work to pick up take out or even to call for delivery and wait for the food than to just make it myself for cheaper and healthier.  Someone was always crying regardless, and someone else was always complaining about the menu.  We survived and I'm hoping after making it through this past month that it will only get easier from here.  Basketball season is over, and the first week of April Will has the week off.

We had several big family celebrations this past month.  My newest nephew was baptized…

…and Will's cousin got married.  We had fun at her wedding, especially since our kids were invited.  It added an entirely new dimension to wedding fun, watching the kids get excited about the wedding cupcakes, the food, the family and the dancing.  It was so much fun having a legitimate dance party, after all of our impromptu dance parties at home.  The DJ even played the Katie Perry song I requested as a surprise to the girls.  They sang "Cause baby you're a firework!" at the top of their lungs and we made memories I will not soon forget.

My sister came to town this past month too so we had a meeting of two generations of sisters.  My brother Patrick had a birthday party too, giving the cousins lots of time together.

 We had fun visiting with friends...

 …and the weather finally warmed up enough to play outside and go for walks!

We enjoyed our last story time for Lucy and her friend, as they will be too old for the five and under crowd in another month.  It was kind of emotional for us moms, as it seems like it was just yesterday Lucy was a baby, making her very first friend at her very first story time.  We will be friends for life though and all thanks to our library's story time.

We plugged away at school and I would like to say that our routine is comfortable enough that we can take it on the road and stay fairly efficient even at doctor appointments.

One of the things I love about our homeschooling routine, is that it is very efficient, and leaves plenty of time for creative play.  In the pictures below, Lucy and Emma set up a restaurant, complete with menus, signs and beautiful place settings.  They also crafted matching bracelets for themselves and their dolls.

I was busy crafting this past month as well, trying my hand at various products that utilize the beeswax from my bees.  I tried various lotions, chapstick and even soap.  The soap I was the most hesitant about because of all the dangers I read about using lye.  My cousin and I tackled the project though and made two successful batches of soap.  

It was a long day making soap with four kids and four dogs, but the feelings of satisfaction when we saw the soap make actual, real foam bubbles was amazing.  I traded some soap bars for a jar of pure maple syrup that a friend of mine made from her own backyard, and it was delicious.  It is so exciting to make and enjoy such practical things made by myself or someone I know.

March was mostly work, but we are looking forward to mostly play in April with Easter, and Emma and Lucy's birthdays!

Violet at 11 Months

Violet has kept us busy this past month!  She cannot be left alone for a second, as even if the potential choking hazards have all been picked up, she will try to climb any vertical surface.  She can now climb up onto beds, the couch, chairs, the dishwasher, the piano, and the bathroom sink.  I feel like she has put everything but the kitchen sink in her mouth and if I pay close enough attention, she always offers the item she is about to taste to me first.  I've asked her so many times to show me what's in her mouth that she automatically responds by saying, "Awwwww" and opening her mouth.  Another tell tale sign that she has put something dangerous in her mouth is her excessive drool increases even more.  

Lucy and Emma may pose the biggest threats to Violet's well being with all of their tiny Legos, Barbie accessories, rubber band bracelets, and used Disney Princess Band Aids, but they are also very helpful about making sure the gates are always closed on the stairs, and noticing if Violet has any of the above mentioned signs of choking hazards in her mouth.

Violet's favorite word to say this month is "wow" which she says while pointing at whatever interesting thing has caught her eye.  She is loving the warmer weather and is now big enough to swing with Lucy and Emma.  There are so many things outside that inspire her to say "wow" - Charlie, the chickens, a blade of grass, the swing, the slide, the stroller, a rock, some wood chips…the world is an amazing place for her to discover and explore and it makes me appreciate spring time even more as I experience it through her eyes.

Violet loves making us laugh and has gotten really good at peek a boo. 

Violet's bottom two teeth appeared this past month, and has enjoyed chewing on mango pits and stale sour dough bread to ease the pain.  She also has discovered it is easier to pick up slippery bits of food like banana or pear by just sucking it off of the table or pouring the pieces directly from the bowl into her mouth.

This past month Violet's God Father Uncle Johnny came back from spending the winter in Florida and stopped by for some snuggles.  She was a little shy at first, but then flashed him her standard grin with a smile so wide her teeth show and her eyes squint shut and she apparently forgave him for leaving her for warmer weather. 

 Violet also celebrated her first Easter and last Easter where she will be able to fit into her Easter basket.

Violet may be my third daughter, but I am as much in awe of her as I am of her big sisters.  This is such an exhausting age as I have to remain constantly vigilant so that she stays safe.  Fortunately, her sweetness makes it worth it.  The wonder in her eyes at every little thing the world has to offer is amazing to me, and I am so proud of her.  I really only have one complaint.  Her lack of sleep is still so challenging.  I know that she will eventually sleep, just like her big sisters eventually did too, but in the meantime it is survival mode.  I am trying to stop fighting the genetic tendency that seems to be in each of my children, and have been putting my feet up with a good book during the day while I hold her for her naps to ensure she gets some solid sleep.  I no longer care about creating bad habits or what people may think.  It's what works today, and I will worry about what works tomorrow when it comes.  

Today, I have this sweet baby in my arms and she fits so perfectly.  Her head is fuzzy and warm under my chin, and her chubby little feet rest just so in my hand.  I am so glad that I get to be Violet's mom!