Enjoying the Everyday

I realized that I usually post pictures of fun things we do, but not the everyday.  I want to remember the everyday.  So, here is what a typical morning looks like:

Miss R always always always has a book in hand.  I let her read at breakfast and lunch, but we do require her to be a part of the conversation at dinner.  =)

Mr N has yogurt every single morning.  He usually will not eat the rest of the food I make - even the good stuff like chocolate chip pancakes!  He just loves his yogurt!

Mr G, on the other hand, eats bananas every single morning.  I do try to give him other foods, but all he really wants is his morning banana.

Miss O carries her blankey to breakfast.  Like Miss R with books, Miss O is only allowed her blankey for breakfast and lunch.  I will miss this someday!  Her blankey is so well-loved and worn that she can put toys and books inside the two layers. 

  Yes, these four sweet faces are worth getting up every morning to see! 

Annual Family Zoo Pics - Then and Now

Every year we take some of the same family pics at the zoo.  I thought it'd be fun to compare.  Here are the two "under the covered bridge" pictures:

2011 - R-6, O-3, N-1, G-Baby

2012 - R-7, O-4, N-2, G-1

 And then the Ride the Train Family Photo:

2007 - R - 2, O - in my belly

2009 - R - 4, O - 1

2010 - R - 5, O - 2, N - Baby

2011 - R-6, O-3, N-1, G-Baby

2012 - R-7, O-4, N-2, G-1

Pictures from our Field Trip to the Zoo

Under the Covered Bridge

Two of my good-lookin' boys!

Oh that smile!

R was very excited to ride the dolphin as just the night before we watched A Dolphin's Tale.  Such a great family movie!

Annual Train Ride Family Photo - N chose the Little Red Caboose

And of course he needed a picture by the Big Black Engine

Feeding the Goats

Weekly Review - Finally in a good routine

We have been in the midst of a heat wave this week!  That means not as much outdoor play and some hyper kids indoors...how do I do this in the winter?!  I guess we get used to it.  So right now the three big kids are watching Winnie the Pooh and Mr G is taking a little nap.  I'm thankful for air conditioning and for dvds from the library.
Last weekend was busy with my Grandma's 86th birthday party followed by my sweet cousin Sarah's wedding shower.  It was a fun time with family.  

Happy Birthday Grandma!

On Monday Miss R went to an optometrist and found out she does for sure and certain need glasses!  She picked out the pair she liked and they should be here by the end of next week.  She looks adorable in them and I can't wait to post pictures!
Jared had to work on the 4th of July, so my parents were ever-so-kind to watch the boys while I took the girls to the park for some of our city's celebration.  We watched a ballet, went to a petting zoo, and bought cotton candy! 

Happy 4th of July!

 It was very hot and we only stayed for a little over an hour.  We ended up buying lemonade from some boys on the walk to our car (a few blocks away - but with the heat it felt longer!).  We viewed the fireworks from our house later that night...oh, did I mention I am thankful for air conditioning? 
Today Jared worked 12 hours in this awful heat - I really feel for him.  The kids and I pray for him throughout the day that God would send him some breezes/relief as he works so hard to provide for us.  But, the good news is he has off for three days now!!  So the extra work paid off.  After so many 6-day work weeks, we're looking forward to being together for this extended break!
The rest of the days at home were pretty normal.  We've got a definite routine down, although I wouldn't say it's a schedule yet.  Here's what it looks like:

Wake up - Ideally, I wake before the children.  I read my Bible, journal, pray, exercise, shower, and if time permits, read whatever book I'm in, check email, check facebook.  If the kids wake up before me, I do a shorter Bible/prayer time, and get up, showering later in the day when it fits.  It really is worth getting up early if I can...
Wake up kids - if they aren't up already
Breakfast/Clean up
Bible Time/Circle Time -   This consists of Bible storybook, actual Bible reading, poetry reading, hymns, prayer.  We do this at the kitchen table which helps with squirrel-y kids.  =)  I cannot say how much I have appreciated this time with the children, what a wonderful start it gives our days, and how much they have already learned!  Just tonight they were reciting poetry to Jared.  I will also hear them spontaneously burst into a hymn-sing as they play.  I love that they are getting such a rich feast to think upon ("Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." - Phil. 4:8)
Children get dressed/teeth/bedroom chores
Morning Chores/Playtime - I try to do housework mostly in the morning after we've had our time together.  The kids sometimes have chores to do with me, sometimes they play together or alone.
Lunch/CleanUp/Laundry
Naps for younger two
School for big two - This means that I work with Miss R for 1-2 hours, then she does any independent work.  Miss O plays, "reads", sings, sleeps, rests, or sometimes asks for school, which I will do if she wants to.  She's not ready for formal school yet - just little bits here and there.
Rest for Mommy - If I finish my time with the girls and the little boys are still asleep, I get some time to rest, read, check email/fb if I haven't already.
Daddy Home/Playtime!
Dinner
Family Time/Playtime
Baths for Children
Boys to Bed/Read Aloud to Girls/Girls to Bed
Jared and I get to spend time together
Bed for Mommy and Daddy

So, I don't have time slots for everything, but things have been running pretty smoothly with this routine in place.  Of course, life doesn't always go as planned, but at least we have something to fall back to as soon as we can.  I'm kind of excited to look back at this routine in five years or so and see how it changes and remember what life was like with a handful of little kids.  =)