This summer has been very busy and I've been extremely quiet here.  I'm not sure what has been so busy other than normal day to day life, but I found it very hard to sit down and write or even post pictures.  I've thought several tims about sitting down and doing a "summer in installments" type of thing, where I write about our summer and post pictures in segments, updating here with all we've done, but that seems to daunting to me and I don't think I'll get it done.

So now that summer is coming to a close and school is starting again, I'm hoping life may slow down...some what.  My school days are busy, but life in the fall and winter seem to take on a routine and sense of quiet and calmness that summer doesn't allow for.  We've got our new schedule in place and we're slowly moving our morning wake-up time earlier and earlier, hoping to finally reach that final goal of 6am.  I huge challenge for me, since I really don't like getting up early, but there is too much to cram into every day without making the sacrifice.

We started school slowly this year, starting with half days a couple weeks ago, working our way slowly (still) to full days.  Today we took time to enjoy Mamma's last real day home before heading back to school herself and the beautiful sunny day.  So after lunch we packed into the van, picked up a small treat and headed to the park in town to play at the playground for awhile.  Augustin always asks me to stop at a playground, but I always say "No" because we have so many things to play with at the house, but the sun was shining, the breeze was blowing and it was perfect.

Some of the boys enjoying lunch outside


Grant and Veronica enjoying a snack


We checked out the river to see how high the water was after the tropical storm this weekend.  It was really flowing.
  

After throwing some sticks into the river we headed for the playground.  We were the only people there for most of the time and the kids had fun running all over.

Augustin running; he loves to move ALL THE TIME


Augustin and Samuel really liked these rocking animals
  

Matthias and Augustin


Grant, the big guy, sitting on top of the climbing structure


And now standing inside it.  This gives some perspective of how tall he's gotten this summer.  He's now just shy of 5ft 9.5 inches and is wearing a size 13 shoe


And there were also the money bars; he had a great time showing us how tall he was


While the boys played, Veronica enjoying sitting in the grass.  She's been able to sit for awhile now, but prefers to be moving.  This was the longest I've ever seen her sit still.  She's 9 months old now and had a great check-up yesterday.  She's 15lbs 14oz and 27" long.
       

She loved this leaf


Samuel was all over the place, running, climbing, sliding


He insisted on climbing this ladder...I"m almost ready


I'm ready, take my picture now


And take it again as I climb through here


And at the top of the slide


Samuel is a real ham for the camera

Parker was really enjoying running up the slide and then dramatically sliding down on his belly
Here's the warm up for the run


And then the slide down


Grant got in on the action and chased Parker up the slide a few times


And another run, climb, slide
  

Ok, she as just too cute sitting in the grass, so I had to keep taking pictures of her.  She doesn't normally sit still for this long and I was enjoying capturing some smiles without having the chase her around
 

Matthias had been off on his own swinging, but finally came over to check out the rocking toys


And then give me a nice big smile


As was said before, Augustin LOVES TO MOVE ALL THE TIME.  I don't think he stopped moving the entire hour we were there.
    

They finally discovered the swings and they had a lot of fun there.  Matthias had discovered them very early on and was happy when the other boys decided to join him.  I got a cute shot of all of them on the swings.  I had to stand very far away to get them all in.  Some how they all ended up in age order from left to right. There were 6 swings and 6 children.


Samuel isn't very fond of swinging, never really has been.  Going to fast hurts his tummy, he says.  So if we kept it nice and slow he was happy.
 

Veronica got in on the swinging action and she loved it
    

Matthias loved swinging and some how he convinced Augustin to push him....for a long time
  

Augustin got his own swinging time in though.  He's quite good and quite the acrobat too
 

Grant and Parker were having a contest to see who could swing the highest
 

And one last shot of Veronica, braving the grass and starting to crawl


So tomorrow, it's back to school.  I'm hoping we get a full day in as we settle back into the rhythm of fall.

Well, today was one of those days, where I had to just sit back and laugh; I could have cried thinking about it, but it really was just way too funny.  One of those days where if it could go wrong, it did.  It all started before 6 am too; Veronica waking up before 6am should have been my first clue.

1.  Veronica was awake at 5:52am.  She normally sleeps until close to 7am, so with Mom and Dad on vacation, I was planning on getting the morning milking, chicken feeding and baby chick work done early rather than waiting utnil after she was up and fed like I normally do.  Thankfully she went back to sleep!!!!

2.  I had errands to run, so when Veronica woke up at 8:45am, I had everyone dressed and ready to go.  I get the every one in car seats and go to start the van....dead.  Won't turn over, clock won't even turn on.  One word...SAMUEL.  He decided to "play" in the van yesterday and I thought I'd checked everything when I sent him to time-out.  He must have gone back in when I wasn't looking and turned EVERYTHING back on...head lights, flashers, inside lights.  Battery is dead.  So I get everyone out...I wasn't happy.

3.  I head up to the chicks at 11am; just 2 hours after having been up there to turn off the heat lights and check on them for the 3rd time.  Only thing time I had a surprise...almost half of them are running around the large enclosure.  Chickens (and chicks) like to dig ... a lot!!!  So they dug and dug, right along the edge of their heated enclosure and got out.  Escaped! 19 in total, running all over.  I tried several times to catch them, but nothing worked.  I finally just gave them food and water and figured Brad could help me when he got home.

4.  Teaching a last minute NFP class tonight.  I had dinner done early, house cleaned and get the course stuff out, go to put the dvd in the dvd player and can't find it.  Ugh.  Just one more thing to add to my already crazy day.  I look and look, but still can't find it.  Before wasting more time looking, knowing class is starting in less than 2 hours, I decide to call another teaching couple and see if I can borrow their dvd.  I am so thankful they were home and I was able to pick it up and make it home well before class time.

5.  Van...battery is DEAD.  Really dead.  As in, won't turn over even when jumped.  So Brad is now on his way at 10:20pm to his parents house to borrow a battery charger to see if  that will work.  Not how he planned on spending his evening.

Chick update: they are all once again contained and warm for the night.  Logs are now lining the inside of their space in hopes that they won't dig themselves out!!!

Yesterday afternoon I was talking to my Dad in the living room and had Veronica with me.  She was playing on the floor while I talked.  I looked away for a few minutes and when I looked back she wasn't there.  She'd made her way all the way to the kitchen and was standing at the stairs trying to climb them.



Augustin joined her and she enjoyed playing with him.


I'm not sure if I'm ready for this, but I don't think I have too much choice in it, she is obviously ready to keep up with her brothers.

Last night was the annual June, Court of Honor for Grant and Parker.  It was Parker's first Boy Scout Court of Honor so it was extra special for him.  Grant received 3 merit badges and Parker received his troop "neckerchief" and his first official scout rank.

Brad, Matthias and Augustin were camping, so I took Samuel and Veronica.

           

Hope and Dahlia are doing very well. It's hard to believe it's only been 3 weeks since we got them. We've all adjusted very well to the daily routine of milking and caring for them.  They have quite the personalities that always keep us laughing.

Hope is a feisty thing with a very stubborn streak.  She knows what she wants and she attempts to do it.  She is definitely the herd leader and tries to be the leader at all times. She's figuring out that she isn't always in charge.  She love attention, especially if Dahlia is getting some and makes sure to push her way in to make sure she isn't being left out.  She also doesn't stand still very long, so it is hard to get a good picture of her.
 

Dahlia is very sweet and calm.  She is very good natured and loves everyone. I'm really interested to see how she does on the milk stand and if her calm disposition holds true for milking as well.  She is a little Houdini and will get out of just about anything she wants to get out of. She's been out roaming around more than Hope.  We've found her out several times now.  There is a chance she may be pregnant which would mean babies the end of August and another milker.  We are really hoping this is the case.
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So 3 weeks in and we're still loving the goats.  We're getting around a quart a day which is great and everyone loves the milk.  We're hoping to make cheese and yogurt this weekend.

This is late, but the days are just so crammed. Matthias turned 6 last week, June 9th to be specific.  I still can't believe it.  I feel like he could possibly be 4 years old, but not six, that's way too big.  He definitely is all big kid now, no baby left at all.  He really is now a big kid.

We had a quiet birthday celebration with both sets of grandparents and his Godmother coming for cake and ice cream.  He had grand visions of this cake; I think he has some how seen too many episodes of Cake Boss (he's never even seen one) or something because for months now he's been talking about this cake he wants.  It was 3 layers.  Layer 1...an "M" for Matthias.  Layer 2... a black widow spider (remember back to Parker's cake in January) and then finally, Layer 3...Angry Birds, his favorite thing to play on the iPad. 

And of course Papa was tasked with making this dream cake of his since Papa makes the best cakes.  Matthias was confident that Papa could make this cake for him; Papa on the other hand, wasn't so sure of his cake making skills.  I wasn't worried because Papa has yet to disappoint anyone.  So the big day came and cake making was in full swing, Papa had a plan all ready to go and knew what he was doing.  The end result was amazing...Matthias wasn't disappointed and the other kids (especially Grant) thought the cake was great.

It wasn't three layers as the grand vision had been, but it included everything Matthias had asked for and that was all that mattered; plus it was interactive which made it even "cooler".  It was a sheet cake with a green "M" made out of frosting (layer 1 accomplished) with an "Angry Bird" structure made our of candy bars on one end with black spiders (layer 2 accomplished) made out of chocolate doughnut holes and pipe cleaners with red "Angry Birds" that were then able to be launched into the structure (layer 3).



   



The cake was a hit and everyone got a chance to knock the structure down.  Matthias taking a shot




For dinner Matthias asked for nachos, a favorite of all the kids and very easy for me to make.

He got some really fun gifts.  Mamma and Papa got him some frisbees which he asked for. He is really good.  Along with the frisbees he got a "Disc Hoop" game Papa made him that everyone has had fun playing.
   
 


Parker really got into the birthday party spirit and came up with his own game idea and spent time making a "Pin the Angry Bird on the Slingshot" game. He made all the kids their own bird to pin on the poster he made.  They must have each played 4 or 5 times.  The game has been saved for more fun later on.



  

Grant had to kneel down to play
 

Matthias modelling his new pajamas and rain boots


It was a great day, Matthias had a wonderful time.

Today was one of the best birthdays in memory (if the number of pictures taken is any indication of the level of fun had, today ranks as the best).  We woke up to a wonderfully warm day, something enjoyed after all the rain and cold.  We got the goats milked and fed without too much trouble (see previous entry).  Mass was beautiful, as always, and we got to see our old priest which was a nice treat.  Then we came home to a relaxing day spent in the back yard. 

  

It didn't take long for the kids to get the sprinkler out.  Samuel loved the part of the hose the sprayed water.
 

He then headed for the sprinkler
 

Before long, everyone was having fun and getting wet.
           

A little action shot of Parker (who didn't stop moving all day)


Before I knew it, the squirt guns were out and Brad had changed into his swim suit and had joined in the fun
              

I loved this shot of Augustin getting Brad


Parker and Augustin take a small break to catch their breath, but notice the water jug (a favorite weapon of the day) never too far away


Samuel loved filling the cup over and over again     

Again, notice the water jug and this time he has two of them


While all of this was going on my Dad was grilling potatoes, burgers and cooking baked beans.
  

Then it was time to start drying off for dinner
      

Matthias showing off the beetle he found
  

Matthias attempting to push the riding lawn mower


And Grant showing him how to really get it to move


Matthias getting ready to enjoy some dinner


Matthias and I


Looks like someone had a fun afternoon.  Samuel moved his plate out of the way, put his head down and fell asleep.  There was no waking him either.  He was one tired little guy.
    

More fun with water after eating
  

Samuel, awake but still tired, snuggles with Papa
      

Finally....time for our annual first root beer floats of the season.  My birthday has become the day when the "Ice Cream Lady" (aka...Mom) makes root beer floats.  The kids look forward to this day all month.  It's the sign that summer is here.
  

All the boys enjoyed theirs outside sitting in the grass
 

Even the adults enjoyed them
  

And the Ice Cream Lady made an appearance to her happy crowd of sticky and full admirers


There was even time for fire works...in the board day light, but the kids didn't seem to mind. They all sat and watched Brad set them off on the driveway.
                   

And then the cake came out...but didn't get eaten until after the Holy Hour at the Chapel.  Red Velvet with cream cheese frosting....so yummy.  Thank you Brad for picking out such a wonderful cake.


And I'm sure everyone is wondering by this time where Veronica is...there are no pictures of her yet.  She decided to bless Mommy today with a wonderful 4.5 hour nap!!!!  It was wonderful.  She slept, I got to sit and relax and enjoy the day and then she was happy when she woke up.  So she wouldn't feel left out, I took pictures of her while Brad and the boys were at the Chapel. 
     

Modeling the bow that came with the dress, that she takes off about 30 seconds after I get it on.  I do love this picture because it shows what life is like...a girly dress with hair bow worn by the little girl, while she chews on a match box car left on the floor by one of the boys.


Still playing with the car...minus the bow


And showing off how she can get on all fours and rock back and forth


All the kids are in bed and sleeping, so I'm not relaxing and listening to some Pandora radio, enjoying a nice quiet night after a very fun day.

The sun is finally shining after days and days of clouds and rain.  Everyone is enjoying being outside.  The grass is green, the flowers are blooming, the leaves are getting big and the kids and I are thrilled.  This time last week it was in the low 50s and raining and today it was 92 degrees and sunny.  I was hot and sticky, but there was no way I was going to complain after the cold and damp we've had. 

The kids begged all afternoon to be able to take the sprinkler out, so after all the chores were done I let Grant set it up.  They had a blast and played in it for over an hour.  No fighting, no crying, no arguing, just fun and not just for the little ones.  Grant and Parker really got into it too.

Augustin, showing me how dirty he was getting.  Sliding in the grass will do that to you.

Grant


This is Grant's "take a picture of me in slow motion" shot


Matthias stopping long enough for a picture


And seconds later sliding on his belly.  He was laughing pretty hard at this point


Samuel really enjoying himself.  He didn't really like the sprinkler last year, but this year he thought it was great.  Amazing what a difference a year makes


Samuel "kicking" the water


I don't think Parker stood still once.  I kept trying to get pictures of him, but he just kept running around


And playing with the little guys


Grant spraying the boys


Other random shots of the fun
   

And finally, it was time to get warm in a towel

It always happens way too quickly, the change from newborn baby to mobile infant.  Yes, Veronica is mobile and the end of the "easy" life will be quickly coming to an end.  She isn't crawling yet, but in addition to rolling where ever she wants, she has figured out how to propel herself forward to get what she wants.  She tucks her legs under her belly, reaches forward and then pulls herself with her hands and pushes w/ her legs.

She started doing this over the weekend and I waited a few days to make sure it was deliberate, which it most definitely is.  She wants something...she gets it.  I guess it's time to pick up all the tiny toys and the boys are going to have to start worrying that she will get into their games.  And then the baby proofing begins.

I know she's almost 6 months old, but I really didn't expect it so soon.  She's not far behind Augustin who was actually crawling at just before 6 months old. I give her another 2 weeks before she's all over the place...maybe not truly crawling, but definitely getting into things we would rather she not.

Veronica was 5 months old on Holy Saturday. I still want to know how that happen.  I really feel like she was just born.  Maybe it's because she has slept through the night since she was 2 weeks old or because I can put her down awake and she'll put herself to sleep.  Or maybe it's because while she acts like a 5 month old, she is (at least in my experience) the size of a 2-3 month old.  I'm not sure, but I feel like this first 5 months has just flown by. 

She started rolling from her belly to her back around 4 months and is now rolling from her back to her belly.  She's been eating oatmeal and baby food for about 3 weeks.  She laughs when tickled, smiles all the time, loves her brothers and thinks playing peek-a-boo around corners is hysterical.  She love she exersaucer, is so-so about the Bumbo seat, loves her play mat and loves to be carried around.

She weighs all of 12 pounds, I told you she is tiny, but has grown over 5 1/2 inches. So she's growing, she's just small.  She is built like her cousin Evelyn...and looks like her too.  In a few weeks (now that it feels like May is just around the corner) she will be 6 months old and I know that will find her doing even more, possibly even sitting up.