Pondering Ponteuf

Down on the farm

Last weekend was so much fun.We went to the opening of Fishkill farm in upstate New york.It was quite a trek and we probably wouldn't have done it for any other reason than I went to support a wonderful friend.In a day when too many kids are spending way too much time leading sedentary lifestyles and not getting their fill of nature and everything that it has to offer,Gina,(not being one to EVER sit down for more than five minutes,not that I have ever witnessed anyway.If I ever did,for that matter,I would need to sit down for MORE than five minutes until the shock wore off!!) came up with a wonderful idea.She started a great group called Kids unplugged.Not only does she run her home and wonderfully nurture her own three little children but she organizes hikes and trips for families to get together and get outside.Her new baby is called Saturdays on the farm and that is what we went to support her with.

Issi was mesmerized by the baby hens.

I had to keep Ollie away though as he had no  concept of the word gentle that day.I saved one poor chick as he lifted it by it's tiny little 

head and shouting "wookMummy,a yickle chickeeee,awwwww"

The kids had a blast painting

making finger print chickies 

and doing a little scavenger hunt.

This was then topped off with the making of a little flower press for the wild flowers that were collected on the scavenger hunt.

A visit with the chickens

and we were ready for a lunch of crepes,muffins,omelettes and fresh strawberries.Most of which was made with fresh organic ingredients from the farm.Yum scrum.

This was eaten to the sweet sounds of a little group playing wonderful,cheery tunes.Who could ask for anything more.

I would love to participate in all of the wonderful things that Gina has prepared for the saturdays on the farm but with only seven weeks until B-day and daily contractions,I don't think an hour and a half trip to aanother state on my own with three kids is a good idea.If you are somewhat close by though,I thoroughly recommend that you check it it,you won't be disappointed.

Hurry up and wait.

With the rush rush of todays society it is very easy to get carried along with the tide or to feel stressed about needing more time.Well we manage our own time and sometime put this unnecessary stress upon ourselves without realizing it.Yes it is much faster if I put Ollie's shoes and jacket on or do the chest buckle on his seat but the simple fact is that he likes to do these things himself.This is how they all learn independence and gain new skills.Griffin would probably have mastered wiping his own bum quicker if I just sucked it up and dealt with the crap (pun intended)for a few months instead of letting my anal side take over.I realized this morning as I was making Griffin's bed,that I am just making my job harder in the long run.Griff is nearly five,he could probably definately make his own bed.It wouldn't be all tucked and turned like I like to do it but it is a life skill that will help him become more responsible for himself.As much as I am responsible for these precious gifts that have been bestowed upon me ,it is also my duty to loosen my mama bear grip when the time is right and I realize now that I haven't been paying attention to my children's cues as well as I thought.So before number four joins us for this fun ride I figured that I should take some time out to figure out what they can do and what they still need me to do. As I was making lunch for the boys today Ollie came in and insisted that he make his own sandwich.The impatient side of me wanted lunch on the table to I could get to the clutter in the kitchen but I reminded myself that the clutter can stay for an extra five minutes and I handed him a knife (nice and blunt in case you are worrying!) and his bread. You can see how proud he is in this picture.I think I will put it on the fridge to remind myself that even though these things may take a while longer at the start,the pleasure and sense of accomplishment that they feel from doing these little things means more,much much more to me than an uncluttered kitchen counter.That can wait.In ten,fifteen years time when my nest will be on it's way to empty I will have all the turned and tucked beds and uncluttered kitchens that my little anal heart desires but I will also have these memories that have been created from teaching the little ones the skills to take with them when they do fly the nest. I must have been rewarded for my new vision with some sort of karma drop in as I have been wishing for one of these  but not liking the price and knowing that hubby certainly wouldn't like the price at the moment with our house repairs that are going on.So I have been checking the thrift stores on a regular (see,weekly) basis. finally today,yeehaw..for the princely sum of $2 I found my self a nice sized coffee press.Yay now I can take that unsightly 12 cup counter clutterer and hide it in the cupboard until it absolutely HAS to make an appearence.

cheerio :0)

I'll take a few more hours in the day please!!

With every child that comes into our lives comes tens times the blessings,ten times the memories and ten times the happiness.Along with that abundance of joy comes ten times the output of energy,love,nurturing and patience needed.

I feel very blessed right now.As the nesting instinct is kicking in,I am looking around at my family and feel such a bursting of pride and love in my chest.You just want to bottle up the feeling.You know,for when you are so overwhelmed by the mountain of tasks and chores,that you just want to be alone,somewhere.You could reach into your treasure closet and pull out the bottle,take a hefty swig and instantly you will be reminded what it is all for.A little tonic if you like,to get you through the tough times:0)

I could have done with that the other night when faced with the whole bathing three children,helping them with their jammies,reading stories and kisses for everyone,alone.I just couldn't seem to get in a groove.

Poor Ollie,just couldn't wait longer and fell asleep in his towel on the bedroom floor.As I walked into his room and saw him there,that bursting love broke through.I scooped him up and savoured his surrender to sleep.Another sweet memory to file away for later years,

sorry for the cluttered ramble,I am sure you get the idea:0)

Have a great day,

cheerio.

We interrupt this forced hiatus

with a little crafting show off.

I have been having serious trouble with my teeth this pregancy.In the past fifteen weeks I have had three root canals,two root infections and an extremely painful extraction from which I am still recovering!

Not fun and not the way I was hoping to spend my last pregnancy.Hopefully the worst is behind me and I can now concentrate on the fun part like limbs poking the belly and the excitment of our little ones impending arrival.

I did manage to finish a couple of projects throughout al of this.My first attempt at Amy butler's kimino pj's came out quite well.The instructions are well written and the pattern pieces were easy to trace.

I listened to others on the concerns of the pants being a small fit and added and extra 1/2 inch all around.We are going to be using cloth diapers from the start with this babe and I certainly don't want to make some outfits with my much hoarded stash only to have them not fit.That would be very upsetting!!

 When I started this I thought that seeing as the elephants were small that the purple would be unisex.

But once I added the solid purple linen (essex from robert kaufmann) it became clear that it was definately on the girly side.Papa made it pretty clear that he thought so too!!

So,if this babe isn't a girl and none of my still pregnant friends have girls.We will be having a very nice giveaway here on the blog:0) Stay tuned.

and here's a little bump pic to tide you over:0)

not very in focus and I look like I have been dragged through a bush backwards,but you get the idea!

I am about 23 weeks here.

I promise to get a more up to date one on here soon.

28 weeks this week!!!Arrgghhh

cheerio

crafting and crazy hair!!

Finally my crafting bug is back!yay.Just what I need at the moment,a little sweet escape from all of the crazyness going on around here.

So armed with some jaffa cakes and newly bloomed daffodils,I turned a rough day into a saved day as the clock struck twelve.

I haven't finished my poject yet but the fact that I got it underway instead of just 'thinking' about it is a huge step in a positive direction.I will of course post pics when I am done.

The book itself is full of great ideas I just find Amy butler's directions a little confusing.Maybe it's just me and too much caffiene from the chocolate but I put it down in frustration more than once.Although today I WILL get through them:0)

This morning I woke to Ollie's foot in my ear and two more monkeys in the bed and after breakfast Issi informed me,thankfully not as we were halfway out of the door,that today was 'crazy hair day'.Considering that we forgot about crazy sock day and green day,we figured that we had better get our act together.Twenty minutes and half,yes,half a can of hairspray later,this was the result

I have to say that after dropping her off school.Isabella totally rocked it!!She had the craziest barnet out of all of the girls for sure and that made her day,at 8.35am!!!

I am not looking forward to bathtime tonight though.I think that some vo5 hot oil is in order.Do they even still make that stuff???

Cheerio.

To forget and forgive.

It's been one of those weeks,not days,WEEKS!!

In the space of three hours I had the most painful root canal performed and one of the most stomach wrenching,guilt laden mothering moments ever.I arranged for Griff to stay at school for lunch seeing as the root canal would take a while but I don't know if it was just pregnancy brain or a mix of that and the novacaine but I forgot to pick him up.FORGOT!!!! I was home in plenty of time,tootling around doing 'stuff' when the principal called.I have never ran so fast,pregnant or not,to get him.Oh my goodness the guilt that ensued was more painful than the tooth and no amount of painkillers could take that pain away!I am sure that there are plenty of stories out there but I can't believe that I forgot to pick up my own child.

How could I forget this??

He is just fine.I don't think that he batted an eyelid but me,I think I have post traumatic stress!!

Now I just need to fogive myself!LOL

cheerio

Sunshine and Papa time.

Both on the same day.Heaven.

There is this lovely park right on the Hudson river that we go to sometimes, along with the bonus of a great bakery/coffee shop close by.Morning buns,a steaming latte,sunshine,my brood and Papa along for the ride instead of working.I was a happy bunny on this day.

My madam is getting so big.Loosing teeth left,right and center.

Mastering the very high monkey bars

 and teaching her little brothers about nature.

She really is growing up.

The boys are growing up too.Griff is still as sensitive and affectionate as ever but I am glad to see that he is finding his voice and standing up for himself more.

He still doesn't like to get too dirty though!

Where as Ollie couldn't care less and jumped feet first into the little rock pool right after I took this shot.

And he is still as stubborn and assertive as ever.

Note the odd shoes and pink hat?Yes,well little Oliver insists on the pink hat,rain or shine and simply refuses to wear either the blue OR the red pair of converse."One wed and one bwuw or nuffin" is exactly what he says to  me when I try to put a matching pair on him.

Gosh I am in for it with that one.At least I don't have to worry about him looking after himself.

We all had a blast and with more sun than snow of late,I am sure that there will be plenty more days like this very soon.

Did I mention that I have had enough of winter?

I think that I may,once or twice!

Anyhoo,thankfully after the last dump of frosted flakes,Papa was home.He noticed my need to be relieved of the cabin fever crazed clan that swarmed around my ankles and promptly took them outside.At 8AM!!

So here I am thinking,ohhhh,sewing,sewing,fabric petting and the likes and then I get a pang of guilt.What is it with this guilt thing?It sneeks up on you and chomps at your heart like the babes at your ankles ten minutes earlier.

I really should make them something yummy to come in to,I thought.Yes,it will only take me ten minutes and then I can sew to my hearts content.I even cut some corners.

A quick batch of white chocolate chunk,peanut butter chocolate cookies shouldn't take long right?RIGHT?

And just a quick cup of coffee to test one,or make that two.Got to make sure that they are palatable.

No sooner had I licked the last crumb from the corner of my mouth did I hear the familiar thuds as the crew clambered on to the deck their loud cries of "Muuuuuummmmmmy"!!! followed by "hurry" "cold" "gotta pee" "now"!

I whistfully closed the door to my craft area and responded with a "coming" along with a "get off your brother" "NO BOOTS IN THE HOUSE" "one at a time" "quick,to the loo" and ending with a "who wants hot chocolate and fresh cookies"???

"Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Oh well,the sewing can be done anytime.Times like these need to be savoured like the cookies above.They don't last very long.

I just love rosy,wind blown cheeks.

And as always,I have to place the cookies far out of reach,atop my cookbooks,to ensure that they last more than the morning.Ahh a happy day.Now someone,please tell spring to get a move on!

And yes,I do arrange my cookbooks by color!!What can I say???...

Old hat.

With the babe already halfway through his (no,I don't know the sex,I have just been calling it him as IT seems so,well,distant)incubation period,it suddenly dawned on me that I could actually,if I got my arse into gear,have only one child in diapers from the begining.I think that would be a good thing considering that I have been known to,in a haze of sleep deprivation and throw up,to forget to change the older one for,oh,a good eight hours!(insert shame smiley here)

As with all best laid plans,I came prepared.I purchased Ollie some super soft undies the same as his big brother.We got out plenty of books from the library,this proving to be a big hit.I also had a BIG ol' bag of chocolate chips for back up bribary!! Having done this twice before,I thought that I knew what I was doing,you know,a pro,old hat and all that!

Well Ollie had other plans.

It seems that Ollie thinks that the potty is better for peek a boo rather than pee and poo!

Any suggestions??

Oh well,I still have twenty odd weeks to get it off his head and under him bum,

Cheerio

Winter blues,

Reds and yellows.

We were briefly fooled in to believing that spring was right around the corner.A balmy sixty degree day prompted much bouncing with glee on the bouncy castle and and made for a VERY static hair day!!

But that quickly changed in to a nor'easter alert and we were forced inside to bunker down fireside,AGAIN!!The charm of huddling around the fire is starting to wear thin on me.Even after seven of these winters,I still can't get used to them.They drive me batty with the cabin fever and schools closing.Not mention bundling up three babes that are chomping at the bit to  get out and roll in the snow,in total skiing outer,is headache inducing to say the least.You would never guess that I lived in the Austrian mountains for two winters with the way my face shows such disdain at the sheer sight of snow settling on the ground.Put it thhis way,if I can't strap a snowboard to my feet and hurtle down the mountain side then I don't want to be out in the snow.Thank goodness good time Charlie (Papa) has been off a little more these days and happily takes on snow duty.He's such a big kid that one.

Anyhoo Papa wasn't hhome today so we got down to some painting,well,the boys did.Madam is happily spending hours playing with her horses and play mobil these days.

I find that much more painting goes on with less colors to choose from.Besides it gives them a chance to make their own colors and discover what makes what.

Ollie's finished masterpiece.

Griff hada blast too although as you can see not as much paint went on the paper.The table made a much better canvas but sadly I don't have a shot of that as things rapidly got out of hand and master Ollie was threatening to add some lovely handprints to the one hundred year old chestnut walls.Not something that would be received with a lot of joy,that is for sure.I had to chase him around,pin him down,get the paint off him and the table before he took another run for it!!.

Thankfully we are predicted warmer weather by the end of the week so we will be out and about before we know it.

Welcome March,you bring with you the promise of evening walks and  color peeking out to the world like fairy lights in the ground.

In like a lion, out like a lamb.I can't wait for the lambs!!

Cheerio