May the force be with you this Halloween!

Our 2nd biggest girl!

And here's the most recent picture of "baby Elsa" taken today, to satisfy the curiosity of those that are wondering just how big she's getting. I can't believe she's 5 months old!

Homeschooling at its best!!

Okay, so Sandor was taking a break from studying today to vacuum, and while I wasn't paying attention he said "Look mom" and this is what I saw: multitasking at its best!! I laughed at his invention, so I just had to post this. Thought other homeschoolers might get a kick out of it, too. This doesn't happen every day, mind you, but when it does, it makes what I do all worthwhile! The other picture, which I never captured, but just saw (literally at this moment out our back window), is Zoli, our regular comedian running out into the backyard, pulling his hood on in the wet and rain to go pee. Okay, maybe we'll need to work on a little discretion with that!

First Day of School

Well, I can't believe I survived one year of homeschooling, but we're at it again! Today was officially our first day of school. I figured it was easy enough for me to start up with the school year, and our school year finished rather abruptly when Elsa was born. I am scared, overwhelmed, hopeful and excited at what this year will bring. It was a good first day considering. We're still getting the kinks worked out, as usual. With a first grader and 2 preschoolers (not to mention an infant) it's a real juggling act, but we even made it to homeschool taekwondo today. I think the boys liked it. One thing I realize is that they need LOTS of physical activity each day which is sometimes hard to provide. I think it's going to be a good year!

6 year old Sandor, all grown up as a first grader now!

Zoli, who is 4 going on 5 is quickly ramping up to keep up with big brother.

Our big girl Dominique, who has been saying she's been going to preschool since last year. I think she's ready. She's one sharp cookie!

Last but not least, 4 1/2 month old Elsa, who is almost covering up Sandor in this picture she's so big. I'll find out just how big tomorrow at the girls' combined doctors appointments.

Oaks Park

After the heat died down from last week (109 -thanks, air conditioning!), and having cabin fever between having to stay inside and having an infant, I braved it and went out alone with the 4 kids to Oaks Amusement Park. The kids had never been, and they had a blast. Here are some pics from the visit...

Our first ride, the train (I'm in the seat in front with the baby car seat next to me!). Someone asked "Are they all yours?"

Photo op

Zoli and Dominique on the motorcycle ride. Sandor and Zoli got to go on their first roller coaster ride.

Chillin' in the park after lunch downtown with Aunt Sera.

A day in the life

7 am- woke to Zoli in the bathroom

go downstairs for coffee

discuss weekend plans and look at pictures of the clackamas river for fishing

Dominique needs help with pottying (it seems that I'm in the bathroom with the kids a lot!)

family Bible reading time (in 2nd Timothy, our 17th time reading)

7:23-Elsa wakes up

diaper changes and feeding

oops, shouldn't have changed her diaper yet, another diaper change is needed

send kids upstairs to get dressed and make beds after coffee. This sometimes takes awhile!!

7:44-Zoli calls from the upstairs bathroom (more help needed)

I'm still in my pajamas and want to get dressed but feel called to empty the dishwasher and make breakfast. My staple lately has been oatmeal.

7:55-Start to head to the kitchen-slowly-Elsa is content in her playpen for now

7:59-Zoli calls from upstairs (after being up there awhile) "There's no underwear in my drawer!" Reluctantly, I go up to investigate. False alarm, but I find Dominique and Zoli still undressed with beds unmade-not good.

8:08-the dishwasher is finally emptied and my oatmeal done cooking, but I notice that the kitchen needs a serious cleaning and now the baby is getting restless-first things first.

8:11-Zoli finally comes downstairs, only 30 minutes later.

8:29-Elsa is tired-into the frontpack she goes so I can make breakfast for the kids.

8:47-See daddy off to work.

Still haven't finished breakfast for the kids and Elsa won't go to sleep.

8:57-Finally, breakfast is done.

9:00-Elsa seems to be asleep now. Maybe we'll have to wait to go on a walk. It's going to be a hot one today.

Clean up kitchen from breakfast.

Give Zoli a breathing treatment because he's been wheezing. Is it a cold or allergies??

9:24-With Elsa asleep, I'm off to hopefully take a shower in peace.

9:49-Elsa is up after a short nap, I'm out of the shower, time to start a load of laundry and head out for errands.

9:50-feed and change Elsa.

start some laundry and put some away

10:13-almost time to head out for errands.

10:30-Stop by bank

Go to Costco

Drop of stuff from Costco

12:00-Go to park for free lunch and activities

1:00-Home to get on bathing suits and off to our pool. We'll see how tired I can get the kids (or me!!)

2:58-After a nice swim, we're home. Time to unload the car (which is a feat in itself) get a snack, and hopefully a late nap.

3:14-Kids are all in their separate rooms. I'm hoping for at least an hour of peace. Except for Elsa, that is. But I must marinade the chicken for BBQing tonight.

3:16-sent a quick hello email to Mat

put laundry in dryer

3:52-got chicken marinading.

call sister in law

4:02-check email and do some computer research on good fishing spots around here.

4:08-Elsa is hungry and probably in need of a nap.

4:31-Checked the regional home listings. Yes, we're looking, just looking, mind you, for homes more in the country.

4:45-enjoying a few minutes of peace. the house is unusually quiet, minus the whir of the dryer and the clicking of the computer keys.

4:55-okay, I couldn't deal with the quiet, so I checked out one of my favorite homeschool curriculum websites (www.sonlight.com) to get some ideas from their instructor guide and firm up plans for next year.

5:57-Elsa and Sandor are up. Time to get dinner ready.

kids play in back while I barbeque.

8:00-Daddy finally comes home after a long day at work. We have dinner, shower the kids, and Sandor reads to us.

9:45-Kids are in bed, rather late for us, but not considering when dad came home.

That's a day. Now I'm ready for bed, which is usually around 10. We'll see if I can wake up at 6 am before the kids tomorrow. Maybe I'll just sleep in.

One Week Later

I can't believe we've been home from the hospital for a week now with little Elsa. It seems like so much has happened, and yet our daughter is not even 2 weeks old. I can't say that it's been an easy transition, but each day gets better. The kids are finding their new place in the family order, sometimes with pain attached, but it's definitely helped having Mat at home to ease the transition. I'm making an effort to enjoy the stage of babyhood that Elsa is in, knowing now from experience 3 times over, that it can never be recaptured. Life with 4 is certainly not dull so far!

Sandor and his new favorite passtime, adoring his sister!

One of Mat's inventions to entertain the other 3 kids on his time off (no, the girl in the passenger's seat of the gator is not our daughter), attaching the kids gator to our bike trailer!

First photo of all the siblings together. The hospital visit with the kids was tear-filled and not so pleasant. Needless to say, we didn't get a picture.

Our oldest, Sandor, all grown up now that he lost his first tooth 2 days ago.