Park Pictures

We really enjoy the park up on the hill behind our house.

Before we realized how absolutely packed the grass was with ticks, we used to stroll up there all the time.

Since then, we have switched over to the sidewalks, but we still make it there quite often.

Here are some pictures from a trip last week.

Love, Us.

Patch "Anakin" Librandi

This boy loves his Jedi stories and movies. 

So... he was pretty excited when, by accidentally snapping himself with a piece of elastic, 

his face resembled one of his heroes.

He made sure I documented his momentary transformation.

Love, Us.

Getting Excited for a New Little Lady

As you may know, I LOVE making baby blankets for all of the new little ones that I hear of.

But, when the little one is super "close" to us (like a cousin!), T likes to add a little family portrait to the corner.

She just finished this one!

We are SO excited!

Love, Us.

My Little Artists

We were gifted with a wonderful art easel from another homeschooling mom whose kids had grown out of it.

The little boys pulled up their stools immediately and let the artistic juices flow!

Love, Us.

A Homemade Go Game

If you know my husband, you know he is like my father in many ways. 

One of those similarities is that both of them are always very interested in many different things. 

They just can't help themselves... the just find things so much more interesting than, well, I do.

Well, one of Joe's current interests is the game "Go".

He wanted to find a starter set on which to learn the game.

But, if you know me, you know that I prefer to find and make things for free.

So... I did.

I even had a little buddy to help in my creating!

After some measuring and separating of buttons, we had our very own Go board on the bottom of our chess board!

Now we just need to learn how to play!

Love, Us.

Some Second-Hand Sanity for our Homeschool Materials

If you know me, you know I love organization.

Also, you know that I homeschool while also entertaining a toddler or two.

Well, often the toddler is busy biting pencil erasers off of our pencils instead of happily playing.

So, when I saw this at the neighbor's garage sale, I imagined an acceptable solution to such problems.

"Luckily", the movers had caused some damage to it for the previous owners, so the price was perfect.
After a bit of wood glue, it was ready to fill.

Now, the Littles can no longer reach the pencils, and they are immediately confronted with some easily pick-up toys!

Yay!

Love, Us.

Star Wars vs. Dirt

I was proud of my Patch the other day.

There had been an incident between my eldest two over breakfast that had lost their movie rights for the day.

So... they were outside as Patch sat down to watch his choice for the day: Star Wars Clone Wars.

I had purposefully left the window open slightly, however. 

And, as hoped, Patch was quickly drawn to the amazing dirt that David was dealing with outside.

That was WAY better than Star Wars!

I agree, Patch. I agree.

Love, Us.

A Foiled Attempt at a Post-Mass Snooze

P and I were bushed after Mass on Sunday. 

So, we decided to stop right where we were and have a quick snooze.

Romeo was not willing to let us enjoy the snuggle all by our lonesome.

Love, Us.

Outside Time on a Beautiful Day

We have had some gorgeous days around here lately.

The humidity hasn't shown it's ugly face, and the insects are minimal, especially when there is a nice breeze.

Here are a few pictures of the kids and I out enjoying one of our Easter week days here in the neighborhood.

We took a nice relaxing walk/bike ride along the local streets.

Then the kiddos had a little picnic/reading time under the tree in the corner of our lot.

Love, Us.

Nothing is as Cute as a Sleeping Baby

He's not quite a baby anymore, but he isn't any less cute!

Love, Us.

Kiddos

Gotta love a bunch of happy kiddos!

They may have been trying to earn another round of iPad Jedi games on their Sunday... but I'll take it!

Love, Us.

Half Mile Finishers

We enjoyed a frigid 5K followed by a Half-Miler for the kiddos last weekend. 

Here is a video of the Librandi finishers.

Love, Us.

Burpees for the Grandpas

Bumpa and Opah... this is for you.

Love, Us.

Surrounded by Pirates

This is my current situation.

They may not look like it, but they are fierce pirates who will throw their 

bucket of cannon balls at me at any moment without warning.

This is a very dangerous place to be.

Love, Us.

Fire Drills at the New Place

The tradition continues...

We recently had the opportunity to learn about fire drills from the experts (firefighters) at a community fair.

It was actually really neat, we learned a lot, and it got us in the mood for practicing at our place.

The drills were a bit easier now that the kids are older.

The rambler also greatly aids in the speed of things.

It also, however, adds to the possible exits from the bedroom, so we had to practice all options.

Enjoy!

On this first take, dad added some twists connected with what we learned about smoke inhalation, etc.

On this take, the kids realized that they had a closer exit... and that Romeo can walk.

Uh-Oh! The door is hot!

Another, just for fun...

Love, Us.

A Couple of Our Winged Friends

It is fun living in the woods! 

Almost every day the kids ask to borrow the camera in order to snag a picture of another woodland creature.

Here are two that were recently documented from our front yard.

Mrs. Robin... looking for a bite to eat amongst our grass.

And Mr. Downy Woodpecker... who is working day and night on the telephone pole next to our driveway.

I can hear him pecking right now as I type!

Love, Us.

Smiley Little Lads

For your Sunday... here are Patch and Rome sending you a couple happy smiles.

Love, Us.

More Surprising Wildlife Sightings!

On the walk to the park the other day, the kiddos sadly saw that a bunny had found its end just in front of our house.

When we returned from playing, we saw that other creatures had also made the same discovery.

This was my first, in person, vulture sighting.

All the stories are true. They are big... and ugly!

Love, Us.

Some Serenading by the Kids

To preface today's videos... they are 100% products of the kids.

They borrowed my camera (with permission) during outside play time and each of them sang a song for the camera.
Joe and I thought that each song showcases their varying personalities very well.

They had been given a 30 second limit per video... thus the cutting short of a song or two.

So, with no further ado, here are our musical children.

First, our sweet T... being sweet (and emotional).

David, unfortunately, dealt with some windy conditions.

We thought that his introductory line, however, helped us to imagine well what the rest of the song contained.

And Patrick's... well, he (very fittingly) added a bit of a dance to his song. 

We hope you enjoyed these as much as we did!

Love, Us.

A Snuggle with the Friends

Many times throughout the day, Patrick comes up to me while holding Romeo's hand and declares, "This my friend!". 

They sure are pretty wonderful buddies!

Love, Us.

A Daily Sight During Easter

We take off school for Easter.

So... what do we do other than play our hearts out, eat a bit of candy, and sing Alleluia around here?

Well... we take turns (the bid kids do) picking out a daily movie.

We've enjoyed many a classic film so far... from The Sound of Music to The Parent Trap to Kung Fu Panda! 

So, for today, a picture of how the kiddos settle in for their Easter enjoyment.

Romeo only hangs out for a moment or two, and then wanders the house with me.

It is a good Easter tradition. 

It is one which I grow VERY tired of by the end of the Easter season, 

but it is still good and appreciated by the kiddos.

I hope you are still enjoying your Easter as we are!

Love, Us.

From an Egg to a Jelly Bean

Today's title has numerous meanings... 

There were actually many prayers said around here lately that eggS would be turning into jelly beanS.

But, God chose to give us just one perfect, little jelly bean whom I was privileged to meet yesterday.

Welcome to the family!

Love, Us.

Our Eggs

We did our Easter eggs a bit differently this year.

I wanted to decorate them all on Holy Saturday, but the kids didn't want to wait that long.

So... I compromised with them.

We boiled them and split them in three.

The kiddos could decorate some on Holy Thursday and some on Good Friday.

They used Sharpies and decorated them with images related to the day.

Then, on Holy Saturday, we decorated them all with the dye. 

I think they turned out awesome! 

I hope I remember this in the years to come so it becomes a tradition around here.

Love, Us.

My Little Climbers

We have a nice, wide-open "yard" shared by all of our neighbors in the back. 

The kids found out that one of the large, low-hanging trees makes quite the good climbing tree.

Can you find all four?

Love, Us.

Beautiful Things

A gorgeous sunny day with some beautiful kids at a park by the zoo.

Good things...

Love, Us.

A Birthday With Cousins!

It is a rare occasion around here (well, except for David who has a birthday a few days before Christmas)

to be able to celebrate a birthday with relatives in attendance.

Being only hours from family now, we were blessed to have Nancy and her family join us for T's celebration.

We even added in the celebration of Bill's birthday, as well!

We had a wonderful time playing and snuggling the kiddos, but it still came to an end all too soon.

I did gather them up for a group shot before we parted ways, though.

Love, Us.