How can summer be over so quickly?!

My kids were way to excited to start school.  They love routines, friends, and learning.  I wasn't so sure if I were ready for them to end our summer fun, but if they are happy, I guess I'm okay too.  What makes it easier this year is the fact that Gillian will be with me, and we are both over the moon about all of the things we are going to learn this year, as well as the time we are going to share together.

I started Gillian on her schedule the same day as her brothers started their school.  Some of her private classes won't start till next week, but I wanted to set a good routine for Gillian right in the beginning.  I love teaching her Albanian, conversing about Medieval Ages, dissecting sentences, figuring out math problems, learning about cells and genetics, and of course discussing and writing about classics.  But to be honest with you, my favorite time of Gillian's schedule is her free time when she writes poetry, short stories, and little inspirations of the moment.

Gillian’s Subjects for 2014-2015:

·       Music - Piano (Level 4)

·       Vocal - Chorus (Level 4)

·       Honors Math (Algebra)

·       Science (Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry)

·       Honors History and Geography (Early Medieval to Renaissance)

·       Honors English (Vocabulary – Greek, Latin, Anglo-Saxon roots, Literary Critique, Writing Strategies, Grammar, Reading Comprehension)

·       Honors Literature – Classics Analysis

·       PE –Running (3 miles two times a week), Swimming, Dance Aerobics

·       Art – Art History, Exploration of different artistic styles

·       Electives:

§  Sewing

§  Cooking

§  Albanian (Foreign Language)

§  Story Writing/Poetry

Here are two of Gillian's latest compositions which she wrote in matter of minutes:

          Dawn

The sun yawns. Time for another big day. The morning is black and quiet. Not even the birds are awake; the silence is so deep you could cut it with a knife. Mist rolls over the lake, creeping, silent, and mysterious. It curls into tendrils of fog, wafting over this cold desolate land. Then........... light? How can this be? The mist uncurls its angry fingers, hissing and spitting as it slithers back into the far reaches of the world. The light continues to expand. At first it is only a pink tinge on the horizon. But then, like a wondrous rainbow, red appears, then a brilliant gold, purple, golden orange, smooth suave silver, and a magenta to take ones breath away. They collide and mix, spinning and frothing over the world, there is too much to take in! Colors and light burn away the darkness, scorching it until it is no more. Warmth fills the earth. Golden, buttery, warmth.  The sun smiles, spreading its long arms, it encircles the world, and the day begins.  

Untitled

The moon set sail 

to glide overhead.

The silent forest

had gone to bed. 

Tiny crickets chirped

sad songs, gliding together 

over glittering ponds.

A spider's victim

broke through his bonds,

and dwarves in the mountains

used iron tongs.

The elves in the valley

danced through the night,

while werewolves and dragons

looked for a bite.

The moon set sail

to glide overhead.

The silent forest

has gone to bed.

 

Charlton was the most excited child going to school this year; he even let me gel his hair - something he doesn't usually approve of.  Having been my partner in art these past two years, he didn't feel scared or lost; he actually looked the part of owning the place.  When I spoke to his teacher after school was out on the first day, she told me everyone wanted to be Charlton's friend; he was always smiling and happy.  My older boys continue to ride bikes, but Charlton didn't feel comfortable enough to accompany them.  He does have early release, so that's okay.  I love taking and picking him up, and chatting with him all the way home.

 

 

Here are some fun art work that Charlton accomplished during his first week:

Our school mascot - the eagle

Gillian jumping on the trampoline with Charlton

This was Charlton's favorite project - drawing himself after "NO, David" illustrations.

Because he comes home early, and Gillian is still doing her school work, Charlton spends a good time chilling by himself.  I haven't started on a routine for him yes since I'm still working on Gillian's, but a few things he does on his own are making creations with playdough, playing chess on the computer, reading with me, writing his letters, listening to books on tape, and just relaxing.  When Gillian is done, he is in heaven  'cause she is all his!

 

Being the first week of school, we have had a lot of time working and having fun together, reading, cooking,running, building with legos, and many other family activities.  However, we are still championing for summer days and summer swim, so that's where you would find us most of the afternoons by ourselves or with friends - at the swimming pool.

 

 

This is my latest picture being pregnant at 37 weeks - Saturday, August 30th.  I did a lot of swimming this week, and messaging with jets in the hot tub.  My body should be completely relaxed for this baby to come out and meet her family soon!

Charlton turns 5!!

Charlton had a wonderful time for his birthday.  He kept counting the days till his birthday, and getting his brothers excited about it by asking them to show his birthday date on the calendar.  This sweet boy of mine is way too adorable, and none of us unfortunately can say no to him.

We started his birthday by eating a special birthday breakfast, and then letting him open his birthday gifts from his family.  Elijah was working from home, so having dad home made his day.  Each child had chosen something that they thought Charlton would like, and of course he did like them all.  My heart was touched when James, among the other gifts he had chosen for him, gave Charlton his own Ninja Turtle that was given to him for his birthday.  I love it when my children give of their own accord, especially something that is valuable to them.

 

Elijah said that we should take a picture of Charlton with all of his siblings, this little girl inside me included.  Elijah and I are so blessed to have these amazing children as our own.  We can't wait to see #5 entering this family, and we are looking forward to how she is going to fit in this already incredibly fantastic dynamic.

After food and gifts, we took off to Charlton's favorite spot to play with his siblings, the Zoo.  We started by having Mami Lili take Charlton and James up the lift, and let them have a stunning look of all the animals in the Zoo from above.  While waiting for them, Gillian became a bit concerned about them taking so long, and she started wondering if they had fallen in one of the animal habitats.  I told her that if they had, it wouldn't be the kids suffering out there, but the animal.  Mami Lili would fight fiercely for her darling grandchildren.

When Mami Lili's group returned, we looked at some awesome birds, baboons, and of course had to check back with the tiger to see if he had escaped Mami Lili's protective instincts.  We had a good laugh at that.  The tiger was okay by the way; his languorous attitude had saved him ;)

After checking out most of the animals, I let Charlton and his siblings ride every ride they wanted, with breaks of cotton candy in between.  For lunch time, we went out to eat hot dogs and ice cream.  Charlton loved how his birthday celebration was going so far.

Gillian riding on the eagle, a common symbol between Albania and America. In fact, the word Shqiperi means the land of eagles.

This year is family birthday celebration, but since Charlton was turning a special 5, I told him we could have over a couple of friends as playdates (I'm never good with following rules!).  Jefferson and James took over entertaining the boys, and I worked on the cupcakes and got some pizza.  It was very low key celebration, but Charlton thought it was the best!

Five best attributes we love about Charlton:

1. He has the sweetest smile and eyes; just looking at them makes us happy.
2. He has an amazing memory; if you told him something he will never forget it.
3. He loves his siblings, and although he is much younger than them, he can hold his own.  He has a special connection with each of his brothers and sister.
4. He has a versatile personality; he loves for me to read to him for hours and he will stay calm and very attentive the whole time.  He also loves playing by himself, or doing any arts and crafts that he fancies at the moment.  On the other hand, he enjoys playing with his siblings tremendously, will rise up to the challenge of his older brothers (that's how he learned how to swim; forget paid private lessons), and his imagination makes him a strong leader with his peers.
5. He cracks us up on a daily basis with his funny personality and precise way of thinking:

• He loves playing with my mother in her computer, and when she doesn't let him he either makes a pouty face or pretends crying.  She totally knows he is throwing a subtle fit and shouldn't give in, but he's got her around his finger.  When he did the same thing to me, I completely ignored him of course, and after crying for a few minutes he pulls his head out of the pillow to see where I was.  When he noticed that I was still there, he said: "Why aren't you loving me?  I've been crying  for a while."  I couldn't stop laughing, and I was very close to giving in as well.  Almost.
• When I took him to school on the first day, we passed by this lady who was greeting each student saying" Welcome back!" Charlton stopped, looked at the lady, and then said: "I'm new in this school.  I've been here before but not as a student.  I'm in kindergarten now."  The lady was speechless.
• When he went back to church on Sunday, after his birthday, he went straight to Primary President and said: "I'm five now; what class do I move in to?"  When the Primary President told him that they stay in the same class till the end of the year, Charlton said: "I'm too big for that class.  They are all babies."  The funny thing is he is the youngest in that class!
• Yesterday when we went to the swimming pool, he was showing off his diving skills.  At one point, he said: "Mom, look at me.  I am a man."  Well, that got my attention really quickly.  I said "What do you mean?"  Charlton with a very yearning face answered:"Jefferson told me if I dive in the deep end, I get to be a man.  And James told me that if I swam from one end of the deep end to the other, I get to be the highest ranking of the man.  I did both mom.  Look at me." Oh my darling Charlton.  You are such a gem!

Happy Birthday, beautiful boy of ours!

"God may not be there when you want him but he is always on time."- Terrell Owens

While waiting at the doctor's office one morning, I texted Elijah the above advice I found on a maternity magazine about  third trimester moms. He responded "Don't you already do that?" Of course it was said in jest, but just in case he really meant that, here are JUST a few of the things I've been busy with lately:

Gillian started Young Women two weeks ago. She is loving it. Her friends wrote a bunch of sweet little compliments on the board when she first got there. She felt so special.  She and I have had so many talks about what it means to grow up, what qualities she could develop better, what talents she is blessed with, and how she can achieve her potential.  I love these little tete-a-tete with her.  She really makes me happy, and I'm so excited we are homeschooling this year; I know our bond will be even stronger.  How blessed I feel to have her in my life!

The kids have allowed me to nap on occasion when we are home, especially on Mondays, after I have tired them out at the running club, and supplied them plenty of material to read from our weekly pilgrimage to the library.  They are also great helpers around the house, and I really appreciate that.

We've played with friends and have had numerous picnics, movie nights, and BBQ parties with a variety of families.  I've enjoyed seeing my children, especially James, have a love for babies.  This girl of mine inside me will be surrounded with such love when she enters this world that she won't feel the difference between heaven and earth.  Love my little heaven on earth that is my family!

 

As soon as the temple opened, I took Gillian to do baptisms for the dead.  It was her first time, and she really thought the experience was very peaceful and meaningful.  What made it even more special was the fact that Elijah was in the temple officiating the baptisms.  Seeing father and daughter dressed in white as pure as can be was truly a sweet memory for me, especially seeing Gillian give my own ancestors a chance of hearing the gospel.  I find myself touched by Gillian's growth in the gospel and love for Heavenly Father, and my faith has been strengthened as I see her grow in faith and have a desire for righteousness.  And I'm glad our temple nearby opened; in 15 days since it opened I've attended it three times already, in so much that I've given one of the presidency a scare seeing me with my huge belly.  He joked that he didn't want an emergency in his hands, but what better place to give birth than in the temple!!

 

We also celebrated Elijah's birthday last week.  Goodness, I get more stressed thinking of his birthday celebration than of all of my kids' parties altogether.  I made him a special breakfast, opened gifts, took him out to eat, attended the temple with him, and made a hummingbird cake that I hadn't made in probably a decade, but he loved for as much as it was delicious as it was a surprise.  I think he enjoyed his special day. At least I hope so; his style is so different from mine.

We have also attended the pool mostly everyday these past weeks, the weather being hot for a hot pregnant mama!   The great thing that has happened lately is the fact that Jefferson has taught Charlton to swim in the deep end without a life vest!  Hallelujah for older siblings! The kids also invited a lot of their friends to our usual pool, and we have been invited by other friends to their pools.  All in all, friends and pool is a great combination!

Charlton has been  working a bit more lately, with Elijah giving him special responsibilities that he takes very seriously. (Adorable!)  He's been watering the lawn, while his brothers water the garden full of natural grown cantaloupes.

Unfortunately, he gets tired very easily ;)  

And speaking of our garden cantaloupes, they sure are tasty!

We also met friends at the Contra Loma Lagoon last week, where the kids had so much fun for hours at a time, and I got stung by a bee!  Ironic isn't it, having had bees in my own backyard for four years and never having being stung, and then go somewhere and get stung.  This time it caused an allergic reaction with lots of numbness and swelling,and I didn't sleep well for nights at a time.  Oh well, I'm feeling better now and all I remember is the great time with my friends.

 

 Besides reading, working, and swimming, the kids have enjoyed this summer's last gorgeous days and nights by playing board games, rollerblading, skateboarding, playing basketball and baseball with dad, competing in soccer, and enjoying the parks with friends and siblings.

These past few nights have been cool enough for us to use our outdoor fire pit, roast marshmallows and make delicious s'mores.  Of course the kids were in heaven, and I had the epiphany of getting a movie projector soon.  Sweet memories!

 

This past Monday was our last running club meet.  The kids have had a great time running, playing, and making friends.  I really loved seeing myriads of minivans all parked one after another every Monday morning.  What a great tradition, and what loving mothers to bring their kiddos every Monday morning.  Gillian and Charlton each ran 22 miles in total, and Jefferson and James each ran 35 miles in total.  I was very proud of them all!  I just walked :)

I hope this post was a strong enough rebuttal to Elijah's assumption of my life being just naps and movies.  And speaking of movies or shows, I can't really remember the evening when I actually watched something from the beginning to the end.  To tell the truth, besides reading at times (three books per month is a shameful thing to admit for a smart lady like myself, but what can you do), my favorite past time that requires only a few minutes of my very exhausted brain per night has been crossword puzzles. And that's about it.  But enjoyed I have this life of mine, with family and friends all abound!

And that my friends is the confession of a tired, but happy prego mother of four!