Shoeing a bubble

Getting ready for school little buddy!!! I am so excited for this! Not only are you super ready, I am almost ready, pretty much there, just a little bit longer.

We went to StrideRite to get you some school shoes and you had a whole plan in mind. When we arrived and got you fitted, you kept pointing to the gray and blue shoes. "Oooooooo!" you said and bounced them up and down. I tried ignoring you.

I had another plan. A dark blue plan. A plan that had shoes that wouldn't show stains and mud kind of a plan.

You kept saying "Momma! Ooooo" and showing me the shoes. I felt my plan growing weaker. Dang it! I like solid plans!!

I lovingly continued to ignore you and with the help of the clerk went through every pair of shoes I liked and tested them to see if they were easy to put on your bubble, I mean your foot.

My little man - your foot is so cutely and deliciously fat - but neverthelesss it is incredibly hard to shoe. Said clerk gave me some super helpful tips on shoeing wriggly bubble footed toddlers (thank you!) and after finding the blue ones (above) that open suuuuuper wide - we were in business.

Or so I thought.

After we tried on the blue shoes you showed me the gray ones again and said "Momma! Oooooo!! ALL DONE!!!!" LOL LOL Ok - little buddy, ok. We'll try them on.

Once the magical shoes were on your feet you said "YAY!!!!! ALLLLL DONE!!!" And hopped down. And you still love these shoes 3 weeks later.

Scenes from a photoshoot

The camera is always making it's way out 'round here.

The pic above is one of many I am amasing to create a thank you card to a friend who hands down a TON of awesome clothes for your my dear.

This only took 77 seconds to get, three "move please!!" and one swat at your head

because you would much rather do this.

This is a classic picture. It says boat loads. Can you tell?? No?? You must not have two siblings in close age range that are the opposite sex.

To me this says - Charlotte loves Lucas (or likes to push is buttons rather) and Lucas doesn't like girlie germs. Run Lukie! COOTIIIES!

Oh my. "Line up guys real quick! Just a quick picture" doesn't usually do the trick. There is pulling, and man handling, and bribes - usually.

But then magic happens. William is a pro poser. He's all about them these days.

And that lasts 3 seconds and then he requires toys or candy. Today we chose a toy. 

Sweet lord it's nice to have pics like this to look at. These days here in the midst of learning to homeschool and having two babies underfoot are super challenging.

Thank you Luke. I know this took a lot of your part.

My sweet love angels.........(not!) More like firecrackers. Sweet firecrackers but never the less dangerous. Not kidding. 

Love the Willsie pose face. This includes biting teeth kinda funny and making plastic grin. I love it. A lot.

Charlotte - you deserve a shout out. I have started calling you the professional sister. You are the most amazing sister ever on the planet ever. You are always right there with a blanket for comforting, a toy for fixing boredom and a bottle for hunger. You are a nurturing soul and I don't know what I would do without you.

Yosemite - the trip that almost rocked

My good friend Jill Carmel had the radical idea of getting together her favorite people and doing a yearly vacation. I was all in. Jumped head first. Didn't really think it through. That's my style though. 

So after thorough research (understatement) she chose a primo spot in Yosemite. Evergreen Lodge. 

And the vacation that should have rocked starts......

(thank god I did Yosemite a few years back)

Stress Marker #1: The car ride......lots of moutain driving and after such a LONG car trip to Utah and Back Wills thinks he should be allowed to roam the car as he pleases the whole car trip long. Oh really little buddy? Is that so?? Yes, yes it is mom - check me and my fab juice box. Notice how we are in front of the carseat to which I will fight you about sitting in. Hear me roar!

Stress much? 

Stress Marker #2: My love angel. Well she is not the source of the stress - but her precious sleep is. She normally sleeps like a queen and smiles all day long. But when siblings are in the close quarters of a car  with her for 7.5 hours - well then - all hell breaks loose and she turns to the the dark side. The supreme, unstoppable, can't console, dark side. Oh help me.

But let us admire the beauty specimen that she is. Siiiiiigh

Luke - oh Luke - why are you always even-keeled and wonderful?! I love you. You are no stress marker my friend. Quite the opposite.

But wait - let's go back to my Puti (short for Puttanesca - my adsurd nickname). Isn't she a doll??? xoxo

First stop - side of road upon entering Yosemite. Savannah's diaper situation required two adults to get under control. But it was a blessing in disguise as we all needed a little leg stretch. Luke finds fungus specimens to examine. Sweet! The smell in the forest is like no other. Amazing. Invigorating. Exciting. I could just feel my lungs getting happier by the minute.

Stress Marker #3: The inability to see and experience the sights. Our next stop: the Observation Deck at the South Entrance. Did we stop??? No :((( The babies were sleeping. Ahhh, isn't parenting bliss? LOL So we drove, oh so slowly by........this is one of my favorite spots of Yosemite. It's breathtaking. I asked Luke to snap this shot from the front seat as I drove by with a sad face.

More amazing views....... Yosemite you are breathtaking. 

This sequence was an adorable moment. One I am just beside myself with and pinch myself to remind me it's real...yes - but one I am a lucky fool to witness. You kids are amazing.

 And next we have one of many cool children's spots throughout the resort. The older two loved this! Wills was napping with John and Savannah was in the stroller. This was about the extent of our "family time" - a few with each other here and there..........vacationing with babies = not a vacation. Stress marker #4. The vacationing with babies part - not the super cool kid's spots.

You two loved this.

A lot.

Here you said "Mom! Watch me! I'm going to jump! Get it on camera!"

Another awesome thing? The family room. Equipped with a pool table, two fooseball tables, shuffleboard, and a small children's area that was very thoughtfully laid out.

I love this shot sequence! VICTORY!

Wills and the fooseball became buddies.

Well - with my inability to sleep for the two days we were there (stress marker #5), and the fact that we didn't have a kitchen (what was I thinking?!) stress marker #6, and the fact that we had NO cell service (stress marker #7), and the fact that we had to be at the cabin with a napping baby ALL THE TIME (stress marker #8) all added up to = it was time to leave, a day early, and come back when Savannah turns 5.

Lesson Learned. 

Beautiful Sights seen from car window.

A bit o time spent with friends from Highschool.

We will be back Yosemite. Oh yes - we will be back.

Tear jerker

We had such a lovely time at Savannah's Naming Ceremony back in May. I never posted about it. FOR SHAME!

I love this shot of my Dad holding Savannah. He did such a great job on the ceremony. I like having a Minister for a father.

We do love our Dorie cake's

My sister Gab sang a beautiful, beautiful song for my baby girl at her Naming Ceremony.

Please click and enjoy like mad!

Savannah's Song by my sister Gab

(as a note the little voice in the background is Willsie's best bud Owen and he's saying "Adelle! Adelle!" over and over because well.....Gab sounds like Adelle (the singer)

$5.26 toward my future

Recently I have been on a major soul searching journey. Mostly through my parenting principles. After a particularly amazing day at a seminar - I came away a better person.

I have searched forever to find something that will be my life's work.

Raising children is truly where it's at for me - but deep down I knew I needed more.

Plus as much as I can fantasize, I can't keep having babies into my 80s.

Back to this turning point of a day though; something clicked during the seminar and all the pieces of the past 10 years seemed to come together at once. I knew I was finally where I needed to be to see that what I have always wanted to do was have a preschool and teach in a very particular style. More on that later.

It's funny that I didn't fully see this years ago. Hours of my time were spent reading books on preschools, watching video interviews with successful preschool directors and in general researching education. I do this nonstop. Really? Yes. Passions can't be explained.

So I came home and shared with the kids my goal "for when I grow up." Lucas said "That's probably going to cost of loooot of money" and I agreed.

Lucas walked away and came back with this pile of coins.

He smiled and said nothing. I knew. And smiled back.

"Mom, this is for the preschool."

Seeing this Charlotte brought some of her money too...

and seeing THAT Lucas brought more...

This was a gesture that can't be beat. To give all the money you have to someone else's dream is beyond words.

You two are beyond words.

Homeschooling - Chronicles of an emotional journey I didn't sign up for...or did I?

Homeschooling is like no other.

          Any uncertainty I had on any aspect of parenting has arrived at my "front door" and is starring me in the face. All day. Every day.

         Did I wish this on myself? Did I actually sign up for this subconsciously??

         At 2:30pm everyday the answer is "HELL NO! Send these kids away!" but in quiet times when "the voices" are silenced I have to wonder.........

         I have so many questions I need answers to. I have so many uncertainties that need certainty. This parenting and schooling journey is one wrought with fear, worry, joy, tears (good and bad), and fulfillment beyond measure.

        But still - I do feel some days - I didn't sign up for this!!!

         I have decided to chronicle my emotional journey through my homeschooling style. This is so personal. This is mostly for me. And somewhat for a kids. Hopefully - you lovely people - you will read this and think "Awwww, I get it now. Poor mom was just doing her best" So if you read it be very kind to me.and I will let you come along as I figure this out.

        Here are some letters to my mentors wherein I pour my heart out.

A letter to one of my top 10 favorite people on the planet, my educational mentor, who happens to also be my favorite high school teacher: 

"August 9th - 5 weeks into homeschooling:

All is going better. I had been in quite a funk but was trying to suppress it. I was failed purposy, hating the kids, hating homeschooling and just hating life (not quite but almost). Then I went to the Home School Conference and got a huge boost there. A lot of those folks are what is called unschoolers. I went to a seminar on it and it was actually totally fascinating and I have a feeling L. Ron Hubbard would say that is the TOTAL way to go. What I got from it was that you basically trust your child to find things that interest them and then help them in ANY and EVERY way so they can do that and more of that. I just get nervous that they might miss out on valuable things and experiences if we don't sometimes force (oh so lovingly) them to try other things..........I don't know. The great debate! :) 

Anyway - the Home School Conference was awesome. And then the kids were out of town camping with their old school for a week right after so I had a chance to chat things over with John. Then we went to Utah for 8 days and stayed with John's cousin who has 10 kids and is the coolest lady. That also calmed me down more.

Then we have returned and I am learning to just let things flow more. Stop resisiting everything that detracts of my daily goals (which often feels like anything the children say and want from me!). Trying to enjoy the process.

I also started reading A New Slant on Life as I want to change my parenting style to be more in line with LRH. Give the kids more freedoms in their own lives. Not control them so freaking much. It's such a tough area as I like cleanliness and order!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARGH!!!!

Anyway - John and I have been meeting every night to discuss things. Compare notes on other families. Read together, etc. It's really fun.

Today was a super good day. I gave the kids checklists and we all seemed to like this better instead of me barking orders and corraling them constantly through my master list. This way they could kinda of go at their own pace. We'll see. It's such a trial and error sort of deal."

 __________________________________________________________________________________

And then a few weeks later my other parenting and educational mentor Joke (Yoka) Reeder comes to town to put on a 6 hour seminar. I was blown away. Speechless. Calm. Full of love and thinking clearly. After her seminar these are the notes I wrote her:

"Joke!! We are driving to the pet store to create a frog habitat! We are building tables! We are DOING this! You are an angel. I have talked to several moms today and we are creating Joke event. This must happen! Thank you to pieces for yesterday's seminar."

Following day:

"Joke! You were right! The LeBaron house has suddenly filled up with extra kids because there is so much going on here! Action! Not screens! We are making jello from scratch, soldering metal towers, and playing board games. I have a happy & productive house. We love you!"

Later that day...

"I would like to tell you the rest as things are winding down now.

First - after several active and fun things  - we go over to pick up my daughter from a playdate. And my older son TALKS TO HIS SISTER. He didn't want to fight or tease - the first thing he did was search her out to HAVE A CHEERFUL CONVERSATION! Holy, holy moly! Tears. Mommy tears.

The place we were picking up my daughter was one that always has videos, movies, video games. and ipad time.  Before my daughter was allowed over I made sure I was going to get support for  our "three weeks of no screen experiment" With all screens completely and unquestionly banished my kids did the following: soccer, talk to grown ups, dance, play piano, crafts, beg to built model airplanes, and challenge people to a game of chess. And I LOVED spending time with them.

We then soldered a whole bunch more with me and is currently building a Eiffel Tower with soldering wire. After I retired to the bath he charged in the bathroom with a huge grin on his face to tell me:

"MOM! I am going to make Charlotte and Isabella jewelry hangers. I will start with them. And then mom, I will build something for you and dad"

Can we just stop and cry right now?!?????

Thank god I am in a place to GET IT now. Thank god I am homeschooling and can finally DO something about it. Boy - I get it now. 

I have always loved children, babies, and especially children and babies and education together. I think I have finally, finally, FINALLY - without a doubt - know it for sure - figured out my true purpose this lifetime. I want to open a preschool when the kids are older.

I love you. I need you"

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tonight. A letter to Linda with another update:

I went to a Joke Reeder seminar last weekend and can I just tell you - I have been to them before. And I did get A LOT out of them before. But now after having done 175 hours of therapy at the church AND now that I am homeschooling and can finally be TOTAL cause over my family and children's education....I got SO MUCH out of it. I was walking on water for about 3 days I swear to GOD!

That woman - I have to say it Linda - that woman knows her stuff on education and children like no other. LIke NO OTHER. I could almost stop right there.

I mean seriously...............her take on education is mind blowing. It is VERY Sudburry Valley. It is VERY much like all those books out there that challenge the ineffective job the public school is doing. You would get goose bumps. You would either hate it or love it. I'm telling you - the whole universe goes quiet when she talks. My mind becomes calm, logical and sane. I love my children. I see clearly. And I see that there is no quesiton to what needs to be done.

After the seminar John and I talked until the wee hours of the morning. It was very interesting timing because - I don't know if it's the homeschooling or just this stage of parenting - but John and I are starting to question EVERY aspect of our parenting........to give allowance or not? To assign chores or not? To lovingly force the kids to do piano lessons or not? To unschool or structure school? And on and on?

 It seems as though the parental s&%# is hitting the fan...........And then this seminar came to town. And instead of reeling.....I came home focused. Loving. Calmer. I came home completely revitalized on my purpose as an educator and I want to work with children in the way Joke does. Unhurried, unforced, putting so little attention on the seriousness of an education - but just there lovingly providing a ton of learning activities and information as needed and as desired. 

Can you even begin to wrap your mind about a space that didn't force you into a classroom? That didn't force you to study things? But was there giving classes if you wanted to go? Can you imagine being in a space where it was totally safe to say you HATED _________ (subject) and not be treated like shmuck?? OH man I have to say I cried buckets while in the audience of her seminar. I needed Joke when I was a student. I needed space and love so I could come around. And come around I did but only after schooling was no longer mandatory.

Thank god you were there for me in your unmatchable Linda way. I was in such rough shape then!!!!!!!!!!

So anyway - like I was saying - we started our three week experiment after Joke's seminar and banned ALL screens from the house. TV, movies, ipads, iphones, all. The kids rebelled heavily for 1 hour. And then like Joke said we replaced that ban with a TON of doingness. We built a frog tank, got chickens, have done 4 field trips, made cakes, tarts, read a ton of books, etc., etc. It's more work for me - but I am finding my parenting saner. I feel better. It's hardest on me I think to know I can't pop a movie in on Friday nights when I am tired. :) 

And although I felt so good and certain of myself during and after the seminar the thing that I ALWAYS come back to and that you and I always talk about is the worry, or disagreement that we have with unschooling………………….

The one side of me completely sees the TRUTH of it. The sanity of it. The rightness of it. As - you and I know - it DOES NOT take 12 freaking years to get a quality education. Joke says it takes 3 if you are interested and a good student. I have a feeling she's close. So her WHOLE thing she does out there at that school is gets kids calm enough, loved enough, built up enough and to give them that quality three years. And all the while in a very unserious, unhurried way and FULL of fun and doingness actions. 

And the other side of me LOVES the structured approach. I love my checklists. My date stamper. My red pen. I love knowing that if I do 2 pages a day in math and 1 chapter of spelling a week they will make it through by June for that grade level. I love this. It feels safe. And secure. But seriously………..I have to look at - - - IS IT RIGHT???

I fight with my children off and on all day to get through their schoolwork. Some days I come to have serious animosity toward them. And they me. Is it because I am simply just the mom? Or is it something more?

It's time to meet again I think!

____________________________________________________________________________________

And so the great debate rages on. But I have a feeling I am closer than ever before to The Answer.

xoxoxo to infinity,

Allie

PS So I am totally revitalized on my purpose and I AM going to open up a preschool once the kids are older or grown. It's happening. I have always wanted to do something like this. Do you know Bev Bos??? She is an early childhood educator LEGEND and runs a famous preschool in northern CA. I just started subscribing to the monthly CDs she puts out that has videos of different aspects of her school so I can see how it's done, articles, etc.. I have been following her for years but got failed purposey on my preschool idea. Well that's all gone and I'm creating again! Even if it doesn't open for 15 years! Bev Bos is the Linda Neilson and Joke equivalent but for preschool. You would ADORE her.

Utah Trip Day 7 - County Fair

Day #7 of our Utah Trip brought is to the little country fair in Delta.

I love that kind of stuff (holy moly I sound like my mother!!)

First up is their duct tape contest - how cool is that??

These duct tape shoes were made by a teenager.

As were these! SO AWESOME! That's what I want my children doing with their spare time!

Duct tape flip flops! LOVE!

And a little snow cone break. I try not to think of the damage the blue dye with do to her body but I can't help myself. But her face is a good distraction. Pure cuteness.

Mr Will found a balloon. Daddy actually sweettalked a booth owner into cutting it off their booth for him. Yay daddy!

Can we talk about this shirt real quick? Really?? Horse mural on your shirt?? It was too much. I had to remember this one forever and ever.

I kept commenting over and over to my nieces how Utah girls really know hairdos. One of them said to me (sweet thing ever) "It's all we have going for us!" LOL

Mexican dancers! Loved this! Sweetest little dancer ninas.

But the ladies was a treat. I just love the red skirt. Could I get away with it?? Hmm....

stunning

The red one is calling to me!

Next were the animals. The kid's had a blast looking at them all.

A row of chickens. Just wait until you meet Cruela DeVille!

Hola scary chicken! I named you Cruela DeVille as you are a starleing likeness.

told ya!

Oh sweet Savannah bear. You were just a queen and slept away. Your red hair is always an attention grabber but this day you were photographed (while awake) for the Delta newspaper. You are just too much.

Madam Olivia - I will follow you wherever you go.

Children's Rodeo!

we all LOVED watching these pipsqueaks riding their horses, jumping off, wrangling a goat, and riping off a ribbon all while being timed. It was electrifying! Sorta kinda.

Awwwwww - look at this little buddy. Daddy was running down with him cuz he really is that small.

But not small enough to wrangle a goat. 

He done make me proud and I don't even know him.

We will miss you country fair. Until next time!