Life, of the Ordinary Kind

Maybe crispy dead frogs are not what you call “ordinary”.

You’d probably agree with me that messes and unexpected events are part of the ordinary in a family. Those ordinary, unexpected things have been swallowing up quite a bit of time.

Having two toddlers means frequent interruptions to wipe noses and bottoms, sweeping legos out of mouths and dumped food off the floors, cleaning walls and tables from markers. It also means answering 87 times why we can’t drive to Disneyland today.

I found the crispy frog and threw it away.

I listen to poetry recitations and read stories about construction trucks. We go for walks and I hand out bandaids for scraped knees. Multiplication sometimes leads to tears, but solving math problems at the store “without using my fingers!” makes a 6 year old smile with pride.

We cheer for Small Fry taking steps on his own.

We watch the speeches from politicians after the election. We discuss walls and the dignity of all life, and hoping in God who is bigger–thank God–than our government.

I search online for cough remedies, and make elderberry syrup. I help my 5th grader find mountain ranges in Mexico, and check on a hamster’s sore leg (I haven’t a clue there).

We watch a rocket take off with a new satellite.

We collect leaves for a project, and then run out of time.

I’ve fried donut holes (winning!) and then 5 hours later reminded the same kids who ate and love the donut holes that they don’t have to eat dinner if they’re only going to grumble about it and not going to help cook something they’d prefer.

Little Man and Sous Chef learned a bit about soccer this fall, and now they’d like to play on a regular team. Time to find one.

Sweet Pea and Chickadee are learning ballet, and I can’t wait to see them perform part of the Nutcracker.

Firecracker and Small Fry thrive on physical altercations and finding pens that should have been put away.

Small Fry learned to walk, and now he chases his brothers with a light saber.

There’s a huge hole in our wall, because pipes were leaking.

The ocean has been amazing and exciting with high waves and tides due to the super moon.

I’ve been sewing and designing, but mostly chasing messes and playing referee.

This week, my parents are coming to visit! It will be great. We’re going to celebrate Thanksgiving early, celebrate birthdays, and enjoy our time together. Next week is Thanksgiving already–can you believe it? I’ve had some requests for my cranberry sauce recipe, and I have a sweet book to share, so look for that post in a day or two.

What have you been up to?