says Quinn. Tyler was her assistant and here is what they created. Foil, paper, tape and and an imagination. And of course, there is a snug home for the animals. Love. Love. Love.
There was also play on the trapeze bar and the kids asked that I take a picture of them holding on with their feet on the wall, so here these are:
And Mr. Chase came walking around the corner with this on his head. Really, there is no such thing as a dull day around here.
One morning while I was getting some chores done, the kids decided to play Twister. They decided that one kids would call the colors, while the other was on the mat. They had a great time. These two never cease to amaze me and make me smile.
The light that comes through our living room in the mornings is incredible. And there is something magical about the way it illuminates their play. I love this scene so much.
As we slowly settle into homeschooling, I am seeing more and more where the magic comes in. One morning last week I sat down to bind some small books of the kids art. Upon seeing my needles and thread, Quinn said, “I want to sew.” She had been wanting to all holiday, but I was just too busy sit down with her. Tyler was right behind her with a “me too!” And so, that is where our morning went. And so it was that sewing was our focus for a few days. It was so cool!
Drawing a picture to embroider
Quinn doing the same, then she enlisted Mama’s help
Picking out thread colors
Tyler’s drawing – a house, a car and a tree
Look at that furrowed brow!
And the tongue comes out!
Tyler also deep in concentration
Tyler’s work
Quinn’s work
And now for Day 2!
Quinn back at work
Quinn’s work
And they were back at it on Day 3!
Sewing side by side – I love it!
Tyler’s work. He finished his original drawing deciding the car looked more like a log pile. Then he decided to add some clouds.
Quinn’s work. She finished her turtle and cactus and decided to add an ocean and beach.
There are a lot of normal days around here, but so much cool stuff happens during those normal days.
The kids got a bunch of “bendy” straws and masking tape and made stuff. Tyler was very proud of his “trident”. He also took a coffee cup sleeve, taped some straws to it and made some kind of claw thing. Then I got out a cardboard box and Quinn and Tyler made the place quite cozy. I love looking back at these pictures when it is night and the house is quiet. With nothing else to distract me, I am able to fully appreciate their play and creativity.
Later on the kids put on Daddy’s shirts and had quite a good time swinging in them.
Later on that day we had crafts. We made Thanksgiving candles. This one is mine. Our fall nature table looking quite cheerful with the addition of some lovely flowers from a friend And finally, Tyler found my camera and took some pics of Quinn hiding behind her bank.
Some days I get so busy, I forget about all the magic and small moments. I am trying to change that. After all, that is one big reason I stay home.
I wish I could articulate what the last two months have been like. Surreal. I look out the window for answers and there is a giant full moon staring back at me. It is all so completely surreal.
I have been the supporting cast member in a tale of struggle ignoring the goings on in my own world…the changes taking place, the mounting stress, the plate finally out of room for one more thing.
Then there was this moment. A single moment on a sunny, calm day by the lake when the truth that had been all around me finally sunk in. It was like a slow motion free fall from that point forward.
And after so long of facing someone else’s demons, I was now facing my own. December will go down as one of the darkest months for me on record. I walled out the world, sat in my dark pit, cried and mourned and just felt it all. Every thing that I had been stuffing down while I was holding it together and being strong, every little bit passed through me. Fears and anxiety kept my shoulders and stomach in knots. I have been down before, but never like this. This was different. This hurt so much. This was hopeless. This was dark.
It felt like my entire world crumbled and then a tornado picked me up dumped me somewhere else.
I have been battling to shake off the depression as it tries to take a stronger hold of me. The new year was looking good, but in a vulnerable place, too much was required of me and I backslid. Thus far I have avoided medications and hope I can continue to do so.
Since this,
I’ve grown up some
Different kinda figther
And when the darkness come, let it inside you
Your darkness is shining
My darkness is shining
Have faith in myself
Truth.
From: Alexander Ebert, “truth”
At this moment, I feel like I am shaking it loose again. I am thankful to be in the care of a therapist who has worked with me previously and is very good. And so here I am trying to work it all out. And that isn’t easy, but it is necessary. I am too tired to try and tell the story. It is similar to anyone else who has done battle with their demons.
I know me though. No matter how far down I am or how long I am down, I seem to always find a way back. And I have to hold onto that. I hold the determination.
There remains a good bit of stress in my life. I am doing what I can to keep myself above water and energized. These days, I am not feeling as down as I am tired. One step at a time. This year is going to be another difficult one in many ways, but I am hoping near the end that life overall will look brighter. Or at least I will be in a better place to handle the bumps that might be coming this year.
I feel the need to state here that homeschooling is not part of what has me down. The changes, the stress would not have been avoided if Tyler was in school. If anything, my kids have been been front and center in keeping me grounded and focused.
And with that – you have my truth. This humble reminder that I too have more growing to do.
It is like Christmas around here the day after Halloween since the sugar sprite visits! This year the kids really seemed to enjoy what she left them.
Spin Art Fun!
Quinn received a spin art maker. She really enjoyed squirting the pain and then making the holder spin. Tyler also got in on the action and together they made about 6 cards each. I wasn’t sure what to do with them and finally decided to bind them together in a small book. So I made them each a small book of their spin art creations.
Lego Catapult!
Tyler was excited about his catapult and wanted to make a movie of himself shooting it, so I obliged. Here is a picture of his catapult and his movie.
Catapult Movie YouTube link (faster and easier to watch):
Click on the image below to view my copy – only do this if the YouTube one is unavailable because it will load much more slowly.
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