Language Lessons in the Tub

One surefire way to get budding writers to write every day is to begin a written dialogue with them. Katie is our newest budding author and we're having some bigtime fun with Bathtub Crayons.
I leave a note for her and Karoline and they respond during their bathtime. And it's just a bonus that this ensures the tub gets washed every day. We need to begin with a clean slate each time:-)

 

 

My favorite response:

Mother's Day Giveaway

Michele is giving away a Catholic Mother's Daily  Planner! I freely admit that I'm happy to blog this just so I can see this pretty picture on my blog. Now, go! Comment and try to win one of these beauties.

Seems like this should be a big deal,

now more than ever.

Small Successes~16

1
 

Leaving the State Cup game on Saturday, I ran into a lady I knew I recognized. She instantly exclaimed, "I know you! You're Danielle's first soccer coach. She's warming up right there. She's playing Division 1 soccer, now. Remember when she wanted to quit?" I did remember. She played with Paddy on a 4-year-old co-ed team. I was coaching because Mike was traveling. Stephen was an infant in a front pack.I remembered meeting her for some extra sessions because she was afraid of the ball and confused on the field. "She'd not be playing at all if it weren't for you!" her mother asserted. Paddy tells me that out of the six kids on that team, three are playing Division 1 now, ten years later. Not bad for a coach who only really knew one secret: the ball is going to go in the direction of your plant foot. 

Everything I need to know I learned in Tiny Tots Soccer.

   
2
I fingerpainted with my little girls before 9:00 AM yesterday morning. This is made even more impressive with the knowledge that someone broke both my coffee pots lasts week, so I painted sans caffeine... The French press was mysteriously missing its glass cylinder. Then, the Mr. Coffee (which plays back up to the press and makes company coffee) was missing its decanter.No one seems to know what happened. I've been vaccuuming glass pieces for days.  I found the sad, plastic decanter top and saved it for CSI-Coffee. I went up to my very friendly neighborhood Starbuck's to see about replacing  the cylinder. The woman took the situation very seriously,called the customer service department, checked into warranties, and on and on. She fixed me a free coffee and then asked, with all gravity, "You have nine kids and you homeschool. What ARE you going to do until you replace it?" I smiled and told her I was sure I'd manage (truth is, I usually drink tea--coffee is reserved for severe sleep deprivation days). She grew even more concerned and told me they'd give me a loaner! These people take their java fix very seriously.
But back to successes: fingerpainting, followed by free coffee and a friend for life in my barista. All good:-)

3
 
I got the perfect birthday present for Christian. He is one happy boy.
 

What are your successes this week? This is a great exercise in holding ourselves accountable and patting ourselves on the backs. Mothering and homemaking don't have built in performance reviews and bonuses. The  internet can be a source of support and encouragement. Let's encourage one another in our small successes.I'm very late to the party, but you can still share too at Faith and Family Live!

New Column

I’ve gotten several e-mails recently asking parenting advice. Idon’t know if I’ll ever be comfortable answering those requests. I’m learning as I go and I don’t presume to know enough to comment on someone else’s home situation with an authority at all, particularly when all I know is what I read in an e-mail.

All I can do is offer observations from experience gained in more than 20 years of parenting a large family. From my own experience, in my own house, my overriding parenting principle is to stay close to your children and to stay close to God. It’s simple advice, but not easy advice.

Please read the rest here.