Back to school

Back to school is upon us again. Even as I write this, it's with a heavy heart. I miss my kids! Almost a week in, and while it's been easier for me than last year. This will never be easy. It's this time of year I miss homeschooling the most. Unfortunately, it doesn't work out at this point with the needs of our family. Also, these children of mine are flourishing at school- they are learning lots & enjoy it! What more could I ask for.

Things have been quiet here for awhile. At first, it was due to soaking up every minute of time I could with all my kids home for the summer. In that time, I also realized I was taking a much needed break. A break from making things for selling, a break from vending at shows, all of it. I worked on only things for keeping- it's been awhile. A break from the blog, or just the idea I HAD things to do. I'm starting to miss this little space now, and while I often take little breaks, so far I have always found the desire to return. I just listen to the little voice that says move away, rest, return- a bit more these days.

Posts will still be a little sporadic for awhile. My beloved camera needs sent in for repairs. {Can you hear those sobs} I truly feel like a part of my arm has been lopped off. I so often reach for my camera in a day that removing the behavior has been so hard for me. I'm not going to lie, close to traumatic-as silly as it sounds. So if anyone is needing Kunklebaby products, head over to the shop!! Haha, now is the time to help out with the fix camera fund.

Fair Days

We got to spend the day at The Ohio State Fair yesterday. For the record, I LOVE the fair! I love all the animals, people watching, junk food I eat once a year, the smiles & squeals that come from my children. This year was extra special because it's the first year Baby {J} has really been into it. He's finally old enough to know whats up. He's watched the older kids ride the rides, eat the food and visit the animals in the past, but this year he was able to take part. He was in love with the pigs and worked up the courage to pet a few horses-very tentatively. He rode his first ride and pony.

Ice cream, cotton candy, funnel cakes and lemonades were had by all. I think everyone went home with belly aches last night- the good kind though. The kind that comes from too much junk food, but you don't even care cause it was so good and so fun eating it. It was a good day!

Amazing

This weekend was amazing.  Just simple, casual time spent together as a family. Laughter, swimming, popcorn- good old American Summer Fun! I feel like I really connected with the kids on so many levels. My heart is full of love tonight, and swelling. As I kissed all four of their little heads goodnight, I couldn't help but want to wake them up, continue the weekend, so it would not end. It was a fleeting thought, but felt good. It feels good to be surrounded in so much joy. 

Summering

It's been quiet here at the blog this summer. It wasn't an intentional thing, it's grown more as a necessary thing I guess. With four little ones to entertain, feed, play with {and clean up after} this Mama is just tired. At the end of the day i have crawled in bed with some knitting or a book rather than head to the laptop. I compose witty, fun posts in my head some days. They never seem to make it the computer though. I have this weird problem of intending to spend 15 minutes on the computer and then find myself 2 hours later pouring over Etsy & catching up on blog reading. Only me?

I have been enjoying this calm, freedom that summer has afforded me. I always need a bit of a break this time of year. I hoping in the months to follow to get back on here daily though. I enjoy blogging and have started to miss it as of late. Hope all you readers are enjoying a relaxing, calm summer so far as well.

If you want to keep up with us a little more, I am on instagram now. Love some instant gratification! Come by and follow, you can find us with the same username- Kunklebaby. I'll leave you with a few pictures of our summer. Ohhh the fairy houses my children have been building. It's so magical & fun to watch them so involved in foraging and building from eldest, right down to the youngest.

summer of 1964

So, not exactly 1964, but this photo totally reminds me of something that could have been taken then. The striped & polka dot swimsuits, children hanging out at the beach house, sunny, bright yellow paint... I can almost hear, The Doors playing on the radio when I look at this. Yes, I have a pretty avid imagination I guess for someone born in the 80's. I can continue dreaming of the 60's, though. It will never stop!

All in all, it was a great day, minus the house and half Baby {J} cried he had to go to the bathroom, but refused to use our friends. {the very idea Mom!} Anyone else have a child that will ONLY use their bathroom at home? Don't even ask about the though of a "public" restroom. Sends shivers down his spine All my other children wanted to see the bathroom EVERYWHERE we went, sometimes 3x or more just to check it out. I thought that was aggravating at the time, but at least I wasn't driving home to make pit stops for them. Ahh well,this too shall pass in time. Someday {J} will be holding his own wee baby, and I'll chuckle to myself reminiscing about his toddlerhood and these stories. Happy news, he finally gave in and peed-- at someone else's house. OMG-the very idea. I was a happy Mama, and hopefully, just hopefully we are taking baby steps towards other bathrooms out yonder.

-for the full retro effect- 

 Happy Summer-ing.

summer

Summer is in full force here. The weather is beautiful, the kids have been out of school for a few weeks now.      It's taken a little adjusting this year, to the new schedules and having to continue with speech & school for {L}, but I think we are getting there. I keep trying to remind myself, when the kids are all in my ear, bored, hungry or arguing--that this is hard for them too. Let's face it change is hard no matter how small or insignificant seeming. I should know, I am the queen of anxiety, over unstructured, change.

While each day hasn't been filled with rainbows and unicorns {yet-fingers crossed for that day}, we are enjoying each others company and getting back to the relaxing, feeling of release that summer brings. I hope another week or so and the older children will get back in the hang of being home all the time {ohh, how I miss homeschooling, right about now. There would have been no shift} This summer I am trying to let go a bit and give these two quickly growing up, children, a little more freedom and independence. I am working on speech and letters with the younger two over the next few months, waiting to see if {L} will be ready to enter school when he should. {It's the unknown and waiting that gets me}

Lots & lots of reading has been happening in our home for everyone. We removed the tv from our living room a few months back, and I couldn't be happier about the process. The first week was rough for everyone. Lots of whining, grumpy, children and I thought I might go mad from the complaints. Right when I thought this would never work, what was I thinking making life harder for myself, a change fluttered through the house. The kids were finding toys long forgotten. Reading way more than before {and they were big readers to begin with}, spending more time exploring in the yard and just plain relaxing. Rach day, they were missing that old tv, less & less. I think the shift helped Little {L} the most of all. I am a happy mama with our choice. Our home is not totally tv free, and Friday movie night has now taken on a while new meaning for the kids.

So as summer filters into our lives day by day this month, we will be enjoying the sun, working on a few relationships in the house, and trying to make everyday count to it's fullest.

so little... so far

In such a short time, this little guy has come so far. Two years ago he was unable to fully stick his tongue out. He was unable to speak 3/4 of all sounds and he was FRUSTRATED. It was so difficult to watch him act out aggressively due to that frustration. My heart would weep.

I can't help but smile at every single picture he sticks his tongue out in. He worked for this, he struggled & persevered just to be able to do that. The weeks and years has passed quickly since we started speech therapy. In that time my shy, little boy, longing to be heard and understood, has blossomed into such a talkative, deep thinking little man. Each day opening up more and more. I will forever be thankful for the women who have helped us along this path, and continue to help us week after week. These wonderful people, who sit with my child, and sing and play, while helping him, never judging or pushing too hard, have changed life for us.

So a little smile may cross my face, every time this child of mine sticks his tongue out at me. Four years old or forty four, with silliness or anger, it's all worth it kid! I can't wait to watch you grow some more tomorrow.

ladybug release

Over the weekend, we released 1,500 ladybugs into our gardens. Ladybugs eat aphids and save our veggies from the little invaders. When released at dusk, since they do not fly at night, they will remain on the plants, eating up the bad guys and laying eggs until morning. I looked around locally and could not find any sadly, so we resorted to ordering ours. I was a little worried about the shipping process, but they arrived happy & alive.

The kids LOVED it! Ok, I loved ot too! Even the littlest who is not a fan of any bugs so far! He was calling them to him, like you call a cat, Chuuu chuuuuu... here lalalaloo bug. It was awesome. Once the bag was open they were quick to try and make their escape. We needed them in three area's of the yard so we held the bag so it could be moved when needed. If you only had one area you could just lay the bag down and watch them crawl and fly out. The kids liked and were also creeped out at times, with the bugs crawling over their hands & wrists.

When the last ladybug has flown the coop, the kids moved on to building a grand, obstacle course. Complete with yard toys, random "not" kid things like the shovel, and some newspaper I had used earlier in the day to block spray paint. They savored every minute of being outside after their normal bedtimes. Running, giggling and enjoying the early eve. Littlest guy decided he was bored with older kids and set out to be naughty. See that mischievous little grin up there. I may be in trouble with this one. haha!

Summer has arrived for us!

three more days.

Three more days of school left this year. Most likely three, hectic days left. Shuffling children to and from, trying to motivate those kids to get ready for the last few days- please guys you can muster the strength to wake up & get ready for school three more times? I know you can! Three days until I no longer have a second and first grader, but kids headed for 2nd & 3rd grades. However did they grow so fast?

I will share with some some captured moments from the last week. Little moments tucked away with just me and my amazing four year old. Moments enjoyed before I have a houseful again all day long and the baby's nap time needs shared with his two older siblings. I'm really looking forward to summer this year, but I have also savored all the special times I have gotten to share with my youngest boys lately. One on one with Baby {J} while {L} is at preschool a few hours a week-jogging, playing, laughing. Peaceful afternoons in the yard playing and tired snuggles while Baby {J} is sleeping.

The countdown to Summer has begun.... 3... 2.... 1.

strawberry fields

I was reminded today of the need for rest. The need for play, adventure and fun. We spent the beginning of the day lounging around a messy house. The kids were cranky, Mom & Dad were cranky. It wasn't turning out to be a rather joyful or relaxing day. Mounds of laundry and dishes awaited us. I did what every Mom does at that point, and headed to the computer to read some blogs. {everyone does this right? haha}

A rather impromptu decision after reading Honeyruns Farm's post this afternoon, sent us out to the strawberry field & out for flowers. {Yes, hum the Beatles song in your head... now} Best decision of the day! After quickly loading some grumpy, arguing kids into the car, the family mood instantly lightened. That's the crazy thing about adventures with no rules or preconceived idea's about what's going to happen. I find, with no rules, we are never disappointing. Happiness is easy to achieve. After lots of mapquest and a few thanks for gps, we arrived. At the strawberry field, the children were delighted to find a toad, play with two giant, sweet as can be Great Danes, pick 9lbs of strawberries, and chug some lemonade after enduring the heat of the day. We ended with a quick stop for flowers, at the pick your own flower garden. The couple who owned the garden rode by on bikes, with friendly smiles & waves. It was delightful to see such a cute couple.

Riding home I was reminded of the reason I wanted a family to begin with. This was it, these were the moments I envisioned years ago. The laughter, car full of singing children, arm full of flowers and smiling Mama. I am living my dream, and feeling so blessed.

Berries are from Wright's Pickaway Farm. Flowers: Blossom on the Bend.

Weekending, and a little mud.

 I had plans of getting the last bit of the garden planted Saturday while the baby slept. {yes, the not really a "baby" anymore, but I can't stop calling "the baby", baby} It seems the kids had other plans. While I was finishing up the raised beds, the children played in the sprinkler-so I thought. What they were really doing was creating the mother of all mud pits. It's funny how kids can do things you don't even realize while they are 10 feet away. It started with a few mud pies, I heard that happening. Next the kids were a little messy. Next glance they were COVERED in mud. What does every mother do at that point? Grabs the camera!!

So much for my idea of planting. Even in the 90 degree heat, the mud never dried that day {or came close}. Was it worth putting off the planned gardening? OH YES! They were so silly, giggling and having such a great time. A little mud and laughter, never hurt anyone! If it meant I never get that plot planted, it would have been worth it. I'm off to finish planting, and maybe break out some spray paint today.

Happy Memorial Day everyone. I'm so looking forward to this summer!