What they said . . . and a few pics from last year . . .

Kateri: (coming out of her room where she had hidden Clark the cat unbeknownst to me)

Mommy, is Clarky outside?

Me: Hmm I'm not sure . . .

Kateri: I think he is outside, over the hills and SO far away.

(sneaky sneaky! lesson to mom!)

Clark following us on a walk, just like a sulky teenager. He refuses to make eye contact, and follows at a respectable distance, careful not to associate with us too closely!

Clark makes sure that he is present whenever Kia gets nummies.

Once I pulled in front of the library to drop off some books in the drop box. I jumped out of a car, and another lady kindly held the little drop box door open for me. After thanking her, I jumped back in the car.
Kateri: Was she nice?
Me: Yes, she was very nice.
Bashy: (In and incredulous voice) Her can TALK?
Me: Yes
Bashy: (even more incredulous) Her can EAT?
Me: Yes
Kateri: (You could practically HEAR her eyes rolling): Bashy, persons can talk and eat!

My two constant companions

Or maybe 3, 3 constant companions!

Sebastian: (using some chap stick, which has turned into one of the most sought after possessions in our home)
Kateri: Boys do NOT use lip balm! They do not wear dresses! Boys are HANDSOME!
Sebastian: (determined not to give up the chapstick no matter the cost) I'm not handsome!
Kateri: Yes! You're handsome!
(somehow I feel certain they will not have this same argument in 10 years!)

Bashy: *cough*cough* There is a frog in my throat!
Me: Oh, does it say, "Ribbit"?
Bashy: No . . . It says. "Hi, you Bashy, I am in your mouth."
Ok then!

Mom made Kateri this darling little mouse!

Aunt Betty gave us this cute little chair, isn't it perfect in this corner?! I just love it! Thank you, aunt Betty!

Kateri often enjoys composing her own songs, and singing them to herself around the house. She is very confident that her songs are great symphonies, and has shared with me that she is quite certain that even in Heaven, her songs are superior. Occasionally, I remember to write down her lyrics, and as you can see, they are quite superior indeed.
Kateri: (singing and repeating often) I am totally nuts!

(another song)

Kateri: (singing and again repeating often) Mom is so so proud of me!

(another song)

Kateri (singing): If you love me, I don't love you . . .
Me: (Looking at her quizzically)
Kateri: It's a love song, Mommy!
that explains it ;)

Kateri: "Welcome to my Fixer Upper!" 

Never was there ever a tree Kateri did not want to climb!

Sweet girl on a hike at Sky Meadows 2017

Poor sick Bashy

Making me some dinner!

A rare moment in which all four of us are reading simultaneously!

Bashy often falls asleep with one leg crossed. 

Little Kia and Nanny

Sunflower grown from fallen birdseed! 

Sebastian multitasking. Singing, playing the piano, and reading "Danny and the Dinosaur." The music may not have been of the highest quality, consisting of one note played over and over!

Bashy: I have a new tooth coming in!
Me: Where?
Bashy: It is outside the door and is coming into my mouth!
Kateri: (rolling her eyes) There is no tooth outside, Bash!
Bashy: (unabashed) It is downstairs and coming in!

Kateri positively flies on her scooter

That smile!

Monkey see, monkey do! How young they learn. 

Bashy: (after looking through the book "Farmer Giles of Ham") I like it only a lot but not too much.

Danny is a very thoughtful and gentle cousin

Visiting with dear friends!

Can you believe Finn was ever this tiny?!

On the feast of St Kateri

When even Clark won't look at me for a proper photo.

Kia was acting normal, but felt warm, and would you believe when we got home she was over 102? Poor baby!

While on a hike recently, I pointed out a mountain ridge to Kateri

Me: See that mountain? It is undulating, see how it looks like waves?

Kateri: It looks like my writing! I do ocean writing! (touche! she fills pages that way!)

Me: Pat, I am dying to see the houses you found! (on realtor.com)
Bashy: (with a smile) Don't die, mom!

Easter 2017

Only about a million years too late. But OH WELL! 

Inspired by the King Arthur Bake-along challenge, I made some chocolate bobka bread.

It took at least 6 hours from start to finish, so I had some pretty high expectations for the results. 

And it did not disappoint! Maybe it was the fact that it followed Lent and 40 days of no chocolate, or maybe it was the fact that after all that time I was DETERMINED that everyone would LOVE it OR ELSE, but for whatever reason, it was a hit and hopefully we can make it a new Easter tradition!

Easter Sunday was lovely! We saw Mom and Dad in the morning, and did an Easter egg hunt with the Grenier cousins (HOT weather, ALL CHOCOLATE MELTED, so much melted chocolate everywhere)

And then we headed up to Sky Meadows for a picnic! 

It was much cooler up there, and absolutely gorgeous. 

We couldn't resist setting up our picnic under this beautiful tree.

And, afterwards, we headed off on a hike!

Pat noticed a turtle go under the mud in this shallow ditch, and went in for a closer look. Some park rangers jumped out of their truck and came over to investigate.

They located the turtle and then dug him out with a shovel!

The turtle was not impressed at ALL at being manhandled in such a way, but he was entirely unsuccessful in his attempts to bite the shovel in half. 

And, of course, the kids were impressed! 

The rangers said the turtles walk up to the pasture to lay their eggs, it must be quite a hike for them and is much MUCH longer than I thought snappers went to lay their eggs. 

We looked for baby turtles in the pond, but didn't see any! However, people were fishing and having picnics and there was quite the festive atmosphere!

  

However, we did see another snapper that was trying to cross the road to get back to the pond. One of the rangers we saw earlier helped her across so that no cars would hit her. That turtle was LIVID and was doing all she could to bite the rangers hands. I wish I had a picture when her neck was all the way out and she was swinging around to snap at the ranger!

On the way back, Kateri took off her shoes because there was some dirt on them. Four year old logic.

All in all, it was a lovely day! Thanks be to God for all His abundant graces!