Summer time

It's here. We're all glad. Mike and I have both realized and admitted that we really dislike winter. Vermont is known for it's beautiful snowy mountains but the reality is, the beauty is the summer time. It just smells so good out there, like fresh dirt and grassy fields. Fall and spring are beautiful too. But we literally drag ourselves through the winter, barely surviving emotionally. We are just not snow people.

We bought a pass to our town's lake. It's a beautiful 10 minute walk from our backyard. That's honestly half the fun of going to the lake because we pass through what's known as "The Pit," which is a large field with lots of fun exploring for the kids. We have big plans to go at least every week day to get us out of the house. We'll see if my 9 month pregnant self will agree to it. Here are some photos from our trip there on Father's Day. I wish I had taken better photos that would show the scenery. This is a small lake surrounded by mountains. It's really gorgeous.

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Charlotte reading

Here's a video of Charlotte reading the comics this morning. She's really surprised all of us. There were some really hard words in this comic strip like appreciate, genius, exactly, celebrate, guaranteed, and anniversary. She's only 5! What a reader!

THIS....is American Idol.

Does that make me Ryan Seacrest?

Some good news to share! We had our ultrasound yesterday and the baby looks great. I haven't heard the official report yet but the technician said there were no problems. No matter how many ultrasounds we've had with all the kids, it's still amazing to watch. We're halfway to meeting this new little person!

Pictures!

I've neglected this poor blog. The honest truth is that I've been too tired and sick to do anything with it. Because, if you haven't already heard, we're bringing in baby Burch #4! We're all extremely excited. I've been hoping for this baby for a while now and I just hope it's growing all safe and healthy in there. I'm due at the tail end of summer (September 3rd to be exact).

In other exciting news, Elijah made it to the State Spelling Bee again this year. He tried his best and we are so proud of him. I'm proud of his spelling smarts, but I'm even more proud of his attitude. When he left the stage after the 3rd round, he said, "Oh, well. I'll just come back next year and do better." I could *never* have gone up on a stage in front of all those people, for fear of failure and embarrassment. But he's a horse of a different color than I am and every day he surprises me.

Charlotte has been outside nearly every day now. She prances around the front yard, having secret conversations with herself, making odd piles of rocks and twigs and surrounding them with chalk drawings. I have no idea what she's doing out there but there can't be anything more dear than watching her play. She's full of shy questions about how the world works and you can just see her soaking it all in, every day. Recently she asked me how gravel works. When I explained, in a confused way, that it created a surface for cars to drive on, she replied..."No. I mean gravel. The thing that makes me not float away." Ahhh....gravity. Yeah, I'm not sure I can explain that one either.

I'm sure everyone will be happy to hear that Lucy has not hurt her head in the last few weeks. Since she spends her days mostly placing her body in harms way I'm sure she will soon bump her head again so stay tuned. As rough and tumble as she is, she has suddenly become very frightened of the trains that pass by our house several times a day. When I hear the whistle blow, it's only seconds until I hear her screams, "Chugga-chugga choo choo!" She's truly terrified. She runs to me, crying and wanting to be held. That's all she needs. Once it passes by, she's fine.

She's been dancing alot lately, graceful moves that she tells me are ballet. One morning, soon after I woke up, she turned on some music and told me, "I'm going to dance. Don't laugh at me, ok?" I obviously answered ok but as soon as she began, laughter just tumbled out of me. I wasn't laughing at her because she was dancing in a funny way. She wasn't. She was dancing so sweetly and slowly and thoughtfully and I laughed because it was so beautiful I couldn't even contain how happy it made me feel. But the damage was done. She was crushed. She gave me a look full of hurt and bowed her head, saying, "You told me you wouldn't laugh,". I don't think my heart has ever broken that hard. I wish I could explain to her why I laughed and I will someday. She'll understand when she's a mom.

I’ve done it again…

I've gone months without updating! Shoot, this blogging is tougher than it seems. It wears a woman down, I tell you. Either that or I'm just lazy.

Christmas was all it should be. We had a wonderful time and we were spoiled beyond compare. I have yet to upload any photos because...well....because I'm lazy. At this point, I'm just going to make a clean break and just start fresh with any new photos because trying to play catch up would be crazy.

The big kiddos had their school concert today. Charlotte actually got up on stage and sang with her class and of course, my heart just swelled seeing her up there. She has grown so much and she is such a big, sweet, gorgeous little girl. Eli tried to stay behind the scenes as much as they would allow him by being the line prompter and such. He was up in the front for band and during some songs. He played beautifully and did his best to look cool. To see him up there, with his class, all of them so gangly and nearly adult-like, it was quite the contrast to seeing his little sister. I try to pretend neither of them will get any older but they keep breaking this facade I've built.

Eli also had his school spelling bee today. He won and will move on to the state contest next month. We couldn't be any prouder. He really loves spelling and said he feels this rush of excitment when competing. I think it bums him out that it only comes once or twice a year so we've been brainstorming some ways for him to spread his passion for it into other areas. He's thinking of starting a school newspaper and asking to be the editor.

Lucy...oh Lucy. Lucy who has been to the emergency room twice now in a period of just 2 months. First she cracked her head on a table while trying death-defying acts of wonder and amazement and ended up with three staples. The second time, she fell from Eli's arms while they were running sock-footed on the hardwood floors. When I swooped her up, she wasn't breathing and then she passed out for a good five minutes. I have honestly never felt fear like that. The worst scenarios were running through my mind, things like her choking or having broken her neck. Thankfully, she was fine and we have yet to hear from Child Protective Services, as I had wearily anticipated. So...it's a win-win.

Other than that, she's hilarious and sweet. Late one evening, way past her expected bedtime, she asked me for a peanut butter sandwich. When I turned her down, she pouted but moved on. A few minutes later, she turned to me and batted her eyes and said, "Momma...you the best momma EVER." I responded with plenty of kisses and thank-you’s to which she responded, "Now I think you give me a peanut butter sandwich."

Ok, I think that's enough updating for now. Maybe I'll even have pictures next time.

Christmas is coming...

We attended our town Christmas party. Lucy just had the best time visiting with Santa and playing with her friends. When she heard Santa's bells as he was coming up the stairs, she *RAN* to the stairwell, shrieking in joy and shouting, "SANTA!" She was the first to run to his lap and even thought, all on her own, to bring him a plate of cookies and a cup of milk because he wasn't given any. What a sweetie pie.

Before bed, the kids add a piece to our Advent Calendar. I made this several years ago after I got the idea from a magazine. It's a family hit.

Spreading the Christmas cheer…

      

The first snow brings elves to our house…

We had our first snow and it brought an inch or two.  The kids were outside at the first chance and we all had a snowball fight.  Lucy just couldn’t believe what she was seeing.  She kept saying it was raining.  She came out of the house, her voice full of wonder and even some fear, saying, “Our car…covered!  Our plants….covered!”  It’s definitely a cliche but it is just so much fun to live life all over again with a new little person.

^^LUCY LU LU^^

^^CHARLIE CHUCKLES^^

^^ELI (JUST ELI)^^

When we woke up the next morning, we found that during the night our Christmas Elf, Dexter, had set up his own barricade and was ready to assault us with his own arsenal of snow balls.  He’s quiet feisty.

Oh Christmas Tree

Here’s Decorating Day 2009! We set up the tree and put on our lights and ornaments. We love to laugh and reminisce over the ornaments (“Merry Christmas, Boss!”  I bought this one for Michael one year,  mistakenly thinking it was intended for the BOSS of MERRY CHRISTMAS! Instead of for, you know, your regular run of the mill boss.)  Afterwards, we watch a Christmas movie with cocoa and cookies.  It’s a fun day I look forward to every year.

  

 

So very thankful….

Here are a few snapshots from our Thanksgiving and boy, do I give thanks.  I am surrounded by people who love me and my children and my husband with all their hearts and all their souls.  I couldn’t be any luckier and I want them to know I love them just as much.  *BIG KISSES AND HUGS* to all of you.

 

  

       Gabey the Baby                             Elijah

          

^^So thankful for new friends.  M and GG with Afaf.^^

^^Olive you!^^

^^I’m not sure who loves who more.^^

^My “brother” James.  He really is as special as he looks.^

(Dawn and D, I love you too.  Enough to know you hate photos of yourselves so I left them out. :P)

Happy Halloween!

We started Halloween with our annual Halloween party.  We played some fun games and had a spooky themed dinner. 

No hands!!

Oh, all right.  But only because you’re cute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RiRing around the pumpkin and the dress-up race!

Charlie put this costume together herself!

Charlotte staged this photo.  Her motivation was, “AH!  A SCARY LION!”

Lucy just couldn’t believe she got free candy.  Instead of the typical “Trick or treat!” she greeted our neighbors with, “I WANT CANDY!”

Playing is children’s work

We’ve been to a lot of children’s museums on our vacations, some of which have been named top in the country.  While in Rochester, Derek brought us to the Strong Museum of Play.  This museum is, by far, the best museum we’ve ever been to.  These photos don’t do it justice.  I was too busy staring and playing to take many photos.

There was a recreation of a grocery store where the kids could shop and check themselves out.  There was a recreation of Sesame Street and an entire pirate ship as well as a recreation of the Berenstein Bears town.  There was a “History of Video Game” exhibits with dozens of arcade games to play as well as an exhibit of the history of toys (we spent hours in this section!).  I could go on and on.  The attention to detail was just amazing.

      

 The girls hosted a cooking show!

Weather Man Dan