It’s War!

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Actually, it’s not.  In February, when there was a warm snap (thankfully), we ventured out to a battle reenactment.  It was a Civil War battle that was fought near where we live.  We met some friends there and had a wonderful time.  I was expecting some rinky dink reenactment with not much going.  I have to say I was pleasantly surprised…in fact, we didn’t get to see everything they had set up.  Tents selling Civil War memorabilia and of course, wooden swords and guns (the boys were in heaven).  Zoe and I wanted to go to all the tents selling dresses…and we did hit quite a few (to which I kept telling Zoe I could make those same dresses for her if she wanted).  The battle was pretty neat and managed to see (and feel quite a bit).  We, being our first time and arriving late, chose to sit near the cannons.  They were extremely….extremely loud.  We knew they’d be loud but we didn’t realize that we couldn’t see, for the most part, when the cannons would go off.  So when a round was fired the first shot just made you jump.  Each time.

So here’s the pics from our day:

Zoe and Laura learned out to make rag dolls out of strips of fabric.  The seamstress had an extremely old machine that she used.  It was really neat to see and made me grateful for my new digital sewing machine!

Guess what all the boys liked!?!  They were filthy by the time we left but they had a blast.
The Confederate General (I think).  He was basically standing around telling people to not plug their ears and close their mouths at the same time when the cannons went off.  If you did…it’d hurt…really bad.
In history, a few weeks ago, we were reading about the American Revolution and General Washington trying to train his troups.  We read about a volley but I don’t think the kids quite understood what I was talking about.  I tried to explain it but nothing beats seeing in front of your eyes.  When the infantry marched out, they got to see several volleys!  That was pretty cool.
As we were leaving, we were all thirsty (and tired) so we found a place selling…
lemonade and other cool drinks (none with alcohol) in some really fun neat bottles…did you think we were turning our kids into whinos?!
Yep, Ace in front of the Confederate flag downing some nice ice cold lemonade.  It was fun.  You can pick out your bottle and then get refills.
Start ’em early!
Taking a quick break before guzzling some more.
And this is just a fun picture of Zoe!
I know there was a lot wrong and right about the Civil War.  I don’t think History should be ignored or disregarded because it makes us feel bad.  There’s a lot about the Civil War that is not discussed much in classes and I am so grateful for a father who taught me a lot about why the Civil War started (slavery was one of the issues…and just one) and the men who fought it.  He also taught me to be appreciative and somber because this was a war where families were separated and destroyed.  Not a pleasant exciting time.  We tried to drive that point home to the kids as we left.  We didn’t want this to be just a fun event but a chance for them to understand history in a more real way.  If you get a chance to attend a battle reenactment, I hope you do and remember the sacrifices that families from both the North and South made for their beliefs and loyalties.
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Be Patient…

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I am well aware that I missed a post yesterday.  Sorry!  I’m anxiously trying to get some sewing done. I’ve got Ceili Rain’s Easter dress finished and am close to getting Zoe’s finished.  Besides those two projects…next up are

Zoe’s swimsuits…apparently being tall is in for her and she’s outgrown the ones I made last year.

Hopefully a dress for me for Easter.  Finding a nice new outfit is a Spring treat for me and trying to find one while pregnant is near impossible…so I found a pattern I want to try…we shall see.

Aprons for the boys.  They’ve all but destroyed their first aprons they’ve received and I’ve got to make them some more.

And then, possibly, some things for Bryant.  He’s last because, well, he’s not here.  And, I’m not sure what I want to do.  I bought baby bedding at a consignment sale, so that’s taken care of.  Possibly a new nursing cover…appliqued onesie and pants…a sling (Mark’ll love that) and a mei thai (almost most definitely).  I’ve got 20 weeks to come up with something and get it done (add on getting a crib and the boys’ room set up to add one more boy).  That should keep us busy until then.  So glad to have my babies close, but it does make for a tight schedule on getting ready for them.  At least I’m occupied during that “waiting” time.

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Cooking Challenge…Eggplant

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Sure, eggplant is pretty to look at but how do you cook it?  The only other time I had ever cooked with eggplant, I tried my hand at eggplant parmesan…let’s just say it was less than perfect!  Mark and I both gagged on it and had to go out to eat that night.  For some reason, the eggplant tasted bitter.  So, I steered completely away from the parmesan.

Looking through Recipezaar, it was a toss up between Moussaka (from Kittencalskitchen) or Ratatouille.  If the movie Ratatouille, wasn’t based on an illegititmate child (and praises him for being so), then I would have made that and had a family film night.  However, it is (and I’ve got some other issues with the film…but not a need to discuss on my cooking post)…and so I decided to try my hand at Moussaka. 

A Facebook friend had made moussaka the previous week, so I got her recipe from All Recipes.  After comparing the two and reading several comments, I decided to go with the Recipezaar moussaka. 

A moussaka is basically a meat casserole and it was delicious!  The kids even enjoyed it.  Combined with some friends and Greek style green beans from All Recipes…and there were zero leftovers…which made Mark sad he couldn’t have it for lunch the next day.  The reviews were that it was awesome and the beans were amazing.  (By the way, the beans were super easy to do)

I pretty much followed the directions…although because time was running short, I did not let the eggplant get completely browned…but they were nice and soft and good.  Even though I didn’t let the eggplant “sweat,”  it still took awhile to make.  So, plan ahead (or make the meat sauce separately and freeze it…I’m sure you could freeze/make ahead some other parts of it too). One of the comments mentioned it was too salty.   I was careful about the amount of salt I used and halved it for the cheese sauce…which is called bechamel (such a cool, fancy word to say).    With simple adjustments, it tasted just right.

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My New Love

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I have found a new love.  Sometimes, Ceili Rain just needs to be held…and sometimes, well…that’s kind of hard to do…trying to fix supper or teach or help another child.  So, I knew I needed some help.  Shortly after I found out I was pregnant, the ring sling became obsolete.  Aside from my “health/risk” issues…it just hurt my back and my baby bump was too cumbersome to work around with a baby to carry.  
What to do?  What to do?  I decided to research other baby carriers.  A friend from our Bamapalooza trip who, at 8 weeks, strapped, buckled, and adjusted Liam into her Ergo Carrier.  But honestly, the buckles and adjusting, I had tried before and never could get a comfy fit.  Now, all you die hard Ero Carrierites, don’t get hissy…I know you love your carrier but I also didn’t want to spend the $$ to invest in one.  Some people say thrifty.  I say I’m cheap.
I knew about this carrier called a Mei Tai (let’s just throw in the fact that for several weeks I called it a Mai Thai…may tie…which, if I believe, is an alcholic drink)… pronounced “my” tie.  The more I found about it the more I liked.  I could adjust it below “the bump.”  Pick out cute patterns AND it was affordable if I got it on ebay from a work at home mom.  Yeah!  When I had first seen the Mei Tai’s or Asian baby carriers (also called ABCs…but the encompasses carriers from Korea and other parts of Asia…the one I got is a mei tai type carrier), I liked them, but just didn’t want to spend the $50 for a small piece of fabric and a lot of straps.  But I got desperate…and ordered one.
And guess who loves it!?!  Me!!!  And Ceili Rain!  Now, granted…she’s not always thrilled that she doesn’t have a view…especially when I’m not moving, but she does enjoy a free ride and being close to mommy.  Believe it or not, there is zero back pain with this thing.    They do make some with padded shoulders and that would be nice, but I can fix that and add some padding if I wanted to.
 
Isn’t that the sweetest?!
I can also wear her on my hip, but right now, I think Bryant is making that a little hard to do. 
Now, I’ll always be true to the ring sling.  It’s easy to get a baby quickly in and out.  Makes for easy trips to the grocery store, etc.  But, for a long ride somewhere…my go to carrier is now my Mei Tai.
Shhh!  She’s sleeping!!!  That was a hard fought battle to actually get Miss Busy asleep but she was sooo tired…Raffe (the Giraffe) helped out a bit…and yes, he’s hanging by his neck.  She didn’t seem to mind.  Yes, she could breathe…don’t freak out, Grandmere and Ge!
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Mommy’s Helpers

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Getting back to normal last week brought on some much needed cooking!  Monday I had two meals (well, three really) that needed to be prepared.  One was for that night and the other two were to stick in the freezer.  They all required shredded chicken.  My volunteers eagerly pulled and tried to sample the chicken.  I have to say that Josiah was the most concentrated chicken puller I’ve seen in a while.

Focusing!
By the way, I made these Chicken Crescent Squares but time was running short and so instead of making the crescent dough into actual squares, I just put the filling in the dough and made it into a braid.  I also made my yummiest comfort food…homemade chicken potpie (no processed canned stuff here…homemade pie crusts, homemade sauce, fresh veggies…yum, yum, yum).
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These Kids Amaze Me

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Some quirks from my kids the past couple of months…

***
Tuesday, we got new carpet installed in our bonus room (which is the school room, play room, library, craft room, and pile on daddy room).  After it was installed, Mark loaded up Ace for a trip to the “man” store to purchase some things to help finish off the room.  I asked him to get paint a shade darker than what was on my paint sample and handed it to him.  I needed a darker paint to paint the two steps that go down into the bonus room.  Ace and Mark came back soooo excited about this paint.  Only it’s two shades darker.  Because it was called “Cloak & Dagger.”  Not exactly how I choose paint.  I still have yet to see the color and I’m wondering if there is a reason for that.

***
When Bryant showed us he was a “he” and not a “she.”  The sonographer scanned up to his face.  He had his hand by his head and waved it back and forth to us.  No joke.  Not sure we got it on video but it was absolutely adorable.  Our kids do crazy things when they get on camera…like Ceili Rain sucking her toes on the ultrasound.  I love it when Mark gets to feel the first kicks.

***
Bryant also decided that since we got to see him, he’d also let us “feel” him.  I’ve been feeling him move for about two to three weeks now, but of course, it’s been my own little kick fest party.  Last night, as we got ready for bed, I told Mark that he was having a little dance going on and I could feel it with my hands.  Mark then was able to feel him.  I actually think he was kicking and punching.  I think his personality is going to fit very well into our little Characters.

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As our friend, Scott, was helping us move furniture in and out of the playroom after (he also helped us before the furniture install).  Liam woke up from his nap and came down to the bonus room.

“Uh, Mr. Scott.  Did you know we have Cooties?”

Fortunately, he had the Cooties game in his hands so there was little need for explanation there.

***

Zoe’s memory is just a little scary…

Sitting at lunch discussing nutrition with her brothers (no joke) she spouts out that you need 2000 calories per day to maintain a healthy diet.

Liam’s eating part of a Three Musketeers bar (yes, I know it’s healthy) she says, “It’s a Three Musketeers bar.  A lighter way to enjoy chocolate!”

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And here comes…

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Well, we went a day early to the ultrasound.  Apparently, not exercising and then going full force can cause a muscle to pull (in my leg) which can lead me to worry about a blood clot…just a muscle pull though.  Dr. J said that spinning would be great for me to do…umm, except it hurts my rear…

But I guess you don’t really care about my exercise woes…I guess you all want to know what we’re having.

Well, it’s a healthy baby.

But, I guess you might want to know whether the baby is a healthy boy or girl huh?

First, you have to look at the cutie feet…

Aren’t they precious?!  (Let me just say we were less than thrilled with the attitude nor abilities of our ultrasound tech…I guess because we’ve had so many u/s we’ve seen better)
Oh, so you still want to know if the baby is a boy or girl…
Well…
It’s a boy!!!
Bryant Judah will be making his debut into the Bunch of Characters this summer.
So, why Bryant Judah???  I know we said we’d use Ian as a middle name but it just didn’t flow.  This has been the hardest name to pick out…I’m glad we had at least 16 weeks to decide on something…actually, I know we had longer but I like to be able to call the baby a name as soon as possible…so game on.
Mark felt that he wanted a namesake this time.  We stumbled on Bryant which means  “son of Brian.”  Brian is Mark’s middle name so the namesake was taken care of.  Ian, like I said, just didn’t work.  We tossed around Silas as a middle name or first but if you try to say Silas and ‘Siah in the same sentence, it just doesn’t work.  And, if you put Silas as a middle name…well, you can figure out the initials.  We also tried Malachai as a middle name, which is pretty cool…but then figure out the initials there.
So, I found Judah while searching for a hip/cool middle name and it fit.  Judah means “praise.”
So, Bryant Judah means…Son of Brian (which means high/noble) Praise.  Pretty cool, huh???
And, because my doctor rocks, he said I don’t have to come back in for another seven weeks.  AND, he told me that if I fail my glucose one hour then we could talk about doing the glucometer and that he never had a problem with that…in fact, he has had several moms who request that.  I said he rocks, didn’t I?! 
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