Christmas Break Catch Up, Where Did the Time Go? Part 1

Noelle heads back to school tomorrow.  She’s not ready.  I’m not ready.  Max, Violette, and especially Zane, are not ready.  We love the relaxation of days without hurried schedules, pajama’s worn until noon, and sibling friendships that have been strengthened.  But, the time has come, sadly, and my blog needs a catch up of the last two weeks.
Saturday, December 23rd we packed up the Durango (very tightly, and rather uncomfortably) and drove up to Traverse City.  The barren landscape, cold and gray, gave way to much snow.  The children's excitement was peaked at the many inches of freshly fallen and beautifully winter white snow.  Anticipation of sledding, snow ball battles, and upcoming fun was all we heard of for the next few hours of travel.  As soon as we arrived the kids wanted to suit up and head out.  And that they did.  It was just what they needed after being strapped down in the car for five hours. How did I not get pictures?  Well, I didn’t.  My Mom probably has some, but trust me, they had a lot of fun!
After the snow adventures it was time to dress for an evening with my Mom’s family, the Babcocks.  Usually the Babcock Christmas is celebrated in St. Clair.  This year, because my parents are not the only ones with a home in TC, it was a nice change of pace to have the entire (minus just one of the 18 cousins absent) family together.  The Roehrig foursome cleaned up well and we headed to the Grand Traverse Resort for dinner then onto my Aunt’s house.

 

I was impressed with our children.  Five hours of travel, playing in the snow, and staying up late and they held up remarkably well.  As we left my Aunt’s house and went to put the children to bed at my parents, we were all smiles at the great time had.  My Grandfather loved having everyone together, and his face was lit up the entire evening.  It was a great family gathering, once again!
Sunday we celebrated Christmas at my parent’s house. The children opened lots of fun gifts and played all morning long. 
  
The snow was played in one more time as Tom loaded up the car.  We left midafternoon, full with many wonderful memories.  Violette and Zane were asleep before leaving my parents subdivision.  Seemingly sporting smiles in their sleep.
We arrived back home around 8:30pm, got the children to bed and the car unloaded.  I finished wrapping presents for the next day.
Christmas Eve morning arrived and we loaded up again for our drive to Sturgis.  Everyone was happy about the two hour drive, glad it was not another five hour journey.  We were all excited about seeing The Roehrig Family too. 
It was a really wonderful gathering of the family.  And the food, my sister-in-law was in charge and truly outdid herself with mountains of delicious food.  We ate and ate and then ate some more from the lavish desert table.  After we were stuffed, almost too full to move, the children dove in to present opening.  They were showered with many great presents.  Grandpa Roehrig sat back taking it all in, and even reading to the children when they paused to look over their loot.

 

We left a little after five all the children tired and happy.  I personally was so thankful how they held up over the past three days.  I had mentally prepared for major and countless meltdowns, but they were the opposite.  They were social and smiles appeared constantly upon their faces.  But, how could they not be happy?  They had spent quality time with many family members that truly love and adore them!  Of course the large quantities of gifts they were given wasn’t a negative!

I have to say Tom and I had a lovely time as well.  Being around family and able to share quality time with them is so important during the Holiday Season, and even better back to back visits!  I think it was a very successful three days of travel!

Maximilian The Great Has Turned 5!!

The final day of the year, the day which always yields some level of celebration is also Max’s birthday.  Every year I marvel in the coolness that is his birthday.  No matter what his birthday is a significant day celebrated around the world every year.  This also brings much nervousness as I imagine many late birthday nights spent at parties and not snuggly tucked in his bed, but until that time I will enjoy our time with him. 

Max woke up early and burst into our room, ready to open presents and begin his celebration day before the sun was up.  We eventually got out of bed and shook the sleep from our bones.  Presents were stacked on the table beckoning to Max.  As the coffee brewed, he dug in, wrapping paper was flying. 

Snow had covered  the ground and our neighbor’s perfectly steep backyard hill was just right for a few hours of sledding.  The children went down the hill with shrieking joy and ran up with even more anticipation for the next downhill adventure. 

Birthday cake was next on the list of Birthday To-Do’s.  I made the cake for Max this year, and he was very happy with the delicious results. This was made even better by having our neighbor, and Max’s good friend, Luke, join in. 

Later, we readied for a fun evening at a neighbor’s house celebrating New Year’s Eve.  All attendants had small children so by 8:30pm the night had ended and we headed home to tuck the very tired foursome in.

Max fell asleep a happy, content, five year old little boy.

The list of difficult situations Max finds himself in is long.  We battle daily.  That being said, his soft side is large, enormous.  Max has the biggest heart and loves so much more fierce than my words can explain.  He gives out random hugs countless times a day, and his acts of kindness far out number his time outs.

We love and adore are now five year old Maximilian Charles and look forward to what the next year brings.

Happy 7th Birthday Noelle

My first born has turned 7 years old.  Noelle is kind, observant, and above all, a joy to be around.  She helps around the house and with her siblings constantly.  Even without asking, I find her helping and teaching the others with a real kindness and tenderness. 

Over the last year her aspirations to become a veterinarian have faded do to the huge dislike of any blood.  She now talks about becoming a teacher.  Over the years this will probably change again and again, but I like to be able to look back and see the progression. 

We enjoy her sweet and spicy side and look forward to what this year brings. 

We love you little stocking stuffer!

 

Where Did It Go?

November is long gone and we are in the depths of December.  Christmas is just next week!  Noelle turns 7 on Friday!  I can’t believe were this year has gone, where these last couple of months have gone.  It’s a blur of children and more children. 

As I was going through my phone pictures (still just using the phone as a camera) we have been keeping busy and have created many cute memories. 

Noelle’s school had crazy hair and all the children had to participate:

 

Mentioned previously, we explored more trails at Heritage Park on several occasions and played on the swingset there. 

Noelle had a day off in November and we headed to the Chelsea Threehouse.  The children loved it there, as always.  Noelle does not seem to be in any of the pictures.  She was a blur, having much fun with a friend!

Max’s Thrusday School had a lovely Thanksgiving Soup lunch before Thanksgiving.  He was adorable and I loved eating lunch with him!

Max’s kind heart brings tears to my eyes.  His compassion and love is big.  Bigger than my words.  He is my sensitive boy.

Noelle continues to make progress in riding lessons.  She is confident and strong atop of the horses, commanding them to do as she asks.  The other three children look forward to her lessons. 

 

Thanksgiving was spent in St. Clair at my Aunt Judy’s house again this year.  Not one picture was taken, but we all had a great time.  My parents and Uncle Alex were present, along with Aunt CC and baby Maizey, Great Grandpa, and a whole slew of other family that came in and out of the house. 

The local tree farm had another visit from us.  We cut down a tree after searching and searching for just the right one.  The children’s opinions were strong and expressed with great volume at each tree.  It was a difficult task to agree on one tree, but we finally did. 

 

For the first time EVER the children expressed interest in visiting Santa.  Max and Violette have even sat on him twice this year!  Zane will not go near him, bolting in the opposite direction when Santa comes near.  I have said it before and I’ll say it again, 3 out of 4 ain’t bad!   

Noelle had her school conference at the beginning of December.  Of course it was all wonderful things said by her teacher.  As for academics goes, she is reading at a third grade level and knows all of the required sight words for the end first grade now.  Not a surprise, she seems to excel when it comes to school work. I am enjoying the lack of required parent help because I know it will not be the same with all of the other children.  Of course, we are very much involved with her school work, it is quick and painless because Noelle requires little direction. 

For the first time we will be traveling a lot right be Christmas.  Adventures will be had in Traverse City on the 22nd and 23rd and Sturgis on the 24th.  Although this will be a lot, spending time with family and friends and right before Christmas seems like a wonderful idea.  

Grandma and Noelle

Thursday Noelle cantered on a horse.  She was thrilled, and wanted more.  Her instructor said she has a bit of wild child in her!  She was cantering!!  I couldn’t believe it.  The previous lesson she was asked to try, and stood her ground stating she was too afraid.  We discussed fear, the reason behind it and how sometimes we just had to go for it.  Conquer it.  This was a daily discussion, but after a few days Noelle decided that she was going to try it.  That she did, and my favorite part, was seeing the satisfaction on her face after she put her horse away and ran to to me.  She was so proud of herself, her face filled with a unmistakable prideful smile.  And as a mother, I was proud of her.  A feeling so deep inside. 

Noelle couldn’t wait to show Grandma and tell her all about on their special weekend.  My mom was coming down for Mother/Daughter Weekend at Morgan Valley Farm.  I signed them up months ago, and it has been in the forefront of Noelle’s words and thoughts.  As Saturday approached the excitement was upped a notch and squeals of happiness came from her. 

Grandma arrived and hung out with us for a few hours before we drove over to Morgan Valley.  We checked in and took their stuff to the cabin.  It was a pleasant surprise to find the cabin was not as rustic as we previously thought.  Noelle picked the top bunk and Grandma the bottom.  I gave hugs and kisses and walked back to my car, knowing that this was going to be a cherished event and they were going to have a lot of fun. 

   

Since Zane’s birth, this was my first night away from Noelle.  I texted my Mom a lot, just checking in.  I couldn’t help it, I missed my girl!  My Mom would inform me that Noelle was just fine and they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.  They crafted, took care of horses, had a bonfire, went on a wagon ride, played games.  A long list of good fun. 

 

 

When Sunday came, I watched the clock intently, watching on their arrival.  When the car pulled in, I ran out.  Noelle was all smiles and stories.  Grandma looked happy too!  For days I heard all about their adventures and soaked in each of Noelle’s tales. 

I am so grateful my Mom was able to take Noelle, as I know this will be a memory for her to hold onto and treasure. 

Halloween

We loaded the wagon and headed out on Halloween with a Cowgirl, Hunter, Elephant, and Skeleton in tow.  They all did really well, making it around the subdivision, not wanting to stop despite the misting rain and cold temperatures.  This year Zane was really into it, proclaiming in a very auditable voice, “trick-or-treat!”.  At a few houses people held out a bowl for the kids to choose from and Zane proceeded to grab the whole bowl!  When he wasn’t taking the whole bowl, he would grab three or four pieces, opposed to the polite one piece.  It was pretty cute. 

Violette decided to abandon the beloved Rapunzel costume in favor of a warmer elephant that Max wore last year.  She looked adorable.  Max loved being a hunter and toted his pop gun with him.  Noelle has started up riding lessons again and opted to be a cowgirl.  He brand new pink cowgirl boots were the perfect accessory for the costume.  When Max was two (well, just shy of 2) he was a skeleton and it was just natural for Max’s clone to where it too.  Zane would tell people, “I a skel-ton!”.  Tom and I did not dress up this year, but the children are planning a family costume for next year.  The Zoo Keeper and animals was a big hit last year with them!

  

 

We also discovered this great park right around the corner with countless trails through acres of woods.  This past weekend we decided to head out and have some Family Fun.  The leaves crunched under our feet and let the children decided the route.  When we came upon a fork in the trails, they debated which way to go, Noelle and Max usually at the forefront of the debate.  Tom and I loved holding hands while our brood wandered ahead, picking up sticks, chasing each other, and really enjoying our time in the woods.  This park will be visited many times in the future!