Introducing the Kids...

Okay, so you’ve met our newest daughter…but we have three already at home! Here’s a little snippet of who they are. On this blog, we’ll call them the Elfin Maiden (Elf for short), Ladybug and the Pooch (not to be confused with Hank, the dog).

Our oldest, the Elf, is 12, soon to be 13, just completed 7^th grade and is an avid reader. She enjoys playing sports, especially soccer and track. This year, she learned to throw the discus, just like dad, who taught her everything she knows! She even placed 5^th in the county – her first year throwing. The Elf loves to dance (lately we’ve been going to a local Ceili dance club), acting (our local homeschool group’s theatre performances) and playing the piano. The Elf, like her sisters, loves history and dressing up in historical clothing, as well as dressing up and “living” in mythical worlds, unbeknownst to the rest of us! The Elf especially loves anything English…Jane Austen books (and movies inspired by her books), English accents, pictures of the English countryside, English county dancing, English tea, The Importance of Being Earnest, JRR Tolkien books (and movies…), etc.

Our middle daughter, Ladybug, turned 11 this year. She just finished 5^th grade and is learning to enjoy reading more, especially on cool mornings outside, though she is quick at math! She enjoys being active – playing soccer and “going on a run,” riding bikes, and back-bends – but can look like the epitome of femininity when she wants. She has a great time mowing the yard?!?!, helping dad build the playhouse, playing historical dress up (like the sisters), having tea, and likes to giggle and put on impromptu skits. Ladybug, with the Bee (best friend down the street), love to play their own creations like: “Mugford Spy Academy”, “International Distress Association”, “Royal Hall of Films”, “Lego-town”, and “Airport, Grocery Store, Hotel, etc.” Recently she has picked up the guitar and is taking lessons. She plays a mean “Every Breath You Take” and can pick out beautifully “Amazing Grace.” She gets up early and is, by far, our most responsible and “self-governed” child, taking very easily to schedules and lines. She keeps the rest of us in line and “on schedule.”

The Pooch (she spells it "Puch"), who just turned 9 years old, is our “baby”…at least for a short while longer. She just finished 3^rd grade and like her oldest sister LOVES to read. She can be found ANYTIME with her nose in a book, ignoring the rest of the world around her. She is the friendliest child I’ve ever met…it has been said she “knows no strangers.” She plays sports, but socializing and cheerleading are more up her alley. She loves to play with her bears, baby doll, Polly Pockets and with friends. She has begun recently to play more and more with her older sisters and their best friends down the street, and thus is enjoying the dress-up/olden days games. Pooch likes to color, sew (new interest!), help with tasks (as long as it is doing it WITH someone) and just chat. She is a “sweet-aholic”, and would eat dessert after every meal if we allowed; although, occasionally she will “become aware” of this potential problem and will avoid dessert for a time. (It usually lasts no more than a few days!) Pooch is not the best at keeping her room clean, though we are working on helping her stay on task. She is a great helper with the dog, though, and enjoys giving lots of hugs and kisses to all.

Oh, and then there is Hank…he’s our token male child. I use that term loosely – he’s our black lab. He is the sweetest dog, though I’m sure the Fed Ex, UPS and garbage men probably wouldn’t call him that. He has a loud bark, and most people know that though he sounds like he’ll eat them alive, the truth is he may lick them to pieces. He’s a big softy….sooooo patient with all kids. He’s a delight to have around, even if he does shed dog hair, demand to be fed if it’s five o’clock and leave trails of drops of water across the floor when he comes from drinking. Hank's new trick is to retrieve the discus when the Elf throws in practice. It's the coolest thing. He waits for the command, runs to the discus, grabs it and brings it back. Then he places it, ever so gently in a neat little stack. Hmmm...he must remember those duck hunting days.