Our Lives in Transition

No, I haven’t given up blogging. These last several months have simply been filled with a combination of no motivation to blog (I am one of those finicky “I have to be in the mood” kind of people”) and just plain busy-ness.

And change. Lots of change.

Several people have written to ask me what exactly is going on, but unfortunately I have neither the time nor available bandwidth to respond to everyone individually (sorry), so hopefully this will suffice.

The short story: we’re moving to Tennessee!

The long story:

When Rob and I met back in 1990, we were both living in East Tennessee (he in Knoxville, me in nearby Louisville/Alcoa). Rob got a job in Huntsville, Alabama and moved. We broke up. We got back together before the end of the year. I moved to Huntsville. In 1991 we got married and started a family, but have ALWAYS wanted to be back in Tennessee “someday”.

Our adventure in Alabama lasted over 14 years, before life took us to Florida. After 5+ years in Florida (which I LOVE), we visited with my best friend from high school (who lives in east Tennessee) and decided (again) that “someday SOON” we’d like to settle there.

Long story somewhat shorter (but no less complicated), oil spill = air pollution + asthmatic child + no job tying us down = good time to move to Tennessee!

(Still following me?)

We have moved here in stages, starting the day after Independence Day (me and the kids — Rob has continued to work on a contract in Pennsylvania, unable to find work in Tampa).

The idea was to come here and “try it out” to see if it was “home”. The idea was also that Rob would find a contract that he could work from “home”, so he could re-locate to be with the rest of the family.

Well, we love it! The children are all fitting in well and enjoying meeting new people and participating in youth group and Smoky Mountain Christian Camp activities. I have enjoyed spending time with my best friend from childhood and watching her children and my children become friends. It is most definitely where, Lord-willing, we will settle down for the rest of our lives. I have even picked out a home site and a houseplan.

God, however, either has a sense of humor or a sense of timing that I don’t quite understand. NOW, after the children and I are getting settled into our new home, Rob has gotten a job offer back in Tampa (and found out that working from home through VPN is not a possibility with the satellite internet — the only internet service available up here in the mountains – due to bandwidth limitations). Yes, a job in Tampa NOW! Tough decisions are to be made…and children will not be pleased. On the one hand, it would be easier for us (the kids and I) to stay here and continue on; to not uproot everyone again. On the OTHER hand, Rob has now been given the opportunity to be a part of his own family again (after being away for nearly a year); and he wants to take that opportunity.

So…if you are still following this:

• We no longer live in Florida. We live in East Tennessee.
• Rob will be starting work in Tampa again the day after Labor Day.
• The children and I will be coming back to join him sometime in the near future.
• We only plan to be back in Tampa temporarily — until Rob can find employment up here or until we can get a house built up here (whichever comes first).

Life as a LeFebvre is never boring. I feel like I’m torn between two worlds. A part of me is questioning God (I know, not a wise thing to do, but human nature nonetheless), wondering why He brought us here just to turn us back around…but I am trying to re-focus and see the good in it. The good that has come out of this adventure is that it has enabled us to see that we can make it here (yes, even without cell phone service and Publix); that the children will adapt and fit in. It has shown us that it is the right decision for us. 

So…prayers appreciated for a smooth transition, and for God’s timing and will in getting us back up here.

Easter 2010 in Pictures

The lazy woman’s post; the slideshow. Hey, if a picture’s worth a thousand words, what are 62 pictures worth?

I flew solo this year for Easter, as Rob moved to Pennsylvania for work. With a potential stomach bug circulating through the house and low energy on my part, we sat out church, skipped our traditional Easter photos, and hung out around the neighborhood — first visiting out next door neighbors for their traditional Easter egg hunt and brunch, then later going down to the neighborhood clubhouse for their annual Easter festivities.

As you can see from the photos, DeeDee *really* enjoyed the surprises inside those little plastic eggs (she’s already a candy-aholic), Rey made quite a mess with his chocolate, and Boo wasn’t feeling all that great by the end of the day.

Strawberry Blessings

I haven’t made a secret of it — the fact that I LOVE strawberries. And one of the great privileges of living in Florida is the ability to go out every year and pick the freshest of the fresh strawberries.

That, along with the fact that my husband has been unemployed for the past two months (and we have struggled to get by, even selling possessions on Craigslist to be able to buy food) fueled great ANGER for me when I read this local news story.

Strawberry farmers in Florida are facing such a sharp collapse in prices for their berries that many are deciding to simply leave huge tracts of the berries to rot in the fields.

Seriously. Bad economy. Families struggling. People hungry. And farmers are allowing thousands of strawberries just to sit and rot. Not even willing to allow others to come in and pick…except for this farm.

U-pick fields make strawberries available to public – tbo.com

Linked from the article that stirred so much ire in me, was the above article, which restored my faith in mankind.

On Saturday, Wishnatzki Farms in Plant City will open part of a 40-acre strawberry field to food banks and the public for a day of free picking. The farm will provide visitors with containers for the berries.

“The berries are big and they are plentiful, said Sheila Young, a receptionist at Wishnatzki.

The farm is doing a one-day “cleanout” to get ready for planting other produce.

Farm president Gary Wishnatzki is asking visitors for a minimum $1 donation to Redlands Christian Migrant Association, a non-profit organization that provides child care and early education for rural, low-income working families.

Kudos, Gary Wishnatzki!

It seems he accepts his losses, but cares enough about people to share, before planting the next, hopefully more profitable crop.

After reading about this generous effort last Saturday morning, I sent Rob with several of the kids (I had to stay behind to take Rey to his tee-ball game) to pick some berries.

Wow! They came back with lots and lots of berries! (Rob guesstimates about 150 lbs.) The boys spent the rest of the day washing, de-stemming, and bagging berries for the freezer. There were enough to even share with some neighbors, puree into food for Baby Dee, and have several servings of delicious strawberry shortcake. Our freezer is stocked. And I am thankful.

Although not an “easy” hydroponic farm (to which we have grown accustomed), our family of 12 will be firm supporters of Wishnatzki Farms, turning to them for any future strawberry purchases.

Our many thanks, Mr. Wishnatzki. Thanks for caring about your community.

According to the Wishnatzki blog, the farm’s event on Saturday raised nearly $6500 for the Redland’s Christian Migrant’s Association.

Sunshine and Stitches

Spring at last! But that first trip to the pool, left us in stitches…

As I have griped about mentioned before, this last winter was a terrible one for Floridians like us. Accustomed to being pampered with 70-degree temps and suntans throughout the winter, we suffered along with the rest of the country this year, with cabin fever and frozen landscapes.

So, with the beginning of spring, we jumped at the chance to get back to the pool – at last! (first pool visit since…October?)

It was perfect. The weather was perfect. The birds were chirping. I was following Baby Dee around with a smile on my face, just imagining that this is what heaven must feel like. No complaints at all…

…until there was a bit of a mishap. Warning, if you’re the queasy type, stop reading here; gruesome photo to follow. (I warned you).

A minor accident cut our pool visit short. Curly-Top attempted to descend the pool deck stairs while wrapped in a towel, tripped over the towel, and came down on her chin, splitting it wide open.  How can a chin bleed so much?! I have never seen so much blood in my life!!!

Thankfully we managed to calm the hysterical Curly Top down, while our trusty clubhouse activities director got the wound temporarily bandaged up.

Curly Top, still in blood-stained bathing suit, works a
puzzle while waiting to go to the clinic to be stitched up.

The next day – 6 stitches. Ewww.

6 stitches. And Curly Top was so brave! She didn’t make a peep when they were stitching her back up. And I am so proud of her! – she left the clinic with 4 “prizes”, and gave three of them away to siblings.

Stitches are due out tomorrow…then maybe we’ll try again to soak up some rays at the pool. Maybe I should wrap the kids up in bubble wrap this time, to keep them safe…

Next Stop, MLB

Rey – Midget T-ball, 2010

A Trip Back “Home”

It had been waaaay too long. We hadn’t visited our “hometown*” or all of our friends from there since we moved away 5 years ago. So we found the wedding of a family friend the perfect excuse for a trip up “north” – to Alabama and Tennessee.

The trip was entirely too short. We didn’t have enough time to catch up with everyone we wanted to, but for those we did visit, it was a delight! I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful friends, even if a great distance separates us geographically. (You can always tell who your “real” friends are. Those are the ones you can pick right back up with, as if nothing had ever changed, after having not seen them in many years.)

The only bad thing about our trip (beside it being too short) was that, even though we visited with and dined with several “old” friends (Dawn & Robby, Marti & Clyde, Christie & Satch, Sarah & Chad, Bonnie & Dave, Rachel & Scott, Kim & Chuck….) , on some occasions staying up into the wee hours of the morning chatting, I failed to get many pictures (bad Janne, baaaad!) — and I always had my camera with me!

Sharing the few moments I did manage to capture:

A Visit with the Harveys

To those of you inclined to count: my 10 + their 6 = 16 kids

Ellen’s Wedding

Above: Our Family Before the Wedding

They don’t clean up half bad, huh?
The sun didn’t shine the whole 3 1/2 days we were in Alabama, except for the few
minutes that we took to shoot this photo — just enough to blind the children!

Below: During the Reception

Wondering, are we the only family that takes up two whole tables at a wedding reception?

I don’t know who coordinated this thing, but they were brilliant!
They offered play-doh and tiny bags to fill up with candy in order to
keep the children occupied until the food was served.

My little princess!

Ellen, all grown up and married!
She and Audrey used to play dolls together when they were toddlers - I feel so old!

A Visit with the Williams Family

Again, I didn’t get enough pictures when we visited my childhood “bff”! (Shameful).

Just an embarrassing photo of a minor bread faux pas (below).  Sorry, Rachel. I told you you’d laugh about it someday (are you laughing yet?) It’s the only picture I took of you! (To my readers, she really isn’t a bad cook; she was simply not accustomed to cooking for so many people, so she used the bottom rack of the oven. I, on the other hand, really am a bad cook.)

Below: Three of my girls, spudding out to iCarly,
seem completely oblivious to the war being waged around them

Even the youngest member of the crew got in on the action…

The Cabin

During the two days that we visited with the Williams family, we stayed in one of the cabins situated on the grounds of the Christian camp that their family runs. The accommodations were great! – 1 one room cabin with two small bathrooms, a kitchenette, and sleeping for 12.

The bunks got Gator brainstorming. “We can do that!” he said, as he took photos of the beds. He’s thinking if we can put suspended beds in the boys’ room at home, it will leave all that floorspace open during the day when they aren’t in use.

Only one little mishap during our stay: Dinky Tumblina (far left in the photo below) woke up once during the night thinking she was at home. (Watch out for that first step; it’s a big one!) She stepped off the top bunk and crashed to the floor, splitting open her chin. Thankfully super glue fixed her back up.

* Huntsville, Alabama is not officially our hometown, but we refer to it that way because it feels that way. I lived my entire adult life there (until we moved to Florida 5 years ago), and eight of my children were born there.

Starting Over after Florida’s Deep Freeze

Remember last February when we re-landscaped the front yard?

The previous summer we moved into the *ugliest* house in an otherwise very nice neighborhood. It wasn’t a bad house. In fact it was a brand new house; we got it for a great price — bank owned. But talk about ugly.

BEFORE WE MOVED IN:
The day we looked at the house: May 18, 2008

I’m all about “curb appeal”, and this house was definitely lacking in it. There’s nothing we could do about the boring architecture or the drab gray color (without forking out a bunch of money to the ridiculous power-hungry home owner’s association), but I figured that with a little bit of planning and elbow grease, we could at least tackle that landscaping.  What little “landscaping” our little gray house had was completely dead from 3 years of neglect (as the house set vacant after having been constructed). The only thing that had survived was the jasmine, which (as you can see from the photo above) just kind of went wild.

We consulted a local landscaping place to discuss which plants would be the hardiest (and quick-growing), and went to work.

RE-LANDSCAPED
February 23, 2009

By summertime, our new plants had finally started growing and looking nice.  We added a few yellow flowers to brighten things up, and voila!  Not “Better Homes and Gardens” by any means, but I was happy. It looked sooo much better than what we had started with.

SUMMER SEMI-MATURED LANDSCAPING
May 4, 2009

And by autumn the alyssum had seen its prime so we replaced it with another annual, and added some mums for fall color. I was quite pleased with the way the lantana had matured. The crotons hadn’t grown much, but had beautiful color, and the original pentas were now the size of bushes!

AUTUMN SEMI-MATURED LANDSCAPING
October 15, 2009

And then it happened.  The Florida deep freeze.  A type of freeze that southwest Florida hadn’t seen in over two decades. It was a brutal, horrible winter for Florida. Lots of rain, extremely cold temperatures, frost…and yes, even a bit of snow. These weren’t occasional weather conditions; they lasted all winter. In January we suffered a “deep freeze” which kept plants frozen for nearly two weeks.

At first it appeared that all was lost. Everything was wilted. So I waited until March to survey the damage; to see if anything was able to produce new growth. Here are the results:

Yeah.

Depressing.

It looks terrible. Back to square one — almost.  The schefflera (bushes in the back) miraculously pulled through (they were quite wilted at first).

The pygmy date palm suffered, but I think it will make it. There is still some green underneath all that brown. (Time will tell).

The queen palms, the most expensive single items in our landscaping seem to have weathered the harsh winter. There is a lot of brown, but more green than brown. Hooray!

Pepper plants and bird-of-paradise plants – took a beating, but I think they will recover:

My previously lush, thick lantana all died, but is not lost. Some may be gone (I’ll have to watch). But others have new green growth:

And of all things, my fall mums survived. This is the *one* plant that the landscaping guy warned me about. He told me that they wouldn’t survive because they prefer “cooler climates”.  Hmmmm…

So, maybe it isn’t as bad as I feared. There is hope anyway.

Total losses; plants for which no glimmer of hope remains:

Pentas.  They’re all goners. $60 worth of pentas.

Croton Mammy – all 13 of them. Cash loss of $260.  :(

Chances are, we won’t have another winter like this in Florida — not for a very long time anyway. But, I’ve never been a gambler. I’m not real keen on the idea of replacing these plants with the same thing…just in case.

Anyone have any ideas of replacements I could use that are similar in size, and both cold tolerant and heat/drought tolerant? I am looking for ideas!

Hi, I’m Janne. Remember Me?

It seems that over the past year the majority of my blog posts have mostly revolved around apologies for my lack of blogging.

I don’t entirely get it. Prior to the arrival “DeeDee” (also known as the Princess), I had nine other children. Nine pregnancies. Nine births. Nine babies. Nine toddlers. I managed just fine. I still made time for journaling, then maintaining a website, then blogging. I still managed to get regular showers and look like…well, a human.

WHAT has happened to me?

DeeDee’s presence has de-railed me. I don’t know why. What’s different? Is it just that fact that she is such a needy high strung child? Is it my “advanced maternal age”? (Yes, these words were actually printed on my medical chart during my last pregnancy. Depressing.) Maybe it’s the fact that WHILE I have DeeDee and juggle her needs, I also have two teenage boys driving me crazy (a new thing for me), and Rey, the cute blond  Tazmanian Devil that lives under my roof while single-handedly dismantling my house. Oh yeah, and the fact that I am, most of the time, a single mom (another new thing to me).

Whatever it is, it has left me in a constant state of brain fog. I lack motivation and often struggle to manage to construct a clear thought. (Case in point. Construct is not the right word for that sentence, but the more appropriate word escapes me). Not a state conducive to blogging.

I was once a cute, tanned, energetic…even, dare I say it, intelligent Mama.

Hmmmm….

These days I am 20 lbs overweight (despite the fact that I often forget to eat. How does that happen?)
I have split ends. Due to lack of use, I forget how to apply makeup. It’s been so long since I’ve had my eyebrows waxed, that they’re acting on their desire to reach out and touch each other. They’ve almost succeeded. My tan is gone (and let me attest to the fact that when you have an “olive” complexion and no tan, you’re simply left looking jaundiced). I spend the entire day in pajamas or “loungewear” unless I have to go somewhere (go somewhere meaning taxi-ing children to their various activities). And I have to psych myself up to shave my legs. Yes, glamorous life I lead. (Thank you God, for energy drinks and B-vitamins!) You’re probably getting an idea where blogging fits in.

I feel a bit guilty for not blogging because the children LOVE it! They’re really irritated with me for not blogging several of this year’s field trips. I need to get on that. Stay tuned…

For the time being, while I am certainly not much to look at these days, and while I feel like a walking zombie, I am enjoying every precious moment with that beautiful, demanding, energetic, brown-eyed baby toddler.  They grow up too quickly. I will have time to care for myself later. For this season I will savor my time with her.

Just wait until they’re all grown. I will be one seriously hyper-blogging granny. You’ll all be begging me to shut up!

Our Masked Visitor

Early this week, after lunch was eaten on the patio, and the children had left some crumbs and half-eaten sandwiches behind, a young raccoon appeared out of the rain to clean up.

He returned later in the day and I noticed that he was not putting any weight on one foot. It had obviously sustained a serious injury. I began searching the internet to try to find some sort of local wildlife rescuers. What I came up with were a bunch of dead links and disconnected phone numbers. Finally, I was able to reach Lynda of Sky Harbor, who gave us Laurie’s number.

Over the next day and a half we spent time slowly gaining the raccoon’s trust by continually feeding him (we were told he would like marshmallows….and already knew he like peanut butter). We moved the food closer to, and eventually into a cat cage. He was smart though! He would grab the food and run back out of the cage!

One of the boys had the brilliant idea of running a line of marshmallows on a skewer through the holes on one side of the cage through the other, so he’d have no choice but to stop and eat his meal, in the cage. Finally, by Wednesday morning, the coon had grown comfortable enough inside the cage that we were able to spring the trap — a rope had been tied to the front of the cage door, through one of the holes, and leading under our back door, so at the golden opportunity, we could give a little tug and Voila!

He was NOT happy with his entrapment. Feisty little fella! We carried the cute little critter to the car and rushed to meet Laurie at a nearby gas station. She took possession of him and got him to the vet for treatment.

We called her later to check on his prognosis.

• BOTH back legs were broken! — one will likely never be able to be used again.
• His injuries were consistent with having been hit by a car
• His injuries were TWO WEEKS OLD! (Can you imagine this poor little guy hobbling around on two broken legs for two weeks?!)
• He was determined to be a male of about 5 months of age
• He has been named “Turbo” because he is so feisty
• Due to the extent of his injuries, Turbo is unable to be released back into the wild, and will spend the rest of his days at the wildlife facility run by Laurie and her husband.

I visited the website of the facility, Florida Wildlife Alternatives, and was very touched by what I read. Laurie, and her husband Al have made it their life’s mission to care for injured and orphaned wildlife of all kinds. Their goal is to rehabilitate and release, but in some cases (such as “Turbo’s”) it isn’t possible to be released. In these cases, Laurie and Al are committed to provided longterm (as in lifetime) care.

What an incredible service they are providing! And it touches my heart to see other people with such hearts for wildlife. (I have a special place in my heart for raccoons especially, after, as I young child, watching my older brother raise an abandoned raccoon from the age of a few days old to adulthood. These are magnificent creatures).

An appeal:  Florida Wildlife Alternatives is a non-profit organization. They get no government funding. The care of the animals is provided entirely “out of pocket”, and with private donations. If you wish to donate to this facility (tax deductible), you will be helping to make a difference in the lives of Turbo and other animals like him.

Although donations of cash are always helpful, there are other ways you can help as well. There is a wish list on the website detailing some of their needs, including such items as:

• 2 x 4s
• chain link fencing
• gift cards from various places
• dog and cat food
• peanuts
• white bread
• marshmallows
• certain types of baby food and animal formulas
• pet carriers and cages
• plastic sandboxes
• bird houses/bird feeders
• small stuffed animals

For more info, contact:

Christmas 2009

Just sharing a few photos and captions to recap our family’s Christmas season….

Another strange Florida winter. As I write this in January, while experiencing one of the coldest winters on record for Tampa Bay (sleet and flurries this morning), December saw temperatures ranging from the 30s to the 80s. It’s no wonder flu season hit everyone so hard this year.

As we were decorating the house in the weeks following Thanksgiving, we were being relentlessly attacked by mosquitoes, and on December 9, our air-conditioning quit, prompting us to have to open all the windows and play outside where there was a breeze, while temperatures inside the house reached into the 80s.

Contrast

Above:  Dinky Tumblina, clad in Santa hat,
keeps Scout from escaping through the open window

Below:  Porch decked out for Christmas
while a bird-of-paradise blooms in the background

Baby “Dee Dee” enjoying playing barefoot outdoors
…in front of the Christmas decorations and pointsettias

….and keeping cool by playing with water

“DeeDee” vs. The Christmas Tree

I knew that interior decorating would present a bit of a challenge with baby Dee’s mobility, but I thought we could simply solve the problem with the whole gate-around-the-tree trick. Right?

WRONG!

Nothing stops this baby!
(Who, by the way, is also climbing out of her crib!)

A Visit with the Clauses and Gingerbread Houses

For the third year in a row, our neighborhood hosted a visit with “Santa and Mrs. Claus” and a gingerbread (or in this case, graham cracker) house building event. For the children, it was an opportunity to consume entirely too much candy. For me, it was a photo op!

Above, From left:  Dinky Tumblina (11), Gator (14),  Curly Top (6), Cricket (7),
Rey (4), Boo (8), Dee (10 months), being held by Ant (13), Lefty (10)
[Audrey (18) not pictured)]

Below:  And since Rob came home for a couple weeks to spend Christmas
with the family, we talked a neighbor into getting a shot of all of us.

Constructing the “gingerbread” houses

I think there was more eating going on than constructing!

Above:  The girls’ house
Below:  The boys’ house

Below: Cricket makes friends with “Mrs. Claus”

More Christmas Fun

Above:  Six young LeFebvres dress up during the living Nativity

Above:  Yes, cruel — I know.
When I found an elf and a Claus cat costume for 75% off at Target,
I just couldn’t resist dressing up the Siamese twins.

Never fear; the torture didn’t last for long — only long enough to get a few photos.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

We were thrilled that Audrey made the trip from the great white North (Massachusetts), joining us in celebrating Christmas. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without having all my children under the same roof!

Above:   An excited “Boo” opens up one of her traditional Christmas Eve gifts — pajamas!

Below:  Oh no! Every year I get a picture of all of the children together in their new pajamas…but I didn’t realize until after the fact that I didn’t this year. I snapped this lovely photo of the six girls, while the boys were off assembling a couple of Christmas gifts next door. I had intended to get a shot of everyone when they returned. *sniff sniff*  I’m so absent-minded!

Below:  ”Dee’s” first Christmas

Below:  Rey, clad in his new pajamas, opens up
his second traditional Christmas Eve gift — a new ornament!

Fun Reactions!

Above:  Gator reacts to receiving a season of his favorite television show
Below:  Boo, Cricket, and Curly Top react to seeing their new dolls

Below:  Dee’s favorite gift!

Baby Dee loves music — LOVES music! She has slobbered many a cell phone and iPod to death while trying to “share” tunes with her siblings. So I Googled “baby mp3 player” and found this.
Definitely a hit! Highly recommended by this mom of ten!

Below:  The Christmas Dinner Table
70 degrees = Christmas Dinner on the patio

Happy New Year!

Wow, I just realized that it has been almost 3 months since I have updated this blog (something for which I have been sternly admonished by my children).

Life has just kind of gotten in the way.

Seven of the children were involved in a fall play, which consumed a great deal of our time from September through November (yeah yeah, Alex — I’ll blog about it. ) We also went on a few field trips that I have yet to blog about. The kids love it when I blog the field trips so they can go back later and say, “I remember THAT!”

Also eating into my usual blogging time are both the fact that I have become a single mother for about 90% of the time, and the needs my ever growing, ever changing vibrant bundle of energy, baby “DeeDee”. (Wow, I *really* need to do an update post about her; she has changed soooo much.)

Christmas and Thanksgiving were a whirlwind. 2009 FLEW by! (A sign that I’m getting old!)

But I wanted to take the opportunity to wish everyone the best for 2010!

And LeFebvre children, I will update those other topics soon…if you’ll go play quietly for a bit and entertain the baby so I can actually think. *hint hint*

Labor Day Fun 2009

It was a bittersweet “Labor Day”, due only in part to Rob’s recent job loss, but we celebrated, Florida-style.  The weather was perfect, so we gathered with our neighbors at the neighborhood clubhouse for games and sundaes by the pool.

First came the Hula-Hooping Contest; an activity for which my children are semi-famous. (They’ve never lost a hula hoop contest yet!)

Next was the Limbo!

Above: the limbo line
Below: Boo gets down low

Below: Awww, Dinky! So close!
(She usually wins the limbo! 3rd place this time. Nice try!)

The Duck Races to follow were a lot of fun! First the children had the chance to decorate their own duckies.

Above: Rey colors his duck with such concentration
Below: Curly-Top, Rey, Boo, and Dinky Tumblina

Then they raced their duckies by splashing.

But the real splashing came during the Splash Contest!

Above: Rey leaps joyfully into the pool.
He just LOVES the water!

Above: Curly-Top “cannonballs”
Below: Boo scores a perfect 10 with her splash

This next event should come with a “Don’t try this at home” disclaimer.  Fun, if not polite. Watermelon Seed Spitting!

[Seriously though, I think this is an ingenius idea!  A roll of craft paper and one large watermelon, and my kids could easily have an entire afternoon of entertainment. I may have to try this at home after all -- outdoors of course.]

The Bubble-Gum Blowing Contest was kind of a flop where my kids were concerned. I am one of those mean mommies who rarely allows gum in the house. I’ve had way too much experience with gum in carpets, in hair, and on clothing. So, not much opportunity for the LeFebvres to practice their bubble-blowing. They sure did try though!

And to wrap up the day,  no holiday would be complete without a Sundae Bar!

Kudos to Amy, our activity director, for another great time!

Oreo Olympics 2009

Back by popular demand! – Just like last year, our neighborhood held an “Oreo Olympics”.

Oreo Shuffleboard

Oreo Stacking Competition

I think there was more eating going on than there was stacking
(Although Lefty was quick to point out that these were not “real” Oreos.
Apparently this was a “Generic Publix Chocolate Creme Cookies Olympics”.)

Oreo Relays

Oreo Sculpting Competition

Each team was given a tray full of goodies with which to sculpt,
and the theme was “farm”. They were to make something farm-related.

Team 1 (which consisted of Cricket (7), Rey (4), Curly-Top (6), Ant (13),
and their dad) quickly got started, and even managed to build this…

Sheep????

But three members of the crew soon got frustrated,
claiming that their dad and this little guy…

…were eating all of the supplies.

Now I don’t know what Team 2 (which consisted of Dinky T. (11), Boo (8), and a few of their friends)
were trying to make, but I know what they did make…a HUGE MESS!!!

I think Team 3 (Gator (14), Lefty (10), and three friends) wins in the creativity department.
Check out their John Deere tractor!

The REAL Easter Photos!

The Easter Photo Confession.

I can’t take the credit. I just can’t. Both Chelle and Colleen are impressed with the fact that all ten (well, at least nine…Baby D was screaming) children were actually all looking the same way and smiling in the 2009 Easter photo. The truth, however, is not all that impressive. While the rest of the photos on my Easter 2009 post were completely undoctored, when it comes to the group photo, let’s just say that digital photography, Paint Shop Pro, and Dawn are my friends.

The truth? Rob was standing behind me trying to make the children smile, while we were both snapping photos with two separate cameras (all while bribing the children with candy, to be consumed once we managed to get a decent picture — shhh…bad mommy). In all, there were 46 photos. Only three turned out…okay. And Rey, the three-year-old, was smiling in only one!  And in that ONE, others looked silly. Here is a sampling of what Rey put us through:

1.
Rey, with the deranged looking “cheese” smile
– it almost looks like he’s in pain, doesnt it?
(along with Lefty rubbing his eyes and Gator closing his)

2.
Rey had obviously had enough of Baby Dee’s screaming…
and Gator had obviously had enough of Rey…
and Ant seemed disgusted by the whole scene

3.
So I tell him, in response to the “cheese” smile,
“No Rey. Give me a real smile…think of something really funny.” 
Apparently this is what Rey does when something is really funny.

4.
or this…

5.
Apparently something happened here that everyone else thought was really funny.
But not Rey. He looks downright offended!

6.
Was it Boo that offended him? Why was he giving her a “look”?
And why was Cricket striking up a conversation with Curly Top?

7.
Rey’s body language says it all, doesn’t it?
I think he was done with the whole photo shoot situation.
Had he forgotten about the CANDY awaiting?

8.
Audrey caught in a yawn and Gator caught with his tongue out.

9.
Um….tired, Audrey?

10.
A typical family photo.

Anyway, you get the picture (no pun intended). About 40 more that resemble the above sampling.
So the ONE and ONLY photo of Rey with a cute, real smile, turned out like this:

Yeah. That’s where my very gracious friend Dawn and her Paint Shop Pro skills came in.
She generously photo-shopped Rey’s face from the above photo onto this…

Leaving me with this:

Yup. The photo was merged. Dawn did a great job! My photography skills and the behavior of my children…not quite so impressive after all, huh? Ya gotta love technology and good friends!

Easter 2009

I know it’s late, but I have been sternly admonished by my 11-year-old for failing to upload a post about Easter. So here goes, Dinky Tumblina!

I know I had stated that we were going to avoid the egg hunts and such this year, focusing instead on the Christian aspects of the holiday; the Resurrection. However, we were invited to attend two separate egg hunts, so we went. Gotta be neighborly, ya know.

All Ten Children: Easter 2009
Back: Ant (12), Audrey (17), Gator (14)
Front: Cricket (6), Curly-Top (5), Lefty (9), Dinky Tumblina (11),
holding DeeDee (2 months), Rey (3), & Boo (8)

First, our next door neighbors planned a delightful Easter brunch and egg hunt for several of our neighbors on Easter morning. We had planned to only attend briefly before church, but we never ended up making it to church at all. Rob was feeling ill, and none of the children wanted to leave the brunch, so we spent the morning there, at “Mrs. Elizabeth’s” house, where they enjoyed food, an egg hunt, a bounce house, bean bag toss, and socializing.

Rey (above) and Cricket (below) sporting their “cheese-y” Easter grins.

Above: I rocked the baby to sleep, and nearly rocked myself to sleep in the process!
Below: Audrey

Below: The oldest boys
Have you ever noticed they can NEVER be serious for a photo?

After leaving “Mrs. Elizabeth’s” house, and before finishing off the day relaxing by the pool, we went down to the neighborhood clubhouse for the huge Easter hunt (as well as games, such as the egg toss).

Above: Lefty found one of the prized “Camo eggs”
Below: Curly-Top with her stash of eggs

Below: Let the Egg Games Begin!

Above: A smug (and very goofy) Dinky prior to the egg toss
Below: An “egged” Dinky. Guess who didn’t win the egg toss?

Mother’s Day 2009

What a blessed day. I absolutely adore my children!

My morning began with breakfast in bed: Creme Brulee French Toast and scrambled eggs (both made with soymilk), and fresh strawberries with non-dairy whipped cream.

Then I was greeted with a whole MOUNTAIN of handmade cards…

…and gifts.  Eight of the children made hand-decorated plates and “Shrinky Dink” key chains. Rob brought home the beautiful bouquet of flowers.

And Audrey and Rob presented me with a gift set and hand soaps from Bath and Body Works.

Then it was off to the beach (my favorite place) for a day of sun, sand, surf, and relaxation.

Above: Me, chillin’ out in the sun, nursing baby “DeeDee” (under the Hooter Hider)

Below: Mama (Me) with the whole crazy crew

Above: Curly-Top (5) finding and collecting treasures at low tide

Below: Rey (3) caught in the act! He’s a mean one!

Above: Two of my clones, striking a pose…

Below: …until their pesky brothers join in

Thank you all for a wonderful Mother’s Day! I am proud and delighted to be your mother!

Go Fetch!

A video showing that *someone* in this house is already well-trained in the area of “fetching”.

Our New Puppy

I never intended for this to happen. When our sweet long-time service dog, Maisy, passed away last July, I vowed never to get another dog. The loss is just too devastating. No, the only pet I would have from now on would be a parrot, or a tortoise…something that would be sure to outlive me.

But alas! There are certain things you just should not say to an autistic teenager. And I said one of these things, on Thursday night.

There is a neighborhood puppy. Cute little thing. We have occasionally seen both a teenage boy and his thirty-something-year-old mother walking this puppy over the last couple of months. Of course, every time they pass the house, my children descend on them like locusts. They just cannot resist a cute puppy.

Then earlier in the week, while they passed, a conversation ensued. The mother complained that she had bought the puppy for her boys; that they had begged for a dog…and now that the newness had worn off, they no longer cared for the dog. They didn’t want to feed the dog, or walk the dog, etc. She said she works full-time and doesn’t have the time to care for the dog herself, and would probably have to get rid of the dog.

Fast forward to Thursday night. The topic of this dog came up, and how sad it would be if the neighbors would have to get rid of the dog. I tend to be a softy. My concern therefore was what would happen to this dog. I was hoping, aloud, that she wouldn’t end up in the pound, getting “put to sleep”. I casually mentioned that if the owner intended to go that route, I would consider taking in the dog.

Insert autistic teen, who immediately ran to the neighbor’s house and twisted my words. “Mom said we can take your dog if you don’t want her!”

Neighbor lady/dog owner stopped by late last night, with a dog and all of the dog’s belongings. I mean, what could we say?

So we are now the unintentional owners of this:

Born on December 20th, she is four months old, and not trained at all! (We have our work cut out for us). She is small, and built like a dachshund — short legs, long body. She came with the name Nike, which doesn’t sound at all feminine, so we’ve been calling her Nikki.

I don’t know what to name her. Any suggestions?

Celebrating Spring 2009 – Day 4

DAY 4: A SPRING WINDOW MURAL

This was a fun collaborative art project that developed  in our house on a recent spring afternoon — a painted spring mural on our sliding glass door!

The children had loads of fun with this, each adding his or her own elements and touches. We had trees, birds, butterflies, flowers, clouds, a lake, a bright yellow sunshine…(Lefty even added his own personal touch — a bird flying over, pooping…BOYS! {roll eyes}).

HOW TO:

Only two supplies needed: clear dishwashing liquid and liquid tempera paints!

For each of the paint colors, mix about 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with 1/2 tablespoon of paint (the mixture should have the creamy consistency of house paint).

I chose to have the children paint on the outside of the window, so it would be easy to hose off the project after a few days, but this can easily be done on the inside as well, making it a great rainy day activity — but make sure you avoid drips on carpets and furniture.

To remove the dried paint or fix a mistake, simply wipe it off with a moist paper towel.

Rey – Ever the clown!

Below: Recycling

The boys had the innovative idea of using water bottles, cut in half, as paint cups. This worked very well!
The top half of the bottle became a hand-held paint cup with a “handle”,
while the bottom half worked well for a tabletop paint cup.

Celebrating Spring 2009 – Day 3

DAY 3: EXPLORING NATURE

It had been a while since we had actually gone on our neighborhood nature trail strictly for the purpose of observation. I tend to enjoy going at least once during each season so we can see the changes, so I figured, what better way to welcome spring!

When we embarked on the trail last week, I was shocked at what I saw — very little water! Things definitely looked different than in the photos that I posted of that same nature trail in November 2007. I knew we were under some serious drought conditions, but had no idea it was THIS bad!

The Drought

The Wetlands that Once Were
Nothing but dirt. This all used to be under water.
(You can tell where the water level once *was* by the water line on the trees)

Above:  a view from the side of the big bridge
Below: I wonder who once lived here, when it was underwater

Below: Conditions are so dry that even the air plants are suffering; showing very little traces of green

Signs of Life

Despite all, thankfully, there were still some ponds that had not completely dried up, and some signs of green along the trail.

The girls wanted me to take photos of all the flowers, so we could come home and look them up. (How many do you already know?)

Thistle was abundant in all its’ stages – from bud…

to bloom…

…to thistledown.

You can always count on the little ol’ pine tree for some spring color.

Strangely enough, we didn’t see many birds on this outing; just one hawk, an aningha, and a couple of cranes.

We did see other wildlife though:

This guy was smiling at us from across the pond,
but the mole cricket (below) creeps me out far more

Other Florida Wildlife

The Water Which Remains

I just love the beauty of the Florida Wetlands