Caddie Woodlawn

We just finished reading Caddie Woodlawn.  It's a wonderful story of a pioneer girl and her family's adventures.  Caddie is a bit of a tomboy, but as the story progresses she finds herself moving into womanhood.   After Caddie had played a trick on her visiting cousin her father has a talk with her:

"....It's a strange thing, but somehow we expect more of girls than of boys.  It is the sisters and wives and mothers, you know, Caddie, who keep the world sweet and beautiful.  What a rough world it would be if there were only men and boys in it, doing things in their rough way!   A woman's task is to teach them gentleness and courtesy and love and kindness.  It's a big task, too, Caddie- harder than cutting trees or building mills or damming rivers.  It takes nerve and courage and patience, but good women have those things. They have them just as much as the men who build bridges and carve roads through the wilderness.  A woman's work is something fine and noble to grow up to, and it is just as important as a man's.  But no man could ever do it so well.  I don't want you to be the silly, affected person with fine clothes and manners that folks sometimes call a lady.  No, that is not what I want for you, my little girl.  I want you to be a woman with a wise and understanding heart, healthy in body and honest in mind.  Do you think you would like to be growing up into that woman now?  How about it, Caddie, have we run with the colts long enough?"

"...But something strange had happened to Caddie in the night.  When she awoke she knew that she need not be afraid of growing up.  It was not just sewing and weaving and wearing stays.  It was something more thrilling than that.  It was a responsibility, but as Father spoke of it, it was a beautiful and precious one, and Caddie was ready to meet it."

This and that

We had family for several days after Thanksgiving.   Zaza, Amber, Marky and I did some major Black Friday shopping and made a big dent in the Christmas list.  (Marky went because we do not have a car big enough for Daddy, Uncle Tim, Grandpa and all the children.  Someone had to shop- and Marc drew the short straw- he actually was happy to go and had fun with us.  By the way, Amber got lots of chances to love on Annie-

Meanwhile, Daddy took Big Grandpa, Uncle Tim and the 5 youngest children to BB and Poppy's farm for the day.  They fished and had blueberry cobbler.  Here they are putting out food for the deer-

 

 

BB kept Anastasia inside and she fell in love with this baby show-

Then they made a trip to Bass Pro Shops, which is like a wonderland this time of year. 

On Saturday, Amber, Tim and Landin flew home.  We had a nice weekend with Zaza and Grandpa.  Zaza gave us all haircuts and taught Julia some sewing.  That had so much fun working on a dress for Anastasia. 

Julia also got some map fabric to make throw pillows for the boys for Christmas.  She made them almost entirely by herself.  

Such a sweet, sweet girl and the best big sister-

 Daddy set up the big tent in the playroom and they "camped out" one night with sleeping bags on air mattresses .

Sweet Anastasia Rose is doing well.  She's really into her toys on her exersaucer.  

She still loves her bath, but now she kicks and squeals and splashes water ALL OVER the bathroom.  It makes her so happy, though, that I don't mind cleaning up afterwards. 

She likes to play her toy piano- it was Marky's so long ago.  They have all loved it. 

Charlie snapped a picture of snuggle time with Mommy. 

And the other night we took her to dinner and she sat in a high chair for the first time- she's five months old.  :)

And to her delight- they had ceiling fans!

Today I took Tucker and Charlie on a field trip to the Botanical Gardens.  We learned about Native Americans in Alabama- specifically what plants they used and how.  We learned a lot.  

Each child was given a plant sample and had to find it in the woods and tell the group all it could be used for.  Tucker's could be used to induce vomiting and the Latin name is, "ilex vomitoria", which he found very funny.  :)

 
And we saw Peter Rabbit in the vegetable garden-

This morning I woke up to find Julia in tears- she had just finished reading, "Where the Red Fern Grows."  I remember crying at that book when I was young.  My teacher even had us watch a movie of it and we all cried sitting on the floor of the library.  Memories...

Mommy's Girl.....

I think Baby Dumplin resembles her Mommy..... :)

Thanksgiving 2019

We enjoyed this Thanksgiving week with Landin and Aunt Amber.

 Daddy has been keeping the cozy fire going.  Annie loves to look at it. 

It keeps her little toes warm.  :)

We have had marathon charade games and lots of Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit-

Zaza, Big Grandpa and Uncle Time flew in on Wednesday afternoon.  Marc has grown 3 1/2 inches since last Thanksgiving.

 BB brought the turkey- it was delicious!

 

I never got a great picture of the table all set up. 

Anastasia had even more people to love on her!

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch the children, Marc, Amber and Zaza went to a movie.  The rest stayed home to rest, including Anastasia.  When she woke up she got some good time with Grandpa. 

We had leftovers for dinner and then the ladies went shopping!

 

Zaza kept kissing Annie's cheeks- so Annie started getting Zaza's cheeks!