6/20/2012
I just realized it has been 2.5 years since I last posted.  A lot has happened over the years.  Here is a recent picture of the family out to the Zoo.  As you can see my little ones have grown up.  No more strollers as we travel through the zoo.  This new "stage" of our family dynamic has been a fun and hard change for me.  I miss holding each of them as babies in my arms.  The little pitter-patter of their feet across the floor has been changed into stomping and jumping everywhere.  I don't miss the diapers and I am so happy Bridget trained early too.  I am now off the couch and floor and running around with the kids.  We can all go on hikes, camping and small daily adventures with very little in tow.   The older two have found the joy of reading and constantly are searching out for a quiet oasis to read.  This summer they are discover outside under a tree for shade is an awesome spot to read. They are tearing through the Summer Reading Program at our local library.

Introducing Hank, our new dog.  He is 3 years old and we got him through the local Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rescue.  He has been a joy to add to the family.  Everyone has stepped up with taking care of him.  We all enjoy our daily walks through the park.  He has created a special bond with Brayden.  Then can been seen together outside most non-rainy days chasing each other.

2/12/10

I know I have not posted in awhile.  The past two weeks were crazy.  I will post soon!  Here is a joke of the day created by Rebecca:

"Knock, Knock"
"Who's there?" asked Dad
"Tickle" giggle Rebecca.
"Tickle who?" Dad replied.
"ME!" Rebecca said energetically and laughing.

She made our crazy lunch fun!

2/1/10 part 2

"Dr.Brayden Man"

Tonight I was in the Urgent Care Center with Brayden.  He was complaining about his ears, throat, and not breathing well.  He also was unable to stop crying.  He took most of it in stride.  Brayden was such a great little boy!  He even stayed still enough for chest x-rays and a strep test.  The doctor and nurses were great with him!  They let him watch a movie while he had a nebulizer treatment.   They said he does not have strep throat, no pneumonia, and no ear infections.  He has a lot of fluid in his ear.  His cold is settling in his chest.  They have him on further treatments here at home.  I am not sure they are working.  I am just praying we don't end up in the hospital tonight.

My morning was not much better than the night is getting.  It seemed to be a constant struggle all day.  While changing Brayden's diaper he decided to reach down and touch poop then cry.  Becca decided to "etch" a drawing  in the wall of the bathroom with a hair barrette.  Of course she denied this until Dad asked.  Bridget decided not to nap.  She decided to pull out all my pots and pans from my cupboards and drag them around the house.  I had such a headache by the end of the day.  

Well, I am finally off to finish all my chores. 

2/1/10

Yes, there are a few days missing from the blog.  I have come to realize that weekends are really tough to find time to write.  I am working on it!  I will try to remember and fill everyone in on our crazy days.

Happy February!  It is funny how on Thursday morning February was and empty month on my calender.  By Friday night it was full!  Surprised that Marisa has about 4.5 days off this month yet full of activities.  Rebecca has a special night planned with Dad when he gets back from being out of town. 

The weekend was eventful as always.  Friday Bridget insisted on wearing a bib again.  We had forgotten Marisa's backpack, so 2 trips to school was in order.  We we got there I was informed by another parent that the Kindergarten doors were locked due to a new janitor who forgot to unlock them.  Ahhh, fun freezing in the cold!  Thursday night Marisa came home from school telling me she wanted us to take Dad out for supper.  I asked where to?  It needed to be a surprise she told me.  So, I called Dad to see what his thoughts were.  Yup, we were taking Dad out for supper.  Marisa finally confided in me that we were to take him for pizza.  Becca decided to take her camera along to document the event.  Though she forgot to bring it into the restaurant.  We went to the best pizza place in town: Zio's.  I love it there!  We go a head and order the kids food and our pizza.  Due to questioning of toppings our order was wrong.  Well, next time.  Marisa, and the rest of us too, had a blast taking dad out for supper!

On Saturday Travis was installing a gate at the top of the stairs so we can let Bridget roam a little while I clean up there.  Brayden decides he was going to help dad.  Bridget wanted to help too but she just got to watch from the bottom of the steps until she was trying to fall asleep on the last step.  Nap time Bridget!  Brayden was into every tool in Travis' tool box and not listening, so he was sent down to me.  I tried my hardest to keep him entertained.   The girls were playing puzzle but he could only annoy them for so long.  While I was doing dishes he disappeared.  Next I heard was a scream.  Well, on his way up to sneak to Dad, he fell down the stairs.  He managed to hit is ear on a pointy edge of a spindle.  So, now his ear is black and blue and bleeding.  Unfortunately that wasn't the only injury of the day.  He was banging into everything!  While I was cooking supper the kids thought that a tent would be a great idea (for those who have not seen our basement which has a 12 foot long play tent in it this may not be as funny) so my kitchen table was turned into a tent.  Brayden is too tall for the table but he thought he could stand-up inside.  Bridget is too tall for the side of the table so she would run towards it to go underneath, closer her eyes and "brace" for impact.  She is one tough chica!

Saturday night I went out to help a friend pack-up to move.  Wish I could have helped more, I was very thankful for the glass of wine!  When I got home Travis and I tried to play a computer game.  We ran into so much trouble to get it to work!  We finally got it running a little past midnight when Brayden got sick.  He was having a hard time breathing so we brought him into our bed.  This was a BAD idea!  Always is, and some day we shall learn!  We did not get to sleep.  He was kicking and rolling everywhere.  He also sleeps with his eyes open which is pretty freaky.  He freaked me out with it a couple of times that night.  What a way to start off a Sunday: no sleep.

1/28/10

As I was finishing today's blog, my dear son deleted it's contents.  If I am up to it I will blog Thursday's and Friday's together.  But for now, my day was just interesting.

1/27/10

Wednesday, I made it half way through the week!  I am realizing that I need to learn to go to bed earlier.  I am not a morning person.  I know I am very much so a night person.  I think a few people are starting to realize that as I get texts and phone calls through midnight.  I am and since kids are fast asleep I don't mind talking at all.  Marisa is on a cinnamon roll kick right now for breakfast.  Travis likes them but not the Pilsbury ones.  That makes it a lot harder for me now.  I need to locate the frozen ones or make them from scratch.  Wish there was a simpler solution to my mornings!  Rebecca is loving "dipping eggs", that is easy.  Brayden likes cereal.  Bridget likes muffins, but not everyday.  Oh, it will be nice if I can get them to eat all the same things. 

I had to wake Rebecca up at 8am.  That started my day off late.  It just seemed like I was unable to get my morning on time.  No one wanted to help get dressed.  I finally got everyone dressed, jackets are going on and Bridget come strolling out with her "necklace" from last night.  I am thinking "I know I hid that in the laundry pretty well, who gave that to you?".  It did not go over well when I took her dirty bib away.  I grabbed the bag with 1/2 the bibs and sat her down.  We picked an acceptable one, Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas.  Ok, now we can continue.  Marisa was on time but she likes to get there a little earlier to spend time with a new friend.

When we got home I began to clean.  I had everyone cleaning.  Even Bridget was helping with laundry, well for like a minute but that is good for her.  When Brayden got tired I sent him to the toy room to play.  I blocked off the kitchen with the chairs so I could sweep and wash the floors.  Normally this wouldn't be so bad but Becca found a pirate's map from Halloween.  Apparently the kitchen was a "cave" that she must journey through to get to the hidden treasure.  I played along.  I was declared, by Becca, to be the Cave Monster.  I would only let passage when I had "scrapped all the bat droppings from the cave bottom so they wouldn't fall", so I was told.  But the monster had to stop to give the travelers their snack and drinks, to change diapers and retrieve their equipment from the bottom of the mud pit.  I love their imagination!  Though this did make my cleaning of the cave a lot longer and their patients were worn. After cave entry was allowed lunch making began!

I really wish naptime would be better.  It can be such a struggle some days.  The hard part for me it that I know how tired they are.  They are yawning and "silly tired" causing fights and falling over.  Why don't they realize that a nap would help?  When I finally get all of them asleep it was time to wake them all back up to get Marisa.  Oh well, I tried.  I will now make a short daily complaint:  I HATE THE CRAZY DRIVING OF ELEMENTARY PARENTS!!!!  Ok, done.

Upon arriving home I learned/remembered Travis would be working late.  So, I made a kid friendly meal!  Hotdogs, Mac-n-cheese and greenbeans.  Each kid takes it so differently when they know Travis will be late.  At about end of supper the panic began:  "Will daddy be coming home tonight?".  Yes, I assured them.  When?  I told them that it might be late but that dad is thinking of them and loves them very much.  My personal opinion is that they think it is the outage again.  They have a really hard time not seeing dad.  During supper Uncle Tony called.  They got to sing happy birthday to him!  They had been waiting a long time to do that.  Then I got to talk to Anthony.  It is amazing how much trouble they try to get into while I am on the phone.  It felt like they wanted to hurt each other. 

After the wonderful conversation it was bath time.  I tackled the younger two first.  The older two were playing with a doll house so they were just fine.  When the "little" baths were done I settled Bridget into bed.  Off to take care of the showers.  Our older two love showers.  I like it because they can do most of it on their own which helps me out.  While they showered Brayden got to snuggle in our bed and watch Dora (he likes Swiper).  By the time that was done the girls were done and Marisa wanted to talk to Nanny and Wello.  I let them stay up a little late to talk.  During that conversation Daddy came home!  Which pretty much ended the web cam conversation with Nanny and Wello (sorry).  Dad took them off to be in a short time.  I made him supper then I crashed.  I really wish I didn't crash because I know that means more work for me the next morning.  I was so wiped though from the long day!

1/26/10

Tuesdays are one of my big run around days.  I actually got into the shower before the girls got up so my dad started out great!  I got hugs and kisses from all girls with big smiles so that was a huge bonus!  I even got 20min with Travis this morning, definitely a good morning.  Rebecca slept in which I was surprised about.  I had to wake her up at 8am so she had enough time to eat and get dressed before school.  This was the start to my late morning.  I couldn't find the checkbook (time to get more lunches for Marisa) then I couldn't find the roast I needed to defrost.  It was topped off with Brayden refusing to go in the car.  Fine.  He was carried in with his PJs and blankie.  Guess I am not going out for groceries this morning.  Oh, the fun!

It is always strange for me to come back on with just two kids for two hours.  At first they did good.  We read stories and tried to get some chores done.  All of a sudden with about 30min until load up time, they began to fight.  It started with Brayden pushing Bridget into the wall.  A little while later it was continued with Bridget biting Brayden.  It was too late to put Bridget in for a nap soo.... the fighting continued into the car until Bridget fell asleep.  The silence was nice.  I almost felt bad for waking her up to eat lunch.  Today's lunch was better than most.  At the end the food started to get thrown on the floor.  It always seems like such a short morning with running back and forth to get Rebecca.

As I was folding laundry Bridget discovered a Halloween bib.  She decided it was the coolest thing ever!  She had me put it on her.  She wore it the rest of the day!  I snuck it off at nap time and she woke up discovered it wasn't on and cried.  Oh it shall me a long cute day.  She had a hard time going to bed with out her bib again.  I put it in the dirty laundry pile hoping to wash it yet tonight.  She wouldn't stay still for this picture but I thought it was a cute one to share!

I am still in shock at how bad drivers are at schools.  Again picking up Marisa was horrid.  I am going to try and leave 30min early tomorrow.  Same issues of poor judgement of stopping and parking.  Marisa was happy to see me.  Though I did have to explain to her that she can't just run out into the middle of the street, she needed to wait for me to park.  "But other kids do it" she said.  What a fun conversation to have out in cold weather.  I tried to explain that she could get hurt and that it is a rule of mine to stay safe on the sidewalk.  Then she goes into other families and their rules.  Oh fun!  She has a friend at school she really likes.  They have been exchanging "things" like lost buttons and hairclips.  Her friend tried writing down their phone number for Marisa last week but I couldn't read it.  So I wrote a letter and sent it in with Marisa.  Still no phone call.  Marisa is still pretty upset.  How do I connect with this other parent?

After school we headed off to Bakers.  What fun with 4 kids!  It is amazing how many different looks and comments I get.  They range from how beautiful and well behaved my kids are to "wow, that is a lot of kids, you are crazy to have that many".  My shopping experience would be so much better if comments were kept to themselves.  After shopping supper!  Travis worked late today.  Kids notice it more lately.  I am not sure how they know may just the "schedule" that they have throughout the day.  I won't even say anything.  It try cooking supper at different times to throw them off, but the 3 older ones always seem to make a comment on any day that Travis is working late.  Since Marisa can tell time she is the most sensitive about it.

After supper Travis took the 3 older ones to the basement to "run" while I put the no napping Bridget to bed.  Then it was game time for the family.  We played trouble until all kids were tired possible over tired and started acting out.  It was before normal bedtime but they were ready for bed.  So were mom and dad.

Picture Day!!! 1/26/10

Don't worry a blog of today will soon follow tonight.  I just thought I would post some new pictures.

This is our recent trip to the zoo in the rain-forest.

Travis took this amazing photo of Bridget.  We have so many great ones of her lately!

 

Last Sunday we decided to try to take some kid photos. 

They always look so cute on Sundays!

Bridget enjoyed her freedom at the zoo!

Christmas photo of Travis and the kids.

Christmas photo of me and the kids.

1/25/10

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTHONY!!!!  We all hope you have a wonderful day!  Marisa asked me how old you were today.  It took a little math at 6am.  When I told her she said "WOW, That's old!"  Oh, the things children say!

Well, an interesting little winter storm passed through here last night leaving the roads quite undesirable.  We still had school though.  I was careful in taking it slow to take Marisa to school. I even left 20min early and still got her there on time.  I chose the the smaller hill to drive up.  Unfortuanatley I didn't make it.  About 3/4 up and the tire's grip just ended and I started rolling backwards, then sideways.  I was able to "back" the van into someone's driveway (since I was heading there anyway) and gain back control.  I kept the kids calm as I said a few prayers.  So I turned around and looked for a better route.  A small car passed me and made it up the hill.  When I finally got out to 114th street (a main street I need to get to for Marisa's school) the car that passed me (driving pretty well, not really complaining about the passing me thing) was in a major accident.   For whatever reason, I was not supposed to be on the road at that time.  I was very thankful that the rest of the "trip" went much better.  I was still scared.  Ever since I flipped my car in rain turn to ice about 10 years ago I am so cautious and scared on these snowy roads.

When we finally got home and settled.  I say settled in because it is amazing what a 10-20min car ride can do to my children.  All need to undress from their bulky winter clothes.  Then usually all three are thirsty.  I wish I could just hand Bridget a sippycup, it would be so much easier.  When I am finally done nursing they all want snacks.  The the book requests.  So finally I get them interested in a toy so I can go off and try to get some laundry done.  Ok, I had already processed through 6 loads of laundry the previous night/ early morning so folding all those loads and rotating through more was my goal.  About 2min later I was found by Bridget quickly followed by Brayden.  Of course that meant Rebecca was not far behind.  I put them all to work!  Ok, Bridget had a free pass but she was enjoying switching the laundry for me.  Until she started to take stuff from the washer and carry it around the house instead of putting it in the dryer.  I had to defensively block her from the laundry room then.  That did not make her happy.  I got to read lots of books while I folded laundry today.

I don't know what is about turning 4 and only eating PB&J sandwiches.  When Marisa turned 4, that is all she would eat for lunch.  Well, not Rebecca turned 4 and she won't eat her meat and cheese sandwiches she loved only weeks ago.  Now it is just PB&J.

After nap time is was off to pick-up Marisa.  I HATE the traffic there.  I finally reach the intersection at the corner of her school and some idiot PARKS their car at angle so no one can drive by.  Ok, I am sure no one understands my frustration right now.  The 2 main roads around the school are 1 way only.  During winter (only because of accidents) people began to park on the one side and leave the other side open for flow of cars.  Yes there is a parking lot, but only for the teachers.  Also it is on the complete opposite side of the Kindergarten and I can't leave 3kids in the car waiting for that long.  It was also too cold to take them.  No back to my problem.  I can't go forward due to and idiot blocking the road.  Can't go left because other cars are there waiting to turn in on this idiot.  Can't go right because it is oneway the opposite direction and the buses are ready to leave.  I had to sit there watching the cars pile up for 10min knowing my little girl was outside freezing and I couldn't get to her.  Surprisingly not a horn honked.  Travis has always teased me about honking my car horn, so I held back..... what good would it do but upset other drivers and the kids trying to now get into cars that are in the middle of the street.  I finally got through when all the cars parked to the right emptied out.  The person was still in their car!!!  I ran to get Marisa and was verbally loud and gave a "you're and idiot" face to this lady.  I so wanted to say/do more but not with my kids around.  I get Marisa in the car and this crazy driver starts driving cutting off other cars and parks further down on the right side (finally!) as her child walks out of the school and climbs in the car.  It took me awhile to calm down!

When we got home (and all day) the kids reminded me (more like bugged) that they wanted to call Nanny on the web cam.  So, they talked to Nanny and I started supper.  I made Salisbury steak and "Wella's" rice.  Brayden, Mom and Dad loved it!  Bridget liked it.  Marisa ate half of it.  Rebecca hated it.  What a supper.  Off to bath time and bed!  I got a call from a friend so I went out tonight.  It was really nice to get out and talk.  Thanks Jacy!  When I arrived home Travis informed me that while Brayden was roaming the hallway in protest to going to bed he shocked himself in the outlet.  Travis says he is fine, and will not be doing that again.  I will be going up here in a few minutes to give him a big hug. 

1/24/10

Sunday. Day of rest.  Wish someone would inform my kids about that.  We do our best not to rush around on Sunday.  We made it to church close to on time.  Girls were excited about going to Sunday School.  Brayden and Bridget were their normal squirmy selves throughout mass.  I discovered that the hallway at church was again a social gathering spots.  I was trying to nurse Bridget but she was well distracted by the many conversations and grown kids running around us.  I finally gave up since I couldn't hear the priest who was "broadcast" through the hallway.  Oh fun, I now had a hungry squirmy kid throughout the rest of mass.

After mass we headed home.  As I opened the van door Marisa was crying.  "What happened?" I asked in a panicked voice.  "I wanted to go first" she wined back to me.  I took a deep breathe and sent them all in the house, some were crying but it had to be done.  The lecture that we don't all get to go first occurred after that.  Then lunch and naps.

Not too much to report through the afternoon.  I napped!  It was really nice to rest a little.  Travis and some of the kids got a nap too.  When we all got up we hurried to the grocery store.  It started to flurry but we wanted to beat the "storm".  Travis fed the kids at McDonalds as I shopped.  When they finally finished I was able to get a few things I needed them for.  We hit the storm on the way home an hour later.  Some scary drivers out there.  After we got home we needed to shake out the kids giggles.  They love doing that!  They get really silly and have lots of fun.   Then bed!  Finally Travis and I got to eat supper!  (alone!)  I am still waiting for Brayden to finish playing and finally go to sleep.

1/23/10

After going to bed at 3am I was quite tired this morning.  To my wonderful surprise Travis had the older 3 already eating breakfast.  He didn't wake me up until Bridget started 2 wake up at 8am.  Wish she would do that more often, and when I got to go to bed early.

It was declared a cleaning day after some game cube was played by dad, Marisa, and Rebecca.  I only wish they all would have cooperated with the cleaning.  There are somethings I do on a regular basis like the dishes all day, laundry, sweeping, picking up toys off of all the floors (just to turn around and watch Brayden and Bridget spread them around again), washing the floor, cook for everyone (they like different things so I never get to cook one thing at a time)...... well, the list keeps on going.  This morning I deep cleaned all the bathrooms.  Travis is working on the tub!  This means a relaxing bath for mom at some point!

Well, not too much to report today.  Kids did their normal "destroy the house" routine.  They were fighting a lot today, again.  Brayden is still scared of the stairs.  Though he did try to go potty a few time yesterday per his request.  Just a toot.  Though I was educated by my son last night on some "bathroom vocabulary".  A toot is just passing gas (he demonstrated that by imitating a "toot" noise through his lips), but a "poot" is, he points at his diaper.  So I change it to discover that a poot is a "wet toot" called by some.  Little boy, you keep entertaining me.

Oh, we will not be able to make it up to Hartington tomorrow due to weather:(  I only hope that this weather clears up soon!  I know Travis is talking about us going up just in general on a Friday night and coming home on Saturday night so the girls can go to Sunday School.  I still can't believe that they have class every Sunday through April.  Then they are done until October!  It will make having long weekends in Hartington much easier!  Thinking of long weekends just reminded me that Marisa will have on soon.  I just got the letter on Friday from school that she gets out early on the 12th from school and that she has Monday and Tuesday after Valentine's day off.   She is going to have a 4.5 day weekend.  I am not sure if I should be happy about this or not.

I made hotdogs and mac-n-cheese for the kids tonight knowing we had lots of chili to eat.  So we go and get the pot with the chili to dish out some plates.  Yummmm...... wait there is something growing in there.  Yup, all that chili went bad.  Travis and I could not eat it all.  So off to get some pizza with Brayden.  He was such a proud little "man" to go with mom and leave everyone else home.  When we got home he decided to stop listening and returned to the garage from the house (which I just put him in) and didn't tell me.  So I trip over him and dump the pizza all over the floor.  Naturally I was upset and just carried Brayden into the house to tell Travis what happened.  He shrugged it off and figured I saved a couple of pieces.  Now in my defense, I tried really hard to catch the pizza and to save something but couldn't.  He didn't believe me until he saw everything upside down on the floor.  So I prepare for PB&J sandwiches and tomato soup.  He calls and orders another pizza for us!  We had a nice and quiet supper since he arrived after the kids were asleep.

Well, the older 3 kids are struggling to fall asleep as I type.  Bridget has been out cold since 7pm.  I am ready for bed but I still have a lot to do.  Thank you mom for web caming with us!  Dad hope you are having fun gaming with Travis!

1/22/10

TGIF!  Since my "job" really doesn't have any weekends, vacation, sick days, or time away at all I still don't know why I get excited over Fridays.  I usually look forward to a drink late at night with Travis to celebrate his end of the week, but I know he won't be here tonight.  I am glad it is my last day of running to and from school for the week.  Though we do a lot of running around the city on the weekends.  Seems like there is always something we need in the house that needs a "special" trip out.  I just wish it didn't take so long to drag the kids around to get it all done.  This weekend we are supposed to head to Hartington to see family.  I just hope the weather holds so we can get there.

An average morning.  Dad gets all the smiles and I get all the attitude.  Well, until about 9am there is a lot of resistance.  I get my hugs and kisses from Marisa when she realizes she will be gone all day.  Rebecca starts her cuddling when we get back from dropping off Marisa.  Brayden begins to "latch" to me once he is done with breakfast and realizes he need to get into the van soon.  He is starting to hate all the driving I do.  Since I am still "food" to Bridget she never stops her hugs.

Today no one wanted to listen.  Everyone wanted to get into trouble.  It felt like I left one room to another just disciplining.  I was at my breaking point at nap time.  I got about 20min of no yelling and quiet in before it all started again.  It is amazing how just that 20 min can re-energize me for the rest of the night.  Then another 2 hours of fighting can take it all away.

When Marisa got home from school there was request by all to have a snack.  So we tried to make a fruit smoothie with yogurt and fruit.  I let Marisa and Rebecca pick the ingredients. I started in the blender yogurt.  Then I brought out the frozen blueberries and strawberries.  They wanted bananas and peaches in there too.  Rebecca grabbed the icecream, I gave in.  Marisa realized that icecream is not always healthy and we wanted a healthy snack so she got some raw carrots out.  Since I let them pick everything else I let the carrots go in.  Surprisingly to me, it tasted good.  The kids and dad liked it better than me.  Marisa decided that next time they will just try the blueberries and strawberries with the yogurt.

Bed time was interesting to night.  The kids prefer to have Dad put them to bed so they fought a little with me.  Bridget had no problems.  I nursed her, she was gigglie tired when I put her in her crib.  I closed her door and there was not another sound.  She was just asleep.  She amazes me!  I bribed the girls with video games on Saturday if I didn't have to go back into their room.  Surprisingly it worked!  Not another sound was heard, from the girls.  Brayden on the other hand was my problem.  It took me  hours to get him asleep.  I am sure the phone ringing and text messages didn't help, but at 10:00 he finally settled down.  Then Bridget stirred for a little, then Brayden, then Bridget...... well I think you get the pattern.  That happened until about 2:30am.  I am so tired!