New Alarm Tone...

Well, I was awoken today with a NEW alram tone. Jingle bells... Let me set the stage, My new little three year old ad abirthday last week. She receievd a present from her Mimi. Not just any present, a very loud battery operated keyboard...one with only 2 volume choices, loud and louder. Anyway, of COURSE it is one of the favorite toys for all four chidren. WEll, this morning, my eldest daughter is VERY WOUND UP ( we go and meet her new kindergarten teacher this morning) so she decided to run down the hall with JINGLE BELLS playing on the louder setting and then setting it right beside my door and running away. Not only my door but Parkers as well. And all this started at 7 am.

Parker...

He make look innocent, oh so innocent but NO! HE is INTO EVERYTHING these days. Our day started with getting him up. That involved watching him spend 20 minutes taking all the books out of one basket and putting them over the rail into his crib then demanding to get into the crib to throw them all out again...repeat cycle...come downstairs, open trash can and pull out trash, mommy closes cabinet, open cup cabinet and pull out cups, mommy closes cabinet, go in laundry room and empty marker and crayon box, mommy closes door, back to trash can and repeat cycle 4 times. Then, head of to the bathroom for some great funn of pulling ALL the toliet paper of the roll ( the LAST roll may I add).... FInally, choosing to move onto his normal toys but that invloves pulling all of them out then crashing through them with his walker (one of his 4 walkers may I add). Finally, everyone is up, dressed, fed, and ready to head for the gym!

Coming to a close..

Well ladies and gentlemen..it is coming to a close...summer break that is.. the times of sleeping in, staying in pjs for the morning, late breakfasts and picnic lunches, late night snuggles and long chapter books being read, movie afternoons and popcorn snacks, flip flops and barefeet....
time for schedules... lunchboxes and backpacks, early bedtime and homework, early rising and quick healthy breakfast, bus stops, school shoes and socks..
I am having mixed feelings about the impending end to my summer. On one side, I am sad. It has been really nice to have a low key summer.. not having to rush around and be anywhere with anybody in particular at an expected time. I got to hang with my kiddos and get to know them a little bit better.
On the other side, I am very excited to have a schedule and rountine. I thrive on those things...Being able to make it to the gym on a regular basis and having some breaks from the kids. Running errands and only having to buckle one car seat and get one child out...
The kids are ready as well. They seem to be done with the family bonding we have been doing most of the summer...and are very ready for some time apart from one another. Cooper is ready to meet her new teacher and classmates and start her ballett class. Bear is ready to be a big shot first grader and Logan can not WAIT to ride the bus and be in real school all day. In 8 days, it all beigns so I will keep you posted as to which side of the fence I fall towards after the rat race begins.

The Birthday Season...

As many of you all know, if you have children or even if you come from somewhat larger familes, there tends to be birthday season. A time of year where most everyone i your family celebrates there birthday. Well, in our family, with Chad and I having one and two siblings and each of those siblings having 1, 2, or 3 children, that time of year tends to be n the late spring/ early summer. Well, with Cooper's birthday over, we finally have some reprieve to the birthdau celebrations. in fact, there are only 3 more birthdays in or family for the rest of the year...(having already celebrated 20 since the spring). One is mine, one is my dad's and one is my oldest nephew. ( I do want to take this minute to THANK them for having a child in the fall...at leats SOMEONE was looking out for us) Anyway, those three are all in October so we have a few minutes to breath, gather our thoughts and money, then be able to shop for presents. LUckily for me, one of those birthdays is mine :):):)

NEW KICKS FOR NOT SO NEW TRICKS

Well these are Parker's no so new tennis shoes for his not so new trick of walking. It has taken me this long ot get a picture of them even though the title for this post has been in my head for awhile...but it would have read "new kicks for new tricks", but hey, at least I am posting it at some point.
So yes, Parker is walking everywhere these days. Let me correct myself, Parker is running everywhere these days. Anyone who has a toddler boy understands the difference. My little girls, toddled awhile, daintly placing there little feet down and exploring their world with curiosity and caution. Sometimes venturing a few feet away from Mommy and Daddy but never out of their sight. They would look at leaves and flowers, sit in the grass, and watch butterflies and fireflies.
Now comes Parker, who is tearing through life at 5oo miles per hour. Running anywhere and everywhere, climbing in and on anything he can possible reach, and head butting those things that will not quickly move out of his way when they see him approaching, I mean half running half falling, toward him (most of the times being a sibling....).
He never looks back to see if Mommy and Daddy are near by becasue he knows with that wonderful innocence of children that they will ALWAYS be there and never let anything harm him. It is a wonderful and rejuvinating feeling to remember what it is like to be the mom of the little boy in the group. It has been 6 years and to be honest with everyone, I had forgotten what it was all about. Thank you God for giving me my Parker to help me remember what the saying menas, "Boys will be Boys..."
That said, aren't his red tennis shoes the cutest thing you have ever seen? I mean come on, have you ever met a little boy who DIDN"T need red tennis shoes? I haven't.

Happy Birthday Cooper!

Well Yesterday was Cooper's 3rd birthday. Daddy took the big kids shopping at Toys R US for their sister. He came home with great treats. Good job Daddy! She got a Polly Pocket Cruise ship from her sister and brothers and a Dora Scooter from mommy and daddy. She got to invite 3 of her closest friends to Build A Bear for a party and then have the entire family over tomorrow for pizza and cake. I can not believe that my little peanut is now three years old. Where does the time go. I feel like Parker has been around for a little over a year and that Bear and Lo have been around a long time but I can not remember Cooper being here for 3 years. MY little girl is growing up.... hopefully I still have a few more years with her though. With Logan starting Kindergarten this year I will finally get some one on one time with my peanut (while the Park man is napping)which will be very special AND she will get to be the big sister to Parker for once. Boy will she miss Logan though. I hope I will be a good substitute for her sister.

Funny but SO TRUE...

This is my life... minus 2 children. I hope you get as many laughs as I did while reading it! Cut and paste this web address and read the story following the item...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130144061675

New Roof

Well the roof is complete and we survived. I did find myself checking the front door every once in awhile because I would think there was somebody knocking, only to be corrected by my soon to be 3 year old, telling me.."mommy, it is only the woofers.." Slowly, but surely we are turning this old house into a new one... piece by piece...new paint, lights, kitchen, flooring, windows, and now roof. We also rearranged the playroom and the girls room because CHAD decided they needed more room. What else you may ask? Who knows....

The Great Escape

Okay, in a previous post I referenced my children escaping and a good friend asked for the full story. Here it is...
It was around 7:20 on a Tuesday morning and I was taking a shower. I know the time because Chad had just left for work about 10-15 minutes prior. I get out of the shower and hear the kids giggling..(Kids being Barrett, Logan, and Cooper). They said that they just got back. Thinking nothing of it I start to get ready and I hear the doorbell ring. I throw on some clothes and as I am approaching the front door a strange woman is about to enter my house. I look a little surprised and she hands me the girl's strawberry shortcake suitcase. She says "This was with your children" So I ask nonchalantly, "oh where did you find it, at the end of the driveway?" "No", she answers," At the end of your neighborhood, with your children." The entire story she tells me is that she and her husband were on their way to work and she saw my three children wandering down the road pullng a suitcase behind them. Cars swerving to miss them as the stoll down the middle of my road on the way to Brandermill Parkway and eventually their friend Logan K.'s house 1 mile away. She stopped and asked them where they were headed and walked them home. She was on her way into my house to make sure I was okay and nothing had happened to me since my three small children were about a 1/4 mile form my house. She tells me that it happens to everyone and asked if I was okay then leaves. As she closes the door behind her I fall apart. I send them to their rooms and want to lock them there for eternity. What if someone had kidnapped them? What if a car had hit them? What if a nice stranger/ mother had not seen them and thought to bring them home? All of these and many more thoughts still race through my head. It was a learnig experience for all and the children know never to leave the house without lettng me know..(of course, I thought they knew this beforehand) We still remind them sometimes of the even in hopes to keep the knowledge fresh in their heads so it will ot occur again. After all the tears, one thing still intrigues me, why when I want them to get ready to go it takes them forever, but when they want to sneak out they can be dressed fully, shoes on and tied, and out the door in under 10 minutes......

A little too much in a day

Do you ever find yourself planning a little too much for one day and then wonder why by 4pm you are completely exhausted and ready for bedtime, a glass of wine and some QUIET? Well today is begining to look like one of those days. Let me set the stage and you can decide for yourself... I have my two older nieces here to play. They spent the night and started the day at a whopping 6:45 am. We are getting a new roof and the arrived at 7:30. The weather is poor, we can not go outside to play in the yard or the driveway becasue of the roofers, my car does not hold everyone, and no naps will be taken becasue of the before mentioned roofing project. So, it is 9:48, the baby is screaming, my coffee has run out, and my husband in unreachable by cell phone. Wish me luck!

Something Fun

Okay everybody..
If you are looking for something fun to do today, I have a great idea...try taking four kids to the pediatricians office, wait an hour, recieve three shots among 2 children, then drive home. Jealous? Well, that is how I got to start my Monday morning off. In all honesty, the kids were great until the end and I simply adore my pediatrician so I did not mind the wait. He always spends extra time with me and never rushes me in and out. We did go to Target afterwards to make EVERYONE feel better with candy and stickers. Now, answer me this, do I take them there to make them feel better or to make myself feel better? Probably lots of both... HAPPY MONDAY!!!

New Windows

We just got new windows! I know, some of you might not get a total rush of excitement when you hear that but I GOT NEW WINDOWS!!!!! 23 of them! They have clean, unripped screens, tilt out to clean, actually open, and are white to match the rest of the house. AND, they have child/night safety switches so my munchkins can not escape...(that is an entirely different story for an entirely different time) Bottom line... I LOVE THEM!!!!!!

No comment

Okay, the world of blogland can get pretty lonely. You write, you think, you try and say some intelligent stuff and get very little response back. But then I got to thinking and I realized, how many times I check my friend's blogs (almost everyday) and I do not comment. Please continue to write as I do really enjoy enjoy reading.
I wish there were a way just to check and see how many times people check your blog or even think about looking at it. It would be interesting. Anyway, thank you to all who do comment, it makes me feel very loved that I have a few followers and I am sorry to those of you whose blogs I read and don't comment. I now understand.... I know I am not writing for others but simply for myself. To give myself a little outlet into the big girl world, outside of diapers, Dora, snack cups and naps. However, a little feedback every now and then ain't so bad. Keep reading those of you who do and let me know once in awhile that you are interested, it gives me a little pick me up!

My New Found Love

Okay... I have become desperate...that is desperate times call for desperate measures...I have learned about On Demand on Verizon Fios. Oh no, I do not mean the movies you pay for. That is old news BUT have you checked out all the free kids shows on? I said FREE???? The best part about it is there are some really great things on and several classics that I watched when I was younger..Who remembers The Mouse and the Motorcycle? Runaway Ralph? So I am sitting the kids down and turning on the electronic babysitter for a little (and I must say well deserved) quiet time where I can read some of my book for book club or catch up on my ever increasing pile of magazines and the children are entertained and peaceful... for 42 minutes!

3 more weeks

okay, am I a bad mom? I mean really, a bad mom? I love my children. I adore my children. I would feel empty inside without my children...BUT I AM READY FOR SCHOOL TO START!!!! Barrett and Logan have now this week decided to fight. And I don't mean really knock down drag out fight then it is over, NO, I mean Bicker...pick...bother...pester...annoy each other at EVERY WAKING MOMENT!!!! What am I to do? The saddest part is, they are apart from each other from 8:30-1pm everyday this week AND STILL THEY FIGHT!!!!! Maybe instead of posting I should be searching for real estate somewhere else where they have year round schooling. Any ideas?????

Another Sunday morning

Just another sunday morning at church...at church you say? Yep, that is right... our church has planned lots of cool activities for our children this summer but this is by far the coolest one. Each child was hooked up and allowed to climb a tree outside. How much more fun can that be and really, it seemed pretty easy to show them God at work. My little girl even said, "I was really high, but I did not see Jesus. Heaven must be a little bit higher..." This is the same child who told me the other day that she saw the legs and feet of children angels dangling down from the clouds becasue they were just hanging out and watching. Whenever I stop and question my beliefs and religion, I now pause and try and see it through my children's eyes. It is much simplier and easier to understand when you can just freely and openly accept what is there. AND, how can there not be a God when I look at the blessings that I have. I get to wake up everyday to a wonderful husband whom I cherish and adore and four beautiful, healthy, happy, spunky kids who add adventure and love to everyday of my life.

Laundry

Do any of you out there wonder how a family can generate SO MUCH LAUNDRY? I try and get a system going and do it on a regular basis BUT it is NEVER ENDING... the minute I get it under control, there seems to be 5 more loads ready to be washed THEN I have to put it all away! AAAAHHHH!! Why must I spend my precious few quiet moments on a Sunday afternoon putting 5 baskets of laundry away, just to be bombarded with more tomorow? So, I am off to delve into the plastic abyss and hope to make a small dent to make tomorrow a little better. Wish me luck!

Saturday Morning

Well who could ask for anything better.. this morning, my wonderful husband got the children up and let me sleep in THEN said the magic words..."LET'S GO GET DONUTS!!!" So, we all piled in the car in our jammies, hit the Dunkin' Donut drive thru, came home and sat on the screened in porched and ate donuts. Now, the kids are all playing quietly and nicely, Chad and I are drinking coffe on the screened in porch enjoying the morning that is NOT 100 degrees. What a GREAT DAY!

Logan's Special Day

Well today is Logan's special day. Meaning, she and I get to go to lunch and get her school supplies for kindergarden ALL BY HERSELF...no siblings allowed. To tell you the truth, I think I have been looking forward to this day even more than she has been. I started the tradition last year when Barrett started school and am going to continue it with each child. It is very rare that I get one on one time with any of my children. When you have four, someone always needs something. I am sure those people with five or more children look at me at laugh at how busy I feel but I think it is all in your own perspective. So, we called up NANA and she is going to watch the other three while we adventure out to Cheeburger Cheeburger, meet our oldest and dearest friend and her little boys and then head off for Walmart for our kindergarden supplies, just my big girl and me!

Funny Games Children Play

I was just sitting here at my computer and it dawned on me some of you out there would appreciate the games my children play to entertain themselves. Yesterday, it was dressing in leotards and dancing around the den while singing.."We are going to CiCis" (which we were NOT doing) Today, they are playing shoe store. They have gotten out every pair of shoes each of the older ones own and are taking turns trying them on and pretending to be the slaesman. In fact, Logan just rolled her eyes at Cooper because her service was TAKING TOO LONG... No it is Cooper's turn to try and walk around to make sure they sjoes fit wwell. Kids are funny...

REAL reason to go to the Gym

Some would say that the reason to go to the gym would be for excercise. You know, getting healthy, keeping your weight down, helping your body be happy, and keep your heart in shape. These are ALL good reasons BUT the REAL reason is .....FREE CHILD CARE! That's right ladies and gentlemen, I said FREE CHILD CARE. Simply drop those kiddos off in the kid zone, and BAM Quiet time for mommy. I get to spend 1-1 1/2 ALL ALONE listening to whatever I want on my IPOD or catching up with good old Regis and Kelly or Rachel Ray. I know the kids are happy and well taken care of and I am allowed to have a little me time. I guess the gynm really can help with WHOLE BODY HEALTH. So, as often as I can, I put my hair up in a ponytail, lace up my sneaks, and head on out for a good sweat AND some peace and solitude...You can't beat it!

The GIll Beach Adventure

Adventure is the right word or as a wise friend of mine called it a trip. 4 kids, husband, and mom..not a recipe for a vaction at this point, although, I did see many older women walking in the solitude of themselves who ASSURED me things would get easier and quieter. To tell the honest truth, I do not think I would want it to get much quieter, maybe just easier. I would certainly miss the squeals of delight as the waves crash, the constant laughs at daddy digging giant holes, and the perpetual " Mommy, watch this..." It makes for a WONDERFUL time! The kids could not have been better behaved. The weatehr was perfect. Food was fabulous. House nice. And, Beach was amazing...waves just the right height for the kids, sand soft and not too hot. We could not have asked for a better trip, adventure, I mean VACATION!

We are back!

Well, we are back. Sorry for not posting all week but we had NO INTERNET SERVICE. Imagine, me, without my computer and all of my children. What is a mom to do? Anyway, we are back and had a wonderful t ime. I will update more later with pics but for now, know I am back in full force...check often!