Turkey Day

Well our Turkey Day did not go at all as I had planned. Chad woke up grumpy, the kids fought, I fussed, Chad's family was to sick to visit, and Parker has a double ear infection. SO, I chalked yesterday up as just one of those days and forged onward today. I awoke with much anticipation as to how our day was to go. You see, the day after Thanksgiving is always decorate for Christmas day at the Gill house and Chad HATES decorating for Christmas. He loves what it looks like when it is done but hates the process. So , I was afraid the day would go as well as yesterday but I was wrong. Everyone got a good nights sleep (except me and Park, remember the double ear infection?). We all got dressed, went to get our tree, and spent the rest of the afternoon scurrying about the house decorating. We are all done, except for the tree and it is not quite 4pm. That is some GREAT NEWS!! We are going to tackle the tree once Parker gets up from his nap then hopefully snuggle down on front of a Christmas movie. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the evening together as a family, doesn't it?

Early Dismissal

So my friends and I at the bus stop decided what is the point really of early dismissal days? I mean come on, by the time you get them all off to school, get cleaned up from breakfast, do one or two of the errands you have to run, they are arriving home again. AAAAAGGGHHHHH!!!!! Come one, who really needs to get out half day the day before Thanksgiving? Really, How many of these children are doing the baking and cooking?? Christmas, maybe. In addition, my school district has decided to be closed for 16 days for the Christmas holiday. 16 DAYS!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? What am I supposed to do with the kids that long? Maybe I should tweek my Christmas list a touch for more survival aides for the long break. HHHHHHHMMMMMMMMM........................

Get Ready for BBALL!!!

Well it is that time of year again! BASKETBALL SEASON!!!!! And boy are Chad and I psyched. We love watching pretty much any college team on tv (or in person), especially, anyone in the ACC. SO, I talked Chad into getting season tickets to UVA home games this year and we are taking the entire family to the games. Yes, you read that right, ALL SIX OF US to the games. We head up tonight for the first of what I hope will be many really fun times. Heck, at least it is inside (heated and air conditioned) and USUALLY the games last no more than 2 hours. I know UVA does not have a good team this year but that will probably be better for us as well, not too many close calls and overtime games. AND we will get to watch all the other really GOOD ACC teams. So, if you run out of things to think about tonight, say a little prayer for me and my sanity and hope we have a good time, I am sure we will.......

Perfect Day

Yesterday was the perfect day. We skipped church and hung out in our Pjs for the morning. We had a big family breakfast and a fire in the fire place. We played with the children and the TV did not get turned on ONCE all day! Imagine that! The best part of the day by far was watching Chad make homemade noodles for our dinner with the girls. The following pictures document this labor intensive task he took on. Afterwards, he felt the need to get away from the girls....I guess two entire hours of Daddy time was enough. I did give him 30 minutes then he had to turn it on again for dinner time, bath, books, and bed. I don't mean to sound cynical, but I think God really intends for us to take a break sometimes and enjoy time with our family. Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, right? Anyway, ours was PERFECT!!!

Super Star

Well Barrett got to star in a commercial this afternoon. We have a friend who works for Comcast and he needed some Boy Scouts to star in a commercial with some Richmond Renegades Hockey players and he asked if Barrett would want to join them. WELL OF COURSE!!! What kid would NOT want to get out of school a little early, star in a commercial, AND meet some Hockey players? My neighbor told me he might even have a little bit of a speaking role. I will keep you posted as to when and where it will show.

Peace and Quiet

Kids are quiet and peaceful.... felt the need to post but do not want to waste this precious moment..... more tomorrow OR when things are not so peaceful.....

One Down

One down and so many left. That could refer to the teeth or all the other childhood things she will lose. Right now, I am going to focus on the teeth. Anyway, Logan lost her first tooth this morning. She took it to school to show her teacher and cannot wait to place it safely under her pillow in hopes the tooth fairy aka The Molenator or ROY will visit (anyone seen The Santa Clause 2????) We will see.

A Day in the Life.....

I guess I should say a morning in the life of Chad GIll but you get the picture. I got to spend a few moments this morning experiencing what my husband gets to experience most mornings and boy was it blissful. I woke by the alarm and the house was QUIET. I quickly got dressed and was out the door before anyone stirred. While driving to the gym, I was able to listen to anything I wanted. I arrived at the gym and had no one to check in but myself. I was able to quickly drop off items in the locker room and head to the treadmill, where I was able to run without the constant threat of interruption by the Kids' zone. After running, I wandered into the locker room and took a nice HOT shower without having to lock the doors or share the bathroom with someone else going potty beside me. I dressed at my leisure and even got to blow dry my hair. From there, I had enough time to go to Starbucks and then again drive in peace and quiet while sipping my liquid nirvana, a triple venti soy no foam no whip gingerbread latte.....ALL BY MYSELF! I would have to say, I do not think ANYONE could have a bad day if it starts like that.

I mean, it's okay BUT......

How many of you women out there have heard this from your husbands when you ask them to do something or plans might have changed in some way? Well tonight it certainly happened to me and I needed to share. I had asked Chad to go to work an hour late tomorrow so I could go to my drs. appointment. Yes, my yearly woman check-up. Something so fun for us women that we really should not have to explain why it is we can not take several young children with us. Anyway, I tried to get Chad's attention as he was leaving for his GUYS POKER NIGHT after just having sat at a restaurant for 45 minutes waiting for him to come from work to sit and NOT EAT and then had to rush home bathe 4 kids, finish homework, read, and put everyone to bed BY MYSELF. Wait, I digress, ANYWAY, I tried to stop him to remind him about my appointment in the am. He rolls the window down with exasperation...... and I tell him I would like to go to the gym before my appointment and then shower and leave from there. It is supposed to be raining and I would not be able to run and it did not make sense for me to drive to the gym and return home again before leaving the house at 8:20. So he says, "So I guess that means I would have to get everyone off to school by myself. WEll, I guess I mean that is okay BUT it is more that I was expecting and was asked to do." I guess me asking him to head to work one hour late did not include any parental interaction with his offspring until he had to start the car and drive by the school to drop them off. COME ON!!!!! REALLY???? Like I am asking him to take the day off so I can go to the SPA!!!!!! Either it is okay or it is not and frankly, I don't care which it is because my butt is headed to the gym in the am. Try and stop me buddy!

But Mommy say YES

This is Parker's newest phrase. Anytime he wants something and someone tells him NO, he looks at them and says, "But Mama say YES!" Hey it is worth a try little fella but it won't get you too far. Especially at preschool when you are hitting your friends and the teacher tells you to stop. Yes, I got my first naughty child note home from school and it was from my Two Year old's teacher. Parker, evidently was hitting his friends, not staying in time out, and saying......yes you guessed it.... "but mommy say YES!!!" No mommy did not say we could hit our friends, no mommy did not say you could get out of time out, no mommy did not say you didn't have to listen to you teachers. Do you think this bodes well for things to come? I don't either. Oh well, I guess I deserved to have ONE give me a run for my money in the bunch. At least he is a cute little monkey!

Candy, Mountains, Polls, and more....

Well it has taken me awhile to post and and we have been lots of places. We went trick or treating in our neighborhood, drove to the mountains of North Carolina to visit the cousins, voted on Election day, and got everyone back to school after a five day break. (side note, five day break because the older kids had to take the day off on Friday to go get flu shots and check ups) Over the weekend, we got to scout for food and visit Baby Hunter for some baby time. Today is Monday and we are finally back on our regular schedule so I had a chance to catch up my blog. Phewwwww........
I get to take a breath this afternoon, drink a cup of coffee, and try and finish my book for Book Club. I wonder if I will make it 2 or 3 pages before falling asleep???????