Friday, June 29, 2012

Saturday, June 23, 2012

The Long Awaited Day

I have waited almost 9 years for this day to come to pass. Nine years of Colonel Mustard and I doing it all ourselves. But today, today marks the start of a new beginning...a new era in our family...an era where kids can finally be useful!

No really, didn't you know that's why we had five kids??? We needed slaves...lots of them. And since it is so much faster to beg 27 times, and then have to supervise for twice as long while the job gets done halfway-- I'd say our little slave plantation is working out rather well!

Eager and up to the task, Andrew took over the reigns on the push mower today. I was cooking muffins and just about burned them cause I was all too excited to get a picture of his very first lawn mowing job!

 Isn't he cute???.....and little...and all grown up at the same time...and really sweaty when he came in the house--he looked like a real man!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Dads out there. A special Happy Day to Colonel Mustard. Thanks for the beautiful kids and most especially for loving them like you do. You never hesitate to give them whatever they need-- unless it's yours-- and then you're quick to remind them where they stand---so then they come take mine! Love you!

There is truly nothing more endearing than seeing your husband love your children. I can honestly say it doesn't bother me one bit that my kids like Colonel Mustard better than me. So many kids are deprived of that relationship and I'm ever so grateful my kids have such a wonderful Dad to look up to.....and beat up....and wrestle with....and learn bad habits from!

A picture I got today of Colonel Mustard and the babies. Several weeks back someone at soccer mentioned how natural he looked holding a baby. One of the other soccer Moms replied back, "Well, he does have five you know--he's got a lot of practice!" So much so that he even looks natural now holding two at a time!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Boogers

A bedtime conversation at our house.

Mom: Ava, don't pick your nose.

Andrew and Ethan:-- snicker at Ava--Ava begins to cry.

Mom: Leave her alone boys, it's not like we don't have to ask you all the time to stop picking your nose.

Andrew and Ethan-- begin to argue about whether or not they pick their nose.

Dad: Okay fine, everyone picks their nose, just don't eat it.

Mom: Just don't pick it in public and don't eat it ever--that's really disgusting.

Andrew: Everyone eats their boogers.

Mom: Yes, I'm sure everyone has when they were a little kid.

Andrew: No, everyone does it all the time  (makes the gesture of sucking up snot and swallowing)

Mom: okay, I guess if you want to call that eating boogers.

Andrew: Yeah, and I like the way it tastes. It's sour and I like it!

Mom and Dad look at each other-- uuuummmmmmm.... yeah. 


Friday, June 1, 2012

An update on Everyone

I want to blog so many things that happen in our crazy little big family, but I only have two hands...and two babies...and three other kids...and a husband....and mounds of laundry and dishes--so my blogging gets put to the side like so many other things.

Forgive me for not sharing many funny exchanges, or beautiful, tear inducing soliloquies, but my shoddy updates will have to do--at least until the twins can hold themselves on my boobs!! (sorry-- it is what it is!)


Andrew:
Soccer season is over now and we are glad for a little break! He had to play the last 3 games of the season very sick and wasn't quite on his game, but he wanted to finish. He will be trying out for a select traveling team in June-- we'll see if he makes it--and if he does, let's hope they don't travel too far--I'm tired of being a taxi already!
 

Ethan:
Baseball is now finished too. Ethan has really enjoyed it, and I must say, the more I learn as he plays, the more I enjoy watching the game. Mostly I just like watching him play and get excited about the whole thing. When he played soccer, ( at 4 years old) he just walked behind the crowd of kids, totally disinterested in the ball. We're glad he found a sport he loves! (at least for now!)

Ava:
Ava recently passed (with flying colors) a scope for chicken and bananas! Soooo nice to have those two things in her diet now. As of today, she is also trialing Soy! Her doctor is very pleased with her progress and so we are moving right along now! Also, for the first time in 2 years Ava is being taken off her LABA medication and being put back on just a low dose inhaled steroid for her asthma. Her doctor said we were going to be brave and it might not work, but we would try anyway since her asthma has been well controlled. Last winter she was on the highest dose of LABA meds available, and the drugs aren't even approved for anyone under the age of 12. Sadly, if it works, it will only be for a couple of months before she will likely have to go back on the LABA meds for fall, but any break in the medication is a good thing and I'm excited to see progress in the right direction!
 

Allison and Katlyn:
The twins turned 2 months on Monday--I can't believe they are already that old. We just love them to pieces and are enjoying seeing their little personalities coming out--they are both so different! They had their two month check-up today and for their baby books (which I may never have the time to get to)--here are their stats.
 
 Always happiest together!

Allison
7lbs. 4 oz.
length-20.5 in.
head circ.- 14.25in.
Allie playing with Dad!
Katlyn
6lbs. 4 oz.
length- 20.5 in.
head circ.- 14.25 in.
 Katlyn didn't want to play the smile game with Dad!
She's a deep thinking, more contemplative child than her sister!

I find it funny that their head and height are exactly the same and they are exactly a pound difference in weight. They are still little peanuts, but seem to be growing at a steady (albeit slow) pace. We still have a few preemie outfits that fit, but for the most part, they are finally wearing newborn clothes.

Colonel Mustard:
He is tired, over-worked, under-paid, burnt out, neglected, and a host of other less desirable afflictions! Our yard is the bane of his existence--as my current duties in the house don't allow me any time outside except for the garden, which I can barely keep up. Me thinks he will survive and I'm grateful he's being such a good sport! Don't tell him I said this, but I think he's secretly whipped by the two new girls in the house--now I'm feeling neglected!
Snuggling with his girls.

Me:
I am still very un-glamourous. I rarely shower before noon. I try to exercise often, but it is usually interrupted by someone crying or someone fighting, or someone complaining that Mom thinks she can do something besides be a Mom! I got a wonderful Mother's day present--two new charms to complete my mother's necklace.-  I love it! I need a personal trainer, a lock to keep my voracious appetite out of the kitchen, a Nanny, and a haircut so I can look and feel like me again--but I'm guessing that is never going to happen, so I'm trying to love me as I am. Since I'm feeling so fat and frumpy, I'll take any compliment I can get. Today a lady making conversation about my family commented I looked so good after twins. I thanked her--and I'm sincerely grateful for those comments since I want to cry when I look in the mirror. When she found out I had five children she said, "How do you look so good? What's your secret?" I told her, "I have 5 children!"  Bless her heart for lying to me-- she made my day!


How I wish I appeared....
 Closer to my reality...with a few more kids!

And that's it--If you read all that and are not asleep-bless you!