They're Not Just Shoes...

They're decorations for the feet! At least I think that's what Ella would say if she could. Having three boys and a girl (and especially boy/girl twins), I have never been SO convinced that some things are just innate. While Chase has taught himself to burp, Ella is busy trying to adorn herself with anything that resembles jewelry or fancy clothes. If it has a a hole big enough for her to put her hand through, it's a bracelet. If she can "wear" it by draping it over her shoulders or on her head, it's a dress (here she is with her arms through Brian's shirt).

And there is no mistaking the shoes. Since she can't yet put them on herself, she has started carrying them everywhere. Ironically, I haven't put the babies in shoes much since there is not a lot of walking in public happening right now, but she doesn't seem to mind that part...she just wants to wear the shoes. In fact, when she does have freedom to roam the house, she goes straight to her closet and "shops". And she always grabs a matching pair. What can I say, the girl likes fashion!

I guess I'll have to get used to it. Unfortunately little Chase hasn't quite caught on yet that just because she's carrying two of something doesn't necessarily mean one of them is for him. It is often remarked that with three older brothers Ella will have to be tough...but I never would have guessed that I would be telling my son (Chase) the same thing. (A wise friend of mine summed it up perfectly- that having a sister is good husband training for the future- and I must say I agree.)

So with her strong "leadership" skills and flair for all-things fashion there is NO question in my mind that Ella is the way she is because she's a GIRL (and a product of her mother).

Tennis Anyone?

Part of the routine of going back to school includes going back to our regular (or, in this case, new) activities. Blake has decided he wants to learn tennis so we signed him up for some group lessons. So far he seems to be having a lot of fun. Him and I are a lot alike, so I completely understand his desire to hit the ball as hard as he can...even if that means hitting it out of the court...and over the 10 ft. fence. But hey, he hit it hard! Which in his mind means he hit it good...which is keeping his interest...for now.

Garrett has decided that karate is more his speed. I was a little apprehensive about it because of his kidney, but I quickly changed my mind when the first lesson was about being respectful. The timing couldn't be better with his new "kindergarten" attitude. And it will help him with his balance and coordination, which, let's face it, he needs. I wasn't sure how he was going to like it, since I knew he wasn't going to walk out of his first lesson with the skills of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, but he really enjoyed it anyway. More than anything it seems to be boosting his confidence which is being tested it seems with a new school and new friends.

And now that Blake is in first grade he is finally old enough for Cub Scouts! I'm not sure who's more excited...Blake or Brian. Our little Tiger Cub attended his first official induction meeting. So far the highlights have been making a rope, getting an induction gift and preparing to sell popcorn (yes, another fund raiser). For me, the highlight was being able to send Brian to accompany Blake to something rather than me...with four kids in tow. And while I do miss partaking in some of the "fun" stuff, I gladly give that up for a little more sanity...at least until ALL our kids are wanting to do extracurricular activities!

They're Dropping Like Flies!

Literally. Okay, so I'm a little neurotic about bugs in my house. Or a lot neurotic, depending on who you ask. I have no problem with them...when they're OUTSIDE. And I'm not afraid of them...they just repulse me. So, out of no where yesterday, I noticed a fly or two buzzing around me. Naturally I grabbed the fly swatter and went hunting. That's when I realized there were at least 10 perched in various hard to reach corners around the kitchen. Yuk! That was when my mission began. Oddly enough, these flies are not your typical house flies that are big and easy to spot. These little suckers are small, sit relatively still and seem impenetrable to the fly swatter (much to the amusement of the kids...but not to me). Today I think I have the "fly situation" under control and can rest easy (or easier) but I'm wondering if I've done any harm to my kids in the process. Aside from having to bear witness to the whole crazy-lady-running-through-the-house-with-a-fly-swatter thing, I had asked them to help me "look" for any flies...which seemed like a good idea until I realized that there was a mounting sense of excitement...okay, paranoia if you want to get technical, when suddenly everything was a fly. Maybe it's time to put the fly swatter down and just walk away calmly...or NOT!

Chocolate Sprinkles

This is what happens when Garrett gets thirsty...and has a sweet craving...and I'm distracted. Here is his latest concoction...he calls it "Chocolate Sprinkles".

Fill a bowl half way with milk
Add a good squeeze of chocolate syrup
Did I say syrup? Let's add some of that too (maple)
Sprinkles of cinnamon

Just mix it all in a bowl and slurp up through a straw. Serves A LOT since it's so sweet you can only take a small sip (yes, he begged me try it...kind of tasted like french toast).

Go figure, this unimaginable cocktail he will actually ingest but he won't go anywhere near a fruit or vegetable...unless he's bribed...with dessert. What can I say? He drives a hard bargain and some days it just isn't worth the frustration. Bon appetit!

LOL*

A typical night at our house...
(make sure you have sound)

...dancing, jumping and *laughing out loud. Do they have to grow up?

My Time Sheet

This one's for Blake and Garrett.

All too often I am asked, "what do you do all day?". Not by my dear husband, he knows better. But by Blake and Garrett who can't imagine what I do while they are at school. When I ask them what they think, I usually get an answer resembling "go shopping and watch tv". For the life of me I can't figure out why they say this. In fact, I can't remember the last time I step foot in the mall and if I am at a store it probably sells groceries. As for the tv, if it is on, it's sure to be on a show with some kind of dancing or singing animal. Never mind the fact that I have their brother and sister to take care of. So, to answer their question (and humor myself), HERE is what I did today (a typical day in my life):

*6 am woke up, made breakfast for me and Blake, checked e-mail, checking account balance and headlines, picked out boys' school clothes.
*6:25 got in the shower.
*6:50-7:30 unloaded and loaded dishes, made school snacks (I took the day off from making lunches and let them buy today), brushed teeth, changed and dressed babies, gave Garrett his medicine.
*7:30-8:15 loaded up kids, took Blake and Garrett to school.
*8:15-9:00 vacuumed house, cleaned couch, picked up, stripped beds to wash bedding.
*9:00-10:00 fed and changed babies, cleaned up pack 'n play to lend to friend, changed diapers, did laundry, washed bottles, ate a snack, turned the tv on (sshhh, I do watch tv sometimes...but usually just the news so I can stay in touch with reality).
*10:00-11:00 babies went down for a nap, I started writing this blog and realized I forgot to put deodorant on. Put deodorant on. Plunged the toilet that Blake clogged this morning with half a roll of toilet paper (hey, I never said it was glamorous) and cleaned the toilets. As a side note, what is it about boys not being able to get the pee IN the toilet? Sigh. Giggle...I just remembered Garrett impersonating Chris Rock impersonating his mother (no, we don't let him watch it but he must have seen a commercial for "Everybody Hates Chris"). I overheard him saying in a high woman's voice "Chris, you get in there are wipe the pee off that toilet! That's disgusting!". Come to think of it maybe it's more appropriate than I originally thought... Anyway, did more laundry. Unloaded and loaded the dishwasher again. Cleaned the mirrors and glass in the house and the haze off the inside of my windshield that I can barely see through.
*11:00-12 noon played with the Chase and Ella while finishing laundry. Fed the babies, had lunch, checked e-mail and headlines, changed diapers.
*12 noon-12:40 went to Costco for gas, picked boys up from school and off to errands.

This is the first half the day (today is the boy's short day at school), but you get the picture. And don't get me wrong- I'm not complaining. I actually prefer to be busy. But shopping and lounging in front of the tv I am not. One day hopefully they'll recognize and appreciate that...but I'm not holding my breath. So long as I have these days I will consider it all a labor of love.

Milk, It Does A Body Good

That, and A LOT of jumping.

If you know Chase personally or have read this blog, you are probably well aware that he has always been an active child. And by "active" I mean "jumping". Not the cute, excited bouncing that most babies do...the hair flying, catching air, using his entire body kind of jumping. (And almost always accompanied by his squeaky laughing and a big dimply smile). He's always been solid and strong but between the bouncing in the exersaucer and him using his crib for a trampoline, it appears that he has built some legitimate muscle. Check out this picture of him watching the big boys go down a blow up water slide (and so wanting to go down himself!).

Maybe that's what having big brothers and yearning to chase after them does for a baby boy. And, I have to say, Blake couldn't have picked a more appropriate name for our little (I mean, BIG) Chase.

These Are The Days

Today was a proud parent day. Pardon my bragging and thank you in advance for indulging my parental ego, but these are the days that make cleaning vomit from a car seat, poop from the carpet and enduring what sometimes feels like hours of whining and complaining ALL worth it.

The day started out with some anxiety. After all, it was Garrett's second "first" day of school, having switched classes and teachers. I knew he'd do great, but parted this morning with a hope and a prayer that he would have fun, behave and make new friends.

After dropping the boys at school, I was off to take Ella to the doctor for her hemoglobin recheck. Her levels were low at her last visit and today required a blood draw. Not the quick toe prick kind...the hold her down, poke her arm and keep her still kind. I did find some relief in learning that Ella's propensity to gnaw on odd and inedible things (like the window sill and crib railing) were not totally uncommon symptoms of iron deficiency. Who knew? As we sat waiting for her name to be called in the lab, she managed to charm a somewhat grumpy old man who, as he left, handed me $1 and insisted I take her for ice cream afterward. The draw itself was much better than I expected as I was quickly reminded how Ella having no prior experience with this unpleasant process proved to be a HUGE advantage in this case. She did great. No shrills, no cries, not even a tear. Okay, maybe a bit of a scowl, but that's Ella.

Both Blake and Garrett had a great day at school. Garrett really liked his new class, new teacher and new friends. And Blake came home from school today with FIVE green tickets given to him by his teacher for good behavior. That is a personal record for him and something any parent would be extremely proud of. What's even more remarkable is that he came home from school feeling so excited about it that he asked to do his homework right away (even before getting in any play time). Once he finished that, he asked to do more workbook pages to earn "happy faces" at home! I can't think of too many things as a parent that make you more proud and happy for your child than to see them learning something new and succeeding at what they put their mind to. I just hope his excitement lasts...

Having seen the extra attention Blake got from working hard in school, Garrett decided he wanted to earn his share of happy faces at home by doing workbook pages too. He completed 10 pages with minimal effort. And earned himself almost enough happy faces to catch up to Blake...until Blake took the lead picking up the yard. Then Garrett decided he would make (my) dinner. Who says sibling rivalry is a bad thing? He made me and Blake a place mat with "activities" like tic tac toe and a maze to entertain us. And while the dinner idea didn't quite come to fruition (although I did get raisins and crackers), it's the thought that matters most.

Like I said, these are the days...