It's almost midnight and I should be trying to get in my usual 3 hours of sleep before Lucy wakes up for our nightly 3am party. Instead I feel like I need to update because even I am sick of looking at that whiny post every day.
We had a fun time this week, a much more relaxed week than last. Maybe too relaxed. This morning I was finishing up a book and I couldn't put it down. I took it into the bathroom with me while Julia took a bath and didn't realize until too late that she was scrubbing her entire body with her toothbrush (Don't worry, we got her a new one).
Another day I forgot to feed the kids. It was 2pm and they came upstairs whining and I got all set to send them on their way when Juila, in the most pitiful voice you've ever heard said "But Mama, I so huungeee". I realized they had been up since 8am and had only had a bowl of cheerios each. I guess that may have traumatized them because the next day for breakfast they each had 3 bowls of cereal and Ace even stole some of Lucy's dry cereal and put it in his pocket, you know, just in case.
One thing I love about spending all day with all 4 kids is that there is always something funny to look back on at the end of the day. Even if I'm exhausted and feel like I spent the day with a troop of monkeys who kept demanding cheddar bunnies and popsicles, I still fall asleep with a smile on my face, thinking of something outrageous that one of them did or said that day.
Such as....
Monday we went to meet Grandma at the beach and Julia refused to swim because she didn't want to get wet. She did, however, want to take 4 trips to the outdoor shower and play in it. I asked why she didn't want to get wet in the ocean but would get wet in the shower and she said "I not getting wet! I getting keeen!" (clean).
Tuesday, we had a picnic at the park, Ace ate half a ham and cheese sandwich and then said he was done and wanted to go play. We cleaned up and headed off to the playground. At one point, Ace came down the slide and left a trail of something behind him. It was gooey and mushy and I was afraid to get near it but people were watching so I couldn't just walk away. As I wiped it with my shirt I realized it was the other half of his sandwich, that he had crammed in his back pocket.
Wednesday. Hmm, I guess Wednesday my kids acted normal. Moving right along...
Thursday Ace was Frank The Firefighter. I was alerted to this fact when he called my Dad to make plans for later in the day and said "Hi Grandpa, it's Ac..Um, it's Fireman Frank. Then he got dressed in his Fireman costume and we set off for the library. He spoke to everyone there as if he were Fireman Frank (we were lucky that Frank's wife, who is a librarian, was not working that day, that would have been awkward*) and even told Ms. Penny to call him later, his number was 911. He also gave out this number to Julia's speech therapist, Hayley's friend, and the waitress at the 99.
See, a bunch of monkeys, that's what I've got.
The weekend was long and fun, Andy was home early Thursday and we all went to Coast Guard family day Friday. I rode a horse with Julia and I think I was more nervous than she was. She just kept asking "Are we going to ride dis hos" while we were riding. Saturday we went to the pool and out for pizza. Today, Andy took the Big 2 fishing while I took the Little 2 to Grandma and Grandpas. No fish were caught but they all came home excited because they had been run off the lake by a swan. Apparently, even to Big Tough Dad Andy, swans can be very frightening.
*Yes, Fireman Frank is an actual person. He came to Ace's school one day for a lesson on Fire Safety, at which point, Ace stole his identity.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
The heat is on.
I'm always reluctant to blog when I've had a bad week. I'm afraid that I will sound like such a whiner (which I am) or as if I feel that the minor annoyances in my life are oh-so-awful and unjust (which I don't). But on the other hand, most of you know me so you are fully aware that I am no Suzy Sunshine and I don't want you to think that I am trying to come off as such. I'm keeping it real, sistas. Our family is completely nutso and sometimes we get on each other nerves. There are sometimes unidentified bad odors in our house. Oh, And Julia peed on the floor this week and didn't tell anyone until someone stepped in it. Twice. That someone was me.
I think my current bad mood can be attributed to the fact that we have entered the Dog Days of Summer. The heat is starting to get to us. We (meaning mostly, Ace and me) are irritable and cranky and the humidity does absurd thing to my hair. So, I find many excuses to stay home, close to my window ac and fans. 2 hours later as I pull out another handful or hair, lock myself in the bathroom to get a moment's peace, or say something snappish and mean to one of the kids I regret that decision immensely. It has just been a long, boring week. Even our day at the beach was no "day at the beach" thanks to my pissy attitude. I'm so happy it is Friday, I need Andy here for back up!
So, in summation, we are cranky. It is hot. I found something unidentifiable but certainly stinky under Ace's bed this week. Julia is not potty trained. We all feel a bit like this:
But I'm going to have a glass of wine and then I will feel more like this:
But I'll stop at one so I don't end up like this:
I think my current bad mood can be attributed to the fact that we have entered the Dog Days of Summer. The heat is starting to get to us. We (meaning mostly, Ace and me) are irritable and cranky and the humidity does absurd thing to my hair. So, I find many excuses to stay home, close to my window ac and fans. 2 hours later as I pull out another handful or hair, lock myself in the bathroom to get a moment's peace, or say something snappish and mean to one of the kids I regret that decision immensely. It has just been a long, boring week. Even our day at the beach was no "day at the beach" thanks to my pissy attitude. I'm so happy it is Friday, I need Andy here for back up!
So, in summation, we are cranky. It is hot. I found something unidentifiable but certainly stinky under Ace's bed this week. Julia is not potty trained. We all feel a bit like this:
But I'm going to have a glass of wine and then I will feel more like this:
But I'll stop at one so I don't end up like this:
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Julia's Law
Yesterday, as we were spending the evening playing tag on Grandma's front lawn:
Mommy: "Julia, did you have a good day?"
Julia: "Yes!"
Mommy: "What was your favorite part?"
Julia: "We're not done yet."
That is Julia in a nutshell, she truly believes that no matter how good, or bad, or great a day has been, it ain't over till it's over. And there is still room for more, bigger greatness to occur.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
If you give 4 children 23 dollars and 73 cents....
and let them choose whatever they want to do with the money,
chances are you will end up in a place like this
...where you will probably spend countless quarters riding rides like these
...and laughing at your reflection in mirrors like this
...and riding this for the first time with your 10 month old who hangs onto you for dear life and wonders why on earth you would pay 2 dollars to spin around for 6 minutes
...and you will most likely love every minute of it, because 4 smiling faces, an afternoon where all the siblings get along and laugh with each other, and beating your husband at skee ball by 10,000 points are well worth 23 dollars and 73 cents. In fact, I think they are priceless.
chances are you will end up in a place like this
...where you will probably spend countless quarters riding rides like these
...and laughing at your reflection in mirrors like this
...and riding this for the first time with your 10 month old who hangs onto you for dear life and wonders why on earth you would pay 2 dollars to spin around for 6 minutes
...and you will most likely love every minute of it, because 4 smiling faces, an afternoon where all the siblings get along and laugh with each other, and beating your husband at skee ball by 10,000 points are well worth 23 dollars and 73 cents. In fact, I think they are priceless.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
After over a week of computer silence I kinda feel like I should churn out something read-worthy....
Friends, I got nothing.
I blame it on Summer Brain Shutdown Syndrome. I can think of nothing but the addictive smell of water from water guns (tell me I'm not the only one who notices the distinct smell of water gun water? Hello? Hello?), the joy of rinsing off the sand that is wedged in every crevice after a day at the beach, the late nights when my kids fall asleep before the end of the first song on their sleepytime CD because they have had such a full day and it is an hour past bedtime. Grandma's Barbeque sandwiches and potato salad, cherries, ice cream before dinner, PopIce popsicles for a snack. These are the things that are on my mind.
We had such a fun visit with Nifty Niece Naomi and Awesome Aunt Sara. We went to the beach, the pond, the park, the library, the 99. And multiple trips to the candy store. Naomi is 3 now and is so smart and self assured. I've decided to incorporate many of her habits into my own relationships. For example, when you offer Naomi 3 choices, she is most likely to choose option 17, which she came up with on her own. Example:
Waitress: "And what would you like on your sundae? Caramel, strawberries, or chocolate?"
Naomi: "I will be having blueberries."
Waitress: "Strawberries?"
Naomi: "I will be having the blueberries."
I can't even begin to count the number of things I love about Naomi, but this is one of my favorites.
Now our visitors are gone and I am sad. But tomorrow the pool awaits, I'm just hoping for a hot day, today it barely broke 70 degrees!
Friends, I got nothing.
I blame it on Summer Brain Shutdown Syndrome. I can think of nothing but the addictive smell of water from water guns (tell me I'm not the only one who notices the distinct smell of water gun water? Hello? Hello?), the joy of rinsing off the sand that is wedged in every crevice after a day at the beach, the late nights when my kids fall asleep before the end of the first song on their sleepytime CD because they have had such a full day and it is an hour past bedtime. Grandma's Barbeque sandwiches and potato salad, cherries, ice cream before dinner, PopIce popsicles for a snack. These are the things that are on my mind.
We had such a fun visit with Nifty Niece Naomi and Awesome Aunt Sara. We went to the beach, the pond, the park, the library, the 99. And multiple trips to the candy store. Naomi is 3 now and is so smart and self assured. I've decided to incorporate many of her habits into my own relationships. For example, when you offer Naomi 3 choices, she is most likely to choose option 17, which she came up with on her own. Example:
Waitress: "And what would you like on your sundae? Caramel, strawberries, or chocolate?"
Naomi: "I will be having blueberries."
Waitress: "Strawberries?"
Naomi: "I will be having the blueberries."
I can't even begin to count the number of things I love about Naomi, but this is one of my favorites.
Now our visitors are gone and I am sad. But tomorrow the pool awaits, I'm just hoping for a hot day, today it barely broke 70 degrees!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Lucy is...
Crawling
Cruising
Singing
Dancing
Playing Peekaboo
Laughing
Waving
Saying:
"Hi!"
"Mama"
"Dada"
"Bye"
Clapping
Brushing Mommy's Hair
Holding Hands of Many Siblings
Eating:
Meatballs
Eggs
Yogurt
Brown Rice
Fruit
Vegetables
Pasta
Key Lime mousse
Carrot Cake
But Mostly...
Mama's milk
Lucy is
9 months old
Lucy is
LOVED
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Today was awesome. I gave up on my quest to buy Andy the Best Father's Day Gift Ever and just gave him beer. He was happy and I could relax and focus on the fun of the day. Mostly, eating. We threw a big barbeque for all the Dads in the family, my dad, Andy's dad, and of course, Andy. I didn't do a lick of cooking unless you count pouring a big can of baked beans into a pot and stirring them. Oh, and I boiled water for iced tea, poured it over the tea bags and the forgot about it for about half an hour. I really can't be trusted to cook and socialize at the same time because I get started talking and forget about anything I may be responsible for cooking. Andy manned the grill and my mother in law had already prepared a cake and potato salad so I didn't have to worry about a thing. Niice.
The kids were so well behaved. They even put on an impromptu concert for for the adults and they each sang songs and danced. Until Ace pulled out his diva attitude, threw his guitar and stomped off because his sister interrupted his solo of "Bad to the Bone".
I suppose the weekend is over but it doesn't matter for us this week. Andy is on vacation and Hayley and Ace are done with school so we are just going to sit back and unwind. Because that's what DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince have taught me that Summertime is all about.
Oh, and with Grandpa Alvin in town, some fishing has been done. Ace is quick to point out that HE caught the biggest fish.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
In case you've wondered why I have not chronicled Ace's rise to fame as the 4th Jonas Brother, it is because he broke the computer (because that's how rockers roll, baby).
I'm currently typing one handed while furiously jiggling the power cord to try to charge the battery. I can't even pat my head and rub my stomach so this is quite a stretch.
Summer is slowly creeping in around the edges here in New England. But today it is nowhere to be found. In fact, the entire week is predicted to be rainy and cold. This doesn't jive well with my plans to start our beach bumming and poolside days.
Hayley still has a week left of school but despite the uncooperative weather and school, my brain has already switched over to Summertime Mode. I crave ice cream every afternoon around 3 and have found myself wanting to head in the direction of the beach when I am supposed to be dropping Hayley off at school. I have resisted the impulse thus far and we are enjoying the last days of first grade. Friday is the highly anticipated First Grade Hat Parade and that will surely be a highlight of this rainy week.
Ace finishes his school year this Thursday. Today was his last Lunch Bunch group while Julia, Lucy, and I met Grandpa at our new breakfast spot for pancakes, sausage, and Julia's people watching session. She loves going places where she can sit and observe people. If you add a blueberry pancake shaped like a mouse, all the better.
This weekend is the party for the end of T-ball and next week our first summer visitors will arrive. Andy's Dad, Mom, and sister will be here for a few weeks. We are all excited to have family visit and are especially looking forward to going fishing with Grandpa R.
So many transitions, endings, and beginnings.
Lucy is cruising around these days with the help of whatever furniture she can reach or improvise a walker out of. We gave her the Sesame Street walker that Julia used but Lucy prefers a laundry basket because it moves faster. She found a bite of doughnut on the floor yesterday and as soon as I made eye contact and she realized I planned to take it from her, she started crawling at top speed towards her laundry basket, pulled up on it, set the treasured doughnut morsel in front of her and hauled diaper butt down the hallway. Pbbfting and laughing at me the whole time. I laughed about it for the rest of the afternoon (but I still didn't let her eat the doughnut.)
I'm currently typing one handed while furiously jiggling the power cord to try to charge the battery. I can't even pat my head and rub my stomach so this is quite a stretch.
Summer is slowly creeping in around the edges here in New England. But today it is nowhere to be found. In fact, the entire week is predicted to be rainy and cold. This doesn't jive well with my plans to start our beach bumming and poolside days.
Hayley still has a week left of school but despite the uncooperative weather and school, my brain has already switched over to Summertime Mode. I crave ice cream every afternoon around 3 and have found myself wanting to head in the direction of the beach when I am supposed to be dropping Hayley off at school. I have resisted the impulse thus far and we are enjoying the last days of first grade. Friday is the highly anticipated First Grade Hat Parade and that will surely be a highlight of this rainy week.
Ace finishes his school year this Thursday. Today was his last Lunch Bunch group while Julia, Lucy, and I met Grandpa at our new breakfast spot for pancakes, sausage, and Julia's people watching session. She loves going places where she can sit and observe people. If you add a blueberry pancake shaped like a mouse, all the better.
This weekend is the party for the end of T-ball and next week our first summer visitors will arrive. Andy's Dad, Mom, and sister will be here for a few weeks. We are all excited to have family visit and are especially looking forward to going fishing with Grandpa R.
So many transitions, endings, and beginnings.
Lucy is cruising around these days with the help of whatever furniture she can reach or improvise a walker out of. We gave her the Sesame Street walker that Julia used but Lucy prefers a laundry basket because it moves faster. She found a bite of doughnut on the floor yesterday and as soon as I made eye contact and she realized I planned to take it from her, she started crawling at top speed towards her laundry basket, pulled up on it, set the treasured doughnut morsel in front of her and hauled diaper butt down the hallway. Pbbfting and laughing at me the whole time. I laughed about it for the rest of the afternoon (but I still didn't let her eat the doughnut.)
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