I'm still here, I think.....

I have some excuses/reasons for not writing the last month or so, but none of them are going away any time soon. Softball season is in full swing for both of the oldest girls, meaning, practice or games most days a week! The younger kiddos couldn't be happier with 2 hours a day at the park. We are doing several home improvement/organization projects along with attempting the normal upkeep of 20 acres. Morel mushroom season is just around the corner and I am trying to prepare myself to being a mushroom widow for a couple of weeks. I can handle it as Paperman looks forward to this time of year and rarely comes home empty handed. We get to share with our friends and family PLUS eat from our freezer stash all winter long. Piano and dance recital preparations are underway and will happen in the next 3 weeks. I've started a revised plan of working out in the morning (Monday-Friday) which has been forcing me to go to bed earlier, except tonight, I couldn't sleep (this never happens!). Probably from thinking about all of the above. DS continues his daily whirlwind of activity and nearly draining me of energy. Meal planning has been slipping, but I would really love to get some more meals in the freezer to free up my afternoons for quality time with dd3. The next few months will be an experiment in being in two places at once, leaning on my friends and family and taking deep breaths. There it is in one rambling nutshell.

Out of the mouth of DD3

Tuesday we were heading to town, at the intersection of our road and the next paved road DD3 looked to the right and saw 2 horses and riders. (Background, DD3 was a cowgirl for Halloween, used to ask for horses, but after being told "no" too many times now says she will be a real cowgirl when she grows up and have her own horses. She really really likes them.)
She said "Look Mom, horsees!" I said " Cool, looks like they're having fun doesn't it?" She said, "Roll down your window!" I said, "Why, Can't you see them?" She said, "I can see them, but I want to hear the clippity-clop, clippity-clop!" I cried, as it hit me as one of those super sweet- only -a -mom -can -understand things your kids say. DD1 looked at me with "that" look only a 9 going on 14 year old can do and asked why I was crying. Just a reminder, this blog is as much for me (to remember) as it is for those who read it (to share). This may be one of those remembering posts, but I can show it to DD3 when she buys her first horse.

in a nutshell...

I did it. I took my break but now, I'm back. The last 2 weeks were busy and eventful. As I was writing my last post on 12/23 I made it short as I had a lot of things to take care of. I didn't want to be "busy" on Christmas Eve trying to get things organized, food ready, etc.... I got a lot done that night, got up early the next morning and got ready right away (instead of my usual when we don't have to be somewhere in the morning...). DD3 woke up and for the 5th day in a row, vomited. I decided it was time to take her in. The doctor decided it was time for her to STAY in. She spent 24 hours in the hospital on Christmas eve. She was a trooper and didn't take her long, once her iv was started, to get feeling better. Paperman was working and my Mom and Dad kept the other kids during that time. They might think twice now when they agree to watch 3 when I "run one to the doctor"!!! Santa with his magical wisdom still found each child where they were that night, hospital and all. My sister was sick and Paperman ended up being sick on Christmas eve also. Our celebrating was delayed a bit, but all family gatherings finally happened and we hope and pray we stay healthy the rest of the winter.

Out of the mouths of babes...

Yesterday Paperman was reading a take home page from preschool to DD3. It was talking about the Savior being born. DD3 listened intently during the story then commented "Mrs. S has a Savior in her class." I had to think for a bit, then it hit me, (one of those "turn around and your shoulders shake trying to be quiet" incidents) the boy's name.....Xavier.

Putting my hat on again....

Or in one word, a RECAP. Our week in a nutshell, fevers, strep, viral. Yep, 2 girls with fevers, one with strep (dd2) and one "just viral" (ie:wait it out, question your parenting abilities, take stock in advil and sprite with straws) (dd3). DD3 is entering day 6 of fevers above 103 degrees. She's been such a trooper. While the meds are working she's watching tv or letting us read to her. When the temp spikes it's nap time. It may sound a bit odd, but I don't mind my babies being sick (just to a point) as I like being able to be at home and snuggle. If we could just stay home and snuggle WITHOUT being sick that would be even better. As I look at it, we are getting all the sickies out of the way, no one will be sick on Christmas and it's smooth sailing through February. It's ok to hope/wish and pray right?

Trick or Treat...

We had a great Halloween day. The oldest girls didn't have school due to the end of the quarter, not Halloween becoming a national holiday. That may be the next major change in the country depending on who becomes our new President! :) DD3 had her costume parade and harvest party at preschool and the rest of the family got to go. What a treat seeing 45 four year olds so proud of their costumes. We got to see our neighborhood friends as they were going trick or treating then we went on a hay rack ride around the neighborhood with around 30 kids (ages 1-14) and adults. The weather was beautiful, the kids were well behaved, and Chocolate. Papa and Grandma came to our house to see the kids as we weren't sure if we could make it to theirs without some type of meltdown.

4 little pumpkins

I assume most families do this as they head to the pumpkin patch... pick out pumpkins based on birth order of the children (add parents if they get pumpkins too). Ours worked out that way this year anyway. The kids had been asking for a week to carve them, and I wanted it done, but needed a chunk of time that I was feeling pretty caught up with things to make a mess of the kitchen! That was hard to find. So Sunday morning I promised they would be done before bedtime. Forward to 7 pm, finally, pumpkin carving time. This was not the best judgement on my part as we had spent the afternoon outside at a Halloween party (45 degrees and 30 mph winds!) then came home and worked in the yard (mowing and raking up locust tree pods). This tends to wear most anyone out, especially kids that have been up later than usual 2 nights in a row. I wasn't going to break my promise OR miss out on the first time Paperman was around for pumpkin carving. I usually use this as an activity to pass the time when he's gone. It's amazing how his presence can make any activity go more smoothly. Anyway, the kids did great cleaning out their pumpkins, ds really got into the whole process and we've got some cute decorations for the front step! Happy Halloween week!

It's the little victories....

Today was one of those hang out Mommy days with the exception of a quick trip to town. We had two things to get done. 1. Head check- DD1 and DD3 both have head lice in their classrooms. Bummer. I have gotten over the stigma of it all (as I've seen it cross all social and economic boundaries), but I know not everyone has. But girls, girls with long hair and sensitive scalps live in this household. Nightmare. I've been itchy ever since I've read the notices. We need to pull out the tea tree oil and start the daily checks. My Mom did it today as Paperman was working. 2. Target trip. DD2 is attending a birthday party tomorrow and DD1 is having a birthday party on Monday, we needed supplies. We were home for a late lunch and naps then we broke out the puffy paint and made trick or treat bags. The girls did a great job being creative. After all that fun was over we were ready to head outside. Dd3 has just learned to ride her bike on the rocks so she wanted to make it to the end of the driveway (lane would be a much better way to describe our approx. 1/10 mile entry from the road). I was up for the challenge so I said sure. Her sisters were in especially helpful moods too. So off we went. Here comes the little victory part- DD1 OFFERED to push DD3 and help her make it to the top of the hill and the whole time dd2 stood at the top saying "I know you can, I know you can, I KNOW YOU CAN!". DD2 had a smile so bright at the end of it all we should have had sunscreen on. Ahhh. My kids rock.

Hangin' with the girls...

DD3 had her friend and neighbor over today for a "play date". She was so excited. Most of the time we just say, "Coming to our house." but today she kept asking, "Is this a play date?" Sure. DD3 is in love with building tents, forts, and tying things up (she'll make a leash for her puppies out of anything...). So we made a tent ( I didn't want her to tie Ellie up!). The girls had fun in it...ate goldfish and marshmallows, played with trolls, decorated it with clothespins, and went in and out, in and out....


Then ds woke up, much to Ellie's delight as she had been waiting her whole visit to "see him!" This was much to DD3's dismay as that meant she had to pick up trolls and he wanted to tear down the tent, that was until he got IN the tent. He thought that was so cool, especially when the girls would play with him. For anyone that may feel the least bit sorry for this little boy in the house with 3 sisters, don't. He hasn't had his toenails painted or waited in line for a bathroom, yet. But he has had his hair done and been the lucky recipient of much of their (and their friends') love and attention. Now I need to go hide the fingernail polish...

4 kids and a pumpkin....

Did I mention I LOVE fall? Leaves, our anniversary, dd1 birthday, pumpkin blizzards, Halloween parties, chili, hayrides, bonfires, sweatshirt weather, football....what's not to love.

I wanted to capture this evening as it was one I didn't want to forget anytime soon. Temperatures in the low 70's, beautiful piles of leaves, kids playing nicely.... (dd1 was playing basketball with her new ball from her teacher, in the background. DD2 and DD3 were hunting for a new pet bug, digging in a mole run. DS was training to be a NASCAR driver climbing through the window of the little tykes cozy coupe.) I know the kids kind of steal the photo, but check out that pumpkin! We got a picnic table full and then some from Paperman's cousins. Thank you, thank you, thank you! The one in the photo was dd1's pick, no dirty flat spot, sits great, nice stem...what more could you ask for! Maybe Ben and Jen should go into the pumpkin business. I'm also thinking this one could be a great roller. A week or so after Halloween we drag the pumpkins to the edge of the timber at the top of the hill and take turns letting them roll. It's a big contest to see who's goes the farthest, with lots of "do overs" and treats for the deer or our other timber friends.

Never forget?

I've always said to myself, as I'm sniffing the top of my baby's head, I'll never forget this. I'll never forget the way (even 14 months later) his head fits right under my chin, like he's been there forever. I'll never forget the way his infectious giggle can turn heads in a crowded store as his sister plays peek a boo to keep him from climbing out of the shopping cart. I'll never forget how angelic he looks when he finally gives into sleep, only to recharge his tired body for the next day of adventure. I'll never forget what a true miracle it is to see his perfect little body, running naked across the living room, doing anything to keep from getting dressed. I'll never forget the way music moves him, stops him in his tracks and makes him boogie. I'll never forget how he gets a cup from the drawer and stands at the water dispenser on the fridge waiting for his turn. I'll never forget how I can say and sign "eat" Are you hungry? and he runs to his high chair to fill his hollow leg. I'll never forget how many times I hear "you got your boy", "he looks just like his daddy" and "look at those eyes". I'll never forget the things we thought were childproofed, but not DS proofed, the air vents (pulls them out), the ottomans (stands on them) the end table (pulls it over), the bathtub (pulls himself in), the toilet (he's obsessed). I'll never forget how 8 years ago, pregnant with DD2, I was worried...how to love another baby as much as DD1, but I didn't worry for DD3, or DS as I did learn, with more, love does not divide, it multiplies. Oh, I pray, I never forget.

Fun with phonics

The scene: reading through dd2's "Friday folder" from school with help from dd3. I was showing her the work her sister had done at school the previous week. A sheet, obviously used to help dd2 continue to read the words she'd been reading for 2 years came up. It featured a picture of a writing utensil, below it dd2 wrote p-e-n. A picture of 3 males, dd2 wrote m-e-n. So on and so on. As dd3 is seeming to be in the "wanting to learn to read and spell stages" I was having her "help" me read the words by looking at the picture and sounding out the first letter of the word. Pen. Men. Next, a picture of the poultry that might say "Kentucky fried" above it.... word starts with an H - dd3 answer- of course, it's a H-i-c-k-e-n! I did one of those "look the other way and shake until tears roll down your cheeks" and said- "well, yes, good, but another word might be a hen." If you don't see the utmost humor with the above post, that's OK. Paperman just grinned politely as I was retelling the story, nearly falling off my chair. So then I called my sister, at least SHE laughed, nearly as hard as I did. Maybe you did have to be there.

Sprite with straws

Yep, the sickies have hit our house. My last entry was Wednesday- that's the day my mom went to the hospital (stomach virus). I really wasn't too worried as the last time we had spent with her was last Saturday at a softball tournament. We were outside, it was a long time ago, what to worry about?? Thursday morning- dd2 started, Friday morning my dad, Friday night ME, Saturday morning dd3. Who is next? We are hoping and praying NO ONE!!! So, the drink of choice around here has been sprite with straws, hoping to calm the tummies, keep some fluids down and the bright spot in a day of not so bright activities. The tv has not blown up from overuse (yet) and Paperman has been hero of the week around here. The laundry has more than doubled, it was time to "do diapers" (I said to go to disposables until further notice!), he's trying to get grass to grow and the healthy girls have had a busy weekend with activities. His woodcutting treestand checking plans for the weekend pretty much went down the drain with everything else. Thank you Paperman, you'll always be my hero, even when you're not doing laundry. :)

It's apple picking day!

It's apple picking day, it's apple picking day. We'll pick an apple from the tree and eat it right away! (from the Dinofours book- Apple picking day. Check out the series. They are really cute books.) Today dd3, ds, Susan and I went to pick apples at a farm up the road. There were 6 or 7 trees with the branches touching the ground from all the weight on them. I guess the trees are trying to make up for leaving us "sans applesauce" last year! It was such a beautiful day weather wise with temps around 75, sunshine and a nice breeze. Ahhhhhhh, nearly perfect in my book. DS was in need of a nap but hung out in his stroller munching away on a freshly "jean shined" apple. Seriously, he chewed on that baby for 1/2 an hour!! DD3 was in heaven. She reminded us to "twist the apples until they come off, don't just pull or you can hurt the trees" (once again, from the book). DD3 really got the hang of the apple picker and loved getting the high apples with no holes! We did a lot of pulling and filled bags and laundry baskets. Susan is my inspiration for food preservation as she's making pies and sauce to add to her bounty of other canned and frozen goods from her garden. I hope to make sauce and if there is enough, some sliced apples too (for crisp in the middle of the winter). (No pictures from this adventure. I did take some on my phone, but can't quite figure out how to get them to the computer.)