In The Bleak Midwinter

I realize it's New Year's Eve but I'm still feeling Chrismassy. This is one of my favorite Christmas hymns/poems.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Christina Rosetti

Simpson Family Values (That's Homer and Marge, not OJ)

You would think with all the children home and a free evening schedule (which by God won't be seen again until March madness ends) we would have done something blogworthy, but nope! The weather has precluded much outdoor acitivity. The kids have gone out and shot some hoops, that's it. A merry little head cold has been passed around, but that appears to be the only familial sharing that has taken place. The boys mutter about levels and strategies, Mel keeps getting naked, L and A (my babysitting charge) fluctuate between playing house, air hockey and tearing each other's hair out. As for E, she emerges from her den, er room, occasionally for another coke and disappears again. On the bright side, there is no teen attitude if you never speak to your teen. I haven't been much better, having started (foolishly) a book series with SIX books. Why would I do that??? Well time for more cookies. I'm actually getting tired of cookies, who'd have thunk?

The Hits of the Season

After a couple days shakedown I can now judge what the best loved toys are. If they'd just let you bunk the kids at the toy store for a couple days you could determine this and only have to buy one or two toys. I am glad to report that the expense was worth it for the oldest three. Evidently E has had earbuds permanently implanted in her head. S and C have become subterranean slugs, who only leave the basement and it's gamecube altar for occasional refreshment. Now, on to the ones who would have been happy with cheap stuff, lol. L has played non-stop with a teddy bear that has clothes I picked up at Penney's 60% off, F likes the dollar store monster truck and Mel. She keeps dressing a doll in her new pooh panties (yes this leaves her naked) and pushing it around in the Goodwill stroller. I'm not sure why she must be naked to take her baby for a stroll.

Had Myself a Merry Little Christmas

An abundance of candy, cookies, "loot" and mimosas for mama made Christmas pretty darn good, dadgum it.

All cleaned up for church. F looks pained because S is holding him in place, lol. I only snapped 3 pics so not bad considering.


The morning after with the "goods". Notice how dramatically their attire is down graded.


It snowed Christmas afternoon which looked lovely. We had a fire all afternoon and a big dinner. Amazingly they played with their stuff until collapsing. The boys probably strained their thumbs from game cube. E hooked into iPod and wasn't heard from again, F remote controlled his brains out and L and A played dolls, stuffed animals and restaurant. By next week it'll probably all be old and boring but at least it was interesting one day.

Happy Christmas Eve

Luke 2:4-19
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Achievement

For some unknown reason Mel decided Wednesday to strip off all her clothes (that's not the new part) and sit herself on the potty. She's been going ever since. Strange! I hadn't planned on even thinking about it until spring or summer. Of course there is always the chance it will become boring (especially if the adulation stops) and she will quit doing it. I've never had one just decide by themselves to use the potty. Her other achievement is stripping off her boots, mittens and snow suit outside. Evidently she is impervious to cold. I would just quit bothering to put them on her if that didn't seem protective services worthy behavior.

Winter Solstice

Tried for a little beginning of winter fun today. I wanted to make a Solstice cake but was voted down and we made solstice peppermint bark instead. Whatever. We went to a basketball game (which is a winter celebration of being a Hoosier) and then had a nice fire. It wasn't exactly a Yule log, but was cheery none the less.

Tomorrow is the kids final day of school before break. I MUST do some wrapping. I HATE wrapping, sigh!

Life Reeked With Joy

This made me laugh out loud. This is especially funny if you've ever had the misfortune of being a graduate assistant. Most thankless job I've ever held. Read and enjoy!
Life Reeked With Joy

Tantrum

It's just because she hasn't had enough sleep, she's been drug around to too many events and she's feeling pressured....but that Lisa sure threw a tantrum.

So she sent the kids out to

Then she

She's much better now!

Ready

Ok, the fat man can come now, we have a tree. Actually, we've had a tree, but leaning against the garage wall was less than festive.

Why is there plastic on this thing?

Nothing says Christmas like The Thing

Kiddisms

2yo
Poo-kiki-translation ~dirty diaper
cup-cup~almost all inanimate objects--insert tantrum if you don't automatically divine which inanimate object she means

7yo
Hey mom, what does sleep with heavenly peeps mean? Angels? Um, that's sleep in heavenly peace dear.

13yo
Could I have the Fantastic Four on dvd? That human torch--he's hot. Really smokin' ~ imagine me groaning and her smirking

4yo
Jack Splat can eat no fat
His wife could eat no spleen~ darn, no spleen, how does the woman stand it

Most heartwarming moment of the day. "Hey mom, can I just sit here and adore you?" Feel free!

Double Digits

C is ten today. It does not seem that long. I remember that the winter he was born was very cold and snowy. I walked up town to get the mail that day, dragging my then 3 and 18 mo old behind me. I remember thinking that it was getting too hard to fight the drifts and carry kids. My water broke about 3pm that day. I called dh and my dad to watch the other kids. I got to the hospital about 4:30. He was born about 6. He was my biggest baby at 9lb 8 oz. It was his head circumfrence that was really attention getting at 15 inches.

C is a human calculator. He figured out and taught himself division right after first grade. He loves math, chess and puzzles. He also enjoys playing basketball, baseball and running cross country and being a Cub Scout. All of these passions pale though, compared with that precious gamecube time. If he only had a nice mother who would let him play as much as he wants! He's tried petitioning that it will improve his problem solving skills and hand eye co-ordination. But I'm not buying it.

The Best?

E and I went to a production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever last night. Afterward she said to me "You know, our family really is sort of like the Herdmans." Uh, I didn't know we were that bad. Maybe Mrs. Herdman didn't know either!

Snow Day

Eight and a half inches of snow resulted in our first snow day. The kids were outside almost all day. How do they stand it? Of course, they have warm snow suits and mittens and boots. I've got jeans and sneakers. (I had boots, two pair in fact, which are now being worn by E and S.) They sledded and snow boarded and made snow tunnels in drifts. I want to know why my 4yo can snowboard, but I fall down every darn time!
They did come in some in the afternoon and we made this.

And of course, we wouldn't want to keep that pesky extra icing around

E is going to a LazerTagging, Cosmic Bowling all nighter tonight. I have to take her at 10pm. I may need to set my alarm to get up and take her. And I have to pick her up at 7am. Yuck!! You know the years are creeping up when your warm bed sounds much better than being up all night.

Fa-La-La-La-La

Caroling last night finally gave me a little Christmas spirit. I wrestled home a tree which is reposing in the garage. I usually wait until after C's birthday on the 12th to put the tree up, but if I wait to long to buy it you get a stick with brown spines attatched vs a fresh, fragrant tree.
Lots of activity this weekend. Saturday S went to Dayton to the Air Force Museum with Boy Scouts. Dh ran everyone to basketball practices so I could go to yoga. I then tried to hang on to that calmness as I went to two different grocery stores, K-Mart and Penney's. On Sunday L and I went caroling while S,C and F went sledding and snow boarding. It is nice when the big brothers let little brother hang out with them. E laid on the couch like a teen. She stayed up far too late reading on Saturday night. Hmm, that's about all. I need to go click buy on my Amazon cart. Gotta love the internet.

Grinchy Claus

I'm trying to get in the mood for Christmas, I swear. I've even been to see Jinglebelle the reindeer and the town Christmas Tree lighting, but I'm just not feeling it. I tried to make a list today of what the kids want, and what I have and who else needs gifts. I kept thinking I was done, and then thinking of someone else and having to go get the list again. My amazon shopping cart is waiting for me to click buy, but I keep thinking of things so I don't want to do it yet.
No one in town is selling trees this year, so I'm going to have to go somewhere else to find one, and load it and drag it home. I like the tree, just not getting it in and out of the van. There are tons of treats to be baked, too many places we are supposed to go and in the middle of it, five teams worth of basketball games to get to. Humbug! Bah! Dratted Holiday!

I feel better now.

Just Pics

The proud Webelo recieving his awards.

A naked love of literature.

Proof they do quit loving the camera.

I Wanna Talk About Me

Since my kids all took nasty pills and I can't find much uplifting to discuss, I wasted time creating a quiz instead of improving the emotional tenor of my home.
Take my Quiz on QuizYourFriends.com!

Four Days, Five Nights

As usual when the kids are home, time flew by. The time included:

One feast.
One Hangin of the Greens.
One Yoga class.
Two Movies: (Go see Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed both.)
Two meals consisting of ice cream.
Three Basketball Practices.
Three coat purchases.
Four Days of washing F's Incredibles sweats so he could keep wearing them. (He's got to get tired of them soon, right?)

And NO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING! Bad mommy!

Gave Thanks

Things that made me thankful:

1) We had a really pleasant dinner. Food was good, company was pleasant, children played outside in the really frightful
weather and seemed to enjoy it.
2) No one was offended when I and the three oldest left Thanksgiving (we did stay 3 1/2 hours). Dh and the other kids
ended up staying for another two.
3) There was no crowd at the theater and the movie was very good. I probably should be ashamed however, that I agreed
with E that many of the young (illegally young for me) actors are turning out quite nicely.
4) We came home to a fire built by dh.
5) My children are quite happy with a bowl of ice cream for dinner. Who would want to cook after a relaxing day.
6) I've updated my sidebar and the blog still works. It's always a near thing. I can't get rid of the wonky spacing, but oh
well.

Lalalalalala

Turkey's decorations should not be showcased by snow. I'm putting my fingers in my ears and covering my eyes...lalalalalala.

Rant

I was annoyed when the stores put out the Christmas trees next to the Halloween costumes, but I can respect a capitalist desire to cash in big. What I am flumoxbogulated ( a kid word meaning totally bemused) by is why you would have your Christmas tree and house lights up and on already! Why?? Are we really such a microwave, drive-thru society that we can't even wait one more week to start the excess? I feel like Linus, except instead of waiting for the Great Pumpkin I'm holding on to the Terrific Turkey. I like Thanksgiving. A quiet day. No heavy duty expectations. Sure there is the possibility of family dysfunction and wine working synergistically to make the carving knife look inviting, but overall it's a pleasant holiday.
I'm quaking that the day is coming that we will simply have one long holiday from Labor Day to New Years with a conglomeration of cook outs, pumpkins, turkeys and lights accompanied by far to much food and sugar. Then they could add year round school so we have constant back to school sales. Oh, that will be great. Ok, slinking back to my little hole now, but I feel much better, really. Hey, pass some of that wine, would ya'.

Proof Again

Maybe I wasn't the best person to be entrusted with these six little, semi-malleable persons.

1) It is obviously my fault dd is second string on the BB team, and why don't I get her into the varsity camp at the high school, on Sunday afternoons, 18 mile away, in winter when the weather will be lovely, around holiday time. Ummm, I don't think so.

2) I obviously warped ds since his only reading material that could even be loosely termed literature is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

3) Dear Mrs. S--Please review F's letters with him. He didn't know them at pre-school. Gasp! My FOUR YEAR OLD doesn't know his letters. Won't have to worry about him reading tripe though, will I.

4) Dear Mrs. S--Tests show C is ready for algebra. We cannot offer him suitable enrichment. Please seek outside sources of math enrichment for him. Or I could just let him play game cube. He could use triangulation to shoot his enemies.

5) What kind of mother would plan on skipping out of Thanksgiving a little early, to take three kids to see a stupid movie about an adolescent wizard? One who wants to see the movie, that's what kind.

It Was A Dark and Stormy Night

with apologies Bulwer Lytton. The weather last night was abominable. It blew, and blew and blew. I had dropped ds at a Boy Scout meeting and went on to dd's first basketball game. Two minutes into the second quarter everyone was herded into the locker rooms because of a tornado warning. I wondered to myself if wind borne lockers would be any safer than wind borne bleachers, but in deference to my rule abiding daughter, I kept quiet. We waited 45 minutes and then the warning was over and they called off the game. It was pouring buckets when we left the gym and dd refused to go start the van and drive it up (all that rule following again) so I got soaked getting the van. My hair of course did it's best to create an Orphan Annie look due to it's dousing. It continued to blow and blow all night. This morning we have someones shingles in our yard and we appear to be minus a couple soccer balls. Dh called to say someones trampoline was in the ditch, luckily not ours. There must have been a power outage at some point because the clock was blinking this morning, or rather, the hundreds of clocks on all the appliances were blinking. (Just an aside, do people really need a clock on everything but their underwear?) Our 2-year old alarm clock of course awakened us at 5am per usual so dh made it up to go to work on time.

Hectic Days

I'm sure it's obvious I've been busy. My little digital world suffers when that pesky reality gets in the way. Thursday I waited while they worked on dh's car. Always fun. Enough said. Friday I put on a suit and acted like a professional. I went to a conference that pretty much confirmed I'd been right about how to feed kids all along ;-). It was nice, especially the part where when I came home after dinner and little people ran to greet me. Usually dh gets that treatment and I, who have cleaned their messes, tended their boo-boos, and prepared those above nourishing meals , get treated like yesterday's eggs. Saturday was a killer yoga class in the morning and then dh and I took the four little kids (the oldest two having made escapes to friends houses) to a long afternoon at the park with hot cocoa provided by moi. After church Sunday, E stayed for youth group. S stayed the night with his friend. I took L to Brownies and C, F and A and I killed time at the park. The 40mph winds made it much less pleasant than the day before, at least it did for me. I didn't notice that it visibly bothered those who are closer to the ground. This week pretty much is filled already. Monday night-Cub Scouts and basketball practice. Tuesday-Boy Scouts and E;s first school basketball game. Wednesday-bb practice and Kid's Klub at church, etc. etc. It makes it a little hectic but at least they aren't bumps on a log, right? Right? Right, damn it!

Chronological Advancement

Chris at The Big Yellow House had a post of 40 things she wants to do before she's forty. It meshed nicely with thoughts I've been having lately. My oldest dd is 13. She was horrified Sunday when I tried on thigh high, spike heel, black boots. She also cringes if I comment that I think someone looks hot. I try to remember what I would have thought when I was 13. Undoubtedly the same thing she's thinking. Of course, she is probably more sedate than I ever was. She declined my chaperonage on her class trip, not because she thought I'd cramp her style, but because she feared I'd get us in trouble and thrown off of the trip. Well, yeah, that is a possibility, but geesh! So, now that I'm past forty,( and not about to create a list of fifty things to do before my next decade) I've been trying to think of what there is left that I'd like to do. The answer is scary. I think I've done about everything I really, really want to do. Oh, seeing the pyriamids would be nice, but it's not a must do. I guess I'm just hoping to get in trouble in the nursing home and have them call home to my kids to straighten me out.

Food Drive

A warm Saturday, a charitable undertaking, small town sidewalks covered in colorful leaves.... five 9yo boys...that sent a discordant clang through the idyllic image didn't it.

A long four hours but we did collect 1400 cans of food. Not bad for a town of 1200.

My Own Words

I made the mistake of expressing disappointment that there was only one biscuit left for breakfast. F quoted me "You get what you get and you don't have a fit." Humph!

The Ghosties With the Mosties

After much scrounging in the dress up box this is what we came up with.

Mel-tiger, S-a thief (don't see it myself, but that's what he said), C-race car driver (left off the helmet for the pic), L-princess
F-army guy, E-a dippy hippy
I wanted to wrap my bottle of Jack in a brown paper sack and go as a wino. I figured I would need the fortification. Wise acre 11yo of course had to point out the object is to appear DIFFERENT from usual.
We had some disension when F kept changing his mind about what to be. He had on in succession, a pumpking (a pumpkin outfit with a crown), a dinosaur, a lovely yellow flowered number from one of his sister's dance recitals and finally an army guy. I began to lose patience and thought again about taking that Jack Daniels.
Extreme cuteness

More napping of course

The Great Pumpkin

Carving was going along so well.

Then the throwing began.

I didn't take any after pictures because, well, I was too busy removing goo and seeds from my hair. It was funny, but I think next year we'll carve outside.

The Park

And far too mature to join in, here is the teen reading a book. At least she's outside.

It's Time For Halloween Fun

A busy holiday weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow is fall break for the kids from school. (Why not Monday? Who knows?) We are planning a picnic at the reservoir. It is supposed to be in the mid fifties which will seem like a heat wave. In the evening our little town has a Scarecrow Festival with apple bobbing, hay rides, etc. etc. C's Cub Scout group is having a cookout first and then we'll all go down to the festivities. As a Cub Scout leader though, this means I'll need to get stuff set up. I would enjoy all this except at the same time I'm supposed to be 'roastin' weenies' S has to be delivered to a Boy Scout camping trip. I think dh will be able to drop him off, providing no wrenches get thrown into the works. Saturday E wants to go to a movie with her friends so I'll need to arrange some car pool web and S will need picked up in the evening. Sunday I hope to carve pumpkins in the afternoon and a viewing of Charlie Brown (which makes me wax nostalgic). Monday I'm the party planner mom for F's pre-school Halloween party so I need to come up with games, crafts and treats before then. Monday evening, of course, is the piece de resistance, trick-or treats! A candypalooza. Of course, mommy gets first dibs on the good stuff. They can keep all the suckers and sugar babies though.

Nineteen Years Ago

Dh and I got married. Not a bad decision, all in all.

Never Teach Them to Sing

I taught 4yo the classic Coca-cola went to town song. He has sung it, incessantly, unceasingly, ad nauseum. Why oh why did I teach him that song?

Dh worked this weekend. I saw him briefly Friday evening. That was about it.

E went to a sleepover Friday night, came home and showered, and left for another Halloween bonfire and sleepover. She got home about 2pm Sunday.

S stayed with a friend Saturday night and came home about 4pm Sunday.

I took the youngest 4 to a Halloween Party, and to my dad's for a visit today. It rained all day but he took them out on the 4-wheeler anyway. Lots of fun now that the beans are in and they can careen across the fields. I'm sure this is unsafe, but will probably be a great memory some day, sort of like my feeling about driving fast down gravel roads riding in the bed of a pick up truck.

Thinking about my SILs in FL and hoping Wilma loses her umph.

Happy Birthday!!!

Today the Princess is TWO!! How'd that happen? She was of course oblivious to the occasion, but figured she'd eat cake anyway!


Running, climbing and temper tantrums are all accomplished with verve and vigor. You also have a scary grasp on your cuteness. Even stopping mid tantrum to flash strangers a winning grin, then return to your tantrum once they have passed on by, after giving me one of those "how can you make such an adorable child unhappy" looks. You like books, (especially Good Night Moon for some unfathomable reason.), playing in the cabinets and being outside. All the locks have been raised because you love being outside so much. You only say about 5 words, which is typical for my kids, but you understand directions so I know there is a sentient being in there. All in all you are sweet. Of course you may just be on to the fact that patting my face and giving kisses will keep the cakes coming.

Clueless

So dh and I are standing in the sun, pushing F and Mel on the swings. A lovely, family moment, when he says "Boy, you're sure getting gray. I can see it really well here in the sun."

Did he think that comment would lead to a pre-work romp? It would please me so much I'd prepare him a scrumptious lunch? It would make for sweet conversation on the way home? Why are men clueless?

I am not a girly, girl but I'll be darned if I'm going to look like Mel's grandmother so I've ventured into the land of Nice & Easy. Cluelessness must be genetic. F kept asking me "Mom, why do you have a bread wrapper on your head? You look silly. You're not supposed to put plastic bags on your head!"

For the record, I am again a flirty reddish brown.

Weekend

A beautiful weekend here. Our joke is that if you live in IN you'll get 4 great days/year. Sunday must have been the good one for fall. It was sunny and not too hot. Saturday was nice too but windy. The kids played all day Saturday. We had a big dinner and a fire and they all fell asleep. Always a good thing. I went to yoga Saturday morning. It was all regulars so she decided to increase difficulty. I was definitely feeling that on Sunday. Sunday we had lunch after church. The kids absolutely love that because all the kids go downstairs, after eating nothing but dessert, to turn off the lights and run around like idiots. That will probably be a cherished memory someday though, so I say let them scream down there. We ate leftovers Sunday night. We added candelight which the kids seem to feel makes everything taste better. All in all a good weekend.

Conversation with my Coffee

4yo-God can't go into the temple you know, because of the mommies.

me-What?

4yo-You know, in Egypt, the mommies. God can't go there. Egypt is vewy dangerwous. It's far away though. Mommies can't wrap up in toiwet paper though. They wrap up in cloth toiwet paper.

me-Been watching the discovery channel again?

Still Drismally

Today 4yo ds announced he was "tired of this stupid drismally weather." I thought drismally pretty much summed up the outside. On the bright side I have no more cross country meets to attend, it's been chilly enough for cocoa for breakfast, I don't mind turning on the stove, which I was avoiding like the plague until 2 weeks ago, and dh watched the kidlets while I went to yoga class this evening. That was lovely and revived me. Perhaps I was a bit shrill and he thought it would behoove him to calm mama down. Whatever the reason, I feel much better.

Gray (or is it grey?)

It is a very gray (grey) day and I'm feeling decidedly gray as well. It is misting outside so no hanging laundry today. I let the little two go out, then had to give them a bath when they came in. So much for playing outside. Dh has been snarky since we had a disagreement last week. He goes through these cyclical periods of being difficult and depressed. I find it irritating. That certainly doesn't sound warm and loving does it. Today is the county 4th and 5th grade run. It will be packed with people. Maybe the rain will keep some home? Maybe I can watch from the car, lol. Afterall, you only really see them when they finish anyway.

On the bright side, I took C to Cub Scout Day at the zoo on Saturday. He really seemed to enjoy the one on one time. Sunday afternoon was L's Brownie Meeting. We have to go to another town for that, so I loaded everyone up and we played at a "new" park while we waited. They had a blast and were very tired. I made a fire, told them to bathe, we ate s'mores for supper and called it a day. I sincerely hope they remember parks and s'more suppers and let the grumpy mom days fade from their memory.

Busy, Busy,Busy

I always hear that in a Snidely Whiplash sort of voice. Busy, busy, busy. Real life has been in the way of posting this week. I'm sure no one really wants a recounting of my week, suffice it to say that I have been occupied. Since they are worth a thousand words I'll include three thousand words worth.

County Cross Country Championships- a firm middle of the pack


Someday I'm going to make an album of all these strange nap positions.


Just because she is sweet.

Boy Humor (Be Warned)

I heard this conversation from the hallway. Dss 11 and 9 were watching some show about the Amazon, anacondas and strange jungle plants. "Hey, you know what would really be scary?" "What?" "A PENIS fly trap." Peals of laughter followed. Sigh...it is funny, but oh so crudely boy.

Git Some Learnin'

They say to surround your child with books. I'm not sure this is what they meant.


*Note the book is upside down. I obviously should have used some Little Einstein flash cards or something! My child rearing practices are sooooo retro, lol!

Out of the Closet

OK, not that closet, not that there's anything wrong with that. (If you didn't watch Seinfeld ignore that.) The cheap closet. Hi, I'm Lisa, and I'm cheap. I don't want a 12 step program though. I like being, er, thrifty. I did my kids' winter shopping this weekend. They didn't need too much, I had requests for sweatshirts and 7yo dd needed pants. My first stops were some garage sales, I found 3 pair of LL Bean cords for dd and a pair of jeans for 11yo ds (whom I have commanded to stop growing, already.) I then hit Goodwill and Salvation Army. I found a Nike sweatshirt and t-shirt for ds and two Purdue sweatshirts for dd (gray with hood as requested). I also got two Aeropostale shirts for dd. I love the hunt. The search. The careful tracking of a specific want. It's a sickness, lol, but at least no animals are harmed in my hunt.
Some people who know me think I'm a granola, prarie, wholesome mom. I use cloth diapers, I bake my own bread, I only use the dryer if people named Noah begin building arks, I can and freeze food for pity's sake. Now the secret is out. I'm not concerned with my family's health or the well being of the environment (well, it's not my sole concern), the truth is I'm just cheap. Phew, confession is good for the soul.

Summer's Over

I took down the pool. That was about as much fun as it sounds like. I hated to take it down but the leaves are starting to turn and the beans and corn are browning up. The temperatures are still in the mid 80's during the day but cool nights had brought down the water temperature considerably. At least I haven't had to face how short their long pants probably are.
The little two did have fun in the half dumped pool. I turned my back to hang up some clothes and when I turned around, this is what I found.

Even though set up and take down are sort of a pain, the amount of fun they got out of the pool was amazing. They probably swam every day that it was possible. It is also much easier to keep track of them all than at the "real" pool.

This week is shaping up much like last so I won't bore you with that. I'm taking Bonnie's advice and practicing saying no, no, no. I've noticed since I quit work though, that people assume I have tons of time. Uh, no.... see there I said it.

Back in the Saddle Again

Or maybe back on the treadmill. This week has been hectic, and all the stuff hasn't started yet. We've had 2 cross country meets (and one tomorrow), a Cub Scout meeting, a Boy Scout meeting, Kid's Klub at chuch, a dental appointment, student council meeting and Campus Life. That doesn't count pre-school, grocery shopping and the other detritus of life. Sigh... I am trying not to get too busy. I said no to football, church committees, skating party, and dance for 7yo. There are times I think we should move to the wilds of Idaho or something and never go anywhere. Not very practical. Ah well, only 158 days of school left!

No Interchangable Parts

So yesterday at church, someone made the comment concerning my 4yo. "Well sending him off to pre-school must be the same old-same old. That many kids must be like running a factory." HUH!!! Have they not met my children? Six more different personalities could not exist! Do people really believe that after two or three children personalities repeat like curly hair or brown eyes? I don't think this comment was meant in a malicious way but geesh!
For the record-
E--a classic overachiever, she could manage this household more efficiently than I
S--imaginative, sweet, sensitive and funny
C--analytical, mathmatical and honest
L--strong willed and focused
F--sweet, cuddly and BUSY
A--cute, sure of herself and constantly figuring things out

What Ranks as Best

In my attempt to turn my savages into caring, compassionate human beings we were discussing the hurricane and relief last night. I had included the kids in our sending more to the Salvation Army and in making health kits for UMCOR. I asked them what things of theirs they might want to send with a local group who is actually, physically going south. C stated that the most important thing would be to have a game boy. Not gamecube he explained, because power would be a problem. If there was a flood or fire, he'd save his game boy....uh what about his cat, his siblings, his mother???? Nope, gameboy, the rest of us could fend for ourselves. So much for compassion and caring, LOL.

First Day of Preschool

F started preschool yesterday.

He didn't like school at all last year but seemed happier about it this year. He has been bored with the other kids in school. When Mel falls asleep in the afternoon he wanders around like a lost soul. He will be attending in the afternoon so maybe I'll have a couple hours a couple times a week to get stuff done. Or maybe I'll piddle the time away with a book or the 'puter.

I wasn't around the puter much last week because of 1) a really rotten cold 2) I've been putting up the garden produce everyone has given me. I'm not sure it's a cost savings really, and I sure know it's not a time savings. Yesterday I managed to drop a sack of flour into the huge pot of boiling tomatoes I was turning into spaghetti sauce so a load of laundry, a mopping, a wall cleaning and burned arms and legs later I had spaghetti sauce. Thank the Lord I don't have to depend on my efforts to feed us, we'd all starve. The sauce turned out pretty good though. Nice and thick too, LOL!

What to Say

Number 1--I'm heartbroken for the people all over the Gulf. If I could go get those babies and bring them home I would.
Number2-- I'm furious with the idiots mixed in with all the poor victims. Why would you shoot at people trying to help
you???
Number 3--The state government reacted abysmally and what is with the feds? If the state ain't cuttin' it, take over NOW, not
after things go completely from sugar to sh*t.
Number 4--Is anybody else really irked by the news coverage? There almost seems a glee, oh goody a disaster, nothing like
a disaster to boost ratings!

I'll stop now. If you haven't given check out the links below. Nag, nag, nudge, nudge.

Serious

I was all set yesterday with a whiny post about what a mess jelly, and juice and spaghetti sauce making have wrought on my kitchen. After watching all the news from the gulf of Mexico, though, it just didn't seem that terrible. If you possibly can, make a donation to help. Here are some links or choose your own charity.

Salvation Army

Red Cross

List of Charities

Easily Amused

On Saturday L had her official party, her first one. She had several little friends over. It was a beach/pool themed party. At least this kid who wants to swim for their birthday had the forethought to be born in August (versus the winter trend here). We had a bucket of sand cake



tons of swimming, water balloons, water guns, a pinaqua ( a water pinata) and then a Little Pony Palooza.

Today we took the kids to a regional amusement park. It is still a family owned operation but pretty good size. Their unfortunate advertising campaign, however, has a really obnoxious song about "there's more than corn in Indiana". The kids had a wonderful time, eating junk, riding and re-riding, playing arcade games. F (who is 4) needed me to ride most things with him. This would explain why 1) I am his hero for letting him do all the driving in the bumper cars the 7 times we rode them and 2) I am currently sipping a really nice chardonay and considering a third glass.

Progress

We have a bathroom floor!!! Also a toilet and sink. We're darn near 20th century here! (Yes, I know it's the 21st, but considering where we were a week ago, somewhere in the 18th century, I'll settle for the 20th.) The new vinyl is down after replacing rotted floor boards and getting a new subfloor. Best of all, the kids can use their bathroom again and keep all their grubby, fingerprinty, toothpasty, unmentionable filth out of MY bathroom. I still need to get a new medicine cabinet to replace the 50's model which is rusted chrome and flourescent light tubes. I'll get a new light to go above and I need an electrician to put in a ground fault interuptor but progress is being made. Last but not least I need to go to Lowe's and get some baseboard so I won't be bored next week. Now to get some money saved to replace the green shag in the living room. One step at a time I guess.

Happy Birthday Lily

Today Miss L turns 7. SEVEN! How did that happen.


I named you after a delicate flower but Sam or Nick or someother androgynous name would have been better. You are tough, smart and unstoppable. You like animals of all kinds. I believe you still harbor hopes of getting a horse. For now you're content with dogs and cats. You are a loving sister to Mel, change diapers like a pro and are willing to play sandbox for a long time with her. You also fight your older brothers fearlessly, and anyone else (adult or not )who gets in the way of something you want. I'm hoping a little less fearlessness and a little more respect slips in somewhere. You have friends and seem well liked, but I have to admit, from what I've heard you're choreographing what you will all be playing. I have no worries about you doing whatever you want in life. I just hope no one makes the mistake of slowing down in front of you because steam train Lily is coming through!

Cross-eyed Bear

I've prided myself (ah foolish pride) on my slow aging. Vision--no bifocals here, I can run with the kids, play basketball, play tennis but.....evidently it's my hearing that is going. Last night I swore I heard dh tell S he was a cross-eyed bear. Cross-eyed bear I thought? What Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Baby Bear and Cross-eyed Bear? Ursa Strabismus? Well, never one to worry about looking foolish I squawked "Cross-eyed Bear?" He actually said S is his CROSS TO BEAR. Retiring now to call the bell-tone number!

Back to School

Here they are scrubbed, polished and clad in new underwear!


I once again proved what a geek I am by mentioning to a group of friends how sad I am that they are gone all day. It was unanimously decided that I am truly weird as they all can't wait to get their kids out the door. In an effort to avoid a day of the blues for me and boredom for F and Mel I attended the said get together with friends and went to the "big" library in that town. F ignored all attempts to get a lovely, educational book and checked out Batman comics.

The funniest comment of the day. F wanted to play castle. His instuctions to Mel were "you be the soldiers and I'll be the burger king." Burger king?? What kind of royalty is that?

Back to Reality

Dh went back to work today. The kids start school on Wednesday. (yuck, phooey, blech, blah) I was hoping to go to the reservoir or do something else fun the next two days but it is cloudy and wet today so I guess not. S and C have gone to my dad's to unload a couple of trailers of wood. At least they'll be tired tonight. Time for more coffee and hopefully an inspiration about something fun to do today.

We're Baaaack!

The most annoying yet most amusing part of the trip? Every ten minutes F stated his desire to return "to our Indiana home." (Was he channeling Jim Nabors? Trying out for his shot to sing at the Indy 500?) When we finally pulled into the driveway S said "Hey, F we're at our Indiana home!" F's response, given in a wail "I want to go baaaaccckkk!"

A good time was had by all. The zoo was one of the nicest I've ever been too. They also had a dragon exhibit which thrilled my geeky son. It was set up as though dragons were real animals, along with other animals that have dragon in their name (komodo dragon, dragon fish, sea dragons, etc.) Here are the kids posing on the dragon's treasure. You'll note they are all possessed, lol.


Here are the kids and I in front of the river outside the COSI (kid's science center which was also very cool).

And We're Off

kudos to you if you finished that title with a mental "to the rodeo". I have packed clothes, swim suits, sun block and a huge cooler of snacks. Tomorrow we leave for our, I can't really call it a vacation, so lets just say trip. For some actual reading enjoyment I urge you to read Chris' contribution to dotmoms. Her article Last but not Least probably sums up most mom's feelings who have more than a couple kids.

Imponderables

How does a child who never saw a cradle get cradle cap (at 21mo no less)?

How can children who stay lean ingest bushels, yes bushels of food daily?

How did I, a queen of denial who is sure it's all going to be all right, marry the most pessimistic human being on earth?

Why are there no hotel suites near the Toldeo Zoo, causing me to reserve two rooms, one of which will probably never be slept in?

Why am I taking the most pessimistic human being on earth with me to vacation in Toledo?

When did my life get so pathetic that my vacation consists of a zoo, a cave and a science museum? In freaking Toledo, Ohio??!! Now Toledo, Spain, then we'd be talkin'.

Summer Fun

On Monday we played!
A little food dye and cornstarch!

Proud of his muscles

The Princess on her throne


Unfortunately Tuesday and this morning I had a bad headache so hopefully they had enough fun to make it through to tomorrow.