Sunday, September 26, 2010

No comingling allowed

This weekend the boys went "camping" (read: trailer with kitchen, bathroom, big screen TV and other home amenities) in Door County with the boys (Mayur and Kyan) across the street. Their weekend, from what I can tell, can be summed up like this...
Saturday night Kyan and Max fell alseep during a movie so Nolan came out to the campfire where Dave and Mayur were hanging out. Dave was drinking bourbon and Nolan asked if he could have some. Dave let him dip his finger in and try it, to which Nolan said, "It tastes like run!" Yeah, that's my six-year-old for you.
It seems they had a great time. They went go-karting, saw a snake, shooed out the frog from the indoor pool and played chess.

Abby and Ava and I had an equally nice girls' weekend. Friday my mom and dad came up and we ordered pizza and watched movies. Saturday we went to breakfast (Abby picked McDonald's... someday her taste will change, I hope!), dropped Ava off with my mom and had some girl shopping. We went to Goodwill to look for Halloween stuff, and Abby didn't understand. "What do you mean we're at Goodwill? I mean, how do you shop at Goodwill?" Apparently I've only ever taken here there to drop stuff off there. But, she did find two shirts that she liked, and we got a bunch of books, so of course no matter where we are, she'll find something to buy! From there we hit Walmart and mini-golfing. Hmmm, maybe if I want her taste to increase from McDonald's, I'll need to take her shopping somewhere other than Goodwill or Walmart!

Saturday night was a lot of fun. My mom came over and we played lots of board games. It was nice to not have to worry about the younger ones, and for most of the time Ava was in bed. I love board games and now that Abby's old enough, it really is fun (and challenging!) to play with her.

In the end, it was a great weekend. The boys didn't want to come home and both Nolan and Max said they wished they were still camping. Abby didn't want the boys to come home, and also wished they were still camping. I wouldn't want to split up every weekend, but every now and again I think that will work!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

It's a rough life

Some days, life just wears you out. And you catch a nap wherever you can.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Good enough

Hanging in my laundry area is a sign that says, "What if success is just getting the wash into the dryer before mildew sets in?"

And today, I say, "AMEN!"

I did little things today. I got the laundry downstairs. Nowhere near the laundry room, mind you, but at the bottom of the steps at least, near the three laundry baskets full of clean laundry. I got half of my jewelry put in the new jewelry holder I got (the rest is strewn across my dresser). I cleaned and picked up what used to be Abby's room. I got the microwave cleaned (Hallelujah! That was nasty!). And I set up Mousetrap on two different occasions, took away 12 bags of snacks from Ava, cut up 200 grapes, got 12 glasses of juice and water, and drank enough coffee tonight to keep me awake should I choose to actually do the work that I've been supposed to do for the past 3 months.

It's the little things.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

The prom, 10 years later

So, last Saturday night, my company had its 25th anniversary bash. It was a pretty fancy affair, and Dave and I actually got a sitter for it. It just so happens that it was also close to our ten-year anniversary, which is today. So, I made people take pictures, and Dave accused me of treating it like prom. I didn't see any corsage, so I say no way. It's just us, ten years later.

Here's the first attempt at pics. Not bad, right? But see that big splotch on my neck? That red one? No, it's not a hickey. Ten years, remember? It's Nolan shining a laser on me while the picture was being taken.

And here's us again, sans red spot. I must've been on a hill, Dave looks short!

Anyway, prom or not, here we are ten years later. I'm not sure there's much to say, the life speaks for itself. We're definitely different people than we were ten years ago, with different dreams and different things (people!) taking up our time. We've been married long enough to say that some of the years were fantastic, and some of the years were hard. But together we've faced them all, and I'm incredibly happy to say that, these ten years later, we probably get along better than we did before we got married. As we sat at the formal dining room table tonight (it was the only surface cleared enough to eat on!) we looked around and with some disbelief realized we've filled all of those formal chairs that there seemed so many of when we moved into this house. And then when we thought about where we'll be in another10 years, and how quick that will go... Abby off to college! And soon, too soon, the same table will be filled with kids of our kids, who will be the same age ours are now. And man, I gotta say, there's just no one I'd rather go on that journey with.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Technology at its finest

I'll admit it, my kids have lots of technology. But for the most part, I think they use it fairly healthily and in moderation. (Except for those two hours of Harry Potter Lego Wii on Saturday, or the hours of babysitting tv I've used, of course). In addition, for the most part, I trust my kids. I mean hey, they've never given me reason not to. And luckily, they are SO transparent when they're doing something wrong.

Take tonight, for instance. It was about five minutes before bedtime and Abby and Nolan were whispering and conspiring. This is made even more the obvious given the fact that the two of them are usually at each others' throats, not in cahoots with each other. From there I watched Nolan get his DS and go up and get into bed before we even gave a second bedtime reminder. Hmmm, sounds like Pictochat to me. (For those of you not in the know, if they each have a DS within a certain vicinity, they can talk to each other by drawing pictures or writing messages and sending it.) So I tucked them all in, fluffed all his pillows which made him very obviously nervous and said goodnight. When Dave came out of Abby's room, I told him my guess. He went to Nolan's and Max's room, opened the door as fast as he could, and bingo! Nolan's face was lit up by the light of the screen. It was super funny how scared he looked, and Dave and I were just laughing.

From there, Dave comandeered Nolan's DS and waited for Abby. When she sent a message, he sent one back that said BUSTED!! It's Daddy! Immediately the notice on the bottom said "Abby Exiting Chat." Ha! I went in her room and she looked all innocent. I just laughed at her and took her DS. She asked when she could have it back and I told her tomorrow morning. She responded by saying, "Well, at least you didn't catch us last night!" WHAT?? How could I have missed this last night?? Aw man. I need to up my mommy monitor.

The crazy part is, I almost wish we didn't bust them. It made bedtime SO easy with them both, which made it easy with Max. And the two of them against us, or at least in it together, is kind of nice. I just may have to look the other way next time.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Maxi Man

My little man is growing up. Yesterday was his first day of school... 3K that is! He was pretty excited, really liked his teacher, and wanted to go back today, so that's a good sign. It should be interesting because his program has kids with various disabilities, such as autism, speech impediments, Down's Syndrome, etc. We got the list of teachers, and besides his regular teacher and the assistant, there are about five others who will be in their classroom at different times, including a speech therapist, occupational therapist, etc. I think it will be great for him, as well as great for our family.

But he's growing up so fast. It seems like only yesterday we were putting straws in his hair. Oh, wait! That was just yesterday! Check him out... those curls are good for something!!
Max is a lot of fun, and a monster. He's turned three, which means no terrible twos, but rather the HORRIBLE threes. I remember my friends, all with their first kids younger than Abby, saying, "I thought the twos were supposed to be bad. The threes are just horrible!" And I always nodded and smiled because yup, three is bad. Four isn't a whole lot better. Five is the upswing. And so it starts, Max three, then four, Ava two, then three. Should be a bang up next two years, hold of for the ride!

And here's all the kids on their first day of school. Or really, second. Because I forgot to take pics on the first day. Bad mom!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Dear me

On other blogs, and in a book that recently came out, I've seen people on their birthday write letters to an earlier version of themselves. So on this, the day marking the end of my 35th year, I thought I would do that as well. It was much harder than I thought it would be...

Dear 15-year-old Me,


You're fine, life is fine, 20 years from now. Your hair needs some serious taming, and I probably wouldn't get into that relationship you're about to embark on next year, but even that serves some purpose in your life down the road. Enjoy your high school years and hold your friendships close. These people are the people who help shape and form you, and you'll too easily let them go and then struggle to find them again many years later. Keep working hard, it's worth it! Every time you feel you can't play any more volleyball or basketball, push yourself further. You will realize you've learned so much more than sports by doing that. And love yourself. If only you knew twenty years from now what your body would look like, you would adore your body now. Be okay with it!


Love,
35-year-old Me

Dear 25-year-old Me,


You're fine, life is fine, 10 years from now. You're about to embark on THE singular most challenging thing in your entire life: marriage! Take it one day at a time, and pretty soon you'll be hitting double digit anniversary numbers and you'll realize that yes, it is all worth it. On top of that, you'll have the first of FOUR children (and yes, you really will be that old. I can't believe it either). Those children will become your life in a way that you can't even imagine. But first? Slow down a little bit, enjoy your time. Work hard, put in your time, but also slow down just a little bit to enjoy some of it, some of your own activities. Before you realize it you'll be in a whirlwind of activities that aren't your own and you'll wish for some of that time back. And love yourself. If only you knew ten years from now what your body would look like, you would adore your body now. Be okay with it!


Love,
35-year-old Me

Dear 35-year-old-me (what I hope my 45- or 55-year old Me will tell Me),


You're fine, life is fine, 10, 20 years from now. You did it! Your kids are all grown up and successful You weren't always the most patient, but you gave them the tools they needed to be kind, loving and successful adults. You will once again enjoy the travel that you loved when you were younger, and through that travel, your marriage is as strong as it has ever been. Work has always taken care of itself, with just the right opportunity, the right hours, the right fit for you coming along exactly when you needed it. And love yourself. Your body is strong and you will prove it by running a marathon along the way. You'll never have the perfect body shape or size, but it's perfect for you. Be okay with it!


Love,
The Future Me

Monday, September 6, 2010

Nolan the Eldest

On Saturday Abby was with my mom, and then ended up spending the night, leaving me with the boys for church on Sunday morning. Nolan cried and carried on, like normal, because I was making him go. But once he realized there was no getting out of it, he was in fine form. In fact, I think he actually liked being the oldest for a little bit. He got to pick where we sat, he took Max to Kids' Church (Max's first time!) and held his hand and helped him the whole time, and was just in general a good example. It's funny, but I really do think that birth order makes a difference in how a person acts and grows up. Abby will be the responsible one, but it may just be because she's the oldest. Nolan acted completely different when he was the oldest for the day. This year we'll see if Max gets "responsible" as he'll be the oldest when the bigs are at school. It's amazing how those other siblings can just impact how you, yourself behave.

Happy long weekend! Or rather, happy end of a long weekend. We didn't have much going on, but it was good family time. Friday the kids finished their first "week" (or three days) of school and I made them ride their bikes to and from school. They were COLD when they got home! Then they just hung around, ate dinner and watched a movie. And I took a bath. :)  Saturday Abby went with my mom to go shopping for a get together we were having on Saturday. I thought Abby was going to burst with excitement. As much as Nolan liked being the oldest, Abby loved being the only. She was ready for my mom to come earlier than she's ready for school, and kept asking when she'd get there. When my mom came, I didn't think Abby was going to let her in, she was just ready to go out to the car! They had a great time, shopping for prizes for games. Abby just loves to plan carnival type games, so they had at least six games set up where you can win prizes (think clothes pins in a jar, throwing a ball at a pyramid of cups, etc.) and some other just for fun games (tricylce obstacle course) and Abby was in seventh heaven with it all. She ended up staying the night with my mom and dad, the boys had a boys' night with Dave, and I went out with our old neighbor Jenny... always good conversation, food, and trips to Walmart!

What's so nice about three day weekends is that you can go out on Saturday night, and still have two days left! Sunday we went to said party and had carnival games and shrimp boil, and finally finished celebrating Abby's birthday, and also celebrated my nephew Cole's birthday. We hung out all day then started to project a movie outside but it started raining, so we moved operations inside to the basement. It worked perfectly, and I think all the kids loved it, even if my mom was probably exhausted by the end of the day!

In the midst of it all, Abby lost her first molar. We got home late last night, and Dave and I both forgot that the tooth fairy was supposed to come. Oops! When I got up, Dave had already warned me that we forgot, so I just looked at Abby and said, "Oh, the tooth fairy didn't come, did she?" When Abby said no, I told her of course she didn't, it's Labor Day. The tooth fairy doesn't work on Labor Day. Abby looked at me a little funny, then said, "Oh yeah! Duh! Of course!" It's like the elves at Christmas all over again. I wonder how long she'll believe, especially if we keep screwing up!

Today we woke up to a wonderful thunder storm. I really just loved it, first lying in bed listening to it, and then all of us gathered out on the porch and sang, and played and talked and listened to the thunder and watched the lightening and even the hail. (I think we've had hail at least four times in the last couple weeks, seems so strange!). It delayed our doing anything, and was just nice time together. After that, we moved Abby's bed into Ava's room, and now the girls are sharing, and Nolan has officially moved back upstairs with Max. So, we went from everyone in their own rooms to two and two and two (if you count Dave and me!). Hopefully it will go well. I really do like having both a guest room back in the basement and having a library/game room/study area room upstairs in Abby's old room.

Within all of this, Ava is also sick again. I think it's her teeth because she's had a molar trying to poke through for a week now, and it's just swollen and painful. At least, that's what I'm hoping it is. She's lethargic and feverish (103+ fevers, four naps on me in three days) and just crabby in general. I got to just sit around with her and read my book, which was nice, but I just feel bad for her. She's supposed to be using her new walking legs instead!

And there's my novel for the day. Back to school tomorrow, Dave traveling all week, and your regularly scheduled programming.