Unfortunate Accident

So, we have had a fun filled month or so. We've been BBQ'ing in the awesome weather mixed with shoveling some unwanted snow... not quite shoveling, but it was an unwelcome snowfall. We've been to a soccer tournament, courtesy of our 8 year old daughter. Then we made a trip to the dentist, with the added bonus of seeing all of our immediate family on Brandon's side. Had our teeth worked on, visited with our family and ate a yummy dinner. It was a quick trip to Pullman, about a 2 hour drive from here, but we needed to get back to get ready for our first camping trip of the year. We were only travelling about 30 minutes away from home but it was perfect. The kids went fishing, rode bikes, blew bubbles, and then we ate dinner followed up by the S'mores. They had a blast and even though it was only one night it was perfect for our first trip. We were literally gone for only 24 hours. Now, my unfortunate accident comes into play here... I have lost all my pictures of this fun filled trip. I'm very sad because my potty-trained 2 year old was pleased to announce that now he is able to "go" on a tree. It was the cutest thing ever to get that perfect picture of his bare booty while "doing his business". Now maybe that is a sight only a mother could love but it was the cutest little bare booty I've ever seen. I envisioned my latest project of printing it out in black and white, oh about an 8 x 10 size, and framing it for a bathroom decoration. I think that would be the perfect place for it. Well now I guess I won't get the "first" time framed but I will get that picture, so help me I will get it. So, now I must work on getting more pictures for my blog.. this loss saddens me, but I will get over it.

It's Been a While

So it's been about a month. My birthday came and went, no pictures to prove it. Cooper is officially potty-trained. The Flu bug came and went, literally through everyone in my house (with the exception of Bailey and Brandon-that's a good thing)... but unfortunately ALL the daycare kids ended up getting it in one form or the other. Then, bless their hearts, they passed it on to their own families. So I think that it's finally dead. There are remnants of it in one last baby, but he's doing better. Strict inforcement of the BRAT diet around here... and no stains on my carpet YIPEE.

Then came Bailey's 8th birthday. We celebrated with Grandma Jane, Nana and Papa at the house on her actual day, but then it was a bowling party on the weekend. The kids had a great time. Bowling, Pizza, and cupcakes. It was super simple but the kids were none the wiser. In order to keep the chaos level to a minimum I pleaded with the dads of the three young boys in our group to maybe do something else with them. They decided since it was a nice enough day to take them fishing. It was three daddy's and a soon to be 4 year old, and two 2 1/2 year olds out to hit the lake to catch some fish. Cooper was very excited and it helped me out for the birthday party. Yeah, daddy to the rescue. No fish were caught, but it was a good day anyway.

Potty Training

We started on Thursday, things have been going exceptionally well. I have a ton of Princess Pull-Ups that are left over from my daughter and also some hand-me-downs that are Princess from a friend of mine, just for outings. Good thing that he doesn't mind, in fact, he kinda likes em. For the most part he's been in big boy underwear (Spiderman and Thomas the Train, and for Valentine day we'll expand his underwear collection into Cars). One benefit is that I really don't ever leave the house except to the grocery store on the weekend so I can devote full attention to this feat that we will master. Yeah Cooper. Now, does anyone have an idea on how to get him off the candy? That was the main incentive at the beginning... I'm wondering if he's just going to get the stuff. I would like to switch over to something a little healthier but I don't want to discourage him when he is doing so well. Help... to be continued.

Misc. Photos

Here are a couple of pictures of the kids sledding and a couple from Christmas. Just ones that I thought were cute. We went bowling today and the kids had a great time. Of course I forgot my camera. Maybe next time. Bailey has decided that she wants to have her birthday party at the bowling alley now so maybe there will be a Kodak moment then. Have a great Martin Luther King JR day... no school so my day should be busy.

33, How'd that happen?

So, I'm turning 33 soon. When did that happen? Just the other day I was talking to my daughter, who is going to be 8 a couple of weeks after my birthday, about my good old days in high school and on drill team. We were talking about doing the splits, which I can still do with a bit more stretching than I used to have to do and maybe a slight limp for a couple of days after the feat. She says that some of her friends are more flexible than she is and asked why she isn't. I explained that you need to condition your body to do things, especially if you've never done them and so I suggested stretching her legs and gradually working on getting into the splits. She would like me to sign her up for dance class or gymnastics or something, but this one... this daughter of mine... has unfortunately inherited her fathers sense of rhythm. How do you explain that to her? Of course I won't and I'll let her try anything once. But she really is a more sport oriented kind of girl. She has played soccer twice a year (yes, spring soccer and fall soccer) since she was 4, and has actually aquired some great skills. My 4 year old daughter on the other hand, if I'm not bragging too much, is a chip off my old block (there I said old again). She'll be our dancer, our performer or just our princess that likes to show you what she can do. She's at that stage now where she'll only do it if she wants to though. A little diva in the making. So my point is if I don't feel old am I old? Some mornings my back is a little sore and I can't run around the block to save my life. I'm trying to lose some weight and Brandon and I are going to start working out our poor old (there's that word again) bodies so that we can enjoy our young family for many years to come. We watch our kids with so much energy and just sigh. Biking is great, we all have one and it's not too stressful on the joints... but it's too dangerous to go out riding on the ice. So when the weather warms a little and we can start getting out of the house... it's on, I'll feel 10 years younger. But truthfully do I really want to feel 23 again? Maybe, selfishly, a little.

Mommy and Daddy Vacation

Leavenworth, WA January 2008

Just a little mini-vacation for me and Brandon to get away. We didn't go far (just to Leavenworth, WA) and we didn't go for long (oh, about 36 hours)... but I bet the grandparents would beg-to-differ. Here's a nice shot of Brandon and I in front of the snow that is piled up to our heads. He went on a snow-mobile tour with a friend, while my friend and I went for a spa treatment. A much needed relaxing time with great friends and great food. Thanks Nana, Papa, and Grandma Jane.... much appreciated.

Daycare Woes

It's one oclock in the afternoon... all is quiet... I'm breathing deep now. 7 kids, the oldest is four years old, all asleep now. Oh, what was that? The pitter patter of my 2 year olds feet running down the upstairs hall, and now back the other way - this time it sounds as if there are more sets of little feet. What? Everyone isn't sleeping? The calm before the storm I expect. Rahhhh... I say and I catch them in the wake of taking out all the dollhouse furniture, a few dozen books and the numerous pieces of pretend cosmetology equipment. So I march the 2 year old back to bed, with much protest I might add, and the other two are pretty much in the same boat. O.K... now, back to my deep breaths - just when I fill my glass with ice and water and sit with the remote in one hand and my "much needed" handful of almonds in the other.... Yep, now it's the baby. Well why not she's had her rest time. So much for mine.