Holy cow. I am the mother of a six year old.
Recap: 6 years ago today we were watching the NCAA tournament and then I thought I was getting the stomach bug. Yes, I was that naive. Even though it was the day of my due date I still never dreamed I was going to have a baby. I should have figured something was up when we were walking around our neighborhood at 10:30 PM because I was feeling so bad. Anyway, after around 12 hours of labor, the beginning rough but after I got my "Drugs" we were good to go.
Since then Ethan, you have been nothing but a blessing in our lives. So, since you are six today I thought of six things that I love about you! Here they are:
1. You are caring. God put you as a big brother for a purpose. The way you care for your sister and brother is really amazing to watch. If you are around, I don't really worry much because I know you are there caring for them.
2. You are unselfish. This is normal for you, you give in to your sister and Caleb constantly. I caught you the other day in line at games in AWANA letting a little boy in front of you in line just because they were sad they were the last one in line. You didn't care and let him in front of you.
3. You are funny. Literally, I laugh with you all the time. You are getting very sneaky as a little boy and playing all kinds of games on me. I have to constantly watch out, you put a plastic snake under my pillow one night and after you went to bed I found it!! You little Stink :P Your dance moves are just plain awesome!
4. You are thoughtful. You always ask me if I want some of your drink or some of your candy.
5. You are sensitive to God. You and Caleb are always discussing Bible theology which is very insightful. Your faith is something I know God loves. God is loving, He cares for us and that's that. It's very simple for you and I love it.
6. You are truthful. You always tell me what really happens no matter if it's your fault or not. You even admit to me when you've lied. Plus, you are always there to tell me what Caleb "really did."
Homeschooling this year has been full of fun and moments of craziness. You are your daddy made over. You work so hard and have very high expectations of yourself. You are like me that you are goal oriented. You have a goal and you work until you get it. I am so happy to be your mom and you are such a blessing to our family. We love you Baby Bear!!!
Monday, April 1, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Easter Fun and Ethan turning 6
Easter is here as well as spring and we are bringing it in with style.
This week we have gone from snow showers to windy spring days. Those windy spring days brought about a day long power outage, which caused our refrigerator to surge, which ended up with losing tons of food but now a fridge that looks that we just got it out of Lowes because we had to throw everything out and clean it (Can we say run-on sentence here because that is what that whole episode felt like.) PIcture John using my heat gun for craft stuff at 9 o'clock one night and something burning in the freezer, which we found out later was the styrofoam but John completely fixed the fridge. This was Monday through Wednesday.
Then, we had the spring days where I looked outside on the trampoline and what do I find? Two boys, stripped down to their underwear with ivy-like grass hanging out of it. Oh yes, this was so cool that they walked in the house and I sent them straight to the bathtub which had a brown color to it when I got them out of there.
Monday Ethan turns 6. We are having a bday party at Yayas Island tomorrow with mostly all of our family. Therefore, all of us sisters got together today for Easter fun. Betsy, Matt, Katie Beth, Annalee, Mom and Dad all came over today to visit before Easter fun tonight. John took all the kids outside. He put them to work, they were able to collect all of the sticks in the front yard and start their own bonfire. Then, it's time to head to Mom and Dad's house. Everyone is ready to go but where is Caleb? In the garden. With no shoes on. Did I mention it rained today? Throw the boy in the tub and we're off again. We had 6 kids lined up in my Mom and Dad's house with a cup full of dye and eggs everywhere. Can you believe it but of course the only one who ended up with completely dyed hands was Caleb? Bless him. He had to have another bath.
Now, it's time for some real fun. Insert Harlem Shake:
http://harlem.shabz.co/l/8E331F30-11FC-47E3-9515-91A0372CA5CF.html
Yes, we talked our Mom and Dad into it. Yes, it was AWESOME.
Mom had chocolate stuffed into some of the Easter eggs. Now having 3 kids I do things with the third I find I NEVER would have done with Ethan or probably Caleb. Linley is like Hudini. The child finds ways to open things. And she has good priorities. All this Easter candy means chocolate. This afternoon she would not pick up any Easter Eggs because she found two chocolate Hershey eggs, one in each hand. Therefore, she would not pick anything else up because she had to have her chocolate. Everytime I turn around that girl had chocolate in her mouth or in her hand, or going through Ethan's basket. (Yes, she knows who to mooch off of, Caleb would knock her down but Ethan won't do a thing to her). Try to take a piece of chocolate away from that girl and let me tell you: The wrath of Linley is coming.
Got everyone in bed tonight, time for my shower. I now notice that there is mud all over the white shower curtain. I'm in the shower and it's like I'm at the beach. I am standing on pieces of mud and dirt. Yes, I had to take leaves off of the drain in the tub so water would go down. Multitasking and almost used germ-x instead of lotion. John asked me how that was going to turn out.
Observations of the week:
Caleb, when mad, yells "Booty Buttcheek!!" at you in his meanest voice.
Linley, when Caleb is taking my lap or John's lap away from her, she hits him, on the head. He, of course, hits her back. I think Caleb has met his match.
Ethan teaches Linley how to play things, like trains and whatever else he can think of. His goal is to make her laugh. She has him wrapped.
Ethan, when threatened with a spanking, prefers to be honest about it and get spanking done immediately. Caleb prefers to put it off so he can hopefully talk his wway out of it or hope you forget. Picture this scenario in TJ Maxx.
Doing Resurrection Eggs with kids for Devotionals this week. Eggs were going everywhere, pieces of the Resurrection story being tossed around. Trying to read the Bible while LInley is screaming because she rather read a book in my lap than Caleb in my lap reading the Bible. Not how you would picture a quiet devotional time with the kiddos but hey, God uses everything right?
Happy Easter!!!
This week we have gone from snow showers to windy spring days. Those windy spring days brought about a day long power outage, which caused our refrigerator to surge, which ended up with losing tons of food but now a fridge that looks that we just got it out of Lowes because we had to throw everything out and clean it (Can we say run-on sentence here because that is what that whole episode felt like.) PIcture John using my heat gun for craft stuff at 9 o'clock one night and something burning in the freezer, which we found out later was the styrofoam but John completely fixed the fridge. This was Monday through Wednesday.
Then, we had the spring days where I looked outside on the trampoline and what do I find? Two boys, stripped down to their underwear with ivy-like grass hanging out of it. Oh yes, this was so cool that they walked in the house and I sent them straight to the bathtub which had a brown color to it when I got them out of there.
Monday Ethan turns 6. We are having a bday party at Yayas Island tomorrow with mostly all of our family. Therefore, all of us sisters got together today for Easter fun. Betsy, Matt, Katie Beth, Annalee, Mom and Dad all came over today to visit before Easter fun tonight. John took all the kids outside. He put them to work, they were able to collect all of the sticks in the front yard and start their own bonfire. Then, it's time to head to Mom and Dad's house. Everyone is ready to go but where is Caleb? In the garden. With no shoes on. Did I mention it rained today? Throw the boy in the tub and we're off again. We had 6 kids lined up in my Mom and Dad's house with a cup full of dye and eggs everywhere. Can you believe it but of course the only one who ended up with completely dyed hands was Caleb? Bless him. He had to have another bath.
Now, it's time for some real fun. Insert Harlem Shake:
http://harlem.shabz.co/l/8E331F30-11FC-47E3-9515-91A0372CA5CF.html
Yes, we talked our Mom and Dad into it. Yes, it was AWESOME.
Mom had chocolate stuffed into some of the Easter eggs. Now having 3 kids I do things with the third I find I NEVER would have done with Ethan or probably Caleb. Linley is like Hudini. The child finds ways to open things. And she has good priorities. All this Easter candy means chocolate. This afternoon she would not pick up any Easter Eggs because she found two chocolate Hershey eggs, one in each hand. Therefore, she would not pick anything else up because she had to have her chocolate. Everytime I turn around that girl had chocolate in her mouth or in her hand, or going through Ethan's basket. (Yes, she knows who to mooch off of, Caleb would knock her down but Ethan won't do a thing to her). Try to take a piece of chocolate away from that girl and let me tell you: The wrath of Linley is coming.
Got everyone in bed tonight, time for my shower. I now notice that there is mud all over the white shower curtain. I'm in the shower and it's like I'm at the beach. I am standing on pieces of mud and dirt. Yes, I had to take leaves off of the drain in the tub so water would go down. Multitasking and almost used germ-x instead of lotion. John asked me how that was going to turn out.
Observations of the week:
Caleb, when mad, yells "Booty Buttcheek!!" at you in his meanest voice.
Linley, when Caleb is taking my lap or John's lap away from her, she hits him, on the head. He, of course, hits her back. I think Caleb has met his match.
Ethan teaches Linley how to play things, like trains and whatever else he can think of. His goal is to make her laugh. She has him wrapped.
Ethan, when threatened with a spanking, prefers to be honest about it and get spanking done immediately. Caleb prefers to put it off so he can hopefully talk his wway out of it or hope you forget. Picture this scenario in TJ Maxx.
Doing Resurrection Eggs with kids for Devotionals this week. Eggs were going everywhere, pieces of the Resurrection story being tossed around. Trying to read the Bible while LInley is screaming because she rather read a book in my lap than Caleb in my lap reading the Bible. Not how you would picture a quiet devotional time with the kiddos but hey, God uses everything right?
Happy Easter!!!
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Our new normal
Well, life around here is taking on a new normal. Linley is now almost 15 months and into her independence. Caleb is still three, which if anyone has a three year old boy you can empathize with me here, and Ethan is closing in on six. Holy moly, he's turning six next week. Rant: I have a six year old. You know how you put people in categories? I.E." Oh look, they have a new born, sweet young family. I.E." Oh, they have a three year old and another kid, they're getting seasoned." I.E." Oh, they have a six year old, and two other kids, they're getting on up there." Yep, that's us. Getting on up there. I'm now in "that box." End rant.
The past two weeks at our house have been um, shall we say "Stressful" for mom?
Linley is getting more and more independent yet is also turning more and more towards a Momma's girl. I love seeing her light up when she sees me. She waves and run towards me. OR, she's playing happily then sees me and immediately starts crying and whining so I will pick her up. Um, hello, you were fine just three seconds ago and nothing has changed here. Linley is very accustomed to hearing the word No. Does that mean she likes it? Absolutely not. But she hears it alot. Today, at the Easter Egg hunt there was a table of food set out. She is running towards it trying to grab stuff and of course I'm saying, No Linley. After about five of those run-ins she gets over there and I'm not watching. Her aunt sees her and this is what happens: Linley gets to the table. Attempts to grab something off the table. She turns and looks at me. I'm not looking at her. She thinks for a couple seconds, gives a look, puts her hand down, moves on. Apparently, if I'm not telling her No about it it's not worth trying to get it. Another example. I was at a friend's house getting my hair cut. Linley comes to the door crying. We stop and talk to her and then dismiss it. She's just whining so we continue with the hair cut. All of a sudden we stop and look at her because she quit whining. She then realizes that we are paying attention to her so she immediately starts a fake cry. Seriously?
Caleb is still into this three business. Meltdown. All day long. Yesterday was Bible Study day at church. It's time to go. Oh but wait, the top button to his shirt is not buttoned. Mom, you have to come to MY room and button it. Oh no no no. Please must be used here. Button now in place. Uh oh. My hands were just washed so now he is wet. He then ensues to call me "Booty Buttcheek!!!!" Mama don't play that. Ask Caleb who his new roommate will be if he does that again. It doesn't walk around on two legs nor does it have a bedroom in this house.
Last night we had some of our good friends over. We're sitting at the dining room table while the boys and girls are playing. All of a sudden Ethan appears at the table,smelling like baby powder. Tattling ensues, Caleb has poured baby powder all over the room. I pass this one over to John, I'm done for the time being. Then Linley appears in the room. What's in her hair? What's all over clothes? What's that strong smell? Yes, Caleb decorated Linley with baby powder as well. I then hear the vaccuum cleaner going. I never went and checked how it looked but when I dusted today, yes please write that one down, that I dusted baby powder off of the front and sides of the dresser.
So the new norm, Ethan babying Linley, Caleb still being three, Linley being independent. It's never calm here and I wouldn't have it any other way, except maybe nap time. Yeah, I could handle a calm house during nap time.
The past two weeks at our house have been um, shall we say "Stressful" for mom?
Linley is getting more and more independent yet is also turning more and more towards a Momma's girl. I love seeing her light up when she sees me. She waves and run towards me. OR, she's playing happily then sees me and immediately starts crying and whining so I will pick her up. Um, hello, you were fine just three seconds ago and nothing has changed here. Linley is very accustomed to hearing the word No. Does that mean she likes it? Absolutely not. But she hears it alot. Today, at the Easter Egg hunt there was a table of food set out. She is running towards it trying to grab stuff and of course I'm saying, No Linley. After about five of those run-ins she gets over there and I'm not watching. Her aunt sees her and this is what happens: Linley gets to the table. Attempts to grab something off the table. She turns and looks at me. I'm not looking at her. She thinks for a couple seconds, gives a look, puts her hand down, moves on. Apparently, if I'm not telling her No about it it's not worth trying to get it. Another example. I was at a friend's house getting my hair cut. Linley comes to the door crying. We stop and talk to her and then dismiss it. She's just whining so we continue with the hair cut. All of a sudden we stop and look at her because she quit whining. She then realizes that we are paying attention to her so she immediately starts a fake cry. Seriously?
Caleb is still into this three business. Meltdown. All day long. Yesterday was Bible Study day at church. It's time to go. Oh but wait, the top button to his shirt is not buttoned. Mom, you have to come to MY room and button it. Oh no no no. Please must be used here. Button now in place. Uh oh. My hands were just washed so now he is wet. He then ensues to call me "Booty Buttcheek!!!!" Mama don't play that. Ask Caleb who his new roommate will be if he does that again. It doesn't walk around on two legs nor does it have a bedroom in this house.
Last night we had some of our good friends over. We're sitting at the dining room table while the boys and girls are playing. All of a sudden Ethan appears at the table,smelling like baby powder. Tattling ensues, Caleb has poured baby powder all over the room. I pass this one over to John, I'm done for the time being. Then Linley appears in the room. What's in her hair? What's all over clothes? What's that strong smell? Yes, Caleb decorated Linley with baby powder as well. I then hear the vaccuum cleaner going. I never went and checked how it looked but when I dusted today, yes please write that one down, that I dusted baby powder off of the front and sides of the dresser.
So the new norm, Ethan babying Linley, Caleb still being three, Linley being independent. It's never calm here and I wouldn't have it any other way, except maybe nap time. Yeah, I could handle a calm house during nap time.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
A mess is a mess.
Okay. So I know it's been a long time, but here are a few snapshots of what's been going on lately:
Caleb pooped in the potty...Once. Long story short, John was at a deacons meeting, Caleb decided he wanted a new toy, Ethan persuaded him, and after about 30 minutes of screaming and whining and sitting on the little potty IN THE LIVING ROOM, he woke Linley up due to the fit, I went and dealt with her and that is when he did it. Needless to say, John took both boys to Wal-Mart at 8:30 that night for a poop-toy. It is now hidden since Caleb only pooped in the potty that one time.
Linley is a messer, much like me. The boys weren't like this. I'm cooking dinner and she usually is only a few feet away from me. I'm cooking chili. I turn around and what is she doing? Slinging around in her hands the dirty meat wrapper that had the ground beef in it. Yes, I screamed, she cried, and we sanitized.
The boys have decided that Linley is so much fun. For instance: she gets on her pink motorcycle and they can push her around on the hardwood. She flies everywhere. The corners are what make it so cool. She slides all over the place like Lightening McQueen. She loves it, they love it, until one push too hard and off she goes. I did get a videotape of this but I was about 30 seconds shy of an AFV award.
Today was a messy day. I now know how to make polka dotted sheets. It's easy...wash bed linens, preferrably white ones, with a blue marker hidden inside the boys sheets. Then dry. Poof, out of the dryer comes polka dotted/tie-dyed sheets. Not to mention a blue dryer. Did I mention that the reason for my washing our sheets was the fact that Caleb dumped his milk on them?
Made Mrs. Jeanne's bday cake tonight. Ethan is my big helper. Halfway through and I go to put in the oil. Oh wait, I'm about 1 1/4 cups shy. So he and I jet down to Save-A-Lot. We get back, wash our hands, and get back to it. Adding the oil when something falls off the cabinet. I finish pouring the cup of oil when I look to see what fell: brand new container of oil that we just measured out of, spilling all over the kitchen floor. Let me tell you, trying to clean up vegetable oil is no easy task. It just smears everywhere and then you just have to mop anyway. But it did the trick.
Caleb pooped in the potty...Once. Long story short, John was at a deacons meeting, Caleb decided he wanted a new toy, Ethan persuaded him, and after about 30 minutes of screaming and whining and sitting on the little potty IN THE LIVING ROOM, he woke Linley up due to the fit, I went and dealt with her and that is when he did it. Needless to say, John took both boys to Wal-Mart at 8:30 that night for a poop-toy. It is now hidden since Caleb only pooped in the potty that one time.
Linley is a messer, much like me. The boys weren't like this. I'm cooking dinner and she usually is only a few feet away from me. I'm cooking chili. I turn around and what is she doing? Slinging around in her hands the dirty meat wrapper that had the ground beef in it. Yes, I screamed, she cried, and we sanitized.
The boys have decided that Linley is so much fun. For instance: she gets on her pink motorcycle and they can push her around on the hardwood. She flies everywhere. The corners are what make it so cool. She slides all over the place like Lightening McQueen. She loves it, they love it, until one push too hard and off she goes. I did get a videotape of this but I was about 30 seconds shy of an AFV award.
Today was a messy day. I now know how to make polka dotted sheets. It's easy...wash bed linens, preferrably white ones, with a blue marker hidden inside the boys sheets. Then dry. Poof, out of the dryer comes polka dotted/tie-dyed sheets. Not to mention a blue dryer. Did I mention that the reason for my washing our sheets was the fact that Caleb dumped his milk on them?
Made Mrs. Jeanne's bday cake tonight. Ethan is my big helper. Halfway through and I go to put in the oil. Oh wait, I'm about 1 1/4 cups shy. So he and I jet down to Save-A-Lot. We get back, wash our hands, and get back to it. Adding the oil when something falls off the cabinet. I finish pouring the cup of oil when I look to see what fell: brand new container of oil that we just measured out of, spilling all over the kitchen floor. Let me tell you, trying to clean up vegetable oil is no easy task. It just smears everywhere and then you just have to mop anyway. But it did the trick.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Are you ready for some Basketballllllll Actioonnnnnnnn???!!!
It is now time for the first time in our household for Upward Basketball. You know, we are from KY. We went to UK. If there is any sport out there that we know about it is basketball. We have two different basketball goals set up in the boys' room. We have games all the time. So, we would naturally think that Ethan will enjoy basketball. Well, we have had practice three times so far; yesterday we had scrimmage. Please, let the laughter begin.
The past three practices the kids have been introduced to dribbling, passing, shooting, etc. The coach asks the question: "Who dribbles with their right hand?" Ethan raises his hand. " Who dribbles with their left hand?" Ethan raises his hand. Then Ethan starts: "I actually dribble with both hands..." May I mention here-we play on carpet, not much dribbling period. But hey, whatever he thinks.
The kids have been learning defense and offense as well as man-to-man. Ethan's "man" is a tiny sweet little girl who doesn't even go up to his chin. They are supposed to stay with each other and guard each other. During the scrimmage I see Ethan and this little girl talking, standing still with the little girl's hands up in defense mode, actually Ethan telling this girl what he thinks: you need to scoot back, you need to leave me alone. Needless to say, Ethan doesn't appreciate the defense that this little girl is giving him.
Now, we hear the coach tell them, "Get open, get open!!" Ethan does just that, he runs in circles with this little girl chasing him, ending up on the opposite side of the court-completely OBLIVIOUS to the fact that there is a ball that is being thown around them and he is needing to catch it and shoot.
Ethan is a great encourager though. He ends up with the ball, yes miracle in itself, and instead of shooting he throws it to a little girl on his team that is basically the Michael Jordan of the team. He tells her, "Shoot McCall!!! Way to go!!!!" Um, shall we say nonselfish player? I mean, we don't have a ball-hog on our hands, but we have had to talk about being a little bit more aggressive on the court. At one point the ball was almost in between Ethan's legs and he never even looked down to grab it. He told me he never saw it. I don't think we have an Anthony Davis on our hands here, but who knows.
Tomorrow is Linley's first bday party along with the first bball game. Today we had to decorate at the church so we head there for most of the afternoon. It didn't go as planned. I thought, "Hey, I'll let the kids take their scooters, run around, get tired, and we'll be ready to go." Well, that worked, for about 15 minutes. But, Linley Claire had a different plan. She would crawl around crying at the top of her lungs. How can I hang up anything while holding a baby? So, snack time. They are like wolves, they smell it and they all come. So now, everyone is having snack. Then, Caleb thinks Linley needs more goldfish, and then Linley thinks Caleb is so funny that she is going to smash her goldfish and toss them about. Now, everyone has to clean up. So Ethan grabs a broom, Caleb a mop, and Linley stays in her chair laughing being entertained. Ugh. After almost two hours of hanging up and moving stuff around it's finally time to go home. Caleb and Ethan are of course thirsty so they head to the kitchen. Linley is drawn to the church kitchen, I don't know what it is, but if that door is open and she is crawling she is in there. Well, she and Caleb were in there...together...and Caleb found a water bottle. I run in to get Linley and there is Caleb and Linley, Linley mouth open, Caleb squirting water in it. WHAT!!!!!! No telling how long that water bottle had been in that kitchen. So, being the paranoid Mom, I squirted some in my mouth to make sure it was water and it wasn't poisonous. Can we please go home now? Oh, mention here that halfway through the decorating Caleb has an accident and he ends up with no underwear on, surprise surprise I know.
Tonight after supper Ethan and Caleb are playing forts. Ethan makes rules up:1. Caleb, you have to wear a shirt to come in the fort. Caleb goes to put on shirt. 2. Caleb, your underwear must not be on backwards to come in (Caleb likes his underwear on backwards, yes strange). My reply, Ethan, you don't have to worry about backwards underwear, he's not even wearing any.
Tomorrow shall be an entertaining day with the first ball game and first birthday party for Linley.
The past three practices the kids have been introduced to dribbling, passing, shooting, etc. The coach asks the question: "Who dribbles with their right hand?" Ethan raises his hand. " Who dribbles with their left hand?" Ethan raises his hand. Then Ethan starts: "I actually dribble with both hands..." May I mention here-we play on carpet, not much dribbling period. But hey, whatever he thinks.
The kids have been learning defense and offense as well as man-to-man. Ethan's "man" is a tiny sweet little girl who doesn't even go up to his chin. They are supposed to stay with each other and guard each other. During the scrimmage I see Ethan and this little girl talking, standing still with the little girl's hands up in defense mode, actually Ethan telling this girl what he thinks: you need to scoot back, you need to leave me alone. Needless to say, Ethan doesn't appreciate the defense that this little girl is giving him.
Now, we hear the coach tell them, "Get open, get open!!" Ethan does just that, he runs in circles with this little girl chasing him, ending up on the opposite side of the court-completely OBLIVIOUS to the fact that there is a ball that is being thown around them and he is needing to catch it and shoot.
Ethan is a great encourager though. He ends up with the ball, yes miracle in itself, and instead of shooting he throws it to a little girl on his team that is basically the Michael Jordan of the team. He tells her, "Shoot McCall!!! Way to go!!!!" Um, shall we say nonselfish player? I mean, we don't have a ball-hog on our hands, but we have had to talk about being a little bit more aggressive on the court. At one point the ball was almost in between Ethan's legs and he never even looked down to grab it. He told me he never saw it. I don't think we have an Anthony Davis on our hands here, but who knows.
Tomorrow is Linley's first bday party along with the first bball game. Today we had to decorate at the church so we head there for most of the afternoon. It didn't go as planned. I thought, "Hey, I'll let the kids take their scooters, run around, get tired, and we'll be ready to go." Well, that worked, for about 15 minutes. But, Linley Claire had a different plan. She would crawl around crying at the top of her lungs. How can I hang up anything while holding a baby? So, snack time. They are like wolves, they smell it and they all come. So now, everyone is having snack. Then, Caleb thinks Linley needs more goldfish, and then Linley thinks Caleb is so funny that she is going to smash her goldfish and toss them about. Now, everyone has to clean up. So Ethan grabs a broom, Caleb a mop, and Linley stays in her chair laughing being entertained. Ugh. After almost two hours of hanging up and moving stuff around it's finally time to go home. Caleb and Ethan are of course thirsty so they head to the kitchen. Linley is drawn to the church kitchen, I don't know what it is, but if that door is open and she is crawling she is in there. Well, she and Caleb were in there...together...and Caleb found a water bottle. I run in to get Linley and there is Caleb and Linley, Linley mouth open, Caleb squirting water in it. WHAT!!!!!! No telling how long that water bottle had been in that kitchen. So, being the paranoid Mom, I squirted some in my mouth to make sure it was water and it wasn't poisonous. Can we please go home now? Oh, mention here that halfway through the decorating Caleb has an accident and he ends up with no underwear on, surprise surprise I know.
Tonight after supper Ethan and Caleb are playing forts. Ethan makes rules up:1. Caleb, you have to wear a shirt to come in the fort. Caleb goes to put on shirt. 2. Caleb, your underwear must not be on backwards to come in (Caleb likes his underwear on backwards, yes strange). My reply, Ethan, you don't have to worry about backwards underwear, he's not even wearing any.
Tomorrow shall be an entertaining day with the first ball game and first birthday party for Linley.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
One for the books
Today has been one of those days. You know, one of those days where a Love it size from Coldstone doesn't even hold a candle? Yeah, I need about a gallon.
My friend and I went for a run this morning. We are both running in a race this coming weekend called the Santa Hustle. Therefore, a group of us girls going decided to dress up so we bought red tutus. If you are a runner you know that doing anything out of the ordinary during a run could change everything. So, to prepare I decided to run in my tutu this morning. At 6:15 A.M., down a country road, with it lit up (Did I mention it is a lighted red tutu?), we took our morning run in the dark with our red tutus on. I'm sure the kids on the school bus that passed us at 6:40 got a real kick out of it.
Kind of stressful morning and I didn't get started off with my quiet time...I had to stop mid-morning if we were going to survive the day. I had to shower, with all three kids awake. During that time, I had a basketball goal knocked over, one boy who had to poop (in the same bathroom as me), a baby girl crying and finding her way in between the shower curtain and plastic covering that she had a wet head once it was all said and done. I actually found myself saying, "Hurry!! Shut the toilet lid!!!! Linley, NO!! Do not put your hand in the toilet!" If you know Linley you know that she has stubborn streak about her. She doesn't really like the word No. Meltdown by the baby because I told her no. I made a new rule today, I will NOT hold anyone in the shower. No, I will not do it.
After a couple of arguments my referee hat is on. Not literally, but that is something to think about. Anyway, a compromise is made and one cave- that was built in the boys room using the knocked over basketball goal- is now moved to the living room. Pretty cool idea right? I thought so. Until, Caleb, we shall call him the Starving Artist, decides he wants to color in his new cave. No problem, "Caleb, color only on your paper. DO NOT color on any of the furniture. Do you understand me?" Of course, Mom, who would think of doing that? May, I say that 30 seconds, literally, after those words came out of my mouth what do I find? Caleb, making a very colorful picture on the ottoman...with markers. The kid can color. What can I say? I mean, really, he's a starving artist. Next move, my head did not fly off. Yes,I'm surprised as well. So, in order to appease the starving artist I take away the markers and tape two sheets of paper to the side of the ottoman (which is covered in blankets for the cave effect) and let the boy finish his drawing. John gets to see the drawing when he gets home and if he wants to get it off, go for it.
We did school today. I have to say, of the most memorable things I taught my children today, school will not be it. Why? Argument number gagillion, both boys sent to timeout in same room, til they can get along or I come get them, Linley follows. Then, I hear laughter and crying. I walk in to find something that still amazes me. Linley, sitting in the floor, surrounded by clothes, and Ethan and Caleb pulling ALL of the clothes out of their dresser and throwing them on LC. Are you kidding me? ( I say that alot) At this point I'm pretty sure steam was coming out of my ears. Line em up, spank em out. No one really cried after that. I'm pretty sure it was their guilty consciences. Then, I told them that I was going to walk out to the mail and when I got back every piece of their clothes would be back in their dresser. It sounded good at the time but that doesn't fly, I mean, they couldn't even shut the dresser drawers when I got back. So, the lesson learned today was folding clothes. We layed out several shirts and I taught each of them how to fold shirts. So they were able to practice. A lot, and a lot more. At one point Ethan asked me if he was going to fold forever. No, just today. Now, since they know how to fold shirts, among other things, they will be helping me with the laundry, in just a few minutes.
It's just now 3 in the afternoon, our day isn't over. I love these boys. Yes, I did laugh after all of this.
My friend and I went for a run this morning. We are both running in a race this coming weekend called the Santa Hustle. Therefore, a group of us girls going decided to dress up so we bought red tutus. If you are a runner you know that doing anything out of the ordinary during a run could change everything. So, to prepare I decided to run in my tutu this morning. At 6:15 A.M., down a country road, with it lit up (Did I mention it is a lighted red tutu?), we took our morning run in the dark with our red tutus on. I'm sure the kids on the school bus that passed us at 6:40 got a real kick out of it.
Kind of stressful morning and I didn't get started off with my quiet time...I had to stop mid-morning if we were going to survive the day. I had to shower, with all three kids awake. During that time, I had a basketball goal knocked over, one boy who had to poop (in the same bathroom as me), a baby girl crying and finding her way in between the shower curtain and plastic covering that she had a wet head once it was all said and done. I actually found myself saying, "Hurry!! Shut the toilet lid!!!! Linley, NO!! Do not put your hand in the toilet!" If you know Linley you know that she has stubborn streak about her. She doesn't really like the word No. Meltdown by the baby because I told her no. I made a new rule today, I will NOT hold anyone in the shower. No, I will not do it.
After a couple of arguments my referee hat is on. Not literally, but that is something to think about. Anyway, a compromise is made and one cave- that was built in the boys room using the knocked over basketball goal- is now moved to the living room. Pretty cool idea right? I thought so. Until, Caleb, we shall call him the Starving Artist, decides he wants to color in his new cave. No problem, "Caleb, color only on your paper. DO NOT color on any of the furniture. Do you understand me?" Of course, Mom, who would think of doing that? May, I say that 30 seconds, literally, after those words came out of my mouth what do I find? Caleb, making a very colorful picture on the ottoman...with markers. The kid can color. What can I say? I mean, really, he's a starving artist. Next move, my head did not fly off. Yes,I'm surprised as well. So, in order to appease the starving artist I take away the markers and tape two sheets of paper to the side of the ottoman (which is covered in blankets for the cave effect) and let the boy finish his drawing. John gets to see the drawing when he gets home and if he wants to get it off, go for it.
We did school today. I have to say, of the most memorable things I taught my children today, school will not be it. Why? Argument number gagillion, both boys sent to timeout in same room, til they can get along or I come get them, Linley follows. Then, I hear laughter and crying. I walk in to find something that still amazes me. Linley, sitting in the floor, surrounded by clothes, and Ethan and Caleb pulling ALL of the clothes out of their dresser and throwing them on LC. Are you kidding me? ( I say that alot) At this point I'm pretty sure steam was coming out of my ears. Line em up, spank em out. No one really cried after that. I'm pretty sure it was their guilty consciences. Then, I told them that I was going to walk out to the mail and when I got back every piece of their clothes would be back in their dresser. It sounded good at the time but that doesn't fly, I mean, they couldn't even shut the dresser drawers when I got back. So, the lesson learned today was folding clothes. We layed out several shirts and I taught each of them how to fold shirts. So they were able to practice. A lot, and a lot more. At one point Ethan asked me if he was going to fold forever. No, just today. Now, since they know how to fold shirts, among other things, they will be helping me with the laundry, in just a few minutes.
It's just now 3 in the afternoon, our day isn't over. I love these boys. Yes, I did laugh after all of this.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Me and Cows-We just don't GeeHaw.
Of course, this has poop. Now we mix in the animals that live outside of the house. For this blog, it needs to be noted that we have a year old jersey bull, a goat, and a new calf.
Me and Cows-we just don't geehaw. Don't get me wrong, cows are great animals. They provide milk, they provide meat, they are great lawnmowers. However, to choose one of God's favorite creatures for me would NOT be the cow. We slaughter a cow once a year. That provides us meat (and a way cheaper grocery bill) for an entire year. We are picking up dear old Spot on Friday from the slaughter house. We just got a new calf in-has to be fed a bottle twice a day. Oh, so cute, you may think. Yes, that's what I thought to. Until...
Yesterday morning, 6:45 A.M.-fill up the bottle with scalding water and head outside. 27.1 degrees F. Yes, it is cold. Just got done with a blessed run (and that it really was). I make the bottle and head down to the barn. I go into the barn and see that lovely calf anxiously awaiting my arrival. Breakfast. I open the door and am almost plowed down by a 100lb St. Bernard sized calf. Apparently, I'm not fast enough to get the bottle in the holder. He gets behind me and litterally headbutts my rear end with his slobery cold nose. Are you kidding me? Now cow, let me tell you a few things-1. Don't bite (or head butt) the hand(rear end) that feeds you.
2. Do you know what time it is or the temperature? You should be thankful I'm out here in this freezing weather with a hot bottle to feed you.
For some reason I don't think the calf would appreciate my lecture.
This morning, 7:30 A.M. I head outside to feed the calf again. I go into the field and who meets me but the bull and the goat. Okay, so this bull does has horns. And apparently he wants more than just grass for his breakfast. I, quite hurriedly, get into the barn to feed the baby calf. I'm holding the bottle feeding the terrible mannered calf when behind me comes the bull INTO the barn stall with me. This is not my idea of good. Got the calf fed and much to his dismay there in none left. So I head out of his stall and he is trying to headbutt me some more because apparently he wanted more. And then I face the bull. But wait, I can't get out of the barn. The bull is on the other side, horns on the door. He really wants something besides grass. I finally get out of that side of the barn by bribing him with an empty calf bottle. Not a good move on my part, now he wants this bottle. So I run into the other side of the barn where the straw is. I can't even shut the door because the bull is behind me trying to eat the bottle!! So, I finally get in the other side of the barn with bulls head stuck in the door and I can't get it shut. Ugh. He pulls out and there I am stranded, in the barn, a bull on the outside, me and straw on the inside.
What in the world am I going to do? I'm stuck IN A BARN. And who is here to get me out? Ethan and Caleb who are still in the house watching Cat in the Hat. They will get hungry so they would come out to get me. Distraction. -Yes, this is how a woman's brain works.
So, I grab some straw, toss it as far away from the entrance as possible and make a break for it. That sufficed.
Now, this afternoon I get to do this again. Me vs the cows. So, I have to say, my kids have taught me many things. For one, I must laugh or I will scream. Two, prayer is vital. Three, if you want to scare a cow run up to it and scream at the top of your lungs. So, I tried that on the way to the barn. I'm walking briskly to the barn hoping the bull will fail to notice me. No such luck. I turn around, he stops, and I scream at the top of my lungs walking towards the bull. He must have thought I was crazy. I get the baby calf fed and run in a few circles with him as I grab my so-called "weapon" to make it back to the yard. Yeah, I bet I looked tough, in my fleece heart pajama pants, pink ear warmers, calf bottle, and 7 foot tall stick that has calf poop on it. I head outside. Yep, I'm definitely intimidating. Just call me Tori the Intimidator. That bull looked at me and ate his scrap of straw left over from this morning. Ha, I won this one.
Did I mention tonight is AWANA pajama night? The boys and I are all dressed up in our pj's heading to church. I had to change my pj's from the cow trip because that calf made me stink, or so I thought. I get in the house and man, all I smell is poop. Cow poop. Then, I hear Caleb, Mom I pooped. Cow poop. Kid poop. I'm surrounded by poop.
Pj's changed, kids loaded, and doggone it if I don't smell that cow poop again in the van. What in the world? That's when I scream aloud in the van, MY SHOES!!! Yes, my kids probably think I should be in a looney bin somewhere. Then, an explanation to them why I screamed my shoes. Must have made a real impression on Ethan, he told all kinds of people at AWANA tonight why I wasn't wearing my shoes, they smell like cow poop.
So, tonight, off to bed. In the morning: run, and meet my nemesis again.
Me and Cows-we just don't geehaw. Don't get me wrong, cows are great animals. They provide milk, they provide meat, they are great lawnmowers. However, to choose one of God's favorite creatures for me would NOT be the cow. We slaughter a cow once a year. That provides us meat (and a way cheaper grocery bill) for an entire year. We are picking up dear old Spot on Friday from the slaughter house. We just got a new calf in-has to be fed a bottle twice a day. Oh, so cute, you may think. Yes, that's what I thought to. Until...
Yesterday morning, 6:45 A.M.-fill up the bottle with scalding water and head outside. 27.1 degrees F. Yes, it is cold. Just got done with a blessed run (and that it really was). I make the bottle and head down to the barn. I go into the barn and see that lovely calf anxiously awaiting my arrival. Breakfast. I open the door and am almost plowed down by a 100lb St. Bernard sized calf. Apparently, I'm not fast enough to get the bottle in the holder. He gets behind me and litterally headbutts my rear end with his slobery cold nose. Are you kidding me? Now cow, let me tell you a few things-1. Don't bite (or head butt) the hand(rear end) that feeds you.
2. Do you know what time it is or the temperature? You should be thankful I'm out here in this freezing weather with a hot bottle to feed you.
For some reason I don't think the calf would appreciate my lecture.
This morning, 7:30 A.M. I head outside to feed the calf again. I go into the field and who meets me but the bull and the goat. Okay, so this bull does has horns. And apparently he wants more than just grass for his breakfast. I, quite hurriedly, get into the barn to feed the baby calf. I'm holding the bottle feeding the terrible mannered calf when behind me comes the bull INTO the barn stall with me. This is not my idea of good. Got the calf fed and much to his dismay there in none left. So I head out of his stall and he is trying to headbutt me some more because apparently he wanted more. And then I face the bull. But wait, I can't get out of the barn. The bull is on the other side, horns on the door. He really wants something besides grass. I finally get out of that side of the barn by bribing him with an empty calf bottle. Not a good move on my part, now he wants this bottle. So I run into the other side of the barn where the straw is. I can't even shut the door because the bull is behind me trying to eat the bottle!! So, I finally get in the other side of the barn with bulls head stuck in the door and I can't get it shut. Ugh. He pulls out and there I am stranded, in the barn, a bull on the outside, me and straw on the inside.
What in the world am I going to do? I'm stuck IN A BARN. And who is here to get me out? Ethan and Caleb who are still in the house watching Cat in the Hat. They will get hungry so they would come out to get me. Distraction. -Yes, this is how a woman's brain works.
So, I grab some straw, toss it as far away from the entrance as possible and make a break for it. That sufficed.
Now, this afternoon I get to do this again. Me vs the cows. So, I have to say, my kids have taught me many things. For one, I must laugh or I will scream. Two, prayer is vital. Three, if you want to scare a cow run up to it and scream at the top of your lungs. So, I tried that on the way to the barn. I'm walking briskly to the barn hoping the bull will fail to notice me. No such luck. I turn around, he stops, and I scream at the top of my lungs walking towards the bull. He must have thought I was crazy. I get the baby calf fed and run in a few circles with him as I grab my so-called "weapon" to make it back to the yard. Yeah, I bet I looked tough, in my fleece heart pajama pants, pink ear warmers, calf bottle, and 7 foot tall stick that has calf poop on it. I head outside. Yep, I'm definitely intimidating. Just call me Tori the Intimidator. That bull looked at me and ate his scrap of straw left over from this morning. Ha, I won this one.
Did I mention tonight is AWANA pajama night? The boys and I are all dressed up in our pj's heading to church. I had to change my pj's from the cow trip because that calf made me stink, or so I thought. I get in the house and man, all I smell is poop. Cow poop. Then, I hear Caleb, Mom I pooped. Cow poop. Kid poop. I'm surrounded by poop.
Pj's changed, kids loaded, and doggone it if I don't smell that cow poop again in the van. What in the world? That's when I scream aloud in the van, MY SHOES!!! Yes, my kids probably think I should be in a looney bin somewhere. Then, an explanation to them why I screamed my shoes. Must have made a real impression on Ethan, he told all kinds of people at AWANA tonight why I wasn't wearing my shoes, they smell like cow poop.
So, tonight, off to bed. In the morning: run, and meet my nemesis again.
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