Pardon me while I go snooze into my coffee

Wow.  Yesterday was nuts.  Andy said he had a good birthday though, so I’m just going to roll with that.

He took Drew to his check-up and then they went out for ice cream.  The girls and I ran a ton of errands, including birthday cake (Publix – ’cause I’m lazy) and picked up a couple of presents.  We brought home a pizza for lunch and threw wrapping paper on everything so he could open his gifts before the kids had time to blurt out what he was getting.  (Happen to you, too?)

We’re also starting a big attic project – putting down more flooring to greatly increase the storage space up there.  He spent the afternoon emptying out my van (into the yard, it was attractive) and going Home Depot/Lowe’s.  (Every man’s dream birthday, right? ha!)  He took the kids to church in his car since mine was full of wood.  And I had a wonderful, QUIET hour and a half to get things done here while I was ALONE.

[Sidenote: we tried to go out to dinner for a birthday/anniversary combo but couldn't find any childcare.  So hopefully we'll be able to do that next week and we went with Plan B.  (Which clearly involved a lot of wood.)]

Once the kids were bathed and in bed, we hauled it all in and Andy carried each sheet up to the attic.  That’s how I found myself vacuuming out my van at 11 o’clock at night.  FUN TIMES.  But hey, all the wood is up there ready to be nailed down, and my van is super clean.  So I guess that’s a win-win.

We didn’t get everything cleaned up and ready for today until about 1 am.  So, needless to say, this morning was um, difficult.  Madeline’s last day of preschool – Carnival Day!

Please don’t dump your doll (er, sister) on the floor

We had a really busy weekend with lots of various friends in town, a casual wedding, Mother’s Day, and just general living. Kids were invited to the wedding and were all lined up at the cake table, awaiting their plates, and Drew piped up with “is it your birthday?!” Sweet times.

Yesterday I mostly took off except for accompanying Andy to get his new license plate (which took waaaaay longer than expected since we had to wait so long for the dealer to show up). We were out of bread so lunch was interesting and we had pancakes for dinner. (Therefore today is sure to be better!) We all took naps (I took two) and sat around with the coloring books and other non-tiring activities. I almost pulled out the play-doh but realized in time I wouldn’t be up for cleaning up that mess and kept my mouth shut.

This is Madeline’s last week of school. I honestly am amazed at how fast this year has gone. She’s getting to be such a big girl, writing all her letters and her long name and becoming quite the babysitter.

That one was from Sunday. Here’s from yesterday:

So funny, I know.

(And PS: today’s our 8th anniversary!)

May 6

This morning Andy and I took the little girls to their well checks and then to Panera for a treat. (And lunch.) Adelaide chose a pumpkin muffin. I’m pretty sure it was the powdered sugar on top.

When Drew got home we played in the front yard.

With a plastic hammer.

And a stick.

Being silly.

And singing.

Rode her tricycle.

And ate chocolate chips out of a cup with a spoon.

The end.

A bumpy day

So today my girls and I attended half of our church’s Ladies Tea. It was one of those times where it just struck me sitting there that this isn’t worth it and we got up and left. Maybe next year, when they are older and I’m not stretched quite so thin; not as many little girls needing things or a nursing baby.

Plus, I had been holding Arianna while trying to manage with the chicken salad, and a mayonnaisey piece fell down the front of my shirt.  (Sorry…just had to share.)  Funny, except when you’re over-tired and already a wee bit stressed.

I also forgot my camera.  These were taken at home after we had relaxed some and she had been fed.

Back to life, back to reality

I took my mom to the airport today (snuffle).  I didn’t mention, however, that she got a $300 voucher for giving up her seat on the way here.  (More trips to come!)

Last night I went out with a few friends for my birthday.  Nothing like stretching a birthday out for a week!  I had a great time and I hope they all did, too.  Forgot to take photos though, unfortunately.

The house we stayed in at the beach had three bedrooms, and my middle girls slept in the one with the double bed.  My end goal has always been to get them to sleep in the big bed here together so that I could move the baby into Adelaide’s crib.  Since M and A were now used to sleeping together from our week at the beach, I decided there was no better time to just do the transition immediately when we got back.

Adelaide tends to sleep sideways.  But overall, it’s going fine.  Most importantly, the baby has done FABULOUSLY.  Slept both nights, ALL NIGHT, which is a first for her, with no crying (thank you, paci).  I was pretty sure she’d sleep all night if I moved her out of my room (all my other babies did that), but I was nervous about doing that transition while also transitioning the other girls.  I was nervous they’d wake each other up and then wake the baby up.  (Also, our sound machines are coming in REALLY handy right about now.)

This morning I heard Arianna crying around 6 and I ran in and popped the paci back in, just to see what happened.  She immediately fell back asleep and slept till like 9.  You have NO IDEA how thrilling this is.  :)  (Well, maybe you do.)

Also while we were gone, I got my consignment sale check in the mail.  In case you were wondering if all my sweat, blood, and tears hard work had been worth it, the check was for $287.  So yeah, WORTH IT.

And, just for kicks:

(Trying out my new lens. Unfortunately the flash fired before I caught it and she moved a little out of focus. But her expression just makes me smile.)

Don’t you wonder what they’re thinking sometimes?

It’s red and snappy and they…are future Olympians

I hadn’t intended to ditch my blog for nearly a week — there just wasn’t anything blog-worthy going on! We were mostly house-bound after Andy’s car died a rather miserable death and he needed mine to get to work…

HOWEVER.

On Saturday we found a potential car, ran the history reports, called my sister to come stay with the kids, drove about 45 minutes away to see it, decided to buy it and then did, that afternoon. I had asked the Lord to make it easy if that was what we were supposed to do, and everything kept falling smoothly into place. So that’s that, I have wheels again.

The again-found freedom must have gone to my head, however, because I took all four kids to two different Targets today, on the hunt for various sizes. (Please tell me mine aren’t the only kids who like to “hide” behind the stroller and pack n’ play boxes.)

As we were leaving the second store, I was paying for $1 popcorn for the ride home (SO THAT THEY WOULDN’T FALL ASLEEP) and heard the cashier say “get down!”

Turned around to find Drew standing on the counter above the bar-stools and Madeline walking on the half-wall above it that separates the food court, using it like a balance beam.

WHO ARE THESE CHILDREN AND WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?

(You can imagine how our conversation went on the way home…“We do not walk on the furniture, even in Target!!!”) In all the pulling-children-from-places-they-should-not-be, one of Adelaide’s “flick-flocks” got left. Some amazingly kind soul in the parking lot went and found it and brought it out to me.

Yes. I am that mother.

Bring on the comfort food

I think it completely ironic that I spent the majority of yesterday switching our long sleeves for short sleeves and getting dressers and closets ready for the summer, and then today is rainy and cool. FIGURES!

(Although, okay, it’s still 60 degrees out there and not, say, 40.)

Drew’s home today with a scratchy throat. No fever. I think it’s the pollen since yesterday our pollen count was, apparently, off the charts. (All the cars were green. Ha.)

Anyway, since Andy had to take Madeline anyway, he also picked up Drew’s school work to do here. And since it’s rainy anyway, it’s a perfect day to stay holed up at home in our pj’s. Or ‘bajamas,’ as Madeline calls them.

(That and we have no car.)

2sday

I was all set to have half my kids back at school today and then Andy called me from the preschool asking if I was SURE Madeline had school. Apparently he was the only car in the carpool lane. Doh! Turns out she goes back Thursday. So, I scrapped all my organizing plans and crawled back in bed. Spring break continues!

Max is shedding his winter coat (don’t EVEN get me started) so while I slept, Andy let the girls “help” him brush the dog out on the back deck. You know, to try to tame the monster.

Let’s just say that both of them had to change afterwards and I’m trying to figure out the best way to remove cakes of dog hair from clothing. (I’m thinking maybe Max should live outside for the time being.)

(But I do have to admit, Andy’s really good about vacuuming around the kennel. Credit where credit is due.)

This afternoon we hit up Wal-mart and the clearance Easter section. I let them each get a 50-cent(ish) toy and Adelaide chose this pull-string helicopter thing. I shot it off later to show her how it works and it flew all the way across our front yard (which is big) and across the ditch and street. I love it when cheap toys work amazingly well.

Oh, back up. We had taken Andy his lunch earlier, and as I was driving looked down to find a HUGE (HUGE, I TELL YOU) stink-bug- grasshopper (that’s the best way I can describe it; very scientific, I know) on my LEG.

I FREAKED.

Swerved immediately into a bank parking lot and JUMPED out of my van. The kids, well, I’m sure they were just a wee bit surprised at their mom slamming on the brakes and dancing around a random parking lot.

I finally found the blasted thing sitting on the back of my chair and swiped it out and away it flew. (So it did have wings!) I originally thought it was a wasp…I found one of those in my van last week. (And swerved then, too.)

Back to Walmart and cheap post-Easter toys… they worked like a charm keeping my kids well-behaved while I shopped. (Just sayin’!) After the groceries were unloaded, I hopped in the shower, fed the baby, and then we went to kids’ night at Chick-Fil-A.

And it’s a good thing I showered because we ran into not one but TWO families we know. And both my friends held Arianna while I dealt with other children. (It’s becoming a pattern.)

Thankfully, this time there was no poop.

[sniffle]

My mom left yesterday.

Sad to see her go, as always. We had a great time together and the kids looooooove when she’s here to play. It’s always nice to have an extra set of mom hands, too.

Now I have to step back into some very large laundry shoes.

Yesterday was so pretty but with a little touch of cold. My mom took the kids to the park before she left and I pretty much did nothing. Well, I took a nap. (It was completely necessary. I made the mistake of drinking coffee late Sunday afternoon and then tea with friends in the evening. Wide awake ’till 3 a.m. Not fun.)

And then we went to pick up the dry cleaning and got there 8 minutes too late. So we drove over to say hi to Andy at work and then grabbed supper on the way home. I spent the rest of the evening lazing on the couch with my kids and reading bedtime books half asleep.

I’m thinking this week might be a bit of an, um, adjustment period.

(Sorry in advance for the, um, most random post ever.)

I did pick up my leftovers from the consignment sale on Monday.  It’s hard to remember what all the clothes I had dropped off were, but the more I think about it, the more I remember items that must’ve sold, because they weren’t there to pick up.

The main things were a full-sized stroller and my maternity pillow… some pairs of shoes, all the kids’ old spring jackets/windbreakers, and various and sundry spring clothes.  Won’t know for sure until the check arrives.

(Interestingly enough, none of my high-end stuff sold.  Going to try ebay for those.)

I brought that bin of leftover stuff to a local consignment shop and she took some stuff out and paid me $25 cash.  Which I promptly spent at Walmart on groceries.  Glamorous, I know.  As Andy said, even if I don’t make a whole lot of money, our attic is cleaned out and that is priceless.  (According to him.  Ha.)

Continuing on my glamorous streak, I also took my van to get aligned and the tires balanced yesterday.  The shaking was getting so bad I almost thought a wheel was going to fall off.  (Which would be inconvenient.)  Best $35 I’ve spent all week month.

***

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOLLY!!!

***

My birthday is in about a month.  I’m turning 30.  We decided just this morning to take a family vacation to the beach in April.  Haven’t told the kids but they’ll think they’ve hit the big time.  (Which they have.)  So excited about it.  And wishing I had some control over the weather.  Ah, life.

***

Remember when they turned off our electricity because I forgot to pay the bill?  Yeah.  This morning I got a courtesy call from the electric company saying I had ’till 5:00 to pay it or they’d turn it off in the morning.  I think it’s about time I don’t let my kids get the mail anymore.  (I paid it.)

***

Well, I’m off for now; my mom is sending Andy and I off for a lunch date.  Didn’t have to twist MY arm!!

Dear Rain, we’ve had enough of you, thanks.

It rained all weekend but today is sunny. That makes me HAPPY. And my mom is here for the week and she’s currently vacuuming out my van. (The woman does not stop!) We’ve got some fun things planned and Adelaide’s birthday is on Friday.

In honor of the sunshine (fleeting though it might be), I’m going to post these photos from last Friday when we spent the entire day outside. (None from the picnic-lunch-park-date with friends though, sadly.)

I asked her what she was doing and she said “working.”

Don’t you jump with your ‘lankie???!  I love her flying hair.

Looking at ants.  (And freaking out just a little.)

I just realized looking at that picture, those are daffodil leaves.  Stinker.

The fact that it’s Spring is purely coincedental

Wednesday was not a great day. I pretty much spun my wheels, so to speak, up until we left the house for supper at church. After that I was good to go. (Maybe I should leave the house sooner, hm?)

But yesterday we finally got around to hauling several things up to the attic and while I was at it, I cleaned out some stuff. It created a LOT more space. (Yay!) Andy’s parents had brought us a twin mattress for the top bunk of the girls’ bed (to be used later on) and I needed to make room for it. Which got the attic project rolling. (Don’t you love how these things begin?)

Let me just say, it is SO NICE to clean a bunch of junk out of an attic. It was getting to the point where we’d have to crawl awkwardly around everything congregating at the top of the ladder, which is just not helpful when you can’t see around a huge, usually heavyish box.)

I also hauled a broken little white armoire down to the street to create more space in the hall nook. I’m finding myself craving more open space lately, probably because our house is tiny and full of people who like to spread their clutter.

So I think I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as the big house projects go.

Just in time for Spring!

Glad to be on this side

BAH.

I finally (FINALLY!) got all my stuff tagged and loaded in the car yesterday afternoon. Gretchen was a saint and let my kids be at her house while I dropped off my ball and chain stuff to the consignment sale.

I pulled up and the doors were locked and lights off. I may or may not have screamed a little in my head. Thankfully she was able to pull up the website and direct me to the new location. The sale is huge, y’all. Huge. (I BETTER MAKE SOME MONEY ON THIS STUPID STUFF OR I’LL BE MAD!)

We had supper with them (thank you thank you thank you) and then I crashed on Madeline’s bed when we got home. I think I dozed a few times while reading them their bedtime books. (If it’s possible to fall asleep while reading aloud.)

It gave me a little bit of a second wind and I somehow managed to clean the house up a bit after the kids were asleep. Andy’s folks drove here yesterday to help us finish up the kitchen. (Squee!) The old countertops are currently sitting outside in my front yard. Good riddance!

So, yeah. BIG WEEK.

But for now

Yesterday was the kind of day I’m pretty sure I could live in Spring forever. We spent three hours with friends at the park. The kids climbed trees and looked at picked flowers. (I put off tagging clothes for consignment and other house-ly chores.)

It’s supposed to rain again this week, but for now, it’s wonderful.

(And, as always, we enjoyed pudgy, pink-cheeked babies.)

Pajama Day

Yesterday. Our schools were closed so I canceled everything else and we stayed in pj’s all day. Adelaide had been sick the night before and I wanted to make sure she was truly well. It was a completely lazy day of Winnie the Pooh and scratch-made cookies. And naps.

Today I’m pulling out the stops and going through our attic. Drop off for a local children’s consignment sale starts tomorrow and I decided last minute to try to sell some stuff. They even take maternity. (Great way to make a few bucks.)

We eat supper at church on Wednesdays so I’m off that hook for tonight. Yippee!

March?!

Is it just me or did February slip by faster than usual?  (And Arianna’s four months today.  How did that happen?)

My dad was here last weekend, had two speaking engagements and squeezed in some family time, too.  I’m sure the highlight of his trip was the very distinct honor and privilege of taking Andy and me out to breakfast Saturday morning. ;)

(Note to self: next time be prepared to wait a spell.  People like to go out to breakfast on Saturday mornings, apparently.)

We missed seeing him yesterday before his flight because we had lunch with our shepherding group after church.  And I realized again that this four-kid thing?  Really is hard sometimes!  I felt pulled in a million directions – watching my three (active!) big kids while preparing my dish and nursing my baby… (or just trying to keep my head from spinning off).  It’s just a season, it’s just a season…

***

I allowed the girls to sleep together last night (although at some point Adelaide went back to her own bed) and this morning Madeline told me she had read a book to Adelaide but she had to hurry because she didn’t want me to find out she was being sneaky (her words).  I had to stifle a laugh when she came out with that.  And then we had a little discussion about how Jesus sees everything even when mommy isn’t there.  I also thought it interesting that she brought it up.  (Usually Drew’s the one that tells on himself.)

***

Alright, my blogging time is up, back to the Monday grind!  (After an afternoon pick-me-up cup of coffee, first.)

Hello, Monday, I was not ready for you

We had a REALLY great weekend. Two days of gorgeous spring weather and we went to the park twice. Andy has taken the kids a couple of times recently (in between the rainy days we’ve had way too many of) but this was the first time Arianna and I had ventured out in a while. No surprise she slept the whole time.

And also? The park was packed. Spring fever, anyone?

On Saturday I hit up Walmart with my Mer-inspired meal plan list and stocked up. We’ve been coasting on little (and therefore frequent) grocery store trips since well before Arianna was born. It was high time to get some sort of routine and meal planning done, if only for my sanity (and okay, my checkbook… I tend to spend way less this way).

My sister needed to pick up her phone, so it worked great to take her to the sprint store and then she played with the kids in the car while I did my shopping alone. (Which is always a treat, you know.)

Last night she babysat and Andy and I (+baby) went to his co-worker/friend’s birthday dinner out at a very scenic restaurant. It was a pretty big group of friends from work and it was fun for me to spend a little time with people I usually only see in passing or as they’re bringing me a glass of iced tea.

Plus it’s always fun to wear fancy shoes and be out with Andy.

(And not cook dinner.)

I mean really

This is why I have a blog. So I can show you what I stay up half the night making!

Like this dress… which will actually be paired with a long-sleeved tee and black leggings (and not, you know, jammies):

It occurred to me only very recently to dress my girls differently ON PURPOSE. Their personalities are so different, so why not dress them to fit each girl’s personality? (Madeline’s hand-me-downs haven’t really worked for Adelaide, anyway.)

And since Adelaide is quite the quirky kid (more on that in a later post; it’s still simmering), I’ve had a lot of fun making her a bunch of unique dresses. I loved the 1950’s dresses on this fabric. (Sidenote to Brite, this one I lined.)

***

Drew’s at school and Andy has the girls helping him do yard work outside this morning, so I actually have time to sit here and blog! He (meaning Drew) got his first G.I. Joe yesterday. He calls it his “big boy toy.”

It dawned on me last week that he still mostly just has his toddler toys and was very obviously getting bored (and therefore naughty). Any other “big boy toy” recommendations you have for me?

(You know, that don’t have small pieces that I would inevitably step on in the middle of the night…)