Will we, won't we, a trip to the zoo, and procrastination

The whole will we won't we get paid kept me up and I awaited the official news before finally sleeping.  Cody was passed out on the couch.  Lazy bum.  

Since we found out we would still be receiving our pay, we decided to ask the monkeys if they wanted to do something today.  Of course they all chimed in with:
"A play place." 
"A playground."
"The zoo."
"I want to watch a movie."  (umm...really?)

With it being just two short days until the diva's birthday we went with her first choice, the zoo.  It was not completely planned, but we did get out the door by 8:30.  This included feeding everyone, getting everyone dressed, making and packing lunches (I'm cheap), packing extra clothes (my kids like to throw up in the car), extra shoes, a shower for me, coffee, taking out the stroller, putting in the wagon, and loading everyone up. 

As soon as we got in the van.
Addy:  "I've never seen this zoo before." 
Mommy:  "Me either." 
Addy: "I don't have my zebra shirt!  Where is my zebra shirt?"  (She wore a zebra striped tank top when we last visited the zoo in October in the state of Florida.  She remembers everything.)
Kinsley:  "I don't have my unicorn shirt."  (A newer shirt that has been worn twice and is long-sleeved, but she just likes to repeat everything Addy says and or does).
Mommy:  "Girls, you are just fine in the dresses you picked out.  Addy, I will find your zebra shirt for our next trip.  Kinsley, are you ok?" 
Girls:  "Ok!!!!"
Phew, crisis averted.

If I was not "supposed" to be researching and writing a paper right now I would upload the pictures from today, but then Cody would find out that I am not really doing my work while he hammers away on his own school work.  I do have some information pulled up and I am flipping between blogging and researching, doesn't that count?  I had a couple drinks tonight so I just cannot focus, and yes, I am going to use that as my excuse.

Isn't this post very random? 

Friday Night Leftovers - I declare

• This is weighing very heavily on our family, and it irritates the piss out of me that so many people are oblivious to it.  I was venting to my sister, who had not even a clue.  So either we will be getting a full paycheck this coming week or half, that's a HUGE difference on an already tight budget. 
• We had the week of the sick, which included an ER visit, a doctor's visit for all, 4 boxes of kleenex, a crap ton of fever reducing meds, and interrupted sleep. 
• I screwed up my back, again.  Not just the annoying pain that wouldn't go away, but paralyzing pain.  I told Cody last night to make sure he had his phone nearby in case I called him because I couldn't get out of bed.  Yes, that bad. 
• But, I got in this morning to the chiropractor, who, saw by just looking at the area of pain that it was swollen.  A few cracks and pops later, it's not paralyzing, needs some heat and another visit next week.  
• Just another reminder that I'm old and broken.
• I saved nearly $100 getting my hair touched up by a friend of a friend this week.  Steal of a deal. 
• I am officially declaring Kinsley potty trained.  Yes, I picked the worst week possible to take on this stubborn child.  Don't believe me?  Here is a view:

• 5 days accident free that to me equals potty trained.  And, I will dedicate a post to the whole process, because Addy had one when she conquered it (which was so much easier).  
• Today will be the last day that Addy will be accepting questions for her birthday interview, so think hard.  

• And, I'm sticking in a shameless plug for Scentsy.  A friend of mine is hosing a basket party and there are loads of new spring/summer scents out.  Plus, it would make a really great mother's day gift.  The party is open until the 15th of this month, as in next Friday.  If you want to place an order or have any questions, just let me know.  

As always stop by our witty host, Danifred to leave some love and any and all baby dust you can find.  

Say what, say what, say what?

Do you really want to hear about coughing so hard and so much that involves vomiting?  You don't?  Ok, neither do I, nor do I want it in my house ANY more, dammit! 

So instead, I bring you some recent comments from my crazy little monkeys (none of these comments have been altered as I wrote them down word for word as soon as I heard them):

Addy:  "I farted and it was a quiet one."  (aka:silent but deadly)
Kinsley:  "I want cereal for dinner...I'm not kidding!" (dammit, you better take me serious or else)
Addy:  "Daddy, can I sit on your head?  Like a butt head.  It's a butt head.  Non-stop laughing."  (the   
literal meaning of butt head).  

Psssttt...the diva has a birthday in five short days.  Start sending in your questions now.  I promise you will enjoy her answers.

What does miserable look like?

I have posted several times about this coughing chorus that has entered my house.  I wish I could say it has left, but it has not.  This morning I had full intentions of getting up an hour before the monkeys to run on the treadmill, I even had the clothes ready and everything.  But, someone (Addy) had a different plan for me.  At a nice 5 am, Addy came down the stairs screaming in pain that her ear hurt.  I got her settled down and back to sleep in our bed (which was not a good sleep as every few minutes she was hacking all over me).  I am very much still tired and I know that I am lucky to normally receive a full night's rest, and I need it back. 
So I bring you the monkeys' version of what miserable looks like. 

We began with vomiting (yes, that is a balloon from the day before when they were all healthy).

 Still smiling, but notice the paleness and watery eyes

A 6 hour ER visit

Post breathing treatment

At the doctor - reading the bible, maybe searching for health.

It just doesn't look worse than this.

*All photos were taken with my phone, because it just didn't seem right to take a picture of them with a good camera.  Most of these pictures were taken to share with Cody while he was at work. 

QOTW - Easier

 

When did it get "easier"? It is very fitting that this question came up this week, considering that past 24 hours we have had: (three with fevers, a 6 hour ER trip, and then a visit to the doctor for all of them).  

There were so many key moments in the twins' lives that helped lessen the stress and work involved with tending to not only the twins, but their older sister who is 17 months older.  It took a long time for me to feel like it was easier and so much more enjoyable than the stress of trying to be an octopus tending to three very small children that needed my attention 24/7.  I would say that it officially got easier when the twins were 15 months old.  Both of them were much more independent when it came to feeding, drinking, napping, sleeping (without night terrors), walking, and talking.  I no longer feared leaving the house with all three children, and knew that I could manage it if I must take them all with me.  So for me, easier involved independence.    I believe that it gets easier for everyone at different stages and know that even though it got easier, it doesn't mean it will stay that way.  Like right now we are attempting potty training with Kinsley and I know that I will have to go down that road with Eligh soon, and it is a battle.  I have to be on constant watch following her wherever she goes to help prevent her from having an accident and asking her over and over again, "You want to go potty?"  I think about juggling sports, after school activities, driving, college, and all those things I know will not be easy and I'll miss the days of changing diapers and holding little ones snuggled up on me sleeping.    Raising children is never easy, and that is why it is not for everyone.  I definitely think that having three children close together with a set of twins changes things. 

Getting to Know You Sunday

I'm dealing with a house full of sickness, so I'm not very creative.  We still have random low-grade fevers rotating between the monkeys, along with loads of coughing, but other than that they are playful. 

1. do you weigh yourself? Nope, not ever, ever.    I'm pretty good at distinguishing fatness.

2. what's the nastiest thing you've ever eaten? liver 

3. snail mail or email? I'll take either.  I miss the days of being excited to go to the mailbox, now I want to avoid it at all costs

4. do you have any irrational fears...what are they?  Something horrible happening to my children, dying unexpectedly, having some deadly illness and not knowing until it is too late, losing my husband

5. do you play an instrument?  I haven't played one in oh 13 years

6. would you rather be bitten by a snake or attacked by a bear?  Ummm...a snake I guess.  I would hope that I wouldn't see it before hand so it would be unexpected, kind of hard to miss a bear.

7. do you ever go braless in public? Yes, I have.  Just last week I went through the drive through at Panera, but I had a sweatshirt on to help cover what isn't there in the first place

8. today i am thankful for........................? Having Cody home to help manage the sick kiddos needs as well as Zumba class in a couple hours. 

 

Stop by Keely if you want to play along.  

Friday Night Leftovers

• The sick came into my house and is making a cozy little home.  Addy woke up Wednesday crying of stomach pain and spent more than half the day vomiting. 
• Wednesday evening Cody went to bed coughing and complaining of a sore throat. 
• Today the twins have runny noses and coughs along with Cody still hacking non-stop.  
• I am not a mean person, but I really can't stand listening to Cody hacking all the time, especially with how loud it is, for fear of keeping or waking up the kiddos.  
• Yesterday I put Kinsley in panties again for the 6th attempt.  She is wearing them today and I'm going to try and push through it this time and see if she can get the hang of it in a week.  If she can actually use the potty instead of sitting on it a 100 times, I will know I can do it. 
• 10 more days until the princess' 4th birthday.  Sigh. 
• This week I started back on track with working out, you know since we have a new treadmill in our garage and all.  I ran two miles on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  I did another mile on an elliptical before attending an hour long Zumba class on Wednesday.  I want to get back up to 3 miles, but that is going to take some time.
• I have come to the conclusion that I am going to be broken forever with this back pain.  
• We need a four bedroom house, and I might, just might, look into our option when our year lease is up.  
• Bedtime is extremely stressful with the girls (another post for that).
• Who has weekend plans?  Share what you plan on doing - cleaning is not a plan I want to hear about, though, ok?  

As always stop by the lovely host, Danifred, to leave some love.