Merry "fake" Christmas

Last night (fake Christmas Eve), the kiddos opened up travel bags filled with goodies for our long drive to Disney from grandma and grandpa. We watched a new Christmas movie, "Santa Paws 2." We left out cookies for Santa, an apple for the reindeer, and of course some milk to wash down the cookies. Daddy read "The Night Before Christmas" and off to bed they went. Usually it takes no more than 30 minutes for the kiddos to fall asleep. Last night over an hour.

I arranged the gifts under the tree, filled stockings, and wrote a note from Santa. Daddy assembled the Barbie house.

Finally to sleep we went just shy of midnight. The kiddos didn't get out of bed until 630 - I was prepared for much earlier.

Finally, a small sampling of some of their excitement.

Santa is coming

The big man, he's coming tonight. Yes, a day early due to our upcoming trip to Disney, but all of our countdowns have been manipulated to reflect this change.

I'm very excited for these kiddos to see their gifts, as the older they get the more excited they are. Even though we are going to Disney, Santa is still coming. Santa didn't pay for Disney, nor did we.

Grandma and Grandpa have funded this vacation, which makes this the first year that Santa's gifts won't be out done by the grandparents. Giggle.

These boogers better fall and stay asleep as daddy has a Barbie house to assemble. Gulp.

Christmas/Disney rush

• PTO Christmas store all week long
• Kiddos sick 
• Cody came home 
• Girls' dance recital 
• I get horribly sick and out of commission for two whole days
• Wrapping
• Christmas preparations
• Packing for Disney 
• Finalizing plans for Disney
• So much to do..............................

Guess Who - Hole in the Pants

Let's play "Who said that?" because it's been an incredibly long time since we have played.

"Mommy, if someone farted and had a hole in their pants, it would be DISGUSTING!!!"

Droppings

How NOT to continue your already shitty week...

• Drop and spill coffee grounds all over the floor
• Lose one of your waaaayyy too expensive diamond earring in a school
• Start your period after not having it for a year or so
• Find mice droppings in several locations 
• I am freaking out!  I don't want to open the doors where I saw the droppings.  I really want to stay away from the house until after Cody returns and handles this situation, and it may seriously happen.

Steam

The cycle of sick just doesn't end.  Kinsley started Tuesday with vomiting and fevers, Eligh with coughing, fevers, and throat pain a day later.  Less than a week and daddy will be home to help share the responsibility.  This mommy is running on empty and could really use the extra hands.

Wordless Wednesday - Sneak Peek

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

Waiting for......

• Answers
• Sicknesses to leave
• Hubby to get back
• Test results
• Procedures
• Appointments
• Christmas
• Disney trip
• A DANG BREAK

Blogging dilemma

I still don't know what to do about the blog and running out of picture space.  I don't want to have to pay a monthly fee - but I am also confused.  I read where you could simply just upload smaller pictures and it would upload for free.  But, I haven't tried this.  I am mad about it all.  I moved from the evil TypePad to Blogger and I have been so happy here, but then this stupid message has to pop up denying me from uploading the AWESOME Christmas pictures I had taken of the kids.

And....I did toss around the idea of completely stopping blogging, but then I realized how many individuals I feel deeply connected to that I just could never completely step away.

I'm here, tossing around ideas, brainstorming, and figuring out this blogging dilemma

Tumble

Everything is tumbling all at once.  

The kiddos behaviors are less than desirable and far from the "norm" (as in normal for us).  

We have random outbursts of crying from Addyson,

Eligh has been acting out, 

AND, Addyson got her first yellow card pulled yesterday at school.

We have just a couple of weeks left, but if this past week is any inclination of what these two weeks are going to be to like, I would like to go into hibernation.  

Photo storage

I attempted to upload pics last night, but we had an Internet outage, and now I am trying again this morning and it is stating that I do not have enough photo storage.

Blogger bloggers - help!

3-0 birthday eve

How am I ending my 20's?  A list:

• Laundry
• Hanging up Xmas lights, blow up decorations, etc
• Filing
• Sorting
• Laundry
• Watching pointless tv

Exciting, huh?

Quick and Easy

I have determined that these two words do not and will not ever go hand-in-hand in this house.  Absolutely impossible. 

Three reasons:

1.  Addyson
2.  Kinsley
3.  Eligh

The combination of these three reasons make it impossible for me to complete any task "quick and easy" and for that I wish these words did not ever become associated with one another.

Don't believe me? An example from this evening:
I started dinner and was about to add spaghetti noodles to the pot of boiling water, and what did I find?  No NOODLES!  The spaghetti sauce was already ready (home made, people, so it takes time) and I was not going to change our plans.  I don't have the option of asking Cody to pick some up as he is still states away.  So....I tell the kiddos to find a pair of shoe and get in the van.  We only need noodles - this will be "quick and easy."  It truly was pretty painless until checkout.  The cashier had to come to the lane and over ride the transaction not once but three times because the kids were playing with the bags and changing the weight of the bags and making the machine accuse me of basically stealing.  Touchy computers!!!  And, then, Kinsley had to hug Eligh so tight he had to fall into the register, bust his ear, and start screaming. 

Good bye "quick and easy" please quit taunting me. 

Do not judge

I spent all stinkin day decorating the inside of the house for three boogers.

Stubborn - but at least I admit it

Just a little clarification on the past couple of days.  Addyson's random sickness was just motion sickness as she never got sick or complained since the drive Thursday evening.

Friday morning I got Kinsley an appointment as the antibiotic she was on for the pneumonia gave her what I believed to be a yeast infection (and I was correct).  Yes, we pushed yogurt and extra dairy to help prevent this, but it did not.  While in there, the doc asked a few other questions and decided to have her get some blood work and a urine sample as well.  2.5 hours we had the blood work completed, but still not a urine sample.  We were able to take it home and bring it back when she finally went (which was like a few drops).

The twins and I had a quick lunch and then I had to take them to a friend's house so I could go have some moles removed.  I had two moles removed and biopsied about two years ago, and they were shaved and cauterized.  Not this time.  The giant birthmark on my leg, they only took a small punch out of it (disgusting) and then the one on my back they had to go deeper to get the tissue as well, which left me with stitches.

Convo with doc:
Dr.:  "You know you can't shower for at least 24 hours."
Me:  "Ummm...no (shit I didn't shower this morning, since I did the night before).  I really can't shower?"
Dr.:  "Well, I would prefer you not to, but if you MUST then just make sure you don't have the water beating on your back."
Me:  "Ok.  Anything else I need to know?"
Dr:  "Keep the bandage on for at least 24 hours, come back in a week to have the stitches removed, and don't be doing any bench press."
Me:  "Wait, I can't work out?  (Just really getting back into a groove - damnit!!!)  Can I do some cardio?  You know, like the elliptical or running?"
Dr.:  "You really are stubborn aren't you."
Me:  "Sure am."  
Dr.:  "Well, I would prefer you to simply wait until after your stitches are removed, because I don't need to see you in the ER this weekend."
Me:  "Oh, don't worry.  I wouldn't go in anyway."

I showered last night (face forward - not easy) and of course the bandages fell off.

That's how we roll

I was extremely worried and stressed about how I would manage our schedule, errands, organizing a holiday bazaar, dance, and taking Addyson to and from school on my own for six weeks.  But, surprisingly, I have figured it out.  This isn't a pat on my back type moment, but not having family, a babysitter, or your spouse around for several weeks is not easy by any means.

Today, Addyson had to throw me through a loop.  

After picking up Addyson from school (after Eligh fell hard on the cafeteria floor - screaming/crying in pain), the kiddos had a quick snack and played for about an hour or so, and then Addyson had to get dressed and ready for dance.  I  packed up dinner, cups, and entertainment for the twins, and scurry them all out to the van.  I get the movie set up, kiddos put on their headphones, I give everyone their dinners and cups and off we headed for our 40ish minute drive to dance.  Typically, it is an easy ride.  The kids eat and watch a movie while I catch up with people on the phone or enjoy some quiet.  Not tonight.  Far from it!

About ten minutes into the drive, Addyson is crying that she has to go to the bathroom and that her tummy hurts (I'm thinking #2 and her never-ending constipation).  Miles later we finally get to an exit, unload everyone (praying there is a bathroom), and just as we get on the sidewalk Addyson vomits.  Huh?  What the heck just happened?  I move her and the twins away to a more remote spot where she vomits one more time, head inside where she uses the bathroom, and declares she is better (which she was).

And....we trudge on and continue our madness of an evening...because that is how this family rolls.  One ounce of crazy, unexpected madness after another.

Repeat

Oh, how I love this little girl.  She is kind, helpful, cuddly, entertaining, and absolutely adorable.  

BUT.....she is pushing every last button these days.  Examples include, but are not limited to the following:

• Attempting to run into the streets when crossing the road.  
• Dancing every where she goes, which involves spins upon spins. 
• Insisting on using the bathroom non-stop or else "I will pee in my pants."  
• Eye rolling.  
• The worse of them all is repeating questions over, and over, and over, and over again.   

I'm waving my flag in defeat of this zebra-crazed little girlie.  Any takers????

New hats and military spouses

Being a military spouse makes it extremely hard to maintain a career and more times than not spouses are stay at home moms.

With that said, I am all about supporting local businesses and at home crafters. I recently stumbled upon a mom who crochets hats and instantly hit her up and challenged her to create three very unique hats. I could NOT be any more pleased and surprised with their outcome, and because of this she is now bringing in eight more orders and participating in a bazaar.

An attempted special treat gone so very wrong

It has been a long, busy weekend.  Addyson had her first two performance team dance shows on Friday evening and another one yesterday.  Today we are filled with spooky winds that howl and make the kids freak as well as a power outage for an hour and hours of rain.

To escape the power outage, we left to return a movie and pick up another.  Picking out a movie with three kids' opinions can be a never ending cycle.  When we are watching a movie together it must be a neutral movie.  No Barbies, princesses,  Avengers, or trains.  We head straight for the kids section and I automatically start vetoing the following movies:  previously watched/owned, Dora (I hate that chica), Thomas, computerized movies, and most tv character movies.  All while they are each grabbing movies, discussing them, staring at them, and begging to watch them.  But, they do not all three agree.  Addyson and Eligh find "Space Buddies" - I believe the only Buddy movie we haven't seen.  Perfect!  Kinsley automatically says no and starts grabbing scary movies (huh?).  Halloween is over, we are moving past those movies - not happening, and both her and Addyson have nightmares.

I hold onto the movie, and we do a walk through the newer releases to find a few that we have already seen, but again nothing they agree upon.  I marched them back over to the kid section and tell Kinsley to come up with a better option as we have already spent twenty minutes picking out a movie.  Ten minutes later and she finally gives in to the movie.  Kids are happy, so I give them the option of picking up dinner and eating at home or eating at the restaurant - they choose the restaurant.  I give them their threats and we head in.  Soon after ordering we have to make our first bathroom trip (sucks when you are alone as you can't leave your purse and have one more thing to lug and keep track of).

Dinner comes, kids fight about not eating it (even though they picked it) and again threats of no movie and early bed time.  I compromise and give them each an amount they must eat before leaving.

Get home (power is back - yay), give all three a bath, pjs, and they get situated for their movie.

Upon sitting down and the movie starting the three of them asked, "Can we have popcorn?"  (HELL NOOOOO  -  you boogers fought me on eating your damn dinner that I took you out for, which is a special opportunity).
"Nope, but if you are still hungry you can have the rest of your dinner." 

Of course they did not like that idea.

We have a quilt

I spent hours upon hours searching and searching for the perfect quilt to update Addyson's room.  We had one that we all agreed upon and when I went to pay for it, it was back ordered until February.  GRRRR!!!!!

Sooooo.....on one of the many visits to Kinsley's specialist we headed out shopping to do some window shopping and stumbled upon the perfect quilt.  It is extremely close to the one that was back ordered, but $100 cheaper - SCORE!!!

Without junk

With junk - and don't even think about forgetting even one item

First conference

Today was Addyson's parent/teacher conference which was actually a student-centered conference.  The little gumdrop went through each station with ease.  She flipped her "p" to a "q" in one section and had to correct her numbers when she saw she forgot to add the number one.  The little perfectionist had to erase all eleven numbers, rewrite, and attempt to erase, and rewrite again before her teacher and I explained that she could just write the numbers underneath.  Once we finished all five stations her teacher gave me her report card - exceeding in all areas.  She has adjusted and hopefully will continue down this path (except I really do not want her to be a perfectionist as I know what challenges it can bring).  I am amazed at all that she has been able to master in just two months of school.  Amazed.

Wordless Wednesday - a week late

Talking Tuesday - Head of the house

Addyson:  (finishing up a phone call with daddy) "Mommy, you know that you and me are in charge."
Mommy:  "Oh, WE are?"
Addyson:  "Yep, we are the head of the house and the twins have to listen to us."  

Explaining a long absence to a toddler

Daddy:  "Eligh, I will be leaving for a few weeks to go to school far away."  
Eligh:  "When will you be back?"
Daddy:  "Six weeks...about 40 days."
Eligh:  "So an hour right?"
Daddy:  "No, about 40 days."
Eligh:  "Oh man!  That's a long time."
Daddy:  "But, when I get back it will be close to Christmas and we get to go to Disney World!!!!"
Eligh:  "Yay!!!!  So, we'll see you in a couple hours, then."

Midweek - Weekend rundown

Halloween was a success. We took the kiddos out for right under two hours and now we have an overfilled bucket of candy that I need to find a place to donate over half of it.

Kinsley had her bronchoscopy procedure and it was a nightmare.  My nerves were shot, she cried as soon as we arrived until we got home.  Doc found enlarged adenoids, nodules in her throat (but not visible to the eye - seen with camera), and an airway by her left lung that is smaller than it should be.  He also took cultures of her secretions from her lungs and those came back at the end of the week.  We are now treating her for a rare case of pneumonia that typical antibiotics cannot cure.  Medication is one that is used to treat individuals who have been exposed to anthrax - and will be taken for two weeks.

And we are preparing for daddy to leave for the next six weeks.  Suckage.  

Halloween 2012

I can't wait for tonight when the kiddos get to go trick-or-treating.  This year will be the first year they are going to walk the entire night.  Woot!  Woot!

May you and your kiddos get some delicious candy and have a safe night!

Procedure day for Kinsley

Kinsely and I chose to come down last night to the Children's Hospital to prepare for her bronchoscopy procedure this morning.  We have to be at the hospital at 6:45 a.m. and with it being a two hour drive, I did not feel like waking the beast from her sleep to drive in the dark on curvy, hilly roads.  

Please keep her in your thoughts.  I just really hope we get some answers so we can come up with a solution.

Pumpkin Farm 2012

Finding a good pumpkin farm around this place is HARD!!!  We had an awesome pumpkin farm we visited yearly in Georgia, and our hopes were high.  After a lot of research and surveying we finally found a farm (new this year) that was perfect for our three.

Sunday show - end of soccer

It's going to be a bunch of  photo dumps, now that we are nearing the end of yet another month.

End of soccer season (woot - woot!)

He has good form - but was the runt of the group

The runner 

Was obsessed with his hair color - this was the same evening our power was out 

The runt was best at goalie

Medal time!

Performance team

Addyson really enjoys many activities and wants to try them all, and we let her as long as there are no conflicts.

Back in August, I signed her up for dance and was approached about signing her up for performance team as well, which is not competition. Performance team is the younger version of competition and essentially a much smaller group of kids. They learn one routine and will perform it at a variety of events throughout the year.

Well.....soccer season started after dance registration. Practices were each on separate days, so we were all set. But, I wasn't informed that the games would be on different days than practice. Of course games ended up being on the same day as performance team practice and she went to soccer over dance. The main lady in charge of the entire program said she could just join rift back in after soccer ended.

Today was her first day back, and her teacher and the head lady welcomed her and were so excited to see her and even after practice did a private class for her to learn the routine. She has her first performance in just a couple of weeks, and I really thought that she would not be joining this performance with how late she has rejoined, but her instructor was very impressed with how quickly she was picking up the steps and feel at this point she should perform.

We shall see how she does at next week's practice and if I can get her to practice any at home.

Elevator travels

Bedding - kid edition

All three of my kiddos have a quilt, each unique to them.

Addyson has had her quilt since she received her twin bed around 15 months.  It's on it's last leg and needs some updating.

She currently has this one Her decorations in her room match these colors, and she has pink curtains.  It must be girly, it must have some pink, and I would prefer a quilt.  But, I am thinking the quilt hunt is going to be over and I am going to have to settle on a comforter.  Those that have comforters - how long do they last?

A breather

Soccer season is over, and thus my life is slowly coming back.  No longer will we be rushing to and from school, home, practices, and games.  It was exhausting keeping up with practices and games and giving up every single Saturday.  It was our first season, and Addyson and Eligh had a blast and declared they want to play again.  I declare soccer a success.  

From now until spring I will only be toting the girls to and from dance class two times a week.  Addyson will be going twice a week and Kinsley once a week.  Unfortunately, Cody will be heading out for training for six weeks soon and thus, Eligh will have to start tagging along.  I have been spoiled with all Cody's help for quite some time and am really not looking forward to doing it all on my own again.    

For now, though, I am going to enjoy this much needed break from all the running to and from and actually eating dinner at a normal dinner time, versus either an hour early or an hour or so later than normal.  I have even taken advantage of hitting the gym up a couple times a week after dinner.  

Anyone else getting a break from the fall sports?

Talking Tuesday - Hands Edition

Kinsley:  "I need my hands!!!!!"  (She wanted her gloves.)

Eligh:  "Dad, I am awesome, right?"

Daddy:  "Eligh, you and I are going to have a boy's day in Saint Louis on Sunday.  We are going to see THE PACKERS!!!!!"
Eligh:  "Are they live?"

Boys stink

Eligh:  "Daddy, don't you EVER fart in my room AGAIN!!!"
Daddy:  "Why?"
Eligh:  "It makes my nose stink-ed!!!!"

Deja sick

Not even two weeks ago we were dealing with throwing up children, and one who appeared to have all the symptoms of strep (he never actually tested positive).

After a night out with some friends, Kinsley woke up around midnight hacking, gasping to catch her breath, and a fever. Yes, just like that. No previous symptoms indicated another round of sick.

It all is coming at the wrong time. Cody is about to head out for some training and he has been working many weekends. Of course someone had to get sick when daddy is actually home for the weekend and we could have potentially had some fun.

Some day I will have time to blog regularly again and about something besides sick children.

Talking Tuesday - "That's what he said"

Addyson:  "Daddy lost his hair on a bus."
Mommy:  "No, he didn't."
Addyson:  "That's what he said."

Week and -end from ????

It's been a very trying week:

Kinsley's appointment, two of three children threw up, all three minions had fevers and throat aches, one trip to the ER, daddy worked Saturday, and throw in a fall carnival.

But....I know it can always be worse and there are people very dear to my heart who are dealing with much worse. As much as I want scream and cry with exhaustion and simply being overwhelmed, I will not. Instead, I will trudge on knowing there are others who need relief before me.

To make matters worse

On the long two hour home from the doctor on Monday, just as we are half way there Kinsley threw up an insane amount.  We "assumed" it was simply motion sickness, but we all know what happens when you assume.

Yesterday morning Kinsley was her normal rambunctious self, so again I assumed the throw up the day before was simply motion sickness and continued with my tasks of running a couple errands.  About five minutes from reaching home, Kinsley threw up all over the place.  My assumption was clearly wrong.  On my race towards home Eligh declares he has to go potty.  I tell him to hold it as we will be there shortly.

He is shouting in the back, "I am squeezing it really hard!!!"

I get home, unlock the door tell Eligh to sprint to the bathroom and have Kinsley waddle up to the bathroom.  Upon getting upstairs to undress the throw up child, Eligh has obviously not made it in time for the bathroom (a first in probably two years).  Now, I have two baths to give.

Upon finishing baths, I get Kinsley situated on some towels and bucket nearby, feed Eligh some lunch, get him up for a bath and check on Kinsley who is passed out.  103.7 fever - just like that.

She broke her fever, it came back mid afternoon, broke the fever, and came back again around 11 last night along with more vomit which she was gasping to breath and get out.

I am waving my flag on all bad news.  I need a break to digest all that is going on, because it is seriously all too much right now.

First visit to pulmonologist

Yesterday, Cody, Eligh, Kinsley and I made the long two hour drive to the pulmonologist.  I already had it in my head that I would leave that doctor completely pissed off for wasting our time.  I truly felt as if my continuous complaints to their regular pediatrician were simply in my head.  Her breathing is fine and we are just paranoid.  But, that is not at all how it actually went.

The hospital is a children's hospital which is of course amazing in so many ways, while also completely depressing at the same time.  Upon checking in, we waited about five minutes before being called back to meet the nurse.  A few questions later and we were in the room waiting for the doctor.  First, though, we saw a medical student(cue again the anger) who asked us a packet worth of questions, because this packet did not arrive in time to be filled out at home.  But, when the doctor actually came in, it was a whole other ball game.  Our concerns with Kinsley's constant need to rest upon doing any exercise and always sounding winded were not at all in our head.  The doctor sent Kinsley and I for an X-ray, which she did great (she has had quite a few of her chest in the past year).  We came back upstairs and the doctor was back in our room a few minutes later.  Upon pulling up her X-ray, the doctor explained and showed that Kinsley's lungs are at their fullest capacity of air, which is actually pushing on her chest and even causing her back to curve due to all the added air in her lungs.  Her lungs were so full they are close to actually touching.  Basically, she cannot get all the air out of her lungs and it is trapped, causing her to have all the breathing problems she is having.  This is when I felt an odd sense of relief that all my concerns were true and that there is a reason for her actions.

Now what???

The doctor sent the nurse in to evaluate how she actually uses her inhaler on a regular basis, who then reported to the doctor.  The doctor came back in and said that based on her age, she is doing the best she possibly can with the inhaler and should be getting in all the meds as needed (and has been for a year or more).  If she wasn't getting all of the meds in then we could simply work on how she is breathing them in and come back in a month or so.  The doctor ordered a CT (which they could not get her in that day, he tried), so we have to go back Monday.  She is also on a more aggressive inhaler and has a follow up appointment to see if the meds are helping before the end of the month.

Now, we have to hope that on Monday she cooperates and does not have to be sedated for the CT (freaking out about the thought of that).

Who knew

That using the vacuum would not only cause our circus dog, Paws, to bark non-stop but also three kiddos to scurry to clean up toys as well as run and scream?

Obviously everyone in this house has gone crazy!!!

Boys Nights

Tuesday nights are now considered "boys night." I take the girls to dance and daddy and Eligh have some bonding time.

Tonight, we threw a wrench in the plans when the girls were invited to a a birthday party. All day long while daddy was at work Eligh kept asking when boys day would begin - in which I reminded him not until daddy came home.

So, when the door opened and daddy walked in Eligh sprinted through the house shouting, "It's boooooyyyyssss NIGHT!!!!!!"

I have a feeling as the years pass, these boys nights are going to be interesting.

Twins versus singleton

For the past few years, Kinsley and Eligh really did not understand the concept of  twin.  Addyson called them twins, and we used to call them the babies, but had to graduate to twins or simply their names (more times than not, it is simply their individual name).  Out of the blue right before the twins turned four, they started asking me why they had the same birthday.  In which, each and every time Addy would explain to them that they are twins.  Eventually, jabberjaws would let me have a turn to share with Kinsley and Eligh that they were in mommy's belly at the same time while Addy was all by herself and that being a twin is a very special gift.

Eligh:  "Mommy, will I always be a twin?"
Mommy:  "Yes, Eligh, forever."

Kinsley:  "I am four."
Eligh:  "I am four, too!"
Stranger:  "So, you two are twins?!  How neat!"
Kinsley:  "Yep!  I am a twin, Eligh's a twin, and Addyson is five and a singleton."


With all that understanding though, Kinsley and Eligh are still two very different individuals and add in the mix of an older sister by a mere 17 months, the special bond twins are supposed to have has not really been established or witnessed yet.  

Dumping of some thoughts

• Soccer team is being divided up, due to kids quitting (mine were next on the list). 
• There is a girl in Addy's class, H, who I am starting to believe may be a bully or simply mean.
• This PTO crap is no joke!  It is sucking all of my time away.  
• Disney on Ice was so awesome - Eligh was in the most amazement, even with an older boy cousin who tried to ruin it for him. 
• Speaking of my nephew he told Kinsley he hated her.  Cody was the witness and tried correcting him, but he still continued with he doesn't like her.  Broke my heart. 
• Why is it so hard to find a good babysitter.  You know, one who feeds your kids meals, engages them vs sticking them in front of a tv.  
• I sooooo wish I could get all three of my kiddos to dress up in costumes I want them to wear.  But, I know we missed our opportunity to do so.  
• I need to get decorations up soon.  Who has decorations up for fall/Halloween already?

Cute kiddos Saturday - Disney on Ice

Talking Tuesday - responses

Addy (in response to Kinsley's singing): "Mommy, will you stop her mouth?"

Eligh (in response to most anything): "I cannot!"

Bit by bit I'm falling apart

Gah....I had a dentist appointment today. A year of putting it off and I finally took down the phone number to the oral surgeon - now I just need to call. Sigh

My back/neck pain is back. I don't have time or a sitter to go back to physical therapy, so I may bite the bullet and go to the chiropractor.

And, my foot has been bothering me more frequently and the brace is not helping or lessening the symptoms.

Why does it all happen at once?

Twins' fourth birthday - final pictures

Birthdays during the week are tough and yes, it has been nearly one week since the twins' birthday, but I am finally catching up.  The final pictures from their celebration (definitely their best birthday thus far).

Addyson's first two weeks of school

We have been adjusting to school.  We have a pretty good routine going and yes, it is a tad OCD, but that is what works for us.  I do not do well with scrambling or running at all late, and neither does Addy.  Based upon suggestions and how Addyson has adjusted and acted, I tend to wake her at 6:45 a.m.every day, but Wednesday (late start).  She wakes, gets dressed, hair, teeth, and heads downstairs.  She has breakfast and then has the ability to play before heading out the door around 8:10 a.m.  Our evenings are jammed, so I try to let them all have time in the morning to play and just be home.

What she has learned:

• Not to tattle
• KHFOOTY 
• The principal's name
• The librarian (she loves the library - because there are soooooooooooooo many books and a fish tank)
• Letter B,b and working on the following words: one, me, see, and brown
• Give five
• Green smiley faces on your calendar (daily report) = a great day
• Behaving in class will earn you a tiger buck - and she has the most (or so she has said)
• School takes a long time and she is always very ready to get out of school 

And the fundraising begins....

This week we got our first fundraising packet from the school.  So, who actually orders or attempts to get orders?  I am really thinking about just throwing the whole thing in the garbage.  It is all over priced and nothing I personally would want or need, and I know no one else would be interested either.

Another vent:  Everything is due in the next month.  Two dance costumes have to be paid for, fundraiser, and two other school programs/events.  Why couldn't it all be spread out?!

Birthdays during the week

Should simply not be allowed.

The end.

Kinsley is 4

My Favorite:
     Food...Pizza
     Color...Purple
     Toy...Squinkies
     Game...Lalaloopsy Trouble 
     Movie...Brave

I really like to wear...Purple and zebra print

When I grow up I want to be...doctor

I would describe myself as...cute

I wish...for Merida

I love it when...I have my birthday

My favorite memory is...Branson and the circus

The best thing about me is...me

When I get older I want to...go to school

I really look up to...Addyson

I want to practice...dance 

Eligh is 4

My Favorite:

     Food...blueberries

     Color...blue

     Toy...Squinkies, cars, and avengers

     Game...Mario Kart 

     Movie...Smurf and Avengers

I really like to wear...camo

When I grow up I want to be...a daddy and go turkey hunting

I would describe myself as...cute

I wish...camping and turkey hunting

I love it when...we go to Bass Pro Shop

My favorite memory is...Branson and the circus

The best thing about me is...being good

When I get older I want to...play soccer

I really look up to...my dad

I want to practice...soccer

Photo rundown of the twins' 4th birthday party

We had the twins' birthday party today (yes, a Sunday - we are not church people - sorry).  Only one of the five families we invited could not make it, so it worked out perfectly.  Plus, tomorrow is their actual birthday so why not do it one day before.

One massive cake with two very different themes - Avengers and Brave

What I learned:  

Some parents do not know how to behave when a pinata is brought into play.