A Good Cause

The oldest has been in cathecism since school began in August. During Lent he was given a "Rice Bowl" to fill with the money he would have spent on meals during the time he is fasting. He has collected change from all over the house for this project.

The other night there was some change on the table:

"Dad can I have this change"
"No" says dad
"Dad, I need this change to feed the poor"

Guess where the change ended up??

How does it go by so fast?

Anyone reading this knows that time flys by and you just seem to watch it. I can't believe it has been so long since I last wrote. The house is crazy busy and I sit here every couple months and wonder how we made it through.

The youngest made binoculars out of toliet paper tubes in school yesterday, looks outside into the clouds and says "Snow Clouds" - genius :) The snow continues to fly today and to know he predicted the weather is just a great feat for him. This is the same child who woke up one day in the past few weeks and just "gets" it. For the longest time he couldn't tell you what letter he was looking at. This week he walks around with his word box spelling the words in it - N I N E "Mom I know all the letters" Amazing as a parent to watch him finally get it.

Thank you for listening to a proud parent today!!

Today

Today we had 6 eggs all at one time. That is huge compared to the 2 or 3 a day that we usually have. We clipped the wings of the chickens who think they are free range so they don't get out and get taken by the racoons that we can't seem to get rid of. We have relocated 18 raccons so far this summer. Beautiful animals if they stay in the woods.

I love playing Farmville on Facebook - but should have realized that my own yard does not work the same. I had to mow down most of the garden today since it has gotten away from me. Nick's surgery sure put a change in plans this summer. The boys did get two beautiful perfect red tomatoes from the garden today, along with some eggplant, green peppers and carrots. It hasn't been a total lose.

I also found out today that the best shower cleaner found to date is the $7.00 a bar oatmeal soap that my 6-year old has to use. I was amazed at the oatmeal in the shower and the dirt on my son still.

I have been taught so many things by my children - again priceless.

Enjoy your summer and thank you for reading what is a normal day in the household.

I love today

This morning we caught the 8th racoon in our chicken yard. I can't believe we have had to take so many out of that yard.

I watched in amazement at my 4-year old as he played on the computer. He played Cailou and Curious George and his little hands on the mouse were amazing. He did so good and I was so proud of him.

The oldest had his last art class at the library today and wanted to sign up for the kids art class in Algonac. I was so proud that he wanted to take that step all on his own. Not to mention that I picked him up off the floor really quick this afternoon and he yells "OMG" - it's amazing living in this house that he would even know what that means. It was hysterical.

I am exhausted from today and the list of things to do for tomorrow but I love today.

Useful information

If your child ever wakes up in the middle of the night and complains of an earache and then the next morning tells you he has Darth Vader ear - he might just have an ear infection and swollen tonsils.

Well at least in this house that is the diagnosis. When the oldest told me he sounded like Darth Vader when he spoke and then I sounded like Mrs. Vader I knew there would be a doctor visit in our near future.

Enjoy the beginning of summer.

Dreaded dinner question

I asked my oldest to work with dad on making dinner last night. So he climbs on the floor with dad and said "I'll call Chinese and you go pick it up." Now tell me that's not a great mind at work there.

It's almost summer!!

I am one of those strange parents who looks forward to the school breaks and summer with my kids. Especially right now!! The oldest has started to revert back to having a hard time at school, when I asked him about it yesterday I was told "I am worried about the bullies coming from Belle River to Palms." I know there has been a change with Washington closing but when my six year old is worried about who will be at his school next year - WOW!!! I was heartbroken for him last night.

This morning after the rumble of thunder that shook the house - I mean it might as well have been an earthquake. The youngest looks outside and says "Baton down the hatches mom" Can you imagine why we would pick a Pirate theme for his birthday party?

Spring is officially here, the flowers look great, the garden is a large muck filled area, the chickens are outside (well 10 0f them anyways), the ducks are on the way outside, the pond is cleaned and fish are swimming in there, the grass has been cut even in the swampy side yard once. I guess look around and even with the negative - there is always positive to be found.

Have a great day!!

Monday!!

It really is Monday this time. However, it is a good Monday here in Michigan. You can tell because

1) The boys can actually wear tennis shoes to school. There may be snow left on the ground and it might be mucky out but there toes are not going to break from the frigid cold (that is next week again)

2) When you use the windshield washer fluid in the van - it actually works. Do you know how long I have been throwing snow on the windshield?

The weather is great and Valentine's Day is coming. Enjoy today!!!

Is It Monday?

I have looked at the calendar numerous times and fail to see the humor in today. I attended a PTO meeting last night to get more information on the closing of one of our local elementary schools. Any of the three listed will affect the kids so we sit and wait. . .

I spoke to my brother and sister who had to administer CPR on the neighbor this morning. I mean thank goodness they were there and they both have the skills to do that. So they wait to hear how he is doing and they wait. . .

The phone rings from the credit union-which can't possibly be a good sign and they inform me that our credit and debit cards have been returned as one of the numbers listed on the hacked list from their main security house. A hacker now has both numbers to our main account so again we sit and wait . . .

Again I ask - is it Monday or is this day just one cruel joke........

In perspective

Today it snowed so much that I kept the youngest home. We worked on puzzles - I mean big puzzles. Yesterday we finished a 100 piece and 300 piece puzzle. Today we started a 1000 piece puzzle. The crazy part of that is the card table in the family room covered with 900+ pieces just waiting for the first fight, fit or flinging of toys tomorrow. UGH!!

It was career day in kindergarten today. So the big guy wanted to go as a TransNav guy - just like his daddy. He dressed in his khaki pants, TransNav shirt and took some parts that are made for the Ford Mustang. I have a picture before he left school with his cell phone and everything - just like daddy :)

It's almost time to get to bed. I have finished playing on Webkinz for the boys, played Mafia Wars on MySpace (which I have more people than Nick), and read some grown up news websites - just to keep in touch with the outside world. Good night everyone and think of the mess that puzzle will make when it flies through the room - it is still worth it.

How time flies

It's amazing how fast time flies by. I can't believe the holidays have come and gone and we're almost to the end of January. The holidays were wonderful - the youngest one gave us a chuckle whenever he opened presents. If you asked what he had he would turn his back and say not yet, not yet. He did this until every last piece of paper and tape were off.

January was the beginning of a new year and a new school for the oldest. We decided to change schools in the best interest of the oldest. Now when you ask what he likes about school he says "there aren't any bullies there." He is so happy, doing great at the end of the second marking period and so eager to go to school - what a change.

It's been crazy here - just like it is with each and every one of you. The highlight of the week has been making a snowman in the front yard (and yes one day it was warm enough to go outside). We have had our downs though - the silverware and utensil drawers both breaking today, the oldest with pink eye, a sinus infection and inpetigo, and the list goes on and on. The mounds of laundry, the countertops full of dishes, shedding dogs, endless amount of "I wish I had time to do thats" and I think I will go play on the Webkinz website and earn some money for the boys to buy new things tomorrow.

Just need to blow off some steam

Sorry for the delay in writing. The kids are busy with school and we have had some problems yet again at the elementary level. For the first years of school supposed to be wonderful they are everything but that at this house.

I will catch up soon but for now keep us in your throughts, the real world is a cruel place for little ones and I have to get the oldest through that.

Where did that come from?

As we drive to speech yesterday the oldest wants to know "Why is there an S in snake?" I know there are some humdinger of questions out there but I wasn't ready for that one.

We are trying the three full days of school for awhile instead of five. The kinderacademy class has changed a little and he wants to stay home a couple days a week. Let's see how that goes. I think he is under the impression that I have parties while he is at school. The post office, banking, grocery shopping and other errands will get done if nothing else.

That is all for now - I am getting my niece this morning and we have some Christmas projects to work on. SHHHHH don't tell her parents. :)

Wednesday

So I am driving my oldest to speech this afternoon and when we go to get out of the van into the 30 degree weather he tells me he isn't wearing his coat. When asked why my witty 5-year old says "I am going as a homey." So wanting to know his definition of a homey I ask what he means. He explains that a homey is someone who just wears a hat and no coat, that's cool. The battle begins.

Driving home from speech I get the question "Why do animals have to die?" I told him that things must die or there would be no room on this earth. "But mom, why do deer, chickens and ham have to die?" I giggled and let him know that Ham is not an animal. He cackles in his cute way and today I have something to blog about!!

It's been awhile

I have heard from more than one person that I suck at keeping up on this site. I have been busy with the boys so haven't had much luck at getting online to do much. We have gone on a farm tour - seen 4 different area farms with cattle, dairy cows, alpacas, llamas and a grainery. What an experience, I look forward to next year. We have gone to Fox Fire Farms for the Pumpkin lighting - seen over 100 pumpkins carved and lit. They did an awesome job and then the kids went in the straw maze and on the kiddie pillar ride.

I know this isn't much but I wanted to keep a few of my friends and family coming back to this site. This week we are getting ready for trick or treating, pumpkin carving, Halloween parties at school and of course speech. What a busy week!!

Take care and check back soon - I promise there will be something new to look at. I know my kids have been pretty tame lately but that just means they are brewing something big for me to write about.

:)

Cats

Well the kittens are semi-free. We have Moe and Joe in the garage. I let them out today and watching them play with the grass was quite funny. I am the overprotective mom though, I knew I had to put them back in the garage this afternoon when I had to remove deck boards to rescue Joe from under the deck today.

Cats have to be one of the smarter animals and amazing how they are just like little toddlers today. Their pretty white fur has now been exposed to the elements and they are filthy. The kitty door in the garage door is something of a mystery to them still. Joe tried to climb the door to get in and Moe was just stuck in the garage because he couldn't figure out how he was supposed to get out.

The antics of those two are going to be just as funny as the boys are.

To be a child again

Well we have finally made it through a couple weeks of school and I think we are going to be alright. The oldest is actually eating breakfast before he goes to school which is HUGE. He doesn't tell me he hates school every day - only once in awhile. Now the youngest tells me he doesn't want to go to school. He wants to stay home forever. Amazing what they learn from each other.

The oldest got off the bus yesterday and yelled at me for getting him from the end of the driveway. He wants to be like the other big kids and walk to the house himself. Ok - fair enough. He doesn't want to unpack his backpack because he doesn't want his projects hung around the house. Ok - now we are starting to get a little uncomfortable with the whole growing up thing. However this is the same kid that had a classmate hit him in the face and wouldn't tell the bus driver because he didn't want him to get a bus ticket.

The youngest is just happy taking in Jello jigglers shaped as the letter of the week (D). He fell walking up the stairs of the bus yesterday and has a nice bruise and gash - which of course was my fault for making him go to school. I don't think it will be long before he yells at me for getting him off the bus either.

The things that matter most to my kids. I wish for that innocence once in awhile.

MONDAY ! ! ! !

Well I was going to write a blog about the first week of school but then just couldn't wait to share this with everyone.

Everyone has a MONDAY once in awhile and once it starts out on a bad foot I don't know that gets any better. Let's take my day today for example:

I am writing this at 3:00 PM and have quite a few hours to go so I won't be surprised if there are two blogs today. First thing this morning the oldest gets up at 6:45 am to get ready for school. After the half piece of toast we are going to get dressed for the bus - the tears turn on and he does not want to go to school. The bus is noisy, he is going to miss me and the list went on and on. I finally get him calmed down enough to get dressed and ready to go - we get to the bus stop in the van (because it is cold outside at 7:30 am) and he works himself up so much he has to go to the bathroom again. The list starts with reasons he doesn't want to go to school. So breaking my heart I get him to the van again and the bus is a couple houses away. He won't stand up, he won't get out of his seat, he is just sobbing because he doesn't want to go to school. I have to get him to walk because I don't want to embarass him in front of all the other kids and he gets on the bus.

Meanwhile the youngest one is crying in the house because he isn't outside and he hasn't gotten used to if I am not in the house first thing in the morning when he gets up then I am getting his brother on the bus. The morning I just lay on the couch with the youngest because I feel awful for how the oldest feels and then it is time to get the youngest ready for school. Now he is such a different creature that he has to open his lunchable by himself, open his juice box by himself, brush his hair by himself, brush his teeth by himself, get his shoes on by himself. So as his independence is running its course this morning - the bus waits outside for us. I am grateful for that because the morning bus won't stop unless we are out by the road. So off to school both kids are.

It's been 15 minutes in the house and outside I go to cut the grass. That will kill a couple hours in the day. I get almost done with the grass, I am going to cut only one more path in the path between our house and the neighbors. So the lawn mower slides into the ditch and there I am. A man stopped and asked if I needed help and I am not to proud today - sure I said. I can't get the lawnmower started and then another guy stops to help me. They push me out and all I can think is I sure wish I didn't wear my pajama bottems to cut the grass today. I have pushed my limits today so I put the lawnmower away. The phone has a message on it - from my neighbor who was nice enough to call and ask (laughing hysterically) if I had gotten stuck. I told her she waits until the next DUMB thing she does. Shaking my head I am going to jump in the shower.

Oh yes, it goes on!!

I am combing my hair when I hear tink, tink, tink. I look in the family room and see the ceiling fan hanging from the wires. I hurry to turn off the fan and move just as the ceiling fan comes crashing to the floor. As I stood and looked at the ceiling fan and broken light bulbs on the floor and couch - all I could do was laugh and think how I couldn't wait to share this day with everyone. So the hanging wires are clothespinned up so the kids can't touch them - they aren't touching so I guess I have done my safety measures. The fan is in the pole barn waiting for my husband to come home. If I need to kill a little more time before the kids get home, I might go out and clean than fan - amazing what you can't see up there :)

Moral of the story:

1. Laugh at your Mondays - they are going to happen

2. Don't do dumb things that your neighbor can see

3. Don't wear your pajama shorts out to cut the grass. You never know who you might run into.

4. and always, pay it forward. You never know when it will be you sliding into the ditch on the lawnmower.

What a Weekend

It's the end of summer with the kids home everyday - school starts tomorow. Saturday we went to the zoo and seen the key animals we needed to - zebra, giraffe, bald eagle, turtles and monkeys. We took a lot of pictures and the kids each had a chance at taking their own pictures.

Sunday we had a family picnic and couldn't have asked for better weather or company. There was so much delicious food and desserts - we'll be working that picnic off for a couple days. The boys played legos, played in the sprinkler with Miss C., dissolved dinosaurs in the pond and had a wonderful time. Being spoiled by everyone probably was a plus for them too!!!

Monday we didn't start out to well - the boys got tackle boxes yesterday and decided to use them for weapons today. The youngest hits the oldest in the back with his box so I take it away and not even 15 minutes later the oldest hits the youngest in the head with his tackle box. It wasn't to bad until the head started swelling up, bleeding all over the floor and the panic mode sets in the house. He was lucky enough not to have stitches but it's gonna hurt when I wash his hair in the morning. The oldest sat in timeout for his 5 minutes and then said he was upset so he sat there another 30 minutes by himself. So until we give the kids fishing poles they can't play with their tackle boxes. I am sure I will have practice in removing lures from each of them before to long.

Hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Next it's back to school - ugh!!!!

The Monster in him

At three years of age you can't even imagine what a monster the youngest is. In a matter of 15 minutes he removed the door from the buffet in the play room and played with the screws, tore pieces up from The Very Hungry Caterpillar game, broke the limbs from Flippin Frogs, and stuffed toys into crevices of Piranha Panic that I didn't even realize were there. So in the garbage can they all went and the wailing began from both of them.

I shouldn't wonder why I get labeled the worst mom when I throw stuff away.

So when everyone looks into his big brown eyes and says how cute he is just remember he can turn at any moment :)