Surviving Christmas

Hooooo-weeeee...

I'm just glad its over.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Right now the kids are downstairs playing Just Dance 2 for the Wii. They've been playing it all weekend.
December 19th we had our family Christmas party. My nephew A-2 did a magic show, it was wonderful. Then nephews a1, a2, a3 and Daisy and Pinky danced/mined to 'I Heard it through the Grapevine' it was too cute.

Christmas Eve was filled with the usual drama. Daisy provoking everyone to craziness and 'Cole punching her in the face. I had to jump in the middle of the fight, to do damage control. Every Christmas season there's always some drama.

Christmas Day was pretty nice, much calmer than I expected. The kids got clothes and shoes and I limited their electronics to one item per person. No point in buying a bunch of stuff to get destroyed. (wish that would have occured to me when they were younger. lol)

November

34 days till Christmas. I've been busy trying get get myself prepared for the holidays. The kids are always stressed out this time of year. They've been fighting amongst themselves more than usual. Everybody is tense and on edge.

Pickles has been grounded for all his bad grades + getting suspended...TWICE !
But he seems to be heading around a corner. We just had parent-teacher conferences this week and he's doing better. He actually has a B in geometry. Yes, folks you heard me correctly a "B". I'm proud of him, but I know he struggles with keeping up with his grades. He's getting a lot of help at school and that is working wonders for him.

The twins are doing pretty good in their first year of middle school. They love to talk and that is creating some issues for them. Overall they are doing well.

'Cole is also doing pretty good. She loses her focus every so often, but she knows what she has to do to pull her grades up.

As for me...
I'm just plowing along. lol Holidays are stressful for me because there always seems like there's too much to do and no time to do it. I'm a planner so it helps me to plan out everything. I've been spending so time rediscovering myself. I've been Mommy for so long, I've almost forgotten who Kathy is. I'm enjoying getting to know myself again.

That's all for now. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving !

Pinky and Daisy's 12th Birthday Spectacular !!

Pre-teen girls at a hotel. I'm just glad I didn't have to clean up. lol

They all had alot of fun. We were joined by the kids' maternal bio-cousin. She seemed pretty nice. We talked about things. The kids really didn't react too much to her. They said hi and reluctantly gave her a hug.

They played at the waterpark. They played in the pool. They watched movies and ate themselves silly in the hotel room.

Bad Pickles

Pickles is having a rough school year so far. He's a bright child that thinks he can get by on his looks and sense of humor. He goes to school and sits in class. He doesn't do ANY work. He likes to wander the hallways of the school. Not getting in trouble.... just not being where he's supposed to be.

The one thing he used to have going for him is that he's charming and adults usually like him.

When I went to open house a few weeks ago I found out he doesn't even have that anymore.

His social study teacher looked at him with a look I can only describe as malice. He looked like he wanted desperately to wrap his hands around my son's throat.

Pickles has been my son for many years. Seven or eight I think. I have never seen him blatantly act disrespectful towards an adult. He was awful. I couldn't believe THIS was my child. Rolling his eyes, making smart comments under his breath.

I was totally stunned.

He is now grounded. I am in constant contact with the teachers. I wish they would have contacted me before things got sooo bad. His grades are in the toilet. He is in credit recovery so that hopefully he'll get enough credits to graduate. HE doesn't seem the least bit bothered by this. At all.

Back to School 2010

Well, so far it's everything is going good. The kids are back at school and we are trying to settle into a routine.

Pickles and 'Cole are in the 10th grade and Pinky and Daisy are in the 6th grade.

This will be the first time I don't have kids in elementary school. I'm a little sad... Excited that everyone is growing up, but just a little sad.

I remember the girls' first day of Kindergarten. They were so small, so nervous. I walked Pinky to her class first because she was in tears. I stayed for a minute then walked around to Daisy's room. Daisy waved, happy to see me and I waved back. Then I left.

I miss my little kids. Life seemed simpler then. (funny how you get nostalgic, when the trying times are just a distant memory)

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Not Christmas, silly....
I'm talking about Back-To-School. Yay!!
I love summer, but all good things must come to an end.
The kids have had a great summer, with a few exceptions.
The school supplies have been bought, the shoes, the clothes are done. Kids have their schedules.

I'll have two 6th graders and two 10 graders. I'm hoping this turns out to be a great school year.

A New Day

Today I feel better. I think I'm coming to a place of understanding, thanks to the wisdom of my co-worker. I actually feel like I can breathe today and that is a good thing.

I started writing a letter to the bio dad and now I feel like I can do it with love in my heart. I know what my focus is and it has never changed. I love these silly, goofy kids and would give them the world.

Maybe there were things I needed to hear, so my heart would be in the right place. I think I'm there now. ..or at least closer to being there.

I am soooo not the Babysitter

But apparently that's what the kids' bio father thinks I am.
He told Pickles he would have him "tattooed up" before the end of the year.
He also corrected what they call themselves, referring to them by their birth names.
Promised the girls every expensive electronic device under the sun.

My brain is tired. My heart is heavy.

Bio Family found the kids on Facebook

I got a facebook freind request from the bio cousin of my youngest kids this morning. By tonight their father sent my son a friend request.
I'm absolutely in shock. I knew it would be possible for them to find them... I guess I just don't know.
I added their cousin as a friend.

I'm just stunned. My son was ok with adding his dad, but doesn't want anything to do with the cousin.

Been Caught Stealing....

Again!
Our babysitter took the twins and two of their friends to the local waterpark. While the sitter and Pinky were in the changing area changing clothes Daisy wandered over to the gift shop and took a necklace and bracelet. She was caught by security.
Because of her age they did not press charges. If she had been twelve, they would have called the police.

Her punishment from me is that she is banned from the waterpark for a year, and she is banned from going into any store until the end of this year AND if she has to go into a store she cannot walk around by herself and she has to keep both hands on the shopping cart at all times.

I thought we had worked through this. There hadn't been any stealing incidents (that I knew of) since last year. She had money earlier this week. I lowered her allowance because she refuses to her chores and when she does do them I have to ask her five times just to get her moving.

She didn't even seem phased by the whole situation. No fear. No remorse. No regret.

What am I going to do with this kid ??

Family Meeting

I love family meetings. It puts everybody on the same page. Helps me to map out my expectations and let's the kids have an opportunity to vent and talk. There are only two simple rules. 1. Everyone has a chance to talk. 2.No one can get in trouble for what they say, as long as they say it in a respectful way.
We talked about back-to-school shopping. I explained to them how much money was available (not much), we talked about types of shoes and clothing they would be able to get.
We talked about household issues. Chores and keeping the house clean. We also had to review the house rules, because some folks have selective memory.
It ended up being a really good, hopefully productive meeting.

Next stop....The dreaded back-to-school shopping. *screams*

I hate back to school shopping. I absolutely unequivocally hate it.
The teens do pretty good, I can tell them what their budget is and they normally stick to it. I've taught them to shop sales and clearance. They usually do a pretty good job.

The littles....wellllll.....that is a totally different story. A back-to-school shopping trip usually ends up in anger, pouting and possible tears. They like to go to EVERY store in SEVERAL malls. Because they are looking for "the perfect outfit". They have to look at every shoe in every shoe store. It has never ending up being a fun time. (at least not for me)

I've tried buying some of their clothes and shoes online. The problem with shopping online is you just can't get a good feel for the clothes and you can't tell what it looks like on you.
They've grown so much over the summer, I know they need to try on some stuff.

Sigh.....

100 Things About Me

1. I think too much.
2. My favorite colors are purple, blue and pink.
3. I like dogs and my family owns three.
4. I wrote poetry in high school.
5. I used to draw and paint.
6. I procrastinate....alot.
7. I love to read.
8. I hate drama.
9. I've got four adopted kids.
10. I love to travel.
11. I want to travel around the world.
12. I spend a lot of time online.
13. I don't date.
14. I hate paying bills.
15. I love to cook.
16. When I was a teen, I owned my own home bakery.
17. I hate talking on the phone.
18. Sad movies make me cry.
19. I dream about opening an art studio for kids.
20. I love ice cream !
21. I still watch cartoons.
22. People think I'm funny.
23. I like to write stories, but I never finish writing them.
24. I think Robert Downey Jr. has beautiful brown eyes.
25. I like oatmeal cookies.
26. I could be comfortable living on a deserted island. (as long as I had Internet and books to read. lol)
27. I started working when I was 12. (delivering newspapers)
28. My mother was my best friend.
29. I'm impatient.
30. I'm quirky.
31. I like cinnamon and sugar on my peanut butter sandwiches.
32. I speak a little french. (just a little)
33. I hate when people use my stuff without asking.
34. I love learning new things.
35. I like staying in hotels.
36. I love camping.
37. The beach is my favorite vacation.
38. I hate 2% milk.
39. I love kid's cereals.
40. I love Italian food.
41. I love Mexican food.
42. I love Asian food.
43. I could eat lasagna every day.
44. I don't like to go to restaurants by myself.
45. I didn't go into a bar till I was 30.
46. Kit Kat's and Twix are my favorite candy bars.
47. I hate math.
48. I love science.
49. When I was a kid I wanted to be a parapsychologist. (someone who studies paranormal activity)
50. I once lived in a haunted house .
51. My room is cluttered.
52. There's a tv in every room in my house except the bathroom and laundry room.
53. I watch tv once or twice per week.
54. I work as a custodian.
55. I've been a janitor/custodian for 15 years.
56. I don't like being a custodian....it's boring.
57. I wish I had went to college.
58. I like cold pizza for breakfast.
59. I don't wear a watch.
60. I have big feet (size 11w)
61. I'd live in Hawaii or Australia if I could.
62. I can't swim.
63. I'm afraid of heights.
64. I don't like roller coasters.
65. I only go to amusement parks and fairs for the food.
66. I wish I were a better parent.
67. I like iced coffee
68. I don't like cream-filled donuts.
69. I love the mini-donuts they sell at fairs.
70. I like to stare at the moonlit sky.
71. I think tornado-chasing is a cool job.
72. I like to throw parties.
73. I hate doing laundry.
74. I check my facebook page every day.
75. I hate getting up early.
76. I don't balance my checkbook.
77. I love to scrapbook.
78. I don't iron clothes.
79. I always wanted ten kids.
80. My favorite movie is 'Yours, Mine and Ours' (the old one, not the new one)
81. I like big old houses.
82. I like being single.
83. I'd rather be cold than hot.
84. I like walking around barefoot.
85. I love Bath and Body Works products.
86. I've never had a pedicure or manicure.
87. I've always wanted to go horseback riding.
88. My second favorite movie is 'The Lion King'
89. When I grow up I want to change the world.
90. I like to sing.
91. I like video games.
92. I don't like bubblegum.
93. I hate going to the doctor.
94. I like peace and quiet.
95. I hate to be ignored.
96. Being at home makes me happy.
97. I miss my mom every day.
98. I think raising teens is harder than raising little kids.
99. I've always wanted to go on a train ride.
100. I've never flew in a plane.

Yay!! I'm finished.

When I Grow Up

It seems kinda funny for a 37 year old to wonder what she wants to do when she grows up, but I am wondering...

I always pictured myself travelling the world, kids in tow or sitting in a park, my entire family sketching in our sketch books. Pondering how the light reflects off the trees.

Instead I have a job I tolerate, a co-worker who makes me consider murder....daily. A life that is not as fulfilling as I'd like it to be. We've done so much this year and I feel pretty good about our adventures, but they've only left me wanting more. It's like a hunger I can't satisfy.... a thirst that can't be quenched.

If I could, I'd sell the house and spend a year travelling the world.

Maybe I'm feeling my mortality. Maybe it's because the kids are growing up. Whatever it is...I just don't feel settled anymore. My mind constantly says "let's go, let's go".

Maybe I just need a change of scenery. A new venue.
I have no idea what it is, but it feels almost primal. I feel like I should be anywhere, but where I am now.

Dogs and Puppies

Last weekend we got a new family member. Her name is Java and she is a 7 week old Labrador/shepherd mix. She's such a cute little critter. Full of puppy energy and sharp puppy teeth. Our 2 year old Pit/Rot mix Rowdy can't stand her. He has been afraid of her since the day she came home.

Yesterday we loaded up Java, Rowdy and two of Java's siblings (who belong to my sister and niece) and went to get everybody their vaccinations. Rowdy has never ridden in a car before. He weighs about 60-70 pounds and he practically sat on my lap the entire ride to the vet. He also drooled uncontrollably. He drooled on my shirt, my arm and most of the front seat of the car. He also drooled out the car window. (sorry to any vehicles behind us or next to us....I'm sure you didn't know you would wander into a Rowdy-powered car wash.)

We finally made it to the clinic and unloaded everybody. They all behaved themselves and got their shots. Then we had to load everybody up and bring the home. By the time I got back I was fur covered and wet from Rowdy drool. A good time was had by all. LOL

Camping trip 2010 (Part 3- Day #3)

Monday was Packing Up Day. After another breakfast of Pancakes and sausage we got to work taking down tents and cleaning up camp. Once everything was done the kids went back to the beach for one last time and swam until it was time for us to leave.

I really enjoyed myself and I'm sure everyone else did also. It was amazing looking up at the sky and seeing it filled with stars. Simply beautiful. I have to say the dark at night was really dark. I can't ever remember being anyplace so dark. It's funny the amount of noises you hear at night. You want to get up and check and when you do you can't see anything.

Looking forward to doing it again soon.

Family Camping trip 2010 (Part 2, Day #2)

Day #2 Sunday

Sunday was our first full day at camp. We started off with some issues... mainly no socks, needing bigger pan to cook pancakes in, and a few other small things. So we headed off to Wal-Mart while my niece figured out a way to cook pancakes and sausages for 10 hungry kids.

By the time we got back to camp my niece had finished cooking breakfast and the kids were off playing ball and swimming. We decided to rent some bikes for the gang and they were off... tearing around the campground, having fun, smiling and laughing.

'Cole drove a car for the first time. She did pretty good. She really enjoyed herself.

We finished off the day with a ghost story and the kids retired to their tents happy, content and a bit leary that an indian ghost might come by in the middle of the night.

Family Camping Trip 2010 (A Tale of Rains, Winds, and No Socks)

This past weekend was our first family camping trip. The 14 of us spent the weekend at Indian Lake State Park in Lakeview, Ohio.

I have to say this one thing...none of our trips ever go easy. We always have some sort of trial that (hopefully) makes us stronger and more united in the end.


Day #1- Saturday Rollout And Arrival Day- I really wish I had taken a picture of the amount of stuff that we took on this camping trip. We looked like we had 50 people going instead of 14. We filled the storage area of the van and the trunk of the car and still had to stuff stuff in every available nook and cranny. It took about a half hour to get our gear loaded up. Then we were finally able to hit the road.

We arrived at the campground a little after 3am. It was humid and warm but it wasn't too bad. Rain had been threatening all day. We immediately set to work putting up the tents.

My daughter Pinky has developed an amazing talent for putting up tents (and taking them back down, too) She put up one of our larger tents almost entirely by herself .

We spent the rest of the day getting familiar with our surroundings. Some of the kids headed to the beach for a swim, others went up to the camp store for basketballs for a quick b-ball game.

Dinner was hamburgers and hot dogs, we were hard pressed to get the kids to eat something. they played until they wore themselves out.

The wind had started to pick up late in the evening, but there was no sign of rain. The rustling of the trees was non-stop. By 2am the rain had started. Torrential rains, heavy winds, thunder and lightning...everyone was concerned but nobody said anything. The tents held up amazingly well. They barely moved in the wind, maybe that's why we weren't as worried as we probably should have been. We found out the next day a tornado had hit a city 34 miles from where we were.

About 4am I had to make a potty run. I NEVER have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The storm was churning around us and I had to go to the bathroom. I tried to wait it out, but the sound of the rain hitting the roof of the tent was making matters worse. Finally, I had no choice... I threw on my shoes and raincoat and hiked over to the bathroom. It wasn't a long walk, but it was long enough. By the time I got back to the tent my socks and shoes were soaked.

It was at that very moment that I remembered that I did not pack any socks. Neither had any of the kids. Now I have wet socks and shoes and cold feet.

By morning we were just glad we made it through the night.

Tent Try Out Day

In order to make sure we know what the heck we're doing, we decided to spend the day putting of the tents. My goal was to #1 make sure we could put the tents up and #2 Make sure we had all the parts.

Tent #1 Went well. I am so pleased with this tent.

Tent #2 did not go so well. (At all) One side is missing the brackets that attach the legs to the tent frame. Well, technically it has brackets...just not the right ones. So tomorrow I'm going to call the manufacturer and hope they still make brackets for the tent.

Tent #3 is made the same as Tent #2, but it has all the right parts. Yay!! We didn't put it together, we just took inventory and made sure everything was there.

All three tents are roomy and nice, I love them.

Yes, We're Going Camping !!

Campsites is reserved and of course it is going to rain. lol We're going anyway. I'm am so excited I can barely contain myself. I want to go to stores like Gander Mountain and act like I know what the heck I'm doing.

We have a few odds and ends left to buy plus all the food. I really want to set up one of the tents today, because I've never done it before and because the excitement is killing me. I finally told the kids about the camping trip and they are so excited.

Camping Trip Shopping

My dear sister (who drove pass gas that was $2.34 a gallon) and I hit up the yard sales in search of equipment for our camping trip. I think we did an amazing job and I'm sooooo happy with what we ended up with.

We got...
3- 8 person Northwest territory tents (sold at Sears retail price $200)
10 gallon water jug (sold at Home Depot for $29)
1 queen air bed (sold at Cabala's for $129)
3 sleeping bags
4 flashlights
12 hot dog skewers
1 two burner camp stove ($49 retail at Dick's Sporting Goods)
1 one burner camp stove

Total Price we Paid.... $ 200

Dear Judy went out the day before and found
1 small tent
4 Nice sleeping bags
2 fishing poles
3 hot dog skewers
all that for $50

Those Were The Days

I miss the days of little girl problems. Which doll to play with, which friend can come over, which little boy is teasing. Life seemed so simple back then.

Next year I'll have FOUR teenagers in the house. Just the thought of it makes me want to run away screaming and hide in the garage until they're all eighteen.

'Cole and I have had our moments, but they were few and far between....until she got a boyfriend.
Now every week we have some sort of battle over this boy and my expectations for her behavior.

Every. stinking.week.

I told her today (after a long 2 hour long "discussion") that I was beginning not to like her anymore.

She's sooo unpleasant to be around, I find it really hard to even want to be in the same room as her. The only thing we ever have a disagreement about is this boy. I have got to find this girl a job or something to occupy her time.

I'm tired. tired. tired. tired.

Cinnamon Rolls

Funny how things just pop into your head when the house is quiet.
A few years ago I found a wonderful recipe for cinnamon rolls online. My mother loved to bake and when she saw the recipe she immediately made them for us. They were so fluffy and tender. Full of cinnamon, brown sugar and butter. We ate ourselves silly. We had them for breakfast. We had them for snacks. We ate cinnamon rolls when there wasn't even a reason to eat cinnamon rolls. LOL
Her and kids would be in the kitchen whipping up a batch of cinnamon rolls and they'd have flour everywhere including all over them. The loved being in the kitchen with their grandmother She was always patient with them and they would have lively conversations about any and everything.

I was just sitting here thinking about my mother and those rolls. She taught me how to cook. She taught me that food can create memories and that good food is always cooked with love.

The recipe is here.

For the filling my mother used an equal part sugar and brown sugar.

Spring Break 2010- New York City (Part 2)

After finally making our way to Niketown (which is pretty close to Central Park), we hiked back to Times Square Crowds waiting for the Ipad at the Apple Store.

We ate lunch at a pizza shop on Times Square and then I decided we should take the double decker bus tour. I thought it would be the easiest way to see the city.

The Bus Tour was ummmm.... 3 hours long and we all fell asleep. LOL It had to be the most boring city tour I've ever had. We did get to see a lot of the city (between nodding off) Tribeca, Chinatown, Battery Park, the World Trade Center site, the Statue of Liberty and I know there was a bunch of other places we slept through.

I was so glad when it was over. We called it a day and headed back to the hotel. We had dinner at Chipotle and went to see a movie. We were too tired to walk around, but not tired enough to sit in the hotel and look at each other.

The next day was Sunday...our last day. We had considered going back to NYC but nobody felt like dealing with the throngs of people in the city. Plus, we had to be at the bus station in Newark, NJ in the afternoon.

New York City was an experience like no other. Times Square was awe-inspiring. I understand why they call it the city that never sleeps. It was an incredible experience.

Spring Break 2010 - New York City (Part 1)

I thought I had posted out trip report about NYC... but I guess I'm getting old and forgetful. lol

We spent the first weekend in April in NYC, I have to say I have never seen soooo many people in my life. We left our city a little after midnight and got to our hotel in Secaucus, NJ about 5- 5:30 Saturday afternoon. After settling in we ate dinner at Cheeseburger In Paradise and then headed on over to the Big Apple.

By the time we rolled into NYC it was about 10:00pm. Times Square is amazing at night. The lights are so bright it looks like daytime. It was very crowded.
We hung out for about and hour and a half before the kids started complaining about being tired and wanting to go back to the hotel.

As we were headed back to the Port Authority Bus Station we found a cool souvenir store and picked up some I (heart) New York t-shirts.

The next morning started with breakfast (free) down in the hotel lobby and then we were off again. Pickles wanted to go to the Niketown store first. Niketown was about a 2 mile walk from the bus terminal. So we walked and walked and walked and took in the sights.

Daisy and 'Cole

Ice Skating at the Rockefeller Center

St. Patrick's Cathedral

To be continued......

Sigh...

Is it possible to run away from something when you don't even know what you're running from ?

Life

My son just rubbed air freshener on himself. Now he smells like mountain spring or spring meadow. LOL

The mother of my daughter's boyfriend suggested/requested that she spend the night last night. My dearest teen aged daughter thought I would be ok with it.
Riii-iii-ght....

What would make a parent think it's ok for a teen girl to spend the night at her boyfriend's house??

So dear teen daughter has an attitude with.... drum roll please....ME.

I am not going to entertain such nonsense. It's ridiculous. I can't believe my daughter would think I'd be ok with it.


Sigh......

Happy 16th Birthday !!

April 16th, 2010


Dearest 'Cole,
I remember 12 years ago a caseworker called me and asked me if I was interested in adopting a four-year old girl. I told her sure and she said she would bring a picture of the little girl out to me. She came over the next day with a manila folder that contained a picture and some info about you. I looked at the picture and knew immediately without any doubt in my mind that this little girl was my daughter.

I remember the first time we met at your foster mother's house. You came over and sat next to me and we talked. I felt my heart sing.

Over the years we have experienced so many things together. We’ve grown up together. We’ve laughed together. We’ve cried together.

You have been my daughter for twelve years. I love you immeasurably. You have brought so much joy into my life. You are my daughter and my friend. I have enjoyed watching you grow up to become the young woman you are today. You are a great person. I am honored and humbled to be called your mother.

I hope your future is full of wonderful things. I hope we share many more adventures together. Happy 16th Birthday.


With lots of love,
Mommy

Turning 37

Lately I've been plagued by feelings of wanting to get away, run away. Escape. Things are mediocre and I'm bored with my life. The kids are growing up too fast. I miss the days of them all being small. 'Cole will be 16 in April, Pickles will be 15 in July and the twins will be 12 in October.
The days seem like they are rushing by.

There are things I want them to experience as a family. Things I want to show them.
The first vacation I went on was when I was somewhere around 18-21 years old. I had just received some money from an accident settlement and my mother and I rode down to her hometown in Georgia. 25 hours on a Greyhound bus. It was interesting. I got to meet family members I had never met before, but it didn't feel like a vacation. The highlight of the trip was going to a Piggly-Wiggly for the first time. LOL

From that moment on I decided that my kids would see more than the city of their birth and so would I. We would have adventures together.

I got a slow start with our adventure plans. Myrtle Beach in 2005, Hocking Hills State Park 2009, Pittsburgh earlier this year. My thirst for travel has not been quenched. There is still so much I want to experience, so many places I want to go.

I turned 37 years old last week. I don't feel any older or any different. I just feel like I'm ready for my adventure now.

Brrrrr

OH.MY.GOODNESS.
Why is it sooooo cold ??

Thank goodness for my slanket . Now I just need a cup of hot cocoa and Hugh Jackman and I'll be nice and toasty.

Growing Up (Facebook Edition)

The kids have tons of pictures on their facebook pages, so I thought I'd borrow a few of my favorites.

Kip's Great Adventure

Last weekend we met Cole's new "boyfriend", "Kip". He came by last Saturday and then came back around on Monday.

Cole, Kip and Pinky walked to a nearby park. Pinky didn't take her coat, so they decided to come back to the house to get it for her. Cole and Pinky came in the house and Kip stood in our front yard messing around with his bike.

Cole was standing in the door waiting for Pinky and watching Kip when she realized that Rowdy was in the house.
Mommy: "Don't let the dog out."
Cole (in her best annoyed teen-girl voice): " I'm not gonna let the dog out."

It was at that exact moment that she opened the storm door and allowed it to shut. But in our lovely home you have to PULL the door shut to get it to latch. She didn't do that. Rowdy, hearing the door open, sprang to his feet and shot out into the front yard.

Rowdy circled Kip twice and proceeded to um...how shall I say this nicely....
ummmm....he proceeded to make happy with Kip's leg.

Rowdy can be a bit intense when he is "making happy" with a leg. He was humping like crazy. Had a good grip. He was really enjoying that leg. Really. enjoying. it.a lot.
Kip was screaming "Help ! Help ! I'm being violated !" and " You're the mom, you're not supposed to laugh."

Yes, I'll admit it. I laughed. I laughed hard. I almost wet myself.

Meanwhile, Cole is now in the front yard posing like Miss America, checking her nails...fixing her hair.
Mommy: Aren't you going to help your boyfriend ?!?"
Cole: " Ewww...I don't want to get dirty."

Pickles is the house watching the scene from the window laughing his head off.
Pinky finally dislodged the dog from Kip's leg and poor, poor Kip made a beeline for the house.

It took us about 5 minutes to round up the dog,(he gets really excited after he's had him some leg) and Kip finally went back outside after we put Rowdy in the house.

I told Cole in passing if he still talks to you after all that, he must really like you a lot.

He's still talking to her.

Self sabotage (or Why things don't always go as planned)

It almost always happens. I usually see it coming.
I try not to mention exciting activities, because I know it causes their behavior to spiral out of control.

I was supposed to take the kids roller skating today....
I sent 'Cole a text message telling her of our plans. She's usually pretty good about not telling anyone anything because she knows what usually happens.

She told Daisy. Daisy told Pinky.
Trouble brewed all day yesterday. Brewed like a carafe of Starbucks coffee.
I tried warnings and probably even some threats.
I even allowed Pinky to invite a friend over to play hoping it would cause them (the twins) not to fixate so much on each other.

It worked until the friend went home.

It wasn't a knock-down-drag-out fight as usual.... but it did involve hitting and crying.
And of course no skating today.

Still Present and Accounted For

Well, we are 16 days into a new year. Everyone is just plugging along. The children dropped the new computer on the floor, luckily it didn't break.

Pickles is grounded and has been because of his terrible grades.
'Cole is in L.O.V.E with a boy. It'd be cute if it weren't so sickening.
Pinky has major pre-teen attitude.
Daisy is just Daisy.

I've recovered from Christmas and I feel pretty good about the new year. This is the year of fixing up our home. We've lived here 10 years and the house is starting to look like we've been here 10 years.

My first home-improvement project for this year will be the main bathroom. New paint, new flooring and new bath accessories.

I feel pretty positive so far this year. Everyone gets a fresh start and a chance to make things better.