Happy 15th Birthday 'Cole

Today 'Cole turned 15. Where has the time gone ?

It seems like it was just yesterday I was being shown a picture of an adorable 4 year old girl. I knew when I looked at that picture that this girl was going to be my daughter. She has brought me more joy than I could ever imagine.

Love ya, Kid

You're the best.

Easter 2009

Of course there's no pictures. You would think out of three adults somebody would think to bring a camera....but no it didn't happen.

We started out the day before Easter with a fun-filled Family Day. My sister Judy and I took the eight kids (my four and her four grands) roller skating. The kids all love being together and had a great time. Judy's boyfriend Richard soon joined us and brought his son and another boy.

I hoped that everyone would be so tired from skating that they would all need a nice long afternoon nap. Ha ! Those folks were wound up like human yoyos.

So we left skating and went bowling. I think the only people who got tired at the bowling alley was the grownups. I know I was ready for a short nap at that point, but not the kids.

My next suggestion was a nearby park. Nothing like being out in the fresh air to tire a kid out. Right ?

Apparently not.

The funny thing about taking city kids to a park is what I like to call Grass Overload. It's just too much for their little minds to handle. They aren't used to all that green and all that fresh air. They were in a park where they could run and play. We had playground toys and there was tons of playground equipment. They mostly just stood around and looked at the other kids playing. Where did they want to play ?? In the parking lot, of course.

I just want to say that when I was a kid I loved playing in the grass. I loved (and still do) they way the grass feels between my toes.

We were probably there maybe an hour, before everyone started to complain about being "starving" and "so hungry they couldn't play". So we drove over to Cici's Pizza. Great way to feed kids... a pizza buffet. It's genius I tell ya. I wish I would have thought of it.

After they ate and played in the game room we drove to a little viewing area out by the airport and watched the airplanes land. Again the kids wanted to run and race on the gravel driveway. (but they wouldn't do it in the park...I'm still trying to work that one out in my head)

Then we headed home. Finally my kids were a little tired. I still had work to do, I had to boil eggs for coloring and finish assembling our Easter baskets. I'm pretty sure I didn't get to bed until way after midnight. I know Judy was up doing the same thing.

Easter Day was pretty quiet, the kids colored their eggs and I cooked dinner. A very simple end to a lovely weekend.

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Little Girls with Teenage Attitude

Maybe it's something in the air. Maybe it's the fact that they've been cooped up inside the house all winter. Maybe they need a job.

The twins get up arguing and go to bed arguing. They argue about arguing. (I didn't even think that was possible)

"Don't look at me!"
"Don't touch me !"
" Don't breathe on me!"
"Don't touch my stuff !"
" Don't eat your food like that"
" Don't talk to me !"

The funny thing is that when you separate them, they complain about not being able to play with each other. LOL

They are grumpy, moody, irate and irritable.

It's bad enough having two actual teens in the house who are grumpy, moody, irate and irritable, but add two ten year olds to that mix and you have one mommy who is becoming close friends with Advil and Tylenol.

The fights start over nothing. I mean absolutely nothing. They can be sitting quietly drawing, reading or doing homework and the next thing you know we're at The Main Event. It's never any physical violence, but they've been saying some pretty rude, mean and hateful things to each other.

I'm open to any unique ideas. I've tried all the usual stuff (grounding, separating them, discussions about being nice, restrictions) I think once the weather warms up and they spend more time playing with other kids, perhaps things will get better. Until then.... maybe I'll invest in some ear plugs.

Things That happen When Mommy is not at Honme

How does a puppy get pancake syrup all over his fur ??

That's all I'd like to know.

(I asked the puppy and he looked over at the kids)

Now he smells like old gym shoes, fritos and syrup.
And who would be the lucky person to give him a bath....any volunteers ??
No ?
Then I guess it'll be me.

Darn kids.

Ramdom Monday Things

1. I'm bored. I'm bored. I'm bored.
2. Three of my kids woke up arguing this morning. How do you wake up arguing ?!?
3. I had lasagna for breakfast and it was good.
4. I feel like running away from home to become a beach bum.
5. I've got a stack of pictures (from 2006) that I need to scrapbook...but I don't feel like doing it.
6. I feel like buying something stupid.
7. All of the kids are over at the library. It's just me, the dog and peace and quiet.
8. I wonder where squirrels do their business at ? You never hear anyone say "Aw man, I just stepped in some squirrel poo!"

February

Everything has been pretty calm and quiet so far this year. We did have an incident with Pickles accidentally breaking a window pane out of the back door. Typical Pickles stuff (" I swear Mommy I don't know how that happened.")

The foul weather here (cold, snowy and icy) has left all of us with a serious case of cabin fever. This weekend should be warmer so maybe we'll get out of the house and enjoy the day. The kids really need to burn off some of that pent-up energy.

That's all for now.