It's All Greek To Me

Don't you just love it when you ask your kids to do something and they just look at you like you're speaking a different language? I have been doing laundry ALL day today and just told my boys that I am putting their clothes in the washing machine and if they have any clothes in their bedroom they need to take them out to the laundry room. Neither one even heard me, so I stepped in front of the tv and tried again. They both just stared blankly at me and did not budge. So off went the tv and you would have thought that I told them I was cancelling their birthdays! Good grief!! Here is proof of the blank looks:

Today was also the Halloween party at Brian's preschool. He got to wear his costume to preschool and was so excited that he had it on shortly after waking up this morning! It was fun to watch all the kids come in with their costumes on this morning. The last 15 minutes of preschool they also had a parade where all the kids marched into the fellowship hall and then they sang 3 songs they have been learning the last month for all of the parents. It was so cute! I did take some pics, but unfortunately they did not turn out the greatest but I will share them anyway.

Pumpkin Patch

After school today we made a quick trip out to the pumpkin patch that Brian went to last week. It wasn't the big pumpkin patch we normally go to that has all the fun things like the corn maze, the animals, the pumpkin pie or apples and caramel sauce, or even the hayride. But this year has just plain been crazy so we figured that if we could go somewhere other than the store to buy a pumpkin then we were doing pretty good. Collin was pleased to get to go and pick out his pumpkin and didn't say a thing about missing out on all the fun things. We thought that we were going to have to buy a small pumpkin for Brian since he already did his big pumpkin last week and heaven forbid he should walk out of there empty handed, right? But he surprised us. We offered for him to pick out a small one and he said "I don't need a pumpkin, I already have my pumpkin!" It was so cute, he said it as if to say you silly! At the same time I was so proud of him for not needing to leave with a pumpkin and to just allow Collin to have his. When we got home we had a quick dinner and then set about carving the pumpkin. Overall it was a nice evening and such a gorgeous day!! Collin didn't even mind pulling out the guts this year. He wanted a pumpkin patch in our backyard, so he threw the seeds outside to see if they will grow! He is going to be my gardiner. Here are some pics from our afternoon pumpkin patch and carving event.

Daddy's Night

Last Thursday was Daddy's night at Brian's preschool. Since they went on a field trip to the pumpkin patch on Wednesday, the plan was to carve pumpkins for Daddy's night. Needless to say Brian was super excited. The last thing they talked about at preschool that morning was that it was Daddy's night that very night. I could not get Brian to calm down the whole day. It was just too much for him. So they grabbed some pumpkin carving tools and headed to the preschool. Brian continued his excitement while they were there and Steve said he had a hard time sitting down and actually carving the pumpkin, but he still had a good time with Daddy. Daddy even remembered to take some pics of the whole event.

Routine II

Okay, so I know that in my post a couple weeks ago about routine many of you caught that I mentioned things were getting ready to change again. Well....they are. Starting next Saturday I will officially be starting a job. I was able to find something that fits with our schedule. I still get to be a sahm during the day. I still get to take the kids to school and pick them up, make their lunches, and be home with Allison all day. But 2 or 3 evenings a week, and on Saturdays you will find me checking at the Haggen in Ferndale. I'm excited to start, although a little nervous too. Now it will be up to Steve to make sure homework gets done, and the kids are showered and in bed at bedtime. He will probably have to start making dinners sometimes too. He is up for the challenge and I think it will be good quality time for the 4 of them. They need daddy time without mommy just like I need me time without the rest of them. Be praying for us as our routine will be different and we will ALL have to adjust to the new schedule.

Laundry Queen

Let me just say that it is official. I have been tested with some of the biggest stains ever and I have conquered!! I was actually able to remove grass stains from cream pants so that you cannot even tell they were there. And trust me it wasn't just a small grass stain on the knee. I'm pretty sure he was running and sliding in the grass (he was running away from girls). These stains were all up and down both legs. And to beat that, I was able to completely remove charcoal (because what boy does not like playing in a fire pit with white sleeves?) from Collin's shirt. We're talking white sleeves completely black. Now? Gleaming white. I kid you not. It almost blinded me as I took it out of the dryer. I think it is even whiter now than when we bought it. Okay, that's probably not possible, but it has to be at least AS white. I feel like I can accomplish anything laundry will throw at me. Now, it's time to go tackle the 8 (probably more) loads that I still haven't washed yet. Sigh.

Wiped Out

Today I finally hit my energy limit. After go, go, going all day I came home after jogging to pick Collin up from school, stood in my kitchen getting ready to make dinner and literally felt all my energy drain from my body. I had NOTHING left. I still had a pto meeting to go to at school at 7, so I had Collin do his homework and Brian clean his room and then we loaded up in the minivan and headed to the golden arches one more time. I'm glad I did even though I don't like to take them there very often. I really don't think I could have made dinner even if I had wanted to. Now I am hoping to at least make a pathway through the mess so when Steve gets home sometime around 3 in the morning he won't trip on all the toys that are lying around. Sorry Steve just don't have it in me to clean tonight. I may be lucky to even get coffee made for the morning. All in all I am pleased that Steve is coming home finally and that we all survived in tact.

No, Not Me Monday

All I can say is I am disappointed. Okay I'm not disappointed, but I really thought this would be a good Monday for Not Me Monday, but surprisingly things have gone well over the weekend. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are things that I definitely did NOT do like ignore the messes in the house, let the kids watch a TON of tv, and let the boys have kethcup and ham sandwiches (EEEEWWWWW!) because they wanted hamburgers and I didn't have any. But overall not bad. We made it to church not only on time, but early (and that was for Sunday school!), all 3 kids have been bathed and teeth brushed (okay, I might have missed Allison's teeth, but she is getting flouride drops...when I remember) and in bed at (almost) a decent hour. Collin made it to school today on time with pancakes in his belly and lunch in his lunchbag. Tonight his homework is done, we've worked on his AWANA verses, and we had a pretty well balanced meal. Yes, I consider popcorn chicken well balanced when my husband has been gone for 4 days. (Speaking of Steve, turns out they had a little whoops with the vehicle they are driving and will be taking it in to the shop tomorrow. So, he's not coming home today.) The kitchen is even clean and the table cleared off. We've stayed busy at least. There have been several times I've wished I had the camera. I did finally grab out the old camera, that does not work very well, at dinner tonight. We had mashed potatoes and gravy and Allison decided she did not want me to feed her, she wanted to do it herself. So I gave in and put the bowl on her highchair and let her go to town. She had a blast and oh my goodness the mess she made! It was EVERYWHERE!! I had to get a picture of it even if it is not the best quality. But as far as Monday goes, I will say that I did in no way spend hours over the weekend looking up crap on Craig's list. At least I did not buy a bunch of stuff. Except for the double jogging stroller that I have been looking for forever. But it was only 50 bucks and the exact one I've been wanting!! I just couldn't pass it up. Well, enjoy the pics from tonight and I hope that you all did not have a Not Me Monday like me.

So far So good

Here it is Saturday afternoon already and I have to say that things are going fairly well. Yesterday we had lots of fun and I told the kids that we were going to party. Collin and I had a good morning while Brian was at preschool, and then I took the boys to Subway for lunch after preschool. We also rented a couple videos. Then we headed home. After doing some housecleaning, we set to work in the kitchen making a yummy dessert with chex cereal. The boys had a blast stirring the chocolate and peanut butter, getting to measure and pour the cereal into the bowl, and then shaking the chocolate coated cereal in ziploc bags with powdered sugar. We ate dinner in the living room while watching a movie, and then they got to enjoy the treat that we made together. We decided to sleep in the living room together and they were super excited although this morning Collin said he didn't get any sleep, and I would have to say neither did I! We will be sleeping in our own beds tonight and probably going down a bit earlier than normal. Overall it was a good evening, and the house is even in pretty good order still. Today has been pretty productive too. I was able to mow the lawn and get a bunch of laundry washed, dried, folded AND put away. To completion!! I would post pics of our fun weekend, but alas Steve has the camera. Which is why I am not allowing Allison to start walking until he gets back. Sorry, girl but you'll just have to wait!

Busy Days

As I sit here at 6 o'clock in the morning already on my second cup of coffee and trying to relieve my aching back (yes I'll admit it, I'm getting OLD) I feel it is time to take you on a little trip in my shoes. I think that this is pretty typical of most sahm's daily routine, especially once your precious one is in school, but somehow putting it in writing makes me understand why I haven't had time to fold laundry (barely getting it washed), or catch up on housecleaning.



Let's just take a look at Thursday. My day starts at 5am when I get up with Allison. Nurse her, put her back down, and make a beeline for the coffee, which of course is on a timer. I love to hear that grinder go off knowing that I will once again have fresh ground coffee to get me going. Then I make breakfast for Steve and see him off, check email before racing through the shower before the kids are up. Then my day really begins. I get the kids up and ready for school, making lunches etc. Out the door at 9:10, drop Collin off at school, race home to get the share bag for preschool that Brian forgot, drop him off at preschool, race to the library, pull Allison out of the carseat to return a couple books that are due, throw Allison back in the carseat and race over to Moms In Touch. This means I actually have a whole hour where I get to sit down!! Nice! After MIT Allison is back in the carseat and I race home to grab a piece of cornbread leftover from dinner for a quick lunch, throw Allison back in the carseat and race to the preschool to pick up Brian. Pull Allison out of the carseat, get Brian, throw Allison back in the carseat, to the store we go to pick up items for Steve's trip, pull Allison out of the carseat, do my shopping, throw Allison back in the carseat, (seeing a pattern here?) make a quick stop at the local consignment store with high hopes of finding 2 costumes that the boys will both like and will fit. Pull Allison out of the carseat, score on the costumes (okay, I'll admit, the next size up would be better but the kids have not even noticed and we will have Buzz Lightyear and the red Power Ranger hanging around our house for a long time I'm sure), throw Allison back in the carseat. Race home, put Allison down for a nap, unload the groceries, start dinner. Why did I decided to make chicken fried steak on a day that is so busy I have no idea. Feed Allison, unload the dishwasher, reload the dishwasher. Steve drives up and I throw Allison at him and jog to the school to get Collin. Finish making dinner, eat, do dishes, pick apples from our tree, mop the floor (trust me it HAD to be done right then!!) put Allison back in the carseat and head over to the school for open house. I decided it would be better to put Allison in the front carrier than maneuver the stroller around (hence the aching back this morning) and we were home and getting ready for bed a little after 8. Whew!!



And Thursdays aren't even my busy days, Wednesdays are. No wonder I'm so tired.

Going It Alone

It's just the kids and I as Steve left this morning for 5 days of hunting. And Collin doesn't have school today. I'm hoping to keep the kids busy (thanks for some ideas Stephanie) while we are home. I see lots of cooking together, as well as a movie or 2. Maybe even a living room campout! Even with activities planned I have a feeling Not Me Monday is going to be extra long this week!

Just Another Tuesday

Really I have nothing to say. It's true. But I realized that it is now October which means if I post, then I will have 2 months listed on the side of my blog. That means I've officially been a blogger for more than 1 month. So, here it is. Had to post.

But I will say that today is absolutely gorgeous outside! It is so nice to see the sun again, especially after the beating we got last night with the wind. Yikes! I am actually looking forward to walking to get Collin today.

Brian, Allison and I went to the mall today. I was hoping to go on a day that Brian was in preschool, but I've needed to go since before school started and somehow every day that he is in preschool already has something going on. Ridiculous! I thought I would have extra time to get stuff done while he was at preschool, but I guess I have instead used that time to book up my planner with other things. Oh well. At least I only had 2 kids and not all 3, and Brian did a great job. He was so pleased to be able to play at the play area when we were done.

Allison will be walking within a week I'm sure. I can't believe it, but she is so close. She has started letting go of things and just standing there. You can tell that she is thinking about it. But not quite ready to take that first step. I can't say that I am really looking forward to her walking. She is my last and never again will I have a sweet little one crawling around. It is sad, but I am trying to be excited for her firsts. Afterall, they are her firsts!

Steve is going hunting this weekend with his brother and a friend. I know he is excited to go and get away from work for awhile. The kids and I will miss him, but luckily this year he will only be gone for an extended weekend instead of the 10 days he usually goes. Who knows, maybe this year he will come home with something.