Funny kids

Mia-- let's just say I never know how each day is going to go with Mia. I really need to read my parenting book and handle her better. Lately she has either been a very, very good helper or absolutely terrible. I promise I praise her greatly when she is good and she loves it, but says sometimes she just doesn't want to be good. Anyway, we had two mornings with major meltdowns this week. Mia is a free spirit and I am trying so very hard to pick my battles with her. So on Tuesday I let her wear the hideous outfit she put on. It was pink day--not matching pink--just anything pink she could find. I did not take a picture because then she would think it was cute. I didn't say anything either. The meltdown started when I told her she had to brush her hair. Something I ask her to do every morning. But she decided today she wanted tangly hair. She did not want her hair brushed. I could not let her go to school in the hideous outfit with tangly hair. I forced a brush through her hair and made it look decent with her screaming and crying through the whole process. Not because it hurt but because she wanted it tangly. Day #2 she actually picked out a matching outfit--great choice! But... she decided she wanted to wear her shirt backwards. What in the world goes through this child's head? I was not going to let her wear her shirt backwards. Maybe I should have, but I didn't. She definitely likes to be different! Hopefully she will use that to her advantage!!



Landon loves to play tricks on me. Yesterday I was giving him his spelling test. I was sitting on the couch feeding one of the babies. He was sitting at the table, so I wasn't watching him. I read him all his words. With a serious face, he brought me his paper...I know a few are actual words but they are not even close to his spelling words. I thought, "what in the world is wrong with him?". We had practiced his words all week and he got them right every time. I didn't know what to say. I just kept looking at the paper trying to figure out what he had done. He burst into laughter and hands me another piece of paper with his spelling words spelled correctly. He said, "I got you good that time!!" He was so proud of himself and couldn't wait to tell Daddy. He had two pieces of paper with him. He would write his spelling word on one and some off the wall letters on the other. I must admit he got me good!!

Planning

**warning** there are many run on sentences and it is a very long post
For the most part, I like to plan things and make lists of what needs to be done and what time I will be doing that. Wednesday was one of those days I needed to plan and stick to my plan. Things started off wrong--got better--then went downhill. On Tuesday I developed a crazy foot/toe pain. I could not put any pressure on my left big toe. I never knew how much I used my big toe. After a day of crawling up and down the steps with two babies, entertaining four children at wrestling practice, bathing and getting everyone in bed (way past bedtime), I was exhausted. Zack and I both decided if I just went to bed it would be all better when I woke up in the morning. I woke up to find it had only gotten worse. I decided I couldn't go another day with a hurt foot and it was just going to have to get better. I had way to much to do today. I worked through the pain and rubbed my toe and amazingly it helped. I still had a little pain, but I could put some pressure on it. Now I was off to conquer my day. Zack and I had business things to take care of- phone calls, fliers, faxes, emails.... Not very hard things just time consuming! I wanted to have all that done before I had to pick the kids up from school. I got the kids (mine + 1) from school and we went to Zack's shop to drop off final paperwork and check the mail. It is tax time and I was waiting for some important papers in the mail. I was on track... we headed to Kroger because I needed to pick up a few things. I forgot that Wednesday is Senior Citizen day at Kroger. Once I got through the parking lot which took a little longer than usual letting all those sweet ladies cross the road, I found a parking place and realized I was being followed. A lady had been following me through the parking lot because she saw my Arbonne sticker and wanted to talk to me about Arbonne. Before I unloaded all six kids, I talked with her for a minute, gave her a catalog and business card, and told her I would follow up later. Finally I unloaded everybody and we headed in the store. I successfully got the few things I needed ignoring all comments I received and only being stopped once by someone to admire the babies (yes, they are very cute and yes I have my hands full so let me shop!!!). Actually I love showing off my five wonderful children but when I am in a hurry or on a time crunch to meet feeding schedules, I don't have time to go through the names and ages of each kid, what I do each minute of each day, and how we make it through the store with a smile on our face. It really is not bad and very doable. Many of you have been in my shoes or are in my shoes right now. You know you just do what you have to do. I have had many funny stories in Kroger's but that is for another blog. We headed home to give the kids a snack, do homework and get ready for dance. The plan--take Mia and Olivia to dance; come home and get Landon's wrestling clothes, pack food for the babies to feed them at wrestling practice, and finish up any last minute things to be ready for school; pick Mia and Olivia up at dance; take Landon to wrestling practice; take Olivia home; go back to wrestling practice; feed the babies while waiting for Landon; and finally go home to eat dinner, shower, and go to bed!!! Easy... it was all planned. What happened--I dropped Mia and Olivia off at dance, pulled out on Thompson Lane heading home and bam the trouble started. My van made the worst sound I have ever heard come from a vehicle. I just had my brakes worked on last week, but something went terribly wrong. Not knowing what to do I pulled over and tried to call Zack-no answer. I called Dad, who in turn called John, our service guy/wrestling coach/ family friend. I talked to John described what happened and he told me to turn around and drive straight there. I wasn't far so I did. They drove it into the shop and jacked it up with me and the four kids in the car. An hour later it was fixed. Luckily during this time Zack was able to go home, get Landon's wrestling clothes and shoes, pick Mia and Olivia up at dance, and meet us at College Motors. Perfect timing. We swapped kids- he took Landon to wrestling and I took Olivia home. Zack's appointments got cancelled for that night so he was able to stay at wrestling with Landon and I headed home to cook dinner, feed babies, and get the four I had in bed before Zack got home. Though my day didn't go as planned, it all worked out!! These are the days you just have to laugh and are so happy when you can get in bed!!

Slump

I was talking to a friend yesterday and she was telling me what a hard week they were having in their family. She said she wanted to blog it, but hadn't. I told her I had been in a major slump lately and it was good to know I was not the only person who might have a bad day or bad mom moment or week or year. It was good to talk and laugh and be able to release some of those bad moments to someone who is not going to judge you, but lift you and help you move on. Thanks friend!!

Now if I can just find the energy, motivation, and discipline to do what I need to, then maybe I can get out of this slump. Until then... I'll keep plucking through each minute, hour, and day one step at a time.

Scooter Fun

It was a beautiful day today. The kids enjoyed the afternoon outside riding their scooters.

Special visitor

On New Year's Day we had a visit from our special friend Vern. We had a great time with Vern.

Christmas 2007

I guess it is better to post late than never. We had a great Christmas this year. Everyone was very accommodating which made it very relaxing for us. I did revert back to my old ways and was terrible at taking pictures. I have very few to show what a great time we had.

We started our celebrations with the Slater side of the family on the Sunday night before Christmas Eve. We went to the Parthenon to eat and then came back to our house for dessert and presents. Actually there weren't suppose to be any presents but nobody listened (except for us). We had a great dinner and the kids were great. It was so nice for everybody to be willing to come to our home. We were able to put the babies to bed and let the other kids play without worrying about what they were going to break or destroy. Zack and I were able to enjoy visiting with family. It was a very enjoyable night. Thank you Slater family members for being so willing to come to our home!!

Parthenon

Christmas Eve- we always celebrate Christmas Eve at "the farm". This is the Fowler side of the family. The kids received letters from Santa and he told them he likes to stop and rest at "the farm" in Christiana. They were so excited to go to "the farm" and see if Santa would stop while we were there. Last year when he stopped, Prancer got lost in the woods. I think he was able to keep all reindeer close by this year. He sent one of his helpers inside to bring the kids a gift. We had a great dinner. Aunt Karen always goes all out for the family. We played the white elephant game with the adults and the kids exchanged presents with each other. Zack's cousin Matt has two boys, Isaac and Nevin, that my kids love playing with. The kids were once again showered with presents from all. Thank you Karen and Larry for opening your home for another great Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve at "The Farm"

Christmas Day- we got to spend Christmas morning at home. I love seeing the excitement in the kids eyes as they walk in the room to see what Santa brought them. I did not capture that moment because I had a baby in my arms, but it was priceless. We did get a picture of all of the kids before we headed downstairs. Santa was very good to all! He even brought Cy and Piper some diapers. Boy Santa and Mrs. Claus are so smart!! Logan kept saying, "Santa came and he brought me presents!" Each of the kids were so excited and very appreciative of everything they got. They said it was the best Christmas ever. Zack and I are very thankful for those who helped make this Christmas possible for our family.

Christmas morning

Logan with his rubber boots on and choo-choo train in hand. Landon had asked for rubber boots so he could go to work with Zack. Santa brought Logan a pair too and he did not take them off for days. He even slept in them. Logan sporting new hat, gloves, and clothes.

We gathered at Mom and Dad's house Christmas afternoon. The kids had fun playing with their cousins. I enjoyed my favorite Christmas tradition-- eating mom's famous sausage casserole. That was just the beginning of my eating. I ate all day lots of yummy, yummy stuff brought by all. The kids exchanged cousin gifts and received great bags from Mama Mary and Granddaddy. Santa left a bag of toys in the playroom filled with new toys for Mama Mary and Granddaddy's playroom. It was a great day filled with lots of fun, but again no pictures to prove it.

Back to School Blues

I am so sad the kids started back to school today. We had a great break. I love having them home. It was fun to do absolutely nothing. We stayed in our pj's most days and just played. The kids thought it was great!! Mia was very excited to go to school. When I pulled into the parking lot this morning, she said, "Mommy I know this is not home, but I am going to say something anyway. It's good to be home. We had lots of fun at home, but I can't wait to show Ms. Stem my new haircut (Christmas present from Heath) and tell all my friends that I got a computer (vtech Nitro Notebook) for Christmas." I am glad that they both enjoy school and have great teachers.