Happy Thanksgiving (so behind!)

Part of me wants to just forget posting the things that I missed, and start anew today.  However, for the sake of my kids, I will keep up with some catching up posts.  I am slow behind the camera lately, it seems.  I run into this problem every winter.  I guess the lack of goings on leads to no pictures.  Ugh. 

These pictures are from Brooklyn’s “Friendship Feast” day at school.  First, the cute kiddos had a program for the parents.  Brooklyn had her “part” memorized weeks ahead of time.  It was adorable.  Jake and I both somehow were able to attend without anyone else but Jack.  After the program, Jake went to a real feast in the lunchroom with Brooklyn.  A good time was had by all.

For Thanksgiving, we were blessed to feast with friends.  This year, we managed again to get out of hosting Thanksgiving at our house, by bringing good tidings of fried turkey to our wonderful hostess.  Mmmmm….if you haven’t had Alton Brown’s fried turkey, you haven’t had turkey.  You’re welcome to come next year.  Come one, come all (or we’ll just bring the bird to you!). 

Any Given Day

 

These pictures are outdated --- I  had to go back to November to start catching up. 

I can’t believe how much the kids change in just a few months.  But, at the same time, these pictures could be a picture of any day.  The three older kids love being together (and love to fight, we’re normal).  However, they are learning to read and enjoy reading together.  Most days, Jack is just happy to come along for the wild ride.

Bribery Pays

Bribery pays, on both sides.

On Friday, we were all at McDonald's, "celebrating" that Brooklyn and Ty did well on their report cards.

Midway through the meal, Ty says, "Mom, I need to go potty". I don't believe in public restrooms. Ugh. Kids and public restrooms are awful. Kids touch EVERYTHING...it all feels so germy. I barely survived that stage when we were going through potty training and had to try every potty in town. I avoid potty stops when I can.

Anyways, I quickly responded: "We are almost done. If you can hold it until we get home, I'll give you a quarter.". He agrees. Smartie Sadie then says: "I need to go potty too, can I have a quarter?" "Yes, but only if you don't pee your pants". Ty then counters: "what do I get if I pee my pants?"

Jake and I both laughed. SO HARD.

Fortunately, in the end, for fifty cents, I avoided the McD's bathroom altogether. Mission accomplished.

Some Days...

Some days, I feel like I have it altogether (almost anyways).

Some days, I don't even know what "it" is.

Update -- Brooklyn

Ugh. I'm so behind. I haven't posted pictures in months. I think it's all a part of trying to avoid spending too much time on the computer. Maybe it's just me, but I open up that browser to check my email, or do a "quick" post on my blog; and 1 1/2 hours later my kids are all brawling and the house looks like I need an intervention from some crazy reality show.

Well, here's Brooklyn. New pictures. I was just thinking that maybe I should be doing Ty, as he had a birthday a few weeks ago, but alas, I don't have those pictures loaded yet and if I walk downstairs to get the camera and upload the pictures, surely I'll get distracted. I'm a bit like that mouse in the story "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie".

In the past few months (unfortunately, it was after Christmas); Brooklyn lost her two front teeth, and then some. She has this adorable missing tooth smile. I love it. A few weeks ago, she celebrated the 100th day of school and we had to come up with a project that displayed 100 of something. Thus, the styrofoam ball with 100 crayons. On that day, the kids were supposed to dress up like they were 100 years old. That's where the scary white cornstarch hair comes in. It was a little intense, but she liked it. She makes a pretty darned cute old lady.

She is doing great right now in school. She loves reading and looks forward to her monthly girl scout meetings. As a mom, I'm just trying to maintain perspective. I thought childhood was painful enough when I was there. It's hard to make good friends. It's hard to keep good friends. It's hard to be the one to make good choices. Good girl friends are something that everyone needs, but to say the least, it's always complicated. I think sometimes the "struggles" that she is having bother me more than her. If it's like that now, how am I going to do it when she's a teenager?

She is a great example and a fabulous big sister.

It's good and bad when you have a child that reminds you so much of yourself...both the strengths and the weaknesses.

It Could Be Worse

For all of my mommy friends, just know that it could be worse.

Your kids (and mine) act up. We all have good and not so good days.

Yesterday, I was shopping in Target. Let me make it clear, I have become one of the most non-judgemental people on the planet when it comes to parenting and kids. Honestly, when I see kids (or moms) misbehaving in the store, I usually turn away so that they're not embarrassed and assume the best. Sometimes I share a sympathetic smile or offer to help.

Anyway, I was checking out and noticed a dad in the lane next to me with two boys. In the time we were in line, his son (who appeared to be about four), ran over to the snack counter, climbed up on the counter, grabbed a very large soda cup, climbed down, ran over the the Icee machine, and proceeded to fill up his cup. Dad was 100% clueless, worrying about checking out I guess.

I stopped myself from saying anything. I just walked out of the store. I felt grateful, and maybe a little smug, and I was laughing (but just little chuckles). I didn't even stay to see what happened when dad found him. I imagine that it wouldn't have been as climatic as it would have been if were one of my kids...the kid seemed pretty practiced and I don't think it was the first time he'd done it.

All I could think was, thank goodness. It could be worse.

Fab Fave

Every once in awhile, a product comes along..."man, why didn't someone come up with this a LONG time ago?"

Enter: Knot Genie

I went to take Ty for a haircut today and saw an ad for this on the window of our salon. I asked to try one out on Sadie's hair. Heck, for $10.99, if it works, I'll save that alone in detangling spray, let alone all of the TEARS we will save.

Dum, duh, duh, dum...it WORKS. Brushes out the tangles, without any pain, suffering, and/or tears (from Sadie or me!). Sadie has ultra-fine, super curly hair. I don't think her hair situation could get worse as a little blondie. The other mom in the salon was sold on it, just watching me with Sadie. Yay! (If you want yours, and you live in my area, it's sold at Kid Do's in Menomonee Falls; the online price on the Knot Genie website is $19.99, they were $10.99 at the salon)

Oh, it's PATHETIC how lit up I get as a mom about these kinds of things...but really, saving tears is priceless. We do so much crying around here as it is, it's fantastic to eliminate a few fights.