All the world is a stage...

...to Callie anyways!! She was wanting to help me cook lunch today and was asking for me to sit her up on the counter. Except that what she was saying was "put me up on the stage!" Oh this girl. There's something in her blood I think!! (And she is in LOVE with Fancy Nancy books. Can't get enough of them!)

What's Happening Here...

Sorry I've been slacking lately. As you know, we were back in obedience boot-camp last week, and went unplugged for the week. It was a great success, and today was the first day back with any kind of media privledge. The kids did great - watched their allotted show and had no further complaining or whining for more the rest of the day - hooray!!

I have been working on a gift for my sister Kristen today. Her bridal shower is this weekend in Florida, so I am taking Callie and Caleb with me to be there for it. The big boys will be staying here with David for Boys Weekend and they are excited! :)

We're back to the normal routine tomorrow - school again after being off for a long weekend. It was nice to feel like we all got a little "catch your breath" break in the middle of January. Oh -and it's back in the 60s here! Yippee!!

Aaahhh...

Josiah had a half-day yesterday and no school today, so it has been SO nice! It's the end of a grading period, and then Monday is a holiday for MLK day, so it's a nice long weekend! The weather really warmed up today (got up to 60 degrees) and it felt SOO good! We headed to the zoo to enjoy being outside and had a great time. I know I've said it a million times, but we love our zoo! It just felt so good to be outside without all the bundlings and enjoy the day as a family. David even said to me at one point "it feels easier today!" Callie was in a good mood and was walking around with the big boys - not being needy or clingy. It WAS nice! :)

The "unplugged" week has been SO nice! The boys are a little bit sadder now that it's the weekend- that's normally when they are allowed to play video games, and it's doubly sad because it's a LONG holiday weekend. But I have so enjoyed. Once they do stop complaining about it, they have played so well together, have enjoyed being outside much more (even when it was cold!!!). It's been a huge relief - just got all of us out of the habit and the rut!

The boys have their first basketball games of the season tomorrow, and I have an 11 mile run awaiting me! :) Good times!

If Only...

As we were driving to AWANA/church tonight, this is what I heard in the backseat:

Josiah: "too bad we weren't born at the same time, huh?"

Jacob: "yeah. then we could always be together. we could go to sparks together. we'd both be seven together."

Josiah: "yeah".

Jacob: "And when they sing happy birthday to us, they would have to sing "happy birthday josiah and jacob, happy birthday to you!"

These boys crack me up. They are best friends like no other. They are beginning to get very excited about the fact that they will BOTH be at the same school together next year (which is still FREAKING me out...that I'm talking about registering Jacob for kindergarten!!) Why are they all growing up on me!!!

Enough events already!!

So now that I'm finally finished posting all the events of our life the last month, have you missed just hearing the boring, mundane stuff? Probably not - it's probably been a welcome change from hearing about laundry, spilled milk, poopy pants, tears, spankings, etc!!! Well, just so you don't completely forget about all those JOYS that I get to deal with on any given day, today's extra bonus was that my car battery was dead!! Keep in mind that it was dead on Saturday, and so we bought a new one and David put it in. Car didn't start AGAIN today - fun times - which obviously changed my day. Thankfully my neighbor let me borrow her car to pick up Josiah or he would have had to ride the bus home from school. Something he's never done and would have completely - and I do mean completely - fallen to pieces. (Note to self....this is probably like the buying lunch thing at school...it's a "life skill" that he probably needs to learn just in case of emergency...like if a car doesn't start or something). After David got home and he was unable to jump it, we called the tow truck. David took the boys to basketball practice and I stayed home with the little ones to greet Mr. Tow Truck driver.

Mr. Tow Truck driver arrived an hour later and told us that it's simply the battery terminal - not something worse like an alternator, etc, etc. Hopefully we'll be able to get it taken care of in the morning. Doesn't that make for an exciting day??

On a happier note, I just watched an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition while I was feeding Caleb before bed. I just love that show. I can't watch it without crying. It is so good to see people being a blessing to others who really need a blessing! My little dead car battery is nothing compared to what a lot of people struggle with every day. I have SO much to be thankful for!!

Back on Track!!

Well, I finally feel like I'm catching my breath from Christmas. It definitely took us some time to recover from the trips (and lack of routine) around here. I am just now feeling like I'm sort of back in control of things. We've had to go "unplugged" around here - no TV, no computer games, no video games, no nothing for a week. I was way too tired of hearing all the whining so it's back to the basics around here. We're trying to focus on the basics and get back on track. Sigh. Very exhausting, but very necessary!!!

Mohawk Man!!!

Look at this cutie after his bath!!!

And look at what his new favorite trick is...makes me very sad!! Callie started crawling crazy early - at 5 months old. Ugh. Caleb is 5 months old now...but I'm hoping he doesn't start quite yet!!!! But he looks cute, doesn't he?

All good things must come to an end....

Beth even joined me for part of my long run on Saturday!! I had to run 10 miles, so she drove me out to a good route and planned to pick up with me at the 5 mile mark. She drove around for a bit while I was running the first 5 and cheered for me out her window - it was great! :) Then we ran the last half of it. I wish she lived closer - we could be running buddies! It would make it much easier...and more enjoyable!
Hanging out in the morning....

I think this is how I spent the whole weekend - in the kitchen with Beth, laughing my head off! :) Sounds like heaven to me! :)

Remember the marble thing that David assembled? Here's the finished product!

Jackson -I love this guy! He LOVES life...and we love him!! :)

Callie found this dancing Santa that Beth had and fell in love with it! It was constantly playing! We'd turn it off, and two minutes later, she'd be over there turning it back on!

We had a lot of fun with this parachute that the kids got for Christmas from a dear friend - it was SO much fun reliving all those games! (Sorry I don't have any "in action" pictures of this...all hands were needed on deck!)

Caleb LOVES Mrs. Beth!

Our attempt at a group picture with all the kids. This was right before we left on Saturday night - everyone was in their jammies ready for the drive home!! We can't wait to do it again!!!

SC is WAY cooler than NC!

....because fireworks are legal in South Carolina!! Because they aren't allowed in Raleigh, we just brought some sparklers, but the kids loved them all the same. (I love these pictures on my new camera! :) )

This is Josiah with one of the colored sparklers - I thought they were duds because I didn't notice the colors, but in the picture, you can REALLY see it. Pretty cool!

Looks like it was quite the pyrotechnic show, doesn't it? We didn't even set anything on fire! :)

Vacation!

Being at Beth's house was SUCH a nice vacation for us. Truly. The kids played so well together - Callie and Addison were an absolute hoot together, Jackson and Jacob were usually dressed in Batman costumes or swords in hand, and Josiah and Harrison stayed very busy making wild animal books or art "masterpieces" for the museum (that's what they told us!!). I don't think we've ever gotten together where we've ALL been on vacation. If we go and visit, Anthony is still having to work. If they come to see us, David is still working. So this was SO nice and relaxing!

Callie was buckling Addison in the doll highchair. (See the red sparkly shoes Addison is wearing? Callie picked those out for her! :) And Addison shared her bumbo seat with Caleb too...)
She is VERY loving! :)

David set this up...I'm not sure of the story behind it, but I'm sure there is one...

Beth & Anthony were telling us about one of their Wii games that got scratched and didn't work. David, mr. information, said he read somewhere that you could rub it with toothpaste and it would solve the problem. Beth bravely tried it, and it worked momentarily, but then got stuck again. Oh well!

These girls love their books!

Uh-oh - lookout! They found the tutus!! :) (and the random neckwear...)

David put together the marble run and the kids had a ball with it!