Today was one of those days where you just don't feel like associating with anyone.  

In the past weeks, I have been sh@tted upon for working inside my home, for under-educating my children, for possessing an inadequate education and for sending my kids to pre-school.
All this from people in passing.  All from people I know casually. 
No opinions were solicited, yet I received them.
Sheesh. 
No wonder I'm having an "I hate people" day week.  =-) 
I'm trying to let it roll...like water off a duck.  It's a small town, after all - anything I say can and will be used against me.
I like to think it doesn't bug me.  But it does.  I know we're doing what is best for us right now.
Makes me almost wish I had enough free time to come up with critiques of other people's parenting styles.
But on second thought, that would be waaayyy too much effort.  
I've got enough going on here to keep me more than occupied. 

I saw a lady pitch a fit in the Middle School parking lot at dismissal time because the line of cars waiting for pickup was blocking her SUV.  Pick up is done the same way every single day.  Apparently this was her first experience and she didn't like the fact that cars didn't part like the Red Sea for her Jeep Cherokee.
Because none of the other 500 people there picking up their kids had anywhere to go, either.
Seriously - it must be exhausting to have a life where your presence so critical that you're unable to sit in your car for three minutes.
Glad I'm not that important.
I'll keep my eyes out for her the rest of the year, though.  Might be fun to watch if she shows up again.

Ran this morning in shorts - it got up to 68 here.  It was rainy and blustery, but 68 is 68 - especially in January.  5 miles in 64 minutes.  Nowhere near easy, but better than it was - I won't be setting land speed records any time soon.  

Caroline went to the dentist.  All good there, thank goodness.  Sam is a bit intrigued by her cool new toothbrush and the unnecessary plastic objects she got as rewards when she was done.  Maybe seeing those will make his visit a bit easier.

Benjamin was a joy, as  usual.  He is sitting very well and able to raise up both hands now.  We're trying to get him to do "SO BIG" - but he topples right over when he goes into upper trunk extension - which is hysterical to watch.  He has mastered rolling and is beginning to employ the rolling tactic to get to desired destinations.  He is solidly prone on hands, but is unable to use his upper extremities to reach when in that position.  Teething continues.  I can't feel any coming in imminently, but am constantly impressed by the amount of drool this kid produces.  Today Caroline, Sam and I were doing "Ben-Ben push ups" where we are on our backs and I lift him up.  It was fun.  It always is.  I have never seen a baby happier or more loved by his siblings.
Thank goodness.  =-)

Nate is Nate.  Because of all the snow days/car pool people on vacation things going on here, Nate's nap schedule has been way off.  I had an awesome routine going where I was getting a solid two hour period on most afternoons with both boys napping.
Not anymore.
Today I had 24 minutes.
Needless to say, things aren't getting done around here how I would like them to get done.
But we did get some nice cuddle time in and read "Tootle", "Dinosaur" and the Wii manual.
Hey - whatever it takes.
Nate is doing much better with his letters and numbers - he has taken a real interest since Sam has started reading independently, especially.  With more letters comes less potty time...but I'm willing to do that compromise.  For now, at least. 

And lest I wonder why I'm crazy on most days...THIS is what greeted Jim at the front door when he came home from work today:

Nate Quote of the Day

This morning there was school delay (oh...the horror...a flake of snow!!!!). 
We were leisurely getting some breakfast and I offered Nate some yogurt, his usual go-to meal. 
"No, Mama.  I no want that.  I want something else."
He opened up the fridge to survey the pickings.
"I know.  I want beer!"

No, Nate.  No beer. 

Why do I think he will be the social chairman of his college fraternity?

SNOW.

So, after NOT seeing snow the first year of living in Maryland we've had snow on Christmas, yesterday and today.

This has resulted in a 2 hour delay of school opening Thursday and a 2 hour early dismissal today.  Umm...yeah.  It's coming down in buckets (insert New England sarcasm here).

I have three sleeping boys.  I can't lie.  It's lovely.  With the off-schedule, Nate's naps have been crazy this week and he definitely needed a little extra. I think I did, too.

This week Nate has started to insist on wearing underwear.  No, we're not any closer to being potty trained, but he is requesting to use the toilet at least.  He's usually good with #2 (insert Austin Powers joke here).  I'm glad he is taking the next step, however, it is one more thing for me to juggle as he usually decides to use the toilet when I'm smack dab in the middle of doing something else.  Like cooking or folding laundry or feeding his brother.  I am learning a whole new level of multi-tasking.
Nate, along with learning to control toileting body functions, is learning to master burping and farting.  This is unprompted, just something he thinks is wicked cool and he likes to do. Just like this - totally Nate.    I think I gave birth to Chris Farley sometimes.  Really. 
For instance, yesterday during lunch Nate let out a super-smelly, 10 second, 5 octave fart.  Sam heard it and says, "Ugh.  I smell something atrocious."  Nate's way-too- proud response included raising his hand and yelling, "It's ME!!!!" 
Oh, the joys of raising boys. 

We've had some snow, but the cold has been the real story.  It was 10 degrees this morning.  This has limited my running outdoors (though I did brave 4 miles and waiting in line to sign Nate up for pre-school in 11 degree weather on Tuesday).  Seven miles on the treadmill isn't my idea of an excellent time, but it's better than freezing my buns off, I suppose.  Fourteen more weeks until the Frederick Half Marathon.  As glad as I was to finish the 7 miles this morning, it scared me that 7 miles will only be a little more than half way for that event.  Yikes.
The kids have had a good time (when they're not beating the tar out of eachother) playing inside.  They took up my exercise mats and made a "force field" in the play room.  Everyone had their own room and they even moved in supplies to make Benjamin's stay with them more comfortable.  It was cute.

We have also had our fair amount of superhero sightings this week.

And, lest he not be included, Benjamin gave one of the most adorable photo shoots ever today:

Captain Spode.

We got some really big Christmas-type paper plates from Grammy and Grampy. 
Apparently, they were begging to be used as shields.  So we ended up cutting a few cereal boxes for handles and made them into super-hero garb. 
Introducing Captain Spode and his arch-nemesis Destructi-Nate... 

Day of Rest.

I like for Sunday to be a day of rest.
With four active kids, sometimes that is just not possible - but today it was.  Thank goodness.

Yesterday we drove up to Reptiland in Allenwood, PA.  It is as creepy-crawly as the name suggests, but it was pretty cool.  Many exhibits were closed for the winter.  We did get to hang out with one of the zookeepers for about an hour and a half - so the fact that some exhibits weren't accessible was more than made up for.  We got to pet a baby alligator, hang out with a boa constrictor, see a baby saltwater croc feeding, meet Rocky and Adrian the American Alligators and chill with a parasaurolophus. 
The part that we didn't tell the kids was that we met up with Nina and Pops there.  Definitely a nice surprise for everyone.  :)

 Pre-gaming with Nina in the back of the Escape.  They found a nice little thrift bakery.  Bottles of water for ten cents?!?!  THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

 Petting the baby alligator. 

 Watching the saltwater croc feeding.  Nate kept telling him when he missed a piece of earthworm.  I think if the croc had not have eaten it, Nate would have. 

 Sam and his buddy the Parasaurolophus.  They got along very well. 

And SUPER BEN-BEN, who wants nothing more to be active and keep up with his siblings.  

 And then the ultimate Nater-Tot Photo Bomb...
It's pretty self explanatory...Never a dull moment with that boy around. 

Should be a decently eventful week coming up...the kids are off from school a majority of days and  I would like to get in 21 miles running.  Put that will all the regular stuff we need to do to keep this establishment running and it will make for some early bedtimes. 
I hope. 

Sitting.

I hope I have 5 minutes to sit. 
I don't get much time to just sit.  I'm usually doing something while sitting so I can "justify" to myself that I can take a load off. 
I think that's one of the reasons that I blog.  If I'm sitting when I blog I'm getting some rest - but I'm DOING something at the same time. 

Dinner is in the crockpot, clothes are folded and put away, most of the house is picked up.  The Christmas tree is still up and the toy room looks like something exploded in it.  But those things are okay.  Mostly because i can shut the door and not look at them. 
The boys are sleeping and I have about 5 more minutes before I need to start rousing them and begin the afternoon kid wrangling. 

Today I had an interesting documentary, "Forgiving Dr Mengele" on when I was doing my afternoon work.    Very powerful stuff.  Dang. 
While I have been running on the treadmill in the mornings, I've been watching documentaries on Netflix.  I've finished The War, The Civil War, Lewis & Clark and most of The West and I'm on the prowl now for more things to watch and learn. Input would be much appreciated. 


We are all doing well.  Getting back in the swing of things.  Sam and Caroline had their first session of gymnastics yesterday.  They did well.  I know Sam was very nervous - being both a boy and one of the youngst kids there.  I was so happy to see how much Caroline had improved since starting in November. 

Since my 5 minutes is up, here are some pictures that pretty much embody life in our household:

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Happy Birthday, Caroline!

Wow. 
January 10th already. 
I thought I was doing well because I posted when we were in Rochester, so I had at least 1 post up for the New Year. 
Not so much. 
We've been well,  just the usual January Snots - nothing major like the flu or the norovirus - thank goodness.  We're getting back in the swing of things after break - Sunday School, regular school, Children's Liturgy, gymnastics starting up again next week...It's all good. 
I've been running most mornings - my runs are getting longer so I've had to get up early to not interfere with everyone's morning routine.  5 AM comes earlier and earlier, it seems.  I have to start battening down the hatches as soon as the kids are asleep.  Which doesn't leave much time for blogging. 

I would like to say this:
Seven years ago at 4:16 AM, one of the most intelligent, inquisitive, forthright and loving people I have ever met was born. Every day I feel very blessed to have her call me Mama.
Happy, Happy Birthday Caroline! We love you SO much!
Who would have ever imagined from this:

 Would come this:

 Amazing stuff, I tell you.  Simply amazing.  =-)

Here are some other pictures from the birthday celebrations:

 She requested a butterfly cake.  Not bad for a first attempt, huh?

 Blow out the candles!!!