State of the Union

The State of the Union Address is tonight. 
I remember those fun nights when we used to watch the speech and the rebuttals and pick a specific word (for some reason, W saying a 3 syllable nuclear is the only on the comes to mind right now...but we had some *great* ones) to take a drink when it was said. 
There were some years we got pretty toasty. 
It's a good way to keep politics interesting...at least it is if you're young and can stay up past 9pm. 

Frankly, I'm not interested in staying up past 9 pm anymore.  It's too late. 

After having the twins for two days and playing catch-up today -   Holy cow.  Large families are not for the faint of heart. 
Six kids crossed the line from managing to crowd control. 
I firmly believe that crazy is something you are or are not - and trust me - we crossed that threshold years ago.  So we weren't crazier - just busier. 
The advantage of all that business is that I got stuff done and the kids had fun. 
The disadvantage is that I now feel like I'm coming off a three day bender. 
Dang. 
Again - it is evident that it does take a village to raise a child.  We live in a great one. 

Happy Anniversary!

First things first:

I would like to wish my parents the happiest of wedding anniversaries. 
40 years is a  long time. 
Thank you for the example you set. 

We are busily waiting for Baby Charlie from next door to make his grand arrival.  Charlie's twin siblings are with us for the pre-game party.  Six children really isn't that different than four.  We crossed the Crazy Line about 3 kids ago.  It's all good. 
We have eaten, been to Mass, eaten, played, played and played some more.  Naptime *must* be soon, right? 
Currently they're playing some sort of Star Wars/pirate derivative of "The Sound of Music".
It's never dull here.
Trust me.

Hiking at Harpers Ferry on Monday.  Before all the snow. 

Happy Benjamin.  :)

6 is a lot.

Dancing to the Muppet Show. 

Snuggling with Daddy. 

Dinner

It's 8:15. 
I'm sitting and typing at the kitchen counter because Caroline is *still* eating her dinner.  She has been increasingly picky and finally we stood our ground saying, "You're not going upstairs until you eat". 
The kid is stubborn. 
Wonder where she gets that from?
And so I sit. 
And sit.
And sit.
2 hours so far. 
She has eaten half an apple and part of a bowl of cheerios. 
One or the other has to be gone before we move.
At this rate we'll be here all night. 

Today was another snow day.  Luckily, I was on the ball last night and devised some Star Wars based lesson plans.  Sam wrote a nice letter to Luke Skywalker and is using a character encyclopedia figure out how to manage information in an index and how encyclical books are set up.  Kindergarten just isn't what it used to be.  Sheesh.  I didn't have to do this stuff until second grade.  Those people that say that kids are not expected to read in kindergarten grossly misinformed.  Sam was expected to write in complete sentences from the first day of school.  Thankfully, he can do that.  I can only imagine how frustrating it is for kids that are not as prepared or think in a less linear manner than Sam does. 

Nate did some letter writing, too.  Just letters - but we managed to get all of "Nathanael" written.  He kept saying," But I already wrote an A, Mama.  I don't have to do another one." 
Sorry, kid.  Lots of A's. 
He did decide he wanted to learn to swim today.  I noticed he was upstairs by himself and quiet for just a bit too long, so I investigated.  I knocked on his door and he answered in his underwear saying, "Welcome to the party, Mama!"  He then showed me all the different styles of swimming and diving that one could safely perform on carpet. 
We also had his pre-op appointment for his upcoming tonsils/adenoids/tubes surgery. 
Nate is petrified of healthcare providers.  When we drive by our doctors office, he still talks about the ambulance coming for Benjamin and taking him away while he and Sam had to stay with Amy and the Doctor.  He is scared that he will get taken away, too.  He sees a stethoscope and freaks.  And don't even try to look down his throat or in his ears.  Needless to say, many doctors appointments result in holding Nate in a headlock so people can do what they need to do. 
And today they needed blood.
Oy vey.
And, of course, since there was no school, *all* the troops were in tow.
Our doctor and all her staff are awesome.  They just get it.  It's a family practice - they see the dynamics and they aren't afraid to get their hands dirty and help.  It's wonderful.  Between the doctor doing her notes while keeping an eye on CJ, Sam and Ben; the Assistant helping me to hold Nate and calm him and the phlebotomist that had Nate mesmerized with his stories of planes - we got enough blood for a CBC out with nary a tear.  AMAZING!   It does take a village...

And Benjamin.  Dear Benjamin.  Such a cutie.  Thank God. 

BREAKING NEWS:
THE APPLE IS GONE. 
I REPEAT, THE APPLE IS GONE.

G'night folks...this Mama is worn out. 

15 Minutes

I think I have about 15 minutes or so left in "Return of the Jedi" before the Natives become restless again. 
The laundry is done, house is picked up, floors are vacuumed, Christmas tree is down and Caroline got some of her CCD project done today (2 parts left).  I ran 8 this morning (74 minutes!) and did a re-do of Mass with Sam.  Jim is at work.  The kids have tomorrow off. 
I have no idea what is for dinner, but someone mentioned a chocolate pudding pie and I think that sounds just brilliant. 
The Patriots game is on the radio and I'm sure people all over New England are hearing the hooves of the Fourth Horseman.  Not being a Patriots fan, I can't say I mind. 
Barring a crazy comeback, which has happened before (anybody remember The Comeback?), I think I'll hear this song playing. 

The kids have been a handful recently.  A majority of nights, I crawl into bed at 8:30 feeling like I've been on a three day bender. 
We had Nate's school conference this past week.  I fully expected to be advised to hold him back a year in school, but he received a whole-hearted recommendation to go to Pre-K next year.  I'm still not sold that holding him back a year wouldn't be the best thing.  I hope I'm not being selfish and wanting to hold him home because I'm here, but I just don't feel that he is as academically advanced as either Sam or Caroline were at the same age.  I see how challenging Kindergarten and Second Grade are for them and want to put Nate in a position to succeed.  Because of the school cut-off dates, he will be one of the very youngest kids in his class if he goes as scheduled.  Being one of the youngest myself, I don't see that as a beneficial thing for Nate.  We'll see how he does.  Recently, the bugger has been asking to be read to quite frequently and is picking up sheets of paper and writing a lot.  He brought me a paper this morning covered with the letter N, A, T and E.  There was a random happy face in the middle and I asked him about it, "Is that a smiley face, Nate?"  "No, Mama!  It's a paramecium."
Oh, right.  My mistake.   Every 3 year old draws parameciums.  Silly me. 

Sam is gearing up for the Science Fair at school.  He wants to do a project on Triceratops.  Seems like we just can't escape those dinosaurs.  He's excited about it, though.  We has it all planned out to go to the Smithsonian and get his picture taken with the triceratops skull.   His reading is getting so much better.  He was able to do a reading in Children's Liturgy recently.  He is also starting to require less supervision to write in his Homework Journal.  I can write a question down, and if he's in the right mood, will sit and write out an appropriate answer.  The hand writing still needs improving, but it's a big step in the right direction.  He is obsessed with all things Star Wars.  Today we were standing in Mass and I noticed he was holding the Mass cheat sheet like it was a blaster.  Never thought I would have to say, "Sam - it's not a blaster.  Put it down," in church...

Caroline is also into all things Star Wars, too.  She gravitates so much towards female characters and there are so few appropriate female characters in movies.  Makes it tough.  Luckily, Santa brought her a bunch of Marvel female superheros.  Miss Marvel is her favorite.  It helps, but is not a solution. 
She is reading "A Wrinkle in Time" and likes it a lot.  Maybe she can write a book with a strong, moral young lady as the hero someday...

Benjamin is a riot.  He does not like to sleep in his pack-n-play.  He likes to sleep between Mama and Dada.  He is less than a quiet sleeper and is an athletic dreamer, so this poses a problem.  I am miserable when woken up out of a sleep - so mid-night awakenings do not bring out the best in me.  Other than sleeping, the Munchkin is talking up a storm.  A lot of babbling, still - but sometimes the words come out so clearly that it's startling.  He and Nate were putting together a puzzle on Friday afternoon and every time that Nate got a piece right, Benjamin would stand up and throw his hands over his head while yelling, "DID IT!!!".  Nate got frustrated at Ben's close proximity to the portion of the puzzle he was working on and pushed Ben over.  Ben got right up, got in Nate's face and said, "Poor form, Nate.  Poor form."  I couldn't discipline because I was expending all my energy stifling my laughter.  Benjamin is mischievous.   We'll be looking for one of his siblings sneakers or a book and he'll find it and run to throw it in the bathtub.  This is less than ideal, especially when the tub is full.  He continues to *love* his pacifiers and he hides them in areas around the house.  When he finds a new one, he'll walk up to it, take the binky out of his mouth and replace it with the one he has found - carefully replacing the binky in the hiding place.  We estimate he has about 5 binks hidden somewhere around here. 

It's almost 6pm, so I should be figuring out what is for dinner.  Cheerios sound tempting. 

We'll catch up with some pictures off my camera...

Belly up, Benjamin. 

Because what *else* can you use plastic fish for besides dancing and drumming?

The kids love the Gems & Minerals section at the Museum of Natural History.  They're after my heart. 

Our obligatory family picture in front of the Herkimer Diamond exhibit. 

A neat picture of Sam sitting on the stairs in the National Customs Office. 

Posing with their new rosaries from Miss Sue.  They can actually sit through a rosary and the ask to do it again the next day.  Who knew?!?!

Crazy Nate

What I Really Need to Know.

I remember going hours of birthing classes before Caroline was born, determined to "get it right".
I think *now* that time could have been better spent preparing for the next 18 years. Let's face it, the kid comes out and doesn't care if you've had pain meds or if it's leaving via the Main Exit or the Emergency Escape Hatch.

I think that time would have been much better spent figuring out how to decorate cakes, cook efficient and nutritious meals, look fashionable while wearing a dish towel over my shoulder, use coupons, manage a budget, consignment shop,  sew clothes, get silly putty out of hair, get marker off walls, cope with children, nullify tantrums, earn grace and how to cut garlic with a 3 year old running in circles around me and a 1 year old crawling up my leg while reviewing spelling words and helping with kindergarten math. 

THAT is what a Mom needs to know.  
There's no school for that.  

My learning continues on.  


We're looking at sight words and letters with Nate, punctuated by questions like, "Mama?  Why can't I pull off my head?"  and "Yes there IS an "F" in Nafanael!!!"  See?  Na-fan-ael?!?!  "F"!!!"
Sometimes you win.  Sometimes you lose.
Today it rained.  ;)

But here was our view at lunchtime.  We wore Benjamin out.

 

h

New Adventures

Today we went to The National Museum of the American Indian. 
Very cool.  Most definitely worth a trip back.  They had lots of interactive kids exhibits and a passport stamp system to get the kids to learn about different tribes.
The best part was that there was an hour long dance exhibit of Crow Indians from Montana.
We got to see a bunch of different dances.
My favorite was the dance the Elder Woman of the tribe did.  In a strange way, I felt kinship with her.  It almost felt like she was blessing everyone watching her.
CJ, Nate and I also participated in a Friendship Dance with the Crow members and anyone else that would join us.  They were filming and the exhibition will be on the Smithsonian Channel.  
Caroline liked the shawl dancer the best.  I was proud of her that she had the courage to get her picture taken with her after.  

We packed lunch to eat and ended up eating sitting in the Castle, since many of the other museums did not allow outside food or drink.
A good day in DC.

We've been struggling to get back into a routine after Christmas.  Everyone has been slacking a little.  I'm at a loss how to get things back on track.  I've noticed the kids being meaner and shorter tempered.  Nate has been particularly susceptible - having *major* tantrums in public on the past two days. Including a particularly epic tantrum during Mass last night.   I feel anxious and on-edge and stressed taking them all out - especially if we have to leave in a hurry when/if Nate loses it.  I know we can't stay in the house all the time...but I really feel like hibernating for the next few months.
I also witnessed Caroline participate in a "mean girls" moment.  I am formulating my talk with her and will do everything in my power to nip this in the bud. I could not address it as it happened because my first instinct was to scream/freak out/ground her for life and I a not convinced that would be the most helpful.   I was aghast when I heard the mean spirited exchange with another girl, about another girl that nothing constructive, positive or uplifting could come out of.   Ugh.
The longer I spend at this parenting thing, the less I know.  

Quote of the Day

I would love to post pictures, but the camera battery ran out. 
It took a whole year, which is great.  It's also rechargeable, which is great.
Only thing is, it has been so long since the camera has needed charging that I forgot where the plug is. 
D'oh. 

We had some behavior problems yesterday.  Mostly involving children screaming and attempting to beat each other and usually involving some sort of dispute over a lego. 
So, this morning, all the kids knew they were skating on the raggedy edge of all things involving anything besides being locked in their rooms all day. 
I go in Caroline's room to see how she is progressing with her morning chores.  I'm greeted with a proud as punch voice and a big smile.  "Hey Mom - I've got GREAT news!"
"What's that, Caroline?"
"I haven't punched ANY of my brothers today!"

Great, CJ.  Just great.  It's 8:50. 

So.

It's one thirty on a Wednesday afternoon and nobody is sleeping. 
In an act of desperation, I've decided to go for the on-side kick.  
We're down in the basement riding tricycles and ride on toys while listening to "New York, New York".     'Cause that's just how we roll. 

Today has been something else. 
One of *those* days. 
The day where you think the kids are doing pretty well (and you're out of milk, yogurt, cheese and bread), so you decide to go to Wegmans.  Here there is some general grumpiness, but nothing too crazy, so you think it just might be the day you need to push the envelope and get the boys haircuts. 
Wrong decision. 
One boy does great with the haircut.  The other, however, decides to tantrum and do snow angels in the hair clippings on the floor while screaming bloody murder. 
Making all the old ladies who, of course, are the only other people getting their hair done at 10 on a Wednesday morning , shake their heads and comment loudly (new hearing aide batteries, anyone?) that parents in this generation are just awful and young children are even worse. 

It was awesome.

I know that I can't chalk up Nate's behavior totally to his sleep apnea, which seems to be worse recently.  It's not also just because he's three or because of his Destructi-Nate tendencies.  Sometimes the kid is just a turkeybutt of immense proportions and is all I can do to manage. 
So now, the work that needs to get done isn't getting done before the other kids get home and all *you know what* really breaks loose with homework and the dynamics of having everyone in the house.  Stuff like laundry, having a kitchen table clean enough to sit down at and making dinner. 

Before I can  get anything done, though, I need to recover the ball. 
We'll see how it goes. 

The Last of the NC Pics

It's cold. 
Like 12 degrees is the high for the day cold. 
Cold like it shouldn't be cold south of the Mason Dixon Line. 

I'm not complaining.  The four blankets on the bed last night were cuddly.  The extra baby snuggles have been nice.  I like wearing long johns and get to sport my new TrailBlazers gear.  It's fun to see how well my new winter running gear works (wicked awesome - thanks Jim and Grammy & Grandpa!).  When the kids play outdoors it's easier to see where they are since there are fresh boot tracks in the snow.  I *love* hot cocoa (extra Bailey's Cream is an added bonus).  We've got our "Thank You" notes done and Nate has been practicing drawing and letters on his whiteboard.  We have been able to get a couple new movies into our rotation and are learning the finer points of a knock-down-drag-out UNO game. 
It's all good. 
Its just this:
I can't get warm.  My blood is so thin since moving here.  I'm a winter weather weenie. 

Only 39 more days until pitchers and catchers report. 

Here are the last of our pictures.  They're the ones from my camera. 
I used my Dad's camera whenever possible.  I had forgotten that we took pictures at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.  We had the Olders while the Youngers spent time with Nina & Pops at the cottage.  Both Sam and Caroline earned their Jr Ranger Badges.  We learned all about aviation and yaw and pitch and how much the Outer Banks landscape has changed since 1903.  It was pretty cool, actually. 
We put our National Parks Pass to excellent use.  If we ever end up homeschooling, I have lesson plans based on National Parks.  For now, I'll teach those lessons when I can...though I feel like they have learned more in some ways exploring the Parks than they ever will in school. 
After speaking out at a recent School Board meeting - those are a different thought for a different day. 

A Gracious Loan

My father has so graciously relinquished temporary control of his 16gb card for his camera so I can download what I didn't before...
All pics here courtesy of Pops (unless they were taken when I stole his camera)...

Nina & Pops brought Nate home.  He was kicking and screaming, he wanted to go back to the beach so badly.  It was cute in a sad sort of way.  Nate had a great time being the "only kid".  It was strangely quiet around here.  Nate apparently told Nina that her car was faster than  "The Mom Rocket", "It's not vacation, Nina...it's a PARTY!", woke up Pops from a sound sleep by kicking the bed and telling him he was "a faker" and called Nina "the Ninster".
Oy.
I think they will sleep well tonight.

The *only* picture I have ever seen with both my parents smiling.  Of course, I think it helped when Jim told them they looked like they were posing for a Cialis commercial. 

Matt and Michele - home from their Southwest Adventures and reunited with DingoDog Rookie.

Almost everyone is looking at the camera.  5/6 ain't bad. 

"I gotchu BenBen!" It was all fun and games until Benjamin decided to try to pick Jim's nose. 

Even though his hair isn't curly anymore, it's still crazy. 

At Bodie Island Lighthouse at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Our littlest Yankee fan. 

6 for 6?  Looking and smiling?  Miracles never cease. 

Turkeys say Cheese!!!!!

MORE Turkeys say CHEESE!!!

Playing with Nina's ipad.

Goofing off while shell hunting in Kitty Hawk.

I'm pretty sure Caroline is dancing here...the rest of us are looking for shells.  They were up high on the beach since the tide had gone out hours before. 

My Dad took these amazing pictures.  The ocean has always seemed sinister and very scary to me.  I can enjoy it a little now, but can never completely relax when near it - even if the kids aren't around.  These pictures look like the mean, untamed ocean I occasionally see in my nightmares. 

Thursday Night Relaxation

Well...we're back in the swing of things. 
It's pretty quiet here with Nate spending some extra time with Nina and Pops. 

I expected to get done much more than I did today.  I had thought things would be much easier with only one child around.  I was wrong.  In some ways, having one child to entertain takes *more* energy than with four to manage. 
But Benjamin was so cute.  He smiled his way through Wegmans, charming everyone in his path.  He woke up from his nap when it started to snow.  He saw it out the window right away and started pointing and yelling, "No!  No!" very excitedly.  We also had a downright giggle-fest during lunch playing peek-a-boo.  Sometimes I'm too busy getting things done or managing Destructi-Nate to notice the cuteness. 
It was nice.  So nice. 

We're watching "Return of the Jedi" for 30 minutes before bed.  Probably not the best pre-bedtime movie...but it was a good bargaining tool to get the kids to do their chores and get their Thank You notes done in a timely manner. 
The kids didn't have homework tonight...so I gave them some.  I'm going to have to make some snow day lesson plans around Star Wars, I think.  Sam announced he wants to do a Science Fair project on Triceratops...so he'll have to get busy with that soon.  A field trip to look at some fossils will be in order, I'm sure.  I'm thinking the teachers don't expect to have school tomorrow.  By the looks of it, there *might* be a delay, but nothing more than that. 
I'm realizing that I sure don't miss shoveling snow all winter.  There is much to be said about lowering latitudes. 

Looking forward to snuggling up with a new read on Stonewall Jackson tonight.  Geeks rule!