6 Years In The Making

Here's my theory on birthday parties. When you live in a house filled to the brim with brothers, you can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. So for that one special day a year, I let them go all out.

For Ryan's 6th, he specifically requested to have his friends over to our house for a Star Wars battle.

Little did our galactic heroes know that the the Dark Side would be making an appearance. Voice box and all, Darth Vader busted into the backyard for some terrifying freeze tag and the ever-intimidating Hokey Pokey.

Ry was a little freaked out. I should have seen this coming after he met Darth in Florida and was convinced that he was going to kill him with his lightsaber. He took the character so seriously that he refused to leave the deck during the fun & games (although he tried to convince me it was because he was " 'too sweaty' from playing with his friends.")

Ry was eventually talked into getting his face painted, and in hindsight says it was his best birthday ever. May the force be with you, my young 6 year old.

It's A Small World After All

A few months ago, I was digging through some old notebooks. On one of the pages I had jotted down, "I can't wait to see my boys' faces the first time they see Disneyworld."

As they say in Disney - Dreams really do come true!

With the little guys safe and sound with their grandparents, we were able to travel with the older two. Having the one-on-one time with them was priceless, as was the weather, the rides, the food, the pool, and the whole Disney experience.

Here's to many more trips to the Happiest Place On Earth.

Catching Up...Coming Soon

I am admittedly totally behind on our blog updates.

We had a trip to Disney a few weeks back…the good news is that we had a fantastic time – the bad news is that my life is now in a complete backlog of laundry, cleaning, doctor’s appointments, birthday party planning, cooking, work emails, and blog posts.

But stay with me, I’m getting there!

Serious Business

You wouldn't know it from the serious looks in these pictures, but the boys did have a good time at the Delaware Children's Museum.

As I mentioned previously, I'm trying to let go of my ongoing hair battles. Ryan, however, is not making that easy for me.

C'mon boys, lighten up!

Looking Forward To Four

Most people with children would probably agree that the term “terrible twos” was created by someone with no kids and a love for alliteration. Because although the twos stink, the threes suck.

Our own three year old Cole has been a pistol since birth. He crawled at 6 months, walked at 8 months, and has been on the run ever since. Add to that a case of middle child syndrome and a mother who has been either pregnant or post-partum for most of his life, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

So to say that ages two and three have been a challenge for our Cole is quite the understatement. But the beauty of it – as he approaches age four, a new kid is emerging. A kid that’s sweet, respectful, hilarious, and even listens. So finally, my point.

I picked him up from school and his teacher, Mr. Mike, asked to speak with me. He said, “I have to tell you that Cole was absolutely the BEST listener in class today. For some reason everyone else was in a nasty mood and had tantrums left and right, but Cole was FANTASTIC all day long. I’m so proud of him.”

My heart swelled with pride. Then I realized that we have two more kids to go through this phase. Only 3 more years to go!

Click

I realize that Back To School was so five minutes ago...I just got the last of the school pictures back so I'm sharing with the blogworld.

Per the usual, we have issues in the hair department. But I'm learning to let go.

6 Months

I have a very specific memory frozen in my brain.

My neighbor stopped in to check in on me after Dean was born. At the time I was sitting on a stool outside of the bathroom, trying to convince Cole that going to the bathroom on the potty was a good idea.

I was balancing the baby in my lap as I nursed him. Charlie was trying to pull himself up to a standing position by tugging on the back of my shirt. Ryan was screaming in the other room that he needed help with his Legos.

Needless to say, my neighbor turned around and immediately walked out of the house.

I wasn't sure that we would make it past those first few months, but we did it. I've never celebrated a 6 month birthday before, but I figured we earned this one!

Happy 6 months to you little Deanbo.

Working 9 To 5, What A Way To Make A Living

When I left for work this morning, Cole had a rare moment of clinginess (i.e. he stood at the door crying and screaming, “Mommy I want to go with you!!”). And in an even rarer moment of sympathy, I ran back inside to scoop him up and give him extra hugs. Sigh.

Luckily, I have this hanging up on my wall at work. It’s been there since “Ryan” wrote it over 5 years ago - I read it every morning and it sure came in handy today.

Shayebee

It was 11 years ago that our little baby Shaye was born. When I took this picture I did a double-take...I just cannot believe how much she's grown and how quickly those 11 years went.


Nothing but the best for Miss Shaye...we shut down The Roxy for a private screening of Tangled. The boys actually sat through most of the movie (even Cha) thanks to an unlimited supply of chips and chocolate.

We went back to her house after the movie so the boys could tear open her presents and trash the joint. We tried for a group picture...you can see for yourself how well that turned out.

Happy birthday Shaye-bo! Love you, little bugger.

They're. Stir. Crazy. Get. Me. Out. Of. Here.

Is it Spring yet?

These boys have officially lost their minds. They're itching to run around - fortunately (or unfortunately, I'm not sure) our house is a big circle, so sometimes they just end up chasing each other around and around. And around.

Part of Stir Craziness 2011 involves Ry handing me the camera every night and asking me to take pictures of him. He could use some help as Art Director, but right now I'm just letting him do his thing.

So tonight they were playing Sheriff Woody and poor Charlie got caught in the crossfires. I didn't know whether to laugh (Ry and Cole) or cry (Cha) so I just kept snapping.

The countdown to Spring is on.

Spy Ry

Tonight I found Ry digging through the closet. I asked what he was doing and he told me he was "looking for some spy gear." He emerged with a cowboy hat, shades, and one of my old jackets.


After running several secret missions, he came to me in a soft whisper and stated the following:

Spy Rule Number 1: You have to be nice to the other spies.

Spy Rule Number 2: You have to be extremely quiet at all times.

Spy Rule Number 3: You have to dress in dark clothes so the people you're spying on think you're cool and don't suspect that anything is going on.

So now you know to keep an eye out for nice people who speak in hushed tones and wear dark clothes. Good tips, thanks Ry!

The Latest On Our Littlest

Honestly, these kids love Deanbo. Sometimes they love him a little too much and we have to call off the dogs. ("Charlie, don't sit on top of your brother!" "Cole, stop licking the baby!" "Ryan, do not take Dean out of his crib and put him in your bed!")

Sometimes I think Dean isn't so sure about this place, but he's a good sport.

2010 Christmas

Phew.

In what seemed like a whirlwind of gift wrap and cookies, the Christmas season came and went. The kids had a great time and the grown-ups are pooped. Here are a few highlights...

Ry has been begging us to join our Fellowship's intergenerational choir. He had his first performance at the Christmas Eve service and held his own with the old pros.

After a feast at the house, our neighbors had us over for dessert and Cole indulged. A lot.

Christmas morning was pretty normal. Muffins, Crispy Brunch, presents, and a mini trampoline. Santa did mess up with the trumpet...let's just say he probably didn't realize how loud it was when he shoved it down the chimney we don't have. Of course all of the boys love it so I'm now in a continual trumpet daze.

Overall I'll give this holiday season two thumbs up. Not to sound like a broken record, but the wine helped. Also the smiles on my children's faces. And the wine.

Happy holidays!!

Stir Crazy

I came home today to find Cole wearing this in his hair. Between screams of "heeee-yaaaah" he told me that this was part of his costume and that he was (clearly) a ninja.

Then I noticed that his pants were on backwards.

As I was trying to figure out how Cole went all day with his jeans zippered up the back, I heard Ryan screaming, "Mommy you have to come upstairs IMMEDIATELY! I forgot to do something before I got in the shower!"

Welcome to my life.

Brotherly Love

Charlie is like his older brother Cole - he absolutely loves babies. Two of his first words were "BABY" and "DEAN" (which sounds like DEEEEEEEE but you can still get his gist).

If Dean is fussy, Cha will march right over and take control of the situation. I know it's only a matter of time before they're wrestling around on the floor - so for now I'm just soaking it all in and enjoying the belly laughs.

BMOC

A friend of ours works for the county and invited the boys to the FOP's breakfast with Santa this weekend.

They were completely blown away by the fact that there were donut holes with sprinkles on them. Little did they know that Mr. Claus himself was waiting upstairs.


I don't know if Ry was crashing from his donut-filled sugar rush or if he was just in awe, but something about Santa's lap made him go completely limp.


Cole was pretty much beside himself and could barely even get his wish list out. I ended up translating for poor Santa - apparently he'd never heard of Plo Koon's starship.

When we left the boys were screaming, "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" to everyone they passed - I think they've officially caught the spirit of the season.

Mama's Boys

Not to sound cliche, but if I had a nickel for every time one of my children screams "Mommy" in a day I'd be a rich woman.

The upside of all this is the lovin'. Ry has never been into all that - he's an independent soul and resists my attempts at hugs or kisses. Cole and Cha, on the other hand, love themselves a good snuggle.

Whenever I meet a mom with older boys I always ask, "Do they still let you hug them?!?" Results are usually mixed, but I think it's a sure thing for my second and third born.