All Done

Aleeya has now finished two sessions of gymnastics here.

And can I just say it is the ABSOLUTE HIGHLIGHT of her week!!!

I love this picture Brooks caught of her when he took her one time. She would always look at us in the "watching room" and smile and wave.

Well yesterday was her LAST day and they let the parents come down INTO the gym to observe. Aleeya was SO excited for us to come in.............me? Not so much. I had Royce, Kellyn and Iris. (the three little stinkers who gang up on me like no other) Knowing they would have big colorful things I had to strap Iris and Royce in the stroller and put Kellyn in her carrier on me that she doesn't like.

Look at Aleeya's smile even in a handstand!

Here she is on the bar doing "Skin the Cat". Seriously, where do they come up with these names?

Royce fell asleep on the way TO gymnastics so waking him up and putting him next to Iris (who was in a teasing mood) in the stroller wasn't fun. Let's just say I'm soooo thankful for a bunch of Lifesavors Grandma sent me, because they  helped BIG TIME. I felt like I was juggling the WHOLE time. Then 3 of the parents came up to me and told me how well-behaved my kids are, and how do I do it, and they never heard a peep from them etc. Seriously?!?!?! Were they even IN the same room?!!?!? I left SO exhausted.

At the end all the girls got a ribbon and stood up on the podium for a picture.

(I love her little ribcage poking out and her underwear coming out the bottom. I had no idea because she wore pants over them on the way to gymnastics......lovely)

She was so pleased with herself. 

When Brooks got home from work, she ran to get her yellow ribbon to show him and I knew RIGHT away I needed to stick close to her. I was right.

Aleeya: DADDY, look, I got a ribbon!!!

Daddy: That's GREAT. For what?

Me: For FINISHING the class, honey, isn't that neat? (saying, while grinding my teeth)

Daddy: But did everyone get a ribbon in the class?

Aleeya: Yep.

(I'm glaring at Brooks at this point....he obviously didn't notice)

Daddy: But if everyone got one, then it doesn't really mean anything.

Me: Oh yes it does (shooting daggers out my eyes) honey, it means Aleeya tried her

hardest EVERY week she went. And she really really likes going, and the ribbon means a LOT to her.

(I think he got my hint at that point)

Daddy: Well, then, WOW Aleeya. WOW. 

(I sensed his sarcasm, but she didn't thankfully)

She smiled and walked off.

hahahaha, seriously, the whole everyone-gets-a-trophy-so-it-loses-its-value mentality is ALWAYS on the forefront in this house.

(trust me, the boys get that talk after EVERY sports "award" ceremony)

Tender Mercy

Today was NOT a good "Mommy Day" for me.

Without getting into the details, I just wasn't what the kiddos deserved today.

And kids feed off mom's attitudes...........that's for sure. 

No matter HOW many times I took by myself to re-group and change, it seemed something else would happen and well........the not-my-best-mom-self would come out. 

The kids always empty their backpacks and put their things away. Today Camden didn't and left out this project he did at school (and a few other papers). It had a picture he drew of our family:

(Funny how he still includes Sally even though she's gone. And he must really like his red shoes since it's the only thing colored besides the sun)

Then below that was this report he wrote. Apparently, it's titled, 

"Camden"

"By: My family"

(I assuming he got those mixed up a little.....)

If you can't read it, allow me:

"My family is fun. My family is big. My family likes me. [I started tearing up at this point] My brothers likes me. My family has lots of money. [I stopped tearing up and started laughing that he thinks that!] My family telefon number is ___________. My family is great. The oldest number in my family is 35. My family is the greatest!"

Wow, JUST EXACTLY WHAT I STINKIN NEEDED RIGHT NOW!!!!!

DON'T DO IT!!!!

 As a mother I try to warn my kids from things that they might regret later.

The following example, is one of those times that I GAVE the warning...........but no one listened. No one.

Brooks' work gets catered luncheons all the time. Well, one time they had Chinese food and ended up with WAY to much. Anyway, Brooks ended up w/ a ton of Chinese food to bring home for dinner. I liked 2 of the dishes, but one was a tad too spicey for me (I have ZERO......and I mean ZERO tolerance for spice......I'm a wimp). Turns out it was spicey because of the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS in it. I told the kids to steer clear of those. (Seriously, if I ate one I would probably have my whole mouth turn numb and fall over and die)

When I told them it was too spicey and to NOT do it, Brooks says, "Who thinks they could eat one of THESE?" I WARNED them they were spicey, but w/ dad throwing that comment out there, they all wanted to step up to the plate........Camden had the nerve to go first.

It didn't go very well. (look at his distressed eyebrows)

 He ended up spitting it out in the trash (he's his Mama's boy)

 He couldn't take the cup away from his mouth for the rest of dinner.

 Then Bronson wanted to.......

 Finished it all w/o dying.

But it really looked TOO easy, and we think he swallowed it whole. So Brooks said if they REALLY wanted to see how spicey it was, then you have to chew it up into little pieces before you swallow.

"DON'T DO IT!!!", says the ignored Mom.

Then ALEEYA tried one............(her pictures are the best)

HOLY COW!!!

 Watery eyes

 And banging her head with her fists.

Here goes Emerson (I was super worried......because he's kinda dramatic sometimes)

 Chewed it up into TINY pieces and wasn't affected much at all

(obviously he has his father's tolerance)

"Okay, Iris, your turn", says her older siblings

NO!!!! Not my little Iris!!! I tried to convince her not to, but the peer

pressure from siblings in this house is intense.

So here goes nothin'

 VERY small pieces chewed up in her mouth

And it wasn't effected at all.

(and then I hid the last red pepper so they wouldn't offer it to Royce)

But hey, I learned something, even if I WAS ignored tonight.........

that if we ever go eat Mexican, Camden, Aleeya, Royce and I will share the mild salsa and everyone else will share with their dad.

Creative

Sometimes you have to be creative in order to entertain a baby while you have to make dinner. Kellyn likes to be where the action is and one place that I have found that she lasts the LONGEST in is right here.

She'll lay content on the landing for a VERY long time while Bronson plays basketball (which is like.....all the time). It's kinda a win-win.

And no, the rubber ball hasn't hit her.........yet. 

However, I won't be able to let her lay by the bball hoop outside (w/ the hard ball) now that the weather has been in the 60s and 70s this week.

And as evidenced by the pictures, I don't have as much laundry to do when the weather is like this either!

(THAT FACE, is the face of an angel!!!!!!! AH!)

I'm a big fan of this weather here in the southeast. Sunshine and being outside has a NOTICEABLE change on my mood and attitude........like BIG TIME.

Happy 2013

The kids have REALLY been looking forward to New Year's Day because last year we started the big wing-feast while watching football tradition here. So I bought ALL the food and got it all ready:

Grandma Pat's chicken wings (can't be ANY other)

Lil' Smokies wrapped in bacon/brown sugar (a heart attack waiting to happen)

artichoke/spinach dip with chips

chocolate covered strawberries

fruit pizza

veggies (to make me feel like I'm a good mom and OFFERING healthy food)

and slush to drink

 (yes, she's in a swimsuit Aunt Wa)

 It's ALMOST embarrassing how many wings this kid can put down (this wasn't even CLOSE to when he was finished eating them)........he's a keeper though

KELLYN was even enjoying the meal with us

Oh wait, WHY are we sitting at the table eating and not in front of a football game?!?!?

Oh, that would be because we DON'T GET ANY OF THE STATIONS WITH A GAME ON!!!!!! (and we had no idea)

Last year a few games were played on a some of the channels we get w/ the bunnyears, but this year, nada, zilch, ZERO. But we DID watch a game as it tried to buffer and buffer itself online. So that counts for somethin, right?

(Brooks even called the hospital's gym security guy to see if he would let us all in to watch the game there at the gym. The security guy ALMOST did, but they were opening up later on in the day or something and couldn't. But my man, SURE does know how to try. Love him)

Speaking of him, after eating and eating and eating, Brooks made all the kids go into the living room for a few exercises. They LOVED doing the jumping jacks, push-ups, etc. and I found entertainment in watching them try to get the coordination TO do those jumping jacks. 

 Oh, and watching little Royce's naked bum jump up and down too.

Happy New Year..............gonna be a good year, I can FEEL it.

Parenting Fail?

Hmmmmm, I'm REALLY re-thinking my decision to have introduced the boys to ALL FOUR "Home Alone" movies over the holidays.

 "Keep the change ya filthy animal!"

It was Brooks' idea, NOT mine

Brooks had a whole week off for Christmas. So the day AFTER Christmas he still had 3 days at home. Anyway, on December 26th in the morning Brooks said, "Hey, why don't we potty train Royce today since I'm home and can help out."

All I could think about is that he was breaking a few of my rules:

1)only in spring/summer/fall when they can play outside a lot and have their accidents THERE

2)I didn't have any undies ready to present to the poor child

3) I don't know if I was mentally ready for this

But then in my mind I could see the Grinch's smile and thought, "Why yes, YES you can help me and see EXACTLY what it's like to potty train. BWHAHAHA"

Royce had no idea what hit him. Obviously the first few pee episodes were on the ground until he could figure out the sensation. Also he pooped on the floor (thank goodness for wood floors)....which works out nicely because Brooks ended up cleaning up everything because afterall, it WAS his idea.

Royce LOVED running to the potty though. We just kept giving him cup after cup of stuff to drink so he could get used it all and have a higher percentage of success. I kept laughing because everytime we gave him a cup we'd say, "Bottoms up, Royce" and for some reason we thought it was so funny. And giggled EVERY. TIME. (it didn't get old)

This kid LIVES for baseball and is always playing. I just thought he was cute playing in his undies w/ Brooks.

And the tucking-the-shirt-into-the-undies-for-a-laugh thing never gets old either.

Well I'll be darned if Royce didn't have ANY accidents for the next 2 days. He just had those few initial ones and that was it!!!! Unbelievable. I get my husband to experience potty training and I get some sort of miracle child?!?!? 

Brooks went BACK to work and it was a different story for some really odd reason. He still didn't have the poop thing down though (the seat scared him to sit on it and like I said before I wasn't prepared w/ the accessories of potty training. )

It's like he turned into Bambi or some deer!!!!

 He had a good 95% average in the pee department though. One morning mom called and I had Iris talk to her on the phone because I was chasing a pantless Royce up the driveway. Then I started talking to mom and didn't hear Royce say he needed to pee, so he had an accident. I put him in the bath and while washing my hands he had pooped in the bathtub. My mom was just LOVING the entertainment.

But I am HAPPY to say that it's been 4 days and we've been to the gym and other public places and Royce has not had one accident w/ either #1 OR #2 and actually is the HAPPIEST potty-training child I have ever seen. He LOVES it.

And he's not so scared of the toilet anymore......infact, he's quite talented. He can ever brush his HAIR while  balancing and going poop.

He is such a joy

Anatomy Lesson

Who needs school when you get a built in anatomy lesson here at home everyday?!?!?

Like all dads with boys, my husband is a pro and getting all three stuck w/ none of them able to escape.

 They really can't get out. Brooks has even trained Royce to come sit on their faces or jump on them too. 

Listening to their giggle screams is pretty entertaining.....

 But the ONLY way to get out of the hold is answering the right question. The question ALWAYS involves which muscle/sensor point Brooks is squeezing. If they answer wrong, they don't get released. Trust me, they learn these words REALLY fast.

On this particular day here is the conversation I overheard

"WHAT IS THIS?!?!?"- (and they answer screaming) BICEP!!!!

"What about THIS?"- PECTORALIS PECTORALIS!!!!!!

"Aaaaaand, what about THIS" (as he presses his finger into their calf muscle and hits "the spot")-

CALF MUSCLE!

"Nope, that's not the name."

GASTROCNEMIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love my family.

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!

I had to giftwrap the opening up to the boys' room where all the kiddos were sleeping together because it doesn't have a door........and it looks RIGHT down into the living room.......and we didn't need any Santa-peekers. :) So here they are breaking through the paper while singing Jingle Bells Christmas morning.

 Aleeya was THRILLED w/ the dollhouse that she and Iris got......and yes......she STILL only ever wears swimsuits and gymnastics outfits all day/night.

 The boys.....acting cool sitting in their new "banana chairs" so they don't have to sit on the floor anymore upstairs while watching a movie. They love them.

 But what Bronson reeeeeeeeeeeeally wanted more then anything was a football helmet, preferable the Denver Broncos, so he was THRILLED when he got it AND a jersey.(I don't think I've ever seen this child want something as much as he wanted this for Christmas!)

 And the helmet actually serves as a cup holder as well, so Royce doesn't have to hold it while drinking. Smart kid.

Now before you make any assumptions about the lameness of this gift, let me explain......because RIGHT before this picture Emerson was big-time pouting over getting this and I made him smile for the picture.

 He ALWAYS tries sneaking out of the house w/ his hair in a mohawk or all spikey (to an extreme). He REALLY wants me to cut his hair like a mohawk.....which I obviously won't do. And on TOP of that he has been shoving his head into this teeny little beanie for school when he wanted to wear a hat. So KNOWING all those things, you would THINK he would be EXCITED to get a Spiderman snow hat w/ a mohawk ON it with matching gloves. Well, if you thought that you would be SUPER wrong.......like REALLY wrong. That kid......

But THIS child sure loved his race track. Quite easy to please though because I kept finding him playing w/ Aleeya's princess sing-a-long microphone thing.

 RIGHT after everything was opened the 3 boys RAN upstairs to assemble their Ninjago Lego creations. They love those things.

 Iris and Aleeya got 4 princess dress-ups and get a little TOO excited to hold still and smile for a picture.

(however, I've never seen a disney princess w/ hair that......um......"lovely")

Of course Santa didn't forget to put silly string in the stockings for a good ol' silly string war.

 Camden would just keep getting me and I could never catch him!!!! By the time I took this, my bottle was only shooting mist!

 Yes, he got me pretty good (notice Aleeya already changed into a different gymnastics outfit just for the silly sting war)

 So we grabbed Royce's silly string bottle and Brooks helped me get Camden back. We got him good.

 Victory is MINE!!!!!

After cleaning, resting, reading, and playing we headed over to our friends' house for dinner....

dressed in our new Clemson Tiger gear, of course.

(Bronson and Brooks will not be joining us in dressing up, since they are Carolina Gamecock fans..)

Why does it seem that each year we always think, "This was the best Christmas ever!"?!?! 

Either way, it was.