Exciting Stuff

Here's our list of exciting stuff:

1. We don't have to use the microwave in complete darkness for fear of overloading the breaker.
2. My number of weekly laundry loads has been cut in half with the new washer and dryer.
3. No more loud traffic passing by my bedroom window. (Although I did hear a dog last night, and I'm not friends with dogs that bark when it's bedtime).
4. We have more space for children to exhibit their craziness.
5. Our kitchen actually has counter space. The family has their fingers crossed for mealtime.
6. Bedtime has been slightly more peaceful. I don't hear as much of this, "Make him stop breathing on me!"

I would post pictures, but I don't want the creepies to see my house.

Moving Day Approaches

Moving is...Children in boxes. Children emptying already packed boxes. Children knocking over boxes marked "Fragile." Toys packed. Nothing for children to do. Tylenol. Wondering why we've accumulated so many things. Exhausting.


Incidentally, I'll miss the big trees in our yard. (Maybe not the raking though). We planted the one in the bottom picture and it's quite large now. The children are distressed about leaving the yellow house. They swear they'll share a room FOREVER if we'll call the whole thing off. Promises, promises.

I Hate Walmart

This post will be completely devoted to (in my opinion) the differences between WalMart and Target.

Oh, Target. I grew up going to Target. Those red carts are like the blood that runs through my veins (I know, it's blue inside my body...). I LOVE Target. It is bright, cheery, clean, organized. They have happy little displays. I know where to find everything. The employees are lovely, always asking if I need help.

Walmart. Oh, how I LOATHE Walmart. It is dirty. It is disorganized. The lights feel oppressive. The aisles are too narrow. Things always seem jumbled. I even had a cashier teach my four year old some naughty words during what she thought was a friendly cashier/customer exchange. That's just icky.

I say the savings isn't worth it. I think I'm permanently divorcing myself from Walmart.

Vacation

Here are some snaps from our recent vacation. My camera pooped out and they look a little blurry.

Anyone who knows us, knows that four members of our family love, love, LOVE Star Wars. (The other family member likes it a "normal amount.") At one of the Disney parks, they have a show where they pick a few kids to receive Jedi training. They get to wear robes and fight with a "real Jedi." Then Darth Vader (que music in your mind) enters the stage and all the kids on stage get a chance to have a one-on-one light saber battle with him. Hubby had spent lots of time planning our day around this show. We got there early and staked out a front spot for the kids. By some miracle, both the older kids were chosen. Can you imagine the nightmare had they only chosen one? It's difficult to see in the pictures, but Darth Vader looked VERY real and was quite tall. Four year old told us later that he was only shaking because he was cold, not because he was scared. (It was almost 100 degrees and we were all dripping sweat.)

We were so lucky that grandma and grandpa met us there! It was fun to see them and we needed the extra hands!

Baby Lu was a good sport. He loved all the rides and shows. He was the only child who didn't protest in the Haunted Mansion or any of the other "scary" things.

See my baby trying to snuggle the car (below)? This was a highlight for him.

The weather was hot. There were NO LINES. We did lots of walking. We wouldn't have changed a thing.

Our vacation was really nice

Lots Happening

Fall isn't complete without our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. It was a bit rushed this year, so we'll go back again (hopefully before it's FREEZING). I love the colors!!! This is my favorite time of year. I love the crisp air, amazing colors, and snuggling in a warm sweater. The kids were once again frustrated by my desire to photograph them. People must think I'm a maniac mother when they hear me yelling for my kids to PLEASE TAKE A PHOTO!

It is difficult to push 4x your body weight. This wagon didn't budge! A guy can try...

Okay, so for those who took the time to read this entire entry and look at my sweet children, you get bonus news. We found a house. If all goes well we'll be moving in on November 9. It's in the same city, about five minutes from where we are now. I'm super excited and if it doesn't work out, I'm crawling in a hole.

SOLD!?!

I have SOOO much catching up to do! We just got back from a vacation. More on that later. The night before we left (LATE the night before we left) WE SOLD OUR HOUSE! It happened very quickly. Just as we were about to give up and stay put. So, now the search is on for a new place to call home. And it will have to be a very quick search since we are moving in a few weeks.

We're still in a state of disbelief. Poor little four year old is completely confused since we told him we were moving and then got on an airplane. He thought we had left in the night never to return to our little yellow house or our possessions.

More Haircut Adventures

I piled all the kids in the van yesterday and we headed to the "Kid Hair Salon." S wanted her hair cut short. She always does. I always talk her out of it. After her hair was washed, they told us they were going to measure her hair to see if it was long enough for "Locks of Love." She's always wanted to do this, but it's never been long enough. So, what could I say when they said it was long enough? She happily cut off the required ten inches. I guess the hair combing battles are over for a while. And it's fun to know that someone will get her hair.


The boys. Their hair always grows so quickly. R is usually sporting a wicked tail in the back (unintentionally, of course). He decided on "red spiky hair." The salon adds fun things as a part of the haircut, so he got it. Notice the red drips all over his face? He got caught in a rain storm after going to a baseball game with his dad. Also, notice how his hair LOOKS COMPLETELY CROOKED? He has CRAZY cowlicks. It always looks fine when he's sitting in the chair. Then when we get home he looks like Lloyd Christmas.


Don't get me started on Baby Lu's haircuts. He looks older every day and it makes me so sad.