Reality

It seems like everyone has their own reality show. They are filled with drama, fighting, rebellion, partying, and irresponsible spending. I'm still waiting for the call, but I've put together my own reality show pilot. What inspired this, you say? My husband has been gone for the last two weeks (including a trip with two of the kids) and it has been quite "interesting" not having him here. I'll give you a sneak preview.

Craziness: Oh, we've got a lot of that in the pilot. This would include, but not be limited to, the toilet overflowing. It gets a little gritty during the scene with me simultaneously holding back two super curious kids while trying to clean up the mess and plunge. It also includes the scene with me trying to figure out which smoke alarm was beeping at 2 a.m. That's a beauty. You'll see some raw emotion there. (I never figured it out and I was mighty tired the next day.)

Wild Parties: Does it get any more wild than Redi-Whip being sprayed directly into your mouth? I think not. Riveting. We also watched Nancy Drew (two nights in a row). Good times.

Irresponsible Shopping Trips: It shows me splurging on this "Open" sign at The Round Barn. I put it in my kitchen. The kids think the kitchen is always open now, but that just adds to the drama. The burlap bow has since been removed by someone unknown to me. I guess I better watch the episode to find out who took it off.

Fear: It shows me awake at night (every night) convinced the "bad guys" are going to burst through my bedroom door any second. I'm terrible at being the only big person sleeping in the house. I may or may not have slept with the house phone in one hand and my cell phone in the other. You'll have to watch to find out. I also may or may not have avoided the basement for the past two weeks. I realize it's going to be difficult to believe that I'm 36 years old, but that's what makes it good television.

The ratings are going to be through the roof.

Love is in the air!

Cloning. Such an interesting topic, don't you think? While I don't think it would , in reality, be a good idea to have more of me running around, I would like to explore the idea of having more copies of myself for special occasions. Valentine's Day is just such an occasion. Here is what I would have done with more copies of me...

Clone #1 would have gone to Reed's ice cream party at school. I always love to visit Reed in his classroom.
Clone #2 would have gone ice skating with Sophie for her fifth grade field trip. She would not, however, have embarrassed Sophie in any way.
Clone #3 would have made sugar cookies from scratch instead of using the tube of dough from the grocery store. She would have involved Luke in the process and smiled and hugged him even when he made a big mess.
Clone #4 would have prepared a gourmet dinner complete with something for everyone.
Clone #5 would have dropped off something small, but sweet to my husband's office just to let him know I was thinking of him.
Clone #6 would have tidied up the house for everyone to enjoy.
Clone #7 would have dragged out all the art supplies and made valentines with the kids. She probably would have even used the old fashioned paste with the stick in the jar.

Can you just imagine what a day it would have been? I only needed seven more of me to make it happen. Despite the fact that I didn't get any of that done, it was a lovely, lovely day.

Here are the valentines I made for the little ones. They are rolls of paper -- each 24 feet long -- with the reasons why I love them.

Here are the almost homemade cookies.Here is the one part of the house that was tidy. (Until a three year old began to "rearrange" things.)

Here is what I did make for dinner.

Here is Reed's sweet, sweet Valentine box that he designed and made by himself.
Here are the valentines that we passed out.

It's January

It's January...that means we are celebrating birthdays and GETTING SICK. Blugh. We had a decent run until January. I've been in the house a good deal this past week and it's beginning to not be so much fun. Sooooooo, I've decided to focus on the positive things about my children being sick.

Here are my top ten favorite things about my kids being sick:

10. The doctor in urgent care asking if we've ever heard of a product called Clorox Wipes. That one gave me a GOOD CHUCKLE. That's like asking someone at Disneyworld if they believe in happiness. In answer to her question, "Yes, I think I have seen those at the store once or twice. What do you do with them?"

9. Reed, in his feverish state, has been using such phrases as, "It would be delightful if you could bring me lunch." Come on, how cute is that?

8. No one has been jumping off the couch.

7. Ruby has learned a new word -- TV. Yep, the TV has been on a lot around here. She added to her vocabulary so be quiet and don't judge.

6. Everyone has wanted to snuggle -- lots.

5. Luke told me "You're the nicest person in this house." (I am.)

4. I've had the opportunity to read the same book 500 times. (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?) Not everyone gets an opportunity like that.

3. I've perfected the art of hand washing. Yes, it is an art. You can ask my children. It took me eleven years to get it just right, but I can wash those little hands until they sparkle.

2. My children are building up their immune systems, right? No seriously, right?

1. I have been wearing pajamas for DAYS. Not the same ones every day, but comfy, cozy pajamas all day long.

I know, you all wish you were me. It's a glamorous life.

You Know What I'm Talking About

Some of us are more organized than others. It's just a fact of life. I used to be really organized. REALLY organized--you know, to the point of being slightly annoying. (You can ask my college roommates.) Somewhere along the way, I joined the other camp. I think I sort of creeped over, moving my sleeping bag closer to the line until one morning I woke up in the disorganized camp. There are days I don't mind being in this camp. The company is nice, a bit more relaxed. Today I wanted to be in the other camp. You see, I'm trying to find a password to something so that I can set up something else.

Where am I going with this? We're coming up on a new year. I'm not going to make a long list of resolutions. Instead, I'm going to try to inch my way back to the "organized camp." I wouldn't say I'll end up in the other camp by the end of next year, but I just want to get close enough so that I can hear the campers on the other side. Are they having some kind of really organized party over there?

Another Year

Now that I'm *gasp* almost ready for Christmas, I have all this time to be nostalgic about another year almost gone. I think the kids might actually be growing up. Sigh.

My lovely, sweet, creative friend (who now lives in a toastier climate) took these pictures of the kids when she came for a visit. I think they really capture the kids' personalities.

Kid #1: The "first born." As a typical "first born," she carries the weight of the world. She is learning to do it with grace and ease. She has her dad's keen mind, and I don't doubt she will achieve great things. She is trying to find her own style, and I am realizing that I have to let her do this. (I need an entire post dedicated to this subject.)

Kid #2: The "middle child." He is adaptable and has a tender heart, but makes his presence known. His imagination is a gift. He loves to make giant messes, but never has the "strength" to clean them up. (His words, not mine.)

Kid #3: The "little boy." He still loves lots of snuggles (thank goodness), but wants to play with the big kids too. He makes us laugh A LOT--three year olds are famous for that. He swears he will never leave me.

Kid #4: The "baby." We've probably already ruined her. She only needs to whimper and her wish is granted. Everyone bows to her command. She is beginning to assert herself, but we're still curious about her personality. She mostly toddles around wondering what everyone else is doing.

I wonder what they'll be like next year?

The Scale Has Been Tipped

It's official! Four of us have glasses.

Two of our lovely offspring have been "blessed" with some genetic mutation that appears to be on both sides of the family. (I usually just blame Mike for all defective genes, but I'll take some credit this time.) They are "lucky" enough to get to wear glasses. Sadly, the one child who doesn't need them walks around wearing his 3-D glasses with the lenses popped out.

Little Luke got glasses several weeks ago. I was very worried that he would not leave them on, but he can ACTUALLY SEE so he has been just fine. I think they have made him more popular with the ladies. As we have been out-and-about during the holiday season, many people have commented that he looks a lot like Ralphie. I might just have to buy him a Red Ryder BB Gun.

The Set Up

Every year I have a picture in my mind of the family decorating the Christmas tree. It goes something like this: The tree is magically put together ahead of time. (I think an elf must do that part.) One by one, we take out the ornaments and pass them from person to person admiring each of them and telling stories about their origin. There is music playing in the background and we start singing to some of the songs. I smile and find it charming that one of the kids has put all the ornaments on one branch. That's so cute, I tell myself. After all the ornaments are on the tree, we sit together in the living room and sip the hot cocoa that I made (from scratch) in our holiday themed mugs. We also have those delightful homemade marshmallows that I saw Martha make on t.v. Everyone says, "These marshmallows are the best."That is not exactly how it happens (ever). Here is how it really goes: The tree takes longer than expected to assemble so the kids become restless and begin hurting each other with parts of it. Once the tree is finally assembled, everyone fights over what ornaments belong to them (usually at least two of the kids are crying as a result). Ornaments that bear any resemblance to candy are eaten by the smaller children. (We haven't had glass ornaments or ornaments with hooks since 2006). We forget to turn on the Christmas music. All of the ornaments are put on the VERY BOTTOM branches and we are not allowed to rearrange any or we are hit with the wrath of Luke. I try not to let this bother me, but IT DOES. Everyone gradually wanders off since I didn't have time to shave the chocolate for the homemade hot chocolate. And I didn't buy any holiday themed mugs.

My new tree skirt! It matches the stockings.

We put the stockings up with duct tape again this year. I highly recommend it (unless you have a wood mantle).

This is my favorite new decoration. Felted wool "goody gumdrop" garland. I better stop calling it "goody gumdrop" garland or someone might climb on a chair and try to eat that too!