Happy Holed-up Holidays

This holiday season has been very fun and quiet and white! With all the snow we have been at home a bit more than usual (understatement!) and I have been close to melt down a few times I admit, but the kids are great and have played really well together. We've pulled out game after game and enjoyed just playing together. So fun! Christmas was calm and relaxing, gasp!, and getting together was great with everyone. Andrew was great and patient with me when I would call him 5-6 times at the store to make sure he brought home everything on the list, and somethings not. I am still not able to get my van out of the driveway, but it is raining...yeah! Hopefully that with melt most of the snow so I can get out without slidding all over the place. Saturday we went with family to Canada to Watermania. The kids played for hours in the wave pool and some went off the diving boards, even the highest one! It was very fun. Sylvia is very active, kicking all the time. I have 11 weeks left in this pregnancy. I have been getting the twins comments, but oh well, what can you do... I still have stretch marks that aren't filled in yet so I know I am not at the end yet, and my belly button is not quite gone. Sorry, TMI, I know. I am starting to think more about what needs to get done before she gets here and feeling a bit panicky. :) We all know it goes fast, before you even know its gone!

Today is Charlie's birthday! He is now 3 years old! Every time he is asked how old he is now, he says, "ten!" Not quite, buster! He's been having a great time. He is such a happy boy and so cute and cuddley and friendly and helpful and kind. He is very patient with his older brothers who want to tryout all his cool new stuff. Right..... :) He is actually pretty good about it. You know they are still little when they want macaroni and cheese for their dinner, too. Love that kid! He is my sunshine and blue skies kid. :)

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

I know.... I am lame, lame, lame! It has been 5 months! Everything goes so fast. The garage is started, YEAH!, the new windows are in, I'm pregnant, school is going well, etc.....Andrew is still busy and we love him. The kids are busy and we love them. I'm not at the point where I'm ready to yell, "Stop, let me off this crazy whirlwind of a ride!" just yet, but Tuesdays come really close. My due date is my birthday of all days, March 23. So far everything is going well. I find out the 31 of October if the baby is a girl or boy. Right now it is tentatively a girl. :)!! It is hard to believe that this was my baby:

And this was my baby:

And this was my baby:

And this was my baby:

And this was my baby:

And this was my baby!

It is hard to believe that as slowly as time goes, it can go so fast. I love my kids. They are so beautiful. They really make it all worth while. I am really excited to have another. They are the greatest blessing.

The Husband Princess

My lovely husband, Andrew, is princess Aurora. :) I was thinking what drama queens some husbands are, like mine waking up after I do. Have your husbands take the princess test...it is funny to see who they are, too.

Here I go....

1. Typically what time do you wake up?

Me-6am, AJ-7am, Kids-6:30am


2. On a good night what time are your kids in bed?

A good night is 7pm for the youngest, 7:30 for the middles, 8pm for the oldest


3. How long have you been a mommy?

Been a mommy for 11 years.


4. How old were you when you became a mommy?

22


5. What is your favorite kids tv show/ movie?

I like Kipper, the kids currently like the original Jungle Book and Cars.


6. What is your least favorite kids show?

Which ever one is the current fad, spongebob, simpsons, etc...


7. What are your kids favorite chores??

Hmm.. Sam likes anything outside, Alice likes the bathroom, Maggie is really good in the kitchen, so is Will. Laurence is great picking up his room and Charles is at the stage where he is happy to help with any little easy task.


8. What is your favorite meal to cook?

Anything that takes less than 15 minutes.


9. What is the meal you cook the most?

Pasta with our special sauce, garlic bread and edemame.


10. What is your kids favorite meal?

Macaroni and cheese. Go figure...


11. What is your favorite thing your husband does with your kids?

Sing them to sleep, hands down...or playing the piano for them.


12. What are five things that make you smile when being a mom?

When they say funny things, when they help each other, when they make a good choice of their own free will, all the cute artwork, bear hugs and butterfly kisses.


13. If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be?

I would take them to the grand canyon, or swimming with dolphins.


14. When was the last time you went somewhere without your kids?

Last night, on a date :).


15. What is your favorite past time activity to do with your kids?

Play games and go camping, hiking, to the beach, etc....


16. Name one thing you said you would never do as a mom.

Be late picking the kids up from someplace.


17. What is your favorite quality your mom has?

Mum is able to think about and analyze many different things at once, and knows whats what! I admire that immensely.


18. What is your advice for new moms?

Have a good sense of humor, it comes in really handy... and always carry wetwipes with you...everywhere!


19. What is the scariest or most heartbreaking moment as a mom?

The scariest is seeing something about to hurt them and not being able to stop it. The most heartbreaking moments are when they are heartbroken (loss of beloved pet, etc...).


20. What is your most joyful moment of being a mom?

After I've brought them home from the hospital and realized they were really mine and they were beautiful and healthy and so soft. Also when they accomplish something they have worked hard at.


21. When was the last time you were told 'I love you' by one of your kids?

Yesterday. :)

I tag everyone who reads this!

I just took the princess quiz on Nikola's blog. I always thought I was a princess.... I was Pocahantas. Who were you? I just couldn't figure out how to move my result onto my blog. Here are my favorite princesses.....

Sam got a harmonica for his birthday and it is now Charles new favorite toy! He shuffles around blowing on it like its going out of style. It is so cute! He greeted the maillady today with a song and hearty "hey-o!", which loosely translated is hello. Laurences latest craze is puzzles. He is loving them. He likes a knights and castle one we have and has been doing it over and over. Williams birthday was fun! He got a lot of stuff for scouting and wanted macaroni and cheese for dinner. :) Then he wanted to watch The Lone Ranger with everyone. It was very fun. He stayed up late with Mom and Dad to play some games. Wow, he is growing up fast! Andrew is worried about his bamboo. It is looking pretty sad. Hopefully with warmer weather coming it will perk up.

Snow!?!?!?

So much for packing away the cold weather clothes. With it this cold and snowing periodically, I think I will wait little longer. Good thing we haven't started our garden yet! I almost got out the kiddie pool and filled it up on the back deck. I'm glad I didn't! At least the snow hasn't been lasting very long. I have had the spring cleaning and organizing bug. There's nothing like children to help you do it over and over and over and over and over again... :) I guess it is good practice. Someday I'll be a pro! I was thinking with the snow and the kids getting out of school in 2 months (!) I hope it won't be a cold summer. Charles is going to be 2 1\2 this summer so I want to do some more active things like walks and day trips. FUN!! I'm excited already. I am making lists, lists, and more lists! I love it! Will and Alice and Maggie are getting better and better at playing the hymns on the piano. I am so proud of them. It is something I wish I could do, so I am so happy they are having the opportunity to learn. I am constantly amazed by my kids and what they are capable of. Charles is talking more. It is so cute. His pronunciation is getting clearer. You know, the older my children get, the more I am worried by my inadequecies as a parent. I have been reading a lot lately and that helps. I just worry that I am doing what is right as I raise them, that I am doing a good job, and that they will be strong people when they are grown up. I am so gratelful for family. We are so blessed to be near wonderful grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. :) XOXOxxOoXo :)

Two Months!

We had so much fun meeting Liz. She is a fun lady. We definitely could share a good portion of our rain with her to take home. I think Andrew and I are going to get high speed internet. It takes forever to do anything and I am getting sick of listening to music in fits and spurts. :) I am so glad spring has finally come. I saw a hummingbird for the first time ever at our house in the backyard! I was so excited that I called for Laurence and Charles to come and look ... and scared it away. :( I am also so glad to pack away winter clothes. I want to take the kids to the beach sometime soon and fly kites. It won't be warm enough to get in the water for a while yet, but there is something about being out by the water that is invigorating. I have to thank Genevieve for my new look. I absolutely love it! I just can't figure out where the music is coming from......:)

Ahhhh! The time doesn't fly by, it jets!!

I can't believe it is February already! I have been putting off exercise for too long and just recently decided I had better get back on the wagon or I am going to gain back all of that disgusting fat I lost over the last 5 months. Ew, is that graphic or what. I am very sore today. Ouch! I'm always a little too enthusiastic at first. It is for a good cause, though. Potty training is coming nicely. I feel like I should win an award for all that goes into that. Back to the grind.....