But I'm thirsty!

With the first child, the first time she dropped her cup from the highchair, we picked it up, smiling. The second time, we retrieved it again. Around the 10th time, we realized it was a game--how cute! She was training us! She realized we would pick it up for her! What a smart child!

When the second child did it, we smiled knowingly but still picked up the cup a few times.

Third baby watches it land with a thud on the floor, smiles up at us and we simply smile back.

Herding turtles

As the baby becomes mobile, I become less so!  (I feel more like a hamster in an exercise wheel--I I'm always moving but not getting much done.)

We got a new all-in-one printer that will do everything but print, at the moment.  Laundry (clean and dirty) is spilling over baskets and hampers.  As I'm not finding any more time, it was tempting to break out the wine and just give up. (It's 5pm somewhere, right?)  I knew it wouldn't help me get more accomplished but I wouldn't care so much.

I did get the baby settled down for a nap and tried to figure out where I could score some sort of energy drink--preferably in gallon form-- but I found the hubbie's chocolate covered espresso beans.  I'll just call these "Mommy's other little helper!"  Now I can spin my wheels faster.

Key lime pie at 2am

It's been quite a while since I was out "late!" Hanging out with a few friends after our highschool reunion was the first time in many years! I used to come home from college and hang out with some of those same friends but we never left before 9 or 10pm. When the clubs closed at 2am, we'd head someplace to get a cup of tea and a slice of pie. I'd order key lime pie whenever I could.

It is not often that I eat key lime pie anymore, but the hubbie and kids picked one up for me for my birthday.

My daughter had a friend sleep over last night but they were having trouble getting to sleep. (I've stopped checking on these two often as this friend has slept over many times but last night they got me out of bed to tell me they could not get to sleep and their movie was over!) So I came downstairs, put another movie on and decided to settle in on the couch until they fell asleep. I tried to ignore the call of the pie from the freezer.

Sometimes it feels like somebody's watching me

While I have posted a few entries over the years that I probably should have held off on--most of them were examples of bad writing or ideas that were not as clever as I thought they were at midnight.  I do try to keep in mind that anything I post can be seen by anyone, anywhere at any time.

There are people however, who have internet access but do not think about how many people can view their posts or videos or do not care.

My daughter is upset that I've blocked You Tube on the computer downstairs.  I have not blocked it due to videos she has found but because of the clips that she may find.  Responsible adults out there can decide for themselves what to look at but I'm not giving a 10-year-old that luxury.

I came across this article this morning.  Not only should  people be careful about what they post but for those of you who do not have mothers blocking sites for you, you may want to be careful about what you choose to view, as well!  Apparently Google, who owns You Tube, must report the viewing habits of anyone who has ever viewed any You Tube video.  (If you've just been looking at Miley Cyrus and some questionable "wizard swears" puppet videos, you should not have too much to be embarrassed about.)

Be careful what you wish for!

I was not sure when the hubbie decided on a Mac.  I was less sure when he wanted to put it in the "office" (which I'd originally envisioned more of a library--the one electronic-free room).  Since it went up, of course, I've found all sorts of new features on this computer and have done some writing but much more exploring.

We've just had a new bookshelf built in the basement and the office is being relocated there.  It looks like I will get my library after all.

This should work out better for everyone.  The piano is in this room as well and I have to get back to that and back to writing--which I manage when I do not have internet access! ;)

...and the race is on!

At first glance, I thought it was a baby spider...then I thought just fuzz, blowing in the breeze created by the ceiling fan.  The baby was enthralled with it and I finally realized it was a small ant.

A tiny, very fast ant trying to escape a large, wobbly baby is something to see!  J was really trying but has not yet mastered his pincer grip.  If he had simply fallen where he was, he'd have crushed the tiny insect--a fact the ant knew, no doubt!

At home among the cornfields

While a trip home last week reminded me of some of my favorite things, it is very peaceful to look out the kitchen window in my new home and watch the fireflies light up the backyard as the sun sets in the exact center of my view!

It is immediately relaxing to hear the crickets, cicadas and/or tree frogs at night in Florida but I've never seen a lightning bug there!

Home is where your children have quietly fallen asleep. ;)

inspiration...

For years, I was working on a novel set in the South during the Civil War.  A few years ago, I set that aside to work on a story set mostly in Alaska.

Each time I travel home (to Florida) however, I think of something new to add to that first book.  Now, having over 5 consecutive hours of sleep (and almost 8 in one day), I'm ready to get to it!

The kids lost all of their electronics today and I remembered what it was like--back when they were in school--when I got a crack at the computer!  I may just get something done, yet!

Leaving on a jet plane

The kids and I are headed to Florida!  It will be absolutely wonderful to reconnect with old friends!  I am excited that my parents have offered to watch all three kids for the night but I've never left the baby for that long--I'm a tiny bit nervous!  This is my 3rd child and my parent's 12th grandchild--so the anxiety is reduced a just a little! ;)

I am debating whether or not to post photos when I get back.  (I haven't posted a photo of myself, yet!)  Maybe we'll see what kind of photos we end up with!

You say potato...

I called it "a stomach bug."  Dr. Hubbie called this morning to report that rotavirus is going around.  Same thing.  

The baby has actually been vaccinated against rotavirus so I won't have to keep worrying that he will start showing messy symptoms, too.  Which is good and bad.  It is fantastic to think that I should be finished cleaning up after people.  The frustrating part is that the fever that he woke with this morning is something different.  (With a teething baby who chews on everything--it could be anything!)

20

I cannot believe that my 20th high school reunion is coming up already!  It will be great to see old friends again and my parents have offered to watch the kids.

If only I were twenty pounds lighter...

Summer reading

Do you have a summer reading list?

Each year, I believe that the kids and I will read more during the summer.  The kids are reading a little more, grudgingly, as we've told them they have to in order to play video games or go to the pool.

Keeping them busy during the summer does not leave much more time for me to read during the summer than any other time of the year, however!  I have these fantasies of reading through a few classics and a few new bestsellers but at the rate I'm going, I'll be lucky to finish an entire book!

What are you reading?

I'll never win the Mom of the Year Award

The older two are already trying to let the baby play video games with them.  (He can hit the "A" button for me, Mom!)

Oh, and the baby is already watching Spongebob.

High aspirations

"I am going to be a priest," says my middle child.

"You are?"

"Yes!  I am going to be a priest, then a bishop, then a Catholic* and then Pope!"

*He meant cardinal. 

Shaping up

Middle son has not been following directions.  Taking privileges away has not phased him; taking video games away has made no difference.  I've decided to take a cue from his soccer coach.

Each time my son does not listen or misbehaves, I ask him to run a lap around our entire backyard.  (We have a very large backyard!)  We began this yesterday.  He was winded after the first run but I still had him go out two more times.  

Since then however, all I have to do is say "get your shoes" and that gets his attention!  If this can continue, he'll either shape up or get in shape!

Count your blessings

Kids, let's GO!

Mom, my shirt is missing a button.

That's OK.  Just wear a different shirt and I'll fix it today.

I can't!  It's FRIDAY.  We have to wear the shirts with the logos on them to Mass and I only have this one.

Do you know where the button is?

Nope.

I have some in my sewing kit. *sigh*  I need a cup of coffee.

(Hubbie is walking by, on his way out the door.) There are extra buttons on the bottom of my dress shirts.  Use one of those.

Thanks.  (Kiss)  I'll find the sewing kit.  I just need a sip of coffee.

MOM!  Can I just pull the button off of Dad's shirt?

*LOUD SIGH* I will be right there!  Do not pull anything off of Dad's shirt!  I'm getting a cup of coffee.

Hey, Mom?  Have you seen my belt?

I'm sure it's on the floor of your closet but I'll help you look.  Just let me pour that coffee.

MOM?  I'm getting that button, OK?

*Storm upstairs*  I will get it.  Go eat your breakfast.

(Look in laundry room for scissors and sewing kit.  Find neither.  Grab another pair of scissors and gently remove button from dress shirt.)

MOM!  Is the baby up yet?

No but he will be if you keep yelling.

WHAT?!?!

*sigh* I bring the button downstairs.  The sewing kit must be in the mud room.

Hi, Mom!  Did you get my belt when you were upstairs?

*Blink and sigh*  No.  I need to find my sewing kit and get a cup of coffee.

You have a sewing kit?

*Blink and nod*  Hard to believe, I know.

Wait, Mom!  I've got it!  You don't have to fix my shirt!    I'll just wear a t-shirt under it!  Then people will see more white--they won't know!

 I'll fix it.  Have you seen my sewing kit?

Nope.  Is breakfast ready?  When B comes over after school, can you take us to the park?  What are we going to have for lunch?  Did you remember it's a half-day, today?

Yes, maybe, we'll see and yes.  Let me get a cup of coffee and then I'll find that sewing kit.

 (Where IS that thing?)  I say a prayer out loud and another to St. Anthony to help me find the sewing kit.  (I'm trying to teach the kids to ask for divine help when mom isn't quick enough!)  I repeat the prayer as I look through every room and still can't find it.  I need a cup of coffee.

I get my coffee mug, pour a splash of milk in.  Aha!  It's on top of the fridge--found the sewing kit!  

OK, let's fix that shirt!

That's your sewing kit?

Yep.

It looks like a shoe box.

I nod and realize I never poured the coffee.  I grab the mug and almost step on the toes of my shadow, behind me.

What does your mug say?  Can I read it?

Yes. (I finish sewing the button while he turns and reads the words on the mug.)

 "Count your blessings, not your problems."

That's cool.

Yes, it is.

I hand daughter her shirt, pat son on the head and smile.  I reach over son's head for mug and take my first, long sip of coffee.

Perspective

My son asks, Have you seen that cross that they carry down the aisle at the beginning of Mass?

I nod.

Have you noticed that if you turn it upside down, it looks like a sword?

baby (duck) steps

Shortly after we moved into our new home, my husband discovered a bird's nest in a little alcove under our mailbox.  (It's for the newspaper that we have not yet subscribed to).  He thought it was just sticks and grass so he poked around and then realized what he'd found.  The mama bird never returned.

Today, the hubbie was pulling weeds from the front garden and under some small shrubbery, he disturbed a mother duck--who scared the living *!%* out of my husband before she flew away.  He saw the eggs--swears he didn't actually touch them--but I'm wondering if she'll come back.  She flew off but was keeping an eye on him as he continued weeding and told us about the encounter.

Any guesses on if this mama is ever coming back?  If she doesn't incubate the eggs will they hatch?

(Of course, the hubbie found the weeds--and the eggs--after he went out to clean smashed eggs off of an outside garage window.  He blames highschool kids but I've heard lots of very vocal birds the last few mornings--I'm thinking we had an earlier aves-related mishap).

****

Update:  Mama duck was back under the shrubbery last night.  Hubbie admitted he's surprised the duck before--it just wasn't as up close and personal.  Maybe we'll have a little row of ducklings following mama to the pond soon.

Baby steps

I recycle, put E85 into my fuel tank and try to remember to bring my own bags to the grocery store.

Now that we have brought another child into the world however, it is time to work a little harder at lessening the impact we are making on the planet.  Yes--I know it is quite overdue--it is time to stop using disposable diapers.

For those of you who are already more evolved than I, perhaps you can share your wisdom. Any favorite brands?  

Prayers again, please

If you have a second, please remember my FIL in your prayers.  He is back in hospital with an infection.  Thanks!