No Choice

Today I woke up with a determination. Finish my housework and get organized. We're going back to school shopping this weekend and I don't want to bring everything home to a mess. By 11am it was a blistering 100 degrees outside and the air conditioner was doing its best, but its best just wasn't good enough. I did what any good mom would do. I dropped my broom, left the unfolded laudry on the floor, and gathered all our swim gear. We did what we had to do in the face of a heat crisis, we spent the day at the pool.

Tough Times for Tea

It seems like the second Tea turned 4 years old she became more aware of the world around her. My once easy going Tea is now more nervous and uneasy. She freaks out when I am not in her line of sight. She has more difficulty falling asleep at night and has been waking with bad dreams. Perception is everything I know, but to my knowledge no specific "event" has triggered the behavioral change. Oddly Chiggie went through a very similar phase at right around the same age. I hope for her sake it's short lived. It bothers me to see her feeling scared or upset. I've reassured her that she's safe and all the normal things you do but still. One of the bummers of growing up.

All Play and no Work...

Ummm yeah, makes for a very dirty and cluttered house. I'm in way over my head here. Barely treading water right now. The upstairs looks like we just moved in. Like just moved in this morning. Nothing is put away and the dressers just now got put in the appropriate rooms. What a disaster that caused. It doesn't help that as I desperately try to put things away the little girls make giant sized messes. Ugh, I'm glad we had a really good time last week because this is gonna get ugly!

Looking Forward

Before I forget, Boo is officially looking forward. In her carseat that is. We bought a new one this weekend and she can now sit forward facing. She seemed to like her new view.

Day at the Beach II

Today was our Church Youth Group's annual trip to the beach. Fun, sun, and food. It doesn't get much better than that! Midge wasn't afraid of the water at all.

Tea spent much of the day floating on her tummy.
Boo ate an obscene amount of sand.
Look how amazingly blue the sky is here. We've had a lot of rain lately.
Tea really looks 4 here.

Chiggie spent the whole day looking for fish. They actually caught one at one point.
Cam was helping fish hunt.
More looking for fish.
Marlee just lounging.

Boo and Midge enjoyed sitting in the cool water.

Attack

Back in May I forgot to mention that Chiggie got a hamster. She named her Nosy and became unusually attached to her. Nosy came to school and met the class and spent many evenings downstairs observing family activities. In the early days Chiggie could handle her without trouble but as time went on Nosy began biting when she became nervous. This didn't change things much. We bought a few toys for her cage and mostly observed rather than held her. My only concern all along was the fact that we have cats.

I always made sure the girls left their door shut to keep the cats out, but I'm not always right there to remind them. A couple of times the door got left open and I would find Little Tuna (the littlest cat) sitting on the cage. I think I always intervened early on in the "attack" and nothing ever really happened. Until today....

We stayed up way too late last night and getting up for church today was not easy. The girls were slow moving as well and we were running behind. By some miracle we all got ready and into the car just a minute or two later than usual. We were about to leave when I had to run back inside to grab the diaper bag. I ran upstairs to check the baby's room when out of the corner of my eye I saw that the older girls door was open. The King had forgotten to shut it when he woke them up. My heart sank. When I looked in the room their was shavings from the litter everywhere. The cage was on the floor and hanging open. The hamster and the cat were missing.

In a panic I ran out to the car and alerted the King to the emergency inside. He ran in to investigate while I waited outside. I have a huge soft spot and don't handle these things well at all. Much to my surprise the King found the hamster, it's a dwarf and only about the size of a large cotton ball, unharmed huddled in a chair the girls have. He grabbed it with a puppet and put it back in the cage.

For now nosy is locked in protective custody aka the upstairs bathroom. I don't know what to do. The cat cannot be trusted, but surely I can't expect the girls door to be shut at all times. This will happen again, with a much more grim result, if I don't think of something....

Horsin' Around

Happy Birthday Tea and Party Time!

Today was Tea's 4th birthday. We celebrated her and Boo's special days with a combined BBQ at a local park. The kids had a blast even though the weather didn't cooperate. I can't believe how big my girls are getting.

Happy Birthday Boo!

Yep, you read that right, Boo is 1. Amazing I know. If you're new, or you just want refreshed check her birth story out. I really thought I'd feel different today. Sad, teary, overcome with thoughts of my baby growing up. I AM THRILLED! This is exciting they're all getting so big and that's a good thing. We're having a joint party for Tea and Boo on Saturday and I'll have a slideshow up before then. I'm off to enjoy this day with my brand new toddler!

Anxiety

Today we had to make a quick trip to Wal-Mart, which I guess is an oxy moron as what trip to Wal-Mart has really ever been quick? Anyway it was a bit jarring to see all the school supplies and large signs advertising "back to school" everywhere. I know there always a good month ahead, hence the Halloween decorations we'll see next month, but it was still a little anxiety invoking. I mean, Kindergarten was one thing, but 1st grade? Lunch at school? Gone all day? It blows my mind really. We've talked about it a few times, but had to change the subject as Tea gets really upset. She doesn't like the idea of Chiggie being gone all day long ONE BIT. I've explained to Tea that she will still have Midge to play with and I think she took that as more of a punishment than something to look forward to. I'm hoping Chiggie being gone all day will foster their relationship.

I didn't have the time, energy, or funds to be honest, to get the supplies on Chiggie's list today but I let her pick out a lunch box. She picked out a darling metal one with a matching water bottle. She's excited, I'm pretending that I am. I've had her home for most of the day for 7 whole years. I'm not ready to share yet.....

Warming Up

Now that it's the middle of July Midge is finally starting to warm up to the pool. She got in herself for the first time today. Chiggie is giving her "swimming lessons." I'm glad that she's warming up to the water and I'm really glad that I let her do it on her own terms!

Recovery

I'm still here, just recovering from a migraine that lasted a little over 4 days. Unfortunately it peaked Friday night and ruined most of my Saturday. My plan had been to finish the girls rooms, but of course that didn't happen. Instead I spent most of the weekend in a laying down position with a wash cloth over my eyes. I'm sure I'll spend the next 4 days recovering and pulling the house back together. Hopefully that fact that we are going on vacation again(leaving Saturday and not coming back until Thursday) will be a major motivator. I'm gonna try to rest today cause tomorrow's gonna be ugly!

This and That

I'm tired but having trouble sleeping. I think I would probably pass out if I let my head hit the pillow, but at this point I'm just enjoying the peace and quiet too much. The last couple of days have been difficult with unhappy, sick kids. We're through the worst of it and today was a bit better. The only one who hasn't been sick at all is Tea and I'm hoping she doesn't get it. If the weather is nice tomorrow we're supposed to go to the pool and I hope everyone is well enough. It was over 100 degrees out today and it's supposed to be even hotter tomorrow. I enjoy the heat so this is a good thing.

Tea had gymnastics tonight and I am amazed at some of the things she is doing. She can do a really good back bend and even a back walkover with a spotter. She's very flexible and a good listener. She's so sweet and the instructors really get a kick out of her. Chiggie is doing gymnastics as well but had to sit out tonight. I didn't think it was a good idea to strain her body like that after being so sick the day before. She was of course disappointed but there's always next week.

Midge cracked me up with her speech again the other night. I heard her crying in her room and went up to check on her. When I got up there she said "can you turn on my fan? It's really hot in here okay?" I just had to laugh. This is the same little girl who won't tell me if she wants milk or juice. She's a character. I can't believe how big they're all getting. A few more weeks and Boo will exit babyhood and make her grand entrance into toddler hood. That's a whole 'nother post though....

Crazy Girls!

In July?

There is a nasty flu like virus going around. I believe it's what Boo had this past weekend and I fell victim yesterday evening. It's odd for a summer virus including fever and chills. Major bummer. I hope no one else gets it. I'm actually feeling a little better today, tired and my throat is sore, but not the horrible headache I had yesterday. Today the kids are just going to have to settle for a day at home. Swimming in the back yard. Poor things...

Before I Forget...

Midge is a funny kid. No one really knows quite how to take her. Even at home she is very quiet. She has a great sense of humor and loves to laugh, unless the jokes on her that is. It's not that she can't talk, in fact she has an amazing vocabulary it's just she's very selective about when she will speak. For example, the other day she was telling me she wanted her diaper changed. She was doing this by whining and following me around. Finally I asked her to bring me a diaper. She headed off to get one and when she got back she said, very cleary, "here it is, but when you lay me down on the tile be careful not to hit my head on the ground because it hurts really bad alright?"

I was shocked at how clearly she said all that and amused as well. What a silly kid!

Impressed

Recently Boo received a gift from the King's Aunt. Her old high chair had definitely seen better days. It had no strap left so during meal times I had to remain right by her side to make sure she didn't stand up and take a dive. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with this seat. It is easy to clean, has a wonderful harness system for safety, and can be easily taken off and transported wherever we go. An added bonus, Boo loves it!

Totally unrelated, look how blonde her hair is getting. Too weird!!

Boo's Room

Once upon a time this was a playroom. Then I became pregnant with Midge and it became a nursery. Then Tea graduated into a big girl bed, moved into Chiggie's room and Midge got Tea's old room. It became a playroom again. My original intent was to room Midge and Boo. I may still do that eventually, but now is definitely not the time. Midge is an excellent sleeper. Boo not so much. I mean she does great cuddling into the nook created by my arm and neck, but on her own it just isn't happening. Or I guess I should say wasn't happening. Yep, that's right, Boo is being evicted. It happens to the best of them. This dresser is Tea's old dresser. It's very roomy and Midge has one just like it. Hers used to belong to Chiggie. That side cupboard has several shelves that for the time being are storing most of her toys.
The crib bedding was Midge's for about 9 months. It's in almost new condition and I love the print.
Boo still loves to be rocked and I have a feeling I'll be spending a good bit of time up here rocking her.
We just bought these curtain toppers this weekend. I like that they're simple and being this is the only window in the room they still allow all the light to come through the blinds.
The bible on the dresser has a lot of sentimental value. It belonged to a friend's infant daughter who passed away shortly before Boo was born.

A Break

I fell asleep to the sound of thunderstorms last night and woke up to the same this morning. Normally I would take that as a chance to complain about the weather. You know, rain rain go away. But today I'm gonna take it as a sign. We need to stay inside and get some housework done. It's a great opportunity. You can't swim (safely) in the middle of a lightning storm. The rain is watering my lawn and flowers, so that's another thing that won't distract me. So instead of shorts and a tanktop today I will wear my ratty old t-shirt, seatpants, and rubber gloves. Alright enough talk, I'm off to scrub!

Fevers and Alternators

Ugh, Boo is sick again. I think I forgot to mention that when we went to see the King last week she got heat exhaustion. She ran a fever, tried to hyperventilate, and vomited as well. We kept her well hydrated and cool and she recovered very quickly. Well last night she exhibited many of the same symptoms again. We were inside all day yesterday, but were out the day before. I don't know if it was heat related, teething, or none of the above. She's been fussy today, but her fever is controlled with ibuprofen. Poor little girl.

In more bad news the alternator went out in the King's "new to him" car. The good news is he only paid $200 for the car. The bad news is a new alternator, when everything was said and done, cost almost as much as the car. It's the whole one step forward two steps back scenario and I hate that. I'm not gonna let it get me down though. Other than all that junk, we had a great weekend. The older girls loved going to the drive-in and the little girls had a great time hangin' with just Mom and Dad. I got Boo's room finished and it looks great. Now if she could just get well enough to sleep in there......

Lacking Motivation

Here I sit, past noon already, and I still can't muster up the strength to make my way upstairs to work on the girls rooms. I'm feeling really worn out lately. I have no choice but to work on them today though. The King is home (he's in route to pick up the older girls dresser right now) and I really need his help. The plan is to put the older girls "new to them" dresser up today and give their old dressers to the little girls. The playroom will then become Boo's room. She has been sleeping in her crib in our room but has made her way into my bed more and more frequently. Eventually I want to redo Midge's room altogether, but I haven't decided exactly what I want to do yet. I'll probably wait until she transitions to a bed.

It's getting cloudy so the girls will probably have to settle for playing Wii while we work, poor things. Then tonight the older girls are going to the drive-in to see Wall-E with my Mom and little sisters. While they're gone we plan to do the grocery shopping and maybe watch a movie in some peace and quiet. I'll be sure to post some pictures of the rooms upon completion

Happy 4th of July!

Goofing Around

On a Roll

It's just shy of 1:30 pm and so far today I have:

• Vacuumed the pool (it was bad trust me)
• Mowed the lawn
• Used the weed eater to do all the edging
• Used the blower to clean the side walks and the front patio
• Pulled all the weeds along the back fence line

If I can keep up the momentum this just might be a productive day!

Happy July!

I'll spare you all the "oh my where has the time gone," even though that's exactly what I'm thinking. July is a good month. The hotter the better. So far things are going about like I expected this summer. I think the only thing that I forgot to take into consideration is the fact that I am only one person. I've been a little bit stressed out lately. It seems everytime I turn around there is a new disaster to take care of. Minor disasters mind you, such as spilled milk, weeds in my gardens, and a pool that can't handle much more rain. Sometimes are harder than others being by myself and it's hard right now. I'm looking forward to this weekend. The King has a 3 day weekend and we're not going anywhere. Now that sounds good!