Time Out Spot

I bought this rug at Ikea for Time Out. It's perfect because it's soft, big and portable. I can put it down on the floor whenever I need them to take a time out breather.

D. thinks it's all a game...

family time

We had a short but lovely visit with my sister in law, L. this week. She's such a sweetheart and I always enjoy spending time with her. It was nice to catch up and for the kiddos to spend time with her. Whenever we spend time with family it reminds me of how nice it would be to have family members living closer to us.  Ever since I left for University, I've lived hours and hours from family. Well, there was the period I lived in NY and was fairly close to my brothers; that was fun. The past 15 years I've lived states or even continents away from my family. My parents are now 3 hours away and I think that's the closest we've lived in ages. I'm grateful that we can visit our families and they visit us and that I have good friends here...and across the States.

A Sweet Valentine's Day

Well the girls had a great day at school. Sophie wore a pretty pink dress and Katy wore a lovely red one. They both had their 100th day of school parties as well as celebrated Valentine's Day. They came home with lots of little cards and even more candy. lollipops, smarties, candy bracelets, and the like. 

The piece de resistance:

Really?  Pixy Stix?  Am I crazy or does this seem wrong?

I mean they are 3 year olds!!

okay, since you were wondering, we gave pencils.

slow news day

i'm tired.

i'm sick.

i'm sick and tired.

i'm home with 2 sick kids and another one who doesn't nap.

the dog wants to go out at 3:30 in the morning.still.

i have lots of laundry to fold.

i have to go to the grocery store and i've been putting it off. 

my husband is out of town.

he's out of town while i care for sick kids and do 3 consecutive loads of laundry in the middle of the night so the baby will have his blankey and bear bear all clean and snuggly when he wakes up.

he's out of town while i'm changing a crib sheet with one hand (trying not to dirty anything) while holding the baby in the other arm because he's sick and shaking and crying and won't let me put him down.

i've delayed on sending birthday cards to my niece and nephew and now their birthdays are here and the cards are still on the counter.

i haven't made my bed yet, that's how tired i am.  i love to make my bed first thing in the morning.

slow news day

good morning

This morning I couldn't decide which I coveted more: sleep (or pretending to) or quiet time by myself downstairs.  It was already 7:00 on a Saturday and all the kids, dog and DH were still asleep!  A phenomena!  I opted to come down and read the paper and check email in solitude.  Bliss.

Well, as any mother knows, solitude is rare. I got the coffee started, realized the canister was low so I filled it.  Then I put the clean dishes away and loaded the dishwasher (how do the dirty dishes materialize overnight?  Maybe the socks lost in the dryer know.)  I let the dog out and then gave her fresh food and water.  After I let her in I had to clean up the floor from her voracious lapping.  Then I emptied the dryer (didn't fold it yet - that's for later) and let Lilly outside to fetch the paper.  

Since the paper hadn't arrived-it's 7:30!! where is it!?! Lilly decided to sniff around and sully the front yard.  Soooo, I gathered a few plastic bags (don't start about the environment right now.  I NEEDED a lot.)  I cleaned the front yard, frost notwithstanding.  Unfortunately Lilly's tummy isn't 100% right now so it wasn't pleasant.  But, I've been changing diapers for 5 years now so I'm not fazed.

I get back inside, thaw out, wait for the coffee to finish and clean off the kitchen island.  It's a clutter magnet and I used it last night to fold my fabric stash (THAT deserves another post).

As I was sitting down with my coffee and computer, lo and behold, I hear little footsteps on the stairs....

S. comes down, blinking like a little mole in the bright light, and asks for vitamins and breakfast.  Shortly thereafter, K. comes down complaining of a stomachache. She also visited us at 4:00 am with the same complaints.  Considering that kids in both of the girls classes are sick, I'm a little worried.  D. is still asleep or maybe he's not yelling in his crib loud enough for me to hear.  

Guess I'll go check.  There'll be time for a 2nd cup of coffee later.

Hope you all have a lovely, warm and cozy morning.

It's Baby Time!

We have a new niece!

Emery Charlotte B. was born Jan. 3, 2009

She weighs 7 lbs, 11 oz and is 21.5 "

It's nice because Emery and Katy share the same middle name.

Katharina Charlotte was named after her mother, maternal great-grandmother and paternal grandmother.  

Emery is a name that her parents liked and she is named after her paternal grandmother also.

We can't wait to meet her in person.

We also have a new nephew!

Travis Paul L. was born Jan. 30, 2009. 

He weighed 8 lbs, 14 oz. and was 23" long!

Both my brother and my sister in law are tall (6'5" & around 6"?) so I'm not surprised that Travis is such a big baby. 

Travis is a name his parents liked and he's named after his maternal grandfather.

I only a photo from his birth so I'll post some sweet baby photos when I get them.

We can't wait to meet Travis in person.

In case you're counting, the kids have 3 new cousins within the past 8 months; 

Luke V. July 2008

Emery B. January 2009

Travis L. January 2009