KFC

We were at my dad's house last weekend. I was playing cards with my dad and his 2 brothers. OU was getting their butt kicked on the muted television. A Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial came on.

"Do you like KFC Papa?" Zander asked.

"Sure do," he answered and my Uncle's agreed.

"I knew it!" Zander exclaimed. "I've been asking my mom to take me there since I was three years old but my dad said it's nasty and she won't take me. I knew it was good."

Santa Came Early This Year?!

We were at the mall this week (Children's Place having a BIG SALE on all Holiday clothes ~30% off lowest marked price! I got the girls their dresses for $6.50 apiece!) Anyway, Santa is already there. Gavin HAD to go talk to him.

He sat on his lap, but was more interested in the bowl of suckers next to him. Santa made a little light conversation with him, commenting on his red hair. Gavin said, "Yeah. I have red hair. You have white. Can I have a sucker?"

"Well, why don't you tell me what you want for Christmas son."

"Candy," Gavin told him.

"Well, do you want me to bring you any toys this year?"

"Sure! How 'bout a dump truck or bulldozer....and candy" he added.

Finally Gavin got his lollipop and we were on our way.

The next morning me and the 4 kids rushed out the door to take Zander to school. This was in our front yard!

Gavin squealed with delight. "Mom! WOW! Look at that!" and he ran to it with the biggest grin on his face.

Sorry buddy, Santa didn't come early this year.

Camille & Maya

The only good thing about having our yard dug up, drive way re-done, and a portapotty in our yard (Yes, the City of Tulsa choose our yard for their construction workers to use the bathroom in...I'm so honored) is hours of entertainment for the kiddos! All 4 love watching them work.

Happy Halloween!

We had such a fun filled Halloween! Hope you did too!

Money is a little tight this year (isn't it every year?) so I asked the boys to come up with their own costumes. They have a trunk of dress up clothes in their room...fire fighter, spiderman, cowboy, jedi....seriously, they have to many to name.

Zander came downstairs, wearing head to toe black with a black sheet tied around his neck as a cape. "Ohhh. What are you?" I asked him.








"I am The Dark of the Night," he informed me. I have no idea where he got this from, but I think it's pretty creative for a 5 year old!





For the past month Gavin has been telling me he wanted to be a bird. A bird?! I was really hoping I could persuade him to be a pirate or something he already had, but he wouldn't budge. I was up for the challenge. Here's what I came up with. I bought felt, cut them into "feathers" and hot glued them together for his wings. If I was to do this again I would use a lighter fabric. The felt was so heavy pined on the back of his shirt that it choked the poor little guy!



I bought an eye mask and a bag of feathers for the mask...the beak was made out of foam. To complete the costume he had feather boas and rubber glove feet! the total cost of the costume was under $15!


This was Gavin's first year trick or treating. Last year he was sick and the year before he was just a baby. When it was dusk I said, "Let's go trick or treating!" He ran outside and hopped in the van. I told him to get out and he started to cry, saying he wanted to "go to trick or treat" HA! The first house we went to he tried to go inside! It took about 10 houses before he caught on to trick or treat etiquette....No grabbing candy, no demanding candy, saying thank you.
The twins were Thing 1 & Thing 2 and I was the Cat in the Hat! We went to Boo Ha Ha on Brookside for trick or treating. The girls got more attention then normal....they were huge a hit!

Growin' Up!

I've been in baby mode for at least 5+ years. From my calculations I've spent 30 months pregnant, 36 months breastfeeding, and changed at least 20,000 diapers (sorry mother earth)! No telling how many hours I've spent reading and researching baby "stuff" online. My identity has become mother and caregiver. I am totally ok with this. I love it....but a new phase is coming...and it is unknown territory...

My oldest baby is in kindergarten! It just doesn't seem possible for him to be in school. He is learning to read and write already! I went to his parent/teacher conference yesterday. His teacher told me that he is a great student. He participates in class, follows the rules, and has lots of friends. She said that he is the type of kid that school is easy for him and he is excelling in everything. His sweet teacher said, "We're doing something right." So nice to hear!

The fact that my the twins are my last babies is weird...but in a good way...don't think I'm crazy and gonna have another one! With my luck I'd be blessed with triplets. I'm defiantly enjoying them more...enjoying the small stuff. The giggles during bath time. The cute way that they are stingy with their kisses. The way they say "HI!" to everyone they pass at the grocery store.

When they say, "Enjoy your kids, they'll be grown up before you know it!" It's true. My hubby and I were watching old videos of the girls yesterday....we don't even know those babies anymore!! It's crazy how much they've grown! Before you know it they'll be reading you stories at night...sniff, sniff...

Woodward Park

One of my favorite places to take the kids is Woodward Park in Tulsa. As a mother of one year old twins and a three year old that runs off everytime he has "a good idea" I have grown to dispise parks with playground equipment or a nearby body of water.

I can lay a blanket out in the middle of the park and let the kids run wild. Who needs a slide then you've got a stick to play with?

These pictures are from last month. What happened to fall? I hope it warms up soon...or at least stops raining...so we can enjoy the park more this year.

Middle Child Syndrome??

I've had to focus a lot of my attention on Gavin lately. For those of you who don't know, Gavin is my 3 1/2 year old...the "middle" child. When he was only 2, the twins were born. I was so incredibly busy (and still am!) with the girls that he was, unfortunately, pushed to the side.

The first year of the twin's life was such an adjustment...for all of us. We all know how much love and attention TWO infants need, so naturally he was pushed away. "Let's watch TV" or "Go play with your brother." As a mother, this is really hard to admit....out load. But I own it. It is what it is. I did the best I knew how at the time...but am paying for it now!


All the attention he missed out on...being the baby...there is a lot of guilt there. I find myself making excuses for his bad behavior.

Gavin, just a week before the girls were born...still such a baby himself!

I know children are resilient. I haven't "scarred" my child in any way. BUT I know that I can do better by him. I refuse to give up on my little Dennis the Menace!



We started "date night" with the boys. This is special one on one time with mom or dad. It can be anything...a trip to the grocery store, library, movie, ice cream, park...the important thing is to spend quality time with Gavin, in particular.



Hopefully positive energy will transform into positive behavior. A mother can hope right?! Ideas, suggestions and encouragement are welcome!

This to shall pass...

I am sitting at the kitchen table, trying to muster up enough willpower to not crawl into bed and cry. It's been one of those days.

I got up extra early this morning, and took Ely to the airport at 4:30 AM. He'll be gone for a week....a meditation retreat in Florida. This change in events have really thrown off the usually scheduled day.

When I got home, I had an hour to myself, then it was time to wake the kids and get Zander ready for school.

From school we met up with some friends for a playdate. Had a great time. Afterwords went to lunch with friends...from there things started to go south...

When we got home I decided I needed to take a nap with the kids. I was starting to get delirious from lack of sleep!

When the kids nap, I usually get caught up with housework...but not today....the house is still a wreck. A clean house is a sign of an unlived life, right? sigh.

After naps, loaded my crew up n the minivan, and picked Zander up from school. From there we went to Target. Mistake. My theory was, the house is a mess, Ely's not there to pick up the slack, so I'm just going to take the kids shoe shopping and do a drive through on the way home. Good idea, but Gavin (the leader of the Irish Mafia) did not agree to this plan. As soon as we entered Target my dear son threw a tantrum, yelling and crying that he wanted chocolate milk from Starbucks. I just bribed him in the van on the way there ...."If you are good boys, you get a happy meal!" I thought I had my bases covered. Hey, no judging, I'm not above bribing my kids. You try shopping with 4 little ones!

Let me get back to this tantrum. I can not express to you the lengths he went. From jumping, to stomping, to yelling and screaming. Nothing was working so he tried to make himself sick! He actually said, "Mom, if you don't stop I'm going to throw up!"

I was mortified. I pulled him to the bathroom....let me add that I'm pushing a double stroller AND physically dragging a 3 year old behind me. The whole time he is yelling, "No Mom! You're hurting me! I don't want a spankin!"

We get into the bathroom, he gets a spanking, and I sit him in the corner where he then proceeds to try to make himself sick.

I am ready to crumble and break down. Why is he acting this way?! I was on the verge of tears when a woman came out of the stall. She said, "It's nice to see a mother disciplining her child in public. So many just threaten. You're doing a good job dear." And she left.

I NEEDED that little pick me up. Thank you mystery lady! It's so hard not to let your emotions control you...especially when your children are acting up. Things didn't get better after that little incident, but oh-well. This to shall pass.

This seems to be the boy's favorite spot.

Well it's nearly 9:oo at night and breakfast dishes are still in the sink. Off to take care of laundry and chores that didn't get done today. How do single parents do it?

"Take me to the toilet!"

Gavin has been cracking me up today. There is nothing cuter than the words that come out of a three year old's mouth.

Over breakfast this morning I said, "Man, I've got a crick in my neck."

"What?! You have a cricket in your neck?!" he exclaimed.

"No. I have a crick in my neck." I corrected him.

"Oh. My. Goodness. Get it off Momma!"

We were at Babies R Us today, I looked over at Gavin, with his hands down the back of his pants. "Gavin! Get your hands out of your pants!"

"Take me to the toilet...RIGHT NOW!" With panic written on his face he adds, "Poo poo is coming out!"

I screamed...yes, I have a flair for the dramatics...and made a mad dash for the bathroom. Gavin followed behind, butt cheeks clenched together, shouting "Take me to the toilet! The toilet! The TOILET!"

Since when does he say "toilet" instead of bathroom? Ahhh...never a dull moment. I love it.

oh Zander...I mean, Jack...

Zander came home from school yesterday and informed me that he was going to change his name when he gets older.

"Why?" I asked. "I love your name."

He said, "Zander is fine for a kid name but not a grown up. When I get bigger I'm changing it to Jack. Don't you know that you can change your name when you get older? It's true, you can Mom."

Later that night we were outside on the driveway playing with sidewalk paint. I was showing off to all the neighborhood kids, and painted a portrait of Zander as a police officer, with a mohawk of course. Underneath the painting I printed out his name.

"Umm, Mom. Cops are grownups, write Jack not Zander."

Oh, how I love my first born.

Everyday I could write about the funny or insightful things he says.

Bedtime Battles

Dear Gavin,

Every night we have the same routine. At 7:30 we put on our PJ's, brush our teeth, get a drink, use the bathroom, then pick out books to read. After that books are read, kisses and hugs, and lights out at 8. Every night, same thing.

So why, WHY must you fight me every single stinkin' night?!

• No, you can not have another drink.


• No, you can not watch a movie.


• No, you can not have any yogurt.


• No, you do not need a tissue.


• No, you do not need a band-aid for your mosquito bite.


• No, you do not need another bath today.


• No, we can not read one more book.


• No, we don't need to clean your room right now, I know it's a mess.

I love you, dear boy, but you are very challenging. Must we go through this EVERY night? Sigh. I hate that you end everyday in tears.

I love you,

Momma

Obama's Speech to Kids

There as been a lot of buzz on facebook and other blogs I read about Obama's dicision to address our children in school. Zander's in kindergarten this year. Do I think he should listen to our President? Absolutely.

I am looking forward to the day when Zander comes home from school excited, telling me that the President of the United States of America talked to HIS CLASS! How special and memorable. From what I understand, he is going to encourage and challenge our youth to do well in school....not talk about health care reform.

Another mother so kindly pointed out that I "would have a tantrum" if George W. Bush was going to speak to his class. This is so far from the truth. I am trying to raise open minded individuals and would NEVER forbid my child from listening to the leader of the free world. If anything it would open up the lines of communication.

Politics aside, he's our President. I love this country and want my children to love it too. We are writing history, and our kids are apart of it. I really don't understand the big deal. It's not like he is going to hypnotize or brainwash our children.

If you disagree, please let me know WHY...and make your argument better than ridiculous Hitler comparisons or socialist comments. Also, would we be so angry if the Mayor of Tulsa came to speak to our children's school? or the Governor of Oklahoma?

Summer's almost over...

We had a great summer but I'm really excited for the changing of season. It's been a scorcher! Now that school has started we are changing our schedule....never an easy task. But it's working.

Zander sharing his ice cream with Maya

The twins are now 15 months!! Wow, time flies. While some things are "easier" for me, I am coming across new challenges. For example, I've never had a problem going anywhere with all 4 kids by myself....but now it's tough. The boys are continuously fighting and the twins don't like to be confined to a stroller or a sling anymore. Our park adventures and story time at the library have come to a halt. It is impossible for me to chase after 2 toddlers, trying to keep them safe at a playground....Camille has NO FEAR! And the library, lets just say my kids aren't exactly quiet and I'm not very good at ignoring the glares I receive.

I do like going to parks with NO PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, like Woodward Park. I can spread out a blanket, have a picnic and let the kids roam around without the worry of them climbing and falling.

Momma sharing her ice cream with Camille

If anyone has any ideas please share them with me. We're use to being a very active family, but more and more we are becoming homebodies. Is this just how it has to be with multiples at this age? I am only one person, and it's just to physically impossible to watch the 3 little ones at once. Not sure why this is so hard for me to accept....

1st Day of School!

Zander started kindergarden today! My baby is growing up....sniff, sniff...

You know Zander had to make a fashion statement for the first day of school. He has been planning it for weeks...no joke. He seriously changed his mind 4 times! This is what he fianlly decided on. And I must say, he was stylin'! He stood in front of the mirror this morning, sporting his new mohawk, and said "When I walk in that school everyone is going to say, WOW! A rockstar goes to this school! " Yeah, my boy has no confidence issues...if anything he could scale it down a bit...


When he got home from school, I asked how his day was. He loves everything about school and told me everything in great detail what went on today. (A big improvement from last year, when he was wouldn't tell me what they did in school) He did get mad at me though...here's our conversation:


Me: So what else did you do today?


Zander: Well, I farted. Twice.


Me: laugh You did?


Zander: Why are you laughing? Farts aren't funny!!


Me: Well, everybody farts Zander. It's not a big deal. Sometimes people laugh at farts. Did other kids laugh today?


Zander: Yeah.


Me: Next time that happens, join them. Laugh with them. It's not a big deal.


Zander: Okay.

Irish Mafia

I took the 3 youngest to the mall today after we dropped Zander off at school. Thought we'd play at the indoor playground before it got to busy. The first 30 minutes or so were very pleasant. Only a few other children were there.

Don't be fooled by these sweet faces, Camille & Maya

But as time passed my 3 little angels decided to start a turn into brats. I will now refer to my 3 redheads as the Irish Mafia. They were terrorizers! Gavin just crawled around growling at the other kids. His goal was to scare as many little girls as possible. And my sweet little twins? They were even worse. They would actually gang up on other kids....and hit!



Maya as this high pitched squeal that she let out anytime anyone tried to get near her, then Camille would come running to her rescue and slap the innocent bi stander. It was very embarrassing to see them act this way. I am hoping this is "just a phase" and I can nip this behavior in the bud real fast.



When I told Ely (my hubby) about this new problem he grinned, sat up all proud and said, "Well, they aren't little sissy girls. They're tough." Great. They already have their daddy whooped into thinking they can do no wrong.



I did learn a valuable lesson in all this. Never, EVER will I judge another mother for the way her children act. Jeez, my kids are hellions.

Going Skydiving

I want it on the record that my 5 year old picks out his own clothes. I do not dress him, what he wears is his choice. With that said, here is what he came up with the other day.

"Do you really need to wear that to the grocery store Zander?" I asked him.

"Yes. I'm going skydiving today. I need all this gear."

I can't wait to see him grow up. No telling what he'll be...he has such a wild imagination.

Competition

Ok, fellow Mother's, it's officially started...sibling rivalry, competition, whatever you want to call it. And let me tell you, it's not pretty.

Last week, at our TMOM's meeting (Tulsa Mother's of Multiples) we had a panel of older school age twins. We could ask them questions. The subject of competition came up. After listening to them I started to watch my girls. It's crazy. One will come up and give me a big sweet hug and kiss, then the other will "get jealous" come over and push the other out of the way to get to me. Not only are the competing for my affection, but the opposite as well.

For instance, today, Maya was standing on the fireplace....a no-no in our house....I tell her to sit down, she looks at me, sasses me in her baby talk and I physically remove her from the fireplace. So what does Camille do? Goes to the fireplace, stands up, and yells at me...as if to dare me to remove her.

It's like this all day long....and according to the older twins on the panel, not going to end anytime soon. sigh.

Road Trip

Last weekend we went to Mt Vernon, TX to visit some friends. We took the long way home through the Ouchita Mountains. It was absolutely beautiful. A four hour trip turned into an eight hour trip. Eight hours in a van with 4 small children...just for the fun of it....yeah, maybe not our smartest decision. But honestly, they did pretty good, all things considered.

We made LOTS of stops at rest areas.

I love this picture of Maya.

After the trip through the mountains we stopped in Krebs, OK to eat at the famous Pete's Place and Choc Beer Brewery. Thankfully, it was family style italian dinning (we had our own private room!) because we were quickly reminded why we don't eat out very often with all four kids.

FREE TOYS!

I am ALWAYS looking for new ways to keep my little ones entertained. Here's a fun and free way to break their boredom and let them use their imaginations.

Let them play with trash. I'm not suggesting you throw your kids in a dumpster, even though I have thought about it....I kid, I kid.

Save your used food containers for a couple of weeks...boxed cereals, yogurt and milk cartons, egg crates, etc. I tape the ends of the cardboard to make them sturdier and put them in a large box in the garage. Then when you have a day when the the kids don't want to go outside, or play with their toys and they just keep pestering each other bring them in!

Me and the boys like to play grocery store with them. It's a great opportunity to teach them age appropriate math. Gavin and I count the items he's purchasing. Zander always wants to be the cashier, so we're introducing addition and coin money to him.


If the girls are awake, they "mess everything up" according to Zander. The twins love to take everything out of the box (aka shopping cart) and put them all back in. Who would of thought playing with trash could be so much fun? Zander, my very imaginative 5 yr old, built a city of towers so the giant baby monsters could knock them down....it was so cute, they growled and everything!



Seriously, last weeks garbage has kept my kids busy for going on 3 hours today. The 3 youngest are down for a nap and Zander is making a "space station" out of them for his Star Wars action figures.

Little Monkey

The girls are EVERYWHERE...and it's getting dangerous! Camille has learned to climb on top of the coffee table. Maya is the "tubby twin" and isn't quite as athletic as Camille. She threw a fit when she couldn't master this feat. I have a feeling it's only a matter of time until our next ER visit.

Meet Obi

Meet Obi. The newest member of our family. He's an 8 week old Boston Terrier.

We've flirted with the idea of getting a dog for a long time. Gavin will stand at the back door, gazing out, and ask, "Where is my dog? I want a best friend." A little dramatic, yes, but it worked.

We wanted to wait until Christmas, but we also plan on replacing the carpet at the beginning of the year, so we decided to get him sooner and hopefully he'll be be housebroken by then.

Getting a dog is HUGE for me. I'm not really a dog person (or cat)...I know, I know, weird...and I don't like unicorns and rainbows either. I'm terrible. But this little guy is so sweet....but I think my children scare him a bit.

By the way, can you tell who named him? Gavin suggested "Darth Vader" but Zander said that was an evil name and people might think we're evil.

Weak Stomachs, DO NOT READ!

Warning! This entry includes topics of the grosser nature. Please be advised.

If you're friends with me on facebook you know my status update read,

"Girls got into the trash this morning...coffee grinds EVERYWHERE! Nice way to start the day."

But what I didn't elaborate on was WHY and HOW my girls got into the trash without my knowledge. Not that they aren't crafty little girls, they get into a LOT of messes...but this was BAD. I'm talking coffee grinds all over the kitchen floor, in their hair, mouth...ugg, it was a MESS. They must of had a good 5 minutes playing in it.

The reason I was so preoccupied was Gavin. He came down stairs, buck naked...not in itself a big deal, that's how he is 70% of the time...but he said to me, "Mom, I need a bath."

Huh? Did I hear right? Gavin ASKING for a bath? I knew something was wrong...

He pooped ALL OVER the bathroom!! He had only been wearing his undies when the 'ria took over (that's a nice slang word for diarrhea). Poor mommy who had to clean it up...oh yeah, and poor kid who must of had a stomach ache...but I'm seriously still gagging THINKING about cleaning it up...it's been over 12 hours! This is one of those stories that I'm going to laugh about one day, right? It's still to early...

Jedi Training Academy

I can't believe my oldest baby is turning 5 next week! We're going out of town on his actual birthday so decided to throw him an early birthday party. It was SO much fun!

Friday night his cousin, Jace, spent the night. We decorated the second floor with xmas lights...you know, for a star wars atmosphere...the boys thought it was AMAZING. They watched Clone Wars, ate popcorn and got to stay up late....after all, they're big boys now.

Saturday morning at 9AM was the party. It's been so HOT here that I scheduled it early. We had green and black pancakes (think yoda & darth vader) with a buffet of topping...strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, srinkles and whip cream! The kids thought it was pretty cool decorating their pancakes by themselves.



After breakfast we started the Jedi Training Academy. All our little Padawans (that's a Jedi learning the ways of the force for all you non-Star Wars fans out there) were given a light sabor and told to go to each center. At each post there was a different activity to complete. A Jedi must learn to trust all his senses, so they had to guess the sound, smell and taste of differnt objects. Lastly they were blindfolded and had to " feel" the pinata, using the force, of course.

The cherry on top was while the kids were finishing up their cupcakes the evil jedi, Darth Vader made an apperance. All the little Padawans grabbed their lightsabers and attacked him. It was great...but Avrah, the only little girl at the party and is 2, was terrified! Poor baby! But the boys finally defeated Darth Vader and unmasked him, revealing it was only Ely.
Zander had such a memerable birthday. Thank you to all that came and celebrated with us. I'll post a video of the "fight" when I have more time. Happy Birthday Zander! Mommy loves you!