Homework !

Everyone sat down for study time today.   The babies were given markers and paper.   The boys had their books to read. (did I mention they are reading...it's all so exciting) Spencer had his words to practice for speech.  Cameron was practicing writing his name.  
Sydney had a poem to read and spelling words to study.   I was a few feet away making dinner.   As I turned to rinse something I noticed this.....

You ask....why is Ryan in his underwear ?   Because Ryan is ALWAYS in his underwear.   The child does NOT like to wear clothing.   We get dressed and undressed at least 3-4 times a day....and sometimes in different outfits each time.    Nathan's shirt was removed by Spencer for a bigger canvas area.

I asked Sydney and Spencer to stop.    and then I remembered that I was busy and so were they and everyone was engaged and most importantly quiet.    I let them continue for another 5 minutes before PUTTING MY FOOT DOWN.  DARN IT.  LOOK AT THEM, YOU GUYS !  JEEZE !

Ryan was a bit more pleased with his body art experience.   I'm not sure if it was because he had a beautiful spring landscape wrapped around his body.   Or if it was the Elton John glasses.  
Maybe it was the stabbing motion Spencer used to get dots all over Nathan's body.
I asked them both....neither could really put a finger on it....but Nathan was ready to get it off.

It's funny and slightly ironic....I have really been thinking about labels and how they affect kids.    I've been trying to call the babies, little boys.   I don't want them to ACT like babies....so why would I call them babies.     I have also tried to stop myself from calling them names like :  trouble, hands and of course little shits and bastards.  hey, one step at a time.    All for the same reasons of course.   They are what you tell them they are.
As for the toosh.   I didn't even know that was written until his underwear were removed and he stepped in to the tub.    Nice.

(sigh)

To wrap it all up, homework was a huge success today.    They each accomplished their own assignments and had time to blow off some steam with a little art.     A little art that was gone as soon as their little bodies hit the water.  LOVE washable markers.

The Gift !

No, I'm not gifting you with an inspiring and thoughtful post.   Nor did I hit black Friday to find each of you the perfect gift.   I'm very sorry if you came here for that.
We have been talking Santa gifts at our house.    You may remember the day we took the kids to toys r us to get their little minds locked on the PERFECT present from Santa.  Let me refresh your memory with a little song - noodles/noses/vacuum hoses.   .

This is how it goes...
Cameron and Spencer :  I want that.  Mom can we have that.   COO-UHL !  Can we have that too mom.   I'm asking Santa for that.  Yeah and Cam check this out, lets ask for this.  Mom we HAVE to have that.  OH my Gosh Spencer look at this over here....I'm asking for that...me too....look at this red one....OH my Gosh, yes, I totally have to have that.

Nathan and Ryan :  I want that sword mom.   I'm asking Santa for a sword.   I want that gun.  Mom, put that gun in our cart.   Mom, can I have that gun at ours house.  me : put it back honey....you have to ask Santa for it....we don't get to have it now   screaming, crying, the sound of a small peoples hands being ripped from a sword, a light-saber and a pirate holding a knife...and also pulling 2 different kinds of guns out of their pockets.

Syd :   I don't know what I want.
(she has previously asked for a DSI and a real 4-wheeler.  a pink one.  like her friend Hailey's.   ummmm that would be a no to both)

We have decided to do the Want Read Wear Need, this year for Christmas.     I'm still waiting for someone to tell me how to explain this new tradition to my kids.   You know, I can't just say "this is what Santa does"  because Santa doesn't do this at their friends houses.    I need a good story.   with follow up answers.    the rules of the game.   If Santa gives them the want read wear need stuff.   do I still give them something from us ?  how's that work ?   Things that have me up at night.  until at least 10:30 any ways.

We are going to take them to see Santa soon....whatever they ask him for will be the final decision on what they get.

Thanksgiving !

I have everything to be thankful for.    I feel terrible for ever feeling overwhelmed or burdened.
If I sit quietly and open my eyes to really see......there is not one thing that should ever be tainted with a bad attitude.  I wish I could remember that all of the time.
I have my health and that of my family.    I have a wonderful family and great friends.   I have a warm house full of more than enough.    I have sweet, kind hearted and smart kids....and although they seem to be the ones I blame for feeling overwhelmed.....they are the ones I am most thankful for.

I hope that everyone had time to reflect and find the things in your lives to be the most thankful for.

Here are a few pictures of the things that I am thankful for.

Family

Grandma's who put little people up on the counters....their favorite place to be..to get in on the action.

taste testers with good tasters

Dad's potatoes

Aunt Jo's carving abilities

Capturing a picture of a curious boy

Everybody pitching in.

Little boys who like the dressing...and UN-dressing parts of thanksgiving.

Good food

Sweet kids

 

My Weekend in Photos

Wrap party 2011.   We are so lucky to be invited to this every year.   Love you Fran.
We checked in at the Hilton and found candy galore

Creative and delicious food.

Wrap station.   Not yet full of presents....the walls in the back will be PACKED with wrapped presents by the morning

Not pictured...We headed out to see the opening night of Breaking Dawn.   WOW.  it was not good.   We laughed out loud at parts that were not considered to be funny scenes.   Just my take.   sorry Twilight fans.  :(   Oh and just so you know....yes I will go see the last one...because I have to...it gives me something to complain about.  :)

After you shop (we went to a movie instead) you bring your presents back and enjoy several desserts.

oh, plus, there was a wii set up.  Just for fun.  Jan happens to be really fun.  :)

The next morning, you check out of your hotel room....pick up your presents and enjoy breakfast.   (all not pictured because we had someplace to be)

Flash Mob at Gardner Village.  
Syd and Mani.....BFF's

Dancin'

Another BFF Nia, dancin'

Part of the Mob

 We dropped Syd off at her grandma's for a sleep over.....they are making place cards for Thanksgiving.    We headed to toys r us to pick out our gift from santa with the boys.   By the time they had made it through the store it was 6 pm and the kids were starving.   We crosssed the street and sat down at Denny's.     My kids are SUPER creative with their food selections.   They ate Mac n Cheese.   quesadilla's.  and pancakes.   mmmm.   Glad we can go out and eat once in a while.

Ryan... my first child to do this....stuck food up his nose.      He did it so quietly that it took us off guard and we couldn't hold back the laughter.    His brother Nathan joined in for the laugh (not pictured)   After wiping their faces off, Nathan asked me to get the noodles out of his nose.    I tipped his head back and SURE ENOUGH....there it was.   I tried very carefully with a toothpick to get it but after his little fingers had tried to get it....the thing was lodged up somewhere near his brain.   He sucks up his nose when you tell him to blow so that wasn't an option.
I called a friend who happens to be a pediatrician (thanks Steph) and asked her advice.   She suggested a bulb sucker.
When I got home I remembered the kids taking them outside this summer and using them as squirt guns.    So I took things into my own hands.

 

Drink.

Towel

Suction

Trained professional.   Do not try this at home.  
Nathan was actually laughing hysterically.   He said it tickled :)
We retrieved said stuck noodle.    I saw it in the container....but when I tried to get it out to of course photo document it...it was lost and gone in carpet fiber and dirt.

I finished my weekend by putting kids to bed and then meeting great friends for enlightening conversation.    
(deep deep relaxing breath)  What a fantastic Weekend.   
I hope everyone had a great weekend too !

Just Say Hi

Some of the simplest words make the most beautiful poems.

Just Say Hi
By Sydney Blanchard (Nov 19, 2011 age 7)

Just say hi to the friends you know,
it's easier than pie.
The other way is to raise your hand high
and wave it in the sky.
Just say hi.

This moment Friday

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

Follow through failure.

I constructed a chart full of all of the responsibilities that these little people should be doing and most importantly, are able to do.
I wrote our family rules down.  
Monday night we had a pizza party picnic on the floor and I explained the rules and the chores chart.   

read day - ready for the next day

Stars are given if everything has been accomplished for that time period.    I left an extra area for going above and beyond at the bottom.    Both Spencer and Sydney have earned that star already.
At the end of the day the stars are added to each persons monthly grand total.
Stars can be used for privileges such as TV time and computer time.
30 min. of TV - 1 star (there is a maximum of 1-2 stars a day)
15 min. of computer time (the older three will play starfall and go to disney.org for games) - 1 star
At the end of the month we will choose an activity: Swimming, movie, jump house...etc. and each child has to have 20 stars in order to go.   Activities that we normally do...but now they are having to earn them

Thus far in the past 3 days, my children have watched a grand total of 30 min. of TV.   Syd even less than that.
They haven't been on their computer at all.
Sydney has been early to school for 3 days.  (15-20 minutes early)
Cam had a hard day yesterday and only earned 1 star, but I told him today is a new day and he could earn 3 stars easy.

Rules
This is one that I now see where I was failing.    My follow through was HORRIBLE.   I know this because my entire 1st day was spent following through and I never stopped.   It's slowly getting better and I owe it all to follow through.
I chose to use the positive time out.    The one where you just remove the child from the situation.  redirect.  etc.     It wasn't stopping the behavior.   My little boys want to cry.   They need to be sat on a step and made to stay there for 3 minutes (a minute for every year that they are old)
It kills them and has almost STOPPED the physical abuse that they inflict almost non stop on each other.
The time that I've had to take away from dinner, cleaning, helping another child...etc..is horrible when you are following through and have 5 kids.    Good night nurse.
But I have to say.....I can see the difference.   I can see change.

Some of our rules include valuing everyone in our family.   girls will be treated the same as boys.
Privacy.  knocking before entering.   not keeping "bad" secrets.
Respecting everyone.  no name calling.  no tattling unless someone is in danger.  no physical abuse.
Hugging goodbye.   tell the truth.  joyful heart.   ask for forgiveness and also give it. use manners always try our best. always know we are loved.

I took a piece of paper and a pair of scissors and yelled "you're stupid" and "I hate you" at the paper.   Each time I'd cut slices into the paper.    The bottom of the paper was pretty shredded and then I said, "I'm sorry paper"   I looked up at my kids with a confused look and said, "it's not fixing the cuts"    So I repeated "I'm sorry" several more times and finally explained that even though you say sorry...those words can't be taken back.   They hurt people and sorry doesn't take them back.  They shouldn't be said.
WOW this made a huge impact on my older 3.   They totally get it now and I haven't heard more than 2 words since monday.   HUGE PEOPLE !  HUGE !

There are rules for me and J too.   Not just chores in the house but patience and caring.    The no hitting rule goes for us too.    Nobody in our house hits, this includes tooshey smacks and swipes to the back of the head. :)  Computer time and iphone time for us is limited to nearly nothing.   I'm using my time for this and that's it unil after they are asleep.
I'm trying to stick to 30 minutes through out the day.    J can't get on her i-phone when she gets home until after the kids are in bed.  1 1/2 hours...she can handle it.  :)

Monday night we have Family game night and Friday nights are movie night.  

I'm back to using my 1-2-3 magic book. (I haven't checked out the DVD yet) and mixed with the written rules and follow through it's working it's magic.
(sigh)  
This is MUCH harder people.   Much harder than sitting on my buttocks or doing my house work and screaming at my kids for being nightmares.    
I have a hopefully heart and no more time allowed for the computer.
Wish us all luck !

Finding Janko

which could either be a play on Waldo or Nemo really.   Both are slightly applicable.  However not really creative.   sorry.

Seriously people.   I need help.
I was making cookies for Syd and had just pulled a batch out when she got home from school.  (true story...I'm not making this up...I do actually make cookies for after school sometimes)
After we caught up and went over school stuff I placed another batch in the oven and went to my bedroom to make sure we were Tivo'ing the Ellen show.  You know, the one that I was just on.
I turned the TV on.  it was like 3:42 pm   changed the channel to 4 and holy mother of mary.   It's Ellen.  Talking to Sophia Grace and Rosie.    aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.   It started at THREE not at FOUR.
FRIGGITY FRACK HOW WILL I EVER LOOK FOR MYSELF IN THE AUDIENCE AS PROOF THAT I WAS IN FACT THERE.   GEEZE !
WHY don't I watch more TV.   I don't and that is the first reason I should have CHECKED on the show time.   dumb girl.

I called J and gave her the glum news.   She was disappointed and had mentioned a few people said that they did in fact see us.  Or thought they saw us in that flicker of an audience shot they do.   Which only made me feel worse about the whole friggin thing.   Cause maybe I looked SUPER great on TV.
J mentioned how she had TiVo'd it but set it to record the show at 4pm.
and I sat there for all of 2 seconds still depressed thinking....WAIT ! you can't TiVo something that's on and request a different time for it to record.  duh.   J.  
Apparently we both know a few stupid human tricks.   ta da !

After putting the kids to bed we went downstairs and checked the TiVo.  Sure enough.  There it was and there....J was.  Well that's all I saw the first time I would pause and rewind and pause and rewind to make sure there wasn't some different angle I was missing.   yip.   I was missing.

And then the blocking me lady sat down and I was STILL hiding.   and what the hell is blue arrow doing with her face in both pictures ?   I think we caught her in a sneeze.   look at them one after another and then say...aaaah.  and then prmmmph....like she held in the achooo part.    You see it right.
Best case scenario for her any ways.

2 people away.   TWO PEOPLE !   cooooo-ullll ! She's just so little.   I look really happy.  and clappy.  kind of squinty.  but super tall.

this picture is titled elderly avoidence

J whistling.  I'm saying something super cool and hip to the girl next to me and she's politely looking away wishing the old lady next to her would just shut up.   notice the direction in which her eyes follow the yellow arrow.  clearly away from me.   Or maybe I was telling her something super hip and cool about the lady that the arrow is pointing to.   That's how I'll remember it.   aaah.  such wonderful memories I make.  up.
Moving on.

Best (and by best I mean closest and clearest...oh my heck it really is you) shot of the day.   Look how happy J looks for that dumb 23 year old who was from UTAH no less.   Her name was Kamille.  With a K.   blah.
It's a good thing the camera didn't show my face.   It would have been clear I felt cheated out of a chance to win 500.00 on a gas card.  

There you have it.   Proof.   and a little bit of fame.
Oh and also.   I posted a video of the 2 cuties from commercial break and it's now private.   I hope she opens it back up....it was great.   That Sophia is a rock star.  :)

Ellen !

Ok so.....I didn't get on stage :(
They didn't do any stupid human tricks and I'm CERTAIN that had they included them I would have been stupid enough.   
They did have a game on the show and the 2 girls that were picked were cute little 20 something girls and it wasn't until that moment that I hadn't considered myself not in their same "goup".
I also had a moment of clarity when the 2 people sitting next to us through most of the process smiled at me politely when I was shootin' the crap as if to say...."I wish my mother would stop talking to us"
(sigh)

Guests !   I KNEW THEM !   
Kirsten Dunst and Sophia Grace and side kick.  

My experience.
It was mostly just sit sit sit around.  And then it was line up, walk, stand, walk, mostly stand, in line.   And then we were sat.  You had to scream and cheer...louder dang it....NO LOUDER.  and I was tired (and old) and just wanted to relax and enjoy the ride at that point.
We got good seats, but I don't think any seats in the theater would be bad.   We sat a few rows up on the stage side.    Other than a few times that the camera was in our way our view of everyone was fabulous.
Ellen is TEENY !   TEENSY TINSEY LITTLE ITTY BITTY thing.    Like, she's short and she's SKINNY.   And not just skinny, petite.  Little tiny thing.
She looks amazing and it was CRAZY to see her in real life.   Surreal crazy to be 2 seats from her rockin it out in the aisle.
Kirsten Dunst made me mostly feel bad for her.
The 2 little girls, Sophia Grace and Rosie, stole the show (Again) and were CRAZY cute.
Oh and when we left the show we were walking along the sidewalk of the WB studios headed back to the parking lot and who should drive by, honk and wave.   Ellen.   In her silver little porsche.  
Kinda cool.   She got the heck out of there man.

Also.   No free stuff.  :(   Not even a t-shirt.
Still.....it was a really fun experience.    We chose to drive back to our hotel in rush hour traffic rather than party it up in Burbank, caught a quick dinner and then went to bed.   You know.  cuz we're all old and shit. 

The show airs today by the way.

The circle of my life !

Now singing you turn me right round baby right round like a record baby right round, round round.
Only because I love this song and circles go round and it replaces the damn disney circle of life song that has been playing in my head since writing the title.

I know you can all imagine this....I am certain that I am not the only one who does this.

Circle infinity
I clean my bedroom, dust, vacuum, make the bed. I head to the bathroom wiping up left over soap and toothpaste. Cleaning the little hand prints on the mirror, the pee all over the toilet. I then move on to the little peoples room.

Ryan and Nathan go in my room and mess up my bed having a pillow fight. pull out my boots from my closet, drag toys from the basement and play with them on my floor. One goes to the bathroom....the other follows. They decide to brush their teeth. nuff said.

I finish making their beds and putting shoes and jammies away and move on to the office.

They head to their room and climb back into their beds and under their covers...giggling and playing sleep time and then hide and seek. They drag out socks and shoes and pull jackets and hats off of the wall.

I dust and sweep the office and head to the living room.

Nathan and Ryan now head to the office chair and roll it to the kitchen cabinet. Climb up getting a box of crackers out. They take it back to the office where they dump it out on the desk. Crumbs from the bottom of the box spill out all over the desk, chair and floor.

Once I finish dusting and sweeping the living room I head to the kitchen. Both boys are under my feet and in my fridge. Everything they pull out I'm putting back in the fridge, the drawers and the dishwasher. What could have taken a few minutes has now taken me most of the day and the thing that sucks is.......the house is a disaster and needs to be cleaned.

I start over in my room, putting my bed back together and throwing my boots back on the rack.....

Nathan and Ryan go downstairs.   Dang.   I haven't even STARTED downstairs.

Now. I know there are those who say....NO TV. and you know what. I'll send these 2 to your house so that they don't watch TV while I get my house cleaned. Deal ?!

Thing is. Even when I do turn on the TV so that I can get something done....they still manage to make a mess. I swear if these two were paid for what they do, we'd be FILTHY rich. get it. filthy. and rich.
whatever.
I don't have time to explain my play on words. I'm too damn tired and I have to go make my stinking bed.

I took exactly 2 pictures of my kids on Halloween. As far as the queen of memories....I was a complete failure this year.

Trick or treating at our neighbors house.   They LOVED the spider decorations.

Covering only our block, Ryan had already gone home to eat candy. Cam had been asking since Ryan went home to go home and after this picture was taken....Syd wanted to go home. She took Cam by the hand and bee lined for our house.
Nate and Spencer were holding strong and made it 2 more houses before calling it quits (ok, I called it quits :)
Everyone was asleep by 7:45 pm.
Pictured : left to right, Spencer, Mason, Sydney, Henry, Cam, Nate, Max

The candy fairy did as was threatened and took all but the 5 pieces of candy they each picked out and hid in the fridge...because we all know that fairy's can't smell or see through fridges.
They've had exactly 1 piece each and haven't asked for more. (contented sigh) SO glad to be done with Halloween.

The house is back to normal.    J gets home tonight. and I have exactly nothing that needs to be done. I think I'll sit for a while :) oh but first I need to clean up the crackers in the office.