Last week (even with bullet points)

We've been busy..as usual!!

I was called to be the Assistant Den Leader for Scouts, so I am currently over the Wolves, and really lovin' it. I'm working on finishing up two boys in the next few months, organize Blue & Gold Banquet (which is tomorrow) and get the boys going on Pinewood Derby. That and training has kept me busy a few days out of the week.

The rest of the week seems to be filled with days at the park, multiple trips to Costco and the store (I've been extremely bad at bringing a list, who knew we were out of wipes) and picking up kids from school. I've also tried to fit in some St. Patty's crafts which are only half done (hey, it's not even March yet!!) and get somewhat caught up on the house, which I'm not even close to. Being sick really threw me off my game, and the laundry piled up, and the healthy kids had at the house.

So, the last week has consisted of:

14 loads of laundry (only 11 have been put away)
12 baths ( Natalie loves her baths, and seems to get dirty just so she can get clean)
3 trips to Costco
2 trips to the store
2 trips to CVS
8 times I cleaned the kitchen (and it would only be half clean now!)
3 times I cleaned the floors
3 Banana breads baked and eaten
4 times I put away the towels (that litle miss thinks are fun to play with)
2 times a day vacuumed one room or another
4 jumps on the trampoline
3 days to the park
2 days to play with friends
1 trip to IKEA ( just for the heck of it)
?? number of diapers and pull-ups I changed (NO, Caleb is still not potty trained!!, darn-it!!)
1 Mommy's Night Out (much needed and deserved)

The kids are doing great.

• Daniel just passed his 6x in school, and loves scouts, and that his Mom gets to help now. He is reading more, and enjoying it more, which I love to see. He's very aware of things around him, and always makes amazing observations. He is a great big brother, and has a true soft spot for his little sister.
• Josh is working on the SRA "Sam" series, and wants to read faster, he really loves school, but his complaining and whining has reached new heights, and if it kills me I'm going to help him see the silver lining on things.
  
• Caleb is my little helper in the kitchen, and really loves to help. He plays really good with Natalie and loves to accompany her on her many baths, we are still working on potty training which he has no interest for, but is excited for school in the fall, so there is hope. Maybe by his birthday!!
• Natalie is learning new things each day, and says "da-ee", and "ma-ma", or just "ma" (which I'm not so fond of, more the tone I think than anything). She entertains us all, and seems to be just as much an imp at making messes as Caleb was (and is at times). She's still super little, but seems to be growing up as her pants are getting shorter (could be the dryer too!!)
  

Rain and Catch Up Day..

It is pouring rain outside, and I love it!!

Now I mostly love it, because it is special. It doesn't rain all the time. If it did, and the sun never peeked out to shine it's bright rays, then I would probably not love it so much.

Because, after all, I love the sun even more than the rain (sorry Mr. Raincloud).

So it is raining, and the kids are out of school. We had a fun filled weekend which included Disneyland, travel, and snow. So today is sort of a catch up day. Nothing special planned, and really no exaggerated expectations.

If I get it done, great, I'm on top of my game.

If not, then there's always tomorrow.

Tomorrow, is back to life, back to reality, and routine. So today is sort of a free pass day, extra credit if you will.

I haven't earned much extra credit today, and honestly with four little people helping to mess it up, I should probably not even bother. I know there is a list hiding somewhere of things to do, when I actually have time to them, but I can't seem to find the umph, or gusto to find such list.

I've updated my blog (like the new festive background!!), checked my e-mail, checked facebook, my ebay auctions, and did a few loads of laundry. The last didn't involve the computer so that should count as two or even three things.

The children are hunting me down and have found my hiding place, so I am done on the computer, back to extra credit work..

Happy Valentines Day!!

It's funny how the meaning of Valentine's Day has changed for me over the years.


When I was in my teen years, it was about having a special someone as your Valentine. Flowers, chocolate, and cute cards with words of affection and love.


When Dave and I were first married it was homemade dinners by candlelight in our modest living room. Then it became fancy dinners at nice restaurants over looking the ocean, and walks on the beach. As children blessed our lives it was a quick dinner stolen away on whatever weekend was adjacent to the day of sweethearts.


Now that the kids are older it consists of paper hearts, glue, and stickers. Homemade crafts, and homemade Valentine's for school. Now the holiday is more about the kids and making it fun for them.


So to all my Valentine's (you little four that I adore ) and (my best friend and true love, Dave) how you have blessed my life, and made this a truly wonderful day for me, what more could I want..


except for..


...a day at Disneyland with all my sweethearts.


The kids were out of school on Friday, and Dave put in a short day at work. I spent all morning washing clothes and packing up the car. We picked him up and despite pouring rains we pressed on. By the time we arrived the rain had subsided and the crowds had cleared. We went on quite a few rides with less than 10 minutes wait on each. The kids had an opportunity to spend some Disney Dollars from Christmas (Thank you Great Gram and Zak & Annika), and then we hurried on our way to our next destination.


..the mountains to play in the snow for the weekend.



The kids quickly fell asleep and our journey up the mountain was slow and steady thanks to lots and lots of snow on the ground. We arrived safely in the wee hours of the morning, and thanks to my superior packing job, grabbed jammies and left the rest till morning.


...chocolate waffles with berry sauce



I found this great recipe, from my friends at Our Best Bites, and they seriously looked as good as the picture, and tasted even better. The kids scoured them down, and then suited up to play in the snow.


and next..

..popcorn, movies, and a well deserved nap.





What a perfect Valentine's weekend!!

Bunch of sickies!!!

Well we have been a bunch of sickies lately. I believe Josh had it first, then Daniel, then Caleb, then Nataliw, then Dave, and lucky me was last on the list. The kids had mild flu like symptoms that kept them out of school for a day, but they were feeling back to their normal selves by the next day. DAve came down with strep throat, and missed a few days of work, and here it is Friday and I'm the sick one, with an entire house of healthy, busy children.

Needless to say we haven't done a whole lot this week. I need to get busy and figure out cute original Valentine's for next week. Last year we did these, and they turned out so cute. So the bar is up there, so we'll see what I come up with, oh and I'm trying to avoid using candy in them.

Last Saturday, I had Boy Scout training, yes I'm a den leader now for the Bears. Afterwards the other leader that I attended with, drove us home via PCH, and her hubby's Mercedes convertible. Yes, we had the top down in January, and it was 70 degrees. After such a beautiful ride home, I was inspired. I packed up some fruit and drinks, grabbed a nearly comotose husband and we drove to Laguna Beach and enjoyed Crystal Cove. The water was freezing, but that didn't deter the kids, and we flew a kite, and enjoyed our picnic. For pics check out the tab with Pictures.

So here it is a week later, the skies are cloudy and it rained yesterday and today. I'm sick and feeling sluggish and tired.

Was it really only a week ago that I was running on the beach with the kids?

I need to get better, the skies need to clear, and I need to get back to business. I will take the weekend to recover..

after all it will soon be another week, and fresh start.