A Boys Life 4 Me

Happiness

2010-05-04T12:02:00.000-07:00

What do I want for Mother's Day??? I always think about this... some years I want quiet, others I want to do something together, with my kids... and still other years I wanted to sleep late (those early years of being a mother to twins). Having the house clean, without asking, would be great. As would, someone picking up all the stray socks that roam my house on a daily basis.

I love the cards, I don't need gifts... the hugs in the morning from Luke are wonderful, and I don't even have to wait for Mother's Day for them. Watching the big boys grow into young men, makes my heart ache, but prideful too. The emotions of being a Mom are everywhere. I want so much to tell my boys... about being good, thoughtful human beings. Treating each other with respect is just as important as treating their teachers with respect. I want them to love one another.

Having 4 boys fills me with love to spare... but it doesn't seem to flow between them. I worry that because they are boys they won't seek each other out like sisters do. I worry, when I am gone, will they meet for holidays, birthdays or dinners together?? Will their families be connected, without the help of Mom.

I have sisters, I call them a lot. I call my Mom a a lot. I call my Dad too. I don't see my husband doing that?? He calls his brother when the Mets are doing good (really good) or bad... really bad. That's it really. Maybe they will exchange email, or a phone call if an important matter comes up, but otherwise... they don't call just to chat. Do men do that?? I try to let them see me calling and talking to my family or my husbands family. We have them call Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles... but will that carry through?? A Mother's worry.

As my children grow, all the Mother's Day past, and the ones to come... I just want happiness, mine, my husbands, my children, and my extended family!!! Isn't that what we Mother's work towards on a daily basis... making everyone Happy??

Baseball

2010-03-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

Baseball Season is upon us!! When you are the Mom of 4 boys, it is inevitable that at least 1 of them will be a baseball enthusiast... well, I have 3!! And the youngest has entered the ranks of Team Player!! They love it. We have baseball bags everywhere, cleats in every size imaginable (gotta save them for the younger one!!), random baseball gloves found in my closet, and kids hitting, throwing, and running all over my house (inside I might add!!).

Our schedule is hectic... 3 kids in 3 different age leagues, 3 different fields, 3 different teams and uniforms, but for some reason... practice is never at 3 different times!!! We always have to be in 3 places at once. Then add the Karate Kid in there and you can just imagine the chaos that ensues trying to get everyone where they need to be. And this is only practice... no games yet. That is when it really gets interesting... who gets to go where and when!!!

All that being said... I love it!! Seeing my boys, whether it is playing baseball or karate, doing something they love, is an unbelievable feeling. Rooting for the teams and their teammates, helping them celebrate a victory or grieve a defeat, it is all what being a Mom (or Dad for that matter) is all about!! Yeah, the nagging and fighting to get ready, to eat before you go, to get your homework done... all that comes with the territory. It is the Pride I feel watching those boys, my boys, out there learning to work as a team. Encouraging a teammate, learning that it ISN'T all about them, finding out there are people out there you just got to deal with (even though you don't want to), and not only surviving it, but excelling!! Those are my boys!! Huh, I am a very proud Momma (at least until they break a window playing ball in the house!! :) )

Growing Up... Letting Go

2010-02-25T14:28:00.000-08:00

Today my baby took a tour of a Kindergarten classroom. MY BABY!!! As long as I can remember I wanted to be a Mom. Since I was a little girl playing with my babies, barbies, and then babysitting, I wanted to be the Mom. In college I saw my sisters having babies, 1, then 2, then 3, then 4... I was dating, but he was slow to make the Marriage Move. I held them, spoiled them, and dreamed of the day I would be holding my own. When I finally got pregnant God gave me twins, 1 for me and 1 for my Mother in-law. She waited way to long for a grandchild and I waited a long time to have a baby, so the only fair thing was to give us 2. I thank Him everyday for that act of genius!!! Fast forward... 2 more children later and my baby is getting ready for Kindergarten!!!

We went to visit a friends classroom (a Daycare Mom) and he sat at the back in a little chair watching everything. All I could imagine was him sitting on the rug, raising his hands and participating like these BIG kids were. Am I going through Empty Nest already?? It's only just beginning. I mean Jack and Cal will be going off to Middle School next year. We will be entering the teen years before I know it. We all know how morose teenage boys can be :)

Ryan wasn't a planned baby... not an accident exactly, but definitely a surprise. A heavenly surprise for me. I drank him in. Even though we thought our family was complete, he fit right in. We can't imagine life without him. We moved to NC when he was just a year old and we haven't separated since. He has been home with me since birth. No daycare, no playgroups, no nursery school, and no preschool. I opened my Family Home Childcare and he has stayed with me throughout. I am glad. Watching him today... he has just enough trepidation, just enough confidence, and a whole lot of humor. Watching my boy navigate his way through a new situation was eye opening... That what I am doing is alright. He is learning and is happy.

So, I have my Baby (who, as I know being the Baby of my family, will ALWAYS be my baby) for a few more months. A time I will drink in, savor, and count as a Blessing. I will watch him grow even more, learn new things, and get even more excited about Kindergarten. During this time I will continue the process of letting go... A process I have been having a problem with since the birth of my children.

Monster Jam

2010-02-23T11:01:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox digital slideshow

We had a great time at the Monster Jam Rally in Charlotte. The big boys really enjoyed the loudness and fast pace, but Ryan really didn't like it so much. He lasted until the intermission and then was ready to go. So he and I went out to the hall and hung out. We walked around, bought some drinks, and then waited for the rest of the family. Thankfully Glenn came out and relieved me so I could see the end of it. After we went to Monster Jam we went to a interesting little set of stores and had some ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery!! Yum!!! I always have room for ice cream!!!

You always have expectations for family outings like this, at least I know I usually do. I try not to, but you can't help it. You buy the tickets, everyone is soooo excited and then the day comes. That is when the whining starts... "What we have to get dressed NOW??!!" "I don't want to brush my hair, why do I have to, I look fine!!" "I can't find my shoes, money, etc..." So, it starts off tense. Glenn and I try to stay calm, we know they will be fine and calm down enough to enjoy themselves. Which happens... we get to the pizza place and we have a lot of fun laughing and enjoying each others company. We get into the arena and someones ear plugs won't fit right, and we have to pout and stomp, someone else got soda and the other didn't, and we can't forget the trips to the bathroom... then AHHHH... it starts... we can relax and watch right??? NO!!! Another trip to the bathroom, it's too noisy, I want that... it goes on and on!!!

But, you see it wasn't just us. It was a lot of people there that day. That's how it is with kids. They are little human beings with likes, dislikes, wants and needs same as me. They just don't have to self control yet like we (at least most of us anyway) do. I keep saying to myself, the joys out weigh the negatives. They do... the hugs, the smiles, the "Thanks DAD!!! That was the BEST!!" the look of chocolate all over someones mouth as he smiles huge!! These are why we did it, this is why having these Wonderful, Bright, Sassy, Spunky, Bratty, Whiny, Energetic, Happy, Healthy boys is all about!!! I am glad we did it, and believe it or not... We will put ourselves through it again. Over and Over and Over Again. We can't stop ourselves, those Smiles are addicting :)

A Dogs Day

2010-01-29T18:33:00.000-08:00

It is snowing here right now... I wanted to take a picture of it but when I went to take it my battery was blinking. I knew I had enough battery for 1 photo, so I got up to go outside for my picture. Well, this is what I saw as I stood up. How cute is that!! They are all curled up and comfy together. I am finding the small things everyday to make me smile. This is what I want to remember about today. Those 3 miracles in my life... and I think those dogs think they are people too.

Happiness

A Rainbow

2010-01-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

This photo was taken when we were traveling to NY to see family. Rainbows hold so much potential. It gives us hope, makes us smile. You stop what your doing, no matter what it is, and look up to see it. You will run out of the house to catch a glimpse. You wonder, what really is at the end of that Rainbow?

God gives us so much beauty. He opens up my heart each time I see a Rainbow to the possibilities of the world. Reminds me that I am just a small piece of the puzzle... but an important piece. It gives me hope that He is working in our world, in ways we can't always see or understand. That we are in His hands.

Project 365

2010-01-23T18:20:00.000-08:00

I haven't been getting my photos on the blog lately!! I hate that!!! This is Shea she is looking at me with her gorgeous brown eyes and hoping I will feed her something. She loves to eat and thinks that she should be fed whenever we eat, or when it is getting dark outside, or if we look at her (that must mean we should give her food) You get it... but she is such a great dog I just wanted to capture that face!!

You will see this face a lot during this project. I can't help it but this is my baby... who is growing up soooo fast. He has lost that babyness to him but I can't help capturing that smile as much as I can.

Here is the Coca-Cola wall at The World of Coke... I wanted to include it here because it is a trip I don't want to forget!! We had such a great time and just allowed ourselves to enjoy each other without trying to DO to much!!!

So, I have been taking my camera with me everywhere... and I am trying to get photos that capture the moment, but it seems like they don't really make the grade when I put them up. I want to fiddle with them, but my program doesn't really allow me to do much. I think I need to invest in photoshop or something...

Project 365

2010-01-18T18:28:00.000-08:00

I know I have this photo on my other blog, Kozy Kids Family Daycare but I couldn't help using it for my Project 365 photo!! I am so excited to get so many great books for more than 1/2 off the regular retail price!! I got books that would normally go for $20 or $30 for less than $10... I don't think any book cost me more than $10. I have been eyeing the Totally Two's book from The Mailbox for a long time now and it was there and I got it for 1/2 off the sticker price... which was about $10 less than it was in the store!!! So I think I actually got that one for around $9.50... can you imagine!! 2 months ago I contemplated buying it for almost $30!!! I am glad I didn't :) Anyway... it was a good day.

Project 365

2010-01-17T19:38:00.000-08:00

Here is my girl Ruby... she was a stray we found on the side of the road when she was a wee little thing. She is such a good girl, the only "bad" thing she does is dig in the yard. I can live with that for all the little gifts she gives me. She follows me all the time, she sleeps at my feet whenever she can (though she does prefer sleeping on a nice big pillow at my feet), and she doesn't run. When we leave the house she listens to me and stays pretty close. My other dog, Shea, runs as soon as she gets a chance... every time!!

Today, we spent a TV watching marathon!! We watched a show I never knew existed... Being Erica. Cute, it hooked me and Ruby sat with me most of the evening watching it with me. Though of course I could have been busy getting my lessons ready... but I have a day off tomorrow... YEAH!!! So, I will get things together than!!

Project 365

2010-01-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon this post in my journey in finding some lessons on the letter P and I think I would like to try to do it. Project 365 is a photo journal of your everyday life. It is more for your own personal way of remembering what your doing in your life... it could be fun. If you go to their forum page you can find a lot of idea's to help if you get bored or even just run out of ideas. I always find something each day that inspires me... a child's hand, smile or sleeping self... the mess in the sensory table, or food on the table. Sometimes I think that my life is one of routine and chaos... but when I think of it in little bits of photos I think that my life is very rich indeed :)

So I will post the photo that I like best from yesterday... since today I sat on the couch all day as I have a cold... now wouldn't that be a photo op :)

Here is Ryan finally getting to play outside... what a beautiful day we had outside. It has been cold, but it finally got to be in the 50's and we basked in the warmth :) He called me over to take this picture... He has a small cut above his eye... I don't know where it came from. It showed up one day and he couldn't tell me from where... huh???

From now on I will post a picture I took from the actual day...

It's Wednesday!!

2010-01-13T12:11:00.000-08:00

So far this year... 2010... I have slowed down a bit. That week off after the Christmas Holiday took me by surprise. I got to sit and just be in my home with just my family for the first time in a long time. I have always had daycare going on or I was traveling to visit people or people were here. So, I have realized that I need to slow down. My boys and family come first. I need to stop putting the needs of others before the needs of my own.

I have decided that my after school adventures need to be curtailed... I realize that some of these kids would do better in different situations. I can't be all things to all kids. I always think I can do better than others, but I just wasn't able to meet all the needs of the bigger kid. So, as Parents found different care for them while I was going through my licensing process, I have come to realize that that is okay and maybe I shouldn't fill those spots.

Also, I have been not running so much. I have been reading, bring Cal to Karate, and hopefully being a little more present with my own children instead of being "done" with kids at 5:30 each night. I am realizing that doing for yourself and your family isn't a bad thing, it doesn't make you a bad Childcare Provider... in the end it makes you better.

I read the book Precious, by Sapphire... Wow. I thought it was a young adult book, but it was pretty intense. I am not sure I would let my teenager read it, but then again it is about a teenager and maybe it would be good for them to see a different view point on life. On how a Parent's choice can affect a child in such profound ways. It was an intense read, not for the weak stomachs out there, but I couldn't put it down and read it through in a day. Don't get me wrong, I loved the book... it gave me something to think about, and I like that.

So, my next book to read will be Please Stop Laughing At Me, by Jodee Blanco. It is about bullying, from a someone who lived it and came out on the other end. I think it will be interesting. I hope so.

That's what I am up to... I am still trying to get on the eating healthier bandwagon :) not doing so great on that front... not sure why... but I am talking to myself about it all the time. Well, maybe not when I am thinking of eating those Girl Scout Cookies that I ordered.... ARGHHH!!! Will power!!! Have a Great Wednesday!! I am looking forward to my Date Night with the Twins!! We are seeing Mall Cop at their school, who is hosting this Take Your Mom On A Date thingy... it should prove to be a wonderful memorable night!!!

No Snow

2010-01-08T19:34:00.000-08:00

The weather report yesterday said that our part of NC would be getting some snow last night. The kids were so excited... it's been cold enough for snow... now we just needed some precipitation. They thought we would finally get it. The wore their pj's backward and inside out (Thanks Dana).... they put the spoon in the freezer?????? (what's up with that??) We went to bed...

Ok... as the title states... NO SNOW!!! We did have a 2 HOUR DELAY though!!! Why??? Not a clue!! Here, at least, we got no rain or snow. The roads didn't even look like they were wet at all all night. No mud in the yard... I mean it was cold, but not any colder than most mornings lately. So why we ask ourselves. We can speculate... the buses wouldn't start, the schools wouldn't heat up (never stopped them before) or maybe someone, who lives in the far reaches of the county, had some ice on his/her driveway.

So the boys didn't get their snow day, but they did get a delay. Not what they wanted exactly... but they'd take it. They lounged around watching cartoons, slept late, and laughed about the delay.

Living in NC has it's perks... not much snow, warmer (mostly), sunny and school delays and closings for the least bit of snow, ice or even the non-existent snow and ice :) What more could we want. I could do with the cold to go away.... I know it could be colder... but I like the warmer weather... So, cold weather go away... warm weather come our way!!!

An Ordinary Day

2010-01-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

Life is normal. Boys went back to school, they are waiting for a snow day... that I expect won't come anytime soon. They are trying to complete a Social Studies Project about European Countries... answering questions about imports/exports, population, weather... that sort of thing. It is a huge project and I can't wait for it to be done. They watch TV, do homework, and I try to push them outside.

Speaking of outside... I can't believe we have hit the plateau of 50 degrees is cold. I mean, it has been in the 20's and 30's lately... and yes, that's cold. But, they boys were complaining that 50 was cold. When we first moved here from NY... the boys wouldn't come inside at all in 50 degree weather. Now I can't bribe them to go out. I should have enrolled them in basketball of something... they are getting at that age where sitting and vegging is more fun then actually using their body or mind.

On the week off I had we did spend time playing boardgames and such... but I wasn't to keen on going outside either... so I guess I need to be part of the solution and not the problem. Another resolution I guess... be more active. Goes a long with the losing weight part I guess, so it shouldn't be to hard. HaHaHa!!! We'll see!!!

Atlanta Trip

2010-01-05T17:46:00.001-08:00

We went to Atlanta this past weekend. I wanted to take a little trip over the break since I didn't have to work and my son, Jack, loves everything Coca-Cola. He loves to drink it of course, but he also loves to collect things about Coke. He likes old, new, cute or odd, it doesn't matter... he just likes it. I like that he has something that is his own. Being a twin can sometimes be a little overwhelming. So to Atlanta we went... The World of Coca-Cola was our destination.

I researched hotels, did a AAA Trip Tik, got a friend to look after the dogs and off we went. We stayed at a very nice Fairfield Marriot that included breakfast, parking... and had an indoor pool (a must with 4 energetic boys). We went straight to the hotel that night and planned our trip to Coca-Cola World for the next day. We swam and watched TV and had a really great family night together. In this fast paced world of ours we don't always get to have time that is just the 6 of us.

We wake up in the morning, have a nice breakfast, and with 4 excited guys off to Coca-Cola World we go. It was a windy, cold day... we were happy the tour was inside. We bought our tickets and we waited in the lobby before we go into the opening/introduction movie... a great little movie about what goes on inside a coke machine :) Worth it!! Then off to a self guided tour of the rest of the building. We went into a hall of history, a bottle works hall, Pop Culture Art kind of place... that was really nice because people would write about what Coke meant to them or the memories that they had that involved Coke... Some of the letters were really touching and funny. Cal even wrote one... soooo cute!!! Then I talked all the boys into going into the room where you get to see the all the Coke commercials ever made. Funny.

Then the best part of the tour... the Tasting Room!!! Over 60 different soda's from around the world. Oh... they had so much fun. They ran around that room tasting all those soda's, running back to me or Glenn telling us what they liked or pulling us to a fountain to taste the Best or Worst soda they had ever tasted. I mean what could be better than having a whole room of soda to taste WITH your parents permission :)

We were finally done with tasting and decided to pick up our free bottle of coke and go into the gift store for our treasure to take home. Let's see... Ryan picked out a Coke Baseball, Luke a Coke Mini-Baseball Bat & Coke Playing Cards, Jack picked out an Aluminum Bottle & A Coke Style Dog Tag Necklace, and Calvin chose the Bat & Ball and a bottle of Coke with a Sleeve that he picked out and they shrink wrapped it on the bottle. Oh... Luke did that too.

So, that was our trip to Atlanta... we picked up our friends daughter and started our trek homeward. It wasn't a terribly long road trip home, but just long enough that you are happy to get out of the car when you get home. I have decided a 3 hour or less road trip is perfect for a short trip. Just when your getting tired of the car, your done. Next time we decide to go on a short family trip... it will be a little closer to home. We loved Coca-Cola World and I am really glad we went... memories were made!!

New Year Resolution

2009-12-30T07:04:00.000-08:00

New Years Resolution Time

Every year at this time the whole world... ok not exactly the whole world, but a lot of people decide to make these promises to themselves to do or achieve something. Well, I am one of those people. I fall into the trap every year, pour over my options, buy whatever it is I might need (under the guise that I MUST have it to achieve this goal) and then start full steam ahead. Do I succeed?? Nah... like most people I don't tell anyone about it, maybe my husband (but does he really count?) and when I get to tired, stressed out, or irritated I give up. My husband tries to get me going again, but as soon as I get bratty (a nicer word of course) he backs off.

This year I am going to do it again... but this year will be different. I am posting about it. Some of the people who read this, actually see me in real life and will ask me about it, see if it is working, etc... I now have more people out there to help me. To help me hold fast to my goals.

My New Years Resolutions:

Lose weight.... yes, of course isn't this always on people list... how cliche right, but it needs to happen. I won't be joining any gyms, I won't be buying anything new... I have it all. Now I need to use it.
Get closer to my spiritual side. I now God is there for me. I know, I believe and I have faith, I have seen Him at work. But I want to provide my boys with a model that follows a spiritually moral path, not just someone who picks and chooses when it suits her.

That's it. I want to combine those 2 things into my life style. I believe if I do this, all other areas of my life will also fall into a peaceful place.

Wish me luck... I will definitely need it. I am one who gets sidetracked often, I go with the flow to a fault and I need to change things up in my life a lot. So, my goals need to take into account all those things to be able to reach them. We will see...

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T19:55:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!!

We have made it... the presents were put out, cookies for Santa, Reindeer food for the Reindeer. We were awaken at 7:30am, which was ok, except I think the kids were actually up much earlier than that. The kids had a lot of fun opening presents and having a great time with their Aunt & Uncles and Grandparents. I think they were crazy with over stimulation and didn't know which way was up. The toys and food were totally to much :) That being said... talking to the kids last night and today about the Reason for this Special Day was nice. Even Ryan could tell me about the Nativity and Jesus' Birthday.
Oh... we watched the movie The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson. We read the book first last week and I sent away for the DVD and oh, it was so cute. We sat together after everyone left and enjoyed the movies and the Christmas Message it had. The book was great, but so was the movie (even if it was from the 70's).
So... the year is coming to an end. We will begin talking about the new year, resolutions, and what the New Year may bring.

From Our Home to Yours

Merry Christmas and Blessings to All

Quiet Time

2009-12-14T18:42:00.001-08:00

We started a new book last night for our nightly quiet time... well, really we decided to read this one together as a family instead of letting the boys read their book on their own. We have been talking about Christmas, of course, and I have been trying to get the kids in the spirit of giving... not just receiving. Of seeing things as half full, not half empty. Not just because Santa is watching, but because it is what Jesus would want from us. To strive to be the best we can. So... I remembered a book I read as a kid... The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson. I thought it was the funniest book ever, but I also remember thinking both about how it would feel to live near the Herdmans and how it must have been to BE the Herdmans. So, I got the book and we started to read it last night. The big kids have heard it already, but they jump on the bed as fast as Luke to hear it again. Luke hasn't heard it yet, and seems to be enjoying it. It is a really good book for the Christmas Season, especially if you have a house full of rowdy boys like I do. One thing, I am happy my kids aren't the Herdmans and secondly, I am glad that the boys see that it could be worse... they could have the Herdmans as siblings :)
They also can see how giving... not just presents, but time, love, understanding can be a bigger and better present than most of the things we find under the tree. That we are lucky to have what we have, when so many don't. Now, don't get me wrong... they are still young, rowdy, selfish (in a good way) boys... but I see them thinking, even if they pretend not to :)

Santa Anyone??

2009-12-11T10:23:00.000-08:00

Santa is coming and my boys are excited!! Luke has decorated, set up his list, & now has even decided to BE Santa!! He is definitely ready to be done with school and get on to the Holiday Cheer. He is anxiously awaiting the arrival of not only Santa, but his Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt & Uncles. We talk about all we will do, food we will eat, and places we can go. I hope everyone is ready for a few busy days.
My goodness though, will you look at that playroom behind him :) I didn't realize how messy it was. I know it was probably because I was out and Dad was home and let them make a mess :) What a sight!!
We will have to begin all the wrapping and getting things done so we can enjoy a great time when family gets here. We are planning a trip to Zootastic, a drive through light show, which we have heard wonderful things about and the boys can't wait to go. You can see Santa, roast marshmallows, and drink hot cocoa... a little boys dream I think. Just the coziness of it sounds great, I am sure it will be pretty cold though. Oh well...

***Note to all... Our Own Little Santa happen to love that picture... but asked that I not put it out in cyperspace... as he does have his reputation to protect. It could be accessed sometime in the future just when he was trying to ask that special someone out... We don't want anymore angst for our children if we can help it... so that is why I decided to take the Santa photo down!! But it was cute while it lasted :)

Our 2009 Christmas Tree

2009-12-09T10:23:00.000-08:00

Ok... we went to the Christmas Tree Farm, got our Tree, got out the ornaments, went down memory lane... but where is the Tree?? Well, after Luke took some random decorating shots, we got a picture of it.

Helping Dad... Learning what it means to be the Dad :)
Doesn't seem like they mind either.

Getting some use out of the Perfect Swiss Army Knives from Aunt Linda and Uncle Gary

Ryan wants to help too... Thanks Dad!!

Standing back to admire... Wow, It's Big!!

Our 2009 Christmas Tree

The kids were so excited to get to decorating, but they pooped out rather quickly so the tree stands kinda bare right now. I told them that Grandma & Grandpa were coming soon so they had better get it ready!! This weekend they said!!!

Ornaments

2009-12-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

Christmas Ornaments mean a lot to so many people... to me they mean history. To see that every year someone saved the most precious and cute ornaments to hang on the Christmas Tree. All those little reindeer, Santa's, mittens, pictures... those are some of the things our children look forward to. They each have their own box, of their own ornaments. Ones in which they made or were given. They love looking at them each year, talking about who they received them from, when, etc... They know when they get their own house, their own tree, their own families that box will be theirs to take with them. Until then they are mine, and I can look at them and remember their small little hands making them or as they get bigger their large hands holding them. All those little hand prints I received as they grew... what treasures they are now.

My Twins are getting so big... they will be bigger than me soon. I am already starting to not be the center of their world anymore. I have a poster they gave me for Mother's Day when they were maybe 5 or 6, and it said..."Mom, The Center of Our World" What a fleeting time that is. They grow so quick. I lost Jack at a festival the other day... it hit home how fast they grow. I was frantic... he is 11yrs old, I know he just got disoriented, but that little piece of me just panicked... was he afraid? No. Was he worried? No. Did he know he was going to find me? Yes. He was just hoping he wouldn't get in trouble. There was a time that all he would have wanted was me. Now he knows what to do. I know, I know... We have taught him well, We have given him the wings to fly... blah, blah, blah... doesn't make me feel any better :) I was afraid, I was worried... I can't keep them safe all the time anymore. I can't anticipate their next moved. I pray that God's Hands protect them and show them the way. I pray He gives me the strength to get through this next phase of their lives.

Ornaments... a little glimpse into the past. Little did I know that they would hold so many memories... Like I always tell the boys, "You won't understand until your a Parent yourself." So keep those special little mementos... pass on the stories and make sure they know them well... because someday their children will enjoy seeing Daddy's tiny hand print on a piece of paper hanging off the Christmas Tree.

Christmas Tree Farm

2009-12-07T14:27:00.001-08:00

We went to get our Christmas Tree this weekend!! We had a wonderful time. We found a Choose & Cut Farm not far from our home and the kids were finally excited to have some family time together!! When we got there we realized that they only had White Scotch Pine tree's and since we never had that kind of Christmas Tree before were kind of apprehensive about it. Our only other choice was to go into the Mts. and that wasn't an option... so off to find our tree we went!!

The boys had a great time running, playing tag, and touching every tree they could. We found one right away, but that would have been to easy... off to the farthest part of the farm we went in search of the Perfect tree... of course the first one was the one we got. We walked all the way back to the front of the farm and cut our tree down. We had to camera's and of course those pictures are on the other camera... so I will try to figure out that camera and upload those photo's later today!! It is a beautiful tree... I can't wait for you to see it!!!

Have a great day!!

Thanksgiving Weekend

2009-11-30T10:36:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Charleston, SC Harbor!!

We got to spend some time in Charleston, SC with my Dad... we had a wonderful time with lots of history. One of the boys took this photo and the tranquility of it just sums up my feelings about our trip. Our trip to the USS Yorktown was fun and a little boys dream with all the boats, submarine, and airplanes!! We took a ride to Fort Sumter, another interesting place... a lot to learn and a lot of history. I wish they had more information on the women during this time, but it was definitely very interesting...

Thanksgiving Happiness

2009-11-25T08:35:00.000-08:00

We have decided this year to split up for Thanksgiving... As kids we spent Thanksgiving with my Mom and it was a huge affair. We had people in and out, lots of food and lots of fun. It will be a quiet Thanksgiving this year. Half of us will stay home with Papa, and half will go to NY to visit the other set of Grandparents. We will all have different experiences and enjoy the holiday in different ways, but in the end it is the thought and thankfulness we feel at this time of year that matters.

We are Thankful to have our Grandparents to enjoy the Holiday with. We are lucky to be able to visit and make memories with those special people in our lives. They can pass on stories and special moments that can be passed on to our children and their children. That is what this Holiday means to our Family.

The boys have received a Holiday Package from Grandma!! What lucky boys they are to get chocolate and money :) How loved they are, how special they are... it is wonderful to have Family!! I hope it is a memory that will live on in them as they grow and have children of their own and grandchildren of their own. That they will follow the examples of their grandparents.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!!

MY GUYS

2009-11-02T16:51:00.000-08:00

A RAINY DAY FOR TRICK OR TREATING... BUT THEY LOOK GOOD!!

I look at them and fall in love all over again. That feeling of overwhelming maternal love when you first meet your child, it can still come back when that same baby is much bigger, smeared with green face paint, and standing in the rain waiting to go Trick or Treating!! I love being a Mom, especially to these 4 bOYs!!

Pumpkin Picking

2009-10-25T15:48:00.000-07:00

We decided to go pumpkin picking last weekend. We have a little farm stand around the corner, we had fun. It was a little chilly, but the colors were beautiful and the pumpkins were just screaming to come home with us.

NC Mountains

2009-10-17T05:59:00.000-07:00

We took a family getaway to the NC Mountains this past weekend. What a relaxing time. 2 of the boys came down with the flu, but it turned out OK since we were there to relax, watch movies, sleep and just kinda hang anyway. We did a lot of all of those things. It was a beautiful place, the views were gorgeous, and we even had a neighbor that allowed the boys to feed the fish in their ponds. I think that was a definite high point. There was also a creek, camp fire, and lots of time together. We all needed it. It was nice to get back to being a family.

Great Looking Boys

2009-09-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

We loved going to Aunt Linda's and Uncle Gary's Wedding. I think I had the cutest kids in the world... but of course I am a little bias :)
The kids had such a great time dancing, I don't think we had 1 tantrum, pout, or cranky moment. We had 4 great boys... we were very lucky!!
I think what impressed me the most was when people would come up to me and tell me what little gentlemen they were, or how great they were on the dance floor. As a Mom I was in such glory... all those fights, teaching moments, and parenting books seem to be paying off. They really are great boys!!

Crazy

2009-08-27T18:40:00.001-07:00

Crazy We are crazy right now... we have baseball, school, karate, & church school. We can't seem to get into a routine where we can do school work, make dinner, baths, and/or family time all in a night. We seem to be running, running, running!!! One place to another. I am happy school is in, although the kids spend a lot of their time complaining. I want to keep my cool, and usually do, but man they are just so bad. How bad can it be?? We all went to school, we had homework... is it really so much worse now??? Are they being so overloaded that they can't find happiness in school??? I want them to enjoy school, find relaxation in reading, and find fun in their friends... it seems like that isn't the case. Oh... what to do, what to do??

Dinner Out

2009-08-25T18:53:00.003-07:00

We went out to dinner with just 2 of the kiddo's this past week... L picked Big League Hot Dog for dinner!! What a great choice!! We had a great time and the food was good too!! Thanks L for picking a great family place!!

Even R had a good time... He was getting hungry waiting for his food :)

L showing me what all the memorabilia was and what it stood for. He loved looking at the old baseball gloves and trying to find Mets Baseball Cards... A little Boys Dream restaurant :)

Back to Life

2009-08-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

I completed my first day back to work with ALL the kids. I am exhausted but it was a good day. I am feeling better... Thanks Susie!!! I am just tired. My nose is still stuffy, but it is starting to break. I am hoping the boys don't get it for the first day of school. That would be a bummer.

The boys aren't really excited to go back to school. I always remember being soooooo excited to get back to seeing all my friends, homework (in the beginning), & just getting out of the house. I was always bored stiff by the end of the summer. Now, the boys are always saying they are bored, but it isn't school they want to get back to, it is trips, amusement parks, camping, etc... I told hubby that we shouldn't do so much with them during the summers anymore, they are getting spoiled ;)

They are excited about back to school sneakers. Their Papa gets them their sneakers each year and it is a big treat for them. He tells them they have carte blance (did I spell that right??) and can pick out whatever they want. They drag me to every shoe and sneaker store in the mall. By the end I am exhausted and tired of the indecision... but I guess for them this is a huge decision. The right pair of sneakers can make or break a 6th grader. I think they all did good... nice sneakers, fit each of their personalities, and didn't cost my Dad an arm and a leg, not that he would care, but I do.

So, tomorrow we are getting are school laptops. That will be fun. Trying to keep track of them, and what they are doing on them... ARGH!!! I hope the school has put enough nanny guards on them. I hope soooo. I tell you all about them after tomorrow. We will go to our 2hr long lecture on how to use them and such... boring!!! I think these kids know what to do with them, but I guess we need to go anyway. To make sure they know the consequences for doing something bad with theirs. We have the next 7 yrs of using them, I wonder if the program will last that long, or if they will update the laptops eventually. Like, does the School Board know that laptops or any computer becomes a dinosaur after a couple or so years?? We will see...

I will end with a picture of my boys... All of them!!! We had a great time just walking around CitiField... Boys and Baseball, ya gotta love it!!! :)

Hot & Sick

2009-08-10T18:46:00.001-07:00

I am sick... I have a cold, no big deal. I just hate having a stuffy nose, a runny nose and feeling like nothing taste right. I am tired, but not really. I can't sleep during the day, but I can't sleep at night. I pray my daycare Mom's and Dad's don't think I will pass this cold on, but of course I will. I wash my hands a million times, try not to kiss, cough or breath on them :) that ain't happening though... I can't help it. I make the kids wash their hands, use the antibacterial hand sanitizer, and wash their hands AGAIN... I think one of the kids washed his hands 1000 times today. I can't wait to see my water bill.
So, I will take my medicine again tonight, hopefully get a halfway decent nights sleep, and be better tomorrow.
Now... the weather!! It was soooooo hot today. Upper 90's. It was all we could do to go outside. The pool water was like bath water, but at least it gave the kids some relief. I filled the little pool in the yard, put out some buckets and filled the little sensory table with water for my littlest one. She loved it!!! She banged, slapped, poured & splashed for as long as her little heart felt the need... She was very cute. I am glad I can provide such opportunities for the children in my care, as hard as it is sometimes (especially on sick days)... it is worth everything!! I love my job... both as a mom and a childcare provider!!!

Summer Blues

2009-08-05T19:25:00.001-07:00

I have been thinking more and more lately that as much as I love summers, I can't wait for it to be over. It is hot!! Very, very hot. The kids are bored, they don't want to go outside, and a board game in our home doesn't last for one game before I find all the pieces strewn around the house. They don't even want to go to the pool... How can that be??? Only last summer that is
ALL they wanted to do... we couldn't get there enough... Is it the old adage that you don't want what you already have??? It must be. I just wish they wouldn't give me such a hard time. Boys are tough.
I want them to have a good time, but I seem off my game. There is no routine to follow, no set wake up, play,eat, play, rest, eat, family time, eat some more, bed time. I seem to be in a river... always paddling in the wrong direction... these boys tired me out the same way. Fighting... the way they fight sometimes. I get so tired. I now know why our parents look at us like we have 10 heads when we tell them all the things we think they did wrong... it is all in the perception of the situation. They think their Dad and I favor one or the others at any given time. You ask one and he says we spoil the other... then the littlest one gets to much dessert, or the middle one gets to sleep over someones house (which MUST mean we love him the most) My Gosh... Parents Can't Win!!!! I have a much better understanding of my parents... I know now that they did the best they could and we (my sisters and I) would have found something wrong with their parenting skills no matter what they did. That is just how it is... kids will see a situation as they want to see it... no matter what really happened!!!
I just hope summer comes to an end soon and school gives us all the routine we crave... but yes, you know I will be complaining about school, homework, & the strain of keeping it all together!!! But we will save that for another day!!! :)

Weigh In

2009-08-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it... I weighed in... I was hoping it wouldn't be a 10 lb gain while I was away, but I knew it could be. I moved, I ate, and I drank (some). I know I should have moved more, but sleeping in was so much more appealing. I was up and about on MOST days by 9am, but I would still just get my coffee, sit with my Mom or sister and sip and talk. How wonderful that was. I loved it. I miss them so much. My Dad came up to visit and I was lucky enough to be able to sit with him on some of the mornings and have coffee, I guess it was just the sitting and relaxing part that was so appealing. I don't get to do that here, I feel like I sit a lot, but my mind never relaxes. I have this beautiful backyard, but it always seems to be to hot to sit outside with my cup of coffee. If I go in front, it is still to hot, but at least no sun in your face. So, now I just need to go about creating the tranquil Adirondack environment that I find sooooo relaxing.
Of course, having 10 rambunctious preschoolers and school-agers running around does put limitations on that tranquility.

Oh, so back to the weigh in.... 157lbs. I gained 4 lbs while away. I of course went out for dinner with Beth for her birthday and ate way to much, but isn't that what friends do??? Especially on special occasions??? Well, that's what we do!!! Most of the time. I will now indeed go back to getting up, walking or doing my 30 lb Shred. I still have a dress to fit into in a few weeks. I must, must work on getting back to 153 or even 150 would be my goal by September 6th!!!!

Camp Pics!!

2009-07-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

We are HOME!! We had a great time... it was much colder in NY then in NC. The first few days it was actually so cold we could see our breathe at times. It did start to warm up though.
We started out right after work on Friday and headed to Long Island to see Grandma and Grandpa!! Then we headed up North for some fun in the Mountains!! We love the Mountain Air and the crystal clear Lakes.

Here we are getting ready to go!! Yeah!!!

Picking blueberries from Grandpa's Garden!!

Although we miss Shea... Citi-Field was a sight to see!!

Gotta love the METS!!!

Beach Time for Brothers!!

Quiet time at the beach.

A little Candy Bar Bingo at the Rec Hall!!

Gorgeous Sunbathers!!

Fun, Fun, Fun

A little 4-wheelin anyone??

Some games at the Lodge with Aunt Kimmy

Tennis with Mom!!

C caught a fish... but didn't know how to take it off... Thanks Aunt Kimmy!!

All the kids on the fishin dock

Here is our camp... we rented it and it was located right next to my sister!! We had a great time!! The boys loved the freedom of running in the wild at all hours of the day and night. There wasn't many boundaries and they could just relax at the lodge, swim at the beach, fish, play at the playground, or just hit the trailer for some movie time. We had our fair share of smores, camp fires and enough soda and snacks to last a long, long time. We can't wait to go back next year!!! Another year older and more fun to be had!!

Camp

2009-07-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

We are at camp... it is the most glorious time. I have my sister and my nieces and nephews, my children and my parents!! We are enjoying the Adirondack Air, the smell of the camp fire and eating anything you can grill...
Yes, my "diet" is taking a hit, but I have been walking, swimming, playing tennis with L and all around running after the kids. I try to get up and going at least a few times a day, but am so not worried about it. This is vacation and what is vacation without a few Mike's Hard Lemonades, a beer or two, or a glass of wine. I am enjoying everything about it this year.
So, I will post some photos as soon as possible and let you see everything!! Have a great weekend!!!

A Day Like Any Day...

2009-07-07T19:12:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here looking at my toes... I love my toes!! I got a pedicure today at the nail place in Walmart!! YEAH!! I wish I had my camera.. Beth, Tracy & I went and it took forever!!! At one point I thought Tracy was going to fall asleep in her chair waiting for the lady to get to her. It was hard to talk to one another because they have the chairs set so that 2 are close, then a space and then 2 more, etc... well it made for uncomfortable talking... Plus, the whole Michael Jackson thing was on the big screen TV... but none of us knew what was going on and kept asking each other questions... the lady kept answering them for us... She was a wealth of Michael Jackson Information... Poor Thing!!! I am just glad we got it done before I went up to Camp with Kimberly. Got to have them stylin toes ya know... I am getting anxious and excited. I hate packing, driving & most of all leaving after I get there. I love my home, I love my friends, I love where I live... but being away from family is hard. Especially when we get 2 weeks of fun time... you forget what everyday daily life entails... and you want to stay longer. I will begin to miss Glenn and we will hopefully get to visit his Mom on our way home... It will be a busy 2 weeks I think :)

Tomorrow I take the daycare kids & Ryan to the Lake for the morning... I think they will like it. We go to the pool a lot and they love it, but after a while it gets boring. If kids show up to play with them they love it and don't want to leave, but if not, then it is a constant... When are we leaving Shell??? I think this will be a nice distraction and it goes nicely with our Water Themed Week... I am also getting Ryan ready for our time at the Lake!! Now I need to go get all the stuff ready so we can get out the door by 9:30 tomorrow morning... I know I'll be ready, will the parents have the kids here on time?? We shall see :)!!

Weigh In

2009-07-03T18:30:00.001-07:00

OMG... I can't believe I forgot to post about my weigh in... this week I came in at 153 lbs...

I was very happy and can see the difference in my cloth's fitting better and just the overall look of me... I am excited!!

I don't know if you can tell, but I feel like I have lost quite a bit of weight in my face... I still have that double chin, (neck) but that is something that runs in the family and I just hope if I lose more it will be a little better... but I may have to live with that. I think I can, if it gets a little better!! Which it should... So, I need to keep on track for when I am away for vacation. I am going to the Adirondack Mts. with the boys, where we camp with my sister for 2 weeks. I am very excited, but need to stay on track with my diet.

Field Trip Friday!!

2009-07-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We went on a Friday Field Trip... To The Lazy 5 Ranch and the kids really enjoyed themselves. They didn't like the fact that I wouldn't buy them soda after lunch, but other than that we had a good time.

Why do kids do that?? I wonder sometimes... we have a great time, we had lunch, with Juice Boxes, and I know they weren't dying of dehydration. Yet, because I said no... we had to fuss the rest of the time while looking at the other animals and gardens that the Ranch has to offer. I was mad, embarrassed & wanted to scream. My friends kids were so good, she said No, they fussed, she gave "the look" and that was that... my "the look" didn't work. My boys continued to pout until we left. ARGHH!! Oh well... that's parenting huh!!!

We get ready for Religion Camp, not VBS, but a week long intense summer camp that the kids attend instead of going to Church School once a week during the school year. I bring the little one each Sunday, but I couldn't get the other 3 boys into a class at the same time, and I am sorry I didn't want to go back and forth to 3 different time's all day Sunday... or during the week. So, we opted for the camp... it is fun, tiring, and done in a week. Which is good and bad. I like that the boys get to go once a week during the school year, I think they retain more of what they learn. But, with 4 kids, the daycare, tutoring, karate & each child in a different time frame or day... not gonna happen. It tires me out just thinking about it.

Next week we will be running boys to camp, having daycare, and packing for our summer trip to the Adirondack Mts. It will be a fun week!!! Hopefully I will find time to take some pictures...

Links

2009-06-27T20:37:00.000-07:00

I figured it out... why didn't I think to just type in "link tutorial" on the Google Search engine?? Sometimes I baffle even myself. But I finally figured out how to link to another blog. I can type in the stuff I need to and be able to let people know where to find some of the GREAT idea's I get from the many, many, many Mom Blogger's out there who are interested and excited about educating their own children and other's!!! I have found so many great things and I am excited to be able to implement them into my life... both with my own kids and my daycare kids. Keeps me busy!! Though, I can get pretty preoccupied with surfing the web for more blogs about teaching young children in a home setting. I thought there would be sooooo many more of us, but I seem to find mostly those who teach in a preschool setting within an organized company or church. But the idea's they have are great... I just wish I had the access to their supplies.
Being a home daycare, I can't seem to find a grant or such to help off set the cost of new playground equipment, art supplies, or sensory table... we would love to have a light table... but at $290 a pop... it will take me a long time to get that money. I need a new rug in the family room (due to daycare wear and tear) and extend the hardwood in the playroom/classroom as the rug in there is getting worn fast... those are priorities before the "extra" supplies. Getting there is half the fun. Anyway.. off topic again!! :)
I am off to go to bed, as I have 4 boys who will be awake before I know it!!!

Weigh In

2009-06-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

Well, the girls and I weighed in again today... I actually thought the scale was broken today. I got on and it said I was 154.5 lbs. No way. I haven't exercised at all, except running after the daycare kids, going to the pool and running and swimming after them there too :) But, I haven't been to the gym, or done my 30 day shred in probably 2 or so weeks. I just knew I was going to be gaining this week. So, I made Beth bring her scale over and we tested the two. Her's is 1 lb higher than mine. That being said, she said I probably still lost the 2 lbs, because mine is the scale we were using. Risa lost the same amount on my scale as well as Beth's, so I think it is safe to say I lost 2 lbs this week. YEAH!!! I am so happy.
I have had a stressful week, so I know that has something to do with it. I have been very anxious and not hungry. I have to make sure I don't forget to eat, or my body will go crazy again. I will keep making myself eat, just the right things and not the wrong. Or eating because it soothes the emotional stain we are all going through right now.
But for now, I will take the loss and be happy.

New Blog

2009-06-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

I have started a new blog. It will be just about the Daycare. I am excited to have a place now for writing about Tot School, summer fun, and curriculum ideas. I can keep my family stuff for this blog and the school/kid stuff for that blog...
It is Kozy Kids Family Daycare... but I had to use kozykidslc.blogspot.com for my web address... I sooooo need to figure out how to add that into my post. I have some addresses and links under my blog list, but I want to be able to let people link from my post... if anyone knows how to do that... PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!

http://kozykidslc.blogspot.com/2009/06/getting-ready-for-summer.html

That is my first blog (and only so far). Hope everyone has a Great Week!!! Mine has started off great... a date night with hubby... both J & L's baseball teams made it into the post season playoffs, and my daycare kids love the new summer playroom!!! We go to the early, cheap movies on Wednesday and it is supposed to be hot this week... so lots of time at the pool!!! I think this week will pass fast!! Take care!!!!

Weigh In

2009-06-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

I weighed in today........... 157lbs!!! WOW!! I am so surprised! I didn't think that I lost anything this week. I have been soooooo bad about exercising. Plus, I have been kinda splurging on some not so healthy foods. I know I should be eating better, exercising... but I don't feel like it!!!! I want to lie in my bed and sleep in the early morning and sit my (getting fatter again) butt on the couch at the end of the work day. ARGHHHH!!! I am so disappointed in myself. I feel like if I had just done some more exercising I could have lost at least a pound. Why do I do that???
So I will go to The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans... and try to get some inspiration, and maybe find a exercise buddy to chat with or just be accountable to. So when I hit that snooze button in the morning, I actually get out of bed instead of turning over because I will have to tell someone at the end of the day that I didn't work out.
I will get up right now, put the leash on the dog and get my butt off the couch. Then I won't feel so bad about not getting up this morning. I also need to look into healthy crock pot meals so I can have dinner waiting when the daycare kids go home, because I just don't have it in me to make a big healthy dinner after a long day. So that is what I will do. A short term plan... because I need to take it hour by hour from now on.

Summer Sadness

2009-06-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

Summer is upon us and that means that the kids begin spending time with Mom and Dad at home. Most of the daycare kids Mom's are teachers and I won't see them until mid August. I will miss them terribly. After spending so much time with these children, 8 or more hours a day, 5 days a week... you really start to feel like they are family.
Yesterday was the last day for 4 of my "kids." I miss them already.
I Miss:
1. The Laughter!!
2. How they were in constant motion.
3. How they felt like this was their home.
4. The Snuggles
5. The Friendships they formed
6. The sound of my name from a 2 yr olds mouth
7. The Hugs... so many hugs everyday
and
8. "I Love You" said to me at least 5 times a day, everyday!!

I know they will have a great summer with their parents, and I will get them back in 2 months time, but for now I need to transition myself into not having all those things for the summer. I will spend my time giving and receiving love from my own 4 children and reconnecting with them after these long months of sharing with the daycare kids. I look forward to that.
But anyone who has worked with young children, knows what I am going through right now.

Tot School: Week in Review

2009-06-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

Well, Tot School this week enveloped a whole lot of chaos!! We did so much outdoor stuff, I think that I was so water-logged by the weekend I didn't want to see water for a week.

Here the "Big" kids are teaching the Tot's how to go down the slide into the water pool. A fun time was had by all.

Here Little M was looking for her toys... she has a cookie that the kids hide for her and she goes and finds it... She loves it and is surprised every time she finds it. The Tot's love it and laugh and laugh each time she has that surprised look on her face.

I have been wanting to do this activity for so long. I keep reading it on different blogs... not sure which ones, sorry, but I loved it. We didn't have the right heavy weight paper, but we loved it anyway. The Big's & Tot's worked together to make the Shaving Cream Prints and then they made them into cards to send home on the last day of Daycare for some of them. The Big's wrote for the Tot's and they all had a great time. They also loved playing with the Shaving Cream after the prints were done.

We walked to the Community Pool in our neighborhood this week each morning. We all did a great job, and the Big's were a lot of help with the Tot's while walking. Especially on the way home, when all the Tot's were tired and hungry. That pool really wiped them out and they slept through everything each afternoon.

We have a big pool and a kiddie pool, we used both. The Tot's tolerated the kiddie pool, but wanted to spend the whole time in the big pool. We had upward of 8 Tot's that day (To 2 adults and a 16 year old helper) so we were able to take them in the big pool for a little while, but not long enough. They had a great time regardless!!

We also took the crafts outside this week. We had a field day and thought that the play-doh table would give the kids a nice quiet area to relax if they wanted to. It was great. We had a lot of great creations and a lot of fun was had. We also made Chocolate Play-doh, recipe from Preschool Daze, and I can't believe how much fun they had with it. Even the Big's loved it and played with it for a long time on and off throughout the day.

Here is the creation that A (28mths) made. I was very proud of him. Playing with the dough was great enough, but making this "monster" was even better!!

Lastly, here is shot of part of our field day. We also had horse shoes, bowling, badminton, and the water activities. We had a field day picnic and the kids had a blast. I am sorry to see some of my kids leave for the summer (their Mom's are teacher's), but will enjoy the low number of kids I will have and the ability to take them on field trips to the park, museums, & pool this summer. Plus, I will be able to spend some quality time with my own children and give them some of my undivided attention :)

Have a Great Week!!!!

Michelle

Weigh In

2009-06-11T16:12:00.001-07:00

The girls and I weighed in today... I was very happy... I weighed in at 158lbs. YEAH!! I lost 3lbs from last week. I don't really know how though :) I went away and ate quite a bit. Not to bad, but food that wasn't really healthy. I haven't even been getting up in the morning to workout. I keep saying I will go to the Y, but don't happen to get there. It is across town and I wish I could get the energy to go because I know I will feel so much better, but I don't. After a full day with the daycare, I am beat at the end of the day. It is all I can do to go to the store for grocery. As you can see from the picture though, I am still hiding behind the kids. I got to stop doing that!!! I can't help it. Some habits are hard to break.

I finally found a picture of me from the party that was "all" of me. I couldn't believe that someone shot this one without my knowledge. But I am glad they did as I can see what I look like. I can still see that extra tire above my waist, but it looks so much better than it did a couple of months ago. I have to make that commitment again to wake up in the morning and get movin... but that alarm sounds and since I have no one really but myself to be accountable to, I just roll back over and say tomorrow I'll get up. So... I know tomorrow is Friday, but I am making the commitment to myself to get up and move... that bathing suit I have to wear in July and that bridesmaids dress I need to wear in September are laughing at me and saying I'll need a bigger size :)

Oh... and the picture of L and I was taken behind a netting... that's why it looks so foggy. Like I said, I am lucky to have found this one. I will take another one in a few weeks to see if that extra tire thins out a little. Hopefully it will.

Michelle

Last Day of School!!!

2009-06-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Well we made it... it was the last day of school for the big boys. They were raring to go and really had a great time in the water in the backyard. We did some games, water balloons, and even put the slide into the pool. I think that was the favorite. Although we had a great time... J decided that he wanted to go to the community pool (where you have to be 14 to go alone, he is 11). When I said No... he did the pout and I am so bored. Can you believe it... the 1st day of summer and he's bored!!! Well!!! I told him I had enough cleaning for him to do that he wouldn't be bored until August!! He quickly walked out the door and found something to do. We will have a talk tonight about boredom during summer vacation.

We have a lot of fun stuff planned this summer. We go to the Adirondack Mts. in NY with my sister for 2 weeks, we have some field trips planned for the daycare, and of course we will spend a lot of time at the pool and just hanging around with friends. I think that should be enough to last us until August 24th... Hopefully.

I'm Back

2009-06-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

Well, we went to NY for my In-laws 50 wedding anniversary. It was a beautiful day, we helped celebrate with all my husbands family and had a nice time. We also had a sick husband, a sick 11yr old, and a puking 4yr old. We have been having a funny bug go through the daycare the last few weeks. The kids don't seem real sick, no fever or anything... just a little run down and tired. Well, they then, all of a sudden, puke or have diarrhea just about anywhere and everywhere. Then they are fine. Until it happens again about 2 to 4 hours later. For some of the kids it didn't come back, others it lingered around like that for 3 or 4 days. It was hard, because no one knew when it would strike or who. So we just went with it. Then we went away and it hit us too. Oh well, that is the life a daycare provider. It comes with the territory.
To say that I stayed on my "diet" I can say honestly, "Yes"... did I have cake, chips and a little extra wine... "yes," but that is what I have been telling myself, it's ok to indulge sometimes. Everything in moderation. I want to live a healthy, normal life. With exercise, healthy eating, and some fun sprinkled in there too. That is why I let myself enjoy the party food. Now that I am home, it is back to my 30 Day Shred, running after all my little kiddo's, and eating healthy. But hey... tomorrow is the last day of school... isn't that reason enough to celebrate :) Ok... maybe I won't indulge in all the ice cream sundae's the kids will be eating... but I will indulge in the fresh fruit I will have out also. I am happy with what I am doing right now... I think I can continue to do it and lose weight also.
When I was at the party, it was nice that people noticed that I lost weight since February (that was the last time anyone saw me and I was close to my highest weight ever... 174lbs). I felt good, and when I see them at the end of July I want to be even closer to my goal weight. That will make me feel even better.
I will try to get some photos posted of the trip, and I think I even have one of all of me... maybe :)

Day 5 of the Shred

2009-06-05T11:33:00.001-07:00

I am on the 5th day of the shred... the kids at Daycare are actually noticing that my belly isn't as "floppy." How cute is that. I think my "floppy" belly was a comfort to some of the kids who would climb up on my lap during the day. Oh well, I think my arms will have to be enough from now on. "floppy" is out!!
I am actually feeling a difference with these 5 days down. I didn't want to get up this morning because I knew it was going to be such a long day... we go to Long Island, NY tonight for my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. So I wanted to sleep, but I am glad I didn't. It was nice to get moving and know that even if I can't shred at the in-laws I got as much in before I left and I can take some nice spring walks there at night.
I am finding it hard not to get on the scale though. It took all my will power not to get on that scale this morning. I know it will just fluctuate each day... so I am hoping by next Thursday I will see some loss. At least a pound I am hoping. I think the slower it comes off, the better chance I have in keeping it off. I mean it took 2 years to put it on...
I am trying to eat like I would normally... not the "diet" kind of eating... just eating to be healthy and the way I would eat when I get to my target weight. I know I have to cut portions and eat more veggies... but I do indulge in ice cream or snacks with the kids sometimes. Running a daycare and having 4 young boys in the house... snacks and ice cream are always flowing :)
Well, I won't post again until I am back from Long Island... but I will post on how I did while away. Will power... I will keep repeating it to myself. Hey... maybe I will even take a picture with me actually in it?? Maybe :)

Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans Challenge

2009-06-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't been bloggin for a while, been very busy getting our Spring Program for the daycare off the ground and hoping the parents loved it!!! I think they did. I would show the pictures, but I haven't asked the parents yet if they care to be in my posts.

Ok.. on to the "Challenge" I visited the blog... The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and they are having this great challenge. I need to lose 10 to 15 pounds and really want to be held more accountable to someone besides myself or my sister. She has kinda been weaning herself off of the calling me and waking up, so I have been bugging her to get going. I hope she does. But for me, I think this is exactly what I need.

Ok, here I am with the family after my 8yr old made his 1st Holy Communion. I tried to get behind the little guy, but I didn't make it. I can't find any pictures of me... the WHOLE me. I am always behind someone, only the head shot, etc... I am tired of that and that is why I am going to do this challenge!!! I need to do it!!! For myself and my kids!

Here I am at least covered by that great big sweatshirt. I think one of my boys took this photo. If I had known I probably told him not to, but I am glad he did or you would have thought i never went on a family vacation. Sad really. I try to get more photos with me in them, so my children actually think I was a participant in their youth :)

I weighed in this morning... I was 161lbs. Wow... I can't believe I wrote it down. I think I will be doing the 30 day Shred w/ Jillian Michaels. I also go to the gym 2x's a week to do some cardio and they have Fittlinks... a strength training circuit thing for beginners like me. I also try to eat walk whenever I can. Mornings or at night with the dogs or a friend. Now that the pool is open... I hope I can swim a little too. I am exhausted just writing about it, but I am committed to doing this.

I want to lose at least 10lbs in this challenge... I will work hard to do it... and with the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans I think I can. I will try to provide a link, but if I can't figure it out you can click on their button on the side bar.

Jillian Michaels 30 lbs Shred!!!!

2009-05-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! What a GREAT workout!! My sister gave me this new DVD of Jillian Michael's from the Biggest Loser and I love it. I have been getting up in the early morning, I do love the time I get to spend with the boys (who by the way have dwindled down on their early waking), but it is hard to get up and out. So I decided to try this video today. WOW!!! Between the jumping jacks, weights, and cardio... all in 20 or so minutes. I was done with time to spare. I got to make my coffee, check my emails, and have some water before I had to go upstairs to wake the kids and shower for the day.

My sister has been such an inspiration and so has Julie from My Life With Boys, I am not the only one who has to do this. I know I'm not the only one who hates to exercise and Jillian Michael's makes it quick, and maximizes your efforts. I don't know how to put in the shortcuts to Walmart.com where I found it the cheapest if you want to buy it and have it delivered, but that is where I found it.

I also got two of my girlfriends to join me in a weekly weigh-in. Like Weight Watchers. I can't afford to go to the meetings right now, as my hubby is out of work. I want to do it, but this is the next best thing. We can be accountable to one another and come up with some great recipes to exchange... what works for me, what works for them...etc... I think it will be good.

I will continue to workout at the YMCA 2 to 3 days a week, I don't want my body to get used to what it is doing and hit that plateau. I have lost 10 lbs and am kinda stuck where I am at. I know it is because I haven't really watched my portion sizes, but now that I have kicked myself into high gear again, I think I can lose those last 10 lbs before my Sister-in-law's wedding. I'm sorry I know I can!!! And I will continue to work on those flabby arms of mine so I won't be embarrassed in that spaghetti strap dress...

I hope all are doing good out there and if anyone want to buddy up and exchange recipes or support please let me know... I would so love to have as many people as I can to be accountable to!!!!

Weight

2009-05-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

What is it about losing weight for women?? It seems to be a daily battle for so many of us. I wish that our food supply was not laden with preservatives, fat, chemicals, and whoever knows what else. I have been really trying to keep up with my AM walking, but have started to fall off the exercise wagon. I think that sleep is getting the better of me. Plus, I have started to lose some weight and am feeling better, so I think, What the Hay!! But I also know that I will hit a wall and just start gaining again. I wish I could just get up and do it without it seeming like a chore. I hate to EXERCISE!!! I wish I loved it like so many people, but I don't and wish I could eat what I wanted (within reason) and stay slim and healthy.

There is an up side to this weight loss business, my boys are so happy for me. They still get up and walk with me some mornings and have made comments that I have been playing with them more and keeping up with them better. WOW!! Boys are good for a Mother. They have been also helping me to eat healthy, they are trying new things and not making those terrible faces when I put asparagus on the plate... or the brussel sprouts that I love and they hate. They keep pushing it around their plate until I say they can be excused, but don't complain... at least not to much.

Dessert is the hardest time for me. I wish I could say the kids help me here, but they don't. And neither does the husband... it is cookies, ice cream cones, or something else just as enticing. They have this EVERY night!!! Then they need a snack before bed. That at least is cheese, an apple, or something healthy. But it is the hardest part of my day. I try not to use the, "I Deserve It" speech to myself, but sometimes I feel like I do. Not a good excuse though huh :)
I try to keep my desserts to fruit, yogurt, or nuts. I will have something from the Weight Watchers dessert collection a few nights a week, but no more. I could just keep eating if I did.

Well, I need to get these kids up from nap. We have snack to prepare today (strawberries) and toys to pickup. I will keep plugging along and get this weight off, even if it takes longer than I expect :)

Tot School: Week in Review

2009-05-25T18:02:00.000-07:00

Tot School... Week in Review!!!

We have been very busy practicing our Spring Program this past week, so I didn't get to many photo's of work time... We actually didn't have a whole lot of work time time week now that I think about it. We just practiced and tried to go outside and run as much as possible. I wish I got photo's of the kids playing house, but I was to wiped out after practicing The Very Hungry Caterpillar with the 2's, 3's and 4's that I decided I would just push the swings and call it a week. I did manage to get some photo's though... enjoy!!!

Here we did a tempra paint picture with all sorts of tools... even a few winter stamps in there to I must admit... but they loved it and had fun experimenting with all the different tools. Some of the kids liked their hands and others didn't want a speck of paint on them... Curious, as when they are outside they all run for the nearest mud pit and love it :)

Here a 2yr 3m works with the Alphabet Zoo Animals... All the letters match an animal, and let me tell you the Newt was a hard one to figure out... even for me!!! Little S loves to take them out and try to match them up, but she gets a little overwhelmed by the shear number of them that she usually loses interest pretty fast and walks away. I always bring her back and we complete it together and then put it away... sometimes one of the late 3's or 4's likes to help her, but she can be very 2 sometimes and is hard to work with.

We borrowed the this toy from the lending library near my house. They sort by color and then from smallest to largest. We all get the hang of the color sorting, but the smallest to largest hasn't really come into play yet. I am trying to give them lots of exposure to small -vs- large, but since there is more than one they get confused. We'll keep working.

Ahhhh... here is my Dear A... he loves the dog. He is 2yr 3m also and is very gentle and wants to be near the dog all the time... I love this picture because it captures the two friends together... both very content in this world of theirs.

I live close to the Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, NC. This week was Speed Week due to the 2 races here the past two weekends... so we took a little time out for a quick field trip to see the race cars on Speed Street. Here R is pretending to be a race car driver... very cute.

The After-Schoolers brought home their "year books" and the little kids loved looking at all the pictures. They loved picking out the teacher's they have seen, older kids that live in their neighborhood (or mine), and especially their older siblings... it was very cute and the older kids felt very important.

Well, that was almost all we did this past week... it was a fun, exhausting week and I look forward to another. Hopefully the rain will stop and we can spend sometime outside and continue to practice our show. I really love this age and all the adventure we get into each week, sometimes I think... "Wow, it's Friday, what did we do all week?" and this blog let's me see how wonderful our weeks really are, and how much learning goes on, even in the daily mundane things we do... Have a Great Week Everyone!!!!

Tot School

2009-05-18T03:39:00.001-07:00

This weeks Tot School was Great!! We were outside a lot enjoying the weather and summer temperatures, to bad it has been freezing this week. We have been working on our outside play space a lot this Spring and finally things are coming together. We have our sandbox up and running and the Stumps one of my families donated are a huge hit.

We have also been practicing for our Spring Program, where our parents can see what has been happening at Tot School since Christmas. We had a cute Christmas Program that the parents loved, so I decided to do one for Spring too.

Here are some outside shots of the kids climbing, jumping, and exercising both those large muscle groups and their little minds. They had to concentrate because some of the stumps were a little wobbly. Some of the kids decided to crawl on them, sit on them, and my braver ones jumped or walked from on to the other.

Here one of my 3yr 1m girls was very brave, especially with flip-flops, and trying to walk to each one. She eventually crawled the end of the way, but I was proud of her for trying.

We got the water/sensory table out. We like to bring a lot of our work outside, but I always kept it to sensory table, balls, catch etc... but after reading Carisa's blog @ 1+1+1=1 I have started to take out puzzles, tray work, and mostly work that can't blow away. The kids love it and it provides a whole nother dimension to their work.

Here is a shot of the sandbox being used. We have kids in there from 24m to 38m. They really love it and since I have added the tree blocks, cars, trucks, and the ability to access water... the sandbox has taken on a life of it's own. Many great worlds are made up and played out in there and much discussion goes on.

Here 24m old takes out tray of water colors. She has gotten very competent at taking the work out, setting it up, and putting away. The actual "doing" of the work isn't really important to her right now. She enjoys it, but will do one or two strokes of the brush and then say, "Cween up, right Shell" I think she likes that best :)

Our magnetic "Paper" dolls from Melissa & Doug were a huge hit this week. I bought the ballerina a long time ago on clearance at TJ Maxx, but couldn't find another one. I felt there should be two so the kids could play together or alone (but the dolls would have someone to dress up for). I found the princess (huge hit with the girls) at a little country store in Boone, NC for $8.99. I grabbed it up wishing there were more.

We also did some traditional learning trays... color sorting & counting.

Here a 3yr 4m old tries to put the number blocks and pegs in correct order, she couldn't find the self correcting paper (which is a large narrow paper with the correct boxes for the blocks, the kids put the block on the corolating box by matching the number on the block to the number on the paper... but we couldn't find the paper... must scout out my 8yr olds room) We fixed it together, but I forgot to take a picture of the corrected work... Sorry :)

Another popular work was this Brio Construction Set I picked up at a consignment sale. The kids love it and the boys (3y 5m, 2y 4m, 3y & 4y) played with just that for one whole work period... about an hour.

Here a 3y 7m is using the painting tray. I found a variation of this on Laura's blog, My Montessori Journey. The kids have the ability to do painting whenever they want. I provide 2 colors to use, and everything they need is on the tray. They again enjoy cleaning the little paint pots and brushes at the end almost as much as the painting itself. I found these brushes at the education store near my home... I thought they looked fun and the kids love them.

We also did bubbles outside, practiced our Spring songs and stories for the Spring Program, cooked special goodies for snack, and had our circle time... Oh and our "butterfly" came out of it's cacoon finally:

We were very excited to see that our butterfly came out of it's cocoon on Wednesday. One of the kids found him stuck to the side of his habitat and started yelling that he hatched... It was very cute. We watched him for a few hours then brought the habitat outside and set it up so he could fly away when he was ready. We checked on him on Thursday and he had flown away. We talked about how he got out, what he was doing, what bushes he may have visited, and what he may be doing right now. It was a great impromptu lesson... we all loved it!!!

Love My Life

2009-05-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

This is me at The Great Wolf Lodge with my youngest son... This is the only picture we took of me there. Yup... Mom won't take photo's, especially in her bathing suit. What can I say... I am overweight and am lucky I went down some of the slides with them...

I joined the Y so I can begin to lose some of this weight for my sister-in-laws wedding. After posting about that I realized how exciting that is, but that isn't the only reason I am doing this. I want to take photo's with my kids, I want to RUN to the next slide at the water park and walk the 50 million stairs to the top. I want my 4 boys to know that a healthy body should be the norm for everyone, and not an overweight one.

I do have to Thank my sister-in-law though for the incentive to start me on this path. If wasn't for the love she showed in WANTING me in her wedding (fat and all) I would never of had the motivation needed to start exercising. Also, my sister was the best at convincing me that waking up tired at 5:45am is the same as waking up tired at 7am. She texts me every week day morning to wake me up and pump me up to get out there and walk. If I feel to tired, she some how senses it and will send me a quote or some words of encouragement and up I go and am so energized to meet my day!!!

Another bonus, my 11 yr old son will wake with me at 5:45am a few mornings a week (that's all we allow or he'd be exhausted) to walk with me. It is such a joy to have him with me, we laugh so hard sometimes we are afraid of waking some of the sleeping people with their windows open. We take our dogs with us, and oh it all makes for a fun time. I never would have imagined in a million years saying that. That being awake at dawn, walking with my dog and kid would be fun. Huh...

Gem Mining

2009-05-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

We went to this GREAT Gem Mine in Boone, NC after my 8yr old son made his 1st Holy Communion. We really loved that they had their flume inside, as it was quite rainy and chilly the day we went. An added bonus was that "Doc" the owner was opening up that day. We were one of the first people to be able to enjoy his store.

Here is his new sign. He is located at Mystery Hill Lane, Boone, NC. Right next to Mystery Hill and Tweetsie Railroad. If you ever get a chance to go to Boone, NC it a must go to.

Here we are in the shop go through our bucket of dirt. We found some really great gems and crystals. The kids didn't even care that some of them were worth something... they just like finding them and looking at them after they are done. One thing about Doc's that we like, he doesn't go through the dirt when it comes in. He has the load dumped into the "cellar" and just fills the buckets from there. That way people actually have the ability to find some really great gems and he can cut them down into polished stones for you.

Here I am helping my youngest son go through his bucket. He loved the dirt, water and stones. What a combination for any boy!!! When you have four boys this place seems like Heaven to them. We spent about 3 hours there. Even the youngest loved it and didn't get bored.

Here Doc explains to my 4yr old what he has. He helped him pick out a special gem for Mom for Mother's Day... I got the most beautiful Amethyst stones for earrings. I know it was his first day open, but he really took his time telling the kids what they got and if it was worth cutting into a polished stone or not. Usually we have someone quick throw the stones where they belong on the paper telling us what they are and off we go. At Doc's we felt appreciated... that he didn't take our patronage for granted.

Here my 4yr old hold up his "Loot" for us to see... Doc already took out the "good" gems if we want to get them polished and cut later on down the line.

Two very happy customers!!!

We enjoyed our stay up in the mountains... we can't wait to go back to Tweetsie Railroad next time!!! Moving to NC has proven to be a real delight, with lots to see and such beauty!!! We can't wait to continue exploring all that it has to offer.

Weight Loss

2009-05-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

I went to the YMCA today. It was nice to spend some time on myself. I got to spend some time exercising and learning how to do some of the cardio equipment. I made an appointment to learn how to do their circuit training... I am a little nervous, but I need to get these arms ready for the sleeveless dress my Sister-in-law picked for the brides maid dresses. I am excited but worried I will be the one with the wiggly arms and pouchy stomach. So off I will go to the Y as much as I can, learn to lift weights, and keep trying to lose this weight.

Tonight, I went to my good friends graduation party. I ate a little more than I wanted, and had some wine... OK, maybe a little more of that than I wanted too :) but I didn't totally over due it. Now I will have to really work it off and pay attention to what I eat in the next few days. Hopefully I will be able to learn how to use the circuit training machines and it will help me burn some of those calories.

I found that our YMCA really has a lot to offer for families with young children. They even have a homeschooling gym time. I think that is really great, but we can't participate since I am only a Home Daycare and not an actual home school. But I will take my own kids and they can swim while I workout. The Little Guy will have to go to Child Watch, but I think he will like it. Being with me all day, every day has to be hard for my Little Guy. Maybe being with other people and kids will be good for him. We will see. He will start swim lessons this week, and I think he will like that... and be exhausted at bedtime... that way he won't be up until midnight talking and playing. I think it will be good for us all.

Tot School

2009-05-08T19:21:00.000-07:00

We had a fun filled week this week. We have begun practicing for our Spring Program (as none of my daycare kids will go off to Kindergarten, we won't have a "Graduation" until next year.)
We also did a lot of fun activities, where the "big" kids had fun "teaching" the smaller kids. It was fun to watch and really goes a long with our Montessori philosophy.

A little fun with play-doh. We have been trying to make snakes with the play-doh in preparation for play-doh alphabet mats. I got the idea from Handwriting Without Tears and Making Learning Fun. We still have a tough time making the snakes to form the letters so we will continue to practice... and what fun we will have!!!

One of our favorite toys is the Leap Frog Letter Factory. The kids choose a letter and put it in to hear the letter name and sound of the letter. They like it and use it often.

Another favorite... opening and closing containers. I thought this work would get boring fast for the kids, especially the older 3's and 4's, but I was wrong. They continue to take it out and I will add beads to it or small pom-poms and it is like a whole new activity for them.

We received these sandpaper letters in a Morning Circle Time Center I purchased from Lake Shore Learning, they are so not true Montessori, but since it is all I have right now we use them a lot. We are practicing the sounds and then the kids each had a turn to do a crayon rubbing. We then stapled their "books" together and wrote words on the back of the page that coincided with the letter. We look forward to next September when we have more of our Montessori materials at hand.

Well, that is all the photo's I got this week, although we did have fun with Dot Markers, the Magnetic Maze, Tree blocks, Transferring Beans & the Sensory Table. But I must have not been able to find my camera, or was so engrossed in helping the kids, that I didn't get photo's of those. I will try harder next week.

Bye for now... have a great week!!!!

Mother's Day

2009-05-07T16:34:00.000-07:00

Well, the kids and I have been busy trying to complete our Mother's Day gifts by Friday. We have made the cutest fingerprint vases I found from Kaboose, it was tricky to keep the enamel paint off the little ones clothes, but it was worth it. We then made tissue paper flowers to put in them. I remember making them from when I was a kid, I think we made them everyday it seemed like.

We then made our stick photo frames with some pictures we had taken during our Tot School time. The kids had fun with the decorating... and they loved gluing the frames together, but that was a little nerve racking for me. I had to keep straightening them. In the end, I think they came out pretty good.

We also spent time practicing our writing. We wrote our cards out... each child got to decorate with some die cut flowers, color their vase (which most of the kids punched out, with exception of our littlest kids) and then they each got to write their names, and I Love You Mom. They did a great job. I don't think you can see the writing on the side of the vase, it is in pencil so it is a little hard to see.

Lastly, we made calendars for each of our parents. The kids got to help position the pictures and pick out their favorite ones. We rushed to get them all finished and when we went to spiral them to make them into the books, the store was closed until Saturday!!! ARGH!!!! So, now I need to run to the store on Saturday morning and then drop each calendar off to the families that are closest to me. I don't want them to not have them for Mother's Day... the kids worked to hard on them. I will try to post a picture of the calendars when they are complete.

Now, I must get off the computer and clean up the kitchen for tomorrow and sterilize the playroom so no one gets sick. Something that occupies a lot of my time lately.

1st Holy Communion

2009-05-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally made it... Our 1st Holy Communion!!! As you can tell from this picture he was so not happy about being dressed up... even for God & Jesus!! This is my athletic, baseball loving, very sensitive and when I say sensitive I mean..."Mom it's BOTHERING ME!!! IT being ANYTHING, socks, sneakers, tags, buttons, etc... you know the type. He wears track pants and t-shirts all day, every day... so this was a hard day for him. We have been preparing him for it for a long time, but it didn't matter. In the beginning he hated it and let us all know it!!

We finally got on the road and made it to the Church on time... he finally was dealing with the suite and tie, he even let me take his picture near the banner. See, we worked on his banner only a few days before and it had to be perfect... so I was excited to see that he loved the end product when he saw it on the end of our pew.

When all was said and done my son really was happy to have taken this sacrament and accepted God into his heart and soul. He felt very grown up and even said after, "Mom, I think I feel different..." I was very proud of him, even after all the chaos we went through to get here.

Three down, just one more to go. Hopefully the Little Guy won't be so sensitive to anything on his body, and if dressing up on this day was any indication, he will love his 1st Holy Communion.

He felt very grown up too, he wanted to be just like his brothers and Dad. He even made me find him a tie, which thankfully I had an extra one from when the twins went to a wedding with us when they were 4. When he saw that tie, he was so excited. To bad the neighbors garbage bin was in the background, I need to think about those things when I take my photo's, he was just so darn cute, I kept taking his picture.

I will end with all 4 of my boys, the one time that I rarely get to see them clean and dressed up. I will enjoy looking at this photo and remember this day, because I probably won't see it again until the Little Guy is making his 1st Communion.

Last Weeks Tot School

2009-05-04T11:19:00.000-07:00

This week's Tot School was busy... we spent a lot of time outside exploring Springtime!! We got some old stumps from one of our families and they were a big hit, even before we got them in place. Here is some photo's of them being "tried" out by some of the kids. Now we need to decided where to put them... It took us a week to decide where the sandbox would go... I am sure it will take a while to make this decision.

Don't ask why my son is wearing mittens, but he is!!!

We worked with the magnetic maze, a real popular work with all the kids.

We love working with water of any kind, but colored water is the best!! We were working on mixing blue and red. The fine motor exercise squeezing the dropper was just an added bonus. It is nice when they don't even realize they are learning and getting ready for writing at the same time.

Another pincer grasp activity. We found this activity from Laura at My Montessori Journey. Every time I go to the Thrift Store or Dollar General I try to find material to make up some of the trays Laura makes for her Montessori Classroom. She is very imaginative and we love her ideas.

We spent some time outside since we had beautiful weather. The kids love the new sandbox and spent a lot of time digging, playing and just hanging out with each other. I didn't realize it would be a quiet time spot, but the girls love just sitting with their feet in the sand.

We also checked on our Butterfly. We are anxiously awaiting its arrival. We check it each day during our Tot Time. We are hoping it makes its way out during the week and not on the weekend, as I may have to let it go before some of the kids get here on Monday. We will keep praying it waits for us all to be here.

Well, I have found that I took about 100 photos this week and want to show them all, but don't want to bore everyone. We have such fun and now love to spend our Tot School Time together. The kids also love asking for their picture's to be taken. So it's not hard to get photo's for my blog. I love it.

Life with Boys

2009-04-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

I am waking each morning at 5:45am to get up and walk with the dogs. We (the dogs & I) have decided that this is the only time we can actually get 30 minutes of uninterrupted walking in. The dogs love it, I am exhausted, but love it and now my 11 yr old son loves it. Here I was thinking I could have some alone time and he decides that he would like to walk off some of those extra pounds he is carrying (ha, ha)

I was surprised to find that I actually love having him with me, even though he is much slower than I would like. We talk, laugh at the dogs, and he tells me what is going on in his pre-teen life. I keep having to stop myself from reprimanding him or lecturing him and just LISTEN. This time together could be pretty short and I want to make it as special as I can.

So, for now I will enjoy some one on one time with my son and remember that God gave me 4 boys for a reason and this is just 1 of the many joys that I get from them.

Date Night

2009-04-28T18:58:00.001-07:00

I have 4 boys, ages 11, 11, 8 & 4. They keep me busy, it is noisy, crazy and an Oh So Happy Place in my home most days. But this post it about my 8 yr old, he is making his 1st Holy Communion this Saturday. We have been looking for a Navy Blue Suit for him for a while. Well, I have kinda been looking, but not really putting much effort into it. Back in NY my Mother-in-Law always kept me on top of these things. Now being so far away from her I get side tracked and always think... Oh I have time. I mean it can't be that hard to find a Navy Suit in size 8 right??? Let me tell you... I went to 7 different stores... they have the pants/no jacket or they have jacket/no pants, so no suit anywhere!!!

Now... let me tell you about my 8 yr old, he is funny, silly, energetic, a lot moody, a little spoiled and a real character. He doesn't take to shopping (especially for a suit) so I was ready for a battle today when I told him we were going to shop for it today. He surprised me!!! He was a perfect gentleman, and we decided that it would be our "Date" night. We had an early supper at a Chili's in the mall, looked for and tried on many "not right for us" suits, got some ice cream and all in all had the best night together we have had in a REALLY long time.

It was so nice to enjoy him on his own, without his brothers or his Dad (who by the way walks on water according to 8 yr old son). We ended our evening with buying an absolutely super pair of sneakers for 8yr old son and 2 new shirts for Mom. We both were happy, we were both relaxed and most of all we had fun... Even if we didn't find the suit... Sorry Grandma, we'll look again tomorrow.

I'll keep you posted on when we find one... because I know we will. There is a little Navy Suit out there with our name on it!!!

This Week's Tot School

2009-04-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

This week our Home Daycare Tot School enjoyed learning about The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. We read the book, had fun putting up the felt pieces on the felt board, and made our own books to go with it... and an added bonus we found our very own caterpillar in the back yard that we caught and put in our bug catcher for the afternoon. To my surprise, when I went to let him go that evening it had wrapped itself in a cocoon!!!! Now, we are eagerly awaiting its arrival!!! I will hopefully be able to get some pictures of it when it makes its way out.

We also enjoyed our new Baby Washing Work. We had a fun time deciding who would go first and then deciding how to choose who would be next. We decided on making a list and each child could cross their name off after they had their turn.

We also got some great Tree Branch Blocks from one of our families... Thanks Andy!!! We loved the way they could be stacked even though they were different sizes and shapes.

Lastly, the weather finally became warm enough this week to get out in the dirt. We loved digging in the dirt pile and moving the dirt with our trucks and tractors. We did a great job sharing our shovels, since this is an area we work on daily. We lined up the trucks to find the one with the biggest load, and the one with the least (littlest, well... wittwest).

I am getting the hang of having my camera around when we do our Tot School, so hopefully next week I will have more to show. I also hope my little group of kids is OK to post on, since we range from 10 months to 48 months.

Garage Sale & Hunger

2009-04-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

Today our neighborhood had a community garage sale. My 3 big boys were up at 6:30 this morning waiting to go and find their bargains... It was amazing to see how focused they were. To bad I can't get them that focused about homework :)
So, I had to get up too, to make sure they were safe of course, and found quiet a few bargains myself... my favorite... 2 medium size plants for $3 a piece (Yeah!!) I found some great knick-knacky things for our Montessori trays, now I just need to come up with some new work for the preschoolers to do.
Now, as I am walking around the neighborhood, there are dozens of kids selling baked goods, kool-aid, & candy. How can I resist those cute little faces asking me if I want to buy their goodies!!! How will I ever lose this weight?? I want to lose about 15 lbs by September... and baked goods and pizza are my down fall, and cheese, and I soooo love popcorn... I will just keep focused and not get discouraged if I do make a mistake.

Tot School

2009-04-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

Starting to Blog is definitely a learning experience. I have been visiting the 1+1+1=1 Blog for a while now and Carisa's Tot School is really great!!! I need to learn how to add my pictures and create links back to the Tot School site, because it is one of the best sites!! That way I can maybe help other Daycare Providers with a daily routine or activities to keep everyone happy and sane. So I am going to try and figure out how I put my pics up on my blog and then I can link back to the Tot School site, but if anyone happens across my blog, I know unlikely right now :) but I think I got the site link on the side bar... Hopefully it works.

A Beginning

2009-04-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

Wow... This is my first Blog... I have been lurking on various Blog's lately and decided that I needed to start my own... What will it be?? I think it will be a little bit of everything. I have 4 great, bratty, perfect, obnoxious, & active boys so I should never run out of things to say. So I will go with whatever God has in store for me and run with it... Maybe Montessori, maybe baseball, maybe the fact that the kids NEVER put the seat down in the bathroom, or maybe the fact that I will be in my sister in-laws wedding in September and need to lose some (try 20 lbs) weight to get in the absolutely beautiful dress she picked out. So I hope anybody out there who may read this will give me some encouragement, or just read and let me know I am not alone in this Boy's Life... Thanks!!!