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So, today, for probably the millionth time in my life, I am watching "Thomas and the Magic Railroad". This was one of Mason's favorite movies when he was Levi's age. We watched it a minimum of 3 times a day, and I am not exaggerating.
Recently, Levi was perusing the DVD shelf, picking out movies to "watch, press play" He picked out Thomas and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I can quote the movie, and it isn't exactly Oscar worthy. Not one of Alec Baldwin's shining moments (that's a Shining Time Station pun for all you other mommys of little boys :) ) I reluctantly put the DVD in, and much to Levi's amusement pressed play.
He sat completely mesmerized for the ENTIRE movie. Levi doesn't sit still for more than 30 seconds for anything, much less a full length feature film. So, with the baby sleeping, the big kids banished to their rooms until they are clean and nothing is stuffed under the bed (could be weeks!), I have stolen away a few minutes to check my email and blog. Thank you Thomas!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Are we having fun yet?
In only a few short weeks, my baby is going to start school! We went to the elementary school, filled out a whole lot of paper work, wrote a ridiculously large check for what is supposed to be "free" education, and we are now working on securing the two page list of supplies required for a 5 year old to start school. If any of you who are reading this are planning on buying my son a birthday present, HE NEEDS SCHOOL CLOTHES! We have officially tapped out the next size bigger kids. For the first time ever I had to buy my son shorts for the summer. Not that I haven't ever bought him anything, but this was officially the first time he needed something, and I couldn't just go to the attic and pull it out of a tote! (That is, by the way, a REALLY BIG thank you to all of you who have contributed to the clothing of my children the last five years!)
Charlotte is very excited for her big brother to go to school. I think she will be sad when he is gone, but she is looking forward to being the biggest kid at home. I don't know yet what she thinks is going to change, but she is anticipating a whole new big brother free day (as you may be able to tell by one of her most recent quotes).
Levi, my little ninja, has been getting out of his diaper on a regular basis now. My frustration has led me to believe that quite possibly it is time to start working on the potty with this one. He isn't even two, though. And, he doesn't perform well on demand in other arenas, so I am bracing myself for the struggle of "pee now because Mommy said so."
Garrett is still Garrett. He has started eating brown rice cereal and what ever else the kids think they should feed him off of their plates. He enjoys food (Imagine that!), but quickly gets frustrated that he has very limited control getting his little hands to his mouth. He is quickly becoming a (very demanding) toddler and not a little baby. It is sad, because there won't be anymore little Hersts in my home after this one, but I am looking forward to not walking around covered in puke anymore.
My second cup of coffee is starting to kick in and I need to start cleaning before the caffeine buzz wears off. The laundry is busy mating and multiplying like rabbits upstairs in the bathroom and I need to get up there and separate it before it gets to the point of no return!
Charlotte is very excited for her big brother to go to school. I think she will be sad when he is gone, but she is looking forward to being the biggest kid at home. I don't know yet what she thinks is going to change, but she is anticipating a whole new big brother free day (as you may be able to tell by one of her most recent quotes).
Levi, my little ninja, has been getting out of his diaper on a regular basis now. My frustration has led me to believe that quite possibly it is time to start working on the potty with this one. He isn't even two, though. And, he doesn't perform well on demand in other arenas, so I am bracing myself for the struggle of "pee now because Mommy said so."
Garrett is still Garrett. He has started eating brown rice cereal and what ever else the kids think they should feed him off of their plates. He enjoys food (Imagine that!), but quickly gets frustrated that he has very limited control getting his little hands to his mouth. He is quickly becoming a (very demanding) toddler and not a little baby. It is sad, because there won't be anymore little Hersts in my home after this one, but I am looking forward to not walking around covered in puke anymore.
My second cup of coffee is starting to kick in and I need to start cleaning before the caffeine buzz wears off. The laundry is busy mating and multiplying like rabbits upstairs in the bathroom and I need to get up there and separate it before it gets to the point of no return!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Ask and ye shall receive, apparently
Okay, so yesterday I commented on how nothing too funny/exciting has happened in our life recently. I should have learned by now to just keep my mouth shut.
Many of you know that Levi has an obsession with stickers. At our garage sale in May, I had to reprice each item more than 10 times because he would take the price sticker off and stick it to himself instead. We have gotten many hours of amusement, and quiet, by simply giving him a sheet of stickers and allowing him to peel them off and stick them all over his body.
This morning, I got up and got the kids breakfast as usual. After they were all situated at the table, I went upstairs to get dressed and get the baby. Shortly after I went up there, Mason came upstairs and said Levi was finished with breakfast so he let him out of his seat. Frustrating, yet helpful, I said thank you, and finished what I was doing. There wasn't any screaming downstairs, which probably should have been my first clue.
I went downstairs and was passed by Charlotte with an American Flag "sticker" on her forehead. What she thought was a sticker was actually a 42cent stamp. I very nicely took it from her and asked where she got it. She said Levi gave it to her.
I walked in to the kitchen, no Levi. And also no roll of stamps on the counter by the bills. I walked into the living room, no trace of Levi, however there was a few dollars worth of stamps stuck to my couch. I found Levi in the play room, quietly pushing around a newly American Flag decorated shopping cart. He turned to me, smiled his "Look what I did" smile, which was also covered with American flags. "Titkers Mom!"
Well, I couldn't exactly yell at him. How was he supposed to know that he had stuck $20 in stamps all over the place? He helped me gather up all the of the stickers that we could get unstuck, including reluctantly giving me the ones stuck to his face. I salvaged what I could and disappointingly threw away the others.
I have moved the stamps to a much more difficult to get to location, although that doesn't really mean he won't get them. I have some errands to run this morning, and it looks like one of them will be going to the store to buy some much cheaper "Titkers"
Many of you know that Levi has an obsession with stickers. At our garage sale in May, I had to reprice each item more than 10 times because he would take the price sticker off and stick it to himself instead. We have gotten many hours of amusement, and quiet, by simply giving him a sheet of stickers and allowing him to peel them off and stick them all over his body.
This morning, I got up and got the kids breakfast as usual. After they were all situated at the table, I went upstairs to get dressed and get the baby. Shortly after I went up there, Mason came upstairs and said Levi was finished with breakfast so he let him out of his seat. Frustrating, yet helpful, I said thank you, and finished what I was doing. There wasn't any screaming downstairs, which probably should have been my first clue.
I went downstairs and was passed by Charlotte with an American Flag "sticker" on her forehead. What she thought was a sticker was actually a 42cent stamp. I very nicely took it from her and asked where she got it. She said Levi gave it to her.
I walked in to the kitchen, no Levi. And also no roll of stamps on the counter by the bills. I walked into the living room, no trace of Levi, however there was a few dollars worth of stamps stuck to my couch. I found Levi in the play room, quietly pushing around a newly American Flag decorated shopping cart. He turned to me, smiled his "Look what I did" smile, which was also covered with American flags. "Titkers Mom!"
Well, I couldn't exactly yell at him. How was he supposed to know that he had stuck $20 in stamps all over the place? He helped me gather up all the of the stickers that we could get unstuck, including reluctantly giving me the ones stuck to his face. I salvaged what I could and disappointingly threw away the others.
I have moved the stamps to a much more difficult to get to location, although that doesn't really mean he won't get them. I have some errands to run this morning, and it looks like one of them will be going to the store to buy some much cheaper "Titkers"
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Just an update
Just wanted to spend some time blogging, even though I don't have anything super fantastic to say.
Congratulations to my sister in law Meghan and her family on the purchase of their new home. I am so excited for you! Just don't ask me to help you move again.
Not too much exciting stuff has gone on the past few weeks. We are working through the daily grind. We bought a deck and a security fence for our pool, and spent some time two weekends ago putting that up. I think it looks really nice and keeps my kids out of the pool when I don't want them in there. However, it has made the pool impossible to vacuum without having to get in, and because of all the rain it has been rather chilly in there. Anyone got an automatic pool cleaner for sale?
And consequently, putting up a fence around your pool is a lot of work. I realized all too quickly that I haven't done diddly-doo in the last five years. I pretty much have just been pregnant or taking care of a newborn, so I have gotten out of a lot of the heavy lifting. Sure, I have helped paint, cleaned a few carpets, and even helped Andrea move while I was 7 months pregnant, but as soon as a baby cried, or I looked the slightest bit fatigued, I got to sit down and rest. There was no resting while putting up the fence. And, no one felt the least bit sorry for me. Almost was enough to make me get pregnant again, almost.
This past weekend Charlotte, Garrett, and I went to Aunt Shannon's house to hang out with Samantha and Alaina while Shannon and Andy went to the NASCAR race in Joliet. We had a lot of fun and I gained even further respect for people who have twins! (Garrett and Alaina are only 3 1/2 ish months apart)
I did have a giggle at some of the very "suburban" things that my children are not accustomed to. Every little noise from the neighbors sent a confused look across my daughters face. I thought she was going to have a heart attack when the neighbors phone rang and I made no move to go answer it! Also, Samantha wanted to go outside and play in her sandbox. We all went outside and I removed the cover from her sand table. She dug right in and started playing in approximately 5 cups of sand that occupy the table. Charlotte, my country bumpkin, has a sand box that is 20' by 14' and 4 1/2' deep. She stood for a few seconds, then leaned over to me and very honestly asked "where is the sandbox?" It was too cute for words. Sam and Charlotte played very well (even at the sand table). It was kinda creepy watching them play. I didn't really think she looked much like me until they were playing together and the two of them together look so much like what Shannon and I did as kids.
While I was baby wrangling, Brandon, Mason, and Levi had a "Man's night" as Mason called it. They ate pizza, had popcorn in the living room, and saved the galaxy as LEGO Star wars guys on the Wii. It was a much needed bonding experience. I have determined, though, that mess making is a natural man's flaw. When I got home, my house looked like some one picked it up and shook it a few times. Who takes of their underwear in the middle of the living room? And why is it okay to leave it there after you have taken it off? I was only gone for 24 hours!
We spent some time this evening putting in the window air conditioners in the house. We have done without so far this year, but the threat of really hot weather in the next few days has got us a little worried. Brandon works all day out in the heat (with added heat coming from his welding equipment) and coming home to a hot house wasn't going to cut it. We have the pool to retreat to during the day, but when it is time for dinner, sitting around playing or watching TV, and sleeping, we had to prepare to do something. Hopefully we will be able to keep them off for as long as possible and enjoy our nice country breezes, but better safe then sorry!
I know my blogs haven't exactly been as humorous or touching the last few times, but my life can't be hysterical all the time! I promise when something noteworthy happens, I'll share it! But hey, you gotta give me some feedback so I know someone other than my mom is reading this!
Congratulations to my sister in law Meghan and her family on the purchase of their new home. I am so excited for you! Just don't ask me to help you move again.
Not too much exciting stuff has gone on the past few weeks. We are working through the daily grind. We bought a deck and a security fence for our pool, and spent some time two weekends ago putting that up. I think it looks really nice and keeps my kids out of the pool when I don't want them in there. However, it has made the pool impossible to vacuum without having to get in, and because of all the rain it has been rather chilly in there. Anyone got an automatic pool cleaner for sale?
And consequently, putting up a fence around your pool is a lot of work. I realized all too quickly that I haven't done diddly-doo in the last five years. I pretty much have just been pregnant or taking care of a newborn, so I have gotten out of a lot of the heavy lifting. Sure, I have helped paint, cleaned a few carpets, and even helped Andrea move while I was 7 months pregnant, but as soon as a baby cried, or I looked the slightest bit fatigued, I got to sit down and rest. There was no resting while putting up the fence. And, no one felt the least bit sorry for me. Almost was enough to make me get pregnant again, almost.
This past weekend Charlotte, Garrett, and I went to Aunt Shannon's house to hang out with Samantha and Alaina while Shannon and Andy went to the NASCAR race in Joliet. We had a lot of fun and I gained even further respect for people who have twins! (Garrett and Alaina are only 3 1/2 ish months apart)
I did have a giggle at some of the very "suburban" things that my children are not accustomed to. Every little noise from the neighbors sent a confused look across my daughters face. I thought she was going to have a heart attack when the neighbors phone rang and I made no move to go answer it! Also, Samantha wanted to go outside and play in her sandbox. We all went outside and I removed the cover from her sand table. She dug right in and started playing in approximately 5 cups of sand that occupy the table. Charlotte, my country bumpkin, has a sand box that is 20' by 14' and 4 1/2' deep. She stood for a few seconds, then leaned over to me and very honestly asked "where is the sandbox?" It was too cute for words. Sam and Charlotte played very well (even at the sand table). It was kinda creepy watching them play. I didn't really think she looked much like me until they were playing together and the two of them together look so much like what Shannon and I did as kids.
While I was baby wrangling, Brandon, Mason, and Levi had a "Man's night" as Mason called it. They ate pizza, had popcorn in the living room, and saved the galaxy as LEGO Star wars guys on the Wii. It was a much needed bonding experience. I have determined, though, that mess making is a natural man's flaw. When I got home, my house looked like some one picked it up and shook it a few times. Who takes of their underwear in the middle of the living room? And why is it okay to leave it there after you have taken it off? I was only gone for 24 hours!
We spent some time this evening putting in the window air conditioners in the house. We have done without so far this year, but the threat of really hot weather in the next few days has got us a little worried. Brandon works all day out in the heat (with added heat coming from his welding equipment) and coming home to a hot house wasn't going to cut it. We have the pool to retreat to during the day, but when it is time for dinner, sitting around playing or watching TV, and sleeping, we had to prepare to do something. Hopefully we will be able to keep them off for as long as possible and enjoy our nice country breezes, but better safe then sorry!
I know my blogs haven't exactly been as humorous or touching the last few times, but my life can't be hysterical all the time! I promise when something noteworthy happens, I'll share it! But hey, you gotta give me some feedback so I know someone other than my mom is reading this!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Teething
After what seems likes months of drooling, I have concluded that Garrett is teething. He constantly has fingers, blankets, toys, whatever else he can get a hold of in his mouth. And, to top things off, all sleeping at night has pretty much come to a halt. He cries and looks at me with a extremely pitiful, helpless face and I just feel awful. My feeling awful is slighted by the fact that I haven't slept a lot, so sometimes my sympathy level isn't quite where Garrett feels it should be, making him only more pitiful.
He is otherwise a happy kid, even when throwing up all over himself. I am not looking forward to marring that adorable toothless grin, or being bitten by some new pearly whites, but I would love the tears of pain to be replaced by his smile again. And it will make it so much easier to eat all the food he keeps stealing off my plate!
He is otherwise a happy kid, even when throwing up all over himself. I am not looking forward to marring that adorable toothless grin, or being bitten by some new pearly whites, but I would love the tears of pain to be replaced by his smile again. And it will make it so much easier to eat all the food he keeps stealing off my plate!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Out of the mouth of babes
I would like to start by reflecting on the fact that since the birth of their newest additions, those bloggers who were unknowingly making me feel bad have DRASTICALLY reduced their number of blog entrances. And seeing as I am still balancing double the number of children they currently have, I can pat myself on the back for blogging at all :) Congratulations to all of you though, I am very happy for you!
I am going to spend some time this morning trying to figure out how to make a side bar on my blog....I intend to label it "Out of the mouth". Everyday, multiple times a day actually, things are said around my house that I bet many of you don't hear at yours (those of you without little kids anyway). Fun stuff like "Don't put that pickle up your nose" or "He drinks boobs, you can't give him cereal" Some are funny, some are an awesome reflection of what they kids learn from us, and some are just so off the wall I don't know where they came from. Sadly, after they are said and I giggle about them, I generally forget them. If I share them, then at least someone else will be able to enjoy my insanity.
Look for it, it'll be fun!
I am going to spend some time this morning trying to figure out how to make a side bar on my blog....I intend to label it "Out of the mouth". Everyday, multiple times a day actually, things are said around my house that I bet many of you don't hear at yours (those of you without little kids anyway). Fun stuff like "Don't put that pickle up your nose" or "He drinks boobs, you can't give him cereal" Some are funny, some are an awesome reflection of what they kids learn from us, and some are just so off the wall I don't know where they came from. Sadly, after they are said and I giggle about them, I generally forget them. If I share them, then at least someone else will be able to enjoy my insanity.
Look for it, it'll be fun!
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