No More Nursery

Patrick planted his feet and refused to even go down the hall to the church nursery today. He used to love going and in fact would cry when I dropped the girls off for CCD on Wednesdays because he would want to go in and play. Well, last week someone with a booming voice (I bet the locals can guess who has the loudest booming voice in town) was trying to get his son to stay in there and he freaked Patrick out so he refused to stay. Apparently Patrick has not forgotten this, but since he was better behaved than his sisters today, it wasn't so bad. Anna was making shadow puppets during mass, using the back of some older lady as her screen and then she got lost on her way back from communion because she was mad at me and trying to get away.

Way better than my friends during school mass who would pick gum from the bottom of the pew and then flick little pieces onto the back of the person in front of them. I just need to keep it all in perspective...

Local News and Speculation

In addition to being more social, I also subscribed to the local paper this year in an attempt to be more involved. Really came in handy last night as I was able to participate in a lively discussion about the mayor of Ogden whose opponent did not think to run a background check on him. Only later did they find out that he had done "hard time" twice. One of our friends thinks he needs to run against this guy next time, on the platform to bring McDonald's to the main drag so he can get a healthy breakfast on the way to work each day. I really think he just wants to be mayor so the cops won't give him a ticket for going 33 in the 30 zone.

Other things I learned last night: every ENT in town recommends alcohol for a sore throat. I'm pretty sure one of them thinks alcohol cures most things. Emily is not a fan of cajun food so once again (it's a conspiracy) I skipped that part of the evening. She seems to enjoy wine though, even the cheap stuff. She is sleeping through the night now so don't worry, I am sure the wine was long gone by the time she got up, relax.

Oh, I also caught someone bidding on her own item in the silent auction, dinner at her house. She said she was bidding on behalf of a friend. Yes, I am guessing that "friend" is her husband who would rather pay money than host dinner at their house. Just kidding! I only say this because that is exactly what Sean would do. I didn't bid on anything in either auction because someone took my number away when I picked up a wine glass. Sean was interested in the round of golf with the course designer of the place he just joined but it included golfing with two Wildcat Legends. He thought that would just be awkward since he has no clue who they are. Also, he'd have to refrain from saying, "this hole SUCKS" when he has a bad shot, lest the course designer point out that it is in fact his driving skills that suck. (And no Sean, you do not need to buy ANOTHER new driver to fix that.)

I also ran into someone who told me she likes reading my blog because it is so true. Yes, it is all true... who knew life could be so crazy and yet boring at the same time?! This kind lady is the one who had a baby when I had Emily and towards the end when people were asking me how many babies I was having, she looked like I did at 3 months. Oh, it is good to not be pregnant anymore! Cheers!

Level Three

In our attempts to be more social this year, we went out to the Boys & Girls Club casino night auction thing, which meant leaving all the kids at home. I can't remember who asked me this, but someone there wondered if we had just one sitter watching them. Come on people, I don't have that many kids... and only one of them is two years old. This did involve a level 3 sitter though, one who has worked in a daycare with 16 two year olds, which makes my kids seem like a relaxing evening. Emily was down for the night, Patrick was almost ready for bed and the girls are practically self-sufficient (well, at least they are potty trained). Our level 2 sitter watches just the 3 older ones for weekly date night and we don't think a level 4 sitter exists, which is why we will never get a weekend trip away from the kids. I am looking for a level 1 sitter though, someone to go with me to the pool this summer to help with Patrick. Feel free to pass on recommendations! I pay well and won't make her change the diapers...

Messing up my bed

He can't resist messing up the pillows and I often finding him hiding behind them all... with a bag of cereal.

Observant

I don't think this lady has ever dusted her ceiling fans... and people, she has lived here three and a half years.

Discovering Hands

Oh, hands, sweet hands, what trouble we will get into someday...

Hoarders (again)

I was just telling Sean about our friend who thinks she knows a real live hoarder who lives near us. She has seen stuff piled up in front of his windows and the garage appears to be full of crap too. So every time we drive by now we are craning our necks to check it out. I now realize that I can't let this friend see my storage room or she will turn us in too. Actually, that would be great, we'd finally get that junk out of there. This is how the episode would go (they always go back and forth between two hoarding houses on each episode).

House one: some poor mentally ill woman, sitting on the floor picking craft beads out of the first of thousands of trash bags... her psychologist trying to convince her to throw something, ANYTHING, away

House two: the psychologist surveys the Keenan storage room... asks how to start, the woman of the house says, "either trash it or send it to Goodwill, you guys make the call, I'm going to go check my email". Yes, hoarders due to a unique combination of laziness and lack of a truck to haul it away. Compelling television viewing.

Shout Out

Just thought I would welcome some new readers from Someone, Someone, Someone, Someone, Someone and Schartz (good luck finding that in the phone book). I hear there have been some long days lately but it can't be as bad as football season. How many presentations did the Schartz one make you prepare regarding the post-game suggestions for her husband each week? The real question is when will he give her the headphones that will allow her to communicate with him during the game? He's chatting with someone, but probably not someone who would remind him to pick up something after the game for their never ending home projects. This is the same reason Sean is requesting that our next house have a detached garage with office/ gaming room over it.... Working right next to the kitchen is not ideal it turns out.

No Rookie

Dear, sweet Patrick woke me up with his screaming and yelling at 3am this morning. When I opened his door, expecting to find something amiss as to justify such a racket (say, a wolf in his room), all I found was a 2 year old trying to remove his football jersey that he slept in. He then stomped out to the living room, tore open the TV cabinet with a bang, and hurled himself on the couch with the words, "Bar-bar". No sir, not when it is dark out.

I learned this lesson 6 years ago when Megan tried the same trick to watch Dora. Being a rookie back then, I assumed that all I had to do was turn it on and then she would fall back asleep. Well, an hour and a half and 3 episodes of Dora later, I learned my lesson. So I trotted him back to his room, secured the door, and listened to him wail for 30 minutes. He did finally crawl back into his bed and then slept until 8:30 which is quite a record. Of course Emily slept from 7:30pm to 6am, so it could have been a great night...

Floor Items

Oh, we've all been at this stage... with toddlers who love to just litter the floor with random items throughout the day and then when they finally (FINALLY!) nap, you run around picking it up so when the husband comes home he is not frightened into working late the next day. Well, these are the things I picked up today:
3 slippers
2 train tracks
1 strand of Mardi Gras beads
3 rolls of coloring paper (unrolled of course)
2 drink coasters (Simpsons)
1 Hello Kitty walkie talkie (which I heard Patrick say "Pat-pat stinky" into earlier. Not sure whom he was contacting but they never did show up to change that diaper)
5 whisks
1 mostly eaten bag of Wheat Thins
1 big red blanket
1 overturned basket that holds big red blanket
4,000 books (need to find a new system for those that won't encourage distribution like that)
and
1 American flag patch that didn't have velcro so Sean can't use it and instead it will sit in the junk drawer until we move someday

Everything is picked up now, safe to come home, Sean. Well, until the girls and their many bags and boots and coats and lunch boxes leave a trail from the front door to the laundry room.... I suppose in 18 years I will miss the mess. Nah, probably just the kids.

Tuesday Tips and Trivia

Don't read the nutrition facts on the Krispy Kreme box until after you have enjoyed one donut and are considering another one. Then you will stop with just one.

Don't ever, EVER read the nutrition facts on the Godiva Chocolate cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. Just love it and move on with your life. You should probably stop with one piece just to be safe...

A hippo can weigh 8000 pounds. Seriously, that is like 5 Honda Civics. They can also go 19mph. We learned this with the help of google today. If you type in "how much does" google will finish the question for you... top answer, "the president make?". Right up there with "Miley Cyrus weigh?" I can understand some frustrated citizens asking the first question, but who is asking the 2nd one?? Why does it matter and who knows the answer? And does she eat donuts and cheesecake?

Sean figured out how to get some respect today. He decided to splurge and get a couple more uniforms (so he doesn't have to wear a dirty one when I forget to do laundry-- best. wife. ever.) and the soldiers in the uniform shop were calling him "sir" and seemed a little afraid of him. Meanwhile, at the hospital he is called "dawg" by one lower ranking person and another one stops him outside the cafeteria and tells him that he can't have his hand in his pocket while in uniform. Really, because that's how he gets his wallet out. Four years, 4 months to go...

Monday Photos for the Grandmas

A few shots from this past week, when I wasn't doing laundry. Megan was sick last night so some deja vu here. Hopefully this is the end of it... Sean did do the majority of clean up as I have been conveniently busy during some key moments... gone to church, feeding the baby, etc. You can see in one of the photos that Emily is trying to do a sit up. She's growing up so fast, the non-stop eating is helping apparently.

Mii God

I don't really understand all the Wii stuff but one thing the girls love to do is make up Mii characters. They have made the entire extended family, most of their friends, the Harry Potter characters, and yes, God. Sean spied God recently and reports back that he is very tall and skinny, wears only white, has a dark beard, and dark hair parted in the middle. We are waiting to see how God does at basketball and sword fighting. Does he has special powers? Will they be able to defeat God and if so, can they skip church? Megan just came up to tell me she made one that is very very small and named it NOTHING. NOTHING goes very fast she said and she is going to send it out on the parade. I don't know what that means really other than they should go to bed.

I love Bar-bar

The first thing Patrick has declared his love for isn't a family member or even a cookie, no, it's Barney. Worst of all, he declares this over and over at 6:30am. We have been very fortunate up until this point that no one else has loved Barney and even more so that no one else has gotten in the habit of waking up before 7am. But now my life has evolved to this... early wake up calls for a dinosaur that sings songs with questionable origins. I am confident that the Barney song writers never dreamed that their demographic would overlap with the one who has listened to Depeche Mode. Just Can't Get Enough. Yes, thank you Barney, I just can't get enough sleep these days. Thanks to The Palace for carrying my favorite tea though, it's good to have it local. Mighty Leaf Green Tea Tropical. That would be the "light caffeine" that I have mentioned before.

Now I did suggest to Patrick that he give up Barney for Lent but he is giving up eating dinner instead. I have been cooking for real lately, instead of kid food, but surely there is no correlation. I have a salmon recipe that is so good that you don't even crave red meat on the Fridays of Lent. It is from The Family Chef, aka Jennifer Aniston's personal chef. (As a side note, if you can afford a personal chef you have no excuse to not be thin and healthy. If you live in land of inferior grocery stores where you can't locate half the ingredients, well, good luck.) For the foodies in my family:

Marinate 1 lb of wild salmon with 1/2 cup hoison sauce, 1 finely chopped shallot, 2 tablespoons EVOO, 1/2 teaspoon salt for 20 minutes. Then grill for 15 minutes on a cedar plank (I prefer the red oak plank instead, the cedar just reminds me of the kids' dressers, yuck). Follow the instructions on the plank for soaking it first or things could get crazy on the grill.

As for what I am giving up for Lent, I think I have given up enough during each pregnancy that I don't ever have to give up anything again. Plus, the current emphasis for Lent is that you do something extra instead, so I am trying to sleep extra in hopes that I won't be so crabby to the kids. I try not to be crabby to Sean since he gets even less sleep than I do (unless his lack of sleep is related to video games). Just over 4 years to go with this pesky day job of his...

Perfect Laundry Storm

Let me start out by saying I do own a washer and dryer, so I am not going down to the stream to beat the laundry on the rocks. I do really, really appreciate modern technology, especially after Sunday night and all day Monday. Anna participated in barf-o-rama as the weekend was winding down. In what can only be considered the best timing ever, I was in the hot tub with Bridget when it started so Sean had to kick off the clean up. So we got one load under way before our guests went to bed (beneath the laundry room). Normally I would just keep it going all night but I figured they had another highly inconvenient day of travel looming and needed the sleep.

Emily also did a good job sleeping that night, even though the gagging and barfing Anna slept on her floor. So I was up constantly, every time I heard the noise start. Monday was pretty ugly so some caffeine was involved which meant Emily did not sleep well last night. The kids are totally tag teaming me here, ugh. Anyway, by Monday morning Anna had gone through quite a pile of blankets and sheets and was down to sleeping on beach towels, so I ran my favorite washer/dryer until 9pm last night. I didn't even notice doing guest linens but now everything is done and the house is under control again. Look, computer time!

So glad that everyone finally made it in from the east coast, just wish we had more time together. I'll get Sean to look into the private jet with door to door service. Cheaper than buying a house on the east coast at least!

Mardi Gras

The old people GOT DOWN Saturday night at the rocking Mardi Gras party. Great band, great atmosphere, even better friends. So glad we knew someone on the Krewe so we were invited. We had to wait for Emily to fall asleep so we missed the first part but then we snuck out and danced as long as we could. I have never had foot pain like that, so much for thinking those shoes were comfortable. They were good until the 3rd hour at least. Many thanks to Nana and Pops for putting up with Emily when she did wake up right after we left. Whatever they did worked because she then slept until 7am.

(p.s. Keely, we couldn't find you for the photo, sorry!)

Church Lungs

We had Emily baptized yesterday during the mass, which is the first time we have done it like that. In San Antonio for the girls they had big group baptisms on Saturday afternoons as it was a huge and very fertile parish. Then for Patrick we did a private baptism after mass because we weren't sure how the girls would act during it and we didn't have any wranglers for them, just the Godparents came in for that one. That was a good call as I remember Anna wandering off during it. Anyway, we thought it would be nice to do something different this time, so everyone suffered though the extra long mass yesterday. Was anyone anxious to get out in the frigid wind though?? So horrible yesterday, but I digress.

Emily was none too thrilled to sit up in front and cried the whole first half. Then when Fr. Don hoisted her up after the baptism she really let him have it. As soon as we sat down after that she zonked out thankfully. I'm sure she was confused as to why I wasn't feeding her, even though she had just eaten, because that is my first response anytime she is fussy. Hmm, why is she top of the charts for weight but not height? I love a chance to burn calories while sitting on the couch though, since it's usually the opposite. She still fit in the beautiful gown that Erlinda loaned us though! Many thanks as I did not want to go buy one at this point and the one that we used for the others was way too big. Now I am hoping that all 3 girls will be the same size at 1st Communion age...

Wild and Crazy Friday Night

Well, the guy at the liquor store sure thought I had a wild and crazy Friday night planned at least. (By the way, I really miss being able to buy wine at Target, like they encourage in Texas. I could be an alcoholic if it was convenient, but the alcohol gene is outweighed by the lazy gene so I only get there when people are coming to visit.) Yes, 12 cold ones waiting for Pops and 5 bottles of wine for the ladies. A wide variety there so hopefully something will appeal. Like most wine connoisseurs I picked them based on name and label. One is called Four Sisters, shout out to Katie, Andrea, and Stephanie!

I know one little guy who is glad to not have four sisters... I think three is enough for Patrick. Today Megan was having a typical hissy fit over Patrick getting into the sacred American Girl Doll closet and she yells something like, "why are you doing that?!" and Patrick replies in his normal, bored, innocent, quiet voice, "what?". Girl, I do not have time for your drama, I have a doll to dress. He will make a nice calm husband one day.

Oh hey, if anyone is looking for their ladybugs, they are in my hot tub. In other random sightings, I was treated to a lovely dance performance by the Little Caesar's Pizza girl on the way to the grocery store tonight. She was holding a sign by the road and getting down. In fact, she was getting so down that I almost stopped to tell her that if she walked 3 blocks west there was a club where the men would pay her a lot more than Little Caesar himself. I was glad to not have the kids with me, don't need them thinking that is a job to aspire to. From what I have seen in their ballet class, I am not too concerned that my girls will qualify for anything like that. It's not their fault as some people will learn tomorrow night when the old white ladies break out the moves on the dance floor. Now I know why we are wearing masks.

Weekend Prep

I've actually been getting stuff done around the house this week, instead of playing on the computer. Okay, playing as much on the computer. Always a big deal when guests come to town and we're hoping they make it out of Snowmaggedon. Not looking good for the Godmother from DC but the Godfather and Patrick's wranglers are coming from Newport News which wasn't hit as hard. Anyway, I think I have picked up most the Polly Pocket accessories from the guest room and Sean has replaced most of the light bulbs that have burned out (3 to go Big Guy) so that should cut down on injuries in the middle of the night. As always, I won't attempt cleaning bathrooms until the plane lands in KC. Toothpaste explosions happen too frequently these days.

My other activity this week is learning how to walk in heels. Sean's tux has been altered so I think we are all set for our big night out. Emily has been going to bed on time so far this week so maybe we can pull this off!

ps Happy Belated Birthday Katie! I can't really make fun of how old you are now since I am not far behind. You used to seem much older than me.

New Morning Plan

Major and Mrs. Obvious finally figured out that the big kids wake up the little kids in the morning. So last night I prepped the girls by telling them they would have to use the bathroom downstairs in the morning. It is identical to the one upstairs, however they have this fear of being downstairs alone and each morning they grab their clothes and race upstairs, one yelling at the other one for leaving her behind. Chaos and yelling, great way to start the day. Then they usually go in the bathroom next to the littles and bang stuff around and talk loudly (even when just one is in there, I don't understand it at all). Of course that wakes up Patrick and then I am dealing with him on top of the race to the bus stop.

So far so good though, the girls went back down to use their bathroom this morning. It appears that my authority has been restored somewhat through the stand/kneel to watch TV punishment. I also got them to brush their teeth in the laundry room before they sprinted to catch the bus which was early today, after being 25 minutes late yesterday. It's a love-hate relationship with the bus. Patrick just now got up though which is a good hour later than usual, hence the time to blog.

After so many battles with the girls about going downstairs by themselves (they always beg for an escort/bodyguard when they need to go get something), I have been thinking about getting a 2 story house next and putting them upstairs. There is one for sale here that I've always been curious about but up until yesterday I could never find more than exterior shots of it. Turns out it has the same exact kitchen that I have right now, down to the hardware on the cupboards. Long time readers know that while I love my kitchen, the dream of the white kitchen lives on. Sean sleeps easy knowing I will never find another house here...

Feel Good TV

Need a boost to your self esteem: watch reality TV. And really, that is the reason it has been so successful as a genre. After hearing so much about it we finally tivo'ed up some Hoarders. Next time you think your house is messy and drowning in clutter just watch an episode of that. Nothing like the mentally ill to make you feel like Martha Stewart. And if you are feeling like you're old and unhip, tied down with kids and a mini-van, well just watch the Bachelor where surgically enhanced women claim that is all they want in life and then fight over the man they think will give it to them. Fine, go off on your fancy helicopter dates, nothing beats cleaning up kid barf, so take that, blondies!

Follow Through

Much like Phil on Modern Family (go watch it on Hulu.com right now if you haven't seen it yet) I have a tendency to come up with outrageous threats and punishments for the kids. I have never threatened to cancel Christmas like Phil did, but it has crossed my mind. I guess every time I pretend to call Santa on the phone I am jeopardizing presents so pretty close.

Anyway, I was so fed up with the girls in church today because they didn't want to stand or kneel at the right times, they said their legs were too tired, the usual. Next week we will have to sit front and center for the baptism, plus grandparents will be there, so pressure is on to whip this crew into shape. When we got in the van and were reviewing behavior I blurted out that they have to stand to watch TV this week so they will be strong enough to stand in church. I figured this will also cut down on TV time, double bonus. So far I have been holding firm on this threat/punishment but did amend it so they can kneel if they want. Yes, kneel before the TV, it is kind of like their personal church anyway.... Sean snapped this photo which made Megan mad. Anna could care less (clearly she doesn't read my blog).

KC Trip

7 kids left behind
6 hours driving in the snow, to, from and around KC
2 hours picking up food from various places
1 hour feeding and changing Emily
20 minutes returning items
6 minutes shopping for and trying on jeans
2 weeks until they are hemmed and shipped

Yes, Sean knew it wasn't that dangerous to tell me I could buy whatever I needed in KC. How much damage can I do in 6 minutes? I'm not complaining though, was great to get out.

So Big

Crazy how fast she is growing. Our goal for this week is to get her to bed by 8:30 every night so she will be used to it by next Saturday. Yes, we are attempting to go to a Mardi Gras party then and leave all 4 home with some very kind family members who happen to be here for her baptism. It really is just a happy coincidence!

Typical Anna

The kids were playing dress up in the old Army uniforms that I am getting rid of and of course Anna can't just pose nicely with Patrick. No, she has to choke him and give him bunny ears. Those two are fighting a lot these days. I'm sure that's just a phase and they won't keep this up for the next 16 years. Har.

Husband Foul

Sean has a few days off work so when I got back from an appointment this morning he said my hair looked nice. Oh really, because I was at the dentist. Nice try. Hair is next week.

Where Christmas tree?

Whenever Patrick wears these pajamas he asks where the Christmas tree is... over and over. Poor guy, it is going to seem like forever until Christmas comes again.

Pursuit of Happyness Workout

The "who I want to be" part of my Netflix list managed to make it to the top of the queue and after years of avoiding it, The Pursuit of Happyness arrived. I guess that means I have seen all the movies that are the equivalent of junk food now. Anyway, Sean was working a shift while I watched, so he saw bits of it and later asked if Will Smith just ran the entire time during the movie. Yeah, pretty much, and always with arm loads full of stuff. I got tired just watching him and realized that I can really relate to that part. Seems I am always late for something and have to go as fast as I can with Emily in car seat on one arm and Patrick on the other arm. It's even worse when it's cold and icy as Patrick has to be carried then and he yells "Pat-pat cold!" over and over in my ear. Obviously I look ridiculous, but wow, what a work out. Nothing like bursting into church or a meeting late, panting and sweating. And my arms of iron, so attractive. If only I had matching abs of steel.

Intervention

My name is Julie and I haven't left Manhattan in over 4 months. Well, I have gone to Fort Riley a few times, so technically I have left city limits. Sean is worried that I have forgotten what a big city is like and will buy another house here while he is off to Vegas next month. I guess getting that power of attorney tipped him off? Anyway, he has taken a day off work and offered to babysit a friend's son so I can get a girls' day to KC. After years of wearing maternity clothes, I am ready to shop, so he may regret this...

Time to build house!

Patrick decided to just play in his room instead of nap today so he spied the bulldozer getting dropped off at the lot next door. When I finally released him from toddler jail he ran to the laundry room window, saying "time to build house, time to build house!". Now he is parked at the window and I just caught him with it open, yelling at the guys, "time to build house". Yes, get to work, construction men. Maybe our house would have gotten built faster if there had been a 2 year old yelling encouragement like that.

I Amend My Position

I would send the kids to Catholic school if they had uniforms. Yes, I would give up the beloved school bus if I didn't ever have to utter the phrase, "no, you can't wear a red sweater with pink sweatpants to school" again.