9 hours to spare

I just completed my 2010 new year's resolution to get the photo books done up until Emily was born. Yes, just got them ordered... amazing what you can accomplish when you are avoiding cleaning the house. Also, the 30% off coupon helped with motivation.

LOOOONG Week

I can't believe that it hasn't even been a week since Christmas. The amount of work I have done for the children is equal to at least two weeks. Patrick has been alternating between sugar high and sugar crash for far too long and it makes him so demanding (he just said to me, "don't make me mad" when I acted like I might not do what he told me to do). There was one night where he insisted on 3 water bottles on his nightstand. Oh, not all 3 at once, no, I would bring him one and he would start gearing up for a tantrum if I balked at bringing him another. Emily was already asleep, he knew he had me. He needed a few other things too, like his football helmet and a car, and after the 6th trip up the stairs to see what was brewing, I told him I would call Santa to come remove the toys. That worked. Oh this was also the night that he refused to take off his underwear and football pants to put on a pull up so he just put the pull up on over the underwear and football pants. The next morning he walked around like that for 2 hours too and never had an accident. Clearly potty training for him was just a matter of him deciding he was ready.

The girls have been keeping busy with their new dogs. Yes, we decided they were ready to each get a dog. Oh, I mean video game dog of course. Let's not be ridiculous here, I don't need anything else making a mess or having an accident on my floors. Anna got her Nintendog for her DS from Nana and Pops and then Megan loved it so much she got my parents to buy her it too. So now they can play at the same time and meet up to walk their dogs together. How pathetic is this? I feel somewhat guilty that they are so excited about fake dogs going on fake walks.

The premise of the game is that they start out with a certain amount of money and they use that to pick out a dog and buy the dog supplies. Anna was immediately out of money, she must have pimped out her dog Paris Hilton style, so Megan told her to go sell her extra dog toys at the second hand shop so she could buy dog food. That was the only way they knew to get money. Well, I was growing concerned for this poor (fake) dog who was most certainly going to starve when the food money ran out, there had to be other ways to earn money. Sean read some instructions and was trying to help them out, guess you can find presents on the walk and go sell them. So essentially, it's like they are homeless people and dogs who walk around trying to find stuff to take to the pawn shop. What's next, begging at the intersection? Now before anyone sends us fake money for fake dog food to avoid the psychological trauma of a fake dog dying, no worries, Kira came to the rescue. Megan's friend has this game already and is quite good at the frisbee competition and thus won Anna a lot of money. And then Megan figured out that she and Anna can take their dogs for a walk and Anna can give her things to take and sell so she has money for her dog food. Now they both have two dogs and can't wait to buy more. They had better figure out how to play frisbee themselves because four dogs are going to need a lot of food.

Now sweet Emily has not been a problem at all this week, as usual. I did find her in her room yesterday though, when I thought she was playing by the front door. Patrick was with her just out of my line of vision and I knew he would tattle if she did something dangerous, I just didn't know he would wait until she had already done it. I just heard him say, "Emily being care-cul". Took me a minute to remember that care-cul is careful and thus she was being careful climbing up all the stairs by herself. Usually I catch her on the first one. She is the most patient child and so calm. She enjoys time without her siblings but unfortunately there isn't much of that. Patrick is definitely toughening her up. He wants whatever she has of course so once she fights back we will have years of listening to those fights. Joy!

Sean worked a ton this week but now has 3 days of no army and 5 days of no moonlighting. We have nothing planned and no babysitter, so not sure what will happen. We do have a lot of travel planned for 2011 (in complete denial that traveling with 4 children will most likely be pure torture) so he may pick up some shifts to pay for that. Or he may just enjoy his video games, which I am pretty sure don't involve fake dogs. Even without a real dog around here, this house is beyond filthy and trashed, so you can guess what my plans are, whoo-hoo! Happy new year!

Baby B-ball

Poor Emily missed out on skating so she stayed home and played with Patrick's little basketball game. He would not be happy to see this photo, not really into sharing these days.

Skating Girls

At the end they even let go of the wall!

Get Your Skate On

Trying to keep busy over break, decided to try out the ice rink. The girls caught on after an hour or so, Patrick did 2 laps with me and then had snacks with Grandpa and Grandma.

Happy Bigs Christmas!

The girls were pretty happy with Santa this year and I was happy that Santa got my memo about not filling up my house with junky toys. The girls each got a certificate for a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter which Sean will escort them to during a cold month soon. The girls have been obsessed with Harry Potter for years as Sean read the books to Megan a while back. Anna only listened to the first book, then it got too scary, so she didn't understand why Megan asked to switch play characters with her... from Hermoine to Ginny. This would be a spoiler if it didn't come out years ago, but Ginny marries Harry at the end and Harry is much admired in this house.

Yes, it's all about the romance, even with Star Wars which was their other Christmas gift... lots of those little Star Wars action figures. Many wedding scenes in the Star Wars play time around here and more than once I have heard Megan explain to Anna that certain ones can't get married because they are brother and sister. Barely time to fight interglactic battles between all the weddings and honeymoons they go on.

And thanks to Nana and Pops for the quiet gifts this year... Kindle for Megan who is always begging for new books to read and DS games for Anna who isn't much of a reader yet. She got some Nintendogs game so I keep hearing her training her dog Lucky, over and over, so much for that being a quiet activity. But, it's the closest she will get to having a real dog for a while. I don't clean enough to have something that sheds in my house. A dog would have to come with a full time housekeeper.

I did manage to surprise the other big kid with some night vision goggles, a la Modern Family where Phil can't stop thinking of things that he wants after his wife Claire says she can never think of anything to give him... he lists off bug vacuum, night vision goggles, yogurt maker... I thought I'd go with the one that would be fun for the kids too. Until we see how many animals are lurking in the backyard at night, then we'll have nightmares to deal with.

Santa brought me a new house which means painting in January after the Christmas decor comes down. Sean got me a printer so I don't need to interrupt his video game playing by barging into his office to print something. So thoughtful!

Big Boy Presents

Patrick finally potty trained himself after I told him that Santa only brings football helmets to big boys who don't wear diapers. Apparently I lucked out and stumbled upon the one incentive that would work. He is starting for the Buffalo Bills next season, we just need to review the play book (or is it a play sheet of paper for the Bills?) to get him up to speed.

Emily understands presents!

Emily and her Santa gift, a sturdy stroller that she can learn to walk with. She was a little clueless about everything last Christmas but now she's catching on.

The Night Before

This is probably the last year all four kids are on the Polar Express so we had to make sure we remembered all the things the kids expect. I did realize I could wrap early this year over in Sean's office so that is making Christmas eve so much more pleasant. 2 glasses of wine pleasant. The children's mass was bad for our kids, I needed to recover. I am certain that everyone around us assumed that we only bring the kids to church twice a year; they were just that awful. I think I am okay with that though... it is more embarrassing that they are that bad and we actually do take them every week. I had no idea that a container of Tic Tacs could be so loud and yet not as loud as the small tape measurer that Emily had. Ah well, we survived and now they look so innocent, asleep in their beds. I suppose Santa can still come. Sean read them his old The Night Before Christmas and then they put out snacks for Santa, the elves, and the reindeer. I vote that Sean eats the reindeer food. Ho, ho, ho!

One Perk

Well, at least the girls helped out a little this week while they were on Christmas break.

Decorating Dilemma

This is the ledge above the front door that I am trying to figure out what to do with, besides clean the dust and bugs off it. Patrick decided to help me out and put some Nerf bullets up there. I like it, just need a few more I think. Unfortunately his gun is only a 6 shooter and he is out of bullets now. He also has no more gun after he held it to Emily's head while I was holding her. Hmm, do you think there is any sibling resentment or jealousy? I never planned on even getting him a gun except a major fit was brewing at the grocery store yesterday when he saw a Lightning McQueen car that you drive. I hate you, Dillons, with your seasonal toy aisle. So I was able to talk him down to a cheap Nerf gun at least. Thought it would also make his little playdate friends happy... there is one who always asks me where we keep the weapons. Umm, does he mean the golf club Sean keeps under the bed?

A few house shots

Since 99% of our friends and family will never visit (and we totally understand) here are a few shots I took yesterday when the house was sort of clean. So hard to get good angles so you can get a feel for the space. Maybe Santa will bring me a wide angled lens? And a professional decorator?

The only project I have tackled so far was painting the girls' room pink (and it is extra pink now that I have a pink rug). That was the one concession we had to make with getting this house... all the girls have to share a room for now. I don't think a 3rd twin bed would fit in there so hopefully we can make the crib into a daybed when Emily starts climbing out because I don't think the big girls will be ready for basement bedroom living for quite a while. I guess Emily could move in with Patrick once she is big enough to defend herself though and he won't be so lonely. Hard being the only boy at times but really the reason he has his own room is because he tortures the girls with his extra energy, not merely because he is a boy. He desperately wanted the pink room too and kept telling everyone that it was his.

Tuesday before Christmas Panic

Day one of Christmas break by myself. Sean was home yesterday and the girls were in great spirits because of the novelty of a day off school, so I was feeling optimistic about our extra long break. But now it is day two and I predict it won't go as well. Also, they are having Pez for breakfast.

Back to Monday though, I managed to get the house picked up because our first house guests, Angela and Joe, long time friends from the Indy years, were coming for the night and I didn't want to scare them off or worse, show up as a mocking status update on facebook. Now I wouldn't say the house was "clean" because there wasn't a lot of scrubbing going on but key areas were sanitized and the guest room was cleared of toys, except for one tiny light saber that Joe found in the blanket. I swear I washed the sheets and remade the bed, but that must not be enough to defeat the force. After the girls forced Joe to discuss Star Wars for a painfully long time after dinner, getting stabbed with a light saber was a fitting way to end the night.

Oh and dinner... someday I will manage to cook AND clean in preparation for guests, but that day wasn't yesterday. No, by the time I made it to the grocery store and realized it was warm enough for a fire pit night, I changed the menu to make your own hot dogs night. Keep hoping that is a novelty for most people and they don't notice that they are eating kid food. Otherwise I end up making a nice adult meal and a different kid meal and by then the kitchen is trashed and I am stressed and no one has fun. I tried to arrange a night out but there were too many obstacles including army call (which meant Sean kept leaving during parts of the night where the kids had dangerous sticks of flaming food). I did pick the perfect wine to compliment the hot dogs at least and maybe that will blur their memory of the night and they will return again.

Ah, but now it is Tuesday and I am the only adult at home. The panic part is because it is the 21st and I'm not sure if we are ready for Christmas. I have friends (and I am not mocking) who have spreadsheets to keep track of all presents with all sorts of details. I have a closet full of boxes from Mr. McFeely my favorite delivery man, but who knows what is in them. Is it stuff I ordered? Did I remember to order stuff? Or is it just stuff from other people? We can't really open them early because I have so little time without nosy eyes and thus I can't start wrapping early. No space in the house is secure due to sneaky kids and a variety of doors that don't quite lock. And I did buy some wrapping paper but not sure if it's enough because when I was buying it I swear I could not remember a single gift I bought. I don't think it's because my memory is that bad (okay, not JUST because my memory is that bad) but because the presents are so boring. Santa Fail this year. After moving so many unused toys just last month, I wasn't exactly inspired to buy more.

Oh, and should I plan some special meals for Christmas? Is that what other people do? Clearly the children would love nothing more than some more Pez for a special breakfast so maybe I will load up on those and some hot dogs and wine for dinner! Another holiday full of treasured memories on the way for the Keenans! Ho ho ho!

Santa Torture

Wow, are we having fun or what? Even Santa looks like he wants to escape.

WHY

5 days ago Patrick asked his first, "why?". It officially began and will continue for years no doubt. I'm sure everyone is familiar with the why stage and yet blocks it from their mind. I had done that and upon hearing that very first "why?" I was hit with the realization that I have two more why stages to go through. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I at least have help this time and Megan answers many of his questions. She was complaining today, rather early in the stage I might add, and I just informed her that this is payback and she owes me. In general I am ignoring him unless it is worthy of an answer.

The "why?" question I have concerns the alarming amount of rocks and treasures the girls are bringing home from the school playground. Why do they do this? Are they digging a tunnel to escape? Will the school have to bring in more rocks soon? How much of a donation should I make to cover this thievery? And where should we store this haul of potential choking hazards? I told them to make a rock garden out by the tree house and I wonder how long it will take until this garden covers the whole hill. I did throw out the acorns that were included as one never forgets a maggot story and our friends who found a backpack full of old acorns and MAGGOTS in their house taught me a valuable lesson. Have to draw the line someplace.

Cold weather routine

When I come in the house these days, I take my coat off, sit down and take my boots off, then put my slippers on and my long cardigan on and next thing I know I am singing about what a beautiful day it is in the neighborhood. What the hell? Of all the people I tried to avoiding growing up to be, it never occurred to me to put Mr. Rogers on the list. Sean wants to get Patrick a train table and set for Christmas but I can't go through that routine and then go play with a train or trolley. Bad enough that I am spending a lot of time talking to delivery men these days when they bring packages. Thank you, Mr. McFeely!

Plug

Be sure to go read the blog of friend Heather here in town (not to be confused with the other Heather and Brian, from Belgium). Her Christmas letter is worth a gander. Sweatpants and a mini-van indeed.

The Gall

After folding endless baskets of laundry today (nothing like kicking off laundry day by finding a dryer full from the previous laundry marathon), I put the girls' basket outside their door as they were supposed to be in there sleeping and I didn't want to wake them up. I came out a while later and found the basket moved to outside my door with a note on top that said:

Please put away.
From: Anna
To: Mommy

Excuse me? When did she learn to spell? Megan actually will put hers away but I know what it takes to get Anna to do the same, so I usually do end up putting it away. Otherwise she will pile dirty laundry on top and I end up washing it, drying it, and folding it again. It's exhausting just thinking about it. I need to go to bed before someone wakes up and needs me.

Scully??

We just saw a cat in our backyard that looks exactly like our old cat, Scully, who ran away shortly after we moved here 4.5 years ago. We assumed he met an unfortunate fate while hanging in Ivester's backyard when we lived in a hotel waiting for our house to be completed but maybe he just moved to Tatarrax? I would feel less guilty if that was the case. Ah well, he never would have adjusted to two more kids in the house, especially not Patrick...

Daddy Sleeping?

Patrick just asked me if Daddy was sleeping? He usually is but it is of course Monday and he has a day job during the week. Patrick got up right after the crew left for school and work so he didn't get to say goodbye. Anyway, I told Patrick that Daddy was at work and he said, "Daddy sleeping at work?". Well, not right now but perhaps he will get a nap after lunch. So dark in that reading room and the cafeteria food makes him so sleepy...

Scrooging

I am so not feeling Christmas this year. The kids cannot comprehend the concept that naughty kids do not get presents on Christmas. No, they buy into the whole Jesus loves the sinner thing instead. So much fighting and being mean to each other, not to mention a complete disregard for picking up their own junk around the house. We could use an elf visit but I have no idea how to line that up. Surely there is one in the area but I don't know the precise location, even after unpacking all the boxes.

I also found out how to run Christmas lights in the front yard but it's freezing out now and we've missed half the season. Maybe next year. I also tried to get a good artificial tree but even 40% off they are $700. Some are $3000. For a fake tree? Yeah, definitely not that into Christmas. I would rather use that to get this house more livable for the rest of the year. In a couple months we will be able to actually hang out in the hearth room, I mean other than sitting on an outdoor cushion.

I did manage to buy what I think are enough gifts for Christmas in KC yesterday but I predict a last minute panic attack from Sean and an emergency toy run to Target. Ah, that short term memory... why it was only this past Wednesday that we put out many boxes of toys for some charity pickup. I realize that no one will actually want them but it was less painful than just putting them directly in the trash.

Also ruining the holiday mood: calorie counts on the Panera menu board. When I went grocery shopping there today it really soured me on a few items including my recent addiction, mocha drinks. I'll just go back to eating cookies instead. If I could get more children in bed I could get to work on my own holiday baking and enjoy a few. Sean worked an afternoon shift today so I didn't get anything at all accomplished, which is adding to the not so festive mood. Another 22 minutes and he will be done and then we can have some festive beverages at least and I don't care how many calories they have!

New Years in El Paso?

I just got an email that we need to hurry and get tickets to the Sun Bowl if we are planning on spending New Years in El Paso. Ah, I've done New Years in El Paso, I think I'm good. We'll stick with New Years in the Little Apple, without a sitter as usual. How old does Megan have to be before we can leave her in charge?

Def Leppard

It's a good thing the Benders are in Belgium because we're going to need some distance between us during the bowl game... Notre Dame vs. Miami. Sean read an article where the guy said he was vaguely excited for the match up, the same way he would be if Def Leppard and White Snake did a tour together. I feel I should clarify that Notre Dame is Def Leppard in this scenario. Either way, we are not going to the game because the deal I have with Sean is that he can go when ND is playing for the national championship.

This is similar to when the Bills go to the Superbowl. I'm not very concerned that he will ever cash in those offers. I am so confident that I will even open this up to all those sorry Bills fans in the extended family (my sister even found one to marry, what are the chances there?!). And now we are passing the curse on to Patrick.... Santa is going to suit him up in a Bills uniform and helmet this year, much to his delight as that is all he talks about (the helmet, not necessarily the Bills...). I even convinced him that only a big boy can get a helmet, so time to ditch the diapers. Between the barf-fest and potty training I am so glad we took the carpets out of the kid bedrooms. Maybe Santa will bring them some rugs too, what fun!

Patrick's Family Tree

Patrick is super proud of every little thing he makes at his Child Day Out program, way more than the girls ever were so I feel bad that I already tossed some things before I realized this. Anyway, this is the family tree that he made and his teachers explained to me that he only admitted to having one sister, whom they see when I drop him off, so there are only 4 handprints. They couldn't get him to say Emily so they went to the office to find out her name and learned that he had two more sisters. He was not going to confess to that! So they squeezed their names on there. It's a good thing too because Megan and Anna would have noticed and been so mad.

Now as for that fancy Christmas tree behind him.... that is the kid tree and this year they did it all themselves. The other trees look even worse, decorated only on the top half. Emily hasn't had much interest in the trees though, that is probably more for Patrick. He did test one ornament last week, tossed a glass ball at the fireplace, just like he would a real ball. He completely undecorates the girls' trees in their rooms when they are at school and throws all the (plastic!) ornaments under their beds. The glass ornament scared him and thankfully he has left the "nice" tree alone. I can occupy Emily with this bell off the tree at least, may have to attach one to her so I can find her as she gets faster at getting around.

My Two Babies

Today Patrick finally grasped the concept that being a big boy could have perks when I mentioned a football helmet. Only big boys get those for Christmas so he better drop the baby act which includes a complete refusal to consider potty training. As of last night he was still in full baby mode though and even crawled along with Emily to greet me when I got home, similar to in this photo. Some long days with him lately and even some long nights. He has an uncanny knack for figuring out which nights Sean is working in the office because he never fails to come take Sean's side of the bed and occasionally kick me or cough on me. Now I am sick again too so I can't sleep anyway. At least Sean gets paid to stay up half the night!

Another super cute nephew!

I went shopping all day and came home to some photos of my new nephew, surprise! Lane Lawrence. 3:33 pm 12/3. 8 lbs. 7 oz. Glad he didn't come 8 weeks ago like we feared and glad he didn't wait two more weeks or he would have been enormous! Congrats Katie & Mark!! Can't wait to meet him!

Santa grew during the off-season

Patrick won't let an exposed belly stop him from wearing this around the house and yard. He got to meet some neighbors this way. I'm sure they are wondering just what hillbillies moved in...