Last Weekend

 We braved the great outdoors.

 As K. whooped it up at a Steelers game.



 

 





We snacked on granola bars, chocolate with caramel and got our feet wet.
Here we go!

Strive for....Average?

My next goal...aim for mediocrity.  I believe today I have achieved it or maybe I came up short. 

The Christmas Cookies I decided to try melted and slopped all over the place.  Whatever.  Good ingredients.  Perhaps not the best appearance, but some people would be thrilled to receive them.  Right?  Thought I'd just heap up the pile of bits and put them in a holiday tin.  God Bless Us All....Everyone.

Called friend T to get her foolproof recipe for one bowl (or one small brain) Ginger Snaps.  Not sure if they snapped, crackled or popped.  Yet again.  Mediocre at best.

It's all about the expectations.  I have a problem with that.  I expect that things will work the first time and when they don't, I get frustrated.

Eat your heart out Martha S.  You got nothin' on me.   

Urine here Urine there

Seems like urine is everywhere.

Such a lovely title.  Such a lovely sentiment.  Not so lovely in the daily dealings of three boys under the age of 9.  Apparently my sons don't have very good aim.

It all started when I went upstairs to take a shower.  What's that on the trash can liner?  Someone spill something?  OHHHH it's urine. 

What in the name of Pete do they think about while peeing?  Apparently NOT getting it all in the toilet.

I flashed back to my Thanksgiving meltdown within earshot of my lovely in-laws.  Ethan and Will both peeing at the same time on opposite sides of the toilet bowl. 

At first glimpse, seemed efficient.  "Why not?", a tired Mom mumbled.   Then, streams collide.  Trajectory swerved.  Bathroom floored suffered.

"Seriously?" a suddenly alert and irritated Mom states.....possibly louder than everyday "inside" voice.

Christmas wish this year....either an unlimited supply of disinfecting wipes or a Pope toilet.  Yes, it's my own invention.  Much like the Pope mobile.  Surrounded on all sides with bullet proof plastic so that no one gets hurt....or peed on.

Embrace the Chaos

As I hide away downstairs on the computer I hear the boys wrestling upstairs.  Or jumping off furniture.  Or doing who knows whatever three boys do to entertain themselves. 

Thud thump giggle giggle.

I had no idea that there would be so much contact with three boys.  They LOVE to roll around, squeeze each other's head, ears, faces, etc.

                Surprise surprise I hear sobs.

I guess I just need to accept it.  Roll with it baby.  Go with the flow.  It is what it is.

Me thinks it would be helpful to review my Lamaze breathing to get through the peaks and valleys of physical play amongst brothers.  You keep reprimanding and reprimanding and yet they keep coming back for more.

hee hee hee haw haw haw

                 Thud.  Laugh. Another cry. 

Older brother made younger laugh through the pain.  Wrestling continues.  Whack.

Maybe this is how they tell each other they love one another.

haw haw haw

We will workshop verbal expression another day.

hee hee hee

Job Satisfaction

High

I very much enjoy hanging out with the preschoolers on Wednesdays. 

I love those little buggers and their kooky ways.

Here's a poem to celebrate.

Preschool Haiku

3 and 4year olds
sweet and opinionated
3 and 4 year olds


Guess I need to tweek that a little.  :)

This That and the Other

For starters, there he still is.  Ben.  Big Ben.  Why can't I find time to sit down and minimize him?  Sheer laziness.  AND a lack of free time for sure.

Busy weekend.  Attended the Holiday Open House uptown which was PACKED.  I had a hard time relaxing because the boys were wrestling one another and jumping up and down on 100 year old building windows.  One the way home I muttered, "Next year let's get a babysitter."  This year it was pretty warm so the burning barrels weren't crowded and peopled lingered on the streets.  A lovely celebration.  I am remembering the year when we froze our arses off and ran from store to store so we wouldn't freeze to death?  Remember that West coast friends?

Spent Saturday morning at Legofest in Pittsburgh which totally rocked.  Huge piles of legos of all shapes and sizes for the kids to climb in.  Also life sized creations of Batman, Superman, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Lightning McQueen.  Look at my awesome pictures below.

Oh that's right.  I forgot my cell phone in the car.  Moron.  Then took the camera out of the bag and with one push of the button it stated, "YOUR BATTERY IS DEAD DUFUS." If any of K's pictures turn out I will post.

Returned to the 'burg to see the Christmas parade which is always pretty fun.  This year Ben walked with Scouts as friend Noah pulled Will and buddy, Ethan in wagon.  Not sure if it was Legofest or the sight of numerous faces along the street, but Will decided to nap the whole parade.  I stood on the side as an enthusiastic mother shouted "hello.  Over here." to my young until I was so riddled with guilt for abandoning them with Scouts I jumped into the parade.  I am the world's most timid den leader.  By timid, I mean, I'm not real excited to sport the colors in any scenario. 

Ethan had a soccer game.  We went to a local college b-ball game to support our coach friend.  Home and then to bed.

Christmas tree is up, but bare because haven't had time to decorate.

That's the weekend in a nutshell.

Tinkering

He's back.  Ben.  On the swing.  Under the Sycamore.  AND he's back bigger than ever.

A few weeks ago, while bored I toyed around with the layout of this blog.  Do I know what I am doing?  No.  Of course not.  Sometimes I wonder how I ended up blogging in the first place......oh that's right, dear friend Kim, always talking me into crazy, crazy things. 

At any rate, I toyed and Ben's picture went away for a few weeks.  Now I have decided I missed him and want him back.  But, I don't know how to make it look like it did before. 

I vow to figure it out.  I can do it!  I think I can.  I think I can.  Or rather.  Good enough for tonight.  I am tired.  I will think I can tomorrow. 

Until then, enjoy the HUGE Sycamore.  Actually this is more true to life.  That tree IS DARN HUGE.  And we had the leaf removal project to prove it!

Night Class Blues

Tonight is K's late class so it is me and the three musketeers.  I was always a bit jealous of my friend, Kim's ability to call her husband's night class night girls' night.  You see she has three girls.  For me, however, I have reached a stumbling block.  Here are some of the names I have thrown around: 
"3 boys and a mom"  "Survival of the Fittest"  "How many hours until this day is over?" 

Finally after 9 years of a night class, I have figured a few things out.

1.  Do not cook.  Open a box of chicken shapes and throw them in the oven.

2.  Loosen the rules at dinner.  So what if the boys blow bubbles with their straws until they are cascading over their blue plastic IKEA tumbler.  What of it?  Stare blindly into space.

3.   If possible, keep all three boys in different areas of the house for as much of the night as possible.  It is amazing how quiet it is with one in the bath, one playing in the living room and one reading in the family room.  Wow! 

4.  Do everything earlier. No biggie if your oldest child says, "Why are we upstairs in bed at 7:00?"  Why not? 

5.  Act like video will be rewarded for good behavior, knowing full well that it will happen no matter what.  Mama needs some down time to blog.

6.  Take note of but do not comment to spouse on the fact that his night class seems to ALWAYS fall on the night that the garbage has to go out. 

7.  Be thankful your husband comes home again. 

Last week I put my pajamas on at 3:00 in the afternoon.  I had worked in the morning at the preschool, facilitated the games at Ben's first grade Halloween party, and ran up and down the steps to Ethan's class room party for equal presence.  Needless to say, the boys were upstairs and in pajamas shortly thereafter.

Take that Rosie (mother in law).  I know you are always trying to beat me in the "first to get their pajamas on" race but SURELY I beat you that day.

Sunday Show

Ethan and I spent the day in Pittsburgh with a friend and her son to see STOMP.  The boys were very impressed with the grandeur of Heinz Hall. 

"There's money on a plate in the bathroom!"  they informed us running out bright eyed and in disbelief.  "Oh, was there a man near the money with a towel?", we questioned.  "Yes.  He looked like a butler."

The shiny brass topped garbage cans prompted B. to say, "That's the coolest trash can I have ever seen."  And as we were exploring the three floors of the Hall before the show, Ethan and B. almost jumped for joy when they spied the "Men's Lounge". 

"There's a Men's Lounge.  Let's check it out." 

I am not sure if they expected there to be room after room of billowing cushioned chairs and sofas for lounging with plates of grapes and cheese for snacking.  They returned quickly and stated, "It's just a bathroom."

So many things to learn about the world.

We have been trying to expose our children to cultural activities in Pittsburgh.  Growing up I went to Pittsburgh once to the circus in third grade with a friend and I thought that was the coolest thing ever. 

Hopefully we (namely my organized husband who planned it all) provided a memorable experience of rhythmical push broom pounding and tapping on water filled kitchen sinks...or at least a glimpse at fancy garbage cans, bathroom butlers and lounges.

Boo!

Even though it was almost a week before October 31, our family has tricked and treated.  It was a balmy 80 degrees for a trick or treat night, which as I told one Tinkerbell, was perfect for her sleeveless costume.  For one of our own, however, it was a wee bit warm.

Star Wars.  We are all about the Star Wars.  It was a theme costume year, and I even ordered two costumes as I found them cheaper online than I could have purchased the fabric.  Hooray!!   So Yoda and C-3 PO were store bought and proud. 

But for Chewy, dear Chewy.....the weather combined with a layer of brown sweats and brown fur.....I told Ben to speak in his best Chewbacca voice, "Uhhhhhhh (loud Wookie moan) it's hot!"

Yes, thanks for asking, I did make the Chewbacca outfit without a pattern.  I was very thankful that Chewy is not a perfectionist.  He doesn't care if his fur is going up on his right arm and down on his left arm.  He doesn't even bat an eye at it!  He is just free and happy to be a wookie!

I am not sure what Leia's problem is.  Smile much Leia?  I mean, seriously.   I had intentions of hanging packaged honey buns from my head, but they were so heavy and my hair is so slippery that I couldn't get them to stay on in the 4 minutes that I had to prepare my costume.  So I just made pigtails that went all over the place.  I try.  I sure do try. 

May the force be with you. 

Pumpkin Day

A lovely, although cool Saturday spending time with dear friend Catherine. The children and Kevin worked outside all morning fighting the ongoing battle of the autumn leaves. The kids piled the 3 feet tall pile of leaves in the car port and built a fort where they sat together and read books. Then we piled in the van to get pumpkins to carve and spent the next hour, as temperatures continue to fall, carving pumpkins in the driveway. Not too shabby for a bunch of novice pumpkin carvers!!

Leaves Plus One

It just wouldn't be fall without the backyard leaf pile pictures.

Here they are.  Anyone needing an upper body workout is welcome to visit and rake a few thousand leaves.  That Sycamore sure can produce!

 

11 days later

Holy smokes.  How did 11 days go by?  Life seems to have been on fast forward lately.  Not enough time in the day to accomplish anything.  The leaves are in their prime, so we have been trying to spend as much time as possible outside enjoying the warm weather....before....it turns....into....November and the fifty shades of gray appear until February.   (Nice reference and NO I haven't read the book.)

Legos have infiltrated our lives.  They are in every room of the house including the bathroom window ledge.  They go with us to the library (where poor blue ninja did not return) and often times are found in coat pockets, perhaps suffocating.

I have a love-hate relationship with legos.  I love them for the creativity and the hours of concentration that they provide for my sons.  I don't appreciate them for....well...being everywhere.  Little tiny piles of legos on my cupboards, on my kitchen counters, on the floor.  ALWAYS ALWAYS on the floor.  Drives me crazy.

This is a cave created for Gandalf, the wizard from the Lord of the Rings, complete with potions, spider and a hanger for his robe.

Piano created in a made dash to piano lessons (also resulted in Mom losing patience when calling "Let's go we are going to be late!" and receiving the reply "Just a minute." one too many times.)

Ninja air ship which also goes under water.

Gandalf's television viewing area in his cave.  Note the tv is already set to a specific station. 





     Because of these things I will continue to try to coexist in peace (or pieces) with the little creatures.  I must admit though, occasionally I get great satisfaction from sucking a few up in the vacuum!!

Sweet Kids

Recently the husband of a woman who lives in close proximity to us was killed in a tragic car accident.  Donna, our neighbor who shares our driveway did a kind deed for this woman by paying to have her grass mowed as she was recovering in the hospital.   Her husband was an immaculate keeper of the lawn. 

 

Kevin and I mentioned this good deed to our family at dinner one night.  The boys perked up and said, "Let's go and rake her leaves."  After dinner they packed equipment and walked over to her yard and raked up a small pile that they pulled home.  We even had a tagalong participant!

 

It is encouraging to see your kids do kind things for others. 

So often I tend to focus on the negative teasing, name calling, and annoying behavior that occurs.

 

Nice job Good Samaritans!  Fruit snacks all the way around!

Discovery

Awhile back we spent the night with Kevin's brother in Dover, Ohio. Ben and Ethan share another room and I put Will to bed on a futon in a room by himself where I would join him later. When I came to bed this is how I discovered him...asleep....under the bed.

The Work Force has been Rejoined

I survived my first day back in the groove.  Last Wednesday I returned to work after a 9 year hiatus.  In hindsight I guess I should have snuggled up with the boys and read the Berenstain Bear's "Mama's New Job".  Oops.

The day was fun and very busy.  I spent most of my time saying....sit on your bottom....okay....sit down...sit down please.  But what do you expect from 3 year olds?? 

We played play dough, cars, and little people.  Then snacked on apples, listened to a story about lady bugs and introduced.....dah dah dah dah the letter "L".  Then they made ladybugs out of paper plates and thumb prints, sponge painted, played some more and then it was lunch time.  Needless to say the morning flies by.

I enjoyed spending time with my co-worker, a lovely woman who is an inspiration to me for her calm voice and quiet demeanor when talking with opinionated 3 year olds.  Oftentimes I try to summon her powers when dealing with my own children.

Will was a little clingy throughout the morning and then at lunchtime I understood why as he devoured every item Kevin had packed.  The poor boy was starving!!  I hope the novelty will wear off and I won't hear "Mommy I need you."  across the classroom too often.

For this week I am refreshing my memory on the transitional activities....need to get some short songs up my sleeves for those restless moments.

Gummi Bear Friday

During college I fell in love, with preschoolers.  Granted, they (especially my own) try my patience like nobody's business, but I always say that's why God made them so cute...for survival purposes during these stubbornly challenging times.

Sophomore year in college I signed up for "Kiddie Psych" which I still remember was scheduled for 3:00-3:50 on MWF.  As a part of the class you were required to volunteer at the college preschool for an hour a week.  That is where I learned about gummi bear Fridays.  During Friday snack time, three to four colorful little chew bears were placed upon each child's napkin (of course by the snack helper so that he/she can practice one-to-one correspondence).  The children LIVED for gummi bear day.  Each time you saw them you were bombarded by questions, "Is today gummi bear day??  When is gummi bear day??"

I loved being in the preschool so much that I volunteered every semester from the beginning of sophomore year until I graduated.  I played dress up.  I sang songs.  I put the hamster in his ball and let him roll around the room.  Once I was in charge of the griddle where for some unknown reason we were letting the 4-year olds make pancakes.  WHAT?  Thankfully on my watch, no fingers were burned.  But I think it did take a few years off my life.

Next week I get to be in preschool again!  I am so excited.  I will be working one morning a week at Will's preschool.  Hanging with the homeys in the younger class.  Working on my negotiating skills.  Imparting knowledge on wee minds.  Joining the gainfully employed. Look out, I may actually receive a W-2 this year.

Maybe I will bring back "Gummi Bear Friday" ?  If only I can give up my worries about tooth decay.  Somehow, "Sugar-free non chewy healthy snack" Friday doesn't have a cool ring to it.

Name Calling Allowed

Apparently I am a slacker.

I never thought I was, but I have discovered that indeed I am.   I have become a procrastinator and an unproductive sort.

Maybe it is the change in the weather that makes me want to curl up on a soft spot, drink tea, and read until my eyes droop and I take a little cat nap...or two...or three.

For the first time in, dare I say it, 9 years, I find myself with two 3-4 hours mornings without children.  This summer I daydreamed of all I would accomplish, unfinished projects I would tackle, household organization that would kick Martha S.'s arse.  But now the days are here and I don't want to do any of it.

Praying for motivation.  Maybe I would get tired of sitting all morning and leisurely sipping and skimming.  I intend to find out my exact level of tolerance for nothingness.

New Discovery

I found
that if you spray a blue liquid on a window
rub vigorously with a paper towel
the window becomes
magically clear.

Wow.

Dear Grandma

Can you read this with your new cataract free eyes?

Glad your surgery went well.

We love you.

DANGER

The cuteness level on this post may exceed your personal daily limits.  Please consult a doctor before viewing if you have been overwhelmed by cuteness in the past.

While searching through the purple flowered milkweed plants at Mimi's farm in Sycamore, we turned over leaf after leaf and discovered five monarch caterpillars.  Eagle Eyed Benjamin found one smaller than his pinky fingernail and named him "Little Guy".  We brought them home, continued to feed them fresh milkweed and cleaned their poop all the while watching them transform from caterpillar, hanging J shape and then making their chrysalis.  Yesterday we had three butterflies emerge! 

Will very much enjoyed watching them flap and dry their wings and placing them outside to prepare for their flight south.

Okay, I got a little carried away with the camera.  Get off my back.  In the future when he is a famous entomologist I will frame these and say this is when it all began.  This and picking up rolly polly's from the sandbox.

First Days of School

Ethan and Ben on their first day of third and first grade.

Will's first day of preschool.  Complete with grasshopper in bug jar and stuffed dog to put in his cubby.

Thoughts of Bea

When Will's pal Beatrix moved all the way across the stinkin' United States last month, Will was left a bit sad and lonely.

He often asks to play with Bea, go to Bea's house, etc etc.

Yesterday while working outside he discovered some conkers (shout out to you K!) from the dogwood tree which he wanted to send to Bea.

He refers to them as spikey cherries and picked them just for you!!

Love and miss you Bea!

Your friend,
Will

S. Ed. 101

During one of my back to school shopping excursions, K. took the boys to the bookstore and E. was excited because he found a book about Legos and the Bible.

         Seemed harmless.  Legos.....Bible.

He has been perusing it off and on as he does.  Looking at the pictures of the little Lego minifigures posed and photographed in biblical story scenes.

         Seemed harmless still.

Enter, close friends who asked, "Did you read in E.'s book where it said 'He entered the village and raped her.'?"

Us, dumbfounded, "What??"

           Book went missing.

Then the icing on the cake later that night.  E. says to me, "Mommy what does it mean when a woman lays with a man in the Bible?"

Me, "Um?  I guess they sleep in the same bed maybe?"

E, "Then why do they have no clothes on?"

Me, "Well........"  Enter age appropriate conversation about the birds and bees.

           Book still missing.  Perhaps never to return.

Feeling like irresponsible parents are we.  (Yoda reference.)

oops

TODAY is the day.

I didn't look at the calendar.

I wasn't aware of the date.

I thought YESTERDAY was the 25th.

I KNOW your anniversary is the 25th.

Take all that stuff I said yesterday (the 24th), copy it and paste it in your brain for TODAY (the 25th).

Happy Anniversary.  Today.  August 25th.

Today is THE Day

Fifty years ago today
Dick and Rosie got married.

Look what you have created.....

A family that enjoys one another (for the most part)

loves one another (most days)

and loves their parents (all times).

Thanks for your never ending kindness and generosity towards your family.

Thanks for loving us even when we are moody.

Have a happy anniversary.

Aren't they cute??

End of the Summer Blues

How can I be in the doldrums when it is cooling off and so pretty outside?

I am not sure, but yet, it has happened.  Perhaps it is the anticipation of the busy-ness of the school year....practice here, practice there, game here, game there, meeting here, meeting there, pack lunches, homework, dinner etc etc.

Close friends moved across the country which makes for daily adjustments and sad moments.  Wonder what they are doing now?

Youngest is starting preschool.  Exciting for him.  Exciting for us.  What to do with a three hour kid free stretch two days a week??  Hard to imagine.  It has been a long time coming.

I think of all the shoulds....should clean the closet, should pick up the millions of legos, should just plain BE PRODUCTIVE, and yet, I stare at the walls and then it is time to move on to the next activity.

Pretty pathetic.  I know.  

Big Family Outing 2012

We packed the boys in the van and headed to Pittsburgh for a rainy Friday family outing.  We lolly gagged around Station Square watching the dancing fountains and also rode the subway train and the incline.  At the top of Mt. Washington, Kevin tried to have a teachable moment and asked, "Anyone know the name of the river below?"  Ben replied innocently, "The Nile?"  followed by Will chiming in "Deep Creek?".  Needless to say we need to spend a bit more time on local geography lessons. 

Kaleidoscope A'La William

 Nephew Michael created this on his groovy ipad. 

C-bus Visit

We spent a few days in Columbus to celebrate Kevin's parents fiftieth wedding anniversary.  WOW!  What a milestone.  Having grown up mostly in a single parent  household I feel blessed to a part of such a warm, caring and just fun to be around family.  We had dinner together at a local restaurant and were entertained with a Maxwell Family crossword puzzle, Help Dick find Rosemary Maze and A Maxwell Family Trivia Jeopardy game.  Good times! 

Also did a little swimming, despite continual disasters.

While we were there Kevin and I heard from his brother and sister-in-law the words we long to hear, "Why don't you two go out for your anniversary and we will watch the kids?"  Okay!!   So we had a kid free anniversary dinner.  Twas joyous!  Thanks J and V!  and M and D! 

Picture of us enjoying our meal.

 Also a picture of dessert.

During our meal K's brother texted us "Purely hypothetical question, but if one were looking for Will around Easton (HUGE outdoor shopping mall) where would one start?" Luckily for us we know not to take anything he says seriously!

Cape May 2012