Time flies when you're having....kids

It seems like just last Christmas we were bringing home our first baby and best Christmas present. Last night it was hard to believe that was seven years ago and that little baby was now on stage singing in her first Christmas concert while we sat in the audience with three other little ones. The music teacher did a wonderful job with the kids. Here's a little taste of what we saw.

Sorry I can't get it to flip the right way. It saved vertical but when I upload it flips horizontal. Not sure why :(

A child's worst fear

So this week I win the "worst mother award". I made every child's worst fear come true for my sweet 1st grader. Think back to when you were a kid. If you're parent wasn't the first one there to pick you up, your heart would start to race and your palms would get sweaty as you gripped your backpack with fear that you had been forgotten. Usually this would be in vain as 9.9 out of 10 times you would be picked up on time. Katy was not as fortunate this Wednesday. For those of you who haven't caught on yet, YES I did forget to pick up my child from school. It all started with a lazy afternoon. I had stuff to do to prepare for the busy Holidat season, but nothing pressing. As I rocked Bella to sleep and then nursed Jacob, I got a little sleepy. "What's the harm in a little catnap?" I thought to myself as I snuggled under a blanket on the couch with Jacob nestled in my arms. Alexandra tried to wake me several times and each time I would mutter "go color", or "read a book" and promptly fall back asleep. I couldn't think of anywhere I needed to be, or anything I needed to be doing (besides making 6 dozen cookies needed for the nextday) so I remained in my peaceful sleeping bliss.......until I was rudely awakened by the telephone. As I picked the phone up I noticed the caller ID registered Avon East Elementary. Still in a daze the horrible truth did not set in. "Why is the school calling now? Katy should be off the bus any minute." I thought to myself. Then the light bulb clicked on, I was supposed to pick her up. The voice on the other line briskly informed me that my child was waiting in the office for me. Bella got torn from her bed mid-sleep to land in her carseat as I threw her coat and shoes at her. Xandy helped me buckle in Jacob and we tore out of the driveway. When I arrived at the school Katy was the only student left. Standing in the office along with the secretary who was wearing her coat and holding her keys in her hand (and making it painfully obvious that I was the only reason she was still there!) Katy was valiantly trying to stay composed but losing the battle at each passing second. (I'm not sure how I forgot she needed picked up since I have picked her up every Wednesday this year. She has ballet at 4:30 and the bus doesn't drop her off until 4:25.) At this point we were now running late for ballet and Katy was pleading with me not to make her go. "Why don't you want to go to ballet?" I stupidly ask. "I don't want to be forgotten again!" Katy sobs. Okay, I guess I had that one coming. Hopefully in ten years, Katy will remember this moment as an absent-minded mom moment and not as a scarring childhood nightmare.

Gingerbread houses, Hot Cocoa & Friends

Monday for Family Home Evening we decorated Gingerbread houses with family friends. We all had a great time decorating house, eating cookies, and drinking hot chocolate. What a wonderful time of year!

Jacob's Blessing

Last Sunday we blessed Jacob at church. We were very greatful that Jared's parents were able to come. We had a very fun-filled week-end that even carried over into Monday and Tuesday. We saw the Christmas lights downtown and at Crocker Park. We got our Christmas tree and decorated it. We had the local extended family over to eat on Sunday. We went shopping and even had a little Christmas dinner. We deep fried a turkey which was really good (Thanks Loni!!!). By Tuesday night the girls were exhausted and very sad that Grandpa and Grandma were leaving in the morning. It is a shame that we don't get to see them more often. Here are some pictures of the week-end. FYI- my cousin made his blessing outfit. I am always impressed since sewing buttons on shirts is a major accomplishment for me!

O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas tree

Every year during the first week-end in December we head out to cut down our Christmas tree. This is a tradition that was carried over from my childhood. At the time, the area that is now Avon Commons was part of a Christmas tree farm. My siblings and I loved bundling up in our snow gear and tromping through the trees to find "the perfect one". We really did have to find the perfect one since mom was very particular about the tree. A tree could not be chosen until meeting mom's approval and this could be a lenthy process. Often one of us would be left standing at a tree she liked to mark the spot while she continued to peruse the lot to make sure she had chosen the best one. She would then retrace back to each tree one of the kids were marking to make her final decision. The owner would give each of us a candycane to eat while Dad tied the tree to the top of the car. Since the construction of Avon Commons, I have convinced the family to make the drive out to Wilcox Tree Farm in LaGrange. Our favorite spot to find a tree is in the back lot. You literally ride a wagon "over the river and through the woods". Only now, I get to be the mom. I take my time carefully examining each tree to make sure it meets all of my criteria. My own mom was sick this year and Alex and Dad were on their own in the tree selection. I had to laugh as Katy was left to mark a tree Dad liked while he continued his search. This year was especially fun. Jared's parents were visiting and we got to share this experience with them. I only wish there had been snow on the ground! After I finally picked my perfect tree we rode the tractor back to the front where we sipped free hot chocolate while Jared tied the tree to the car. Some traditions are just too fun to let die.

She said what????

I went to Walmart today with the 2 youngest to pick up pictures and kill some time while Xandra was in ballet. I decided to go look for some gloves for Xandra. I noticed when digging through our bin of hats and gloves that we have several pair to small for her, and several pair way to big. With Christmas approaching I decided that I would buy her a new pair as a stocking stuffer. My frugal husband informed me that she would grow into the big ones. But, not wanting to watch them fall off of her hands for the next 5 years until they fit I overruled him and wandered off to search for the kiddie gloves. I found them at the end of an aisle in the girl's section. While I stood there wondering which pair would meet the scrutiny of my second and somehow amazingly fashion conscious daughter, my third child noticed the girl's bras down the next aisle and decided she would like some. In her loudest outside voice she excitedly points and yells "Mommy lets buy some boobs!". Which she repeats several times amongst my pleadings to whisper and corrections that they were really called bras. Finally she turned to me and said "No, they are called boobs and I want to buy some." I can only imagine what the little old lady in the next aisle was thinking as she hurried away. No doubt she was rushing to get home and call her friends to tell the story of the horrid mother whose toddler wanted to buy boobs.

Laziness brought to you courtesy of...

We all have a little bit of laziness in us and we all need someone or something to blame it on. So here is mine. My laziness is facilitated by the Avon Schools Transportation Department, garages, and baby carrier covers. I know what you're thinking, how on earth can the bus department, my garage, and car seat covers be responsible for my laziness. But, hear me out... Even though we live 3/4 mile away from school the bus picks Katy up one hour before school starts (here enters the School's Tranportations involvement). One would think that this would end my laziness by requiring me to awake promptly and early each day. But alas, that is not the case. I frequently find myself hitting the snooze button on the alarm. Most mornings when the alarm goes off I have not gotten as much sleep as desired. I blame this on nursing and TV stations for putting the best shows on from 10-11. I then have a choice to make: 1) wake Katy up to catch the bus and get a start on the day or 2) sleep for another 40 minutes and then wake her up and take her to school. Since the invention of the garage keeps my car dry and weather free and since the carseat cover keeps my baby toasty warm, I often opt for choice number 2.
The choice is not made lightly however. I must first listen carefully to see if anyone is up. If I hear any voice or footsteps I might as well get up because in a few minutes my bed will have 2 little girls jumping on it and a chorus of questions will begin. "Can we play with Ian today?" "I NEED cereal?" The later would be Bella- cereal to her is like coffee for high school teachers- she can not function without it. Which is why she is usually out of sorts on Sunday. We are consistently running late for church so she is given a piece of peanut butter toast to eat in the car. "Can we do my preschool now?" "Can I get dressed?" "Can I have a popsicle?" Thats is Xandra she asks for a popsicle during all times of day and weather.
If however, the house is silent I turn over and allow myself to be lazy for a little while longer. If I lived a little farther from the school, if the bus only came 1/2 hour before school started, if I had to walk out in the rain or scrape my car, or if my baby was going to be cold I would make her ride the bus each day requiring me to be awake and functioning or so we'd hope.

Thanksgiving pictures

Smile....

Jacob was all smiles as we got him ready for church yesterday. I tried to capture some of the smiles and this was my favorite.

Fall leaves

Some pictures of the pretty leaves I took a few weeks ago.

Memories of Grandpa

Martin asked me to send some photos of Grandpa for a project he was working on. I spent an entire afternoon reminiscing as I poured through photo albums and cds. I got nothing accomplished as far as housework goes, but I enjoyed the memories of time spent with Granps. These were some of my favorite ones!

Poor Dad...

As I watch Jared interact with the girls, I can't help feeling sorry for him for one day he will suffer the same sad fate as my father. When I was young my Dad was the main guy in my little life. There was no other man I loved as much. Grandpa was a close second, but was nonetheless second. My dad proudly and safely retained this title for the first 18 years of my life. Then he sent me off to college and that was the beginning of the end of his reign. During my first semester I met Jared and soon Dad was number two. Now, eleven years later with the birth of little Jacob, Dad has fallen to number three. Not that I love Dad any less, but I love my husband and son more. (Jared has expressed concern that he has lost his title also and that the little guy is now on top...). So as I watch our three daughters look at him with complete adoration knowing there is no other guy they love more in the world, and glance down at this little bundle of blue that has stolen my heart, I can't help but feel a little sorry that one day Jared will befall the same fate as my poor dad.

p.s. i still love you Dad!

Go Browns!!!

Here's a picture of my two guys in their Browns get-up. Even though we ended up losing the Browns did much better than expected against the despised Steelers. Although I must admit that I do have a little Steelers blood running through my veins (but you can't blame me all my family is from western PA). But it was always fun to cheer for the Browns and rile Grandpa up!!

What's the big deal?

Its the time of year all mothers love. You know when it starts to get cold and are children seem to be perpetually sick. In order to try to combat the vicious circle of germs we all rush out sometimes waiting in lines to get our children vaccinated for the flu. Yesterday our yearly visit to the doctor to get the flu shot. Although I did not have to wait in a line at a clinic, I did have to wait in the office longer than usual. I discovered that I have joined the ranks of parents with all day students who wait until 4pm to make appointments. Apparently the doctor's practice is NOT struggling as previous thought at my 9:30 am appointments everybody just waits until 4 and then we all cram into a waiting room smaller than some walk-in closets. Anyway, back to the main point. After bribing them all three with promises of treats if there were no fights and tears we piled into the exam room. Katy went first. She was very brave until the needle was 2 inches from her arm at which point she starts pulling away saying "Wait a minute, just a sec!" Luckily, the doctor was faster and the shot was over before she realized. Now onto the middle one. Alexandra refuses to get on the table so I have to lift her up while she is literally kicking and screaming. After all attempts to reason with her failed, I held her down for her shot. At this point Bella is a little hesistant to take her turn. Since she also need a follow-up for an ear infection we started there. After letting the Dr look in her ears she sat on the table, held up her arm and proceeded to let the doctor give her a shot without any ado. She had a look on her face that said "WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?" and didn't even wince! Go Bella!!!!!

Little Laughs

Today Isabella woke up and said "My ear is being really bad cause it keeps hurting me". A little while later Alexandra and her both asked for a band-aid. Jared had told me that two of the girls fell while trick-or-treating. Not remembering which two had fallen, I gave them each a band-aid. Xandra put hers on her hand where she had skinned it last night. When I looked over at Isabella, she had put hers on her ear!

I LOVE Halloween!!!

Fall is one of my most favorite times of the year. I hate the fact that it means the cold is coming but I love the colors, smells, and activities associated with fall. I was actually crazy enough to go apple picking when Jacob was only 2 weeks old. I don't get a lot of time to watch TV in the morning but whenever I can grab a sec I like to Live With Regis and Kelly. It was on while I was nursing him yesterday and I learned they have an awesome Halloween show that includes Regis and Kelly dressing in several costumes thoughout the show. Yesterday's highlight was when they came out as Troy and Sharpay! (For anyone who doesn't know who Troy and Sharpay are congratulations! you have a life that doesn't revolve around children and the disney channel!) Jacob and I stayed home to pass out candy while the girls went out trick or treating with Jared. Sorry some of the pictures are cut off a bit. This was my first time creating a mosiac.

Check out my Slide Show!

Last Sunday was Jacob's first day at church (unless you count the part of stake conference we attended the week before). After dressing him in cords, a white collared shirt, and a sweater, I thought he looked a little funny since he was so bulky. I asked Jared what he thought. Jared broke into a big grin and said "I have a boy, no more dresses! No, don't change him he looks great". So Jacob went to church all decked out like a little man.

Let's give it a try...

Okay, I'm always getting emails from friends about their blog spots, but didn't think I had the time or was computer savvy enough to start one. Nikki and Meta finally convinced me this week that I should try, so here we go! I have to admit that you can learn a lot about people from their blogs. For instance, I did not know the Phillips were Red Sox fans and I'll try hard not to hold that against them. Growing up in Cleveland I've always been an Indians fan, but since moving back here with my husband (who is a baseball nut!) I am now an even bigger fan. Actually, little Jacob in part is named after Jacob's field. Now that your thinking were are really weird and nuts, I'll explain. I like to name our children after ancestors. So far with the girls that was not a problem. We both liked names from the family tree. It did become a problem as we tried to name our little boy. Niether of us could agree on a name and Jared became frustrated as I refused to consider names not on the tree. One night we were watching the news and a story came on about a couple from Chicago who named their son Wrigley. In jest I told Jared we should name our son Jacob. He could claim he was named after Jacob's field and I would be satisfied since my great-grandfather was named Jacob. He actually liked it and now we have a Jacob!

4 Little Indians

Here are all of our little ones dressed in their Indians outfits!!! What can I say even though Cleveland sports have a curse we can't seem to break we sure have spirit!!

Littlest Fan

The littlest tribe fan!!!!! Jacob at 2 weeks old.