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.