Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm 32, soooooo old as one friend so kindly pointed out! I am not one to get upset about my age, I have earned every one of those years and don't you forget it.

October 19th 11:43 pm, not quite my birthday, I wake up with a jolt to the wretched sound of retching. Poor Lexi once again had the flu (4th time in 4 weeks). At 12:05am on October 2oth I looked up from cleaning the trail between Lexi's bed and the bathroom and comment to Lexi that this is not my idea of a very nice birthday present. She cried, I felt guilty, then she lost it again, thankfully into the bowl I had given her. I spent another 45 minutes cleaning the floor. I sure miss hardwood floors.

The rest of the day was spent keeping Lexi comfortable, answering many Happy Birthday calls (thank you!), and baking bread (I never bake bread, we were out and I was desperate). It is normally a day I would have gone grocery shopping, but alas the stars were not aligned. I think Jacob may be secretly wishing our other kids will get sick on grocery day, he loves homemade bread, too bad I don't love making it. However, I did enjoy kneading, maybe I should say beating, the dough into submission. It wasn't necessary, my Bosch could have done the job, I just "kneaded" a little therapy.

My sweet friend Alisa was the last call of the day and asked if I had enjoyed my birthday and if Jacob and I were going to do something fun. Having the day end was my idea of fun. Do you ever wish you could be a kid just for your birthday, when the day was just about you? I do. Oh well.

Thank you Alisa for going shopping with me for fun, on the 21st! It made the 20th easier to laugh about, and I'm doing just that as I write this post!

Exercise

I have tried to find an affordable form of exercise that I actually enjoy with little success. I have instead turned to productive exercise so, here is my new exercise regimen:

1. Let Kurt ride on my shoulders up to the bus stop each day. We go up the hill four times each day so it's quite the butt burn, and Kurt loves it.

2. Run up and down steps no matter what your carrying, including laundry baskets full of laundry. A bit awkward, but effective non the less.

3. Rip out ugly railing along front walk. This includes the use of a sledge hammer......also great for venting frustration. I have included picture of the ugly railing.

4. Move retaining wall away from fence (about 4 feet). Whovever put in the retaining wall apparently had no intention of using the gate because the wall blocked the gate. I have been digging out the six bushes and dirt to then replace the wall in sections. What you can see of the wall on the right used to sit directly against the fence on the left. The bushes at the back of the picture still have to be removed.

I have decided this is the most rewarding exercise I have ever done. I highly recomend it! The down side is that the neighbors find it entertaining to come and watch.

My Least Favorite Things

1. Homework - 3 schoolage children + homework + papers to be signed and read = 1 cranky Mom (Homework often takes 2 hours of my time each night.)
2. Whining - Enough said!
3. Call nights - I still can't sleep well when Jacob is not home. You would think I would be used to it by now.
4. Deciding what to make for dinner. I don't mind cooking, it's the decision process that I hate.
5. Cleaning - I know someone who loves to clean, I wish!
6. Living on super tight budget. After 11 years, "someday" wont come soon enough.
7. The flu - 2 kids 2 weeks and 4 rounds later I am still waiting for the two other kids to get it. Lexi had it 3 times.

Kurt's 1st Day of Preschool

Kurt was so excited to start preschool. Too bad his mom left the camera at home because her morning was messed up by an unexpected trip to another school. Anyway, a classmates mother graciously took this picture for us and we just got the email.

Kurt begged all last year to go to school, but didn't want to be left at friends houses and cried during Primary at church if there was a sub or he got a new teacher. I always worried that on Kurt's first day of school he would be that kid clinging to Mommy's leg and screaming while all the other kids and moms stared; which in turn would trigger tears from the other kids cascading into a regular cry fest. It is what he did for the first 3+ years of his life, why expect anything more.

Several months ago He started giving himself pep talks eg. " I am a big boy. I will have fun." any time he was going to be left somewhere. Well they payed off , and on his first day he couldn't get away from me fast enough. He has been in school for about a week now and is loving it. I love picking him up and hearing him tell me "I am a big boy, I go to school. I am not sad at school, I am happy the whoooole time!" Yesterday, I asked him what part of the day was his favorite, his reply; "All the parts are my favorite."

Life is good and now I have time to run errands and tend to other motherly duties child free!! Yeah, it is the first time in 9 1/2 years, I'm still getting used to it!

First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school and I think I became more aware of some of my childrens differences when I had to pick them up early for orthodontist appointments. In our district the 4-6 graders all attend one school, and the k-3 graders are divided among several other schools. So, Reid is at one school and the girls another.

I arrived at Reid's school with time to spare and ended up waiting nearly ten minutes for him to come to the office after they had called for him. When I asked what took so long he said they were doing social studies in the dark and he didn't want to leave so he "went real slow". Aaahh, so much for being ahead of schedule.

When I arrived at the girls Lexi came into the office, quickly dashed to me, threw her arms around me, sighed, and said "hi mom" as if she hadn't seen me in a week. It was so dramatic I had a hard time not laughing. It took at least ten minutes to locate Elizabeth who's teacher had forgotten I was coming and had sent her out for recess. When her class started marching in she was the last in line and as her teacher pulled her to the front and told her she could go with me she burst into tears and said "But we aren't done yet!". I had to drag her out of the building sobbing and then make a mad dash to the orthodontist. She made me promise this morning that I wouldn't pick her up early today.

Reid and Lexi are in pain today as a result of their ortho treatment and Lexi was trying to figure a way to convince me she shouldn't go to school today. She claims it hurt to much to eat pancakes and she didn't think the Motrin would kick in fast enough. She cried though breakfast I'm sure hoping that tears would change my mind. Instead I resorted to asking Reid how he was doing and he said "fine". I then asked him if he needed something for pain before he left for school he said "sure". (He is so much like Jacob, straight to the point.) Lexi wasn't too thrilled that I let Reid be the determining factor as to whether she had to go to school or not. They did have the same treatment, so I beleieve her dramatics were just that, dramatic!

I have included pictures of the girls. I didn't get one of Reid because I ended up on a hunting expedition for his misplaced shoes and ran out of time. Why is it the oldest who's shoes are MIA?

Last Hoorah at Ohiopyle

Summer ended a little later for us than most here in the Burgh. Our schools got a late start since our district and several buildings have been undergoing a redo. We finally started on the 8th, but not before enjoying a last minute weekend trip to Ohiopyle.

Ohiopyle is located just a little south of where we live. We went with the Witzels from church and had a great time. It rained during the night, but let up just in time to provide a beautiful day. We were disappointed we couldn't stay several days. So much to do, so little time. Enjoy the pics.

Lexi and Maddie are demonstrating how to ride the natural water slides. We had the slides almost to ourselves for about an hour. I think the rain detered a lot of people, but as the day warmed the crowds grew.
Reid and Jonathan swimming in one of the many pools that sit at the bottom of the slides.


Kurt and Micah really hated the water and were more than content to sit on the sidelines and watch. Micah's little sister Alex showed those boys up and played happily in the chilly water. We decided maybe it is and age thing with the boys, hopefully they will get over it.

Rain or not the kids are dying to go again. I told Jacob at some point I would like to go and tour some of the famous Frank Lloyd Wright Homes that are in the area. I understand that Falling Waters is considered the most famous of those homes and it just a couple miles up the road from Ohiopyle. I can't believe how lucky we are to live near so many fun and historical places.

Philedelphia

There is nothing quite like an impromptu vacation weekend, especially one that includes family and a piece of American History. Jason and his family recently moved to Philedelphia and so we decided to invade them for a quick visit. They were wondful hosts and we joyfully experienced a bit of our country's history as we toured Independence Hall and surrounding sights.

The kids in front of Independence Hall.
Kurt in front of the Liberty Bell. Reid was more excited about seeing the bell than any other thing. They had studied this piece of American History in school last year.
This is the original house of the Senate and Lexi had the great pleasure here of being sworn in as "Madame President".
Kurt, Luke, and Will, happy just to be together!

Lexi, Elizabeth, Reid, and Abby in front of the Tomb of the unknown Soldier of the Revolutionary War in Washington Square Park.

As we were eating lunch outside and enjoying a beautiful day we were interupted by what we thought was a parade. The curiosity of the children and their dads was only to be dispelled by a thorough investigation. As they ran off to watch the parade Cherie and I decided we would stay behind for a bit a peace and quiet. It took about fifteen minutes before we realized our families were detained by something other than a parade. As I investigated, I discovered that our children had joined the local militia. What a great adventure!

After being completely grilled by Park Rangers during our tours we were impressed to discover that our children had a much broader knowledge of U.S. History than any of us were aware. As we completed our tours the kids were rewarded by being sworn in as Park Rangers.

The kids cried as we left Philedelphia, they wanted to stay and enjoy their cousins just a little longer. We had to promise a return visit just to quiet them down. It is wonderful to know that they enjoy spending time together.