Haircuts

This was a week for haircuts. I cut off 9 inches last week and then today I took the boys for haircuts. S wants his short so he cut it all off. He looks quite different. J got a trim as well. They look so much alike with their new haircuts : -)

Park

We took the kids to the park today for some fun outdoor playtime. I packed a scrumptious picnic and Daddy packed the bikes and off we went. The kids played for about an hour at the park then it was lunch time and bike time. We rode bikes for about 2 hours after the lunch. We rode all through this neighborhood. Everyone had a great time just hanging out together. It was a fun time with no arguing - which we really needed with all the extra stress around here lately. L and I think we need more concrete in our own neighborhood since it makes riding bike easier : -)

Gazing lovingly at his Mama - nah... just wanting another cookie!My hippy boy before getting a haircut the next day.My 2 boys loving on each other.J getting ready for his big bike ride. This bike stroller was $20 at a garage sale 5 years ago. We have definitely got our money's worth out of this purchase!L "helping" with her baby brother. She really is a good helper - even if her technique could stand to be refined a bit.

Sunday Church

We went to church this morning. I had tried to get in the habit earlier this year but failed miserably. The kids have been asking about Sunday School lately (think God works in mysterious ways? - I do!). We were up and dressed and off to church with only minutes to spare (yes we were late - not very but a smidgen.... oh well, God understands, RIGHT?!?). After getting J settled into the nursery and L & S off to their Sunday School, I heard the most wonderful message that was seemingly directed right at me. It was a message about forgiveness and moving on. It seemed to have nothing to do with the rest of the message but God seemed to speak directly to me through the pastor. I took it as I need to forgive my mother of all the crappy stuff and move on. It was a powerful message. I need to sit on it and mull it over some. I heard J howling in the nursery so I got him, L had to potty so I helped her and then it was chaos from that point on. Hearing that message was the only 5 minutes I was able to listen intently. I do think God spoke to me through the pastor this morning. God is good - all the time! The kids enjoyed Sunday School. It was an enjoyable service for all of us. I am trying to make this a priority. I wasn't raised in a church but hope to make those changes for my children!

A Whole Week?!?

I let a whole week go by without posting??? Now that's just CRAZY!

Monday - Today was live lesson for L, art lessons for L & S and then family pictures followed by a yummy dinner at In-N-Out. The family picture session was FUN! My wonderful friend did our pics at a local outdoor mall. It sounds funky but oh goodness - such creative talent. She is just getting started into a photography business and takes such awesome pictures. She sent a sneak peak of some and they were amazing. She has such an eye for capturing the spirit behind the picture. I am dying to see more. Unfortunately, her father has taken a turn for the worse and she had to head out of town. I am saying an extra prayer daily for their family. This has been so hard on them. I love this lady and her family so much.

Tuesday - I had to run to drop off the billing from last week, do some last minute shopping before the big sale was over and hit the library. Errands with no kids = quick, stress free time for mommy!! We went to a birthday party at a local bounce place in the afternoon - our second party here this week. The kids LOVE this place. It is fun to play with them at places like this. J stayed home with Daddy since it's not much fun for him yet. I ran to Target after the kids were in bed for some fun deals, got everything on my list, went to pay - NO WALLET! I could have run back but they would have been closed or close to it so I ran back on Wednesday. Things were crappy anyway with the situation with my mother. I sent out an email to my homeschool group and got a text and a phone call almost immediately. They were both just what I needed. I was on the phone after 10 o'clock with a dear friend who called concerned. I was touched by the immediate phone call following my email. I have been blessed with REAL friends. The kind that don't take "I'm Fine" for an answer when they know better.

Wednesday - We had homeschool group over for some fun Thanksgiving craft time. We tried to do a leaf rubbing. L was totally into it, as was GS & TG but my S and most of the other boys could care less to be sitting at a picnic table, outside in the gorgeous weather, rubbing with crayons. No sir - they were doing what boys do best... playing in the dirt and having fun! I love having our group come over. It fills our home with lots of noise and laughter and I dig that : -) We had pizza from Papa John's, fruit from one of the dads (thanks JS for cutting up all the fruit!!) and for another fun craft, we made pilgrim hats from marshmallows and fudge striped cookies. Daddy Piper enjoyed having another dad join in the fun today. It's neat to see him get involved with this group too. The afternoon was filled a Target run. I did some amazing coupon deals and got $75 worth of stuff for $4!!!!!! The kids will have a great Christmas.

Thursday - Daddy Piper had to take care of some stuff so he took off for them morning. We got schoolwork done right away so there would be plenty of time to enjoy the weather. I put J down for a nap and we headed out to play. Our neighbor popped over and invited the kids to come play at his house. So they went over for a spell. I was alone for 45 whole minutes (minus a sleeping baby). I ate an early lunch, showered and then felt completely lost without anyone to take care of or anyone needing me. The feeling was short lived since they were home soon for L's live lesson. I suppose that's what it would feel like if the kids went to school instead of being homeschooled. I didn't like it much after the first 15 minutes. After dinner, I headed to the grocery store for a quick deal run and then got my haircut. I cut it all off again - 9 inches. I love it. I wasn't too sure about it when she cut it. She cut it before I could really tell her how much I wanted off. She did a great job though. It's easy to style and looks way better.

Friday - Library run while J napped (poor kid always get left home or so it seems). Kids got Thanksgiving books and a couple movies. Soccer practice and tacos for dinner. Not much today except for hours of playing outside!!!

Saturday - Daisy event in which things were not scheduled properly so it included lots of driving around and not getting anything done. Oh well - these things happen. I got to talk to my best girlfriend though so it was not time wasted. Then we headed to S's soccer game where we got dumped on. It rained so hard on us!!!! They didn't call the game though. Thankfully it dried up about 15 minutes into the game. S wasn't into the game much for some reason. His dad gave him a stern talking to on the way home, I guess (we drove separate). I don't always like these talks. I think Daddy Piper can be too hard on the kids when it comes to this stuff. I do back him up though and talk with him about it later.

J is walking and talking like a mad man these days. He loves to be outside playing with L & S. He gets so spitting mad when they go out without him. He is getting better about not putting things in his mouth so being outside with him is more fun now : -)

S is getting a better grip on his temper. Yesterday when he proceeded to get mad and was going to kick something I asked him what he should do instead of kicking and he told me "Use my words" and then explained what happened. I know he is absorbing what I say, so that's good. I know his behavior changes are linked to our home life changes. Things are a bit more tense than normal around here with the lack of work and stuff. I know the kids pick up on that stuff - even if we don't talk about it in front of them.

L has been so super sweet lately mixed with a mouthy teenager all rolled into a 5 year old's body. She can swing from one side to the other super quick. Her and her dad have crossed each other twice today with bad results. He sent her to time out for lying and then this evening she got a spanking for not listening. It has been a rough few hours for her. She can be challenging at times for me. We are a lot alike. I do try to remember though that she may act more mature and have the language of an adult, she is only five.

Crappy issues with my mother. We had some drama with her earlier this week. It really affected things on Tuesday and Wednesday. There is some mental issues going on. I can't fix her or her situation. It's not a healthy one. I hope things will work out but mainly, I have to thing of myself and my family at this point.

So my attitude is better. We are going through a valley in our lives. We are trying to work out plans if work doesn't improve here, like heading to my husband's home town for the summer next year since there is work there. I am just trying to live day to day, enjoy the day and not get caught up in the big picture too much. Can't plan that far in advance, though I would like to since I am a planner.

Speaking of planning, I am walking the 3 day next year (either here or up North). And we found out another friend is expecting a baby. I was super jealous and filled with horrible envy when I heard the news followed quickly by elation for her. I want another baby too!!!!!!!

I need to go to bed. We are going to early church tomorrow so I need to be rested :-)

Life

I just got done writing the most bitchy post ever. I complained about everything under the sun so it shall go unposted. I do think it helps to get things out but not necessarily to share them with the world, if that makes sense. I also just got done reading a great post about being a young mother (young meaning a mother for not very long). I have been a mom for 5 years. I cried reading the post that was actually a letter for a mother whose last bird has flown the nest. I want to enjoy these young years with my babies. I need to relish and savor each moment with them and I don't feel I do.

Fun memory from today: Having a tea party with my babies. I made some yummy cinnamon sugar cookies and we had a tea party complete with milk (I let them pour - go me! And didn't yell when they spilled - GO ME!).

Another fun memory from today: L was p*ssed off at me royally when I threw a ton of ice in their "swimming pool" (our bath tub) to make it feel more like a chilly outdoor pool. Oh she was mad. S thought it was fun : -) I made up for it by filling the "pool" up with more warm water!

Fun memory from yesterday: I made L & S cookie ice cream sandwiches when they were in the shower for them to enjoy before bedtime. Oh how excited they were for that cool surprise. And how my heart glowed from their excitement!!!

Pioneer Woman

I met PIONEER WOMAN!!!! She is in town signing a cookbook and I met her! I even got a picture with her!!!!! It was a fun experience but took forever. I dragged along my lovely L, since her Daisy field trip ran late, and she was pooped by the time our book was signed. BUT I got a picture so it was all worth it!

Play Try Outs

Today there was a homeschool theatre thing in our area. I took the kids. Shy S wouldn't do much more than say Cinderella. L attempted to try out but they wanted an older girl for the part of Young Cinderella. I think they were too young to try this right now but hopefully in a year or two. Art lessons, dance, Daisy's and soccer are plenty for right now!!

Bargain!

Today I got 6 Wii games and 2 LeapFrog Tag books from Target for the low, low price of... $50!!! The games are buy 2 get 1 free and there is a $10 off 2 games on Target's site. I had 2 other coupons for the Tag books. It was a bargain shopping kinda of day. Almost done with Christmas shopping. It's going to be a lite year based on the financial circumstances but still plenty of fun stuff for the kids and that's what's all about (now go do the Hokey Pokey!).

Zoo

We went to the zoo today with our friends, the K family. We don't hang out nearly enough anymore due to our crazy schedules but when we do - watch out... TONS OF FUN!

Daddy Piper had work today = WAHOO! So off we went for a day of fun. It was an abbreviated trip due to Art lessons at 1:30 but fun nonetheless.

Right now we are having a argument about who is better - girls or boys. L and I think girls ROCK but the 3 boys think they rule. Well we know who is right, don't we?!?

So back to the zoo fun. I even let J out of his stroller to walk around some. That walking stuff is fun when it's new, after 30 years, I wish someone would push me around in a stroller : -) When we got to the zoo, the monkeys were soooo loud. They were putting them into a cage thing to clean their island and they were not happy about it. It was great to hang out with the K family. The K girls are getting so big. KK is talking amazingly well. SK is as adorable as ever. Her and L hugged upon sight of each other. The weather was a bit warm for November but we managed okay. We saw the giraffes, walked by those noisy monkeys, and headed for the farm. Everyone wanted to pet the goats. The messy, poopy goats. A quick stop to milk a pretend cow and into the goat pit we went. I hate that nasty part of the zoo but the kids love it so we do it. L & S got to comb the goats and J was down walking and touching the goats for the first time. After the goat (gross) experience, we went to the little farm play area. J got to get down and play there too. L & S got to run around and be wild, just like they love to do!

Ok, after fighting my daughter over the last of the cotton candy, I gotta get some kids in the bath.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween 2009!!

We had a great Halloween! Fresh home from a night of trick-or-treating with great friends, I sit here enjoying a cold Bud Light (thanks R!) and eating freshly toasted pumpkin seeds (my first attempt).

We started the day super chilly (lovin' Fall!) and a fire was a necessity to ward off the crisp air. I love having a fire and it's not something we get to do very often so I do it every chance we get. Thankfully Daddy Piper spent most of his Monday morning chopping wood so we could keep warm without the use of our heater. S had a soccer game. He and Daddy went to his game while L, J and I stayed home. I have been feeling under the weather - not sick but run down. This morning's rest was well deserved and very needed. J took his morning nap and L did schoolwork on the computer. I learned how to make a souffle and creamed spinach thanks to Food Network : -) The boys came home from soccer. S didn't do very well and was outright rude to our neighbor so he nor Daddy Piper were very happy when they got home. Pumpkin carving took the edge off their bad moods. They made some cute pumpkins. J was thrilled with getting his hands in the pumpkin and feeling all the gooey stuff inside. At first L nor S wanted to get their hands in the pumpkin but L stepped up and dug in. S still wasn't too excited about the icky factor but tried to help the inside but quickly came back inside to clean his hands :-)

After pumpkin carving, L helped make sandwiches. S jumped in to help too so I didn't do anything but cut the tomatoes with the sharp knife. I fed J while they had sandwich making fun. I heard the sandwiches were yummy. I opted for a steak and cheese burrito! I laid back down for awhile and Daddy played Uno and Cooties with the big kids while Baby J took a nap too. After naps, we were in a conundrum about what to do for the evening fun. We decided to head to a friend's house for some authentic Trick-or-Treating. We have done Halloween festivals in the past but never actual door to door stuff. This is the stuff Halloween was made for. L & S had a great time with 4 of their friends (and their baby brother of course - who tried to take a header off the wagon... not once....not twice... but THREE times!!). But having their friends along and getting free candy - who could go wrong with this kind of fun! We did a couple minor bumps. J started out kinda fussy but calmed down in the stroller ride from S.G. L liked to run ahead and get away from the crowd. It took 2 times to remind her to stay with and a quick threat to head home but she did listen. She was a grabby girl at times but did always manage to say thank you. At one house the guy asked S "What do you say?" he was asking for him to say Trick-or-Treat. S replied with "Please - Thank You - Trick-or-Treat". He got it right but in the the wrong order : -)

So today was a success. No crabby attitudes - great times and great friends ....who could ask for anything more?!?

Daisy Troop

I had so badly wanted to co-lead a Daisy Troop for L. This dream went south when one leader I tried to co-lead with turned psycho on me. I couldn't find enough homeschool girls her age to start our own troop. L ended up joining a troop at a local elementary school. I really wanted her to participate so she could get some girly interaction, something I find lacking in our everyday life. The troop already had a leader and co-leader. I was so disappointed not to be more involved. I thought it would be great to have that activity for us girls. It was not meant to be. I let her join, thankful that she would have this opportunity that I so wanted when I was a little girl her age.

Today was her investiture. I took her to the school to meet up with the troop. Daddy Piper, S and J joined us to witness her investiture. They dropped us off and headed to the park. I was just going to walk her in and then head over to the park myself. The troop leader cornered me and asked if I was still interested in co-leading. Seems they wanted to have 2 co-leaders since there is just so much work involved. I answered YES! I am so excited : -)

L was officially inducted in the Girl Scouts as a Daisy. The girls made fun field trip shirts with their handprints on them and decorated trick-or-treat bags. Then the ceremony began. L was first. It was super cool to see her with her vest and saying the Girl Scout pledge (or promise or something like that...). L enjoyed every second of the 2 hours we were there. She is loving this girl stuff!! She has a best friend already. Another little girl with 2 little siblings. I hope there are lots of fun, girly things planned for the year!!

Another Family filled day!!

Today began after a restful night of sleep sans my hubby. I woke up about 5 with a baby snugged to my boom, drinking his milk peacefully but no hubby next to me. After Baby J got his milk fill for the time being, we went in search of Daddy Piper. I found him under a way too short blanket in the recliner in the living room. I gently woke him and asked what was wrong. He couldn't sleep with J's white noise machine in our bedroom (remember we are sharing a room with J while my in-laws are visiting). So Daddy couldn't sleep with that noise and instead went out to the living room. Fortunately for me, I got a great night of sleep in our bed....unfortunately for DH - he didn't. He did head back to bed for a couple hours of rest before the day began.

I already had J up with me and a bit later, L & S joined us. I enjoyed a yummy cup of coffee while the 3 munchkins had Count Chocula and milk for an early morning snack. They need a snack and milk within moments of their little piggies hitting the floor. They just can't wait for breakfast to get cooked so they usually have a snack and then a bit later, we have breakfast together. J is now part of the morning tradition, with his milk and Cheerios! He will search and scavenge for their milks and the minute they put it down, he is there to suck it down so he gets his own milk now. We got schoolwork done by 8 or so. It was a fun school morning. S is learning to write his letters and we did a lesson on smell - fun times. Oh fun times except for J being MAD as hell that he wasn't getting any attention during the school time so he was hollering and clamoring for attention. He was so noisy that my SIL commented on it a few times when she was awaken for the day : -)

We hung out for the morning and then headed out to go to Joann's to get stuff to finish Halloween costumes then lunch at In-N-Out Burger. We did the lunch thing first. I love that place. L & S enjoyed a burger sans tomato and lettuce and shared a choco shake. J ate off my burger and had a half a container of fries and then he tried a shake for the first time. He sucked and sucked and sucked. I had to pry the straw from his lips and he wasn't happy with me! L, L & N enjoyed the lunch. That place is delicioso!!! Then Joann's where we found just what we needed to make the costumes. I already had the clothes - just needed the felt and lettering. I took the 25 cent felt and wrapped it around the party hat to make the tip of a crayon. Oh goodness - so cute!! Total for 3 crayon costumes - $24!!!!!!!

This afternoon was art class. I actually sat in on the class. I am not impressed with the music portion of class. The art portion is fun, although today S didn't want to color. He is not a coloring kind of kid but loves to paint. We did renew for November but probably won't do it after that. I think L is headed back to dance. We watched the DVD from last year and she wants to rejoin again. She can't do both since they are on the same day and it's too tiring to do both.

This evening was fun with a chicken taco dinner, a trip to the ice cream store and then a impromptu photo session with L and I taking self portraits. The giggles and cries that potty was imminent was so wonderful. I love my girl!!! S has soaked up the attention from Cousin N. He has loved having him around. And both him and L have enjoyed his Zune :-)

Family Visiting....

My SIL and niece and nephew came from ND to visit us. They arrived late last night. We let L and S stay up late to go get them. They go to bed every night at 8 on the dot and by 8:30 last night, S was asking if it was almost morning since he was up so late : -) They were uber tired by the time 10:00 came and they left to get them from the airport. It was about 11:30 when they got home and closer to 12:30 when they went to bed. We stayed up till 2:30 talking. J was up by 4 and L & S were up by 6. It was an extra long today. We went to a friend's birthday party at a local bounce place. L, N & L joined us and Daddy Piper stayed home with J so he didn't miss another nap. It was so much fun. We were surrounded with tons of good friends and had a great time. I even climbed to the top of a spider climbing thing. I went down the slides and did the obstacle course with L and S. I missed J terribly but I did enjoy the playtime with L & S. It was over the top fun for everyone. After enjoying the cake and ice cream (no ice cream for S though!), we headed home for naps. I had some ribs ready to go so I threw them in the oven with some potatoes and took a nap myself. It was the most delicious hour of rest :- ) L & S took long naps themselves. I got up and made a scrumptious dinner. BBQ ribs, twice bakes potatoes, green beans with seasoned salt, strawberries and fruit dip. YUMMY and even better - my SIL did the dishes!!!!!!!

Having 8 people in our house makes for some tight quarters. We moved J into our room and put L & L in his room. N is in the playroom with a twin mattress. It has been a heartwarming visit so far. Very relaxing and enjoyable. It's neat to see L, J & S interacting with L & N. J has taken right to our visit ND family. It's cool to see him just drawn to them like a magnetic. He wasn't nervous or reserved at all - even at 1:00 this morning when he first met them. He was snuggly with Daddy and a little while later, he was walking over to them. I have taken a ton of pictures of them together. Can't wait to look through them and recall our visit together!

Sitting Here Waiting.....

We have had a week full of fun, crabby attitudes, more fun, less crabbiness, lots of cleaning and even more decluttering. Things are not so peachy around here at times and at other times, oh so fabulous.

My SIL and her 2 kids are coming to town tonight so lots of family memories to be made these next 5 days!