"She's taking my wheels!"

This was uttered from my 2 year old as the garbage MAN tossed the broken, wheel-less ride-on toy into the back of his truck. Not that Shorty has been able to ride that thing with the back wheels missing, but he didn't care. It still made cool siren fire truck noises so to him, it still had value! Nevermind the one upstairs that has the wheels on it, he felt very robbed by them taking such a treasure away from him. It reminds me of the age old

'Toddler Rules of Possession':

• If I want it, it's mine
• If I SEE it, it's mine
• If I decide that its mine, it's mine
• If I was playing with it before, it's mine
• If you have it, it's mine
• If you want to play with it, it's mine
• If you even LOOK at it, it's mine
• If I am closest to it, it's mine
• If I have one just like it at home, it's mine

You get the idea? This is the short one, to a tee! He is pretty good at sharing his things on HIS terms, but if you touch the beloved blankies and you look like you getting too comfortable with them, and he didn't GIVE them to you, then you may be in trouble! There are a few other things that he doesn't particularly like to share, that change on a daily basis, so you have to be prepared for the "No, that's Neo's!" that may be coming your way! Life with a toddler is truly never dull.

All in all, as toddlers go, this little guy is amazing! He just goes with the flow most of the time and will go to bed whenever we decide. He might not be tired, but lay in his bed and talk to his blankies, or cars and sing to them as well. Then he will fall asleep when he is ready. He is great when he wakes up too, just talking to himself. Sometimes I don't run to him immediately, but rather turn up the volume on the baby monitor and listen to him sing. Such a sweet little voice. He can actually carry a tune, too! He likes to be a big kid and do what they do. They think he is pretty cool, too, so they like hanging out with him. That is probably what helps him to be an easy-going little guy. He is so blessed to have them, as they are blessed to have him! LOVE it!

Fun new toy...

...arrived in the mail this week. We are doing a research trial with it and so far, it has been a hit. It was categorized as 'baby toys', but my toddler seems to like it as well. It is a Melissa and Doug Birdhouse Shape Sorter. So cute! There are four birds that are circle, square, triangle and rectangle shapes. One squeaks, one rattles, one jingles and one crinkles. Baby Girl loves the crinkly one the best right now. Shorty likes to fit the birds through the holes they go in on the sides and then yank them back out again. He also, in true toddler form, enjoyed the box it came in as it now houses his fave trucks! Gotta love it! I liked the fact that it didn't take an engineering degree to get it OUT of the box! Just scissors to cut thread(not those crazy plastic ties!) that attached it to the package.
On the Ebeanstalk website, there are 'toys for 1 year olds', 'toys for 2 year olds' and all other ages as well. There are some super cute things that I can't wait to get my hands on for birthday presents for my kids. You should check it out if you are looking for something interesting. I am hard to impress with that sort of thing and I already have a pretty good sized wish list going right now!

waterparks wear me out!

It was oh so fun today taking the big kids to the local water park. It was a highlight of our week for sure. After taking the wee ones for a playdate at a friend's, we were on our way. It is wonderful that they allowed us to bring in food so I didn't have to drop a week's salary on food! We took in corn dogs, chips, granola bars and two jugs of ice water.
The weather could not have been more perfect as it was hot but not TOO hot and there was a breeze that kept the sun from being so intense. I wondered if the milder temps(compared to the heat indexes in the 100s+ this week) played a role in it not being crowded at all, but as the day wore on, it got a little busier. Still not too bad really. We started out in the lazy river and worked our way to the diving boards until they closed them down for a game of sharks and minnows. So off to eat some lunch we went! After a little eating and resting we were off again, this time to the water slides! They are very fast and very dark and a little frightening for an old girl like me! It was still fun even when I felt like my stomach was in my feet!
The energy these shorter people have is amazing! I was plum wore out after all that, but they were still going strong, so we headed back to the lazy river so mom could just peacefully float....or so I thought! They were all shades of crazy, jumping around like lunatics and taking me along with them! I was finally able to make a break for it, but the girls caught me sneaking off and decided to join me. We snacked a little, hit the water slides again and I watched them swim some more feeling completely wiped. Fortunately this time, they let me stay out for good. Those kiddos should sleep WELL tonight. I know their mother will!

a family that works out together.......

....writhes in PAIN together! Soccer Bug's new soccer team has a great family work-out night once a week that is just plain BRUTAL! Yes, it is good for us and we do look forward to it next week, but wow, am I out of shape! First-born put us all to shame last night and Soccer Bug learned an important lesson...don't eat hot dogs before you work out! The girl and I were the first to drop, but I have an excuse...we had the two shortest people with us. Trying to run a lap around the track while pushing a stroller not intended for that purpose was a little frightening. Not only was I afraid I'd tip her, but it caused me to run weird in my attempts to control it, so BIG mistake! Then I parked her and did a timed 100 yard dash and thought I was going to DIE! Either that or that I'd pee as after five children, those muscles just don't do their job as well as they used to! To my surprise, my time wasn't too bad for me not being a runner AT ALL! Curious to see if I get faster as the summer goes on. Or at least gain some endurance if nothing else. I only participated in a few of the events because of the short people so we are looking to not take them next time so I can really get to it. Shorty really had a good time running all over and participating, though we still had to watch him close so we didn't get to give it our all.
I think it is so wonderful that his new team does this. He is part of a bigger club that has multiple teams and it was open to any and all. It brings unity to a team(the new guys get to feel connected before the season even starts) and get parents involved in our own fitness and being an example to our children. What kid doesn't like showing up their parents when it comes to such things? I know mine did! So today, we are all in pain, limping and dragging our sore bodies through the house, but I firmly believe in 'no pain, no gain'. I have to believe in it because I can't bear the thought that I am hurting like this for NO reason, so I am going with that! We shall see what the next few months will bring. With the poor showing I gave last night, I have nowhere to go but UP, right!? Let's hope.

Costco....

We attempted to go to Costco on Saturday only to find out(after a 20 minute drive) that they close at 6pm on Saturday and it was 6:34. Really!??? Who closes that early on a SATURDAY!? I must say I was disappointed as I look forward to the wonderful things at Costco(and yummy samples, too!) . We were fortunate, though in the kindness of the guys parked next to us of informing that it was closed BEFORE we unloaded our 5 charges from the van.
SOOO, still needing to go, we headed back out after church yesterday with the whole family in tow. Ordinarily the older boys(sometimes even the girl) choose to stay home and not accompany us to Costco, but alas, they were stuck with us, so off we went. I have to laugh at the looks we get as we are unloading all of them, but then to walk through the store with the huge cart filled with a toddler and an infant seat before we even start putting food in it, raises eyebrows. I can see people mentally counting our kids and pondering if they look enough alike to all be ours without coming out and asking for fear of being rude. I am just as amused with them doing that as they are amused at the sight of us! Then there is the occasional well-meaning elderly woman who peers into the carseat at my lovely, bow-clad baby girl with her earrings and asks me about my little boy. Um.....what to say about that?
Then, there are the sample ladies that are a little over-protective about the children trying their samples. I am tempted to make them t-shirts that say, 'I have NO allergies and I may try anything', but I know I'd still have to be present to approve all the same, so I won't really bother with that, I suppose. I am just pleased at the crazy stuff my kids will actually try to eat. There was a sample of falafel made with chickpeas. I looked at #2 to see him making a strange, almost sick looking face at the thought of eating something made with chickpeas. He heard it chick PEE. I see now why he was concerned, so we had to define what a chickpea was, not chick pee! Never a dull moment, even at Costco!
So $85 later(I know, not bad at all right!?) we emerged with our treasures, and our charges and were no worse for the wear. I would bet we did better than most, right? Man, I love Costco!

Who says I have to be a grown up?

I went skating with my big people today and had a blast! The only mom there who didn't have my face buried in my laptop or texting the whole two hours. I found that a little sad, not so much the not skating part, but the total disconnect. Some were there with children who were not their own which makes it a little different, but I engaged with the two extras I had with me as much as I did my own children, so it is a weak excuse at best. That said, it really wasn't what I intended to say when I started this post so I guess it really got under my skin. I guess returning two crying, injured wee ones to their parent who never even knew they were hurt made my heart ache.
So setting that all aside....I had a TOTAL blast!! The boys had a few friends there so they were all skating together having a good time and George and I buddied up. I love that at 8, she still wants to hang with me and likes being with me. She held onto me most of the time but not because she needed to. She can skate very well, but it gave her comfort to know that I wouldn't let her fall because falling hurts and she doesn't like it one bit! We enjoyed the cool new light effects they have added since the last time we were there, but the mom in me was more disgusted by how nasty, filthy it is there! I kept thinking, all those new lights are cool, but couldn't that money be used for a coat of paint and a cleaning service!? I know, it isn't about that, it is about the fun, so I let it go. Still, ICK!
I am so glad I still know how to skate because not only is it a time to hang out with the kids, but it is great exercise and at those school skating parties, I am one COOL mom! How many moms out there can still skate backwards!? Hmmm?

The return of the sun....

...has brought a renewed energy, though you can't tell by looking at the tired children in this house right now! It is a much earned rest time as we got to enjoy the pool and refill our Vitamin D tank! It sure would have been nice to have gotten to go with the family from out of town, but sadly they had to depart this am for home and didn't get to do that with us. The kids seemed to have a good time just being with each other the last few days so it was all good, but still, would have loved taking them all.
Everyone seems happy to once again smell like chlorine. I know I welcome that smell as it means everyone had a fun time. It is surprisingly quiet in here with 7 kids(we have a stray child here in addition to the rent-a-kid). Two sleeping, two watching tv, two playing who knows what and one enjoying the Wii and NO ONE needs me to do anything for them right now! Dare I try to get a nap!? Uh, probably not the best idea since I am WAY outnumbered! They'd find me in all my vulnerability and have me duct taped to the wall before I knew what hit me if I let my guard down, so I'd better not!

potty training is not for the faint of heart...

Anyone who has potty trained a toddler knows this is true. I am in the midst of potty training my 4th child and just like his older siblings, it has it's good moments and bad ones. He is not as simple as one of his older brothers, but is much easier than his sister was in this department!! you hear it said that girls are easier to train than boys, but I must have kids that are backwards from the rest of the world, because I find it to be the opposite here! Shorty is very receptive to it and actually is doing very well, but it is a little deceiving. He had done so well that we decided to take it on the road to church last weekend and, well, NOT a good idea! I had a few extras of clothing so we were okay, but I picked him up with a bag full of wet clothes with him in a diaper and NO shoes! Yea, he peed IN his shoes! Hadn't thought that one through very well, did I!? Hey, no one said that just because I have done this 3 times before that I would learn from them that it was a BAD idea! I'm slow. I know this.
Now, to get out my carpet shampooer and clean up his lapses in awareness! Guess getting and house training a puppy at the SAME time as a toddler might not have been such a bad idea, but
I think I will still wait awhile for that one to let my carpet recover from all the repeated cleanings before starting over with puppy pee! I SO love my life!

rain, rain, go away!

Today was going to be a day of swimming and soccer try-outs, but after half of try-outs, the storms moved in and here we sit, NOT preparing to swim! You know what they say about the weather in the mid-west? If you don't like the weather, wait 20 minutes and it'll change! That IS true a lot of the time, but it doesn't always work to our advantage as the sun was shining two hours ago and then WHAM! It changed! Bummer. This isn't new to us, though, so I can't say I was really expecting anything else!
Shorty has been a goofy little man today. Nothing new, really. A few weeks ago in a kids meal, he got a little tiny replica of an A&W frosty mug. You'd think that something like that would have been unimpressive to a small fry such as him, but it is quite the opposite! It is called 'Teeny-tiny-milky' and is still enjoyed by Shorty. He gets no more than a swallows worth of liquid out of this cup, but the novelty of it has held his interest to this day. It is things like this that balance out the times he gets too busy and pees on my couch pillows! I guess we take the bad with the good, right?
Listening to George and First Born playing Life was entertaining as well. The names they give to their spouses and children are enough to cause me to think of my future children-in-laws and their freakishly named children! Ranging from Boris and Johan, to Taco and Nacho, it certainly was amusing. The things we do on a rainy day have just as much value if not more than the things we do outside on a bright and sunny one.
Lunchtime is approaching and the interesting combinations that will be put together from our left-overs from the past few days will be enough to rival the creations of the finest chefs on Food Channel. My children are certainly creative in that department, but I must say, I wouldn't eat half of the strange things they make and seem to love, so more power to them. Their bellies are full and happy and my fridge has a little more room in it and that is a great way to be is it not!?

my wee ones...(okay some are not so wee)

Pumpkin Pie-6 months
Shorty-2
"George"-8
Last day of school







Soccer Bug-9 1/2















The bookends





Here are my lovelies I talk about. Hope you enjoy hearing about their adventures.

Me and my wonderful husband of almost 15 years!

Oh my, where to begin.....I have five children, need I say more!? I have 11 years all the way down to 6 months! We have a rent-a-kid for the summer as well. She is a wonderful addition to our day as the big girl gets a built-in GIRL playmate! The boys always have each other, but poor "George" gets stuck doing what THEY want most of the time, so she likes having someone that likes to do the same things she does for a change. That honestly means having 6 kids is easier than having 5! Nuts, right!? I refer to the older three as "phase one", "the tall ones", "the big kids" and the younger ones as "phase two", "the short people", "the littles", etc.
We are busy all the time between First-born's drumming, Soccer Dog's practices and games, George's cheerleading(which she has quit so that frees us up some!), Shorty being a toddler and Pumpkin Pie, well, she is just along for the ride at this point. Life is never dull with the revolving door of playmates, and activities, though we do have down time to enjoy being together, too. It is funny, though that with 5 children, we are still less busy than some I know with only two! Hmm, how does THAT happen!?
I am a frugal mom who knows how to stretch the grocery budget to it's outer limits. Feeding a family of 7 on $100 a week(factoring in the trips to Costco!) isn't easy but it is an art, I suppose. I have the time to go to four stores to shop the sales and such, so why not do it if I save $50 by doing so!? It is time I am spending with my little ones and whatever big ones choose to come along. We trade clothes all over the neighborhood so that really keeps the clothing budget at a minimum as well. Through my blog, you see how I am able to make it all work. You may say, "hey, that's is a good idea!" OR you my say "that is just nuts, no WAY!" I value feedback and ideas I may not have considered so bring it on!