do the shuffle

Okay, so the plan was to have the two wee ones share a room for a few years. Well, not really doable. The room isn't very big at all. The two beds would fit in there fine, BUT then there would only be room fro ONE dresser and NO toys! Not to mention a tiny little closet. I dreaded laundry day because there was NO where to put their clothes! So, we found a solution....move! We have a big enough house to make it possible, but with an unfinished basement, that made the move a little trickier.

The home's previous owners did do a LITTLE finishing down there, but it is flimsy at best. There is paneling and some carpet thrown right down on the floor in half the basement, and we've had a t.v, a futon and some toys down there for awhile. It has served as a rec room more or less for the last several years. Well now that is a bachelor pad for the two oldest boys. It works quite well and they think it is way cool. It is like a little dorm room for them down there. They can hang up whatever posters they want on their side of the room so they sort of feel like they have their own space. That is cool. Now, they have to run up the stairs to pee and they have to hang their clothes on a portable clothing rack(no closet) in the drum room, but otherwise, they are in good shape.

The girls didn't move anywhere so they weren't uprooted, but the big girl got the boys' bunk beds in her room so she has a fun place for sleepovers(previously held in the rec room). She is loving the new set-up in her room, too. It created a lot of work for her in the cleaning depatment so she didn't like THAT part. She is loving sleeping up so high. She has also loved having a short, cute room mate for a few days.

Shorty gets the big boys' old room and is in LOVE with the bright colored Nascar room complete with checkerboard wall. That boy LOVES cars and trucks. He has loved playing with his toys IN his room WHILE the baby sleeps. He hasn't gotten to SLEEP in his room yet, as he has a bed skeleton, but with no mattress(being delivered in a few days), he can't sleep in there. He has slept on the lower bunk in big sister's room. I know there will be a LOT of messes made in there with nearly 200 cars, a Lego table, and Thomas Train stuff. Hopefully it will help teach him how to clean up messes he makes(not holding my breath on that one, but we'll try our best!).

Now, even though the wee one didn't move, she will be transitioning into her big girl bed over the next week. If it goes well, the crib will be dismantled for good. I am busy making pink things to put in that room to girly it up. We made that room gender-neutral since we didn't know Shorty was a boy until he was born. Little Miss is all girl, so she should have some pink in there don't you think? She is still waiting on a dresser but at least now we have room for one!

So, we had a crazy weekend in this house and there is still SO much to do! We uncovered a LOT of things that need a new home! There are a lot of other things, that need a place to land where we can find it again, so no the organization of it all begins. How come one project leads to five others!? That doesn't seem fair at all, does it!? It is hard to believe tomorrow is Monday as I wonder where the weekend went! We spent it all working in the house! Yikes! Thank goodness it is a holiday week and the kids will be off after Tuesday and we have family and friends coming to town. That will be a lot of fun and more restful than THIS!

I am off to dreamland all.....

Don't snow boots go with everything?

Shorty seems to think they do! Now, I am sure the real reason is because he can put them on all by himself, but he is a little crazy about wearing them all the same. They look wonderful with the bright orange stocking cap(not even HIS!) he pairs them with. He will don this attire to play with his Power Rangers or Play-doh, so it isn't just outdoor wear for him. He is trying to be fashion-forward I think but I can't see it being a look that works for just anyone! He wears it in such a way that only the most special of 2/3 year olds could pull it off, I think!

Now, if you are thinking, "that doesn't sound too odd", then let me add to that just a smidge. There are days that he will get all dressed up and bring me HIS "shigardens"(his older brother's goalie gloves) to put on so he can REALLY go outside in style! He look WAY cool, then!

Just the other day, he puts the a fore mentioned cap on his head and tells me he is the "yo Gabba Guy"(this is a show we don't even watch, mind you!). He then fetches yet ANOTHER stocking cap-this one is blue and gray striped-tucks it under his chin and tells me he is Santa. I must say, there is no lack of imagination with this silly boy of mine! I can't wait to see what he comes up with next....

It's Been Awhile.....

So, it hasn't been an easy road but I think we are about done with potty training Shorty!! He is three weeks shy of 3 and I am very pleased! He is going on his own now and has very few accidents. The ONLY time he wears a diaper is to bed because he still pees when he sleeps. I'll take that! He is also quite a funny little dude. He has such a wonderful imagination and a heart of gold. The part that I love most is how much he loves his older siblings. He thinks they hung the moon. He loves when they play with him, read to him, watch his favorite shows with him, share in the joy of his successes. He is an amazing little man.

Pumpkin Pie is nearing her first birthday and I simply can't believe it. She is so beautiful and so much fun. I can't wait to see the little girl she will become, but at the same time, I am not ready to say good-bye to her infancy. She is the last child for me so this is all bitter sweet. While I am happy to be moving on from all the baby gear and diapers, I am not ready to move away from the helplessness of a tiny baby. She can get where she wants to go, eat normal person food and is on the cusp of taking those first steps and speaking those first words.

George is getting more beautiful by the day. She is thriving in school and loves to read. She likes to write stories and paint. What a mess that child makes when she paints, but she is so happy when she is creating. I can barely keep her in watercolors these days, she blows through them so fast!

The soccer star has had a GREAT outdoor season, the first one with his new team. They took first in their division with all but one win and the non-win was a tie. He played his feet off and tore up the place. So proud of him for making the change to a new team with bravery and gusto. He went out there and showed them they made a great choice in inviting him to join their team. Now, I wish I could say their INdoor season was going as well, but.....

Last, but not least, the big guy! He continues to really ramp up his drumming. He can set fire to that drumset some days when he really gets going. He is having a GREAT start to his last year of elementary school. His grades are superb, of course, but he is having a great time as well. His teacher is a perfect match for him and he has great kids in his class, too. I am loving to watch him thrive and gain confidence. He is a phenominal biggest brother, too. Loves to help me with the chores, but also loves to hang out with his littlest siblings, too. Especially Shorty! Those two are so fun to watch when they are interacting. He is becoming quite the cook, too! It is hard to keep him out of the kitchen sometimes!

I'll try not to go so long between entries, but life does have a way of getting in the way of things. God Bless.....