Christmas in Crazytown

The kids are starting to spend more time with their mom and dad. They have had to day long visits and were back for an overnight for Christmas. This meant we had to celebrate early. Saturday morning was Christmas here. (and again Christmas Eve for Avery)
I knew we were going to be surrounded by a sea of paper and toys, but it took me days to get organized. The funny thing was, we only got the kids 3 toys each.
I really don't think they had a clue what it was all about, but they sure do love opening presents. We got each of the kids a big gift, Avery a kitchen (then a market), Hannah got a dollhouse, Hayley got a baby doll with diaperbag and accessories, and Johnathon an activity table. Then thier other stuff. I honestly think the girls would all rather play with Johnathon's trucks and blocks.

Just between you and me, after all the chaos I really enjoyed the break of having the kids gone for the night. Shhh, don't tell. (wink, wink)

We had a really nice Christmas and hope all of you did too.

More Milestones and Adventures

The past couple weeks have been chalk full of new experiences and milestones.

To start off the biggest thing so far is that the kids had an overnight visit with their mom and dad for Thanksgiving. It was nice to have a little break and the kids overall did really well. This is just the start of what will hopefully be a smooth transition home for them. I am cautiously optimistic that things will go well.

Hannah has done well at gymnastics. There were no tears at her first class, so that was an amazing feat in itself. She also initiated me into the club of puke cleaning moms this morning. Seriously, in the more than 3 years I have been a mom I had yet to clean up or deal with the dreaded pukemonster. Of course she really did a number in her sleep, so I had a bed, hair, clothes and blankets to scrub and sanitize. What a crash course! ICK!!!! Can't say I want to ever do that again.

Hayley is still wild, but seems to be calming down a bit. Now that she knows the boundaries though she is loving telling me "No!" every chance she can get. She has been having some tests ran, so I am anxious to get the results from those and possibly some more testing to come.

Johnathon is sick with an ear infection, but other than that he is still just growing and learning faster than I can keep up with. He now says "dada, baba, and Mmmm!"

On Saturday we threw caution to the wind and along with my parents took all the kids to the indoor waterpark. It was good! Of course Hannah and Hayley were a little scared of the slides and splashing water, but they loved the lazy river and playing in the zero entry pool. Hannah particularly likes the hot tub and would ever let go of us to attempt to swim. She really just hates the cold, so if we can get past that I think she would be a fish. Avery went down every slide that she was tall enough for and probably 50 times each. She couldn't get enough. Johnathon seemed to like the pool and splashed a bit. Afterward they were all exhausted and went to bed early. What a bonus!

Appointments, and Laundry, and Bottles, OH MY!

Those 3 things are what my life seems to consist of these days. Toys too, but I am using my super power of invisibility transferrance to pretend that monster doesn't exist.

We're staying super busy with appointments on Monday, Tuesday, gymnastics Wednesday, preschool Thursday and any odd appointments that come up sprinkled in the mix.
Luckily my mom is helping and watches 1, 2, or 3 of the kids for me while I take whoever needs to go where they need to be. I'm considering paining my Pacifica yellow and putting a taxi light up top.

The laundry - how on earth can we have so many clothes??? I don't get it. Initially when the kids came I indulged in my earth friendly consciousness and used cloth diapers. After 2 weeks, I came to my senses and realized that I was never going to find the end of Mt. Permanant Press unless I started using disposable diapers. Now that mountain is banished and I can now see the floor of my bedroom and laundry room.

Johnathon was on a very newborn like schedule. We were going through 6-7 bottles a day. I was splitting time between the kitchen sink, my comfy chair to feed him and where ever I needed to be to referee the girls. Thankfully we are getting on a more age appropriate schedule and the bottles are more spread out.

Fun things:

We took all the kids trick-or treating. Normally we don't do that, but if was the easiest way to let them enjoy some of the fun. Not loading costume clad kids into a car where every seat has a car seat was heaven for me. So into the strollers went the bat and the cat, and our mouse and butterfly had to use their walking feet. The evening wasn't without the occasional cries of fear regarding somone's dog or scary, creepy decoration but they loved the candy and ryan of course let them eat far too much that night.

Hannah is starting gymnastics on Wednesdays. She has been begging since week one. Of course now that she is allowed she askes can she please stay with grandma. Oiy!

Johnathon is so big now. He is a full fledged member of the Crawlers Club, and is standing to cruise around furniture. That is also leading to numerous head bumps and cries for "mama". Yes, his first word! and to match that first he cut a tooth on Monday. Such a big boy!

Hayley is doing fantastic too, although she is still a challenge. Captain Destructo strikes on a regular basis. Her vocabulary is just making leaps. Not hard considering she wouldn't say ANYTHING before. Now she is signing and can say about 40 words. She is also very excited about the potty and asks to go everyday. Last week she did go once, so that was one gross diaper I didn't have to change! Yeehaw!

Avery is trying to adjust and I do see improvement in her behavior. She just gets so frustrated when they are taking over her space. She loves to help though and does a great job at feeding the baby or getting me things when I need them. We are making an effort to have time alone with just her and are planning a date night for next week.

Overall I think we found our rythym and things are turning into that fine oiled machine that I like to have around here. At least for today....