2 am Wakeup

Tires squealing. Crash. Jump off couch. Run upstairs. Husband leaping out of bed. Did you hear that? Where was it? Silence. Nothing to see. Smell that? Burnt rubber. Neighbors in street. Phone. Flashing lights. Police car. It's Graduation night, right? 2:10 am

Last night I was awoken form a sound sleep to the sound of squealing tires and a crash. It appears (from the skid marks in front of six houses) that a car came barreling around the curve in the road and lost control. He seemed to have hit one or two parked cars 3 houses down from us. Unfortunately this is a yearly occurrence during the summer.

Cars drive to fast and cannot negotiate the slight curve in the road three houses up from ours. Or they come flying off the side road.


2006: 2:30 am - Again, the tire squeals and crunch. Looking out the window, there was a car upside down on the sidewalk between a telephone pole and stone wall. It appears that this car came off the side-road at said curve in the road above. Power was out for about 8 hours.

2005: Same scenario, different landing place. The car hit the stonework at the end of neighbors driveway. We called the cops that time. The car left, but as police and fire truck were on the scene, the car came back. Young teens who ended up doing weekend work to repair the stonework and other odd jobs for neighbors. This reminded the neighbors of the exact same crash years before that sent the said stonework flying into the previous owners of my home's cars.

There have been no fatalities.

So far, so good...

Thursday evening, the girls and I went outside for a bit. I wanted to water my flowers and adjust the stakes on the sunflower house. What ended up happening was the girls and I playing a ton of games I haven't played since I was their age. We played Duck, Duck Goose, Tag, Freeze Tag, Stuck in the Mud (another Tag game), Red Light, Green Light, Mother May I and Simon Says. It was great! I almost wished I had more kids so it would be even more fun!

Pomfret Street Cemetery and Cemetery on Rt. 44

Friday, summer vacation Day 2 was very nice, very nice indeed. Husband surprised me by taking the day off of work (for my birthday), getting up with the kids and making breakfast. We had though about going out to Newport, but by the time we got cleaned up and stuff, I decided I would rather grab a few letterboxing clues and see how many we could get. We only ended up having time for two different locations, but that netted us a total of 8 more stamps! Oddly, both location were in cemeteries, so I spent my 27th birthday traipsing around graveyards. But it was alot of fun! And very relaxing, quiet. The first cemetery had gravestones dating back to 1713! It was amazing to be surrounded by objects so old. And the details inscribed on the stones were amazing! Meenie managed to find every woodchuck hole in the cemetery as she walked around. I really thought the girls would have been bored, but they seemed to really enjoy themselves! After lunch, I was able to just sit and relax. My friend brought over a rose bush she brought for my birthday. It was perfect, I had one space in along my fence close to my other rose bushes and I was just saying to Husband that we needed to get something to put in that spot (we had tomatoes there last year - so I'll need a new space for them now). The girls (and Husband) brought me a GC to Old Navy, 5 books (unfortunately, I've already read 2 and am now working on Wicked - so much for summer reading) and an MP3 player (I am so sick of just listening to kids music - it's about time I had some adult lyrics to listen to! Now to figure out what I want to download. Feel free to post suggestions in the comments section.


Saturday was back to work for Husband. We got up and luckily, both girls had the early soccer games (usually they have different times so we are there forever). Even better was they were playing on adjacent fields, so I could stand on the grass between the fields. Even the drizzle didn't bother us. As the rain started to come down a little more heavily, I was enjoying watching them, Moe was carting around an umbrella much to big (I didn't take my camera out as it would have gotten much to wet) and the girls were enjoying playing. Unfortunately, the games came to an abrupt halt with the arrival of thunder. Those storms lasted 1/2 the morning! The rest of the day was just having fun in the house.

Sunday I actually got to take an hour long bath - alone! Moe played quietly in her crib and Einey and Meenie played quietly down stairs. No fighting, no arguing, nothing! We went to church and then stayed for their family fun day. We were there for almost 3 hours (wow!). The girls played games, bounced in the bounce house, dance and ate lots of food. They even tried to win a cake by doing a "cake walk" (musical chairs). They were given a cake anyway even though they didn't win. I was finally able to get them to leave and then we played outside for most of the rest of the day. The girls played their new games together and I worked in the garden. The sunflowers are now up to Moe's forehead and the other girls shoulders. Pretty soon, it will be high enough to make the roof!



Summer Vacation Days 2 -4:
Kids - Happy
Mom - Relaxed, Happy
House - Lived in, mostly clean

Edited to add pictures

Photo Hunt Saturday - Shoes

This week's photo hunt theme is shoes. Shoes are something we definitely are not lacking. My In-Laws insist on buying the girls shoes all the time, regardless of how practical they are. This picture was taken last September at a deserted beach. Moe had lined them up after we had kicked them off.

Sigh..

Sometimes I don't know why I bother.

My clean floors that I just mopped earlier today stayed clean for 2.5 hours. Until Moe woke up and we got home from running errands. Not 2 minutes after walking in the door, she dumped orange kool-aid all over the floor.

Kinderbration

I almost forgot to post a finished banner for the Kinderbration. here is is hanging on the stage.

Summer Vacation - Day 1

Einey started her first day of summer vacation by sleeping in until 8:30 am. When she woke up, she had breakfest and watched a bit of TV (shows she doesn't get to see when she is at school). So far, she hasn't argued with her sisters once (although they have done alot of whining/bickering amongst themselves).

After a little TV, we headed to the park to see our weekly playgroup friends. It was weird needing to watch out for three kids. I have gotten used to just watching out for the two. Einey wasn't to impressed, because it was mostly younger kids. The public schools do not get out for another week. So even though it was kids she grew up playing with, not being around them for 10 months really made a big difference.

But then, one of her really good friends from school arrived at the park. It was great for Einey to see one of her friends. She acted like it had been forever since she saw her friend and not just yesterday. I definitely need to plan some play dates for the summer with her school friends! They had fun playing on the swings and the monkey bars. Einey really needs to work her muscles so she can do them her self. I may make that goal for her for the summer, if she's willing.

After lunch and getting the two younger one's settled down for nap/quiet time, I had some cleaning to do around the house. mainly cleaning out my oven (yuck!) and washing the floors (again! - every time I wash them, someone immediately spills something on it. In this case, it was juice. And milk. And cereal.), so Einey got out some paint and has been making some wonderful artwork. She really likes to make crafts so I will have to plan some art activities for this vacation.

Days on vacation - 1
Kids - Happy
Mom - Relaxed, Happy
House - Clean

How does your garden grow?

This week in the garden....




And as of June 1, this is the progress on the sunflower house. They are standing between 1 and 2 feet tall.

I have a confession to make...

Sometimes I dream about being a working mom.

Don't get me wrong, I love being able to stay at home with the girls. I love not needing to conform to a clock - being able to be free (which is somewhat limited as I now need to at least be on time dropping daughter off for school). I love staying in my pajamas if I feel like it. I love hearing them laugh, seeing them explore the world around them. I love not needing to rely on others to raise them. I love teaching them everything they know.

But I dream of coming home from work to a clean house - one where juice isn't spilled on the floor 15 times a day. One where the kids are actually happy to see me, having missed me all day. One where I can have piece and quiet (somewhat) during the day. Where I can go to the bathroom alone. All by myself. And no one interrupts me. Where I don't feel I have to defend my choices or explain what I did all day. "Yes hon, I did do something besides sit on my ass all day, even if the house looks the same when you left" to . It does take alot get it to look that way. Sometimes, it actually looks cleaner than what it starts off at. Those are the days they actually nap and I can get ahead.

Even though the days are long, the kids grow up way to fast! So when I awake from my dreams, I am glad I am able to stay home with them.

Photo Hunt Saturday - Art

This week's photo hunt theme is art. Art is a stimulation of the senses. It is unbounded creativity released by an individual for others to experience. There are no boundaries in art.


The picture's that follow are some watercolor art, painted by Einey, Meenie and Moe this evening. As a treat, and because they love all things artsy, I allowed them to paint on the deck after dinner tonight. Unfortunately, we left them out on the deck to dry and got hit with a sudden downpour. By the time I made it outsdie, the paint had all been washed off.


And while I can appriciate art, I am not artist. In fact, you probably don't want to be anywhere near me when I am wielding a paintbrush. Husband on the other hand can usually be found, paintbrush in hand. If you want to view his gallery of work, click here. He has made quite a name for himself painting these figures. In addition, he has designed and drew the program for our daughter's dance studio, gives the girls cool tattoos, and drawn numerous pictures for the kids. I am trying to get him to illustrate a children' s book, but I would guess I would need to find an author first :P


Now if you excuse me, I need to go design/paint a banner for the Kinderbration. This I think I can handle...

Please click on the links to see other cool art!

What's that Noise?

Hear that?

Come closer?

Hear it?

Me either.

It's the sound of quiet. Granted the girls are sleeping and I don't have to rush off to get Einey as she is visiting a friend after school.

But, but, it has been like this all day.

We went to the park this morning and I actually got to sit on the edge of the playground and just sit. And do nothing. If I had a book, I would have read it (but of course, I didn't). I did have to do my duty on the swings and monkey bars, but other than that, they didn't need/want my help. If this is signs of things to come, I'll take it!

She's on her own

Today is daughter's class field trip to the zoo. Husband and I thought we would make a day out of it and meet the class there and have some fun.

Einey had other plans. She told us all weekend how she doesn't want us to meet them there. And this morning, before heading into school she asks "are you going to the zoo?". "no you didn't want me to, remember?" "Good". Most of me is glad she wants this independence, glad I don't have to make the millionth trip to zoo, and glad she is going to have fun. The other little part of me is sad that she doesn't want me to go. Doesn't want to share this with us.

But I know she's going to have a blast. Plus, we brought her a disposable camera so that she can take her own pictures, her own memories of this fun time.

She is growing up to fast!

What have I gotten myself into...

I am a sucker for being involved.

Kids need baked goods for school - sure no problem
Homemade birthday invitations - Of Course
Dinner for a friend who has a new baby - What time?
Classroom Help - I'm there
Homemade Halloween Costumes - Well duh
Holiday Goodies- Baked and delivered in a basket by Dec. 24th

So it comes as no surprise that I am up to my eyeballs in stuff for daughter's Kinderbration- their end of the year celebration. There is 9 more days until the event. The theme: Kindergarten Kingdom. I have just finished designing the program for the event and am currently printing over 60 of the suckers. They are, of course, printed on 8.5x14 paper so they can be rolled as scrolls, like any good royal proclamation. So next up is rolling and tying them with ribbon.

After than, I need to work on the banner. Which hopefully makes it here tomorrow with the express shipping I paid. I shouldn't fear, Oriental Trading hasn't let me down yet. Once that comes in, I need to cut it to size, sketch "Kindergarten Kingdom" on it, and draw (i.e. make husband draw) castles on both sides. Add a few wishing stars, paint and glitter and it should be all set. Maybe some ribbon if I have any extra trailing from the sides.

Thankfully, I am not baking for the event, but I do have to go in and help set up early.

Oh crap, printer jam, I knew that would happen. Only 42 printed, thats why I start early. I still have time to fix it.

After that, it's time to plan for Meenie's birthday party. I have the plan in mind, just need to start working on the invitations....

Photo Hunt Saturday - Colorful

This week's photo hunt theme is colorful. Looking back through my pictures, I definitely have many pictures that fit the theme, from flowers, to kids to fireworks. But this picture below is one that I think best represents this week's theme. It was taken last summer at a local park which also has an aviary. The tail was colorful in it's brilliant blue and green, purple and gold. The body was the same brilliant blue.



I apologize for not visiting the last few weeks, I have been very busy.

Photo Hunt Saturday - Cooked/ing

This week's theme is cooked/ing. I don't tend to take pictures of food, so I thought I would have to skip this week. But then I found this picture of a roasted marsh mellow. Last summer, we would fire up the fire pit and roast marsh mellow under the moonlight. I would then sandwich mine between graham crackers and chocolate bars, while Husband chose to eat his gooey confection off the skewer. S'more's, yum!

Not her mother's daughter...

Einey proved today how unlike me she is. I have always hated public speaking, tending to be introverted. As I've matured, I've become more outgoing. Husband has for as long as I've known him, been extroverted.

So today, daughter's class was doing the Assention Mass at school. (ok, I'll admit, I wasn't sure what it was, only that it's a Holy Day of Obligation). I sent daughter to school in one of her nicest dresses and made my way to her "school-church" at the appropriate time. The kindergarteners started off by walking into church singing. Then Mass started as normal. At the Responsorial Psalm section, daughter and two other's walked up to the podium to do reading. The first two kids spoke fast and quietly. They were very hard to understand. I expected the same from daughter. Then we heard a nice, strong, articulte little voice! She was simply amazing. I was so proud of her! I never knew she could speak like that. Now I'm not sure if it is because she is so small, that you could only see her head over the top of the podium (and thus she wasn't speaking right into the mic) or if she is jsu tgood at public speaking. Whatever it was, I ma soo proud of her. Mass continued with the kids bringing up gifts for the local pregnancy center and singing "Jesus Loves the Little Children". The last thing the kindergarteners did was a small skit about the Assention of Jesus Christ.

Planted

I have been spending alot of time in my gardens lately. So much, that I think my hands are going to be dirt colored forever. The girls and I are sporting pretty good tans despite the amount of sunblock applied. A few dozen freeze pops have been consumed. Clementis and Diantus. Sunflowers and Gladioli. Dahlia's and a butterfly mix. Moonflowers and Morning Glories, just to name a few. And of course, I finally got both my Lilac Bush and my Bleeding Heart Bush (actually, my MIL brought me one for mothers day and I brought a pack of 3 bulbs). SO those are in the ground as well.

Today I finally put the sunflowers we started months ago into the ground to form our Sunflower House. I have them staked into the ground, so hopefully they'll survive, I'm not the best at starting things indoors. Just to be on the safe side, I threw some extra seeds down. I have one more wall to plant, but I need to move some wood out of the way first.

And I think (I can't be sure because I didn't see) Meenie planted some Mammoth Sunflowers directly under the swing set. I hope not for our sake. I have thought of planting some morning glories next to the legs on the swing set, but I don't know how much it will climb.

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a relaxing Mother's Day! I got to sleep in, while Husband tended to the kids and washed the leftover dishes. Then I was made a very nice breakfast of French Toast. We spent the morning at church and then came back for lunch where we had grilled sandwiches. While the younger girls were napping, Husband took Einey to the grocery store and I got to relax on my deck swing in the sun. I think I slept for most of the hour and a half they were gone (or at least quiet). I didn't even have to help put the dishes away!

After lunch, we took the girls to one of our favorite local playgrounds to do some Letterboxing. This is our new favorite family activity! If you follow the above link, you can find clues for hundreds of letterboxes. Inside the letterbox, you will find a logbook, stamp and generally ink and a pen. You need to bring your own stamp and logbook as well. When you find a box, you stamp their logbook with your stamp and use their stamp to stamp your book. The girls really enjoy looking for the each clue and finding the boxes. We usually write the date, stamp name and location in our books so we know where we've been.

Prince Hill Park

We went searching for five boxes on Mother's Day. We found all five and a Hitch-hiker stamp. This is a stamp that if you find, you take it with you and drop it in another box. This one hails from Washington State via Texas. We haven't decided where we are going to drop it yet. We need to go back and find one more box. The last box gave hints for a bonus box, but sadly, we didn't know exactly what a poplar tree looked like and it was getting late. So it's going to be back to the park in search of a poplar tree one day.


This was our second time letterboxing. The first was about a month ago and we found all four boxes on that trip.

The fun thing is, both places we looked were local playgrounds where we spend hundreds of hours a year. They weren't in the playground area, but the one's we found on Mother's Day, we must have walked past hundreds of times! We were just never looking! The first time, we found trails we didn't even know existed!


All in all, Letterboxing is a great way to spend time exploring the great outdoors. It is also a great learning activity for kids. They need to count paces, read a compass (on some), identify types of plants and learn to appreciate nature. Plus deciphering some clues is pretty difficult as well!

That's how I spent Mother's Day. How was yours?

Photo Hunt Saturday - Five

This week's theme is five. Five just happens to be the number Meenie got on her soccer jersey this year. Here she is following the ball into the goal!

There are just some reasons that motherhood isn't a man's job...

Reason #6,785 that the Tooth Fairy shouldn't be male

When the "Tooth Fairy" is helping to deal with a sick kid, but is told by her assistant that it's all taken care of, assume that you need to still do the job. Don't wait until your daughter wakes up in the morning crying because the tooth fairy forgot to visit her again (the first night was just forgot). Don't assume that his "it's taken care of" means he did the job. All that mens is he put the tooth box under her pillow before she fell asleep.

Reason #6,797 that the Tooth Fairy shouldn't be male

What do you do when you can't find any one's to slip under the pillow? Put a ten under there of course! After all our debating and talking to friends to find out what was an acceptable amount, because we thought $5 was too much for a tooth, what happens? She gets ten. And of course, she knew right away what it was. I was quite shocked when I heard the squeals of "Woah, what the... The Tooth Fairy left me ten dollars. " Of course, he could have just asked for a few ones (we had to make up for missing two nights).

Reason #6,856 that the Tooth Fairy shouldn't be male

The whole Tooth Fairy deal is the Tooth Fairy takes unwanted baby teeth to build her castle. In return, she leaves a little something for the child. It's a good thing I found the baby tooth still nestled in the bottom of the box instead of Einey, or I am sure she would have completely lost her faith in the Tooth Fairy.

Some jobs should just be left to Mom! Needless to say, we made alot of mistakes this go-round with the Tooth Fairy, but hopefully next time will be better!

Photo Hunt Saturday - Childhood

This week's theme is childhood. Childhood is the age of innocence. Of running barefoot through the grass. Stopping to smell the flowers. When time stands still and you are free to be yourself.