Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Kid police and the garbage truck

John has been on "Kid Police" lately. What I mean by this is that he is sticking up for his brothers when I need to do what a parent has to do to ensure their safety. Like last week we went to Target and we purchased a few things. It left me carrying Tommy, a package of diapers, my purse and then Patrick did not want to cooperate when it was time to "walk" to the car so I had to carry him as well. He is so lucky he did not get dropped on his head as he was wiggling the whole time. When I got to the car I gave him a little push to get into the car to which John called me out saying that I pushed him. Why of course I did - it is for his safety otherwise he could get hurt a lot worse! I think later in the day I was saying something under my breath in frustration and he said I was the worst mother in the world! That landed him right in time out. He seems a little better this week of course we have not gone to too many stores because with the super high winds I don't want to go out! I'm sure he enjoys getting away going to school. Although he told me he does not like his teacher because she yells a lot. I told him she needs to discipline the kids who do not behave so he learns what she is teaching.

Speaking of Patrick, he is my garbage truck. I think he loves Tommy most of the time. After all, he likes to feed him his "baby food". However, after Tommy is gone from his chair Patrick is quick to gobble up the leftovers - even the ones that fell in the chair! I have to monitor that he doesn't over stuff Tommy. I'm impressed at how well Tommy eats little table food lately. I think I might try some Stage 3 food with him next.

I'm getting ready for the boys to have their Christmas portraits taken. I got John a dress shirt, khaki pants and tie over the weekend. I also bought James a sweater vest. Tommy is all set - he is going to wear the adorable outfit James wore for his first Christmas. I need to go to the storage unit to see what I have for Patrick to wear. I also have to find khaki pants for James and Patrick too. I have until next Sunday - that is when my brother-in-law will come over. I bought some big fake candy canes for the kids to hold at the Dollar Store. Matt even let me buy a blow up snowman for outside!

Everyone is geared up for Halloween. I think I will take them out to the Pfizer Office in the morning to walk around then get John ready for school and his party. I hope doing that won't screw up Tommy's naps. Then trick-or-treat starts at 6pm. The weather is supposed to be a lot warmer than it has been - thank goodness!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Fall is in the air


We had a great weekend. Matt had off Friday and Monday and it was a great family weekend. On Friday we went out to a Nursery in Perry and let the kids pick out pumpkins and a few things to decorate our front porch. We had a great time listening to the Halloween music too! Saturday night we went to the Penitentary Glen for their Halloween party. The price of admission included a very cool train ride. Then we walked around to different buildings where they were showing off animals and we collected stickers which turned into faces for the pumpkins they gave us to decorate. James wanted to stay longer but Tommy was starting to get restless by not moving around himself. We did great without any strollers. It was a bit chilly on Saturday so I was able to keep the kids warm with heavier jackets or extra layers underneath the costumes. I brought gloves in case but we didn't need them - which was a bit of relief so we didn't lose any of them. On Sunday evening my parents came in to town so they could attend Grandparent's Day activities at John and Carter's school. They stayed with us which was great to have the extra help. I asked the boys what was their favorite part about Grandma and PapPap coming and James said playing football and John said the air matress they got to sleep on in Patrick's room! Too funny.

Patrick and now Tommy are having runny noses and I'm sure a bit of a sore throat. Patrick has been up a few nights lately because of it and with the older boys in his room that meant I had to get up with him and let him drain and then put him back to sleep. Last night after I did this Tommy was fussing so I had to sit up with him for a little while too. I'm hoping this will pass soon so I can get some rest. My plan is to go to bed relatively early so tomorrow I can watch The Office.

I can't believe how many leaves are down. The boys are enjoying jumping in them. Unfortunately it is to rain all weekend so I don't know how much jumping will get done!

The first quarter of school ends on Friday. I can't wait to hear from the teacher how John is doing. We have the Parent-Teacher Conference on November 5th or 6th - I better check. Tomorrow is Open House. I'm excited about that but am dreading all the people, dealing with the kids and the warmer coats. Yes, as much as I love the fall I prefer an Indian Summer with no coats!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

It's Wednesday

and I think we are finally over the grumpy Monday's! Patrick has been in extra cranky mode this week and wants to do everything his way. It's driving me nuts! It would be nice that once he hits two he would cut that out but I'm not counting on it.

I think Tommy might be teething - he keeps putting everything in his mouth although I don't feel anything. So maybe he is just extra curious and explores everything with his mouth! It's funny how you forget about when stuff like that is supposed to happen. I remember that John and James had cut a tooth by now but Patrick got his teeth later.

John has the sniffles - I think the back to school germs are starting to hit. I really love that he gets dropped off right outside our house. It is SO much easier that waiting an extra 10 minutes and walking down the street. I hope next year they just put us on this stop for pickup and drop off.

James is doing ok. He still tells us after he went the bathroom in his pants. I actually ran out of underwear today - luckily I had already put a load in the wash and it was in the dryer. I can't wait until he and Patrick are trained - hell you might as well through Tommy in there as well - potty training sucks!

I'm looking forward to Matt & my night out this Saturday. I could use some time away from the boys. I love them but man do I need a break! I'm getting my haircut on Friday evening so that will be another thing to look forward too!

Friday, October 3, 2008

What a week!

The weather is getting colder and my fear about being inside for the next 6 months is slowly becoming more of my reality. A few nights we were able to get out. The nights we didn't get out during the "witch hour" I was turning into the witch! The boys just couldn't help but touch each other, take each others toys or just being themselves. Oh the fun we are going to have this winter. I will just have to think of more things we can do to keep the witch in me inside!

Last week we received John's interim report. The teacher said he is doing quite well but was marked that he needed to work on knowing his phone number and address. I know John knows this because I'm trying to teach it to James and he keeps giving him the answers. Sometimes though when I haven't asked John in a while it will take him a little while to remember. Not sure why - maybe he is waiting for the "I'll let you play Wii" bribe. Anyways yesterday morning the truth came out. Matt and I were helping him get dressed and he said that he didn't tell his teacher where we lived because he didn't want her to come over. Matt and I couldn't help but laugh at that one. That is Reader Digest material there!

John had a field trip today at Patterson's Fruit Farm. Matt took the day off and was one of the chaperons. They both had a great time. I took the little ones out on a field trip to the store. I was thinking the mall but James said Target. Apparently he was up for a snack and to look at toys. We also hit Gabriel Brothers as I was hoping to maybe find a few long sleeve t-shirts for a good price. I was able to get 3 at various prices that added up to $15. We then went to the Gabriel Bros in Mentor tonight and got him an in-between coat for $13. I am hoping the in-between coat fits in the Spring too. I got him a Size 7 but it almost looks smaller than that.

Today was the first day I was out with the boys at the store without the infant car seat carrier. That meant Patrick had to hold a hand and Mom had to get creative when it came to Patrick & Tommy in the cart at Gabriel Brothers. I ended up putting Patrick in the seat buckled and Tommy in the basket. It worked out pretty good Patrick did well with holding hands when walking to the car. James wanted to see how fun things could get by telling me twice at Target that he had to use the bathroom. It's always fun trying to keep Patrick from touching everything in the public restrooms. We all survived without too much touching.

We have a busy weekend on tap as our church is having an Oktoberfest and Sunday is my nephew, Carter's, 7th birthday party. It's hard to believe in a few weeks we will be "falling back" and changing the clocks. Hopefully Patrick will get off this getting up before the crack of dawn kick before that happens! It is now starting to rub off on James and John! Yuck!