The new chair

We got our new living room chair delivered in the snowstorm on Wednesday. Matt's reaction was its bigger than I thought (I knew it was big). My reaction was it is Olive - not brown especially when you compare it to the very chocolate brown couch we have. The design is identical to our couch. I think they compliment each other well style and color wise. The new chair definitely matches the curtains. It is very comfortable and now a little less static-electricity. I took pictures of the boys in the chair so look for those soon on my Flickr page. I now wouldn't mind having the matching couch and the sale is still on through the weekend, but Patrick needs to be in a bed more. Although days like today I'm glad he is in a crib. He didn't want to go to nap time when it was time. At one point I heard a thump and him saying "ouch" so I went upstairs to see if he climbed out but he didn't. I'm going to have to learn how to use the big gate so when he is in the boys room I can put that up at nap time.

John had a great week. The school made learning about bullying really fun by assigning each day a special themed day. Monday was wear your school shirts - we do not have; Tuesday - where your favorite baseball cap - we have plenty of those; Wednesday was mismatch day - snow day so this was moved to Friday and Thursday was pajama day. Friday was supposed to be Cavs day - as we are to "rise up" against bullying. I think he enjoyed having the special themed days. He came home from school today with a computer game. He called it a Wii game for the computer for him and the boys. Apparently he helped his teacher put the chairs on the tables. She sent a note home letting me know this is why he got the game - also because she couldn't get it to work on the school computer. It's a shame she can't answer my note I sent last week about the cookie dough pick-up. We ordered a couple of things from their fundraiser and apparently you have to pick it up after school. I was checking to see if John could just bring it home. Apparently not. I hope they have an evaluation form to fill out at the end of the year like they did in college.

James is really becoming a young boy. The last two days have been fantastic with potty training. Today was the best yet - I said you know what you have to do - thinking he would just stand and pee but he got himself all situated and sat down to take care of business - not just once but twice! His bladder control is really good. That is huge. We actually went to BJ's for diapers and didn't buy any for him. I have a box of Overnights (I'm sure we will be using diapers at night for a while) so I didn't need them. I did buy some pullups for Patrick. We shall see if he starts to come around. I did find out more about James' school today. Apparently his bus stop is on Vine Street - near the apartments just before Eastlake. He takes bus #64 (ironically the same as John's bus). His teacher's name is Mr. Rogers and they watch Sesame Street.

Tommy thought it would be funny today to walk from one end of the couch to the other instead of crawling. I know he probably learned that from Patrick. Patrick had a lot of 2 year old moments today but was really cute when he brought his sippy cup and a couple of Cars and a horse to play with James' entourage of Cars. James assigned Patrick a few Cars and proceeded to walk away. Anytime James says something isn't funny I usually end up laughing because of the way he says it.

I'm nervous about all the ice hanging on our house. After the big storm last March we had water dripping in the house by the front window. We actually have water dripping down the brick inside our porch now. Our Ohio flag is soaken wet and even had an icicle on the end. Matt is going to get up on the ladder to knock some of the snow off the house. I have had my fill of shoveling snow.

Success in our future?

Yes - those are picture of James excited about going to the Open House this morning. He insisted on bringing a backpack with his trusty blanket and a soft squishy baseball. I think he enjoyed what toys are at school. We are still gently reminding him but at least there have been no accidents. I asked him at one point - "What do you have to do?" and he pointed to his privates like he knew he had to use the bathroom. Time will tell. The good news is that the tuition for the school did not increase this year compared to last year.

New Chair

Yea! We are getting a new chair for our living room. Our local furniture store was having what they call a once in a lifetime sale with everything 50% off. What is ironic about the chair it really matches our couch. We didn't buy the couch at this store so we found it neat that the style is very similar. We got the special coating so blood and urine will come out. Handy to have that when you have 4 boys. Apparently after 5 years we will get our money for the special coating back. It will be delivered on Wednesday.

To follow-up on the Patrick pulling things out of the freezer story - he did it once again yesterday. This time he pulled apart the muffin tops and had started to eat one of them. I put them back in the freezer so he could have them for breakfast this morning. Nothing like playing "Operation" with your toaster early in the morning. I've decided that once I open the frozen breakfast food that I will have to put them in Ziploc bags because he can not open those yet.

Tommy is enjoying having his front teeth missing. His little tongue is exploring the teeth that now have popped out. He looks really cute while do that. He also is walking around the house like a pro. He started to get really good while he was in the hospital but continues to get better each day.

James was having a perfect week as far as potty training goes. But Friday I decided it wasn't me who should remind him to use the potty. He then had 2 accidents in his pants yesterday. Today he has done pretty good but will go if we suggest it. I do think he is getting his bladder under control now I need him to recognize when he needs to sit down and take care of business. Tomorrow I will be taking him to the Open House at the pre-school I would like him to attend. I'm hoping he will be good to go way before school starts.

John is going to have a fun "spirit" week next week. The theme to discourage bullying. I think he will have fun with it. Apparently yesterday they had a magician their and they talked about bullying either before or after the guy did his tricks. It sounded like he really enjoyed the show. I think that was the most he talked about school in a while.

I have a head cold that is really annoying. I think I have been getting run down from when Tommy was in the hospital and then dealing with Patrick and him getting sick. I'm hoping it will leave as quickly as it came!

These are the moments

That I would like to forget and some I just have to laugh at. It is only 9:55am and it has been quite the day. First I would like to say James has had 2 perfect days in a row - crossing my fingers. While I was helping James take care of business I return to the living room to find Patrick with Tommy close by trying to eat frozen muffin tops which Patrick got out of the freezer (its on the bottom of our fridge). Nice. Then its time to take the boys to get haircuts and a few other errands when Patrick refuses to cooperate putting on his boots. I finally get them on and he refuses to move off the porch so I load everyone else in the van and he soon follows. We finally get to the barber shop and he refuses to get out of the car after I remove his seat belts. So I have to walk around the van with Tommy and grab him to carry him in. He had a grand ole time in the barber shop. Then we finally get home and he doesn't want to get out of the car - not to mention take off his boots or coat. Now I'm dealing with James trying to go to the bathroom but he is refusing. Well he is the one that will have to sit with wet pants.

Tommy has been fussing at night but last night I decided he needs to work it out and I wasn't even going in his room to rub his back. It worked pretty good as soon he settled back to sleep. The only problem was around 5:15-5:30 - he was up and that was that. I might have to try and give him a bigger snack before bed.

All the boys look handsome once again thanks to Frank and Paul at New Image.

MLK Day

I love holidays or days off school when we can get out and do something without having to worry about getting John ready for school and hopefully soon James. We were going to do something with my sister but I thought the kids might enjoy the mall rather going downtown to a museum. I was right. It was perfect as we got there before the mall was open so we would have the play area to ourselves - which we essentially did. The boys had some Christmas money I knew they would want to spend at the Disney Store buying new cars. John was very excited when he saw the stores opening up. After we got everything packed up we went to a few stores before Disney. The boys found the perfect Cars cars of their choice within their budget. We had lunch, walked around some more and then came home with our treasures. Some fighting soon took over but we were saved by nap time!

I'm happy to report we kicked the stomach flu bug. John and James are sneezing the last couple days but I think we can handle that. I found out when more than one child is sick it is hard to be the mom. Thank goodness it was only 2 kids who got sick.

The child formally known as Tommy has turned into "Screaming my head off Tommy". It started Friday night. I thought he was doing that because Patrick's temper tantrum got him riled up but it has continued. Apparently this is his way of being heard above the other boys noise.. He likes to do it at nap or bed time. It is the worst shrieking noise I have ever heard. I really hope he grows out of it soon but I'm not sure that is going to happen. One of his front teeth looks like it might be getting ready to break through. Maybe this is his way to share the pain - it is making my ears hurt. I can't get over how it seems as if the kid is sleeping but you walk away from the room and he is up like you left him there eyes wide open.

Patrick has had his normal two year old tantrums lately. Can't wait until we get past this stage.

Next weekend is an Open House at the preschool John went too. I need to go because I want to get the paperwork should the Miracle of Willowick take place. I mentioned to James yesterday about the Open House and he gave me an evil-Grinch-like smile look that made me believe there is no way in hell that is happening. He then proceeded to tell me his school is not in Willowick but in Ohio. I'm thoroughly convinced he knows what he needs to do but apparently is nervous about leaving me and going to find a life for himself. I asked him today about t-ball. He said t-ball is not for him as he is going to play for the Captains. Yesterday I think he might have been buying into the fun of coloring, pasting, cutting and having parties. Time will tell.

If John doesn't become a priest, become a major league baseball player or whatever else he wants to become - he should become the guy on the weather radio station that gives the weather report. The way he reads the weather in the newspaper reminds me of that guy. It is a perfect monotone voice. Last week at school he made up a little book about Barack Obama. The last page asked "What do you want to ask the next president?" John's reply when asked "I want to know where he got his money".

Saturday morning - Patrick and Tommy are up first - Tommy has decided before 5:30 is a good time to get up some days. John and then James come down at a more reasonable hour. Patrick greets John by saying "Hi Johnny". He kept repeating it which made me believe he was also addressing James - but he can't say James yet. James still not fully awake says "My name is not Johnny it's James!" I did everything I could not to laugh out loud.

I should get back to the fun of making sure Tommy isn't eating anything that he is not supposed too!

I hope it doesn't get any worse

Last week Tommy developed an infection in one of his fingers that was burned. He ended up needing surgery to remove the infection. Apparently we picked up a stomach bug in the hospital and brought it home to the happy-go-lucky Patrick. Patrick started throwing up yesterday morning. He was good the rest of the day but at 4:30 am he started dry heaving. This continued on and off until around 7:15 when I started giving him little sips of water every 15 minutes. He was doing great - even ate a few pretzel cracker chips but later this morning he felt warm so I gave him some Motrin which he threw up. He is napping now so hopefully he will have some more crackers and juice for dinner. Tommy still has the exploding diapers but at least his appetite is back and is eating. Nothing like trying to get Patrick to "get it" in the bucket while you are holding back Tommy from being too curious - yes these are the moments I will remember! I'm hoping the older boys don't pick this one up.

Patrick what are you going to do next?

Last summer Patrick got a hold of spare change and put it in my CD player in the van. It made our summer mix cd skip on one of his and my favorite songs. I was able to take the dash apart and got the nickel that was stuck in the cd in a place where it wouldn't bother any new CD's going in to be played.

I'm not sure when this happened but I'm living the results of it recently. Apparently he got a hold of numerous post it notes that were around my computer area and stuffed them in the CD player. We are now at a situation where it is affecting the player when we need to use it and thus Matt is going fishing tonight.

I'm nervous about what technology he will break next. He can reach our stereo radio CD player in both the boys room and in the living room. He constantly pushing the play/pause button or anything else his little fingers can grab.

Playhouse Disney decided to change their lineup starting today which means the Wiggles are now on Tuesday through Friday at 11:30 am - just when John is getting ready for school. I've decided to put a VCR in the living room to record the show and let the boys watch it later in the afternoon before dinner. I'm sure Patrick will find something to stick into it. I'm just going to have to find something that will prevent that. I have a couple ideas.

I decided this morning to go to the Chiropractor. I've been getting out of bed sore in the morning and it was pretty painful last night when I was giving the boys a bath. I had my neighbor watch the boys. I feel pretty good right now. I have a follow-up appointment on Thursday morning if things are still not right otherwise if I'm good I can cancel Thursday and go next week. He said my pelvis needed adjusted and the pain I was feeling was from a muscle spazzing. I know now not to play the Tether game in Wii Playground. I think that was the game that did me in as one shot I remember being very vigorous when swinging the remote!

I think John was happy to be back at school. I thought he was going to cry before going out to wait for the bus so I let him know the doctor said I couldn't play Wii - which is partly true! He came home in a good mood. He was surprised to find out that his teacher rearranged where the kids sit. He now is the man of the table sitting with Morgan, Jasmine and Mariah. Jasmine and Mariah are twins.

I have my Tommy back. He seems to be in a good mood everyday - it proves to me he is recovering from the burns. It is funny to see his fangs and bottom tooth! I'm so used to the toothless grin. Then sometimes he starts furniture walking and then takes off walking across the room! It is too cute!

Last day of vacation

I can't believe how fast these past two weeks have past. I enjoyed both Matt and John being on break. I think I enjoyed the break from all the school stuff. I sort of regret not going more places with the kids but I didn't really want to deal with the crowds.

I don't think I have ever played so much Wii since we got it back in March. I'm glad I waited because John didn't mind Matt and I playing rather than him. He turned into our coach which has its plus and minuses.

The school sent home a pass for bowling at Freeway Lanes. We didn't have much going on this morning and were looking to do something. They had open bowling pretty much all day. So we ate a little early and packed everyone up. I was thinking we were going to Wickliffe Lanes until Matt pointed out the card said Freeway Lanes which was further down the street. We got shoes for all the boys minus Tommy. We had a pretty good time. Matt did most of the work helping the boys bowl while I worked crowd control for Patrick and Tommy. John and James did pretty good - Patrick was another story as he is just 2 and doesn't like to wait his turn. We all survived and so did the alley. I would like to go again but maybe have Patrick share Matt's turns so he can play without paying for him to play.

New Year's Eve was fun. We told John and James they could stay up as late as they wanted which in turn made me stay up a little later than I wanted. I like it when Matt wakes me up just before Midnight. Luckily ABC had Shrek 2 on so we were entertained until 10pm. James made it until 10:15pm and John 10:45pm. The boys enjoyed the chips and dip.

Tommy's hands are doing fantastic. He only has to were the mitten on the one hand and his palm needs to be wrapped on the other. I take him back next Friday for another checkup.

I decided to sign the boys up to be "Lil Skippers" for the Lake County Captains. For $20 they get into all the home games during the season plus a few other perks. I know they had fun last year and if there are some warm April and May weeknight games we can watch more baseball as the games start at 6:30pm. I will be crazy enough to take them by myself knowing that the more the popcorn the better.