Thursday, August 28, 2008

Tomorrow is the big day!

John will start Kindergarten tomorrow at 12:15pm. I know he is ready. I took him for his literacy test today and he scored 26/29. It was funny as I was filling out a teacher survey sheet about John I was testing him to make sure he knew some of the stuff I said he knew. He enjoyed the fun quiz. The teacher sent home a sheet of "no excuse" words - otherwise words he should look at and recognize. John knew just about everyone of the words. He said "We'll practice them everyday". Sounds like a plan!

Also I think tomorrow will be a big day for James. He has had 2 AWESOME (THANK THE LORD) days with potty training. So I think I'm going to have him wear "real" underwear. I think the new books I pulled out has put some interest into the bathroom. I am the one who is still asking him to go but I am very encouraged that he is getting control. He actually had BM's in the potty!

Ok got to run John's bus will be coming down the street soon - I have been making him watch it go by our house this week and talk about what he needs to do when riding the bus.

Monday, August 25, 2008

I had a "what was I thinking" moment

Over the last couple of weeks Tom has really been on the move. The thought came across my mind that not only will he be getting into more and more things, he will be climbing up the stairs and exploring everything! I was so relieved when this stage past Patrick but here we go again!

Matt had a similar experience as we came out of church. He said "what are we going to do when its winter and we need coats and mittens on everyone?" We are lucky John and James will hopefully be self sufficient but we will be wrestling with boots and mittens with Patrick and Tom.

Why are the kids afraid of animals??? For some reason John and James have grown a fear for dogs, cats or any animal for that matter. The other boys are learning this fear as well. John and James were around Scarlet - my sisters dog who has since passed away. I just don't get it. We were at the Farmpark today and I kept telling them the animals were in cages and they couldn't get out. They were not calmed by these words. Then we were in the "Barnyard" where the Billy Goats were. They had some young goats who started to move around shortly after we arrived at their little barn. Tom started to cry which made the young goats curious and they squeezed out of the gates! This made all the boys cry - let's get out of here mom - let's go home. I'm so glad we just renewed our membership. I'm thinking we are going to the Zoo tomorrow. You don't get so close to the animals there!

Friday, August 22, 2008

John turns Pro

in Wii bowling! OMG! He got a new crazy looking ball too! I hope the kid doesn't blow his average so he can keep his status.

Wow what a week! John seemed to enjoy the bus orientation on Wednesday. He and the boy across the street will be riding together which will be good for both of them. The boy across the street will be going to latch key so John will be on his own on the way home. I think that will be the easy part - as long as he got on the right bus!

Yesterday Lori and I took the kids to the Memphis Kiddie Park. They enjoyed it very much. I knew it was going to be warm but this is probably the last year John would be able to ride the rides because he is close to the height limit. It was hot - not terrible. Lucky for me John and James wanted to keep riding the Speedway cars and the line was in the shade! Patrick enjoyed the first ride then we put him on the roller coaster. I didn't know how jerky it would be otherwise I would not have put him on it. John, James, and Patrick all hated it. You have to buy their food so lunch was a little pricey for the 4 of us and Patrick didn't eat much. They consider the ride home long enough for a nap which put me in a bad mood because it was not long enough for me!

Last night we went to the Captains game. It was Willowick night and John was invited to parade on the field with the other baseball, t-ball and softball teams. We had a great time and stayed till about 8:20 - not sure what inning maybe 4th or 5th.

I think Tommy is fussing. I'm increasing his table foods hoping that will decrease the bottles so we can get on milk in 3 months!

Monday, August 18, 2008

A great evening at Progressive Field

Matt's brother gave Matt, John and I tickets to the Cleveland Indians 2008 Hall of Fame Celebration. They had a ceremony introducing the players, tons of food and drinks, and the coolest part you have a half hour to meet and get autographs of all the 2008 Indians.

When the players were walking down to their seats I was snapping pictures and John was naming the players. After the ceremony we had a little to eat but there really wasn't any seats to sit down so we continued to mingle around. I told Matt we need to make sure we all go the bathroom as I don't want to have to get out of line to go. So I started the potty parade and then we decided to hang out outside the autograph area. It was the best move of the night. We were able to find out where Grady Sizemore and Cliff Lee were in the signing area and came up with a strategy to get the autographs. John was growing a little impatient as was I about when we were allowed in. It didn't help there were some kids from the RBI Leauge kept inching up and crowding us. When we were allowed in I used my basketball skills to block them out so we would get in first. Our plan worked out perfectly as we did not have to wait in too long of a line to get any autograph. The long line that we decided to skip was for Ryan Garko, Jamey Carroll and Andy Marte. It turned out as the players were coming out after the autograph session ended we were able to get Ryan and Jamey's autograph.

John's uncle asked that we get the current backup catcher's autograph, Sal Fassano, on a ball. The rule was one autograph per person so we sent John up with the ball and Matt had the homeplate that Drew made for us to get autographs on. John was nervous and actually started to tear up. Sal asked what was wrong and I explained that John was very excited about this experience. He told this is fun and not to worry about it and shook his hand. The next table David Dellucci gave him the rock and from then on John enjoyed himself immensely. For some reason a fan gave Kelly Shoppach his own card from when he played with another team. When we told Kelly John wore his number this past summer - he gave the card to John.

I hope John remembers this for a long time - I know I will

Thursday, August 14, 2008

The kids took their PITA medicine today

I don't know why but today was not a good start for me and the boys. John and Tom and even Patrick wasn't that bad - but dear James is pushing my buttons and he is pushing them hard. First of all I'm ready to believe this child is never going to be potty trained despite all of my bribery efforts. This week I unveiled a little matchbox car as a reward if he stayed dried and pooped in the potty all day - I'm asking a lot but the kid goes when you ask him too but never tells you. The last few days he has started this "I'll do this on my terms. I will not only take FOR-EV-ERRR I will annoy the hell out of you while I'm doing it". He insists on taking damn near every piece of clothing off EVERY time he goes the bathroom. So this morning I turned off the TV with 25 minutes before we needed to have John at Bible School. I took care of Patrick and Tommy and John takes care of himself thank goodness. James did as I mentioned above. Then it came time to put on his shoes. He insisted on wearing socks to bed so that meant he would want tennis shoes on. He started to put on his "Cars" tennis shoes, which I'm determining have become too small, on the wrong feet. Matt's co-worker gave us another pair of used "Cars" tennis shoes that are a half size bigger and fit James. So I went and got those which started a huge tantrum. For some reason Patrick wanted to join in on the crying parade and wouldn't move unless I carry him - sorry toots Mom's arms are full with Tommy you'll have to wait for the next trip - which made him cry even harder. After I got John and Tom in the car I came back for Patrick who then decided "forget you I want to do this on my own" but I had already picked him up and was on the way to the car when he decided to throw a bigger fit. Let me tell you strapping him in the seat (because there was no way I was going to let him wander up to the front seat) was no easy task. I go back in for James is still pouting. I then took off his socks and got his Cars sandals and said lets go. Some how I got him in the car and in the car seat. I remember it not being pretty. My neighbors must love me by now. When we got to school the yuckiness of James continues where he doesn't want to get out of the car. Luckily our neighbor offered to stay by the van with the boys while I took John in. He had finally settled down by the time we left the church parking lot. Apparently because James cried so loud this made poor Tommy cry too.

The rest of the morning has been better. I wouldn't be surprised if Patrick started climbing out of his crib anyday. He is climbing into Tommy's walker and today he was climbing in and out of the double stroller (the back seat). I don't know if I'm ready for that.

I was able to get the house cleaned up a bit and the living room floor vacuumed - it desperately needed it. Then John and I headed to the garage to see if we could get the nickel out of the CD player. Well the nickel is no longer in the way of the CD but its not out of the player either. It is in the back of the player but not hurting the CD's anymore. That was the best I could do and I'm fine with it.

Before nap time I cleaned up the mess in the boys room. I hear some things rattling around up there it better just be James kicking the wall.

Today's Matt's birthday - I'm sure the kids will enjoy the cake. We really didn't get him anything - other than a case of one of his favorite beers. We'll have to give him lots of hugs.

I'm going to John's school meeting tonight. I think I will enjoy the time away.

We had a great time at the fair last night. It wasn't super crowded. James and Patrick were freaked out by the cows - which suprised me because we see them at the Farmpark all the time. They enjoyed the pig judging and the one horse exhibition. I think their favorite part was the big bouncing house.

OK this blog was very therapeutical for me today. I think my "time out" is over.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Olympic hangover

Since the Olympics have started I have been staying up later than normal. Its pretty sad now that I fall asleep with the TV on just in case I wake up to see Team USA get another gold medal. It has made nap time more important - so I can rest!

The kids (Patrick and James) are super cranky today. James didn't nap yesterday for some reason and Patrick had a rough night - I'm guessing it his last tooth coming through or he was too hot or cold. What ever the reason it has been hard today. It doesn't help that he tripped a few times.

Today after we dropped John off at Bible School I was talking to one of our neighbors as James and mostly Patrick played in the front of the van. I should have stopped them but I didn't. I finally get in the car and notice a nickel in the entrance of the CD player. I tried to get it out but it got pushed through - yikes! Looks like Matt will be going fishing for a nickel.

I think I'm going to take the gang to the Lake County Fair after dinner. It looks like everyone got a pretty good nap and the rest of the week is busy. We have never taken the boys and this seems like a fun outing since Bible School is taking up our morning fun time. Hopefully baths will go well and everyone has a good time without costing me an arm and a leg.

Tomorrow I go to John's school to get the law of the land by the principals. It is also Matt's birthday so he will have some quality time with his boys!

Friday, August 8, 2008

And the crazy week continues

Yesterday I used the bathroom basement and discovered that the floor was making a squishy noise as I walked. Not good - what is leaking?? Talking it through with my Dad I discovered it was the hot water tank valve. Luckily with some tightening it was fixed. Matt's brother just brought over a dehumidifier to hopefully dry the floor so we won't have to replace to much of the flooring.

Today I spoke with my boss at Pfizer and I am officially going to start back to work from home part time on September 2nd! I'm so excited that I will continue to make some more money and keep my connection with Pfizer. What is really cool is I will get paid weekly - compared to monthly like I do with my virtual job. I just hope I am able to make this work and be there for the kids. I'm also excited that I will be able to purchase the sandal crocs I've had my eye on!

I'm anxiously awaiting to find out if John will go to kindergarten mornings or afternoons. I was hoping a letter would be in the mail today but I just got his information for Bible School that starts next Monday.

We took the kids to the Captains game last night. It was probably a good thing that we went into rain delay as we ran out of popcorn so who knows how much longer Patrick would have sat and watched the game.

Ok - I should go do something with John now.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

The Vacation Weekend

We had a great trip to Pennsylvania to see my parents this past weekend. The only issue we had on the way in was that James got car sick. Apparently he can not watch a DVD while going through the mountains of Pennsylvania. Luckily we were almost to my parents house when he got sick. John said "He's spitting up again" - I'm thinking Tommy, no its James. On the way home the kids mostly slept and when they were awake there was no way I was taking a chance on him getting sick so there was no DVD on the way home. Not to mention I gave him some Dramamine.

The kids had a blast spending time with my parents. We got to do just about everything on their list they wanted to do. They got to go fishing, play putt-putt, my Dad took us on a boat ride, and play with Grandma's toys. I think the only thing I wish we could have done was have a camp fire but they have been getting so much rain that their backyard was a swamp.

We came home on Monday because John's Water Show performance was Tuesday night at 9pm. It turned out to be a good plan because we weren't too tired from being in a car all day. I tried to get everyone to nap with the late night ahead of us but it didn't really work out. I was nervous about getting a parking spot so we left about a an hour before the program began. It turned out to be a great move. We were in line early enough to guarantee us a seat. John was a little nervous about going with his group until his cousins arrived but after they arrived he seemed ok to be without us. James and Patrick were definitely getting tired as we waited in line so I suggested that Matt take the boys to the playground. It gave them a chance to move around and they could also say hi to John who was "back stage". We finally were allowed in and we got settled. Luckily they were selling popcorn as this is just the snack James and Patrick needed. John did wonderful and it looked like he enjoyed himself. He said he would like to do it next year - which made me happy.

We got home got everyone settled (it is now roughly 10:30). A little before 3 am I started to hear it rain. I thought "Oh crap a few windows on our back porch are open but that is tough". I couldn't not believe my ears as the rain was so loud. It almost sounded like a big mop was being dripped on our house. I was also hoping it wouldn't wake the kids because it was so loud. The next thing I heard around 2:57am was a siren letting us know there was a tornado warning. I said to Matt - that is a tornado warning. So we both went upstairs. He got John and I got Patrick. He then went back up for James and I got Tommy. James and John were on the couch still sleeping for the most part but Patrick and Tommy were awake. We turned on the TV to find out any information. We saw the warning was to expire at 3:15 am. After a few minutes of being downstairs we could tell it stopped raining. Then we saw on the Weather Channel that the warning was cancelled. Everyone was put back in bed. I had to rock Tommy back to sleep after he got over a case of the hiccups.

We were all very sleepy this morning but John still made it to swimming lessons today. I had a chiropractor appointment. All is well with my back so I only need to go back when it starts to get sore again. After lessons I took the kids to Target. The wash ruined one of my favorite bras so I was on the hunt for a new one. We stopped at the snack place and had some popcorn with my sister and her kids. She then took the kids to look at the toys while I shopped for a new bra. I could only find one bra that I liked in my size - and it was pink. I bought it - well actually Lori bought it as I had so much stuff I forgot to put it on the counter and luckily Lori was still checking out when I discovered I was about to steal a pink bra. While in the store I heard another siren. I thought "Oh god, I hope they are only testing the siren". I then remembered it is the first Wednesday of the month and it was around 11am and that is when they normally test the siren. It works alright! Everyone is napping right now - thank goodness - hopefully we can get back to "normal" soon!