The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The kids and I had a blast this morning. We read The Very Hungery Caterpillar. After, we made our own caterpillars out of craft sticks. They loved it. Then they decided to make letters with the sticks. They had such a good time. Before I realized, it was time for naps. They really had nice behavior and worked well together. It was too funny...Caleb was upstairs yelling for McKenna. When she made her way up to the kitchen, he had a yogurt opened and ready for her. It was too sweet. They sat together and ate their snack. Lucky for me, I didn't have to get their snack ready for them.

These are some real monkeys I wouldn't mind on my back.

"When Mommy says not to slide down the steps on your tummy...there is usually a reason."


Too nice to stay inside


Today, my friend Sonja came over. Her dryer was broken, so she dried her clothes here and I actually got out of the house for the first time in almost a week. Well, I take that back. I attempted to shop on Friday, but that doesn't count since I was alone. Sonja and Jakey came over and we went for a walk an let the kids play at the park. She has no idea how much I really needed to get out and have a conversation with another adult. The kids had a great time. Caleb gave Jake an embrace like I have never seen upon their arrival. Like he hadn't seen him in 10 years. It was too cute. The boys had a nice afternoon. As usual, McKenna held her own. Hoping for an easy bedtime since the boys chose not to nap today and pulled out every piece of clothing they both have out of their drawers. This is the third time this week. It looks like a tornado in their rooms. I got most of it picked up earlier, but have to get the rest up before bedtime. Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.

Coloring turkeys

Cutting out colored turkeys

Painting pine cones



Dot to Dot Turkeys


Thanksgiving Memory Game

If this is what Trevor is like now (at 4), I can only imagine him at 14.

This picture cracks me up. This is how I discovered Trevor.

And...this is how your cake will end up when a two year old head-butts you from behind.



Well, we had a non-traditional Thanksgiving. The kids and I spent the day doing Thanksgiving crafts and playing games. It was a nice afternoon with the kids as their behavior was great. Of course, we topped the evening off by watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving for the hundredth time this month.

Thank You

I am thankful for:
My God
My children
My husband
My family
My in-laws
My friends
Warm November days
Crisp November mornings
I can stay home to nurture my children
My husband has a job which is not threatened by today's economy
A warm house when it is cold outside
My heating pad when I am not feeling good
Mornings before the kids wake up and the house is quiet
My flavored coffee creamers
Family get togethers
My childrens' health
A clean kitchen floor for more than 20 minutes
Lunchables and Spaghettios when it is close to nap times
The gym daycare (my only 2 hours of sanity 3x a week)
When all three kids nap at the same time
Ellen, The View, Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy
The Interstitial Cystitis Support Network
Friends who answer their phone when they know you might need someone
Reading the Sunday paper on Sunday and not the following Saturday
WCPO online
When Mimi comes over to fold my laundry
A car that doesn't go into the shop
The chaos...it is so much better than quiet at times

The Deca-dipper

Don't eat the dip



All I can say is, if you come to my house...don't eat the dip. My kids are deca-dippers, if there is such a thing. McKenna and Caleb were going to town this afternoon eating chip dip. McKenna actually tried to drink it. It was so gross. I am such a germ-a-phobe. I could hardly stand to watch them. I was cringing with every bite. Yuck!! Anyway, I am feeling much better today. Besides the fact that my urologist left me hanging as far as aftercare from surgery, I am doing better than expected. I will post about the whole ordeal later. For now, I am tired and sore. The kids are wearing us out. Aaron is such a big help, though. At least he was for one day. The kids are really glad to have him home this week.

Well, Trevor certainly has the monotone down doesn't he? He had a great time serenading us today. I am up to my eyeballs with Christmas music being played over and over on the radio. Somehow, Trevor's awful rendition of Jingle Bells could play continuously and I would be glad to hear it.

What you talkin' bout Willis?

The Weeble Wobble

Dancing McKenna and her really bad hair

Our tree is up

Well, we now have our Christmas tree up and running. Of course, since our kids are so little, we have half of the tree decorated (stupid toddlers and their curiosity). McKenna and Caleb can't keep their hands off the ornaments. So we have, yet another, half decorated tree. Four years and counting. The kids have had a good time putting up all the decorations this year. We are going to paint the pine cones Oma and Pepere brought home Myrtle Beach and put them on the mantle later. They are really in the spirit and want to listen to Christmas music ALL DAY LONG!!! I am a little fed up with Frosty the Snowman. It is pretty bad when Thanksgiving hasn't even passed and you are already wishing harm to Frosty, Santa and all of his crappy reindeer. At least the kids are having fun with it. They are only young once. They are at such a good age to appreciate all that comes with the holiday season. If only I could be that young again.

Party at Mimi's

At least they are all in the same vacinity. It considered a successful picture if they are all sitting and nobody is crying. Looks like a success to me! Cousin Kevin and Cousin Jakob. What a cute picture. Trevor and Caleb eating dinner together. Too cute. Caleb kept asking all night, "where Brevor go?" Looks like he found him in order to enjoy a nice meal. Like I said before...nobody is crying...works for me! We had a nice dinner over at Mimi's Condo last night. Oma, Pepere, Aunt Kay, Aunt Heidi and Uncle Brian, Aunt Fred and "Uncle Colle" came. And of course, all eight cousins. Ok, I just realized the "Uncle Colle" sounds a little fishy. And while I am a HUGE supporter to abolish proposition eight, "Uncle Colle" is really a nickname the kids have come up with for Aunt Nicolle. It is just easier to say. Anyway, everyone had a great time and the food was aswesome. Trevor enjoyed Mimi's great campfire (as he called her fireplace), and the cousins played so nicely together. McKenna was a little shy to begin with, but eventually warmed up and was able to stop clinging to our knees and crying. It was so nice to have everyone together, especially since we will all be going different directions on Thanksgiving. It was nice to see Uncle Fred, too. With all the travelling he is doing, I was half afraid we wouldn't see him for a long, long time. Thanks for a wonderful night and can't wait to do it again in December!!

Thank Goodness for Santa Clause

OK. I know I am starting early, but I officially used the, "You better behave or Santa won't want to come here" threat to the kids today. I know I should wait until after Thanksgiving, but I couldn't resist. The kids have been behaving much better now that they know Jesus AND Santa are watching. So wrong, I know. But, oh so much better for mommy's sanity. May the season begin...

And, by the way, I just liked this picture of Santa. No real reason I picked it for the picture. I thought it was goofy, that's all.

Who's Who

I was looking at old pictures today and found these baby pictures. Do you know who is who? It took me a minute. Aren't they cute??

Cold Outside

The kids got to spend a few minutes outside today. McKenna and her hat and mittens, Trevor taking charge and digging...



Trevor had a good day at school today. It was "G" day. You know your child is taught with rednecks when another preschooler brings in a toy gun to share with the class. Am I that oversensitive that I think it is inappropriate?? Crazy. Anyway, having my surgery Monday and hopefully I can get back to a somewhat normal life. Relatively speaking. We have Trevor's Thanksgiving party Monday. Mimi has helped us make some games and we are getting pretty excited about it. Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

McKenna got a new hat and mittens today. She absolutely hated the hat, but found the gloves fascinating. She wore them for the better half of an hour, trying to pick up different objects, turn pages of books, etc. She was just trying to figure out what was different about her hands. Too cute. It was a low key day. Aaron took the boys to Pepere's house for a couple of hours and went to the grocery for me. The kids all napped a little and Aaron made dinner. That was a nice surprise. The kids have been pretty understanding that I can't do a whole lot for the next few days. We will see how tomorrow goes, when Dad is back at work and it is just us four. Thanks for all the well wishes. I am feeling better and better. Hope to be back to normal tomorrow.

Home from the hospital

Just to let you all know. I am home from the hospital. It was an extremely long day. We were there six hours. I am in a little pain, but not too bad. It is weird to feel your body pulsing with the pace maker, though. I hope I get used to that feeling. Anyway, so good so far. The kids were good for Oma and Pepere. I'm sure it was a long six hours for them too.

Good Morning Captain Negative

This is how we started our morning (Sorry for the side view. I don't know why I can't figure that out)



I just thought that video was funny, considering the shirt Caleb was wearing. I'm off to get my pace maker leads...I sound like I am 80 years old...ho hum.

Inspector Gadget

Playing Insprector Gadget




McKenna taking "time off" to pose for the camera. Don't you love her 80's legging look.



The kids had a great time playing Inspector Gadget. They measured and counted items. It was a blast until the boys broke the tape measure, again. This is the third tape measure we have gone through. Sorry Daddy. They are extremely distructive little boys. We have gone through three DVD players in the car and two DVD players at home. Sorry Daddy. The home DVD player was broken today. Trevor accidentally pushed it off the TV. So, we have learned that the kids really don't need to watch TV in the car (and haven't since they broke the last one over a year ago) and that tape measures really need to be more durable.

On the health front, I am having the first phase of the bladder pace maker put in tomorrow. The leads will be put in my legs and I will be wearing a pager-type pace maker for a week or so. If is is successful, I will have the permanent device put in. It is an in/out procedure and I will hopefully be back to normal by Thursday. Of course, I can't shower for a few days. Not that this is abnormal for any mom with three kids four and under. Sorry if that is TMI, but it is the TRUTH.

And for those of you who really care, I did make it to the gym again today. I think I have turned over a new leaf and getting back into working out. Lifting my arms and walking are a little difficult today, but that is a good thing. I am really glad I am getting back on the horse. It feels good to be back. The kids are having a good time too. They love the individual attention since they are the only kids at the time I have been going. Wish me luck tomorrow. I will post something as soon as I can.

Mckenna getting her hair-did

This is too cute...


This is why McKenna needed her hair-did. She loves to pull out her rubber bands. So, she runs around looking like this. Her doll shows a stunning resemblance to McKenna (ignore the butt-ugly face...on the doll of course) Having fun lacing cards... And doing puzzles... You know that pillow parties are bound to turn ugly. Unfortunately, the camera died right before they all bonked heads and were screaming for 20 minutes. That would have made for a good blog entry. Nonetheless, they had a great time. Caeleb being...well...Caleb Finally got back to the gym today. It felt really good, aside from not being able to lift my arms past my chest. I look a little like John McCain. Sorry for all you republicans. Anyway, I can only hope this is a start to the new beginning. I really got off track with my bladder issue. I went from working out 3-5 times a week to nothing...nada...zilch. So, I have every intention to keep it up. I think the kids missed it too. Trevor and Caleb got to go swimming with Mimi in the warm pool. They had a great time. McKenna spent her first time in the "big girl" room. When the kids turn 18 months, they can be in the big kid room and you don't have to make a reservation. With my pregnancy history, it has been like 4 years since I didn't have to call ahead. She will be 18 months very soon, so I can go to the gym whenever I want. That should help things. Woohoo!! The kids and I sat this evening and watched the first snowflakes fall. If only I were that amuzed by falling snow. They laughed and tried to catch them in their mouths. Of course, the camera battery was dead. It was so wonderful to see how amazed they were at the snow. It was a really special time for us.