You will never have this day with your children again...

Thanks to my sister-in-law for sharing this with me.

SO beautiful.

I shall be printing and posting this somewhere prominent, to read each day!

Shirt tucks and ...the Booger War

One precious, handsome son of mine was getting ready this morning for Mass... he couldn't have looked more dapper, dressed in his finest (his choice)... suit vest and pants, dress shirt and dress shoes. This is my son who insists on having his shirts tucked in no matter what the outfit, no matter what the occasion. He hikes his pants up nice and high, to be sure the shirt doesn't come untucked. And I let him do it, because, well... I find it incredibly adorable, despite the 'Erkel look'. (remember the tv show with Erkel? Family Matters, I believe...)

Anyway, today he was getting ready and I had big sis on 'Help little brother' duty. As she was patiently tucking in his shirt, his hand were up to his face...
"C, put your hands down so I can tuck in your shirt."
"Okay, okay! Just a minute- okay.....I....GOT IT!"
(Next moment: booger was inserted delightedly into mouth, with a great smile of immense satisfaction, having retrieved the gold.)


Mama had to finish tucking his shirt in, for big sister was just a tad bit grossed out at that point, wanting nothing to do with the Booger-Picker/Eater.

Ah yes. The War with Boogers. Am I the only one who battles this war with her children??
Indeed this was not the first incident, nor shall it be the last!! I have struggled through this with each of my children. (I even caught the 20 month old sticking his finger in his nose the other day to my great horror!!!)  But with each child, I swear- there's absolutely No Shame whatsoever! I have even tried the 'Aren't you embarrassed that so and so is watching you??" tactic. But nope. Not even a flinch. I've tried the "Gross! Think of all the germs you're touching!" approach....even having Nurse Grandma tell them reasons they shouldn't do this from a medical perspective. I've tried the 'Oh, let's be a lady/gentlemen' plea, hoping they would instinctively desire virtue over vice, manners over muck. But who am I kidding?? Seriously-you'd think they'd never had such a savory meal in their life, the way they incessantly work to reach that one particular booger, way back there, then without hesitating a moment, pop it in their little mouth and- I'm not kidding- actually close their eyes and smile as they 'chew' and swallow. Ahhhhh!!!!!! It's hopeless, it is!

Okay, so maybe it's just my kids. But... I do have hope. At least my oldest has outgrown it over time. (Unless she still does it in secret....uh oh. I hadn't thought about that.)
These habits are hard to break, so it seems.
But.... it's a child thing........right??!!
:)

An Apple....or 2 or 3....Keeps the.... Doctor Away??

I'm not sure this good ol' adage is going to cut it at our house. In fact, I think it may be a dangerous recommendation at this point with this set of children.
Frankly, I'm more concerned that, rather than keeping anything or anybody away from our house,  they're going to invite the bugs into our house!
Explanation? Yes, of course...

Today.... well, I'll start off by saying: My children LOVE apples.
Even the baby gleefully requests "Bapple!!" daily, as he watches his brothers and sisters sumptuously crunch into a shiny, crunchy, delectable, juicy apple. The only one at this point missing out on this daily delight is my oldest darling daughter, M, who has faithfully and dutifully obeyed her Doctor and, alas, cannot indulge in this 'forbidden fruit' until the braces come off!

But their love affair with apples is perhaps going to need some self-control and better habit-training; a point that was clearly and repeatedly brought to my attention over- and over-and over again today.
Let me show you what I mean....

It all started when I noticed the oldest brother crunching on an apple delightedly, and thoughtfully running into the kitchen to grab an apple for his brother. Aw, how sweet and thoughtful. Made me smile. A few moments later, after getting several mouthwatering crunches in, the two brothers set down their apples simultaneously on the kitchen table and proceeded to head outside to continue their afternoon  boys' play, assuring me they'd 'be back soon' to finish them off:

Then, moments later, I noticed the middle sister merrily crunching into an apple of her very own, as she was busily and contentedly coloring something in the school room... Shortly after, I noticed two more apples suddenly sitting on the kitchen counter (while the other two apples were still left forlornly waiting to be retrieved on the kitchen table):

At this point, I was doing a quick clean up around the house, and became aware that something strange was going on here.....another apple lying just outside the laundry room:

And another sitting on the girls' bed:

Oh yes, yet another on the interrupted, unfinished Thomas the Train board game:

I collected the apples from the house and set them down on the counter, amused by how many different shapes and sizes, bit and bites each apple displayed. Mind you, the other two apples were still sitting on the table, waiting patiently for the brothers to return and claim them:

But wait! Lest you think this comedy over, yet another is soon discovered tapping the ivories:

At this point, it's more amusing to me than anything. Seriously??? Is this a joke?? I looked around to see if anybody was hiding and snickering in a corner as I discover another apple so daintily set upon the soft couch pillow, almost like an offering upon a plush, royal pillow:

And, thank goodness I discovered (before the ants or roaches) the next apple that, I assume, had inadvertently rolled under the futon (most likely sending its owner back to the kitchen in search of a new apple to replace the 'lost' one- ah yes, I believe I'm catching on here):

Aha! Caught ya! This little guy never received an apple from me today! Oh ho no! But- if I was a
bettin' woman, I'd put my money on one of his big brothers! Most likely one of them took pity upon the little beggar, as he - oh so irresistibly- cried out "Bapple? Bapple?", with his wistful, larger-than-life, dreamy blue eyes and melt-your-heart smile:

 CRUNCH!!!!  (Unfortunately, I didn't get a snap of it, but what you don't see here is that he actually had set down another apple.  Yep, you heard right: two apples! One in each hand, double-fisting it! One bite from this one, one bite from that one....a merry ol' time for this apple glutton!):

 So, now I stacked up the apples that I could gather (some had now been re-claimed, or were still being bit into, so I was only able to grab enough to satisfy 7 dwarves):

Unbelievable. A family meeting will be called to discuss our new "Irwin Apple Rules":
1. The proper way to request an apple from an adult only: No more 'help yourselves'!
2. The proper way to eat an apple: Every. Last. Bite.... except for the seeds and the stem. From one apple. Not two. Not three. Not one in each hand. Nope. And before even thinking about being done, look and test and taste: If there's any 'crunch' left, sit back down: it's not done!
3. The proper way to dispose of an apple: First, show Mama/Papa, to see if you receive permission to be done. If so, then dispose in the sink or trash only. If no, sit back down and finish it up!
4. The proper way to share an apple with the baby: Um, let's just say: Nope. No sharing. Only Mama/Papa doles out sliced apples to the baby. And it will be one at a time.

So. That's that. Lessons learned, Apples eaten. The rest of the day went by without any more apple discoveries, thankfully.......

Until dinnertime. Going to the freezer to grab something, lo and behold! A frozen apple creation to behold:

Flabbergasted Me: "What is this all about?"
Innocent child: "Oh! We almost forgot about that! It's a special secret apple dessert! We wanted to try and see what it would be like to freeze it, after we put maple syrup on it!"
Sigh. Well.....at least this one hadn't been bitten into yet!!!! (Have you ever seen/touched a frozen apple? This was a new experience for me! It was rock solid.)

Irwin Apple Lesson #5. Apples will remain where Mama puts them. No 'special secret desserts'  allowed. And no more experiments in the freezer.

Why BedHead Hair is one my favorite things.....

(Is it awful that I didn't have any desire whatsoever to touch that head of hair with a brush? No way. You can't even style hair that way if you wanted to!)

Okay. I need to go find someone to smooch right now!!!!!!!!!

Things That Make You Go "Hmmmmm...."

I really enjoy the show "Duck Dynasty"- we have been able to watch several episodes, thanks to Netflix. Great family- funny scenarios, amusing interactions, and in the end, an endearing moral (most often hi lighting the importance of family).  Good fun entertainment. In fact, I really like the family and what I have seen/read about them.

Now, having said that- I have never ever been one to 'advertise' for famous people or name brands. I even cringe inwardly at the idea of my girls wearing specific Disney princess logos/attire. (Nonetheless, there are still a few that have made their way into the girls' dressers over the years.) I don't know- I just think it's strange to wear another person's picture on me....well, at least if they're a stranger. (I am not speaking of the endearing Mother's Day shirt donning a picture of my favorite little people in the whole world!)  So....the boys were in need of new undies, and their father picked some up on the way home yesterday. As we were folding laundry this afternoon, I came across, well.... something that made me go 'Hmmmmm.'  

I don't think I need to say anything else.

(okay. Can't help it. This is just.....bizarre....weird....disturbing...wrong??? Wearing a face on a fanny? I'm thinking either the Duck Dynasty crew doesn't know all the different Duck attire styles out there that don their faces....or, they're having the final laugh..... um.....yeah.)

Landfillharmonic

This is absolutely stunning... a triumph of the human spirit, a testimony to the power of music and love and hope- and creativity, too!  I am so moved by this precious story, and I hope you are, too...

Evidently, there is a documentary film being produced about this unique orchestra....

Beautiful.

So we've got a few things to work on....

Okay, so I confess- and I have to believe I'm not the only one- sometimes I am just way too lazy to take my kiddos into the bathroom at the nearest store/gas station when we're out and about and they 'really have to go'.  I mean, the thought of herding all five of them back out (yes, 'back out', because mind you, we had just been in the store and there was not once a mention of how badly any one of them had to go, just 2 minutes ago), back out across the parking lot, all the way through the store to the very very back, (so conveniently located for us mothers at least, oh...a full mile away), to relieve one of my children, then trudge all the way (1 mile) back, across the parking lot, then go through the whole rigamarole of buckling everyone back in, disciplining at least one or two bickering children that don't want to sit in their carseat.... only to pull out and get on the road and suddenly have another child pipe up, "Mama, I have to go now, too."  Seriously.

So, my brilliant, highly-cultured solution: Pull the car over and relieve yourself outside.

So problem solved, right? Well, this afternoon, I realized, to my great dismay, that perhaps I hadn't properly explained to/trained my precious children in the etiquette of when and where this sort of thing is 'okay' and permissible....at least, according to their mother. I was sitting in the family room, working on schoolwork with my oldest son, when I happened to nonchalantly glance outside and watch as my almost-6 year old princess de-clothed herself completely in a matter of 3 seconds (albeit a swimsuit), and proceed to squat down shamelessly and relieve herself in the middle of our backyard. I admit- I just froze and watched in great shock (and yes, great amusement, too). Just as I was about ready to holler out and reprimand her, I looked across the yard and saw her 4 year old brother pull down his swim trunks and, like a pro, whiz as well- for a good long 20 seconds at least. Whoa. Okay....so, let's look at the positives: there were no accidents to clean up, no dirt dragged in or wet grassy feet trudged along the floor or carpet, happy kids still playing contently outside.... positives, right?! But, of course, all I could think of at that moment was that my two darling lovely 'middle' children, that I am so proud of and work daily to instill manners in, did this so expertly that I have no doubt this was only one of many times they have done this- at home, in our backyard....just less than, oh, maybe 30 feet from the nearest comfortable, clean, convenient bathroom. (One of the older siblings indeed confirmed this when I pointed out what they were doing: "Oh yeah, Mama. They do it all the time when we're in the backyard.") Oh boy.

So... I've got a few things to work on!!

Who are YOU?!

Somebody discovered the 'baby in the reflection' today- in the stove...

Hey!

Yeah, you! Hey there!

You're a mighty handsome lad!

Oh yes, it was love at first sight!! The 'other baby' even had a belly button, too- see Mama?

And the other baby thought K was hilarious... (K thought the baby was hilarious, too!)

Peek-a-boo!

My new buddy!

It was so priceless how long he was entertained by 'the other baby', that I was even able to grab the video camera and get a few minutes of his interaction. Ah yes- how easily entertained a mother is by her children!
But then big brother came in at one point to try and get in on the fun.... but K  ("Little Boo") would have none of it. Woowee! Was he protective of the other baby!!

He's my buddy!

No! You stay away!

I'm warning you! Back away! Or else!

I gotcha, buddy. Don't worry!

Oh no!!! Mamaaaa! He's trying to share my buddy!!!!

Life's tough at 20 months. What can I say?!

Happy Bithday, C!!!

My Little Man turned FOUR this past Sunday!!!  Poor kid was so confused about when he actually turned four, since we had celebrated the two boys' birthdays together with their special 'knight party', then celebrated and went to the beach with family over the weekend. So when Sunday morning rolled around and I excitedly told him, "Guess what, buddy?! Today you're really truly 4 years old!" he didn't know what to think. Fast forward to Monday morning... he came racing into my room and proclaimed, "Today's my real birfday! I'm 4!!!"  I said, "Well, actually, remember it was yesterday? You're still four, but your birthday's over now."  His completely logical, reasonable, answer: "No, Mama. That was my pretend birfday. Today I'm 4." Okiedokie! :)

Happy Birthday,
Little Man.
4 years have gone so fast- and you are truly my sweet, tender-hearted honey. I love you and I thank God everyday for the gift you are to me! Just don't grow up too fast on Mama!!!!

"The Black Eye"

Their father came across the good ol' tv sitcom, "Leave It To Beaver" on Netflix and decided to indulge the kids in a viewing of the episode called "The Black Eye."  I forgot how funny that show was! In particular, that's a great episode!

Anyone want to discuss whether or not kids are influenced by what they see/hear in movies or on television?  Here's my answer:

(Mind you- this is what I woke up to this morning, as I went out with friends last night before they were done watching this episode.)

I think I need to hide the markers for awhile. They are all becoming a little too familiar with these lately!!!!   However- I am thankful they are washable.  Just in the nick of time, I managed to 'rescue' my 4 year old's face from a bright Kelly green permanent sharpie this morning, after taking the above pictures.  Phew! Don't know quite how I'd manage to cover that up prior to Mass tomorrow morning!

Picture of the Day, Courtesy of….Guess Who?!

TADA!!!!

We all laughed so hard- he truly looked like a little cartoon character- like a jail breaker actually !!

I must confess- I was so amused that I didn't bother wiping it off before heading out for the evening activities (okay, so all we really did was sit outside in the car while M had ballet, but still…)

Yes, sometimes comic relief is exactly what the doctor ordered!!

And do you want to guess who the culprit was??

Guess again….it's not who you'd think!!!!

GUILTY!!!!

I could not believe she was the guilty party!!!

Thanks for the laugh, M. It was immensely appreciated!!!!!!