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!