I'm back...

So I stopped blogging for no reason in particular and have thought several times about jumping back on here, but then you wonder how do I go back? I mean I can't feasibly pick up where I left off...then I remembered that the main reason I am doing this is for history's sake. So during my hiatus, the kids went back to school, the twins started pre-k, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone and we are 2 months into the New Year. Nothing is really new, there is still a mountain of laundry, the house is still a wreck and the kids still argue on a daily basis. I am training for the Country Music Half Marathon again, with my goal being to finish faster than I did last year. It's really just to keep me accountable to some sort of work out. Oh, and we are on level 8 in Super Mario Bros. (Wii).

I did pick this year to act on this little dream of mine, thanks to many encouraging friends for having my back and lending me your sweet children' faces...

Star Wars and Legos still take precedent over any other toy in the house, as for the girls, coloring, drawing and dance reign supreme.

So I guess that brings us up to speed for now, and because a post is boring without pictures, here's one taken during one of our snow days, yes you read that "days" as plural. Very rare in this part of the country!

Bye Bye Summer...it's been fun!

Good golly seems I've been whining about wanting school to start for most of the summer. Now that it's quickly approaching I am inundated with thoughts of how in the world am I going to have all four kids out the door by 7 every morning. Not to mention that two are prone to getting car sick if we travel more than 8 miles at a time. Good times to look forward to.

The other thing that I am constantly trying to sort out in my head is how to juggle all of the activities. You moms of older children weren't kidding when you told me that "it gets easier in some ways, but harder in others" as they get older. We are balancing ballet, swim team, soccer, cross country and gymnastics. And that's just one kid...only kidding.

I suppose I need to come up with some more creative breakfast ideas for eating on the go and maybe find a place where I can order those little bags they have in the seat pocket in front of you on airplanes. You know the ones I'm talking about.

And then there were two...

I started another blog for a new and exciting venture... come visit!

I'm Thirty Four...

Right Now...

Ella Kate is watching Hi-5, again... she could watch it for hours if you let her, getting up to dance and sing along throughout...

Jake and George are wrestling and I have decided to close the doors to my room and let them...The only rule I told them was "no crying!" So why am I hearing crying now?

Grace is fast asleep, coming down with the cold that George and Ella Kate are getting over.

Popcorn is popping, for the kids afternoon snack, one of the few things they can all agree on...

Diet Dr. Pepper for me, first soda in months (kidney stones)...as I try and assess this situation that is me at thirty four...

Breathing treatment for George...

Outside my window is our yard that is parched to say the least, burned to the roots from the blazing sun is more like it.

I am trying to contain the clutter...trying not to let it win. Trying to embrace the tinker toys, the cheerios, the tiny light sabres from Jake's Legos, the stuffed dogs, the bits of play dough, the pajamas George took off this morning and left on the floor, the stuff that is our life. Because when I'm sixty four I'll be missing that stuff...

I am wearing a grey Under Armour shirt and my light blue New Balance running shorts, even though I haven't gone for a run yet. My hair is in a ponytail, per usual.

I am going to go for a run tonight after the sun goes down...because the morning got away from me and now it's too hot to go run outside unless I am asking for heat stroke.

I am reading My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult

I am thankful for the people in my life that get me... and although it's even more work than I expected I am thankful to have the littles home with me enjoying the summer fun together...the swimming and the whining, the playing and the fighting, the sharing and the shoving...

I am hopeful that I'll always be young at heart!

Looking forward to the year ahead and what it may bring my way...

Ella Kate

Baby Mine

Ella Kate's third birthday is fast approaching. I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday, it's gone by impossibly fast. I have trouble recalling her infancy, it's so much more difficult to focus with three other children to keep up with. I know she did everything early, rolling, scooting, crawling, etc.

She is "the baby" by default because of birth order. How much longer can I call her that though?



...yes she still has a paci and her blankey, but I promise she won't go off to college with the paci. This is her last night watching Hi-5 before going beddy bye.

Child's Play

This morning while playing mommy/baby...

Ella Kate: (whining) Moooommmmyyyy.
Grace: What sweetie?
Ella Kate: (continues whining) Mooommmyyy.
Grace: (becoming exasperated) WHAT!?
Ella Kate: (continues whining) Mooommmyyy.
Grace: I'm taking you home and leaving you there, I'm not mommy anymore, I'm gramma!

Tonight in the tub:

Grace: George which Barbie do you like the naked one or this really pretty one?