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?

Ballerina Girl

Typically on parent observation day Grace won't participate. She told me I could watch from the door but that I couldn't come in. I was able to record and take some pictures, which was a first.

Grace's Last Day of Ballet from priscilla harris on Vimeo.

He's Definitely Not ADD

I used to think that Jake had issues with his attention span. But as illustrated by his focus on Legos, I was clearly wrong. It's amazing, not since his dinosaur days (meaning his obsession with dinos) have I seen such concentration and such interest. He builds "ships" daily, mostly Star Wars, but he likes all things Lego.

I ♥ Faces, Week 17 - Photo Challenge "Hats"

I didn't participate the last couple of weeks, but when I saw that the theme was "Hats" I knew I had to post this picture of Gracie. It was Western Day at their preschool, for the letter W. She's become such a little ham in front of the camera. Check out I ♥ Faces for some fun stuff...Here's my entry.

(Half) Marathon Mom

It was hot, it was crowded, I really need to learn to run faster (but I am subtracting the minutes spent waiting in line at the potty stops! oh and we were in corral 21=started 45 minutes later than gun time) and they really need to add more port-a-potties. That about sums up my race day experience. Oh and I slept really really well two nights in a row after the race. Lots of fun, lots of fun! Can't wait until next year...

Little Marathon Man

So much fun, he was so excited to high five Jeff Fischer at the finish. He ran the whole way and he ran super fast! I had trouble keeping up with those kindergartners!

Soon, very soon!

Soccer Mom

Picasso had his 'blue period'; I have my 'soccer mom' period...



...and she scores...


...jake

Too cute to pass up, look closely!

photofunia

Independence

I can see the tiny little steps, barely, but it's there. Ella Kate can go to the potty independently, at home at least, and she can open her fruit snacks (don't judge, I know they are horrible for her teeth) "all byself." Grace can get her own cup and her own water now and if she's feeling it, she'll get some for everyone else too. George can Praise the Lord, f i n a l l y get dressed all by himself. The heel of his sock may be on the front of his ankle, but it's progress being made! Jake can, well, Jake can do quite a bit on his own, but I am quite impressed with his Star Wars renderings. Where he used to ask me to draw for him, he does it all on his own now.

And then you take a day like today, we didn't even venture out of the house. George has been sick, again. But after lunch, a beautiful site. Grace on the little white chair, pulled up to the sink, and George walking over with the lunch dishes, one by one. She rinsed them clean, threw the straws in the trash and stacked the dishes nicely in the sink. And George walked back and forth until every last dish was in the sink. I was so happy I let them have ice cream with m&ms on it! And as if that wasn't enough, at bedtime, after finishing his reader for school, Jake read Curious George Goes to the Dog Show to Georgie. Be still my heart. (Nevermind that George was wearing the same pajamas that he woke up in, does that make me a bad mom?)

And today I can see it clearly, that the seeds are being planted, that independence is sprouting. And it's a little bittersweet, because I am reminded that the whole point of this mommy thing is to teach them, so that when they are all grown up, they can live independently. It's a reminder that as the days go by they will need me less and less. But then again, I suppose that means that I am doing my job right. Until then I will continue to let them waiver in their independence and if they need a bit of reassurance, I'll give it. And if I still have to turn George's socks around, or untwist his seatbelt (even though my 2 year old can do her own) for the fiftieth time, I'll do it and I'll remember to be grateful for the opportunity, knowing that with each passing moment these four precious little people are changing, and this too shall pass.

I ♥ Faces, Week 14

Easter/Spring is the theme. I have plenty of those!

Jake finding an egg...




Go check out the rest at I ♥ Faces!

Happy Easter!

I forgot my camera for the church egg hunt, but it doesn't matter anyhow. We headed out immediately after the closing hymn and still all of the eggs were gone. The older kids had about 6 dozen a piece. Some nice parents that felt sorry for the little ones made their kids throw some eggs back out, they came away with four each. When my kids get old, I will remember this. I'll make them volunteer to hide eggs for the little ones! But Jake got a "golden egg" so to speak, he got a mini Star Wars ship in one. They were a bit sad, but we followed up with our own Harris family egg hunt complete with Dino-eggs.

(click to enlarge)

The Formal Family Portrait

From the night of David's parents anniversary party...

I ♥ Faces

Week 13 - April 6th - My Friend & I

Taken last summer, Grace and Ella Kate at the park on a hot August day. This is my entry for the I ♥ Faces Photography Blog. Go have a look see for some other fabulous enries!

Dumbo, Grace Age 4

You see the resemblance, right?

Spring Break...well for 3 of the 4

Even though it was snowing OK, well flurrying this morning, it is indeed Spring Break 2009, well for George, Grace and Ella Kate. Jake is in school until noon on Thursday. So we are having a fun filled vastaycation...

Playing with clay at my dear friend Tiffany's, we've known each other since we were six years old and re-connected on facebook. She's a fabulous artist. She was kind enough to let each of us make a cross and a bowl. The kids had the best time at her house. They are still talking about the bird that can sound like a telephone.




And George made a new best friend named Zoe who happens to weigh in at 180 lbs.



The kids tried out the trampoline and the swings even though it was freezing out...

Happy April Fool's Day

I had a 5:30 am wake up call to the tune of..."Mommy come wock me!" from none other then the little sweetie pie Ella Kate, and I'm not foolin you. But if you know her, you know that she's a sleeper, as in slept in until 10:30 yesterday morning. Need coffee!

I ♥ Faces

A photography challenge I couldn't pass up at I ♥ Faces this week. I did in fact give birth to a professional pouter. And I have many pictures to prove it. My cousin thinks that she's just misunderstood.

Fifty Years

Looking at the person sitting next to you, fifty years may seem like a long time, but looking back on fifty years, it has flown by in the blink of an eye...my father in law said something along these lines as he toasted fifty years of marriage and fifty years of memories and fifty years of family and friends, which the latter he insisted are the two most important things in life. George and Sonie have had a blessed and extremely fulfilling life and have always provided for us and continue to provide for us a shining example of commitment.

This past weekend we were a part of a celebration of the past fifty years and wow, what a celebration it was. It was so neat to look around and see George's childhood buddy, friends from the various locales that George and Sonie have lived in and the entire family in the same room. The little people had so much fun we stayed until the very last song, I'm fairly sure that they danced to every single song that evening, and there were many. George (little guy) even cried at the end of the night because the band was finished, tears from being tired or tears from wanting to keep dancing, probably a bit of both! Who knew that these little people possessed the ability to shake their tushes that way, particularly George?!?!? We changed them into their pajamas as we got into the car and they were fast asleep before we even hit the interstate.

What a lovely, albeit exhausting weekend! And it certainly did fly by a bit too fast...

(Click image to enlarge)

It's Official

I registered for the 1/2 Marathon...I completed a full back in 1999, I think the 1/2 is right up my alley! And Jake's doing the Kids' Marathon (completing 25.2 miles on his own by April 23rd, or with my assistance), he'll run a modified mile ending at LP Field on the Friday before the marathon.

Where has the week gone?

It's been a long week, I'm glad to have some big projects behind me, well mostly behind me. We did get to the park earlier in the week, while the weather was still warm. The kids were like different little people after having so much fresh air. We met a little guy who has been battling leukemia, thankfully he's in remission, but it's such a reminder that there are bigger problems out there than whether or not my house is picked up. I'm thankful for my little people that's for sure, even though first born daughter did cause quite the scene at the park with her inability to share her lollipop. Look closely and you will see said lolli...

I ♥ Faces, Week 9

I skipped last week, I just got so busy. This week's theme over at I ♥ Faces is "Creative Crop."





Ella Kate at two and a half, where does the time go?

Pretty Painting

I made this for Gracie and turned it into a bow hanger...since she has so many now.

I love Tuesdays!

On Tuesdays, Jake brings home his schoolwork from the previous week. I love seeing his work and having a glimpse into his little mind. The wheels are definitely turning.


Translation:
The Brave Little Bunny
Someone left the door to the cage open. Millie escaped from the cage. Millie went on the other side. Millie found another bunny.


Translation:
1. Is it night?
2. He is giving.
3. I like Matthew M.
4. I am old.
5. Ross said play.
6. He has a suit case.
7. My sister is pretty.

Multitasking vs Avoidance

In my attempt to avoid my responsibilities multitask this week, I spent the wee hours of the morning evenings teaching myself how to make bows. With two girls and living in the South(as stated by my friend) this skill comes in handy. But I couldn't stop at that...no it turned into this crazy late night bow obsession. So I am tired and vow to make it to bed at a decent hour tonight, but my girls will learn about the art of accessorizing at an early age, also a skill that will come in handy, no matter where you live.

What started out innocently enough after a Google search on bow making instructions...


And the next night when it had already gotten out of hand...and my desk looked like ribbon had thrown up on it...

And then somewhere I took a completely wrong turn...and picked up a paint brush!?!?