Dave's Birthday Party!

Sorry for the delay....After the power outage on Sunday night, our wireless router wasn't working. It's back up and running, so here are a couple pictures of Dave's 42nd birthday celebration.

I am rationing the leftover artichokes from D'Agnese's. (Not sure of the spelling on that)

Happy Birthday Dave!

The Best Souvenir

Of all the souvenirs that we saw in Las Vegas for our kids, I knew that this would be the best one for Isabella. This kid can eat candy like nobody's business. Her eyes were as big as half dollars when she saw the size of this sucker! I have no doubt that she will finish the entire thing like a champ.

Scavenger Hunt

While preparing dinner the other night, I noticed these Cheeto's on the kitchen floor. I thought, uh-oh, someone left the snack cabinet untied again. There is only one culprit in this house that dumps food on the floor, so I knew I had to find him quickly.

As I went to the living room, I found another, larger scattering of Cheeto's, but still no boy. I was starting to worry. I had visions of my Pottery Barn comforter smeared with orange, slobbery powder.

Then I found him with the entire bag, very happy and very proud. I don't let him eat Cheetos because they are so crunchy and I am afraid he will choke. He thought he had found the motherload of all snacks and went on an eating frenzy as quickly as he could, knowing it was only a matter of time before the curly-haired woman would come along and ruin his fun.

I am still finding hand prints around the house where he left his mark.

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!

Nick and I are leaving tomorrow at 12:40PM for a weekend in Las Vegas, sans children. This is the first time we have gone anywhere alone in almost 3 years. This is a much needed trip as this has been a stressful year to say the least. The kids will be at my parents house for the weekend having the time of their lives, and will probably not think of us once.

I am looking forward to beng on my own schedule and not having to worry about who is hungry, sleepy, and crabby; or who has practice, tests or a big project due. I am especially excited to go an entire day without caked-on food on my shoulder and poop on my hands.

We are going to sit at the pool, enjoy nice dinners out that are too fancy for kids, and gamble our life savings away. (Just kidding) And we are going to have normal conversations that will not revolve around kids and work.

To my children, I promise that when I return, I will be less snippy and more patient and ready to handle all the problems and issues that arise with a calm, serene approach.

Taylor's Birthday Party!!

We are the Typical "Hanna Andersson" Family

Don't you love this picture? What are the possibilities of the oldest children wearing this dress and the "Hub" dressing like his 1 year old son so that we could all match? Can't you just see us walking through Harbor Town this summer in our matching outfits; all the children smiling, well mannered and clean?

Or how about this picture?

The 6 of us frolicking in the ocean together in our matching swim suits?

Doesn't this model look remarkably like Nick?

Human Garbage Disposal

Shortly after this picture was taken, I found a chewed up wad of paper, a piece of plastic wrapper to a Capri Sun straw (seen sticking out), and remnants of an M & M (Take note of the chocolate stain on his sweater!)

I should probably vacuum more, huh?

Dress-Up

This morning Isabella asked me if I would play dress-up with her. So we got out the bin, but everything that I proceeded to put on myself, she would take away from me and put it on herself. She ended up with just about everything in the bin. I was allowed to put on the flower headband pictured below. Long after the dress-up game was over, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and noticed that I had been walking around the house for about 2 hours with a big pink flower on top of my head. And what is even more comical is that Isabella and Nicholas did not find it the least bit odd that I had it on.

All I can say is Thank God no one came to my door!

My New HouseKeeper

Happy Birthday Taylor!

FIFTEEN YEARS!!! So hard to believe that 15 years ago last night your Dad and I set out for the hospital in the middle of a blizzard. I had no idea how much my life would change from the moment you were born. Suddenly it all fell into place. At that moment I felt like I had a purpose in life. I was 23 years old and I was suddenly responsible for another human being. Now that I have babies again, I often wonder how I got along back then. I had no idea what I was doing, but somehow, I figured it out. You were my little doll, and I never wanted to be separated from you.

You have always been a bright, creative, inquisitive, complex child, and you always keep us laughing. From your bellowing singing at the most inoportune moments (such as, first thing in the morning, at the dinner table, and when I am trying to get the little kids to bed); your hand stands in the middle of the living room floor, your Riverdancing throught the kitchen, and last but not least your cheerleading routines in front of the hallway mirror.

You are responsible, diligent, and very organized. I am always so impressed by the way you organize things with your lists and your charts. You have been a big help to me around the house with your great tips and ideas.

You have brought me so much joy, and it has been a bittersweet journey to watch to grow into such a wonderful young lady.

We love you very much Taylor Devon! Happy Birthday!!

Two Peas in a Pod

These two have a bond like none I have ever seen. Isabella watches every move Shea makes with pure adoration. 13 is such a difficult age and often times Shea keeps her feelings and her affections well hidden. She never hides them from Isabella. She always has hugs and kisses for her and always tells her that she loves her. It is the coolest thing to see.

I hope that they will always share this bond even when Shea is grown and on her own.

Love/Hate Relationship

I love that these four men have the ability to put Isabella into a trance-like state for 30 minutes so that I can get something done without interuption, but if I have to listen to "Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car" one more time, I am going to hurt myself with a blunt kitchen object.

Happy Birthday Nicholas Joseph!

My sweet little baby boy - 1 year has gone by! In one year since you have arrived, your presence has changed our family dramatically. I never could have imagined having a son, and what a shock it was when you were born. You were supposed to be Francesca! (I am still mildly bitter that I did not get to use that name. And I would secretly call you that if I didn't think it would cause major psychological damage!) I kept calling you "she" for about 6 months because I couldn't get used to the idea of referring to a "he".

In the past year, I have been massively sleep deprived, witnessed some of the most major head trauma's of my life, and run my butt off to stop you from all the dangerous places in our house that before I thought were just household items. The dishwasher, the toilet, chairs, slate floors, all the doors - who knew the hinge side of the door acts as a vice grip on small fingers. And let's not forget Barbie shoes - how many barbie shoes can a baby jam into his mouth before his mother notices?

Mostly in the last year, I have fallen madly in love with the little boy with the heart-melting smile. You are a sweet, funny, happy, mischievous child all wrapped up into one cuddly package. You are the perfect addition to our family, and I feel that we are now complete.

As for Francesca, I see a four-legged creature in our future someday, and I want naming rights.

We love you, precious little man. Happy First Birthday!

I guess this is one way to play with the toys......Climb into the toy basket!

Having Kids a Decade Apart

BENEFITS

I am more mature, wiser, and much more patient in my thirties than I was in my twenties.

Taylor and Shea feel a sense of responsibility and have vastly matured because of their younger siblings.

Our family has been drastically enriched by the addition of Isabella and Nicholas.

DISADVANTAGES

Isabella's vocabulary contains phrases like "That will freak me out", "That's gross", "You're weird", and "Oh -----My ------Ga.....sha!"

I am the only mother at the High School sporting events carrying a diaper bag instead of a trendy bag.

My body did not bounce back to it's bikini ready form as it did in my twenties. (1 year and counting.....still not ready.)

The other moms at the grocery store with babies look like teenagers.

I will be 56 years old when Nicholas leaves for college!

Happy Birthday Dad and Joe!

Saturday night we went to my in-law's to celebrate my father-in-law's and my brother-in-law's birthdays. Tons of appetizers, delicious sandwiches and two different kinds of birthday cake! I was stuffed when we left. Everything was so good, and we all had a great time!

Crazy Girls!

Shea invited 6 of her friends over on Friday night for a sleepover. After all these years of hosting sleepovers, I am always astonished at how loud a group of girls can be. Thankfully, we have a large finished basement where they stayed for most of the evening. They came up for pizza and cake, and that was all we heard from them for the rest of the night. It's so funny how the parties never change from generation to generation. Lot's of food, pop, and candy, always accompanied by a scary, gory movie about a psycho killer wandering around some small, quiet neighborhood with a butcher knife. Friday's selection was titled "Prom Night".

Something tells me that this will be the last year for an all girls party. There have already been some rumblings about having a co-ed party. God help us!

Our Winter House Guest

My parents left today for Florida. They rented a condo for the next 5 weeks in attempt to escape the winter. They used to leave the last week of January after Paige's birthday and return the first week of March just before Taylor's birthday. I remember telling Nick that we can absolutely positively not have a baby in February because it is the only month my parents can get away. Low and behold, Nicholas arrived almost dead center in the middle of February. My parents were able to push there trip last year up so that they were here for his birth, but missed Paige's birthday. This year, they are flying home for the weekend of Nicholas' birthday so they can celebrate his first birthday with us. From what they have said, for the next years to come, they will alternate the birthdays of the grand kids that they miss so that they do not miss a child's birthday two years in a row.

When they travel, we keep their 11 year old Black Lab, Abby. She's a very good dog, and loves being here with the kids. It's the least I can do since the dog used to be ours. I bought her in Texas 6 months before I divorced Taylor's and Shea's Dad. My parents graciously agreed to keep Abby at their house until I bought my own home. Well, by the time that happened, my parents couldn't let her go. She had become theirs. She is my Dad's third daughter. He walks her EVERY NIGHT all the way down their street whether it's a heat wave, a rain storm or a blizzard. She follows him around the yard when he's outside and stays close to him in the house.

Isabella is in Heaven with her here. She thinks Abby is her newest playmate, and shares toys, blankets and food with her. Yesterday she asked Abby if she would like to have Macaroni and Cheese with her. Of course, Abby said "Yes please, that would be lovely". Nicholas is amazed how quickly the food disappears from his hands when he hangs them over the sides of his high chair. I think Abby is going to need a serious diet when she leaves in March.

A Little Bartering Goes a Long Way

Shea wants a cell phone so bad, it pains her. Taylor was allowed to have a cell phone the summer before she entered the 8th grade. At that point, I felt she was responsible enough to take care of it, and probably needed one for extra carilculars/social life. For the last 6-8 months, Shea has become much more involved in activities, and is way more social than Taylor was in the 7th Grade. I am constantly giving Shea my cell phone so that she has a way of contacting us when she is away from home. I made her a deal about 4 months ago that if she could keep her room clean for 60 days straight, she could get a cell phone. Thereafter, she also had to maintain the cleanliness. I thought for sure that was the incentive that she needed to get the ball rolling in becoming more organized in her bedroom. She didn't make it more than a couple days before the clothes were back on the floor and all the drawers of her dresser were open again. (This is really bizarre, by the way. It completely defies gravity when every single drawer is super extended, filled with clothes and the dresser does not fall over.)

Shea is officially the only kid in her "Group" that does not have a cell phone. I am made aware of this fact at least a couple times a week. I continue to remind her that she could be furiously texting at the moment if only she were able to keep her room clean. I have decided to assist her. Last week, together, we tackled her bedroom and bathroom. We sorted trash, donations, and keepers. I told her I would put together a check list of everything that needed to be done on a nightly basis in order to keep her room clean.

I am proud to say that she is 9 days closer to her goal. I have had to give some friendly reminders, but otherwise, she’s doing great. For the first time ever, she got her clothes from the laundry room, folded them herself and put them all away without being asked. I was jumping for joy!

This is her checklist:

• All clothes off the floor either put away or thrown in the hamper
• No paper or trash on the floors or dressers
• All drawers closed
• Bathroom tidy (Clothes off the floor, toilet flushed, towels hung up)

It should take her no more than 10 minutes per day to keep her room neat and tidy. I think she might just do it this time!

The "Swaddle Game"

Isabella likes to play this new game where I have to call her "Baby" and swaddle her in a blanket. This game continues ALL DAY. Unlike a newborn, however, she damands that I carry her thirty-something pound body around the house swaddled in her extremely thick blanket. And I can't seem to get it through my brain that her name is Baby, NOT Isabella!