6 months from now...another one...

Will be going  to school! Come on people, what were you thinking I was going to say??? Seriously. I'm busy enough!

I'm talking about Agent P going to Kindergarten. His teacher has no idea what she/he is in for!!  I envision the first day being something of a routine day where I drive him to school (if he lets me-he's already talking about riding the bus! GASP!) and walk him to class (again, if he allows me to).  He is already going to preschool 2 days a week and barely says goodbye to us!
Of course deep down we momma's all hope for a tear or two.  I mean, really, let's be honest. I had to carry that kid around in my uterus for 9 months, birth him, and get him thru his first 5 years of life before handing him over to Kindergarten. I've endured RSV, ear infections, stomach flu's, other random illnesses, teething, potty training, talking back, and all the attitude that comes with an independent Taurus kid. Trust me when I say, I deserve a tear or two....don't I???

I'm afraid the only tears I will be getting will be the ones that either I shed, or the ones that Mini P and Monkey shed for leaving their brother at school and they don't get to stay.

Agent P is very independent and while I'm sure he loves us, can certainly function well without us. I am in the process of yet another room switching fiasco here. (A-Dog is moving into what was my office. Can you say "and then she had none"?????) When A-Dog asked Agent P if he was going to miss sharing a room he looked him square in the eye and said "nope". A-Dog was crushed. I had to stifle my laugh because it was pretty funny!

But that is how Agent P is. To the point. He is a very vivacious and articulate 4 3/4 year old. He is going strong from the time he wakes up until the time he finally falls asleep. He is creative and somewhat devious. If he doesn't like the answer you give him he will just persist and continue on with a rephrase of the question or statement. I have to give him credit, if there's a loophole, he will find it!

I'm not sure Kindergarten will ever be ready for him. We found out yesterday from his preschool teacher that he can read a minimum of 45 words. They aren't really sure how many because he was already sounding out words he didn't know so they stopped. I'm a bit nervous about that....when kids start reading-that is when you can no longer make things up!! Not that I'd do that of course, but if I did, I'd now risk being caught!

I'd love to share a photo or 2 but my sweet husband got me a Netbook for Christmas and all my photos are on the other computer that sits in a room that is nearly no longer mine. Short of the long - I'm too lazy to go in, turn it on, find and edit photos, move them to this computer and upload them. I have a house to clean today!

A nice relaxing ride...

or not.

It could have been.

If I was alone I guess.

But really, what fun is that? :- )

SO, we all 6 packed up and headed over to Saguaro East. They have a paved road that bikes can ride on, as well as cars can drive on and pedestrians walk/run on.  We did cause a bit of a stir when we pulled in driving a suburban with a trailer attached with all sorts of bikes in it. Hey, at least we didn't have the white resin chair (or rocking chair) strapped to the top.  But, the weather was a perfect 60-65 degrees and sunny with barely any wind. What could go wrong?

We got everything unloaded and everyone to their appropriate spot.

The goal was to ride to the picnic area and back (about 2 miles or so). Since my sweet husband was the one pulling the twins, I volunteered to be in charge of Agent P. It's hard to say who had the tougher job. Agent P just started learning to ride without training wheels, however this was not the venue to be running beside him grabbing the seat every time he started tilting over. Not in my opinion.

But the ride started off as typical. I had to head back to the truck after we got around the first curve and up the first hill. Agent P had forgotten his knee/elbow pads and riding gloves. Anyone that knows him well, knows it was in my best interest to head back and get them. Safety first!

That's when the real fun began. I think I burned more calories from stress and anxiety than I did from the actual rigorous bike ride.

Now, I'm a mom of 4. You would think I would actually know something by now. Or at least accepted what I know and stop praying it's not reality. But I have 2 dare devil kids. One is Agent P and the other is Mini P. Luckily, she was tucked away in the bike carrier - strapped in by a 5-point harness with a snap down window. She was safe and sound.

Not Agent P.

Agent P was riding his bike with training wheels. His hand me down bike from A-Dog. Assuming it has lasted this long, does not mean it will last until Monkey. Trust me when I say the boy (P) is hard on stuff. Very hard.

Agent P and I brought up the rear. The one-sided conversation during our trek went a little bit like this:

ME: Agent P - you HAVE to watch in front of you!!! STOP watching your shadow!!!

ME: Seriously!!! STOP turning around and watch the road!

ME: Why on EARTH are you stopping in the middle of the road, I almost ran you over!

ME: TURN AROUND!!!

ME: You have to stop slamming on the brakes - you are burning your tire right off!

ME: Stop watching your shadow and watch the road.

ME: WATCH THE ROAD!!!

We rode for 1 mile there and 1 mile back like that. I did throw in some random "you are doing awesome" and a "you can do it" during the hills. But there was very little room for any HOORAY'S because frankly, I was expending all my breath and energy trying to keep him on the road. I swear that I was kicking myself for not bringing any pliers because I just knew at any moment he was going to go careening off the side into a prickly pear cactus. I can say with complete certainty, he needs a new back tire. I think he burned nearly all the rubber of with his awesome brake work.  

But we did make it to the picnic area...

And back...

With no cactus needles.

However, next time, I think we will go on a cloudy day.

Where have I been???

I've been wondering that myself. It seems like I just finished making Halloween costumes and then all the sudden I am puting away my Christmas decorations! There was so much in between, I've hardly been able to catch up from it to move on to the next event!  Around here, we are just barely functioning with our daily routine and adding anything puts us more behind and in the end, we have to give in to the eventual chaos. For us, "caught up" means we got the kitchen cleaned up at night and the toys pushed into a safe zone for a fire exit. You know, safety first :-).

Thankfully we have escaped most random germs, minus of course the quick stomach flu 4 out of 6 of us got before Christmas. I'm telling you, in 7 days I did about 25 loads of laundry and sanitized the house 3 different times, no joke. Plus of course we had to send it home with Grandpa.  It happens when you are lovin' on the kid that's not sick - then by evenings end - IS sick. The stomach flu is like that. Spares no victims. 'Cept Agent P and I (and yes, Gramma). Some how we were spared. I'm betting it was all the praying and begging I did. I sure did a lot of that. And, God is Good!

But I want you to know, we survived Christmas. Not only did we just survive, we really enjoyed it. I absolutely love the holidays when we have family get togethers. It just warms my heart (and often tests my patience with my kiddlets).

We had several Christmas celebrations, cuz we are just partiers like that.  We enjoy food we didn't cook, and eating at places we don't have to clean. We are gracious and grateful!  I'm pretty sure we left a wake of mess behind us, but so far no one has uninvited us for next year!

My kids of course made out! They got to see their cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and all sorts of other people who spoil them multiple times. They got sweet presents and even presents that require several adults to figure out (they should not even be allowed to SELL Transformers).

A-Dog's big gift was a Wii. I'd like to say it was for him, but really I wanted Wii Fit. SO, in return he got a game for the Wii. It all works out, and now so can I. Have you ever thought of the logistics of attempting a workout with a 4.5 yr old who has decided that he no longer "needs" naps and a set of 2 year old twins who believe their purpose in life is to see how crazy they can make me :- )?  Anyway, we now own a Wii.  A-Dog also got clothes and stuff - and other odds and ends.

Agent P got some hunting clothes, a new lunch box for school, games - and sadly, 5 Transformers that I cannot for the life of me get back into the original shape.

Mini P and Monkey got new chairs. Mini P got coloring books and some Dora things. Monkey got trucks. He got other stuff, but his main focus is still on the trucks.

All in all, it was a success and now I'm trying to clear out toys they've out grown and find homes for all their goodies!

I will get pictures up soon, but here's a few to tide you over...

LOVED watching the train!

You decide - Nice or Naughty?

A typical family photo (yes, it was December and 2 of my kids are in shorts.)

We've being doing

a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house - there were about 40 people I think...we actually ate in our garage due to the gale force wind we endured that day!

Agent P Started Preschool

(2 days a week and loves it!)

We put up a Christmas Tree

Took a great Christmas picture in non-matching outfits and can never be recreated and there was no 2nd shot. They all smiled. They all looked at me. Then they all got up and started messing with the tree, screaming, and whatever else they were doing...but for one moment, look how sweet they are!

We frosted cookies (or ate frosting)

Plus, 4 out of 6 of us had the stomach flu. Yay. I did not photograph that for the weak of stomach (I'm one of them). Agent P and I so far have NOT been sick and we are hoping to keep it that way.

But that is some of what we have been doing over the last few weeks that I have been a blog-slacker.  There is more, but don't you think you've seen enough photos of us? :- )

Cheers!

Things I have heard myself say out loud...

and wish I didn't have to...



Please get your head out of the Christmas tree!

Stop licking the ornaments.

NO!!! Don't pee in the parking lot (Agent P)

Do NOT elbow your brother on the head!

Stop belly flopping in the bath tub.

Let's use the potty Mini P, not the kitchen floor (as she got caught, pants down peeing on the floor)

Agent P, I don't know why you are such an amazing super hero, you just are.

No, you can't ride the dog like a horse. Why? Because he really doesn't want you to.

I suppose you can dip your quesadilla in honey...or yes, mustard too...(blech)

No, Target doesn't sell big sisters. No I'm not sure who does (Agent P)

Why did you close your sister in the closet? Does she know she is playing Hide-n-go-seek???




Oh the list can go on and on an on...

2 Years Ago.

2 years ago I laid in a hospital bed, sans pain killers for 17 hours post surgery thinking I had made a HUGE mistake allowing a c-section to be performed on my body to remove twins (like I had any choice). Thinking the nurses must be joking (or insane) when they argued with me to "get out of bed and walk" (again, sans pain killers). And then grateful when my painkillers were finally released to me (note to self, being allergic to codeine is NOT handy).

2 Years ago I missed my favorite holiday with my family and I spent it eating hospital turkey food (a word I use lightly). But thankful for a fabulous cousin who came and stayed the night with me and the twins - brought REAL food! To this day, I'm pretty sure she is STILL looking for a way to buy one of those amazingly comfortable chair/bed/torture contraptions! 

But 2 years ago  - we were blessed with THIS:

Born at 36 weeks 2 days - (left) Mini P was 5lbs 2oz and about 18 inches long (right) Monkey was 5lbs 15oz and about 18 inches long.  Their birth was the most amazing experience and unless you have carried twins (or more) or battled pre-term labor you cannot fathom the relief we felt when they were both born healthy. Never once did they enter the NICU. Never.

1 year and a lot of craziness later:

Mini P

Monkey

The first year was filled with a lot of hazy days, unanswered emails, diapers, spit up and LOTS of LOVE! 

And here we are, 2 years later. We now answer most emails, have fewer diapers and our days are far more clear than they were and still filled with LOTS of LOVE! We look back and think - do we really remember how we got here? :- )

Mini P

Monkey (photo kept uploading sideways...ergh)

My sweet little baldies now have hair :- )! Monkey has even had his cut several times!

At 2 years old Mini P is nearly potty trained. She still wears a diaper at night and nap because she is a solid sleeper and logs about 11 hours of sleep a night. She is such a chatter box and at least now we can understand what she is trying to say and it no longer comes out as gibberish! We hear her say stuff like "where's bubba? OH, there he is!" She absolutely adores all of her brothers and hugs on all of them. She is the princess, but isn't girly. At all. For her birthday I tried to get her some "my little ponies" (ok folks, I don't know what I'm supposed to get a girl...) and she calls them horses and doesn't actually do anything with them.  The girl does love books and LOVES Dora and loves to play outside. She has been known to scream and throw her body in all directions when she is brought inside (brought because she refused to go on her own free will).  She is sweet as pie and hands out hugs and kisses all the time! Mini P knows all her upper case letters by sight and many of her numbers 1 to 9. We don't know why, but she just does :- ).

Monkey is such a sweet boy with not much to say. He can string 2 words together but it usually things like "daddy work", "bubba bus". He will answer your question with a "yup" or "no", but doesn't typically expand on that as his sister does.  He has always been and continues to be a Daddy's boy. I satisfy him to a point, but really, it's all Daddy!  Monkey is very much into transportation. Trucks, airplanes, trains, tractors, trailers, cars...you name it he loves it. He will lay on the floor for long periods of time just moving them back and forth...lining them up, moving them forward and backward. He still has to sleep with his arsenal of transportation items. Usually no fewer than 10 items, plus blankets, his baby, and a couple other random things. Surprisingly, he still fits in his bed!  Last week Agent P and I cleaned under Monkey's crib  (we store bean bags under the crib) and we found 25 - yes you read right 25 cars, trucks, trailers etc behind and under the bed. Apparently I should clean that more frequently. Monkey has the most infectous laugh. It is a belly laugh that just pulls you and makes you laugh with him. It is so easy to get him to laugh, which makes it all the more beautiful!!!

We absolutely LOVE having twins and wouldn't trade one moment of it for anything at all.  They complete our family perfectly and give us the perfect balance. So many people (seriously, SOOOO MANY) say, "you have your hands full". Since I refuse to carry them all - really, I have my HEART full and that's what I tell them. You don't know what you are missing unless you have total and complete chaos at least ONCE a day. Usually around here it's more than that!!!

It all started with a faucet.

My kids/husband are perfectly aware of my slight addiction to home improvement shows.  Saturdays are not for cartoons, but for HGTV and DIY. Trust me when I say, my kitchen is outdated, my cupboards are close to antique, my flooring is shameful, the paint needs "replacement" and really, the whole house needs to just be totally renovated. Don't even get me started on the backyard or the front yard for that matter. Trust me, I'm near "expert". They (kids/husband) are also very aware that I am one step away from putting my house on the market and having HGTV join me in "House Hunters International" somewhere in the Caribbean - if it were not for the ridiculous shape my home is in ;- )! I am a firm believer in having my kids raised on the beach and home schooled during bad weather!

But the reality is that I will live in this house probably until it becomes the latest home deemed Historic and will never be demolished due to some county ordinance. Then people will tour my home to see how homes were built "back then".

Given all of that pertinent information, I'm a huge fan of renovations (side note - have you ever watched "Renovation Realities"??? Oh friend if you have not, you do NOT know what you are missing. This is true, unabridged entertainment). I'm also the mom of 4 kids that enjoy my attention, thus keeping me (really my sweet husband) from doing as much as my renovation wild hair permits.

I decided not long ago that we needed to redo the kids' bathroom. Well, let me back up. I decided we needed a new faucet. HOWEVER, if I was going to buy a new faucet, I wanted one in a new finish. I really like brushed nickel - and the antique brass (see, again with antique) had to GO.

The need for a new faucet stems from the need for a 4 year old to be able to turn the water on and off himself. Currently we have the "pull the knob really, really hard - straight up - and don't turn it to the left or you'll burn yourself knob". I want one with 2 handles so the kids can turn on the cold water and wash. Simple enough right?

So, to change the faucet we also needed to remove the mirror that was glued permanently to the wall, remove glue, fix wall, remove old towel racks, patch wall holes, remove old light fixture, fix wall, paint, buy new shower curtain, towel bars, mirror, light fixture and of course the faucet.

Here's how it went:

Bathroom BEFORE (notice - white walls - GASP!)

Bathroom BEFORE

Before (see, sports themed? That's going...)

Mirror GONE

Wall fixed and painted.

Now for the AFTER pictures:

Now Agent P can reach his own towel!

New shower curtain picked out by A-Dog (with my guidance)

New mirror! New lights (hard photograph) and paint - well it's light grey, also hard to see!

Do you see something that might be missing?? Like the FAUCET??? :- )