Blue Punch Bug!!!

Our kids are competitive.  Hands down.  No excuses.  It is just the way they are.  I embrace this and am realizing there is very little I can do to curtail their competitive energies!  EVERY day, they call Punch Bugs.  It is a way of life for them.  All will be peaceful and then *BANG* someone is happy because they saw the Punch Bug first and the rest are mad because they didn't see it!  It is a no win situation.  Well, I guess it is a win situation for the child that called it but everyone else is miserable.  There are two Punch Buggies on the way to school every day.  I hate them.  Emily is always crying and uttering through her tears, "Blue Punch Buggy!  I already called it!"  Damien and I laugh because what she is trying to say and what it sounds like are two very different things.  The first time we heard her say it, we whipped our heads around to correct her totally un-PC comment.  Luckily, she didn't say what we thought she said!  Michael, Claire, and Matthew always want me to referee and declare who go the buggy first.  Can't we all just get along???  Then there is the drama of Matthew (or one of the other kids) getting a Punch Bug and then saying, "I give half to Mom and half to Dad."  Then there are hurt feelings because if someone didn't get half.  It is never-ending.

And as if that wasn't enough, my kids call Prius'.  "Gray Prius!  Minus ten for Matthew," Michael will say!  It's always minus ten.  Kids hate having to minus ten (even though it doesn't mean anything other than trying to make another sibling mad).  Being that we are in a more environmentally conscious world, Prius' are everywhere!  I think they made this game up to punish me.  And by the way, I think that Punch Bugs are tripling in sales daily.  I wonder sometimes when the owner of a VW Bug drives by my car if they realize the chaos they just started.  I don't ever think I will look at a Punch Bug without cursing it's existence again. 

Build-A-Bear Bonanza

Matthew has been sleeping with Mondo the Monkey for the past year or so.  Mondo is from Build-a-Bear Workshop and was made by my sisters Natalie and Laura for Michael when he came home from Paris, France!  It dawned on me that by Matthew's age, Michael and Claire had already gotten at least two pets each from Build-a-Bear.  When I mentioned this to my Dad, he immediately said that Matthew had to get a gift card for St. Matthew's Day.  It just made sense to get Emily one, too as we knew she would equally enjoy it!

The two little kids were so excited for our fun trip to the mall.  We were going to first go to Build-a-Bear and then go to McDonalds for lunch.  What's not to love?  Upon entering the store, both Matthew and Emily were overwhelmed with delight.  Matthew chose immediately.  He wanted a cute little light brown bear.  It was the first in the line and also the least expensive.  I love that kid!  Emily, of course walked all the way down to the expensive bears and chose the huge Hello Kitty.  Um, love you Em.  But you will be choosing from the other side of the line!  She chose a cute little pink bear.

We proceeded to the stuffing station where Matthew and Emily each got to pick a song to put into their bear's paw.  Emily chose one that says, I Love You and Matthew chose the Happy Birthday Song.  Okay.  It wasn't his birthday but it was his day to choose what he wanted.  Next, they both picked a heart.  They rubbed it to get it warm, tapped it to make it start beating, and then made a wish before they put the heart into their bear's chest. 

Little by little, they filled their little bears until they were each of their desired plumpness.  Onto the table where they got to brush and dry off their new friend!  Neither of them stopped smiling.  They loved the whole experience so much! 

Then we got to fill out the new bear's birth certificates.  Matthew knew right away that he was going to name his bear Fluffy.  I thought it was a cute choice.  Emily wanted to name hers Shea (which is Claire's friends name) but I wanted her to name it something more original.  She chose the name Cotton Candy.  Perfect.

Finally, we were able to look at all of the cute outfits in the store and decide on our new friend's outfits.  Again, Matthew the quick decision maker, decided on a football uniform complete with helmet, mask, and football.  Not two seconds passed before Emily said, "I want that, too!"  I tried to show her all the girly outfits and even some Disney Princess outfits but she was not having it.  "No, I want Cotton Candy to wear football player."

So, (deep breath) we dressed both of the bears in football uniforms.  Matthew LOVED it!  He wasn't too happy that Emily had copied him but he was beyond happy with his choice.  Then the meltdown happened.  Emily no longer wanted Cotton Candy to be a football player.  I tried to explain that we had already taken the outfit out of the package and that we should just go pay for our new friends and have lunch . . . BUT SHE WASN'T HAVING IT.  Seriously.  Look at her face. 

One of the workers noticed that she was throwing a fit (and throwing her bear) and came over.  Once Emily had told her the dilemma, the woman said that it wasn't a problem and she could just choose a new outfit.  Part of me was a little bugged because I wanted to show Emily that when we are given the chance to make a good choice, we need to take time to think about it so we are happy in the end.  The other part of me told myself to GET REAL.  She is two, she was temporarily swayed by her brother's choice, just let her pick another item.  We looked around the store and she decided to get a Woody costume for her bear.  She was calling it a Jesse costume and I just decided to roll with it. Jesse it is!

The kids watched as the salesperson put their new pets in their new homes with huge smiles.  And as they walked away, hand in hand, I was so happy for them that they each had a new friend that was ALL their own.  And I was smiling and happy watching them walk away from the store knowing that we were all still in one piece.

Claire Turns NINE

Some blog posts are harder to write than others.  Some are just hard to capture in words and others are just plain emotional.  This one's emotional.  As I sit here typing, I am blown away that Claire is nine.  Truly blown away.  I remember Claire's beginnings so vividly.  It's almost like I could close my eyes and be right back to my twenty-six year old self, cuddling my sweet newborn with the silky brown hair and soft cheeks.  I can almost feel myself tuck her little head under my chin while thanking God for giving me a daughter.  Claire's birth was so powerful and life changing.  She was a healthy full term baby that I had spent months sacrificing my mobility for in the hopes that she would be heathly.  In the blink of an eye, Claire was here and I had a girl!  A total 180 from my beautiful boy, Michael.  She healed me in ways I will never be able to explain and continues to do so today in ways she doesn't even know.

I am so proud of you, Claire!  You are a beautiful, confident, strong, hilarious, helpful, and an amazing nine year old girl.  You continue to grow at a rapid pace and I don't see an end in sight!  You can be wonderfully focused on many projects but also love to let loose and be crazy!  Your family means so much to you.  No matter the friendships you have made at school, you prefer to hang with us and I treasure that.  I know in a few short years you will love us just the same, but you will want to be with your friends!  You have a God-given maternal instinct.  You are a nurturer through and through.  You love to take care of your siblings and help me with things.  You know when to help people and just do it without having to be asked.  You're amazing.

I love when you get home from school because I LOVE to see you, but I also love that Matthew and Emily are so happy!  All day, I try and keep them occupied to no avail.  Turns out they are waiting for you and your brother to get home to have fun! 

You've changed a lot over the past year.  For one, you are more confident in yourself and your abilities.  I can see this change on the soccer field and basketball court.  You've decided you are just going to get it done and don't worry about what others will think!  You have grown a lot this year, too.  I hate to even write this but you are currently wearing a women's 6 1/2 size shoe.  Holy smokes you are catching up to me!  You have your own sense of style and for the first time are telling me you don't want to wear dresses to church.  I still make you wear them, but I have modified the kind dress you wear!  For your birthday dinner this year, you chose teriyaki salmon, parmesan/butter noodles, and sweet potato fries.  You also wanted fondue as your birthday dessert which we all loved! 

You also (gulp) asked me to change your room from Disney Princesses to something else.  One by one, you and I took down your princesses.  I remember when we made/bought those decorations together.  You were a little girl and thought the princesses were the most beautiful thing in the world!  You had every princess dress, every high heeled princess shoe, and their tiaras, too!  I knew the day would come when they wouldn't be your favorite anymore- but the preparation was not enough to shield my heart from being sad.  I don't want you to be the nine year old that has to love the princesses, but I just miss that little three year old girl who wore her princess dresses all day long!  You always looked adorable.  I am SO excited that you decided to theme your room with peace signs!  It looks so awesome and fits you better than the princesses did.  I suppose my hesitation was just not wanting to accept that you are growing up.  Thank goodness you said you would always be my little girl. 

My relationship with you this year has blossomed even more than I expected.  We've always been close, but you have expressed to me so many times this year how much you love me and from time to time, tell me that I am the greatest person in the world.  You tell me that you trust me the most and this honor makes me so happy, Claire.  I love my Mom so much and I am so excited to have the opportunity to mother my own daughter who might want to be like me one day!

Happy Ninth Birthday, Clairey.  Your smile, your jokes, your nurturing, your creativity, and the bright light that you cast on us all makes us the happiest people in the world.  We love you and can't believe this is your last single digit birthday!  Wishing you the most wonderful year ahead.  You certainly deserve it.

To my Baby Mine . . .
I love you more than bunnies.
Love,  Mommy

Poor Sleepy Matthew

My baby needed a nap.  This doesn't happen . . . ever!  Matthew is still napping pretty regularly.  We tried to take it away but he just loves it!  And because I have to set aside that time of day for Emily's nap anyway, he always has a great chance to be quiet in his room and get some sleep.  Today, I was making lunch for the kids when I wandered in to the family room and saw this.  Look at him.  Legs crossed, sword in hand.  Amazing.  I scooped him up, kissed him a few times, and put him in his bed.  I love this little guy.

Claire's 9th Slumber Party with Friends

So, I must have been really tired when I agreed to let Claire have thirteen girls over for her overnight birthday.  Maybe I was in some kind of a sleep coma when I had the thought, 'No problem at all!'  This was one of the first years where Claire decided that she didn't want to invite her whole class.  She wanted it a smaller, more personal party and I was completely behind it!

She came up with the idea to have her friends join her for dinner at Kyoto Palace which is a Benihana-ish type of restaurant that my kids love!  While it has amazing food, it can be kinda pricey so before I agreed to anything- I looked at the menu.  Would you believe that the kids menu was only $10 a person!  Score.  After I told Claire that Kyoto Palace was a 'go' she asked if she could have her friends over for a sleepover.  Let's see.  If she invites thirteen, surely three or so won't be able to come.  Okay!  The dinner/sleepover was on!

All thirteen girls said they could come to the party! (Sarcastic cheers, Yay!)  Claire was so excited for her big night.  The girls showed up to the restaurant and I was able to have a quick chat with them beforehand that it was important to be on their best behavior!  They all did great at dinner.  They were all able to sit at their own table and then Michael, his friend Anthony, Mark, Marlene, and my family sat across from them.  They did great but the wheels started falling off the truck at the end of the 1 1/2 hour dinner.  We paid the bill, hurried the girls to the cars, and arrived back at the house for some more fun!

Claire wanted to play a game on our Xbox 360 Kinect called Dance Central.  In this game, you can pick a song and then dance battle a partner.  The girls LOVED it!!!  Once they were tired of that, we had cupcakes, and then settled in to watch Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  I could hardly wait to say GOODNIGHT to the girls but they had different plans.  "You guys, please go to bed.  I want to do this again and if things don't go well- I'm not sure we can!"  No cigar.  These girls talked and talked and talked.  I am not sure why I had any expectation that they would go to sleep.  I just think that I was exhausted and wanted to go to bed myself!  The last chatting I heard was at 11:15 p.m.  My one request was that if they woke up early the next morning, that they just keep quiet so others could sleep.

By 6:45 a.m. I could not longer ignore the laughter and loud voices.  I got out of bed, didn't even straighten my shirt or smooth my hair back, marched into the room and asked them all to keep it down.  I walked back to my room and laid back down in my bed.  After hearing them laugh at my 'attempt' to quiet them, I gave in and got dressed.  When I finally rubbed my eyes enough so that I could see straight, I saw Claire.  She was so happy.  So happy, in fact, that she made me temporarily forget all the hysteria around having thirteen girls spend the night!

Claire had the most wonderful party.  She loved being surrounded by her friends.  She felt loved and so happy.  I think that is just how you should feel on your birthday.  I am so happy that I was able to have this party for her.  So what if I am going to have to take naps for the next two days to recover.  Clairey got the ninth birthday she wanted.  Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

***Emily thought that it was her party.  She was such a hit with Claire's friends.   Also, please note that in another six to eight years, Michael will look at the last picture and feel like 'The Man'.  Laying in a room of thirteen girls.  He didn't sleep in there, but just watched the movie.  Lucky guy!  Matthew just loved it all, as usual.  His approach was a little more subdued.  He sat in the corner and took it all in.  Playing hard to get, I suppose! 

Saint Matthew's Day!

Matthew was so excited when I woke up him this morning.  "Is today Saint Matthew's Day?  Is it really today?"  Emily and Matthew's Saint days are really close to one another and since it was the first year she celebrated, I wanted to make sure that Matthew felt extra special!  I told Matthew that he had to wait for Michael and Claire to come home from school before his celebration could begin!

Literally, as soon as they came through the door- Matthew said, "Let's call Grandpa and start this party!"  It was hilarious.  Grandpa really got Matthew some wonderful treats.  He got a Harry Potter sticker book, Yogi Bear and SpongeBob Avenger Nintendo DS games, and a gift card to Build-a-Bear workshop!  He was beyond excited!

Matthew loved everything about his special day.  Thanks again to my Dad for honoring my little Matthew and Saint Matthew.  We are so blessed to have Grandpa in our lives!

Matthew's Crazy Hair Day

Matthew had crazy hair day at school today.  My plan was to go out with Matthew and get spray paint for his hair.  Of course, this was before my ankle sprain and inability to drive my car!  Auntie Gina to the rescue!  Gina came over and told me she was all mine for the day and to put her to work.  She happily took Matthew to Walgreens where he picked out the blue/orange combo!  I love it!

He was so excited to get up today and get his hair crazified!  After I sprayed his hair, he rushed to his bedroom so he could look at himself in the mirror.  He stood there- jaw dropped and just blinked for about a minute.  I was laughing so hard! 

He felt very confident and cool at school today.  Crazy hair day and sharing day (Mm for monkey).  I love you Matthew!  Daddy and I think your hair rocks!

Happy Saint Emily's Day!

This was the first year that we have actually celebrated Saint Emily's Day.  When she was a baby, we acknowledged it but didn't go all out for it.  Now that she is two and ready to rule the world, we talked the big day up to our girl and planned for a fun day for her!  Emily is uber aware of everything going on around her.  We had told her about her special day a week before it happened and for the next six days, she said repeatedly "Saint Emily's day coming up?"  It was adorable.

Grandpa wanted to do something fun for Emily.  She has a lot of toys and truthfully doesn't need much!  He decided to get her at gift card to Build-a-Bear Workshop and also get her a new baby stroller, little baby bottles, and some other necessary items for her little baby (who Emily named Baby Gina).  She also got a Strawberry Shortcake ball that she has been eyeing for weeks!

Emily was beside herself with all of these new treasures from Grandpa!  For the last several years, Grandpa had gotten all his little saints ice cream cakes from Baskin and Robbins on their Saint Days.  Well, this year he decided to change it and said that they could get whatever dessert they wanted for their special day!  Emily was thrilled to have her very own Butterfly Cake on Saint Emily's Day!  Since we all have iPhones now, we were able to FaceTime so Grandpa could be with us through all of the festivities.  Again, I thank my Dad so much for caring to make these days special for my kids.  They love it so much and I do, too.  Happy Saint Emily's Day, Emily!

*** Emily has been doing a new pose where she puts her head to the side and smiles.  I love it.  She does this when she wants to look extra cute and what do you know . . . it works!  You're too much, Emily. 

Oh, Snap!!!!

We have had a rope swing since April.  It has really changed the way the kids use the backyard!  They can't wait to go on it after school or go swing to take a break from their really stressful lives which consist mainly of watching television, playing with all of their toys, and having to deal with their personal chef/stylist/chauffeur!  We noticed about two months ago that the rope swing started to fray where it sat on the branch.  We've been watching it for a while to make sure the swing was safe to ride on.  We don't have the greatest tree to swing from but you have to deal with what you're dealt!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned to Damien that we should probably just get a new tree swing.  He said, "No- I think we should just wait until it breaks to get a new one."  Damien is the kind of guy who doesn't throw away the toothpaste until it is completely gone.  He likes to finish things before we throw them away.  And trust me- there is nothing wrong with that . . . unless you are referring to tree swings.

Today, as we were finishing dinner at our outside patio table, I brought up the tree swing again and said I think we should just get a new one so that someone doesn't get hurt when it breaks.  Damien thought for a minute and agreed.  "Ya, maybe we should just get a new swing."  Literally- right after he said that, we both looked over at Claire who was swinging away on the swing when it happened.  As if it was on cue- the rope broke and sent Claire catapulting into the ground.  She started crying and laughing at the same time.  You know when you hurt so bad but also have to laugh?  She was doing it.  Once she gained some control after having the wind knocked out of herself, she was proud that she was the one who got the last swing.  I was just happy she didn't have any broken bones!  Oh, snap!

Injured Reserve

I love playing soccer.  I look forward to Sunday mornings when I can go out and run for two hours and then feel exhausted but so satisfied.  I need/crave working out and finding a way to relieve stress, clear my head, and blow off some steam!  Soccer is such a treat and I love it.  That is  . . . until it temporarily turns my world upside down.

All was going well.  It was a beautiful day, I was feeling great, and then *poof* it was over.  No one was around me when I turned to run up the field.  I stepped and the next thing I knew- I was face down on the field writhing in pain.  It was horrendous.  So much pain I couldn't believe it!  I heard a big crack but was surprised to learn that everyone around me at the time heard it, too.

Wouldn't you know that Damien and the kids were there?  Damien brought them so that they could watch me play!  Five minutes after they got there, I was down and out.  For those that know me, I don't like people to fuss over me.  I was hurt so badly that Damien had to walk onto the field and literally carry me off like a baby.  My kids were concerned but I tried to tell them I was okay (when I knew things weren't okay). 

To sum of the rest of the day, Damien got me and the kids home.  After carrying me in the house, we tried to ice my ankle to see if the swelling would go down.  No such luck.  Something wasn't right.  I was worried that maybe I had broken my foot.  Damien took the kids to Mark and Jocelyn's and then took me to the Emergency Room.  After x-rays, it was determined there was no break!  Yeah!  I did however find out that I have a severe sprain coupled with a bruised tibia.  That big crack everyone heard when I got hurt were two of my bones munching together.   I spent the next five days 100% on crutches.  Not fun when you have four kids with packed weeks and a stressed (but amazing) husband who is overloaded with work at the end of his quarter for work.

We managed to make it the five days until I could be seen by a physical therapist.  Diagnosis- very rare and practically unseen, super high ankle sprain.  Awesome.  Why can't I do anything normal?  Normally- people sprain their ankles to the side.  I sprained mine forward.  Of course.  Minimum six week recovery until I can work out again.  Air cast at all times but thankfully I don't have to use the crutches at home.  The kids are going a tad crazy, I am having them watching a lot of television, and Emily and Matthew are very worried about Mommy but have been the best helpers.  Damien has been unbelievably amazing as businessman/Mr. Mom.  Gina came down and helped me out for a few days and many family members have sent us dinner.  Mark and Jocelyn came through huge for us the day I got hurt and practically had the kids all day!  Michael and Claire are really being so helpful, too.  A huge thank you to everyone who helped us out.  I hope the next six weeks fly by!

Daddy's Girls

Michael's 'Red Bulls' Soccer

Michael and soccer just go together.  Whether it is soccer season or not- Michael always has a soccer ball nearby!  He couldn't wait for soccer to start this year and is so excited to be on the same team he has been on for the last three years!  They named themselves 'Red Bulls' and are feeling pretty good about it!  After they score, they pu their index fingers next to their temples and act like bulls.  Totally appropriate for ten/eleven year old boys!

Michael has been playing left defender again this season.  Michael's team is really good so after they score a few goals, they mix the players and the positions up so everyone gets some exposure at every position.  Michael loves playing on the defensive line.  He has great positioning, understands the right way to chase down a defender and also has improved his dribbling and ball possesion skills tremendously!  I love watching him play!

Because of Michael's age, he has to play up a grade with fifth graders.  This is so great for Michael because he is constantly challenged and it forces him to get better- which he loves!  Damien is assistant coaching again this year which makes Michael SOOOO happy! 

I love seeing Michael after his games.  He always has a smile on his face and you can tell he worked hard by the bright red color on his cheeks.  I can't wait to watch him play for the remainder of the season and to see him improve each and every day.  Love you buddy!  Great job out there!!

***These shots were taken during one of Michael's games and are mostly profile pics because he didn't stop moving love enough to get a good shot!  I asked for him to pose afterwards but apparently it wasn't a 'cool move'.  I will have to get some other shots of him later!

Claire's 'California Girls' Soccer

Claire absolutely loves soccer!  She has played with the same team since she was in first grade and they have really learned how to play with one another.  I love that she gets to play soccer while hanging out with her friends at the same time!

Her team has really been dominant this year.  They have a lot of really great players and it has been fun to see how well they are doing!  They are linking many passes together and really understand the game which is so great!  Claire either plays center midfield or sweeper.  I love watching her play both positions mostly because she understands where to be and what angles she should take to the ball. 

Watching her makes me so proud.  That's my little girl out there and I love, love, love it!  Matthew loves watching her play.  He knows that next year he gets to play, too so he watches what she does and tries to copy her.  So cute.  Claire was excited to get #15 this year which was the number I was growing up and in college.  I guess the bigger you are, the higher the number!

Clairey, I love watching you play soccer.  I love that you always try your best and I secretly love how intense and competitive you are out there!  You always have on your 'game face' and are ready to play!  I also love that after every game you play, your face is as red as your shirt!  We can't wait to watch you for the rest of the season.  Go California Girls!

***Claire's coach lets the girls pick their team name every year.  They voted and came up with California Girls and were hoping to get fluorescent uniforms.  Nope.  Ended up with a red paisley number.  To say the girls were disappointed was an understatement!  The funniest part of the naming process was that California Girls only won by one vote.  Otherwise- their team name was going to be The Lady Gagas.  Hilarious.

Morning Snapshot

This is what it looks like over here at our house every morning before school.  We are all seemingly awake- but dead tired.  Generally- all the kids are still sleeping so I have to wake them up which is not easy!  I have to run a pretty tight ship in the mornings to get out the door, pick up our carpool, and make it to school by the time the 8:15 a.m. bell sounds.  Here is how I budget their mornings.

• 7:10 a.m.  Wake Up the Kids
• 7:20 a.m.  Kids Have to be Dressed and Ready for Breakfast.  (They have to lay out their clothes for school the night before.)
• 7:30 a.m.  Done with Breakfast and in Bathroom for Tooth Brushing and Hair Combing.  (They brush their teeth, I do their hair.)
• 7:40 a.m.  Get Matthew and Emily Ready for the Day while others Watch Television
• 7:50 a.m.  Leave to Pick-Up Carpool
• 8:10 a.m.  Arrive at St. Christopher and Drop-Off Michael and Claire.  (Emily Cries that their Leaving.  Michael fist pumps them both.  Both Michael and Claire give me a kiss goodbye.  Michael usually wipes it off.  I still love it!)
• 8:25 a.m.  Arrive Back at the House and get Matthew and Emily's Teeth and Hair Brushed
• 8:45 a.m.  Leave to Drop-Off Matthew at Preschool
• 9:00 a.m.  Leave Ballard Montessori and Start my Day

How is that for a morning?  I know next year it is going to be even crazier with Matthew in Kindergarten at St. Chris and Emily possibly starting preschool (we're still on the fence with this one).  All I can say, is thank goodness for coffee.  

**Michael isn't in his uniform because he had free dress for a field trip.

Personality for Days