Crazy Birthday Weekend

It was one crazy busy weekend around our house.  John David had ball games Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  He was supposed to have one today but it has been rained out. Whew!   Johnathan and I had a new members dinner for our church last night.  But the main event was Saturday.  It was the weekend for the Big Horton Birthday Blowout Ice Cream Party.

We started Saturday morning with our now traditional Krispy Kreme birthday donut.  Krispy Kreme actually gave us our donuts and drinks for free as a happy birthday for the kids.  I don't know if that is usual or if it was just because they were wearing the birthday hat but it was nice all the same.  And no, I am not paid to endorse Krispy Kreme.  

I had to get a picture in of Ava.  She was a happy girl getting donuts on Saturday.  She didn't get to eat any she just thought it was a fun outting.  Her smile just warms my heart.  I can't help but smile when I see her.  She was the real trooper this weekend with all her nap times being disrupted by birthday parties and ball games.

Some bounce house fun.

 Instead of cake we had ice cream sundaes with all the toppings and homemade chocolate chip cookies.  Yummy!  Everyone got to take home their very own sundae bowl.

Blowing out the candles!

Everybody had a really good time and since this year we didn't have the party at our house, getting ready for it was much easier.

Happy Birthday to my three April babies!

Happy Birthday John David

Today John David turns 5!
I can't believe it.  He isn't a baby anymore.  It happened so fast.

Here he is just a couple of weeks old.  Look at those chubby cheeks.  He was a BIG baby (9lbs 14oz) but we love chubby babies.

 First birthday party.  Loving the cake.

Here he is at age 2.  What a good smile.

And at age 3.

His fourth birthday party suited up in his bull riding gear.

And some from today.
On the way to school.

With his teacher Miss Bonnie

Here is one of some of the children in his class and Ella.  They wanted their picture taken as well.  You will see it is Hat Day at school which worked out perfectly since my mom, the schoolteacher, had a birthday cake hat.  Perfect for a Hat Day Birthday Boy!

We are having his and the twins joint birthday party tomorrow so there is no huge celebration today.  I did make whoopie pies for him to take to school to share with his friends.

Happy Birthday John David!  It has been a great 5 years.  We love you!

A Poem in Your Pocket

They say you learn something new every day.  Well, yesterday, while listening to NPR on the way to Sam's I learned that April is National Poetry month.  They were discussing how today is Poem In Your Pocket Day.  The general idea being that you should select a poem that you love and they carry it with you on Poem In Your Pocket Day, sharing it with co-workers, friends, and family.

In the spirit of National Poetry Month and Poem In Your Pocket Day here is one of my favorite poems by Shel Silverstein.

LISTEN TO THE MUSTN'TS

Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child,

Listen to the DON'TS

Listen to the SHOULDN'TS 

The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS.  

Listen to the NEVER HAVES

Then listen close to me----

Anything can happen, child,  

ANYTHING can be.

I hope to be able to instill in my children belief in themselves that allows them to go for their dreams and not listen to those nay-sayers along the way.  I want them to know they can do and be anything they want.

Happy Poem In Your Pocket Day

A Musical Program

So Tuesday was a big day at our house.  After all the sickness last week and over the weekend, all the children were feeling better.  Thank goodness because Tuesday the twins had their musical program at school.  They were so excited about it and had talked about it for days leading up to the actual event.  All of my children love music and singing.  They play music class with Miss Amy (their music teacher) or children's chapel with Mr. Luke (the children's minister at our church) almost daily.  Needless to say the twins were very excited and as any parent would be, husband and I were excited for their first school program.  I even dressed them in coordinating outfits.  They weren't exact matches but were both green seersucker.  They are twins you know.  Dressing them alike is one of the perks of twins.  And no, they aren't always dressed alike.  That would be too much.  But for special occasions I try.  Actually I try to coordinate all four of the children's clothes for special occasions.  It's cute and actually comes in handy when all are dressed in the same color.  It makes them easier to spot in crowds.  So it is cute and practical.

Anyway, getting back on topic.  The program started at 9:30 and from experience I know you have to get there early to get a good seat.  I thought I was going to be plenty early but stopping for some donut holes (my breakfast on the go) but me a little behind schedule.  It actually worked out well though because a family that had staked out three front row seats for some reason decided to move and I was able to swoop right in and grab them.

Now, neither of the twins is particularly shy or overly attached to my husband or I.  They did perfectly fine the first day of preschool.  No tears.  In fact I was teary because they didn't cry.  Pathetic right.  I was pregnant at the time so I'm going to blame hormones.  they have done fine every day of preschool all year.  The got to children's chapel at church with the rest of the group with no problem.  But, wouldn't you know it, that after talking about and being so excited for days to perform for mommy and daddy, Harrison had a melt down the second he walked into the room and saw me in the front row.  Tears and cries of mommy started immediately.  He ended up spending almost the entire program in my husband's arms.  He says he still performed and sang all of his songs and my husband backs him up on that claim.  I guess he was just doing his own private performance for Daddy.  Ella on the other hand smiled and sang the whole time.  No problem.  They both did great though and were proud of themselves.

Here is Harrison just become he came inside for the program.  He was absolutely fine.  Seconds before he had been making faces up against the window.

And here he is after seeing me.  Poor little guy.

 Here is Ella.  Smiling and singing.  They were demonstrating vocal shapes.

Here is Harrison performing from the safety of Daddy's arms.

After the performance it is time for a treat.

I'm impressed I got one where they are both looking at the cameral.  Small miracle.

All in all, a relatively successful performance.  Now maybe I can put them to work in the movies.  They are definitely cute enough.

A Big Family?

I saw a post recently about things a mom of a "big" family would want you to know and it got me to thinking.
Does having four children mean I have a big family?  The original author of the post has five children, just one more than me.  I really don't feel like our family is that big.  We only have four children.  Six of us total, including my husband and I.  I don't drive a bus.  We all fit in a standard SUV.  Granted it is full of car seats but still a regular SUV.  I don't live in a mansion, just a regular house.  There is some room sharing in our house, but is that such a bad thing.  My mother is one of four children and my mother in law the youngest of six.  Were those big families?  I really don't feel like we are that big.  I know plenty of other families with four or five children and many more with three.  And four is just one more than three.  This is just normal for us.  That is, until I go out in public.  Then the stares, sighs, and unsolicited comments begin.

Here are the original 12 things as originally posted.  To see the original post click here  I've added my own thoughts as well.

1.  Please don't consult my kids if we're going to have more.  We don't consult them.

2.  Yes, we know what causes this.  No, we don't want to hear your thoughts on family planning.

3.  Please don't stop me in the grocery store to tell me how busy I am.  I know I'm busy.  You know I'm busy.     So can I please get out of the cereal aisle before my 2 year old spots the fruity-o's?

4.  Having a large litter of children doesn't mean I am particularly patient, or organized, or rich.  What I can tell you for sure is I am far more patient and organized (and slightly less rich) than I was when I started having kids.

5.  We don't look down of you for having less kids.  You really don't need to preface every comment about how tired/frustrated/stretched to your limit you are with words like "well, I only have 2 but ..."  I remember having 2 kids....I was exhausted and it was hard.  No matter how many kids you have, they required everything you know you can give and then some.

6.  Please please PLEASE don't make my children feel like freaks.

7.  Don't compare us to the Duggars.

8.  I would like to reiterate:  Yes, we know what causes this.  Every time I leave the house I hear this question AT LEAST 3 times.  It stopped being funny a long time ago.

9.  Please like to say "kids are such a blessing" in one breath and "but you're done, right?" in the next.  Don't

10.  Friends:  I know you don't have enough chairs to invite us over for dinner.  Invite us anyways.  Please.

11.  For goodness sakes, don't pity me.  This is by far the most mind boggling reaction we receive.  I am wandering contentedly through the grocery store with 5 healthy happy kids and people tell me that they feel sorry for me?  From where I stand, we are pretty stinkin' blessed.

12.  Oh, and Yes....we know what causes this.  See, it starts to lose it's humor pretty quick, doesn't it?

Having four children was not something I ever thought I would do.  But now that I have four happy, healthy children I am so thankful for each and every one of them.  I feel so extremely blessed to have them in my life and privileged that I get to be their mommy.  That being said, I can totally relate and have experienced all but one of the above.  My children are a little young to be asked if we are having any more children.  I feel judged and pitied every time I go out in public with my four in tow.  I felt that way when I was pregnant with my huge belly and my three in the cart and I feel that way now, minus the pregnant belly but with a baby carrier in my cart.  Yes, people stop and tell me how adorable my children are and that children are such a blessing, but they also stare at you like you are insane for having that many children in the first place.  It is kind of like those judgmental stares you receive from non-mothers.  I will admit I probably judged stressed out mothers I saw in the stores dealing with their children's meltdowns while just trying to get the grocery shopping done.  Or judging those mothers who had their babies out at an upscale restaurant for a late dinner.  I mean, shouldn't that baby be home in bed.  I know I have thought it and probably said it more than once.  But then I became a mom.  Now, I try my hardest not to judge other moms who just trying to get through the day.  I say try, because it would be dishonest to say I have not had one judgmental thought about another mom, or dad, since I became a parent.  But now that I am a mom, and a mom of four children under the age of 5, I am much more tolerant and understanding that I was before.  I guess that's what bothers me most about the stares and comments I receive.  Most of them are from other mothers.  The ones from young teenagers and 20 somethings I can brush aside with the thought that they don't know what it is like to be a parent and will understand one of these days.  But other mothers should know better shouldn't they.

I think being asked if we know what causes all these children is the one that bothers my husband the most.  I think he is just not sure how to respond and let's face it, it is kind of an uncomfortable subject.  The fact that we had such a hard time having children in the first place and each gave up a lot and jumped through hoops to have them makes it even more uncomfortable for him.  I keep telling him that he should respond back with some smart-alecky comment about how fertility treatments and medical intervention is what causes babies.  Make other people feel as uncomfortable as they are making him feel, but he won't do it.  He is taking the high road.

 I'll get off my soap box now.  But for the record, please don't pity me.  I get four times the hugs, kisses, smiles, and I love you mom's.  I chose this life and I love it.

A Quiet Moment

Well the glamorous life has continued today at my house. John David woke up from a nap yesterday afternoon with a fever of 101.3. He seemed to feel a little better after dosing him with Children's Tylenol but at midnight was up sick as a dog. The poor guy is just like me when I was growing up and gets every single stomach bug that comes along. He was up all night either sick and throwing up or in tears complaining that his stomach hurt. Needless to say husband and I are running on a total of maybe 2 hours of sleep. John David has never complained about his stomach hurting like that before when he has been sick so of course I started to worry. It didn't help that it was the middle of the night, none of the three of us had had any sleep, and he was in agony. I worried it might be appendicitis or something worse and kept thinking "Should I take him to the emergency room. What if it is appendicitis and his appendix bursts? I know, I know. I am a worrier. I think all mothers are. I can hear my brother, the med/peds resident, saying how I am over reacting and to calm down. It is just a stomach virus. And while I rely on him for lots of medical advice and consults and I know he is right, I'm still a mom watching my baby suffer and making it on absolutely no sleep. I worry. It is what I do. To make things worse, his fever kept going up and he couldn't keep anything down so the medicine we tried to give him for the fever was of absolutely no use.

Obviously John David did not go to school today and won't be playing T-ball tonight. House rules, if you are too sick for school you are too sick for extra curricular activities. That was the rule at my house growing up and we've instituted it at our house too. Of course, mine are a little young to fake being sick. They still love school and hate to miss it. When I was putting the twins down for a nap this afternoon I read them the story Llama Llama Misses Mama about a little llama who misses his mommy while at preschool. After I finished reading Ella informed me she doesn't miss me when she is at school. It broke my heart. I mean, I want them to love school but it would make me feel better to know they missed me just a little bit.

Anyway, since John David stayed home today and I am running on sugar and caffeine, we are having a pajama day today. No one, other than my husband who had to go to work, has showered or put on real clothes. We haven't been lazy though. At least I haven't been. While John David has slept most of the day the twins and I have cleaned, done laundry, cleaned some more and, for a little break, done some birthday party planning. The big party is next Saturday and the kids can't wait but I have a lot to do before then.

Right now, all four of my babies are sleeping and I am enjoying a rare quiet moment. I need to get up, start another load of laundry, think about dinner, and try to check off one of the many things off my To Do list. Instead I am enjoying the quiet, reading my book (nothing serious just a fun read) and waiting for the rain to start.

John David is on the mend. Hopefully he will back up and going tomorrow so we can enjoy our weekend and he can go to his friend's birthday party on Sunday. Hopefully no one else in the family falls victim to the tummy bug. Then our house will be back to the loud, chaotic on the go place it normally is. I guess I better enjoy my quiet moment while I can.

Have a great weekend everybody.

Earning My Mommy Stripes - Quick Update

Prayers were not answered.

My oldest woke up from a nap with a fever of 101.3. No vomiting yet but my guess is it is only a matter of time. He is just like me. He gets every tummy bug that comes along. Poor guy!

Well, back to the glamorous life I go.

Earning My Mommy Stripes

So today was one of those not so glamorous days in the life of this housewife. I'm sure you already realize that my life is not glamorous but today was one of those really not glamorous days where I earned some Mommy Stripes.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays all three of the "big kids" (a.k.a. John David, Ella & Harrison) all go to school. It is just me and Ava on those mornings. Those two mornings a week are really nice. I seem to get much more accomplished on Tuesdays and Thursdays than other days of the week. I try to do my grocery shopping and other errands on those mornings where all three of the older ones are in school. It just makes life easier. Hey...I'm not afraid to take all of them with me, but it goes much faster and smoother if I don't have to.

Anyway, so today I had planned to run some errands and do some scouting around town for supplies for the kids upcoming birthday party. What is the saying from John Steinbeck? "The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry." Well, true to form my plans went terribly awry. When Harrison got up this morning he didn't act like his normal, happy self. He seemed extra tired, not super sick, just really sluggish. He didn't want to get dressed and, although he ate a good breakfast, he tried to eat it lying down. He did this a couple of weeks ago too. He was just exhausted from going without a nap while a friend came over to play and being up late due to an event at our church. Yesterday he took a good nap and went to bed pretty much on time so I could figure out why he was so tired this morning. I let him decide if he wanted to go to school or not. He chose not. Even after I told him we weren't going home but were going to run some errands, he still chose not to go. Ms. Cheri, the head of his preschool, told me if he changed his mind, to just bring him back up there, no big deal. Well, that wasn't too be. We didn't even make it out of the parking lot after dropping the other two off in the carpool line than this happened.

Yes that is puke all over his face, and all over the car seat, and car. YUCK! And yes that is a pot he is holding. A puke pot as we affectionately call it at our house. It belongs to my mom. I had planned on running it by her house this morning when I was out running errands so it just happened to be in the car when Harrison got sick.

Needless to say my morning of running errands turned into a morning of giving a bath, doing laundry, and cleaning the car and car seat. Definitely not glamorous! Cleaning puke out of the car has to be one of the worst jobs and getting it out of the car seat is horrible. I'm sure other moms out there will agree with me, but why can't they design a car seat where you can get the cover off without taking the whole blasted thing apart. Right now Harrison's car seat is sitting in my kitchen in pieces. The cover is in the washing machine, all the straps have been washed in the sink and are drying, and the car seat itself has been wiped down. Maybe that is how I will make my fortune. I'll design a car seat that is more user friendly and easy to clean for moments just like this.

Just so everyone knows, Harrison is fine. He hasn't gotten sick again and acts like he is back to feeling 100%. I've been careful with what I've given him to eat. Or let me say, I've tried to be careful but he went and got ice cream out of the freezer while I was trying to feed Ava. Sneaky little guy! Guess he feels better and pray no one else catches it.

Good way to start the day

Here is a picture of how I started my morning.

What a smile. It sure does brighten my day.

Hope all of you are having as smiley a Tuesday as I am.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA & HARRISON

Today the twins turn 3. How did that happen so fast? I feel like they were jut born and we went from a family of three to a family of five overnight.

Ella is officially one minute older. It sure didn't feel like there was a minute between when they were each born but someone has to be born first. They were both big, healthy babies, each weighing over 6 pounds which for twins is BIG. And yes that means I was carrying over 12 pounds of baby at one point. They seemed tiny to my husband and I since our first son weighed over 9 pounds when he was born.

Here is a little photographic timeline for you guys.

Ella when she was first born.

And here she is at her first birthday.

And last year at her second birthday.

Now for Harrison.

Here he is right after he was born.

Here is John David meeting Harrison for the first time. Harrison did a short stint in the NICU after he was born. He was tachypneic, or breathing too fast, so they ran some tests and monitored him in the NICU for a few hours to make sure his lungs were OK. Turned out he was fine. He just had "wimpy, white male" syndrome. It turns out white males have the hardest time being born early and he just needed some extra time to adjust to breathing on his own. He was perfectly healthy and went home with me a few days later.

And here is Harrison enjoying his first birthday cake.

This is last year when he turned two. You can see he also has his big brother's love of rodeo.

Here is daddy doing the double hold for the first time.

And here they are a few days later when we were home from the hospital. This is one of my favorite pictures. I love how they are all cuddled up on each other to sleep.

Here they are together at age 1.

And at age 2.

And now today. Boy have they gotten big.

Since April is birthday month at our house and John David's birthday is in two weeks we combine parties and do one big party for all three. The birthday party is coming up in a couple of weeks so we will do more celebrating then but tonight we had a birthday dessert with Grandma, PaPa, and Gigi to celebrate.

I also made chocolate chunk cookies for the twins to take to their preschool tomorrow as their birthday treat. They turned out beautifully.

Yummy!

I also want to say a big happy birthday to Jessica as she shares the twin's birthday. Or more accurately, the twins share her birthday. Hope you have a great birthday and don't work too hard.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game...

It is that time of year again. Baseball season. Now, my husband and my boys love all sports. John David's favorite sport changes with the season. In the fall he is all about football. Razorback football to be exact. In the winter, he can't get enough basketball. During the spring and summer, it is on to baseball. I grew up in a household where my dad loves sports too, but his favorite is baseball. Consequently, I know my fair share about the game and even have a favorite team. This will probably surprise some of you, given that I am a native Arkansan, but I am a die hard Boston Red Sox's fan. I have been all my life. You may ask how in the world a little girl from Arkansas winds up a Red Sox fan. Well, my mom grew up in Massachusetts and as a child we would spend a month each summer with my grandparents who lived about 45 minutes outside of Boston. My grandfather even took me to a few games at Fenway Park. As a result I am a huge Red Sox fan. Even in their down years, like this one is sure to be. And just so you know I have passed on my love of the Red Sox to both my husband and children.

So anyway, spring and summer in our house means it is baseball season.

This is the second year John David has been old enough to play T-ball. You have to turn 5 by April 30th to be eligible to play in his league. His birthday is April 27th so he makes the cut off by 3 whole days. This means he is the absolute youngest on his team. There are quite a few other little boys who will turn 6 the first few weeks of May. Even though he is the youngest he is definitely not the smallest and does a really good job out there.

His team is the Phillies. All the teams are named after MLB teams. Given my love of the Red Sox it would have been nice if he had been put on that team, but since Cliff Lee is a pitcher for the Phillies and an Arkansan so we are happy with our team.

Friday night was our second game of the season. This year the rules state each team get three outs an inning or six runs per inning whichever comes first. Typically the six runs comes first because although the boys have gotten much better in the field they are still working on catching the ball so most of the time the batter makes it safely to first. Here are a few shots from the game.

Getting ready to bat.

Safe at First

On Third ready to run home

Excited after making it home

Playing third base

Hit it to me...I'm ready

More games and fun to come this week. GO PHILLIES!!!