7 Quick Takes - August and September Catch up

Linking up with Kelly ... let's go in reverse order because it has been that long (and doesn't include any of the crazy from this week - that's possibly worthy of it's own post)

---1---

Last Sunday... 

(A supervising the clergy : ) 

Our bishop came and blessed the grounds/site/cornerstone for the church that is being built. If you thought single parenting kids at church was interesting then you should give an outside church experience a whirl. Complete with blazing hot temps and a few fire ants smack dab in the middle of rest time. 

In reality it was a really good time and the kids did quite well - all things considered - and we got a special blessing for baby number 6 which was great. Last week I was kind of just blocking out L&D (because who wants to do that!??!?!) but I've really tried to shift my mentality and focus. 

Also, less than a week until a whole other person is a part of our lives??? I mean the baby has been a very real reality in my life for the last nine months but when you get to put a name with a face and a sibling with their siblings that's when the reality of a new baby can really hit me. 

---2---

M and the rock wall..

M made it to the top of the rock wall this week. Note the verb climb was not used. Well partially climbed but mostly was assisted all the way to the top. I think this might give her the confidence to actually climb it next time - but she was thrilled either way. 

---3---

E has some pretty high aspirations for swim this season... 

Which will require her to really work hard at and outside of practice. I would NEVER tell her not to try but it is going to be a huge stretch. She has taken to doing some exercises at home which R and M will sometimes get in on and C finds wildly interesting and she gets right in the way of her. 

I've encouraged her to run a mile once a week (or more) but I think half the thrill of that is getting to use my phone to track her run pace. I've thought about getting some sort of FitBit device but I'm not sure I'm ready to invite that into the house yet. 

---4---

M has her first take home project...

Y'all know me and a project. I've got to block out mental energy and patience to get through them. But this one is an easy one that big sisters remember doing so they had to see what was going on... 

The hot glue gun got us through and this was the final product!

---5---

AHG is in full swing:

This is actually from the kickoff meeting and the girls got their faces painted - which they thought was the best so we had to document it because it came off before bed. E moved up groups - which I think she was ready for and it already figuring out how many and who can help her with badges she wants to do. 

---6---

Fall activities are in FULL SWING... 

I love a schedule so we've been in the groove now for about a month and it feels pretty manageable. E and R started swimming in mid-August and M and A started soccer (with E and R helping me coach). Helping is very loose term but nonetheless they'll learn early to step up to volunteer. AHG for the big girls and we let E add children's choir to her line up of activities. Having a set dinner plan with quick interchangeable options is huge. I don't know why it took me until last year to see that but now I know the dinner drill requirements and it makes evenings so much less stressful. 

A opted to be the Sharks although the Chickens was a very close second - but I'm thrilled to not be shouting Chickens!!!!!!!! during out team cheer. M (and her friend) picked the Groovicorns - which if you don't know are way cooler than unicorns so check out the double sided sequins book - and I blame my friend (for buying her that book) ENTIRELY for having to yell Groovicorns for a park full of people to hear. I think I laugh every time with cheer : ) 

Yes I'm coaching (with some serious backup assistants). Yes I'm about to have a(nother!!!!!!) baby. Yes I'll probably take a week or so off from soccer but then I hope I'll be out there with new baby in tow. I make no guarantees but I sure do enjoy it. And aside from getting outrun by the kids it is going well. Between the boys and girls teams I've coach well over half the kids which is fun to watch them learn and way easier when you aren't starting from scratch because now they pretty much have a clue as to what I'm trying teach (that's another loose term too : ) 

---7---

All things school... 

This is from the day when C's bookbag came a while ago and she proceeded to march around the house shouting 'I pre-tee, I pre-tee' 

School is overall is going quite well. Everyone is happy with their teachers and figuring out expectations and all that fun stuff. M and C probably had the roughest restart runs. C had about a week stretch where she forgot how much fun she had and decided she needed to scream when I left. Which I hate leaving a crying kid but ever since that rough patch I open her door and she (tosses her bookbag to the floor) goes in like she owns the place. 

M was an interesting case too. New school. Lots of new faces. New schedule (hello all day!). New everything. So basically the first few weeks were really tough. She hated the towel I packed her for rest time - even though it was green - it was too small and the class was too noisy to sleep - she's definitely my best rester if she rests. Everything was a problem (or at least she wanted me to see it that way - to everyone else school was great). Honestly I did see a 180 degree different kid from the one who was here this summer - maybe not everyone else, but I could tell a difference. That first full week of school I finally saw the M I was used to out on the soccer field playing with her friends. It was good and it was relief. I put alittle reward on the table if she knocked some of her school stuff off her plate (but mine too because its K and basically everything at home is parent driven- HW, reading, sight words, spelling etc etc etc). She rose to that challenge - like I thought she would - and despite everything in me that says one sport per season (and an oldest child who has no problem reminding me of my policy) M went back to swim this week and is thrilled. Kindergarten is definitely a huge adjustment and now that we're a month or so in, I think M's found her groove.

7QTs - Family Pics, Pool Time, and Frogs in the Street

More of the same busyness and craziness (on repeat until end of July)... 

--- 1 ---

The family pic is now officially old... 

I think I might have mentioned about a month ago that our new bishop was coming to town - which he did and obviously we were there. He kind of tied up all of Lee's time for a few days but I can totally forgive him because he was one of the kindest, most approachable, down to earth people ever - let alone a bishop. 

The girls actually behaved and sang for most of Liturgy - E and R that is. M was doing her normal wandering and sitting as close to the iconostasis as possible. Mostly not a distraction as it is either her sitting RIGHT up front or she is SCREAMING in the back with me  - so take your pick folks. Anyway the bishop was totally unphased by M's need to be super close - though he did take special care not to dip any candle wax on her when he was doing the blessings with the dikrije and trikrije. 

To give you an idea... 

Taken from here...

So anyhow, we were bummed to not get a pic inside the church but we kind of had to clear out of the church and then the bishop had to bless the food in the hall and then it started raining so no pics in vestments but overall I think our eparchy/diocese is VERY blessed to have him as our bishop. 

--- 2 ---

On to more family pics... 

Only this one is definitely the most recent : ) from Lee's family reunion last weekend. 

Goodness there was so MUCH FOOD there and it was all amazing. If you have never had Southern country cooking before you are missing out... big time. 

Oh and there is another family reunion on say October 10 that new bebe might keep me from but I hope someone bring me a leftovers plate home!

--- 3 ---

I've been walking quite a bit this pregnancy - to the tune of 2-3 times a week. At least 2 miles a day and apparently that is not curbing any unnecessary weight gain as I'm tracking right like I was with R's pregnancy - which I find SUPER annoying. 

I've been walking through a rain shower... (which was awesome) 

And making nice with the amphibians that take over the road after dark...

--- 4 ---

M has taken to getting into the big girls things and toting them around like they are hers... 

She's got a while until the 3rd birthday ballerina bag is given but she needed to try it on for size : ) 

--- 5 ---

Our children sleep in the STRANGEST places... 

I could compile 20 different pictures just of them sleeping but I'll spare you!

--- 6 ---

R and M had a quiet afternoon outside as E was stuck inside for punishment...

Among other behavior issues... she WROTE ON THE WALL (fortunately in washable marker) but seriously, seriously... you are FIVE. YOU DON"T FREAKING WRITE ON THE WALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

K thanks... 

However last week I was kind of in a funk because Lee is working insane hours, the girls were not being fantastic and a bunch of other stuff that I need not complain about BUT it dawned on me:

How can I expect/ask the kids to have good behavior and nice attitude if I'm setting the example of being a crabby-patty. 

Oh the hypocrite I am. I have really been thinking about how my thoughts, actions and words are effecting them this week and everyone has had an exponentially better week!

--- 7 ---

We have been to the pool not once, not twice but thrice this week... Two times for swim practice and one just because we had an afternoon to kill. Taking dinner there is so easy and I should do it more plus there is ZERO kitchen clean up when we get home which is heavenly...

R wanted to wear her swim cap last night and I looked at here and thought "You are 3 and you are going to freak out when I try and pull this rubber cap over your head." But she didn't and she thought she was one of the big kids... 

E has been sporting her cap ever since she laid hands on it. She is desperate to being on the racing swim team (and not just the one that swims before the racing part of the meet starts). I think she might do it with a few more weeks and maybe an extra lesson or two...

So we've almost made if through another week.

Papa's got a wild and crazy day today and I'll be talking to St. Joseph a lot today for Lee and all the other guys out there helping him.

12 in '14

I made a point to post family pics or pics of all the girls. I realized I have a tons of posts that I never did like R's birthday, E's birthday, beach trip, fair trip etc... Maybe I'll get around to those one day. 

January was the start to an eight-week-long snow adventure. Every other week it seemed like it snowed and in NC that means that everything doesn't function well for a few days. E and I enjoyed a few sled rides and R was just generally too cold to play too long and M only came out for the photo opts. I am so glad we have new neighbors who the girls will LOVE playing with (if it ever snows this winter) 

February - Was more of the same snowy, cold weeks. We celebrated R's 2nd birthday?!? and it was warm enough for them to play outside. We did escape to SC for a little reunion weekend (that makes Lee's side of the family sound massive but really it was 15-ish people) with Lee's family. That was lots of fun hanging out with aunts and uncles and cousins. The 4 hr car ride was another story. 

March - Pascha was super late this year so Marti Gras was too. I think the party at my mom and dad's was March 1 so just squeaking this in here. Lent went really well. We did Presanctified Liturgy (our church) once a week and Fish Fries and Stations of the Cross (local RC parish) every week. It may have been exhausting but draining ones self during Lent is a good and necessary purge. We had fun eating all things green on St. Patricks Day! I think we got our last snow in March which meant no excuse for school to be close and no more snow cream : ( 

April - Lent ran into April which meant church activities plus soccer. We hit the field for another season as the Dragonflies. E scored her first (and second) goal in one game and I swear she jumped over the moon she was so happy (and I may have gotten teary eyed because I knew she had been trying for 3 seasons!). We survived Holy Week and Pascha. Pascha was super cold (please note tights and sandals). 

May - E wrapped up 3 yr old preschool and we signed her up for 4 yr old preschool in the fall. We celebrated E's 4th!!!!!!! birthday!!!! M still came to work with me as she loved napping in the morning especially in the darkness of the bathroom. I am so grateful for my boss and coworkers (especially the ladies) who graciously let me bring my babies to work and monopolize the women's bathroom. There was lots of playing outside this month. Papa (thankfully) was really busy at work so we went through a little withdrawal not seeing him in the mornings but tis the pool season you know! Oh and we had a snake in our garage!

June - We went out for dinner for Father's Day. I think it was our first dinner out as a family of 5. The girls did awesome. We played ALOT in the sprinkler this month. 

July - We spent 4th of July at my MILs pool and had a pool party and E has been 'planning' the 2015 pool party since December. If you missed the best 4th of July cake ever that Grammy made then you had best check it out because it was GORGEOUS. 

August - We trekked up to DC a week earlier than normal for our good friends baby's baptism. We met up with our doppelgänger family up there which was awesome because trying out having 3 sets of twins ages 4 and under makes life with 3 kids seem totally manageable : ) 

September - We were not having our house ripped apart which was a good thing! E started school. R started school. M started Mother's Morning Out. We went to the beach with Grammy, Grandpa Joe and Uncle Kev. The weather was less than fantastic but we still talk about it like it was the best thing ever so we were grateful for the opportunity to play in the sand for a few days

October - We visited the pumpkin patch a few times and we got into the groove of school again. We have met and enjoyed playing with our new neighbors and we even went trick-or-treating with them - hopefully that will be a tradition that we will continue. Despite the fact the girls are so scared of their little dogs going outside is always a waiting game as to when they will come over!

November - M turned one and we are still wondering how that happened! We had a good crowd for her party and I still need to work on my party hosting skills so hopefully I will improve them for the 2015 round of birthdays. We did our standard Thanksgiving run down to Southern Pines and race home for another round the next day. 

December - We made a point to rock out Advent and I think we did it with good success. The girls and I made pound cake for the first time and it was disastrous event to remember. We went to the school Christmas program which was hilarious to see R protest being on stage. And we finally decorated the tree. 

Our New Normal... Sunday Mornings

This is what our table looks like a mere 7.5 minutes before we are waltzing out the door to church at the crack of before dawn on Sundays. I have opted to continue breakfast in the parish hall before Liturgy rather than rush it at home in the early 6 am hour. Dressing another little person and having to feed her too has thrown a wrench into our timing though... We were at least 5 minutes late getting into church on Sunday... which led to a massive crisis/meltdown for E because she did not get to venerate the Gospel book - seriously very, very loud. Soooo.... maybe if I can convince her to not complain about how she does not like blueberry muffins next week, we can avoid at least one crisis of the morning.

Otherwise church is pretty manageable flying solo with three... ask me next week after I am 100% solo during the homily as Papa is 'preachin' - according to E.

E needs her Liturgy book - which I think we'll end up owing the parish for one book because the pages are bent and cover is destroyed for hitting the ground so many times

R needs last week's bulletin for her 'book' so that we won't end up owing for most of the expensive liturgical books. She semi-buys into it... for now

M needs to be asleep when we make our grand entrance into church and if she's not she chills out in her carseat and checks things out... I am halfway convinced that babies can see angels so who knows how many she sees during 1.5 hrs we are there. Then she gets hungry, eats, and returns to her carseat.

Yes I look completely crazy walking from hall to church with E and R and 3 Lands End totes and M in the carseat but not strapped in so I have to carry it from both ends... 

How I spent my New Year's

Let's face it. Being 34.5 weeks pregnant is not the most glamorous thing in the world nor is it the most energy filled. So in that same spirit Lee and I held down the fort in the Mount to ring in 2012. He made probably one of my new top 10 meals that he cooks - Poppin' John - courtesy of Cooks Illustrated and Grandpa Joe and Jibbe came over for dinner too. For dessert Lee had a pecan pie with homemade whipped cream - so good (and my doc said I was supposed to watch what I ate!)

I think I was in bed and possibly asleep before 9 - which actually turned out to be a good thing. I certainly would not have mind staying up to watch the ball (or acorn - oh yes Raleigh-world) but when there are not other people around then New Year's is just another day. I have always had a Scourge-like approach to a new year and have not ever been give a good reason to change it.

Anyways, it was a good thing I did go to bed early because E was screaming four hours into 2012 - I think she has been having bad dreams because she was up around 1 am tonight too - hence I am awake. I remember having bad dreams when I was in elementary school and running to my parents room and waking up my mom (of course) so that I could get tucked back in. What goes around comes around I guess - though I do have a much greater appreciation for my mom's patience with me because I know I had bad dreams more often than she would have like.

Its not like I am horribly opposed to snuggling up with little E and rocking her awhile. I actually find it quite comforting. During the day when I want to snuggle her up she is a ball of energy who stays still for 4.5 seconds and goes away. At night, when she's half asleep we rock and I get to smell her - she does not have that fresh baby smell anymore. I think about when she was super tiny and would have done anything for her to just go to sleep for longer than 2 hours at a time. I think about that I will be feeling/thinking the same thing with baby #2 sooner than I can imagine. I am pretty sure that baby #2 knows when I am having 'my time' with E because he/she gets super kicky and squirmy. Maybe that in part due to the extra little person on my tummy but I'd like to think its sibling rivalry that starts in the womb. Who know!

What is Normal...

Is there ever a normal when you are a mom? I wonder this sometimes. When do I feel normal? I think that being a mom takes some getting used to. I went from being responsible for myself for 23 years to be responsible for... a small little person - soon to be two.

Snuggling with little E is normal now. Getting frustrated when she won't close the frig door and the ensuing tears are normal to me. Making time to go outside and play in the sand and go on walks is normal. But I'm still getting used to it. We have  routine now and it is normal.

I used to come home from work and mess around the house and maybe go on a run and that was my normal. I used to ride in my little grey car with the windows down with the music turned up and sing along - but definitely don't do that with E in the car. Although, when I am by myself and I catch a good rock out song I will totally turn up the music and feel normal - well my old normal.

I have a new normal now that is not really a normal because everyday holds something new. A new word, a new crisis that is causing a meltdown, newfound things that fascinate a toddler (and otherwise I might look over) this is normal. E is teaching me to be more observant. The smallest things get her so excited. She was playing in the sand and then decided to put the sand under the microscope of her eye and got really close to the sand and started picking the 'trash' (otherwise known as leaf bits) out. Then she tested out the comfort of the sand and just laid there - in her sandbox - almost like she was in her crib. Finally to give another one of her senses a buzz she took a lick of the sand - gross I know, but really believe in trial by error. She figured out sand is not a member of the 5 food groups and I helped her get the sand out of her mouth and then it was business as usual in the sand - moving the toys from the sand box to the sand table and back.

Its certainly been an adjustment but I'd take my new normal over my old normal any day.