Week in My Life - Thursday

Oh today was good...

A was up bright and early for some good snuggles which I'm glad to have some time for

The it was off to the races with breakfast and getting dressed and praying and stuff and stuff

The Catholic school girls were running late. Literally. 

They weren't moving at quite the speed I needed - like you are late. You need to run to the van, not walk. 

So I drove up the first hill and hid in the side street and my neighbor called to make sure we were okay. Just teaching the girls a lesson, you know. So I think some lesson was learned. There was tears and discussion of what they would have done if I had really left them - like going to ask our neighbors to use the phone to call Papa and he would have been REALLY MAD. 

Indeed. 

I was happy to note that E would not leave R. E lugged some of R's stuff up the hill because she couldn't carry it (because she hadn't put it in her book bag). She's a great big sister. 

After the drop offs I went to get my glasses fixed because about a month after I got them fixed earlier this year (right before C was born) A got a hold of them and they are mangled. That was a pointless trip since the glasses people weren't there ; ( 

Then off to drop the microbus off for an oil change - hi Uncle Kevin, evidence I did it. 

C and I hung out at work - which is slow now that people aren't really using their pools 

Before I got the girls from school I had time to work on M's stocking - yes I'm that far behind : (

And there's A's stocking waiting in the wings

We met up at Jibbe's for dinner because that's what we do

We stopped for gas on the way home and yes Lee pumps my gas whenever he's around. 

Week in My Life - Wednesday

Just another wacky weekday...

A has a bad habit of pushing M off the stool when they brush teeth. A loves to brush his teeth so he lingers for a while and I hope he doesn't dapple in the sink too long. 

On to bigger an better things all before 7:15... The Amazon Subscribe and Save box is always loads of fun. M usually tries to rush upstairs so she can play with Barbies and Legos with E and R. 

E and R and me are warring over their room and putting stuff away and keeping it halfway straight. There are usually pajamas on the floor and hangers from school clothes on the beds. Usually I try and turn a blind eye to it but this morning it was particularly bad. I make them clean it up before our prayer time and that's always met with a cheerful face and immediate compliance... NOT

E is usually the last one out of the house. She lingers and complains about packing up so thank goodness for long range garage clickers to prove my point. 

When I pull into the office after doing the morning shuffle I'm met with my lovely reminder of things that need to be taken care of... Please see Tuesday as another example. Plus the dirt on the dash would also remind me the van had not been cleaned since we got it in March (which as since been remedied) but a clean car often takes the back burner.

C wasn't so sure about her first bounce in the door jumper. She's so stinking cute and she may drive me a little crazy, I know what a blessing it is to be able to have a sidekick at work. 

Once the pick up and lunch shuffle are complete, C and I sit down for the afternoon work session. She really needs to get on the bottle program but I'm not up for the fight because breastfeeding is much easier for us. 

E has a slightly later than normal swim practice so she and C and me head out and leave R and M to their own devices upstairs and Papa and A knee deep in Legos and books. 

After E and I eat our late dinner it is time for the Jesse Tree - hello Advent! I really love the visual reminder of Advent thru the Jesse Tree. Our activity for the week is packing Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes so more on that later. 

Sometimes I wonder, and I often pray about the faith of our kids. I hope that we as parents are doing our job of passing on the faith to are kids well enough - though we often fall short. I hope that when they get older and look back, they'll remember doing the Jesse Advent for Advent or eating dirt and worms for the birth of John the Baptist or eating white pizza for the Transfiguration. I really would like to make it a priority of picking a feast day or a saint each month and doing something that helps teach us something about that person or that feast. Fortunately I don't have to recreate the wheel, we just have to pick something and implement it. 

Week in My Life - Saturday

It is funny to me that this Saturday, of all Saturdays, is the one that is documented so thoroughly because it was actually quite uneventful and out of the ordinary. Well, highly event-filled in the swim events department but that is about it.

5:55 am push back to leave to pick up a sweet swim friend and mama to ride to the swim meet. Having a navigator sure made the trip go by much faster with some good conversation and company

The swimmer

Armed with her lane assignments (my sorry attempts at humor)

E had a great first three events. I think she swam faster in all three and didn't get DQed in IM which is HUGE. Yay! 

C was a trooper - as usual. She got ooooooed and awwwwwwwed over a million times. It was blazing hot in the pool area and silly me forgot that it would be so I packed all footed, long sleeve clothes - but that made for some warm toasty naps. 

Then the last event she swam was the 500 free. The back story to the 500 is this. At the beginning of the swim season I set some goals for E (we do it during summer swim, we did it during swim last year, we do it for the other kids too and not just in sports). I set one of her goals for this year as swimming the 500 free. It is a long race - 20 laps. It isn't easy, but it's achievable. That's the point of a goal. Reachable but requires some stretching. She didn't have to take me up on it, but if she swam it - and finished and didn't get DQed - the prize was a swim backpack. She has been bouncing around between several bags/packs for the past year for goggles, towels, bathing suits etc etc etc. 

Not surprisingly she wanted to do the 500. Or she really wanted the backpack. This was the first meet that she could do it and as soon as she saw it on the meet sheet, she was game. I can't say I was. I thought she'd build up to swimming it and maybe do it toward the end of the season. I may have triple checked with the coach - You are sure she's not going to sink, right? She was certainly nervous in the time leading up to the race though I cannot say if it was she or I who was more nervous. The next closer swimmer in the race was 10 but the little 7 year old was determined to swim with the big girls... 

She was the last one to finish, the last race of the day. I told her before I didn't care about her time. I just wanted her to do her best - and not get DQed. Because how many other 7 year olds was she swimming against? 

She was so exhausted. I was so proud. 

Then we loaded up, hit up Panera, grabbed a gallon of milk and got back home 10.5 hours after our early morning start. A was so happy to see me. R and M didn't realize we were home for at least 45 minutes. Of course, I dutifully made good on the swim bag. E had to check out all the colors - there were at least 30 - before confirming the choice she already had her heart set on, yellow. There are probably only a handful of people who can appreciate the fact her color choice shows she is my child. Her bright yellow swim backpack will be here on Monday (thanks Amazon Prime for having the best price and of course 2 day shipping) hopefully in time for her to sport at practice. I think you can agree she deserves it. 

Then it was time for dinner and showers and Jesse Tree and then everyone was tossed into bed by 7. Lee held down the fort like a champ. Did laundry. Cooked dinner. Maintained order. 

I think we make a heck of a team. 

Week in My Life - Tuesday

Week in My Life catch up - Monday

Tuesday started really early - thanks to C who was up at 4ish to eat. I got up in the hopes of being productive. I heard A rustling around so I turned on the laundry room light - which is the furthest light from his room (and M's) and then bam! He knew I was up. 

He and I snuggled on the couch for a while because what else do you do with a 2 yr old who might wake up the entire house at 4:30 am. He is wearing is 'ball' pajamas he insisted on wearing the night before. 

C decided to get up before 6 which was fine because what the heck. But her diaper was overflowing so strip the sheets from the crib and change her. Throw the sheets and clothes in the washer - gasp! - I don't do laundry during the week except in extreme situations. Then I come back to get her dressed and somehow in the changing process she must have peed on the big bed sheet soooooo... strip those sheets and get them in the washer too. 

We left the house without too much fuss - except over brushing hair

A loves walking through the mulch at school even though I'm not a fan

Spontaneous sister/brother holding hands in school - that never happens. Usually M is mad that A is messing up something of hers

Tire pressure light came on yesterday because of the temperature drop, plus no gas, plus 2000 miles overdue for an oil change... story of my life

C and I shot into work. I find out Lee's appointment is moved to 1 hour later which throws me for a loop with preschool pick up. All you people who don't live near awesome family, I don't know how you do it. Jibbe saved the day - of course - and picked up M and A so I could be with Lee and drive him home. 

No more diverticulitis! Let's total the medical bills of that saga - it is more than it cost us to have C earlier this year. And yes, I wish I was kidding.  

A moment of peace with the kids resting and checking in on work. 

Pretty accurate scene. R with her headband. E with her newfound bubble making talent and her book. I picked up again because Lee was home - plus I knocked out some work phone calls in the truck. 

C is on the verge of rolling over! Which is not too hard to believe I suppose but gracious she is getting big. A friend had a baby a few weeks ago and I've seen him a few times and I am reminded how little she used to be!

Next up is homework which happens at the dinner table and the girls do homework better when they are not doing it at the same time. Plus book reading. Plus sight words. Trying to get through all the sight words before spelling words... Oh Kindergarten can't you be fun again 

E knee deep in math homework and I had her recopy all her sentences from the night before because they were pretty terrible. Plus the Jesse Tree is up because November 15 marks the start of Advent for us. 

That planner - we had an issue over the planner. Isn't it interesting when our kids don't do the right thing - but they do it kinda out of ignorance and some bit of maliciousness - how disappointing it is as a parent. We want our kids to do the right thing all the time and when they don't it is such a let down. I have to imagine God feels exactly the same way with us when we sin... I know you know better than that, but you want to go and do it anyways. Kinda hurts my feelings

A picked out his 'ball' shirt and GEEEns for school. He's so cute!

Last on tap was AHG. Lee couldn't drive and I needed to touch base with another mom about some badges for E that she worked on over the summer (at camp) which I haven't posted about but really happened.

Then it was a bit of studying for quizzes before tucking in. 

Week in My Life - Monday

I didn't get the memo about Week in My Life because, well you know how I roll; so I have no pics from this day (as in ZERO) but it was the same old crazy.

We made it out the door in a timely fashion. Oh it was raining too that always makes things interesting. The cold and rain made for drop off line at school so that was A+ because I have a terrible habit of running my mouth after prayer line. So the little kids were at school super early (as in one time) and I was at work earlier than normal - more like my winter normal time : ) . 

Lee was home for lunch because he was prepping for his test the next day - trying to get the final answer on this diverticulitis. It is always so great to have him home for lunch! I left and picked the girls up from school because he wasn't sure if he could make it. Having to stop everything and leave to get them ( only with C because the others were home asleep with Lee) is a bummer - but I did it because a family goes out of their way to help us, so I really try and pick them up if it is all possible - aka not waking up the littles. Having to load up everyone during nap to do pick up would be a major bummer. Making runs to school for pick up make me SO grateful to the families who bring home the girls. SO GRATEFUL. Gentle reminders of how blessed we are to have such a support system.

Then it was not long before E and C and I loaded up to take E to swim practice. I brought my cross stitch that I am working on for M and made very little progress thanks to the fact that C woke up not long into practice. I need to get back in the pool and Papa needs to get C on the bottle train. I miss swimming in the mornings but HS swimming takes over half the lanes in the mornings and sharing a lane with the 5:30 am crowd can be a little... ehem... slow.

Anyhow.... home home home.... but just for a minute because I have to run to the HSA (PTO/PTA - whatever) meeting at 6:30. I drop E off and stay just long enough to get A upset with my departure. I roll into the parking lot and score a front row space in a packed house. Sweet!

Then I walk in and I look at the clock and it's a solid 6:30 but everyone is already seated and intent on what is being said. Check with a parent and come to find out the meeting started at 6 and not 6:30 - that explains why there were no stragglers in the parking lot with me!

Anyways, story of my life. So annoying. I guess my kids will have to wear half their uniforms tomorrow since it is a dress down day for meeting attendees and I only made it to half the meeting! Give my quick update about our big fundraiser that is not going as well as I hope and then call it a night.

Come home to find E on the couch doing homework - which works out swimmingly especially when trying to write sentences. She's tired and needs to go to bed but likes to knock out all spelling HW on Mondays.

Then C and I retire and that is about it. 

Week in My Life - Sunday

One. More. Day

The documentation of our days has gotten increasingly bad and probably boring so my apologies

Getting ready for our early church departure. Complete with milk cups for breakfast and supplies to complete our Advent activity numero 2. 

We eat breakfast in the parish hall so that means I've got to pack three four sets of church clothes, shoes and jackets PLUS we were going over to Lee's brother's house after so pajamas were in order as well. 

Loaded up. I've only forgotten crucial things like socks once and fortunately I was able to rummage some up from someone's bag.

Living an hour away from church is just normal to us now and the kids do surprisingly well in the van - no TV around here. Usually there's lots of singing, some minor spats, and silly game playing - like hide and go seek? Yep, the girls have played that more than once while strapped in their carseats : )  

Bread that Papa makes for church... 

Sleeping bebe = easier breakfast

We found that taking breakfast for the girls and having them eat in the parish hall is way better than rushing to eat it at home. That gives them plenty of time to eat and gets Papa to church is more than enough to do pre-liturgy prep as part of his deacon-duties. It only took us three weeks to figure this out when our service time was changed, we have been doing it for over 2 years and it makes Sunday mornings way easy. 

Everyone gets dressed for church after breakfast - this is usually a bit more rushed. E usually hurries through breakfast so she can catch the last few minutes of Matins and get organized for liturgy. If she has her own music stand and stands with the choir she is bound to have much better behavior. 

Speaking of behavior, I will say that Sunday mornings at church are some of the most the difficult 90 minutes of parenting each week and this week proved no different. I'm not going to throw a pity party here just want to have some solidarity moments here of taking young kids to church. 

Okay, so Papa was ordained (Deacon Joseph - since there is no saint Lee; and I probably really should refer to him as DJ more often - I'll work on it) when R was 3 months old. Prior to that he was a subdeacon and prior to that he served on the altar every week. So I've been eased into solo parenting 4 kids at church - which doesn't make it any easier - I just know what I'm up against. I think the hardest part about taking young kids to church (there is no nursery option, and if there was I doubt I'd send them) is that I really want my kids to behave plus be semi-tuned into was is happening. When that doesn't happen - this week case in point - it is because A need to be bounced and fed, M is taking off her shoes and scratching wax off the floor, R has decided she's not going to sing and wants to stand right in front of E try and be cute, and E is distracted by R. Some Sundays are awesome but I'm not going to sugar coat, some Sundays I leave church annoyed with a high BP. I will say this, I used to even question why I bothered bringing them to church - even though I knew the answer - but I don't ask myself that anymore because I am quite sure it is the devil trying to plant seeds of doubt and despair. 

Moving on... 

We hit up Target for our Advent Activity for Week 2. 

Packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child

It is probably my favorite Advent activity to do with the kids... I'll post on that separately (maybe : ) 

Dear Target - your new shopping carts do not allow the infant carrier to fit in the normal spot! WHY?!?!?!?

Then after a few more errands we headed over to Lee's brother's house for an afternoon of family and football and food. The girls LOVE LOVE LOVE going over to their cousins house and we usually end up leaving in tears because we cannot handle being apart from all the fun. 

Some of the 2.5 minutes A was not in the Beco because he just couldn't stay sleep anywhere else 

#ihaveproblems - except really not.

Then we packed up and headed home after dinner, threw the troops in bed and called it a night

While we were driving home and I was thinking about all the posts I had done for the week and all the things we had done (and not done) and how all the gears turned to make our lives function the way it does I can make a few claims:

1. It is nearly impossible to raise your voice when your teeth are clinched. I have been trying ever so hard to not yell at the kids and whenever I start - I clinch my teeth and then say what I want to say and my volume isn't nearly as loud. 

2. There are so many people who help make our world go around. Our family, our schools, our friends. Sometimes I think our lives couldn't get crazier and then I realize that it could be. If the family didn't bring E home from school - how would I finagle picking her up with 3 other kids and working in the afternoon? If one of the preschool teachers didn't help me out and let me drop R and M off 10 minutes early, how would it be getting home 25 minutes later for lunch? Two examples of how people go out of their way to help us and honestly I don't know how we'd do it without them

3. Our family is awesome. Aside from the fact they help us out a lot - we really enjoying spending time with them. The past two Sundays we've spent with Lee's family and my family. It is so nice to have family close by and to have the kids have cousins they spend lots of time with and grandparents who are deeply involved in their lives. Having grown up seeing my grandparents about once a year, because of distance, our kids are extremely fortunate to have grandparents this close. 

4. School. Yes we did seriously toy with the idea of homeschooling E this year and I can tell you I believe we made the right decision not to. I think we are exactly where we need to be. And while E claims she 'does SO MUCH seat work' and 'NEVER gets to paint', Lee and I are more than happy with her school situation. I remember this being such a huge weight (on me especially) this time last year. 

5. Work. Some people might ask why in the world do I work. I really enjoy what I do and I am fortunate to have two really flexible employers who let me bring the babies to work, work from home and take off when there is no school. It is the best (and let's be honest, hardest) of both worlds being able to work part-time and being at home in the afternoons.