Mommy of Many®

Lex developed a deep, chesty cough overnight, so I’ve decided to keep him with me for the day. After I dropped the other kids off at school he had this to say;

Lex-”Mom, just so you know, kids who stay home, sick, get lots of candy.”

Me-”Oh really? Who gives these sick kids candy?”

Lex-”The moms and dads do.”

Me-”Why would parents give sick kids candy?”

Lex-”Because they feel so bad for them that they’re sick.”

He’s getting no candy, but he does make me smile!

Doing the Dance of the Children~

This was Gabi’s question this morning after I came into the bathroom to find her standing there in her pj’s, playing with things in the sink instead of taking the shower I’d told her to go take. First-of-all, I don’t think “yell” is the proper term for what I said to her, but if that’s her perception of the tone of my voice, I’ll just go with it. And this is was my answer;

“When you don’t follow the instructions I’ve given you and I find you wasting time, you take away my choice to say, ‘Good job, Gabi!’ Instead I’m left with only things like, ‘what are you doing?’ or ‘Gabi, I told you to go take a shower’ and then you feel like I’m yelling at you. I don’t like it when you take away my choice to tell you how great you’re doing and instead have to tell you AGAIN to do what you KNOW you’re supposed to be doing.”

She didn’t particularly like the answer, but it’s the truth. Kids take away the possibility for us to tell them what a great job they’re doing. I’m sure there are those that disagree. I suppose I could give such praise as, “Great job disobeying! You’ve got that DOWN!” Or “You are SO good at doing the opposite of what I’ve asked you!”. But that just seems like it would mess with their heads more than straight up, stern-voiced reminding.

Doing the Dance of the Children~

This last week has brought a lot to my schedule. You never really know how much you can fit into your life until you start pushing things closer together to make room for more. This week I started working 3-4 mornings a week at a chiropractic office, picked up a weekly blogging gig AND joined the coolest team of people who are banning together to make new media work for small businesses in this area. It seems that juggling the kids’ schedules, running my website, building my Silpada Designs business and cleaning the house just weren’t enough to truly keep me busy. My hatrack is now full! I will not be taking on any new chapeaus for awhile. I’m super excited about all these new ventures! The chiropractic office offers me the chance to learn new skills (office work), the blogging feeds my love of writing and joining the team fills my love of being social. Yea! And not to mention that they all help me make that new car payment! Good Stuff!

Gabriella, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to think I’ve taken on enough. She spent an entire evening of keeping me in stitches while she told me why I need to get married and that it should be before Easter and then detailed exactly how I should go about finding this new husband. Did you know that looking at people’s faces in the grocery store is a sure-fire way to figuring out who a good life-mate would be?! Gabi thinks so! She walked through the grocery store with me making such exclamations as, “Look at him, he looks like Rod Stewart.” Or, “He already has a son, so he’ll know what to do.” Then she pointed out that the guy checking us out had a job and liked talking to me. Nice! I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard, in a long time. I also don’t think I’ll be taking her grocery shopping with me again anytime soon.

Doing the Dance of the Children and Enjoying my Hat Collection~

You guys did GREAT! I received text messages, emails and Facebook messages to remind me not to forget the all-important phone call. Hooray!

Before Max went to sleep, he came over to tell me that he’d figured out how it all works;

“The real fairies are so small and hard for us to see that they kept getting squished. So they decided it was best for them to stay in their land and they just communicate the right things for the parents to do through the phone calls and sometimes in whispering or thinking. This is why when you wake up and see the parent putting the money under your pillow, that they’re doing it. It just isn’t safe for the real fairies anymore”.

I refuse to do anything but nod, smile and hug that boy over this explanation!

Doing the Dance of the Children and Cherishing Their Imaginations~

Max has been anxiously awaiting one of his wiggly “silver” teeth to finally make a clean break and leave him holding what he believes to be his ticket to the Dollar Store or the Dollar Spot at Target. Today was the day! He came home from school proudly holding a small, orange, plastic tooth holder with his trophy tooth inside.

Here’s where your help come in…

DO NOT let me forget to call the tooth fairy!!!! I am known for my horrid tooth fairy skills! I can’t let the build up on this tooth go uncelebrated.

Calling all Mamas-remind me!

Doing the Dance of the Children and the Tooth Fairy~

After weeks off from the “regular” routine, after weeks of visiting with family and friends, after weeks of kids sleeping as late as 10 am, after weeks of not tackling all the things I said I’d do “over break”, I’m faced with only hours before I’ll be awakened by the jarring sound of the alarm. It’ll be time to be on-task and in work mode.

It was a fabulous break! It was full of visitors, good food and lots of fun. All my kids were together for the first time since last December. Yes, this meant more work in some ways, but it also meant the wholeness that only comes when they are all here. Each of them holds a piece of the puzzle that makes the house full. Yes, I know that kids grow up and out, but it doesn’t change the fact that there’s a completeness to them all in the house together. It was good for the younger kids to reconnect with their older siblings who are away at school. It was good to hear their stories and to visit with them and good to have them lend a hand in all the things around the house.

This was our first Christmas since we’ve moved and since my divorce. The kids did as well as could be expected with going back and forth between houses. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we all gathered in my house and celebrated. Yes, there were moments that were strained and even uncomfortable, but this is new, all of it. We did well!

~Sigh~

Now it’s back to mostly “regular” life. I make a late-night trip to the airport for Maddi tonight and Mariah is staying until the 22nd. But other than that, it’s back to the busyness of sports, school and alarm clocks. It’s time for me to refocus on my business and time to finish packing all the Christmas decor back into boxes in the garage.

I’m thankful for pictures that create an indelible image of moments in time. There were good moments to capture and I’ll be happy to revisit them when I miss my older kids!

Doing the Dance of the Children~

It’s been a long day of really Good Stuff! I had fun maximizing my buying power-I traded in 1, not-so-attactive-sweater for 3 adorable sweaters, 1 winter coat and a belt! Then I headed into a store with a coupon that was good for $10 off of a $10 or more purchase. I walked out with 2 stocking stuffers and did the same at 1 other store. Shopping is never so much as when it’s nearly free!

Now I’m filling up my evening time with whatever I can think to get done so I don’t fall asleep. I need to head out around 11 to start picking up kids at the train station AND the airport. I made some treats with the kids that we will pass out in the next couple of days. I’m not much for baking, but there are some simple treats I like to make and give out.

White Chocolate and Milk Chocolate melts

Old Fashioned Peppermint Sticks

Dip the Peppermints in the melted chocolate (we were using a spatula to get a better coating on each stick)

Add Sprinkles while each stick is still freshly dipped and let dry. Easy!

I’ll add some of these to plates of cookies to give out to friends, neighbors and teachers.

As I’ve written, I’ve realized that I better take a nap until it’s time to go. I’m just too worn out to try to stay up. But I know there will be plenty of energy once I get to the train station and the airport! It’ll be good to have everyone here! Tomorrow JJ will get here in the evening and then we can finally decorate the tree! It’ll finally feel like Christmas is here.

Doing the Dance of the Children-A Little Sleepy, But So Grateful~

I just spent the last hour typing out the story of each of my kiddos Kindergarten Holiday/Christmas programs. In writing it, I realized that only 5 of my 9 have had that experience because of various different schooling places and experiences. Then, I answered a question that Max asked me and my hand slipped on the keyboard and *poof* no more heartfelt blog. Grrrrr!

Instead of each of the stories, I’ll take the time to tell you my favorite performance experience of all the kiddos-Tristan’s preschool Christmas program…He came home and told me he was the star of the program. I’m sure I patted him on the head and said something like, “I’m sure you’ll do a great job”. When the day of the program rolled around, I realized I hadn’t heard of any costumes that needed to be provided or what he should wear. So I put him in his Sunday best and sent him to school. When I arrived for the program, there was my son, indeed the Star of the program. He was decked out in a HUGE foam stat that fit on his head, with his cute lil face framed in glitter and real, working lights. He had a battery pack in each pocket to light up that huge star. I giggled and teared up at the same time. Yes my sweet boy, you ARE the star. I’ve paid closer attention to what words the kids use when describing their parts in performances, since then.

So here it is-My youngest lil guy, Lex just had his Kindergarten performance. As each of my kiddos has passed through Kindergarten, I’ve locked them into my memory at this precious stage. It passes so very quickly and suddenly they’re away at college, planning their own lives. So it was an emotional piece of time for me, yesterday.

Lex chose a white button-down and black tie for his attire. He wore that shirt proudly all day, even to make a gingerbread house in class (red frosting stains to be tackled soon!). I got teary-eyed as the class signed Silent Night and giggled when they sang a song I’d never heard of and on investigating the program, saw that it was the Kwanza song. I had no idea there was a Kwanza song. But it was so cute to here them all singing their lil hearts out!

So now we move forward into the Christmas Break and then into the 2nd half of the school year, that will surely zip right on by.

Grab those little moments and file them away. They pass much too quickly!

Lex after his performance

Santa came to visit and congratulate the kiddos on their performance

Me and my last little kindergartener

Doing the Dance of the Children~

It’s Tuesday, December 6th and I’ll knee-deep in the realization that Christmas is speeding my way. Today is St. Nicholas’ Feast Day which means treats and goodies are to have been placed in the kiddos waiting shoes. Just one problem-after a little debate, they didn’t put them out last night and made the decision that it should be done ON the feast day. St Nick and I had a lil chat and we’re fixing the issue by his being gracious enough to fill their shoes while they’re at school today. Back on track we go!

This isn’t the only instance of me being a little off this Holiday Season. Check out my Advent Wreath;

Notice anything wrong?

Yep, that’s my, completely backward Advent Wreath. I’m deciding that my intentions are in all the right places but that my Left-Handed Mommy Brain has taken over and is keeping me slightly off balance. Kinda like the fact that Lex went to school this morning in a blue zip up sweatshirt with the words Old Navy in orange. Only problem-HIS Old Navy zip up is ORANGE with the words in blue. I guess my backward brain is catching. His teacher emailed me to let me know that it appears that Lex is in the missing sweater of a classmate and would I please double-check.

Don’t get me wrong, lots of Good Stuff is going on-I made a delicious breakfast sandwich for myself this morning.

Seriously, there’s lots of Good Stuff going on around here. My oldest 3 kiddos will be starting to arrive in less than 2 weeks. I have awesome friends and neighbors who constantly let me know they’re there for me with all sorts of helpful things. I’ve been having a GREAT time building my Silpada Designs business through home parties and craft fairs. I’ve decorated the inside of the house…mostly. And let’s not forget that my kiddos are always ready to add a little giggle to the day. For instance, this last Sunday, during Mass, Lex reaches into his pants’ pocket and pulls out a handful of sliced mushrooms that he’d tucked away for an emergency snack. All we could do was look at him a stifle our giggles at his practical goofiness.

Alright Tuesday, let’s you and me get back to the busyness of this house and try to get back on track.

Happy St. Nicholas’ Day!

Doing the Dance of the Children With a Little Stumble Every Now and Again~

It’s a fact that when life gets you down, the quickest cure is the silliness of a kiddo. After the sadness of my last 2 posts, I say it’s time for a few smiles and a giggle or two. Lex is the answer;

Early last week, my parents came to the house and my mom made a stew for dinner. We all sat around the table and started to serve the bowls. When Lex got his bowl, he looked at everyone, wrinkled his nose and said, “Thanksgiving’s weird. It’s just a bowl of soup!”. Poor kiddo thought that since we were are gathered that it was the big holiday we were getting ready for. He was pleasantly surprised to find out otherwise!

Each day he and I have a little bit of time together between when he gets out of school and when it’s time to pick up the other kids. So we usually do something “special” together. Yesterday we went to a local market and he got a smoothie. He happily drank it in his car seat while I drove to errands. After he finished he says, “Mom, I don’t mean to be rude, but that smoothie is way better when I burp it than when I drank it.” Thanks for the manners…

As I continued on my errands, his little mind was working this one out-

Lex-”Mom, I know why Tye is black.”
Me-”I think he’s black because God made him black.”
Lex-”No, it’s cuz ‘Tye…Tye, the black guy. See it rhymes!”
Me-*silent giggles*

Got the blues? Life not feeling the way it should? Go find a kiddo, ask them ANY question or just sit and listen to them tell a story. They are the best cure for what ails us!

Doing the Dance of the Children with a Grin~

Well ain’t that the truth!

I never do this-I never publicly complain about how it is. But tonight I’m hot! I’m so dang hot and I’m so sick of being on 24/7 and having every single waking moment be about the well-being of my kids (as it should be), only to have an angry teen berate and bully me because they don’t get what they want. Guess what?! Sometimes the answer is “NO”! No, you are not allowed to watch an inappropriate movie and NO you don’t get to bully me because of my appropriate parenting. And dang it…I’m sick and tired of being blamed for how unfair it is that your life had to change. You know what?! Mine did too! And I don’t always like it. But I’m making the best of it and I’m working my behind off every moment of every day to make sure I’m doing the very best I can for all of you. Sometimes that’s going to mean you’re being parented and teens, even in the very best of situations, aren’t always happy with being parented. But it’s still my job!

It’s not fair!

Yep! Totally not fair! It’s not fair that everything I thought I was working for was a sham. It’s not fair that after 9 kids and 40 yrs of life that I have to worry about how to keep food on the table and a roof over most of those kid’s heads. It’s not fair! But it’s life! It’s life! And honestly, fair or not, each day brings something beautiful and I am working SO hard to give as much of that beauty as I can to my kids. That’s the goal of each of my days. I want them to feel loved, protected, secure and free. And you know what?! I want the same for myself. So go ahead, be angry. Call me names. Tell me it’s unfair and that I’m horrible. I’ve done what I needed to. Every single step I’ve made has been put before me and I know that God’s with me each day. And I won’t stop parenting. Not because of your fit. Not because of your anger. Not because you bully me and not because you tell others lies about who I am. It’s my job and I’ll keep doing it.

It’s not fair, but it’s true!

Doing the Dance of the Children!

Yesterday I had the fun of being the Story Time reader at our local, Big Spoon Yogurt. 3, holiday-themed books were preselected, the room was rearranged and kiddos and mommies came in to enjoy some yummy yogurt and listen to some Thanksgiving fun. I’ve always enjoyed reading to my little ones and thought being able to participate in this monthly event would be fun. I was right!

Every 3rd Thurday from 1-2pm Story Time can be enjoyed, complete with a free 4 oz. yogurt for all listeners 6 yrs old and younger.

If you missed out on this month’s Story Time, be sure to mark your calendars for next month and THIS Saturday, November 19th from 1-2pm a Free and Fun special Holiday craft is being offered. A complimentary hot chocolate can be enjoyed during this craft time. Go! Free fun is my FAVE!

Big Spoon Yogurt, serving up yummy yogurt and a lil extra fun on the side.

Good Stuff that helps me keep Doing the Dance of the Children with a spring in my step~

Nothing spectacular has happened, we didn’t go to a parade or win the lottery, but having the extra day to just be has felt SO good!

On Friday, 11/11/11, we celebrated Max’s 9th birthday. It was cloudy out, so we chose to spend a couple hours at an indoor playplace-Wacky Tacky. It was crowded and full of the energy that kiddos with a day off have to burn! Tristan and Max especially liked the foam, air guns. They spent quite a bit of time shooting at anything and everything. When as much energy as possible was expended, we headed home for lunch. Then it was present time! Whoo Hoo! In the last few weeks, we’ve discovered the Plasma Car. One of our neighbors has them and the kids really fell in love with riding them. So not only did Gabi get one for her bday (pink, of course), but Max is now the happy owner of one in yellow. These really are great! They hold up to 180 lbs, sit low to the ground and require nothing but kiddo energy.

Then we enjoyed a nice dinner and dessert was some special Daddy n Max time at a frozen yogurt shop that also boasts a hot chocolate bar! Yum!

Yesterday we ran errands and spent some time visiting with a friend that was up from Pacific Beach. The kids enjoyed some time finding items to add to their Christmas lists at Barnes and Noble while I got to hear what’s been happening at the beach. A great afternoon!

This morning has been leisurely, with kids waking up one-at-a-time over the last couple hours. Max has been taking his Lego Creations vehicle (another bday gift) apart and rebuilding it into one of the other vehicles it’s capable of making. This would NOT of been a toy I would’ve enjoyed. I want things put together and to perform whatever function they’re created to perform, but Max and Tristan both LOVE taking their Legos apart and recreating over and over again. The difference between girls and boys? Or the difference between brains that function at what’s been deemed “genius” level and those of us who have regular ol’ brains? Who knows! But I’m glad they have so much fun with it all!

So it’s Legos and Apple Crumble muffins for breakfast and onto a Sunday that will involve some leftover homework, the beginnings of a school project, church in the evening and then youth group.

A good weekend!

Doing the Dance of the Children and Feeling Thankful For All of It~

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I do believe that no one has to use the bathroom so bad as when there are chores to be done.

Doing the Dance of the Children~

Yesterday Lex and I headed over to Big Spoon Yogurt to watch Max enjoy the rewards of selling LOTS of cookie dough. After all the yogurt fun was over, I saw a sign announcing Craft Time from 1-2 on the first Thursday of the month. Hey! That was right then! So we decided to stay and check it out.

The day’s craft was a Turkey Cookie

Look how happy his is!

So, for all you local Mommies and Daddies with lil ones, who are constantly on the look out for free fun, make a note that Big Spoon Yogurt on Sunset hosts Craft Time from 1-2 the first Thursday of each month. The craft is free and so is a 4 oz. yogurt for any lil fun seekers who are 6 yr old and younger. And that’s not all! On the 3rd Thursday of each month, also from 1-2, they host Story Time! I LOVE Story Time! I love it SO much, that’s I’m going to be this month’s reader! Whoo Hoo! Come on out and join me!

I hope to see you there!

And until then, I’ll be here, as always, Doing the Dance of the Children~