Footloose

The kids and I went on a little adventure today. The weather is FINALLY changing and it was the perfect day for a river walk.

Such BIG KIDS!

I can't get over how grown up they are getting. Not only do they suddenly look so much older but they act like BIG KIDS! It's everything... the way they talk to each other, to me, the way the carry themselves, their hysterical/crazy imaginations, and most of all their independence.

(L to R) Russ, Molly, Libby and Ally

We no longer need our stroller. I can't believe I just typed that! I've depended on that thing for so long that I feel a little naked without it. I brought it along today, just in case.. but they never got in. It's time to retire THE BEAST.

(L to R)

Ally, Libby, Molly and Russ

Loving FREEDOM!

For the last three years THE BEAST has given us freedom, independence and normalcy. I took it EVERYWHERE! We used it at the grocery store, Costco and all other weekly errands. We took it on many adventures and put hundreds of miles on our trusty three wheeled friend. It allowed me to navigate the world solo. I didn't think I would ever see the day it was not in use! BUT, that day has come.

I TRULY enjoyed every moment with my kids today. I got some great pictures and I can't stop smiling as I'm looking them over. Where have my babies gone? I love the little people they have become.

(L to R) Ally, Libby, Molly and Russ

"What? So I have a little gas! What's the big deal!?!"

Russell-Man on damage control...

"Red Rover, Red Rover, Send PreSchool on Over..."

Miss Molly

"I'm thinking a double half-back, tuck, and stick the landing for a dismount. Think that'll win over the judges? "

-Libs and Russ

Molly, enjoying a brief moment of solitude

Ally Boo Boo

Three heads are better than one...

Little Libs

Russell Man

"Deep Thoughts, by Allison Ann"

Just Libby.

"Its not easy being a Diva..."

After a great adventure we hit the playground before our walk home. I still can't get over how fast they have grown and changed. Days like today make me realize I'm not just talking to myself... they may actually be listening! ;)

Happy Wednesday! I hope your all having a great week.

5 Things....

Last night, Gen and I were talking about things that get us through the week. Wait...we know what you're thinking - "Saturday night? Wow....these guys know how to party." We got to laughing about it, and realized certain things help us stay sane, and make life a little easier. Our initial Top 5....in no particular order....

1. The gym (with extended hours): It's a lifesaver. A mental and physical break each day - and helps combat the urge to pull hair out. Well, at least those in this house that have any left.
2. Text messaging: Having a normal conversation on the phone is a rare occasion lately. Texting is a great alternative & time saver for both of us. Gen churns out THOUSANDS a month - thank the lord for the unlimited plan.....
3. MINT.com - *Pssst!* Want to know two words that make Gen shake & curl into the fetal position with fear? Financial Planning. I actually don't mind it, and tools like Mint make tracking and budgeting much easier and less time consuming. Helps monitor the $$, and spend more time enjoying the kids.
   
4. US Weekly - Everyone has their own guilty pleasures/vices they enjoy. While the reading list is eclectic and varied in this house, the one constant is this hard hitting weekly publication. Oh yeah......and sometimes Gen gets to read it too....
   
5. DVR. Once the kids are asleep, and we've had a chance to decompress - catching up on a few favorite shows is a nice luxury. Not having to stay on the network's schedules to see them is awesome - and helps us keep laughing with recorded episodes of The Office all week long.

Every individual/household is different. Faith, family, and friends aren't on the list, because they're vital and implied!

Would love to hear some other suggestions. Thoughts? Anything you can't live without?

~Conor

Water Colors

Yesterday brought good news for Miss Molly. Despite it all, she was still hydrated. I can't tell you what a relief that was for this mommy! I'd been spoon feeding her electrolytes and ice chips day and night.

By late afternoon she was able to keep down some solid foods and I've been working hard to replace the good bacteria she has lost over the last 10 days. Today she perked up a bit. The other three kids are well on the mend and were very happy to see their fearless leader acting a bit more like herself. THANK GOD!!

Thank you for all your sweet comments, emails and calls. I'm happy to report that I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm also REALLY excited for Conor to come home, he's been out of town for work. I have missed him! It's almost Friday and our week is looking up! We may even get out of the house this weekend! ;)

With the kiddos feeling better today, I thought it would be fun to do some water colors. So, while I made dinner, they painted their little hearts out. Hey, nothing like a MESS to make a three year old (or 4) smile!

In birth order, just because....

"What?"

-Russell John

Sweet Ally Boo Boo

Miss Mo Mo

-Still not herself BUT so much better!

Little Libs

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

Live From Sickville With Love!

I started writing this last night and fell asleep with my computer on my lap...

Ha Ha Ha!

We felt a little better today. The kiddos and I spent the day camped out on the sofa and made a few pillow forts out of couch cushions. We have exhausted our Disney video collection (thank you Aunt Paula and Carlie) and read every book on their shelf. I started to introduce solid foods again and they are staying down pretty well, not great, but better than nothing! Here's hoping we will be back to our usual antics this time tomorrow!

My sweet sickies

(L to R)

Libby, Russ, Molly and Ally

Funny Ally, pretending to be asleep for my camera!

Little Libs, not a happy camper!

Miss Molly, such a big helper.. even when she is sick!

Russell Man, tired from pulling those all nighters!

This morning..

After a long night, things are looking up. Russ, Ally and Libby are on the mend. THANK GOD! However, I am very worried about Molly- who is still not well. She and I are going to be taking a trip to the doctor today. My poor baby. Please keep her in your prayers as I try to keep her hydrated.

I'll keep you posted and hope to have good news soon! I'm sure your tired of hearing about us being sick! I know we are!!! ;)

Happy Hump Day!

Bad Blogger!!

I feel like such a bad blogger!

We are STILL sick over here, very sick.

We spent the morning with Dr. Farrell and plan/hope to be on the mend by Wednesday. In Dr. Farrell's own words, "you got very unlucky and got 2 (flu like) bugs one after the other." Unlucky is right! But, like all things in life.. it could always be worse! We are hanging in there and trying to make the best of it.

We'll be back up and running asap. In the meantime, I'll share some sweet pics of our silly sickies!

Russell Man

Mo Mo and Ally

Little Libs

Have a great week everyone!

An Ode To The Roto-Rooter Dude!

Well, our toilet imploded this morning and not-so-lovely things were spewing up into both showers and toilets were overflowing. It was AWESOME!! Especially since all 5 of us are still in desperate NEED of those facilities!

Soooo I pulled out the old training potty chairs and the yellow pages. I looked up our local Roto-Rooter and dialed.

When the guy arrived my Ode began...

The Roto-Rooter van pulled up and Molly began to cheer, Mommy, mommy the plumber is here!

I ran to the door and said "hello"

To my surprise he looked like a young Ron Howard, or maybe someone I might know

He walked in the door and took a look around

The house smelled like roses and there were toys all over the ground

He assumed I ran a day care

I did not clarify or correct his assumption

I explained the situation and the kids started jumpin

They were ready for the big potty to be back up and running

The rooter dude thought the goobers were really quite funny

He got right to work, was patient and kind..

I asked him if he remembered to bring his Hazmat suit or if he would like to borrow mine.

He shot me a smile and said he was "really quite fine."

He rolled up his sleeves and I ducked for cover

The kids now wanna grow up to be plumbers!

After a few hundred dollars were flushed down the drain..

The toilets are up and working aGAIN!

After Ron, the plumber, left our driveway

The kids and I resumed our yucky sick day

They are sleeping soundly now as I type

Tomorrow is new day and I hope we have no POOP in sight!

Happy Friday EVERYONE!

Sick :(

Oh boy, well.. I had all these great plans for this week! I was set to catch up, work on the layout buttons for the blog and be productive overall. However, the kids and I got hit HARD with a nasty virus/stomach bug a couple days ago. Let's just say it's been nonstop trips to the potty and fevers all around. The kids toilet even overflowed around 3am this morning.. fun times! Conor has been in and out of town, for work, and seems to be fighting off this bad boy pretty darn well. Lucky guy! The rest of us, on the other hand, are just plain pooped.

The kids are finally out for the count.. let's hope for the night, and I'm headed to bed!

In the meantime, check out these fun pictures of our sweet friend, Shelby, painting the kids faces last week. They made me smile and I hope they do the same for you!

"Okay, Shelby, I wanna look JUST LIKE SUPER MAN!"

-Russell, our little hero

"Hmmm Clark Kent or Super Man?"

It's a bird, it's a plane.. It's Russell Man!!

Libs wanted a Princess Pocahontas crown..

"Look Mommy, I LOVE it soo much!"

-Libs, gets SOOO excited and her little voice melts me!

Striking a pose

Miss Molly wanted to be a butterfly!

"I think I need one on each cheek, don't you agree mommy?!"

Back in line for butterfly #2!

Ally also wanted to be a princess!

The sweet faces (albeit food covered) of loving Ally..

"Cheese!"

"Pretty, who me? Oh, please.. go on!"

-Ally Boo Boo

Thanks for the fun face painting, Shelby! We love you!

Happy Thursday everyone!