{lesson learned}

Our dishwasher has been broken for almost 2 weeks now, and although Rick was able to take it apart and figure out what was wrong, the part won't be in for another week. So, we've been washing all the dishes by hand for that long, and let me just say that I'm ready to have my dishwasher back!


Not that I mind doing dishes--I really don't. In fact, we have lived at least a third of our marriage without one. However, it wasn't when we had 5 kids. We go through A LOT of dishes, and it just takes a lot of time that I'm used to having to do other things with. Ryan has also done quite a few of them, since the dishwasher is his job, and actually hasn't complained at all. He seems to think it's faster.

I don't think he would have the same opinion in a few more weeks.

.....

Now on to broken appliance #2. Mister Henry B. has quite the reputation about town for breaking things. Nothing malicious, but I'm afraid he doesn't realize his own strength. About a month ago, he broke our cordless phone--rendering it unuseable.

So, we've been using this beauty:


I know---quite the blast to the past, right? I keep it in our food storage for emergencies--just in case the electricity is out and our cordless phones didn't work. It doesn't have an answering machine, and it HAS A CORD. If I'm stirring something on the stove, despite the phone being 10 feet away, I can't leave to go answer it, or stand there to talk for long at all.

This morning I was talking to my sister on the phone, and I had to put it down at least 5 times to go and help the kids while they were eating breakfast. I'm so accustomed to having a phone next to my ear, and still getting things done, and it was so hard not being able to do that.

I also had to laugh when a good friend called, and Kate answered the phone for me since I couldn't get to it at that moment. I could hear her on the phone, explaining that "this phone has a swirly thing on it, and I can't take it to my mom anymore". So funny.

So, yes, we need a new phone. Hopefully this weekend, when I actually see Rick in person, we can go pick one out.

I am definitely feeling grateful for all those modern conveniences that are so, so easy to take for granted. When you have to go without them, it quickly becomes evident how nice it is to have them!

Lesson learned. No need to go on to #3.

{interviews}

I was sitting at the computer, with Kate right by my side, and we got to talking. Soon I started asking her some questions about herself, and when I heard her answers, I immediately started typing--I had to record them. I wish I could have got her on tape--there's nothing like hearing the little voice to match! I had so much fun talking to Kate, that I called Emma over and asked her the same questions. She was equally as charming, and I have been laughing all day about some of the things they said.

I absolutely love the spontaneous answers, and being able to capture their little 4 year old personalities. The things you find out during interviews like these...I need to do them more often!

.....

Kate

Are you going to get married?

Yes, but I'm not going to kiss a boy on the lips. I am not doing that. I will kiss him on the cheek.

How many kids are you going to have?

2--one girl, and one boy

one brother with a tiny head
one sister, named Elizabeth Carn ________

What's going to be your job when you grow up?

Mopping the floor and cleaning the kitchen.

Anything else?

I'm going to be a girl doctor.

What's your favorite thing to eat?

oatmeal and pancakes

Do you have a favorite color?

Yes, blue and green.

What do you love to do?

eat candy, sing, play outside, gymnastics

What are your friends' names?

Brooklyn, Kate S., Chloe, Kimberly, Alivia, Gabi, Abby, Morgan

What's the most exciting thing about going to kindergarten next year?

Riding the bus, and playing outside.

Do you have a favorite animal?

Cats, because they have a pretty sound and fuzzy fur. I have a stuffy cat named Lily and also Tiger Lily.

What do you like to do with dad?

Go eat with him at a date.

What's your favorite thing to do with mom?

Going shopping on a date, just me and you.

What's your favorite thing about yourself?

That I can be a great sister to Emma.
.....

EMMA

Are you going to get married?

Yes

How many kids are you going to have?

5--Emma, Kate, Brooklyn, Morgan, and Gabi.

What about boy names?

I only like girls.

What's going to be your job when you grow up?

Feed and take good care of my kids.

Anything else?

I want to be a mom like you.

What's your favorite thing to eat?

There are lots of things I love to eat, like rice, pasta, chicken noodle soup, pancakes, and most of all, treats!

Do you have a favorite color?

Yes-- pink!

What do you love to do?

Go to ballet, gymnastics, read books, play outside, color

What are your friends' names?

the same as Kate's friends. They are exactly the same.

What's the most exciting thing about going to kindergarten next year?

Doing whatever we want. We can do whatever we want at kindergarten. I heard about it.

What about reading books and riding the bus?

Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

Do you have a favorite animal?

A pig. I have 2 pigs that are stuffies. They are Penny and Oink Oink.

What do you like to do with dad?

Help him work.

What's your favorite thing to do with mom?

Help her go grocery shopping and shopping.

What's your favorite thing about yourself?

I share.

.....

I can't believe they're going to be in kindergarten. I'm going to miss them like crazy.

{linus}

My Jack has earned a nickname at our house, hence the title of this post. He is the only child of mine that loves his blanket so much that it goes just about everywhere with him. The sight of his blanket is even more exciting than food I think, and that's saying a lot!

I don't mind the carrying it around everywhere, but he also chews on one corner of it, almost continuously. When we hand the blanket to him, he can find that corner in about 2 seconds flat.

The fabric of the blanket in that particular corner is now permanently changed--from a light blue to the ugliest color of yellow/gray. It doesn't matter how much I wash it (and believe me, I've tried everything), that corner is gone for good.


You're probably thinking I should cut the corner off, and I would, except given the blanket's material, it would just all come apart. I know there's a way, but with my current sewing skills, it's going to take a little more time to figure out how to do it. (If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. :) )

In the meantime, the sight of him, dragging his blanket behind him, is just about the cutest thing I've seen, so for now, the blanket is here to stay.

{mess}

They really loved dinner.





The cleanup?

Not so much.
.....

Yeah, me too.

{emma's conversation hearts}

The pink chocolate chip pancakes were a huge hit this morning, but not as much as the heart cupcake liners full of candy that were left on each of the kids' plates. Imagine that.

While I was cleaning up our Valentine's breakfast, Emma was at the table, lining up and organizing her conversation hearts by color. I stopped to notice her look at the writing on each heart, and then "read" it to herself.

I was so curious to hear what she thought they said, that I inched a little closer and overheard her conversation heart translations:

• "Obey Jesus"
• "The righteous will live"
• "Do good things and as I command"
• "Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus"
• "Obey God's commands"

.....
Love that girl.

{like father, like son}

As part of one of Ryan's merit badge requirements, he had to plan and carry out a project that would benefit our family. He decided to plan a week of meals, and cook two of them. Wahoo! Any time someone else is going to cook for me, I'm a happy girl.

Tonight was his first night, and he made Fettuccine Alfredo. He has made dinner before, but this was the first time with this recipe. I was ready for any questions he might have, but I didn't hear a peep from him until he called "dinner!".

I walked downstairs, and the table was set, all the food was laid out beautifully, and the kitchen was cleaned up from his preparations. WOW. Not only that, but the food was delicious. Everyone had more than one helping, and the girls kept telling him and over and over how much they loved it. He did a great job, and even added his own ingredients, just like his dad does.

During the meal, Emma turned to Ryan and said...

"You can make my kind of pasta every time!"

Kate looked at me, then piped, "But Mom, you can still make it on Thursdays".

Thanks.

{sledding}

One perk of all this snow is a fantastic sledding hill at city forest. Rick was able to go in early to work on Saturday morning, and get off in time for us to bundle up the kids and pack up our sleds.Everyone was excited--not only were we spending time outside after a week of being indoors, but Rick was with us too!

The girls were up and down that hill--going by themselves, going with each other and friends, and laughing the whole time. Their energy seemed endless! Rick and I traded off with the babies, he went up with one, while I stayed down with the other. When it was Henry's turn to go, Jack cried the whole time. He also cried all the way down the hill, and we thought he didn't like it, but there was no leaving him out--he wanted to go.

It was such a busy day--filled with so many other things going on, but I'm so glad we put everything else aside and just went. It was definitely worth it, and we are ready to go back!

{super bowl 2011}

We are a Pittsburgh Steelers family through and through. Rick has been a loyal fan since he was a little boy, and we have all been converted. The fact that they are a really good team is just icing on the cake.

The Joneses invited us over for the big game, and it was crazy fun. They also are HUGE Steelers fans, so they were the perfect family to host. Good friends, yummy food, and your favorite team? Perfect.

It was definitely an exciting game, and the score went back and forth. We all jumped up and down, waved our terrible towels, and I think Rick might have caused some structural damage to their floor/basement ceiling. We had only one dissenter in the group, but we'll forgive him. Eventually. (We love you anyway, Matt!)

The last 2 minutes were tough--we thought we were going to pull it off, but it just didn't happen.

I think there were some tears shed into terrible towels, but I'm not going to name names.

At least we had friends to commiserate with.

.....

Ready for the big game!


Rick, trying to summon all his football powers...


The group


Total concentration...


Football girls!


Just one of many dances Rick performed for the crowd. It's funny--I can't get him to dance at any other time, but something about football (and the Steelers) brings out the crazy side in him!


And it's over...


Don't worry. We'll be back.

{storm, and growing up}

After getting buried in snow during the big snowstorm this week, I just have two questions:

1. WHY do we have such a long driveway?

2. WHY don't we have a snow blower?

Rick and I went out last night after he got home from work to try and dig ourselves out from all the snow. It took a LONG time, and it still needs some more work tonight. Fun times.

I have not seen this much snow at one time since we've lived here--we have drifts as high as 5 feet in some areas of our yard, and the roads in our neighborhood are basically impassable. Schools have been closed for 2 days, businesses were temporarily shut down, and the town was quiet, except for all the snowplows that were doing their best to clear the roads.

All that snow did bring some fun times at home. Ryan was thrilled to be out of school, and it was so nice to just stay in pajamas, watch movies, and not worry about going anywhere. The kids bundled up to go play in the snow, but it didn't last too long. The girls could barely walk--it was to their knees in the lowest areas of the driveway and yard, it was quite the sight!






.....

In other news...

• Jack & Henry had their 18 month well visit today. Henry is still huge (99th+ percentile for weight, height, and head), and according to the doctor is the size of an average three year old or small four year old. It's true--he weighs one pound less than Miss Emma, and is only about 5 inches shorter. Jack comes in at the 72nd percentile for height, and 33rd for weight. He's definitely the smallest of all my babies--at least height wise. Everyone thinks he's so tiny, but that's because he's always next to Henry!

• They had their first official day of nursery on Sunday, YAY! Although the nursery leaders are going to have to significantly up the snack budget, now that Henry's there. Or else we're going to have to start supplementing snack time, lol.

• I attended a kindergarten orientation for the girls this week. I can't believe that in a few short months they will be in school! They are thrilled to be able to ride the bus, wear a backpack, have recess, and learn to read. I'm just trying not to cry.

.....

My babies are growing up. All of them.