Sunday, April 05, 2009

Kite Flying

We got some kites for the kids this morning and after doing the yardwork and the sun coming out, we decided to go fly them. It has been pretty windy all day, but while we were there it was not as constant as it could have been!

The boys picked out some pretty small kites and they did not fly all that great. Andrew got a big kite (because we figured Daddy would be flying it more than AJ). His kite did awesome. We are going to get some more before we go to the beach.

The older boys took a bit to get down the flying techniques. Since their kites were smaller, they really had to work at it. Andrew did awesome. He got to where he was making his take off on his own. There were several times though that he had let all the string out and the kite was as high as it would go, but he would lose the spool and the kite would take off. The first time I was the one with him. I am so thankful we were alone at the soccer fields, because seeing a nine month pregnant woman run.....NOT PRETTY!! And it really hurt too! But I caught the kite. The rest of the time Daddy was with him and after chasing it a few times (Andrew decided it was funny to see us run after it), he held the string and AJ held the spool!

The boys had a blast. I don't remember the last time we flew kites. Isaac and Bryce probably never have :(

I took lots of pictures, but I am hurting REALLY bad tonight and honestly don't have it in me to post them. I need to lay down on my side and can't easily do that and type. I have a feeling if the next two weeks go like the last two days, I will be living on the couch or bed!! I am very uncomfortable and having lots of pain!

From the Mouths of Babes....

This conversation happened in the car on the way home from the grocery store this morning. We bought kites while we were there, for the kids to have over Spring Break (week after next).
The boys were asking if we could fly them today and I told them we had to get yard work done because it looked like it was going to rain and we can't fly them at the house.

Bryce was looking at his kite. Caleb says "If you break that kite you aren't going to have one for Spring Break. OH, and PAPA and MARMAR are going to be here over Spring Break!"

"THEY ARE?" Bryce and Isaac both yelled (guess they missed that conversation).

"No, Papa is coming next weekend and Marmar will be here the following weekend."

"Why are they coming and why aren't they coming together?" the boys all were asking.

I explained that Marmar had to work and Papa was coming a week early, just in case, to help out.

"Help out with what?" Bryce asked.

"Because Mommy and Daddy are going to be in the hospital giving birth to Mady" Caleb explains.

"Daddy will have to hold Mommy's hand the whole time to make her feel better." Isaac says.

"No, Mommy will just lay in bed and watch tv while she gives birth!" Bryce argues.

If only it were that simple!!!

Friday, April 03, 2009

Dr's Appt

I had a drs appt this morning. Unfortunately, there is nothing to report. I have not progressed at all and she has not dropped. :(

Her heart rate was between 156 and 160 bpm. As normal, the dr had to chase her to get the heart rate.

I have registered at the hospital, so that IF (hahaha) I go into labor, all I have to do is call the hospital on the way there and tell them I am coming and they will be ready for me when I get there.

I go back on Monday the 13th (they are closed next Friday for Good Friday). That should be my last appointment before they induce. YAY!!!!!

Thursday, April 02, 2009

To Make the Day Even Better

because ruined wood floors and a leaking fishtank filter are not enough, we just had a bad storm. Lost electricity for about an hour. Broke our motorized gate over our driveway - it won't close. AND, I just went and looked out the front door and found that it rained in the door. There was a mat at the door and water was under it...ON THE WOOD FLOORS!

Guess who needs new wood floors!

Sitting in the dark hot house and listening to the neighbors full house generator was not AT ALL a tease!

I refuse to say it can't get any worse (I could go into labor with a broken gate across my driveway), but I think I should have gotten back in bed as soon as I saw the water on the floor this morning.

Bad Idea

I knew that a fishtank on hardwood floors was not an idea I was excited about. I woke up this morning to WHY it is a bad idea.

Last night, Paul commented that a lot of water had disappeared from the tank. I said it was probably on the floor. That was the end of it.

This morning....at 5:30....he again commented that there was a lot of water missing from the tank. He actually looked underneath the tank this time. There was water in the bottom of the stand and ont he floor. The filter has been leaking.

He took out the filter, couldn't find anything wrong with it. He put it back and left for work. He did leave a towel around the filter, just in case.

An hour later I checked to see if it was leaking. The towel was beyond soaked and there was even more water on the floor than there was this morning. The filter is now leaking from all four sides instead of just one.

I got the filter unplugged and in a plastic tub (only weighs about 40 pounds). Got all the water I could off the floor. I am now waiting on Paul to return home (should be here any minute) from work.

All of this, AND it is standerdized testing week. I had to get healthy breakfasts fixed (couldn't skimp even in a time of emergency), three kids dressed and to school on time. Bryce was in SLOW MOTION this morning. He got on the bus with a mouth full of food. I don't usually allow the tv on before the kids leave.....AJ has been parked in front of it this morning to keep him out of fishtank stuff.

The floors.....well, they are ruined. I can't help Paul move the tank. I am not even sure if the two of us could move it without emptying the water out. 105 GALLONS is a lot of weight, then add on the thick glass and all the wood, etc.

Not shaping up to be the best day!

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

So Sweet

Bryce asked what we were having for dinner tonight and I told him pizza. He gave me a hug and said "I love you so much Mom." I told him I love him too, but it was Daddy's idea. He said "I love Daddy so much too, even if he does fuss at me!"

We won't discuss that I am with him more than Daddy, so he hears more fussing from me!

Leap Test

Isaac has been telling us about his test everyday for a couple of weeks. Everytime he tells us, we tell him how exciting and fun it will be. So, today when he got home I asked if it was as fun and exciting as he thought it would be.

His eyes got big and in an exasperated voice he says "NO!! We had to sit for hours without talking or getting ANYTHING out. It was not fun at all!"

Okay, the truth is out. I don't know what to tell him for the next two days except enjoy when you ARE NOT testing!! I imagine sitting that still and quiet for that long is hard for any age, but especially first graders who have never experienced it before.

Note From School

Caleb came home Monday with a note from his teacher. She said that he was having problems staying focused on work. Last week he got in trouble for working on his homework during a lesson. Monday he got in trouble for reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea during his Spanish lesson.

I read the note, set it down and did not say anything other than "we will discuss it when your father gets home." He hates this response, so this is typically what I do. He is the type of kid that would rather suffer the consequence of his actions and get it over with. When I do this, he worries about what is going to happen. It is not that I want him to worry excessively, but it keeps him thinking about what he has done wrong.

So, he goes and locks himself in his room. He did not come out until I called him for dinner. He was expecting his lecture. We did not say anything. After dinner I told him to go clean his room. He just looked at me like "lets get this over with already."

After he got his room cleaned up we discussed what he had done and his punishment. We really were not that mad about what he had done. If this is the worst he gets in trouble for, we are doing good. At the same time, he does have to learn that there are lots of things we have to do in life that are not fun, rather boring, but we must do it anyway.

We made him write letters of apologies to the two teachers he was ignoring. I told him they had to be super neat and he had to show he was putting forth an effort. The first paper he came out with he had ripped out of his notebook. In one of the letters he wrote "I am sorry a read a book in your class." We made him go back and rewrite it because he should not be sorry he read a book in class (most teachers would want that at some point) but he needed to be sorry he read a book during a lesson and did not pay attention to what the teacher was teaching. I think he had to write one of the letters 3 or 4 times and the other one twice, but he finally got them.

Here is the big problem. Caleb did not get in to the GT program. In LA, you must take test to see where you are academically and psychologically. Caleb blew away the academics part. BUT, things like the above are why he did not blow away the psychological part. When it comes to maturity he is not where he is academically.

His scores on the academic part ranged from grade level to 10.9 (that would be TENTH GRADE NINTH MONTH....almost 11th grade). Which explains why he gets so bored, but does not excuse it. I am unhappy that he will not be challanged because he is not as mature as the school thinks he should be to be as smart as he is.

I have not told Caleb he did not make it yet. I have had the results for a couple of weeks, but he really wanted to be in GT because he wanted to have the oppurtunity to do projects and harder work. The standerdized testing he is doing this week and next determine whether he moves on. While I am not concerned whether he will pass, I did not want to put any more stress on him. We will probably wait and discuss it after school is out in May.

Leap Testing

The two oldest are doing standerdized testing the rest of this week (and first half of next for Caleb). The school has stressed to the parents and children that they need to go to bed early and eat a HEALTHY breakfast (which means no cereal or sugary food).

Between the almost daily notes home telling us this and the kids constantly telling us, I think we got the picture!

Yesterday when Caleb got home he reminded me (yet again) that today started the testing and he was NOT allowed to have cereal for breakfast this morning. I told him I knew and that he also had to go to sleep as soon as he was sent to bed and could not stay up playing and getting in trouble like they normally do. He argued with me and said that he could still stay up and play.

First off, I never fix cereal for breakfast. It is not that we are too good for cereal or that I am a better mother than those that do give cereal to their kids. We did cereal every morning for a while a long time ago. But, I had one that would never eat much and throw it all away and they all made huge messes with it. So, I stopped buying it. I have time in the mornings to make them a breakfast and do, every morning. So, not sure why they were both making such a big deal out of NOT eating cereal.

Secondly, when I send you to bed, you are supposed to go to bed. Whether there is testing the next day or not. I don't send you to bed to play and get in trouble. Caleb said he did not know what sleep had to do with testing. I said it had just as much to do with testing as a good breakfast. He says his teachers told him to eat a good breakfast, he doesn't know why. I asked if they said he should go to bed early, too (like all the notes that are sent home). He sheepishly said yes.

If you are going to listen to one part of the instructions (which by the way, is the part that really did not apply to us) then you need to listen to BOTH parts of the instructions and obey both because "my teacher said."

As I was serving breakfast to Isaac this morning (sausage/egg scramble and banana with a cup of milk) he lectured me on how he needed a HEALTHY breakfast today. I guess I did not serve healthy enough?

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Bad Hubby

My husband.....

Arghhh!

My husband, who was told NO MORE OUT OF TOWN TRIPS (which he doesn't go out of town often anymore) until after the baby comes, informed me this morning he has to go out of town either the 13th, 14th or 15th (he told them "if I was stable"). I would prefer him to go this week or next, but he has been teaching training and will continue next week.

The main thing is this. I have REALLY been stressing about going into labor the week before I am supposed to be induced (the week of the 12th). That is the week of the boys Spring Break. When I went into labor with Bryce (luckily I was at the hospital to be induced when I went into labor with him) it was 2 hours from first contraction to delivery. I can see me going into labor that week, Paul almost an hour away at work and the hospital an 30 minutes away from here (assuming there is no traffic). I will be delivering at home with four kids!

I told him I could tell him now, without a doubt, that I would not be "stable" that week...physically or psychologically!! Even if I was not having contractions the morning he goes out of town, that can change quickly.

So, my new prediction for when Mady will get here......I am keeping it the week I predicted, but I am going to say that since Paul is planning to be in Mississippi for the day on the 13th, she will come that day! I will keep my fingers crossed that I am wrong.

Waiting on the Hiccups

As I have said before, Mady has stayed in the same position for quite a while now. She has been head down on the left side and her feet up in my ribs on the right. She moves around, stretches, etc.

Last night, Mady decided she was finally uncomfortable (I guess). Paul talks about how it looks like an alien is trying to break out of my stomach when she moves around. Last night, I agreed! I was waiting on her to break through my stomach.

My concern was that with the amount of moving she was doing she was turning breech. I still have a couple of weeks for her to turn back, but I would prefer her to just stay head down!

I have been waiting on her to have the hiccups since last night. That is the easiest way to tell how she is positioned for me. She has usually has them daily, but I have not felt them yet. She is moving around and she is kicking the same places she was before last night, so I think she is fine. I would still like to feel the hiccups as reassurance!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Silence

I am laying here on the couch, all the kids are sleeping, no tv....just silence.

Did you know that clocks make a tick tock sound?

Bryce's Field Trip

I asked Bryce when he got home if he had a letter about his field trip tomorrow. He said no, it was cancelled because it is supposed to rain all day. I paid $23 for this field trip and did not even get a note home to say it was cancelled, much less anything about us getting our money back.

He did say they may get to go to the zoo, but this field trip would not be rescheduled. The zoo does NOT cost $23!!

I feel bad because out of three field trips this year, this is his second to be cancelled and not rescheduled. So much for fun Kindergarten field trips!

No Physical Contact

I heard a story about a principal that has made a no physical contact rule at his school. A student was sent to the hospital after horseplaying with another student.

I can see the upside of this. No injuries, less spreading of germs, etc. But, let's be realistic. Kids will be kids. I don't think giving them detention or expelling them (which are the punishments if the kids are caught touching anyone else) is really going to do much to help. I think this is going to an outrageous extreme.

Easter Plans

Since we are planning a trip to the beach this summer, I decided instead of doing Easter baskets this year, we would do sand castle buckets. Today I went and got them each a bucket, some sand toys, bubbles, etc.

The buckets are much cheaper than the baskets and bigger than most of the baskets, and I love that they have a dual purpose! This will get them even more excited about the beach....oh wait, maybe I SHOULD NOT do this. They are already pretty excited.

I think we will just do what we normally do and let the boys dye eggs, and hide plastic and their decorated eggs in the yard and look for them. Mom doesn't have the energy to do much more than that, I am afraid! Mady will be here the following week. :)

Big Family

I was just reading a friends blog and she had a post about something that Paul and I were talking about last night (and frequently). She has seven kids between her and her husband and was talking about the comments she receives when she goes out with them all.

We always get comments. I don't know if it is the four kids or the fact they are four boys, but we defienently get attention. Lately, the comments all end with "is this one at least going to be a girl." It does not matter where we are we always get that question several times.

Yesterday, we were at Home Depot. I was walking behind Paul and all the kids and Paul was pushing AJ in the buggy. The man could only see Paul and they older three and asked if we were having number four. I said no, there was one in the buggy and this was number 5. His response surprised me. He says "I am proud of y'all." Then he started telling me how many kids, grandkids and great-grandkids he has. He was very nice, but we get such a range of reactions from people. Friday night, we went to a Mexican restaraunt for dinner. Our kids are usually very well behaved when we eat out, and they were Friday. Before we even got to our table there was a couple and there ONE child sitting at a table. They were enjoying their margaritas. They could not even wait until we had walked past them to start making rude comments to each other like "Oh my gosh, look at how many kids they have....and they are having MORE," and staring at us. They got up and left before we even got settled in. I guess the mere size of the family scared them off.

The New Bryce

Bryce has turned into another child this past week or so. I am getting letters home from his teacher saying how much she loves him. He is being VERY affectionate at home, continuously telling me he loves me and making me cards and asking about Mady. He is also constantly asking if he is being good. AND HE HAS BEEN VERY GOOD!! No temper tantrums ALL weekend. No time outs. No spankings.

I LIKE IT!!!
This is what I walked in on this morning. So sweet and cute!! Bryce has gotten so good at reading and sounding words out. This book he is reading is called Roadwork. We got it from the library along with like 15 other books. This is the only one he wants to hear and wants to hear it over and over! I think we might have to find it and buy it!
It is the little moments like this that make me know I can handle life with four boys! Sometimes I just wish these type of moments occured more frequently!

OCD?

Andrew was taking one bite out of piece of his food and then lining them up, chicken together and apples together.

He ate SIX nuggets and ALL his apples. Very unusual! BUT, that might explain those chunky cheeks in the picture!

Isaac's Honor Roll Program

Isaac's school had their Honor Roll program Friday. He got certificates for A/B honor roll and A conduct. I am very proud of how hard he has worked this year and how much he has learned.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Coming Soon to Your Neighborhood...

I have never been a big fan of Obama or his standings. I have questioned many of the things he has considered "most important" like the closing of Guantanamo Bay. With all of our economic issues here at home, I don't know why we need to release terrorist. I could have believed it was the fact that we are spending money on the prison, until yesterday.

Yesterday I saw on the news where they are talking about releasing these terrorist into the US. They went on to say that they could not just release these prisoners with no way to start a new life. SO, not only are they going to release TRAINED TERRORIST into the US, WE (the people of the US) get to PAY for the terrorist.

Why, you might ask, would they release known terrorist into the US. Well no other country will take them. The group of trained Chinese terrorist can't go back to China for fear that they will be killed. Instead, let's release these trained terrorist to our neighborhoods. Then WE can live in fear.

But, hey, if the government is going to steal our time and money, why not steal our freedom of feeling somewhat safe in our own backyard.

There is much debate about Rush Limbaugh saying that he wanted the president to fail. I have to agree with the speech our governor gave. It is not a matter of if we want the president to fail, but if we want his decisions and actions to fail and America to succeed. I am growing more concerned by the day of the life's my children will lead. Should I push them to go to college and make a good life for themselves, knowing that the government will take everything from them (that is, of course, assuming that the terrorist that we BRING into our country don't wipe us all out first)?

Friday, March 27, 2009

I tried to sit outside and enjoy the coolness and rain.

It was a lot like listening to a faucet on as fast as it would go.

Never a good thing when you are nine months pregnant.

Needless to say, I did not last long outside. :(

Pregnancy Test or Toothbrush

There was a commercial that came on for the pregnancy test that spells out yes or no. Bryce was watching it. He would like to know why the toothbrushes say yes and no on them.

I started to tell him it tells you if you brushed enough, but then he would want it.

I just laughed.

Bigger by the Day

I put on a shirt this morning that I wore less than a week ago. It fit me fine then. It will not stay over my belly now. I have grown that much in less than a week.

Two nights ago we saw the Taco Bell commercial with the guy dressed up as a pregnant woman, but his belly is a globe with nachos in it. Paul commented that he was bigger than me. Last night, my sister called and said she had just seen the side shot. She wanted to know if I was really pregnant or if I just had a nacho belly.

The nacho belly would be much more comfortable at this point. Nothing to poke and prod at me!!

Three weeks and two days!! But, who's counting?

No Sleep

Bryce has gotten up every morning the last few mornings and said he got no sleep. I don't remember his excuse Wednesday morning, but Thursday morning he said his fan was making too much noise (it is making a clanking sound for some reason). Yet he was surprised by the rain and we had a HORRIBLE storm that lasted most of the night. If he had been awake at all between 11 and 4 he would have known there was a storm.

This morning, he got up and said he got no sleep because the thunder was "too much" and he turned on his fan and it was making noise. He also said that Andrew was up playing with toys ALL night. I know this isn't true because I would have heard him over the monitor. We also had horrible storms again from about 7:30 to about 3 or 4. If they had been awake, we would have known!

I guess I will tell him he is going to have to start taking naps again since he isn't sleeping at night. That will probably end it!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Coat Drama Continues

If you recall, I spent the entire winter argueing with Caleb EVERY cold morning about his coat. He would want to wear just a sweatshirt when it was in the 20's and 30's in the mornings because his heavier coat "didn't fit" (it did and still does).

Now, it is in the 60's and 70's in the morning and the child WANTS to take his coat because his classroom is cold. They are not supposed to wear coats, other than navy blue (they wear uniforms) inside the school. Caleb says the teachers have too many other things to worry about than what coats the kids are wearing.

I can guarantee you his classroom is not in the 20's or 30's, which he always said was "comfortable" when he did not want to wear the jacket.

He must be a preteen that has to have something to argue about.

Bad Spring Storm

We had our first big Spring storm last night. I woke up about 11:30 and saw lots of lightening, but it didn't really get bad until closer to 1.

I kept expecting Bryce and Andrew to come in our room, but they never did. The rain and (sounded like some small) hail were pounding straight on their window. They slept through it all, amazingly. Bryce got up this morning and said he got no sleep last night because of his ceiling fan (I guess it is making a noise). Yet, he was shocked when he saw it rained. Guess he got some sleep, because it stormed most of the night!

Everything around us seems fine. There was some damage in Baton Rouge where roofs were blown off buildings, no electricity, etc. Our electricity did not as much as flicker throughout the entire storm. If you know how often we DON'T have electricity, you would understand how amazing that is. It seems like if the wind blows hard we loose electricity here!

I guess Bryce has grown out of the scared of storms stage and if we are lucky Andrew won't grow into it! We are supposed to have more severe storms this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow. They are saying the ones coming will likely be stronger than what we saw last night.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The Decline of our Dog

We have come to the conclusion that our 14-15 year old lab has Alzeimer's. It is so sad to watch him and I really don't think he has much longer with us. We have a section of the backyard fenced off for him and our Australian Shepard.

When we are out we let them out with us. Jake (the lab) always comes out, but ends up pacing their fence or sitting at the gate like he is confused.

He paces ALL the time. He will no longer just sit down or lay down with us.

He cannot stand on concrete and trys not to walk on it much.

If he stands still his legs start shaking. It appears as though it is getting difficult for him to support his own weight.

All of this on top of the fact that he can barely see or hear. It will be a sad day when we have to make the horrible decision (which I fear is coming very soon) to put him down for his own sake.

Paul got Jake shortly after we started dating. There was a guy that delivered hay to his Dad and had Jake with him. They were talking about Jake and the guy said he was trained for hunting ducks, but he kept killing all of this guys chickens, so he was going to shoot him. Nice, you train a dog to kill birds and then you kill the dog for doing what you trained it to do. Paul took the dog instead. He has been, by far, the best dog we have ever had. Very friendly, GREAT with the kids, happy wherever we are at.

THe Dreaded Side-Shot

As much as I do NOT want to post this, I regret not having prego pics of the older three boys. I have also had request for this picture. This will probably be the ONLY picture of my with this pregnancy that I will post. For one, if I get any bigger than this - I don't think I want proof of it. Also, it took me 35 weeks to get this one, so don't expect me to get another in a matter of a couple of weeks. :)

The second picture is a side shot of me at 37 weeks (2 weeks further along) with Andrew. I don't think the pictures give the difference justice, but believe me - I am definently bigger with this little girl (not to mention there is a two week difference in how far along I am).

Yesterday, I was standing on the back patio with Paul. He said he was not convinced I was only having one baby (by my size) and if I WAS only having one he was nervous about how big she was going to be. What a great thing to tell your wife!







Hard Word

One of Isaac's words this week is "typical". He KNOWS the word, but cannot get it to come out of his mouth correctly. It does not matter how slowly he says it or how much he takes his time and sounds it out, it ALWAYS comes out tycipal.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

EXPENSIVE Field Trips

I have $52 in field trip money between the three boys due in the next week.

FIFTY TWO DOLLARS (and Caleb only needs $4 of it).

Setting Her Free

Since we had the workbench outside this weekend for Andrew to help Daddy, it has not made it back to Andrew's room. It has been sitting by the back door and he has been playing with it constantly.

The last two days he has been carrying around tools everywhere. His favorite tool is the saw. His favorite thing to do with the saw...use it on my stomach. It seems as though he is trying to cut his sister out of my stomach so he can meet her.

Amazingly, she has not seemed to mind the noise or the movement on her. Mom, on the other hand, finds it a bit annoying.

He also loves her PINK blanket. It is the only thing he will throw his blanket down for. After he got up from his nap he went and got her blanket and brought it to me. What is funny though, he always says "Mady" as he covers my belly...only my belly (he is very precise about it). Then he lays his head on the blanket and plays with the corner like he does his blanket.

Cleaning

We are making the boys take a much more active part in housework. They have always had things they have had to do when things get crazy, but we have never enforced it daily or weekly. Things are changing.

One thing they all have to do is clean off their dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Bryce needs a little help - he can't reach the faucet. Other than that they are on their own with it.

This morning, Caleb left his plate and cup in the sink. I told him he needed to take care of it. He tried to tell me he just didn't have time to clean the dishes (like I asked him to do everyones dinner dishes or something).

I just smiled at him and told him my mornings just got crazy busy and I didn't think I had time to fix him breakfast anymore.

He did not say a word. He went to the kitchen and put the ONE plate and ONE cup in the dishwasher. He STILL had time to stand and wait on his bus to get here.

Sight Words

These have been Isaac's sight words for the past three weeks (remember he is in FIRST GRADE):

Week 1:
asserted
offended
retorted
congenial
congregate
cheerful

Week 2:
pleased
joy
stammered
puzzling
probing
unrelenting

Week 3:
deserve
usually
peaceful
variety
incredible
typical

I don't know what they think these first graders are reading, but I can guarantee you not many of these words have been any books that Isaac has read.

What really gets me....they are not teaching the definitions of these words. They just want the kids to be able to see these words and no how to say them. In my opinion there are many OTHER words that are more on their level, that DO show up in the stories they read.

We spend the first evening looking up words and getting definitions. Even if they are words I use often, I have to look them up to get them on a first grade definition level for him.

Just seems crazy to me that this is what they are teaching them.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Report Cards

The boys brought home report cards Friday. I am so proud of all three of them!

Caleb got straight A's, ranging from 94 to 101. He also got an A on conduct and all of his teachers said he was an excellant student.

Isaac got all A's and B's, ranging from 88 to 100. He also got an A on conduct.

The grade scale here is weird. Instead of a 10 point scale most schools use (90-100 is an A, 80-89 is a B, etc) they are on a different scale (94-100 is an A, 88-93.999 is a B, 78-87.999 is a C, etc). Luckily, they just voted to change to the 10 point scale next year because too many kids were not qualifying for scholarships because their GPAs were not high enough. I am SO glad they figured this out before my kids got to high school!

Bryce does not get a numeral grade yet. He gets NI (needs improvement), S (Satisfactory Performance) and M (meets standard). Up until this point on his report cards he has gotten lots of S's and NI's. This quarter he got M's across the board!! He also got no X's (which is what he gets on conduct in places he needs improvements (social/personal development.....pays attention, follows directions, etc). I am so proud of the progress he has made this year. I have had some concerns throughout the year! He has also REALLY picked up reading this quarter. Even his teacher has commented on his progress there.

We are very lucky to have four boys that LOVE to read. The older three no longer want to be read too (Caleb hasn't wanted to in a while), they want to read to us. I hope they carry their love of reading (and learning) throughout life (and I hope the other two adopt the love). I do all I can to encourage it by reading to them early on, but that is not a guarantee that they will enjoy it when they get older.

I need some feedback.....
Caleb wants to read Oliver Twist. It is in the young adult section at the library (he can't check it out on his card). IF I have read it, I don't remember it and Daddy doesn't remember it either. Is it appropriate for a ten year old? This is an issue we seem to run into with him and unfortunately, if the book has more than 20 pages and isn't written in big print, I don't typically have time to read it (honestly, it isn't that I don't have time...it is that if I sit down or lay down to read it at night when the kids go to bed - I FALL ASLEEP!).

"Classic"

Paul was listening to a classic rock station the other day and a Guns and Roses song came on. He said he felt old.

THIRTY, Sweetie....THIRTY!

If the music we listened to growing up is "classic" does that mean we are?

Andrew's Tractor

Here are some pictures from Friday when Andrew got his tractor.















































Saturday he used his tractor to help Mom pull weeds and move them to the compost bin.









































Small World

Sunday afternoon, as we were going for our Jeep ride (with no top) we noticed a car that looked like the one we recently traded in at a house at the entrance. As we drove by it I looked at it and it was MY car!

What a small world. We traded the car in at a dealership in Baton Rouge and not only did someone in our city buy it, but someone in our neighborhood!

I don't miss it though. I like my big bus, with our family size.

Andrew's Sunburn

The first thing we are doing when the boys get on their bus today is going to get sunscreen.

Andrew got up and OH MY GOODNESS! He is so much worse than he looked last night. We thought his ears were really bad last night. This morning his face and arms look like his ears looked last night and his ears look even worse.

I know I am not the only mother to let her child get sunburned, but I still feel bad.

Busy Weekend

We had a very busy weekend and the boys enjoyed it all outside. Daddy had Friday off, so after the drs appt and getting AJ's present, he came home and did the yard work. The boys got off school early (parent teacher conferences - which we did not have to attend for any of the boys) and immediately went outside to play.

Friday evening we set up the tent and Caleb slept outside (we had three out there to start with, but no sleeping...or quiet...was happening).

Saturday morning we got up and ran some errands - going grocery shopping, Home Depot (Daddy had a project going on this weekend), the library, etc.

We got home and Daddy started on his project. We have only taken the top off the Jeep once in the year we have had it because it is SO heavy and a pain. He made a "table" that he could use to pull the top off by himself and store it. He worked on this most of Saturday and finished it up Sunday. The table worked great, but it still took two of us. He was thinking he could raise the top enough under the rack for it to slide off easily, but that did not work quite as we planned. We got it off, hopefully we can get it back on (supposed to rain all week after today). It was easier than without the table, though.

Saturday evening, we planted half the flowers we bought a month ago to put under our front trees.

The boys enjoyed playing outside all weekend. It was beautiful. Saturday, Andrew spent most of the day on his tractor (video and pictures will come later this morning). He really figured out how to steer and drive it on his own. His only problem is when it goes in the grass the wheels can't get traction. So he would put it in the grass, jump off and start screaming at someone to help. His older brothers would come running! We also took his workbench outside and he "helped" Daddy build his table.

The older boys would play on their bikes, scooters, dodge ball, hide and seek, then they would go lay in the tent and read their new books. They did this all weekend.

Saturday I was really strict with Andrew about wearing a Daddy's floppy hat to keep the sun off of him. Sunday, I did not do as good a job :( He got a little sunburned on his arms, ears, face and neck. Then we went in the Jeep (without the top) and his legs got a little burned. After his bath last night, we put some aloe on him. He had some major goose bumps after that!!

I am glad the boys had so much fun this weekend. We are trying to let them do stuff they enjoy leading up to Mady's arrival.

I think I will have a lazy day today (other than chasing the toddler, laundry and light housework).

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Special Breakfast

Caleb came in to our room this morning asking if he could make breakfast for us. He checked out a Kids Betty Crocker cookbook from the library and has been wanting to make something from it.

Daddy got up and the two of the made pancakes with fresh strawberries and bananas for breakfast. They made the fruit INSIDE the pancake instead of on top, like I did on Valentine's Day.

The pancakes were a big hit. Andrew normally eats a little bit of pancake, but not much. He ate two large pancakes and one small one.

Thank you Caleb and Daddy for the delicious breakfast!

Taking It Easy

I did some light yard work yesterday in our beautiful weather. I pulled some weeds, repotted some plants on the patio and helped Paul plant some flowers under one of our trees. I was sitting for most of the work.

I have been up for the last hour paying for it. I started having contractions not too long into the work and I am still having them. Most of the time, if I can get to sleep I can sleep through the contractions, but I woke up an hour ago and can't get comfortable enough to go back to sleep.

Paul got on to me several times yesterday while I was out working. When I was pulling weeds he asked if that was considered taking it easy. I said yes, I could be doing something much worse. He has informed me that today I will be taking it easy by HIS standards, not mine.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Andrew's 2nd Birthday Present

We went today and got Andrew his birthday present, since we didn't want to chance being in the hospital and not having anything for his birthday. We got him a John Deere Tractor power wheels. It is small (for ages 2-4) and he is able to reach the pedal and steer this one, unlike the big Jeep they have.

I took some video of him on it when Daddy first put it together, but we could not let him ride for long because we did not want to ruin the battery. Tomorrow morning I will get some more video and some pictures and post of him on it. He loves it and was quite upset about not getting to play with it!

35 Week Check-up

We went this morning for my 35 week check-up. We are ALMOST THERE!!! One month to go.

She is still measuring great (although she feel super gigormous to me) and her heartbeat was 145 bpm.

She moves all the time, but she stays in the same place. I guess she is just a squirmy little girl that likes to stretch out. Her head is low on the left and her feet are in my ribs on the right. She stays that way all the time. So, she gets my bladder and lungs at the same time...FUN FUN!

The boys are all very excited about her arrival. I get asked at least once a day by one of them when she will be here. Andrew is becoming increasingly more obsessed with my belly (and my belly button) and still likes to tell Mady how much he loves her and give her hugs and kisses frequently. I have to watch him when we are out because he likes to try to pull up my shirt to love on her.

I am to the point where I am ready to be done being pregnant. I am tired of my ever-shrinking wardrobe, feeling blah and tired all the time and just the general uncomfortableness of being nine months pregnant! I think everyday I try and get dressed there are more clothes that DON'T fit me, that did last time I wore them.

I was told by my drs nurse that after today I would start going weekly, but the dr said today I could come back in two weeks and then weekly after that. That means I only have three more appointments in her office.

BBQ

One thing we have really missed since we moved down here is some good bbq! There are drive-thru daiquiri shops and crawfish/seafood everywhere, but not bbq joints.

Last weekend we were driving around and saw a little bbq joint. Today, we went and tried it out! YUM!!!!!!!

I am stuffed. Must be naptime.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Note From the Teacher

I got a note home yesterday from Bryce's teacher commenting on how well he is reading. He has really gotten it the last few weeks and is doing great. He is amazing me with how well he is sounding out words that he doesn't know.

Milk Back in His Diet!

Over the past week we have been gradually giving Andrew more regualar milk mixed with his Lactaid. He has also been eating whatever we eat, including cheese, sour cream, ice cream, etc. He is loving his new diet and WE are loving the lack of tummy issues.

We have one jug of Lactaid left. After he finishes it we will start buying him whole milk!!!! YAY!!!! It still means buying him special milk (we don't drink whole milk), but I will get twice as much milk for less money than I do with the Lactaid. Also, I can stop buying "special" dinners for him when we are having dairy in our meals.

This is major for us.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Busy Times

With only four and a half weeks to go, I really need to get busy! In the 10 days before I get induced we have Easter and two birthdays. I would hate to end up in the hospital and not be prepared for any of that!

Paul has Friday off. We have a drs appt that morning and the boys get out of school early (parent/teacher conferences). HOPEFULLY, we can squeeze in getting some of this stuff done.

I have no idea what to get Andrew. I am thinking he needs something for outside. That is his favorite place to be, but all he has out there are a couple of balls and a dump truck. He likes to makes slides out of anything he can, but they are typically not the safest make-shift toy. Maybe we can find a small outdoor playset for him.

I can't believe my baby is turning two in a matter of a couple of weeks. And my hubby is turning THIRTY! April is going to be a BIG month for us!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Bad Conduct

Sunday night I was signing conduct folders. Caleb got EIGHT marks last week.

EIGHT marks.

That means at least eight times he got in trouble last week.

In one week.

Mamma wasn't happy!

I asked him why he got eight marks, he said that he got two marks because someone else was making noise and he got in trouble for it.

That is all the explanation I get? He gets eight marks and he blames TWO on someone else and I am supposed to be okay with that?

I know one day last week when he got home I asked how is day was. He said it was good, except PE. He said they had to watch some "stupid babyish video" and he got a mark because he would not participate. I lectured him on the fact that HE does not decide what he does and does not participate with no matter how babyish, if his teacher says it is what they are doing in class. Less than five minutes later, I saw him watching Yo Gabba Gabba (which has to be one of the most annoying shows on Noggin). I, of course, had to question if what he had to watch at school was MORE babyish than the baby show he was watching and answering questions on. He quickly gave an excuse as to why he was watching the baby show...that came out a blubbering ramble of excuses.

By the way....EIGHT marks is NEVER acceptable!

Monday, March 16, 2009

He is going to make a girl very happy one day. Not only does he WANT to take out the trash (throws a fit if you don't let him), but he wants to rotate the tires too!























Trying to get the tire off









Helping Daddy jack up the Jeep














Just scarey!!














Yelling at Daddy for something.














Moving the jack around...this jack weighs probably at least three times what he weighs!

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!


Beautiful Spring Day...the Queen Gets Her Car Washed





























Last week, the guys all worked together to wash my car. The front was COVERED in bugs from our trip to Arkansas. One of the guys was a little busy hamming it up for the camera to actually wash the car though!
That is a rolling backpack (and hand) - stuck on his head! He probably did not appreciate me running for the camera BEFORE removing it from his head!

Getting Worse

Andrew slept all night and I never even heard a cough!!! YAY!!!!! But, don't you know it...he sleeps all night and I laid in bed for a couple of hours before I could fall asleep and was up and down all night.

I gave him a different medicine before he went to bed last night that really seemed to work. Unfortunately, it was an old prescription that we are almost out of! I know I have enough for tonight, but that is probably it. I will end up having to take him to the dr here to get more because the prescription was written by our dr in Arkansas.

He woke up with green drainage instead of clear and coughing. His cough is now wet and productive sounding, but it is hurting him when he coughs (he actually says "ouch" every time he coughs). I have a feeling we are going to end up in the doctors office this week anyway. :( At least our visits are few and far between now instead of weekly to every other week like they were in Arkansas!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Non-Sick Streak....OVER!

Actually it is just allergies, and if I had not been up all night I would not consider that sick.

When we went to Arkansas last weekend, Andrew's allergies went crazy. I am talking the red puffy eyes, never-ending runny nose, cough, etc. They have gotten worse all week. We have tried Zyrtec, Benadryl and Claritin for the allergies and Delsym for the cough. Claritin has worked the best (but not great), but the Delsym is doing nothing for the cough.

Now he is also pulling on his ears.

Last night, after listening to him over the monitor coughing, gagging and crying, I got up with him. I went and sat in Mady's room in the big rocking chair hoping him being UP would help with the cough. That was at 11. At 2 he finally stopped coughing. He, however, will not sleep if he is sitting up!

After sitting in the dark for several hours with him in the chair, I thought maybe if I went and laid on the couch with him - with him sitting up - he would go to sleep. Come to find out, the living room looks much different at night! There are glowing lights on the Wii and DVR, the coffee pot in the kitchen glows and can be seen in the living room. There is also no fan noise so he heard everytime the cat meowed or ran through or someone got up. Just too much middle-of-the-night excitement to sleep!

He did not start settling down for sleep until 4:30 this morning. By that time, I was so uncomfortable and in so much pain, I couldn't sleep. He finally fell asleep somewhere between 5 and 5:30 and he was out! I was able to sit him back up several times without him moving.

At 7, for some reason, instead of just opening his door, Bryce had to pound on it like Andrew does in the mornings (Andrew CANNOT open the doors - he has an excuse). This, of course, woke up Andrew. I went and put Andrew in my bed and he went right to sleep for a few more minutes, but it was just too crazy with kids running around slamming doors, etc.

He is fully charged and energetic.....although I don't know how. I am VERY crabby and exhausted and hurting. SO, while he helps Daddy rotate his tires, I am going back to bed! I don't know that I will actually get to sleep, but it is worth a try?

Saturday, March 14, 2009

School Thefts

There has been a bunch of thefts at schools in our parish over the last week. I don't know how many people are involved but obviously a lot. They are going into the schools, finding empty classrooms and stealing credit/debit cards and cell phones out of teachers purses.

Thursday and Friday they hit my childrens schools. There are like six schools in our district and they hit the two that MY kids go to.

I would like to know how they are getting in and why are they able to get away with this. Doesn't do much to make a parent feel as though their child is safe at school. If someone can get in and walk around long enough, without being noticed, that they are stealing from teachers purses, what is to stop someone with a gun from coming in to the school? Or someone from hiding out and taking a child?

Sounds to me like something needs to be done about school security!

Friday, March 13, 2009

The Monkey

This morning when I went to get the kids up, Andrew was in Bryce's bed - on the top bunk. He has climbed the first step or two before, but never all the way up. He even climbed all the way down by himself without falling.



He is almost two.....that means he is ten feet tall and bullet proof.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Snuggle Bug

Out of the four boys, I am SO lucky that Andrew is the one that is home with me when I am not feeling well. I was in pain today, not contractions, just Mady pushing on something that really hurt all day. I basically laid on the couch all day and Andrew laid right next to me. He is a big snuggle bug, especially if there are cartoons on that he likes. So, we chilled and watched cartoons all morning (and Mommy dozed off and on). Then he went and took his nap as normal.

At dinner he was constantly twirlling his fork. Guess he had some pent up energy he needed to get rid of! He did get to go play outside when Daddy got home, too.

The Case of the Missing Trash Can

We have a drawer built in in our kitchen that our trash goes in. There are two small trashcans in it. Last night, Daddy took the trash out, but left the trashcan sitting on the floor. I had also stepped outside. Apparently while we were outside Andrew took off with the trashcan.

We looked EVERYWHERE last night (Daddy and I) and could not find the trashcan anywhere. This morning I looked some more, could not find it. I asked Andrew where it was and he pointed at the kitchen. Caleb said he thought it was in the drawer.

The trashcan was in the drawer it is supposed to be in the entire time. Andrew's favorite thing to do right now is to stack and unstack. The missing trashcan was INSIDE the other trashcan.

I was beginning to think he found a way to flush a trashcan down the toilet!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Recession

I just read where Louisiana is the only state whose joblessness has actually improved. They say a lot of it has to do with the constant rebuilding and revitalization from Hurricane Katrina (among the others since).

This is the midst of MANY layoffs at plants like the one Paul works at. Great to know Louisiana is doing better than most, but still very scarey as a one income family where layoffs are still happening.

Story Time

I took Andrew to story time again at the library. This is only the second time he has gone, and last week he enjoyed himself but didn't want to take an active role, until playtime. This week, he tried to do all the movements to all the nursery rhymes (I LOVE watching him try and do Itsy Bitsy Spider...his spider is too cute), he clapped after every rhyme and story, he said the animals in the open-flap book, etc.

I thought he was older than all the other kids, but today some of the Moms were talking about the ages of their kids. Most of them are within a month or two of Andrew's age. Andrew is actually BIG compared to these kids. Never thought I would see the day.....

I love seeing him get more interactive with other kids. Thinking about starting MDO next year.

He gets very excited about the books. We get there early so he can check out some books. He doesn't even look at the books typically. He goes up and down every aisle and picks up some books and puts them in his bag. He DID get really excited when he grabbed a Curious George book. We ended up with quite a few "JO" (that is what he calls Curious George) books.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

House Offer

After talking to our realtor, who completely agrees with us that the offer was insulting, we completely rejected the offer that we received last night. If this guy is serious, he will rethink his offer.

The realtor said in all his years of doing real estate (and he has been doing it for a while AND teaches real estate) he has NEVER seen an offer this bad.

Here is the problem....his realtor is the wife of the realtor we bought the house from. Also, our old realtor is with this company now. AND, our old neighbors across the street are realtors with this company. Although all personal information is supposed to be completely private forever, it is obvious this guy received too much information on us. These realtors know what we paid for the house, what we put down, etc. For this offer to have been made, this guy is either high on something or was given information that he should not have been given. We are losing money on this house at its list price, there is no way I am giving this guy $20,000 off. NOTHING on that street sold for what he is wanting.

His realtor says there is another house he is looking at that has a refrigerator and storage shed. If we did not agree to his offer he was going to take that house. Well, take the house! We researched this guy and he is a shady guy to begin with (the guy that made the offer). I will not lose sleep over this decision.

Our house is priced the lowest in the city for it's size and there are not many for sale in that size. There are a couple of other people that are apparently very interested in the house and the realtor feels we will be selling it very soon.

Multi-Tasking To a Whole New Level

I had to go grocery shopping this morning. For some reason this family likes to eat.....a LOT!! For example, in my lack of energy yesterday I made a comment of having waffles for dinner. Caleb says waffles are NOT a dinner food. He then suggested we had chips or ice cream for dinner. Not sure when THOSE became dinner foods!!

Anyways.....while grocery shopping I multi-tasked in a way I never would have imagined. While entertaining my two year old (who was throwing EVERYTHING he could reach out of the buggy and laughing when I had to pick it up), trying to remember everything we needed (I had no list of course), and actually getting everything, I had the worst, most breath-taking contractions I have had to date (with this pregnancy). The ENTIRE time I was grocery shopping. Might explain why it took so long and seemed like I got so little.

Now, I will put the groceries away, put Andrew down for a nap and take one myself!

Loving the Time Change

I guess I bought the alarm clocks a little prematurely. The boys were doing great not getting up until their clocks said 7, like I told them. Friday morning our electricity went off and came right back on. Bryce was concerned because it was before seven and he said his clock would never say seven now.

Well, now we had time change. I am not sure if it is time change or the long weekend with late nights or a combination of both, but I am having to get the kids up. It has been so nice! Even Andrew is getting to sleep in (which he didnt sleep last night...he has a nasty cough, I think from his allergies. He got stuffy and puffy while we were in Arkansas.)

Here is to it staying dark later in the morning and light later at night! It was well worth the lost hour (for me anyway, since I lose MANY hours every night).