Paul says this looks like a paparazzi shot, so I will go with that. I am standing on the observation deck on the ferry from Dauphin Island to Gulf Shores.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
A Mini Vacation
We have been trying to plan a beach vacation for this summer. One great thing about where we live is that we are close enough to the beaches that we can go check out the houses and beaches before we make reservations. Yesterday Daddy decided we would take a trip to Alabama today and check out a couple of the different beaches and see where we wanted to go this summer.
We started out by going to Dauphin Island. This is our luck....we start getting close and traffic gets really thick. Then we see police cars racing around the LONG line of traffic, which we later find out was to go direct traffic. This is the first time since we moved down here we have gone to the beach. We choose to go to this island when they are having their Mardi Gras parade. THE ENTIRE ISLAND was cars parked everywhere, people standing around drinking and grilling and throwing footballs in the road. It was 12:40, the parade started at 1. We were debating whether or not to take the ferry (it was $21 ONE WAY). When we realized we could take the ferry or be stuck on the island until the parade was over and cleared out, we quickly opted for the ferry. LUCKILY, they were high-tech and took credit cards. We had no cash!
We pulled onto the ferry just as it was about to leave. There were only three cars on it and we were the last one. It was about a 30 minute ride and the boys loved it. Bryce was a little nervous at first and would not let go of the rail, but about half way through he settled into it. As we were being let off, Paul went to pull off and realized he had set the emergency break (as you are supposed too on a ferry). He ended up popping the hood while trying to figure out how to release the break. One of the guys that work on the ferry pushed the hood down and told Paul how to release it (I MAY have been sitting in the passenger sit laughing my bottom off at him). It was all worth a GREAT laugh and we were glad we were the last in line!!
We checked out Gulf Shores first. We parked on a street with a lot of rent houses and let the kids play on the beach. This was the first time for all but Caleb to be on a beach and he was AJ's age the one time he went. They were SO excited. Bryce could not wait to collect shells. Andrew was very uncertain about the sand for a bit! We walked down the beach and let the boys run around and let AJ get used to the sand (he never got used to the water though). It was beautiful weather (around 70 degrees) and partly cloudy.
We went to Orange Beach next. There was a big difference. We were quite happy with Gulf Shores until we saw Orange Beach! But, Gulf Shores beach was empty. Where we were at Orange Beach was where all the condos are and there were quite a few people there for January, so we can imagine August! We again got out and let the kids run around. Andrew probably had the most fun he has ever had! He was running around, squealing, wanting to be chased, etc. Bryce, after trying to run in the thick sand and falling on his face, decided it was fun and started throwing himself down. Caleb ran all over the place throwing sand at everyone and chasing them and Isaac spent a lot of time chasing the seagulls. Daddy was chasing them all, wrestling on the beach with them. I had such a great time watching them all enjoy them selfs so much and can't wait until we go back this summer.
I took LOTS of pictures and will post them tomorrow. I am exhausted and off to bed now. Hopefully since we got home late and the boys spent lots of time running around they will sleep in in the morning!!
We started out by going to Dauphin Island. This is our luck....we start getting close and traffic gets really thick. Then we see police cars racing around the LONG line of traffic, which we later find out was to go direct traffic. This is the first time since we moved down here we have gone to the beach. We choose to go to this island when they are having their Mardi Gras parade. THE ENTIRE ISLAND was cars parked everywhere, people standing around drinking and grilling and throwing footballs in the road. It was 12:40, the parade started at 1. We were debating whether or not to take the ferry (it was $21 ONE WAY). When we realized we could take the ferry or be stuck on the island until the parade was over and cleared out, we quickly opted for the ferry. LUCKILY, they were high-tech and took credit cards. We had no cash!
We pulled onto the ferry just as it was about to leave. There were only three cars on it and we were the last one. It was about a 30 minute ride and the boys loved it. Bryce was a little nervous at first and would not let go of the rail, but about half way through he settled into it. As we were being let off, Paul went to pull off and realized he had set the emergency break (as you are supposed too on a ferry). He ended up popping the hood while trying to figure out how to release the break. One of the guys that work on the ferry pushed the hood down and told Paul how to release it (I MAY have been sitting in the passenger sit laughing my bottom off at him). It was all worth a GREAT laugh and we were glad we were the last in line!!
We checked out Gulf Shores first. We parked on a street with a lot of rent houses and let the kids play on the beach. This was the first time for all but Caleb to be on a beach and he was AJ's age the one time he went. They were SO excited. Bryce could not wait to collect shells. Andrew was very uncertain about the sand for a bit! We walked down the beach and let the boys run around and let AJ get used to the sand (he never got used to the water though). It was beautiful weather (around 70 degrees) and partly cloudy.
We went to Orange Beach next. There was a big difference. We were quite happy with Gulf Shores until we saw Orange Beach! But, Gulf Shores beach was empty. Where we were at Orange Beach was where all the condos are and there were quite a few people there for January, so we can imagine August! We again got out and let the kids run around. Andrew probably had the most fun he has ever had! He was running around, squealing, wanting to be chased, etc. Bryce, after trying to run in the thick sand and falling on his face, decided it was fun and started throwing himself down. Caleb ran all over the place throwing sand at everyone and chasing them and Isaac spent a lot of time chasing the seagulls. Daddy was chasing them all, wrestling on the beach with them. I had such a great time watching them all enjoy them selfs so much and can't wait until we go back this summer.
I took LOTS of pictures and will post them tomorrow. I am exhausted and off to bed now. Hopefully since we got home late and the boys spent lots of time running around they will sleep in in the morning!!
Daddy's Girl
I know she is because she is already as stubborn as he is!
I think someone has already given the princess her tiara. She knows what she wants and she will not give up until she gets it.
When I wear my support belt, instead of moving up away from it, she stays where she wants and kicks until I take it off. It actually helps my back and the pains, but the trade-off is her kicking. Same when I wear a seatbelt. If I am in the car and the sun is shining on my belly, she kicks until the sun is off of my belly.
I think someone has already given the princess her tiara. She knows what she wants and she will not give up until she gets it.
When I wear my support belt, instead of moving up away from it, she stays where she wants and kicks until I take it off. It actually helps my back and the pains, but the trade-off is her kicking. Same when I wear a seatbelt. If I am in the car and the sun is shining on my belly, she kicks until the sun is off of my belly.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
As for this post, I got this comment:
Are you 'warn' out from warning your children to behave or face the consequences or 'worn' from dealing with boys? Better brush up on your girl problems because they come with a whole different set of issues!! LOL Love Mom
The answer: I am SO warn out AND worn out that I don't even know how to use my words properly!! I need a vacation!
Are you 'warn' out from warning your children to behave or face the consequences or 'worn' from dealing with boys? Better brush up on your girl problems because they come with a whole different set of issues!! LOL Love Mom
The answer: I am SO warn out AND worn out that I don't even know how to use my words properly!! I need a vacation!
ARGHH....
Some of you may remember this post about Caleb going to school in tears because I made him wear a coat when it was in the 20s. When we were cleaning out the closet in the garage, I found all of the boys gloves (which would have been nice to have when it snowed). Today, Bryce is supposed to take gloves for a graphing project. Caleb saw the box of gloves and asked if he could wear them. I reminded him of his little break-down about a coat and asked if he was wearing a coat today. "No, it isn't cold out."
THEN WHY DO YOU NEED GLOVES?
THEN WHY DO YOU NEED GLOVES?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Greediness or Big Family?
Caleb is really bad about when we are eating he will start asking for seconds before he is half way done with his food. We are constantly reminding him that that is rude and to wait until he has finished eating and see if he REALLY wants more. Then he scarfs down his food as quickly (and messy) as possible. I can't decide if he is being greedy or preparing for being part of a large family.
At this point, if there is enough for seconds, typically he will be the one to get it because the other two don't usually want seconds.
I buy the big boxes of lunch chips. Caleb always takes ALL of whatever flavor he likes out and hides them. When is brothers comment about not being able to find that flavor he either tells them they are all gone or ignores them, but never offers them. Usually when I find what he has hidden, I just put it back in the box and let whoever get them.
Last night I found all of the bags of Fritos hidden. Instead of taking them and putting them back in the box, I just took them and put them away. I was telling Daddy about it and he says "well he is the oldest, if he can figure out to hide them then he deserves to take them."
Can you tell who was the oldest child and who was number three of four? Totally different wave-lengths going on!
At this point, if there is enough for seconds, typically he will be the one to get it because the other two don't usually want seconds.
I buy the big boxes of lunch chips. Caleb always takes ALL of whatever flavor he likes out and hides them. When is brothers comment about not being able to find that flavor he either tells them they are all gone or ignores them, but never offers them. Usually when I find what he has hidden, I just put it back in the box and let whoever get them.
Last night I found all of the bags of Fritos hidden. Instead of taking them and putting them back in the box, I just took them and put them away. I was telling Daddy about it and he says "well he is the oldest, if he can figure out to hide them then he deserves to take them."
Can you tell who was the oldest child and who was number three of four? Totally different wave-lengths going on!
Eating Habits
My kids choice of food is....well, some could consider strange for kids. They all love most fruits and veggies and eat great. Caleb has been eating tomatoes like apples since he could stand up and still them of my grandparents side table on their screened in porch. He will try just about anything, once. Some of the things he will NOT eat is onion, squash, and green bell pepper.
Isaac will eat things most kids won't (i.e. onions, squash, bell peppers) but rarely eats french fries, won't eat ketchup and for the longest time would not eat pizza (although now he loves it).
Bryce went the longest time where he would not eat vegetables at ALL - especially green veggies. He is one of our biggest green veggie fan now. He gets excited and ask for green beans, peas, brocolli. The one thing he still refuses to eat is tuna sandwiches. He will say he will eat it, we have even made chicken salad instead of tuna, he gags everytime he tries to eat either. Texture thing I guess.
Andrew will eat BLACK OLIVES over Teddy Grahams. Last night, however, I attempted to give him Beenee Weenees for dinner. WOULD NOT TOUCH THEM! He would wrinkle up his nose and put his hands over his eyes, peeking through his fingers. When we made a run to Walmart Monday night, we picked up something quick for dinner. I grabbed a bad of chicken nuggets (always a good backup if we are having something Andrew can't have). He grabbed the bag of chicken and started screaming "CHI-CHEN" over and over and kissing the bag. He continued that until he ate some for dinner. Then started it again yesterday at lunch time. I guess we are in a chi-chen phase right now!
Over all they all eat fairly well, but at every meal the kids inspect their food. We have tried to explain that things like mushrooms and onions kinda take on the flavor of whatever they cook in. Caleb still has to go through and point out what has onions and what doesn't. We have started naming foods that he LOVES that have onions in it. I think he might finally be coming around!
They really don't have a choice. I cook one dinner a night (unless, of course I have to make something special because of AJ's lactose intolerance). They eat it or they don't eat. It is that simple and the boys have learned this early on. Momma won't spend hours every night cooking six different meals.
Just another way I earn that Mean Momma badge I wear so proudly!
Isaac will eat things most kids won't (i.e. onions, squash, bell peppers) but rarely eats french fries, won't eat ketchup and for the longest time would not eat pizza (although now he loves it).
Bryce went the longest time where he would not eat vegetables at ALL - especially green veggies. He is one of our biggest green veggie fan now. He gets excited and ask for green beans, peas, brocolli. The one thing he still refuses to eat is tuna sandwiches. He will say he will eat it, we have even made chicken salad instead of tuna, he gags everytime he tries to eat either. Texture thing I guess.
Andrew will eat BLACK OLIVES over Teddy Grahams. Last night, however, I attempted to give him Beenee Weenees for dinner. WOULD NOT TOUCH THEM! He would wrinkle up his nose and put his hands over his eyes, peeking through his fingers. When we made a run to Walmart Monday night, we picked up something quick for dinner. I grabbed a bad of chicken nuggets (always a good backup if we are having something Andrew can't have). He grabbed the bag of chicken and started screaming "CHI-CHEN" over and over and kissing the bag. He continued that until he ate some for dinner. Then started it again yesterday at lunch time. I guess we are in a chi-chen phase right now!
Over all they all eat fairly well, but at every meal the kids inspect their food. We have tried to explain that things like mushrooms and onions kinda take on the flavor of whatever they cook in. Caleb still has to go through and point out what has onions and what doesn't. We have started naming foods that he LOVES that have onions in it. I think he might finally be coming around!
They really don't have a choice. I cook one dinner a night (unless, of course I have to make something special because of AJ's lactose intolerance). They eat it or they don't eat. It is that simple and the boys have learned this early on. Momma won't spend hours every night cooking six different meals.
Just another way I earn that Mean Momma badge I wear so proudly!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Life Cycles
Caleb keeps going on and on about how the sculpter Rodin (which he is taking a field trip to see) died on his birthday. I finally asked today why it was so exciting to have someone DIE on your birthday. He says "it is not that he died, it is that his life cycle ended on my birthday."
Ummmmm.....PRETTY SURE that is the same thing as dying - although I guess a much nicer (?) way of putting it. Still, my point stands, what is so exciting about someones "life cycle ending" (aka DYING) on your birthday?
Ummmmm.....PRETTY SURE that is the same thing as dying - although I guess a much nicer (?) way of putting it. Still, my point stands, what is so exciting about someones "life cycle ending" (aka DYING) on your birthday?
26 Weeks
I just got back from my 26 week drs appt, complete with a grand glucose test! Nothing like getting to go to the dr hungry, get blood drawn, drink sugar wait an hour and get your finger poked!
Mady is doing good, strong heartbeat (155bpm), good measurements. I have been in pretty bad pain the last couple of days but it has not been in my back this time. She is sitting so low that it has been hurting my lower abdomen to where it is hard to stand up straight. I talked to the dr about it, she has told me to try a support belt. I have NEVER had to use one before, but Paul has been telling me to get one and try it. I got one on the way home....we will see!
Of course, since I was at the dr this morning, she was the highest I have ever felt her. Shortly after we left though, I felt her moving down. Just like a kid! You take them to the dr because they have had a fever for a couple of days and they are perfectly fine while you are there!
Oh, I also asked if she normally started seeing her patients every two weeks this early, because I have never started that until 30 weeks (I think I mentioned in this in my last appts post). She said she does start at 24 -25 weeks.
Andrew did great, again. He had to sit in his stroller for over an hour, this after sitting in his high chair until not long before we left, then sitting in his carseat. Basically, he has been "tied down" all morning. He was very patient and sweet!
So, we go back in two weeks, at 28 weeks. Getting closer, but still seems SO far away!
Mady is doing good, strong heartbeat (155bpm), good measurements. I have been in pretty bad pain the last couple of days but it has not been in my back this time. She is sitting so low that it has been hurting my lower abdomen to where it is hard to stand up straight. I talked to the dr about it, she has told me to try a support belt. I have NEVER had to use one before, but Paul has been telling me to get one and try it. I got one on the way home....we will see!
Of course, since I was at the dr this morning, she was the highest I have ever felt her. Shortly after we left though, I felt her moving down. Just like a kid! You take them to the dr because they have had a fever for a couple of days and they are perfectly fine while you are there!
Oh, I also asked if she normally started seeing her patients every two weeks this early, because I have never started that until 30 weeks (I think I mentioned in this in my last appts post). She said she does start at 24 -25 weeks.
Andrew did great, again. He had to sit in his stroller for over an hour, this after sitting in his high chair until not long before we left, then sitting in his carseat. Basically, he has been "tied down" all morning. He was very patient and sweet!
So, we go back in two weeks, at 28 weeks. Getting closer, but still seems SO far away!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Strange Child
We ate McCalister's for dinner tonight. I had my normal Taco Salad, which comes with black olives. I like to make Andrew try new things (or make funny faces at things I don't think he will like) so I gave him an olive to try. He liked it. From that point on, he would spit out his Teddy Grahams to eat a black olive.
The funniest part was getting the faces I expected from Andrew from Daddy, who was pretty grossed out.
The funniest part was getting the faces I expected from Andrew from Daddy, who was pretty grossed out.
Have You Ever Been to the Point....
That you would rather sit through a gruelling root canal than hear "Why?"
That is where I am.
Between Daddy being gone the past two weekends, Bryce's "whys" and endless comments that he repeats over and over ("I would not want to get in a fight with a deer."), Isaac's stating of the obvious (like telling me the refrigerator is beeping while my head is IN the refrigerator) and Caleb's "I wonder's" which he wonders and elaborates on for half an hour, and then just toddlerhood in general....
I AM WARN OUT!!
It is not at all that I don't like that my children wonder a lot and ask questions, but when they are all going at you continuously and you don't feel great anyway...well you get my point.
That is where I am.
Between Daddy being gone the past two weekends, Bryce's "whys" and endless comments that he repeats over and over ("I would not want to get in a fight with a deer."), Isaac's stating of the obvious (like telling me the refrigerator is beeping while my head is IN the refrigerator) and Caleb's "I wonder's" which he wonders and elaborates on for half an hour, and then just toddlerhood in general....
I AM WARN OUT!!
It is not at all that I don't like that my children wonder a lot and ask questions, but when they are all going at you continuously and you don't feel great anyway...well you get my point.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Can I Tell You a Secret?
Bryce came home from school and asked if he could tell me a secret in my bedroom because he did not want his brothers or Daddy to hear. I played along and went to the bedroom with him.
"Mommy, am I allowed to have a girlfriend?"
"Who is she?"
"I don't HAVE one yet, I WANT one."
KINDERGARTEN - he is just in kindergarten!
"Mommy, am I allowed to have a girlfriend?"
"Who is she?"
"I don't HAVE one yet, I WANT one."
KINDERGARTEN - he is just in kindergarten!
Mad at Mom
Caleb is going to school mad at me (in tears so mad) because I...
Are you ready for this....
MADE HIM WEAR A COAT (since it IS in the 20s this morning). (insert collective GASP)
He came in from taking his backpack outside and said it wasn't cold. I told him he was wearing a coat anyway.
Caleb has one coat and I guess he suddenly doesn't like it. He had THREE coats, but managed to "lose" two, one that he no longer liked and one that no longer fit him. So, I won't spend the money on a new one for him. He says this one doesn't fit (it does) anymore.
The real problem, he wants a LEATHER coat (and a leather wallet). I told him I will not buy him a leather coat as long as he is losing the coats he has. Coats are not cheap and are not used much down here, so it would be really nice if we could pass them down to one of the other three brothers!
I know, I am just a MEAN MOM!
I wear the badge proudly!!
Are you ready for this....
MADE HIM WEAR A COAT (since it IS in the 20s this morning). (insert collective GASP)
He came in from taking his backpack outside and said it wasn't cold. I told him he was wearing a coat anyway.
Caleb has one coat and I guess he suddenly doesn't like it. He had THREE coats, but managed to "lose" two, one that he no longer liked and one that no longer fit him. So, I won't spend the money on a new one for him. He says this one doesn't fit (it does) anymore.
The real problem, he wants a LEATHER coat (and a leather wallet). I told him I will not buy him a leather coat as long as he is losing the coats he has. Coats are not cheap and are not used much down here, so it would be really nice if we could pass them down to one of the other three brothers!
I know, I am just a MEAN MOM!
I wear the badge proudly!!
Deer Meat
A friend of Paul's at work gave him four pounds of deer meat and several pounds of deer sausage. He told Paul that the sausage is really good if you cook it most of the way and near the end add some coke to it. It is supposed to give it a nice glaze.
Last night, Paul cooked some of the sausage. He did the coke thing. It was GOOD!
Bryce LOVES the sausage. He ate some last night and asked if he could have some for breakfast this morning. Paul had made some gravy to go with mashed potatoes last night and put some of the sausage in it. This morning Bryce asked for biscuits, gravy (with the sausage in it) and some sausage. At this moment, he is in his uniform, licking his gravy bowl clean. We might have to change clothes before we go to school.
Isaac liked the sausage okay last night, but did not want any this morning. I think he just wants to like it because we do ;)
Caleb, who eats the hot sauce at EVERY Mexican restaraunt we go too (and has since he was old enough to eat chips) says it is too spicy. It has a little bit of spice, but not bad. I think he is thrown off by the "deer" part of deer sausage.
Tonight, DEER CHILI!!
Last night, Paul cooked some of the sausage. He did the coke thing. It was GOOD!
Bryce LOVES the sausage. He ate some last night and asked if he could have some for breakfast this morning. Paul had made some gravy to go with mashed potatoes last night and put some of the sausage in it. This morning Bryce asked for biscuits, gravy (with the sausage in it) and some sausage. At this moment, he is in his uniform, licking his gravy bowl clean. We might have to change clothes before we go to school.
Isaac liked the sausage okay last night, but did not want any this morning. I think he just wants to like it because we do ;)
Caleb, who eats the hot sauce at EVERY Mexican restaraunt we go too (and has since he was old enough to eat chips) says it is too spicy. It has a little bit of spice, but not bad. I think he is thrown off by the "deer" part of deer sausage.
Tonight, DEER CHILI!!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monkey
Andrew was looking at pictures on the computer with me this morning as I was posting some entries on the blog. I was asking him who was in each picture and he was telling me. But everytime we got to a picture of him and I asked who it was, he would wrinkle his nose, make monkey noises and start giggling.
I think we have called him monkey so much he actually thinks he IS a monkey (muntey as he says it)!
I think we have called him monkey so much he actually thinks he IS a monkey (muntey as he says it)!
AT LAST, A FENCE (or two)
We FINALLY got our fence done. It proved to be a very frustrating process! The fence itself was done last Thursday but for some reason they did not get the hinges and latches for the gate. They said they would be back Friday morning to do the gates so we could free the dogs, but it didn't happen (big surprise - they have been SO dependable). We ended up freeing the dogs anyway, we just had to bungee cord the gates closed. They came yesterday to do the gates.
The dogs were so happy! The kids, they were SO happy too! Especially Andrew because he gets to spend more time out there when Mommy and Daddy don't have to continously chase him to keep him out of the street. He looks like a caged monkey now, though. He goes and hangs on to the gate at the driveway and yells to be saved!
Andrew and I went and bought him a big ball for out there to celebrate HIS new found freedom!
the front fence/gate across driveway
Front view, wood on the left, aluminum on the right
I HAVE A PATIO!!! And, I forgot how big it is when there wasn't a 10x10 kennel in the middle of it! The back fence line and the cross fence (to keep the dogs on one side of the yard) are also in this picture.
Bryce playing on the patio
The dogs were so happy! The kids, they were SO happy too! Especially Andrew because he gets to spend more time out there when Mommy and Daddy don't have to continously chase him to keep him out of the street. He looks like a caged monkey now, though. He goes and hangs on to the gate at the driveway and yells to be saved!
Andrew and I went and bought him a big ball for out there to celebrate HIS new found freedom!
the front fence/gate across driveway
Front view, wood on the left, aluminum on the right
I HAVE A PATIO!!! And, I forgot how big it is when there wasn't a 10x10 kennel in the middle of it! The back fence line and the cross fence (to keep the dogs on one side of the yard) are also in this picture.
Bryce playing on the patio
Candy Andy
Daddy was trying to give me a slight break the other night and was trying to keep Andrew in our room with him. I did not know at the time HOW he was keeping Andrew in the bed, but I quickly found out when I found a very wired Andrew.
Daddy was feeding him candy. Endless. Amounts. Of. Candy.
Now, the mere sight of candy hypes him up.
Between the sweet "Peez" and "thank you's" and calls for "nanny" from him he is hard to resist. However, it is becoming increasingly easier when it comes to candy!
He now searches the house for candy.
Daddy was feeding him candy. Endless. Amounts. Of. Candy.
Now, the mere sight of candy hypes him up.
Between the sweet "Peez" and "thank you's" and calls for "nanny" from him he is hard to resist. However, it is becoming increasingly easier when it comes to candy!
He now searches the house for candy.
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