Okay I admit it. I'm just a tad (okay a lot) OCD. I really like for my house to be clean and clutter free. Everything has a place and when it is not in it's place I tend to freak out just a little. It is extremely hard to acheive this ultra cleanliness standard with 5 people shoved into a tiny 2 bedroom house. This week has been even more difficult with everything that has been going on around here. I did a pretty good job picking up on Monday night and have therefore been on everyone's case about keeping everything put away. Last night on my way to bed I noticed a water filled container balancing precariously on the edge of my bathtub. Isaac was the last one in the tub so I automatically assume this is his mess. Upon closer inspection I notice a fistful of star wars lego men drowning in this container. Why? I have no idea. My first impulse was to get really frustrated that I have been working so hard to keep things tidy and Isaac just carelessly left his things lying around. The more I stared at these poor little Lego men the sillier the situation became. Why was Isaac drowning his men? I don't know why, but what I did realize is that my little man is almost 9... sometime in the not too distant future he won't be playing with Lego men anymore. He won't be cuddling with me during movie night or rushing home from school to tell me all about his day. As I laid in bed falling asleep I realized just how grateful I am to have Star Wars men, Barbies and Fire Peoples to clean up each and every day because someday I will have the perfectly clean showroom quality house that I so deperately desire. And by then I'll realize that that dream is not all it's cracked up to be. I'll be missing all the clutter and chaos that comes with raising three great kids. I decided that first thing in the morning I would take a picture of the doomed legos so I could always remember my revelation of how great it is to have a family to clean up after. First thing in the morning I went back to the scene of the crime but the lego men were missing. Did Isaac realize his infraction and clean it up himself? I must say I was pretty proud of him but a little disappointed that I didn't get my picture.

This is what I found later in the day as I was preparing to make lunch:

Yeppers that is the inside of my freezer. Not only are the men drowned they are also frozen. I'm sure there is perfectly logical explanation!!!! As for me, I'm just going bask in all my kids delightful inventions and discoveries. And then I'm going to make them clean up their mess.

On a side note, Maia went back to school today. Her class missed her terribly and were very excited to have her back. Mrs. Bok made her a bracelet, they picked out a book for her from the book fair and the whole class walked like robots all day in her honor. She is all sprawled out on the couch now-fighting sleep. I think she is losing and sleep is winning. Asher was more than a little pleased to have the morning all to himself. We exercised, drew pictures and played fire peoples.

Forgot to add the picture

This is what all the fuss was about!!! Maybe I should become a professional air splint fitter. Think I could do it?

AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

Well it has been one crazy week around here to say the least. Maia had her ortho apt on Tuesday afternoon. After driving 45 minutes through a snowstorm we sat in a crowded waiting room for over an hour. Some crazy lady next to us was cursing loudly into her cell phone about her lazy boyfriend who apparently she is sick of. I felt sorry for Wendy, the lady on the other end of the line. I know this because she said her name, with great emphasis, about every third word. Why do people want a whole waiting room full of strangers to know their personal business? Honestly I could care less if she hooked up with a 24 year old lazy mama's boy! And Maia certainly didn't need to hear the colorful adjectives she used to describe him either. Anyways, after we finally got back to see a Dr. we had to sit in the exam room for another eternity. Andy and I amused ourselves watching a crazy squirrel jump from a tree to the side of the building over and over. I don't think I've ever seen a squirrel climb the side of a brick building before. The Dr finally came in and made his diaganosis in less than two minutes. I'm not kidding, it was two minutes tops. Maybe it had something to do with the clock reading 4:50. The Dr. said yes she did have a fracture, we were treating it with an air splint that he did indeed have in his office but couldn't actually dispense to us. They did a crappy job rewrapping her leg, gave us a script for the splint and sent us on our way!! By this time it was after 5:00pm and anyplace that may have carried the splint was closed. We were all tired, hungry and cranky by this point. There was a lot of crying and yelling going on in our van as we raced all over Canton, in the afore mentioned snowstorm, trying to find anyplace that carried that stupid splint. I know I shouldn't have been crying and screaming but I just couldn't help myself. Plus it gave me chance to use some of the new words I learned in the waiting room. I'm joking, sort of, I didn't actually say the words out loud but I do think I thought a few of them in my head! I did eventually pull myself together and start acting like an adult again. They did such a cruddy job rewrapping the leg that now it was hurting Maia pretty badly. We came home drugged her up, fixed their bad wrap job and went to bed.

Wednesday morning I found out that this splint was near impossible to find. I called all the medical supply places in the area and no one had it in stock. They all wished me luck finding one. Pretty discouraging considering Maia was supposed to be wearing this thing 24/7 for the next 6 weeks. I was starting to get a little panicky by late morning when God smiled down and fixed it for us. One of the supply places in Canton called back and they had the splint in her size. I asked if my aunt could pick it up (it was still snowing and hello gas is $3.20 a gallon) if I gave them the info over the phone. The lady laughed (I swear) and informed me Maia needed fitted professionally. I did NOT want to make another trip to Canton!!! All the crying and screaming from the day before left me scarred. I didn't want to put my family through another tantrum from me. The lady on the phone realized my dilemna and informed me that Yankee Bionics had an office in New Phila. Who knew. Anyways just by coincidence (yeah right) one of the Canton techs would be driving to Phila to drop off some paperwork and they would be more than happy to bring the splint with them. Maia's apt was set for 3pm and a huge boulder lifted off my shoulders. God is always looking out for us!! All you have to do is look in the simple things and you can always see Him working. Maia got her air cast, it took all of 2 minutes. Professional fitting and all. It's just a regular old air cast. Hard to believe something so small could cause so much stress, not to mention cost so much money ($120.00 ? whatever).





Everything the last couple of days has been all about Miss Maia so I feel the need to mention the boys in my life. Isaac learned a couple of new words at school this week and the gestures that go with the words!! His little friend taught him. We quickly explained that these new words and gestures were not appropriate and we never wanted to see or hear them. Isaac explained to us that it was not his friends fault because his friends family says these things all the time. Isaac told us it wasn't the best family and in fact his friend is trying to quit saying the N word. Isaac doesn't know what the N word is but I think I may have a guess. Isaac asked if we could get his friend a Bible because he was trying to explain to him who Jesus is and the friend was interested in learning more. My 2nd grader witnesses more than me I think. Isaac has always had a very special relationship with The Lord and a love and empathy towards people in pain. Man I love that kid. He could teach all of us something.

Asher's unique sense of humor has been showing quite a bit this week as well. He stayed with my friend Carla while we took Maia to the Dr. Asher affectionately refers to Carla as grandma. He knows darn good and well she is not his grandma, he also knows it makes her mad!!! LOL He has been doing this for about a year now. Is it bad that I think it's hilarious??? Asher has a huge imagination!!! All day today we have been pretending that I'm Santa Clause and he is the daddy. I have no idea why I just follow his lead. After awhile he started asking for presents. I tried handing him invisible gifts but he didn't go for that. He wanted pretend Santa to give him real gifts. You think he had the real gift thing in mind when he thought up this game? He is too stinking smart and maybe a little crafty! We may be in big trouble in a few years.

BROKEN PRINCESS

Maia has had quite the week. She went from certified princess to invalid in just a few short hours. And I have officially won the worst Mother of the week award. Last weekend started off with another round of parties---Princess style this time. We got all dressed up, went to Aunt Tracy's house and met Cinderella. Maia was so excited...she wore her first pair of "high heels"...I put little curls all through her hair and even put some of my make-up on her. When Cinderella showed up all the girls took the princess pledge, they all looked so serious when promising to be the best princesses. Then they read books, danced and played games. I think the highlight for Maia was when Cinderella put glittery makeup on her.

After we left Aunt Tracy's house we took Maia straight to Grace and Genna's house for their 6th birthday party, also a princess theme. Maia was super excited about this party because she just loves Grace and Genna. They are in the same class at school and at church. All the girls in their class were invited and Maia had been waiting all week for this party. She was thrilled when we showed up and she saw Kamry (another BFF) was already there. By the time I picked Maia up a couple of hours later she was one very tired princess...it had been a long day for all of us.

The next day was Sunday...church day. Andy had been wanting to visit his friends church for the last year so this is the day we took the plunge and went. The kids were so upset!!! They did not want to be visiting anywhere...they acted like we were sending them off to be tortured. When they realized they were going to get to hang with us in the sanctuary for worship time their whole demeanors changed. Now this was the best part for all of us. I LOVED LOVED LOVED having Isaac and Maia standing next to and worshipping with us. Maia kept rubbing my hand and looking up at me with a complete look of adoration the whole time we were singing. Andy was experiencing the same thing with Isaac at the other end of the pew. Don't get me wrong we worship and study God's word all together at home but there was just something so special about experiencing it all together as a family at church!!

After church we decided to go to the McKinley Museum to let the kids explore and have fun for a couple of hours. We love the McKinley Museum, there is something there for each of the kids to do and they all love it. Isaac loves the science center and studying black holes "The Monsters of the Universe" , Asher loves the dinosaur and of course the fire pole, Maia just loves all of it. The fire pole is actually where our troubles began!!! All of the kids were taking their turns sliding down the pole and having a great time. We've done this several times so Isaac and Maia at least know what they are doing and how to "hug" the pole. Andy was standing back watching from a distance while Asher and I were playing with the Thomas train. Allof the sudden I hear an ear piercing scream...definitely Maia. Apparently on her last slide down she forgot to grab or even touch the pole really, she just sort of took a flying 8 foot leap!! After about 15 minutes of us babying and loving on her and her screaming and crying her lungs out I told her enough was enough. There was no swelling and she was getting very dramatic and everybody was looking at her. She limped a couple of steps and then started hopping on one foot. The guy working the trains even commented to us about dramatic the whole scene was. Finally Andy put her up on his shoulders and that is where she spent the rest of the afternoon. Still no swelling and she could move it just not stand on it. When we got home she vegged out on the couch for a few hours and then crawled up to bed. We all thought she would be all better the next morning. Well the next morning came and all was not well!!! Isaac came to tell me she still couldn't stand on her foot. I thought she was being dramatic and just wanted an extra day off school. I told her to crawl down the steps so I could look at her foot. Imagine my guilt when I saw her poor little ankle swollen twice it's size!!!! Andy rushed home to rush her to the ER. Turns out she broke her lateral malleolus!!! We have an apt with the ortho but this is her in the meantime.

Living the life. All propped up on the couch with me ( a guilt ridden mommy) granting her every wish and desire, making sure all her needs are met. She is in charge of the remote, her game boy, and is basically telling me what to do! A TRUE PRINCESS!!!

I will post more after her ortho appointment.

It's been a long time

I haven't been here in forever!!!! I started out with the best intentions (like always) then got caught up in the 15,000 other things I have to do on a daily basis(like always). Well I am back!!! Hoping to do better this time around. We have had a lot going on this Winter.....lots of sickness....school and Boy Scout projects....potty training....selling some scrapbooks(yay me!!!) plus all of the other day to day stuff that comes from having a busy family of five. However I plan to make this site a priority. To share my kids sweet moments and accomplishments and maybe some of my scrappin work.

RockStar Style birthday party

Maia went to her first school friend birthday party! The theme was rockstar and it fit Maia to a tee. She is a rockstar and she is obsessed with Hannah Montana right now. As soon as I got my camera out she started posing...with no direction from me!! Notice her leg up on the wall in the third photo!!! I think we may be in trouble in a few years!!! She had her hair and makeup done at the party. She also got a glow in the dark tattoo that she was quite proud of. When she came home she was a sassy rockstar with an attitude bigger than she is!! Next week we are off to a princess party. Hopefully she doesn't come home with a big attitude again. Rock On little miss Maia. We love you

Valentines Tank?

This was the first year we got to make a Valentines box. Isaac didn't want pink hearts and sweet sentiments, he wanted camo. This is what I came up with....Valentines tank!!! Isaac loved it and so did his classmates!!

Butt Sliding

We've had quite a bit of snow this year. The kids have totally taken advantage of this. They've had 4 snow days and lots of fun playing in the white stuff!! Butt sliding has been very popular with all of them this year!!

Pinewood Derby

We had a great time preparing for and competing in the Pinewood Derby this year. Isaacs first car was super cool but the wheel broke off so we had to come up with a last minute replacement. Andy worked very hard on it, it ended up being an Ohio State bus, not nearly as cool as the thunderbolt racecar but good enough. Unfortunately Isaac didn't win this year but we learned lots of tips and tricks for next year! Andy was way more disappointed than Isaac, in fact he is still lamenting over it!LOL In the middle picture Isaac's car is on the right. In the last picture Isaac is standing next to one of his best buddies Mason.

River Child

Isaac's school musical this year was called River Child. It was all about the worlds major rivers and how they sustain life. Isaac was a South American Gaucho, he had a speaking part again this year. He did an awesome job!!! His favorite song was called Run River Run. We found out a week before the musical that we needed a costume...I think we did pretty good coming up with this at the last minute.

Come inside it's fun inside

Asher loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. On this Saturday he wanted me to build him his own clubhouse. We took a big blanket draped it over the table and got the blocks out. All three of the kids played under the table for a couple of hours. They built and laughed and had an all around good time. I got to sit and play with them for awhile and it was so much fun to do something with all three of them at the same time while everyone got along. Until one of the kids kept knocking down the others building...then the normal chaos and fighting erupted!!

Potty Training

Asher is potty training. We did the same thing with Asher that we did with Isaac and Maia and it has worked out great again. We just waited til after his third birthday then he got to have a couple of naked days. One tootsie roll for pee and two tootsies for poop, Asher loves loves loves his tootsies so this was a great incentive. It only took maybe 2 days and he was good to go!!!! Good job Ash!!!!!

Junie B Jones Carnival

Isaac and I had a lot of fun at the Junie B Jones 2nd grade carnival. All three classes joined together for the event and it made for a great day. I helped with the bean bag toss, we had kids lined up to toss the bags for the whole afternoon. On a side note on the way to the school I was pulled over for having expired tags. Andy never put the new stickers on in June. I had been driving around for 7 months with expired tags!!!! Thankfully the officer was very nice.

Just trying to catch everyone up with a small glimpse into our lives over the last couple of months

The kids riding their bikes a couple of days after Christmas. They were getting cabin fever and Isaac was excited to try out his new bike. Maia learned to ride without training wheels this past Fall. She was a very quick learner and oh so proud of herself.

Christmas List 2007

Isaac...camping gear, tent, sleeping bag, guitar and bike

Maia...Hannah Montana stuff...littlest pet shop stuff...cuttlekids die cut machine...baby doll clothes and The Game of Life

Asher...Fireman dressup box...big Tonka firetruck...wooden building blocks...lots of puzzles and Geotrax