Well 2010 is Coming To An End Already....

That was quick...  Except I find myself saying that more often on the last day of the year.  I think it has to do with getting older and watching your children race to adulthood without asking me if that was ok.  So many good and bad things happened, it's too much to list, and you probably don't want me to type out that list anyway.  Needless to say, my kids got bigger, smarter, and older.  My short stacks finally started talking.  My mom had to be placed in a nursing home, watching your parents age and change from the people they have always been is hard to do. 

Last night we went downtown for our annual Riverwalk dinner to see the Christmas lights.  We tried a new Mexican restaurant, Acenar, that had a gluten free menu and it was really yummy. 

Then on the way home we saw this.... (this is the highway we take home..)

I must say I have never seen a helicopter crash land on the highway.  Luckily there were no injuries, the pilot hovered until the cars parted and he was able to safely put it down.

2011 starts soon, Billy and I will get back to working out and counting points.  This year is going to be a big one, Billy and I both turn 40, my older boys will start middle school, and who knows what will become of Billy's business venture.  I'm looking forward to it...  Well, except that turning 40 part.  We'll just skip that one...  I'm hoping the blogging feels more natural, for all our sakes... Happy New Year!!!

Everybody Has Those Christmas Moments That Make You Smile or Tear Up... And Then There Are Ryann Memories....

As I am watching 2010 come to a close I have been flipping through pictures on Facebook, organizing the new ones from Christmas and I have to tell you one of my favorites from this Christmas.  We have the Little People's Nativity Scene and put it in reach of the shorties so they will hopefully never touch Mommy's breakable one.  :)  Anyway, we're knee deep in opening gifts Christmas morning when I see Simon playing with his new Leapfrog cooking set and I got this picture.

Yes, my sweet two year old is cooking Baby Jesus on Christmas morning.  What have I done wrong????  Fast forward to midday and I am cleaning up and putting all the pieces back to the nativity and Baby Jesus is missing.  I can't find him anywhere.  So, being the perfect mom that I am, offer 50 cents to the first kid that finds Him so I can get somewhat organized and also save my youngest from damnation.

2 days later Kevin comes in from the backyard holding the Little People Baby Jesus, covered in dirt.  Without skipping a beat, Aaron says, "well, He was killed and all, now He is risen." :O  Gosh I love these kids....

What was one of your highlights??

The Facebook Moral Dilemma--What To Do When Distant Family Friend Requests You...

Ugh...  I love Facebook, I really do.  I enjoy keeping up with friends I made in Connecticut, reconnecting with high school friends and acquaintances (and being nosy with high school people you weren't so close with--don't judge!)  and posting an insane amount of pictures of my kiddos.  But something about Facebook puts me in a little dilemma.  What do you do when a family member, a distant one, finds you on FB?  My aunt asked me a few weeks ago if I was on FB.  I was just tickled that she was! I mean, I love to hear that 70 year olds are hip to the internets!  So she found me, it's all good even though we aren't close and see each other rarely.  Then another aunt sees me as a friend of the first aunt.  Friend requests me.  Now I haven't seen this aunt, maybe since my wedding 13 years ago?!  But they're FAMILY, you can't say no. And honestly I have no reason to.  Nothing I put on FB is scandalous or private, I'm not a fool.  Aunt #2 quickly starts posting on my pics, comments on my postings, apparently she is the Facebook fan too.  But now my moral dilemma...  I have several cousins, kids of these women.  I haven't seen them in at least 10 years, if not more.  But they see me on their mom's lists, they comment on the same posts.  Am I supposed to friend requests them?  Am I rude not to?  Are they not interested in me, hence no request from them OR are they offended right now, am I type, because I haven't requested them?!?! See what I mean?  What do I do?  My fab husband, when I told him my moral dilemma last night (let me preface by saying he is not really a people person) says, "look, delete them all and move on".  Yep, tons of help...  So here I am with no progress..... 

And you know what else?  There are a few people on there that I'd like to delete....  You know I totally can't do that either....  Pox on your house Facebook!!! (but I love you anyway....)

Do You Know What SAHM's Would Totally Pay For?!?!?

Ok, I'm giving out my brilliant money making idea out only because I don't have the skills or ability to do this because I am at home with the shorties.... But I would pay serious cash for a mobile, drive to my house and wax my eyebrows.... Why doesn't this exist!?! They have mobile dog groomers.  Should the family pet be more put together than the matriarch? I know I'm only thinking of this because my babysitter graduated and moved away, but seriously, why isn't anyone doing this?!?!?  My eyebrows are begging for attention.... It would be a public service, giving back to your community and cashing in! Win-Win!!!  Stay at home moms are bushy eyebrowed all over town and want to feel put together!  Get on it! And advertise so I can get set up during my next nap time...  Thank you very much.....

When I Think of Christmas, Pouring Torrents of Rain Do Not Come to Mind...

Wow, it just got really dark and the rain just started coming down!  Not going to be easy to maneuver all the kiddos to mass and dinner afterwards during a tidal wave...  Oh well, I know our grass could use a drink, so we shall persevere! (However, I will not be blow drying my hair, no point in that...)

Today we wrapped a few things, Billy prepped his Christmas morning breakfast that he does every year and the kids finally got to sit and decorate their gingerbread house.  This year we let the shorties in to help, and needless to say, they "helped". :)

(I am writing the 2nd half this post Christmas Day, yesterday I got lost in time...)

After mass we headed to the Magic Time Machine where our waitress was Lady Gaga and had a great time, just the fam.  I missed my best friend and her family, but it was still a nice treat for my kids and they shorties started to get into the whole costume thing.  Then we headed home, but peeps  to bed and got our Santa on.  The best part is we were totally done by 10.  Worse part, I misplaced a huge chunk of Billy's stocking stuffers. :(  And it's driving me crazy that I can't find it.  But hey, who can complain with 5 kids and the presents are all done by 10pm?

This morning we instituted the 7am rule, which was nice and I'm sure next year we won't have due to the short stacks being 3 and out of cribs.  But today was nice, the kids had a ball and I hope got everything they wanted.  My dad came by with gifts and we also went to the nursing home to visit my mom. 

I guess one of us didn't get everything he wanted....

My dad and Emi, they've become quite the twosome!

Aaron, my mom, Kevin, and Olivia

I hope you got everything you were hoping for. Now I have to be REALLY good with food consumption for a week and then overindulge for New Years. It's all about moderation, right?? ;)

And Then There Are Those Strange Things That Happen at Christmastime....

So we're knee deep in Christmas break, took the kiddos minus one to the grocery store this morning, early because I don't like crowds.  The weather is so warm out, I'm even considering shorts myself.  Sun is shining, big kids are out front with their friends, it's all running smoothly.  But a few hours ago, one of my boys came out back to tell me that there was a large basket out on the porch.  "Umm, no one knocked?" "Nope, but I was by the window, I saw them.  So, can I go get it?"  With trepidation, because my automatic instinct is that it can't be good, why didn't they knock? Last I checked, people only "boo-ed" you at Halloween.  This is obviously a goodwill gesture---but they don't want to have to talk to you to do it.  See what I mean?  Someone wants you to have a gift, but they're willing to risk getting caught by a 10 year old  sneaking it to your door, because 50-50 chance they won't have to have a conversation with you.  So, they ended up getting seen by the previously mentioned 10 year old, but WHEW, did NOT have to speak to anyone, goodwill done--win-win....  So strange...  It was from my in laws, immediately the drop and run makes sense.  A huge basket of gluten free goodies, Starbucks coffee beans, sweet stuff for the kidlets, and teas for Billy. Obviously a thoughtful gift, but I'm hoping that no one contracts anything from the second hand smoke that is emanating from the basket.  It's hard to enjoy a cookie flavored with nicotine.  It also had gift cards for the kids for Christmas, which my older ones will be thrilled to spend at Game Stop, but my two year olds will have a little more trouble deciding which game to play first,  "Call of Duty" or "Grand Theft Auto"?  What's a two year old to do??? :)  (not really, just gift cards to a video game store is an odd match up for toddlers...  Makes me wonder what my sister in law's toddler is doing...  Ahhh, it's all good....  Even the 4 months late birthday card for Olivia was a nice touch...  Have a failed to mention the uncomfortable and distant relationship we have with my in laws? We last saw them a year ago this week....  They live 15 minutes from here.

My best friend in the whole world is bailing out on Christmas Eve dinner. Boo hoo.  Her mom is going through her first Christmas since my bf's dad died and shouldn't be alone this Christmas Eve.  I told her to just bring her along, who doesn't love the Magic Time Machine?!  And I think Christmas surrounded by 7 kids would be an awesome distraction...  But she felt like it was an intrusion, so they're going to do something with her.  I totally understand, but my Christmas Eve will be a little quieter...  We'll just do our best to be a little louder, just to make up for the missing four.  I think we can swing it.  Maybe my dad will come along, this is his first Christmas with my mom in the nursing home.... It would be nice if he didn't go to Christmas mass alone. 

I should bring this to a close, I'm supposed to be folding laundry while the shorties sleep.  And I may need to turn on the air conditioning, it's got to be in the 80's outside!

EGAD:  Shania Twain in a real life wife swap! Engaged to her ex-bf's hubby... The bf is who Shania's ex left her for.... Yuck.... 
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b217177_shania_twain_engagement_shocker_winds.html?cmpid=rss-000000-rssfeed-365-topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories

One Week Until Christmas, I Wonder What I'm Forgetting to Do...

Since our Christmas tree is in reaching from the shorties, (hence the ornaments on the top half of the tree) I haven't been able to start wrapping gifts.  My only fear is that I'm going to be wrapping gifts a day or two before Christmas and realize I forgot something.  I really need to go to the gift closet and take inventory.  I was kind of lucky this year, my older boys asked for kind of pricey electronics and Olivia wanted another American Girl doll.  Well, when they want one particular big gift, there's not a ton of shopping left to do.  (Of course if you asked my UPS guy, he'd disagree. ) And the shorties are two, so there just doesn't need to be a huge stash of presents.   In our house, Santa brings three gifts to represent the gifts the 3 Kings brought, and then the rest comes from mom and dad.  So I just need to make sure everything is there and that we have enough tape and paper to get it all done.  I doubt Billy wants to make a Walgreen's run for paper and bows on Christmas Eve. :) 

I tell ya, every year Amazon gets me with their toy sales around Christmas. I have a 3 month free membership to Prime, so free shipping.  But every year I grab a bunch of stuff that's 50-75% off and put it away for birthdays and unexpected party invitations.  It's been nice to have stuff stored away, my mom taught me well.  Shop the deals and store away. :) 

My best friend's family and ours get together every Christmas Eve after mass and have dinner together at the Magic Time Machine.
http://www.magictimemachine.com/

The waitstaff dresses up as different characters (one year we had the Grinch and it was awesome!) and stay in character throughout the meal.  The place is casual and loud and perfect for 7 kids and we look forward to it every year.  My kids have already double checked that it's still on this year.  I am so grateful to have a best friend for so long and that our kids all  get along well.  Beyond that dinner, our family (just the 7 of us) goes out to eat on the Riverwalk so we can enjoy the lights, it is really one of the best places to be at Christmas.

Now as I type, I should be doing the laundry, cleaning bathrooms, but here I am, wet clothes ready to move to the dryer and I can't even imagine what the kids' bathroom looks like right now. But here I am on the couch with my shorties watching Baby Einstein, Kevin nearby half asleep and feeling like death.  So we will get to the chores later.  They'll still be there when my kids are asleep.  I am really blessed to be here with these beautiful kids and life.  All the dirty laundry that they seem to generate hourly can wait for now, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star needs to be sung..... at least 10 times.... :)

Christmas Break Has Started Along with the Baking....

Well, I am finally done with all the goodies for teachers.  The kids and I really dug in and made some super yummy treats (Well, the kids told me they were yummy, they weren't gluten free, so I just have to trust.).  We did the Oreo Truffles from A Southern Fairytale's blog http://asouthernfairytale.com/2009/12/17/oreo-truffles/ and cranberry nut bread (old recipe of ours), and Smores on a Stick from Saucy's Sprinkles http://www.saucysprinkles.com/2010/12/one-day-of-dipping.html .  We had to get boxes filled for 10 teachers/staff, so I am baked out...  For now. ;) I have a few more recipes that I have found while blogging that I am dying to try while changing them to gluten free.  I mean, who wants to bake and bake and not partake???  I am not that strong.  :)  So we'll take a few days off and then pull out the mixing bowls again.  (I REALLY want a stand mixer, I think I may start to save up for one.)  And we still have the annual gingerbread house to decorate.  This year the shorties are going to participate, should make for messy pictures...

I can't believe that my kids are home for Christmas break already.   Kevin was home today and I had to take him to the doctor, fever of 102 and a terrible sore throat.  I figured strep, luckily I was wrong and it's viral.  So he missed the Christmas parties and the sing-a-longs that the kids really look forward to doing.  Oh well, I enjoyed his company today and he did get a lot of sleep in.  Poor kid really sounds awful though...

Why Do My Christmas Sugar Cookies Always Look Like Accident Victims??

Almost every year I try to make those adorably frosted cookie cutter sugar cookies...  I just can't.  I don't have the gene for it.  They always look like accident victims... Gingerbread men with misshapen heads and angels with one wing or one foot.  Truly a horrific site.  And poor Olivia is standing there with me excited that we may get it this time, I mean this year we poured over blogs and drooled over these beautiful works of art...
http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2009/12/personalized-christmas-ornament-cookies.html

She is truly gifted, you should take a moment to browse her beautiful cookies....

So I watched her tutorials...  I bought all my supplies... And we set to bake... And then we looked at our finished product...  I couldn't even take a picture, it seemed disrespectful... :)  But they tasted good... And we had a lot of fun.  That's what's most important, I know.... But why can't I make pretty cookies??? Another one of life's great mysteries....

So this coming week is going to be a busy one.  This is my last week with my wonderful and lovely babysitter.  I have been lucky enough to have her since the shorties were 5-6 months old and spoiled to be able to get errands run all by myself, haircuts and eyebrows waxed alone.  I have been able to zip over to the nursing home and visit with my mom alone, schedule doctor appointments easily, all of it.  And now she dares to graduate college and move home and USE HER DEGREE?!?!  Ugh, so selfish....  Truly, I was in such a lucky position to be able to have her, lucky to find such a great fit for our family, and I am now going to readjust to the shorties and I 24/7.  I'm sure I sound really spoiled, but it is going to be an adjustment.  Running into Walgreen's for that one item isn't going to be such a quick run.  Two 2 year olds are harder than one.  But I've been here before, I was actually in a rougher position before, when the older boys were 2, I also had Olivia as a one year old.  So this is just going to take a bit of adjustment and the shorties are going to have to get used to more errands and store experiences.  We shall overcome....

I have to bake like a mad woman this week (I know, no more cookies).  I have loads of teachers to get baskets ready for and 2 speech therapists and one physical therapist.  I'm going to do these super cute chocolate covered marshmallows, Oreo truffles, banana nut bread, and maybe this white chocolate popcorn thing that I saw online.  I hope to make it out of the week with less than a 10 pound weight gain.  At least the Oreo truffles are off limits since they aren't gluten free.  School Christmas parties on Friday and then I have all five of my sweeties home for 2 weeks.  Have a  great Monday!

There are Days When I Don't Like Parenting....

And today is one of those days....  I always love my kids, but honestly I don't always love parenting the icky parts of it.  I mean who does?!  Who looks forward to punishing or yelling or just the feeling of being so disappointed in your child and yourself, because of course, this would not be happening if you had been a better parent, if you hadn't let them watch so much tv, or not eat as many sweets...  So here we are with one of our beautiful children, not acting so beautiful...  And what is really killing Billy and I is that we just can't see that he WANTS to change.  We don't know that he feels disappointment in himself, that he is beating himself up inside over his choices throughout the day.  He cries, he does a great sad face, but then he jumps right back in at school and doesn't finish homework, forgets it at school, "didn't know about the assignment". (that's my favorite, the whole class kept it as a secret from you, dude)  You don't want to think that this is who he is.  That this child that is so unbelievably smart, just doesn't care to learn or achieve.  It's just hard. :(

So after taking away privileges (doesn't work), doing push ups (works a little), and pulling allowance, we're sitting here wondering what next.  He's TEN.  Eight more years of this God knows what.  So think happy thought for us, he is such a sweet, smart boy and could be whatever he wanted.  He just doesn't want to be anything.  My hope is that this is immaturity, that he will (hopefully soon!) find that desire to accomplish things, take pride in his work and himself.  That's all I want for him....

Have a wonderful weekend, good luck if you have the Christmas shop.....

A Gastro Scope and Some Temporary Single Parenting.....

So yesterday was a LONG one....  Billy has been dealing with a lot of reflux issues and so I sent him to my trusted G.I. doctor (love, love, love Dr. Zurita!) and they scheduled an upper scope.  So after the scope, he was SO stoned from the sedative, he opened his eyes and said, "You're so pretty... You're like the iron gates on Post." Ummm, ok? I truly felt like a princess with that line! I'm as pretty as iron fencing! Too funny.  Anyway, every time the nurse left I leaned over and told him, "you have to wake up faster, we have to be home by 3 for the sitter!"  Quite the Florence Nightingale, right?  So I got him home in time, shooed him off to bed and then rushed everyone with dinner and homework because we had the Winter Concert that Kevin and Olivia were in that night.  Really not the best day for a drugged hubby...

The kids were great, Kevin has progressed more on the violin that I had thought, and the kids' choir is really awesome.  I was really thrilled to find out that both Kevin and Olivia had auditioned for a song and along with 10 other kids were picked.  Proud mommy!  Did I forget to mention that the video camera battery was dead?  Ugh, perfect ending  to a crazy day.  Luckily, they perform again for the students and I zipped up there today and taped the whole thing.

So today, no rest for the weary.  Billy got up and left for Houston and I single parented for the day and now into the night.  He doesn't have these business trips all that often, I really can't complain.  And when he is gone, I refuse to dirty the kitchen.  :)  McDonald's for the kids and I got a Greek salad.  Totally yummy.  So here I am, 4 kids in bed and one laying next to me waiting for her nose to stop bleeding. (and yes, I am typing while she gushes, I'm super hands-on.  She's been having a lot of nose bleeds since the weather changed...)  Every one got everything done, and my great guy should be home some time soon. 

Tomorrow I need to make fudge for Kevin's class and the shorties have therapy.  Busy but good.  And closer to Christmas....

Lazy Sunday and I Finished the Christmas Cards!

I feel like it's a lazy day because I am sitting here with my laptop in the middle of the day, but I guess we have gotten a lot accomplished.  Billy is under the weather, so he's asleep and so are the short stacks.  Big kids are biking out front and I am sitting here in silence.  I finished at least 10 loads of laundry this weekend, so it's break time.

We did the pic of the kids for the annual Christmas card. I did a collage card with 4 different shots, but I'm just going to post one to give you the gist.  They're all baking (umm, basically eating frosting) and the bottom said, "here's to mixing it up, Merry Christmas from the Ryanns" Here's one shot: (ok, make that two)

I have such great kids that put up with my insane requests.  I had them have a flour fight out back and then come inside and fake bake. :) (somehow they didn't seem to mind the frosting everywhere part!) I will say, the laundry afterwards was sticky and pretty gross.  But mission accomplished and all I need to do is pick up the cards tonight and get them mailed.

I hope Billy shakes off whatever he's feeling.  He has a scope scheduled for Tuesday, he's had really terrible reflux and our gastro guy wants to take a look.  Funny to share your gastro doctor with your hubby.  I have a great one for my Celiac's, I just love him.  I need doctors that have a really calm, laid back attitude or I'm just uncomfortable.  And who really wants to discuss the unpleasantness of getting ill from cross contamination of gluten?  It's a yucky topic, so a doctor that is really easy to talk to makes a big difference to me.  I also have Kevin's orthodontist appointment tomorrow to pick up his retainer.  He chose a glow in the dark one. Ugh, boys.... :)  So busy week with appointments and the last of Christmas shopping for me.  I have some returns to make, stocking stuffers to buy and then I want to start some holiday baking.  Any good ideas for Christmas goodies?  We always do fudge and some type of bread (banana, cranberry, etc) , but I'd love to try something new.  Olivia and I will probably try our hand at cake pops again, we're determined to get those things right.  If you haven't seen Bakerella's work, you simply can't miss her blog and new cookbook!  It's on my list for Santa, I hope my bald, goateed Santa gets it for me. :)

www.bakerella.com

So that's our weekend in a nutshell.  My kids have 2 more weeks of school before break, and I have 2 more weeks of my wonderful nanny.  I have been so lucky to have someone watch my shorties to make doctor appts and errands easy for me for the past year and a half.  But she is graduating college and going back home and the short stacks and I are going to have to come to an agreement on shopping and dentists.  :)  They're totally fine at the grocery store, it's the quicker stops to the smaller stores that don't have my favorite double baskets that are the trying ones.  Yesterday we went to Walgreens, you know, where everything possible is at eye level to the shortest among us?!  "Running in just for laundry detergent" took on a whole new meaning! :O  Ahh, but we shall overcome and soon I will be boohoo ing over how old my babies have gotten and how much I miss their toddler years..... 

Pizza Friday Means the Kitchen Stays Clean.....

This week went by pretty quick, didn't it?  I got the shorties 2 year pictures done, forgot one of my kids at school, and managed to get the boys' book reports done and out the door.  Can't complain really.  I visited with my mom today at the nursing home.  These days are always hard, it's hard to sit and realize that the woman you grew up with isn't there any more.  I miss her so much.  This is our first Christmas with her not at home.  On a positive note, my dad has simply amazed me.  He sits with her every afternoon, no matter what, no matter what she says to him, he is there.  Real, true long lasting love. :)

Christmas cards are beginning to arrive and I feel so behind.  I usually have them out by the first of December and this year I don't even have the kids' picture taken yet.  I plan on torturing them Sunday, fingers crossed that I get a good pic or at least, everyone's eyes open and facing the camera.  Hopefully I will have pictures to post by the end of the weekend.  Or some really awful ones... Either way we'll have some kind of picture to mail out. 

Luckily for me, the scale numbers seem to be back on the decline after the Thanksgiving holidays.  I partook in way too many desserts and boy that scale didn't lie.  The struggle now is not to start baking too soon.  But most blogs I read everyone is baking like crazy.  And Bakerella?! Ahhh, the cake pops that I can never make cute.  My daughter and I try and try, but they always look really funky.  And not in a good way.  Well, I should bring this to an end and spend some time with my great guy.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.....

How do You Know When You're Over Extended? When You Forget One of Your Kids at School...

I wish I was making this up.  Yesterday they switched one of my kid's after school clubs and I guess I couldn't handle the upheaval.  I went and picked up one kid right after school, then a half hour later, picked up the second.  Then I started talking to a mom that had stopped by to pick something up and before I knew it, the school was calling.  I just felt so bad.  Way worse than he did.  Do you know how embarrassing that is??  The mom that I was talking to jumped in her car to get him (way faster than me packing up 4 kids and thank God the school is inside my neighborhood!) and I stayed home and felt awful.  I gave him 50 cents.  I hugged him dearly.  (I think he appreciated the money more than the rib crushing hug.)  I've probably scarred him  and it will affect him in future relationships with women.  The good news, (and yes, I must find a silver lining.)  is that he wasn't the only kid waiting and I'm SURE the other moms that forget their kids don't have 5 kids.  I mean it's hard to keep count, I probably thought he was in the next room.  :)

Christmas decorations are up and beautiful.. I am worried about the shorties and the tree.  I haven't put up the ornaments and I think I probably won't decorate the tree bottom.  The best part is that I am finished my Christmas shopping minus teachers.  No more packed stores for me.  I think I'll just to gift cards for teachers, keep it easy and that's what I would want.  I couldn't even tell you how many freaking coffee mugs filled with Hershey's Kisses I got when I was teaching.  A Starbucks GC would have made me giddy.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the sentiment, I knew the kids (their parents) were thinking of me.  I just ended up with A LOT of coffee cups. :)

My husband is in the process of incorporating his business.  EEK.  This new venture is becoming real... I just sit and watch from the sidelines, but he is truly so excited and has worked so hard.  So we will cheer him on from our perspective and maybe I will post some links to his patent earwear.  Then you can see what we hope will one day soon be in stores and on people walking down the street.

EGAD: I forgot my kid at school, that's the EGAD for today!!!!

First Round of Holiday Festivities Comes to an End and all Desserts have been removed....

Well, I'm just sitting here with Thanksgiving break coming to a peaceful end.  We packed a lot into the week and I was lucky to have Billy able to take the week off. We got some of Christmas put up, not as much as I would have liked, but when kids are out of jeans and socks, that just seemed to beat out Christmas ornaments.  :) So now as I sit on the couch and Billy gets everyone to say their prayers, the clothes are dry, and I can breathe...  Most of our afternoon was spent battling one of our 10 year olds with his book report.  He is always the one to battle, his ADHD is always a challenge, but he has had a sort of "I don't care" attitude creep up where it's all about finishing, not what you turn in... And poor Billy can't take it.  He was raised by a Marine.  He takes pride in everything he does.  This just doesn't make sense to him.  He is really struggling and I feel bad for him.... But I also told him to put his big girl pants on, because this child is 10.  We are far from done raising this child.  Boy, I hope he doesn't have a school project to work on over Christmas break.  Billy will need an intervention.  :) 

Tomorrow Kevin is getting his braces off and getting fitted for a retainer.  He is SO excited and I am for him.  I am amazed at how great his upper teeth look after 18 months.  Soon he will get the bottom teeth done, but we're going to enjoy the break as long as we can. (as will our checkbook!) 

Like my title for today told ya, we dumped any leftover desserts after dinner.  I have no will power when the cheesecake is waving at me from the fridge.  So Billy and I get back on track with food and exercise so I can be bad again for Christmas...  Makes sense, right?  So tomorrow I will be really hungry and I will be sure to post all about my tuna and rice cake lunch, but most important will be a beautiful pic of Kevin with metal-free teeth. :) Brace face no more....

EGAD:  R.I.P. Leslie Nielsen.......

Good Friends and Tamale Season has Begun!!!

Today we had a good stash of friends over for lunch.  We wanted to have people over for lunch to celebrate the shorties' birthdays (although belatedly) and start the holiday season with tamales!  Billy and I have really put an effort into finding friends that just simply are easy.  Both of our families in recent years have become living soap operas, any time together really is draining.  And really, in the end, I am usually upset by the end and we just decided together that it wasn't worth it.  Don't get me wrong, I love my family, but I have quickly come to the realization that it isn't good for me or my children to surround yourself with people that do not take your feelings into account or your children's.  So when we have these get togethers, we have our friends over instead.  SO we all got together and ate tamales, Spanish rice and finished with birthday cake. 12 kids running around, it was so NICE.  It really was a great way to start the Christmas holidays.  Now it's time to get the tree out and Christmas-fy the house.  My absolutely favorite time of year.  I leave you with cake covered pictures of my sweet short stacks...  I need to go watch "Elf" on tv, perfect.....

So much to be Thankful for and the Pink Bambis are the Turkey Bowl Champs 2010!

I hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones, good food, and good conversation.  This year we had my dad, good family friends, and we brought home two young soldiers from Fort Sam that are unable to get home for the holiday.  They have this great program in place where young kids in basic, get matched up with families for the day so they can relax and get some home cooking.  Billy's family had done this in the past when he was growing up and really wanted to start up with our family.  It was truly a blessing to take part.  Billy and the big kids picked them up this morning at 8 am, took them to breakfast and then home to hang out, watch tv, play the Wii with our kids and then sit down for a big meal.  They were young, just out of high school, two young ladies that were sweet and polite and I hope enjoyed their stay with us.  My kids had a ball and I hope understand that we are trying to show our thanks for the job that they are embarking on to protect our freedoms.  This will defintely be repeated next year.

Before we had our feast, the Annual Ryann Turkey Bowl had to be played. This is the 6th annual clash, the Pink Bambis came out victorious, and Olivia and Billy have bragging rights until next year.



I can't believe this tradition is already 6 years old. When Billy got it going, Olivia was 3! It was a riot.  They basically just ran around the yard.  But as time as passed, the boys practice plays in October and Billy and Olivia go out there to practice passing.  It should get really interesting when the short stacks get in the game!

So after the game, we sat down to eat gluten free and had a great time.  I am thankful that my family is happy and healthy, that Simon and Emi are making such progress with both physical and speech therapy.  I am thankful that Billy's business continues to thrive.  And I am thankful to have such a wonderful and beautiful life...

Sunday, Sunday.... And there are never too many pies....

So I have been tossing the idea of adding to my desserts for Thanksgiving, and today I put it to my Facebook friends on which to add.  (I am so decisive on my own, aren't I??)  Between pecan pie and Bobby Flay's pumpkin bread pudding with vanilla creme, I figured I'd get my answer....   So I will be making both! :)  I thought I would get a resounding vote and since it wasn't, I felt that the way to go was both. So those close to me that will be sharing Thanksgiving at my house must come prepared with elastic waistbands and large to go containers.  Partially, I blame Pioneer Woman's blog, I really should steer clear of that site.  Everything looks delicious and she just makes me want to take a stab at her recipes.  So I made my decision and quickly informed Billy that I knew I was going overboard and he was to remain silent.  Thanksgiving is supposed to be excessive, right??  This is also our first Thanksgiving where we are inviting friends and two soldiers from Fort Sam to come and spend the day with us.  In the past we have kept it rather small (well as small as a family of 7 can make it) with just my parents, but since my mom is now in a nursing care facility and unable to travel, my dad will be the lone family member coming.  It's an adjustment, but I really think it will be a great one.  I want our kids to recognize the importance of being in a home that welcomes young soldiers that cannot get home for the holidays and also learn to make holidays that include people that you enjoy being around and so the holiday doesn't feel like a dreaded family drama.  Now it is all set to go provided I keep it all gluten free and don't accidentally poison myself.  Our friends are bringing the turkey, they're frying it and I am excited to try it.

And then before I can blink we will be knee deep in the holidays.  I love Christmas, I really do, but the one sad thing for me is that somehow during the season, I remember back to our first Christmas with kids, and look to today and see how quickly my babies are growing up into young adults. It goes by so fast and I know how much I will miss them.  But we will have tamale time,  Christmas lights on the Riverwalk, the short stacks will go see Santa Claus.... We will be busy... And I am done with all my Christmas shopping for the kids already. :D The crowds are too much for me and I don't like to rush.  So now I just have Billy's stuff and teacher gifts.  Go me....

So now begins the 2010 holiday season, I hope yours is a good one....

How Many Pies Are Too Many???

So I am in deep planning mode for Thanksgiving.  I had the whole menu set and then I started reading other people's blogs and now I want to make two more pies.  So how many pies are too many?? And do I experiment with pies that just sound yummy online and may not be so great....   Decisions, decisions...  Before I started my evening with The Pioneer Woman, along with others, I was set with a sugar free apple for my diabetic dad, cheesecake, and cupcakes for the kiddos.  (not big pumpkin pie eaters here)  Now there's a great looking pecan pie and a pumpkin creme pie that I could love.  Oh and a sweet potato bread pudding type gluten free dessert.  Oye...  Maybe I'll just pick one new one... And stop looking at other people's menus. :)

Well, the big kids are home for the next nine days.  The boys have a book report to work on, but besides that, it should be a pretty relaxing time.  I am lucky that the babysitter is coming at the beginning of the week, so I can take the older kids out and about.  Sometimes I feel bad that they miss out on stuff because we have to work around nap time, sometimes we have to get home earlier than planned because one of the short stacks has lost it and is screaming like a banshee.  So I'm not sure the kids will notice, but I will feel like they're getting some extra toddler-free mom time... Of course, we may have to stop at the store since I am adding to the Thanksgiving feast. :)

Shhh, don't tell anyone, but I think that new Jackie Warner dvd I bought may be doing something.  I mean I was unbelievably sore this week from a 30 minute workout, but the scale has dropped a few.  (always helpful right before Thanksgiving)  So begrudgingly I will keep it going, hard for me, I am just not an enthusiastic work out girl.  It's just not in my DNA.  I come from fluffy people, fluffy people that like food. It's a real effort to keep my weight down.  I better go, it's Saturday night, all five kiddos are in bed, must be time to have an adult conversation with the great guy....


EGAD:  People went out at midnight  to see the latest Harry Potter movie. I don't remember the last time I was awake at midnight. :)

The Worst Haircut EVER and the Great Guy Dusted Off His Cape...

Ugh...  I get the nerve to cut my hair and spend time getting a haircut instead of running errands during babysitter time and what happens?!  The worst cut EVER.  I wanted it to fall slightly below  my shoulders.  I now have a bob.  And it's embarrassing how much you hair can affect your confidence level.  All afternoon I have felt like a mom-jean wearing schlub.  I called Billy and warned him that I was very upset and that he better watch his reaction when he came home.  What did he do?  Knocked it out of the park.  My knight in shining armor walks in and says, "I think you look so pretty, it even makes your face look thinner."  BAM, I am all good....  But now I wonder, before the haircut, did he think I had a fat face?!  What does all this mean???  Yes, I did do that to myself.  I am amazed at how quickly I can self sabotage a compliment.  It's a gift really....

Last Sunday my beautiful short stacks turned 2 years old.  Joy and sadness mixed together.  They have come such a long way, but to see the baby-ness all gone breaks my heart.  Before I can blink they will go from "mommy" to "mom" and stop reaching for my hand.  Sigh...  But the highlight of the day was after deciding to have lunch at McDonald's ( the party is next week), I had told Billy I just didn't think they were old enough for the play scape.  It's just these tunnels up in the air that eventually lead to a slide.  "No, Dana, they're fine, the big kids are going to stay with them."  So about 4-5 minutes into the adventure I hear Simon pitching a fit (amazing how in a roomful of loud kids, you can always pick out your dearest wailing) and then poor Kevin yelling down, "umm, I can't get Simon out."  I just turned to look at Billy, who was already removing his shoes and attaching his cape. (ahhh, it is so easy for him to get points with me)  So off he went, all 6'1" of him up into the McDonalds' play scape to save our youngest angel...  And no,   I don't have any pictures.  That darn tube doesn't have any clear Plexiglas type spaces for me to see through. (otherwise I would have started this post off with that shot!)

So that's the last few days in a nutshell.  Now we gear up for the Thanksgiving holidays,  Emi and Simon's party and the start of the Christmas rush.  I just hope I get all the food right, having new people at the Thanksgiving table is always a bit nerve wracking, especially when it's all gluten-free and you hope that no one can tell the difference...

EGAD: Another Hollywood marriage is ending?! No, that just can't be!

Smoke Em Out......

Olivia and I took the little ones for  haircuts today at one of those kid haircut places, you know cars for chairs, videos on, etc. So Olivia takes Emi to the waiting area and I haul Simon to the waiting car. And he LOSES it. I mean screaming like a maniac. This is far from his first haircut, but the place was really crowded and we usually go in on weekdays. So I am wrangling him into the car, like wrestling a greased pig and I notice this man with his maybe 4 year old get set up right next to us. And then, I kid you not, the guy looks over at my phenomenal parenting skills, picks his kid up and LEAVES THE PLACE. My child actually drove someone out of a place of business.... At first I felt really bad, but then I realized that I have been there many times with lots of kids screaming and crying and I never left. I asked our hair stylist if that's why he left and she said, "I think so, but don't worry about it, dads are weirder about stuff like that. Most moms tune it out." Hmm... Gotta wonder if he leaves restaurants or church when someone else's kid cries... So for the record, I did feel bad for a minute. And to redeem my sweet Simonster, he totally got it together and has a fabulous haircut for his 2nd birthday pictures we have scheduled for this week.

Speaking of the pictures I have scheduled.... I may move them. Emi has a HUGE scratch down her face thanks to her lovely, "I can clear a room with my charm" twin brother. I just don't know if it will look a ton better by Wednesday. Ugh... And you know I scheduled that appointment a month ago, at the perfect happy toddler time (yes, I am telling myself that such a time exists...) and now we have a facial laceration... Oye... Fingers crossed, but please, we all know I'm going to cancel or have a picture of Emi with a battle wound, which if you think about it, captures her true toddlerhood. :) I can see it now, wounded, but still in a fabulous tutu.

So tomorrow is Simon and Emi's second birthday. We're keeping it small, because we're going to do a bigger lunch/party during Thanksgiving break when more people are in town and available. So just the 7 of us out for lunch and cupcakes. No more babies here...

EGAD: Randy Quaid has just accused his more successful brother Dennis, of putting a hit out on him... Must be another Hollywood Star Whackers.... :D

How I love the TV and the crockpot is making me fat....

Ok, so posting every day is going to take some practice. There are just some days where it's too chaotic, too much homework, too many babies saying "up, up"... Then when they all go to bed, Billy and I head for the DVR. My unwind moment is the TV. I really just love watching tv. It probably doesn't sound great, but I watch it all, the news (I am a political junkie), most shows on Bravo, and my favorite sitcoms. That to me, late at night on the couch with my sweetie is total bliss. I'm easy like that. And it's Thursday, so tonight is The Office and Outsourced, and if we can fit it in, last night's Modern Family. Man, I wish the kids were in bed now. :)

I am making some progress on getting my butt in gear, the short ones and I did our 2 mile walk, the weather has been lovely for that. But I have also discovered the problem with the beloved crockpot. You can just grab a big spoon and fill your plate, calories be damned. But I just can't break free, I just toss everything in there during the morning nap and then it's ready for the whole crew at dinner. Ugh, what to do, what to do... My pants might make the decision for me...

My sweet short ones are turning two this weekend. I can't believe it. No more babies in this house. 2 years ago we got a phone call from CPS that would change our family dynamic forever. They brought in these 2 tiny little ones that we weren't sure we would be able to keep and we all fell in love immediately. It has been tough at times, there have been many different doctor appointments, Simon had to wear a helmet to reshape his head, and both of them have physical and speech therapy every week. But they are perfect and they are Ryanns. Olivia was born to be a big sister, she thrives in it. I was worried about the older boys accepting them and loving them and they quickly proved my concerns were ridiculous. They love them dearly. I am truly blessed and I just can't imagine this family any different, the noise, the busy-ness of it all. I may be really tired and occasionally snippy, but it really is a joy.

A Week later, I guess I have to stop checking the kids' Halloween Candy for poisons....

**Edited to say I wrote this last night on the 8th and forgot to post it. I do know my anniversary date. :)

Sigh.... The bathroom scale gained weight last week. Not me, but I still feel bad for the darn thing... I guess it's time to grab the preverbial bull by the horns and get to working out. You know, 2 1/2 weeks before Thanksgiving? Timing is everything... Fingers crossed that I just stay motivated, the fire is dim, let me tell ya....

Today is Billy and my 13th wedding anniversary. It's one of those moments that feels like so long ago, but at the same time, just yesterday. I can quickly name several twists and turns right from the start: his parents were mad at us at the wedding, a year later the flood hit, after that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and a year later we were adopting twin boys. He sure doesn't bore me. So I'm going to end this blog here and admire my lovely white roses that were delivered from my sweetie...

One of my favorite pics, the only copy and it has flood damage from the '98 Flood
 that hit Lake McQueeney. Makes it even more memorable....



The more posed, formal church shot. I wanted a BIG bouquet.
 Done and then some.



Ok, so babies don't get the whole, gain an hour of sleep thing...

Well, I was really hoping the shorties would try to embrace the extra hour of sleep, but of course, that never happened. So the three of us were up early watching Sesame Street while the smart ones slept in...

Since it's starting to really feel like Fall, (which in San Antonio comes late and doesn't always stick around) I am gearing up with endless lists of things to do this month. God help my soul. Part of me hopes I lose these lists, so I am spared the stress of worrying about getting it all done. Because in the end, it always does, and those few things that go by the wayside aren't missed.

First things first, I have to stop "sampling the kids Halloween candy for poisons". ;) The holiday season is always awful for my scale (not me of course, the SCALE), so I try to really watch my food before Thanksgiving and then again before Christmas. The shorties and I walk in  the mornings, but I really need to get a workout schedule that is doable with the 5 kids around. I know I should do it, that at 39 (gulp) I need to do it for my health and mental state, blah, blah, blah. But I HATE to exercise. Did I mention Billy runs religiously? Polar opposites. So, today I have every inclination to get moving. Tomorrow may be different, but let's hope it lasts longer than that. I'm hoping to find a new video that keeps me interested, or just devote myself to Billy Blanks again.....

And then there is Christmas shopping. Now lucky for me, my mom instilled a great tradition of the gift closet. I tend to pick things up on clearance and put them away. Great for last minute party invites and when I get really desperate in 105 degree summer heat and the kids are bored. So I went through the closet and outside of my house, I have maybe 3 kid gifts to get and something for my dad and best friend. Not too bad. But I must say, and I know it's awful, but quite a few gifts I give I would like to stop doing. Family that doesn't act like family, who don't acknowledge my fabulous 5 kids on their birthdays or Christmas, in my mind, I'm not sure why I must acknowledge their children. I know, I know, childish and spiteful. It doesn't mean I act on it. But please, are you going to tell me my older kids don't notice?! They see and help me wrap gifts and then nothing comes their way. And if money is an issue, here's a thought, call them. ECards work too. All free, you losers. Ok I'm done... For now. I'm sure we'll revisit this charming topic when my parents start checking with me to make sure I took care of so-and-so. And I will roll my eyes and smile and say, "of course I did, I got them the cutest....."

Ahhh, I hear a shortie waking up from an awesomely (not a real word, I know) long nap. I figure they wanted to make it up to me since we got up at 5:45 (new time anyway). All is forgiven, my little squirts. Who needs extra sleep anyway?

EGAD: Really, why do total strangers always touch little kids? It's flu season and I have people grabbing my shorties' hands and cheeks. Ugh....

I forgot everything!!!

So just as I figured, yesterday I rushed to put up a post since I had been derelict in my blogging duties. So today while I was painting Olivia's accent wall, (a hot, beautifully obnoxious and girly pink) I was remembering all the little things I left out. So here is my catch up post, and I have quickly learned in my short blogging lifespan, that you MUST post regularly. :)

Wednesday, the great guy and I scheduled (SOOO romantic!) our early anniversary lunch. Our anniversary is this Monday, but the babysitter went on vacation and we had to grab what chance we had at alone time outside. :) We went to Chuy's (again, we kill in the romance dept). Let me tell you, I LOVE Chuys. I have never been poisoned there, I feel safe when I order that I'm not going to make everyone get their meals bagged up to go so I can be sick all night at home. We didn't need to be fancy, just alone. It was really nice. We talked about the kids, that is never going to not happen, but it's one of our favorite subjects. :) Bellies full, we went our separate ways, but I thought it was a great date. When the short stacks are older and there is more time, we will have a real date. Monday it will be 13 years. Long years of ups and downs, tons of speed bumps, but I really wouldn't want to be here with anyone else.

We got a letter from the local military installation that we will be one of the familes that hosts 2 soldiers for Thanksgiving this year. Billy has wanted to do this for years, his family took in soldiers far from home often. But now of course, I worry. You don't want to bring these poor kids that can't get home for the holiday and have crappy food. And I'm a Celiac, so I do gluten free Thanksgiving. Ugh... So I worry... But I think it will be great for the kids. and I'll be sure to have awesome desserts, I mean great pie and cheesecake should make up for any possible food mishaps, I would think...

One of my older kids has ADHD. He is medicated and usually does well, but lately has really slid off the rails. School is awful, home is awful, carrots don't work and sticks are useless. We went to see our wonderful and awesome behavioral pediatrician and he is tweeking the meds and really just gave us the pep talk we truly needed for this journey. So many other families deal with such harder issues and I hate to complain when it's ADHD, but I really have had a tough time with my son. You want him to be successful in school, in social situations, etc. And it is gut wrenching to see him lonely and in trouble all the time. So, fingers crossed that these small changes will lead to positive results. He's got a heart of gold, the ADHD just gets in the way of others seeing it.

I'm going to get off of this laptop and catch up with the Ryann's movie night. Beetlejuice, such a classic....

Dusting off the blog.....

I feel like I haven't posted in way too long. Things around here are just busy, busy. Halloween was  great, I was worried that Simon and Emi wouldn't want to wear their costumes or walk to trick or treat. I was pleasantly surprised and I think all 5 kiddos had a ball....



Candy Corn Fairy, Kitty, Zombie Doctor, Puppy, and an Ice Ninja



"I'm going with the big kids..."



"I just take this candy?"

No injuries, everybody had a bag of loot and babies in bed by 8pm. The older kids were hard to wake up the next morning, but  I'm pretty sure it was worth it. Then I spent two days with a feverish little one. His fever would get as high as 104, but only at night with no other symptoms. So now we're nearing the end of the week and everyone appears healthy and relatively happy. No big plans for the weekend, I hope to get Olivia's room redo finished and the wall quote for Emi and Simon's room up. My little ones will be two years old in 10 days, I don't have any more babies in the house. :( I better plan a birthday dinner soon, between that and Thanksgiving, things are going to be hopping around here.....

Sigh.... I pulled a total lazy mom move, we just got back from McDonald's...

Oh well. The kids are happy and my kitchen is still clean, win-win, right? What really makes it pathetic is that tomorrow is pizza night. So that's two days in a row of me neglecting the nutritional content of my sweet angels' tummies. Followed by Halloween. Therefore the sigh.... Honestly, today has been kind of a bummer and I just didn't want to bother. Sometimes you get news about someone you know, and it just bums you out... Unnecessarily... You know EXACTLY what they do, how they live their lives and the awful choices they make. Nothing is a secret, when you find out the new info, you aren't shocked or in disbelief. You're just bummed. And sad that they just kind of nailed your front door shut with them unable to probably ever enter again. And so we went to get chicken nuggets. And yes, I saw the vile video of the processed chicken for nuggets. I still have to make dinner for Billy and I since I can't eat at McDonald's, but 5 of us are taken care of and it's not even 6 pm.

Onto happier things.... Have you seen the money lender video with Montel Williams? It came on yesterday and Emi looks over and points and yells, "Daddy!" Totally made my day, funniest baby happening of the week for sure. And for those of you unaware of the uncanny resemblance of my dearest and Mr. Williams, I present them both:

 Separated at birth......




So that's my day in a nutshell. Tomorrow night we're having kids over for movie night on the back wall of the house, I hope the weather stays mild. I'm going to try and make Halloween cupcakes for them and before you know it Halloween will be here. I'll be escorting (in age order...) an ice ninja, a zombie doctor, a candy corn fairy, a black cat and a dalmatian puppy. It's going to be awesome. I love my family.....


Egad: Randy and Evi Quaid... Have you heard they fled to Canada to escape the "Hollywood Star Whackers"?!

I know I'm a dork, but I love voting time....

I hate the constant telephone calls, but I like to vote. I wish everyone felt it was a duty to do so. I'm not going to get political, I'm not talking about who to vote for, that's your business, just go and do your duty as a citizen.  So this morning, Billy and I took the shorties and did our early voting.

Sunday we hit the pumpkin patch and I was so bummed that the littlest ones do not want adorable pictures for their mom. :) They thought the place was some kind of place to run laps. This is what I ended up with...

So they aren't terrible, but not quite the adorable, everyone loves everyone shots I was hoping for.... At least I got to check the pumpkin patch off the list. Now onto the Halloween Friday Movie night. I still haven't decided on the movie, but we have a projector and Friday night we're going to have friends over for the big kids and watch a movie out back on the side of the house. Simon and Emi will be asleep and I wanted something fun for the big kids--baby free. Luckily the weather has stayed quite warm, so it should be fun. We'll pull chairs and blankets out and just park it with popcorn and candy.

I should end this, I have mountains to do before the physical therapist gets here and I have to wake up the short ones...

Egad: Charlie Sheen has truly lost his mind.....
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/10/26/charlie-sheen-naked-trashed-hotel-room-report-says/?test=faces

Maybe black pancakes for Halloween wasn't such a great idea...

So last night was breakfast for dinner and I decided we needed black pancakes and Kevin and I did spiderwebs. Then late this morning I get bathroom reports and a diaper that was clearly, um.... blue. So FYI, black food coloring enhanced pancakes equal next day blue poo. I'm just here to inform. :)

The weekend is shaping up nicely, tomorrow we're hitting the pumpkin patch if Miss Emi is feeling up for it. Right before bed, she started quite a cough and was really whiny. Fingers crossed that we're not entering a new week of illness. So pumpkin patch for pictures, the last of the laundry, Billy is on yard duty, and the boys are knee deep in a book report. I was hoping to get Olivia's accent wall painted, but I just don't see it happening tomorrow. I can probably get it done during a nap this week, one wall doesn't take too long. We are redoing her room a little bit, new bedding and paint and curtains to mature the room a bit. Nine is a tough age, she still has a ton of stuffed animals, but wants to be older too.

I am trying to breathe slowly as I see November on the horizon. The babies turn 2 right before Thanksgiving. That includes the annual horrifying trip to the portrait studio where one child will be an angel, smiling sweetly and the other will be channeling the anti-Christ. And it's not enough that I am batting .500, the anti-Christ channeler decides that it's not as much fun to push me to tears alone, that other kid must also suffer. He/she pokes, hits, you name it. Then we're all crying and I call it a day. At least shopping for the outfits will be fun, I do like to do my part for the economy. I'm also hoping to get all 5 kiddos to sit for the Christmas picture and then Thanksgiving will be here and we all know what that means. My babysitter graduates and moves on in 3 weeks and Christmas shopping needs to be done before she leaves.

I think I'm going to end this now, especially as I reread the next 6 weeks or so and I feel the need to quickly get a bottle of wine open. Have a good one....

A morning spent at the Social Security Office....

I am ashamed to admit it, but a month before Simon and Emi's 2nd birthday, I realized that I have yet to officially change their names with social security. When they came to us through the foster care system, they had their names given to them by their birth mother and social security numbers. A mom more on the ball would have zipped over to the ss office soon after the adoption was finalized, but not me. :) But as of now, all government offices recognize my precious ones as official Ryanns. At least I beat their 2nd birthdays. And sitting in that office didn't kill me.

Then I spent the bulk of my babysitter time going from store to store looking for a bike chain cover. Let me just say that I am so over Bike Rodeo. My kids don't need a light on their bikes, because I don't let them ride at night. But we own the $15 lights for that one morning every year when Bike Rodeo commences. Same with those obnoxious horns. This is my older boys' last bike rodeo, and it may be the one thing I am happy to leave behind in elementary school. Needless to say, I came up empty handed and Kevin will have to be cover-free and lose 5 points. I hope I haven't damaged him permanently....


http://www.theonion.com/articles/quiet-riot-speaks-out-against-nations-poor-metal-h,18174/

My sweet girl learned an important word today...

Emi learned to say "coffee". No, it's not on the recommended list from the speech therapist, but probably a necessity in this house. :) We didn't have therapy today, so we really just spent the day at home and I tried to really do some Spring cleaning? (Fall cleaning?) around here during nap. I got half of the pantry done which was no small feat. Of course, Billy gets home, I do the big "TA DA!" and he just stands there. Grrr. I guess I'll just have to appreciate the pretty and organized shelves alone. You should see my cupcake sprinkles section...

School is really getting busy, I have at least one kid staying after school for some extra curricular every day except Friday. I am so lucky that the school is inside our subdivision, it makes it much easier to coordinate pick ups and to share with other moms. I am also lucky that our school offers so many options for the kids for free. They are in choir, 5th grades strings and once-a-month clubs start in November. We are truly blessed to have found their school and this great neighborhood. I hope we're as happy next year when Aaron and Kevin start middle school. Yikes, I am so not ready for that move. I see prayers and wine involved in that transition.

My wonderful babysitter is graduating from college in December and moving back home. I have been really lucky to be able to run errands all by myself twice a week for the past year, I know I am spoiled. So now the dilemma is, do I put them in a Mother's Day Out program, do we look for a Montessori, or a Goddard private preschool? I am really torn, I worry that because they are behind in speech that they won't be able to communicate, and I doubt that the teachers will know their signs. Simon gets really frustrated if he isn't understood, and so I don't really know what I am going to do. I could leave them home with me until the new school year, they would be better speakers.... I just don't know.

Hmm, I didn't mean for this to be a serious, what am I going to do post, I didn't know it was lurking. :) Last night I dreamt that Billy left me. Not only left me, but the kids were fine with it, cuz they had 2 houses now! I, of course, immediately woke him up at 2:30 to ask him how he could do that to me. Because that's what marriage is about. :) We're hitting our 13th anniversary in a few weeks, how has he managed to stay sane? I fully admit I am high maintenance. Not because I need lots of stuff or expect lots of gifts or anything. I just tend to speak before thinking, I talk too much and unfortunately, take things personally. Like I have said before, he is a good man.

RIP Tom Bosley, you were a big part of my childhood, you and Fonzy......

What's a Road Trip Without the Police Invited?

We planned to take the family to the Texas State Fair this past weekend, it's something that Billy's family did when he grew up and he wanted to share it with his kids. We had a great day on Friday, we spent the entire day there and I was happily surprised at how well Simon and Emi did. We took the jogging stroller and then I bought these....

Yes, I am that kind of mom. And those leashes were fantastic! They look like backpacks, the animal tail is the part you hang onto and the babies loved being able to roam. $10 at Walmart and totally worth it on a trip like this. We did it all, the rides...

The food.... fried chocolate, candy apples....

We really just had a great time together and I hope made some awesome memories for the kids.... Then it was time to pack it up and head to the hotel... 2 exits away and pitch dark outside, we hit something and the tire blew. We're sitting on the overpass on a Friday night with 5 kids waiting on a tow. Billy got worried about our safety, so he called the Dallas PD and that's where we added to the memories. :)

That's our back window, the cops gave us quite a procession at 10 mph off the highway and into a parking lot where the kids got sticker badges, we waited for the tow truck, some kids had to find a tree, and we took pictures with our rescue team.

They were great, they were great with the kids, and the concierge from the Marriott came in the Security SUV and drove the kids and I to the hotel so I could get the short stacks ready for bed. I felt bad that we had this big bump in plans, but as I listened to the big kids on the way to the hotel, I realized that they were talking nonstop about the whole trip. I mean ALL of it. They thought every bit of it was great. And so as I got everybody settled and Billy got back to the room, we finished the night off with "Suburban Commando" with Hulk Hogan, circa 1991. I have no idea what this movie is, but it was the last thing I watched Friday night and we laughed hysterically. I'm pretty sure it was the exhaustion from the day, but I want to share the Hulk....

What'cha gonna do brother when Hulkamania runs wild on you?"