And Fall Is Upon Us....

Well, we got a taste of fall this past weekend, it was 50 in the morning, plenty cold for me... The biggest news that comes with this is finding out how much clothes shopping I have ahead of me when all I hear is, "my hoodie is too short" or "my jeans are too small!" Sigh... My sweet babies (my husband will disagree with the term "babies" ) are now too big for 5T jeans. Did I mention that they will turn 4 next month?! As I type, Simon is wearing 6X jeans... Good Lord.... Kevin's hoodie from last year looks like a 3/4 sleeve. I just can't believe how much they've all grown in a year....

I picked the party location for Simon and Emi's 4th birthday. We're going to do it at the Children's Museum. Fingers crossed that it's a lot of fun, it's their first "real" birthday party. :) Now I'm starting the goodie bag search, and lucky me, no presents to buy, we're biting the bullet and getting a giant playscape/ backyard thing...

The kids are great, grades are good, everyone is healthy and happy. So now to Halloween and the shorties' party!

Olivia's 11th Birthday Party....

We took a handful of girls along with our own 5 kids and headed to Amazing Jump here in town. I have to tell you, I think it was a big success and they all seemed to have a great time. Not always easy to get when you want her older brothers and younger sibs to have fun too. It included dodge ball and wall to wall trampolines. I think the best thing to do is upload the pics...

Olivia (2nd from left) and her posse

Emi and Simon had fun too!

Olivia in action

Dodge ball

We came home and opened presents then somehow I got gluten poisoned and felt awful for the rest of the night and even now I have a killer headache... (hence, the short post...) So onto Halloween costumes and then Simon and Emi's birthday in November!!!!

Monday, Monday....

Well, here we are at the start of a new week... I'm tired already. :) I was lazy over the weekend, so I am paying for it now with mountains of laundry to catch up on. My favorite part is that Kevin has a football game tomorrow and on game day, the players have to wear khakis, dress shirt and a tie. He looks adorable, but I could do without the ironing... So I still have to get that done today and figure out dinner. As you can tell, I was really phoning it in this weekend. I have no dinner menu planned, laundry everywhere, complete catch up day....

Saturday was fun, we celebrated Olivia's upcoming birthday (tomorrow she will turn 11!) at The Cheesecake Factory. Her choice and she loved it. Billy called ahead to see if I could eat there gluten free and the manager told him they had a "skinny menu" I could choose from... Ummm, not the same thing.. No big deal, PF Changs is in the same mall, so I ran in and grabbed my lunch and we were off... (I did miss out on the cheesecake, but my thighs didn't need it...) My dad met us there, so I'm glad he came out and had some fun with us. Next Saturday is the party with the girls, so I'm sure there will be tons of pictures then...

I need to set up an occupational therapy evaluation for Simon. I'm hoping of course that he doesn't need it, that he's doing fine and "normal". Wouldn't that be nice? I have to also take the shorties in to the eye doctor this week to see if Simon's glasses prescription is correct and to also check on Emi's stye on her cornea.

All in all, I can't complain. The big kids grades are good, they appear to be happy. Everyone is back in school and finally it feels like a normal schedule to plow through. If I can get myself back into menu planning and that stuff, we'll be good as gold....

Seriously, Is He Really Only 12???

Good Lord, how am I going to survive a surly 12 year old for 6 more years? My sweet Kevin, my sweet boy that has always been my sensitive one that tells me everything... has become a monster.... He is still sensitive, but now it's only about things that effect him or are directed towards him. I thought this was supposed to happen around 15-16??? It's unbearable....

On a happier note with Kevin, he started football and I became one of those moms.... :)

Today Simon and Emi saw their neurologist and he decided that they were done with Botox shots for their torticollis. Simon has also graduated from physical therapy and Emi is down to once a week. So yay for progress!

This weekend we will celebrate Olivia's 11th birthday at the Cheesecake Factory, her choice. Then the following weekend we have the party with her friends. I better get moving, the X Factor is on!

I Am Such A Bad Blogger.....

School is really kicking my scheduling butt this year. I have the three older kids in band and we added football with Kevin. Emi will start ballet next week, and Olivia's birthday is right around the corner. The days go by so fast and I am exhausted 4 weeks in. :)

Simon adjusted beautifully to his glasses. I guess I didn't give him enough credit, every night he puts them in their case and asks for them every morning. So cute. Today he was graduated from physical therapy. That's great news, we see the neurologist Thursday to see if he wants occupational therapy or if we will just see how it goes. Emi also had an MRI done a few weeks ago, so we'll see how the results there are. I'm hoping we're done with the Botox shots, they hurt and I hate sitting them down to have them done. School is going well for them, Simon of course, is slower to warm up to the new teacher and kids. :)

Olivia has adjusted to the middle school much quicker than I thought she would. She is still hyper emotional when she gets home, but her grades are high, no friend drama, so I guess I shouldn't complain. Her birthday is next week, so I am rushing to finish everything there.

Kevin has truly become quite the young man, no matter how hard I try to keep my baby. :( He's almost my height, his voice cracks and all he does is grunt answers. So far football is keeping him really busy (5:45 wake ups!) but he is enjoying it and his grades are still great. I was worried about 2 band classes and football, but he's adjusting better than I am.

Aaron is trucking along, he's happy but the grades are starting to slip. The most annoying part is that it's not understanding information, it's turning work in. He just would rather do the work and let it gather dust in his binder.

Everything else is moving along, Billy is really busy at work, I am still regularly examining my face for new wrinkles.... Working out has taken a serious back seat, but I tend to go in waves. I did run last week, but with orthodontist and neurologist appointments this week, I don't see it happening again. Never enough time in the day......

My Sweet Simon....

Well, he had to get glasses.... :( Made me sad and a little worried about a 3 1/2 year old keeping glasses on his face, but we're doing pretty well so far...

SOOOO stinkin cute!

And So The New School Year Begins....

This morning marked the first year in a long time without anyone in elementary school, without buying crayons and glue sticks... I love our elementary school and I will miss it until the shorties start kinder in 2 years... Of course I made the big kids take pictures, Kevin obviously loves me dearly....

Next week the shorties go back to preschool. Simon will be in glasses... :( Hope you have a good one!

Today is My Birthday.....

I feel like this.....

 

So not a fan of getting older.... Sigh......

The Annual Treck to The Beach....

We hauled everyone to the beach for a few days as summer is winding down. We had fun, had no car trouble on the way (which we tend to usually have a tire blow out or something...) and I hope made some good memories....

He loves his mom so much.... Especially when she has her camera....

Obligatory tourist photo op

And now we are knee deep in football camp for Kevin, band camp for all three big kids and lots of clothes shopping for everyone.... 3 more weeks until school. I can't believe how fast it went by....

Summer Is Slipping Through My Fingers....

Here we are at least half way through, if not more, and I can't believe it! We have kept busy with camps for the big kids, MDO and swim lessons for the shorties. Simon is no fan of swim lessons. It's brutal to drive there while he tells me he doesn't like it and wants to stay with me. :( But he needs to be safe when he is by the water.

We have gone through the big boys' 12th birthday, I am still wrapping my head around how fast it has gone. Kevin is almost at eye level with me, Aaron is quite a bit shorter than his twin, at least I have that. :) My dad's birthday is next week, then we progress to...sigh... my 41st. Yuck. Not a fan of birthdays. The kids go back to school right after my birthday and then September brings Olivia's. We go through 6 months of birthdays, the Christmas, then we exhale.

Everyone is doing well, Billy is swamped with work, which is always good for a guy in private practice. I would like to say that I have been good at working out, but why lie? I haven't run since the 4th of July and I managed one Jillian Michaels work out. I am still religious about weighing myself, it's the only way to keep track of my weight when kids are always snacking around me. I also have started buying chips that aren't gluten free, so I can't indulge even if I want to.... Whatever it takes!

Aaron has been added to the orthodontist list, it looks like by the end of 2012, all 3 big kids will have a mouth of metal. At.the.same.time. Ouch.... The dentist did say we could wait 6 months or so, so we may do that just to spread the payments around. When we decided on a big family, I'll admit I didn't expect everyone in braces all at once. That's what ya get for not planning! :)

Simon is trying to kill Billy and I slowly... He has this new sleeping pattern of up at 1 am, and again at 5:30. That's his wake up time. What on earth is wrong with this child? He is three, I figured up a few times a night was in the past... Sigh.... I think he's waking himself up when the overnight pull up gets wet. Maybe he's about to start getting up, going to pee, and going back to bed. One can hope...

I better go, I promised Olivia an HGTV night... :)

Billy's Birthday...

Well, my sweet hubby turned 41 this week and one of the things he wants every year is for the family to run the neighborhood 5K together (includes training beforehand) and then we head to Pappadeaux for lunch. He's pretty easy... So we've been jogging... Simon and Emi stay in the stroller, but we let them out to run a little....

DONE!

Then we showered and went to lunch... MMmmmmm.....

"I don't think I like the calamari..."

Then home for ice cream cake and presents....

Ummm, not sure what the bird pose is...

Yay for turning 41! And Billy, thank you for always being older than me.... :)

Swamped... Completely Swamped And It's Only June...

Whew.... I think this is the summer where the 2 age groups in my house collide. This is really the first summer since we brought the shorties home where I am having difficulty balancing 3 year old activities with 11 and 10 year olds. I am lucky, the shorties go to an MDO 3 days a week, so I have time for the older kids and errands. But now that summer camps and Kevin's athletics have started, I really need to find my groove. This week Aaron is in soccer camp, so I drive from Kevin's conditioning to the YMCA for pick up back to back. Thank goodness I at least have another mom to share drop offs with! I know it's only going to get harder as they start school activities, so I'm hoping I will nail all of this soon. It is no party having to stop and find a bathroom for Simon and Emi and then speed up to get to a pick up. :)

We're also busy in June with Billy stuff. He keeps us busy with Father's Day and his birthday being a week apart. I hope he had a great Father's Day, we grilled and went swimming at my dad's. It was truly a food fest. I have a few more gifts to pick up, but I think we're close to ready for his birthday...

I'd love to use my crock pot more this summer, getting going in the kitchen at 5pm is no fun. I also with my kids would eat salads for dinner sometimes, but when is that going to happen?? Simon and Emi got their last Botox injections in their necks last week. I am still amazed at how far they have come when I see their baby pictures and look at them now. The doctor did say he may want an eval for Simon with an occupational therapist, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it...

I hope you are having a wonderful start to your summer.

Time For A Catch Up....

Since everyone decided to share strep and then Kevin one upping his siblings with hand foot and mouth, I didn't get a chance to post pics from the end of school. Olivia had her piano recital:

Then we finished our stint at our beloved elementary school. I still can't believe that next year I won't have any kiddos at the school down the street. It's a strange feeling to have a school in your neighborhood that you have no affiliation with anymore. She looks so mature....

As far as my older boys go, middle school is kind of anti-climactic. They give out awards, but hey, they're 11 now, no big thing... They did get their yearbooks signed and managed to finish out the year with decent grades (not good enough for me) and smiles on their faces....

Emi and Simon finished their year in class with Miss Monica. I love her. I just LOVE her. I'm sad that when they go back, they will have a new teacher, but change must come and they are getting older and need to be challenged...

So we have easily settled into the summer slow schedule. Emi and Simon go a few days a week to an MDO so I can do things with the older kids that I can't do with 3 year olds. We also have started swimming lessons with the little ones, they need to be comfortable in the water... Big kids have sports camps throughout the summer (Olivia is at a volleyball one as I type.) and we're hoping to get some time at the beach if Billy's schedule allows for it.... Here's to summer!

5 Days, 5 Strep Diagnoses...

What a start to the summer! 5 kids with strep and it's a tough one to get over... Temps of 102 all day and everyone is miserable and achy...

Did I mention Kevin now has hand, foot, and mouth disease?! Calgon isn't enough for this week....

It's Been 20 Years, When Do They Start Communicating With Eachother?

So my dad had cataract surgery this week and when it came time for the recheck, Billy offered to take him since Simon and Emi were home. Let me throw this out there first. Billy and I have been together for 20 years. We started dating when we were 20 years old and I've known him half my life. So during the doctor appointment, my phone rings, it's my dad.

My dad: "Dana, I wanted to check when I can make the next appointment, since I need a ride."

Me: "Umm, ok, Monday, Wednesday, or Fridays. Isn't Billy there?"

My dad: "Yes, he's in the waiting room."

Me: "He knows the schedule and he's 10 feet away."

I called Billy just to let him know that my dad was finishing up. 20 minutes go by, my phone rings.

Billy: "Where is your dad?"

Me: "Ummm, I'm sorry, aren't YOU WITH HIM?!?!?"

Billy: "No, he never came out."

Me: "GO FIND HIM! He could be passed out on the floor or something!"

Billy: "Could you call him?"

Dana: "Seriously?" (This is not happening. I am not the intermediary between these two men that are 10 feet away from each other and I am at home, at least 10 miles away. Sigh... "Ok, I'll call him and ask him if y'all are on the way, you know I'll be calling him because you'll be driving and all."

Billy: "Yep, that's sounds good."  ---BTW, if I was doing this to him I would be told to put my big girl pants on and get moving....

I call my dad's cell 4 times in a row and he never answers... Now I get nervous...

Me: "Billy, he won't answer his cell, get up and ask the receptionist where your 79 year old eye patched father-in-law has gone."  A few minutes pass, my phone rings.....

Billy: "Ok, I found him, he's still making the appointment, I guess."

I am not making any of this up. They get along, they like each other. But the doctor's office was some kind of weird block that I had to help with.... And yes, I mocked Billy as long as I could that afternoon. But he still took off from work to take my dad to the doctor. Not all husbands would do that so willingly.... :)

This is our last 2 days of school for my older kiddos, then we dive into "I'm bored" "what can I do?" and so on... Have a wonderful Memorial Day and thank a veteran and their families for all that they sacrifice....

2 1/2 Weeks of School To Go!

I just cannot believe the school year is almost done... I had a great morning at Simon and Emi's school, the teacher had a Mother's Day Brunch that was so cute, the moms were tearing up. I am going to miss their teacher so much when they start up in the next room in the fall....

I worked out and then ran some errands, before I knew it, it was time to pick up kids from school and come home and start the whole, "what's your homework", "finish your project", "practice piano" routine. Olivia has a piano recital in 2 weeks, and unfortunately, a case of 5th grade senioritis. She's had 2 back to back field trips, so I suppose I can see why she can't get motivated. But there is just SO much to get done before the end of the month. I just hope I make it to June....

The older boys are doing well... I guess... Kevin is fine, if I can keep the eye rolling, I'm 15 now attitude in check. My poor Aaron is bumbling through 6th grade and it kills me. I thought he's get it figured out by now. Nope. I still have to see his homework to make sure it's done, organize everything with him or it's lost forever. I had hoped the year would mature him and it didn't. He is the same, my ADHD, socially awkward boy. Sigh. It physically hurts to watch him sometimes. I want him to realize his worth, make more friends, and be a happy kid. He's happy, but sometimes I'm not sure why....

I should go, laundry is calling, and who wants to do laundry on Mother's Day? (we're celebrating tomorrow) Have a wonderful weekend!

Ugh, I Am Bad At Keeping Up!!!

So much to talk about! Yes, I have been MIA, seems like the last month of school is the best time to do a bunch of projects and book reports, not to mention evening choir and band concerts. Sigh... We have been going full speed, and when I have the time to sit, I'll admit I've been picking Real Housewives episodes on DVR over blogging. No thinking necessary with the tv.

We are closing in on the end of Ryann kids at our elementary school. Boo. Olivia is 3 weeks away from junior high and then the shorties won't start kinder for another 2 years. I will really miss HF, the staff is great, and it's going to be weird. Needless to say, Olivia is up to her eyeballs in Market Day projects, a GT report and on the brink of tears anytime she deems it necessary. I assume it's hormones and the end of her elementary school experience, please don't tell me otherwise. I must be able to believe there is an end to this dramatic tunnel, lie to me if you must....

The boys are trucking along, Aaron, much to my sadness, did not figure it out by the end of the school year. It is still pulling teeth to get homework done and turned in, basically any personal responsibility is off his radar. It hurts to watch. It drives me insane to have to corral an almost 12 year old to do the basics for school. Kevin is in his regular groove, doing well in school, getting ready to start athletics next year, but can be so surly you want to smack him... He seems to be a typical preteen. And tall. 5'2" at latest measurement. We're almost at eye level.

My sweet babies are leaving all traces of babyhood behind. Sniff... Whenever I say "baby" to Simon, he immediately says, "I no baby momma. I big Simon." Way to stab me in the heart. Emi is starting to learn to read at  3 1/2 and is so stinking smart. I just hope she uses it for good. Because right now, her evil streak is pretty long. She is a handful. I find her in my make up, drinking my diet coke I left on the counter, scaling the baby gate  to play in her sister's room.... You name it, she's been caught doing it.

Billy is great, working hard as always, and weekends are full of kids' sports and yard work. I figure it will slow down a bit in June and then we'll get into a summer schedule with  more flexibility... Whew. That's my update, I need to get people ready for the school week and church tonight....

That Snail Tried To Kill Me...

What a weekend. Friday morning I saw eyes full of pink eye goo, and by the time we left the pediatrician's office, I had one 3 year old with pink eye and another with pink eye and a double ear infection. Sigh... So, since I don't build forts, I pulled out the sofa bed and we stayed curled up watching movies until the big kids got home from school. Yay for cuddle time!

Saturday morning came and we were up and ready with Kevin's band solo competition early, followed by Olivia at gymnastics and Aaron's soccer game. Divide and conquer... Except Olivia doesn't look good. She's kind of pink. 102. Awesome. So Billy became the driver/sport and sax enthusiast, and I stayed home with the shorties and Olivia... Not so easy if you knew Olivia sick. The girl is an angel. But sick?? Ugh, very needy and very weepy. It was a long day.... By 3pm, Kevin had a low grade fever and Billy and I had sore throats. Aaron was going to care for us all. :)

Sunday morning was a God send. Olivia woke up fever free, must've been a 24 hr bug. The shorties were happy and goo free and well, honestly, who cares if Billy and I are under the weather, that's manageable if the kids are healthy.... Outside in the thick of the weeds, Simon says to me, "that snail tried to kill me." Every man for himself....

So I sit here looking to Monday, kids in school, errands to run, and I'm supposed to work out. Sure, no problem... Did I mention the leak in the backyard? We have a small pond forming. I need April to go, it's been bad mojo....

Appliances Giving Up And Tax Season...

Finally the weekend is here. Whew... What a week. We had water all over the garage from some hot water heater part, then soon to follow, the air conditioner started in on it. Then I found a water leak in the backyard (sprinkler system) that makes #3, so if everything happens in threes, I think we're done. For the good news, today we found out we were getting a refund, so no big check to write to the IRS. YAY!

The kids are doing well, they're closing in on the last 6 weeks of school. This year has really flown by, I can't believe Olivia is leaving elementary school so soon. I'm going to have 3 kids in junior high, not sure if I'm ready for that one! :)

Saturday we had Aaron's soccer game and I remembered my camera (finally!). (Aaron is right in the middle.)

I should go, the A/C is out again, so I need to get the guy out to charge me an obscene amount of money to fix it. At least today isn't supposed to get too hot.... I am missing out on my workout, so I will feel fluffy all day. I blame the leftover Easter candy. I simply have no self control....

Easter Weekend Is Upon Us!

Of course I have pictures! We have been busy dying eggs, smashing cascarones on each other and going to Easter egg hunts....

First though, my sweet Olivia with a mouthful of metal... I'd love to tell you she's been a trooper, but... well, she's been a bit dramatic. I know it hurts and she's sore... But there have been a lot of tears...

Now we move on to Easter fun and notice, Olivia is smiling again as the soreness has worn off....

Simon and the Easter bunny having a moment...

Have a wonderful Easter! I have some early cooking to do and ironing before tomorrow!

No Excuses, I'm Just Tired....

I know, it's been awhile... I think that real life just got in the way. :) Prepping for Easter, starting soccer season, and regular day to day stuff just zapped my energy. I did start going to bed earlier, and I have to say, even a half hour makes a big difference! Now to catch up on all things Ryann...

My mom turned 80 years old last weekend. We all went to visit at the nursing home, and selfishly, I was so happy that she was coherent. These days is it so hit or miss whether or not she understands what is happening or is even awake. So the kiddos and I stayed with her for a long visit and presents.

Olivia is set to get her upper and lower braces this week. I think she's a little nervous. ;) Hopefully the cross bite will correct quickly and the braces won't stay on an eternity...

The little ones are doing really well... Except for mass. I swear, Emi saves up her evil ways until we cross the threshold into church. Sigh... I just have to hope it will improve some day....

And last, my sweet Aaron... Who is completely off the rails... It is simply maddening to see such a smart kid waste it all. I can't get him to turn stuff in, he sneaks food, he's a mess. And his raised-by-a-marine dad is coming apart at the seams. I just don't want them to end up with an awful relationship because of these years. Billy didn't talk to his dad for many years in the early part of our marriage, and that is the last thing I want with he and Aaron. The ped says it's nothing with the meds, it's maturity on Aaron's part... Well, how long is that going to take?! I just can't get him to get it, you know? Grrr.. It is beyond frustrating and I just can't find a solution. Maybe this is why I haven't blogged, I'm avoiding this part of us....

This week is Easter, I got every one's outfits (minus me of course, I'll panic Saturday for that) ready, just need shoes for the girls. On Pinterest I saw glow in the dark plastic eggs for an older kid egg hunt. I thought I might try that for the big kids. Off to the Dollar Store for those glow sticks....

Not A Good Day At The Trainer, And Soccer Season Has Begun....

Sigh.... I went to work out today because I missed yesterday (ortho appointment for Miss Olivia, we're going for Ryann #2 in braces). I try and keep it on Mondays and Wednesdays because I prefer the trainer those days. So I went in today and just had a lousy workout. I'm sure that he's a nice guy, but he's kind of skinny (yes, I'm judging. My regular trainer is a beast. In a good way...) and he is ALWAYS checking his phone and I never get the feeling he is that interested in being there. I left defeated and seriously emotional about it. How embarrassing is that?! It's a freaking workout. But I was last to finish everything, nothing felt right and he rarely checked to see if I was doing it right. I'm needy in the gym I guess. So I sent an embarrassing text to my workout buddy (who has inconveniently moved to night workouts) about how there was no way I was going back to that skinny boy that looks like he should be playing tennis. Then I called Billy and carried on.... About my workout. What is wrong with me??? I figure that it's mainly getting older, having a harder time losing weight, and then when I make the time to work on it, I get let down. I know, cry me a river, there's famine in Africa and I want a more attentive trainer. It is not lost on me....

So here is my sweet Olivia starting the orthodontist experience... Spacers and molds taken yesterday...
God help us, Kevin gets his lower braces in May and Aaron may soon follow.. I'm guessing I shouldn't ask Billy for a deck anytime soon. ;) As I type, Aaron has started his spring season of soccer, let the games begin!!!

Sunday, Sunday.... And Pie On A Stick...

Well, here we are with Spring Break coming to an end. Part of me is ready to get back to the normal grind, not to mention get these kids out of here. Only because I snack when they're home. Seriously, I'm here alone doing house stuff, I can manage to stay out of the kitchen. Kids walking around snacking and I immediately join in. So I have been sliding off the diet and since the kiddos are home, no work outs either. I must get myself to the trainer, my jeans are weeping....

After mass today we stopped by Tooties Pie Company. Ever since Olivia and I saw them on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives, she has begged to stop and try the pie on a stick. Dipped in chocolate. Sigh... This was one time I was grateful for Celiac's disease, I couldn't try any of it. But the kids loved it, I hope so, it was $5 a slice! Anyway, that was our farewell to the holiday. :)

This week is going to go from 0-60 in no time. Piano starts back up tomorrow, Billy is out of town for a couple of days, and Aaron's soccer practice starts as well. It's also the last 9 weeks of school, and I intend to crack the whip. A 79 is unacceptable when you get it because you forgot to turn something in or couldn't bother to finish it. I know I need to back off and let them fall, but part of me wants to push it all this term and let them see what they are capable of. Sigh. Tweeners....

We Finally Hit Spring Break... If We Were Only All Healthy...

I know I have been MIA, no excuses except the usual, life got in the way. They tend to pack in a ton of things right before Spring Break and in the middle, Simon decided that high fevers were the place to be. 102 and no other symptoms, who knows what that was about.... Then we get out of that and yesterday Olivia picks up the mantle. She is really sick though, 102 is the norm for her right now and her cough is something else.... I am lucky to have Billy home this week, he has been able to take the other kids out while Olivia and I huddled down and watched Cupcake Wars and waited for good health to return...

Simon and Emi went to their first movie yesterday, Billy took the 4 healthy kiddos to see "Puss N Boots". They loved it.. The popcorn maybe more than the movie. :) Today was another out and about day as the shorties had Botox injections (hopefully the last ones) and then we all went to lunch downtown and ice cream at Marble Slab... I will not be getting near the scale anytime soon...

I can't believe the big kids have 9 weeks left of school. Then we will have no more kids at the elementary school (I've told the office they have 3 years to recover from Ryanns, then the shorties start up!) and all 3 big kids will be in middle school. Sigh... Where did the time go? So with the summer break coming too soon, Billy and I are trying to get sports camps set up, scheduling everything as best we can, and really, I think the big kids will have a good one, 2 camps each kid, and maybe Emi can start ballet. I don't quite know where to put Simon, karate may be a bad idea... ;)

So I am going to end this, hope every one's break has been a good one, and throw a load of laundry in to wash.... That stuff never takes off Spring Break, does it?

The Weekend Is Coming, The Scale Is Moving Downwards, And Basketball Is Almost Over...

Wow, the week flew by. I don't know if it was my mad dash to finish all the tax stuff or what, but Friday showed up quickly around here... After many really depressing week end weigh ins, the scale has finally started moving down. I swear, it was stuck for WEEKS, no matter the work out or the diet. Then I started talking to my trainer Wednesday and I started to drop some of the weight. I don't care if that's not why it happened, but I choose to believe that my ranting to Hector made the difference. Why didn't I whine sooner?! Isn't that what he's there for?! Fingers crossed that it continues to move back down to my regular-pre Christmas weight. :)

Tomorrow is Kevin's last basketball game, Olivia and I can only go for the 1st half, she has tumbling to get to. :( I'd like to stay for the whole game, but then, I have 4 other kids. After Spring Break, Aaron takes over our schedules with soccer. He is so excited to start up again, I am just excited that he found a sport he genuinely likes and is good at. I mean, who wants their kid to love a sport that they are simply just awful at? Then Billy and I are turning to look at the summer schedule, we need to get sports camps in and swimming lessons for the shorties. The fact that summer is soon upon us is a bit unsettling...

I should go, the shorties are down for a nap, and therefore this is my only time to watch Breaking Dawn. Yes, I'll cop to watching the Twilight series. But Billy refuses to participate, so I watch 10-15 minutes at a time during nap. On a side note, we rented 50/50 and LOVED it. Laughed and cried through it and then I felt so grateful that Billy's cancer 12 years ago was what it was. He was so lucky to have just undergone surgery and radiation. We were truly blessed. Have a wonderful weekend....

Healthy Family, I Guess I Have To Return To The Trainer...

10 days later, I am thrilled to tell you that everyone in my house is well! I took the shorties to school this morning and I think they were officially sick of me. :) That's ok, the cabin fever had gotten to me too. So after I ran to the store for a few things, I got myself over to the trainer after almost a week and a half of nothing. Ummm, OUCH.... I should need traction by morning. I'm quite frustrated with my workout/point counting right now. I have been counting my points and working out (semi regularly) and not a pound of weight loss. That is really unusual for me and I'm freaking out about it. I'm not an unhealthy weight, I get that. But for someone that had to lose a significant amount of weight before and has kept it off for years, any weight gain concerns me. Especially when what I have always done isn't working. Is it because I turned 40? YES. I totally blame that one. :) But maybe not, I just don't know. Maybe I'm eating the same foods over and over and I need to switch it up. Maybe I need to work out more often. (I hope it's not that one...)

I would love to be able to report that my 6th grade boys have it all together and are responsible for assignments and tests at this point. Sigh... Not.a.chance.... I blindly thought that by this time in the school year, they would get it. They would assume responsibility for it. Uhhh, no. I have now decided that they'll get it by 8th grade. Why set a time? Because I cannot fathom doing this, chasing around, asking about daily assignments when they're in high school. No one did that for me. Breathe in, breathe out, and think positive thoughts...

Tomorrow is my Valentines. We had to reschedule with all the cooties in my house last week. This is not going to help my weight loss... But it's to celebrate LOVE! We must celebrate LOVE, right? I mean, Billy and I have been together half my life---poor bastard needs some celebrating! ;)

4 1/2 Ryanns Down.... Go Big Or Go Home....

Whew, what a week. I took the shorties in to the pediatrician Thursday, 3 days of fever and cough got us in. I'll admit, I am not one of those moms that rushes in at the first sign of a cough. I have 5 kids and I'd have to move in. Kevin had a virus about 4 weeks ago that sounded a lot like what the little ones were doing, so I waited. I waited to find out Emi had a raging double ear infection. Mom.of.the.year. The doctor kept asking her if her ears hurt and she just kept saying no. Tough as nails, that girl. Anyway, off we were with our antibiotic and cough suppressant. Friday morning we were watching Max and Ruby (current toddler obsession, by the way) and I noticed dry blood in her ear. Doctor office closed for lunch, Internets here I come! (They must HATE it when we Google....) So according to the laptop, her eardrum ruptured. Here's the kicker. They don't do anything for it. It sounds awful, there's blood, and all they do is send you to Walgreens for ear drops/painkillers. I was kind of surprised, but hey, the girl still isn't saying a word about not feeling well.

Early Friday morning as the big kids were getting ready for school Billy says, "my throat is killing me, I didn't want to have to mention it." No worries buddy, I've had a sore throat for days and I wasn't telling you for the same reason... Today, Billy is sick, Kevin has a swollen gland in his neck and Emi decided to go back to fevers. We don't do anything half way around here.

At least we have a 3 day weekend to recover. And then maybe when the kiddos get back in school, Billy and I will have that nice Valentines lunch we planned. :) It may be closer to March, but well get there.....

Happy Valentines Day! I Got Twins With Fevers!

Sigh.... I must first point out that my lovely husband did buy me beautiful roses that he shouldn't have and we have lunch plans for tomorrow. But today I get grouchy, snot infested three year olds with fevers. Oh yeah.... I probably shouldn't complain, they rarely get sick. This may be their second fever ever. I know, it amazes me how healthy they are. Yesterday I was getting ready to take Olivia to piano lessons and  I touched Simon's arm and it was burning up. 101.8 and we were off... Emi woke up this morning with her own fever and attitude. Poor kiddos. They're in bed now, Simon is fast asleep and even sick, Emi is just looking at books. I want a nap at this point and she's not sleeping.

So we'll see if lunch happens tomorrow or if the shorties are home from school. It's not looking too promising. It would have been yummy though, diet out the window and the best food from The Little Aussie Bakery. All they make is gluten free food and it's ALL good. Their bakery items are something else.... Another time, my babies need me. :) Hope your Valentines is a good one!

So Why Is It That Once Potty Trained, They Sometimes Decide That It's Better In A Pull Up?

My sweet shorties have been potty trained for quite awhile now, 6 months or so. They do still wear pull ups at night, but during the day, we're set.... Until this week... Simon won't stop playing to pee. Then when I see soaking wet pants, he throws a fit and asks for a pull up. This I expect from a boy. Let me be sexist, I have 2 other boys that also regressed on the potty thing. Emi them walks over to me when her beloved "Max and Ruby" ends and casually says, "I pooped my pants." WHAT?!?!?!? I can pause the freaking show, we have a DVR... Then last night, she peed ON THE COUCH.... Can't interrupt Blue's Clues you know... Simon followed up with semi soaked jeans. I swear it's like they're competing....

So I say, with some shame. I am bribing them. Yep. If they stay dry, use the bathroom without complaint, Hershey's kiss. Go ahead, judge me.....

Why Do I Make These Promises???

Remember the "I will be blogging more regularly"? Yeah, me too... Ooops.... Do I have an excuse? 5 kids, I guess. But not really. We've pretty much have this family on a good schedule, even when multiple sports get added. You know what's really happening? I usually post at 2 times during the day. Nap and after bedtime for the shorties. Emi has stopped napping. I am still coming to grips with that. 3 years old and done. Olivia stopped napping early too, maybe it's a girl thing? The big problem is that Simon still naps. He needs them. So I end up dealing with Emi up and down from her bed trying to wake her twin. And after they go to bed for the night? I'm either fussing with older kids and homework or..... wasting time on the computer. Yes, I admit it. I am doing.... Nothing of significance. Sigh....

So here's the catch up from Super Bowl Sunday... First of all, Madonna bored me to tears. Seriously, I was just glad she was dressed. She is too old for half naked performances and I would say that if she was 40. She's 53. You can be beautiful and dressed. Glamorous and dressed. C'mon already...

So we ate and ate.... Bagels for breakfast, chowder for lunch... And dinner... I now LOVE lobster rolls. I have never had them, but Billy and I are sold. So yummy and a nice change for football food. Oh, and the kids had NY style pizza, they weren't interested in lobster.... Emi kept asking to pet the lobster she met the day before. I had to tell her daddy cooked him. :(

Pinchy and the kiddos

Notice the jerseys? The only way the Dallas Cowboys are going to have representation at the game. :) Side note, Kevin (far left) is wearing the jersey of the Cowboy Billy named him after. (middle name) Not making that up.... Simon was not in the mood for the game....

I hope you enjoyed the afternoon/evening as much as we did......



The Super Bowl Menu Has Been Set.... Is Yours?

I have to admit, we do the Super Bowl food a little differently at our house. We pick our food based on the 2 teams' towns. It's been a lot of fun finding out what is distinctly from that area and searching for recipes or ordering food shipped in. (last year the Primanti sandwich needed actual Primanti deli meat, according to Billy...)

So this year we have New England and New York. (I know, it should be Jersey....) Anyway, here's how it's shaping up at Chez Ryann...

Breakfast:

bagels and cream cheese (thank goodness Udi's makes a fantastic gf bagel!)
and something called beet hash... (the kids are scared) :)

Lunch:

Clam Chowder, that you very much. Yum, yum!

Dinner:

New York style pizza for the kids
and Lobster Rolls for the grown ups. (I'm really looking forward to these, and again, yummy gf rolls)

and dessert, of course, cheesecake. Diets are out the window on Sunday. You know, so Monday I have ever reason to run, not walk to the trainer as I have cream cheese oozing out of my pores... :)

Let me know if you're doing anything different for the Super Bowl!

I've Let Her Down As A Mother...

Olivia started tumbling today. She was SO excited to get started. The shorties and I watched (well, I watched and they played with my phone---probably not a good thing to start..) and I was tired watching them! But one thing I noticed was some girls were moving on to round offs and some other things I don't know the names of, but Olivia was working on the dreaded cartwheel. Dreaded because she can't do one. I never taught her. At 40, I don't know how to do one. I know, I know, my head is hanging in shame. But hey, let's drag out the adolescent baggage, shall we? As a fluffy child/teenager, the last thing I was working on was a cartwheel. Come on. I was working on watching tv. I didn't like to go outside, I only went when my best friend made me. Once we were out there in "nature" (shutter...), I wasn't about to go all flopping around. No way...

So here I am, 30 years later, regretting it all. But lucky for me, (they say you marry your opposite) Billy can do a cartwheel!!! Olivia will master the task and next Saturday she will be victorious!! (and 20 years from now, I will still remember how I failed her. Cuz that's how I roll...) Thank God she'll be here for Emi.... :)

Good Lord, We're Raising A Nation Of Wimps...

So Kevin got lunch detention yesterday. Why? Because he was teasing a girl (I already told him that was dumb, I took care of him...) and called her a "pipsqueak". SERIOUSLY?!?!? She ran and told on him for THAT?!?! I swear these kids would have never survived middle school in the 80's. And you know what else? We would never have tattled over such nonsense, and as a chubby kid, I was called a lot worse..

Anyway, he wiped tables and I told him not to tease girls. Lesson learned... Sigh....

Ahhhh, It's Cold and Rainy.... Perfect for My Mood...

Yuck. It's pouring outside and the temp has dropped since this morning. I feel bad, I told the kids it "might rain a little" (note--don't ask me for weather updates) and when I was hanging up laundry this morning, I saw that both my older boys don't have their hoodies with them. That's going to make for a long walk to the portables....

Tomorrow I have to go cancel my membership with my trainer. I am actually bummed about it. I like exercising there, but right now, with my life, I don't have an hour to workout 2-3 times a week. The shorties only have school 2 days a week and I spend that time running errands, seeing my mom at the nursing home, or taking one of the big kids to a doctor/ ortho appointment. There is just no time. So it's now on me to dust off the dvd's, Jillian Michaels scares me a little, and work out with Simon and Emi in tow. The self discipline will be tough. But now that I'm 40, I have to stick to it. I am having trouble dropping the Holiday weight gain and it's freaking me out. I also think my right eye is shrinking and Billy is ignoring the warning signs of imminent danger....

Everything else is going along like always, fussing at the boys to STUDY, not just do homework. They still don't get it. I think it's just going to take time. I didn't know how to really study when I was in 6th grade. We'll get there, I just hope to still have most of my sanity intact.

And that's it from the Ryann's part of the world....

Another Week Has Come And Gone...

It's already Friday... Kevin's cough is much better, he should be good to go for tomorrow's early basketball game. Billy's back is better too, but I think I need to be taking the shorties to the bathroom for awhile... :) Best news of the week is that Emi's 3rd day of physical therapy has been taken off the schedule, she's had such improvement. So now both Emi and Simon have PT twice a week, and we will probably start occupational therapy for Simon in the spring.

Yesterday I had the most ridiculous conversation with Olivia's teacher. I've known all year that she is kind of crazy strict (Olivia once got her agenda signed for tossing a paper on a friend's desk.) but this just pushed it too far. Olivia and another student forgot to put their names on their papers. When they were passed back and graded, the boy got the paper with the 100 and Olivia got the 90. When Olivia looked at the paper, she recognized the 100 as her own. So the teacher tells her tough, you should have written your name on it. I.Don't.Think.So... The boy did the same thing and he's getting an extra 10 points?!?!? Mama Bear came out and I was livid. She was so condescending on the phone I wanted to slap her. I try to be understanding, I used to teach 7th grade, but when you can't even pretend to give a crap about what I'm saying, it's never going to be pretty.....

I'm having trouble losing holiday weight. I went back to the trainer and I've been counting my points, but nothing is happening. I am terrified that turning 40 has wrecked my ability to lose weight. I am really in the dumps and I hope that the weight loss comes soon. I'm only 5 pounds over my regular weight, but the jeans are too tight and I feel gross. Fingers crossed that the scale starts to cooperate. I mean why be sore if you can't tell?!?!

I have to go, I have 2 three year olds dumping play dough (sp?) everywhere... Have a good weekend!

Well, It Looks Like We Have A Man Down....

I know we've had such a mild winter and no one has even gotten a cold. Kevin called me from school during lunch just to tell me that his throat was on fire. And the loving mother I am said, "Just take that science test and we'll take care of it after school." :) Hey, we studied for that test all weekend! So I got him an appointment for tomorrow and he walks in the door and says, "no science test, we had a sub." Well, of course.... Aaack... So the test is tomorrow and I am taking him to the doctor instead.

On to good news, Kevin's basketball game Saturday was great (minus the Billy throwing his back out when he took Simon to the bathroom...) the kids won by a wide margin, and I see such a different Kevin playing. He has a lot of confidence, plays aggressively, and I am quite the proud mom.

Ugh... Little secret... I rarely just sit and type out a post. I usually get interrupted by one of many people in my house, the phone, whatever. So since the last paragraph, Simon's insides have exploded more than once and soon after, Kevin's stomach followed. So it looks like two Ryann's will be home tomorrow, no (much needed) work out to be done.

So Billy Took Simon To The Bathroom At A Basketball Game....

and threw out his back. Taking a toddler to the potty... God, are we old.......

Good Lord, She is Exactly Like Me... Poor Thing....

Olivia is my only biological child. Interestingly enough, she looks a lot like her dad (although quite a few people say she looks like me, I think they're trying to be nice...) but personality-wise, she is me. Poor kid. She talks. And talks. And then has a few more things to say. She loves sweets, maybe too much, and that tv calls her name... She is very emotional, one of my weak points, but most girls are, right? :)

About 10 minutes ago she called me from school. "So, how am I supposed to get home?"
Me: "Well, seeing that you have choir in 3 minutes, I don't think you're supposed to come home."
Olivia: "Oh.Right.I..have...choir...Thanks."
Me: "Nerd...."

This wouldn't be so funny if a month ago she hadn't walked home and when I asked her why she wasn't at choir, she looked shocked at the thought. Or if I hadn't told her this morning that she had choir. She is a space cadet. I forgot what I did yesterday. I was hoping it was my old age. Apparently it's genetic. :)

Now I just have to remember to pick her up in 40 minutes. And yes, I have forgotten her before.....

I Am Back At The Trainer, Cursing But Surviving...

After my 2 month break while I tried to figure out what was going to happen with Simon (more therapy, appts or what), I went back to working out with the trainer. Honestly, I needed to after the holiday weight gain, and my doctor really stresses weight bearing exercise since I have osteopenia. But I don't want to go. My 3 year olds go to school twice a week. So Mondays and Wednesdays, I have from 9-2 to get stuff done I can't do with them. Appointments with the big kids fall in this time, visits with my mom at the nursing home (easier done when I am alone), errands, you get what I mean. So spending an hour working out just feels like a waste. I'm still going, but I can't promise it will last.

I got new contacts yesterday, apparently they are a step before bifocals. Awesome. Here are your new contacts, grandma. I hate getting older. I do like seeing things though, so it seems to be working well.

I have been really trying to clean house. I did the kitchen pantry, we even have things in bins and labeled now! I thought Billy was going to faint. :) I did both bathrooms and right now Olivia and I are trying to get her room under control. She has the smallest bedroom (but is also the only kid with her own room), so we need to get the crafts and art supplies under control. Then I guess I'll have to get to my closet. That won't be too much fun. I'm afraid to get rid of stuff that I "may" need. It's a sickness.

Sounds like therapy is ending, I better get off of here, have a great one!

That Week Sure Did Fly By.....

Boy, once the kids get back in the swing of school, it all just flies by. Kevin started basketball this week, game is tomorrow morning. I had to buy him high tops and we left with size 8 1/2. Good God. He's 11. Weird part is his twin is 6 inches shorter than he is. They are quite the pair. :)

Biggest news of the week, Simon's neurologist called to tell me that his MRI came back clear.  WHEW... But that he finds his diagnosis of mild cp odd since he can't find it in his brain. So we're in a monitoring phase along with continuing his physical therapy. I can do that, no problem. The doctor did say that we may either see more difficulties with spatial abilities as he gets older or that epilepsy could appear. Well, that's no sweat off my nose (is that a real saying?), I have epilepsy myself, so we aren't in uncharted territory at all. Most importantly, my sweet, sweet Simon seems to be ok. And if something appears later, we will deal with whatever he has. I believe more and more each day that this is the home God intended for this boy from the beginning. :)

Drama news... Olivia came home from school yesterday freaking out because some boy told her that another boy said she was "dating" him. I put quotes on dating because these are 5th graders and it involves saying you're dating and then seeing each other at school. They rarely even talk on the phone. Anyway, then she said when she went to pack up for the day, this lovebird put an envelope in her cubby with a necklace in it. That boy is claiming his woman, isn't he?! She is mortified, she has no interest in any of this and she just wants him to leave her alone. That's my girl! :) Today she didn't say a word to him, but I'm sure there is more to come...

Well, tonight is game night at the Ryann's, so I must end this before I get yelled at. :) Have a great weekend!!

Happy New Year, What's On The Horizon???

Wow, 2011 went by quick... Here I am, overfed and ready to dig into 2012. Of course that means, diet and work outs resume, that goes without saying. And cheating on said diet, keeps you sane you know.... I did gain more than I expected over Christmas, I am kind of bummed about that. You just can run away from the too tight jeans, no escape. Last night we had a buffet style late dinner after church, little ones went to bed around 8, and the big kids, Billy and I waited for midnight with Ryan Seacrest, like so many others... I must say, Ryan looked a bit too fresh faced for my taste, lay off the Botox, men look better with a few lines. He's still cute to me, even hobbit-sized...

To catch up on everything we've been busy with this week, I'll say that in pictures. We went downtown to have dinner and see the lights on the Riverwalk. Billy and I were so disappointed in the new LEDs that our charming mayor insisted we needed. Hundreds of thousands of dollars later and it's crap. No lights hanging from the trees, the lights have a blue hue instead of the warm glow before.

Lights before:

Lights now:

It just isn't the same.... We did enjoy the company, and of course, ice cream at Mr. Ice Cream...



On New Year's Eve we ate a lot and hung out until it was Champagne/Sparkling Cider time...

And this morning as I was taking down Christmas, Billy took the kids out back, armed them with silly string, poppers, and goodness knows what else....



I hope that you all have a healthy and happy 2012...I'm not sure what's in store for us, I hope for good health for my family, wonderful things for my kiddos, and continued success for Billy... On a side note, how fabulous is my new camera?!?! LOVE it!!!!