Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! (I feel bad Wicket didn't make the cut - but we just can't get a good one with him :))

Is Santa coming to our house? That expression says it all.

All the kids with their new Christmas pajamas!

Sisters!

Doesn't this look like a fun team!

Elisabeth's first gift...her pj's!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was great! We had the usual gang over for dinner and it was so fun! The Saturday after, we got our Christmas tree. I still haven't given up getting a real tree - even though I've settled for a Home Depot lot tree instead of going to one of Texas' "Christmas Tree Farms." It was a great way to get ready for the season!

We made Uncle Spencer come along to help us pick out the beauty!

Tough papa!

Ouch!

Andy caught Tal having a rage blackout a couple of days ago. This consists of Tal holding his breath, turning bright red, squeezing his fists and usually growling some inaudible phrases.

Andy: Talmage! Where did you learn that kind of behavior?
Tal: Uh? Mom.
Andy: I've never seen Mom act like that.
Tal: Well, that's because your always at work.

Ouch. Nothing like having your lunch handed to you by a six-year-old.

A few other funny ones:

A few nights ago as Naomi and Tal were both hyperventilating because I-wasn't-putting-them-to-bed-first!!
Mom: (As I was tucking Tal into bed) Tal, do you think I should go tuck Naomi into bed?
Tal: (getting very quiet and thoughtful) Well, maybe if you do Santa will put you on his nice list!

A few nights later as Tal and I were talking about our day.
Mom: I'm shouldn't have gotten so upset when you weren't listening.
Tal: That's okay mom. (and then after a moments pause) But mom, I really want you to get what you want for Christmas even though you were a little naughty.

He's just full of one-liners these days!

Leg Pits

Mom: Tal go finish your thank you notes right now!
Tal: Mom, I don't think I can do it. My stomach hurts, my throat hurts my leg pits hurt...

I'll leave it to you to interpret this one but I think he's referring to the part of the leg behind the knee - makes sense to me :)

Not a good idea

Note to Self.

Not a good idea to try and rescue your daughter's gingerbread house from the hands of a scavenging two-year old by placing it on top of the freezer. You will inevitably remember it just as you're opening said freezer and watching in horror as it falls - spraying your laundry room with a trillion sprinkles and candies of varying sizes while shattering gingerbread all over the floor. Then you will be faced with the task of trying to clean up microscopic sugared treats from all areas of your very-nook-and-crannied laundry room.

Better just to let the two-year old devour the whole thing.

Santa

Tal: Mom, I noticed that there is a big box in the garage with a blanket over it. I think it's for Christmas.
Mom: Oh you do? Did you look under it?
Tal: No Mom it's for Christmas!
Mom: Well don't look under it okay?
Tal: Mom, I think you should move it...I don't know how long I can resist!

A couple of nights ago Tal was being over the top nice. "Mom, can I get you anything?" "Please mom anything? I really would like to get you something?" "Here Naomi use my pillow?" and on and on. Finally, I asked what the deal was? "Well I really want to be on Santa's nice list. I do not want a lump of coal!" It's amazing the difference this discovery has made in Tal's behavior - December may become my favorite month!

Tal: Mom, I think I want a hot tub for Christmas.
Mom: Really? A hot tub? That sounds like something Daddy would like too.
Tal: Yeah, it'd be a gift for me and dad.
Mom: (Trying to come up with a way out of this one) Yeah, I don't think a hot tub will fit on Santa's sleigh.
Tal: Sure it will mom. A trampoline fits on his sleigh and a hot tub is about the same size.
Mom: Well, that's true. (Desperate now) But if you got a hot tub it would be for both you and dad. Do you think Dad has been naughty or nice this year?
Tal: (With a little smile) Well a little naughty.

More adventures with Calvin.

Calvi has never been a great sleeper - the most difficult (by a long shot) of the four- but things have gotten a little interesting over the last few months. Calvin has gotten really creative with his sleeping arrangements...we're never sure what we're going to find when we go up to check on him before we go to bed.


That's his toybox. He keeps his stuffed animals in there so maybe it just looked really comfy...


This is under Talmage's bed. You see his superhero's scattered around - I just can't figure out why he went under there to begin with.


At least he stayed in the bed this time. Poor guy - he was pooped!


I guess he decided that if he couldn't sleep in the toybox with his "pets" then he would bring them all into bed with him.

The beginning of the end.

It's happening. Elisabeth is growing up. It's such a bittersweet time I just want to hang on to every moment. However, there are some definite signs that time is passing whether I want it to or not.

For the past month everytime I go to get her out of her crib she is standing at the side saying some baby version of "momma" - at least I think that's what she's saying :)

Her bottom two teeth have poked through - one more than the other so she looks like she should be nicknamed "one-tooth"

She crawled up the stairs for the first time - not my favorite phase!

Oh, I love this girl!!

Her favorite smile! (Yes, those are apple cores in her hands. Calvin [did you see the scavenger post?] loves to eat two or three apples at a time and leave his cores around...clearly El doesn't mind even if mom does :))

Scavenger...Part Two

Apparently, Calvin is working on perfecting his scavenging skills. It seems like everytime I walk into the kitchen I find evidence of a little two-year old forager everywhere I look. It's kind of like living with a really cute little rat. For example...

One day I got out of the shower to find Calvin in my room with - what else - a bowl of marshmallows!

I open my pantry to find three half-gone juice boxes!

Notice, he took one bite out of all twelve cookies!

Blah, Blah, Blah

A few weeks ago as we were walking Tal to school I was trying to convince Naomi that wearing a helmet was non-negotiable...

Mom: Naomi! If you do not get that helmet on your head right now you will NEVER ride your bike to school again!
Naomi: (Looking at me with absolute lack of concern and putting her hand up) Blah, Blah, Blah.
Mom: What? What! (Thinking: "No you didn't! You did NOT just "blah, blah, blah" me)

A few months ago:
Tal: Mom, did you know the Incredible Hulk has an uncle?
Mom: No, I didn't know that.
Tal: Yep! He's called the Incredible Sulk!

Apparently, I have Uncle Dustin to thank for the Incredible Sulk. One night when he was babysitting he came up with this story to warn against the consequences of whining...ha ha! I love it!

Wish I had a tape recorder

I wish I carried a tape recorder with me all the time. Mornings like this one, when Tal was in rare form, would be classic...

Tal: Where's Calvin?
Dad: Maybe he's still in bed?
Tal: No, I checked his bed.
Mom: Well maybe he's sneaking around. Did you teach him how to be sneaky?
Tal: Remember a year ago when I showed Calvin how to sneak out of his room? I guess I did teach him to be sneaky.
Mom: Well, I guess that's what brothers are for.
Tal: No, brothers are for taking care of you, helping you, being nice and teaching you how to do stuff...
Mom: (Internal Dialogue: Really? Whose kid is this?)

A few minutes later...
Mom: Tal, today we'll go to the book fair together and you can pick out a book.
Tal: Great. I'll use my money...remember my blue piggy bank.
Mom: That's okay Tal. I'll buy the books this time.
Tal: No Mom! I want to help!

And yet a few minutes later...
Tal: Mom, did you know the blue whale is way bigger than the leopluradon (a water dinosaur that Tal is obsessed with).
Mom: Wow.
Tal: Yeah, the blue whale is the biggest thing on earth. If you put a lady bug next to it it would be like 100thousand times bigger than it!

He's funny. You should hear him describe bats and spiders...I could listen for hours :)

Uncle Spencer

Andy's brother, Spencer just moved to Houston! Yay! He is great with the kids - and has quickly become the "fun" adult in the house. Which is really great for our kids - Andy and I have "fun" way down on our list of character traits.

Motherhood is.

Motherhood is.

Taking all 4 of your kids to the doctor's office. Having them throw themselves on the ground (repeatedly) during a tantrum, color on the bed, pull, hit and scream at every adult in sight, and smiling through it all as if you've got everything under control.

Getting your child out of her carseat only to realize she's covered from head to toe in poop.

While at the park trying to figure out the equation that will succesfully predict the exact moment you should leave - taking into account the amount of sleep they got for the last three nights, what and when they've eaten, if they're sick, and how hot/cold it is. Enabling you to maximize the fun while just escaping the inevitable meltdown that will occur if you stay to long.

"Going to the bathroom" on the airplane - just so you can sit and cry in private at how loud and disruptive your kids are being.

Motherhood is also.

Waking up in the night to cries that can only be comforted by you.

"I love you's", two-year old kisses, and sweet little hands that fit perfectly into yours.

Crying over every milestone and setback. Just because you feel so much of your childs triumphs and losses.

Saying I'm sorry (for the many mistakes I make) and realizing how completely my kids are willing to forgive me and love me still.

Halloween

Another Halloween has come and gone! We had a great time and the kids got enough candy to ensure a permanent sugar rush for the next three months. Luckily I have no problem helping them out in that department - maybe at the rate I'm going it'll be gone by week's end! I love Halloween!

It was all I could do to get them to sit still long enough for a picture!

Captain Hook

Wendy

Peter Pan...notice the candy already on it's way to his mouth?

Tinker Bell

On the way to the Ward Trunk or Treat!

The whole crew. Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Mr. Darling, Tiger Lilly, Tinker Bell and Wendy.

Wow! These two are having a good time!

The morning after...

Look what I did!

I convinced the kids to dress-up together for Halloween. This is probably going to be the last year I can manage it - I had to promise Tal a really cool sword for his Captain Hook costume...but I am so excited (I know, I know - super-dork) They agreed to be Peter Pan characters. Tal is going to be Captain Hook (thank you ebay), Naomi is going to be Wendy, Calvin is going to be Peter Pan (won't he look cute in green tights) and Elisabeth is going to be Tinkerbell. I figured out all the costumes but Naomi's. They really don't sell a Wendy costume. So look what I did this weekend!!

It looks better on - but you get the idea...


I know it's nothing fancy (and trust me there are plenty of mistakes) - but I couldn't find a blue nightgown so I made one. In the interest in full disclosure - my mom was here to tutor me...but I did it. I think I'm going to try a regular dress next!

Big Bend

We decided that if we were going to be serious about visiting our National Parks we better start in Texas! Luckily we have some good friends who like National Parks as much as we do and they let us tag along with them to Big Bend over Columbus Day.

I had my reservations. 10 hours in a car with 4 kids can be a VERY scary prospect. But thanks to the modern day convenience of in-car DVD players and a very good idea from my sister (cookie sheets for each kid - allowing them to play with legos or color for hours) it turned out to be really fun! The kids love camping and we spent most of the weekend driving around the park and taking small hikes. The kids had a great time and even though it was hot they didn't complain.

Big Bend is a beatiful place. It's very different from the National Parks we have visited before - very isolated...but it has a desolate beauty. Looking at the pictures you can see what I mean.

On our way home we stopped at Balmorheal State Park - a natural spring feeds this quasi-swimming pool/water hole. It was great and the kids loved cooling off after the heat of Big Bend.

One of our hikes. This was supposed to be a short hike that led to a waterfall that we could swim in. Well, it was short - about 3 miles round trip - BUT it was also hot and led to a little waterfall that we could not swim in...not only because the signs told us we couldn't but also because it was full of leeches :)

Tal and Calvin exploring the beach that runs alongside the Rio Grande. At one point we were walking along the Rio and across the river there were two Mexicans fishing. It was so funny - only 50 feet seperating our two countries!

Santa Elena Canyon - the Rio Grande runs through this canyon.

A picture from The Window - this is in the Chisos Mountains.

At Balmorheal State Park - Tal had to really work up the courage to jump of the diving board - it was great! They also had a high dive that Andy had a blast with - showing us all his mad diving skills!

The kids had so much fun together - it's always better to have friends!

Tal turned 6!

Wow! I can't believe my baby turned 6! Tal is changing so much these days - he still says the funniest stuff and he has become so engaged in his world. We have begun dealing with the challenges and delights that accompany having a child in school - it changes everything! But he's having a great time and I'm trying to enjoy the ride too. Here are a few things I love about Tal:

• I love that Tal can get completely lost in playing. He has discovered legos this year and can sit and play with them - creating awesome little things for hours.
• I love that Tal is one of the happiest people I know. When he was little he was always smiling and laughing. He still laughs all the time...and I mean deep belly laughs - having him around is good for the soul :)
• I love that Tal loves people. He thinks everyone is his friend and is a true champion for his siblings! He loves to talk and if you get him started he can talk for hours!
• I love that Tal has an amazing memory! I cannot believe the things this kid remembers. His memory is so good that if Andy or I remember something different then what Tal remembers we will usually defer to him...he's almost always right!
• I love that underneath all of Tal's zany-ness I can always count on his good little heart!
• I love that he has the energy of 5 adults stuffed into that little body...sometimes I expect him to burst he is so full of it!

I feel so lucky to have Tal. It has been such a blessing to discover motherhood with him.

Tal had a party at a local gymnastics gym. It was great! Apparently, 5 and 6 year-olds love to run and jump...go figure! And he got a ninja cake - pretty much the best day ever for Tal!


So lucky! Grandma and Grandpa were in town for his birthday!

Naomi's new game.

Naomi has discovered that being good tends to maximize goodwill with her parents and wanting to take full advantage of that she has created a new game. It goes something like this...

Mom: Naomi, can you get me a diaper for Elisabeth
Naomi: Mom! Pretend you didn't ask me that.

Mom: Okay? Oh...Hi, Naomi. How are you? (Trying to act nonchalant as Naomi "spontaneously" runs to get me a diaper)

Naomi: (With a flourish hands me a diaper)

Mom: Wow! Oh thank you for noticing I needed a diaper!

It goes like this a few times a day. If I forget to act surprised by her "spontaneous" goodness then we have to start all over.

I love this game!

Galveston

Sunscreen...check

Towels...check

Swimsuits...check

Enough food to feed a small army...check

Weather Report.........hmmm.

One of my favorite things...

Occasionally, I give in and lay down with my kids to help them fall asleep. There is a moment, right after they have drifted away that is so perfectly still that it never ceases to fill me with peace. I love that moment.

It was bound to happen...

I knew that it was inevitable that I would have to deal with a gum-in-the-hair fiasco before I could truly be called a mother. Well, my day arrived last week with a bang.

This is the "I just got a lecture about falling asleep with gum in my mouth" expression.

She has no idea what's coming...

For all of you who will have to deal with this at some point...Peanut Butter really does work.

Yeah! Just relieved we didn't have to cut it off!

Cut my hair...

Yep, I did it. It was only a matter of time...

I tried to get Tal to take a picture and this is what I ended up with so I had to do it myself...

Not the best pic - but you get the idea :)