Sunday Funnies: Can't Miss the Movie

Any given weekend or summer night, you might find all three of the older kids camped out on the girls' bedroom floor in their sleeping bags.  It is as if they think it is a sleepover, of sorts.  They never complain that the floor is too hard.  Actually, they don't really even try to stay up late anymore.  

One of the first weekends that we had CM visit, I wanted to do something a little special for the big kids because they had been so patient and helpful.  While we tried to soothe the little girls into their bedtime routine, I set up a movie on the portable DVD player in the girls' room for them to watch.  They have never had a TV in their room so the idea went over well.

After the two little ones settled down, H and I got caught up in cleaning up, setting out clothes, checking email, etc.  Then J came down and whimpered that she was tired now.  I told that since she'd seen the movie before, she could go ahead and go to sleep.  I kissed her and she took off to her room.  

The kids were so quiet and content watching the movie.  It was great.  Then I noticed that it was getting a  little late, so I went up to check on them.  I opened the door to see the DVD player turned off and put away, and everyone sound asleep.  YEAH!!!!  I didn't think twice.  I kissed everyone and got ready for bed, feeling content about how responsible they had been.  A minor parenting victory!

The next day, I thanked them for cleaning up and going straight to sleep when the movie was over.  

L and P gave each other a confused look and said..."What? Wait a minute! J came upstairs and told us that you said that we HAVE TO turn off the movie and go to bed, so we did."

I looked over at J to see how she would defend herself this time...

He words said, "Well...I didn't want to miss the movie."

Her face said, "DUH."

That girl has a tricky little mind.  Watch out for that one. 

Sharing Saturday- Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Our oldest child is in love with horses and was even more excited to know that 

horseback riding is also being used therapeutically for adults and children with disabilities.  We decided to 

research organizations that do this, in our area.  

We came across the Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship.

You can "meet the team" on their website.  L's favorite is "Sky" because 

he "looks really gentle and sweet...and really cute."

P.S. They are also looking for sponsors, donations, and volunteers. 

Kitchen: Finally Finished Friday!

I have a functioning kitchen and half bath now.  I have a kitchen table that will seat my whole family so I am not standing at the counter (unless I want to).  I am happy to announce that the remodel is over (mostly).  Now we do have a few things to do to finish it off, but the contractor part is finished. 
We still need to put everything away, put up the new lights, touch up paint on walls and ceiling, and one more coat of slate sealer is needed on the backsplash before the face plates can be put back on,

but it feels great to see it all come together. 

We love it.

Here's a few BEFORE pictures...

Now the AFTER pictures...

 Our new table from IKEA.  It is big now but has 2 more leaves, so come on by for dinner.

This is the overall look.  We'll add another stool to the island and one to the office area.

Like my little rooster book ends?  I am still undecided but I love the slate backsplash I got on clearance.

These are basic tan curtains from Wal-Mart with a ribbon sewn onto the bottom for a little pizazz.  Thank you Grandma for your help!

The updated half bathroom.  A little boring but I am working on adding color and frames.

Our solid surface countertop and sink, along with a shiny new faucet.  I missed having a kitchen sink the most.  So glad to have it and the dishwasher back!

I guess that I actually have to cook now.  ERR.

Sunday Funnies: My Mama...

We had been playing at the park for a while, JJ was getting restless, and I gave the kids a 5 minute warning. 

PT had been playing with a friend from school that happened to be there at the same time so I can only imagine that he wasn't thrilled about leaving.  When I told them it was time to go, PT suddenly morphed into a singer-songwriter...or rapper...or something.   I overheard him "sing" this rhythmless lyric...

"My mama's butt is soooo big she's making me gooooo."

I pulled him aside and spoke to him about it.  I swear that kid had NO idea why I was irritated.  He didn't seem to want to hurt my feelings and wasn't looking to get in trouble.  I just never know what is going on inside that head of his.  It was as if his first "Yo mama" joke turned it into a "My mama" joke.

Oh well, I hope he doesn't try to make a career of it.  I don't think my ego will survive.

Sharing Saturday: March of Dimes

This past two weeks, we have been very concerned for friends that H has known since college.  Their triplets came early and unexpectedly at 25 weeks.  I can only imagine what their first few days of parenthood has been like with just dramatic ups and downs.  They have been writing updates that fill us in on the details of their struggle as well as paint a beautiful picture of what each of their little ones is like. 

We can tell that they are such wonderful parents already. 

Sadly, their son "J " passed away a few days ago and they greatly need prayers for their daughters "A" and "E."   Please pray for the little girls, their parents and family, and for their medical team. 

In honor of these children and their VERY brave parents,

we are making a donation to the March of Dimes.

Their mission statement is "working together for stronger, healthier babies."  

You can learn more about their "Prematurity Campaign" here.

"Simply" Perfect

This birthday has been great!
It has been filled with simple and thoughtful gifts and birthday wishes.

I woke up this morning to...

Freshly baked cinnamon rolls, 2 dozen roses, and Lime tortilla chips (my fav) from my hubby.

Notice that they are on our new kitchen table that he put together last night.  Love that guy!

Then, as all confident 35 year old women who have turned 29 seven times, do on the morn of their birthday, I dyed my hair.

Bye bye gray hairs...for 4-6 weeks at least.

With my hair all-a-goo, all of my dreams came true.  Starbucks delivered to my house!!

Not really, but my dear friend Tricia did.  Yeah!!

Then my sweet L presented me with my gift.

How clever is she? This is a card that is also a frame on the back.

Notice her wording: "Jokes so bad it's funny"

Then J gave me her gift.  Man, was she excited!

There is a picture of she and I, an orange silly band, and a piece of cardboard with eye stickers on it.

She said that the eyes will make me happy when I am sad.  It has made me very happy already.

PT suddenly remembered that he never finished the project he was making for me.  Instead, I
received a private reading of a comic he wrote.  He said he wrote it when he "was like 5."
The best plot ever: super hero fights off toilet-themed super villains. 
I am not sure if he meant to, but he has hugged me freely at least 3 times today!!!

I spent lunch time at a friend's house. 
We got to chat while our many kids played and put on a show for us.
Thank goodness for the little ones' naptime that followed.

H came home from work and surprised me with a frame that I have wanted from Pier 1 Imports.
It has room for 5 pictures and says, "May all of your dreams come true."
I am hoping to fill it with little faces.

H grilled out burgers and we had a simple and yummy dinner at home.
We had chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream for dessert and I was serenaded by a
choir of children as they sang, "Happy Birthday."

I have had a few minutes to read messages on Facebook and listen to phone messages.  I am
thankful for the birthday wishes.

Tomorrow, I get to go out to breakfast.  Just me and my dad.  It's a date!
We'll have dinner with H's family on Sunday.  Carrot cake, yum!

As I blog and watch Pay It Forward, H is cleaning up the dishes so that we can have some time together and possibly
get a whole night's sleep. What more could a girl ask for, seriously?

I am happy today.  I am blessed to have family and friends whom I love so much.  I am so thankful to each of them.  Life is good and today was crazy at times simply perfect.

Even if I am 35 already!

We're Recruiting!!

NEEDED: (2-3) Adults without small children willing to join us at all "Kids Eat Free" events. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: The qualified individual(s) will be required to pose as the "parent" to one of our children throughout the duration of a meal and during checkout.

QUALIFICATIONS:  A good sense of humor and table manners desired.  A clear understanding of the terrible injustice being placed on large families participating in "Kids Eat Free" nights when "only one child per paying adult" restrictions are being unfairly instituted, is required.  A flexible value system may be beneficial.

BENEFITS:  You will be allowed to choose which of our very cute children will be "your child" for the evening.  Reimbursement may include messes, jokes, laughter, bathroom trips, dessert requests, sibling squabbles, and moderately tasty food.  Payment in full at time of service.

HAZARDS:  Children can be unpredictable, have a tendency to whine at times, and may get you dirty.

BONUS:  You get to go home alone :)

 FINAL REQUIREMENT: Don't forget. Must also be willing to pay for your own meal.

INQUIRE: Via blog comment.