Cjr - so cute to watch you sit in dads lap and watch sports.  I wouldn't be surprised to see you on the screen someday my little showman.

K - you are such a fishy.  Even at 2 you are more at home in the water than anywhere else. 

This weekend was a little rough.  Just when you think you can manage it all you get a reality check and the world reminds you that you don't have super powers.  I work full-time marketing web-based software.  Whenever I tell people in my work world I have 5 kids they say "how do you do it?"  My answer should be - "I don't.  Not anywhere close to perfect anyway" but instead I always just smile and reply "with very little sleep," of course that is the truth too.  As moms we never feel we are good enough.  Trust me teenage girls when I say - we carry our own guilt, you don't have to guilt us into anything.  The truth is we wish we could give you everything you want and make your world perfect but reality is, often times we are barely holding it together ourselves. 

T - Almost 16 wants her dream car.  She found a convertible this weekend.  The practical mom in me says that's crazy.  She would be toast if she got in an accident.  The, still wishes I was a teenage girl sometimes, mom says how fun would it be to give her that.  Of course, just getting a car alone is a big privilege and one she should be grateful for, especially since there are million other ways I should be spending my money these days.  When our babies are born we say as long as they are happy and healthy but when we strive to keep them this way every day of our lives it can sometimes take super powers.

L - Can we just say I would do anything for a contentment super power that worked magic on teenage girls.  I love her but the roller coaster ride we ride has my head spinning.

Cornball - thanks for reminding me that life has joy, even in little things.  You have been such a big help to me lately.  I can't thank you enough. Ok, minus the soda in your sisters hair and the constant need to have a friend over to play. 

K - a girl after my own heart (and stomach).  Making cookies with the sitter.  "I need chocolate."  What girl doesn't!

K and Cjr went to the baseball game with Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa last night.  Mom and Cornball were sick.  I am sure a baseball game with a 1 and 2 year old was a challenge but sounds like they had a good time.  Cjr liked his first taste of Cotton Candy and K can't stop talking about going to the baseball game. 

Cornball (8) - is obsessed (yes, obsessed) with her roller skates.  First thing she does when she comes home is puts them on and doesn't take them off until she gets in the shower.  Watch out toes!

Update:  OH NO - she lost her skates.   She left them at the softball park. Well at least our toes are resting easy.

K - we just love how she says "I got buggers - beegers"  So cute we don't even correct her.  Are we awful?

K -
Dad "why is it dark"
K " the sun went down"
Mom - "which side did it go down on"
K "outside"

Cjr - age 14 months.  his list of words so far:

• Bus
• Ball
• Hot (means food)
• Hat
• Mamm
• Da, Da, Da
• Up
• Juice
• Hi (holding the phone to his ear)
• Bye
• Truck
• Duck
• Quack
• Unuh (shaking his head no)
• Elina (the babysitter's daughter - his first name)
• Banana (or nana)
• Cheese (because we always take pictures of him)

K - this morning "daddy said he would sleep with me all morning."  "daddy loves me" - - age two is so cute!

T is almost 16 which means we are looking for a car.  Oh goodness, if I make it through this I am Super Mom.  She is in love with the Honda CR-V but it is way over my budget.  Of course, L has to like it to as they will have to share.  Fun pleasing 2 teenage girls.

What an action packed weekend we had.  Daddy was out of town so I took all 5 kids to the zoo.
Cjr - loved the white alligator and the sharks.  All boy that one. 
K - loved roaring at the lions
Cornball - fed the giraffes
L - actually had a good time hanging out with the family (I think)
T - oh T, 15 and has no idea when a boy is flirting with her.  Gave L and I a good laugh. Oh, yeah and watch out for that bird poop.

Thanks kids for sharing an awesome day with me. I love it when we can be together just enjoying each other's company and nice weather.  

PS - - see hanging out with mom ain't so bad!

For T - Wish for you to let yourself go a bit. Let yourself have fun.  Don't worry what others think so much.  You are truly beautiful. 

For L - Be true to yourself.  Know who you are and stand by it. Find a lasing friendship and hold on tight.  Life is a long ride if you don't have a strong relationship to lean on.  You can do anything if you just commit yourself.

For C - Oh cornball - - Your sparkle is contagious.  You beat to your own drum and I wouldn't have it any other way.  No one will be able to stop you from dreaming big and going for it.

For K - watch out world here she comes. She runs and jumps before she looks but she comes out smiling. She takes the world by storm and she is going to demand control.  If she isn't the boss I feel sorry for someone trying to manage her but wow - what a free spirit.

For Cjr - Mr. Smiley - dad called you soft serve when you were first born because you would sit back and watch the world go by but not now.  You explore everything and want to meet everyone.  You are a social butterfly that can't get enough attention and if you don't know how something works you are going to figure it out.

Funny how you are so special and so unique at the same time!

The first post...

This is my first post on my new family blog. I feel like I need to say something profound but all I really want to say is I love my kids more than anything.  I want a way to document my love for them and the things that make each day with them special.  My goal is to post a little something they did to make me smile, each day.