Correction

Last year I set up aliases for my gmail account. I let my boys use them. My friend has twin boys that were going to be Jacob's pen pals. They wrote back and forth a few times. But the email accounts get used the most with messages going back and forth between my sons. Sometimes they will write to me. I try to send them little love notes now and again.

I pasted a copy of THIS letter to Jacob in his e-mail so he could read it. I just got a message back from him that said, "my name is not Jake."

I thought I had special parental permission to call him that nickname that I've used since he was born. Apparently not.

10 on Wednesday

1- I'll have you know that I WAS in bed by 11 p.m. Sunday evening. There was no sleeping for at least an hour, but I kept the lamp off so there was no reading either. As I lied there I noticed the cramps in my calves and thighs. I wondered about the blogs that I hadn't read yet. I thought about doing more stretches for my tight body. But my stroke of genius was this:

2- I decided to HEART ATTACK Jessica's door. She's always competing with Jayson for Dad's attention. She isn't going to quit the role of Daddy's Little Girl especially since Jayson is starting to favor Dad too. She often feels left out with the older brothers and says, "they don't like me." Apparently she saw me corner Jacob to give him a hug (because you have to steal them from him, he doesn't usually offer hand outs). She went and pouted on the stairs. I dare say there were misty eyes. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "You don't love me." Point is, Jessica needs a boost in her self esteem and reassurance that we adore her. I also put a little heart with a love note in he lunch box. When she got home from school, she immediately saw this and grinned from ear to ear.

3- I confess I did NOT make it in bed by 11 p.m. on Monday. I blame the washing machine, it's not pulling it's weight around here. It is only 9 years old and it's paired with an ancient dryer that keeps on working perfectly. The washing machine had a faulty switch - the one that tells the machine that the lid is shut and it's okay to spin. When the switch doesn't work, the washing machine just stays full of water and stops halfway through the cycle. It's been replaced once. It's broken again and I've been managing the problem with duct tape for several months now. I currently have the button taped down so the machine ALWAYS thinks the lid is closed. So far so good with not having my loads splash and spin all over the room. BUT, every 6-7 loads I have to re-tape it. When I went to switch loads, I had to re-tape and then wait for the spin cycle before I could switch them to the dryer. Laundry delay.

4- I DID get to bed on Tuesday before 11 p.m. which is why this is a 10 on Wednesday list.

5- I've been doing my exercises which have made me all tired and achy. Being tired and achy make me want comfort foods, which has been making the exercise null and void.

6- I DO like showering at the gym. They are pretty clean. Good water pressure. Lots of warm water. No toddler outside the door putting handsoap in his hair - PRICELESS.

7- Anna is home from college. I didn't get 5 minutes into our conversation before I re-hired her to come back and help me with house keeping. It's heavenly!!!!

8- I forgot that we brought Jacob's camera to Wild Rivers Water Park, so you get to see these fabulous images of me with my kids - too bad I'm in a swim suit. Make a Wish has an annual summer event where they invite all the wish families of that year. They provided tickets and a BBQ lunch. Very Cool!

9- A couple of the salsa jars did not seal, so we got to sample some early. Pretty tasty. Jon read that salsa is best after it sits on the shelf for several weeks. All the flavors with mesh together. Guess we'll have to find out.

10- Betcha you've been missing this little guy in action. So here are some snaps of the cutest little red at our house. Here's just snackin' on a pear and sippin' his milk (which he will ONLY drink in a bottle).

I'm Going to Turn into a Pumpkin

This is me. Getting off the computer RIGHT NOW. I made a promise that I'd be IN bed every night by 11 p.m. I may not sleep right away, but I'm going. Right Now. I promised.

Oh My GOOSE!!!!

My nineteen month old can single-handedly put the CRAZY in my days!!! We are running full steam ahead. I'm completely missing the lounge-in-my-pajamas days of summer. I didn't like the kids playing video games and watching TV all day, but there weren't a million little deadlines throughout the day.

Jayson CAN get into the fridge AND freezer. He will move the kitchen chairs constantly to gain access to any enticing area of the countertops. He recently framed his brother James. It was actually Jayson who dumped all the dirty clothes out of the laundry basket and left them strewn across the tile. I caught him squirting Shout this morning (thankfully not directly into his eyes) and wondered how he got it. Easy-peasy for this little guy. Dump laundry, flip basket, access top of washer, get stuff.

When he was loaded in the car to drive brothers to school, he kept yelling "dee dee" followed by a high pitch scream. Still haven't figured out what he is saying - unless he was asking for my keys before we drive away. He usually wants them when we get OUT of the car. He sticks them in the screws on the door handle. He likes to stick things into our A/C fan - pencils, forks, crayons. He has tried to stick scissors in outlets.

He did cry again today when I dropped him off at child care so I could exercise. But he was cranky for me all morning too, so hopefully not tomorrow.

He loves to eat blueberries and strawberries. They have been a huge treat at our house since they were both on sale. He refuses to sit while eating and prefers to leave his tracks on carpet or furniture that stains. He has climbed out of his high chair.

Even with all the cupboard locks in the kitchen, it still is a favorite place for Jayson. He figured out that we don't have a lock on the silverware drawer. He moves a chair over and then starts his own rock band with the utensils. I guess he moved over to the sink this morning to play with the cups, spatulas, and breakfast bowls. I heard shattering glass and realized that he bumped my ice water all over the floor. ARGh!!!! Don't step in it.

I was twisting Jessica's hair out of her eyes and caught a whiff of shaving gel. He had squirted lines that stretched a couple feet covering the cabinet, tile, and rug in a matter of seconds. It's so fun to watch it foam out and then when you squeeze it practically disappears - kind of like cotton candy only not edible. Again pressed for time (so missing summer today) I knew that if I cleaned him up Jessica would be late for the third day of school. So I stripped Jayson down and put him in his crib for a nap - no teeth brushing or rocking lullaby. I left the screaming baby (he's havin' a rough day) and working husband and shuttled my daughter to school.

The other frustration for me was that I still hadn't showered. I had a pony tail styled by dried sweat with my not-cute exercise clothes (I only have one cute-ish outfit for working out and it required laundering. I do laundry Mon & Thurs, so I'll be looking frumpy for one more day). I decided to put breakfast at the TOP of the priority list and shower didn't get checked off until

AFTER kindergarten drop off. My muscles are all so sore. I'm increasingly fatigued by my efforts, not eating is not part of the program. I'm considering trying out the showers in the locker room while the kids are in child care. Maybe.

Jayson was restless during naptime. I was cleaning out cupboards and making the family room a place where we weren't hanging out in the midst of clutter. It was a continuation of the clean-out-the kids craft drawer project from late last night. Nobody can explain how we get Gogurt tubes BEHIND our tv and sofa.

Post-nap Jayson was sad and cranky. Makes me sad and cranky. He would probably cheer up if I gave him free reign to a faucet and cups, but I didn't. I had dinner to make and kids to motivate to do their kitchen chores.

I did need a getaway, so Jon cleaned up dinner while I went to market to get produce and other pantry items. I was also getting canning lids for Jon's salsa project tonight. I decided to join the messy kitchen with a project of my own: Raspberry Freezer Jam. I made two different varieties because I had two different kinds of pectin. I did help Jon by getting the kids to bed on my own while he started dicing. I also got to skin the tomatoes.

I'm really tired. What a long full day! I don't see the crazy letting up tomorrow. I've just gotta love the crazy.

Ten on Tuesday

If I hurry, I can get this done before the clock strikes midnight and Tuesday takes off.

1- Monday morning 7 a.m. First day of school. I awaken to Jessica giving me the stare that wakes mothers up. First words out of her mouth, "I'm so excited to go to Kindergarten today."

2- Other recent phrase out of her mouth, "I've gotta get me a boyfriend." WHAT?!!!

3- Our home was bustling with energy as the 2009/2010 school year began. We packed lunches. I shared a scripture thought. I challenged the kids to make a friend. The kids were so over the first day of school snap in front of the house.

We walked to school. I explained over and over that Jessica is in AFTERNOON Kindergarten and we'd come back with her backpack & snack. Boys were off to their new classrooms. I walked for fitness. I visited with friends. Got Jessica lunch. Packed snack. Changed baby. Sang lullaby. Put Jayson down for nap. Drove to school again for kindergarten. Ran to Sam's Club. Unloaded groceries all over kitchen and asked Jon to put them away on his lunch break so I could go back to school to pick up boys. Shopped at OfficeMax for the remaining binders/pens/highlighters that they needed. Returned home and did who knows what. Returned to school to pick up Jessica. Came home and realized I hadn't eaten lunch and we were all coming undone at 3:14 p.m. The evening proceeded with the sequel: First Day of School, The Meltdown. I filled out 3 entire information packets. Why can't we just fill out one per family???

4- When I need a good laugh, I watch The Big Bang Theory.

5- Jayson went into the child care at the gym on his own without crying today :)

6- Jayson got a HUGE goose-egg today. I was in tears.

7- Today I learned that Goose (Jayson) can tell you the sounds of animals. The cat was the cutest.

8- We have tomatoes the size of softballs coming out of our garden. Jon is going to try out some salsa recipes. He's the only one who eats salsa, so I better get him a lot of chips.

9- I tried sneaking some fresh tomatoes and spices into my store-bought Prego. Kids totally called me on it and refused to eat their pasta.

10- We went to a water park on Saturday as our last summer fling. No pictures because I didn't want to worry about a camera. My boys won't go on tube slides - only open ones. Jayson went on the kiddie slide about 18 times per hour.

Anticipating

Let me just clarify - my kids are anticipating the return to the classroom.  We've had so much energy in our home today.  They are so excited.  We played store in our front room today and they each "shopped" for their needed supplies.  They handled all the items and lined them up and packed them into all the special backpack pockets.

This is the first year that I'm not ready to kick my kids out the door to school.  I don't love all the TV and video games, but I have loved our adventures.  I could still use a couple more beach days, maybe another day by the pool, and possibly an adventure to a museum.  Now it's back to the grind.

All three kids will be in the same school which is nice.  I can't believe that Jessica is in Kindergarten.  She is SOOOOOOOOO excited.  I'm excited for her.  She loves being with other kids and having activities to do.

Ready or Not - School, Here We Come!!!!

Prankster in Da House

We were all getting ready for church - where's my bag? do we have the baby's shoes? etc.  I grabbed a peach for a quick bite before take off.  I went to the sink to give it a quick rinse.  I totally got blasted by the sink sprayer.  I'm sure Jacob was so glad that he was in the room to his clever plans play out.  Yes, he had taped the sink sprayer down.  Something he had recently learned from a television episode.  I laughed and he laughed.  I went to church wet too. 

Workout Momma - The Sabotage

I think I mentioned that I recently joined a gym. Jayson is not so thrilled with being dropped off at child care. The first visit he didn't realize that he was going to get stuck there. Round two he was prepared and clingy when it was time to drop him off. Jessica wasn't with him either. He gets big tears in his red eyes and grabs on the swinging door and cries as I walk out. I know I'll be a better mom if I can move and have more energy. I also know that he will only be sad a few minutes before he makes the best of his situation. So I go - heartstrings tugging and all.

Before I was a mom, I did various types of exercise whenever I felt like it. Now it's always a logistics issue - unless of course it is a pregnant/sleep deprived/motivation issue. My boys would NOT go to a child care at the gym and we didn't have money for the membership anyway. I would walk with friends - eventually moving to the double stroller. I've done exercise videos/DVDs (step, pilates, yoga, kick boxing, latin rhythm dance something) in my house and half of the workout is rearranging the toys so I have room to kick, step, or throw a punch. Stretching has been less effective. I am often tackled, pounced on, or called to do other tasks. I know I like how I feel after the exercise is over, but getting there is the trouble. For a while I went to the church building for aerobics and the kids would run around the gym. That worked when the boys were at school and Jessica enjoyed the other kids, but Jayson is off taking car keys out of purses and drinking every other kids sip cup.

A few years ago (when I just had my two little boys) I was talking with my nurse practitioner. I had mild depression and she suggested I try an anti-depressant. I was hesitant because I thought I should be able to will myself to be okay. I'm optimistic by nature, but I couldn't kick the discouragement. Anyway, she suggested that I walk for 30 minutes each day. Often getting out and moving could get the serotonin going and simulate a mild anti-depressant and this could help me out of my funk. I'm certain she was picturing me out listening to birds and observing lovely flowers along the walking trail - my mind being cleared and open. How I would have enjoyed such peaceful walks!!!

The reality was that I had to hurry around make sure both diapers were clear, pack drinks and snacks, gather a handful of toys, and depending on the season grab cozy blankets. After a dozen minutes one of the passengers always wanted to disembark or there was hitting. I was watching the trail for tossed sip cups or flung toys. I was serving up crackers or fixing the straw in the juice box. There was whining and crying. The harder I tried to induce natural serotonin with my children, the more depressed and discouraged I became. And for those of you who are curious, I did go back to my nurse practitioner a few months later (after a noble effort I might add) and requested the help of the mild anti-depressants that she had suggested. Point is - exercising with children has always posed a problem for me.

I do still plan on going for some walks because I really enjoy being outside. Jayson and Jessica are a new set of personalities, so it may not be such a problem. But I have to be willing to push 28+45 pounds.

One thing I like about the gym is being able to have the machines figure out how many calories I'm burning (never enough fast enough). I like seeing that I'm in my target heart rate range. I like that the air conditioning is blowing and I'm not sweating it outside in this heat. I get to wear a cool bracelet during my workout - it basically says you may all have way bigger muscles and way tighter abs, but I've got kids in the Kids Club. I'm not as cool as most gym-goers. Even IF I had an iPod, I don't think I could be chillin' to some tunes while on the treadmill. I have to be listening to the club speakers so I can hear all the announcements. Sure enough, last time I was riding my exercise bike, "Jennifer, please go to Kids Club." That's it - game over. Jayson was playing happily. The care giver said, "he poop."

Surely there is some exercise rule that says, "thou shalt not raise your heart rate and then stop suddenly to drive your smelly kid home." No cool down. No stretching. Only 150 calories burned. Better luck next time.

Cool Cuts

On Tuesday we went here:

The boys were getting a trim (minus Jake who won't let a pair of scissors near his curly locks).  Jessica was getting a chop.  She has lots of breakage and needed a fresh start.  It's really cute when she says, "do you like my trim?" because it was like 6 inches of hair.

Jayson was willing to sit in the cut car chair only until a hair stylist came near him.  We ended up parking in the red chair in the background.  Jayson ON my lap, both of us draped.  I don't think he minded the scissors as much as the STRANGER (possible babysitter) that kept coming close to him.

On Wednesday Jon helped me haul the crew down to the beach for photos.  This one shows off JessiLu's new do:

Getting Ahead

I can't seem to keep up with my life right now, so I'm going to do Ten on Monday.

1- I can't believe that my kids go back to school in one week.  Usually I'm counting down the days to send them back, but I'm dragging my feet a little.  There are still some adventures I want us to have together before we are in the school routine.

2- I've been completely disqualified as a contestant for the mother-of-the-year-award.  Just ask my kids.  I do need a few do-overs.

3- I need to find some fantastical new wheat bread & pizza crust recipes.  My husband makes FABULOUS whole grain honey wheat bread.  He started making it when I was pregnant with Jayson.  One of our picky eaters has decided that he doesn't like it anymore (nor the homemade pizza) and refuses to eat it.  Even if it isn't a 100% wheat recipe, I think we can make something healthier and tastier than the choices at the store.  We need to start packing school lunches soon.  Any ideas?

4- I don't think I've mentioned that I joined a gym.  I've only used my membership three times, but here's hoping that I use it regularly when the kids go back to school.  I can't wait to see me again at 40 lbs. lighter.

5- We have cantaloupes growing on the side of our house.  Jon's garden is looking so lush.  I really need to photograph it.

6- I have unofficially retired from scrapbooking, but I can't part with most of my supplies.  I don't know why I can't let them go.

7- I remembered that I really like pupusas.  There was a little El Salvadoran restaurant called La Pupusaria where we'd go to lunch in Maryland.  I need to find a place around here to try those again.

8- Wishing I could go meet Kimberly's baby in person.

9- I've gone completely photography crazy.  I've seen this beautiful pregnant woman repeatedly and all I can think about is how beautiful her bump is and how I'd love to practice maternity photography with her.  We don't even know each others' names.

10- I'm going to try to read Jane Eyre AGAIN.  My friend Tara reads it every year - it's one of her favorites.  I bought it after reading her blog about how she loves it.  I've only read a couple chapters.  It's really hard literature for me.  I like the easy, no-brainer reads.  But a group from church is starting a book club and they are reading Jane Eyre.  I want to be smart again.  I'd like to get through it and hear all the wisdom that they gleaned from it.  I think I'll be doing a lot of listening at the book club meeting.