ANOTHER child?? Really??

Today was one of those days.

It started when my babysitter fell through 10 minutes before I had to leave for a midwife's appointment . . . that was an hour away. Wrestling 3 kids to get dressed and somewhat presentable out the door in 10 minutes is really not a great start to a morning.

Four times I asked, ordered, begged Jackson to go potty. Four times he said, "I don't have to go."

My watch showed that we were already 10 minutes late and I figured that maybe he really just didn't have to go.

Out the door we went. About 20 minutes into our drive ON A HIGHWAY . . . WITHOUT rest stops . . . an urgent scream came from the back seat.

"Mo-om! I have to go pee REALLY badly!"

I desperately looked for a brick wall to slam my head on before answering,

"I told you to go before we left. There is no where to stop so you will have to hold it or pee into a diaper. I do not want pee on my car seat."

20 minutes went by, with intermitent cries for relief . . . mostly from Jackson, but there were plenty of silent ones from me. ;)

Finally we got to our exit, and since Jayden hadn't been able to find a diaper for Jackson or an extra towel, I thought it best to stop at the side of the exit ramp.

A three minute pee went on and then some gazing at the scenery before I got Jackson back into the van.

As we got out of the van, I couldn't help but notice the intense smell of urine radiating from Jackson's still sopping pants. Fortunately, we still had some swimsuits in the van and were able to get him to change into a pair to help mask the smell, and hopefully avoid the complete appearance of "white trash" that we undoubtedly exuded. (Especially since in the morning haste out the door Jayden found the only socks available: barn red that didn't match a single article of anything else he had on. And Avery--in spite of my best combing--stick had maple syrup molding her hair down in various places. Then there was Jackson, in a long sleeved yellow shirt with paisley swim bottoms and shoes on the wrong feet.)

30 minutes later we arrived at the office where Jackson was jumping around, holding himself once again.

"Jackson, go pee."

"I don't need to go."

"Jackson, go pee right now. Wipe, flush and wash your hands."

We went in for the appointment and spent 20 minutes being interrupted by children who couldn't figure out how to play side by side with a doll house, Jackson began jumping around again, holding himself.

I sent Jayden out to help Jackson battle the potty, once again.

Finally, it was time to leave. We stopped at Micky D's for a break . . . and hoping that the toy in the happy meal would provide enough happiness to allow a quick stop at an appliance warehouse on the way home.

No such luck. The kids were wild, running all over the showroom, throwing their toys all around. Hiding in empty dishwasher and range spots.

I got as much information as I could, as quickly as I could, and then promptly left. On to the next stop . . . the mall to look at some mirrors that were on sale.

Besides the stress of being in a store with lots of breakables with three now very restless children, I had to deal with Avery cutting loose out of the door and down the mall hall at least five times while trying to pay for a single purchase.

At last we were on our way home for a much needed nap, when Avery (whose diaper was now soiled) decided to "body paint" herself. And her car seat.

Again, I wrestled the kids into their rooms for some "down time" (and of course after giving Avery a much needed bath), I sat down to work out upgrades and price out plumbers to decide what we want to do with the builder and what we'd rather do on our own.

As I was on the phone, I heard jumping and crashing upstairs. I went up to investigate and found that the boys were in my room, jumping from my bed and swinging off the curtains. Only to have pulled down the curtains, the rod, and the bracket holding them. (As furious as I was, I had to be grateful that at least this time the casement on the window was still in tact.)

So now I have them upstairs, crying, because I have threatened to throw out all of their toys and belongings if they cannot clean their rooms spotless tonight.

I think bedtime (for all of us) will come very early tonight.

Very early, indeed.

Before I publish this post to my business blog . . . again.

Someone's Been Baking . . . Again!

Baking With Avery

Some pics of our baking experience.

Avery thoroughly enjoyed baking banana bread. Actually, I think she really just liked pouring ingredients in and taste-testing them. (Particularly the chocolate chips . . . and sprinkles. Sprinkles? In banana bread?? Yes, when I turned my back she had found the sprinkles and dumped them into her "mini bread" mold . . . then ate them all.)

Avery's concoction.

"Don't touch! That's MINE!"

Our happy little baker.

Ambition

I have lots.

I have lists and lists of things that need to get done, that I want to get done, and that should be done.

I have high hopes of being great. Of being superb. SuperMom even. Home baked goodies everyday, a sparkling clean house, finely tuned and organized boxes in the basement--ready for an impending move. Potty training and completion for both Avery and Guillermo. (The thought that we will not have a YARD, let alone fenced yard, for Guillermo has lead me to look into retraining him to be litter trained--indoors.) Oh, and letter, number, science, music, and cooking days with the kids, you know, to keep them sharp and ready for school.

These are some of the many goals I had for this summer. And certainly especially the two weeks the boys were in camps.

Unfortunately, I either lack initiative or life just consumed me in different ways.

Guillermo was surprisingly untrainable. It really shocked me since he was so easy to train in the beginning . . . and since he started on training pads, I didn't think it would be so hard to get him back to using him. However, the lure of grass was too much for him, even with my super tasty doggie treats.

Avery was doing fantastic potty training. She was almost done at the beginning of the summer. Then we went to Cottage Week, part 1 and it all went out the window. There was a lot going on at the cottage, so we took a break, but upon returning home she had a case of the runs . . . that lasted about three weeks. After throwing out 3 pairs of underwear and badly staining our carpets in several places, I decided it best to put things on hold for a while.

Now that Cottage Week, part 2 has passed, I was hoping to get onto the potty train again, but we've come down with some nasty colds. Of course!

Somehow all the fantastic organization and pitching of junk that lurked in closets, basement boxes, and under countertops that I had planned just didn't materialize. (I blame it on laundry and the excitement of watching Lance in the Tour de France.) I did manage to get Brad's closet done, and Jackson's, but their toys lay in heaps in the basement. I suppose I still have many days in the fall to get around to it all, especially now that Jackson will be at school every morning.

And as for enriching the kids' lives, well, I've managed to have Jayden practice reading a couple of times each week, Jackson is sitting with blank paper and markers--being "creative", and I actually baked banana bread once with Avery.

Thank goodness for their great day camps and for the fun they were able to have at the cottage. We've also set up a kiddie pool, slip'n'slide, and sprinklers in the backyard and been to visit friends with pools. Oh, and swimming lessons. I guess the summer isn't a total bust.

Some big photography work came my way as well and that has kept me busy. But it reminds me of the photoless baby book of Avery's that was on my list, and the lack of photos I have of my own kids for this summer.

Fortunately we still have three weeks left of summer so I can try to redeem myself. As soon as these illnesses go away, potty training will resume, and I have at least looked up "how to organize a stress-free move" online. ;)

I think that Guillermo might be a lost cause though. Too bad. It would have been GREAT to have a house-litter trained dog.

Things I Can Look Forward To . . .

(because the foundation is already done!)

1. Having a side door on my house so the kids don't have to cut through the kitchen and drag dirt in every time they play outside.

2. Having a full pantry to hold all my food supplies.

3. Space in my kitchen: both on the countertops and in the drawers!!

4. Living closer to Brad's work.

5. Living in the country.

6. More interior space for living . . . and storing our large furnishings.

7. A walk in closet for Brad . . . and one for me!

All these things are coming closer to our reach now that they have poured our foundation! I expect that they will start framing late this week or early next week. Other houses in the area are already bricked and the landscaping near the road and around the pond has already been done and looks fantastic. (When I get those photos, I'll be sure to post.)

For now, enjoy the concrete blocks that are the bottom of our house. ;)

Our basement.

Side basement window.

Garage (to be filled).

Our basement and back yard.

Cottage Week 09 (Part One)

Every summer 12 adults, 13 kids, and six dogs cram themselves (willingly) into a 1200 sq ft cottage for a week's worth of lakeside fun.

This year, family vacations, country-wide moving, and two little new family additions have made a "week" in 2009 for the entire family to be under one roof almost impossible.

The solution?

Four Parts to Cottage Week.

The first part was held in early July, including Canada Day and Independence Day. Besides our family, Greg and Suzanne's family was up, and so was Drew and Kelly's.

The kids had a great time getting to know their American cousins a little better. (With fewer cousins to share them with, it guaranteed them more one-on-one time.)

Jayden and Emma played famously well together and quickly became experts on the paddle boat, towing other siblings around (namely Avery).

Jackson, Lydia, and Nadia terrorized the frogs that Uncle Greg found hiding under an old row boat. Jackson carried his frog EVERYWHERE . . . on the dock, on the beach, in the boat, while he was swimming. We watched in sympathy for the frog, as we saw that he was no longer moving (at all) and figured that he was a goner. Only to see that when Jackson had let go for a split second the frog came back to life and started madly swimming to shore.

Avery learned how to "whim." She would back herself into the water, lay down and kick her feet. Once she got it down, she had to have everyone's attention. "Dooo, Wah-tch. Wah-tch!" (Drew, watch!)

The weather was a little depressing . . . being cloudy, cool, and wet but fun was still had. A bear walk with Uncle Greg was cut short because of the vicious mosquitoes as was a camp fire. Brad set off the remains of our fireworks for a little display for the kids.

Cottage Week is officially starting next weekend, but since Greg and Suzanne won't be there (since they just had a baby yesterday), it will feel a little empty. And now that Kelly had her baby early (again, yesterday), it will be even more sparse. But at least Justin and Sarah and their kids will be there, and Megan and Ted will be done their cross country drive so we'll have plenty of people to play with. We're just praying for good weather.

Wow, July 8th??

Has it really been close to a month since I last blogged??

We've been busy, going to camps, trying to get the house organized, visiting family, and going to the cottage.

I have loads of posts to do . . . it is just going to take some time catching up. (Like on posts from birthdays . . . last June!!)

Stay tuned . . .

It's Started!!

A week ago I took the kids out to sneak a peak at our lot, but from the road I couldn't really see much. And since there were several excavators and construction workers all around, I didn't dare walk onto the site.

However, I did see good progress on the semis--many were framed and even had roofs!

At our site, I could see a pile of dirt . . . but since the street they were supposed to be working on with our house didn't have a single hole in it, I wasn't hopeful that our house even had a shovel in it.

Yesterday we thought we'd take a ride to go see the site since the workers would be all gone. It was fun to drive around the construction site and see the great progress other houses have made: shingles and windows!

The best was to drive up to our lot and find that the footprint is all in place . . . it just needs to be poured now.

If they really work hard, I think there is a very good chance we could still be in by December 1st.

We're keeping our fingers crossed!

Jackson's Home

Jackson has been telling us for months about his home "in the ocean." But lately, he has really started getting detailed.

He tells us that he lives in the ocean with his family of kids . . . all boys. Their names? Ikea, Costco, Camper, and Ford.

They are pretty good kids but he claims that they just eat all of us food all the time.

"I keep buying more and more food . . . and they just eat it all!"

"Is that why you are living with us? Because we have food for you to eat?" We asked him.

"Yeah."

Then we asked about how clean his house was.

"Really clean."

"Do your kids help you clean it?"

"Yup. I just ask them to and they do it."

"Jackson, could you help me get MY kids to clean my house for me? Maybe you could even clean it??"

"No way!! You have too many toys at your house!"

Hmph. I guess that is the go-ahead to get rid of 85% of our toys. Guess what we'll be doing this week?