Last can be the Best!!!

Saturday we all loaded up for the zoo. Grandma packed a lunch and we all loaded in the suburban. Off to the zoo we went. We ate and then walked around for about an hour. Off to the park and the kids all played. We headed home and off to the yard to play.

It is amazing how this week went. I really enjoyed each day. It is nice to have a family that is close enough to us to make us feel comfortable enough to call them part of our family. The week ended with Spooky eating all his food all week long, Mr. 501 and Just a Goalie realizing friends are the best thing in life and are free, and Princess figuring out boys aren't so bad especially when it is like having 2 extra brothers.

I knew this was the end and their parents would be here on Sunday to pick them up, but even I was hoping that their parents would say, "we will be gone another week". I am so proud of all of them and proud of me for not pulling my hair out. But if they are all good there is no need for me to pull any hair out and they were all "Amazing". I will always treasure this week and now there is no doubt in my mind that Spooky and Mr. 501 are welcome "ANYTIME"!! Thanks for the gift, I finally get my coffee.........

Boys Will Be Boys

I would have started this last night, but I was extremely busy washing laundry. OK, that is definitely a drawback of 4 kids and a dog that likes to swim in swamps. I made pizza for dinner that no one ate at supper time, but it is now almost gone. I guess playing outside works up an appetite. After sitting down for dinner they all went out to play. I was going to tackle the 7 piles of clothes I had to clean. I only missed one day of laundry. 2 loads were towels, because no one wants to use a towel more than once in this house. I figured I would pick my battles until I had to battle laundry. NOW, they each have a towel and they need to use it twice.

Anyway, the house was quiet and the dog was out with the kids so I felt safe. Dad and I started cleaning out the Utility Room, I guess "de-junking" as our friend King Turd from Turd Island says. All of a sudden there is giggling at the door so loud that we hear it and the door is closed. I open it at my own risk to find 3 boys so full of swamp water that as they walk their rubber boots are acting as cups that are holding at least 2 cups of water per foot. Now, swamp water isn't clean water and the smell is enough to kill anyone, so I was inventorying how high the wetness really goes on each child. SURPRISE! It is up to each of their shoulders. I quickly tell them to clean up outside and it is time to come in.

Dad greats them upstairs as they attempt to enter the house and all I can hear is, "your not coming in like that, Mom will kill you." I tell the kids if you are coming in you are stripping your clothes off out here. Spooky without hesitation I guess takes all his wet clothes off and takes off running because in just a moment thru the basement windows all I see is a little boy in tidy whiteys streaking thru my yard. Dad is calling him back and he is laughing like no tomorrow. Just a Goalie ran in the house to shower and Mr. 501 and Spooky followed. I now had another load of dripping Swamp water clothes to wash. So much for completing the laundry in one day.

I have about 2 loads left, I will work on today, but first it is off to the zoo. I am so glad this week has been all about having fun for all of us.

A Day with Spooky

This morning was exactly the same. All the kids up at the crack of dawn and no complaining. I made fried eggs and english muffins for breakfast and Spooky had Fruit Loops. I went off to work and Spooky and Dad got to stay home and babysit our nephew Little O. About lunch time Dad asked Spooky what he wanted and he didnt' care. He is on a roll with eating great so Dad decided "popcorn chicken". When it came to the table Spooky asked him what was for lunch and when Dad told him he said, "I don't like popcorn". Dad explained it is just chicken and Spooky was concerned what chicken with popcorn on it would taste like. He made a funny face when Dad put it on his plate, went in the kitchen to get the chips but when he returned all the "chicken with pocorn on it," as Spooky said, was gone. Dad asked where it went and all he could say was it was it in his belly. He finished all of it and was full.

After another trip to Grandma's for water Spooky found another tick on his neck crawling and picked it off telling Dad, " I think your house is made of Wood Ticks." Afterall this was the 2nd one he found on him today. I guess that is what you get when you live in the woods and have a dog.

Mr. 501 and Just a Goalie along with Princess all came home and wanted to know what was for dinner. It was hamburger meat pie. Mr. 501 asked what that is and Dad asked if he liked hamburger, corn and mashed potatoes. Mr. 501 said yes and Dad said what about if you mix them together.... then you have dinner. Mr. 501 loved it and everyone cleared there plates.

It is now time for all the kids to go to bed and Dad is reading a bedtime story to Spooky and Princess. Life this week with 2 extra kids hasn't been as crazy as I thought. I actually think it is smoother than normal. I asked the kids earlier if they are excited about going home on Sunday but they both asked to live here forever. I know they miss their parents but it makes me feel good to know they are so comfortable here and that they fit in as if they were meant to be part of our family forever. They are great kids and I will miss our Spookyisms, and the 30 minutes it takes to tuck each one in with their own bedtime game. I didn't think I would ever say this but I love my day's with Spooky,
day's with Princess.
day's with Just a Goalie,
and day's with Mr. 501. It will be a trip to the zoo on Saturday that I thought would be the best day but in retrospect all the days have been GREAT!

What's for dinner?

I didn't get much sleep last night. The phone started ringing about 11:30 and continued thru 12:30. Then my sleep pattern was all messed up. I heard te alarm at 5:30 as Dad had to be at work by 6:30 and all the kids needed to get up. Coffee was ready as I made my way up the stairs. Kids all got up a bit slower this morning. I think they are all getting tired as the week is coming to an end. Good news for them, Friday is a short day for school. I got all the kids ready and off they went.

I worked all day and got out of there about 4:30. Dad was already home attempting to warm up after a cold day in the water.I ran to the grocery store to get the final fixings for dinner. I walked in to have Spooky and Princess meet me at the door, digging in my bags for some idea of what's for dinner. I wasn't gonna tell. After I fixed it all and called to the kids, Mr. 501 and Just a Goalie were first to get to their seats.

Just a goalie and Mr. 501 were busy talking when I arrived with the freshly made taco shells. Spooky asked what are these and picked one up and started eating a plain fried corn tortilla. Princess said, "we are having taco's not shells" and started to laugh at Spooky. He didn't care he was too interested in making his shell into a donut. Dad made him half a taco and he and Princess ate all their food. Mr. 501 and Just a Goalie ate 2 each. Grandma even came for dinner. After we were all done, they went out to play but Princess came back and ate 2 more. I can't believe she out ate the boys! Although I think all the kids liked dinner, I am sure it is Princess' favorite. I am so glad Spooky has made it 5 days and each night, there is nothing left on his plate. I am not sure what I am making for dinner tomorrow, but I hope they like it as much as tonights.

It's hard to say goodbye

UP again at the crack of dawn and knowing that today was a day to attend the funeral of Dad's uncle I was truly wishing I was the one in Mexico with the margarita. I awoke all the kids but Spooky as he didn't have school today. Mr. 501 rolled out like a trooper and without argument from any of the kids they all got ready in the blink of an eye. As the kids sat down for breakfast, Spooky came upstairs and wanted to see the kids off so he could go to the funeral. Out the door the kids went and I was off to quickly clean up and get to the church by 10. Yesterday (in the words of the two of them) Spooky and Princess went skating on a pond that had no ice. SO his shoes were still wet. I threw them in the dryer in hopes that it would dry what the heater didn't finish last night. After an hour they were still soaked and they were the only shoes he has other than his rubber boots. Dad came up with a great idea. Go to Grandma's and go thru all the old shoes she is saving from Just a Goalie and see if there is anything that fits him.

Spooky and I jumped on the wheeler to make the long ride (1mile) to Grandma's house. We ventured down her muddy driveway splashing mud all over us and on to Grandma's. Once we got there Grandma pulled open her attic dropped the ladder and climbed up to not only find him a pair of hiking boots but cleats too. He was excited. We started to leave and he thanked Grandma for letting him go shopping at 'Grandma's Attic'. She smiled and off we went. Back down the muddy road with him laughing the whole way. When we got to the end of the driveway he turned to me and said, "My mom would never get muddy like this, but you and my dad are crazy and would." I smiled and returned home.

Off to the funeral we go and Spooky really wanted to wear the cleats but we prevailed. Hiking boots it is. People were crying and some smiling and Spooky just watched and never fidgeted or complained. He was such a trooper. Even when he had to walk in with the family procession. After the funeral, we went to the cemetery and he was so interested in the people with the guns and the ones with flag and why they were saluting. It was such an innocence that I know Dad and I needed especially at a time when we know this is "Good-bye". Once the 21 gun salute happened my tears began to fall and he looked up at me and gave me a hug that meant the world to me. It was at that moment I knew this week will end and I will be sad to see them go home and the possibility of us moving away and us having to say good-bye to the kids will be one of the hardest things I will have to do.

Let's Play Ball

6am and we are up and rolling. All 6 of us rise and shine. 2 showers need to be taken and 4 kids need to be fed and a dog needs to go out to take a break. I can handle this if I have my coffee and this time it will happen. I got Spooky up and to my suprise, he was up dressed and teeth brushed in probably 5 minutes. If only they would all be this way. One can dream right? I wander up stairs and get that cup of coffee I have dreamed of all night. I walk to Mr. 501 and before I can get to the edge of the bed he is bright eyed and bushy tailed because today is Baseball tryouts. I tell him to go shower and then brush his teeth and unlike my 2 kids, he does this without a fight. Off he goes. On to Just a Goalie's room, and he is the same. Up and adam with little effort. He gets dressed and awaits Mr. 501 to come out of the bathroom. Oh didn't I mention we only have one bathroom? Anyway on to Princess who won't budge. No matter what I say or do she is determined to stay in bed. Finally Dad has to get involved and he gets her to at least open her eyes and say just a few words. But Princess never has just a few and if they are few they are right to the point with no hesitation. She mutters, "I need more sleep!" and rolls back over. Dad finally gets her up with the bribe of Barbie cereal. They all are done and at the table and the two older ones are discussing todays tryouts. I can tell they are excited. 7:25 and out the door for the bus to pick them up for school. I head off to work.

2:50 Dad and I go to the school to get the kids and take them to tryouts. They stand in the first line to do the timed run. Just a Goalie first and he really did well, next was Mr. 501 and he did well too. They have so much fun together. I cheer them on and tell both of them as they go to the throwing station to not think about it and just have fun. They waited for eachother as best friends do and both completed the station. Just a Goalie, goofed one of the throws but Mr. 501 nailed all 4. No big deal to the two of them, they moved on to the next station, batting. Again both hit every ball. I was so proud. Just as if they are both mine. Still cheering them on it was off to the last station. Fielding! Just a Goalie missed one grounder but got all the pop flies. Mr. 501 fielded the grounders and missed both pop flies, but nailed the throws to 3rd base. As Mr. 501 comes off the field (I think a little bummed) and there is Just a Goalie waiting for him with the words I am not sure I am supposed to hear but did. "You did great!" Mr. 501 smiles. It is so nice to know that no matter where we go or what we do these are 2 kids that will be friends for life.

Suprise suprise!!

7 am and I am up.. I was trying to beat the kids but that didn't happen. As I attempted to get out of bed Spooky and Princess were giggling on the couch. I went out to them and told them to sneak into my bed and get Dad. They didn't know it but Dad knew they were coming and once they got into the bed the tickle monster arrived and attacked the both of them. There is nothing like hearing belly laughs first thing in the morning. I quietly went upstairs and got out my coffee cup. Opened the fridge and got out the special creamer. I was determined to have that coffee. As I opened the fridge I heard Mr. 501 and Just a Goalie talking so I went to them and asked what they wanted for breakfast. Pancakes with fresh strawberries and mangos on top. I was on it. Back to the kitchen I go, but first I wanted to take a minute for me. I poured my coffee and went outside in the sunshine that wasn't supposed to last very long and sat at the bistro table.

As I went to sit down, I noticed the van (remember the van that ran over the bike yesterday) was sitting funny. I investigated further and noticed my back tire was FLAT..... great, just what I need. I went back in the house and told Dad and Just a Goalie that now his bike is broken and so is my van and I didn't fall in the mud, he did.

I made everyone breakfast and was in search of that coffee. I lost it and couldn't find it, so I was on a mission. Somehow I got distracted and started on cleaning up as everyone was done. Spooky cleaned his plate and Mr. 501 loved the fruit. Just a Goalie and Princess ate pretty well too, so seemed like the morning was looking up. I heard the front door shut and noticed everyone was outside. We were supposed to have rain but the sun was shining and it felt awesome to open all the windows.

As I opened the last kitchen window I saw my van being fixed by Dad. He was out there in the mud, because it did rain all last night in our driveway and had the tire off, loaded in the back and the spare on. He walked to the screen and told me not to worry, he will get it fixed tomorrow by Uncle Monkey. I cleaned the floors upstairs and felt like all was well, I was in a great place. I looked outside and all the kids, dog and Dad were playing baseball. Could this be any better? They all played for about 2 hours and just as they came in it was lunch time.

I fixed grilled cheese sandwiches and tuna salad for lunch. They all ate great. Cleared their places and I cleaned up. They asked to go out and play and I said sure... again enjoy the sun while we can. No sooner did they get all ready, mud boots on, wind jackets on, and out the door they went. Suddenly the skies got dark and Dad said, "smells like rain." He hollared out to the kids to start cleaning up all the gloves and balls and the skies opened. I laughed so hard as they all ran through the yard as fast as they could to get their stuff before it was soaked. The kids made it in just a bit wet but the dog didn't do so well. He looked like he just went swimming in a mud puddle. He was the last to come in and he left me another suprise for the day. Foot prints all over my clean floor. But the biggest suprise was when I found my coffee at 5pm, on the bistro table outside. I am determined to take time for coffee this weekend. Maybe I will drink my cup now.

What was I thinking?

As if my two kids aren't enough, I decided to watch my friends two children for the next 7 days. While they enjoy margarita's on the beach in Mexico I am home in Minnesota chasing 4 kids. It started off quiet. 7am I was the only one up, made some coffee and muffins for the kids when they decided to get up and started dishes. About 7:30 up came Spooky and he asked what was for breakfast. Good thing I thought ahead. I gave him a chocolate chip muffin and proceeded to make my coffee. After about 10 minutes up comes Princess and then Mr. 501, and then Just a Goalie comes up and asked, "what's burning?" I answered, "Your breakfast" and gave them all some muffins. Just about then up comes Dad and I serve him coffee, still having not had a sip of the cup I made for me. I fed them all muffins and they seemed content. Seemed being the key word here. Dad and I completed the dishes and I started sending kids to the shower. I knew it was hard to get 4 of us ready for a "normal" day but 4 kids and a dog that is waiting for anything to fall to the floor and Dad asking when I can cut his hair was quite the experience. I got Spooky and Princess all cleaned and then started on the haircuts. Dad first. I told Just a Goalie he was next and he was now hiding because he wants hair like Keith Urban. I then pinned him down and started cutting. Not to shabby for a mom that has never been taught the techniques of hair cutting. About 11 I was done and the last 2 kids were showered. I still never drank that coffee. Next thing I know the kitchen is clean and I hear 4 kids eating me out of house and home. I quickly sent them all out and started on lunch. I was still hoping for some coffee. Never happened so I just gave up.

About 2pm I loaded all of us in the car (minivan, thank God for that vehicle) and off to the store for baseball cleats we go. That was an adventure. Grocery shopping was even more fun. What was I thinking when I asked the 4 of them to agree on 2 cereals. I obviously wasn't thinking.

We got home about 4:30 and I told them for 20 minutes on the way home, "No one plays outside because it is muddy and we all need to be at Princess' dance performance at 6:15. I thought they heard me. Another mistake on my part. Grandma arrived after I fed them all and cut Mr. 501's hair (not my kid and I didn't want to make a mistake and Grandma cuts hair for a living.) We had 5 minutes to be in the car and on the road. House was quiet. I assumed (another one of my daily mistakes today) that they were all in the van. NOPE.... In walks Just a Goalie FULL of mud. Head to toe. He was riding his bike in the driveway because Princess said he could and fell. I lost it. We don't have time for this. We are gonna be late. Dad, Grandma and myself all took turns asking why this happened and we got NOWHERE. We jumped in the van, I started to back up and rolled right over the top of his bike he left behind my van. It is no longer a bike but a twisted mess of metal. I was furious. Needless to say we were late by 15 minutes but good thing the show didn't start until 7. We still had plenty of time. Princess went off to perform and the 3 boys and Dad and myself all sat in the gym. Now, I already said Minnesota is where we live so you have to understand we have Ticks all over our yard. We live in the woods. In the middle of a dance Spooky jumped up and I asked him what was wrong. He told me he had a tick on him so he threw it in the crowd. Oh great now someone gets to leave with a suprise pet. I told him to stay quiet and laughed so hard inside I thought I was going to pee. Princess did great... I was so proud and realized this week might just be a great week after all.

Who would have thought???

Who would have ever thought one day I would grow up, let alone be married with 2 kids and a dog. Well it happened and I am not sure when it all did, but it did. I went from a night owl without a care in the world and a closet full of all the latest trends in clothes to a hockey mom with nothing but heavy sweaters in my closet to keep me warm at Just a Goalie's hockey games. He eats, sleeps and dreams hockey while I eat sleep and dream warm weather. Don't get me wrong I love to watch him play, actually there is nothing better but I think it is funny that I don't know about any of the rules and he still loves to have me there. What is funnier is Princess with a Bat loves to go too. That is his sister, who I personally feel would make a better hockey player as she is the one who is aggressive and has a temper. Princess found her calling in dance and figure skating, but you too would have a calling to the ice if you had been in a rink almost daily since before you could walk.

Today was a test for me.... Work all day, and just as the hockey season concluded 2 weeks ago, I was feeling a bit releaved that there wasn't a game or road trip. Figure skating has concluded and the sun was out and I was itching with what is known as SPRING FEVER. I got a call, of all things, baseball started today and it was from 3 -4:30. Ok I can do this. I survived cold rinks and snowstorms to tournaments, I can do anything. As the phone hung up it rang again (part of being a mom I guess), "Don't forget the dress rehersal for tonight at dance at 6". Wow, leave work be across town for baseball for Just a Goalie, race back dress the Princess and go to dance. Oh and don't forget dinner... on the road I guess.

Just as my life feels like a road race and that I start feeling that there is just not enough time in the day, Dad calls and says he will go to baseball I am on dance duty. Whew, now it is all getting better. I race home dress the Princess and get ready to go, Dad and Just a goalie show up. Just a Goalie jumps out of the truck, picks up a hockey stick and starts playing hockey in the dirt kicking up rocks and who knows what else all over the clean van I washed on the way home with my extra 5 minutes of time.

Dad convinces Princess who now wants to go out and hurt her brother for messing up her beautiful coach to get ready and we will all go together. We all pile in the van, and off we go. As the Princess dances all I can think as she smiles back at me is " who would have thought my life would be so crazy and SO perfect."