Swimming...

We got one of those metal frame pools this summer, the ones they have at walmart. This was the best $250 bucks we ever spent! The kids LOVED it. And so did I.
For years, we've been saying we needed to get swimming lessons for the kids.. however, having 4 of them, and living on a tight budget, it just never happened. The boys can now swim. The girls are well on their way, but they wore life jackets in the pool because they couldn't stand in it. (it's 4 ft deep).

 Having 7 kids here for the summer made this one of the best places to hang out! Here are the girls with their cousin..

I emptied it yesterday.. drained it right into our leech field (I'm sure that's not a problem!) It's sad to see it laying on the ground..all dirty and slimy. Summer is my favorite season, and I'm sad to see it go. I am already looking forward to setting it up next spring, it'll be up early!! It was a good summer with the pool.. I'm not sure what the kids would have done without it.. it was our "stay cation"!

My dad's father passed away this summer. I had only seen him once, I can't even say that I met him because no one ever introduced him to me.  I got a glimpse though, and I guess that should have been good enough. My grandfather had 3 children with my grandmother. He drank himself into a stupor regularly, and when my dad was a teenager, he left. My dad didn't see him again until he was an adult.
He lived in Alabama, until hurricane Katrina destroyed his single wide, and he was forced to move back to NH, to the 3 kids he had abandoned a couple of decades before. My aunt was his main caregiver, even though he had been absent from her life for several decades. He was one lucky son of a bitch. I'm not sure I would have given him the same respect.
When he passed away, and my father called and told me, I felt sad for what could have been, and for what wasn't. I think my dad may have felt the same way. It wasn't devastating to him, like when he lost his mother back in 1995.  He made a joke about getting an extra week off of work, for bereavement. The silver lining.
My dad has not been a huge part of my life. He's unlike his father though, he didn't leave because he was a drinker, he left because he was 30 years old, with 4 kids (2 of which weren't his) and because he had met another woman. I often look back at those times.. when I was 7, and couldn't for the life of me figure out why my dad didn't want to be with us. I thought I must have done something. If only I had been a better kid.. If only I had behaved.. I understand now how these thoughts aren't rational, but to a 7 year old it was fact.
I think my dad must have felt the same way when he was a kid. Not understanding why his father loved his alcohol more than him.
I missed Father's Day this year. I usually send him a card, maybe give him a call, but this year, I did nothing. Not intentionally, I tortured myself daily about getting my shit together and at least mail him a card. But I failed. A month or so after fathers day, I was on my way to the store, and decided to stop in and see him, he only lives a few miles from my house. I was going there to ask him to borrow some money (summers are so hard with my husband not working- he teaches). Earlier in the spring we had to sink a significant amount of money into our cars, money we were saving for summer. I visited for a while, and just could  not do it. I couldn't ask him for anything, and felt like I was a kid again wishing he could understand what I was feeling, without having to tell him. As I was leaving, and feeling like a total failure for not being able to do what I had gone there to do, I started crying. I told him how sorry I was that I had missed father's day. This show of emotion made him clearly uncomfortable, and confused. He told me not to worry about it, and that he had missed a lot of things too.
I am over being mad at my father for not being there like he should have been. I know he did the best he could.. some people aren't meant to be parents, like his father.. He had no role model, no one to teach him how to be a parent. I know he has regrets.. and I bet if I had gotten up the nerve, he would have given me the shirt off his back. Or at least lent it to me!

Mountain View

I wish I could go to Mountain View California.. just for a couple of days.. to see my boys! They are playing in Neil Young's benefit concert for the Bridge School. All acoustic.. for 2 days.  Maybe next year..

Yup.. another post!

I was diagnosed with ADD last October. It was by coincidence that I made this discovery, and not to go all Dr. Phil and Oprah on ya, but it was my "Ah-ha" moment.  My entire life I had wondered why I never seemed to fit in anywhere.. Why I had always had such a difficult time in school.I'm sure that I had ADD as a child too, I just managed to develop some really good coping skills over the years. Many women are diagnosed after they've had children, often times after they see signs of ADD in their own children, and start reading up on it.. it's Coming to the understanding that I wasn't actually unlearnable, but that my brain had a highly genetic neurological disorder called ADD, let me finally understand why I failed out of college...and why despite other successes in my life, I never really felt like a success. ADD is a disorder, but not necessarily a deficit. Everyone with ADD has the H part as well. The hyperactivity piece. And how this is displayed in people varies. For some people it's their inability to sit still, or control themselves physically. For other people, like myself, the hyperactivity is happening in my brain. I am a constant flutter of thoughts, and ideas. Struggling constantly to focus on one thing at a time. For me, the medication takes away the fluttering. It slows it down, and allows me to focus on one thing at a time.
After I was diagnosed with ADD, I started to see it in everyone I was close to, and yes, everyone loved being diagnosed by yours truly!
I have continued to see my therapist, she's a great guide for me as I work through the junk that comes with having ADD. When I started thinking about how my undiagnosed ADD had taken away so much potential from me, it got me super pissed, and super motivated. That was when I started sewing like crazy. The meds were helping me stay focused. and I could create, and finish  projects.  I got a bunch of bags, put them on facebook, and sold 50 pieces in a month. This diagnosis of ADD has left me feeling raw and exposed. Which is why I've never blogged about it before. Soon after my diagnosis, my husband went in for an evaluation as well. He's tried medication (which in my opinion, worked really well for him) But he's decided that he would rather not take anything. We are all a work in progress..In other news, my girls are doing amazing in kindergarten. They love it! Like the boys, they have completely done the opposite of what I thought they would do. They get on the bus, excited, and happy.. and once again, it was me who worried more than them. I am adjusting to the peace and quiet that comes when all your kids are in school. The best part is how clean my house stays! yay!

Kindergarten for the twins..

Tomorrow morning, my girls are starting kindergarten. I'm not sure how this happened.. It literally seems like yesterday I was bringing both of them home from the hospital, and settling into the insanity of having two babies at once (along with my boys who were 3 and 6 at the time).
I have been waiting for this day for almost as long as they were born.. All four of my children in school. And now that it's here, I'm feeling all sorts of unsettled emotions..joy, sadness, anxiety, disbelief.. How is it that my babies are 5? And that my oldest son is 11! He started junior high last week..and is loving it! Thank goodness that boy adjusts well to change. My youngest son has started 3rd grade, and is loving it also.. My girls, on the other hand, are not loving it so much. There were months when my daughters refused to talk about school. The  mere mention of it would send them over the edge. They are so afraid of  missing me.. They remind me so much of my sister and I, when we were their age. I remember being dropped off at kindergarten, and both of us having to pulled off of my mom's legs, screaming. This was sort of what happened back in June when the girls went in for orientation.. I left the classroom, with both of them screaming for me. I could hear them in the parking lot and felt like a complete failure.. how could I not have prepared them for this? Although the only preparation for it was talking about it, which I tried.. and since enrolling twins in preschool on a teachers budget wasn't a possibility, I felt as though I had totally screwed over my own kids.
I'm over that now though.. (thanks to my wonderful therapist) I know I didn't fail them, in fact it's not a bad thing when your kids are bonded to you, right? like glue, with curly hair..   I am still going to be babysitting for my nephews, who will be 4 next month (hard to believe, I know!) I will have 3 hours, 3 days a week, with no kids in my house! holy shite. I've been in a bit of a panic though.. what now? what do I do with all my children in school? The thought of going back to an office job makes me want to hurl. Really, I would rather have another baby! I still have time to figure that out though.. right now, I'm just going to try to get through the next few weeks with all the changes going on..
Maybe I'll have time to write more on my blog..  I'm going to be sewing more.. I have gotten pretty good at it (if I do say so myself).  I sold a bunch of my bags at a consignment shop in Portsmouth over the summer. My goal for now is to keep busy enough with that, so that I won't have to join the workforce- ever! I will be my own work force!
Wish my girls luck on their first day of school (and their mother too!)

How To Hookwink Someone into Touching Your 3rd Nipple...

Oh, let me explain.. I went to see my doctor yesterday for a "suspicious mole" that I found on my abdomen, right at the top of my rib cage, under my right breast (or skin bags, which is the best description for them at this point) I worried about this mole.. for a few days in fact. I knew it had been there my whole life, but recently, it was becoming easily irritated, and looked different.
I have been seeing my doctor for 16 years. She has twins, like myself, and she is one of those doctor's that never makes you feel rushed, and always remember intimate details without having to check her notes. She's genuine, and I just love her. So, when I showed up in her office with  my mole, I  felt completely at ease in her hands. She had me lay back on the table, and had a look at the cause of visit. Immediately, she told me that it wasn't cancerous. Instantly, I felt relieved. For a second anyway.. here's how the rest of the visit went: the dialogue is key..

Dr. L (giggling) "you have to look at this, can you see it?"
Me: (trying to contort myself and see under my boob) "um, yea, what? is it a skin tag or something?"
Dr. L (still giggling) "no, really look at it.. what does it look like"
Me: (getting confused..) "um, really, no idea.."
Dr. L "no, can you see how it's sort of rigid, and shaped like another part of your body?"
Me (finally "getting it") "no shit!"
Dr. L: (straight out howling) "It's a 3rd nipple!!!!!"

Of course it is.
So, this 3rd nipple of mine (which surprisingly my husband did not find sexy at all) is about 2 mm wide, and seriously looks like a mole.. to the naked eye.

So, back to the title of the post.. how do you hoodwink someone into touching your 3rd nipple? I was pretty surprised at how easy it was. First, I showed my friend (let's call her Hillary Peacock) my suspicious mole. I said "isn't that weird?"  she says "yea, what is that?"  I say, "touch it, it's weird" of course she touches it (she's one of my best friends, and I am totally exploiting her trust in me.. I know, it's genius!)  "That IS weird! what is that?" "IT'S MY 3RD NIPPLE!!!"
It was fun.

Christmas with the Nielsons.. sort of.

A couple of weeks ago, I sent away one of my favorite handmade bags.. in hopes that Stephanie Nielson, and her husband Christian would review it on their blog the nie nie diaglogues (which btw is a nationally read blog.. this woman was on Oprah for crying outloud!!)  All week they have been showcasing some of their favorite homemade gifts that readers all over the country had sent in. They recieved hundreds of gifts, and couldn't put all of them on their blog..
My cute little bag did not get a review, but at the end of her final post today, there was a list of other "cool, creative, homemade" sites (let's call them honorable mentions..) and my little store at etsy was on it! I was beyond excited! I was mostly flattered because all week as I checked her blog, and saw all of the beautiful creations being sent in, I thought for sure, that I was out of my league, and my cute little bag, was not worth a nod, or a mention, never mind a link to my store!
It made my day.. quite possibly my month!!

Add It Up Designs..

So much has been happening with me.. and I don't have the time, or the words to go into it.. but it's all good.. changes in a positive way, that I'm really happy with.
I'm taking the plunge and starting an on line store with some of my stuff.. I'm building inventory, so at this point, I only have 2 things on there.. that will change soon though.. I hope to be able to sit down and write about what's up with me..but for now, I'm just going to be busy sewing away..
http://www.etsy.com/shop/additupdesigns?ref=pr_profile

I Love Him..

That's all..
I know I have a lot of updating to do.. but I got this picture tonight, and I thought I would share... not only does this handsome man love me, despite everything, he also has made my dreams come true, in so many ways, but he's also given me the cutest litter a bitch could hope for! ;)

Storyland, Lyme, and a Stroke..

It has been one hell of a week..let me tell you! I'll start at the beginning.. last Thursday morning my mom called me from her apartment downstairs saying that she needed to go to the E.R. because the left side of her face was numb. Thankfully, my sister was here and was able to bring her (otherwise, I would have had to call an ambulance because as big as my loser cruiser is, it still won't fit 7 kids in it).
It wasn't long that I got a call from my mom who had been told that she had had a stroke. jeezus. They were confident that it was a small one, but still, a stroke none the less.
She was put into the progressive care unit, a step down from the intensive care unit and closely monitored. I went to see her later that day, and while I was at work, I started to get an intense pain in my left arm. It lasted all night, but was gone by the morning.. My mom was put into a "normal" room, and was improving. She suffered some weakness on her left side, but was quickly regaining her strength.
The next night, I started having the left arm pain again, only this time, it was more intense. I've always had a high tolerance for pain, but this was unlike anything I had experienced before. I was getting worried at this point.. but then I woke up on Saturday morning, and again the pain was gone. We had been planning an over night trip with the kids to Storyland for our last summer hoorah. I wasn't comfortable leaving while my mother was still in the hospital, but she insisted that we keep our plans, and the kids would have been devestated.
So, off we went early Saturday morning to the funnest place on Earth (or at least the funnest place in Northern NH for kids 10 and under..) It was a beautiful day, and we all had a really fun time. I got a call from my sister around noon, letting me know that my mom was going to be discharged that day, and that she was feeling much better. My older sister would spend the night with her, in case she needed anything. This was a huge relief, and I enjoyed the rest of the day with my family.
We checked into our "suite" later that afternoon. The kids were in awe of where we were staying (and really, for the money, it was awesome) We had a seperate bedroom for my husband and I, a murphy bed in the living room, a pullout couch, balcony, and a full kitchen. It was great. They also had a heated pool, and a hot tub. The boys couldn't wait to go swimming, so we started the long task of getting 4 kids ready for the pool. While changing in the bathroom, I noticed a red mark on my back, near my shoulder blade. A bullseye. It all clicked. The pain in my arm for the past two nights..it was lyme disease.
For the second time that day, I felt relief. While I wasn't psyched at all about lyme disease, at least I knew it wasn't something to do with my heart, or a pinched nerve in my neck. I googled everything I could about it, before I was dragged down to the pool by my family.
It wasn't until later, while we were at dinner, that the pain in my arm came back, and I started getting the chills. Since I had gotten out of the pool, I couldn't warm up. I had a fever. Later that night, I emailed blogless (who is also a nurse) and asked her advice..she called me and said I should be fine, but that I needed to see a doctor soon. I planned on heading to the E.R. when I got home the next day.
So, to sum it all up.. my mom is doing better, but she's tired. I'm on the  mend, but I think it's going to be a while until I'm back to myself. I must have gotten the tick bite a few weeks ago. I remember thinking that I had gotten a mosquito bite, and when I went to scratch it one day, something came off (quite painfully too) Then I kept telling myself that I needed to check on that.. but like most things that don't concern my kids or what I'm doing at that percise moment, it slipped my mind. That should teach me!
In other non sickness related news, my boys started school yesterday. Second and Fifth grade.. my youngest son didn't want to go.. he was nervous.. what if he couldn't do 2nd grade math?? But he came home and had had an "awesome" first day.. and his teacher was soooo nice! Yay for that.. My oldest son couldn't wait to get back and see all of his friends.. he was also very excited because his teacher this year is our next door neighbor, and she's great! They're both off to a good start!!

Almost a month later, and I'm posting.. good for me!
The Gin Blossoms show was fun. They are going to need a lot of help though for any sort of comeback. My husband's band had as many people there for them, as the Gin Blossoms did.
It's been a busy month.. and I can't believe that my kids are going  back to school a week from Monday. Like every school year, I'm excited for them to get back, but along with that, comes the sincere truth, that I will miss having them home with me all day. I'll miss our lazy summer schedule..nothing to get up for besides my sister and her kids. But sleeping in til almost 8 in the morning has been a huge treat.
What else, what else?? Oh, my girls are FINALLY sleeping in their own room!! Seriously..they are 4, and I know that a huge reason they were still sleeping with me, was because of me. I couldn't help it though. It was just easier, and honestly, I miss them a bit. They were totally trained to sleep in my bed in the sense that they didn't move, not one bit. We each had our own space, and no one deviated from the invisible line in my modest queen sized bed. I miss them pinching my hands (which has left irreversible scar tissue on both my hands) and I miss waking up with them snuggling next to me.. but on the bright side, I have more time to myself, and at some point, I'm hoping my husband might join me in our bed.. Yes, that's right... he's still sleeping on the couch! Apparently, he has gotten so accustomed to the soft feel of our couch, that he can't tolerate the stiff feel of our mattress.. Nice.. but really, I'm enjoying being able to stretch out!!
In other news, I got tickets to another Mumford and Son's show.. they're going to the House of Blues in November, and I can't wait.. I'm still totally hooked, and have successfully hooked my sister and a couple of my best friends.. Most of them will be going to the show too.. It should be a lot of fun..
So, I guess I'm going to head to bed.. although, right now that's where I'm blogging.. Everyone else is asleep.. and I'm watching an HGTV repeat.. lame.. Later!!

Hey Jealousy..

Remember the Gin Blossoms?? Sort of a big deal back in the 90's sometime.. well, apparently they're planning a come back. Normally, I wouldn't care, they really weren't my thing, but tomorrow night,  my husbands band is opening up for them at the Blue Ocean Music Hall. I can't wait!
Here's hoping they have a great show!

Father's Day..

Today is Father's Day, and my husband has chosen to spend his day with his band, recording another cd. I would have serious opposition to this if it were not Father's Day..but since it is, he can have the day the way he wants it. So be it if it's away from his family..can't say I blame him, my idea of a perfect Mother's Day would be far away from the duties of mother hood, and hanging with my besties.. hope he's having fun.
I sent my own father a card in the mail. I'm gearing up to give him a call at some point, but I haven't found the time yet today. My sister actually stopped in yesterday and hand delivered a card and gave him a plant she had initially bought for her own house. He was happy with the pop in, and glad to see his grandchildren. As well as his daughter. My sister and I have joked over the years that finding a father's day card for a dad that was mostly absent our entire lives is difficult. You can't really get the one that says you were always there for me, because he wasn't. And you don't want to get the one about him sitting on his ass with the t.v. remote because who knows if that is what he does.. I certainly don't. Those geniuses that create cards really need to have a section for "I guess you did the best you could, but even that still sucked". I always get the one that says "thanks for what you do" period. And if he can figure out what he's done, then yay! Card problem solved. I wish I didn't have "daddy issues", but I do.. we all have our shit I guess..
So, in other news.. non related to dads.. it is finally summer vacation. My boys had their last day on Thursday, and on Friday my mom, older sister, nephew and I took all the kids to the beach. They loved it of course, and it was a really good time. I'm only mildly dreading what I'm going to do with these kids the rest of the summer..my 7 year old is already bored out of his mind, and it's only just begun. My oldest son is content watching video's on his ipod, and the girls are basically just beating the shit out of each other. It's going to be a long summer!
We're going camping on the 4th with my husbands family, I can't wait for that. Two weeks after that, I'm camping with my girlfriends, now that I really can't wait for! No kids, husbands.. does that sound like heaven or what?
Anyway, I've got some kids to deal with, and my husbands favorite dinner to cook.. oh, and if you get a second you should check out the review his band got.. for fathers day I framed the article.. He loved it!

Single Mom..

My husband went camping this weekend with a couple of friends.. and I am a single mother of 4 til he gets home on Monday.. I don't mind though, I'm glad that he's getting a weekend to fish, and canoe and just get the hell out of here!
I'll be having my own weekend in July, so the guilt about leaving him alone with our four kids is so not an issue.. He went with a childhood friend, and someone he only just met. They are going to be on the Saco River, a place which brings back really old, and really good memories for me. 20 years ago, after I graduated high school, I went there, with my best high school friends, who are in fact the same best friends I have now.
I'm jealous, and wish I could have been included.. but alas, someone has to watch the kids, and so here I am.. tomorrow, my sister is coming over for a sleepover with all her kids. We are all very excited. It's not often that I get to hang out with my twin for more than 10 minutes while she's dropping off her kids during the week..
And the weather has been beautiful, my sister doesn't know it yet, but she's going to be helping me mulch tomorrow.. that is after we get the mulch.. hope everyone has a great weekend!!

The Deets..

What's better than getting to see your favorite band in a small venue? How about getting to meet them before the show? That's right.. I made a total ass out of myself, but got to meet my current obsession, and they were so sweet, and so nice to me. They have yet to make it big, so they can sit in a restaurant, and not worry about crazy fans bothering them..well, at least they could until they met me last night!
My husband and I were waiting in line to get in the club, when he nudged me and pointed in the other direction. Twenty feet away was the lead singer. About 2 seconds later, I was apologizing for bothering him, and telling him how much I loved their music..how great it was..yada yada.. He was flattered, and thanked me, then I went on my way, back to line..completely out of my mind with excitement. About 2 minutes later, my husband nudged me again, and there in the restaurant above the club (where we had just finished eating) was the rest of the band. Son of a bitch. You couldn't have stopped me if you tried.. I'm sure they were horrified by this girl gushing about how much she loved them.. but they were so sweet, and someday I hope to recall the 5 minute conversation in it's entirety (it's currently floating around in my head with the rest of the events of last night..) Seriously, it was amazing.. I never thought I would have met them..
The show was great, but would have been better if there weren't so many people there.. it actually would have been WAY better if they had done a private show for me.. and of course my husband!

Ten..

My oldest son turned 10 last week. 10. How did that happen?
My youngest will be 7 this week.. I'm pretty sure I can account for his 7 years with all the whining and complaining.. but even still, 7! wow..
We had a birthday party for the boys this past weekend, and as usual, it rained. That was ok though, we still had a great time, and the boys were shown a lot of love from our wonderful friends and family. My oldest son got an ipod touch (and yes, he's probably too young for it, but he's responsible enough that I trust him to take good care of it) My youngest son got a guitar, amazingly that was what he wanted, even after his brother got his ipod. The little one was lucky enough though to get enough cash and gift cards to purchase his own ipod, even though my husband and I were not totally into it, and know that he's hardly responsible enough for the cheap walmart guitar we got him, but you know, it was his money, and we weren't up for the fight (good parenting huh? whatever..)
In other news, the addition is done. Except for a few things that my husband is in charge of finishing (our shower for one, he'll be tiling that at some point) But we love it. It came out so good, and our new bedroom is just beautiful.
This Friday night is our big night out! I can't wait.. we got a room in Boston, and we'll be seeing Mumford and Son's at the Middle East.. I can't wait!! My friends are so sick of my obession with this band, they are going to be even more sick of it when I am back from seeing them live... My husband told me that I am ruining this band for him with my non stop listening of their one and only cd. So, I've burned it onto my son's ipod and now listen to it in the privacy of my own ears.. there. suck. it. up. baby.

Here's a few pics..

Tired..

I wrote this back in January, and came across it in my draft folder. I guess why I'm posting it is because I so don't feel like this anymore.. the sun has been shining, and we're moving into the part of the year that I love the most..spring and summer..so bare this in mind as you read..

Someone recently asked me what my plans were for the week. My answer?  "to get through it"
This is how overwhelmingly tired I am with my life right now. Not tired of it, but tired because of it. Having 5 kids in my care, for 3 days a week, in the middle of a cold winter, is making me a tad cranky. Not to mention what it's doing to the kids. My girls are at the center of the storm (so to speak) by their incredibly demanding behaviors, which for whatever reason, I haven't been able to get a handle on. It makes me feel like a horrible mother, and a terrible caregiver. I realize I'm having a pity party for myself, but the beauty of the blog is for me to say whatever I want.. so there..
I know my sister is going to read this, and feel bad. I don't want her to. I love her kids! With all my heart. I love my kids as well.. but man, there are days when I long for the boring single life I once had over a decade ago. And don't say it, I wouldn't change a thing! I really wouldn't.. It is what it is.. and even though it's sucking right now, I know eventually the skies will turn blue, and the sun will shine.. and god dammit, these kids are going to get the hell outside and stop trying to kill me slowly with all the whining!

I Just Farted in My Mouth...

This is a new declaration that my girls are constantly making. For some reason, they couldn't seem to remember the word burp. They now know it, but it doesn't get quite the laugh like this statement does.
Today, they were at the computer watching Miranda Cosgrove video's on youtube (totally appropriate for a couple of 3 year olds right?) when I walked by and got a wiff of somebody's business. I asked them who pooped. They both denied anything foul in their diaper, and then the oldest twin chimed in "That was just my burp"

oh, and on a side note, if anyone out there is wondering why they are both in diapers (because one of them had almost mastered the potty) It's because a couple of weeks ago, they both got sick, with vomit and the dreaded diarrhea, and the poor little girl who was almost trained, got freaked out by all of the shit coming out of her, and refused to put on underwear after that.. it's a work in progress..

My poor pathetic blog.. really, I should just give it up.. I used to be able to blog at work, but for over a year now blogger.com has been blocked. It leaves me no time at all to sit and fill in the blanks.
Lots going on.. mainly construction wise. We are almost done! Today my husband and I brought our bed upstairs, and tonight I will spend my first night in it. Unfortunately, my girls room is not ready for them to start sleeping in, so they will spend at least tonight with me. I say at least tonight, and know it will probably be a week or two.. I'm hopeful though..
In other more interesting news, my youngest son was in a play this week. The 3 Piggy Opera. My oldest son was in it as well when he was in first grade 3 years ago.. It was great. I was so proud of him. It's hard to believe that the same little boy who in pre school wouldn't look at anyone in the eye because he was so shy, stood on stage, pretending to strum a guitar, in front of 100 people. The same little boy whose teacher told me this past week at the parent teacher conference, that he is excelling beyond her expectations. She also told me that he's a model student, he's kind and considerate, and very well behaved. After confirming that we were in fact speaking about the same kid, I felt so proud of him, and very relieved. This boys greatest pleasure is making the rest of his family want to punch him straight in the face. Thankfully, he has more self control in school than he does at home.

Anyway, I'm writing as the kids watch America's Funniest Home Video's.. it's almost over, and since my husband has band practice tonight, it's all me for the dreaded bedtime routine.. Here's a pic of my cutie pie after the play..

Puke..

We got more rain here the other night. Lots of it. Thankfully, we had already ripped up the carpet in our basement, so we only had to wet vac the concrete.. My husband I were up all night, taking turns napping to try and keep up with the water. We did it, but man, yesterday was a nightmare. After hauling about 300 gallons of water outside, my back was killing me, and the times where I layed down to sleep I couldn't because it was so loud with the wet vacs going..
Last night, I came home from work shortly after 7, so excited about going to bed. Of course nothing ever happens the way you want it to, or expect it to. I wasn't even in the driveway, and I can see my older son in the window waving me in.. It was only after I walked in the door that I could smell the puke, and see my husband in a state of total disbelief. My youngest daughter started puking shortly after I left, and my youngest son started right before I got home. He was on the toilet covered in his own poo and vomit with the shower running for him.
 My oldest daughter was in bed with me and her twin sister and abruptly sat up and vomitted all over me, and the bed. Three out of four, puking. Another sleepless night. My oldest is the only one who hasn't come down with it. Before he left for school today, he made me take his tempature, just to be sure that he wasn't running a fever (even though he felt totally fine). My husband stayed up with my younger son, who got it the worst, but seems to be totally fine today, in fact he's gone to Home Depot with our contractor. Hopefully it will be a puke and crap free trip! At least for my contractor's sake.. but it's not like he didn't know what the kid had been through..you can't step into my house and not be almost knocked over by the smell of puke. I'm currently on my 3rd load of laundry.. I woke up this morning, and had no towels. Not one. We also have the guys who are going to be staining our house here taping up the windows. It's going to be a puke sauna once the sun hits it! Nice..
Anyway, I'm off to get some more laundry done, and try to ignore the stomach pains I've been feeling for the past couple of hours..I'm sure it's just having to smell all this stink, and not the actual stomach bug. I never get sick. I don't.. and if I do..I'm  pretty much totally screwed.. hopefully my husband won't get it either..nothing worse than a man with the flu (or at least my man!)