Florida, First Plane Ride....and Disney.....Priceless

Entry to The Magic Kingdom: $800
Food, water and souvenirs for our children: $34 (sorry Disney, we packed the Mother Load)
Watching 84,000 strangers blankly stare and/or whisper, "Look how many children they have!": Priceless



Btw, yes, you do see 10 kids. Ours and my SIL's. Ages 12, 9, 6, 6, 4, 3, 2, 2, 2 and 9 mos.

Madeline's Blog

Her "blog" entry from her quiet time today:

-------------
All About Me and Amarabel (her American Girl doll)

We love to slide down slides.
We do it is tru.
We do. We do. We do.
We like China.
We do.
I love it.
She loves it.
We love W.
Webkinz!
Webkinz!
The beach to.
I love her.
Yes I do. I do.
She is prity.
I like my Mom and Dad.
-------------

Perhaps I should have her take over my blog...
Oh, the last line is brilliant. Of course that's just my opinion.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

"For unto us a child is born, a Son is given...And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9: 6

Locks of Love

Madeline recently donated her hair to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces to children that have experienced hair loss due to cancer or another diagnosis. She has been growing it out for almost a year now as they require at least 10 inches.

She has mentioned on many occasions that people may not know about this program and might "waste" their hair by going to have it cut and not donating it.
Please help her spread the word and for more information visit:

http://locksoflove.org/

PJ's at St. John's

Abigail arrives home from preschool yesterday just as casual as can be.....in her pajama shirt.
(is this a good place to mention that this is not what she left for school in?)

Here is that conversation:
Me: Hi honey. How was dressing up as the angel today? Wait...wow, ummm, is that your pajama shirt?
A: Yep.
Me: I'm confused.
A: (silence)
Me: How are you in your pajama shirt?
A: I wore it to school.
Me: But, you wore your pink shirt with the thingys on it. (still lost)
A: Yep. And I wore my pajamas underneath my shirt.
Me: Ok. Any reason why?
A: Yep. I wanted to wear my pajamas to school.
Me: Do your teachers know these were your pajamas (please God no, please?)
A: Yep. I told them.
Me: And what did they say? (dreading answer, dreading answer)
A: They laughed. (smiling from ear to ear)

Of course they did. So now I'm the Mom that serves her kids ice cream for breakfast (after something healthy people and only once in a while!) and sends her kids to school in their PJ's (I didn't know, I really didn't know!)

Little Elves

What would I do without my 3 little elves?

Gabe's Three-Quarter Birthday

Yes, we are just that obsessed with him.

Snapped this photo of him this morning during our celebration. He wants everyone to know that flannel is trending.

Happy Birthday Gabers!

Hannah and her son Samuel - Take 2

Madeline had her first snow day today....we found out when we arrived at the (empty) bus stop!

The kids celebrated by putting a play together of the story of Hannah and her son Samuel. See
1 Samuel 1-2 for an accurate account.

There is an Oscar potential scene at the end of the first take where Eli the priest and Hannah are actually fighting over baby Samuel in the temple. No, this was NOT part of the script. Fortunately, in Take 2, everyone was able to maintain composure.

Hannah and Baby Samuel

Starring:
Madeline as Eli
Abigail as Hannah
Gabriel as baby Samuel
Lauren as a princess (yes, we tried to explain this one to her)

Hannah and her son Samuel - Out takes

Poor baby Samuel.

Florida, First Plane Ride....and Disney?

We are heading to FL (very last minute - in true Scherer fashion) to spend some holiday time with Ron's family over the Christmas holiday....AND making a trip to Disney World. Our home has been nothing short of completely amazing to live in since this discovery!

Telling the girls was only 1/2 the fun - here is some of the other 1/2:

The girls have invented a new game called, "airplane" where they act out exactly what our journey will look like from Ohio to Florida. Everyone takes a turn being the stewardess and the most coveted role of disgruntled passenger.
(I think she didn't get her snack??)

Lauren tells everyone we are leaving tomorrow. Even the mailman. Everyone she sees: "We go to Disney tomorrow!"

I thought Abigail had the time frame down but last night I got a call from our preschool carpool and the Mom says to me,
"Umm, so you won't be driving tomorrow since you are leaving for Disney World? Abigail said she won't be in school."

Its still 13 days kids. 13 days.
This week has been a complete blast. I can't wait to actually FLY to "Grandpa BAG's house" and actually GO to Disney.

Lauren's Laundry

Are you kidding me? I'm in the laundry room again??? Pleeeease. Say it isn't so.
Oh, but it is.

I just had to do a quick blog on Lauren. Today, she came into, yes, you know, the L room and asks, "Mommy, can I help you do clothes?"

Oh, I just pray she has this same motivation for clean clothes in a few years.

(Sorry, I am lost in a daydream where SHE is in the laundry room and I am on the patio sipping a margarita.....ERRRRrrrrrr.....back to reality)

Anyway, she removes each item of clothing from the dryer and says who it belongs to.
Dadddy.
Madeline.
Gabe.
You. This one is yours, Mommy.

I am completely impressed that she knows every item's owner. After about a dozen items, she says, "I'm all done now" and disappears. If only I could be so lucky!

On a side note (I so did not mean it that way Gabe), Gabriel cut his 2nd tooth today.....also was standing in his crib when I went to get him from nap!

Plotting and Scheming....for Dodgeball

A couple days ago, Madeline and I were in the laundry room (why am I always here?) and we are chatting about school as we fold clothes. Here is part of our dialogue:

(preface: this is about to get really random)
M: Mom, what color shirt do you think Michael will wear tomorrow?
Me: Uh, I'm sorry? What?
M: You know....red, blue, white.
Me: Yes, I know colors. Why are you wondering?
M: Well, we are playing dodgeball in gym class tomorrow and Mr. Beals divides up the teams by what color shirt you are wearing.
Me: Go on.
M: So, I want to wear the same color as Michael.
Me: Go on.
M: Because he's the fastest. Anyway, he wore blue today so I think.....
Me: Whoh, hold up, wait. You actually noticed that he wore blue today?
M: Yes, and I think he's going to wear red tomorrow. I'm wearing red.

And there you have it. The perfectly normal, not a bit neurotic or compulsive, family (extended included!) spirit of competition.

32 Days and Counting Down

Today is already a great day. Madeline and Abigail put candles in their toast this morning and sang "32 Days until Christmas" to the tune of "Happy Birthday." Hilarious.

I wish I could have captured the moment on camera but my (almost 34 yo) husband took it with him today to document his flag football tournament. Yes, that's right, he's playing football. Actually, his 1st place trophy from a few weeks ago sits very near Madeline's first soccer trophy. Strange?

So, while the kiddos and I travel several states away (ok, I'm exaggerating) to our annual Wassail, Ron will be re-living the high school days. I hope I don't sound annoyed -- I'm really not. He loves it. I've always said if he had two lives, he'd hang out with us in one and be an NFL player in the other!

This day has only improved by the fact that Madeline came into the office and asked how old God is. I better run....this one could take a while.

Ice Cream and Underdogs

I wish I had time to post all the funny things that have happened in the last 24 hrs!

Hopefully, I will have time to post a picture of us all eating ice cream cones in bed this morning at 8 am....Daddy's out of town!
We started a tradition several years ago that whenever Ron has to go away on business, the kids get to have ice cream for breakfast.

"Before or after you eat something healthy" -- had to add that disclaimer after Madeline went to Kindergarten last year and announced that her Mommy gives her ice cream for breakfast. Oh boy.

Anyway, I was just in the laundry room (my home away from home) and heard Lauren,
"...two....free.....UNDERDOG!"
I come out and see that, yes, she is giving Gabriel underdogs in his jumpee. He is flying high with a look of panic on his face. Holy Moses.

Early Thanksgiving

Madeline brought home an assignment yesterday where she had to write about things she is thankful for. Here is what she said:

I am thankful for Mom sining (signing) me up to go to this school. I am thankful. for dad coaching my socr (soccer) games. I am thankful for my ants and uncls beecus they give me cupkes (cupcakes).

- Madeline

It's Getting Hot in Here

Several friends have asked why I did not blog the following story from a few weeks ago.....

Instead of drawing the entire picture for you, I'll just cut to the point. Lauren peed all over me. Yes, that's right. I'm chatting on the phone with my SIL Jen and she is sitting on my lap. And I feel warm. And wet. Very wet.

Oh, did I mention we are in the car and have just arrived at Madeline's 60 mintue ballet class? Yep. So, I get to go inside and monitor all the children in a 8 X 2 foot hallway, wet. And not warm anymore, cold. Cold and wet and smelling like pee.

A day in the life....

Ding Dong

Yesterday, I look outside and see traveling salesmen (more like teenage boys) making their way down the street. Since I haven't figured out how to get on the "Do not call" list, I always answer the door. Its very awkward because I don't want to buy what they are selling, they definitely want me to buy what they are selling.....you've been there.

So, I decide to try a new approach: We're not home?

I asked Madeline to close the blinds on both sides of the front door and not to answer the door when the doorbell rings. Of course this starts a barrage of questions.....Why aren't we answering the door? Who's coming over? (or not coming over) Why do we need to be quiet?

"I will explain it in a few minutes" (my arms are full of laundry)

I head upstairs to Gabriel's room and sure enough the doorbell rings a couple minutes later. I don't hear anything from the kids and I am relieved. This is much easier than I anticipated. Why, why have I answered the door all these years???
--------
Ok, I need to stop here and apologize to anyone who has children that have to sell popcorn, magazines, gift wrap paper, encyclopedias, greeting cards, discount cards, coupon books and just about anything else they can think of for children to peddle door-to-door. I am not a fan.
Have your children call me, snail mail me or hit me up at church. I'm a real sucker then.
The one and only exception? Girl Scouts. They definitely have a hall pass -- who doesn't want 14 boxes of Girl Scout cookies?!?
A quick tip: Hit my neighbor Mark up - he will buy anything. (You’re the best Mark!)
--------
Back to my story. I am almost laughing (so mean) and thinking how great it is that I have outsmarted the traveling salesmen/boys. That's when I hear the window blinds making a lot of noise.....like a hurricane is blowing through. I peek over the railing and....yes, its that bad.
I see Abigail holding Gabriel in one of the windows and Madeline and Lauren peering out of the other window. They are literally flanking each side of the front door, faces pressed up against the window, WAVING at the salespeople on the front porch. Oh, and did I mention a good FOUR minutes has passed since the bell rang? Oh yeah.

Now what do I do? Run to the door, seemingly out of breath, and pretend I was just able to get there?
Open the door and say, "Oh my, you should have rung the bell?"

NOOOOOOO! I whisper in my loudest and most authoritative voice, "Children, get away from the windows!" "Quickly, come upstairs!" "No questions!"

I watch from the window upstairs as they finally walk away. Phew!
I am left feeling horrified, embarrassed and cheap. Should have just spent the $20 for the discount coupon book.

Check, Please!

Last night, Madeline wrote a check from my checkbook....to herself. For forty dollars. Which I guess is a lot of money in kid world. Maybe like me writing one for $4,000?

She had filled it all out correctly which I must say impressed me....especially since many high schoolers in our country are not able to (I used to volunteer teach basic finance at a local high school).

At any rate, she brought it to me for the John Hancock. I asked her what she needed it for and she said, "I'm not sure. I just need it."

I guess I had just pictured this happening many years from now!

Trumped Again

I was in PA last week at Voice of the Apostles....a conference for church. Amazing!

Anyway, a bit behind on just about everything but didn't want to forget this story.

I asked Abigail to leave Gabriel in his highchair and a couple minutes later noticed she was holding him (as she loves to do 24/7) I reminded her of what I had said and asked her to head to the steps to think about it.

A couple minutes later I went to talk with her about the importance of obedience.
Here is the end of our conversation:

Me: Abby, remember that the Bible says to honor your mother and father so that you will live long on the earth.
A: Actually Mom, it says, "so that you will live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you"

Hmmm? Perhaps I was quoting NIV and she was quoting the King James version???

Something Beautiful

I never want to forget Madeline and Abigail belting out the lyrics to the Newsboys song, "Something Beautiful"

It's a voice that whispers my name
It's a kiss without any shame
Something beautiful
Like a song that stirs in my head
Singing love will take us where...
Something's beautiful

It's the child on her wedding day
It's the daddy that gives her away
Something beautiful
When we laugh so hard we cry
It's the love between you and I
Something beautiful

.....especially as they are singing, "It's the Daddy that gives her away" with big smiles to Ron. I will never NOT cry when I see that.

Oh, and Gabriel said "mama" today. So, it wasn't actually TO me....more like AT me. So?
Something beautiful.

Dressed.....Not so much.

This morning I got all the kids bathed, dressed, fed and Madeline out the door for school. No small feat by 7:45 am - I might add.

I just went into the kitchen to start cleaning up the hurricane, I mean mess, when I saw that Gabriel is now completely undressed.

?????

Me: Abigail, could you tell me why Gabriel is undressed?
Abby: He was really HOT! (its currently 64 degrees in our house....the tip of my nose is cold....we are not turning the heat on yet)
Me: What? How do you know he was hot?
Abby: He told me, "I'm hot."

Well, Okey Dokey then.

Reindeer

Tonight, Madeline and I were reviewing her papers from school and we started talking about her science experiment at school....meal worms. The students are all waiting to see what the meal worms are going to "change in to."

(I could tell them first hand as I had a very horror film-like experience with meal worms years ago but this is definitely another blog entry...or perhaps I should contact Wes Craven? Scratch that, horror films creep me out)

At any rate, I asked Madeline what she thought the meal worms were going to become and she said, "I don't know but I hope they change into reindeer!"

Ohhh Kaay then. I think this experiment may be a bit anticlimactic for her.

Pumpkin Farm, Bob Evans and Triplets

Yesterday, we are on our way to a nearby pumpkin farm when I see a husband and wife (take that Schwarzenegger - you may not allow teachers to use this terminology in school but you can't keep me from blogging it!) walking in the park.

Me: OMGoodness, look at that couple....pushing a triplet stroller AND they have a single!
Ron: Get out, what are they, crazy?
Me: I know. Triplets AND another kid.

From the backseat:
Abby: Uh, Mom? YOU GUYS have 4 kids!
Me: Oh yeah. Duh.

Leave it to Abby to point out the obvious to me.

We had a great time at Jacquemin Farms. (please do not google this as I'm quite sure it will not come up under this spelling) The girls did the hay maze, played in the corn and then we all took a hayride and ate homemade donuts (I may have eaten 2 - shhhhh, the girls don't know). We picked out a family pumpkin from the field and Madeline cut it from vine. Just when I am convinced it's the perfect family moment, Abigail tripped over a root and landed on a pumpkin where her hand made contact with the prickly part of the stem. Yikes!

At some point during all this, Ron leans over and tells me that he forgot to tell me an old high school friend had called several hours earlier and her son was playing in a football game at St. Brigid - right across the street, literally. I haven't seen her in forever and her son in two forevers so I was very disappointed/angry -- Love you babe, love you!

I did manage to get a hold of her before she left Dublin and was able to see her and her kiddos for a bit. Her 3 year old daughter shared her Bible verse of the week with me:

"In the beginning, God created Bob Evans and the Earth. Genesis 1:1"

Freakin' hilarious.

Crap, Gabriel just hoisted himself up on a box of scrap paper in the office, leaned over it, and barfed. I wish I were kidding.
Gotta run.

"My BABY BOY!"

(click on ? mark to view video)

Back by popular demand.

39 Seconds in the Life of Jesus
Starring:
Madeline Scherer as The Angel Gabriel
& Abigail Scherer as Mary

Madeline's 2nd Recital

(click on ? mark to view video)

As requested by friends and family....

Madeline is the tiny one in the blue (she was a year younger than the other girls)

One proud Momma,

Stunt Man

A friend emailed this to me today....from a bbque over the weekend. My little stunt man!
(I can't figure out how to rotate picture.....grrrrr..)

A couple funny things the girls said today that I don't want to forget:

Lauren: After failing to get Gabriel to do something she wanted him to do -
"I don't care for Gabe!" (and runs out of living room)

Abigail teared up at the lunch table. I asked her what was wrong and she says, "I don't want to do locks for love. I want my hair long forever. I'm NOT cutting it. Ever."
Background:
Madeline decided about 6 months ago that she wanted to donate her hair to Locks for Love and has been growing it out and measuring it.....every day (another entry).
I guess Abigail thought this was to be a sister tradition and decided to boycott. Too funny.
(She is currently belting out - and I do mean loudly - Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way....It is October, right?)

Two Wheelin' & More

Abigail literally got on a bike without training wheels this afternoon and rode it down the street. No joke. Like she'd been riding a bike all her life. As if she coined the phrase, "it's just like riding a bike."
It was the wildest thing to see. I had to bolt into the house to grab the video cam or I would have never believed it later.

At any rate, she is full-on riding a bike. Rode it for the next two hours non-stop. Had to be drugged and dragged into the house for dinner (exaggeration) and then begged for more. Crazy.

It's been a wild ride around here this week. Now if ONLY I could talk Lauren into navigating her midnight, 2 and 5 am potty trips on her own.....that's an entirely seperate blog entry.

Oh, and I almost got into an altercation with the neighbor lady today. She enjoys crusing down the court and into her driveway at speeds in excess of 45 mph. I am not amused. Gave my best attempt at maintaining a Christian-like attitude while explaining the negatives to vehicular homicide. I'll give myself a B-.

Official Crawl!

He is officially crawling.....as of yesterday!
Up on all 4's.....crawling like a maniac. I'm about to get really busy (because I am a bit bored now???)
I can't believe he is only 6 1/2 months....the girls were 9 months when they did this....must be a boy thing.


On a side note, I cleaned out my purse today. Because there may be a day when I wouldn't remember this, here is a list of some of the items found/recovered:

- 3 plastic spoons (you never know, the first 2 could get lost or broken and you might need that 3rd one....oh, and they've only been used once for feeding so they can't be that dirty, right?)
- 1 Croc
- 14 barrettes/hair ties
- 1 plastic container of organic carrots (unopened...by a miracle)
- an article that someone handed me at church on Sunday (for my spare-time, reading pleasure)
- Scotch tape
- Orajel
- tweezers (I don't know??)
- a ballet slipper (matching one still to be discovered)
- My Ipod (YES, I was wondering where that went!!!)
- the cut-off sleeve of an old t-shirt that Madeline now uses as a headband (I wish I were kidding)
- Letter "H" from Leap Frog Fridge Phonics (as in, "How" did that get in here?)
- our neighborhood phone directory (you never know when you may want to contact a neighbor from the road)

So you get the gist....or I do since I was the one who didn't want to forget this.

Happy Crawling to Gabriel and my purse is 3 lbs. lighter. Its a good day.

Peas.....check!

I have successfully navigated my way through 2 weeks of Gabriel gagging and throwing his head back in the bumbo seat at even the slightest hint of a pea. After hiding and/or disguising them 184 different ways, he actually EATS them.
Ok, so he will grunt at me as if to say, "I am completely annoyed" but he does injest them....for a time anyway and then they are regurgitated onto the carpet. Hey, take what you can get!

If you are wondering why I bothered (you probably aren't).....I was very diligent with Maddie eating veggies and still to this day she will eat any vegetable found in the produce section...no joke. She actually chose beets on our run last week. NASTY!
I may have been a bit lazy (is that really the right word?) with the middle two and they literally gag when I am preparing the beets (me too...shhhh!)
So, I am back to square 1 for number 4. We shall see.

Beastie Girl

I tune into Christian radio because most of what is on the radio station I would like to listen to is not great for the little ears. However, anyone from Columbus can attest, The River is the queen of pete-repeaters and yesterday I had had enough.

Lauren, Gabe and I are driving home from dropping Abby off at preschool and I am flipping stations and I hear, "You Gotta Fight...bom bom....For Your Right..." and before I can even reminise I hear Lauren from the backseat say, "Mommy, I LOVE this song" (she's never heard it).

I look in my rear-view mirror and she is literally fist-pumping to the song (where did she see that??) and now I am LOL!!!!

It all quickly ended in verse 2 when he says his mom lost his best _____ mag -- but hey, it was fun while it lasted!!!

Ok, I have to add here that she is sitting beside me flipping through a PB Teen magazine saying, "I not sleep in this bedroom" (page flips) "I not sleep in this bedroom" (another page is turned) ...over and over.
Abigail just returned from getting the mail in her skivies and Gabriel is clammering up my body like a professional rock climber. No joke. He's ticked off too.
Happy Tuesday People. Happy Tuesday.

Sunday School Laughs

I am teaching Junior Explorers this month which is 4 and 5 year olds. These kids crack me up!
Couple funny things I can't forget:

Last Sunday, I asked the kids to tell me which woman from the Bible we were learning about. One of the little boys raised his hands and said, "HANNAH MONTANA!"
Ok, so it was actually Biblical Hannah and not Disney Hannah but I'm definitely giving him partial credit!

Today, I told the kids if they could recite their memory verse than they could pick a prize from the treasure chest. The verse was "I listen carefully to what God says." Psalm 85
One of the little girls raised her hand and said she was ready, "I listen carefully to what God says....so long as its 85"
Full credit for that one!

Mr. Miyagi

So, we are sitting at breakfast this morning and I am trying to get Madeline to hurry it along before she has to leave for school....(eating her cereal)
I say to her, "Focus, Daniel Son!" and she looks at me like I've just come from the moon.
"I'm not Daniel", she says.
I explain that its a quote from the movie "Karate Kid" and she is just a little too young to get it.....at which point the 20 yo college student that lives with us (my cousin) chimes in. Here is an excerpt:

Britt: What is Karate Kid?
Me: You know, the movie.
Britt: No, I don't.
Me: Come on. Daniel Son. Mr. Miyagi. Karate Kid!
Britt: Never heard of it.

This conversation plagues me all morning and I am convinced that she is mistaken. She just missed it, right? She just happened to NOT have seen the 6 Karate Kid movies that were released (there were a few). That has to be it. And I can completely relate to that. We didn't have a television in our home until I was in high school. All those nights you were curled up on the couch with your family watching "The Cosby Show" .....I was playing outside in the yard. No wait, I was probably giving the twins a bath. But, I digress.

So, I look up the release date of Karate Kid. 1984. She was negative 3.
I'm old. This really stinks. I'm old.

Soccer Saturdays

Fall soccer season is in full swing. Ron co-coaches Madeline's team and the fields are just across the street which is great.....although you wouldn't know it when I arrive in a full sweat pushing the double stroller with Abigail sitting on the handle bar (I know, not the recommended usage).




Gabe, buddy, are you sure its nap time?
(the person taking this picture looked at it and said, "uh, its ok"
No, Really! This is a GREAT family picture. We are all somewhat, kinda, sorta looking towards the camera. I may use it as our Chirstmas card this year. Its that good.

Happy 6th Month Birthday to Our Little Prince

Happy Birthday Little Guy!
(it was actually yesterday...just getting a second to post)

He celebrated with his first try at peas.....gagged and threw his head back in the bumbo seat. Freakin' hilarious!!!!!

9 Hours, 11 minutes and Counting....

....until we see our beautiful niece get off the plane from China to her forever home.
I know, can you believe we actually get to be there when this all happens?? As if her Mommy and Daddy and her 5 (count 'em) siblings aren't enough....we get to go along as well.
From what we know of her already though, she is a complete "ham" and loves to entertain, laugh and smile!

I think she's going to love the Homecoming Party. And the best news, the helium seems to have lasted from the balloon bouquet.....whew!

Pictures to come!

Grocery Giving

Ok, so here goes another story about how cool my kids are -- but you know what? I decided I can brag all I want because I have only given this blog out to one person, a sister! And believe me, I have LOTS of people I could give it to....siblings alone I have 14 total, I think (in laws count, people!)
All that to say, this is basically for me and my incredibly defunct memory.

Madeline and I are grocery shopping Sunday. I should stop to say that grocery shopping with just one child is one of my attempts at one-on-one time with my children....exciting, I know.

As we check out, she pulls a dollar from her purse and reminds me that she "earned" this dollar and could we go to the Dollar Store so she can spend it. I tell her that we can go tomorrow as I think/I hope/I pray the store is closed now (as I do not possibly have the time to run one more errand, drive home, unload groceries, feed 4 children and do bath and bedtime routine....all before BB is on. Ok, so I have DVR...you get the point though).

A couple minutes later:
M: Mommy, I decided I want to give it to someone.
Me: Umm, are you sure?
M: Yep. I want someone else to have it.

And so she walks up and offers it to this lady. (is it terrible that I am secretly relieved when the woman says no?)

That's my Madeline.

Top Stories

Breaking News. Our nice Hannah will be waking up ANY MINUTE to start her journey HOME!!!!! Is that so completely exciting?!?!?!? We can hardly wait until she arrives. The girls have already picked out and purchased a balloon bouquet for her....I can only pray the helium lasts until she gets here.....I tried to expain China is VERY FAR and perhaps we should come back to get the balloons in a day or so....No Go!
Stay tuned for up-to-the-minute information on her arrival.

In other news, Madeline has lost 2 (count them!), TWO teeth in 2 days. We were reading bedtime stories on Sunday night and she stops and says:
M: Mommy, you keep saying you need to borrow Miss Cara's camera to get one last picture of me with all my teeth
(why I need to borrow a camera and not just use my own is another blog entry entirely)
Me: I am going to call her right now!
Abby: Mom, can you finish the book first? PLEEEEASE???
(not even 10 seconds later)
M: Too late Mom, I just yanked it out!
(blood now dripping out of mouth, down chin and onto couch)

It was crazy. Her first tooth. Aren't I too young for this? Isn't She too young for this?? I feel like she just GOT her first tooth.

At any rate, the 2nd quickly followed...at school the next day.... (boo, I missed it) and then it was lost on the bus. By the grace of God, we found it after chasing the bus down and demanding to be allowed on for a thorough search! ;)

Pictures coming soon!

Our Little Prince

Who would think that eating smashed up banana through a net could be this much fun???

Thank you

We had such a great Labor Day weekend....hanging with family, picnics, sleeping in late (anything past 7 am is late right?)
Anyway, we were coming home from our last cook-out and Lauren (2 yo) says:

"Mommy?"

Yes, Babe?

"Sank you taking me Aunt Jen Uncle Sam house"



Enough said.

Hannah Day!

Today is a super exciting day! Its "Hannah Day" -- and what is that, you may ask? Today is the day our niece officially begins her journey to her forever home.

Ok, can I please pause to ask you if you have ever seen a sweeter face in your life?????

Back to me explaning: My SIL and her husband have adopted the most beautiful little girl from China - Hannah. Actually, another beautiful baby girl - their first one (Grace) came home last year. At any rate, she is making the journey home and we will finally get to meet her in about a week. We have been praying for peace and safety for her for months so we are so very thankful that God has answered our prayers. She will be making the journey with her Daddy (Jeff). Mommy (Amie) stayed home to care for her 5 older siblings (yes, that's right - I said 5....you guys thought I was nuts about kids! :) )

We are dancing around our house this morning!
Happy Hannah Day!

PS - Her 2nd birthday was a few days ago....August 30. We can't wait to have birthday cake with you Hannah!!!!

Don't be a Tosser

Several weeks ago, we vacationed just outside Gatlinburg, TN. One morning, Madeline and I decided to go for a walk. She announced she was taking along her notebook and pencil to record all the interesting things we saw.

A few items on her list: were:
goats
Smokey Mountains
flowers
waterfall

At any rate, we turned to start walking down more of a main road. She quickly stopped and turned to me. Here is our conversation:
M: Mom, I don't think God would be happy with all this litter.
Me: (I look down and notice that she indeed has just recorded "litter" on her list) You're probably right babe.
M: I think He would be really sad that people are trashing up His earth.
Me: You're right. (what am I supposed to say? I'm the one learning at this point)
M: I think we need to go get a trash bag and clean it all up.
Me: (please tell me she didn't just say that?!? Its getting hotter by the minute -- supposed to be 105 today) Really, honey?
M: Yes, Mom. We need to.

And so we truck back up the huge hills to our cabin and retrieve a trash bag, then return to the road to begin retrieving
the trash that people have littered as they eat on the go and then dump their rubbish en route. Ick.
After about an eternity (ok, it was a mere 20 minutes, but still!), I announce that we should probably head back to the cabin to which Madeline responds, "I think we should continue."
And so we did.

Our Environment, Its a Living Thing.
For more information on litter prevention, go to www.environment.nsw.gov.au/litter
(Its what she would want me to do!)

First Grade Blues

So, last Thursday I sent my baby off to First Grade. Actually, she is not my baby, she is my oldest. But, all the same, she felt like my baby and it was a sad day.

Because I was the first to have a child among my college friends, they often call or email when something big happens in her life (I love the way they humor me!) and so they had all called and emailed to find out when she was going, etc.
Here is the email I sent shortly after the bus pulled away:
----------------------

Hey girls - She is on the bus for her first day of First Grade.
> And if it wasn't bad enough watching the bus pull away, I walked up
> the
> front porch to see her sign hanging on the door from last night:
>
> "Ballet classes, Madeline: teacher"
> (she taught me my first ballet step last night: tandu)
>
> I had no idea this would be so hard for me. I honestly could not have
> predicted in a million years that I would be this sad. Its hard to
> explain
> but I just feel like that time in my life is over....where I had
> all my
> babies "in the nest" so to speak.
> Its so cliché to say that "time flies" but it really, really does. I
> promise it was only yesterday that I was strapping her into her
> infant seat
> and jetting around town...dressing her in cute little baby
> clothes....listening to her say, "like a diaper in the sky" when
> she sang
> Twinkle Twinkle.
>
> Hug those babies tight. Thank you for your calls and emails the
> past couple
> days.
>
> Much love to all of you.
>
> Honored to be her Mommy,
> Cos
>

Computer Magic

Ok, so yesterday I decided to officially start a blog. See, I have these 4 journals in my kitchen drawer that I supposedly fish out every week or so and write down cute little stories about each of my kids. Only I don't. When I had one child, absolutely! When I had two, sometimes. When I got to 3, occasionally. When I reached 4....I haven't even recorded his "birth story" and he's nearly 6 months old. (Dear God, I pray he never reads Madeline's)

Anyway, this is my solution. I'll blog some cute stories, post a couple pictures and I'm still super-mom-of-the-year. Ok, well, at least I will have accomplished my goal.

So, yesterday's blog would have been titled "Computer Magic" and so I am starting there. Here is my conversation with Abigail, my 4 year old.

M: (typing away on my computer, returning emails)
A: (has just discovered old keyboard in the corner of the office and begins clacking away) Mom, Did "Party" just come up on the computer screen?
M: I'm sorry, what honey?
A: Did Party just show up on the screen?
M: Uh, no sweetheart.
A: Here, let me try again. (more clacking, this time very intense)
A: How about now Mom?
M: Uh, no.
A: Ugh! (very exasperated - runs out of office)

At this point I am FOTFL. Perhaps I am the only one that is amused at these children but it was shortly after this that I decided I simply can't forget all these stories. I guess sending Madeline off to 1st grade last week was my wake-up call. It goes way too quickly.