Wonder What I Really Do With My Time???

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One of my favorite things about winter

Okay, I don't like being cold. I hate it. It is not unusual for me to have on two pairs of socks, sweats, turtle neck, sweatshirt and be huddled under a blanket drinking hot tea. I mean, I really really hate being cold!! I do love snow, as long as it is outside and I am inside looking at it. Well, reading a good book and occasionally looking outside.

But as soon as the weather gets cold, I get to engage in one of my favorite activities with my family! Oh, they complain about it, but they love it too! Any guesses?

Here's a hint, I have really cold hands, feet and nose. Okay, so the nose thing likens me to a puppy, but it is not wet, just cold.

Are you ready? I love to stick my cold hands on warm backs and bellys! The three little ones giggle like they are being tickled. When I stop they beg for more! Really! My husband? Oh, that's another story. He hates it! Especially in bed, when I cannot resist the urge to get him with my cold toes!

Okay, my life is a bit pathetic, but I have got to look for some fun while I am freezing! Stay warm today!

Weigh In

I am down 20 pounds!! Yeah, Me!

Olivia Lost Her First Tooth.

Gracie's New Hair Cut

Kinda Weird

Elliana came in looking like this!

"I look like Buster!" she shouted.

Buster is the pug of a friend of ours.

Boo Night At School

Last Friday, Gracie has a Halloween party at school. Thanks to Tracy and her daughter, we were able to borrow a 'Sharpay' outfit for her to wear. (if you don't know who Sharpay is, ask the nearest 8-13 year old.) She had a wondeful time despite when she was dancing with her friend Caitlin and her wig flew off and hit Mrs. G!!

More costume pictures coming in a couple of days!

Weekend Update (with apologies to SNL for using their term)

Rocks. Guilty. Three children instead of just one. I'd apologize to the one I publicly accused, except she was one of the three culprits! Reason given for WHY they put the rocks in the exhaust pipe: "I don't know," from 'the boy.' Giggles from the baby. A blank look from the first accused.

Did you know that 'Que sera' is Spanish? I thought it was French! I guess I am learning some Spanish.

Pounds lost so far: 19!!

Number of children at McDonald's for lunch yesterday: All 5

Number of children who THREW UP at McDonald's: 1 (thankfully he made it to the bathroom...even more thankful that Daddy is the one who got to take him!)

Number of children who learned that lipstick does not make good eye shadow.: 2 (they kind of look like raccoons, today. They decided to circle their eyes with lipstick. I don't know why. I also don't know why I didn't take a picture!!

Things learned this weekend: a piano has 36 black keys. My hubby can name all 5 of the New Kids on the Block (I am so proud.) Harry Morgan is not dead. There are entire villages in Cambodia built on water. There is actually candy, that you can purchase, that comes in a plastic, strap on nose and drips out like snot (thanks, Mom.) I promise to get a picture of that in use!

Definitely an interesting weekend! What did you do??

Mi Casa es Calor!

Yes, this is a box of rocks. Why? How can it possibly be blog worthy?

Well, after three visits from the heating guy in three days, THESE are the cause of my not having any heat! It seems little fingers have been shoving these down the exhaust for the furnace. The exhaust clogs up and the furnace won't kick on. Which is a good thing, you know the whole CO2 thing.

I only have one child whose hand is small enough to shove these rocks far enough into tube to cause a problem. I think she might get these in her stocking for Christmas.

Olivia

This is what Olivia wore to school yesterday. She has her own sense of style and is very comfortable with it. I thought she was too cute for words!

Mi Casa Es Muy Frio!

My husband thinks I am a wimp. Easy for him to say! He's at work in his nice heated classroom! (Easy for me to say, he hardly ever reads my blog.) I'm sitting huddled over my hot tea wearing a t-shirt, fleece jacket and pullover. I'd take my picture to prove it, but I haven't gotten to make-up yet and no one photographs me without make-up!

It is so much harder to get the kids up and moving when it's cold. Especially Olivia who is just not a morning person. When it's cold they just want to snuggle into the covers deeper.

I went to take the chill off of the house the other morning and guess what happened? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Kind of like when I call the kids to help me with something. What happens? Nothing, the noisiest children on earth disappear. Become silent. Creepy..... So, silence. No heat.

Because I like to know what is going on, I flipped on the A/C. Had to turn it waaaay down into the 50s because it was that cold in here. Yep, the A/C came on! Hmmm, so it's not the blower. I'm such an expert!

Yesterday, around 11:00 my heroes arrived in their white van! It was hard not to fall at their feet! I took them downstairs and explained the problem. Within minutes one guy was up with an answer and was running to the van for a new switch. That didn't fit. That's okay, Cincinnati is a big city! There has to be the right switch here somewhere, right? Wrong. The closest one is in Columbus.

So, they are scheduled to return sometime today. Sometime. It's 60 degrees in here and falling. Mi casa es muy frio.

An Update

For those of you wondering....you know who you are. It is 10:25 AM and I have flushed the toilet three times after someone else's use. So, no, the sign is not making a huge impact. I am sure you are as shocked as I am.

All for Katie

We have a babysitter tonight. Yeah for us! I win life (as my friend Erin would say!) The kids got this box yesterday with treats from Aunt Tricia. They have decided that it MUST be decorated for Katie tonight and that she will be 'so excited!" Look closely at the top picture. Josiah is working on the inside of the box.

For those of you who follow me on facebook, notice Elliana in her PANTS!!!!

I love my kids!

Potty Talk

Please, remember to flush the toilet when you are finished!!

Yes, this is the sign that is now posted in our bathrooms. Two toilets shared by seven people really require a lot of maintenance. A LOT OF MAINTENANCE. (gross.)

All five of my children seem to have forgotten how to flush. Requiring EVEN MORE maintenance! (gross)

What happened to the day of potty training (not that I really want to go back there.) You know, when it was considered a treat to flush the potty? I wouldn't let them flush unless they had actually 'done their business' because it was such a positive reinforcement. Now it is like punishment.

I've tried everything. Sending them back to flush. Asking them in FRONT OF THEIR FRIENDS if they've flushed. Having them clean the toilets themselves.

So now, my poor pathetic little sign is all I have left. And, honestly, I don't have a whole lot of faith in it.

So, if you are talking to me on the phone and you hear the flushing, just know I've found someone's left overs.......again......

Community Dinner and Other Ramblings

Tonight at church, we are hosting our first Community Dinner. Just a chance for neighbors to come together and hang out while enjoying a free dinner. If you are in the area, come join us! Grace Church on Slane Ave. Starts at 5:30.

Charis went to the dermatologist yesterday. Big surprise, she has eczema! She is on an oral antihistamine and another ointment. Hopefully it will make a difference. The dr. said that her eczema is not allergy induced. It may go away on its own, it may not. ( I could have figured that out!)

Grace tried out for the Christmas play at school. She is so excited. She got a call back! Which means she'll probably get a singing role. She has a cold right now. Last night she put herself to bed early. Gotta rest the pipes, ya know!!

Ella also has the crud that Grace has. Poor baby. She is never this calm...is it bad to be glad she's calm? Not glad she's sick, just glad she is calm.

For the first time in 2 weeks, I woke up without a headache!!

I am down 18 pounds as of this Monday. Only 72 to go!! LOL

I have become addicted to f@cebook in the past couple of weeks!

Should I buy the Nikon D40 that I have sitting in an on-line cart?

The Walk For Children's Hospital

This weekend, the kids and I and my dear friend and mentor, Linda, walked for Cincinnati Children's Hospital. The walk was at Coney Island amusment park. We had so much fun.

Here are Olivia, Josiah and Grace on the Tilt-a-Whirl. Josiah says he is never getting back on it again !! Enjoy the pictures!

More fun from the Walk for Children's Hospital

...and more Walk fun!

Do you wanna

help an adoptive family?

maybe win a Vera Bradley purse?

Check this out www.thegiftofachild.com/pursedrawing.html

Nothing better

Saturday

Conversations

Josiah: (panting, running into the living room) MOM!! I NEED MY BELT, MY BUTT KEEPS FALLING OFF!!!!

(I hate when that happens!)

Kevin: You know, your pastor may start protesting your blog.

Me: Why is that?

Kevin: Because you put all of the good kid stories on it. Then I cannot use them in sermons, half the church has read them!

Me: Honey, "my butt keeps falling" will not preach!!

The conversation just disenegrated from there!