This picture of Daniel is so adorable.  I miss my little baby.  He's going into first grade now.  It is so hard to believe.  He'll always be my baby.

Christmas Is Love

It is Christmas Day.  I'm laying on the couch with a full belly from the delicious brunch I made and ate with my family.  My wonderful and amazing husband is washing the pots and pans.

We opened presents, laughed, played and gave hugs and kisses.  I whispered to each of my boys that I love them and they gave me the biggest hugs a mom could ask for and cherish.  Thankful my kids still want hugs from me.

They are love.  They make all the stress and rush and craziness all worth it.  Right now one is snuggled up next to me reading a book and another is at my feet playing with a Batman toy.  The two other boys are playing a game together and not fighting!  A Christmas miracle!!!

Even the two dogs are snoozing peacefully after a morning of romping around the house with their new squeaky toys and treats.  Wow.  What a day it has been so far.  I think I want to burrow into the pillows and take a snooze and relax now.  Maybe later we will play one of the many new games together as a family.  That is always fun.

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family.  I wish you a wonderful holiday season.  Love you all.

Daniel's Birthday

It's hard to believe little Daniel is already two years old. Last week was his birthday and it was a beautiful day outside, so we went to the park. He enjoyed exploring and running around with his brothers. It was also the first day of spring break, so they kids were really excited to play.

We all decided to go out for lunch for Daniel's birthday. We hardly ever go out to eat, so this was a rare treat. We went to Fricker's since kids eat free and it also looked fairly empty. Unfortunately, Daniel was in a weird mood and he was not all that great at the restaurant. I'd really like to be able to go out to a decent restaurant and enjoy it, but the kids never want to cooperate. I guess that is why we don't go out; well that and it costs $50 to go anywhere with our family.

I stopped at Meijer and picked up a really cool CAT truck for Daniel's birthday present. He loves it! It has Lego blocks that go with it and stack on to the truck in various places. The other boys also really like the truck, too. It is a nice one that you can also sit on and ride it. It's almost a week later and Daniel is still playing with it, so it must be a winner.

I made brownies instead of cake since everyone always wants brownies. We also had peanut butter ice cream and the kids were the quietest they ever had been all day when I dished that out. Daniel sure is growing fast and is just adorable. I hope you had a happy birthday, D!

Snow Day X 2

Today was another day off of school for Sam and Caleb. We made valentines for their parties at school which are planned to be on Friday. Hopefully they will be going back to school by then! It was a Star Wars theme for the boy cards and a mix of Dora, Cinderella and Blue's Clues for the girl cards. They folded colored paper into little cards and stuck stickers all over them. Then we found two old shoe boxes and decorated them to be used to collect valentine cards at their parties. Lee and I glued construction paper around the boxes and the boys drew designs on them and glued cut out hearts and Star Wars stickers. Nothing says Be My Valentine like Star Wars.

Reeb Funeral Home Tribute Page

Reeb Funeral Home Tribute Page

Happy New Year 2010

I wish you all a safe and healthy 2010. Let's work at being kind to each other and always try to do our best. With those two things, how can we go wrong?

Grandpa Rob

My grandpa, Robert B. Daney, Sr., passed away on December 30, 2009.
Here is a link to his obituary in the Toledo Blade newspaper.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/toledoblade/obituary.aspx?n=robert-daney-rob&pid=138033172

Holiday Time

I finally have all the Halloween and Fall Harvest decorations taken down and packed away. Except for the one stray fake pumpkin that I forgot on the front porch. I had all the boxes put back in storage already, of course, when I noticed the forgotten pumpkin. For right now it is in the house, but it has yet to make it downstairs to the storage area. Probably when I get the energy to drag out the Christmas decorations it will get put away. So, in the meantime my son will have some fun rolling it all over the kitchen floor.

Regarding the Christmas decorations, I am not sure when I will get to those. I have been putting them out later these last few years. I think with having children it has made me leery of wanting to battle with them over leaving them alone for weeks on end. Obviously all the delicate and breakable items go up on shelves or on the top of the tree, but it isn't a fool proof plan. Somehow one way or another, one of the boys launches a miscellaneous toy through the air right at my crystal angel and that is another trinket to bite the dust.

Probably this weekend I will get the stuff out and my husband will put the tree together and the lights on and we all will help decorate it. I will arrange all the knickknacks and do-dads all around the house while Christmas music is playing. The kids really love to help decorate and dance around singing as loud as they possibly can. I get my childhood favorite record out, The John Denver Muppets Christmas, and take a trip down memory lane.

This year, in addition to putting up our 13 year old, price reduced, former Hills Department Store special, tree up (yes, it is ugly and full of holes, but I don't worry that the kids will ruin it) we are doing a live tree. An old high school friend of mine who I keep up with still via her blog and Facebook, always gets a live, potted tree for Christmas. I thought this was the best idea and I have finally convinced the husband this is a good thing. He thinks digging a hole to plant it this time of year is difficult. Bahhh-Humbug!

So, I found an area nursery that sells living, potted Christmas trees and we are going to purchase one this weekend. I am so excited with this idea because I just think it will be so cool to have a live tree but not have to cut it down. Then after Christmas we (this means my husband) will plant it in our yard for us to enjoy. Hopefully it will survive and thrive and stay around a long time. I would love to watch it grow as my children grow up and we can look at the tree and remember that year's holiday season. This is my plan, at least, I hope it works!

Pictures of Drew

Oak Harbor Homecoming 2009

Parents Night 2009

Varsity Football 2009

Junior year 2009

Happy Happy Birthday To You!

Today is my husband's birthday. He is 38 years young. I just want to say to him...

I love you, Honey. I hope you have a super special day. I am baking some brownies right now for you because I know you prefer them over cake. You are a fabulous dad and man. I am lucky to be with you! Happy Birthday.

Gearing Up for BTS

Every summer I wonder how the summer flew by so fast. This year is no different. Now we are paying school fees, buying school supplies and stocking up on favorite foods for lunches. Sam and Caleb will be riding the bus together for the first time this year. Sam will be in second grade and Caleb will be in kindergarten. Caleb is quite excited to ride a bus. It is all he talks about. I just hope he gets off the bus okay. He will not be in the same building as Sam, so Caleb has to get off the bus at the first unloading and Sam stays on and goes to a different school. I am sure it will work out fine.

We went shopping for back packs and lunch boxes the other day. It was buy a back pack and get a lunch box free. Sam has a Bakugon back pack and a Pokemon lunch box. Caleb has a Transformers back pack and Bakugon lunch box. I am sure I will not get it straight when I have to make lunches. Poke-Baku what? Whatever happened to easy stuff like Spiderman or Batman. I can tell them apart just fine.

Joah is in a uproar because I would not buy him a backpack. Well, dear son, if you would stop pooping in your pants and actually become potty trained maybe you could go to school. But, no, you refuse to cooperate (typical Joah style) and, therefore, you cannot go to school like the other kids do. So, quit your crying and moping about it to me because this lady isn't listening.

I don't have one iota of sympathy that you don't have a new backpack. I have been trying to get you ready for preschool and potty trained for six months to no avail. There is NO making Joah do what Joah does not want to do. I have learned that the hard way. My word that kid is stubborn and bull headed. Where does he GET that?

So, the countdown continues with only a few days left until the fresh and shiny new school year begins. I am just glad I don't have to drive anyone anywhere this year. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise that Joah won't pee in a toilet. I can send Caleb and Sam to school on the bus. I don't have to get four kids up and ready and loaded and drag them all in with me to take someone to preschool. Not until next year when Joah goes to preschool...maybe. If he ever decides to get rid of the diaper. I guess he probably won't go to the prom wearing it.

August Update

I have not updated the blog in several weeks. I have been meaning to do it, but just kept putting it off. We have been busy, so there is always that excuse. Lee was off work for July and we were spending time together as a family taking advantage of his availability to us.

The kids had a lot of fun this July with Dad. I have noticed that Daniel has grown closer to Lee and actually prefers now to go to him over me. That kind of feels weird. I guess I should be thrilled for the break of not having to dote on him, but I almost feel slighted that he cries for Dad and wants him over me.

I mean, I carried him around for nine months, went through agony bringing him into the world, nursed him for over a year, and have been with him for nearly every day of his life. Yet, in a few short weeks he casts me off like a pair of shoes and goes running to Dad for every want and need. How strange to feel so quickly like I am not the most important person in his life!

Now, Dad is a warm and capable man who does a great job with the kids. So, I can see how Daniel would be drawn to him so deeply. It just was something I did not expect to happen so swiftly, especially since none of the other boys really did that when they were his age. Daniel just seemed to really bond with Lee this past month and that is a good thing. He loves to have Dad hold him and play with him and it is really cute to watch.

Now that Lee is back to work, I think Daniel is wondering what is going on. Not having his Dad around all day long now is a change and I don't think he likes it. Dad does come home for lunch (at least until school actually starts up) so Daniel gets to hug him and sit with him for a little bit during the day. He cries when Lee heads out the door back to work and it takes a while before he settles down again. Thankfully the misfits and antics of his three older brothers distract and entertain him thoroughly.

577 Foundation

I took the kids to an awesome place in Perrysburg called the 577 Foundation. It is really cool and I encourage everyone to visit it some day. The kids had a lot of fun exploring the land and taking a hike down to the river. I want to go back and walk around and explore some more. Check out the website to learn more about it.

http://www.577foundation.org/

ZOOin' IT!

Gimme the ice cream, woman!!!
Goof ball

Jo Cool

We all smile for ice cream

Nice. Thanks for cooperating for the pic, Jo.

Some of our MOMS Club buddies, Joshua and Caleb.

Big Bird

AAAHHHH!!!!

Monkeys swinging around

Big gorilla...don't mess with him.

My hat!

Glowing, toxic frogs.

Jo liked this bullfrog. A lot.

In the bug exhibit. I really loved it in there.

PLAYGROUND! Always a required zoo activity.

Sam, Joah and Daniel went with me to the zoo. My MOMS Club had a planned group activity there, so we decided it was a good day to go see the animals and visit with friends. Caleb was going to go, but he woke up sick and had to stay home with Dad. Maybe next time he will be able to go. With our membership at the zoo, it is easy to just pop in for a little while when we feel up for it. It was nice and warm...and kind of busy! The kids had fun and I enjoyed going with other adults to talk to for a change! At the end of the visit we stopped for a delicious ice cream cone. They are the best!

Daniel's Portraits

June 18, 2009

Who Is That Masked Man?

Joah's newest item to occupy his time. I picked it up at a garage sale last weekend. I feel safer already knowing I have my very own super hero in the house.

No More Nursing Bras!!!!

I have finally weaned Daniel and made it through the transition to now be completely done with breastfeeding. I can't wait to go out and buy me some new REGULAR bras that don't have clip open cups! I am a little sad that it is over, but mostly just ready to move on with it. I have put my time in with breastfeeding my little buggers and I am ready to have some freedom back.

Starting with this weekend and ALL the kids are going to Grandma Rita's house! WOO-HOO! I am not going to know what to do with myself, if it wasn't such a jam packed weekend already. Between Lee and me we have a teacher retirement party, a Mud Hens game, a garage sale, a birthday party, Lake's high school graduation commencement, a bridal shower, a graduation party and who knows what else!!! Should be fun.

I will miss the kids, but I think they will enjoy playing with their cousins and visiting with Grandma and Grandpa. I hope they are good for them...at least good enough that they will want the kids to come back again sometime!

Happy Birthday Joah

Here are some pictures from Joah's birthday. It wasn't much of a celebration because he was sick. We did have a cake for him and a few gifts to open. I am hoping to take him out to Chuck E. Cheese or someplace fun to "make up" for having such a bummer birthday. I am just glad he is feeling better now.