I finally changed the picture! It only took three months. If I knew it was that easy, I would have done it sooner....oh well.
Camille is in bed now, no nap so she was tired out. Lots of kids are still up, but they are having popcorn and daddy is reading stories while we watch the Olympics. He is yawning. It is alot to work all day and come home and eat dinner with 16 or 18 people, then take care of all the things that daddies do, like clogged drains and backed up toilets and broken remote control cars.
Uh-oh, there is fighting in the girls' room....
Thursday, February 18, 2010
cookies and staying home
Camille Anaya did the cutest little dance on this table, but by the time I adjusted the camera to "video", she had hopped down and scurried down the hall...
She sings lullabyes to her baby dolls.
I got out of it! No trip to the small city for me! I brushed my teeth washed my face brushed my long tangly hair - I was out in the van....Mirielle was moving the truck out of the way for me, and then Joseph pulled in in Emily's car....so Aaron took her car and went to the city for me, with Mali and Sonja. I gave them money for a few movies (the non-new releases are only .99 cents), and my coupon book and a few bucks to get something at TimHortens or DunkinDonuts. Hey, it is worth it, it saved me a trip. Now I am sitting here unexpectedly. I have turkey and gravy simmering for dinner. Abigail is here for a visit and is giving Charlotte Claire and Camille-who-will-not-stay-in-her-little-green-bed-for-a-nap, a nice bath.
She sings lullabyes to her baby dolls.
I got out of it! No trip to the small city for me! I brushed my teeth washed my face brushed my long tangly hair - I was out in the van....Mirielle was moving the truck out of the way for me, and then Joseph pulled in in Emily's car....so Aaron took her car and went to the city for me, with Mali and Sonja. I gave them money for a few movies (the non-new releases are only .99 cents), and my coupon book and a few bucks to get something at TimHortens or DunkinDonuts. Hey, it is worth it, it saved me a trip. Now I am sitting here unexpectedly. I have turkey and gravy simmering for dinner. Abigail is here for a visit and is giving Charlotte Claire and Camille-who-will-not-stay-in-her-little-green-bed-for-a-nap, a nice bath. I love the afternoon. Even when the kids don't nap, it is a "down" time. When dinner time rolls around, just making and serving dinner and then the clean up and story time and the kids running around time, is so busy. But the afternoons are nice. The dishwasher is running, the washer and dryer are both humming, the kids are playing hide-and-seek.....and here I sit. I love vacation. Even if there IS a huge load of clothes on the couch. And we seem to go through like three gallons of milk a day. And the dishwasher runs three times. And the kitchen is perpetually open. I COULD be accomplishing things. But down time is good.....
vacation = tired
BUT: I don't mind. I am the one who stays up 'til the wee hours with the older kids. Mirielle has no classes today or tomorrow, so she was up late too. They, however, sleep until noon, while I get up with the younger ones. So right now it is breakfast for some and lunch for others. I am taking a break. I have swept and vacuumed and cleaned the foyer and washed and dried clothes and fed kids breakfast and changed diapers and taken Rosie out and moderated a feud and....
Today I think we are staying home, since I lost my credit card yesterday when I was leaving Walmart, which doesn't surprise me. I called the bank and cancelled it, so now I have only a few bucks and a checkbook. And it is snowy and sleety out. We got some nice fresh new snow again last night, and it LOOKS pretty. 5 of the kids, and their two cousins (two different cousins are here now, Eileen and Olivia, Kim's girls) went sledding today. I just remembered that I have to go the small city today or ELSE. Or else I have to pay for the Blockbuster movie that didn't get returned with the others because a certain teenager watched it in his room and didn't put it back in the bag....and I didn't know it wasn't returned with the others, and was told by the clerk that if it wasn't returned by the 18th, I would own it. I do not want to own "Ninjas".....so I guess I am going to go out today after all. rats.
It is busy here right now. Mirielle, Joseph, Aaron, Mali, Sam, Margaret, Kathryn, Evelyn, Suzanne, Sonja, Jonathan, Charlotte Claire, Camille, Eileen, Olivia, and I are all in the kitchen or living room, and Rosie-the-crazy-pup.
I don't feel like going anywhere. Mirielle is looking up recipes on the other computer so she can bake with the girls. Today is one of those days where it is just so GOOD in our house. No pressure, no agenda, just vacationing. Charlotte Claire and Camille, whom are admittedly spoiled, have on the new pink suede boots I bought them for 75% off at Target last week. Charlotte Claire said, "Thanks for the new jumpy boots! They make me jump jump jump!" They look adorable in them. I bought them in the sizes I am guessing they will be next year.
Right now the spoiled girls (that just cracks me up, number 15 and 16, spoiled brats. Well, not REALLY brats....)are having cheddar cheese Pringles in the fort that Joseph and Aaron made them out of those big foam squares. Rosie has infiltrated the fort, and is being an angel, waiting for the crumbs to fall. I don't really allow them to eat in the living room, but.....Rosie does clean up the crumbs pretty well.
Today I think we are staying home, since I lost my credit card yesterday when I was leaving Walmart, which doesn't surprise me. I called the bank and cancelled it, so now I have only a few bucks and a checkbook. And it is snowy and sleety out. We got some nice fresh new snow again last night, and it LOOKS pretty. 5 of the kids, and their two cousins (two different cousins are here now, Eileen and Olivia, Kim's girls) went sledding today. I just remembered that I have to go the small city today or ELSE. Or else I have to pay for the Blockbuster movie that didn't get returned with the others because a certain teenager watched it in his room and didn't put it back in the bag....and I didn't know it wasn't returned with the others, and was told by the clerk that if it wasn't returned by the 18th, I would own it. I do not want to own "Ninjas".....so I guess I am going to go out today after all. rats.
It is busy here right now. Mirielle, Joseph, Aaron, Mali, Sam, Margaret, Kathryn, Evelyn, Suzanne, Sonja, Jonathan, Charlotte Claire, Camille, Eileen, Olivia, and I are all in the kitchen or living room, and Rosie-the-crazy-pup.
I don't feel like going anywhere. Mirielle is looking up recipes on the other computer so she can bake with the girls. Today is one of those days where it is just so GOOD in our house. No pressure, no agenda, just vacationing. Charlotte Claire and Camille, whom are admittedly spoiled, have on the new pink suede boots I bought them for 75% off at Target last week. Charlotte Claire said, "Thanks for the new jumpy boots! They make me jump jump jump!" They look adorable in them. I bought them in the sizes I am guessing they will be next year.
Right now the spoiled girls (that just cracks me up, number 15 and 16, spoiled brats. Well, not REALLY brats....)are having cheddar cheese Pringles in the fort that Joseph and Aaron made them out of those big foam squares. Rosie has infiltrated the fort, and is being an angel, waiting for the crumbs to fall. I don't really allow them to eat in the living room, but.....Rosie does clean up the crumbs pretty well.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
"fun" day with the kids!
Okay. Last night we watched "American Idol" with the kids. We have 5 girls in a row, ages ranging from 13 down to almost 8, among other children....and those girls love "American Idol". We watch it together, muting the tv during commercials, and enjoying the show. Last night the show ended at 10:00, then three of my sister's girls came over to visit and watch a movie with our older kids...and our younger ones were happy and awake until...too late. Oh well. We had to be out the door by 9:30 this morning for a dr. appointment for Kathryn and Evelyn. The older kids, being on vacation and going to college and whatever, were not available to watch anyone, so I brought the seven youngest with me.
La-dee-da, that sounds easy, I just brought them all with me. ha. But it was so much fun, truly. Camille didn't want just one Tic-Tac, she wanted the whole thing, as we all crowded into the emamination room......so she threw herself on the floor and kicked her feet....the dr. just ignored her , stepped over her, and continued checking Evelyn out. (I ignored her too, and it didn't last too long)...I apologized for bringing them all, and he said he didn't mind at all. He is a gem, he has been our pediatrician since Emily was born. Everyone at that office is kind and understanding. It makes it so nice to go there.
Since it IS vacation, and I promised them I would make it fun for them if they were good in the dr. office, I took them to the Chinese buffet afterwards. Camille opened her silverware, wrapped in the napkin, and offered me the fork. She said she would have the spoon. I didn't want to break it to her that I had one too....everything to her is so new and interesting. They didn't waste TOO much food, and when I couldn't keep the two youngest interested in sitting there anymore, we left and headed to Walmart. Jonathan has some Christmas money left and wanted a Webkin...they were all out, so he got some little trucks. Suzanne bought a baby doll with her birthday money, and Sonja bought a bubble gum machine (yay-I get to babysit a bubblegum machine!) I got them a few pairs of leggings for $3, and some $2 shoes. The wait in line was not really fun. In fact it was a bit like torture. Camille pooped, and therefore refused to sit all the way down in the cart...and she stunk bad. (Is STUNK a word?) Kathryn was sad because she didn't get anything. I was behind a mommy with two kids and a newborn, who had lots of wic checks, which I don't mind, but it took so long. And her baby was in the car seat, gulping and rolling his eyes, and obviously trying to burp or spit up....and his face was turning red, then he started screaming, and the mom gave the little girl a bottle and she stuck it in the baby's mouth....oh, I am sure the mom loves her kids, and I don't mean to judge her....but sometimes it seems like those carseats are overused. The baby was facing me, and she was in front of her cart. She seemed kind of stern, and I was chicken to point out that perhaps she should pick up the baby instead of feeding it more...but I tell ya, my mommy instinct was in high gear, I wanted to unbuckle that baby and rock him and burp him....
Soon after that, after some things scanned wrong and at least a half hour had passed, Camille had another nice little tantrum, right in front of the store...threw herself to the floor and screamed. Lots of people were looking....and I tried not to care. But I was a teeny tiny bit embarrassed. Especially because she reeked. I wanted to make an announcement that we don't all stink, it was just that she pooped. I changed her on the front seat of the van, oh joy, good thing we were parked right next to a garbage can. Then she was so mad that we buckled her in to her car seat, she somehow got her tights off....I don't know how...she fussed about half way home, then she settled down and sucked her thumb. I can't say I never had a two year old like her before, but....the good thing is that when she is good she is very very good.
It is six o'clock, and dinner is not made. The sink is full of dishes, and daddy will be home soon. I am still in my bye-bye clothes. I need to get moving.....
La-dee-da, that sounds easy, I just brought them all with me. ha. But it was so much fun, truly. Camille didn't want just one Tic-Tac, she wanted the whole thing, as we all crowded into the emamination room......so she threw herself on the floor and kicked her feet....the dr. just ignored her , stepped over her, and continued checking Evelyn out. (I ignored her too, and it didn't last too long)...I apologized for bringing them all, and he said he didn't mind at all. He is a gem, he has been our pediatrician since Emily was born. Everyone at that office is kind and understanding. It makes it so nice to go there.
Since it IS vacation, and I promised them I would make it fun for them if they were good in the dr. office, I took them to the Chinese buffet afterwards. Camille opened her silverware, wrapped in the napkin, and offered me the fork. She said she would have the spoon. I didn't want to break it to her that I had one too....everything to her is so new and interesting. They didn't waste TOO much food, and when I couldn't keep the two youngest interested in sitting there anymore, we left and headed to Walmart. Jonathan has some Christmas money left and wanted a Webkin...they were all out, so he got some little trucks. Suzanne bought a baby doll with her birthday money, and Sonja bought a bubble gum machine (yay-I get to babysit a bubblegum machine!) I got them a few pairs of leggings for $3, and some $2 shoes. The wait in line was not really fun. In fact it was a bit like torture. Camille pooped, and therefore refused to sit all the way down in the cart...and she stunk bad. (Is STUNK a word?) Kathryn was sad because she didn't get anything. I was behind a mommy with two kids and a newborn, who had lots of wic checks, which I don't mind, but it took so long. And her baby was in the car seat, gulping and rolling his eyes, and obviously trying to burp or spit up....and his face was turning red, then he started screaming, and the mom gave the little girl a bottle and she stuck it in the baby's mouth....oh, I am sure the mom loves her kids, and I don't mean to judge her....but sometimes it seems like those carseats are overused. The baby was facing me, and she was in front of her cart. She seemed kind of stern, and I was chicken to point out that perhaps she should pick up the baby instead of feeding it more...but I tell ya, my mommy instinct was in high gear, I wanted to unbuckle that baby and rock him and burp him....
Soon after that, after some things scanned wrong and at least a half hour had passed, Camille had another nice little tantrum, right in front of the store...threw herself to the floor and screamed. Lots of people were looking....and I tried not to care. But I was a teeny tiny bit embarrassed. Especially because she reeked. I wanted to make an announcement that we don't all stink, it was just that she pooped. I changed her on the front seat of the van, oh joy, good thing we were parked right next to a garbage can. Then she was so mad that we buckled her in to her car seat, she somehow got her tights off....I don't know how...she fussed about half way home, then she settled down and sucked her thumb. I can't say I never had a two year old like her before, but....the good thing is that when she is good she is very very good.
It is six o'clock, and dinner is not made. The sink is full of dishes, and daddy will be home soon. I am still in my bye-bye clothes. I need to get moving.....
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
just a quick note...
I get these nice comments, and really enjoy them...and sometimes I think I'll respond later and answer questions and then I realize I never did.....I do not take comments for granted, I really appreciate that anyone would take the time! So thank you!
Lots of kids are out sledding, Sam is eating breakfast (talk about vacation!), and we are going to watch, "Calliou" at two o'clock. With popcorn.
Lots of kids are out sledding, Sam is eating breakfast (talk about vacation!), and we are going to watch, "Calliou" at two o'clock. With popcorn.
complaining and other thoughts....
I don't know why I do this to myself, but I read this certain blog sometimes that tends to depress me. It shouldn't, but every once in a while, it makes me question myself and not-so-organized way I live and raise the kids. This woman has her act together. I will not mention the blog here, I don't want to critize her, she is a lovely woman. She has 15 children, and she stated in a recent post that her children do not complain because she herself does not complain. (she DID backpedal a little and say that they don't complain about the younger ones or the work they have to do because of having younger ones). But she does not complain because she loves her life and her kids and cleaning and serving. Okay.
Wait a minute!!! I love my life and my kids...it is the cleaning and serving I have a problem with. Oh, I will clean in 'fits and starts 'and make things look great.....but like my sister says, "If I want to look at really clean houses, I pick up a magazine." I do not mind cleaning and scrubbing, but....I do not love it. I would be perfectly happy if I could afford to hire someone to do it for me, so I could play with the kids and go on adventures, and of course take long leisurely naps with good books.
I am not a fan of complaining. In Phillipians 2, v 14 it says, "Do all things without complaining or disputing..."...So I hate the complaining I find in myself. "In all things give thanks, for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you"...1 Thess. 5 v. 18.....So complaining and giving thanks are polar opposites. When I find myself complaining, I hate it. It sounds awful, it stinks, and it is like saying that God made a mistake sending these things my way. But it is a process to be free from it, because it permeates me! I love my kids, but I still find lots of grumbling when they spill and tear and color on walls and remove poopy diapers and climb up on the toilet seat, smearing...never mind. When they leave wet bathing suits and wet towels from their swim sessions in school in bags by the door undiscovered until they smell....never mind. When they leave the milk out, drink out of the container RRR, dump things, forget things, knock things down....okay, I could obviously write a whole book about the things that make me want to complain. I have my work cut out for me. But that is my whole point. I love my kids so much I could cry. I love them fiercely. They make me laugh and smile, and I freely give my life to raise them. But I still have that complaining in there.....
Well, this is vacation, and I blissfully always forget how much work vacation is. The dishwasher runs three times a day. Right now, we have lots of cake crumbs on the kitchen floor. We are staying home today, except for an appointment I have to take Mali to this afternoon. I have a turkey to put in the oven. Tomorrow I have to take Kathryn and Evelyn to an appointment, and am thinking of taking a few of the other kids and going to lunch. There is a movie playing at the cheap theatre I was thinking of taking them to tomorrow night. Then maybe the zoo on Thursday....and the pool on Friday night. Last night I dreamed about looking through the bathing suit basket and not finding any that fit anyone....
Well, they need me.
Wait a minute!!! I love my life and my kids...it is the cleaning and serving I have a problem with. Oh, I will clean in 'fits and starts 'and make things look great.....but like my sister says, "If I want to look at really clean houses, I pick up a magazine." I do not mind cleaning and scrubbing, but....I do not love it. I would be perfectly happy if I could afford to hire someone to do it for me, so I could play with the kids and go on adventures, and of course take long leisurely naps with good books.
I am not a fan of complaining. In Phillipians 2, v 14 it says, "Do all things without complaining or disputing..."...So I hate the complaining I find in myself. "In all things give thanks, for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you"...1 Thess. 5 v. 18.....So complaining and giving thanks are polar opposites. When I find myself complaining, I hate it. It sounds awful, it stinks, and it is like saying that God made a mistake sending these things my way. But it is a process to be free from it, because it permeates me! I love my kids, but I still find lots of grumbling when they spill and tear and color on walls and remove poopy diapers and climb up on the toilet seat, smearing...never mind. When they leave wet bathing suits and wet towels from their swim sessions in school in bags by the door undiscovered until they smell....never mind. When they leave the milk out, drink out of the container RRR, dump things, forget things, knock things down....okay, I could obviously write a whole book about the things that make me want to complain. I have my work cut out for me. But that is my whole point. I love my kids so much I could cry. I love them fiercely. They make me laugh and smile, and I freely give my life to raise them. But I still have that complaining in there.....
Well, this is vacation, and I blissfully always forget how much work vacation is. The dishwasher runs three times a day. Right now, we have lots of cake crumbs on the kitchen floor. We are staying home today, except for an appointment I have to take Mali to this afternoon. I have a turkey to put in the oven. Tomorrow I have to take Kathryn and Evelyn to an appointment, and am thinking of taking a few of the other kids and going to lunch. There is a movie playing at the cheap theatre I was thinking of taking them to tomorrow night. Then maybe the zoo on Thursday....and the pool on Friday night. Last night I dreamed about looking through the bathing suit basket and not finding any that fit anyone....
Well, they need me.
random.....
I THOUGHT I smelled something last night when I was sleeping.....I woke up to this on the table. What???? There was a nice note next to it...it was a cake for ME! It was made by Mali! I think her sisters might have helped, and their friend Melanie who is here visiting. 
This is Mali, I found this picture on my camera this morning.
So, if you have been reading this blog for any length of time you KNOW what we had for breakfast. (There was already a big piece cut out of it this morning) This morning started quickly.....I was sleeping away, and then I heard my door slam....uh-oh, Camille was already starting the race, and I had to go to the bathroom and get dressed. The whole time I had that uneasy feeling that she was getting into something. She had found the cake before I did, and stuck her finger in it a few times...so that was the primary reason we had it for breakfast, ha.
I have so much to say but Camille pooped, Jonathan and Sonja are squabbling, and Charlotte Claire is playing with Ben's portable dvd player.....
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