Four kids

Chris and I had the opportunity to parent four kids, ages 5, 4, 3, and 2 (almost) for nine days!  Mark and Karen went to Europe and we helped them by watching Amanda and Joe while they were away.  It was such a great learning experience for us as a couple.  We learned so much about accomplishing challenging tasks, the importance of organization, and parenting as one.  The first couple days all four kids were super excited and it was honestly a little chaotic.  I thought it was going to be a fun but long nine days.  But we met together with a family meeting and established our rules.  Let me be clear, Amanda and Joe weren't the only ones that needed the rules.  Our children (namely Hallie) really needed to know what was expected.  Once we eased into our expectations, all of the kids did beautifully!  Our kitchen table (which seats six) was full for nine days and it was fun.  Mark and Karen's kids are so gracious.  I really miss hearing "I love you, Shell!" and "You're the best, Shell!" and "You my best friend, Shell."  They were just as cute to Chris too.  Claire misses having someone other than Mom and Dad who could pick her up whenever she wanted it.  She asked me yesterday "Where Manda?"  When the kids missed their parents (and boy did they) it was special because I got to tell them how much their parents loved them.  I also got to tell them all about their parents as children.  Mark, obviously, is my brother.  But Karen is literally my oldest friend.  We had countless slumber parties from the time we were toddlers on up.  I loved that Hallie and Amanda were getting what Karen and I had when we were little.  One side effect of having a niece and nephew stay with you is your kids start calling you by your first name.  Claire thought it was awesome to refer to me as "Miss-sell."  When Mark and Karen were on their way home Mark asked if I was over it yet.  The answer was "no!"  It was a lot of work but it was really pleasant.  And Mark and Karen will return the favor this summer as Chris and I celebrate our ten year anniversary!  Yay for cousins!

Joe and Claire in their "assigned seats."  This really helped avoid fighting about "that's my spot!"

We loved going places and playing in the backyard.  But sometimes a movie was just what Mom needed.

Coloring was another good go-to activity.

Joe handled being the only boy perfectly.  He always had a car stuffed in his pocket.

Hallie still had preschool while the kids were with us.  Here they wait for her ride.

This is classic Joe.  He is actually feigning sadness though.

That is the Joe we know!

They really get along well.

It looks like Amanda is doing the "Thriller" dance.

It is so great that this group of grandkids is so close in age.

I can't get enough of all those bows!

When Joe arrived, it took him all of two minutes to sort out our "boy toys." 

Our Buzz and Woody were his best friends throughout his stay.

Costco is even more brilliant when you have four kids. 

Although, I did feel fleeting tinges of guilt when I took four samples instead of just two.

Minnie was our fifth child that day.

We spent hours at Chick-Fil-A one day so they could play.

Thank goodness for play lands and backyards!

We're gonna miss that bundle of kids.

Happy Birthday John!

Three out of four of my parent's kids and their families were able to be together for John's birthday this year.  Mom, John, Mark, and Karen went to London and Paris and stopped off in Colorado before their journey.  The morning of his birthday, Karen and I loaded the kids in the car and went to Dollar Tree to pick out fun decorations for John's birthday.  We had a tough time deciding which theme would be appropriate.  For awhile we thought a pirate party would be fun.  But as soon as we saw the monster trucks, we knew we had a party for John.  Now, 24 yr.old John isn't going to monster truck rallies or anything.  But 4 yr. old John loved trucks and had a Huffy bike called the "Mud Puppy."  It was perfect!

John came home from the airport to find a house decorated with streamers, balloons, and of course-- monster trucks!  Then, the family went out to eat together at Red Robin.  We couldn't let the night pass without an embarassing scene honoring John.  Of course, the restaurant staff came out to clap and sing to him while I had to take Hallie to the bathroom.  But Chris got pictures! 

That night, when we got home we made John blow out a candle on his birthday cupcake.  Then he opened presents and we took ridiculous pictures.  Sounds like a perfect birthday to me! 

For the record, John was not being serious in these photos. 

Although, apparently a lot of people on facebook are when they post such attrocities. 

Happy Birthday John!

We love you!

Our Royal Day

Chris's Mom, Judy is so fun!  On March 19, she hosted a royal day for the "big girls."  Clairey and Daddy stayed home and rested while Grandma, Michelle, and Hallie went to Disney Princesses on Ice.  Hallie had no idea where we were going.  She was just told we were going on a "surprise adventure."  We selected her Snow White outfit since she hasn't had a chance to wear that fancy get-up in public yet.

Hallie was thrilled when we arrived at the arena.  Many little girls were dressed up for the event.  I know I am biased, but Hallie was the cutest princess there.  However, she was not keen on how "high" and "scary" our seats were.  In truth, we had a perfect view of the show but she has a classic fear of heights.  Grandma thought fast and got her a massive TinkerBell snow cone and I will admit that definitely distracted Hallie until she became comfortable. 

As you can see, it all turned out princess perfect!

After our show, we met Chris and Claire for dinner.  Mom treated us to Noodles and Company and then we treated Mom to gelato.  We were indeed royally spoiled.

A look back at St. Pat's!

Someday, my grown-up daughters might look back at these pictures and think I was really organized and I planned ahead to pull things off like this.  The truth is, my sweet girls, I had a combination of desperation, supplies and luck to be able to pull off what looks like such a cutesy, festive day. 

I woke up the morning of St. Patrick's Day in a panic realizing Hallie's "go-to" green dress was in the bottom of a laundry basket and that all her friends at preschool would be wearing green.  I silently prayed she would have something else green to wear in her dresser.  Thank goodness she did!

When I stumbled down to get out cereal I lamented the fact that I wasn't cool like other Moms who thought ahead and bought Lucky Charms.  But I do own food coloring!  So, into the milk and pancake batter the green dye went.  Hallie was the one who told me the leprechaun did it.

From then on, I was sort of in my groove and the green obsession simply snow-balled . . .

to green nails . . .

and any green hair accesory I could find . . .

to a green onesie that could accentuate her pudgy toddler tummy.

Hallie discovered a pot o' gold at preschool that day and immediately shared her treasure with her sister.

Chocolate is a true treasure.

I am ridiculously proud of her coloring skills of late!  Perhaps we could work on that new backwards signature shown below though?

She painted this darling rainbow at preschool by dipping race cars in paint and taking them for a spin around the paper.   

I'm in the middle of this favorite green book of mine.

In the afternoon we watched one of the girls' favorite green movies. 

I realized we don't really have Irish movies around here.

Chris wore his fav tie with green in it.  It also happens to sport his school colors (which is why I bought it).

We made Shamrock Shakes!  Claire loved them!

For the dinner table, I pulled out everything green I could find and told the girls "the leprechan" put green, gold, and yellow candies on the table to eat.  We ate Irish Hot Pot-- it's something my dad made for us while I was a child.  You boil Irish favs (potatoes, cabbage, and onions) in a pot of water and then serve with sausage.  Each person can season with butter and salt and pepper as desired.  It is surprisingly delicious.  The girls loved sneaking bits of candy in between bites of potatoes. 

The older I get, the more I realize any opportunity for a new family tradition is an opportunity we must take!

These are the things my children will remember.  These are the types of memories that will tie their hearts back to home and make them long for simple, happy things.  And that is so worth any flight of frenzy to produce these festive times.