Read me book

Ella has always loved to read.  Since the moment it was possible, she would say to whoever sat down on the couch in our playroom, "Read me book."  Whether you sat down to relax, to do work, or even do laundry or tie your shoe, she'd say, "Read me book."  So today, my house was somewhat clean and the laundry was even done and I sat down to read to her as much as I could.  I read until my voice became hoarse.  Then we played file folder games I had created when her sisters were younger.  Matching patterns, colors, animals, shapes, and so on.  Then we moved on to clothespin games. We ended up reading more and playing outside.

As a mom of four there are true moments of insanity.  All four kids talking at once.  All four wanting something different.  I've played four different games at once before.  It's a normal feeling to be tugged in so many directions.

Tomorrow I am going to sub at the kids' school.  And Monday and Tuesday I will work at the Corn Maze. I am thankful that our sports season is coming to an end. (Don't get me wrong...football and cheerleading has been a lot of fun for our whole family!)  Despite so many moments of busyness, there are in between moments of  fresh air: like reading to Ella, listening to Eric play his guitar, helping Alayna write and draw, and letting Cailin do my hair.

My fresh air today was playing "school" with Ella. It's those special moments that makes me so very thankful.  The girls and I piled on the couch again tonight and reread all the books that I read Ella this morning.

Not sure how this is going to sound, but I think that God wants us to sit on his lap and to get comfy, cozy and say to Him, "Read me book."  He wants us to open His word, so He can teach us His knowledge...His insights, His peace, His love.  He has the advantage of being so awesome, that He doesn't ever feel tugged in too many directions.  He is amazing enough to teach and love completely to all, at once.  We should probably take Him up on His offers.

I think I can...I think I can...

November can't come soon enough.  Football, Cheerleading, AWANA, Guitar Lessons, Working at the Corn Maze, Substitute Teaching, Helping at Elevate, Having a Mom's Bible Study and a Wednesday Night Bible Study, Fall Festivals, Field trips...  I am holding up through all the busyness, well...all but my immune system.  It's that time of year when we need to get adjusted to having the windows open for the next six months.  My mind is scattered on so many topics to write about.  This is where I give up.  I promise to return.  Focused.  Soon.

First Day of School '11

Apparently, the first day of school happened a while back.  Since these pictures were taken its been a whirlwind.  Each year we work on adding in a smooth flowing schedule to the morning and now weeks later, just when I thought they caught on to the way we work in the morning...they start doing their own methods and we end up falling behind and somehow everyone ends up in the bathroom at the same time.  Loading these pictures reminds me it's about time to buckle down on that schedule and start bribing them for doing it in order and without meltdowns.  

Ella still tries to get dressed when the big kids do, but I keep reminding her that the peanut butter and/or syrup will not match the tooth paste that will end up on her.

 Cailin wanted to wear the same dress Alayna wore last year.

 I do wonder if she had a few sips of my coffee...

 Wiping the toothpaste away...now I need to get them to remember not to decorate the entire sink with it.

 We added exercises to the end of our "Get Ready" routine...they really like it and I hope to add some yoga stretches in soon.

 Alayna started Kindergarten.

 Eric started Second Grade.

 Cailin started PreK.

So long Summer

We will miss you Summer.  

Back to Eric's Roots

After our excitement in New Jersey...after all the rides and mini golf...after sharing time with family and friends...and lots of cheesesteaks and nights of indulging in ice cream...we hit the road.  Our destination was Lynchburg, Virginia: Eric's birthplace.  He was so interested in knowing what his first house (or apartment) looked like.  The girls were thoroughly impressed with the mountains we could see in the distance.  And Billy and I enjoyed riding around talking about our first two years of marriage.  When we drove up to our first apartment a flood of memories filled my mind.  We called it the Summer of Saturdays because everyday felt like Saturday...no jobs to go to.  No responsibility except to go to Walmart and buy all the things we realized we needed, like a broom and a toilet brush.  During our adventure we drove around and met up with a friend who showed us the new sights at Liberty University.  Tired already from driving, we went for a walk by the James River.  We didn't stop there...it was off the the hotel pool for a swim before bath time.  Once all six of us were squeaky clean and ready to crash we head back out for a dinner together, by ourselves...which actually took place four days later.  You'll understand after you scroll down.

We drove to the restaurant and waited with our little beeper for a half an hour.  Meanwhile, Billy began to sweat from head to toe...the soaking wet kind of sweat.  Terrible pain behind his eyes and completely ready to spew.  We still don't know what was wrong him that night.  So we headed down the road and back to the hotel with our McDonald's and Chic Fil A and ate in our hotel room.  Billy went straight to bed for twelve hours.  He woke up just fine...praise God!  And we hit the road again.  Just to let you know our trip finally ended with a spit ball fight in the van.  And we went to the Olive Garden four days later.  Together.  

Ocean City Boardwalk

The salty air. The view of a beach covered with umbrellas.  The life guards stands. The Music Pier.  The french fries.  The pizza.  The popcorn.  The attacks from sea gulls.  The mini golf.  The Surf Mall. The souvenir shops selling hermit crabs.  The fudge.  The Monkey Bread.  The lemonade.  The surrey rentals.  Ah. Yes. The rides.  Wonderland and Playland.  

The kids had a blast on the rides.  Eric and Alayna were braver than they anticipated they would be.  Eric ventured on to a SuperMan ride with Damian and Jordan.  He loved that high flying feeling.  Alayna dared to ride with Ava and Tabitha on a Big Kid ride.  The look on her face when this big ride (the name escapes me) was priceless.  I cracked up laughing the entire time.  When she got off and described it as a "stupid ride I am never going on again," I felt bad for laughing. But just look at that face.  Did you see how small her feet were compared to her cousins?  The kids were blessed with many memories...both with giggles and frowns.  Speaking of frowns...I had a sea gull attack me.  It landed on my head and tried to steal my french fries.  I ate dinner hiding under Ella's stroller.  The kids giggled.  A lot.   

More Pics...no video

Each trip we take and each holiday that rolls around, I tend to snap 10-20 seconds of video here and there.  I put them all together to make a short movie of memories.  That didn't happen this time.  Ugh.  The best moments on camera usually are candid.  The only video I have of our trip is in Ocean City while the kids are on the rides.  I can feel my stomach turn.  (No video viewing here.)   Here are a few pictures at the park, MomMom's house and at the zoo.  (NO animal pictures at the zoo...one only needs so many pictures of zoo animals on their computer.)