R.I.P. Baby Dumpling

Our kitty, Baby Dumpling, passed away today after a long illness. She's been with us for 17 years and will be VERY missed. We like to think she's in Heaven right now, playing with our other kitties who have passed on, waiting for us to join them. We love you Baby and will miss you!

Fuzzy Teacher

This is our cat, Sophie. She LOVES to sit on your lap or, even better, in your bed. She's always with us, like a little dog (we call her our "kittydog"). And she's the best teacher. Thank you Sophie, for teaching my kids:

kindness
how to care for others
how to share
how to love

It is because of YOUR patience and kindness that my kids will be better humans. You taught them better than I ever could. Thank you.

Cherish the moment

The day hasn't started off well. The alarm didn't go off, so I had to skip my morning shower in order to get Eva up and ready for school. As Eva and I were leaving for school, Joey comes down the stairs! It's only 7:30, and he really shouldn't be up yet! When I come back home, Eddie is now up (Joey woke him up when he went back into their room, grrr), so now I have to make breakfast. But first, I get my coffee going. Then I start making breakfast, cheesy scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage patties. Eddie is standing next to me, watching me and talking. And talking. And talking!!!!! He tells me about the cat that went up the tree and was scared and couldn't come down. So he went to get the ladder behind the house, but it was too short, so he went and got his fire truck with the the REALLY big ladder and rescued the kitty. And even though it had a bushy tail, it wasn't a squirrel, but a cat. And he's cold. Must be because he was thinking how fun it would be to make snow angels all day. And that ice is slippery, just like the soap in the bath tub. And it would be cool if there were snow cats. An on, and on, and on. And as were sitting at the table, eating breakfast, I get a lump in my throat and tears come to my eyes. Even though Eddie has been talking non-stop for over a half hour now and I could be REALLY irritated by it, I realize that at this time next year, there will be no chats, no leisurely breakfasts, for they will be in kindergarten and my house will be quiet at this time. So I start to really listen to him, and I ask questions, and I cherish his wonderful imagination.

What's for breakfast?

"So guys, what do you want for breakfast?"
"Bacon" says Joey
"Ok, I have some in the freezer. What else do you want that's quicker"
"Bacon and eggs" says Joey
"Ok, any other ideas"
"Bacon Breakfast Sandwhiches" says Eddie
lol, ok, bacon it is! So I made biscuits, 2lbs of bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese, and mini chocolate chip pancakes (because Eva doesn't eat eggs or bacon and probably not the biscuits)
And I had 3 very happy kids!

1st Reconcilliation

Today, Eva had her first Confession and the church had a special service for it in the morning. They had a priest from another church helping out and their first time was face to face at in front of the altar. She even got a certificate for it. Then she had swimming lessons. Afterwards, we went out to lunch and we let Eva pick the place. And she picked Pizza Hut, her favorite place serving her favorite food.

Sunday, Jan 9th, 2011

Just a typical Sunday here. Got up a little late this morning, so in order to get out of the house in time to get to church on time, I gave Eddie and Ella a banana, Eva an apple that I cut up and put fruit fresh on (so it doesn't get brown) and Joey a protein bar. While at church, the kids acted like their usual, squirrels hopped up on caffeine, lol. Came home and made grilled cheese and reheated some spaghetti to go with it. Then got Eva ready for irish dancing, then took her to practice. While she was practicing, I read from my Kindle. Came home, put the turkey breast and potatoes in the oven, then heated up some mac & cheese and hot dogs for the kids and baked beans for dad & I. Then it was time to watch the play-off game - the Packers were playing against the Philly Eagles, and the Packers won!! Yeah!! The kids were busy playing games on the computer or on their Leapsters. I got everything ready for dinner and we sat down to eat around 6:30ish. We said our prayers, then started to eat and talk about our day and things we wanted to do tomorrow. When we were done, the kids and dad watched tv while I read on my Kindle. Around 8, I served ice cream to Eva and Ella and apple pie to the rest of us. Then we went upstairs and got ready for bed. The kids took their clothes off, then we put on pjs, then off to the bathroom to brush their teeth, then back to the boys room for story time. Dad reads to the triplets while I read to Eva. Then it's time for Dad and I to watch tv that we've recorded during the week. But I can't stay up too late as I have to get up at 6:30am to get Eva up and ready for school!!

Saturday, Jan 8th, 2011

We had swimming first thing in the morning and Joey had a GREAT day! When Miss Jen put the thereapy belt around his middle, he was able to swim, using his arms AND legs AND could pick his head up out of the water!!!! I was so proud of him, I started to cry. For any other little boy, that's nothing, but for a little boy with CP (cerebral palsey), that's AWESOME!! Eva had a private lesson and we like the instructor. She's working with Eva on technique and can show Eva how to do it and then Eva copies her. We'll be signing up for more lessons with that instructor!
We went home and had lunch, then lazed around the house until it was time for Eva and I to go to the Admirals game in Milwaukee for Girl Scouts. We had a great time and the game went into double over time before the Admirals finally scored a point to win the game!! Very exciting.

Winter means snuggle time

Yeah! Today is Friday!! and it's pretty cold outside, so when the kids came home from school, I popped a big bowl of popcorn, covered us up with some quilts or afghans, and watched some movies. Dinner was in the slow cooker, so I could enjoy the time with them! We watched Lady and the Tramp (LOVE that one!) and Veggie Tales The Story of Jonah.
We ate dinner, then the kids played tea party - Eva and Ella and Joey on one side of the room, and Eddie with Eva and Ella's 18" dolls! I think he plays with them more than the girls do! The kids wanted to stay up, so it's 9:30 and they're still up! Should make an interesting morning when we have to get ready for swimming!!!

Why?

Jan 6th, 2011 - Had to take Joey to Children's Hospital today, first in a series of visits with several doctors in order to find out why he's not growing like your "average" child. Joe's been wearing a size 2T for a year now, gaining only 1" in height during the year. On the other hand, his womb mate/brother Eddie, stared last year in a 3T and finished the year wearing a 5T! Even his other womb mate/sister, Ella, went up one size to a 4T! (I think Ella is always going to be "petite", which is why I call her my little fairy) . Anyway, Gerald was able to work from home today, so he could greet Ella and Eddie when they got off the bus and pick up Eva at school, feed her, and get her ready for her Girl Scout event tonight (The Cookie Kick-off Sing Thing). So in a very rare treat, Joey had me all to himself, and boy was he excited about it!
The drive up to Children's Hospital takes almost an hour, and Joey spent the entire time asking me questions, lol. I can't remembed them all, but here's a few of them:
J: What would happen if you stand on a cloud? Me: You would probably fall through
J: Could I take a hot air balloon up to the clouds and touch them? Me: Yes, you probably could
J: Rain comes from the clouds, right? So how does it get there? Me: Clouds are like sponges, sucking up the water droplets that are left on the ground
J: Why does that truck have so many wheels? Me: In case one tire is broken, he can keep driving without having to stop to fix the tire
I love my little man and his questioning mind. I just hope I can keep up with him, lol!