Who Takes Care of Mama?

The answer is: Kody does! I was lucky enough to come down with the stomach flu last night (I know, aren't you so happy for me) and was quite sick all day today. Kody and Mollie had the pleasure of watching me throw up in the toilet, which I think could be pretty terrifying for small children. I mean really, mommies aren't supposed to get sick, right? The kids were all sick over the weekend, so I knew this moment was coming. This morning, while I was getting breakfast for the kids and setting them up in front of Nick Jr. (don't judge, I was sick!) I made the comment that I felt like I was going to have to throw up again. Next thing I know, Kody is running into the kitchen and rummaging around for a bowl. He said, "it's okay Mama, I'll get you a bowl." Isn't that the sweetest thing? I really do have great kids! Mollie just played on and around me all afternoon while I snuggled under a blanket on the couch. They both chose their own clothes and got dressed with minimal help from me, and hardly complained when I told them I was too sick to do much today. I should also give a big shout out to Papa Bear, because he took care of Madi all last night while I was sick, she had gotten shots and was very sad and had a hard time sleeping. He wasn't able to stay home and take care of me, but he was able to come home just in time to pick the Kodester up from the bus and clean up the house (I can't believe how much mess can happen when I let the kids do whatever they want!), make dinner, feed the kids and then bathe them and get them in bed. What an awesome husband I have!

Tomorrow will be a better day, I'm sure.

Zero-and-a-half!

Someone asked me the other day how old Madi is, and I couldn't believe that it was her half birthday! These past 6 months have gone so fast, and she is so fun and sweet. Just this week she's learned that loud screeching gets attention so much faster than quiet fussing and sometimes it's hilarious! She might actually be louder than Mollie, more ear-piercing at the very least. She rolls and scoots all over the place, I even had to make bumper pads for her crib because she kept scooting into the corner and bonking her head all night. If I lay her down on a blanket on the floor, she doesn't waste any time in rolling right off the blanket and exploring the world around her. She loves her exersaucer and is just starting to enjoy the jumperoo. Madi absolutely loves food - anything I give her! So far it's just baby cereal and a few veggies and fruits, but she will grab for anything within her little reach. Mollie's hair is a fave at the moment. Oh, and if I have a cup of water you know she won't give up until I give her a drink. And then another. And another. Madi loves to sing. In church, as soon as we start singing, she pipes in with her cute little voice. She even sings while she eats! Most of all, she loves her brother and sister. Her face lights up and she actually gets the giggles if she even hears them coming down the hall. I love this little girl, and I am so happy she came to live with us!

GROSGRAIN

Oh my goodness, these skirts are so cute! I just stumbled across this blog the other day and it is amazing. This girl makes all these gorgeous dresses, etc. and then just gives them away! Can you believe it?! I hope I win these skirts and shirts, they would look so cute on Mollie. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Just Finished

I just finished the third book in the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini and I feel like a part of me is gone forever. This is what I love about reading: first, you see the book in the library or book store. You think it looks interesting, read the teaser on the jacket and decide to take a chance. You wait a few days to either finish any other book(s) you've been trying to finish or get some things accomplished around the house so you have time to just sit and read. The first few pages may not suck you in right away, but you are interested enough to keep going a little while longer. Before you know it, your house is a mess, the kids are scrounging for food in between the couch cushions and begging for one thing or another yet you don't hear them because you have been transported to Alagaesia, England, Forks Washington or somewhere in Middle Earth. For days, your life is what you are reading and you can hardly focus on anything else. And then you finish the book and fall back into reality. You bathe the kids, feed them, spend time with your husband and do all the things that have been pushed aside. But a part of you remains in the book, waiting for the next installment. I hope the next one comes soon!

PS Anyone who knows me, knows I like to embellish just a tad. My bathroom may not be clean, but the children are clean and fed and entertained (and currently sleeping peacefully in their beds). Please don't send child services just yet!

Quarantine and Other Randomness

Kody was home sick from school a few days this past week, talk about stir crazy! I was trying to get some work done and he was really bugging me so I just sent him down to the basement to "organize" his cars. I thought that would take at least an hours, considering the 3000 cars he has down there! (okay, maybe it's more like 1,075 but who's counting!?) I'm not kidding, 5 minutes later he comes back up and says "okay Mom, I'm all done with my cars!"

He had taken most of the "Cars" cars, as we call them (from the movie), and lined them up on top of his storage drawers. Of course, all the hot wheels, matchbox cars and train cars were strewn all over the floor, but hey at least he partly did what I asked him to!

Mollie was also bouncing off the walls, feeling very cooped up and not so happy that our quiet afternoons had been invaded by Kody, so I sent her to her room one morning to get dressed by herself. (she really loves this particular freedom)

This is what she came up with! Her fashion sense is not quite perfect, but at least she's trying.

Now for a random bit about Madi - she is suffering from baby-patterned baldness. I was so hoping that this one would keep all her hair, as she really hadn't lost much until now. She has lost it completely in the front, the top is going quickly and the back is pretty much gone.And then there's this mullet in the back. A very dark mullet (the picture doesn't do it any justice). What little hair she does have is gong lighter, but the mullet is just as dark as the day she was born. So here's my question, do I go ahead and shave it to match the rest of her hair or let it go and see what happens? It won't be long before I can pull that mullet in to a ponytail and she can look like a tiny little ninja master, which could be quite entertaining!

Field Trip

Kody's school had a family field trip yesterday, to the Wasem's Apple Orchard. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and I even got a little sunburned! Brett was even able to come with us! This cute lady was called Grandma Judy, and she kept calling the kids things like cherubs and sugar pies.

Sampling different apples

Ready for those yummy donuts and cider!

Kody and Rachel, his new girlfriend

Mollie and Nathan - I just thought this pose was so cute!

Love those happy smiles!