The last week of January...

Can we survive!!!???!!!Tate's hair cut!!!! What a handsome stud!

Ainsley.
Dressed herself to go to cheerleading. She was very sad to find out only Aubrey got to go.

Dressed and ready for Cheerleading!

She learned a cheer to a Miley Cyrus song. She loves cheerleading and practices everyday!

Tuesday KARATE!!! I signed Caleb up for Karate with his friend Malcolm.
It was pretty intense.
*not pictured...earlier that day my van battery died for the 2 time this week. My dirty van had to be pushed out of car line by 2 teachers, Amanda, and Constantine! After a jump start we were geared and ready for Karate!

After Karate nothing can heal a swollen eye like a bowl of cereal and an orange ribbon!

Tate can finally reach his toes and hold them. He never lets go!

Aubrey's 100 day of school breakdown. She doesn't like school and getting her to go these past few days has been horrible. She is very creative and caring but struggling with the daily homework. She loves pe, music, and her friends!

January 28th...
THE BIG 25!
What does 25 mean to me....
For $25 I can get half a tank of gas
For 25 cent Caleb can get a gum ball at Walmart.
For 25 minutes every afternoon I have to wait in the car line at Caleb's school.
Aproximately 25 days a year I get to sleep in more then 4 hour increments
$25 is how much I spend on formula a week
I am finally 25!! 25 with 4 kids sounds a lot better then 24 with 4 kids right?!
I should feel older, wiser, and wonderful. Right?!
Well...I do. 25 is going to be great!
We spent Thursday morning preparing for a brunch! 6 mom's and 18 kids under the age of 5!
2 surprise cakes, a dozen donuts, flowers, and a present the size of Caleb!
It was just a great day, probably the best birthday.
And even though I still haven't done the college thing, still cant cook a week of meals without a fire starting in the oven, or go an entire day without a disaster....life is good and with success coming in all different forms mine is simple my children and that is okay.Tate's 2nd bath. I have decided that Tate deserved a bath. He loves the shower but he also loves the bath!!!Since Tate took a bath Ainsley and Caleb got to too. You would never know because she wont let me do her hair and she insists on dressing herself....she has a kitty cat sleeper underneath her elmo sweats.

Tate's first tooth!!!!
Saturday, January 30th, 2010!!!
Everyone was very very excited! Tate had a slight fever so he spent part of the morning reading with dad!Aubrey spent almost all of Saturday tired. I guess having a "mom and daughter" night out should have ended a little earlier. It was lots of fun to have her with me at my volleyball tournament and it was fun to see her play and make friends with all of the other little girls!

Church...we made it on time!!! Andy had to work so "operation hustle" was in full swing!!!

Tate is so close to crawling....so so very close. He finally lifted up his stomach and did a push up!!!! He has been a little out of shorts the past 3 days because he's teething but he is still wonderful and always fun to entertain!!!

What a week. Onto February!!!!!!
About the 365 blog...
On an awesome note...this picture a day thing is very therapeutic. Instead of getting upset right away I take a picture. By the time I take the picture, whatever happened really isn't so bad!! I didn't even miss a day in January. Hopefully, I can keep it up. It really is fun!

Where have I been?
January 4th-January 17th
2010

Well, 2 weeks out of school for Christmas Break, followed by a week of snow days, and followed by 3 days off of school for parent teacher conference can really take a toll on a mom! Include a major endless snow storm, freezing negative weather, and ear infections...can it get worse? Hold that thought*** our CRAPY, I want to run over with my van, Lap Top started on fire. All nice right?
Since it was so crazy (especially with Andy home from work sick and a toddlers ear infection) I took 3 days off from doing laundry. What do you think happens? When you finally start a load of laundry it just happens that you have 6 inches of frozen ice in your pipe that leads to your washing machine overflowing with so much water that it leaks out the back by the dryer, down the outside of the house, and into the basement windows...also leading the water to go down into the basement causing an indoor rain storm through your ceiling light fixtures. ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!

But hey! Lets bypass the crazy and start happy!

What do you do when your daughter is all decked out and ready for church only to find out that due to the really bad weather church is canceled for the second week in a row?You spend the day pretending!!!

First day back to school after Christmas break! Yahoo! Too bad the rest of the week school was canceled because of snow and negative weather.
Isn't it funny how skinny jeans are even too baggy on Aubrey?!!

Caleb has written many notes to Aunt Steffaney...I was beyond excited that he wrote his name and spelled it right!!! Go Caleb!!! He went on to draw outer space!!

This is what an Ainsley looks like with an ear infection. So sad:(
With Ainsleys ear infection and Andy's flu...it was a sick, sleepless, and very sad couple of days!!
I would like to say that I really try to brush and do Ainsley hair. It usually takes 30 minutes, 5 attempts and a lot of chasing...it still ends up blah!

But, Lego's cheer up all sadness. Maybe the fact that they are AUBREY'S lego's makes playing with them all that more enjoyable!

My friend aka "Malcolms Mom", "Mrs. Nash", or "Amanda" told me that she lets her kids have CRAFT TIME. She explained that craft time was when she throws crayons, markers, scissors, and multiple pieces of paper around and let them have at it. I thought... I can be a good mom too. I can do Craft Time. I wanted to take a picture of how well it was going...

It seriously went like this. Okay guys... 1....2....3 at that point he took the scissors from the paper to Ainsley hair!!!!!

Ainsley had no idea that a VERY LARGE chunk of hair was missing from the back of her head! Caleb knew right away he was in big dodo!!!
I would like to thank Amanda for her "CRAFT TIME" idea!

What can I do to entertain Caleb quietly during "nap time?" Creative Play!!!

Caleb thinks it his personal job to pick up Tate. He weighs 20 pounds...what a chunk!!

During the 3rd snow day...I was out of ideas to entertain the kids. No worries....the kids tore apart Caleb's room and made a slide out of the bed. Right after I had cleaned his room and made his bed.

During the process of "bed slide" Aubrey got hit by the bunk bed ladder. Result...swollen snowzer!

After a very long day it is always nice to see the soft peaceful side of a "Terrible Two!"Tate loves spending quality time with Andy while he is sick!!

During the long week off of school we had The Marinov Family over family Movie night!! We have a lot of fun hanging out with them. We introduced them to their very first Milk Shakes!! They were a bit skeptical and nervous about adding candy bars and milk to the ice cream I had in the blender but I think they really liked them!!!

Everyone wants to sit by Alec! They really loved Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

I told Ainsley that we should probably go and take a nap. I went and put Tate in his crib and hurried back to where I left Ainsley. She was gone...I went to her room and she had already gotten in bed and fallen asleep.

We announced to Ainsley that Caleb's friend Alec was coming over to play because Elena had her baby! She insisted her hair be curled, bow in, and clean matching clothes.

Caleb got a hold of Andy's brand new bottle of hair product. That's the entire bottle.

Ainsley has been putting her shoes on all by herself!!

Tate loves to lean and reach!

I finally cut Ainsley hair. It was so sad but she couldn't walk around with a big chunk missing in the back forever!!! She sat pretty still and it turned out okay!

When mom says no what do you do? While she is bathing Tate you put on your own shoes and go outside in the dark. Funny how your kids can so quickly get shoes on all of a sudden!

Tate refused to keep his pants and socks on. He will kick and kick until he is naked!! My solution is THE SACK!!! These things are awesome!

Caleb...gross...ouch...oh no!!! He fell "accidentally" into entry way table. Result was a lot of tears, screams, blood, and a swollen lip. So sad!

Ainsley hates nursery. She hyperventilated for 10 minutes, then they give her back to us, and she continued to cry all through Sunday school, until we finally gave up and brought her home. She cried all the way home, at home for 5 minutes, and then every time I even mentioned nursery the rest of that day. Oh boy! This has been going on for weeks. Poor Ainsley!

Included in these 2 weeks are 4 play groups, 2 family nights, a successful 45 minute FHE (lesson included), and a fun family dinner at the Marinov house!

The rest of the month Continues below....

Saturday, January 16th- Saturday, January 23rd

Playgroups, Party's, Destruction, and Lunch with Dad.
Aubrey wants to teach and show Tate everything. While Aubrey was waiting (patiently) to attend a friend's Hello Kitty party she decided to entertain Tate.
I took the girls to the Hello Kitty party and Andy stayed home with the boys + Alec. They watched Night at the Museum and played Fireman while Andy observed the cooking of the ribs. We had a fun day and when we dropped Alec off at home we got to see his new baby brother Ryan and leave them with a yummy dinner/desert!

We wont laugh...Yes, his pants are way to small, his shirt is way, way, way too short, and he now has to wear 12 month clothes. But...did you notice? He has mastered the lean!!!!!

I cant return her so I mine as well feed her!!! I am not sure how I will survive her "terrible two's" I am just so thankful she is finally feeling better!

Me along with another friend threw Elena a baby shower. With cars lined up and down the street, 8 moms, 18 kids, catered BBQ, and a "new born 2 weeks early" baby boy. It was the funnest party ever!! Jungle theme, fun decorations, and a clean house...what could be more fun. Since Andy had to work....a big shout out to Constantine and Levi for "supervising" the children (all 18 kids were under the age of 6). They were mighty grateful for KungFu Panda and the air hockey table!! We did let them come up for air to enjoy the awesome BBQ and treats!!

Tate enjoyed all the excitement of the baby shower.

Aubrey loves NO SNOW. She desperately was willing to tread the "gross" mud to go swing.

Tate loves to hold his toes.

Tate is such a good brother...always willing to play pretend. Even if that means headband, necklaces, and lip gloss.

A week of destruction:
Monday: Caleb took an orange crayon to his furniture and bedroom walls
Tuesday: Caleb and Ainsley emptied out the cleaning supplies all over Calebs bedroom carpet and furniture
Wednesday: Caleb colored all over his furniture with a glue stick.
Thursday: He took every single newly hung and ironed piece of clothing off the hangers on onto a crunched pile in my bedroom closet
"IS THEIR NO END TO HIS MADNESS!"
So, I think...hum, before I completely loose my mind what can I do. Time out is clearly not working and I spend many HOURS during the day playing with him.
Then it hit me!!! HOMEWORK!!

Friday morning after we dropped Aubrey off at school and vacuumed/cleaned out the van we went strait to the table. While Ainsley cut up a piece of paper Caleb did homework...cutting, gluing, spelling, matching, and coloring. Along with spelling and sounding out "sight words".

It was a very productive 45 minutes and he was excellent the rest of the day. I will continue to do this every day during the week...its just what he needs! Even if I end up piling the dirty lunch dishes on top of the dirty breakfast dishes.

I hid one of every shoe so the kids couldn't go outside in the cold and mud. I thought I was pretty smart. Clearly not! Matching means nothing to them.
*note that Ainsley dressed herself....a dress, her 4th of July shirt, and her Dora pj top.

This is what a Teething Tate looks like. He is so good but a little bit sad at times. Chewing constantly on everything!

When I picked Caleb up from school he was excited to drive to meet Grandma. It was his turn for special time with Grandpa and Grandma! When I handed him over to Marlene I had NO idea he was covered from head to toe in paint, chalk, and marker!!

Ainsleys slew of new words is a bit blunt...
go away.
I said hungry again.
again I said.
No nursery...mommy go nursery
Tater need Elmo.
No nap
Milk with Water in cup.
Also, included in the last 2 weeks.
1. Andy had fun going to lunch at Aubrey school to celebrate her "half" birthday. He finally met the much talked about Sophia and Ally and Aubrey got to show off her dad!
2. Caleb's Parent Teacher Conference!! Way to go buddy!!
3. Aubrey got accepted into a special developmental speech and reading program through Childrens Mercy Hospital. She attended her first evaluation and we are so grateful and excited for her to being the 12 week program! The therapists are wonderful and Aubrey is BEYOND excited to start!!!
4. Tate said MAMA! More then once and I have 2 witnesses along with Aubrey and Ainsley!!
5. Andy got a new calling. He is really excited to be in Young Mens again!
6. With all the snow and Andy being sick...I, Sara, shoveled the driveway. I pretty much hate snow. I was on the fence...it being so pretty and all...but any happy thoughts towards snow have now dissolved! Give me my white beaches any day!!!

We hope that the end of January can continue on calmly or at least end in a calmly manner. Aubrey will start Cheerleading on Monday, Caleb will start Karate on Tuesday and on Thursday a fun brunch is planned!


So, to all who have asked Where have I been?...
I have been a bit overwhelmed, a bit crazed, and just a tiny bit busy. But I DID SURVIVE!! It was close and I might have lost some sanity but I SURVIVED! Thankful every Friday night I have volleyball, all trouble off the week come out with my serve!!! GO OP2!

oh, a special thanks to Paul and Marlene. Caleb had a wonderful time spending the weekend with you guys. Thank you for not cutting his hair!
Also, Congrats to Spencer and Kristen...baby Ella coming soon!
and
Congrats to Seth and Karalee...baby boy coming soon!!