Watching Christmas Movies

Many would think that looking at this photo we are short on places to sleep with living in a hotel!! It seems like a good idea! Just put the baby on the coffee table. Right!
Actually, Greg and the kids were watching one of the classic Christmas movies on TV the other night. This photo below is significant because no one is jumping on the bed and they are all quiet! (It didn't last long) For whatever reason after I took the photo, I turned around to find Maddie all settled down on the Coffee Table. Who knows!!

We found the Children's Hospital!!

Leave it to Madelynne to cause us to have to figure out where the Children's Hospital is located in a new town. Maddie has been fighting a cold and a dry cough since about Saturday. Well last night she didn't sleep well at all and I knew something was up. Sure enough this morning she was telling me "Ouchie" and pointing at her ear. She hasn't had an ear infection since she had her tubes put in and after further investigation I noticed fluid coming out of her ears. Not good. I don't have an established physician nor any idea how long it would take to get in so we headed to the Children's Hospital!! Thank goodness for the Navigation unit!!
After we started the antibiotics, we came home, changed into her jammies, and laid around. I thought these pictures were cute of her chilling out! She stuck pretty close to Zack most of the night!!

Maddie and her love of hats!!

I just had to post these photos!! Lately Maddie has been completely infatuated with hats. I think it is because all the older kids get all their winter hats on before they leave for school every day. But she finds one and gets it on and then has to look at herself in the mirror!! Of course she just thinks that is hilarious!
Maddie and her Hat with matching mittens!!

Little Indiana Jones!! Notice she also has Timothy's shirt on over her clothes!!

She never leaves the hats on for very long! It is just too cute!!

Drawing Names for Christmas Shopping!

My family is going to totally love that I posted these photos!! They all look so lovely!! The beauty of being the one behind the camera!!!

Anyway, this year we decided to have the kids draw names for christmas shopping so we didn't end up with 20 gifts!! That is some scary multiplication!!
Nice hair Taylor!!

Surprisingly enough no one chose their own name!!

Maddie even got in on the drawing action!!
I tried really hard to keep the "glare" out of the photos!! I am sure Greg will appreciate that.

Maddie's new friend!!

So, Maddie discovered two things this last couple of days!! Her brother's stocking hats and her new friend. The stocking cap is so cool because I am pretty sure she believes that if she pulls it just over her eyes, no one can see her!!
She way over by one of the closet doors yesterday (all of which are full length mirrors) and I heard her chattering away and laughing so hard. When I went to see what trouble she was causing I had to laugh myself!! She was talking to herself in the mirror. Now I am not sure if she knows it is just her reflection or if she thinks it is someone else. She gets so surprised when she sees the reflection do the same thing as her.
Christopher removed the hat which caused a great deal of sadness and yelling!! Great for the hotel!!

She is so surprised that her friend has a hat just like hers and even the same drink!!!

Notice the one shoe on and one off. This has become a normal routine when we get in the car and she is not happy about the seatbelt or the bulky coat. She gets her shoe off, throws it toward the back of my head, and then takes her sock off and drools all over it. I guess with all the warm temps outside why not!! At least when I get where I am going and have to put her shoe back on I know it is somewhere toward the back of my seat. Good Times!!

What to do in a Hotel!!!

In case anyone was wondering (or cares!) I thought I would just post a little something about what it is we do to pass the time when you live in a hotel!!! (With 5 kids a dog and a cat in the middle of the freezing snowy winter in Rochester New York!!)

So one of the things I have a photo of is the puzzle we just finished. Now the kids have been doing the same 3 puzzles (Halloween Clearance-of course.) This is a 750 piece puzzle with weird edges to make it more challenging!! The kids helped here and there but were pretty much bored with the whole thing by about 7 pieces in!! Greg and I ended up finishing it (and I was determined to finish it) and now I am about to wreck it and put it back in the box so I can use the "table" for Christmas card assembly!!
We do tend to find some things to pass the time. The kids like to go swimming. I don't have any photos of that since I am usually lucky (smart) enough to be the "volunteer" who stays back in the room with Maddie!! She is not much for the pool. Who can blame her it is 12 degrees outside I don't care if it is an indoor pool!!!

We are going to go and check out a really cool museum they have here called the Strong Museum of Play!! Everyone says it is the place to be and they have a family membership!! I Bank on those people!!

Now that the kids are in school they do their homework and that passes some time. When they are out for Christmas we are hoping to get up to Niagra Falls.

Peek-A-Boo

So this is for Alycia who sent a special blog for Maddie. When she watched the video of Alycia playing Peek-a-Boo (with her camera!?!) Maddie wanted to play back!! She laughed so hard at herself like Alycia was really there playing with her. It was so cute!!

PEEK-A-BOO!!!

Our Visit with Santa!

So today was the last day I had to have all the kids in the hotel room entertained by myself!! So, we loaded up in the car, headed out in the cold, and went to the mall. We were going to tell Santa what they want for Christmas!!
Taylor (who just got her hair cut!) asked Santa for the new Jonas Brothers Book "Burning Up"

Zachary couldn't remember what the lego set he wanted was called so he told Santa he wanted a 7 foot Candy Cane!?! I guess Santa encites Stage Fright!! When I asked him why that was what he asked for, he said he got nervous.

Christopher hasn't told even me what he wants. Every time I ask he tells me he hasn't decided yet. He told Santa the same thing and then told him he would send him a letter when he decicded!!

Timothy has had no doubt in his mind what he has wanted for quite some time. He marched right up to Santa and sat on his knee. He told Santa he wanted a D-Rex so he could scare his dad when he rakes the leaves.

No explanation needed to say the Maddie was so not interested in Santa!! She wanted a baby doll right up until the man in the red suit reached out to pick her up!! She wanted no part of that!!

Christmas Tree in a Hotel!!

So as seen in the previous post, my apprehension in having a full sized Christmas Tree was realized only a few short days after the tree was put up. The two boys hiding in the curtains were playing behind the curtains when the Christmas tree took a tumble!!
Zack took the brunt of the fall!! He was playing his DS game on the floor when the tree came crashing down. Maddelynne has victoriously saved one of the "shatterproof" ornaments!! Tim and Chris couldn't look guiltier!!

I was trying to update my blog when all the chaos happened. That is why the post is later than I promised it to a few of you.

Greg and the kids putting the tree back up. I thought it would be the cat that knocked over the tree first. I was wrong.

Christmas Tree!

So after much discussion Greg and I compromised on having a Christmas Tree in our hotel room. I just wanted a little 18 inch thing that we could put on the counter. Greg wanted a full tree. We compromised and got this little 5 foot tree that is pretty sparse and looks a little like a Charlie Brown tree. I didn't want to get a bunch of ornaments and garland since we already have our Christmas stuff. It just so happens to be in storage somewhere!! The kids each picked out one ornament and we made some stocking garland out of a little craft kit from Michael's. We bought a little box of plastic ball ornaments and a string of lights. We now have our Christmas tree.

The kids with the Christmas tree.

Timothy hung his ornament on the tree. (Then he felt he needed to pick his nose!)

Chris picked out a bear ornament that moves it's arms and legs when you pull the string. He was so particular about what ornament he picked that we had to go to two stores!

Maddy picked out an Abby Cadabby ornament. I guess when we picked it out we didn't realize she did not understand that she would have to put it on the Christmas Tree. She did not want to leave it on the tree! Greg and the Christmas Tree. He is looking over my shoulder right now wondering why I put this picture on the blog. Well, I want to show the comparison of Greg to the tree so everyone can get a true feeling of how tall our tree is!!

Halloween Photos

I know these are a little late but wanted to post them for those who were not around on halloween. We had a lot of fun and the kids got quite a haul of candy.
Taylor went as a sparkly devil. I am thinking it is probably my last year to make her costume for her. She is getting too cool for me!

Christopher went as a Ninja (as did Tim). He was determined to wear those black gloves to make sure he had as little skin showing as possible. I sure wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley!!

The trick or treat crew!! Of all these tough characters, Sierra and Taylor were the troopers!! They had so much fun and we had to send out a rescue team to get them when they were gone too long!

Maddie was Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street. She was really into this Trick-or-Treat thing!

Zack (Indiana Jones) and his friend Christopher.

We Made It!!

Well, I am still here!! I have not fallen off the face of the earth.

Here is the update!! We made it to New York. After a couple months of surprises, changes, and a lot of work we are now living in New York. I never in all of my life imagined I would ever live in New York. We have been here for less than 24 hours and here is what I know about it!!

#1 "Toll Booth Ahead" is now my least favorite sign to see on the interstate. I believe the total (for each vehicle) was about $23.15.

#2 Lake Effect Snow is a real thing. There is currently no snow on the ground right now but there is a 60% chance of getting 3-5 inches tonight!! When I was at Sam's Club today and they were selling a "Roof Snow Rake" I am praying I don't need one of those!!

#3 Apparently when you register your kids for school here you have to wait until they receive their transcripts and then they place them in the classes that best fit their needs!! The need in my opinion is for their mother to have them in school!!

#4 While driving over by where the kids go to school and where our house is there were little huts in people's front yards that matched their houses. When I inquired as to what those were, here was the response (as if I should have known) "That is where the kids wait for the school bus"! Who knew!!

#5 And probably the worst thing!! When I drove through the drive thru at McDonalds last night to get my much needed $1 320z Dr. Pepper here was the response I got. "Sorry Maam, we don't have $1 drinks and we don't serve Dr. Pepper"!!! WHAT?!!

We are staying in a Residence Inn here in Greece ( a suburb of Rochester) and it is very nice. I may get spoiled having someone make my bed, load the dishwasher and make me a hot breakfast everyday. I will enjoy while I have it.

It is very pretty here and I am sure it will be very nice once we get all settled in. We did look at our house today and it is very nice and should be done around the 1st of January. I will keep you updated and try to get some photos here in the next few days.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Well, the day has finally arrived!! My favorite Mother's Day of the year!! The first day of school. This year 60% of my children are off to school. All three of them were excited to get up and get off to school (although I am sure not nearly as excited as me!!) This year a new elementary school was built and our school is now down to a more manageable number of kids of about 450 instead of 750!! The kindergarteners don't have to have lunch in the hallway!!
The happy group of school kids!! (Zack is posed that way in an attempt to hide the toothpaste on his shirt!!)
Taylor of course has to show off her Shane from "Camp Rock" bookbag!! Taylor is in sixth grade this year!!! Wow!! Overnight outdoor ed!! I'm not too sure about that!! She is also one of 5 kids chosen to be in the core group of morning announcement crew!! Gee back when I went to school the old lady in the office read them over the intercom. Now it is a full closed circuit broadcast on the school TV's.
Chris picked this shirt out with his Aunt Trish this summer for kindergarten. They decided that chicks would dig it!!! Great!! Only problem is that on the second day of school he asked where it was. I said it was dirty. He wondered what he would wear then. That is his Kindergarten shirt. I think he thought he had to wear it everyday!! I think a uniform would work for him!!

Obviously Zack takes his fashion sense from Uncle Jon!! I guess when he hits about the high school level he will try to get all GQ!! He didn't even care that he had the big toothpaste stain in the middle of the shirt. I washed it off and he still wanted to wear that shirt with the water spot!! Whatever!! He is happy to be off to school and back with his friends.

There will surely be a picture to follow but, I have also joined the back to school crew. I have joined the ranks of the elite group of "Lunch Ladies". Yes that is right, I have picked up the ladle and the hair net (actually a visor and a smock, and apparently the ladle is called a spoodle) I am officially a lunch lady. Of course Zack was cool with it and Taylor was mortified (As was my niece Ashley who apparently thinks my sole motivation in doing it is to ruin her life, yes she lives in another state) But today when I was squirting out the salad dressing and putting the cookies on each tray, Taylor was the one who peeked around the door to wave at me!!!

I will be sure to get a photo up ASAP!!

When animals attack!!!

Here is what happens when 3 seemingly responsible adults have nothing better to do after they send the kids to bed at night. Tricia has a way of coming to visit us and making sure she teaches the children as many naughty things as she can. Well, she doesn't want to leave the pets out so she includes them in the antics. Here is an example of what happens when her antics come back to kick her in the end!!!

P.S. Be advised no animals were injured in the making of this video.

So, as if that wasn't bad enough!!! Here is what happened when Trish decided to make up with the cat and be friends!!

We tried really hard to control our laughter.

Maddie does not like Tights!!!

I tried to go to Sunday School yesterday at church. A feat I seldom attempt as Maddie is not old enough to go to the nursery class yet. (Only 44 days to go!!) Usually when we go, she gets too noisy for anyone to hear and I have to leave. Well yesterday was no exception!! Maddie does not like to wear tights!! She proved her point yesterday when she got a hold of one string on one of the feet. She proceeded to unravel them one foot at a time in the middle of Sunday School.

She doesn't seem too broken up about it at all. She actually seems pretty proud of it all. Unraveling her tights was not her only trick in Sunday School. She did get her head stuck in the chair twice, felt that she should help with the pianist responsibilities, growled loudly at the dinosaur coloring book, and laid in the aisle and passed gas like a man!! Needless to say we spared the rest of the class and left!!!! This picture says it all!!
Here is a nice photo of her Handy work!!!!
Just note, she may have won the battle today!!! I will win the war. She will have tights on next Sunday!!!

1st injury of the night!!!

Well, it is inevitable that when you mix fireworks and a large number of people, many of whom are adult merely by default of age, someone will get hurt. Christopher was unfortunately the recipient of the injury. When this happened, no fireworks had been lit yet. Christopher ran towards Paul who had just lit his "punk" and Chris ran right into it! He didn't cry but Uncle Paul sure felt like it. We now have nicknamed him slasher!!! I have been putting lots of burn cream and neosporin on him. He isn't too worried though. Paul made sure he told him that Chicks dig scars!!!!

4th of July!!!

Obviously the morning started off with lots of smiles!! I think Taylor just thought she was too cool for a quick sibling photo. I took over 20 pictures of them and she didn't change her expression much. I decided to use this one and she wonders why I didn't erase it. She will just have to live with this one!!! Timothy on the other hand, he started the morning off ever so happy. He got happier as the day went on!!!
Zack was feeling very "uplifted"!! This picture was taken right before Greg decided to light a firework in the street without telling anyone. The firework took an unexpected detour right toward where all the kids were standing. No one was injured but it was pretty funny to see everyone running for safety!!!!
Taylor and Maddie waiting on the grill to heat up so we can have some grub!!!
Maddie and Daddy!!! Madelynne wanted to borrow daddy's hat for a while.
No 4th of July is complete without Paul lighting the street on Fire!!! This trick was fittingly named the "Bag of Death".