They're dropping like flies ...

Merry Christmas to me, Merry Christmas to me ... NOT!

First it was Charissa as her dad sped her home from seminary. She had her head hanging out the window. Hubby's car made it, but my stairs were not so lucky. BLECH! Then it was Joanna last Sunday who missed church and was nursed by her daddy.

Then it was Cara, but she was faking it although I still let her stay home. I made sure life was boring as possible for her. You need plenty of rest when sick, right? Yeah, she won't being repeating that anytime soon.

Now it is the biggest baby of all ... hubby. I know he is sick when he doesn't fight when told to stay home from work. That means he will hog the computer, and I actually gotta look like I work all day. I think I might leave him and Charissa home (she has a free pass on finals due to good grades and attendance so is out of school until January) with Eric so I can finish some shopping. Eric takes a 3 hour nap from 9:30 to about 1 p.m. or so. Yeah, I'm spoiled.

I guess it is better that hubby be sick now since on Sunday I have to teach two lessons (10-12 year old) and my 12-13 year old young women. Clint also got us into a family musical number that we are performing. I don't whether to wish that they all get sick now and not ruin my holiday (but wouldn't mind not singing) or just hope for the best that hubby is the last hit. Our room is under quarantine as I hang on to hope.

Sigh ... I better start acting ... er ... cleaning.

Edited to Add: ARRRGGGHHHH! Not 15 minutes later another bites the dust ... Oren had to make sure my two sets of stairs were a matching set. He just nailed the downstairs ones.

Cyclops

So I have no picture which would make it even funnier. I was going outside to hang clothes on our clothes since the day is just gorgeous. I glanced at Cara and Joanna who were busy eating lunch at the table (they have today off from school). I did a double-take. Each one of them had huge goggly eye stuck to their foreheads.

I guess they got into the craft bin I keep for the days I hear "I'm bored!" or rainy days or too hot days or ... you get the idea. They stuck one of the eyes to their forehead because they asked, "What?" when I shook my head and sighed. The lightbulb went off though as they reached for the forehead at same time. I was rewarded with a couple of cheesy grins.

Cheap entertainment, I guess. Speaking of cheap entertainment, I had to go to the elementary school Thursday to set up lunch for the teachers. The PTO provides lunch for the teachers on conference days which was Thursday (we did breakfast for them this morning). I had to take Eric with me as school wasn't out quite yet. He wasn't a happy camper especially when I put him down in the school office. I managed to get him quiet and ran out to my car for the last load of stuff.

When I came in, the office staff asked where Eric went. I said he was still in here. They asked what I did to get him quiet. A pacifier, perhaps? No. I had to confess. I put a visitor sticker on each of Eric's thighs. He was busy trying to get them off and quite content (until I pulled them off for him).

Yeah, sticky things are great entertainment. That 80 cent roll of tape can amuse most children for quite a while. It has foiled many a fits too to have a piece of tape stuck to the nose.

A Day of (un)Rest

I knew I would be watching 4 extra children this morning. I was to get them to church. That was it. As the story of my life goes, that changed as fast as the weather here.

I got a phone call from my hubby at 5:30 a.m. saying that the extra children were on their way (an hour earlier than planned). You see I watched these kids yesterday too. Their mother is expecting twins and was put into the hospital with pre-term labor this week. Their dad is military and had drill this weekend. I volunteered to watch the children. I was the only one with a big enough vehicle to haul everyone in one trip so I figured I qualified.

The reason my hubby called me is because he left for Vegas yesterday afternoon. The children's dad called him to let him know. Unfortunately, Vegas is 2 hours different so Clint got the phone call at 3:30 his time. So the message was relayed, and the children arrived just after 6 a.m. The reason for the phone tag was the hospital had called our friend with the news that his wife's water broke. She is just 30 weeks gestation.

So I had to feed 11 children breakfast. We had French toast, bananas, apple juice. I got them all ready for church or at least the ones that needed help. We were not only on time but ten minutes early too. We took up a whole pew. Charissa was at one end while I was at the other. That was to block any wandering strays.

Back to getting ready ... I went to check on Eric. Complete nastiness awaited me. Eric had a major, major blow-out. It was smeared all over the bed and him. Did I mention how nasty gross it was? So in the tub Eric went. After he was ready and clean, I had to do a load of wash. Then I got ready while Eric ate some dry cereal in his chair. The carseats (5 of them) went into our 12 passenger van. That took some planning arranging seats. I had to take into account of who fights when together and all that fun stuff. I couldn't have any "His leg is on my side!" or "She's looking at me!"

I get through church which I had a lesson to teach too. I got as many kids in the van to go home as I did coming. I think they are the same ones too. I made some pizza for lunch even. Whoever said neccesity is the mother of creativity is right. That sauce I had in the freezer was not tomato sauce as I thought (lesson on labelling things better). It was enchilada sauce. Ya know what? With some Italian Seasoning it makes good pizza sauce. I had just enough cheese and toppings (crumbled leftover breakfast sausage, canadian bacon & pepperoni) for a meat and a cheese pizza. I was even told it was the best pizza.

So now I am about to take my well-deserved nap. To be sure that I get it, I told my oldest that if she made sure I had at least a good hour nap, I would lift her computer grounding. I think I am going to get a good nap.

Thoughts and Rambles

Sometimes what is said is not what is really meant. My 5th grader (Kalynne) had a play. The entire 5th grade put on various Aesop's Fables. I planned to make the 9 a.m. show, but had the 1 p.m. one as a back up. It was a good thing since I missed the 9 a.m. one. I showed up a few minutes late but just in time to see Kalynne's parts. Kalynne told me that I didn't have to come if I was too busy. I am glad I did because after she left the stage I saw her scanning the crowd from the wings. I was at the back so she couldn't see me. I saw her shoulders droop a little.

About halfway through the plays when another 5th grade class was performing their chosen fables, Eric started fussing so I stood up with him. Kalynne heard him and turned to scan the crowd on the other side of the theater. She found me, and her smile said it all. It said, "I know I told you you didn't have to come, but I am really glad you since that is what I wanted. Thanks, Mom."

My kids like to perform. They love the theatrics and drama. They must since they practice it all the time at home. Joanna had her chance to shine too. On her last day of pre-school a Mother's Tea was put on by the class. The children greet their mother's at the door and show them to their seats. They then take their drink order and serve their mothers. It is quite cute. There are gifts the children made. They love to help open them. Next comes the performance of songs and rhymes. Joanna kept making sure I was watching. When I would wink at her, she would wink back. The Mother's Tea is then finished with the handing out of certificates for those moving up to kindergarten.

I was watching one little boy sitting forlornly waiting for his mother. She was running late, and the look of relief on his face when she arrived was similar to the one I saw on Kalynne's at her play. The little boy, Hunter, is also Joanna's shadow and playmate. The teacher said he was rather wild when the year began, but Joanna was a big help in mellowing him out. I think that is the polite way of saying she put him in his place.

Children are so trusting which makes their naivety really fun at times. Oren told me that he asked his dad why it is called the "Birds & Bees". Supposedly his dad told him it is because birds and bees don't get along just like males and females. Oren had to check that bit of information with me. Usually I am the story-teller and get away with it since I have the better poker face. After 14+ years of marriage though my hubby is getting better. It is just that darn dimple that gives him away if he is up to some mischief. I am usually the practical joker too. I figure a bit of fun makes my day go by faster. Besides I consider it payback for giving birth, nursing, changing diapers and potty-training the li'l hoppers. And that is just by age three and not taking in the teenage hormone years.

Mother's Day Memories

I wasn't home for Mother's Day. Most of the day was spent somewhere dealing with airplanes. Hubby and I flew out west to attend a wedding of our niece. We took Eric with us and found a good soul to care for the other six children. She hadn't done it before so that is why she agreed, I think.

After the hour delay in departure, hour and half wait for our luggage and three hour drive from Chicago's O'Hare to home, it was about midnight. It had been a long day. It wasn't so bad though that I didn't smile when I saw the goodies laid out on the kitchen counter. There were homemade cookies, homemade poems & cards, a flower and handmade gifts. My 4 yo even made me something with every return address label we owned. The house was clean. As long as I stayed out of the laundry room which one couldn't really walk through anyway, I was happy. Hubby had gotten me a card for Mother's Day. It told me to forget about the cooking, cleaning and laundry because ... it would be there tomorrow. LOL! So true!

I wanted Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner, but the time we got out of the airport the ones we found were closed. Hubby issued a raincheck to me. We had some KFC last night instead so I didn't have to worry about dinner. I even got another gift last night since my 6 yo hid my gift but forgot where. It just made the day's celebration longer.

I did miss my breakfast in bed I usually get though. I didn't miss the soggy cereal portion. When my kiddos bring me breakfast in bed, they fix the cereal first and then get the rest of the items. That means the cereal is a bit soggy. Unfortunately, my gag reflex goes into overdrive on soggy cereal. For my kids, I eat it. That is what it is all about, I guess. There are more important things being being said just not in words per se.

My family loves me even if some one did snitch one of my cookies. It was louder than the jet engine I sat next to on the flight home when everyone woke Monday morning and saw me (& hubby) home. In our house surround sound is when everyone at the table is talking at once. It is good to be home and feel loved.

They sure do talk funny

I was reminded of how words/slang and the meanings change over the years. I was reminded this morning by an almost horrified 15 yo. Charissa left her shoes (flip-flops) by the door. Her little brother (the 9 yo Jonathan) came by and saw some ants. He put Charissa's shoes on and smashed them.

I was telling Charissa about it a few minutes later, but heaven forbid I used the word thongs instead of flip-flops. So I basically told Charissa that Jonathan borrowed her thongs. Given the meanings of the words now (a thong being a piece of floss guised as underwear), I guess it does sound rather alarming not to mention funny.

I think they change the word meaning to keep parents on their toes and like totally un-groovy ... er cool.

It Made Me Smile

Yesterday was miserable. I had chills. I had a fever. I had a pounding headache. I was miserable. To add woe to my misery Eric was feeling better and not using me as his comfort so I was a tad uncomfortable too.

Yet in all this misery of mine (I am feeling better now. Thanks for asking!) I was able to smile. I smiled when I saw my 13 yo's detention slip. It wasn't at the slip itself but who signed the parent's signature line. Joanna (4 yo) gave her permission for Oren to stay after school. The teacher got a kick out of it too.

I smiled at Eric's baby laughs (even 3 a.m. ones like this morning). There is a reason why we call Eric "Chuckles". He is even more hilarious when he is tired. Everything strikes him as funny and worthy of a laugh.

I smiled when my oldest came home telling me she was able to arrange class work with her teachers if I needed her to stay home. I was that miserable. Hubby would be travelling and was worried about me. I guess so was my oldest. That was really sweet of her being willing to stay home and care for me. Alas I am feeling better, and she is bummed she has to go to school.

I smiled because I didn't clean house and had a good excuse. Actually I wasn't smiling as I crawled back in bed, but I was relieved I had a card to play on why my chores weren't done. In my experience the being-sick-card works better than the playing-on-the-computer-all-day-card.

I smiled because the kids eventually all went to sleep. The house was peaceful. I crashed before hubby could start snoring too loudly. That was definitely worthy of a smile.

Creative Discipline

Just when I think I have this parenting thing down decently enough, I have another child that throws all my previously learned tricks out the window. You would think with seven kids that I could at least use some tricks again. I mean the personalities are bound to repeat. I have three with brown eyes so why not a few with the same personalities? I guess life just isn't meant to be fair.

I had to be creative the other night with some discipline. It seems hopper #3 likes to mean to hopper #5. Perhaps she forgot what it felt like to be bullied. It was going to take more than just remembering the Golden Rule to curb the behaivor. Then I felt down-right brilliant with the idea of the needed plan of action.

We like to stress positive. I like to tell my kids to look for the positive in others and not be so degrading. Kind of like what mother always says, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." So to deal with the verbal bullying, I told hopper #3 she had to do three nice things whether in action or words for hopper #5 each day for a week. The kicker would be having to do more if caught being a bully again.

She is up to five, but she is learning. Right after she got busted again, I heard her about to say something. She never said it and just trailed off. I wasn't in the room so enjoyed a good chuckle. Perhaps they do listen after all.

Nah ...

Matches, Pens & Coins

It is interesting what ends up in the wash around here. I can understand the pen and coins. I pocket the change pretty fast. It just gets recycled around here anyway. The kids earn money. The kids lose money. Mom finds money. Mom gives kids money again when they earn it. LOL! The matches is the questionable item I found in today's episode of climbing Mount Washmore. Why? Maybe I do not want to know especially since I was washing only the kids' clothing and linens.

I have found what things do not wash well over the course of 12 years of doing laundry. Crayons wash well enough but dry horribly. The same goes for lisptick or chapstick. Pull-ups and diapers are beyond your worst nightmare. Paper towels aren't too bad unless you dry them. They are rather friendly things and like to cling to everything. Kleenexes too. Toys will make it unless battery operated. That can be good though if the toy was annoying. Cell phones do not wash or dry well at all. They make a lot of noise as they dry too. Magnets will melt a bit and permanently stick to the inside of your dryer if you dry them. Compasses or watches don't do well. Gum loses its flavor. Pens are fickle and vary on type.

Washing money is not the same as laundering money. LOL! I grew up thinking I was breaking the law each time I accidently washed some cash. I would look over my shoulder just knowing the law was after me. I wish I laundered more of it now ... finders keepers, ya know. I think I earned a whopping 26 cents today. At least that washed well!

If I only had a brain ...

It seems my brain has gone in to retirement. Hiding is more like it really. Even with my nifty little toys like a pocket pc and those good ol' stand-bys called calendars I cannot remember properly. I can't seem to remember orthodontist appointments. Actually, I did remember yesterday's orthodontist appointment. I just forgot who was supposed to be there. I took the wrong kiddos. I guess that happens with three in orthodontics.

Some higher power must love me though because I did have the correct child with me, but only because we were shopping for flooring after the appointment. We built two new bedrooms in our basement for the two oldest boys. The project is about done. We are to the flooring stage so I (& kiddos) went to meet hubby at the flooring store after the appointment. The boys didn't pick out the flooring anyway as they were having too much fun playing on the humungo carpet rolls.

Where was I? Oh yeah, orthodontist. Luckily, I still had the right kid. It really chapped my oldest who was drug along since I though she was one of the appointments. She doesn't like the cold (but is always complaining about being hot ... teenagers) and wasn't interested in flooring either.

So I guess it all worked out. At least I didn't forget it was my oldest's brithday today (and 2-3 day FedEx is helpful when you do forget to get her gift on time).

a.k.a. Mom

As I lay in bed listening to the night noises of snores and pantry sneaks, I thought on my job as a mom. I decided that being a mother has allowed me to wear many hats. I guess you could say I am a jack-of-all-trades.

I am also a:
Plumber
Maid
Chef
Veterinarian
Seamstress
Dairy Cow
Laundress
Short-Order Cook
Janitor
Nurse
Teacher
Student
Judge
Musician
Storyteller
Chauffeur
Editor
Chew Toy
Carpenter
Gardener
Writer
Magician
Dietitian
Therapist
Jungle Gym
Detective
Jury
Baby-Sitter
Fisherman
Secretary
Advocate
Volunteer
Manager
Computer Techncian
Grounds Keeper
Baker
Librarian
Photographer
Banker
Hair Stylist
Hostess
Actress
Chair Cushion
Security Guard
Comedian
Records Keeper
Counselor
Interior Decorator
Chaperone
Zoo Keeper
Events Planner
Barber
Chief Executive Officer

All this in just 15 years of motherhood. That is a rather impressive resume. Forget the college degrees and years of school. So what am I exactly worth? I am worth my salary in hugs, kisses, artwork and hand-picked noses ... er ... flowers. I am the world to my children. That is all I could ask for except maybe some more vacation time.