school is back in session

School is back in session!  It feels like summer lasted forever...or at least some of the days felt that way.  I know the kids were excited to go back.  On their first day they were all up before me.  And I had my alarm set for 5am.  They rushed to get themselves all ready to go and were set by 6.

Except that only one of them actually leaves the house before 7.  The other 2 got to sit with the babysitter from 6:15 till the bus came an hour later.  But at least they were ready.

Wish I could say the same for the last two mornings.  I've been having to chase them around.  Time to reprint the morning GET DONE list :)

And speaking of getting done...

Had a really good spell of not having to ask for help.  Now we are back to asking.  Resetting up chore charts and having a family chat this weekend.  I gave them a break this week to adjust to new schedules.

2nd grade for the littles, 6th for the oldest

mommy doesn't equal maid...or does it?

Sunday night, after a weekend of cleaning mixed with reading, I ran away from home.  My oldest decided to make cake, including homemade frosting. No big deal. Except she couldn't find the measuring cups. So she started rifling through the dishwasher, scattering clean dishes all over the place. Then decided to give up and ride her bike down the street to buy some. Leaving my house a mess.

But she wasn't alone. Her younger siblings had left stuff scattered all over the kitchen and hallway as well. While dad just sat watching tv.

So I ranted at them all then packed a bag and went to my mom's.  Where it was quiet and clean.

Her response is that I let everyone get away with to much. I do my best to constantly be after everyone to clean up.  I take items away and restrict privileges. But nothing seems to phase them long. And if the other adult doesn't really ever help...how can I ever win? It's a 4 vs 1 battle. Actually 6 vs 1 if you count the cats. I've never seen cats so keen on knocking their food everywhere, especially the water dish. And they will only eat it if it's in the bowl...not around it.

My kids have fancy chore charts that see no action, other than gathering dust. I've offered money for help but can't find takers. I suppose I just have to keep butting my head against the wall and hound them till they finally get it.

Or quit and move, leaving no forwarding address...

double digits at last

I'm fairly certain she's been counting down to her 10th birthday since her 9th birthday!  

 

So who is Alexa at 10?  Well, she's a 5th grader instead of a 4th grader, and did a fabulous job on her first report card - all As.  She's learning to play the saxophone and has made many new friends.  Reading and writing are two of her favorite things to do.  Alexa's at least 5' and weighs about 145 pounds.

look who is 6!

We celebrated the twins's 6th birthday at Chickie Lake with some friends and family.  They had a great time - everyone did.  

Both kids had a lot of growth this year.  They completed kindergarten, starting to read and write.  Jake ditched his training wheels on his bike.  He is still in love with superheroes and dressing up in his Superman costume from when he was 2.  Liz enjoys playing with her dolls and barbies, reading, and coloring.  They also love to argue and make messes :)

We've made it 6 years!

wee bit of slacking off

Crikey...has it really been since December?  I know what the problem is.  It's this little blue website that just sucks you in.  You get to be nosing into everyone's business at one time, plus play games.  It's awesome for avoidance on face-to-face contact and most especially...the completion of housework.

So what has happened in the last 7 months?

January:  Well we celebrated New Years in Gorham with our friends and their kids.  My Girl Scout troop had it's first cookie sale, selling over 1000 boxes.  Over 300 of those were Alexa's - earning her a free week at GS Camp in the summer (um YEAH!!!).  Liz got her first love note which she tore up about a week later.

Other than that it was housework and work and errands - same old stuff.

February:  Basketball and some Build & Grow action at Lowe's.  Ordered Breaking Dawn 2 :).  Sick kids, fixed back of dryer, read lots of good books.  Maine got hit by a whopper of a snowstorm.

March:  More snow!  I got employee of the month for RSU 13.  I was foolish enough to do a cookie booth at the Samoset Expo - it was pure insanity with too many girls.  Sick kids that weren't really sick.  More housework and errands and work.

April: Tossed our busted couch out the back door all by myself.  Took the kids to Boston for a Red Sox game - a first for the twins.  Allowed the twins to have a playdate - will NEVER do that again.Visited my parents, kids got to finally ride bikes, made thin mint cupcakes that were to die for.  Made rubber eggs, busted said rubber eggs - it was gross.  Dairy Queen reopened - got a blizzard fix, chocolate extreme :)  Work, housework, errands.

May:  Sunshine and green grass.  Liz was OBSESSED with hurdle jumping (not real hurdles, but rather stacked up tires and beach toys).  Participated and judged the talent show at RDMS.  Eventually got the garden rototilled.  I had a day to myself when Chris took all kids to Seadogs game.

June:  Got the garden planted.  Alexa performed in her school talent show and got to read a retirement poem to her principal.  Jake finally ditched the training wheels.  Made it to the end of the school year - theirs and mine.  Had to deal with a busted washing machine for 2 days which nearly caused a panic.  And oh year....got a new nephew :)

July:  Beach time, part time work, birthday party...and we are only 1/2 way through.