Two in One Day

A shocker I know. I am not a tag kind of gal - I think I might have done one. Yesterday at bookclub we were talking about journals, letter writing, etc and how important it is. Even crazy tags. I saw this on Julia's blog, sorry it is private, and thought what the heck. It is either this or work, so I decided to write about my favorite son (before you think I am playing favorites he is my ONLY son). This is about your firstborn, and for me it means going back in the dark recesses of my already mentioned old mind. Oh, and this is from facebook...

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes - who do you think I am?
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Honestly? At first I thought oh crap I have ruined my life (since I felt this way with each pregnancy it is not a slam against Ryan). After I told Eric and he was so excited, it helped me get excited.
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 22
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Home test. Peed on a stick.
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Eric
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Well, yes but only two days before he was due because I had a non-stress test because he was 10 days late.
9. DUE DATE? July 26, 1990
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes.
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Potatoes. All kinds. Baked, fried, hash browned, you name it.
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Not sure. I am sure I was emotional. There was the time I came home to find rattle snake bones and guts all over my kitchen... Ask Eric. I was annoyed then.
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Boy - the Boy as we refer to him around here.
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? Sort of. I really wanted a girl, so I knew it would be a boy because my life is like that. Althougth once he was here I could not have been happier.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 30 pounds
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes.
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew about it.
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? No. He just would not come out!
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? Too many. Labor started Friday night. We went to hospital Saturday morning. Got sent home from hospital. Went back 12 hours later saying I was not leaving this time. He was born Sunday at 2:00 PM
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Eric.
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Eric - and my friend Wendy was there which was a good thing because he was not so into helping with the pushing and the such. And he was not forceful enough when I needed an epidural...
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Natural
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Yes when Eric finally got someone in there...
27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8 pounds 7 ounces.
28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? August 5, 1990 10 days late!
29. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Ryan Linford Pearson. He was actually Cole for a few hours - God's joke on me since I thought people who waited to see their children to name them were crazy becuase they all look like lizards. Well, he too looked like a lizard, but not a Cole lizard, but rather a Ryan lizard.
31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 18 years and 6 months and leaving me soon :(

Dang, now I have to get back to work!

I Am Showing My Age

I am getting old. I know it is shocking, but true.

I bought a new phone. I very UNCHARACTERISTICALLY fasted and prayed about this. Did I want an iPhone? The new G1? The new Blackberry?

Well, I went with the Blackberry (sorry iPhone fans). I love it. It does the job. But, I could not figure out how to use it (or some features). I had to hand it to Kelsey so she could show me how to do something... I have become my grandmother who could not set her VCR! Dang.

Then, Kelsey was walking out to school today. It got cold again - 40 degrees (that qualifies for cold here). The fool is wearing flip flops. I could hear myself saying, what are you doing wearing flip flops - it is cold out there. What is wrong with you? Another sign of age... Preaching about the weather and lack of appropriate footwear... Again I can hear my grandmother.

And finally, I loved a non-fiction book. We just read John Adams in book club. It it SO GOOD. Go and read it right now! I want to watch the HBO mini-series now. From what I hear, it is awesome. I have decided he was a great man who we should know more about. He was one of the Founding Fathers, our 2nd President and we don't hear much about him. It is slow for the first 150 pages or so, don't give up.

So there you go. I willing read non-fiction, can't use technology and preach about the weather. How did this happen?

Happy Valentine's Day

I went on strike this year - no Christmas cards. I was tired, busy and just did not feel like it! How about that? Well, we decided to do the Valentine's card instead. They were mailed - well postmarked on Valentine's day. So even those were late. In case we missed you, here it is - of course for some you will get this twice. And for those living overseas, we were too cheap to mail...sorry. Please note that Eric wrote the annual letter, can you tell?

In true Pearson family fashion, this Tomball Texas satellite group is sending out our official Christmas 2008 card and letter..... in mid-February of 2009, attempting to pass it off as our annual family Valentine's card (and it is late at that). Regardless, the same type of self-promoting propaganda goes out to each of you and yours, no matter what time of the year you receive it.

Despite all of the exciting world events that 2008 brought our country, the Pearsons have managed to pull out of the year all intact. We all saw ourselves, and each other, age one year older. We moved from our home of 8 years to a slightly larger house, just a mile away from our old one. We, and our house, survived Hurricane Ike, the presidential debates, employment down-sizing (knock on wood), automobile fuel price swings, Ryan's eagle project, the girl's summer camps all without missing a beat.

Eric has kept himself busy constructing a luxury apartment project close to downtown Houston. In his spare time, he continues to log in a few miles a week running while competing in a couple of marathons each year. He also still coaches Sophie's club soccer team and is involved in the church's varsity scout program.

Carrie is found either working from her home office, or is out traveling to peddle her company's library products to unassuming libraries all over the western United States. She has also picked up on this running fad and is actually getting quite attached to it, forming a running club with a few friends. The whole group meets three times a week at 5 a.m. to go out for runs. Carrie also teaches Sunday School to our church's youth, aged 14-18, and they actually like her.

In 2008, Ryan (18) earned his Boy Scout Eagle Award, attended high adventure in Colorado where he got to back pack and white water raft, got a new (used) car (thanks to uncle Steve), played on the Tomball HS Varsity football team, and also got a job at Ci Ci's Pizza. In 2009, Ryan will prepare to go on his Mormon mission. We hope that he is ready and able to go in late August. Destination unknown at this time.

Kelsey (14) sings for her school’s choir. She also is the pride of her father's heart as she competes in cross country. Kelsey loves the color pink, her ipod, cell phone, and portable DVD player. She turned 14 this year and that earned her the privilege to attend stake dances. And so it begins….

Sophie (12) thinks, dreams, and eats soccer. She is on a club team that takes up most of her spare time. We get to travel with her all over south Texas. She made the percussion section at our school's band and is routinely the number one chair. Sophie continues to be serious about her school work, holding on to the top 5 rank in her school's class, three years running.

Allie (7) continues to be our little drama queen. She is bubbly, bouncy and can make herself cry at will (just ask her she will tell you). She loves school, and is becoming quite the reader. She had to take a back seat to the older kids in terms of extra-curriculars this fall, but is making up for it now with gymnastics and the threat of wanting to play soccer.

Caroline (7) is still our sensitive soul. She is a little more reserved than Allie is, but once she opens up watch out. She too is diving into reading, and still wishes she did not have homework every night. She makes up many of the games which occupy her and Allie’s “off” time. She loves gymnastics, and has no desire to play soccer.

For all of those who do not know, our new address is: 11803 Rue Beaujon Court, Tomball, Texas, 77377. You may be able to get more week-to-week updates by visiting Carrie's blog at: www.carriepearson.blogspot.com

We hope that your respective family is happy and blessed in the year 2009!!

Notice the shameful plug for the blog? Got to get readers somehow. And before you say it - I know I know. To get readers I need to post!

This Week

Sick Sophie. She has been sick all week. It looked like she would perk up on Tuesday, then crashed and burned again Wednesday morning. (she of course dropped this on me as I was on my way out the door - I went to New Braunfels for a demo. So, she stayed home alone. She called while I was on my way home asking about what drugs to take, so the day of rest did not make her better. When I arrived at 9:30 she was sound asleep - the drugs worked.)

I finally took her to the DR yesterday - sinus infection. On antibiotics, lets hope she feels better since we are leaving for Austin for a soccer tournament at 4:30 PM. Should be fun.

Kelsey started track. It is kicking her butt. She is going to sleep even before me every night - she is nighty night by 8 every night.

Ryan has gotten into a bad habit. He gets up at 5:15 am. Goes to seminary, and school. He is home by 1:00 (double senior release) and he naps. Sometimes for two hours. He then wakes up, goes to work, comes home and does it all again. I am not sure when, or if, he is getting any homework done. When I ask, he tells me it is done. I am waiting for the complete senioritus to hit. It is coming, I can feel it.

And last but not least a project due for Allie. We had to do research on a wind vane, write a report and make one. Have I told you how much I love school projects??

Happy Birthday Eric

I am a day late again. Don't have a good excuse, but it is what it is.

Eric is a low key birthday kind of guy. He does not want a party, a fuss, or much of anything (although I have been bitten by the "you don't have to do anything" mantra).

This year his birthday was the day after the Super Bowl. Sunday was the first time we could have a family dinner for Sophie's birthday, so a joint birthday it was. Too bad Sophie got the flu, did not eat, and just laid on the couch.

As a special birthday treat we ate dinner in front of the game (a huge no-no in my book). I have no pictures because Eric is really ornery about having his picture taken. The one I am using is from my sister's wedding - he did not know it existed!

Some fun facts about Eric:

He has run 44 (not 45 as previously reported) marathons. He claims to be giving up running, but I don't believe that for a second.

He loves football - both pro and college. He might not be able to tell you who Kelsey's English teacher is, but he can tell you the 5 teams who have not gone to the Superbowl.

He is very involved with his kids stuff - he tries to be at the cross country meets, choir recitals, soccer games, gymnastics classes, etc. etc. He loves his kids and he is a great dad.

He likes LOSER (ok so that is my opinion) TV shows. I can't get him to watch The Closer with me, but he is one of the five people left in America still watching the Bachelor. Go figure.

He is always the first to jump in and help when someone needs it - he is one of the Lakewood Ward official Movers.

He is still as handsome as he was the day I married him! After 20 years, I am still happy to be hitched to him.

Happy Birthday Eric!

Only One Seven Year Old

Life with twins is always crazy, exciting and can be frustrating. Mornings seems to be VERY DIFFICULT around here for them. Maybe it is because by the time I have seen the other three off I am just plum tired of the reminding, coaxing, and cajoling that goes with getting kids to school.

Caroline has the flu, and she stayed home today. I was down on the computer getting some work done and looked up and it was 7:30. The bus comes for the twins at 8:00. Allie is ALWAYS up earlier than 7 and snooping around.

I jump up to see if she too has taken ill. Oh no. She is upstairs WATCHING TV. When I figured out what she was doing, I did respond in all caps to her little face.

Anyway, we were able to get dressed, brush teeth/hair, read our reading assignment, practice spelling words, eat breakfast and still be ready for the bus. Wow - one 7 year old is MUCH easier than 2! Most mornings do not include spelling words or reading.

Oh well, tomorrow we will be back to two 7 year olds. It was fun while it lasted!

Sophie is 12

It is so hard for me to believe, but Sophie is now 12.

I remember the day she was born - it was bitterly cold. A wicked cold front had come through, and I was glad to be snuggled in the hospital with my new baby girl. Here is her newborn pic. She looks really chunky, but she was my smallest singleton at only 8 pounds 2 ounces.

Here she is now.

Sophie tested us her first year - she had colic and cried and cried. Kelsey and Ryan asked us to send her back. She tested my patience as well, but we endured!

That is all different now. I am so proud of her. She is a smart, caring, sweet young woman. She is such an example to all of us - we can't get away with much without Sophie telling us what we are doing wrong. She is always asking us questions we can't answer. When memorizing the Articles of Faith (13 statements of the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), she asked Eric and I what the Admonition of Paul was. I have said the 13th AOF a million times, and never even wondered what it was. We had to do some research, but were able to give her answers.

She manages to play club soccer, keep excellent grades, and still find time to watch 24 with her mom. She is funny and wacky and just plain great (and I am not just saying that because she is mine). She loves being outdoors - but does NOT like the color pink. I told her she could wear makeup, but she did not seem to care. She loves Pei Wei, Rootbeer and watermelon.

Happy Birthday Sophie. I love you!

2009 Houston Half Marathon

We finished! Yeah!!! In case you are wondering, A half marathon is 13.1 miles. And I felt every step of it!

The race was great - it was so much fun. I have been running with a group each Saturday. And as a breakoff of the group, I have gathered a group of four women who run with me a couple of days a week. They make it fun. We laugh and enjoy our time out there - it makes getting up prior to 5AM to prepare for the run worth it. And, as some have pointed out, it is cheaper than therapy.

One of our group is new - and she was not planning to run the 1/2 with us. Since she has completed a marathon before I know she could do it. The rest of us were just trying to finish - and as Jennifer would point out - enjoy the journey.

We went out for some carbo loading the night before. Here we are dressed with makeup.

Before the race hitting the port-a-pottie BEFORE they got too stinky.

Now if you looked closely you might see some of these folks, OK everyone by me, put makeup on BEFORE the race. What the heck??? I wipe sweat off my face on my arm too much and it would not be a good look to have makeup smudged all over my shoulder.

After. All medaled up. We did it!!!

Allison served as photographer - Thank you. She even got one of Eric and I after the race. He of course did the full marathon - his 45th. But, I have decided the full for him is the same hit on his body as the half for me. He hasn't grown five kids inside HIS body - am I right?

If you had told us 10 years ago we would be able to pose together after a race having both completed it, we would not have believed you. But, here we are.

Now I need to keep running. I need to add in some Pilates to help my core as well, but we are going to keep going. I have run a half before, and then I just fall apart, get fat and have to start all over again when training begins in July. Not this year! My posse won't let that happen.

Next up? Maybe the Cowtown Half Marathon! Watch out Fort Worth, here we come!

Happy Birthday Mom

My mother turns 39 again.... I won't tell you how many times she has turned 39. This picture is not even recent - she has lost another 40 pounds since this was taken, but I don't have a current picture of her. Note to self, get pic of mom.

This woman had 10 children and she is still sane. Although, she spends her days teachining middle school children (and likes them), which would be a reason to question her sanity. She is a great example!

I love you mom!

Just Keeping On

I wish I had a great picture to post, since they are way more fun than my boring rants, but alas I was too lazy to take a picture of Caroline's outfit creation this morning. It included leg warmers, and a scarf. Allie, bless her heart, just can't keep up. She prefers Sophie fashions - jeans and a crappy tee-shirt (most of the time with some sort of reference to soccer written on it).

This week has flown by in a wave of sameness. School, work, kids, etc. etc. We went to the HS to see about Kelsey's classes for next year. It was the learn how this works night. Since I made lots of mistakes with Ryan, I am getting smarter now (much to Kelsey's fear). By the time Allie and Caroline make it up there I will really have it down. Now, if Kelsey and I can get through the course selection without a major knock-down drag out fight I will consider it a success.

I think Sophie might have had a migraine. I got a call from school she had a headache - she was crying it hurt so badly. She threw up. She had vision issues. This does not bode well for her long term. We will just have to watch her and see. Another thing to add to my ever growing list of things to keep track of.

Off to the Houston Marathon Expo today. Marathon, and for me 1/2 marathon, day will be here soon. Of course, they are predicting rain at the start. Not my favorite, but oh well. Since I am on the "lets just finish" team, I think it will be great. No stress, just fun!

Why?

Is it that if I take one day off (well sort of) the house falls apart? Yesterday was one of the days - did not feel like making much of a contribution and I didn't (besides two soccer games, a library run, and going to grocery store to get food for today). So I came into the kitchen this am to get dinner in the crockpot (so this hungry brood can eat) and I can't see the bottom of the sink. It is full of dishes. And the diswasher is EMPTY.

I think this shows I am too easy on my kids. I do not make them do enough. I let them be slobs. No more! We are going back to chores if it kills me (and it might just do that).

I Wanna Be A Cowboy

Who knew Fort Worth had a cattle drive every day. It takes having family in from out of town to find these things out. We packed the Californians up and took them down to enjoy some real Texas activities.

I hate to tell you Matt - Josh told me he wants to be a cowboy when he grows up!

Why does she give that look with every pose???

Showing some Texas pride - now if we could just get the Heningers to move out of California and join us in, as Allie has said, the United States of Texas!

Boy cousin bonding.

Yes, we do rock!

American Girl Place

Since the twins had received their American Girl dolls, I decided we would take everyone to the American Girl Place for lunch (they recently opened a store in Dallas). Let's be honest - I love that place as much as they do!

Since we were in Dallas, we had all the girl cousin come with us. It was estrogen city. The store is not as big as New York, but we got our fill of American Girl. Fun was had by all. Kelsey and Hannah even came - pretending to be too big, but loving every minute of it.

The whole crew waiting for lunch (and waiting, and waiting).

Here we all are posing. It was very fun - even for the older ones.

The Wedding

Michelle, my babiest of sisters, was married on Dec 27. It was crazy being right after Christmas and all, but it was fun. She was married in the Dallas Temple. Her reception was that afternoon in Flower Mound - right next to Matt and Julie's new house. Here are some of my favorite candid pics. Of course, I forgot to get the bride and groom - isn't that what the real photographer is for?

This was in the lobby of the temple waiting for the bride and groom to come out. It could have been anywhere, however, since Blake (Megan's husband and Caroline's boyfriend) had these girls all over him all day long. It was a sea of polka dots! He is a good sport.

Hannah and Kelsey at the reception. I love this picture of the two of them. I can't believe they are getting so big!

Crazy Uncle Patrick with Sophie and Kelsey.

Rich Uncle Mark with toothless Allie. It was good to see him since he left us to go to school in Chicago - jeez what does Chicago have that Houston doesn't??

Laurie and Erika (Michael's fiance).

Sophie and Shelby. Shelby reminds me of Sophie at the same age - and I think Shelby has decided that Sophie is her personal friend!

The bride was gorgeous - you will just have to take my word on that. (I guess the groom was handsome too). It was a crazy few days, but fun to be surrounded by family - everyone was there except Steven who was enjoying Christmas in Brazil. It is hard to get that many Linfords in the same place - so we need to enjoy it when we can.

Christmas Day

Up at 7:00 AM (not bad for a house full of kids). It was a great morning - I think everyone was very happy with what Santa (and mom and dad) brought. One of the favorite gifts - the Coco-Latte machine. I think we have had hot chocolate EVERY day since then. We then packed up and left for Grapevine at noon.

We were there in time for dinner and fun with the Linfords. We broke out Seinfeld Scene It. To date I would like to say I am undefeated.... I'm just saying. (even Mark could not defeat the Seinfeld Champ).

Some pics of our Christmas morning....

Ryan's Grillz.... Maybe we have been in H-Town too long...

Kelsey got a new ipod - pink and ready for fun.

Sophie and her DS.

Allie loves Kit!

Caroline and Julie. All my girls can only get the historical American Girl dolls. It is just a thing I have. So, when Caroline wanted Julie it was really hard for me - she is not historical she is from the '70s. I was a girl in the '70s. It is hard getting old..... (and nasty right Ryan??)

Christmas Eve

I know it is January - lets pretend OK! It has been a crazy couple of weeks.

I spent Christmas Eve doing my best impression of Martha Stewart - and anyone who knows me knows it is not one of my better impressions. We had put off the baking/homey type of Christmas stuff to the last minute. So, we made gingerbread houses, decorated sugar cookies, made buckeyes, I whipped up a batch of rolls to take to the parental units house on Christmas, and of course I did the Thane Twiggs Whole Wheat Waffles for dinner. To say the least I was exhausted for the Pinata, Christmas story reading, Luke II watching, PJ opening festivities, but I did manage to make it through!

And I did manage to get a few pictures of all the fun.

Sophie getting the art of using the pastry bag.

Now I must say, Allie really excelled at her pastry bag use. I usually do not even try to ice the cookies this way. My sister, the true Martha of the family, always does this. She told me to try and let my kids try. Well we did, and I was pleased with the results. Allie and Sophie really figured it out. The other two not so much. But there is always Valentine's Day!

This was the funniest part of the day (for me at least). I look over and Allie has her head bent over this paper working on math. Which of course, begs the question, "Allie what are you doing?" Well, she wanted a cookie. I told her we needed to see how many were left after we took them to various friends and families houses. So, she added up how many we had, and then was subtracting out the number for each family to see what was left. Sophie came along to help her out by writing family names... of course it was a moving target, but I did reward her with a cookie!

Kelsey's friend Brooke (or Brooklyn as I call her) had never done a gingerbread house. So, she came along for the fun. Notice that Kelsey's house has no roof? Well you see, while I was cutting out the house parts, I counted to make sure I had the correct number of sides, roofs, front/back etc. Well, I counted wrong. We just said it was post Ike.

Caroline not sure where to start!

I won't get sappy with my thoughts that my boy will be gone the next two Christmas'. But, I did think it. I am glad he got a crack at the pinata this year! And he did indeed break it.

All PJ'd up and ready for sleep!

Then, off to bed to await Santa!

Weekend Update

Oh that I had the folks at SNL to write this for me, but no you get me.

Eric and I both went and faced the heat - yes it was 72 degrees and HUMID - and ran our long runs with our running group. The good news is we are starting the taper, and we are ready to run the Houston Marathon (and 1/2). It really took everything out of me, so I was not much good the rest of the day.

Eric, on the other hand, had to step up since he was speaking in Sacrament meeting on Sunday. He wrote his talk, and then he and Ryan went to the Texas State Championship football game. I am always torn because I do think it is great that he and Ryan do this together every year, but that means he still has not done ONE minute of Christmas shopping. This will force him to go out on Christmas Eve, when I would rather have him home, and he will buy stuff just to buy stuff. Some things will never change.

In case you missed his talk, there were moments of Michael Scott (like lying about his father taking away all his gifts), but he did a great job. He had the kids paying attention at first with talk of presents and Santa. During the talk he talked about things we do before Christmas - like make cookies - and he added maybe you will make some for Brother Pearson. Begging for cookies (also very Michael Scott). Nice.

Well, some of the folks in our ward must have listened. We have had two cookie drops the last two nights. One family, the Popes, went way overboard. Look what they brought us

(do you love how Eric took this picture and did not try to clean off the counters before snapping the picture?)

So, thank you to the folks who have brought us treats. Maybe Eric should beg for them every year! Today includes a movie, decorating sugar cookies (all of which were baked by Kelsey and Sophie), and get the gingerbread made for houses!

Have a happy day.

I Made It To Friday!

And that is an accoplishment this week. The last week of school before a break is always crazy - the older kids have finals, the little kids have parties, and I had a trip to Dallas.

I had a meeting yesterday. It was the twins Christmas party. I told them I would not make it because I had to go to work. Allie COMPLETELY fell apart. On the floor. Real tears. You have to come Mom! Then she asked for Dad. Well, Thursday is his crazy day at work, and he could not make it. I then offered up Ryan - and that seemed acceptable. And being the good guy Ryan is, he attended both Christmas parties to play parent for the twins before he went to work! Thanks Ryan.

In days past, only the room parent and one helper were ALLOWED to attend the party. No more. Dang I miss those days.

As I landed last night at the same gate I had taken off from 14 hours earlier, I was happy to be home and glad today is Friday! Now we can move on the cookie baking, gingerbread house making, and other fun traditions that make Christmas feel like Christmas.

But first a 12 mile run in the morning....What was I thinking?

Happy Friday!

Will I Survive?

Not Christmas, but my children. One child, who will remain nameless, left slamming the door exclaiming she hated Eric and I on her way to school. Nice huh? I am not sure what else I can take away from her. Her Christmas? Between the twins and said child, we might not have much of a Christmas around here!!! This was NOT in my job description...

I Am Now A Real Mom

But, as you will see, not a good one.

You would think bearing five children, two at the same time, would make me a real mom. I tended to think so, but that changed last night.

In Tomball ISD, the Pride of Texas in case you are wondering, you need to take art, choir or band in 6th grade. Pretty common. Both Ryan and Kelsey took choir. The sixth grade choir was not fabulous, but not anything offensive to the ears.

Sophie, in her quest to be different, took band. I got to sit through my first 6th grade band concert. Now I will say, it was better than I thought - these kiddos have been playing for just a few months. I was prepared for the worst, and was pleasantly surprised. The band teachers must have infinite patience. We had many squeaks and strange sounds coming from the band, but also a recognizable tune.

As I mentioned before. I do not think you can earn your mother stripes until you participate in such an event. Whew, glad I made it.

If only I could be counted among the good parents.... I am struggling with the twins, the babies, thing one and two, whatever you want to call them. Sunday morning I asked them to shower, and I went to get ready. They are almost 8 - perfectly capable of getting in the shower and dressed in the am. Well, as we are almost ready to leave I have Sophie go and check on them. Not only have the NOT showered, they are NOT dressed and playing a game in a room full of filth. That was the last straw - full MOMMY MONSTER came out and I raged like I had not in a long time. We were late and I was pretty sure we should skip because NO ONE was in a very spiritual mood after that.

They came home, cleaned their room and made nice. Fast forward to this morning. I got them up a little early to help our morning routine. They ate. They got dressed. They were sent up to brush their hair and teeth. 15 minutes go by. No twins. I walk upstairs and they are, I kid you not, sitting there getting OUT barbies to start a whole big game (forget Maria comes today and we are getting the house picked up anyway...) So, once again I lost it.

This time I have acted. There are NO toys in their room. None. I did not take the books, but I might have to do that as well. They are all safely packed away.

I have threatened, you know when you say stupid things you know you will never follow through with that you regret as they are spilling out of your mouth but you can't stop, to take back all their Christmas toys. If I was a little meaner, I might. Could I really make 2 almost 8 year olds sit there and watch everyone open gifts on Christmas? Today I am mad enough to say yes, but I am sure I will soften. Maybe.

So, why oh why do they have to be so disobedient? Will this make an impression? I remember doing such a thing to all the other kids as some point. I think it worked for some, not for others. Where to go from here...

The good news - their room should stay clean for a while! Now, will they be able to get their booties moving in the morning? Only time will tell.