Boys and Fun

Today is trade in day for chore money.  So after breakfast off to the store we go...  The boys wanted Bakugon and bought as much as the could afford.  Daddy thru in boats for everyone which ended up being the entertainment for the day.  He let them fill up the kiddie pool with water and play all afternoon.  Poor Felicia watched from behind the slider door.  She would just swim and not play on the outside of the pool.

After everyone took warm showers and baths before dinner.  It always amazes me what entertains them.  Sorry no photos.

When Chris is Gone

Everyone knows Chris travels he has since Caleb was 6 months old, so almost 10 years now.  Some months he is away more than others and lately he has been in the office but having late nights.  I like when he is home even if it means late nights because I get him to myself for an hour.  The kids spend time in the am, he even took the boys to breakfast before school one morning, they loved it.  So our time is limited but quality, especially on the weekends.

Weekdays are my schedule.  We attend fitblast at the Y monday,  do chores on tuesday then eat at chick-fil-a.  Wednesday is a push but we go to fitblast, eat dinner and homework then attend scouts.  Thursday we either stay home or go to fitblast depending on the energy level of the house, we may even hit the park down the street.  Friday nights we go to fitblast or meet daddy for dinner after his flight home.  I keep our afternoons very scheduled but we all need it.

My mornings are the same because that is what Felicia and Eagan need.  I balance their down time and playdates with friends.  Wednesday is Felicia's day with storybook.  Eagan has school 3 mornings and we have down time before the big boys come to school.  I love the carpool because I don't have to drive everyday, that is one of the best lessons I have learned, don't take everything on yourself, ask for help.  People surprise you.  

The other lesson I've learned in staying home with the kids is do what makes life easier.  We changed sports to incorporate all the kids, it was a great success.  The number of kids is easy, the age spread is what gives us trouble.  What the 9 year old want to do is different from the 1, etc.  We try to find activities for everyone, the park is huge and we can go most of the year.  The boat is our favorite and can do that all year long, sorry northern friends.  

We all miss him so much when he is away but he is great and gives us his full attention on the weekend.  People always ask how I can do this, my kids make it easy and I keep us all busy so we don't dwell on the fact that Chris isn't here.  It is what we know and I think they all handle it well.  Would I rather have him home at night yes but it is what it is and we do our best.  My favorite quote is "be kind to everyone you meet for they are fighting a harder battle."  I truly believe that and know our lives could be worse but are not so I am thankful everyday for what I do have, 4 great children given to me by a wonderful and loving husband.  How lucky am I!!

Now everyone knows how I survive the long weeks and why, enjoy.  Any other questions you know where I am.

Felicia

Today alone I have fished out of her PJ's a chimchar head and 2 barrettes, also some dice.  She is shoving things in her pj's but her onsies too.  This is as very strange child.

UPDATE:  Felicia follows her brothers so much that she just decided to go up the ladder to the fort and go down the slide.  I video taped it and if you are at all squemish then please look away.  She keeps up with the boys.

Scouts

The scout master arranged an animal encounter, take a look at what came.  The boys froze but they loved the siberian tiger, black leopard, ball python and new crocodile.

Freezing Walk

On Wednesday Felicia and I either run or walk north shore park to the bridge on coffee pot.  This week it was below 40 and had an artic wind.  We bundled up and cut it in half, which made her very upset.  I got her to calm down by talking about story time and singing.

Coloring

Felicia loves to color, paint anything.  I think she gets it from her dad.  I can't draw a stick figure.

New Hair

Chris usually cuts Caleb's hair because it is easy.  I left monday to get the dog back from boarding and found Eagan in the tub, BALD.  He had also started on Dayne.  I leave for 30 minutes and all the hair on my boys was gone.  Eagan likes his new hair it looks like grampie and makes him fast.

Tonight at dinner he said, "Where's my hair."  I almost peed my pants laughing, he says great stuff.

Visit the NC Baldwin's

Now that Greg, Alia and the kids live close by we decided to take advantage of the kids 4 day weekend.  I loaded everyone and all our things into the suburban, dropped off "Boomer" then went to get Chris at the office.  The kids watched movies since it was dark and Eagan was asking "Are we there yet?" and we said no and just laughed.  At Brunswick, Georgia we found a Marriott and stayed the night.

After our free breakfast, which they lost money on, we headed out.  They read, napped, watch movies and ate a ton more but we all very good.  I heard about a flipped car on the highway so followed the line of 18 wheelers and went thru cotton country.  Chris pulled over so I could grab some off the road for a science lesson on cotton and what is can do.  A quick stop at McDonald's to play and eat then we got to their house.  Greg was still at work so the kids played until dinner.   They really enjoyed each other.  Sienna was counting the days and informed everyone that morning "COUSINS" were coming.  We all played musical beds to accommodate everyone.

Saturday Greg made waffles, which were yummy, and we all got ready to go to the hands on museum.  They enjoyed all of it and stayed together best as they could as a group.  We ate lunch at the cafe at a very small table but we managed they played outside for 30 minutes or so in the 30 degrees +-.  Home for rest time, not long lasting but needed for all.  The kids played inside and the big boys love to be outside so Chris and Greg tag teamed them out there.  At dinner Dayne showed Sienna his loose tooth then after we cleaned up it fell out.  And yes the Fairy found him in NC.  The adults had homemade french bread, made by Alia and Greg made lasagna, YUM.  A little Lion King was in order for the night to relax before bed.

Sunday morning everyone was up and ready to go to IHOP.  All 10 of us headed out and enjoyed a yummy and quiet breakfast.  We love to bowl so we took the others.  Greg and Alia never bowled with the kids so it was new to them.  What they didn't expect was all the trash talk that we and the kids do with each other.

Felicia fell asleep on the way home and we decided to pack up the gang and headed home.  We were all tired but the kids do great on road trips.  A dvd and computer are saviors while in the car.  Home happened at 1:30 am thanks Chris.

Greg, Alia, Sienna and Wyeth, thanks so much we had a blast.

Weekend Fun

Saturday started with great hope of going on the boat, but as we settled into the water and tried the engines we discovered we needed batteries.  We were all very sad but knew we could fix it.  Chris looked around and found what he needed to get 2 new ones and after we took Caleb to his best bud from school's party we ventured to the store.

Chris put the new batteries in and we waited for Caleb's return but had to go and retreive the child.  He had blast with his bud, now it is off the KNO.  We dropped and ran at KNO then went to pick up the boat.  

Our first trip out on the boat could not have been better.  It was a full moon and a chilly night.  We cruised up to Weedon Island and back again, it was a magical evening.  It took about 2 hours then we got some appetizers from Applebee's.  Back to reality when we got the kids.  Everyone was tired to off to bed.

Sunday we had breakfast and the big boys went to CCD while I attended mass. Chris got Felicia down for a nap then got the boat ready including lunch.  Isn't he great.  We launched and drove fast up to Weedon Island again.  Everyone ventured onto the sandbar to play until the rising tides took our play area away so we moved onto the boat.  Eating lunch and fishing the kids entertained themselves just fine. Dolphins went thru the channel right behind the boat, that never gets old.  I love seeing them every time we are out.

Life in florida is great when you are in the water on Jan 11th.  So sorry about the snow up north, not really!!!  LOL to everyone shoveling.

Boys Breakfast

Chris is working long hours and misses the kids most nights, so this morning he rounded up the boys and took them to breakfast.  He then dropped off the big boys to school and brought Eagan home.  On the way to the Y he told me about the hour he was with "daddy and his boys".  They eat at McDonald's where they ate in the "tunnel part" and played tag then they went to the water(coffee pot park) and sat for a few minutes.  I have the best husband every, the boys will carry that memory with them always.

Our Christmas Tree

What do you do with an old christmas tree at the end of the season?  Well with 3 boys and a saw it is time to debone the tree.  They took every limb off that tree and then started on the stump.  It took all morning but there was nothing left to the poor thing.  What a tradition the boys have started.  The pictures say it all.

Back to School

Everyone was excited to get back to our routine and go to school today.  Chris was a little more reluctant to start back but off he went.  The kids all gave him hugs and kisses then waved from the window.

Night Out

Caleb got invited to the Lighting game with his best bud, Chase, so Chris and I decided to take the rest of the gang out to bowl.  The kids love it.  Dayne won with a score of 101, Eagan and Chris tied with 85 and I just failed that night.  We won't mention the score.  

Caleb loves watching hockey and spending time with is bud.  They lost but good times anyway.