Potties, Pirates, and Naked Ice Cream

Looking at the title of this post you're probably thinking, "What the heck?" Well, I don't blame you, so let me explain. Today was the first time ever that Ethan peed and poo-ed in the potty. YEAH! For those of you reading who don't have children yet, you probably don't totally get the excitement you feel as a parent when your child finally does his/her business in the potty. It's pure elation! And yes, it's elation over poo. So, so, sad. Trully. Anyway, that was pretty much the highlight of my day. I cleaned up poo and I was happy about it. Do you think it's time for me to start looking for work outside of the home?

Seriously, Ethan finally went which was like driving over a really big speedbump in the potty training department. We still have a lot more work to do, but the fear is gone now. He has just discovered that I wasn't lying. The potty really doesn't bite your booty off when you go.

For his first time on the potty celebration, I gave him a little ice cream in the middle of the day, which is unusual for us (despite my ice cream fetish). This particular moment also qualifies for the cutest moment of the day because he was completely nude while eating it (so funny). It was just easier to let him run around the house in his birthday suit while we did the PT thing. Later he went a second time (whoo-hoo!!) and Daddy brought him home a pirate play set. He played with that new toy for about three hours stopping only for one piece of pizza before passing out for the night. Tomorrow morning we will be back at it again. Wish me luck!

Cassidy received the Good Citizen award from the elementary school this semester, and the only child in fifth grade to receive one. She has also been chosen for Student of the Month for March. Way to go, Kid! We're proud of you!

*You should have seen her face when she told me. You could tell she was proud of herself, but she tried very hard to suck in her smile, and act like it was no big deal. Please! I was the queen of acting! Who does she think she's dealing with?:)

cutest moment of the day...

Okay. So I realize I have been like super blogger woman or something today, but I absolutely had to do a quick post about this. Mike and I had talked before about doing a cutest moment of the day. With four kids hanging around there is always something super cute happening, so I figure why not? Anyway, the moment that inspired me today actually came from Madison. We were doing her spelling homework for this evening which was an assignment for the both of us. My job was to write down the sentences that she was to dictate to me using one spelling word in each sentence. Things were going very well, Madi used her spelling words appropriately, "I see a big bug." Bug being the spelling word. I'm sure you get the picture. We kept going like that until number five or so. She had not read the word aloud before she used it in the sentence, so I wasn't sure which one was the spelling word. "I want to fly and tap dance." she declared. I giggled. "What are you laughing at Mom?" she asked. "Madi, I was just wondering which of those words is your spelling word?", with a sentence like that I thought it must be fly or tap. "It's and Mom!" I laughed out loud and told her she had made up a great sentence. She couldn't figure out why I couldn't stop smiling while I continued writing the rest of her sentences. I almost wet myself when she proclaimed her last sentence, "I wish I was a princess with a monkey." The spelling word...with.

After nine hours at home with four children under the age of five, I really, really, really, needed that laugh! I love your imagination little girl!

Zachy's naptime

I realized the other day while looking through old photos, that I had not taken any pictures of Zachary in his crib. This is something that I have always done at least once, with every child. Yesterday was busy, but since I had the camera out anyway, I decided to take some pictures of Zach before he laid down for his nap. As you will see, he had a lot of fun posing for me. I think most of the pictures are self-explanitory. I have to tell you that Mike and I call him "Pretty Boy" because his features are so flawless. I know amazing that he came from the two of us, huh? He just has these gorgeous blue eyes, creamy smooth complection, red pouty lips, curly, strawberry-blonde locks, and pinchably chubby cheeks. He's going to be a heartbreaker. He already melts mine:) By the way, thanks go out to Erin Cobb, I got the idea for the mirror pic from you! I just wish you had taken it. It would have turned out way better, but I worked with what I had. That's all you can do, right?

I have to add that even after the excitement of the photo shoot, Zach still laid down with his bottle and fell asleep when I finally turned off the lights and turned on his music. What a great baby!











I hate that I cut off half of his head while trying to get his reflection in the (very dirty) mirror. I just love the way he touched it with his little hand, though and his reflection turned out pretty good. I guess you could call this Mommy Art...You know, the kind of art only a mother could love...

Ethan's playdate

Yesterday Ethan felt like a very special boy. He was able to have two of his best friends over to play all day long! Their names are Jake-4yrs., and Ashley 2-1/2yrs. and they are brother and sister. The kids played well together and there were no meltdowns which is always a plus when you have toddlers and pre-schoolers together all day long. All in all it was a great day. We will get to see them again today, too:) Check out the cute pics below from the playdate:

Things started a little slow. There was some sliding and checking out the toys in the basement...

Then we moved into the TV area where Go Diego Gowas on. A favorite of all three!

The boys left Ashley alone for a while to go play with some very growl-y animals...ROAR!

Ashley didn't mind though, she was doing her own thing which happens to be the princess thing! She loves playing with Madi's Disney Princess cash register. How much are those glass slippers, Ashley?

The day ended with some quiet time. Jake fell asleep on the couch while the terrible two (who are only four days apart in age) played with the big girls downstairs. What a fun day:)

By the Grace of God...

I have been saved. I accepted Christ as my Savior a long time ago, but that's not what I am talking about now. I am referring to my last post about flying to Ohio with four kids. I had some trouble finding a flight that could configure seating for one adult with four children under the age of 12. I thought that I was going to have to pay a lot more money just to find a flight that could take us. Then, I had an idea. I thought if my youngest sister Robin could fly out and visit, I could buy her a return ticket home and she could fly with me and the kids. Between me and my mother we were able to work it out and now I have purchased airline tickets for the flight that I really wanted in the first place and I have another adult with me to help manage the kids. Thank you Lord for answering my prayers!

I found this picture taken on Ethan's second birthday. I had forgotten all about it. We were on our way home from celebrating with him in Fairbanks when God painted him this beautiful gift. How do you top a birthday present like that?

What am I getting myself into?

Well, in a couple of minutes it will be official. I am about to go online and buy four airline tickets. One for me and each of the kids. Zach will be a lap baby. We are going to fly home (Ohio) May 22nd, arriving the 23rd. Am I nuts? Flying alone with four children? I must really love you guys, because I am doing it again! At least this time I will have Cassidy with me to help. Ugh! I hate the thought of going through security with all of these kids. Breaking down the stroller, taking off your shoes and theirs, no belts, no liquids, etc. the list just keeps on going. If you have never flown with children (at least not since 9/11) my advice to you is to BE PREPARED! Bring as little as possible, keep it simple, and a little Benedryl never hurt any child:) Actually, I can honestly say I have never had to give my kids anything to make them sleepy on the plane. The droning of the engines is enough to put them to sleep and they have all been great fliers thus far. I do give the babies Tylenol just in case the popping hurts their ears, but that was only after the pediatrician recommended it.

We will be home from 5/23 to sometime in July. Mike will stay here in Alaska, and take leave in July to drive all the way to Ohio to pick us up, with our new pop-up camper (thanks mom and dad), and we will all take the big cross-country tour of the U.S. and Canada until we arrive home in Alaska. What a big, busy, crazy, memorable summer this will turn out to be! I can't wait to see everyone again!

things you didn't know...

Today I feel compelled to share some things about myself that you may not have known. Some of this is new stuff, some of it has always been a part of me. Either way I hope you enjoy reading this post:)

1. I recently cut and dyed my hair. The blonde is gone. Why? I couldn't stand finding food from the boys' hands in my hair anymore, and I felt like I needed a drastic change. I like it!

2. I eat icing when I am craving sweets but can't find any chocolate or ice cream. It's very, very bad for you, but it usually only takes a teaspoon to stop the craving.

3. I have started writing songs. Lyrics mostly, but I am working on the music part!

4. I am taking a Montessori Pre-school course to become a certified Montessori Pre-school teacher this fall. Wish me luck!

5. I love to cook, but I absolutely abhor doing the dishes. Really, I hate it.

6. Even though Zach is almost a year old now, I still count all of my children to make sure that I really do have four kids. I know, as if someone accidentally left a child at my house or I dreamed about Zach's birth and it wasn't real... I'm working on this one. Honestly.

7. I love helping other moms. I don't mind watching their kids, bringing them food, getting stuff from the store for them, whatever. Helping other moms gives me a sense of joy because I know how much it means to me (has meant) when I receive that extra help. I just want to make someone else feel that happiness (and relief) too!

8. I get teary-eyed every time I see or hear something about soldiers overseas. Whether they are serving, have served, or have fallen. My heart goes out to their families. It's a very emotional subject for me. See! I've got tears in my eyes just typing about it!!

9. I asked Zachary not to grow up. I know, what a silly request. By the way, eventhough he can't talk yet, I'm pretty sure he told me "NO". As a matter of fact, he's been very busy trying to grow up. Oh well...at least I tried...

10. I can be a very moody person. Because of that I was a jerk to my husband the day after Valentine's Day, which was supposed to be our night out, cancelled the evening, and pouted about...nothing...? I did apologize the next day, but I still feel really bad for acting like such an idiot and for ruining his night as well as mine. I don't even have a good excuse! Again...I'm really sorry about that night, Michael! I love you and thank you for the Valentine's gift. It was perfect!

And since I can't think of anything else to tell you about myself, I will include some pictures of Zach since he was not in the last post, and a pic of my new 'do (not a very good one though, sorry!)


I love this picture of Zach because it shows how happy he always is. He wasn't even looking at anyone in this picture! He was just trying to crawl away from the camera and thought it was funny. Plus, you just gotta love that hair:)



This is a picture of Zach playing under the dining table. Not my favorite place for him to play, but he loves it there! Notice the crazy hair again



Here's me with my new style. What do you think? It's an asymmetrical cut, chocolate brown with red highlights. I've had a lot of compliments on it. Most people don't even recognize me at first, others are just amazed that I would have the guts to change it so drastically. It's only hair, right?

all things crazy...

This Valentine's Day was a swirl of crazies...crazy day, crazy hair, crazy cookies, crazy boys, crazy in love with my family...get the picture? My day started with baking four dozen large heart shaped cookies and a couple dozen little heart cookies so as not to waste cookie dough:) The girls got their valentines done on Wednesday night, and instead of giving candy (which seems to have become customary in elementary schools) they shared giant heart shaped cookies with their classes. Madison's class decorated their own cookies while Cassidy's class had theirs already done by moi.

I decorated the last cookie while running out the door to take Ethan to the Doctor's office because I was pretty sure he had strep throat. Madison and Zach were both diagnosed with it on Monday.

Sure enough Ethan tested positive, I was negative (yeah!), and we were off to drop the cookies off at the school. After all of that we went home to relax for a couple of hours until it was time to take the poor old dog to the vet. She has a skin tag and a lot of cysts that we can feel, we were just concerned that there may be something worse going on. The vet assured us that all of these things are just because she's old, and after muzzling her so that he could clip her claws (she put up quite a fight I'm told) he sent her on her way.

We picked the girls up from school and took them over to the hair salon for a surprise appointment. Their valentines gift from us was to get color highlights put in their hair. Cassy chose red and Madi chose purple. I am such a cool mom:) Actually, our philosophy is let them do it now. Then it won't be such a big deal when they are older and want to find something that will make us mad! Their hair turned out really cute! Thanks Libby and Patsy!


After all of that we returned home for homemade subs (the girls' choice), yummy ice cream for dessert, and shortly thereafter, bed. What a crazy day! Hope your Valentine's Day was a little less hectic and a lot more fun! Love y'all!

Winter Fun

It's been very cold this last week. It dropped to -60 twice leading to school cancellations. The trucks survived the cold but they were challenged. I usually started the truck 20 minutes before leaving and was very careful not to pop the power steering hoses. The tires square off when it drops to -50 and it takes a while to warm them up and get rid of the flat spot. Imagine driving to work drinking coffee while riding in a bouncing car. In LA you have to pay a lot of money to make your car bounce in AK it's free.


Recently I traveled North towards Paxon, AK to ride sleds in the powder. This is the location that they hold the annual Artic Man competition. Dave, Mike and myself rode snow machines for about 5 hours. It was not bad at first riding the trails through the mountains. However, when we reached the powder the fun really began. The snow was about shoulder deep. This is a soft powder and when you jumped off the sled you sank like it was jello. I had never been in powder this deep and I had to re-learn how to ride the sled. Turning normally is impossible and within seconds I flipped off the side head first into the snow. It took 15 minutes to dig out and to get sled the oriented again. I took off went 20 yards and got stuck again. I'm thinking "what am I doing out here". So I sat on the sled and watched the others ride like it was nothing. After a couple of minutes I realized that you had to ride the sled like a seadoo in the water. Steering is done by placing both legs on one of the side rails and pulling with all of your weight. After a while I started laying down on the side using my body for drag for rapid turning. We rode for a long time and it was probably the greatest workout of my life. We got stuck 8 times and you have to lift the sled back on top of the snow.



The moose you see was in our yard the other day at -60. He was lying on his front knees eating grass when I came home. I walked out to take a photo and he had moved into the woods. He was enjoying some twigs and bark during an afternoon snack.

Madi and Ethan Super Friends

Whew! Finally, we're back. Everyone is healthy and feeling much more normal. It feels like we've been away on a really bad vacation. Anyway, it's over and I'm glad to be back in the groove of things.

We have been so busy this last week. The kids are back into gymnastics and Madi is selling girl scout cookies for her brownie troop. Cassidy is suddenly becoming more social and is starting to call her friends after school. Ethan is learning things left and right and his vocabulary grows everyday. He sounds like a little boy now, and not so much like a baby. Zachary is learning how to "play" with his big brother and is starting to wave Bye-Bye, though he still doesn't really say anything except the occaisional "mama", "dada", or "baba". He is most commonly known for his delightful squeal.

As you have seen above I have included some pictures of Madison and Ethan who have become best friends. They can often be spotted sharing food and playing together with Ethan's new castle, or more commonly wrestling each other on the living room carpet. We actually have to watch out for Madison, because Ethan is apparently a linebacker in training and can tackle Madi with such force that she will sometimes get hurt. Madi is a trooper though, and takes it all in stride with delightful giggles and a return tickle to Ethan's ribs. It warms our hearts to see our children getting along so well. Ethan is even allowing Zach to touch some of his toys and play with his new castle, though Zach is only allowed to play with the toys that Ethan chooses for him. This is much improved from the "NO BABY ZACH" scream that we used to get everytime Zach came near one of Ethan's toys. I guess there really is a light at the end of the tunnel!