St. Pat's--the official start to Spring Break!

Welcome to my oh so late post about our St. Pat's Day! I'm not usually a fan of crazy activities on St. Pat's because I'm usually getting the kids ready by myself since Matt's usually at work. I also hate driving into huge events (IE our downtown parade) and parking, then unloading all the kids, and trying to find a spot for my big family to sit It's also always too hot or raining on this wonderful day. I've kind of turned into a St. Pat's scrooge.  But since this year it was on a Saturday, I decided we should try to have some fun.

Yes, we all dressed in our green and put shamrocks all over our faces.

We headed downtown with our little family and my mom. Our first priority was food. So we stopped at an Irish fest put on buy a Catholic church. They had a great location right on the parade route, so I was hoping this would take care of our seats for the parade. It kind of did!

The girls tried the hotdogs and like them, of course. Peach had some bangers and mash--which reportedly, she liked. Dad's genes there. I had what I think is the Irish version of a Bierock--swiss cheese, cabbage and corned beef. Blech! Not good. Though I do like the German Bierocks I've had in the past. Guess I'll have to go enjoy Oktoberfest this fall (SMILE)!

As usual, this one couldn't get enough food. She is our little garbage disposal. We usually get her her own food, but she also likes to take care of any leftovers.

She looked cute in all her green!

I think this one met her Irish food goal by munching on any potato chips she could find.

Her second hotdog?

Thanks for including me, mom. I'm never in the pictures, but that's usually okay by me.

Eating again? Yes indeed. That's all this child does. I believe that's the hallow Irish legs that adorn the bottom half of her body.

She really wasn't sad in this picture. I'm not sure what the look of desperation was for!

Yes, that would be the six and a half year old fighting for her rights to the stroller seat!

Showing off her tats while she's still awake enough to do it. Shortly after this photo, we headed over to the funnel cake booth and we were closer to the parade. Guess who was worn out...

Uh-huh. But Grammy's shoulder made it okay.

Yes, we devoured our cakes. But I will say, half of each did not get touched. I guess that shows you how tired we all were--there were 8 of us and only one total funnel cake was consumed. A rarity indeed!

We got back to the car and our kids were extremely tuckered out. Matt and I were supposed to take them all to my friend's house so we could have our date night, but Bug and Boushka cried for Grammy, so they went with her.  The older two and the babe went with us, and since we had some time to spare and the babe was sleeping peacefully, we decided to stop by Dairy Queen and a pet store. The baby got a good nap in and the big girls perked up after the ice cream. About an hour later we dropped the three hooligans off at my friend's house, and Matt and I spent our date night cleaning and organizing our house. We didn't even eat dinner. So sad, yes! But when we have four jobs, five kids, and one pregnancy between us-- we value a good few hours to get some major cleaning and organizing done. It just doesn't happen much otherwise.

I did get their wardrobes for summer put into place and the winter clothes packed away that night. That was the major task that got accomplished. I just wish we could have four hours once a week to get this cleaning and organizing done sans-kids. They can be a wonderful help, but with so many still so young, it is hard to really get much accomplished.

Week in Review (Week before Spring Break)!

We have ballet on Mondays.

This particular day, I dropped Bug off at her class, and the other two dancers (who have a later class) and I went to the park.

Brownie is quite the adventurer! My Peach is a little more timid.

I played on the swings! I still love to swing!

The weather this particular week was gorgeous. It was the last week before Spring Break, and we took advantage and spent time outdoors.

I took Boushka and Scrunchie for a walk around the pond near our house.

After I picked up Brownie from preschool one day, I took the girls to yet another pond to feed some ducks. I, too, still love feeding the ducks. I'm really just a big kid most of the time--with a little bit of type 'A' thrown in--though that didn't happen 'til I hit motherhood!

They aren't shy, these geese/ducks/birds/flying things.

Our trees bloomed so early this year. I love these trees in my backyard. I know nothing about them, so don't ask me what they are. I'm sure some of you can tell me what they are, though (SMILE)!
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Trees blooming in the backyard mean it's time to grill. We've been grilling quite a bit lately, and I love it because Matt does it. It also saves me time on clean up in the kitchen. What a deal!
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Corn on the cob, roasted broccoli, and grilled chicken... YES, PLEASE!!

We had dentist visits to end our week.  The younger (middle) two had their appointments a month ago. It's easier to schedule them together since they are still home quite a bit. And since I hate making anybody miss school (even it it's just preschool), I scheduled the big girls' appointments after 4.

They did swimmingly. No cavities. Brushing and flossing well. And they were such good little patients. Of course, they were just happy to visit the prize drawer after they finished.

Our next adventures take place during SPRING BREAK! I know you're holding your breath for the excitement. So I'll hurry.

My Kids

 I know every parent has the cutest kids, but this post is just me bragging about my cutest kids. And how much I adore them. 

 The other day before the bus came, we somehow magically had time to take some fun, random pictures of the girls. Brownie loves to help Scrunchie walk. 

 Number one and Number three: My two red-headed love bugs. 

It appears that Number two and Number five are dancing.

Pee-a-boo!

I can't help but smile when I look at these photos.

They are the best thing about me. They make me a better person--which I think I'd be a pretty rotten and selfish one without them. Just ask anybody who knew me before 2004!

Sometimes I wish I was young again--they've got it all and don't even know it. I want to go back after having been an adult, just so I can enjoy childhood that much more. I'd chase more dreams, try harder at things I love, be kinder to others, eat chocolate with wild abandon (wait..., I think I DID do that as a child), and enjoy not knowing what insurance is--or depression, anxiety, and toilet bowl cleaning for that matter. Those last three things might go together (if you're me)!

I might even play with my food more! 

Or wear purses as hats.

Or white before Easter (GASP!)

And I would definitely have spent more time trying to convince my mom to get me a few more siblings. I always wanted several siblings (to the point where I made them up and convinced teachers, and maybe my sister, they were real)--maybe if I would've just prayed and wished and hoped with more fervor. HA! I set myself up for this life I lead as an adult, didn't I?

Picnics and Eye Appointments

 Sometimes we have fun around here. I like to be spontaneous when time allows (I know that sounds awkward), so picnics on the porch are an occasion in our house. So much so, we pose for pictures when it happens.

 This little peanut didn't get a cucumber-dill-white balsamic vinegar-fresh mozzarella paninni. But she did get some crisp paninni bread and cucumber (among other foods). She sat in our door way as we dined on the porch. 

 But it wasn't long before a dang wasp had to ruin our fun. Or maybe I ruined our fun because when I see a wasp I grab the kids and throw them indoors. Then I scurry in. And then I go back for our food. And then my kids resort to a picnic in our living room. Poor kids!

 Of course, we can never be too spontaneous. There are always errands to do, and this particular day was Bug's 6 month eye check after getting glasses. I usually despise eye appointments because I always have all the kids (who are still at home) with me, it's nap time, and the space is limited. 

But as long as we find ways to entertain ourselves, we can make it happen. And I have to be creative because these appointments typically take 2 hours. I'm so glad they only happen twice a year!

 Brownie and Bug entertain each other while I find things for my younger two to do.