Enjoying our summer

Our library had a local family bring their farm animals for a petting zoo. There were ducks, bunnies, goats, and a pony for rides. The kids were so excited!

One day we had an hour to kill after taking the babies to school, and a doc appt for Leah, so we stopped by Krispy Kreme.

The girls had never been, so we had a good time watching the donuts make from beginning to end. They were also giving out free fresh warm donuts that day...Yum!!

Another day, we had some time to kill....(seems like since moving, we have lots of time to kill when we are out and about b/c it takes too much gas to go back home) This day, our puppy had to go back to the shelter we got her from and get herself fixed for no puppies. We had other things to do that day, so we dropped her off, and then the kids suggested we go to The Old Mill before it got too hot for the day.

After 2 years of always having a baby in tow...it feels weird to just pick up and go do fun things with out my arms full and being distracted, or saying "no, I don't want to do that with the babies", it is nice to be able to give them my full attention, and have fun too!

We went to the $1 movies to watch Marmaduke....a very cute movie!

Then we stopped by to see our Little T. He is losing that baby look, and looking more like a big boy to me now! He is 1 1/2 now. We had a great visit. When we arrived, the receptionist announce "T's family is here to see him". I really appreciated her acknowledging that...and it also made me really sad. I wish we could be his "real" family, with him living here with us. My heart aches for him.

He curled up and feel asleep with me, and it was so sweet. I didn't want to put him down! But, Leah wanted to hold him too, and we were running out of time before we had to pick up the boys, so I passed him to her....and he stayed asleep. So sweet!

We have also been going to Wild River Country, but I just haven't braved taking my camera. Man, I really wish I had a waterproof one....that would be so much fun!

BUILDING THE BLOCKS...: Foster Parenting

BUILDING THE BLOCKS...: Foster Parenting

A science lesson for ya

We found this interesting creature in our yard tonight. At first, we didn't see the wings, so we thought it was a huge fly. Then, after further inspection, we thought maybe it could be a moth.

The kids were upset b/c its wing is messed up, and our dog kept messing with it, so we saved it from the grass.
So we took lots of pictures, and came in to google moths.

We tried to give her a new home...far away from the dog. And do you know what my google search discovered?

If you are growing these.....

And you discover this tomato horn worm, (thank you mom and dad)....well if you don't kill them all, they will grow into a beautiful moth!

cooking and school

When we put the kids in school, everything totally changed around our house. It wasn't bad, we were just suddenly much busier all the time. Now that we are settled in our house, and things are calmer I am enjoying going back to "our normal". The kids really love to help out in the kitchen. Yesterday I was trying out a new recipe for calzones, and next thing I knew, I have 3 little helpers with aprons on. I looked around and realized I have really missed that.

And here....they are all sorting through their school stuff, we are about ready to get started. There are just too many hours of free time in the day for them to fight, so we are ready for some structure!

Rachel loved school last year, loved her friends, and loved her teacher. But she also is so excited to be homeschooled by me this year. She is so sweet. She is always my biggest fan, and the first one to take up for me when the others are acting ugly. We went to Wild River Country the other day, and she kept looking out for me, asking me if I was having fun! It was so cute!

No Fighting, No Biting

Have any of you ever read the book "No Fighting, No Biting"? I don't remember much about it except that a brother and sister were fighting, and their mom or nanny sat them down and told them stories about little alligators that fought too much. I remember reading that book as a child and it was so funny that they were fighting. I was an only child at the time, then when my sister came along when I was 11, we just never fought. I remember my best friend used to fight horribly with her sister, and I couldn't understand it.

These 3, oh the bickering all-the-time. Makes me nuts. I am looking for any creative ideas you all may have. I want it to stop. It was already pretty bad before we put them in school last year, I blamed it on them being together too much. I didn't improve though, if anything, it got worse. Noah was being bullied at school, and he was in turn inflicting his frustration on the rest of us. I am not going to let this fighting get to me enough to put them in school....I don't want that be the reason. I do want to get a handle on it a bit. Z sees a behavioral therapist, and she and I talked about him seeing how they fight, and it in turn making him act out as well. When he is around and they do it, usually they get sent to their room until they can be nice. That may be for a hour....that usually works. Today, Noah was being so hateful, I sent him to his room. Then I thought of a cleaning project I was needing to do, so instead of sending him for quiet time, he was sent to the babies' room to organize toys. It got my chore done, but it obviously didn't work b/c just 30 mins later, I heard him blessing out his sister while they were collecting hangers and laundry. I walked down the hall just to watch/listen so that I would know who was really to blame. He was just screaming at her, and she had tears in her eyes....I believe she told him she hated him, and he said, "oh, well now I know the truth!" Geez....then she told him that it was b/c he is always so hateful to everyone...which is true. Oh kiddos, this has to end! We talk about kindness. I have them to kind things for each other in return. I have made them hug for 5 mins until the end up giggling....will it ever get better, or only get worse? (I can't handle any worse!)

I am going to start by changing myself. As he was screaming at his sister, I heard myself talking. The things he was saying to her in a parental tone, were words out of my mouth when I am frustrated with them, and they didn't sound too nice. I must change that b/c I can't stand how I sound through their mouth. Someone, please send me to my room for a timeout, I promise I won't complain :)

He is now in his room....for I am not sure how long. Until it is clean, and possibly longer.

At least I got some organization out of him
They haven't been as mean, just whiney, so they are allowed to watch t.v. while folding towels,

and matching up socks

Any other creative punishments??? I would love some ideas.

Random pics

Today I will share random pictures with you about what all is going on around here.

We are still loving little Molly Anne. She is an outside dog, but we brought her in for a bath the other day. Rachel has been really good about checking on her frequently and giving her water. She has had to take medicine, and Rachel is the one that remembers to give it to her everday. So proud of her!

I just had to share...I really am not complaining, b/c I am so glad this is an actual room, and not a closet in my kitchen...but can I say clostrophobic? Very much so, and overwhelming, especially when I know there are at least 2 other laundry baskets in the bathroom I need to get to. Ugh, the story of my life.

Noah loves to make mashed potatoes. He can do it all now with just a little supervision from me when it comes time to use the stove. He loves it, and asks to make them everyday. It is nice to have someone that wants to peel potatoes.

It is SO stinking hot....sometimes we just have to have a nice yummy cool beverage....Strawberry and Cream slushies.

The babies are both going to their school now, and fun to go enjoy an outing with the big kids. I can actually just sit there, and request things, and enjoy my meal.

We finally have going to the doctor down pat. We have done it so much the last 2 years with everyone, that it is no big deal. This day was actually for Leah's 8 yr check up. It was long overdue, she is a very healthy girl, we never have a reason to go.

Speaking of Leah....this girl is growing too fast!! We have now had to move to the woman's side when shoe shopping...and she can wear her grammy's shoes! Her attitude is growing too. I am finding her more and more lately brooding about something. Yesterday Rachel and I were going shopping, and at the last minute Leah asked to come. Then she proceeded to pout and grumble the whole trip, and never even had a reason!! She finally blamed it on her little brother for waking her up yesterday morning, so she was required to take a nap when we got home. We were in Kohl's, but I wasn't there shopping for clothes, and had made that perfectly clear before going in. She was just scowling over everything, not liking anything we were looking at....enough that Rachel and I were holding hands walking ahead of her grouchy self. Then she said to me "just to let you know, I need more pants b/c I never have anything to wear". I then told her "just to let you know, your attitude stinks, there was no way I ma buying you any clothes, and just to let her know, you can go home and do the laundry and you would have plenty of clothes." Ahhh I am dreading the teen years with 3 so close in age!

going to the library

Our library has a section of board books just for little ones to teach them a love for books. I am thinking he is loving this book a lot!

Snaggle Tooth Grin

I think it is as cute as can be!!

A prayer for a little girl

Today I got a call about a little girl that needed a home. At first I didn't think it was possible at all, but after hanging up, I just couldn't get her off my mind. So I called back, and found out more info, and my heart is so heavy for her tonight. I still don't think we are able to take her, for several reasons, but man I wish I could. Tomorrow, is her first birthday. That was the crusher for me when they told me that. Tonight, as I fall asleep, I will be praying for this little girl, and her sisters. I pray for a good home, that she can celebrate her first birthday in, with lots of love, and a lifetime of healing.

Learning to draw at the Library

I think this was one of my favorite drawing programs so far. An artist and book illustrator, named Rich Davis, talked to the kids about creating characters, and stories to go along with it. I enjoyed it, and would have participated if I hadn't had a squirmy baby in my arms. He has a blog where he shares art lessons here.

He began the program by drawing this guy, and the kids named him.

Then he pulled out these pick and draw cards to create their character

And then they had all the kids pull numbers to see who would win his drawing of "Cowboy Tim". I was thinking...well we have about a 3 out of 25 chance in someone winning....and guess what? Leah won!!

He wrote her a little note and signed the drawing, and we plan on hanging it up in their room....we were all so excited she won!

I thought these cards were so neat, that I purchased a set for $10, and the kids have been having a great time creating people. I enjoy it too :)