So, I know I have been totally delinquent on my posts... but... Smaug has been waking to eat in the middle of the night, and then waking up early to eat again, everyone has been sick with 1) colds and 2) the stomach "crud" which has resulted in a lot of changed bedding and underwear, and the laundry associated with that.  Daddy is back in school mode which means he leaves before breakfast and gets home in time for dinner.  In other words, my excuse is, I have been tired, and blogging is just not up on my priority list.  However, I do have some pictures here to share :)

I think everyone was undressing so that they could change into jammies... these three decided to help Smaug out ;)

Speaking of Smaug, he started to roll over... he can get across the room, if he is so inclined!

He's moving around, but not gaining weight fast enough... so he's had to go to the doctors office for weight checks, about weekly... and since he goes, we all go!

TW built this tree during nap time one afternoon.

We bought little metal mail boxes for Valentines Day and decorated them with stickers :)

TW tested his reflexes with Daddy's help!

We've been reading Swiss Family Robinson, and started a little project... it's still sitting in an orange bucket on my stove, waiting to be finished...

Smaug played on the floor while I was making dinner one day... this is his new quilt from Miss W... actually this is the bottom side... 

Smaug (boy, there's a lot of pictures of this one this time) fell asleep in the carrier one day... he was fussy, poor guy!

TW lost his very first (which really was the very first tooth he got)!!!  He also had a cavity, which was filled!!!  Brave kid!!!

In exchange, he got a gold dollar!

TW also built us a bridge...

... a tee pee...

... a teeter totter...

 ...dressed up for math one day...

... and gave his brother a spider tattoo... which, said brother, did not like.  At all.

Isn't he cute?  I set the giraffe on his lap (it plays music), and he pulled it up to snuggle.  Part of Smaug's cold made him too snuffly to sleep in bed, which is why he's sleeping in the car seat.

I took this picture a different day... Mr. E sleeps the same way, still.

We had to pick up some more medicine one evening... these two were being very good while I stood in the first line, please disregard the finger up the nose... they've had colds :)

In Other News:  Happy February tomorrow!!!

Sticky Notes

TW and I were just surfing through some of our gazillion pictures.  When this one popped up, for some reason, I immediately thought "oh, look at our cute Smaug"...  and then I looked at myself, the surroundings, and the adorable bundle on my back and realized that it is really Berry.  The must have the same something in the twinkle of their eyes...

So, I know I mentioned that I have joined a group called The Gabby Moms :)  Well, as a member of Eternal Encouragement (The Gabby Mom's parent, so to speak), I get these free newsletters, (you can get them too) called Serenity for Your Soul, in my e-mail a couple of times a month, so that I can review them and then share what I learn/feel/like/dislike, etc.  Officially, I have received one :)

New thought process... have I mentioned I love my iPad?  I use it all the time... especially when I walk on the treadmill.  I hate walking on the treadmill; but it allows me to get in some exercise while the kids are still asleep or napping.  The ONLY thing that gets me through my allotted time is my iPad.  Most of the time I read (good thing I don't get motion sickness easily)... but sometimes, I check e-mail or Facebook or read articles, etc.

Back to the original track (I feel like the Curious George episode where the trains get off, and George has to fix them, and there's a disagreement about sandwiches... sorry)... so, I get these newsletters in my e-mail, and I've been reading them (I know, I've only received one, but I got some back issues from my Gabby Mama Mama) while walking.  And then I ponder, and then I go back to reading, and then I ponder again, and then I spy a bug on the floor and pray it doesn't jump up onto the treadmill.

The most recent newsletter involved Stick-to-it-ness.  The ability to jump from one thing to another and then another and then back to the first without getting too many ruffled feathers.  In other words, "Opry calls it multi-tasking", (little movie line thrown in for fun).  I'm getting to my point... Mrs. Flem (the author of the newsletter) says this, "He [Jesus] was interrupted but He didn't allow Himself to be sidetracked."  She goes on to talk about Jesus' use of prayer in dealing with the constant interruptions to his day and his journey.  But he never did get sidetracked did he...  Jesus still made it to the tree, no matter how many needy people asked for help or waylaid him.  Praise the Lord, he made it to that tree!

And, though I distracted myself many times, I made it through my post... interrupted yes... by myself, by TW, who is building trees, but Smaug who cried a few times, and went back to sleep, by an itchy ear (not sure these ear rings are entirely nickel-free)... but I finished, and I hope you, dear friends, got something out of my ramblings today!!!  Oh, and sign up for the newsletter... read it when you get a chance, be encouraged!

Mama's Date

Busy, busy, week!  Actually, it didn't feel that busy when I was doing it, but looking back at pictures, we were busy!!!

Monday:

TW (oh, before I forget, we finished The Hobbit, and have moved on to The Swiss Family Robinson in our family reading) had a follow up appointment with the ENT clinic for his hoarse voice (which is mostly better).  Our visit lasted about 5 minutes (and we went in early, so we left before our actual appointment time)... we will be going back to pediatrics next week to see if they want to do any tests to see why TW has reflux!  Everyone did great at the office!

The kids spent a good hunk of the day playing in the back yard.  The boys caught this little anole, and TW played with it for most of nap time... I think it gave up trying to get away :)

Tuesday:

TW had his stitches removed... Daddy's flight was canceled due to rain, so he came with us!  

That evening, we had stir fry.  I set the can of chow mein noodles on the counter.  Mr. E found them, discovered he liked them, snuck them off the counter and started devouring them (with Pretty Girl's help).  J found both kids in the closet (door closed) munching away!

Wednesday:

I set Smaug on the floor while wiping someone off (sorry if that's too much info)... TW brought him a pillow and blanket, Berry brought another blanket and a baby!  

Pretty Girl helped with dinner!

We finished up our unit on the nervous system (part I)... this clay brain has taken up residence on my microwave (along with the clock for math)!

Thursday:

I set Smaug on the bed to put away clothes... TW added a pillow and blanket, and then more blankets, and more kids... they played here for about 30 minutes... they all love their baby brother!

Saturday (not sure what happened to Friday):  

Everyone decided to color while I made breakfast!

And then... TW and I had a date.  The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra hosted a family event.  First, we waited in line to get into the theatre...

... the kids made masks...

 
... tried out different instruments... the bassoon was TW's favorite... he was able to hold a note for 12 whole seconds!!!...

... and got to hear a short concert.  I took this picture because TW decided we needed to sit in the box seats (ours were identical to what you see)... he thought it was cool that we walked through a curtain to get to our spot, and we got to sit in real, comfy chairs (rather than normal auditorium seats)!!!...

... and then we inspected this cool clock before heading home.  It was a great afternoon!!!

In Other News:  The boys had spiky hair for church this morning :)

Oops... how did I miss this picture?  TW gave these to Smaug on Monday while I was getting ready to go take everyone to TW's follow up appointment... did I mention that they love this guy??? :)

A Plan and Organizing Happiness Review

Okay, so here-s-y what-sit (yes, those are words).  Lots of people (meaning, almost everyone that I meet) says to me, in some form or other "I don't know how you do it".  Usually they are referencing the triplets.  Sometimes they are referencing five kids, sometimes, well, I just don't know... but I'm pretty sure it revolves around the kids because I don't normally get this comment when I'm out with Smaug, or just TW.  Anyway, my pat answer is "you just do".  But here, for your eyes only, is the truth!

1)  I have an awesome God.
2) I have an awesome husband.
3) I have an awesome plan.

A what-sit?  A plan.  At it's barest level it is this:

6:30 am, wake up.

8:00 am, eat.

10:00 am, eat again.

12:00 pm, eat.

1:00 to 4:00 pm, quiet play and/or nap.

4:00 pm, eat (again).

6:00 pm, eat.

8:00 pm, go to bed.

See?  Simple.  I eat, I sleep, I eat, I sleep... kind of like a hound dog :)

Now, you might say, I can't go to bed at 8 pm, 2 am is more my style.  Fine, whatever.  So push the whole schedule back.  But, you contest, my kids get out of bed at 8, and I am dysfunctional until 12 pm.  Fine, either 1) train your kids to have quiet time in the mornings, while Mama Zombie walks around or 2) train yourself to go to bed earlier (15 minutes at a time, 5 minutes at a time) so that you are a little bit more awake in the mornings... I'm sure (maybe) that one day your kids will move out and you can go back to your nocturnal pattern.  The times aren't really the issue here, what's at the heart, is the pattern.  There is a pattern, and it is followed... daily.  Make it your pattern, maybe you don't like to eat so much, so take out some, but make a pattern!  And that, ladies is how I do it.  I have a plan!  And let me tell you, when you have a plan, it's okay to break it, but you have to have a plan before you can break it (does that make sense)... So, for all my dear, "spontaneous" friends out there, this may seem harsh... tough cookies... plans make me happy!!!

Sometimes, I feel my whole house looks this way... it gets my goat, and I get disgruntled if it lasts too long!

 So, moving right along... I have volunteered myself to be a Gabby Mom.  In a nut shell, I review material (books, DVD's, magazine articles, toe nail polish colors) sent to me through Eternal Encouragement (okay, so I don't really review toe nail polish colors through them, but if I find a good one, I'll let you know).  Then I post a snazzy review on my blog, and voila, we all get to learn something.  I'm getting to the point...

 As a trial run, I was sent a little e-pamphlet written by  Mrs. Lorrie Flem that compiles several magazine type articles, entitled Organizing Happiness.  There are several little ditties in this free e-pamphlet, but one in particular, struck a cord in my brain... entitled "7 Habits That will Make you and Your Family Happier".  I totally get this... when I wake up and the kitchen is nice and tidy, I am happy :)  #1 on the list is "Prepare like Poppins"... I won't really explain what it means because you can get it for free but this is totally going to be a new household phrase.  And, better yet, I will refuse to feel silly every time I make PB & J lunches because we are running a 30 minute errand at 9 am.

New kid-chair covers so I don't have to wipe off chairs so often... this makes me happy!!!

There are other (six in fact) helpful hints to being habitually happier... but I want you to benefit from them as much as I did by reading them yourself :)  There is nothing earth shattering, and nothing is so deep that you can't read it, get it, and walk away... but is good-to-know info, reaffirms some things and I do and reminds of others I don't... and best of all... Scriptural background is given, spurring you (ahem, me) on to do things that honor God, first and foremost.

Sorry this is not a picture-full post Ladies, but if you made it this far with mostly words, then I think you'll be okay :)

4:45 Bedtime (and the rest of the week)

So, before I get to the topic of my title, I'll share a few other pictures of my kiddos this past week!

Smaug played at my chair a few times during school this week :)

See, Nana, we've been working on the dinosaur puzzle, TW has all the bus pieces spread out!!!

I've decided to start having one helper for each meal... so far, it worked for one meal (this one).  Every time I call the selected person in, the rest (esp. the one pictured) come running in to help too.  Most of them exit the room when told, but this one (see below) gets very mad and throws a fit... it's a work in progress... J has suggested I send them all to their rooms to play and then just bring out "the chosen one"... I'll try that tomorrow :)

Uncle MJC's Christmas gift came in the mail... TW was soooo excited and tried to listen to them all at once :)

Found the girls snuggled together Wednesday night :)

Okay... so Thursday morning Smaug had a 4 month check up (he's peachy)... Daddy didn't have any flights, so I got to go with just the appointment kid.  We got home a few hours later because we had to pick up meds.  Once I got back home, TW and I began to do some math.  TW was not in math mode (Daddy was home) and threw a fit or two over not getting the problems (which he had done a gazillion times before).  Finally, he was in the zone!  Then he stood up on the chair (why didn't I say something), and I asked, "so, what is 5 + 3?"... he fell out of the zone... "I don't know"... cry, whine, complain.. "oh, wait, it's 8"... and then he does a happy jig, misses the edge of the chair with his foot, and cracks his chin on the table in the fall.  So, we packed everyone up (he wanted us all to go), grabbed an apple and PB crackers, the camera, and headed to the ER.

While waiting, the small guys ate lunch... and went potty (several times) and generally ran amok (a controlled amok, of course)!

TW bravely waited in the back... here he is with numby goo on his chin...

Pulling out his bravery reserve even more :(

Feeling great, if not a bit numb around the chin :)

Survived!!!

Needless to say, no one had a great nap that day (Smaug included, he's teething).  The girls finally fell asleep around 3:45.  I woke them at 4... which is murder to Pretty Girl.  By 4:45, everyone was crying or whining or in some other state of unhappiness (except for TW, who was okay except for a sore chin).  We left the house for somewhere, and every little bump we hit on the road was a travesty.  I tell you, some evenings are just rough.  We made it through dinner, quick baths (yes, they look cheerful now, but they were easily crashing) and had everyone in bed by 7:30 (except for Smaug, who still had a feeding to go).  It was a long night.  Thank God, though, both J and I were braced for the grumbly's and took it in stride... as for today... the kids are still awake... so it might just be another long night :)

In Other News:  Umm... TW caught a house gecko today, and brought it inside.  As he took it outside it dropped it's tail.  He dropped it.  J caught it, I accidentally saw the still twitching appendage (I think I'm going to ralph just remembering it)... I can handle dead animals and guts, but not twitching tails, ugh.