a little "status update"

3 doctor's visits in less than 24 hours.  Strep is making the rounds.

1 yr old refused to get out of crib this morning.  Just requests more books.

4 year old takes violin just to play on stage.  Attention starved?

Ragnar 2nd year in a row, this time with Jason.  Can't Wait!!!

I lost my mojo.  Can someone please come clean and organize my house?

Quick visit to ID to visit Grandpa Lloyd one last time.  What a sweetheart.

Goblin Valley, Green River, Wild Horse Canyon.  Fabulous weekend.  Just ignore the part where everyone but mom forgot it was Mother's Day.

Teaching a child to ride a 2 wheeler is painful.  For child and adult. 3 down, 1 to go.

Soccer season survived.  Whew!  I will not coach soccer next year.  I will not coach soccer next year.  I will not coach soccer next year.  Please remind me of this in the fall.  2 times is enough.

Philly=awesome.  Although 3 skinny white girls (2 with red hair) are quite an anomaly and attract a bit of attention in downtown Philly.  Favorite Part- Eastern State Penitentiary tour.

My doctor told me I was underweight.  I told him that if I had boobs my BMI would change.

"I feel like a morning star." Sung by 1 year old.  Love little kids' singing.

Apples and cheese in bed.  Sounds like heaven.

Wait, people are actually reading my blog?

I got online tonight and read a few blogs. I rarely do that. In doing so, I remembered- I HAVE A BLOG! (It came as a surprise to me too.) So I logged in thinking maybe I should post. I came across the stats tab,which I have NEVER checked in the years of running this so-called blog. I

discovered that people actually LOOK at my blog! Say what?? They may not read it. Or comment. But I guess they do visit it. So . . . here is a brief update.

1. Everyone is getting older and bigger but not necessarily wiser.

They are all still cute and fun and quirky. But I'm still waiting for the day that the 10 year old will not make the same mistakes as the 18 month old. Did you really just pick that up off the ground and put it in your mouth? Further down are some pictures to prove their physical growth and development.And for all you naysayers; yes, I am being sarcastic. They are good kids; I love them. They are learning and I'm proud of some of the things they are doing.

2. We still enjoy spending time together and do so often.

We've done lots of skiing this winter with our season passes. We thoroughly enjoyed our Family Christmas present- a trip to Hawaii. When I got our tax return I immediately wanted to go on another vacation. The library is always a popular destination in this house, some weeks we go 3x. We do lots of fun chores together. You know what they say . . .

3.The monotony of daily life never gets old

Everyday homework and chores never cease to elicit strong emotional responses.

4. No matter how good your baby is they all eventually reach the terrible 2s

Lanie, my dear sweet, easy child is getting closer to 2. No matter how good the child, they all go through it. She currently loves saying "NO" to everything no matter how unoriginal I tell her it is. Her little tantrums and

desires for independence would be quite endearing if I was a first time parent but unfortunately, I have been down this road too many times and only know that this is just the beginning.

5. I am a decade into parenthood

Mara just turned 10. I say "just" but it was 2 months ago. That is recent in my book. I can't believe I have been staying at home, wiping bums, picking up toys, buckling car seats, making meals 3x a day for 10 years. Wow! Time flies when you're having fun? But I've also been reading bedtime stories, singing songs, holding hands, kissing owies, and comforting nightmares for 10 years. As a 10 year old Mara seems SO old. She looks old too. She is a pretty good kid but I am scared to death for what is to come. Her emotions can be too much for me now!

6. Asher is still a momma's boy and that is fine by me

Recently he came home with a school project where they posted information about themselves and it ended with a picture of them. People were supposed to guess who it was by the info. Here is what Asher wrote: I have beautiful green eyes. (awww) My name starts with an A. I like playing hard soccer. (As opposed to wussy soft soccer.) Who am I?

7. Eden got her tonsils out

Here is a video of her day of. It really wiped her out. She was a trooper and I'm glad we did it. She eats better, she sleeps better but the miraculous transformation I was hoping for -- you know, where she is an angel child-- no such luck. She's still a real garden of Eden. Full of spunk and sass. shhhh-somedays, I think she has no conscience.

As far as blog posts, this one could keep going but I have to save something for the next post. You know, in 5 months! Let me know if you'll be around.