Warning!

I thought about you all today (my fellow bloggers) as I cleaned the kitchen three times, refolded folded laundry, cleaned out dresser drawers that are still too full, ate too much, took a shower at 3 p.m., picked up toys again, stopped fights, listened to screams, refilled drinks for kids, wiped kids, bathed kids, dressed kids, spanked kids, chased kids, played with kids, home schooled kids, read to kids, thought about kids, breathed kids, dreamed of kids--you get the point.

I'm sure I was warned beforehand that becoming a parent is very hard. You don't sleep when you want, eat when you want, or even enjoy the things you want.

I think I just kind of laughed off those warnings.

But I know for a fact I was warned about the love I would feel for my kids. When I heard that warning (numerous times), I didn't really understand it. Now I do.

I seem to be wrapped around kids at this stage in my life, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Each child of mine has such a special place in my heart. Who would I be without them today? I can't even imagine.

So, as I tucked them in bed tonight, I cuddled with Isaac a little bit longer, I listened closely to Josiah's last thought, and I told Olivia how special she is to me and that I hope I can be a good example to her of a godly mother--because I love them all more than I could ever tell them.

I thought about you all, because I'm sure you all feel the same way, if you have kids. If you don't yet have kids, let this be a warning.

Another Beach Day (Post 2 tonight)

Ah, what a beautiful day! Today, we headed out to a beach that we had not yet visited. We had such a great time!

Here, Isaac is jumping, but he and Josiah had been rolling down this sand hill. "Rolling down the sand hills, rolling down the sand hills. Ooh, ah, whee!" Can anyone name the show that that song is from?

My one and only picture of Olivia. This is all she did...played with seashells. She thought it was too cold to hang out in the water. I was excited for her to strut around in the new bathing suit I had bought her, but she just sat around like a cute beach bum in Isaac's old shirt--"My Dad is my Hero."

I wonder how long just splashing around in the shallow water will be fun for them?

Happy guys!

Josiah decided to bury himself (he saw this on t.v. or something, and thought he'd give it a try.)

He didn't get very far.

Thanks Auntie Rachel...

...it flew high this time!!

They can't stand to not be side by side.

Josiah took loads of sand back out to the ocean.

We found a new place to play!

They thought they were really jumping from high up (reminds me of the time the Dietz cousins did flips out of swings).

One last jump!

What a perfect day!

We also had lunch at a terrific Mexican food restaurant! And then we stopped by Fort Mose on the way out of St. Augustine. It was so interesting. Isaac could not stop asking us questions about slavery after we left. Check out the link...HERE and HERE.

Princess Olivia. This is a princess towel from Gee, complete with a golden crown hood. She felt pretty special.

Eggs-actly

While Olivia was napping a couple of days ago, I decided to show the boys how to dye Easter eggs. We've never done it together before--don't know why!? They were so excited. Really, they were excited, Josiah just looks bored in the next picture.

Josiah hugged that vinegar dye (gag!)

Isaac likes to make faces (and wear that shirt).

Oh, Josiah missed out and needed to make a crazy face, too!

They were looking so nice...

...and then they left me. The neighbor came over and wanted to play. They told me I could finish it up for them. So maybe that's why we've never done this before. :)

Argh!

Today started off great. We got school finished without complaints, Olivia took a morning nap (hip-hip-hooray!!), I got a shower before 10:00, Isaac ran and ran at P.E., the boys were exhausted and took an afternoon nap with Olivia, I also took a nap, and Isaac came in my room after his nap and asked this question, "So, since Santa Claus isn't real--does that mean the Tooth Fairy isn't real? Are you the Tooth Fairy?"

THEN--I sent the boys outside to play. I rarely let them go outside by themselves unless I'm in the kitchen watching out the window. But there was a recipe I needed to get online, so I stole a couple of minutes away from keeping an eye on them. When I walked back into the kitchen, I looked out the window and saw my kinda-sorta grumpy neighbor talking to them (she was in her doorway and they were by her door). Uh-oh. I called them in and asked what had happened. "We were chasing a lizard and picked up the (neighbors) wood chips and threw them at it." So, she asked them to please quit throwing rocks at her house. Okay, don't do that again and go out and play.

Josiah comes in, "Mom, I just ate an ant. It went in my mouth and down to my tummy like this (he demonstrates)." Josiah David! That is disgusting. Do NOT eat bugs. Yes ma'am.

And for the finale--As I was cooking, I could hear the boys playing with sidewalk chalk. They were right by our house, so I was not concerned. I took some trash out to the garbage can and walked right past them. I wasn't really paying attention to what they were doing. Isaac says, "Look, Mom! We are making this all pink." I look up and see that they had just chalked all over the side of the house!!! They had even stood up on the bench to reach the higher parts. AAAHHH!!! Why didn't my kinda-sorta grouchy neighbor come out and gripe at them then?? I sprayed it off and sent the boys out with rags to clean the rest up. It's still kinda-sorta stained. Great! I wasn't laughing today. It wasn't cute enough to deserve a picture--not even for my blog.

Beach Ruffles

We chose a very windy day to go to the beach. The kids didn't mind one bit, but the parents are probably still finding sand in their teeth. Rachel bought the girls matching swimsuits, so we had to give them a try. After Olivia and Sadie got used to the water, we couldn't keep them out of it. They ran towards the waves!

Look at those sweet ruffles.

Their favorite pastime.

Proof that the babies were the only ones wearing the ruffles.

She was smiling because Jay was running towards her, about to lift her in the air.

I can't quit smiling.

Gators and Girls

Here are some pictures of the boys from Gatorland.

A white alligator...Jay said that they were found just around 25 years ago in the Florida swamps. I think that's what he said. Maybe he said Arkansas.

On the gator train

This picture really scared me.

What do you think they're talking about?

This is how you clap your hands.

Little Jeanette (Sadie's hair stylist grandma)...Olivia's unsure of her stylist's credentials.

What do you think? Does it work for you?

B.F.F.

We are so excited that Rachel and Sadie were able to come and spend a few days with us. The girls don't really know what to do with each other (Sadie and Olivia--not Rachel and me). They just keep giving kisses and follow each other around the house. Bath time was fun, but bed time was even better. :)

The guys left for the night for Orlando. Jay's friend from college and his friend's wife came down for a meeting, so Jay and the boys thought it was the perfect opportunity to go say hello and have a guys' night/day. Tomorrow they will go to Gatorland and watch alligator wrestling, pet alligators, and do other alligator-y things. It will be a blast, I'm sure.