I found the strength

The kids took swimming lessons last Mon - Thurs and this past Mon - Thurs. Last week I did not have the strength to write. Each day last week one or both of the kids freaked out and screamed through the lesson. I could almost, I said almost understand Hudson. But Connor will be 4 next week. He KNOWS how to swim. That was just annoying. I tried to bribe them by bringing them each a pez dispenser. It didn't work. We took them swimming in the evening and they would swim great. Needless to say it was frustrating. Finally this week they turned the corner and swam great for the instructor. Connor has been able to swim across a pool for 2 summers now. And you should see Hudson. He loves to jump in and swim to us & then back to the wall. Sometimes he does it 20 times in a row before we tell him to teak a break. I've got pictures, but I haven't put them on the computer yet.

Connor did great at hockey lessons again this past week. We bought him some more equipment as we are pretty sure he is going to stick with this for a while. It kind of eats up our Sunday, but it is totally worth it. Last week I took him skating, just the two of us and we had a blast. Then this week Brandon took Wednesday afternoon off and the three of us went. It is so cool to see people's reactions to him. Almost as good as when he first learned to ride his bike or swim across the pool.

The Zoo is WET

We planned to go to the Zoo on Saturday and since Brett & Erin live with us now, they came along. :) We usually go to a nice, but very small zoo close by. This time we decided to go to the Tampa Zoo as we had heard great things about it. So, since it was almost a 2 hour ride we decided to all ride in Brandon's minivan (the man van, as the kids call it). So, we piled 4 adults and 4 children into a 7 person van. Please don't do the math. Poor Erin had to hold the DVD player on her chest the whole way and lets just say that just because you went to college in Tampa does not necessarily mean you remember how to get to the Zoo, right Brett? Not one of us decided to check the weather! It started to rain about 20 minutes before we got to the zoo and stopped about 20 minutes before we left the zoo. But we toughed it out. We got ponchos and made the best of it. The rain actually stopped long enough for us to have a picnic lunch. It was kind of cool to have the zoo to ourselves. The only bad part was the rides were not open. But, we will go again later in the year. I must say we were all pretty relaxed and enjoyed our day. Yes, even me!

Brandon made friends with the giraffe

The kids had fun feeding the animals


Connor likes animals about as much as I do! Hudson & Olivia under cover

Proof that the Mom's were there too
I love this one

Hudson looked so cute in his poncho

Brandon and Connor staying dry.....kind of

Can you believe we spent 4 straight days together, 4 hours in the man van, 1 day soaking wet at the zoo and we were all still laughing Saturday night?

Watch out Wayne Gretzky

Connor has been asking to learn to play hockey for about a year now. We told him that he had to learn to roller blade first. It took him about a year, but he finally got really good at roller blading. He never forgot about hockey. So, we signed him up for the local rinks learn to skate lessons. Brandon took him out on the ice first and he did the typical sliding all over the place. Then the instructor propped him up and he just stood there. Then he just started skating. He got himself up after he fell, he turned around in a circle and he did it all with a HUGE smile on his face. He loved it. One of the instructors got off the ice for a minute and I thanked him for doing so good with Connor and mentioned that it was his first time on skates. He just about fell over. After the lesson another instructor told me that we needed to go buy Connor some skates today because the only thing holding Connor back was the crappy rental skates. So, we went to a place that sells used spots stuff and got him some skates that look barely used for $20. Much better than the $80 in the pro shop. We are so proud of Connor. He tried his best and was really good. That kid amazes me!

A true test of friendship

On Wednesday Erin called and we had the following conversation:

Erin: Are the kids sleeping

Me: Yes

Erin: Oh, never mind.

ME: What is it?

Erin: I don't want to bother you.

Me: Shut up , what's wrong.

Erin, We just got home and the A/C is out and it is like 90 degrees in our house and we are miserable and I don't want to wake the boys, so never mind.

ME: They are upstairs, just come over. (Erin cried)

So, Erin & the kids came over & waited for her A/C guy. He never showed up. So, we invited them to spend the night. Erin cried.

Thursday morning I made pancakes & had Ryan, Connor & Hudson hanging out with me while I got them all breakfast. I actually started to think, I could do this, I could have 3 kids. This is kind of nice. Then Olivia woke up and something clicked in the older 2 boys that said "I must torture my siblings!" Then the two little ones start whining and screaming. Then I realized I like our little family. We had a play date with Connor's friend Max, so instead of canceling we just made the date bigger. The A/C guy came & misdiagnosed the problem, so we invited them to spend another night with us. Erin cried. Then I got a call that someone wanted to see the house on Friday. Oh crap! Erin helped me clean the house & Brett offered to watch all 4 kids on Friday while I finished getting the place ready.

On Friday Erin & Brett went home to meet the A/C guy who finally got the right diagnosis. One problem, they wouldn't be able to get the part until Monday. We invited them to stay until then. Erin really cried that time. While they were gone I got the house totally ready. Then Erin headed to work so Brett and I took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese and Costco. We had a blast. Then Brandon & Brett took the kids out to dinner so Erin & I could have some time without 4 kids. If you have 4 kids God bless you. If you have more than 4, I have no sympathy for you... let's face it you knew what you were getting yourself into. Erin and I decided we would call our Dr.'s on Monday and go get our tubes tied together. You know how girls are...we do everything together!

Saturday we took a trip to the Zoo.... but I'll tell you all about that in another post. It really deserves it's own post.

Sunday we all went to church and then we took Connor to Skating lessons. I will post about that separately as well.

On Monday we spent some time together during the day & Erin took the kids home around 3pm as their house was cooled off by then. Connor & Hudson were in shock. This morning Hudson went looking for them and came to our bed and said "Where's Ryan?". Connor wants them to come back and just live here.

I've got to say we really had a good time. They were great house guests. Erin and I even started to understand the polygamists a little. We helped each other cook, clean, take care of the kids and we always had someone to talk to. Now, if it weren't for that whole sharing a husband thing! So, I guess we wont be moving to Utah any time soon. But, if we ever build a compound and decide to co-parent, we are moving Brett, Erin, Ryan & Olivia in!

The week had it's ups and downs, but we really had fun and we are all still speaking to each other. We even still like each other. Now that is a true test of friendship!

We both have great, helpful husbands!
Our BIG play date

Brandon set up a ramps course for the kids in the garage.

Hudson and Olivia (the future Mr.s Woods)

The boys got bored and decided to jump monster trucks over Hudson!

Something missing?

That's right... TIRES. Hudson ate them. I talked to poison control & they said it really isn't a big deal. Later that day he tried to eat a penny. Maybe he will grow up to be a circus performer. I can see it now "Come one, come all and witness the amazing Man who eats anything! $1".

Dentist time

We got up early this morning. Wait, who am I kidding, Hudson was in my bed at 6:30, so really only Connor had to get up early. We were out the door by 8am to get the boys to the dentist. They both did great. Connor goes in by himself and he got x-rays and a cleaning and a fluoride treatment. He was so excited about the toys he got to pick out and a new toothbrush of course. Hudson did awesome too. He gets to stay with me and the Dentist does an exam with him on my lap. He said that Hudson was so well behaved and comprehended so well that he might let him get a cleaning next time even though he wont be three yet. They were so good I took them to a park that they love up the street from the Dentist. With gas prices so high we don't go there very often. It's about 1/2 hour away. After play time I took the boys out to lunch. Since Connor was the one who had the x-rays and work done I let him choose. So, it was Chinese food. Yeah. I am so glad he isn't really a McDonald's kid. Plus, all three of us can share a meal at the Chinese place for $7. Can't beat that. They were so well behaved all day I was starting to get a little cocky about my parenting skills. Then they snapped me back into reality while they fought almost the entire ride home. They tortured each other. I think it is time to move Hudson's car seat to the other side of the car. Either that or one of them is going to have to ride on the roof!

Happy Father's Day

OK, brag time. My kids truly have the most amazing Dad. He works hard to provide for them. When he isn't at work he spends every moment he can with them. I have no idea where he gets the energy. When he gets home from work we have dinner and on most nights he takes the boys outside to play for about 2 hours. On Monday's he even takes Ryan & Olivia along to the park as well. I can come along if I want to, but if I just want to get some stuff done or just relax that is totally fine too. He doesn't just hang out and watch either, he is totally interactive. He never asks for "guy time" or any special time away. He gets up at 6am so he can go the gym every morning that way when he gets home he can spend all of his time with the boys. I am blown away by his commitment to family every day. Then again when I hear him talk about his Dad (Pops) it sounds like he is just following example. So Thanks to Brandon (& Pops) for being great Dad's. Happy Father's Day!

So, for Father's Day I let Brandon decide what we would do. The day started with breakfast in bed. Egg sandwiches, NY style. Then church and then back home for time with the family. Brandon parents and Justin & Erin came over. We also had Erin, Ryan & Olivia over since Brett works on Sunday's. We had a great afternoon with the water slide and of course lots of yummy food. Everyone headed home & the kids slept. Then we rented a movie & Erin & the kids came back over to play. We had planned to go on a walk, but it was raining.

Brandon & I started the 3rd Pirates of the Caribbean movie last night. No way we could watch it all in one sitting. I am already confused. I think I am going to have to watch it 2 or 3 times. But really who has 10 hours to waste?

Conversations

Connor: Hey Mom, you know Jesus?
Me: Yeah, I know Jesus.
Connor: I never met him.
I spit my coffee all over the floor


We drive past the hospital
Connor: Mom, that's where I got my stitches.
Me: It sure is. That's where you were born too.
Connor: Born?
Me: That's where the doctor took you our of my tummy.
Connor: (Horrified look) Why did you eat me?
Ask you father.

Church on the brain

Connor: Mommy, can we have some christ apple dippers?
Me: What?
Connor: some christ apple dippers.
Me: Where did you see those?
Connor: You know, on the McDonald's commercial. A happy meal with christ apple dippers.
Me: I think you mean CRISP apple dippers.
Connor: No, christ apple dippers. Can we have them?
Me: Why not.

I tred to get him to say it correctly for the rest of the day. It didn't work. Hopefully he doesn't ask what a happy meal is next. I am trying to avoid those for as long as possible. Don't get me wrong, they eat fast food from time to time, but it is so much cheaper to order them a chicken nugget meal, which they share & I get the drink. Plus then I don't get all of those junky toys. Like we need more toys!

Honey

I may have blogged about this in the past, but I can't remember, so hang in there if it is a repeat.

When Connor gets out of bed at night he calls down the stairs "Honey, honey I need ....."

For some reason at night he always calls me honey. It cracks me up. Then tonight the weather was not looking so great. He got up from the dinner table opened the front door and said "Honey it looks like it's gonna rain". I have no idea why he calls me honey, but I love it.

I went to the Dr. today to get the results of my latest Thyroid test. Looks like we finally found the right medicine mix. Yeah. I really do feel great.

Oh, and I got tickets to go see New Kids on The Block with some friends in November. That's right baby... I'm Hangin' Tough! Stop laughing.

Random

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I am working on Brandon's Father's Day gift and it is taking up my computer time. Plus we showed the house twice in the past week and it had to be perfect so I was a cleaning machine. No, I mean it.. more than usual.

So, what's new? Schools done. Been trying to keep the kids busy and me from going crazy. Working so far. Kind of. Found new diet and have lost 6 lbs since the cruise.

I've been interviewing the boys about their favorite things and when I get it all done I will share it with you.

Connor has been practicing his roller blading in preparation for hockey. He is getting so good. He has started to glide on them instead of walking. He can get up from sitting on the ground and he can turn around. He really picks up on things like that quickly.

Hudson rode his bike for 2 miles the other day. That kid is going to be huge. I had to move up his pajama size to fit his shoulders, but the legs are so long we have to pull his pants up like Erkel!

Connor thinks when he wears these goggles he looks like Kung Fu Panda. He doesn't understand that the black around the Panda's eyes are part of his skin. He runs around screaming "Kung Fu

Panda Style" then he kicks us. It's fun.

I can't believe Hudson got these away from Connor. Connor has been wearing them for a week.

EVERYWHERE!

Hudson stuck his face in the tailpipe of my car.

We should have named him Brandon Jr.!