Last night

1. Ice Cream

Last night after tacos we decided to head out to get some ice-cream.  I think it's safe to say that we were all pretty happy about this treat.  After we sufficiently over-stuffed our bellies we headed to the playground.  It was a great night. Grateful for the time with my boys and for the ColdStone gift cards from Christmas.

2. New Computer
On Monday Mike purchased a new computer for work.  We are so freaking lucky and have received a TON of hand-me-down technology from Mike's mom so we have never needed to purchase something ourselves.  Looking forward to finally making the iPhone DVD.  Yay!!

3. Playing in the sprinkler
Last night after homework and before we picked up Jack the twins played in the sprinkler.  It was hot, sunny and wonderful out.  Owen has been asking to play in the sprinkler for weeks I am glad we finally had the time to make it happen.

4. Cucumber water
Last night Owen randomly asked to make cucumber water.  We got our huge jar out (that we usually use for sangria) and made infused water for the night.  It was yummy and I have a feeling it will become a frequent way to get more water into the boys!

5. Nap
I should be doing school work, folding laundry or sorting clothes for the boys -- but I think that I will be heading into bed for a short morning nap.  Doesn't that sound great!!

Not 5. Just stuff.

I don't really have anything insightful to say.  Lots of stuff makes me happy.  Lots of stuff to be grateful for.  

The boys had to dress up in their cub scout uniform to promote cub scouts at school.  How cute are these kids!!!!!  This is absolute real life -- these boys are the best.

I purchased new helmets for the boys.  I guess this is the thing AND they couldn't share since they bat next to each other in the lineup. I was in shock when I saw the price of the first helmet that I picked up and almost immediately walked out of the store.  After Dick's we made a quick trip to best buy and Owen needed to wear his helmet and carry around his new baseball belt.  

**Side note -- they are LOVING baseball.**

The squad

On Saturday I completely, 100% forgot that I was supposed to be at a baby shower for Ashley at 11pm.  When she text to see if I was on my way I was in my towel at the gym.  Jack and I quickly headed over but he fell asleep in the car.  It worked out perfect.  I was able to sit and visit while he took a nap.  Though I am an asshole and didn't bring a gift -- Amazon fits perfectly into my life here and plan on sending some diapers.  

Best part of my week.  On Friday morning I woke up with a lot of anxiety.  I had applied for a job and was supposed to hear the news sometime that day.  (I didn't get it).  That morning I decided to get a massage and then hit up Harry and Izzys with Mike for lunch.  I ended up having three martinis -- don't judge -- and immediately took a nap when I got home.  Just sitting and talking with him was absolutely wonderful.

In the past few years the front yard has decided to stop draining down hill.  It's annoying and is ruining our yard.  Yesterday -- Mike created a system to drain our gutters under the yard.  It was impressive, LOTS of work, and didn't do too much damage.  I was terrified at first but ended up being insanely impressed with his handy work.

It was our weekend for the monthly slumber party.  The weather was perfect.  The kids had a great time AND I actually sat down and watched the movie, Sing.  It was a busy weekend full of playing outside and being together.  Those are the best weekends.  

I sent this picture to Mike this week -- we were both exhausted so decided to get Starbucks individually and have a virtual coffee date.  I am going to try and change up my schedule again.  I will not be working Sunday nights anymore.  I have been waking up angry on Sunday.  It makes it a miserable day.  Hoping that the change will be helpful with my sleep and time with my family.

two days. be excited.

A quick post to make my two glasses of wine before my EXTREMELY long day -- purposeful.

1.  One of my employees came up and put his arm around me while I was saying hello to everyone at the nurses' station.
Little -- I know -- but it takes lots of work to gain the trust and respect of these employees.  I think that I have succeeded and that it pretty freaking rewarding.

2. I have a few hours off to work on homework.
My goal is have my paper FINISHED on Friday.  This is a pretty large goal.  It's attainable but I just need to spend all of my extra minutes working on the paper.  Wish me luck -- I'll need it.

3. Food on their face
This is a huge task for some reason at our home right now.  The 7 year old boys can NOT eat ANYTHING.  Like literally --- ANYTHING --- without food all over their entire face.  It is becoming not funny and extremely annoying.  When they eat sweet peppers for example....super easy, small ....should have absolutely no problem.... NOPE.  Not Cameron and Owen, somehow they get the juices of a SWEET PEPPER (I didn't even realize this could happen until I watched my children) everywhere.  everywhere.

The thing that makes me happy (besides that it will be over eventually) is that this small tasks reminds me (not so gracefully) that these boys are little.  They are still growing and learning and LITTLE.  That -- and that I need to provide more napkins.

4. Unit meeting
I know that I will not remember the details of my job.  I have lots of tiny details but one of them is dealing heavily with death and dying.  Tonight we had a unit meeting and just shared information.  It's hard. It's rewarding.  It's absolutely mind boggling that the universe has chosen me to be "there" through this journey with families.  Tonight we made a difference in at least one of the nurses lives and practices.  I am so honored and humbled to be a part of this world.

5.  A few hours with my boys
My schedule today has been nuts.  I was at work by 315am. I left at 2pm and was back by 645pm for a few hours to host our unit meetings.  It was a loooooong day to say the least.  On top of that -- because I had so many meetings I was unable to get to most of my actual work.  It was a bit insane.  For the 4 short hours that I was home I spent with my boys.  It was wonderful.  They keep me on my toes, ask me 1000 questions, and always make me laugh.  Oh boy, with my lack of sleep came lack of patience but they help steer me into the right direction and offer me so much grace.

And one more thing about today -- Owen gave me a lecture about not picking up trash and helping the earth while we were in the parking lot of Dick's Sporting Goods.  I refused to pick up someone's dip cup.  With the million questions and evil glares from my 7 year old about not helping the earth I tried to explain how gross and terrible DIP is and that I am passing on picking up that piece of trash.  So for all of you readers out there who "dip" around my children....they now think it's a terrible drug. And yes....it is.

Is it 9pm already?

It has been absolutely insane around here.  My schedule is BAT SHIT CRAZY.  Excuse my language but holy hell it is absurd.  I am headed back into work tomorrow mooring at 3am.  I will be there for 10 hours and then go back for 2 more hours to sit in a unit meeting.  It is a unit meeting that I have to hear TWICE since we are having a guest speaker.  This morning I was in at 615 so I could attend Yellow Belt training.  It's a lot. Lot.

So I am going to brief in this post before I head straight to bed since it's almost 9pm!!!  AHHH

1.  First official baseball game
The Yankees won their first official baseball game.  Cameron and Owen both made it on base which to be honest made me SO. HAPPY. for them.  I know walking on to the plate they were both very very nervous.  Jack was a shit show tonight and was in a terrible mood for almost the entire night.  Luckily Sara came to watch and she helped calm his soul.

**Side note:  When I put the boys to bed tonight one of them said, "Did we win the game?"  I replied that yes we won.  And the other one asked, "How do you know?"

Yup.  Those are my boys.

Brotherly chit chat

2. Grandma Pat is in town
We haven't actual spent time WITH Pat since San Diego.  It has been great to have her around and spend extra time with the boys.  As I type Mike and Pat are out to Bruggee for the night.  Cheers to a wonderful few days!

Sometimes you just have to add the terrible selfies.  YIKES.

3. I won the egg cracking contest
I think that this is my second year winning the egg contest. ....I don't think it has an official name......
That's all -- clearly this is my thing and ohh what a wonderful claim to fame it is.

This is his actual smile right now. Oh Owen you make my heart happy.

Yup -- my parents live next to people who have lots of kids and lots of toys.

Sadness about his egg finding capabilities.

4. Wine, cookies and jelly beans

My absolutely fabulous dinner tonight. 

5.  School is progressing

I have been trying to work really hard at school in order to finish my masters within the year.  So far it has been going smoothly.  I'm not doing much of anything else....at all....

Slides

1.  Sunshine and dance parties

Two of my absolute favorite things of these past few days have been hanging outside with the boys in the sunshine AND our evening dance party.  The twins and I were talking a few days ago about how we need to have Jack listen to more music and dance around the house.  This use to be a daily activity at our house.  Hopefully we are able to incorporate more and more music every day.

2. Owen lost another tooth
Our children are starting to look a bit crazy.  On Monday night the tooth fairy almost had a huge miss.  I got home early from work and had to wake Mike up to confirm the tooth fairy came to our house.  When he went in to do the work Owen's head popped up and he started talking to Mike.  Since it was 3am the fairy decided to write Owen and note and tape it to the bathroom sink with a dollar.  We still have the tooth in our possession and Owen thinks she will come back any day now since the note said, "see you next time."

3. My watch
For our third anniversary Mike got me a beautiful watch with a leather watch strap.  I am obsessed with it.

4. 10 hours of sleep
Last night I fell asleep at 8pm and woke up at 6am.  I was exhausted and it was heavenly.  I was almost to the point I could cry I was so tired.

5.  Mike & baseball practice
Mike has been extra diligent on practicing baseball with the kids.  Last night they went to the batting cages at the field for an hour.  Previous nights this week they have been practicing throwing and catching.  Fingers crossed that we are not the absolute worst on the team.  Basically....we need the boys to not be afraid of the ball.

6. Jack is terrified of bees
Clearly the women at daycare are TERRIFIED of bees because they have sufficiently trained Jack to lose his mind when I bee is in the area.  Even the twins try to talk him off the ledge.  This will be an interesting summer.

This Masters can not be done fast enough.

Sunshine and sunglasses

1. Thursday meals 

On Thursday morning Mike and I headed to Milktooth for breakfast.  We quickly found out that they only serve pastries and coffee before 9am.  We decided to head over to Yolk and try Milktooth another day.  After breakfast I headed into work and around 5 these goofballs showed up for dinner.  So grateful that they can come into work and I can spend a few extra moments with them.  

2. I haven't puked
I am officially the only one in the family who has not puked yet from this stomach bug.  This week has been full of grossness and little sleep.  On Friday morning Owen started puking and was up at 4am.  Cameron got out of bed to check on him and decided that he wanted to stay up as well.  It was an early morning.  I tried to convince Cameron to watch Owen and come wake me when they needed me.  hahaha.  It didn't work out the best as you can guess. Owen puked a total of two times and at 730am was full of energy and spunk so we ended up taking him to school. Yes -- we are those terrible parents.  He has been great ever since.  Cameron started puking yesterday morning or evening.....I don't know...they are all blurring together.  I ended up giving him zofran and he has made it ever since.  He is still a tad under the weather and woke up this morning with a fever.  I have a feeling he will still play the entire day and be wild and crazy like normal.

Cameron waiting for the bus when Owen was still at home. 

 3.  The grocery trips
Friday I was able to make it to Costco AND Kroger.  We have finally have some fresh snacks in the house.  The boys ate 2 lbs of strawberries that afternoon when they got home from school.

Cameron loved these fake glasses.

 4. Baseball has started
The boys have moved into the Minors.  Though they need lots of practice they are having a blast.  It is structured and they have been learning a ton.  I just asked the boys, "What is the best part of baseball?"
Owen: Being second baseman
Cameron: Being pitcher's helper

We are still teaching Owen how to drink.
I have the same face.

5. Summer days with neighbors
I know that it isn't officially summer yet but yesterday was the first Saturday that we have all been outside and the boys were able to play for hours.  The girls were outside and holy moly it was a hoot. First, they were super bossy and the boys just went with it.  They also paired off and shared seats with the opposite sex --- it was all an interesting site to see.  The girls ended up having hot dogs over the fire with us while I was taking Jack on a walk in order to sleep.  After dinner the Paschals came over for S'mores.  Pretty wonderful.

Gross

1. Back with my boys

My trip to the Dominican Republic with my mom was pretty amazing.  I spent hours reading, drinking wonderful drinks and doing a lot of NOTHING.  It was great.  While Mike was at home he was working his ass off and spending 12 hour days with the job.  SBJ has had an insane stomach bug since I have been home so the relaxed, refreshed feeling left pretty quickly but goodness I am happy to be home with all of my boys.

 

 2. Jack is not puking or pooping on me at this actual moment
It has been a rough 72 hours.  This boy has had the worst stomach bug and it doesn't seem to be getting better.  Being sick is the worst.  I am hoping he just continues to get better ....and I will spare you of all the gross details.  Oh it was so gross.

3.  Hand me downs
I started saving the boys clothes between 2T & 3T.  Strange... I agree.  I pulled out the box of clothes and added some stuff into the rotation.  Just seeing some of the old treads made my heart happy.  Then Kara brought over Max's stuff starting at 3T a few months ago.  Also, the twins are able to use their baseball pants from last year -- love love love being able to reuse!

4.  Growing Pains
RCS is in another phase of growing and it is really freaking wonderful but goodness these quick bursts of growth can cause some pain for a few weeks.  I know that this has been on the list previously and I just wanted to make sure to document it again.  Mike is completely worn out.  Soon RCS will catch up but right now -- holy moly -- it's a bit rough.  Rough and EXCITING.

5.  Cuddles & Veggie Straws
For the past 72 hours, if I am home and awake, Jack has been in my arms.  The times that I have been asleep or at work, Mike's arms are full.  At this exact moment Jack and I have our legs intertwined and we are watching another episode of Mickey Mouse and eating veggie straws.  I just convinced him to take a bubble bath and though it didn't last long it got off some of his stink.  I have been trying try Paw Patrols but he is a die hard Mickey fan.