Tanner ... The Days are just Packed ... why Stop to Sleep?

A few evenings ago, I was in the kitchen trying to get a meal together for my hungry family, when my youngest, Tanner, was pulling on me complaining that he was so hungry!! I grabbed a box of goldfish and set him at the table to eat a quick snack while I got dinner going. A few moments later I look over and see him half asleep eating goldfish. He couldn't even open his eyes, but he managed to search for the goldfish at the table and get them to his mouth, chew a few times and swallow. I started to laugh and did what any mom would do ... run to get my camera. Poor Tanner, summer is lots of fun, staying up late, playing outside, swimming in the pool. His days are just packed! We don't get naps in like we should. Shocker, I know! Some days you just crash wherever you are. For those of you that think that I am a terrible mom, yes, I did move him to the couch so that he could rest. He woke up about 1 hour later. The kids had already eaten and were headed to the pool. Mom thought she was off the hook for swimming, but Tanner woke up, ate, and headed to the pool. Rest time over, let's play!!!

Emma Turns 5

Our Emma is officially 5 years old and loving it!! Mommy had a hard time with this B-day. I can't believe how fast time flies by. She is in a big hurry to grow up and is ready to take on any challenge that life throws at her. Her sweet spirit is a blessing to all of us. Mom and Dad were a big hit this year with her presents. We got her a couple of ZU-ZU pets and some accessories to go along with them. Apparently, they were quite the rage at Christmas. We are a little behind the "trends". Oh, well!! We celebrated with the family and had cake and ice cream. It was a special day with great memories! We love you, Emma girl! You are a joy and a blessing in our lives. Happy 5th Birthday!! Love, Mom and Dad

Rylee Gets a Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Rylee has been informing us every few days that her front tooth is loose. She messes with that poor tooth all the time. Waiting for it to fall out has been torture!!! Yesterday, as she was checking out its progress, tells me that it is really, really loose and now it is bleeding a little bit. I smiled and told her that this is normal and that her tooth would be coming out soon. A few minutes later, she comes charging outside screaming that she lost her tooth. Yes, there was screaming, laughing, jumping, etc. Part of having a girl, I guess. I never seen anyone so excited about a tooth. She makes me smile. Rylee has such a sweet spirit. Everything is done with enthusiasm and passion. You can't help but me sucked in. It is wonderful. As we congratulated her as a family we learned that Kallie was the one that convinced Rylee to let her pull it out. Brave girl!! I would not let Kallie anywhere near my mouth. They were so sweet, though. Hugging, laughing and telling the story over and over to the other kids. It was a big event in our home. After dinner, as the kids were getting ready for bed, Rylee comes tearing into our room to inform us that Kallie pulled out another tooth. Two teeth lost in a matter of hours!!! Wow!! Rylee was thrilled. We got a baggie and put the tooth under her pillow so that she would get a visit from the tooth fairy. I tried to tell her that the Tooth Fairy goes on vacation in June so she was out of luck, but she didn't buy it. Hayden made sure to tell me that the Tooth Fairy never goes on vacation. Ok, busted!!! It was a memoral night, for sure. Never a dull moment around here!

A Much Needed Update ...

How has it been over a month since I have written on my blog!! My life was suppose to get easier when school got out. What was I thinking? Entertaining 5 kids all day long is impossible! I am already running out of ideas, my house is always a wreck (can't keep up with them), and I am still crazy busy! Why am I surprised... Well, here is a quick update on our lives ...

As I mentioned earlier, school is out for the summer!!! Yes! I was hoping to have all this time on my hands to do the things I don't get around to, but it has not happened yet. I have been doing some reading, which I love and never have time for... that has been nice!

Soccer is finished for this season, but the fall season is right around the corner. Games start the end of August. I am looking forward to it. I love watching my kids play. Tanner loved his first season and is ready to go again. Kallie's team made it to the semi-final game and lost. She was pretty bummed, but she played so good this season. We are so proud of you, girl!!! She is becoming quite the soccer player. It is so fun to watch her play.

Our days are filled with play dates, sports camps, and going to open houses for those friends that just graduated. It is lots of fun, but busy. We have enjoyed beautiful weather, so we have been outside a lot. I don't like leaving the kids outside by themselves so I have been involved in all the summer fun: slip-n-slide, pool, trampoline, swings, water fights. It is never ending fun at our house, or never ending craziness, depending on how you look at it.

I am in training for the next few months of races. I have one in July in Taylor and Kal is going to join me. She is very excited about running in her first 5K. Training is slow going ... our first training session was not good. She is having a hard time understanding that running too fast at the beginning is going to ruin your endurance for the end. I know she is able to run 3 miles, I just have to convince her to do it mommy's way. Easier said than done!! Pray for me. I don't know if I am a good enough trainer. I need more patience!!!

Steve and I have started P90X together. It has been fun, but hard to find the time to get it in. We have done a few workouts late at night just to get them in. I think he is enjoying it!! I have been pretty sore this time around and I am trying to tell myself it is because I am using heavier weights and running with it, but it may be that my body is just fighting me. Trying to get these last 20 pounds off is killing me. My body is holding on to them with a death grip. It is getting a little frustrating. I am pretty competitive, so bring it on!!!

There is our update... So riveting, I know. More to come. Soon. Really. I promise!!!

Potty Train Tanner ... Check

It is hard to believe, but true!! I have potty-trained 5 kids and now I never have to buy diapers again!!! I am so happy. It is the greatest feeling to know that the last one is done. How is it that my first and my last have been the hardest. I guess that way I can really appreciate it! I told my husband that we need to go out to celebrate our victory. Tanner is so proud of his accomplishment. The other day, he told me," Mom, I am not a baby anymore. I am a big boy!" Finally, he has remembered what mom has been saying for the last few months. No more baby. Just big boy!! Just little word of encouragement for all you moms out there that are in the middle of potty-training : This soon will end. It will take hard work and dedication, but they will get it. Your child will not be going to Kindergarten in pull-ups. :)

My Green Shoes ...

Tanner and his green shoes go everywhere together. They are best buds! These treasures were discovered by my little 3 year old a few months ago when mom was going through the summer clothes getting ready for her Mom 2 Mom Sale. I made the mistake of asking him to try on the shoes to see if they still fit. Luck for me, they are going to work for one more season. It was love at first sight. (Apparently, he has no knowledge of the shoes from last summer) He wakes up asking for them. He eats breakfast with them, takes naps, and I have even found them in his bed. I can't really tell you what is so special about them, but if I would of known how much he liked them, I would of bought a few more pairs. Of course this season, I can't find them anywhere. I guess moms can't see the future. Oh, well. I can't help but smile every time I see my little Tanner and his favorite green shoes. So sweet!

Tanner's 1st Soccer Practice

Tanner had his first soccer practice last night and he could not of been more thrilled! Finally, after 2 years of watching soccer, he can get in on the action. He looks so big in his soccer gear that it makes mommy sad. They grow up way to fast. Like almost every event in our lives, drama occurred. Let me explain....

Steve (my husband) is coaching Kallie's team, so while dad was having practice, I took Emma and Tanner to their practice. We get to the field's, running late as usual, I grab the 2 soccer balls hand them to the kids and proceed to lock the van door. Tanner takes his ball in the parking lot and starts to kick it. When I turn around, Emma is frantically trying to tell me something and Tanner looks like he is about to cry. I soon discover that his soccer ball rolled under a car. No big deal, I thought, I will just bend down and get it. PROBLEM!!!! It has rolled under a Mustang and is wedged way under. Picture this, mom on hands and knees trying not to scream weighing my options. (I could send Emma under the car, but if she gets stuck, then what do I do? I really hope the owner of the car does not come around the corner.) I go back to our van to try to find anything that I can use to reach it. Everything under the sun is in my messy van, except what I need. Then I spot it. The snow removal brush thingy ... you know what I mean. After a few tries, I get the ball free. I look over at Tanner who is grinning ear to ear, "thanks, mom!" Now that I am dirty and sweating, lets go to soccer practice! Ahhhh!!!


It was worth it! Tanner had a smile on his sweet little face that never left. He was so excited to be out there. He was so proud of himself. During one of the drills, Emma and Tanner were teamed up to pass the ball back and forth. Tanner was having some trouble, but he was really trying. The ball would only go a few feet, no where near where Emma was standing. I heard her sighing in frustration, so I went over to encourage her. She turns around in disgust and says, "mom, he is just not getting this!" Emma can always make us laugh. "It is the first practice, Emma, he will do better next time." Good job Emma and Tanner. We are so proud of you guys!