Our "Recent" Additions

Okay, so they aren't so recent.  We've had them for a year.  They are beautiful, joyful, and sometimes a big mess.  But we love them as if they were our own and we can't imagine life with out them.

For those of you keeping count, we have 6 kids in the house, with a 7th one not living with us, but one I'd claim any day.  Our ages range from 16 years-8 months...so I have all kinds of emotions going on in my house.  It is great and very chaotic.  The boys have been wonderful big brothers.  I'm proud to watch them give their time, love, and patience to these 3 kiddos.  Watching all of the kids together is priceless.

I'm Back!

How did you like my 2 year hiatus?  I'll tell you...this working full-time thing is kicking my behind.  Actually it leaves me more time for my kiddos.  But that just means that I'm never alone.  Which is kind of sad.  I've become such a non-social homebody in my old(er) age and my boys are just not allowing me to crawl in my little dark hole at the end of the day.  So between a job change (a couple of years ago), various sports activities, Swaddling Clothes, church stuff, house projects, oh-and fostering kiddos, I'm just running around all day, every day.

And I can't seem to say no.  To anyone.  About anything.

I've always been this way though.  That's why I had 3 jobs when first met Hans.  I didn't need them to survive financially.  I just liked all of them and had a hard time quitting when another job came my way.

Anyways....I digress.

Lots has happened over the last couple of years and I will try to be more diligent in posting. 

Here is what has taken up all of my time...

The Three Amigos

The boys decided they wanted to be the Three Amigos for Halloween.  They do not sell Three Amigos costumes.  I wanted to convince them to be something else, but Hans just wouldn't hear of it.  Then my mom backed Hans up by saying, "it won't be too hard to make the costumes".  I said "fine," and then I went and bought stuff to make the costumes and had it all ready to go for my mom to do when she came to visit in October.  Do you think that happened?  No.  It did not.  In my mom's defense, she had every intention of helping me start this project, but we were just too busy with other things.

 I made up a different pattern for each boy.  I started with the pants and completed the pattern on one side and after it dried for a day or so, did the same thing on the other side.  This took several days and A LOT of glitter glue.

I then did the same pattern for the jackets.

"Where did you find bolero jackets," you ask?

I didn't find them anywhere.

I purchased three black sweatshirts, cut them, and put interfacing on the inside to make them stiffer.

It was a project.  But I kind of enjoyed it.  Needless to say my family ate microwavable corn dogs for a week.

 Then I bought red fabric and sewed ties and cummerbunds.  I don't sew so I promise you this was super easy.

All the work was worth it in the end.  The boys looked super cute and still dress up in these costumes often.

A Pirate Party

Anders turned the big 5 this October.  We usually do a big party with friends for the 5th birthday and Anders requested a pirate party.  I have a love/hate relationship with parties.  I love planning them, making crafts, researching and creating games, and making food.  I hate the chaos of the actual party. So usually I do all the planning and work beforehand and Hans entertains the kids at the party.  He's the fun one....story of my life.

 All the food had a pirate theme.

 We had several stations set up for the kids to visit.

This was Digging for Buried Treasure.

There was sand everywhere.  Actually, I'm still finding sand.

 They could also visit the Tattoo Parlor...complete with a grumpy tattoo artist.

 Pin the Eye Patch on the Pirate

 Hans realized the kids could see through the mask, making the game too easy.  So he took his shirt and wrapped it around the kid's head.

 Some kids got wild and crazy and wanted to pin the eye patch on upside down.

 Then the kids thought it would be a good idea to make Hans play the game.  See?  He really is the fun one.

 Then Hans worked on his acting skills by reading a pirate book.  The kids loved all of his voices.  They were hanging on his every word.

 My little pirate was really enjoying himself.

 He's trying hard not to blow out the candle before the song is over.  He just wants to eat the frosting off of the cupcake...he can't wait!

The party ended with presents.  All the kids like watching the birthday boy open presents...it's actually pretty funny to watch.

So looks like a fun day...right?  That's what the pictures will tell you.  But it was loud and crazy and a couple of the kids kept telling me how much they didn't like my food.  And that is all fine and expected.  But my little introvert who often separates himself away from a loud bunch decided halfway through his party that he would rather play up in his room all by himself than be with this friends.  There were tears when we told him he had to play with his friends.  I was partied out.  Can you guess why I don't do "friend" parties every year?

October in Indy

We happened to have a free weekend in October so we headed down to Indy to visit the Fienes.  While we were there Traderspoint Creamery was having an Oktoberfest.

Anders is such a ham and Finley doesn't know how she feels about all of these boys.  That's okay, Finley.  I know what that's like.

The creamery had several stations set up over the grounds.  Aside from face painting there was a petting zoo, various games, and a hay ride.

 Face-painting is always a big hit.

This little girl is a cutie.

We ended with a nice hay ride.

Since we were in Indy so close to Anders' birthday, and because Jake's birthday is a few days before Anders',we had a little gathering at Jake and Ashley's to celebrate.

 A beer and his phone.  This hunky hubby of mine is set for the next several hours.

 But a game of Cornhole with his brother is way more exciting.

 Jake and Ashley got Anders this longbow.  I'm not sure if you can tell, but this kid was excited about that.  I'm sure he was calculating all the ways he could torture his brothers.

 Solveig makes each grandchild, on their 5th birthday, a special book.  This is probably Anders' favorite book because it's all about him.

It was a great weekend.

School Fun

The boys first day of school was also my first day of school, so I didn't actually get to be there with my boys.  I took it harder than my boys.  All of the boys told me it was fine and they didn't really care.  John told me the big deal about the first day of school is a more a parent thing anyways.  I guess he is right.

 These two really do love each other.

 Gus' first day of first grade and John first day of fourth grade.

 These two have a bond that can never be broken.  This will be the last year they are ever at the same school together...kind of sad.

Anders had his first day of school the very next day.  He can't wait for next year when he gets to ride the bus.  I should start apologizing to our bus driver now.

John's Birthday

John turned 9 this year. 9.  That tiny little baby that cried all of the time turned into a squeaky voiced little boy who loved Thomas.  That Thomas loving fool suddenly grew up and is now in 4th grade.  I feel old.

 His "party" consisted of Debbie, Pam, Glenn, Sophie, and the Davis family.  Small yet fun.  As long as he gets cake and a cheap table cloth this kid is happy.

 He had a ton of helpers opening presents, but John didn't mind.  He likes being the center of attention.

 This year John requested an ice cream cake.  I tried my best.  I still need to play a bit with the whipped cream topping.

Chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream and cookie dough ice cream.

John had a great "party".

I still can't believe my baby is 9.

Racing

Debbie, Pam, Glenn, and some other members from church took the boys to the Grundy County Races.  I did not go, but the boys told me all about it. They returned late that evening and John was on cloud nine.  When he woke up the next morning it was all he could talk about.

 One of our members, Larry, is an avid race attender.  He use to race himself and build cars.  He still has some connections and got John a ride in the pacer truck.  John said it was, "the best day EVER".

 This kid knew it was his bedtime and asked for a place to sleep.  Seriously.  He is such an old man already.  He slept through all of the noise.

 John had gotten out of the pacer truck shortly before this accident happened so he had front row seats for this.  No one was injured in the accident.

Yep, Gus slept through this too.

It was cool to watch them get the car turned right side up and off of the track.

The boys can't wait to go again...even Gus.

Slammers Game

We left New York in enough time to make it to a Slammers game in Joliet.  We got a great deal for the tickets and they were already purchased when I found out that it was Princess Night at the ballpark. Ha!  Since we were meeting Sophie there I went out quickly and bought a tiara and some jewelry for Sophie and the boys to share.  That didn't go over well. With any of them.  I had a good laugh though.

 Gus was ready.  He even had a glove to match his outfit!

 John is always enthusiastic.

 Sophie hates that I take pictures all of the time.  She usually tries to block me as she is now. But look at those eyes...she is enjoying it.

 We did actually watch a little of the game.

These two just love each other.  Sophie really loves Anders because she shared her slushy with him and she is a major germaphobe.

No tiaras, princess dresses, or jewelry were worn...but we all had a great time at the ballpark.