The Appreciation I get...

I have held him for six days straight. He has slept on my chest more times than I can count. He hasn't had a nap over an hour in days. He has caused major back pain from carrying him and a baby. I have mothered him through the flu and a double ear infection. I'm pretty done with him.

Then I catch a break...sneak to the computer to veg for just a minute. He gets quiet and I investigate. I find this...

He is now officially for sale...

A Lego Free Day

Because I know that you are in suspense as to how our Lego-free day went, I feel compelled to inform you.

Our morning started out well. The boys usually build for an hour before school, but not today! Instead, we sat on the couch and read the Lego catalog. Not a stellar start to a Lego free day, but I had to start slowly...didn't want anyone to get the shakes. It does get better, I promise.

As soon as I pick Daniel up from school, he says to me, "Mom, I really want to build today." I remind him it's just a short break.

Once William is down for his nap, we read, color and work on writing our letters.

William wakes up from his very short nap in a fabulous (I hope you can hear my sarcasm there) mood. Perfect, stroller for him...bike ride for the big boys...

We stop in the park and find all sorts of adventures...

When we got home, William continued to be a bear. I took his temperature and was surprised to find out it was 101.6. He fell asleep on my chest. I thought we were over all the bad germs, but apparently not. While I went to call Mom to ask Dad to stop by after work, the boys did this...

Maybe they do need a 12 step program for Lego/Duplo addiction! I didn't get mad because I didn't specifically take away the Duplos. I didn't see a need to since they haven't been played with in awhile. Oh well, no Legos...Duplos are the next best thing.

Dad came by and diagnosed a double ear infection!!! Poor guy...poor Mom!

It's been a long week and a half. Sick me, sick children, busy husband who hasn't been around to provide a second set of hands. Thankfully PopPop not only diagnoses the ear infections, he delivers the antibotics! Hopefully, tomorrow will be better for William.

I know tomorrow will be better for Philip and Daniel. They've already shown me what they can't wait to build with their imaginations. It could be worse...it isn't a tv addiction or a video game addiction. They are addicted to being creative and using their brains to build really cool things. What Mom in her right mind would squelch that???

An Update...

Wow...it has been a long nine days. Daniel first brought the flu in last Monday. William, the last to get it, came down on Saturday. I relapsed on Sunday. Except for carpool and a doctor's appointment last week, I have not left the house since last Monday...nine days...and it is beginning to show around here.

First, the laundry...oh, the laundry...

Overall, the guys have done pretty well. Things are starting to break down though!

I have been sensing that we could be perhaps on Lego overstimulation. Have you ever let your children watch too much TV and simply regretted it later? In a wierd way, this is where our Lego time was headed.

I've noticed in the past two days, fights over the Legos. Tears, yelling, etc. Yesterday, William was a complete bear in the morning. I plowed through, knowing that naptime would bring relief. About thirty minutes into the nap, Philip and Daniel begin arguing over something. Doors slam, screaming commences, and William is awake. Lovely.

This morning, same type thing. I realized that I needed to come up with some after school activities that did not involve Legos. So we made and decorated snowflake cookies...

and we cut out snowflakes from plain white paper. I sat on the floor and colored with the boys. I was very intentional with my time with them.

Then a moment's break and they are back to building. First, a little fuss. Next an all out fight. William is woken up again. I give a warning. More fighting over Legos and they get taken away. They find another activity...it doesn't last long...back to the Legos. Another fight and the unthinkable happens...

Mom follows through. I scoop all thirty thousand (an exaggeration, but it sure felt like it!) Legos up and take them away. Lots of screaming...Philip actually hits me...something he's never done before...he calls me "the baddest Mommy ever" and I don't think he meant it like Michael Jackson bad.

After everyone cooled off, we talked about it. Daniel was terrified that I was giving them to other girls and boys. I assured them that they could have them back on Thursday if things went well. Philip apologized.

Tomorrow will be interesting. I usually get some great downtime thanks to Legos, but they need this. Bikes haven't been ridden in weeks, swingsets haven't been played with, books haven't been read in the afternoon. We need more balance. I hope we get some...I'll keep you posted.

We've been through the ringer...

The flu has been making it's rounds in our home. Daniel had it Monday, Tuesday. I got it Wednesday. Philip on Thursday. Tough, tough week, but I am oh so thankful!

1. For our overall general health. Being sick makes you realize how good it feels to be well everyday. I am thanking God for our overall good health!

2. For my husband. He's been a trooper. Leaving work early to come home, prepare dinner, bathe children, read them stories, and put them to bed. On to cleaning the kitchen and then working from home. He's incredible and I thank God for him!

3. For my parents. Pop answered lots of questions and gave good advice. Mom didn't hesitate to come over at 7:15 yesterday to entertain William and Daniel while Philip and I laid in bed. I reminded her how contagious we were, but it didn't stop her. Oh how I thank God for them both!

4. For the Disney channel! We don't watch a ton of TV here usually, but I think it was on all day yesterday. I could not have gotten through the afternoon without it! However, I don't think I can go as far as thanking God for it!

5. For my sweet boys. They have been so understanding, so patient. We didn't leave the house all week and they didn't seem to mind. They are wonderful and I thank God for the three of them.

I think we are on the mend. I still get tired easily and need time in bed, but definitely feel better. I am praying that Chris and William do not fall victim...so far so good! Thanks for you calls and for checking on us! We are also grateful for good friends!

Another Trip to the Woods

The boys and I headed to the woods Saturday to join Daddy for the evening. The time outside was overdue...it's been so cold here! They had a great time just being little boys in the great outdoors.

I think I'll just let the pictures tell the day's events!

So thankful for the change of scenery and the fresh air!

Big Mama's 90th!

Here's the birthday girl...90 is quite an accomplishment!

We headed across the bay for a birthday celebration after church. Lots of family were there...Ona and Bobby, Bob and Tina, Anna, Christina, Clark, and Davison, and Bob Lowe...along with GranGran, PopPop, and Susan.

We had cake and ice cream. William went from person to person begging for cake.

The boys were well behaved. They loved playing with the balloons!

It was great to spend the day with family...especially the birthday girl.

By the end of the day, we were exhausted. All three fell asleep on the way home!

Getting Started in 2011...

Sorry for the blogging delay. To be honest, my New Year's resolution has been to keep a better organized and picked up house. I have kept it up quite well, but I will say it has cut into my computer time...not a bad thing, I suppose.

Our first week of 2011 started out well. We eased back into school. I let Daniel stay home Monday since Philip was out, and Philip only went for a couple hours on Tuesday due to a funeral I had to attend. Wednesday brought a full four hours for them both. What did I do? Spent the majority of it on the floor with William. He definitely deserved it!

We had a great weekend...lots of time in the kitchen for Mom! We had the Davidson's for dinner Friday night. Everyone had a ball, but Chris and I both commented on how wild it can be to have six children running around the house at the end of the day!

Saturday brought another round of Star Wars pancakes, testing at St. Paul's for Philip, and some errands for all. In the afternoon, Daniel and I napped together and later I walked with Philip while he rode his new bike to GranGran and PopPop to see his McCall cousins. He can't get enough of that crew...always asking when they will be back!

Sunday school started back this week, so we arrived at church early. Church itself was somewhat exhausting. Daniel now wants to sit through the service with us, and while he is capable, it is extra work keeping he and Philip still and attentive...or at least not disruptive. At one point during the service, Daniel let out a loud yawn. Father Matthew looked down from the pulpit and smiled!

We had a fire all afternoon and snuggled up for a movie. I dozed and Chris read while the boys watched Indiana Jones.

William woke up and tried to take control of the tv.

He is constantly walking around the house with his remote control asking for the Tide.

Dee, Uncle Cameron, and Aunt Heather joined us for dinner Sunday night. It was good to be together. Love family Sunday dinners!

We've had a good start and hope the year will remain a good one for us and all of you!

New Year's Day

New Year's weekend will be remembered as a constant change of plans! We started out with the annual trip to Lake Martin with the Springfields. Yes, Chris and I thought Caroline and Frank were off the rocker when they invited us...they are expecting #4 really soon, but we always have a good time so we agreed.


Well, baby Springfield played some tricks on them early in the week and our trip had to be canceled. Sweet Caroline promised an invitation for next year...now we know they're crazy. Eight children six and under????


So, plan B...the hunting camp. Chris took Thursday off and headed up that afternoon. After a playdate with the Davidsons Friday morning, the boys and I headed that way.


We arrived at the trailer in Uriah in time for rain...and lots more to come. Then the talk of tornados (or torpedos as the boys referred to them). Chris and I made a game time decision to head back home. While we checked the weather and loaded the cars, the boys watched Star Wars on Chris' laptop. Even William watched for a minute of two...





Once home, we fixed a fabulous meal...filet mignons, roasted asparagus, and sweet potato casserole. The boys went to bed...Mom and Dad were not far behind.


New Year's Day brought a day of fun at home...despite the crummy weather. Another good meal...Hoppin' John and cabbage rolls that Susan brought over. Aunt Susan and Uncle Rob came to watch the Alabama game with us.


The boys loved having Uncle Rob around to read them some of their new Star Wars pop-up book!



Sus and I slipped off to Best Buy to look at new toys. I have been interested in an e-reader since they came out. I finally step out and purchased a Nook. I love it, but it is quite addicting. I have already purchased three books. It is so easy!!!


Sunday brought church and an afternoon at home relaxing. It was a great weekend...a great way to end our Christmas break. I'm not looking forward to school starting back up. The boys and I have had so much fun not having to get in the car. Routines are good, though, I suppose!