The Washer Gets a Workout
Our washer and dryer run every day, but this week they are working overtime. Samuel threw up last night, and while I am overjoyed that it didn't get the carpet (this time,) he was sure to soak our sheets, our pillows, and of course, his clothes. Fortunately it was a one-time puke, but now... now I'm waiting for it to work its way to his other end. Zachary hasn't vomited, thank goodness, but he has been rather "loose" and had several blow-outs and emergency baths this week. So that's why he wasn't acting himself last week... poor little guy can't tell me when his tummy hurts! This week his mood and appetite have improved, so hopefully he's pulling through.
I'm ashamed to admit it, but I am SO NOT looking forward to summer break! Not a likely confession from the writer of a blog entitled "Five Little Blessings," is it? But it's true... I love my children immensely, but spending ALL DAY with them all together for days on end wears me down. (I could never be a home schooler.) I just can't seem to keep them occupied and out of trouble and stay on top of the housework, too. I feel completely overwhelmed and guilty of neglecting either them, the house, or my husband. It seems I just don't have enough arms or hours in the day to stay on top of things. So I was delighted to send them back to school on Monday. (Phew... I'm glad I got that off my chest.)
That being said, we tried awfully hard to balance work and fun during spring break. It was not easy, because the weather was not cooperative on most days. Finally on Thursday, the sun broke out from behind the clouds. I plunked down $90 to renew our zoo pass online and set out with the five boys for the Sedgwick County Zoo. As it turns out, every other spring breaker in Wichita had the same idea, because there was NO parking and the entrance line must have been 30-60 minutes long. Change of plans, boys.
So we headed next door to the park and had a blast hiking, climbing, and exploring the beauty of Mother Nature.
Later in the afternoon the big boys got together outside with the neighbor boys and it was a scene from a coming-of-age movie. Do you remember "Stand By Me" and "The Sandlot"? Well, the days that boys could freely roam the neighborhood are long past, but still they find fun in the most, um, unusual of places. We have a big field behind our house where the boys run, dig, and trudge through the mud after it rains. They enjoy finding long sticks (which is not easy in a relatively new neighborhood) and playing "swords" in the backyard. And on this particular afternoon, they discovered a mousetrap in the garage. I'm not incredibly excited about their choice of activities, but I have learned you just have to pick your battles. Afterall, they were cooped up inside all week, and had reached their limit of Lego building and TV watching. So I kept a close eye as they proceeded to set, then set off, a yet unused mousetrap. It must have kept them in one place, full of giggles, and out of more serious trouble for well over an hour! I figured all was well enough when I called them in and made sure they scrubbed up well before dinner. The boys were famished, and so eager to dig into their plate of spaghetti and meatballs that they hardly noticed I had opted for a healthier, whole wheat variety of pasta. In fact, Joseph simply squealed with delight as I served up his dish, "Yum, tonight we're having CINNAMON spaghetti!"
Friday began even more beautiful, and by afternoon we were playing outside in short sleeves and bare feet. But in literally a matter of thirty minutes, the wind changed and the temperature plummeted. Four hours later it began to rain, and the next day Spring welcomed us with three inches of snow! So that day we were again inside, but this time we simply had to draw the line when it came to the boys' creative ideas. Steve and I were in the living room that afternoon preparing for an RCIA presentation we were to give at church the next day. The boys were in the kitchen helping themselves to a little snack, when suddenly we heard a frantic huffing and puffing coming from their direction. I looked up to see several flames, David screaming "Blow it out! Blow it out!", and Steve rushing in to stamp out a small fire. And hopefully now Joseph knows... that's what happens when you put a napkin in the toaster.
So this week we are settled back into a more normal routine, I'm home with my babies, and thinking towards summer. How will I do it? How will we keep busy and stay entertained? How will we avoid the meltdowns? How will I inspire the boys to keep the house uncluttered? How will we keep the house from burning down and the washer from overload? Well, at least I have a few weeks to plan...
I'm ashamed to admit it, but I am SO NOT looking forward to summer break! Not a likely confession from the writer of a blog entitled "Five Little Blessings," is it? But it's true... I love my children immensely, but spending ALL DAY with them all together for days on end wears me down. (I could never be a home schooler.) I just can't seem to keep them occupied and out of trouble and stay on top of the housework, too. I feel completely overwhelmed and guilty of neglecting either them, the house, or my husband. It seems I just don't have enough arms or hours in the day to stay on top of things. So I was delighted to send them back to school on Monday. (Phew... I'm glad I got that off my chest.)
That being said, we tried awfully hard to balance work and fun during spring break. It was not easy, because the weather was not cooperative on most days. Finally on Thursday, the sun broke out from behind the clouds. I plunked down $90 to renew our zoo pass online and set out with the five boys for the Sedgwick County Zoo. As it turns out, every other spring breaker in Wichita had the same idea, because there was NO parking and the entrance line must have been 30-60 minutes long. Change of plans, boys.
So we headed next door to the park and had a blast hiking, climbing, and exploring the beauty of Mother Nature.
Later in the afternoon the big boys got together outside with the neighbor boys and it was a scene from a coming-of-age movie. Do you remember "Stand By Me" and "The Sandlot"? Well, the days that boys could freely roam the neighborhood are long past, but still they find fun in the most, um, unusual of places. We have a big field behind our house where the boys run, dig, and trudge through the mud after it rains. They enjoy finding long sticks (which is not easy in a relatively new neighborhood) and playing "swords" in the backyard. And on this particular afternoon, they discovered a mousetrap in the garage. I'm not incredibly excited about their choice of activities, but I have learned you just have to pick your battles. Afterall, they were cooped up inside all week, and had reached their limit of Lego building and TV watching. So I kept a close eye as they proceeded to set, then set off, a yet unused mousetrap. It must have kept them in one place, full of giggles, and out of more serious trouble for well over an hour! I figured all was well enough when I called them in and made sure they scrubbed up well before dinner. The boys were famished, and so eager to dig into their plate of spaghetti and meatballs that they hardly noticed I had opted for a healthier, whole wheat variety of pasta. In fact, Joseph simply squealed with delight as I served up his dish, "Yum, tonight we're having CINNAMON spaghetti!"
Friday began even more beautiful, and by afternoon we were playing outside in short sleeves and bare feet. But in literally a matter of thirty minutes, the wind changed and the temperature plummeted. Four hours later it began to rain, and the next day Spring welcomed us with three inches of snow! So that day we were again inside, but this time we simply had to draw the line when it came to the boys' creative ideas. Steve and I were in the living room that afternoon preparing for an RCIA presentation we were to give at church the next day. The boys were in the kitchen helping themselves to a little snack, when suddenly we heard a frantic huffing and puffing coming from their direction. I looked up to see several flames, David screaming "Blow it out! Blow it out!", and Steve rushing in to stamp out a small fire. And hopefully now Joseph knows... that's what happens when you put a napkin in the toaster.
So this week we are settled back into a more normal routine, I'm home with my babies, and thinking towards summer. How will I do it? How will we keep busy and stay entertained? How will we avoid the meltdowns? How will I inspire the boys to keep the house uncluttered? How will we keep the house from burning down and the washer from overload? Well, at least I have a few weeks to plan...
Bless you Michelle! (and Steve!) God must trust you A LOT, for as my favorite Mother Teresa quote goes "I know God won't give me anything I can't handle, I just wish he didn't trust me so much." Enjoy this brief respite before summer break, and good luck once it gets here!
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