The weekend

Wow, I am impressed with myself posting twice in one week. I just have the greatest pictures from the weekend and wanted to share them. We had a busy weekend, kicked off with me taking the 5 kiddos to my friends house for a dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches. She also had another friend there and the 9 kids had a great time playing together.

Then on Saturday I dragged the kids over to the Queens Zoo. Even throwing nap overbaoud to enjoy a beautiful day in the sun. They were having the annual sheep shearing with concerts and crafts to go with it. Unfortuantely I was on my own wit the kids which is a little nerve racking. We did good though. The kids enjoyed the concert and feeding the goats.

The next day we hit the Hall of Science. They have great displays and with Chris our budding scientist it was a big hit. I think the kids liked all of the trips and in fact Matthew has pormised me a neckless, two bracelets, and a car for Mother's day. While Chris promised me hugs and kisses the whole day. It looks to be the best emotional and materialistic day of my life.

Where are you going?

Every day my life changes. An expected behavior or a hand needed with a task can change without notice. The kids find their indempendence and refuse to relinquish it, no matter that it takes no less than 8 minutes for the boys to flip their coats on and zip them up, they do not want any help thank you very much. The triplets refuse to be treated like babies, their ice cream should be in cones not cups! Who do I think they are?

Today I registered Matthew and Christopher for kindergarten and I feel the bottom slipping our from underneath me, the sentimental fool that I am. I am on the verge of tears, despite the fact that the way things are, the constant running and play dates has me on the brink of exhaustion, I do not want to let them go.

I brought the fab five to a playground, playdate of the boys. We saw sky writing and Matthew thought God was writing us a letter. Chrisopher tells me that after Ami goes to meet Jesus he is going to get a new dog, if it is really big he will name it Jupiter, if it is kinda big he will name it Uranus ( It think I will have to put the kabash on that choice!) How can I let these conversations go? I know I should be relieved that they will be off having a great time and learning, but these little talks are priceless.

I guess it will allow me more time to have these types of engaging conversations with Cara, Mark and Mikie. They have already begun chatting away about life with us and their views will only be getting clearer as the months roll by. At Myrtle Beach, Mikie took a pretty big spill and Steve was comforting him, while Cara screamed "daddy, daddy, daddy..." Finally he said "CARA WHAT IS IT!" in the sweetest smallest voice she said "he fell." Steve after a beat said "Thanks, captain obvious."

There are days when I want to run far, far away to a quiet corner with a tall cafe latte, and read and read all day long with out a care. Then there are times when I wish I could lock us all in a beautiful, sunny room where the world could never find us.

So please don't go yet little ones, you mommy is not ready. Please stay by her side and give her your sunny smiles and your tears of heartache, don't reach out to the big bad world, I am too worried that my hugs woln't be able to heal what it brings your way. I am too afraid that the world will tell you that you shouldn't need my hugs anymore.

But you are too fast, too strong, too young and the world is so shiny and new as tempting as a treasure chest. So off you go..and i'll plant a smile on my face and wave..but if you stumble and fall, I will be at your side before you touch the ground just like my mother did for me.

Myrtle Beach

I decided to also put the "monatage" here in case anyone who would like to see it and did not get a chance. We had a great trip, though the actual traveling was pretty miserable.

The kids had a blast, and for a week when we said our good night prayers Matthew and Christopher both thanked God for Myrtle Beach and for the sho and tell (hotel) that we stayed in on the way there and back. (I thanked God that we we didn't see any bugs at the sho and tell).

They keep asking if we can go back to the beach now. I know if the triplets could they would probably be asking to go back also! It is a great time where the cousins really get some great time together and with their grandpatents, something that is often really hard to pull off.

So here is to all of the adults that make it happen. Mostly to the grandparents for there generous contribution of footing the bill for the house! And because they bring 3 very important cousins with them. Thank you.

Also to Uncle Russ, Aunt Sue, Uncle Steve (Ramiche), Aunt Cheryl,and my husband for taking time from a hectic life, to pack, plan, and drag sometimes seemingly ungrateful yungin's all the way to the the beach! And if at times the effort seems not worth the results, take another quick look at this montage and remember all of those smiles and family memories that our children experience are a direct result of our efforts.
Click on the picture below to see the "video".


Myrtle Beach 2007

And they say we have no table manners!

"Wow that resturaunt was great!" exlaims Chris. "there were people and it was open!" Our standards are not that of the NY Times resturaunt review critic, but we are a cheerier bunch. So the fact that there seems to be bad weather lying ahead for us in Myrtle beach, I fear not, because our house will have people and it will be open so how far off can we be?

Here is my first attempt at a montage!

Make photo slide shows at onetruemedia.com

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Well it is that time of the year, a serious and somber time when the women give up dessert and the men cut back on beer. No it isn't just lent that spurs us on to a more spartan lifestyle, but preparation for the most esteemed and worthy event. That is right the Kissingers, Bo's and Ramiche's will once again grace the shores of Myrtle Beach SC.

Thoughts turn to surf,sand,and blender drinks. And since Sue must leave us a bit early this trip, maybe even a little Jimmy Buffet. This has been a family tradition for at least 40 years. Though in the past 15 the digs have been getting much nicer and the crowd has swelled to no less then 22. With the under five set accounting for 7 and the so-called adults coming in at 8, this leave only 8 more to give the group some beach cred.(rapper slang for cool). This is a tall order when you consider that our most senior member and sponsor of the trip spent an afternoon last year trying to egg on an ape to fight him. What was that apes name? I will buy anyone a beer who can recall that Ape's name ( if you are under 21 I will buy and drink the beer for you because I am a good and caring aunt).

Besides that highlight from last years trip we had the most memorable monster find by one of my very own, Matthew. First his father tried to feed his foot to the monster then his daring cousin, Sara picked the poor creature up by its tail and threw it in the water. The poor monster then had to crawl back up out of the water probably in search of its monster babies.

Easter egg dyeing was impressive and judges were all easily paid off in cheap vodka, I didn't see the deal go down but I have my suspicions.

No one from our large group felt compelled to be saved at the evangelistic church, Maybe if they had asked closer to the end of the week, we would have been a little more in the mood for some redemption.

What will this trip hold? What adventures and memories lay in wait? Sunburns and jelly fish stings, or deep tans and new swimming records? So let's pack up those swim suits and madras tops, dig out the shovels and pails, Myrtle Beach is calling and soon we will cut out of work or school and answer her with a "last one in is a rotten egg!".

Our Trip to Our Grandparents House!

The boys have been over the moon with excitement. Grandpa called and said he was coming to get them and bring them up to the Disney world of grandparent houses. If we could have harnessed the excitement and energy Matthew displayed for the 2 days he waited to leave we could power an entire 3rd world nation.

The boys left on Thursday morning, the triplets and I met them up there on Friday afternoon. Our first order of business was swimming. In my parents development there is an indoor pool. This is a highlight for the under 5 set. They love to swim. And I adore getting all five in and out of their bathing suits. It only takes about an hour to get everyone ready to go. It is the re-dressing in the ladies locker that is a little stressful. I am thrown the occasional dirty look as bringing in 4 boys to the ladies room is frowned upon despite their tender ages..they are all exhibitionist and the minute they are free of there suits they can't wait to show the ladies what they got.

However bathing suits don't hold a candle to 5 snow suits, 5 pairs of boots, 5 little hats and 5 little gloves, all necessary for what turns out to be 15 minutes of sled ridding.

Mark has been adding to the nerve shattering preparations for each event by howling all weekend and insisting on being in my arms, not just in my arms but in my arms while I stand. Sitting is not an option. When he does decide to go for a walk, his pants fall down. That's right about 10 different times his pants fell down or all the way off. When I try to change his pants the intensity of his screaming escalates, so grandma and I dutifully keep putting the pants back on.

The day of sled ridding and swimming were capped off with s'more making. As soon as grandpa put the makings on the table to put out a marshmallow fire the chocolate for that s'more was stolen! The evidence was quickly consumes so we were unable to bring any charges. My money is on Cara however.

I don't think any of the kids could have had a better time. My parents and me couldn't keep our eyes open for more than an hour after we got them down. The sleep of the truly weary his heaven sent!