skiiing!

Well we finally did it, laid down our kings ransom to get the kids up on ski's. There was varying levels of success and I am limitlessly proud of each kid for giving it their all!

It was a beautiful day, even warm, and when it wasn't torturous it was down right fun. The torture came in the form of getting skis, putting on boots skis, taking them off 20 minutes later, getting an endless supply of dry, fresh gloves, drinks and snack! The enjoyment came watching the kids take their first stab at skiing.

Matthew and Chris somberly waited in line for the skis, after a brief and trying lesson from Steve, Matthew looks at me and says "I'm going". He went, with no help not even a heartbeat later he is off, I call to Steve he can't believe it and rushes down after him. He made it fine and continues to do just that for a few runs, with a couple of glitches.

Chris quickly hands his skis off to Mikey. Chris did well, but it was just not for him this trip. Mikey was happy, if not a bit unwieldy, just freestyling it down the hill while holding onto his Dad's hand.

We did manage to lose Matt as he made his way up the hill on his own. After 10 minutes I am heading to find an authority, I check on the three I had to leave alone to do this, and who is there but Matthew and some kind looking woman. I will let you know that I didn't cry. He had gotten off track, and an instructor said to him "are you in here?" smart Matt replies "no, I am lost." and they got him to the right person to help him! That was more heart-racing then a black diamond!

The new year is no starting out on the best of notes. The economy is in the gutter , Russ and I ditched the run the sugar cake top that I ordered did not arrive on time for the birthday party and then pink eye canceled the party outright.

One bright spot was the dance recital. Despite the fact that no one could make it but Nonni, Nonno and the reluctant twins (though they were cheered by the cupcakes offered at the reception). Mikie was not even supposed to dance, his a drop out of the program, but somehow became once again enthusiastic about the program insisted he dance in the recital. It was all really strange thank goodness the teacher was sympathetic to Mikie's lack of comprehension of registration requirements and payment requirements and allowed him to dance.

Cara is stunning in her black shimmering outfit. She doesn't seem to understand at all why she is there or what the moves are, every time she did the dance it appeared to be the first time she ever heard about it.

Mikie is all confident nonchalance, expertly hitting each move, though he has only attended one practice. When he comes out for his curtain call he is holding a bagel in one hand, seemingly neutral at being back on stage, upon spotting me, he gives a closed mouth smile, a raise of the eyebrows and a quick low wave. Putting out a vibe of "hey, nice of you to come, good to see you, I'm looking great, no?"

Mark was home with his goopy eye and his dad. He didn't even get dressed that day. Mark likes to stay in his PJ's all day. This is because he doesn't like to leave the house. everything he needs and all the people he loves are either in his house or will come soon to see him. The world outside is no place for a 4 year old as far as he can tell. Once he told us that he can't go out with us after dark, because of the dinosaurs, foxes and crocodiles. He's the kind of kid that five minutes after you arrive he is saying "can we go home now?"

Ahhh 4 years since my triple miracle. And a miracle they were! It has flown by, well okay not the first 5 months....but after that! Happy Birthday Cara so, so Mikie and handro!

Deck the Halls or just Deck Santa

So we have decked the halls in no small way. We have even baked those damn sugar cookies and let the 5 kids have at them with 4 different colored icings, chocolate chips, jelly beans and sprinkles. We took a harrowing trip to the city to freeze our petunias off and get our annual Christmas shot, as well as open the advent calendar doors everyday. Yet my kids who seem to be full of festive frenzy seem to go back and forth between complete obliviousness as to what the fuss is about and a remarkable terrible attitude toward the holiday.

Me "Cara what are we doing today"
Cara 'cleaning" as I pan a living room full of boxes, and a floor full of ribbons, and garland.
Me "no. What are we getting ready for?"
Cara " Halloween!!!"
Let me try a different kid. "Mikey who is coming to our house?"
Mikey " Bethanie?"
Me "mo."
Mikey "ohh Sara and her friends!"
Me to myself yes that is why we are decking the damn halls for your cousin!

Me " Mark is Santa coming to our house soon"
Mark " I don't like Santa I will punch him in the face!"
Me "but he will bring you presents!"
Mark " I don't want presents"
Mikey " I want seaweed"
Chris " there is no Santa it is your mom and dad Ha ha ha ha haha!"
Matthew " I am getting a lump of coal right mom?"

Oh my.

We Made it!

Yes we made it. And Chris walked up to the podium. He stepped up onto the stool provided for him. With a strong voice he read the words, certainly the youngest reader chosen. His voice filled that church and the woman next to me said 'oh that boy is so cute!" and I said "he is my son!"
A Great night!

Oh tanembaum

"So did they tell you anything about the tree lighting ceremony at choir practice yesterday?"
"no." Two innocent and exhausted faces answer back.
"nothing?"
A non-committal shrug.
However this morning was a new story. "we can't wear jeans, only red or grean colors, we have to be there at 5Pm or 7 or something. We are going to be marching with candles and lighting a big tree outside" As they run around happy to be a part of anything Christmas related at this point.
"oh yea I remember something about marching with candles on Hillside Ave" Steve very unhelpfully puts in.
You remember something, isn't this your religion? Your boyhood church? How come I am the one running in circles to get all of the kids prepared and on time?
Okay, so I have 6 clients to see today, and work issues to work out. But all of my kids will be there dressed in red or green at 5 or 7PM and we will rock that Church ceremony tonight!

4 days off!

The day after thanksgiving, we were actually thanked with kids that slept until 7:09AM.,wow. I guess the festivities on thanksgiving worn them out. They certainly did me and my MIL and SIL did all the work! Thanks to them, should they read this.

The thing about the early wake up is that as Rush would put it the kids all "get on with the friction of the day" without preamble. We are emoting, competing, eating, playing and endlessly competing from the go. No coffee or sun salutations to get rolling just GO!

There are the days when wake up time is pushed back to 6AM and I go down all serious, and tell the babies, back to bed. And off they go, giggles into bed, where they wait patently for 3 minutes and then begin the chatter. On the plus side it usually takes them 15 minutes to get up the nerve to broach the living room again.

Intelligently enough we pile them in the car and take them to black Friday. Yes. shopping at the mall. They astound everyone, by there sheer number. I was overtaken by the urge to by Cara every piece of clothing I could find. Oh the sales, oh the cute clothes for Cara. How I was so done with her old stuff. The odd thing is that it made me as happy to buy her this stuff then if I had shopped for myself. Between me and Nonni this girl is fly. Do they still say that? fly? I will have to ask the cool people who are still willing to acknowledge me or feel compelled to due to blood relationships and all.

We ate in the food court we visited the bathrooms 4 times, beating any pregnancy records. This is when I miss diapers.

Now the kids sit decked out in beautiful new Pj's and slippers, new haircuts for the younger boys and let's face it they look fabulous. Cara made out with 2 Christams dresses. The boys also got something to wear on Christmas, I mean after all if they were naked they would probably steal the show from Cara.

Funny days.

It is 9:30 in the morning and we have already baked a batch of cookies! And these aren't any old cookies they are apple oatmeal cookies, why is that so hot? Because they are healthy and the kids ATE THEM! Full of fiber and vitamins oh what a day, what a day.
What made us laugh this week?
Mikey coming up to me crying "my feelings are hurt."
"who hurt them?" I ask, all motherly concern.
"I did." He replies solemnly.
"baby you hurt your own feelings?"
"yeah" he says tears still glistening in his eyes.
We need to speak to him about that negative self-talk, it is not okay! But still who will be going to time-out?
"what is sexy?" I hear Matthew ask from the back of the car. I dutifully ignore him, like the modern, enlightened parent I am.
Chris says "it means like fashion."
"no I think it means cool" Matthew responds
"I think it means fashion and cool" Chris replies
Finally I jump in with " why do you ask about the word sexy?"
'because that is what Sophie called me." Chris said.
"oh when you ran out of the bathroom after your shower?"
"yeah."

Observing Chris in Yoga...yes Chris takes yoga and will be taking Chess come December, he is so cool and confident!
Teacher "what did you do yesterday Chris?"
'we went to the fancy restaurant with all of my babies. We saw my sister, cousin, I mean.....Bethanie and Pete there. We ate pizza and had Ice cream. Bethanie has a boyfriend. She doesn't kiss him, or I never saw her kiss him."
The teacher has long lost interest! I love hearing their interpretations of the family events!