Sunday, July 30, 2006

Tales from the Nomad

Tales from the Nomad

An article on whether birth order determines success! Have a read, it is quite interesting!

I am first born!

full of life: Large Family Comments

full of life: Large Family Comments

Funny! I get all of the same comments with our 5 kids!

cathy-with-a-C

cathy-with-a-C

This is C for Cool! I found another blogger that is a Cathy with a C! very Cool!

She is having a baby in November! Good luck Cathy!

Pop Can Heels! Pool Towel Outfits!

I was watching TV yesterday, and it was an old Kids in the Hall show, on the show one of the guys was parading around in pop can heels and towel outfits!!

It made me remember back to my childhood summers! Did you ever make pop can heels/shoes? In case you cannot remember doing that, you take a pop can put it on its side, step your heel into the middle, the pop can squishes and forms around your feet to make "heels" and then you walk around and dance around with them on!

I loved that, and I remember making dresses and ballgowns out of towels! What fun!

Childhood was so fun! Imagine having the time to think things up like that, and using all of that imagination!

What type of Robot are You?

Cybernetic Artificial Technician Hardwired for Yelling

Not quite ready for the Bumbo seat...



Here is Caroline, in the Bumbo seat given to her by her Nannie and Papa. She is not quite ready for it, but I bet in a couple ofweeks! She will.

I like this photo of Caroline with her Daddy!

We cannot get her big huge smile on camera yet!! We keep on trying!

Rolling, Rolling Rolling Caroline is Rolling!



Caroline is rolling already. She will be 3 months old on August 2nd.

She is rolling "the harder" roll. Going from back to tummy. From right to left side! Wowee! She is getting bigger!

Tinkerbell's Bed




Claire has a little plastic Tinkerbell, and she made a bed for her out of an empty peanut shell and some grass. Check it out. Oh, to be 5 1/2 again! What fun!

Saturday, July 29, 2006

I miss you Cynthia!

I know you are leaving on the ferry in a few hours, and I already miss you. I have enjoyed all of our scheming, dreaming and phonecalls over the past week.

I look forward to your return.

Have a safe trip, and see you on the long weekend. Kisses to Ben too.

Cathy

MurrayvilleMom's Mom!



This is a more recent photo of my Mom and Caroline together. See those hands, those are hard working hands that held and cared for me and my sisters. I love this photo of them together. Makes me think about all of the love my Mom gave to us (and Dad too!) Thanks for all of that love. I know how hard you worked! I really appreciate everthing you have done in the past and even now!

Cathy

Tea for Two (and a bit)

I just came back from a wonderful night with my cousin. Her hubby works late on Friday nights, so I go for TEA For TWO some Friday nights. We get to drink tea, eat a sweet treat (tonight was a yummy tea ring!) We laugh, we talk, and talk and laugh. It is so nice to have that relationship with my cousin. She, and her sister Erika truly feel like they could be my sisters.

I always find it so nice to be able to do that, catch up and have a good laugh. We have so many parallels in our life, and it is comforting to know we are not alone in our daily struggles. She has a wonderful little boy Matthew who was born weeks after Catie. He is a real smarty and so sweet! Did I tell you my cousin birthed over a 10 lb baby!! I was so proud of her, and continue to be proud of her. She is awesome.

Anyways, Andea. Thanks for the wonderful night. I look forward to doing it again sometime. I know Caroline had a good visit too. Thank you for having us both over.

Love you,

Cathy xo

Murrayville Mom's Mom

Murrayville Mom's Mom

Attention Murrayville Mom Readers:

My Mom, is Murrayville Mom's Mom. My wonderful MOM is in the building!

Murrayville Mom has a Mom with a Murrayville Mom's Mom Blog! Did you get that!

Make sure you all say hi to my Mom and make her feel welcome!!

I just love her so...and I am sure she will tell some wonderful (and maybe embarrasing tales of my childhood!)

Welcome to Bloggerland Mom! I found you...ha!

Love,

Cathy the Original Number 1 aka MurrayvilleMom
xoxo

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Uh UH UH No

I was having a conversation with my friend Cynthia, and I was having a snicker and so was she because Ben (now crawling) crawls away and gets into everything. She was like No Ben, Uh UH UH.

And at the same time, the same thing was happening to me, except all 4 were into the baby toys! And I just stopped in the conversation and screamed....AHHHHH I have lost all CONTROL! lol.

It is definately hard to get a full conversation when you have kids. Whether it be one, or five or 10! I imagine this happens in every family!

I have been working on "no interruptions" when Mommy is on the phone for really, many years now, and I still don't get that respect. Will I ever??

Uh Uh NO!! Cathy.

You will not lol.

Uncontrollable Curiosity

Uncontrollable Curiosity

My friend Carol has started a blog! (and fellow Murrayville Mom) She has 3 wonderful adorable kids. I boy and twin girls. I have a link here, and I have added her to my links too! Welcome to Bloggerland Carol!

Cathy

Thursday

I cannot believe how fast this week is flying by. I have two kids who are getting colds, summer colds. Go figure. So who will get it next that is the question. Undoubtedly I will be one of them, it is just a matter of time.

Last night we took the 5 to the park. They had so much fun, and yesterday they made "forts" under the table and chairs using EVERY blanket in the house (or FWANKET as Carly says in her accent lol.) We had a good day yesterday. Today, it is not as hot and I am thankful for that. Today we don't really have any plans, but I have lots of phonecalls and stuff to do today. Book appointments and those sorts of things to do. As my cousin Andrea experienced this mornimg...my kids get loud AS SOON AS I PICK UP THAT PHONE...jeesh. That bugs me, and it is embarrasing lol. Oh well...Sorry cuz!

As for plans for the weekend, not much on the calendar except the usual cleaning, and hopefully get out for a picnic again. We have a good time when we do that.

I have many events and such to plan for the coming months as August is birthday we have Cameron turning 7 on August 3rd, Carly turning 4 on August 19th and then Catie turns 2 on September 9th. This year I am throwing a BBB or a triple B or Big Birthday Bash for the 3 of them. I am hoping to make it an annual event on the September long weekend.

I also have to start preparing for back to school for Cameron going into Grade 2. Have to get his supplies, and then I need to get back to school clothing and of course Claire starts Kindergarten, and Carly heads back to preschool for her last year before she goes to Kindergarten, and the year Carly goes to Kindergarten, Catie will head to preschool! Wow. Got all of that!? lol. Busy days ahead.

I am also in the works planning a baptism for Caroline on September 24. And we cannot forget Cliff's birthday on Sept 8th (yes the day before Catie's) and then of course my 35th coming soon in October. So, lots to do. And of course, throw into the mix becoming an AUNTY sometime in October. That is very exciting!!! Yippee.

Gotta go.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Come out, Come out...

I know you are out there, all of you lurkers! I see you, and I wish you would come in and say hi!

I truly hope you are enjoying my blog, please let me know. I am contemplating whether or not to continue.

So, if you want me to continue...please let me know by commenting! You are my contact to the "adult" world.

Cheers,

Cathy

Monday, July 24, 2006

Bee Sting 2 of the Season

Carly was just stung by a bee on her hand, thank goodness for first aid kits! She is fine, she cried for a moment, took the swab pad on the sting and went back down to play. She is a trooper that kid!

Still a Hot One

Today has been pretty good, even with the heat. We have had a few troubles over the weekend. Claire got her first bee sting on her leg. Thank goodness for First Aid Kits. She is OK, and thankfully she doesn't appear allergic.

Today, we have had poop issues in our home. Too much poop. On the weekend, Catie was without her diaper and pooped on the deck...bright green poop. Must be all of those blues. And, today we are still having troubles with Carly. Poop in the panties, poop on the bathroom floor, in the clothes. Gets a little tiring and frustrating after awhile. I am hoping that by Kindergarten that will end. She just gets to tired/too pre-occupied and forgets to go. Frustrating tho.

Cameron, he is good. He is getting so tall. I was clipping his groddy toenails and fingernails and realized just how big his feet are now! I remember clipping his baby toenails almost 7 years ago with one clip, now takes 3 good clips across. Crazy. His birthday is right around the corner.

Claire, she went out for greek food to a birthday party for a great grandparent she doesn't even really know. (Cliff's Dad's Mom)Grandma turned something like 90+. Claire got all cleaned up, hair tidy, and ate a tonne of calamari. She had a good time, and got home around 10 pm last night. I am happy to hear that she was very well behaved. Our little Claire is heading to Kindergarten in September. She cannot WAIT!

Carly, she is very active our Carly. She loves to give big hugs. Lately she has shown interest in playing in the backyard, and sometimes prefers to stay quiet and away from everybody. She has some sort of accent when she talks, and the other kids imitate her. Almost like she is Italian or something. She loves to talk, and we love her big brown eyes.

Catie, she is so funny. She constantly amuses us lately. She has been using real plates, cutlery and drinking cups for dinner. She really wants to be like the "big kids"and is constantly at the water cooler filling up containers, and now thinks it is really funny to remove her diaper. (thus the poop on the deck)

Caroline, well, she is almost 3 months old, and is sleeping in her crib and sleeping right through the night. She has been doing this for well over a month. She is a great little girl. She has the biggest toothless grins that I could ever imagine. She makes me so happy when she responds to me. Makes all of those sleepless nights of the past worthwhile. She has found her hand too. And, I report that her neck gets that mungy smell (yuck) as she has such chubby neck rolls, and that skin doesn't see daylight lol. Next month a trip to BC Children's Hospital to check on her kidney via ultrasound and ped. Urologist.

There, a bit of an update.

Caroline needs me.

Cathy

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Heat Wave

We are suffering from the heat. I love the heat, but I would rather be in Hawaii, and on the beach. And, aircon in the hotel room. I am not going to complain though, as the day is bright and beautiful and sunny. So much better than darkness and the rain.

At bedtime I have resorted to giving the kids a wet, frozen rolled up wash cloth, and putting them to bed later. Closer to 9 pm. It has been working. They sleep in gonch, and nothing else on top of their blankets. And have the fans going in their room.

Thank goodness for the sprinkler too! They have been loving that.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Another good day

Today the kids had VBS again this morning. And, I enjoyed my day today. It had a lot of fun with all of the kids.

I especially enjoyed watching the 3 older kids walk their "4th" Catie hand in hand. All 4 of them to the church. It was very sweet. And I got a very nice greeting from the Pastor there who claimed I looked too young to be Mom to my 5. That put a smile on my face. Considering I will be 35 come October.

We played a Disney version of Yahtzee today, and we had fun trying to play together. Cameron and I ended up being the last two to play. We tied.

Today Cameron said he would like to become a Pastor of the church "they moved." I said I would be very proud to call you Pastor Cameron. You would do an amazing job at whatever you choose to do.

Everybody had a good day, even with all of this heat. Tonight we will have sushi as a treat. We have worked hard these past two days.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

I laughed at this...

Oh my GOSH! TAKE AWAY THE PENS / CRAYONS / PENCILS / MARKERS / PAINT / LIPSTICK / EYELINER / MASCARA… and panty liners!
xo

This was an email from my cousin Andrea. And truthfully, all of these TOOLS have been used in the past (and not for their intended uses)

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

What is Love?

I was feeding Caroline on the couch this morning, and I hear the kids talking on the deck. Carly says I am bleeding. Hmm. She didn't look or sound like she hurt herself, and she didn't come towards me. So I left it until I finished up my feed. I put Caroline down. I go out on the deck. Nobody is bleeding. But "somebody" that would be "not me" "she did it" he did it" (you know my other kids that live here did it lol) they had coloured with red felt on the siding of the house, and somebody wrote M o m m Y on the siding (hhhhm who can write in our family? Cameron) in blue crayon. I talked to the kids about where felts and crayons belong. I seriously have no clue where the colouring supplies came from. Perhaps in the rain gutter? I will have to do another look! Anyways. I gave Claire a wet cloth to remove the felt from the siding and their table. And I gave Cameron the Magic Eraser to clean off the siding. Thankfully everything came clean.

Love is when one of your kids writes Mommy in blue crayon on the siding of your house.

Monday, July 17, 2006

2 Favourite Mom Moments - Today

This morning I had 2 wonderful Mom moments that I want to share.

1. We were all ready to head out the door, but we had the TV on and I was feeding Caroline. I had all 5 of my kids touching me. It was really neat. As I said, Caroline was attached and feeding, Catie, was sitting on my legs near my ankles, and resting her head on the nursing pillow. Carly was at my feet, Cameron was on my left, touching my whole left side, and Claire was leaning into my right side.

At that moment, life couldn't get any better. It was priceless. And I really felt awesome knowing those were all a part of Cliff and I. Our family!

2. Today the kids started at VBS. We got there early (I pride myself on being early and on time even with 5 kids) and I have a system for getting the kids out of our van. I had Cameron out first, then I opened the seat and had Claire and Carly out. Then I asked the older kids to hold onto Catie's hands and walk her towards the door. I said I was coming right behind them, I was just going around to the other side of the van to get Caroline out (she was in her infant seat) and I closed the van door. I caught up to my other kids. And, for that moment I thought. Wow. Look at those well behaved kids helping their sis. It was truly a beautiful sight. And I felt SO PROUD to be their Momma. The sun was shining down on them, and me. And they were all clean and cute. Wow.
A great morning.

Caroline and Daddy

Catie getting all Cleaned Up!



Pirate face Catie is at it again!

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Busy Weekend

I have been too busy to post this weekend. Look at the time, almost 10:30 pm and still more to do. We had a successful garage sale on Saturday. We made 70 dollars from "junk" around our garage and stuff we found during the flood. We had a lot of sunshine, the back steps are about a week away from being finished. The kids had a good weekend. We had Aunty Naida's yummy lasagne for dinner tonight. We ran errands. All in all good. The girls did not want to go to bed tonight. Those little monkeys took about an hour to go to bed tonight. It was warm in their room. There was a lot of crying. Thankfully everybody is in bed, except Caroline, Cliff and me. Hopefully she will sleep soon.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Whole Body Baby Smile

I just love this stage of having a baby. It is the FULL WHOLE BODY SMILE. Caroline looks at me, and she smiles at me.

Her whole body smiles...she get so excited.

She lights up with excitement.

I just love that. I forgot how sweet that is!

I love being a Mom!

Friday, July 14, 2006

It is a new day (technically)

12 midnight.

I had an uneventful evening. That was good. Not much to report really. Caroline had a major feeding session from 7:oo - 8:30...and she went into her crib. I am sure she is down for the night. I was getting these great big grins from her tonight. It was so exciting to have that happy face smiling so lovingly at me. So nice. That made my day.

Well, I hear Catie crying out, need to go. Apparently I am not going to bed yet.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Fishy Cracker Frenzy

Wow. As if my day wasn't bad enough. It has gone from bad to worse. Like a bad horror flick. The kids asked for fishy cracker snack. I am like sure. That will be fine. I have Catie in bed, and the three olders eating fishies at the table. Caroline starts crying. Carly drops her fishy cracker bowl on the ground. I ask her to please clean them up. She cannot find the mini broom and dustpan. So she gets the full size one aka my cleaning tool out of the broom closet. Fine. I go I went our bedroom to FINALLY change Caroline out of her poopie diaper, as it leaked. I go wash her up. And get stuff ready so that I can sit down to feed her.

I come back into the kitchen to see that snack time has turned into lets crush up the crackers, and drop the plastic bowls on the floor and use the broom to shoot the bowls around the room. See what happens when I leave the room!

So, I ask them all to clean up the mess. I bring out the vacuum because seriously those fishies were everywhere. Cameron vacummed, and the girls "helped."

Wow. And to think it is only 11:23. Now Caroline needs another feed as she was "shortchanged" once again.

Why I Love Summer Vacation *NOT*

As I said to my Mom the other day...Whomever named this time off from school during the summer as "Summer Vacation" obviously didn't have kids. This week feels like a week in you know where. I am seriously in awe of teachers who can manage a classroom of students. My hats go off to you all!

I have been having a rough week. I think I have a few more grey hairs. I have had so much happening in the span of one week. I have really had a brutal week.

Now I have a toddler who wants to remove her diaper at every opportunity. She makes "work" projects for me all day long! For instance, this morning Catie removed her diaper for the 3rd time, and peed all over Cameron's bedding. So, off to the laundry I go. AGAIN. I have more than 4 loads to do. I thought I might "catch up" but no, I am falling behind. Cameron dragged the pee laundry down the hall, and now I have a pee trail to wipe off the floors.

And, I am trying to keep the kids occupied, and busy and having fun. But it is not working. We have a housefull of grumps. It really has not been pleasantville around here.

I had to take away outdoor activities for awhike because the kids keep getting into everything they should not, our back stairs are out of comission, and so they access the backyard through the downstairs (aka gp home). They get into EVERYTHING down there. I am up and down the stairs all day. Checking in, and cleaning messes. So, had to stop that. Carly yesterday emptied the WHOLE bottle of dish soap on the deck. It was very messy. So, when Cliff got home I took the kids downstairs to clean up their mess.

I had to take the tent down from the backyard, as they take buckets of cooler water and add rocks to it, inside the tent.

I cannot give my kids felts, because they marker up themselves, and their sibling. I mean I believe in learning about new things, and figuring out how the world works, but not EVERYTIME they colour.

I have tried bringing out fun toys and activities when Caroline and Catie are napping for the older 3, and still trouble. We have tried bubbles, those get dumped immediately.

We have tried a lot of different ideas. None which are working at this point.

I have tried bringing out the kids scissors, and they cut their hair.

I bring out combs and brushes to "play hair" and then Carly brings out my nail clipper and clips pieces of my hair off. Seriously.

Laugh if you will. Because I know you are. I laugh now, through my tears (just kidding) when I type all of this really unbelievable behaviour.

I bring out the nice books, and the kids use them to "ice skate".

I know they are doing the best that they can, and so am I.

It really sucks that it is raining out there...totally doesn't feel like summer. It feels like winter. I am just counting on those back stairs getting fixed. So we can USE the backyard again.

Did I tell you the kids had out 2 pairs of scissors this morning, chopping up all of my computer paper during my 5 min bathroom break?

Did I tell you they ripped flowers off of newly blooming/soon to be bloomed plants?!

I am very outnumbered with a 5 on 1 tackle. Yikes.

I am not asking for sympathy. I am simply venting.

If you are still reading, you are crazy lol!

Thankfully next week it is Vacation Bible School All week all morning!

How many weeks of summer left??

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Caroline is 10 Weeks Old Today!




Well, here is my even chubbier gal Caroline! Look at that Chin!

It seems she is growing SO fast these days. This one out of two sleepers that still fit. Today, after a blowout in her diaper. I had to give her a bath. And, put on a cute little Carter's nighty and her feet stick out the bottom. I need to dig out the bigger sleepers tomorrow! I hope her feet don't get cold tonight.

We bought size one diapers again (Pampers) and they are too tight. Looks like we are going to have to move to size twos already. Wow. I bet she is already 12 pounds!

You had a bad day...you had a bad day

Yes, I had a bad day. Yes, it was a bad, bad day. Nothing went right today, and the kids were acting out, and doing everything they shouldn't. It was one of those days where I am wondering WHY I had kids. Seriously though, I made it through. I was was just very frustrated at ALL of them. Well, not with Caroline. She is a breeze lol.

Today, hmm. I had to take our tent down tent down from in the backyard because they were bringing water containers and rocks into the tent. They brought out every book in the house and put in the pockets of the tent. The kids also coloured all over themselves (and Catie again) and I washed down all 4 older kids and even their feet. They all "painted" their toenails with felts. Hmmm. They dumped a whole bottle of dish soap out on the deck, the ate lots of bananas, took out potatoes, ummmm. What else. Fought, fought some more, screamed, yelled, kicked, punched and SO much crying. It was rediculous really. When Cliff got home, we got the kids to wash down the deck, and got them to clean the sliding door. To clean up SOME of the mess. lol. They had fun doing it, and really it wasn't that bad I guess. But, when you have 5 kids, and only one of yourself...some days are REALLY crazy busy and hard to manage. Today was that day. Most days are pretty darn good. Today. NOT.

I know there was more, but I am blocking parts out.

There were some good moments amongst the bad. I try to always search for the positive on these really bad days.

I watched the kids play CANDYLAND together, and play nicely. Claire used her manners a lot. The kids all had seconds for dinner. Cameron hugged me and kissed me when I was upset. Hmmm. Catie made me laugh, as I chased her to change her diaper. Caroline, well her precious little smile cheered me up. Carly, well she managed to stay in the same clothes ALLLL day. See, not so bad.

Am I glad they are in bed...sleeping soundly. That is a beautiful thing. Peaceful, sleeping Angels. Charging up for tomorrow's adventures. I am sure there will be more adventures!

Going to go rest up for tomorrow!

This doesn't feel like summer

I cannot believe what yuck weather we are having. It is almost middle of July for goodness sakes. I bet we are going to have a hot October. What is that called...and Indian Summer right. That is OK. I have somewhat of a milestone bday coming up in October. Maybe it will be sunny!

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Caroline in Ben's Chair!



I cannot get over how much Caroline looks like Cameron here! Wow. She LOVES Ben's chair.

Catie and her Chocolate Cookie Face



Cliff baked cookies today, and Catie really enjoyed them!

Revisiting Crash Test Mommy

I cannot believe it has been two years today since we filmed our episode for Crash Test Mommy in the first season on Life Network. I have been a busy Mom. With two more kids since that day! And a life that is changing and growing in the AMAZING ways. I sure had a great time on my "get away" but really I am glad to have what I have. And, I wouldn't change my life and do something else. Who really these days gets the opportunity to raise FIVE kids. Not many!

www.crashtestmommy.ca click on episodes...season one...Gilbert Gamboa

and a bit of my professional pregnancy belly photo shoot, and the kids photo shoot from this day at:

http://www.photosbykathryn.com/media/ (first in the media section)


Here is a synopsis of my episode from 2 years ago! It was a lot of fun!

Episode #1004

Single, carefree, ladies man Gil picks up the gauntlet and accepts our challenge to be our weekend “crash test mommy” to the three energetic young children of his longtime friends Cathy and Cliff in British Columbia. As Cathy, imminently expecting child #4, is limo’d away for a dream weekend of pedicures and foot massages, lessons in watercolour painting, and a photo session with a professional photographer, Gil embarks on his odyssey of parenting chores and challenges.

As if it’s not enough feeding three finicky little kids, doing the usual mountain of laundry and perpetually cleaning the tables, chairs, counters and toilets, our devilish Crash Test Mommy hosts Dagmar Midcap and Charlie Lubiniecki make Gil’s mommy experience even more difficult, surreptitiously emptying the cupboards of instant foods and snacks. Gil parries by feeding the kids a potpourri of tuna-cheese-ketchup tortillas and fresh salad smothered in corn syrup, all of which, to the amazement of mom - watching on the web cams - they eat. A barrage of emails from mom force Gil to juggle more & more tasks: dressing and grooming all three kids for a photo session, making Sunday breakfast pancakes from scratch, getting the kids to paint a mural for the new baby room, and more. But Charlie and Dagmar throw an eyeful of temptation and distractions in his way, planting a sunbathing beauty at the beach and arranging a surprise house call by the energetic B.C. Lions Cheerleading Squad.

Gil is overwhelmed, and the whole experience pushes him to the brink. Just in time, Mom comes home, having had, in her own words, “The coolest weekend of my life.” Frustrated and frazzled, Gil decides he prefers, for now at least, to continue to play the field rather than playing dad.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Cameron's Window Marker Art


Cameron's picture of a person...looks like he is sitting on the chair!

Stepping Stones




Nonna made stepping stones yesterday with the kids...here is Nonna and here is their finished product for the front garden. I think they did a marvelous job!

This is you Mommy


Claire made this an said this is you...

Catie in the Crock making a Pirate Face




Catie loves to sit in the crock, and then she makes these wonderful faces.

Here she is with "Pirate Face"












arrhhhhh Matie Catie!

Look at Caroline all Chubby at 2 months

Colourful Catie


Catie loves to colour...not really on the paper though. She loves to experiement, and then her sisters and brother experiment on her...look out Caroline...

From our Picnic Last Monday, July 3rd





We had an awesome day at the picnic with Aunty Amy and Uncle Tyler. And we even saw Nannie and Pappa for a bit too! The kids had a blast and so did we! Thanks for the lovely day together! ***NEW PHOTOS ADDED TODAY AT 2:30 pm. Thanks Aunty Amy! They are lovely.

It was fun!

Cathy





Saturday

Well, I went to bed at 1:30 a.m. And up at 7:00 a.m. with the kids. I didn't even hear Cliff leave to go to work this morning. I guess I was tired. I woke up to a lot of clanging about. Yes, my 4 older kids were into my bake wear, and Catie was getting the beaters out of my mixer. I got it all squared away though. I then Carly was getting a cloth to clean up her brother's spit off his floor. And when I say spit, I say several blobs on the floor. And Carly is doing his dirty work. I put him in a time out. I go get ready. I come back and ask Cameron what that is all about ie. the spitting. And this isn't the first time he has done this. He told me he had something stuck in his throat. Hmmmm. Likely story. So anyways I told him that was TOTALLY unacceptable behaviour, and that if it happens again. Because I am getting tired of this bad habit, I would take away his robot.

So, I will see if that happens. Claire helped me strip down their beds, and I started that laundry, and I know I will have atleast 3 more loads to do today. I also got my crockpot salsa shredded pork into the crockpot aka slow cooker for dinner tonight. The in-laws will be joining us. Got the dishwasher unloaded and loaded and put the stuff that was drying on the rack overnight away for todays dishes.

Kids are in the back yard playing. I have changed 3 diapers already this morn, and it is only 9:11 in the morning. The sun is shining, it looks like it is going to be a beautiful day out there! Don't forget the sunblock!

Friday, July 07, 2006

Friday already?!

Well, week one of Summer Vacation flew by. With really not too many problems. It has been really enjoyable most days. Some moments were not so great, but really I have a wonderful life with my awesome husband and my 5 wonderful kids. I have so much to be thankful for. I sure do count my blessings that is for sure.

Cliff is working tomorrow...and I just found out yesterday in the evening. Thanks for the short notice. We had been planning on doing another garage sale. Now we are bumping to Sunday. We have lots of kids stuff, and home stuff that we do not use any more! As you know I love to purge. And make a bit of $$ for fun.

I started working on making the c a r o l i n e letters for the wall yesterday. So far so good. I have been taking pictures to document my experiement. Hopefully all goes well, and I will have made hanging wall letters for her for very cheap. I used playdough for the mold, and plaster of paris for the letters. They are currently drying WAY UP HIGH in our room to keep them away from the kids. I need to glue together the n as it snapped. But so far so good. I will keep you posted. Those letters are about 10 a letter...so I am hopefully saving 80 dollars! Yippee. I would have been easier to buy them, but they have been discontinued...so I would have to buy WAY too many letters! Way too $$! Stay tuned.

We also got Cameron signed up for the EXTREME reading program at the library! He was excited about that.

This morning I have put away laundry, changed a couple of diapers, done breakfast, put away breakfast etc. And I have cleaned all of the windows as those get VERY smudged EVERY day. The kids help do that. I spray, they wipe. Lots of fun. I also made all of the beds today. Usually the kids do theirs, but I thought I could do it today. I also put away all of the small clothing from every dresser in the house. I have one LARGE bag full already.

Yup. Busy busy. 3 kids are out on the deck colouring and the two youngest are napping.

Tonight is bbq burgers and oven fries for dinner! We are all looking forward to that.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

I love sleep

Caroline slept again for the whole night, and she went into her crib earlier last night. I think around 9 pm. She didn't wake up until 9:30 am. I had to go check on her to make sure she was still breathing...and of course she was. (See a Mom of 5 still has her worries right!)

She is a great little sleeper for being only 8 weeks old. And, she woke up happy and smiling and I just love that rewarding smile. It is so much nicer than tears and crying.

Yay Caroline!

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Ask Me Anything...

Ask MurrayvilleMom!

http://askmurrayvillemom.blogspot.com/

I am here to help you.

Cathy

katieallisongranju: big(ger) families

katieallisongranju: big(ger) families

I thought this was a really great article explaining a larger family, and some video about 2 large families. Looks good to me, but I am biased I guess. I was reading some of the comments though, and there are 22 and a lot of them are very negative. That is too bad.

Cathy

"Et tu, Jen?": Looking nice vs. vanity

"Et tu, Jen?": Looking nice vs. vanity

Hmmm. I hope that I look nice most of the time! Got to set a good example of a "with it" Mom of 5!

I think most days I look pretty darn good...except for some bad days...but usually I stay in if I look terrible!

Cathy

Hutch Report: Big Families Return

Hutch Report: Big Families Return

Hip Hip Horray for a BIG family!!

Sex - Dark Side of the Moon: Canadians Go South To Choose Baby's Sex

Sex - Dark Side of the Moon: Canadians Go South To Choose Baby's Sex

Look at where most of the clients are coming from! BC and Saskatchewan.

I wonder if I had the money and a choice, would we CHOOSE to have a boy so that Cameron could have a brother? I don't know. It is hard to say. What would you do?

Cathy

Dr's Appointment

Today, Cliff and I took Catie and Caroline for their shots. Catie had one in her leg, and Caroline had 4. There were two in each leg. Cliff held them this time. My poor little gals. There was a lot of crying going on in the room. Thankfully everybody survived including Cliff and I. Caroline was weighed and measured. She is in the 50th percentile for noggin and length. As for her weight, she weighed in at 11 lbs. and 9 oz. and in the 75th percentile for weight. I think my milk is liquid gold! She is a champion feeder I tell ya! I am so proud. 2 more months until the next set of shots for her. I also have to book an appointment for Claire to get her before Kindergarten shot. She won't mind. She knows she will get a candy of some sort from our Doctor. He is so awesome.

Thanks to Mom and Dad who came over and watched the other 3 monkeys...I mean kids.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

These are the days



Create your own video at One True Media

My friend Cynthia inspired me to create a'lil montage of the family so far! Enjoy.

Funny One

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had beenknocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen,dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she may be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened heretoday?"

She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from
work and you ask me what in the world did I do today?" "Yes," was his incredulous reply.

She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

This is how the Poop went Down!

I have lots of experience with diapers and poop. But, yesterday something happened to me that I have never experienced before! I have to share this story because I think it was the most funny poop story!


Yesteday I was feeding Caroline outside on the deck, and all of sudden I felt wet and warm...this is on my legs. I move Caroline, and she pooped so BIG that the poop blew out the top back of her diaper, and dripped/leaked through to my pants, my underwear and onto the deck! Out of 5 kids, this is the FIRST time ever something like this has happened to me! I had to completely change both of us!

I have never seen so much poop! Wow.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Caroline is 2 Months Old


This is Caroline today, sleeping away in Ben's Bouncy Seat.
She LOVES this seat, and we love it too!
I cannot believe that Caroline was born 2 months ago already on May 2nd. She is getting so much bigger, and I love her double chin. She makes little vowel sounds, she smiles more freely, and she just loves to eat, and cry and poop. For the first time in 2 months, she went down in her crib at 7 pm and she is still SLEEPING! I cannot believe it. Usually she is up and fussy from dinner to atleast midnight!
So, I organized photos, and got all of the family photo albums updated, and it has been wonderful having free arms! I also folded a couple of loads of laundry without any disturbances. Pretty nice feeling!
We love you Caroline.

Me on Canada Day

This is me on Canada Day...

Oh Canada!

Carly and her face paint and stickers...this is after and almost ready for bed!

Claire with her body paint and face paint. Can you say grouchy...

Cameron...do you really have to take pictures Dad. I am tired!


I think I will get tatoos like this when I am older! They are cool!


This is the fresh "before" the bbq photo...our own personal little Canada flag!

(Cute little Maple Leaf huh!)

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Happy Canada Day!

Well so far we have had a good morning! Up at 7:30 a.m. Kids are getting ready for Aunty April's and Uncle Nick's place today. We are TRYING to get all of the kids in either white or red. So far Claire and Carly are in white dresses from Cuba, and will wear red ribbons in their pig tails. Catie is wearing a throwback to the 70's wearing one of OUR dresses that is red and has a little black poodle on it. (Claire wore this dress years back at a Canada parade) and Caroline will probably wear a white undershirt, or maybe pink...lol. Cameron is wearing denim shorts with red pulls and a white shirt. I think they will look rather cute!

Have happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians!



And to my American friends...have a happy 4th of July in 3 days!

Cheers!

Cathy