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bad idea

this is how we started….
good mood
ready with coffee
being silly taking pictures

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no make-up and no more manicure.
my hair is wrapped up behind not chopped off

my plan was to take pictures of them picking their school supplies.
i am not always very realistic i guess.
we went past the shoes first so they each began to look.
each in different isles shouting “mom..i can’t find any.”
“mom are these my size?”
“what is my size?”
“Mom!!! i want these!”
it was still fine. they each found a pair – even annie.
i was feelin’ good.
then we hit the school supplies section…which seemed smaller for some reason.
i suddenly thought “WHAT AM I DOING?”
1. annie…into everything, no shoes on, talking non stop with a few SCREAMS in between
2. scott is helpless…can’t seem to look at a list and pick out that item
3. lauren is in her own shopping world…not to be distracted by anyone or anything
4. sean and talby can’t read but want to pick their things
holy cow it was crazy.
we finally got almost everything…i couldn’t find where target keeps kleenex?
then we got to the registers
ok…i am that woman.
the woman with all the kids and the overflowing cart…
the one you stare at or avoid eye contact…
the one you don’t get behind in line…

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we had to get a second cart.
annie was screaming about chocolate
the boys were looking at something…in the way AND not helping
talby was trying to help but then the broke bag and it spilled everywhere
lauren was…there but completely spaced out…she’s 12

we are a traveling circus.
i lost my temper with all of them in the parking lot.
not cool.

as i drove i thought “this is supposed to be a fun thing.”
“this could have a been a special time”
i should have taken them in groups…or even one on one.
it should’ve been special and exciting but it was SO NOT THAT!

lesson learned.

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craig saved the day by bringing home pizza
and then even taking us on a walk and out for ice cream.
we sat on the steps of the library museum and watched the cars go by.

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Mamabear - I am *that* woman also. I have 4 (3/5/8/11). My oldest (a girl also) is just like your oldest: in her own world. My youngest is just like your youngest one. Cute but makes me absolutely crazy (and I am constantly thinking, “the others weren’t like this, were they?” and they really weren’t)–she definitely makes me realize we’re done. 😉 The middle 2 (one boy, one girl) talk constantly and ask too many questions and never leave me (or each other alone). Sigh. I’m just so glad to see we are not alone. 🙂

Aimee - I am that woman also! With 4 kids I am the woman that people look at and then look at the ground when you look their way. We all can be quite a circus. It makes me feel better when I see people with one child and be overwhelmed. So with that thought, we are amazing!

kristin - ooooooooo…i’m scared to go later this week…

crystal - I only have three girls and I get stressed – on a good day – maybe 20 minutes into the store. Five? Don’t think I could do it. Bless you for being so strong.

danelleI ly@yahoo.com - I can’t imagine shopping for supplies with all 5 kids. I took one and I was still ready to be done. They make those supply lists so detailed too.

amy - no one should look that cute without make-up on. seriously.

traci - LOL…i am reading your blog and just totally cracking up!!! You sound like such a great mom with the BEST of intentions and I think from what I read “most’ of the time it goes well. I have 3 kids and we broke our trip up into a few trips and thankfully started WAY before the herd. First day, clothes…. second day, school supplies and third day backpacks. For some reason backpacks turns into such a HUGE ordeal in our home so we devote a full 1/2 day to it..lol
I LOVE, LOVE , LOVE your blog!!! I have been curious about this for a long time… How did you come up with the name “Talby”…. never heard it, very cute name but am very curious since your other kids have rather common names but Talby is very unique and different..

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grumpy

i went to bed at 9:15 last night…accidently.
i laid down to rest a minute and that was that.
so you’d think that with 10 hours of sleep instead of my normal 6 to 7 that i would be wide awake.
nope.
today was just a cranky kind of day.
little miss annie won’t cut me a break.
i can’t figure out the temper tantrums.
why?
low blood sugar?(because she never eats)
teeth? (it can’t always be teeth!)
being the 5th? (needing attention)
is she in pain? (like a baby migraine?)
is there something wrong with her? (mentally)
bad parenting…it couldn’t be that.
i have many questions for the doctor in a week.
i’d better start writing them down.

this is what we did today
in between tantrums….seriously

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“tomorrow..tomorrow…i love ya…tomorrow”

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a little art on the driveway.
it hard to have a tantrum while painting.
talby made a cardinal in a nest and added glitter later.
annie got all the paint mixed.
i love to watch paint mix together.
it first got on her toe…then hand…then i just painted her feet and let her go crazy.

then tonight…
big news…
look at talby go!!!
TWO WHEELER!

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she’s almost got it down.
she was scared but she is doing great!
i’m so proud of her.
even when she’d fall she’d squeal and then giggle a bunch.

daddy is always whoopin’ up on scott.
but scott loves the challenge.
he finally loves basketball…thank goodness.

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kristin - you. rock.

traci - Just had to share this with you… found a FUUUUN new site… http://www.myheritage.com.. after you go into this site there is a place you click on in the upper left part of the screen that allows you to put your own photo in, and then it will give you a list of the celebrities you look the most like…. it is soooo fun. A lot of bloggers are doing this now and I thought it sounded like you. Soooooo, hope you try it and ENJOY 🙂

meg - it’s wrapping paper…turned backwards.
dora christmas i believe. 🙂

traci - It could be she is just a strong willed child. I have one and literally she can make me feel SO LOVED and turn around and make me feel like Im failing MISERALBLY as a parent…this happens daily!! So, I think I do understand.
I love the painting on BIG paper… what kind of paper is that? ALL kids love to paint. Good for talby on her bike!! What an acomplishment. I remember those days with my girls (they are 9&10 now) but I remember chasing them up and down on the street while learning with the camera in tow..lol…. and last but not least all dad should bond with their little buddies over basketball!!
LOVE YOUR BLOG and am soooooo glad you are back!!!!

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bouquets and rain boots

this is one reason i love to garden.

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these were beaten down by the rain and didn’t look like they would make it back up.
i cut them and this huge bouquet is making our kitchen bright and cheery.
i grew all of these..me and God.

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as i was putting it together i was remembering all the arrangements my mother and grandmother always had on their tables.
there has always been gardening in my life.
my parents have a beautiful yard focused towards butterflies and birds.
my grandmother had many kinds of different plants…nothing run of the mill.
she has bamboo!

we had a big storm (again) sunday night and then again monday morning.
sooo good for the grass and flowers!
and then perfect to splash in afterwards.

when talby got her rain boots on she asked me to take the little spider web out of the one she didn’t already have on.
i shook the boot and a HUGE spider came tumbling out.
much bigger than a quarter.
four of the kids were right there and we all screamed like crazy!
we sprayed it with clorox clean up till it died.
i was afraid if we tried to smash it we’d miss.
then they stomped on it.
what is up with kansas and these gianormous spiders?
my worst fear.
thank goodness she didn’t put that boot on first.
when we first saw it i yelled “take your other boot off! take it off! take it off!” and i kicked mine off too.
we were all quite shaken.

then it was time for the fun.
i know i have shown puddle jumping pictures before but these are just as cute.

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i love this one.
annie is still and everything around her is moving.
just deciding what to think of the water in her boots and being splashed AND rained on.

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we ended up in a neighbor’s backyard to see her fish.
her pond is so beautiful.
especially after the rain.
her fish are so big…she’s had them a long time.
i wish it was my pond.

and then we needed a snack so we headed home.

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i was supposed to have yearly woman exam ( 3 years later) today.
i couldn’t remember the time.
i called to ask and they couldn’t find it.
my appointment had been lost.
oh darn.
i was really looking forward to a pap test today.
HA!

i got my kids enrolled in school (3 of the 4 at least).
it’s coming up quick.
16 days….
my favorite commercial of all time is a mom pushing a shopping cart with a big smile and dancing a bit.
the first words are “THEY”RE GOING BACK!” and then the song starts in “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” it’s for school supplies.
it’s true.
i enjoy school ending but i love school starting.
i wish it wasn’t till september though.
that drive at 8:00 AM everyday is going to be rough…for me.

Aimee - Gorgeous pictures & fam. ! What kind of camera do you have ? We tried the sillouette pics at the beach & they didn’t turn out like yours. Love your blog… this is my first time posting.
Aimee

amy - is that my driveway you are splashing in?? new one is coming soon… there will be no more big puddles. enjoy ’em while you can!

Mom - Hey Meg-
No fair, we have not had the rain you have. We are begging for it! Funny thing about the spider in the boot. My boots that you gave me sit in a bucket on the deck waiting for me to put them on. I always check for bugs first, because I can just picture a big ole spider or cockroach in them. Glad Talby was spared a big bite!
Your sunflowers are gorgeous!

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vacation 2007

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we had a wonderful vacation.
we love the beach.
the weather was the best.
craig was the only one with a sunburn.
our friends rock!
i get crazy around kids and a bonfire…bad queen.
the kids got along so well…with each other and their friends.
chicago is as cool as ever.
harry potter 7 is not long enough (says lauren).
my great aunt liza is 96 years young.
the ulrich hotel in the boonies was amazing!
i love jake and abby.
i miss my friends.
a baseball bat will help start your fuel pump in a restaurant parking lot.
talby beat me in bowling.
peter i am sorry we didn’t come over…you are missed!
GPS kicks butt.
the lego store is cooler than skyscrapers (say my boys)
IKEA is still awesome.
maribeth you are so dear to me.
always make friends with people who have a car as big as yours.
laughing with old friends is one of the best feelings there is.
chicago traffic is so ridiculous…kansas does it right.
maggianos…pedro…apple-tinis…good times.
paying for a new fuel pump is not fun on your vacation.
gone 9 days and not one stop at starbucks!
we have the best friends ever.
glad to be home…even though it’s a big mess.

kristin - oh, hello friend…i am reading this from chicago…on our own trip…we’ll have some similar pictures! see you soon!

traci - OH MY GOSH!!! WHat stunning pictures!!! There was NOT ONE that was just average…. I smiled at each and every one like it was my family tee hee.
Sounds like you had a great vacation (except for the fuel pump part..sorry). SOOOOOOOO glad your blog is back!!!! 🙂

amy - love the picture of you and Jenny laughing. so fun. the family pic is great, too. could be your christmas card. welcome home!

Lisa Wakely - absolutely love the black and white photo of your family!

Carrie - Beautiful Pics- Vacations are wonderful!

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packing up

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this morning some of my sunflowers opened up in the back yard.
so pretty.
they are very tall but very tiny heads…oh well.
and all the zinnias are blooming.
i think that is my most favorite flower.
so bright and cherry.
so many layers.
happy flowers.
this little lady bug was picture perfect.

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i haven’t scrapbooked in a month!
i was out of pictures….not caught up….just caught up till i went digital (christmas)
well i am no longer any where near caught up!
and i am happy about it.

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i ordered over 500 pictures from scrapbookpictures.com.
as i was opening the package that came today i thought how cool it was that i don’t have to go into a store for my pictures ever again if i don’t want to!
i love that.
AND i love getting mail so that’s great too!
i got some 8×10’s in black and white. and tried a 12X12 size too to cover my entire scrapbook page.
how totally cool they are!
and now my memory card is empty and i plan on filling it up with all 263 images that it can hold this week.
i would like to have a back up card in case i need more but my husband isn’t going for that…yet.

i made these cutie-pie shirts for annie and her little friend abby we are on our way to see.

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super easy and annie is dying to wear it.
i just stuck it on with a couple pins
and sewed around & around & around.
no rhyme or reason
the shirts were on 70% clearance at carter’s.

then how do you like this hysterical shirt!
it is just right for me for vacation….or any day really.
and…i made the camera strap i wanted to from the happy things list!
i choose black and white for craig’s sake…i wanted pink.
that shirt cracks me up.

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i have a whole walmart story to share but i guess it will have to wait to we get back…

well we are out of here!
literally in five minutes we will be on our way to vacation.
i will miss my blog because i am addicted to it.
maybe by next year i will have wireless internet and a laptop so i can keep up with all the blogging world while i am sitting on the beach.
i am lame…i know.
enjoy your week… i know we will.
pray for us in the car ride tomorrow!
see ya.

traci - when are you coming baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack? LOL

Emily - Love the flowers! Wow, they look fabulous!

Carrie - Have fun!

traci - Your flowers are GORGEOUS!!! Am going to try the heart t’s, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the tshirt you are wearing and will SOOOOOO miss your blog for a week!!!! Im addicted to checking everyday… will be sad to not see it but will be brave and wait for your return..tee hee….

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more frogs

with all the rain we have had
we are overflowing with frogs.
at golf today i let the boys (and talby) catch the frogs
and bring them home again.
they put them in a big green bucket.
then they were swimming with them in the pool.
i think letting them swim in the swimming pool can’t be much worse for them than all the kids holding them over and over.
they swam together
had frog races
became human jungle gyms for the froggies
it made for a nice entertaining afternoon.
and then we let them go.

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new favorite

this is the new favorite song at our house.
i have heard it at least ten times today.
my grandmother found us a CD of kids singing beatles classics and they love yellow submarine and Obla-dee Obla-dah. the kids’ little voices are so funny.
so then today we found it on youtube with legos!
now they are really into it.

my grandmother always took me the play White Christmas on Sunday.
it is nice to spend time with her like that.
the play was just like i think most 50’s movies were…lots of dance and singing…not too much plot…happy ending.
at the very end the theater had snow falling from the ceiling.
it was quite cute.
i asked her “grandma is that how it was? you met someone, had a conversation & then they were in love and engaged that week?”
she said “well…i married your grandpa after 3 dates.”
oh my goodness…not quite like it is now.
but seeing all that tap dancing was making me REALLY miss my tap shoes.
i haven’t done that in 13 years.
but i was getting pretty nostalgic for it.
they are grown ups up on that stage and they are tap dancing!
kristi maybe i will think a little more about your invite to your class…maybe.
craig already laughed at me about it…of course.
but i do miss it. i will have to find my old shoes.

i need to start a a whole catagory for this naughty baby.

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i got it off the top of the toilet (and sink) but not the lid.
daddy was not happy.
but we know that they only cost $5 so it’s ok.
we know they cost $5 because that was the money limit for the grab bag gift at his dad’s this christmas and that’s what craig bought!
it was a hit.
he said “hey everybody needs one…what’s the problem?”
he can always make me laugh.

i am packing clothes for vacation today.
i want all the clothes to be in suitcases by tonight.
then maybe i can remember all the little things i usually forget if i have an extra day to think.
i am still taking helpful travel ideas from those who haven’t given me any!
i liked the ones i got…thanks. i will be buying headphones and pipe cleaners and passing out or taking away $1 bills.

kristin - oh boy…annie and eliza together will make for very exciting mornings next school year…at least we will be in a totally preschooler-friendly environment! have a great trip if we don’t connect before…

Mom - Refarding Annie’s drawings – she is so good at making circles – can’t get too mad!
And you and your sister were great tap dancers. I was always jealous that I couldn’t do it.

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