Inevitable

It has happened. I have fought it off for so long, not being sick since shortly after I had Keira, but tonight I have become horribly, disgustingly ill. I would love to be able to scratch my eyeballs right out of my head, as well as claw most of my face off. I have not had a cold that has made me itch so much in my life. It is always when you are the busiest, and when life won't stop no matter what happens, that just for added fun, a virus is thrown your way. Murphy's Law I guess.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone is in the throws of a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. After I started a fire in my oven yesterday (I put my food, that had a layer of marshmallows on top, under the broiler and 30 seconds later, marshmallow flambe! I fixed it though, don't worry.) We spent most of the day at my mom's house with her sisters, their husbands, and my grandmother. We then stopped by Nathan's family's house for dessert. It was a wonderful day, with great food, and lots of fun. We even made it home by 6 o'clock last night. We decided it was early enough for a family movie night, and decided on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Everyone got blankets and snuggled up on the couch with their bowls of popcorn, and it was so relaxing. Those little moments are ones I hope the kids don't quickly grow out of. I hope those are times they cherish, even as they grow.
On another note, my computer crashed a few days ago, so until we figure out what we are going to do, I am using my mom's old computer, and let's just say it's a bit old. It works though, and that is all that matter. Unfortunately this does mean no photos or videos will be uploaded for quite a while, and if you are trying to contact me via internet, please direct those emails to my actual email address ( NicParrish7@gmail.com ) and not to my facebook inbox, because apparently this computer does not want to me open that inbox. I have found out I get a lot more done without a computer, which kind of feels good. It's freeing in more ways than I can say.
Today Nathan has to work, and the kids and I have plans to decorate the house. We're not doing this because I am anxious for Christmas to come, but because honestly, this is our only sports/party/event free weekend, so we're making the most of it. The kids are very excited, and I have promised cookies, and lots of music.
I'm going to cut this short because Keira is now cruising out of my reach and I hear the pitter patter of little feet coming down the stairs, waking up for the morning.
I hope everyone is able to enjoy some time with the people they love!

New Day

This morning I am a new woman. I am rejuvenated by a night out with my best friend. Now normally I can't keep my eyes open past nine, but I sucked it up, drank an extra can of diet coke, and headed out to the movies for a 9:30 show. We went to see New Moon, and I had two whole hours of "adult time". I would say quiet time, except anyone who has ever gone to a movie with me and Kerrie, know that we are anything but quiet. Separately, I'm sure we'd make decent movie companions, but together... let's just say we keep an ongoing dialogue, most of which people would be appalled to listen to. Of course last night's dialogue revolved around a 17 year old boy who remained shirtless for 95% of the film.
It is amazing how refreshed I feel this morning though. I feel like a HUMAN again. I didn't walk in the door until close to midnight, and yet when Keira started rubbing my face to let me know she was ready to get up at, oh 5am or so, I got right up without even trying to convince her it was too early. Yes, ladies and gentlemen two hours at the movies did ALL THAT. It has been around ten months since I last went out at night without any children. Maybe that explains my excitement. Oh, and trust me, I was checking my phone every three minutes convinced a text message was coming, telling me Keira was screaming her head off and trying to claw off Nathan's face, but nope, no text came. In fact, Keira woke up an hour after I left and went right back to sleep on Nathan's chest. When I came home and saw her cuddled up on him, my heart could have melted right then and there (in all fairness it was already pretty sappy after watching Edward and shirtless Jacob for TWO HOURS... nope not letting that go.) I resisted every urge to ruin the moment and grab my camera.
So the world did not end when I left all the kids at home, and I have an extra pep in my step today. Thank you New Moon.

Oh Baby!

me at 7 1/2 months, when we lived in Illinois :)

Home Made Gift Ideas

There is nothing like a homemade gift, and with everyone tightening their belt this year, I want to share two fun, easy, inexpensive gift ideas that are not only home made, but are easy for kids to make themselves or assist you in making.
Last year the kids and I made home made French Vanilla Hot Chocolate, and made "ice cream cones" to give as gifts. We purchased clear pastry bags (can be found at any crafts store) and scooped in the hot chocolate powder. We then put a scoop of mini marshmellows, then topped that with a scoop of chocolate chips. We tied off the bag with a red ribbon, and made a little gift tag with instructions.
You can make this process even easier by purchasing pre made hot chocolate powder.
These make great gifts alone, but can also make perfect gift toppers.


Relatives love to have new, updated photos of kids, and you will love sharing your special moments as well. A unique way to do this is with a puzzle piece picture frame.
If you have any cardboard, or even an empty cereal box, you already have the backing for your frame! Place your photo on the cardboard and trace around it to get the approximate size. I recommend leaving a 1" to 1/2" border around the photo, depending on the relation of the faces to the edge of the photo. Next get out some of those straggler puzzle pieces. (You know you will never find those 3 missing piece from that box you've been saving!) Or pick up a puzzle at your local dollar store. Get the kids involved by having them paint the puzzle pieces. We prefer washable paint in our house. Next Glue the photo to your pre cut piece of cardboard, and glue your colorful puzzle pieces around the edges. Add some glitter, or pom poms to the frame. Personalize it. you can write letters on each puzzle piece. Have fun with your design!

Feelings

Holiday Wreath Craft

This Holiday Wreath craft can be a fun way to get the family into the spirit of the holidays, no matter what age. It also makes a wonderful gift.
What you will need:

• paint (preferably washable)
• Paint brushes
• Construction paper
• Glue
• Ribbon

How to make it:
Dab your child's hand or hands with paint (green/red pain for a traditional holiday wreath, or make a fall one, using yellows, oranges, reds and browns.. HAVE FUN WITH IT. Another tip, add some glitter to the paint, to really make it "sparkle".)
Make the hand prints all the way in a circle, try overlapping them a bit.
When you are done making handprints, take a paint brush and dab little "berries" on the wreath. When making a fall wreath, try making a few twigs or a pine cone.
Next take some ribbon, try making a bow, or have fun "stringing" it through the wreath. Just use some glue to keep it on.
Carefully cut around the wreath, to make a circle. If you'd like, punch a hole in the top and loop some more ribbon through for easy hanging.

Video of the Day

The Holidays are Coming!!!

Doesn't it seem like Spring was just arriving? Never mind Summer? And now we're already past Halloween and almost all the way through Autumn!!! The Holiday season is here, and I thought I would pass on some fun ideas, and some of my own "Holiday practices" that I find helpful in a house full of kids. Thanksgiving is a fun teaching time for kids, when you can have them really think about all they have, no matter how big or little that is, and to teach about giving back to others. Even young kids can get into the spirit of giving by helping bake, or press cookie cutters into the dough, sprinkle cookies, etc. Make it a family affair, and give back to those you are thankful for in your life. We started a little tradition in my family of tracing the kids hands onto construction paper, and having them color them in as turkeys (thumb is the head, and the other fingers become feathers.) We created one for each family and I asked the kids things they were grateful for, or loved about the people in that family, and wrote what they had to say on the back. It's a great memory, and it's fun to see the kids hands grow, and their gratitude and understanding grow as well.
In thought and preparation for the gift giving/receiving part of the holidays, I like to have a give back as much as you get theme. We do this prior to birthdays as well here, but the month prior to Christmas (you can apply this to which ever holiday you celebrate) the kids go through their toys and decide which ones they no longer play with, and we fill up big ol' bags and donate them together. Some toys get recycled into our own family (from one child's toy box to another) but I have to say I am quite proud of my kids for letting go and getting into the spirit of giving. Again, I like to use this also as another teaching opportunity with the kids, to explain that not all children will receive toys, and that hopefully the toys they are donating will help make a child's day. The boys like to talk about who might get their toys, and may talk about how much they loved playing with them, and that some other boy (or girl) will love the toy just as much. It's kind of like a whole new life for the toy, and I think they find that comforting.
I'm going to try and blog some fun, inexpensive, holiday themed ideas over the next few weeks, that hopefully you will find useful.

Brody's 2 year checkup and more

Brody had his 2 year check up today. He did great! He weighed in at a respectable 27lbs (just under the 50th percentile) and is 35 1/2" tall (75th percentile.) He had to have 2 shots today (we were behind on two random ones due to illness in the past) and also had to have blood taken (NOT FUN.) Overall he did wonderfully. I'm so thankful for a healthy, happy boy!
Ty starts basketball this week, but unfortunately I doubt we'll make his first practice since it is an hour after Ty's football banquet begins, but his first game is Sunday, and we are looking forward to it.
Nate has been very excited about his class's new pet, a turtle. It is all he has been talking about. His class is also busy learning songs to sing as a holiday presentation at a nursing home. He has been singing when he is not talking about the turtle. :)
Keira is cruising her way around her crib at lightening speed. Today she pulled herself up on one of her toys and then cruised over to the train table (then she fell.) I am starting to wonder if she will walk before she really crawls?
Yesterday was the first day in who knows how long that I did not leave my house. I had no where to go, nothing to do, and it was FANTASTIC. I can not explain to you the relief I felt NOT rushing to be anywhere.

Brody's 2nd Birthday Party

A very special thank you to everyone who came to Brody's party. It means so much to me that you helped make Brody feel special and loved today. Another very special thank you to those who sent him cards and gifts, your thoughtfulness means the world to me, and again helps make Brody feel so special.
Brody is very in to monkeys, and I found this great recipe for organic banana cupcakes with chocolate chips, and a chocolate glaze frosting, decorated to look like a monkey. They tasted just as good as they looked! In my quest for something new and different to try as a favor (I would have liked to find a whole bunch of "barrel of monkeys" but couldn't.) I decided to let the kids make "monkey prints" (their own hand prints, painted on) a tee shirt. I found this cute monkey design, and created a print that said "monkeying around 2009". This is the design shown in the pictures. (And yes, I am very proud of myself for figuring out a cute design and different favor that didn't cost me and arm and a leg, and was actually not that time consuming.... giving myself a pat on the back for that one!)
Brody has gone from toy to toy tonight, playing with them all, and nicely sharing with his brothers. (What a generous little boy!) He is so happy.
Thank you again, everyone!!!

Dear Brody on your 2nd birthday

My dearest Brody,
It is the night before you are turning two years old. Two years ago, I thought you would NEVER get here. You never seemed to want to leave the warmth and comfort of the womb, and hung in there as long as possible. How all 9 pounds of you managed to get comfy is beyond me! Now I can't imagine you not here. Brody, my sweet baby boy, you are a delight. You fill me with so much happiness. You are light hearted and a free spirit. You love to laugh, and make others laugh. Your spirit is infectious. You wear your heart on your sleeve. You love to help me, and anyone else you can. You are adventurous and energetic. In these short, fast two years you have become a vital and cherished part of our family. My precious Brody boy, I love you more than I could ever find the words to say. There is no doubt in my mind that for all I will be able to teach you in your life, you will help me to grow so much more. I love you so much. Happy second birthday Brody!

Keira is 7 months old!

Keira is 7 months old, and still as happy and smiley as ever. She can pull herself up to stand in her crib, and can crawl (in her own way.) She is cuddly and has such a sweet nature. She emits joy from her inner being that is palpable when you are around her. We are so blessed to have her in our lives.

Thanks For Your Patience

My head has been swirling with all of the things I could tell you about and say, and of course when I take the time to sit and write, my mind goes blank. Nothing comes to me, or what does come seems like such an overwhelming task that I refuse to cooperate. Sorry.
Ty's team played in the baby bowl on Sunday. Ty and I talked about the huge, gorgeous sun rise over Boston as we drove in, and it actually was fun. Do I think having to be in Boston at 630 in the morning is the fun part? No, BUT seeing all the boys so excited, and knowing what a big deal it was for them was exciting. I stupidly decided that holding Keira was the way to go since I didn't want to carry her car seat, and didn't know if the place would be "stroller friendly." We had to walk about 3/4 of a mile to the stadiums, and, well 5 hours, two games (only one of which I could sit for) and lots of sleeping baby weight, my arms shakily put Keira back in her car seat to head home. Ty's team won the first round and lost in the 2nd, but all of the kids got amazing medals with their names on them and shirts from the event, oh and a free hot dog.
Keira has learned to stand up in her crib, and pull herself up on anything within her reach.
I have been busy organizing for Brody's 2nd birthday party, made slightly more difficult because as of Sunday, when I was attempting to get things together for goodie bags, I still had 13 kids unaccounted for. See previous blog posts around the time of any of my kids parties for my feelings on this. So I will wait it out, and have to put them together the day before his party, which, you know, isn't much of an inconvenience. The funny part about this, is I tried to make it easier for people this time around. Usually I send out invitations in the mail, and people have to call to rsvp, but this time I did a simple evite, which you can easily reply to, and yet here I am, yet again. Do I realize how complain-y this sounds? Yes. Do I hold resentment against these non rsvp-ers? No. It's my own pet peeve, and I know this. But when you have four kids, and deal with this frustration at least 4 times a year, you'd probably have a pet peeve about it too. Moving on!
Nate has been having a wonderful time in school so far this year. He is getting very excited for kindergarten and I am amazed that time has gone by so quickly. Sometimes as parents we hit that point where we can not wait for school to come, can not wait to see our children in that environment, and yet, as it is now less than a year away, and I know now how rapidly they go from "all about mommy/daddy" to "all about friends", I am sad that this time has flew by. I look forward to seeing Nate grow and mature and become the distinctly individual person, man he will be, but I am also mourning the baby boy he still is. I don't think you realize how precious those years are before "school age" begins, until you are already there. Your whole relationship dynamic changes with your child, and instead of being their everything, you become a whole slew of things, and their world splits in two, school and home. Remember back to when you were in school? You just pray and hope that your child is kind and respectful, and in turn hope that he/she is well liked. Trust me, there will come a day you want to will want to fight a 7 year old for calling your child a hot air balloon, not because it was a bad thing to call them, but because it felt bad to your child and made them cry to you. I have met many children along the way that I have felt this way about, or at least wanted to call them something back, or tell their parents that they should teach their kids to be nice. None of this would mean anything though, because what is important is that you are there for your child when it happens, and that you teach them the right way to deal with things, like dumb little booger faced children. (Without really calling them that.)

We've Been Busy

That is my excuse for not really sitting down to write, and I'm sticking to it!
I have been at the doctor's office twice this week and it's only Tuesday. Yesterday was for a follow up for Brody's ear, and they (the ears) looked MUCH better. Still some fluid, but nothing compared to how bad they were. He did much better on his air pressure test thing as well. He had some peaks (what they look for) but they weren't quite as high as they would like. Still I'll take it over the flat lines he got before.
Ty's football season is wrapping up. His team wrapped up the season 5-3 and he had so much fun. Thank you to everyone who came to cheer him on the past two months, it meant so much to Ty, which in turn means so much to me. Tonight is (hopefully) his last practice of the season. His team will be competing in the baby bowl on Sunday, an all day event. After that we have the Football Banquet and equipment return, and we are DONE!!!! On the other hand basketball starts in 2 weeks.
Nate is currently coming down with something and is curled up on my couch, starting to get a fever (have I said it never ends?) He loves school and is doing so well. His teachers tell me what a joy he is in the classroom. I have been elected to his school policy council as a voting member, and we just had our first meeting. Although it adds another thing to my already over flowing schedule, I like being involved in making the decisions for his school. I have a say in things that are important to me, and that is always a good thing.
Keira was at the doctor today because he comeback of a cough turned into wheezing last night, and she has bronchialitis. She is on nebulizer treatments at least four times a day. Not my favorite thing to do, but I just hope it helps and she gets better soon. She is slowly crawling a bit more every day. It is so fun to see her grow, but my heart feels pulled because I want her to remain my baby forever.
I am busy planning for the holidays and Brody's 2nd birthday party (2 weeks away!)
I plan on posting some great Thanksgiving crafts and foods to make with the kids as soon as I can.
Thanks for bearing with us!

Happy Halloween

Please enjoy this slideshow from Halloween and the day before!