My brother john came to visit this past wknd, my kids love him. We were talking and decided that instead of all the fund raisers that schools have the children participate in to win extra cool dollar store stuff for selling 250 or more items, that we should just donate money. I would also prefer that instead of buying school supplies. this year was the first year we had to purchase school supplies and I NEVER want to do it again. The lists were too long and it was annoying and just one more thing to worry about. A big donation at the beginning of the year or raise taxes...we paid high taxes in PA but worth every penny because I am lazy like that.





Anna got three teeth pulled and spacers put in this week, she is on her tylenol on the couch today. Braces next Tuesday. She is making more friends and having less sad days. She is doing jr cotillion and dance and piano and all that other stuff as we push her to be our super child...and she has that birth order first child desire to be perfect and all that. I am pleased with her hard work, and try to remember that when she and are are fussing at one another amidst her tween growing pains.





I am almost doing cartwheels, well tried this morning but then I fell down in the front yard and hurt my foot...because next week C and I are going away for THREE days for my BDAY. My MIL will be watching the kids. We are staying at this supposedly haunted hotel in New Orleans and do all the fun stuff down there. Then we are going to this event for Chris' alma mater...he is even getting a tux. I would be glad to go anywhere, but I think we are going to have a good time.

Jakob is starting to speak with a Southern accent, it makes me laugh when I hear him. Last week H.N. hit him in the mouth with a nerf gun and knocked out his icky half tooth (it was from him sucking his fingers for 6 years). I was sad he was hurt, but glad because that tooth looked kind of trashy. He is doing great in gymnastics and can do all sorts of things and does not fall and hurt his foot when doing cartwheels in the front yard.

Sam got a big boy haircut, he is still cute...and still naughty and a smarty pants. He loves DIEGO and riding his trike outside and even though he is sassy, he makes me laugh.

H.N. is moving into a big boy bed because Sam taught him how to crawl out of his crib (and into Maggie's). This is making nap time and bed time very difficult and we rarely go anywhere because tired children are not really the funnest companions especially to my least favorite place WalMart. Nollie is adding more words to his vocabulary, the best phrase is "you mean mommy". It is satisfying to know I am doing my job well.

EG is becoming sassier each and every day, and super sweet too. Always had the split personality, grateful that she is not 100% sassy. Does anyone remember the Phil Hartman SNL thing about the sassy boat and sassy land?? it was very very funny!! She is still doing her ballet and growing legs as long as a giraffe's neck. She is no longer the teeniest one in her class. She is also hilarious and I need to post her letter to Santa it will make you chuckle.

and baby MOOskers, with encouragement from Uncle John she took her first two steps!! Three is her high number now and I am sure it will not be long before I am chasing three kids around Wal Mart.

I will one day add some pictures when I get tired of talking about myself!!