Maximum Capacity

For the next three weeks, I am going to be watching my two nephews for my sister-in-law.  Today was her first day back to work, and I had so much fun with all of the kids.  Much to my surprise, it wasn't as chaotic as I thought it was going to be.  Blake and Sophie nap at about the same time, and Brock, Ella, and Carter play really well with each other. 

Anyhow, I am so excited to be able to spend some quality time with them before their mommy stops working!  And yes, this is Amanda's FINAL 3 weeks of work (for the next 5 years, anyway)!  She is going to be a stay-at-home mommy!  So when my house is going crazy, I can call her and know that we're in the same boat!  Hopefully I can get around to taking some pictures to post of all of the kids while I have them all together.

Oh, and if anyone knows of any really good and inexpensive stain removal techniques, I would love to hear them!

This is all I got for now:

So Excited!

I am so thrilled to announce that I am going to be starting school on Feb. 15 to get my bachelor's degree in elementary education to be a teacher!  After throwing around ideas of what I want to do once the kids are in school, this option, by far, got me the most excited!  This calls for a jam-packed schedule for the next few years, but the payoff is well worth it.  I am so excited!  I'm even excited typing it!!!!  Can't you tell by my punctuation?!?!?!?!?!?!?!  =) 

A Room Fit for a Princess

Ella's Shabby Chic Room

Chad's Great Grandpa made this doll house

for his cousin, which then they gave it to us.

 

 

The Baby Corner

 

 

 

Brock and Sophie's rooms still need finishing.  We'll get to Brock's room next and wait until Sophie is older to decide on a theme.  She already loves wearing bracelets and carries kitties around wherever she goes, so it might be a shabby chic princess room like Sissy's.

Sophie & Lulu

 

Thank goodness it's not a real cat.

Sophie with Ella's barf bucket on her head.  Luckily no barf was in it.

Just Dance

Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

New Decade, New Changes

With a new decade brings new changes.  I cannot believe that Brock will be starting kindergarten this fall, and it is less than 3 years before I start thinking about going back to work.  Time flies by so fast, and I am so grateful that I get to spend this time with Brock before he heads to school.

Anyway, back to the changes.  We have begun "Operation Sucking Fingers No More."  We are trying to get Ella to stop sucking her fingers.  The dentist and doctor said that they usually stop on their own by the time they're 4, but I have a hard time thinking that she will quit by that time.  You have to see this girl; it's an absolute addiction.  Once she gets her blankie, or anything silky for that matter, she immediately puts them in her mouth.  Well, Mama took all blankies and silky things away.  I am glad to report that she hasn't sucked her fingers in the last three days; however, it has taken her an extra hour or so to finally go to sleep, not to mention numerous trips downstairs to talk then back to bed.  I am hoping that in time I can give those precious things back to her.

Now either I am losing my mind or things are mysteriously disappearing from our house.  First it was a pair of Ella's jeans, then one of my yoga videos, and now Sophie's paci and paci leash.  I have searched the house up and down and cannot find any of those things!  Ahh!  So when Sophie lost her paci and leash, I couldn't see going out and buying more just so they would get lost again, so that was the end of that.  The first night was tough, but she seems to be adjusting just fine.  After taking Ella's blankies and Sophie's paci, I feel like I am the destroyer of all things they love.  *sigh*

Random Pics

Maddux's life revolves around waiting for fallen treats.

I've got a brand new pair of roller skates...

 

 Sophie's First Ponytail

On to a lighter note, I'm done with Ella's room!  I will put pictures up when the kids stop killing each other.

Christmas 2009

We spent Christmas Eve over at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and that was the extent of our travel plans.  We spent Christmas at home putting together and playing with all of the new toys.  We made it to Great Gma and Gpa's on Sunday and to Grammie and Papa's on Tuesday.  Despite being snowed in and not going to our normal destinations, we had a blast just being at home!

 

 

 

 

Sophie stealing Ella's gooey fish

Laughing for no reason.  She was just so excited!

The aftermath:

 

Daddy reading a story with a flashlight on his head.

Brock and Daddy got matching flashlights from Santa.