November....where did you go??

I missed a whole month! Well, it's been crazy lots of adjusting around here. We have decided to devote more time to just family activities. We have lots of things going on....just not together. That wasn't really working for me. Maybe because I don't have a hobby, maybe because I am tired of not spending unstructured time with my kids. (probably that one) I made the executive decision to pull Paul and Houghton from choir for many reasons. For Paul, time, time and more time. I know he enjoys it a lot but to be honest, 2-3 times a week, not including concert times was a little much since we didn't see each other much anyway. I would see him for a total of 15 minutes. Those 15 minutes consisted of the update/discussion for the day as well as him inhaling dinner. I wouldn't see him again for 24 hours (unless you count sleeping---I would already be asleep when he got home and leave for work before he woke up) As for Houghton, it was logistics, money and he really didn't seem that excited. For the boys, they have "sweepstakes" every year as a fundraiser, It's a really short but busy time and it's right after the holidays. I didn't really have the motivation to get going on it and Paul really didn't seem excited either. The participation is expected and we were not able to give it 100% It wasn't fair to them as well as Houghton. It is a great organization and we get a lot back for our work on sweepstakes but it just wasn't working. We moved Mary to the Tuesday afternoon dance class so that now we have Saturday's free (unless a swim meet is going on but usually only about 1 per month) We so far have had a few lazy Saturday's....it's nice, not to have to rush out anywhere. It really is the only day we have where we could free up some time. Well worth the sacrifice if you ask me!!!

We are gearing up for the holidays and are trying to do more around our faith. "The reason for the season" We have our Advent wreath up and light our candles and do our prayers. The kids are really behaving in church a lot better these days and it's very exciting. This is Paul's first Christmas as a Catholic :) I never thought I'd see the day. I just wish I could find a class to learn more. We have also moved to a new parish closer to home. It's smaller and the choir could use some help but it's a nice mix of young families and older "grandparents" I have come to really enjoy the mass. We sit up front....with all 3 kids too!!! It's nice because due to scheduling, we went to different services and when we returned to our usual spot, we were missed!! That is a totally new experience for me. The mass time is also most convenient, not too early, not too late as to not have most of the day go by. We still have a nice Sunday around the house.

I am on the fence about putting Mary in pre-school. She is definitely ready, and we'd like to see if she could possibly handle Kindergarten in the fall (she misses the Sept.1st cut off by 14 days) So, we're not sure if we should wait an entire year. She is in her dance class and the children's class on Sunday's at school but that's nowhere near the scope of a large class. She's one in 10 or so and at school she'd be one of thirty!!! I have some thinking and discussing to do on that.....

Well, I have forgone my nap and now it's time to make dinner. I am also freezing, I need to go put sweats on....since I'm trying not to turn up the thermostat!!!

Wow,does this work? I can send blogs right from my phone!?

What's up

So, lets see.... Simon is 6months now and we're trying out food. He seems to like it ok but we haven't found the magic time for dinner where he's receptive to eating but not starving.

Houghton ran in the Ironkids triathlon in Tucson 2 weeks ago. He did sooo awesome! I am so proud of him. Just watching the kids do that makes me exhausted.

Mary is well...Mary, she's such a good girl these days. She loves her dance class and is doing so well. I can see such improvement when she follows the teacher.

I am working full time and enjoying having an early schedule however, 3am comes pretty early, especially since Simon has now decided he wants to eat at 4am, I feel bad because he usually waits until I don't have time to feed him and get ready for work so I have to wake Paul. I am sure he would appreciate not having to interrupt his sleep.

We are excited for next week, my baby brother will be coming to visit!! YAY!!
I am sad though I think our next few weekends are too busy to go to the pumpkin patch this year. I do have to say it's difficult because I want to be in the fall spirit but it will be 95 DEGREES!!! this weekend....UGH!!! it's frustrating because I love the weather and well, there really aren't any seasons in Phoenix.

It's frustrating because I really want to do stuff with the kids and create memories, not just rush them here to there and nag nag nag....especially since Paul is no longer studying it should be easier right????

Wow, has it been that long???

Ok, really quick before I have to run Houghton to choir.... most recently we were in Tucson this past weekend. Houghton participated in the Ironkids triathlon...that's right ....swim, bike, run....good thing he's young!! He did AWESOME...for not having done one before and riding uphill in a bike without gears!!! He really did well!!! We had a nice time and the weather is finally cooling off!

I am still enjoying my job. I am now starting even earlier....5am!! I do like it though...it's getting enough time in my day to get things done....hopefully this earlier time will actually do that. Crazy I know.

We're just chuggin along. Simon is now 6 months old! He's talking (cooing actually) and whistles (on accident) He's quite cute. My little monkey!

Mary is well, Mary. She still doesn't sleep much, which in and of itself is not a problem...it's the crankiness that comes with not having enough sleep I have trouble with. Otherwise she's an adorable 4 year old now :) Still dancing, playing dress up and just being a girl....

Tucson

***Editors note...I cannot figure out this blog it won't listen to me and post the comments by the appropriate picture. It's late and I am annoyed by this on many levels. So I think it's self explanatory so figure out the comments....enjoy!


This is Simon and Mateo. Simon, the chunky one...it's cute now, but we might find a new nickname for him when he's older :) and Mateo the little cheeky guy...he's too adorable and I just looove this picture!

Paul & Mary at the LaPaloma Pool...Mary decided she wanted a piggy back ride from Daddy.

I had to include a picture of me. Not the best but the hat, a great hotel purchase...it has SPF! and I felt left out...the only one without one. Not anymore...just remember...I just gave birth and that means I have belly...yucky!

Houghton on his first day of school....Houghton was quite the assistant...he wanted to make sure he got the backpack in the picture and picked out the pose etc.

I have become lazy.

Ok, so not really. I have always been lazy. Or energetically challenged :)



I have ignored my blog for facebook. Why write a whole post when just a sentence will do?



Houghton has officially started 4th grade, yesterday. I helped him to his classroom with all of the supplies then he turned to me and said, "You can go now Mom." I am at least thankful that I am still allowed to give him a kiss and hug in public, for now. Oh, how I love the eye rolling and emphatic "I am" that comes with this age.



Mary, Simon and I are hanging out today. I was trying to get some cleaning off the ground but got waylayed by a phone call and visitor. So, now while the pizza is heating up in the oven...gourmet all the way! and the kids are down for a nap, I am writing this.



This is my last week as an unemployed person. I have tons of paperwork and a pee test (which was accomplished yesterday) to complete! I will be working in the DoD department which will require a government security clearance...yay...lots of paperwork...



I am glad we had a chance to get away this past weekend...to Tucson. We got to stay at LaPaloma...our favorite place...even if my sister didn't work there! 2 days really feels like 3 down there...we plan it so we don't really ever have to leave the hotel.



Hmmm...I think that's all for now.....lunch is calling (no, not the smoke detector)

On a happier note....

Houghton is 9 today. Wow...where'd the time go. He's such a great kid. He's sooo unassuming. He really was ho-hum about the whole thing. He and I went to see G-Force...actually a cute movie. Then we came home and he played wii. We even went to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner(he's been asking for that for a while) We then watched Star Wars Episode II...(he received the first 3 episodes on DVD) Then it was bedtime already. Where did the day go...just like that....

He's getting so much bigger/mature...the poor guy has to remain calm in the wake of his sister. She's the personality....I really have a hard time reading him sometimes and I wonder how I'm doing (in his eyes). I'm not sure I really want to know the answer. He will be brutally honest I'm sure.

School starts next Monday and I think he can't wait to get back to his friends. He's had a lonesome summer so we'll see.