"Boys are found everywhere—on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to. Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them and Heaven protects them. A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair
and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket."
Author: Alan Beck


Thursday, October 14, 2010

CIRCA Dec, 2009

A blog post from almost one year ago....

Derek is back at work and I am home with my 5 wild Indians.

Another year is almost behind us. Yesterday, the boys dismantled the tree while I tackled the thousands of remaining decorations strewn throughout the rest of the house. I saved the mantle for last. There's something about taking stockings down that makes my heart ache. I love looking at each child's stocking and thinking about the magic that it holds each and every year . Maybe I just like seeing their names so many times throughout the day. It helps me remember what to call them. Whatever the reason, I despise the task.

As I started to remove the cranberries and snowflake lights, I quickly abandoned ship. I renamed them winter lights and there they shall stay until winter is over. Mantles are meant for lights. A lit mantle = a warm home and it's my New Year's resolution this year to keep mine lit at all times. (Don't worry, mom, I'll unplug them at night so as not to start a fire).

I was hoping for a relaxing day. The boys have more urgent things on their agendas. Evan wants to create a volcanic explosion in the kitchen sink. Luke wants to bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Jack, Logan and Wes will happily join in any activity.

Luke just told me he is asking for a "Febreze Flameless Luminary" for his birthday. Then he told me to "wash the baby, cuz he smells bad." Wes just awoke from his morning nap, and he does smell a little 'spitty'. I love when my boys wake up after sleeping in a puddle of drool. I could kiss their slimy, spitty, after-nap cheeks all day. It's calming to me. Makes me wonder what they dreamt about.

Is that normal? Probably not. Do I care? Not really. I have more important things to worry about.

Like.....what is the best possible way to create a volcanic explosion that will make my boys proud?



Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Groovy Retro Week Cont...

CIRCA - May, 2009

This morning I walked out of our bathroom to find 4 of my 5 boys watching Spongebob Squarepants on my bed.

(For the record, let me state that I do not understand the appeal of that particular cartoon. However, it's a favorite in this house....weird.)

I had just finished putting on my makeup, and was giving my wet hair a few minutes to air dry before succumbing to the dreadful 10 minutes it takes to blow dry. As I stood at my dresser, I heard this:


"Whoa, Mom! Did you know you have the exact same hairstyle as

THE GREAT KHALI!?

That is SO cool!"

Now, in case I have you wondering who The Great Khali is, here's a picture:


It's only been a few weeks since he told me I was prettier than this guy:



I need a makeover.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Groovy....

My boys are on fall break for two weeks, and we have BIG plans.  Plans that include fort-building, pumpkin harvesting (from our back yard!), cupcake making, leaf raking, park hopping, and nap taking (who am I kidding?).

Blogging just doesn't fit in.

Welcome to retro week!  Each day, I'm posting some of my favorite pictures and posts from the last few years. 

Happy Fall break!!!

Circa 2007....

Yesterday in preschool, the kids made a picture of 'Alphabet Soup' using letter-shaped pasta. This is Luke's bowl of soup.



I sense a parent/teacher conference heading straight for me.

Friday, October 8, 2010

I could...

Today I could write about how I showered with a spider early Monday morning.


OR...

I could write about how another spider crawled out of my child's math book that same day.

OR...

I could write about how I found my long-lost silk belt tied to a tree in the back yard.

OR...

I could write about my crusade to ban 'Nerds' candy from the U.S.A.

OR...

I could write about how I so desperately wanted to take my oldest son to the mother/son masquerade ball and he refused to go with me...due to the way I dance.

OR...

I could write about how I got *tricked into hosting a Halloween party for my children and their friends....and even their classmates. (*as in invitations were even sent unbeknownst to me)

OR...

I could write about I just got my grades for this term and I received my first B...and how that makes me feel like a failure.

OR...

I could write about how I am desperately trying to convince my husband to allow me to start the application process for foster care. (No, I am not fostering my children, but I would LOVE to foster those babies who need ME)

OR...

I could write about how excited I am that my kids are on fall break for two whole weeks!

BUT I'M NOT.

I'm not going to write about spiders in the shower, spiders inside of math books, silk belts tied to trees, Nerds candy everywhere I look, my horrificly embarassing dancing skills, the Halloween party that my son successfully pulled off, my failing grade in school, my dream to foster, or how my kids will be in their jammies for the next 16 days.

I CAN'T.

Because for the last two days, I can't get my mind off of these-

These perfect little feet.

I am overwhlemed with love, and humbled by the miracle of another beautiful nephew for me.

That's right. You heard me.  For ME.  He's mine.  All MINE.

Zachary Paul Madden,

I can't wait to snuggle you and whisper secrets into your tiny ears. I am dreaming about the first time I get to kiss your little toes. No one will ever spoil you rotten like your Auntie Amy will. (Just ask your brothers.) Everything you could ever want is waiting for you right here in Colorado.

Please don't get confused by the many other women that will hold you over the next few weeks. Their arms may be warm and cozy, but they have nothing on me, little Zach. As soon as you and I meet, you will never want to leave me. Be a good boy (as I know you will) and I will see you in 5 weeks.


Thanksgiving this year has a whole new meaning just because of YOU.


Stay tiny.


Love,


Aunt Amy


Friday, October 1, 2010

More "have you ever...?"

As promised, here's a continuation of our new little game,

"Have You Ever...?"

As in, have you ever been minding your own business (folding laundry, unloading dishwasher, wiping up a spill, etc., etc.) and heard a thunderous crash come from the bathroom?  Have you ever walked in only to find your 3 year old flat on his back, with his fingers still holding a firm grip to the towel rack that is lying across his chest? 
When you asked him what happened, did he respond like this-

" I was swinging on the rope (AKA-the towel rack), just like Indy Jones, and the rope (again, the towel rack) broke, mom!"

Here's a picture of Indy Jones himself, explaining the incident....(the rope has yet to be fixed.)

On a more recent note, today has been rough.  Have you ever had a day where no one listened to you?  Today is one of those days.  I've been driven to extreme measures.

As in, have you ever locked your kids out of the house? Don't believe me? Here's a picture. 

Look at them, they even drew on their faces with markers.  A sort of war paint thing. 
They're out to get me.

With only minutes to spare (before they start crying), I did what I do best in dire situations.

I hid in the kitchen and devoured one of these.



On my way to a better day...........