Sunday, October 31, 2010

And the list gets smaller!















Carve pumpkins: check
Clean kitchen: check
Groceries for tomorrow's party: check
Boys chores and practicing: check

Trunk or treat party: check

Boys in bed or somewhere hiding stuffing their faces with icky candy: check
Most importantly, Finn in bed: check

It is Saturday night, but this will post Sunday (All Hallows Eve) so..... the fun is just getting started!! Happy Halloween for reals!! No school tomorrow so just maybe I will get the Halloween post done. I love staying caught up! Makes me so happy.

Check.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Let the festivities begin...


I don't mind crazy, but paired with sickness, lack of sleep, important birthdays and messy kitchens, I am known to be a tad grumpy. These four days have been and will be a whirlwind of fun. I am hoping we all survive and have positive vibes of well-being because there is NO SCHOOL on Monday and Tuesday to help us all recover. (Yes, I am dreading the decoration take down.... ugh!!)

Anyway, Thursday was Coleman's birthday! Finn was still not feeling very good, but I piled them all into the car after school and we finally went to pick out our pumpkins. It is a good thing we live by several farms that provide plentiful pumpkins because I hear in the Midwest there are NO pumpkins to be found. That would make for a hard Halloween unless you have a Michael's close by and have the dough to invest in a few fakie makie ones. Not for me though... I like the real thing.

We usually get our pumpkins early in the season, but this year has been busy. There were still quite a few to choose from, but the big, bigger, biggest ones have pretty much already found a home or two. We didn't do the "pumpkin patch hay ride" and such. We just picked them out from a gigantic tarp and called it a day. It is still so beautiful out there and makes you happy to be alive. Of course we left with gourds, honey, cherry tomatoes and broccoli chosen by Gabe (we ate it that night and it was divine!!). All in all, everyone was happy and my "to do" list was officially getting smaller.

I made a Tres Leches cake for Coleman's birthday. It was my first time and I did make a biggish mistake, but it was good and I think he was 50% happy. It was much better the second day, making him (I think) 85% happy. He wanted monster cupcakes and I just couldn't face it. I am a bad mom. Not!! A tres leches cake is hard btw! (o;

Friday was windy. Too windy for Halloween parades and for the first time in many many years, I stayed home. With Finn sick for most of the week, I just didn't want him in that fierce wind. I am sad I missed it, but will make up for it next year. Later that night we worked the Enchanted Forest and Haunted Forest. I have NO pics of any of this for the most part. Eric came last night with Finn and was supposed to be head photographer, but we both forgot the camera so..... a few phone pics will have to do. We had a lot of fun and are so glad to be part of something that makes us all laugh, enjoy Halloween more and makes for fun memories. Eric and Coleman have been working the HF after the EF and Coleman loves it. We love the Markoff's for their amazing vision of scariness and fun. This is part of our Halloween life and wouldn't be the same without it. Brother Nick is always so great to find Coleman the perfect spot. We really appreciate his attention to Coleman's needs in the midst of such chaos and business.

Tonight we are going to the ward's Trunk or Treat party. That should be really nice and for most it is a wonderful substitute for not going again on Sunday. We are breaking that "rule", but I figure my kids are only young once and it only comes one time a year. We do a darn good job of not breaking the Sabbath during regular times of the year.... this is our exception.

Tomorrow we have our annual Halloween party with lots and lots of friends. I am looking forward to it, but dread all the work. My house looks like a dish, shoe, costume and of course, paper bomb hit it all at once and I am not sure where to begin. I guess it all starts when I get my buns off this computer. Do I really need to post or am I avoiding chores.....? I think the latter. The party should be great and I always love seeing all our kiddies in cute costumes and being around friends and family.

With that, Happy Halloween to you and yours.











I saved the best for last.... Yes, I have no words as well.... It is both sick and wrong. I guess it is pretty fun growing up creepie! Love you ESM, you maniac you!


BOO!!!

Friday, October 29, 2010

An uninvited visitor

Strep has found its way early into our home. Delaying birthday celebrations, interrupting sleep, disturbing daily routines and wreaking havoc on our nest. Hopefully Finn will not share his sickness and we can look forward to the Halloween weekend with open arms instead of sore throats, fevers and tears. Ick!!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Coleman Paul Martinis


Happy birthd
ay to our oldest and greatest!

C-choose the right. You are so righteous, strong and always make the best choices for you. This makes us so proud and I know it makes Heavenly Father happy too!

O-outstanding. Your report cards, projects, piano recitals etc are ALWAYS outstanding. You have such a bright future! It is exciting to watch you grow up!

L-loving. You are sweet , sensitive and so loving. You really do want hugs and kisses from us and we love that about you. We hope you always want to hug and kiss us! Pretty please!!

E-exceptional. You are so smart! You do well in school, piano, scouts, tennis, karate, performing arts and basically everything you do. You also leave an exceptional impression on those that you meet. You are wonderful!

M-motivated and manners. I know that when you start something, you will get it done. You are motivated and responsible. You might not make your bed, but you do your schoolwork, study and say your personal prayers. That is motivation. I also had to mention your good manners. You are such a good example to your brothers and many, many people have mentioned to me that you are so polite and grateful. Thanks for that Coleman!

A-auspicious. Auspicious means "promising success" and that is you to a tee. You are a good student, brother, son, friend and church member. You will do well in whatever you chose in life. You will be an incredible missionary and oneday make a sweet, kind husband and father.

N-nice. You are nice to everyone you meet. You are considerate, kind and friendly. You will be blessed because of this quality.

12 years has just flown by. We love you more and more each day. Thank you for who you are and what you will become! We are so blessed because of you! Happy 12th birthday you tween you!

XOXOXOXOXO



Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A New York Minute

So, I am not patient and decided to post Eric and Coleman's weekend trip to NYC. I downloaded the pics this morning and totally decided NOT to. There are a lot of fun and funny pics and I am pretty sure Eric could do a much better job in capturing the moments than I could. Remember, I was only there in spirit. (O: It looks like a great trip and I know Coleman will cherish that time with his dad for the rest of his life. So, this is just a "New York minute" in pics.... There are so many and I promise to hound Eric to get it done sometime soon.




A New York minute is an instant. Or as Johnny Carson once said, it's the interval between a Manhattan traffic light turning green and the guy behind you honking his horn.
- Urban Dictionary

(Just in case you didn't know!)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Thursday, October 21, 2010

A reflection of sorts

My blog is a happy, funny place where I post the best for my family and a few friends to see. But.... honestly speaking/typing, life is not always happy and funny. I would like it to be, but it's not. Today I feel sad and stressed. I have spent a lot of time as of late thinking and worrying about my children. My thoughts and certain situations often leave me feeling helpless, frustrated, confused and even scared. I want the best for my children. I want them to be liked, accepted, receive a good education, go on a mission, go to college, be happy and the list goes on..... I can understand why the concept of free agency was fought over. Life would be so much easier if we didn't have to wade through trials and difficult choices.

Today I am sad. I can't snap out of it. I had a long meeting at school about one of the boys and although it was a fairly productive meeting, I left with my stomach in knots. I want to shelter my boys from all of life's hardships. I want them to have my childhood... carefree, full of friends, a loving extended family, lots of free time,very little stress and a mom that never yelled. Don't get me wrong, things happened with me and my family growing up that were unpleasant, but we weathered through them differently than we would now in the present time. Expectations on children have changed and evolved into mass chaos of sorts. It is impossible to fit it all in and survive emotionally, spiritually and mentally.

I have been trying to spend more time with my boys especially at night. Part of it started as a rewards incentive for Gabe and part of it was a brief awakening I had this summer. Time is slipping through my fingers and I felt like I needed to connect longer, harder and more often with my boys. As I talk to them, I realize more and more that I need Heavenly Father's help to get through even our daily lives. I need to have more faith in Him and His love for me and my children. I want quick results, but know that the heavens do not always work on that speed. It is hard to be patient when you see your children hurting....

Why am I posting this? Soon my blog will be in print and a book given to each of my boys, my most precious gifts. I want them to see that everyone struggles. Life is hard, but full of goodness. I want them to know that I do rely on the Lord and although I have sad days like today, I know that tomorrow is a new day, full of promise. And if tomorrow is a bunch of yuck too, I have the weekend to look forward to. (O:

I love my boys. I love Eric. I passionately worry about all of them. I wish I could make life simpler, stress free and less problematic. I love the Lord and hate that I forget what a help He is to me. I have a lot of work ahead of me and although it seems overwhelming at times, I do know I can do it. I do know that we all can have happiness and peace. It just takes work.... and a few sad days to reflect.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ~John 14:27

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Monday, October 18, 2010

Pee Pee in the Potty

I know this is very premature....and it could very well be a phase. BUT for about a week, Finn has been going PEE PEE IN THE POTTY (sing with me!) multiple times a day. I am in shock. I am a mother of four boys. Three of those boys didn't even think about the potty until I forced them to become potty trained at 3 1/2 years old. Need I remind you that Finn is only 2, not yet 2 1/2. What a gifted pee-er!! For me, this is short of a miracle. He goes when he wakes up and before he goes to sleep. He goes before the bath and sometimes after. He even goes if you just ask him during the day. Today he peed FOUR wonderful times and the day is not yet over. I am a very happy mom. Even if it does not last, he knows how to do it and how it feels. Boys like to hold on to their pee and poo rights... Why? I wish I knew. What I do know, however, is that this is definitely on the right step and perhaps on the road to diapers no more..... I have wanted to visit that place for some time..... maybe now I can live there! Yipee!!! We will keep you posted about the potty situation. We may just have to go to Hawaii when he goes POO POO ON THE POTTY (sing with me!) Muah!!!!!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Two birthdays, one weekend

Coleman and Eric are off celebrating his 12th birthday BEFORE his actual birthday and on Friday we celebrated Gabe's 7th birthday way AFTER his actual birthday.... Hey, it works for me! Better late or early than never.... Count your many blessings!

Anyway, for Gabe's party we booked Shadowlands, our (or rather THEIR) favorite birthday venue. I invited 20 stinking kids thinking that many would not come being that it was a Friday and even though there was no school, parents would have to work etc. I was wrong. Way wrong. 20 kids (plus Finn) came and I was pulling a solo. One kind mother did stay to help only because I am sure I looked a little frazzled and perhaps too busy. (o; The end result was happy, well fed kids and a serious lack of good pictures. Finn is a major and pleasant distraction. He needs to be held too much and I do it because he is my last and I am a sucker that way. (run-on sentences... where are my grammar skills?) I did get pics of the important kiddies, MY kiddies and a few others. The group was filled with good kids so even though it was busy, it was nice. Shadowlands is a great place to have a party. I just wish they would mop their floors better. It really grosses me out.

So happily, I am done with birthdays for a while. We will do something with the family for Coleman's, but other than that.... I have a few months off. Off? Well, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (did I mention Disneyworld after Christmas?!? YIPEE!), I (we) have enough on our plate. Happy early and late birthdays boys! You are the apples of my eyes!!

Gearing up....

"Listening" to directions

Bella and Emma (so sweet!)

Did Mitchell and Johnny see a ghost?

Finn thinks he is playing. He keeps raising his hand. In due time, my darling... in due time!

Watching the game. Always waiting for his turn.... Oh Finny!

Mortal Dragon Tate (Finn is trying to get the pack! Poor Finn!)

Lightning Bolt and The Thing. Cute!!

Sassy!

Watch out team blue!!

Still waiting! What a trooper! I love my Finn!!!

Army guys.... same as last year. Hey, he loves army guys!!

My birthday boy (still!)

Cha cha cha!! He is impersonating a chipmunk. JK!!

Happy 7th birthday party darling Gabe! We love you!!