Now You Know Why We Avoid Shopping Together

Mike has been doing a great deal of work at home (which I love by the way!), and this afternoon, Mike had to prepare for a big meeting.

I decided to take the kids out of the house so he could focus in peace. Since we are starting school very soon I thought going ahead and getting school supplies would be an awesome idea.

The kids were of course, thrilled.

So we get there and the usual patterns begin.

"Can I have this?"

"Wait, I need to see if there's anything new at the dollar stop!"

"They have Mcqueen stickers!!!!!"

And so my three older children began the constant questions, chatters and begging. Spanky never bothered to ask. He was far too busy filling up the cart with things he needed (the things all two year old need--water bottles, post it notes, balls, glue, markers, crayons, locker mirrors, protractors, erasers.....).

Trying to make sure I was getting everything on the extremely specific lists, I let the kids continue and went on with the shopping.

I was glad I came early because all the kids seemed to start wondering, especially Spanky who had his hands full with 5 lunch boxes (one for each day I suppose).

So anyway, I ended up letting the three older kids get a special 'school' treat. The girls got fancy folder covers and Dino got a Cars notebook (their school keeps most supplies plain so this was a big deal). I figured I would try to barter with Spanky with something he already put in the cart.

At the check-out line, I mentioned to the cashier, I did not need everything in the basket and would be giving her a few items. It was easy to do at this point since Spanky was very distracted with candy by the register.

I handed her:

• 23 bottles of glue
• 7 bottles of clear glue
• 5 mini-post it packs
• 9 boxes of 24 count crayons
• 3 water bottles
• 6 lunch boxes
• 2 Hello Kitty back packs (guess he was thinking of his sisters?)
• 1 Koosh ball
• 7 packages of markers
• 2 index card packs
• 1 soup container

Miley commented as she was trying to wrestle Spanky away from the candy that she understood why I never liked to go to Target during the day and I only went at night when Daddy was home.

"I have a head ache and my legs hurt chasing that boy," she mumbled as we got in the car.

Sarah of course chimed in saying she would be happy shopping online from now on.

I smiled, thinking this would end the endless quests to go to Target on a lazy day.

And when I got home, I had everything we needed for the school list plus:

• 4 extra index card packages
• 3 extra sets of jumbo markers
• 2 folders
• 1 extra set of erasers

I'm sure I'll find a use for those items somehow ;)

WW--What a Toddler Does When He is Stuck in a Theater for Weeks

Cannot Live Without Foods

We are trying some new items out at the Very Busy with 4 household right now so bear with me as I must once again miss Menu Monday. In lieu, I 'd like to share some of my items I always have handy just in case.

For breakfast, I always have eggs on hand. Honestly eggs are the miracle product. I can scramble 'em, fry 'em, bake 'em or whatever. I almost always serve eggs with salsa too--a house in Texas cannot be without salsa (pretty sure it's a state law ;) )

For quick lunches, I always make sure there are tortillas and cheddar cheese for quesadillas. I can whip these up pretty quick with a pannini press too. I tend to keep at least one package of tortillas in the freezer and we always have Mammoth Cheddar on hand :)

For snacks, I try to keep all ingredients for a smoothie on hand--that would be milk, fat-free plain yogurt and frozen berries. My kids live off these esp. in the summer!

For dinner, I always have a boneless skinless chicken breast (in freezer) and baby spinach. With these items and some various veggies, I can whip up a grilled chicken salad in a matter of minutes (just have to remember to thaw the chicken!).

For quick desserts (and if I know friends are stopping by), a container of heavy whipping cream and fresh berries. I can whip the cream with some sugar and vanilla (also always here) and serve over berries. I also like to grate some Callebaut semi-sweet chocolate over the dessert (yes, the chocolate is always here!).

And of course, there are always some French roast coffee beans. I need my coffee!

Now if you are really wanting a meal plan this week, check out Jen at Chive Talkin' :)

Split Personality

I have been leading two very different lives on the internet. There is the mommy of 4 here on the blog and Facebook, and then there is the very political and opinionated girl from Texas on Twitter who sometimes discusses a bit of her other life. I even use a different name but do reference my blog.

A while back I did do a political post on here and then another. It just didn't feel right. My blog is a journal of my life with my husband and kids. I know I do not share the same political views as my friends on this blog (and thank goodness, how terrible would the world be if we never spoke to those who think differently?). I'd rather discuss other issues here--things we can all relate to in some degree.

Twitter I am all-together different person. Different name, different attitude. I rarely 'hold back' and do speak my mind. It's my place to let loose and discuss world events. Not the day to day mommy stuff I usually talk about. It's a refreshing change.

And then came Facebook.

Facebook includes so many of in-real-life friends along with blogging friends. I decided from the start I would use Facebook more like my conversations I have with my friends. I admit when I see some 'status' messages that include anything remotely political, I am tempted to say something, but I will not. Beside, talking all politics can be really tiring. Is it just me or do you get emotional after watching too much news?

There are times when path cross and I do have many blog friends who also follow me on Twitter (and bless those who think differently then me and still follow me!), and I do list my blog on Twitter, and my Twitter handle is named on Facebook. But for the most part I keep it separate.

So am I alone here? Anyone else guilty of split personalities? And if you are on Facebook, let me know! (If you dare to follow me on Twitter, I am Lisaindallas -- but don't say I didn't warn ya!)

Well that's different

We parent differently. We are as unique as our children. I believe God gave us our children because we will know the best way to parent them (whether through birth or adoption--His hands brings us together).

Unless there is abuse, I see different parenting methods as just that. Different methods. Maybe not for me but maybe for them.

So at the pool the other day I saw a mom with three young boys, ranging from say 6 months to 5 years. She was 'playing' with them in the shallow portion of the pool. 'Playing' for this mom consisted of kicking (yes, kicking) her oldest in the stomach so he fell back in the shallow water falling completely in. He came out coughing from air he swallowed. She stopped, asking if he was OK. He nodded so she did it again. And this time, when he came out coughing, she laughed. Then she threw one of those balls soaked with water to her middle son, well not threw, more whipped it at his chest. Once again, fell over. And more laughter.

I turned to some life guards. The teenage boys were watching the mom with their mouths dropped open.

Then she sat back down with the baby she was holding the entire time and let the boys play. Please note, the baby never even touched the water or got splashed--both mom and brothers were very gentle and sweet to the little guy (he was very cute!).

I am still not sure what to think. I know my husband has bugged me about handling my kids, especially the boys, with kitten gloves. I am just not the 'rough house' type. I could never imagine doing this with my kids.

So I'm wondering. Is this normal? I mean they all seemed to happy and laughing (when not coughing). Am I just too 'soft'?

But what is normal?

The kids have taken their final bows, I have penciled the last Siamese eyebrow on the last child. The play is over.

Now we can get back to normal.

After we wash the piles of clothes that have been waiting. After we wash all those bed sheets that have been waiting. After we scrub the floors that seem to have taken on new colors. After we wash the mountain of dishes. After we catch up on all the mail I've left in a giant pile. After I return those 40-50 phone calls. After I respond to the emails.

Then I can get back to normal.

The days when my kids go to bed at a decent hour and wake up at decent hour. The days when the kitchen stays clean. The days when I have some summer school work ready. The days I have that one load of laundry and I am totally on top of it. The days the kids do their 15 minute clean-ups plus their chores. The days we go a quick fun activity. The days everything is together.

Do you have a lot of those 'normal' days?

I have to be honest. I cannot remember my last 'normal' day.

Our new 'normal' always seem to include some sort of snag. Kids staying up too late. A broken AC. A quick errand that turns into a four event. Running out of milk right when I am about to make muffins is 'normal'.

Maybe I should think about wanting an 'abnormal' day. Those days when everything seems to be perfect......but then how boring would I be?

Someone was going to say it sooner or later

It finally happened last night.

"I've been watching him. I don't know if it's ADD or tourettes or just discipline, but I know something is wrong with him," a mom said looking at me.

She was talking about Dino.

Dino, my sweet lovable boy who seems to be a little delayed in almost everything but kindness. His gait is getting better, his speech is getting a little better. But he's still not up to snuff.

I know he's not. We've been to doctors. His special ed teachers don't know what it is. They think maybe dyspraxia, maybe mental cognition. The doctors think it might be the low muscle tone--that he will get better, it will just take longer and more work. I have asked about autism--every doctor and teacher has said no, not in the slightest. Some friends think he make have selective mutism because he has moments of perfectly clear conversation with me but very few other people.

I know because of the delays, he has confidence issues. We are trying to build him up. We have been blessed with this theater experience to have so many kids run up and hug him. His older sisters praise him constantly.

Things just aren't clicking.

He has had a few outbursts on stage because someone is out of place, and usually in his spot on stage, or his clothing gets messed up and he tries to fix it.

The other night when I was putting him to bed it took every bone in my body not to shake him and scream 'what is wrong with you?' but I held back, spoke to him. I did most the talking as his looked at me and nodded his head, occasionally whispering a quick response.

He does have a few friends at school. He laughs, he plays but rarely actually talks with them. It's more gestures and smiles.

I don't know what I should be doing to help him. I fear I am the reason he is having so many issues. I don't do enough with him. I don't give him the care and help he needs. I wish I could just wave a magic wand and he would be 'normal'.