This is our typical evening:

Children dragging out every toy out of the toy box as soon as they know that it’s time for bed.
Boys, lets start picking up the toys

One boy runs to hide out in the playroom, the other pretends he is deaf and doesn’t hear the command.

Drag back child from playroom. Again, “Boys we need to start picking up the toys.”

Children run again

Administer punishments and begin handing toys one at a time to screaming children for them to put into the toy box. Finally, all toys are put away and I announce it is time for bed.

Children run down the hallway to pick out a bedtime story book . Pull all the books from the bookshelf.

Administer punishments and start over with the picking up toys books routine. Finally get all the books put away and head to the bedroom.

Children jumping on the bed. Not their own.

No jumping on the bed.

Children jumping faster on the bed before Mommy gets to them.

They jump off the bed and run away.

Chasing them, blankets and cups in hand.

One child takes off his pants because he doesn't want pants on.

Wrestle child to put pants back on just to notice that brother has just taken his pants off and diaper! Second child takes off running.

Child hides in his closet.

Move half the furniture to get to the child in the closet, out of the closet. Administer punishment. Use all my strength to hold down the child to put his pants and diaper back on. Meanwhile the 1st pants dropper has stripped again and headed out down the hallway.

Get the naked twin who is jumping on Mom and Dad's bed (the other one is walking around with the laundry basket on his head).


Put dirty clothes back into laundry basket, carry screaming child who had to stop jumping on the bed out of the room to put pajamas on.

Finally get somewhat calm children to sit down while reading stories.

Ahhhh, happy feeling of cuddling the children, while they help read the story.

Click, Clack, Moo
Click, Clack, Moo
Clickity, Clack, Moo

Say Bedtime prayers
The boys say they are thankful for everyone in the family except me! ( I wonder why)

Turn off light, tuck children into bed.

Get back in to bed!

Chase down child who has gotten out of bed and ran down the hall.

Find child hiding in the bathroom. Adminster punishment.

Chase down child who has gone looking for a random toy he hasn't played with in weeks.

Find child hiding on the other side of our bed. Administer punishment.

Tuck children back into bed.


Lay on floor by door to block their escape route.


Tuck children back into bed.

Go to get their water cups.

Come back to find one empty bed.

Find child hiding in closet behind box of diapers. Administer punishment.

Tuck children into bed.

Two hours have passed since starting the bedtime routine.

Mommy has passed out from sheer exhaustion.

Children come lay down beside her on the floor and finally fall asleep themselves.

***Note:  Parts of this story may have been embellished for entertainment value.  Small parts.  Very small parts. ***
 
 
Dear Blog Buddies,
 Seriously, though.  I need my blog friends help.  I tuck Heath in bed every night and he continuously gets back up.  I have administered punishment and administered punishment (swatted) to no avail.  I can't really use a time out when I want him to stay in the bed and go to sleep.  Do you have any ideas other than laying in bed with him until he goes to sleep?  I need help? I'm desperate! I'll try anything!
Sincerely,
One exhausted Momma.

Veggie Tales

I love this music video.  It cracks me up.  Every time I say bellybutton around the boys they reply in song, "Oh No, No."

Where do they come up with this stuff?!?!

By the way, we love Veggie Tales at our house.  During Sundays sermon, Chris even leaned over to tell me that the preacher was talking about the Chocolate Bunny story.  What ever makes the biblical concept stick works for me.  :)

In my Next 30 Years

I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years

Hey my next thirty years I’m gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I’ve done
Maybe now I’ve conquered all my adolescent fears
And I’ll do it better in my next thirty years

My next thirty years I’m gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I’m doing here
In my next thirty years

Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years

My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife (husband)
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here ,In my next thirty years

Goodbye 20's.  You were good to me, but I can't wait to see what the 30's have in store!

That's What Brothers Are For

*When Momma's yelling into the back seat for me not to take my socks off, and I'm screaming because I want it off, and I stick my foot over for you to reach, and thankfully, you take my sock off for me, because that's what brothers are for.

* When I can't sleep and I've been in trouble too many times to count for getting up, you will get up and play with me (when I jump on your bed and wake you), so I don't get into trouble by myself, because that's what brothers are for.

*When I've wandered around the house for 30 minutes crying and looking for my sippy cup, you finally pull it out from the bottom of the toy box where you hid it and give it back to me, because that's what brothers are for.

* When I can't reach the pedals on Kali's tricycle, you so kindly give me a push, way too fast, down the driveway and at least 100 yards from the house, where you turn around and leave me there to find my own way back with the trike, because that's what brothers are for.

*When we hold hands in a circle and say our prayer before supper every night, you let me drop your hand mid-prayer so I can hurriedly shovel food into my mouth while Mom and Dad aren't looking, preventing me from starving to death at that very moment, because that's what brothers are for.

*When you have done something that is not right, I quickly demand that Mom and Dad either give you a "spank" or a time-out, because I love you and I want you to do what is right, and because that's what brothers are for.

The Spitoon

This morning after getting everyone (including myself) ready for church, I quickly unloaded the dishwasher.  Hunter was playing with a book in the kitchen and Heath (I thought) was watching cartoons in the living room.  When I finished up, I grabbed the diaper bag and Hunter's hand and headed through the living room to gather Heath and head out the door.

I took one look at Heath and almost cried.  My perfectly clean, handsome, ironed and new belt, hair brushed, ready for church little boy was covered from head to toe in.....spit and snuff!  He had found one of Chris' spit cans that was on the book shelf (naughty Daddy, this was one of four!!!  but that's another post).  In his attempt to drink the "Pepper" he had poured it all over his clothes, shoes, the recliner, and floor.  Not to mention that it was on his chin, neck, and running down his throat (probably inside as well as out). 

I gagged.  I choked.  I all but threw up.

I grabbed the phone and immediately called Chris who had left for work hours ago.  There was no cheerful greeting on the phone this time.  When he answered, I simply stated, "You need to come back, Heath found your spit can."

He didn't need to reply because I wasn't on the phone long enough to have heard a reply.  I knew he'd come back.  He knew better than not to. 

I stood for a while and stared at the child sitting in the disgusting slim.  I honestly debated leaving him there for his daddy, but I wasn't sure how long Chris would be.  I told Heath to stay put while I went to find new clothes.  Hunter followed me around in my panic saying,"Un Pepper (I want a Dr Pepper)."   In his mind he was jealous that Heath got to have some and he didn't.

I came back with the clothes and stared at the slop covered child.  I didn't know where to start.  Finally, I sacrificed my own cleanliness and scooped Heath up and headed to the kitchen.  I plopped him into the kitchen sink and in between my gags managed to peel his spit stained attire from his body.  I was doubled over coughing and fixing to loose my breakfast when Chris walked in.

He said not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings then turned with a jerk.  He wiped and he sprayed and he sprayed and he wiped.  He glared at Heath as to say, "Look, you got me in trouble."  Heath glared at Chris as to say, "Four unmanned Dr. Pepper cans, did you really think I wouldn't want a drink?"

I finally managed to get Heath cleaned up and to control my vomit reflex.  I dressed the child and loaded the twins and left for church.  Chris was still cleaning away when I left.  We made it to Church just as class was starting.  We all smelled a little funny, but we sat near the back.

Once again I would like to state that I need more Eyes.  Two are just not enough.

Here we go again...

I would love nothing more than to tell you about all of the fun, exciting adventures that we have been up to, but I can't.  Because we haven't.

I'll let the pictures tell you what we've been doing....again.

To say that I am ready for spring time and for the sickness to go away is an understatement.  This time around it managed to take out all four of us.

...and yes, those are Christmas pjs that Hunter is wearing.

Happy Valentine's Day