haha, first off look at the bottom picture of Alexa!! She has totally made my day!! haha, laughing so hard right now looking at it! Kyle and i were eating lunch and she did this, instead of me saying "no" I said, Kyle get the camera quick!!!

It's just Alexa and the Rankins today and so calm and nice today! She's been super! playing up a storm with Kobe and being her silly self. We've sung, read books. We tried to do parts of the body but she was being a goober and was totally pointing to anything but body parts. We only had to do preschool drop off since Kyle surprised the boys with a half day.

Alexa had quiet time from 9:30-10:30, she might have napped because it was super quiet and she's in a happy mood now after lunch. She ate her cereal and fruit for breakfast and pb/j, yogurt, some cheesy eggs, cheese, fruit for lunch. I thought she drank 3 oz of her milk, however after I took off her bib I saw that she must have been sipping and spitting (she was soaked!) so now she's in the psu outfit!

So when I went to change her outfit I could smell she was gassy so I said "Alexa let's go sit on the potty" I sat her down and seriously she did #1 and #2 in a second! I don't know if we just got lucky or what but that's awesome. I have no problem at least trying, at this age I don't think she could be totally trained, but at least she can start recognizing where and how to do it. My boys never ever let me sit them on the potty! They would kick and scream and Landon in fact would go #2 until he was over 3, so you might have it easy with Alexa!

We are playing in the play room now. Kobe and Alexa are totally destroying the place but are having a blast! Oh and she had another huge #2 earlier this morning!

Thursday

Well Miss Syd is a stinky girl today! Whew! Lots of gas but no poo! I think that might be causing her to be a little fussier than usual. Only napped 45 minutes so far this AM and got fussy during lunch time. She ate at 9:15 and 12:15 so far.

Lilly had a laid back morning. Only big kid here! She painted and listened to her Barney Cd all morning.

Boys had fun at school. They were running around after school (which I can't stand) Mrs. Knisely had a talk about how one of her students got hurt and busted his lip and had to go to the doctors. I hope this talk helps! Now when I asked T and L about it they say they won't run because they don't want their lips to fall off! haha

Wednesday

It's been a good day! The kids all ate a good breakfast (Ian had a breakfast bar and milk) Alexa had her cereal and fruit. Alexa has had 3 stinky diapers today (she must feel relaxed here :-) Ian peed on the potty 2 times (although both he didn't want to but went as soon as I made him sit). The boys played dinosaurs for a good bit of the morning and then went downstairs and played cars while the listened to the soundtrack on the cd player. We did an easter chick craft, and I was happy to see that Alexa was willing to let me trace her hand to make one too, Kobe not so much. Ian and Landon also painted some easter eggs and we worked on the spelling of their names today.

Alexa and Kobe had rest time from 9:15-10:30, I think Alexa slept, although when I went up she had destroyed her bed so then I was thinking she was just quietly working away up there. She is in a good mood though so I still think she took a cat nap.

Kids all ate well for lunch. Alexa and Kobe had my mom's home made chicken pot pie (whole wheat noodles, broth, potatoes, and chicken) they loved it! with some mixed veggies, yogurt, fruit. Alexa drank her water well just a few sips of milk again. Big boys had pears, pb sandwiches, cheese sticks, juice, and brownie bites for treat.

We are now outside and it is beautiful!! I love my new lap top I can type on the patio while the kiddos play!! I'm going to take the wee ones up to swing soon and then am hoping for naps around 1:30ish so I can help Bryce and his friend with some crafts and board games (he has a play date this afternoon)

Monday

Alexa is my only extra wee one today and it's been a very relaxed/easy going day!! Ahhh!

She ate well for both meals (cereal and fruit for breakfast) I told Adam I've been putting milk in her cereal for bfast since she isn't drinking too much of it throughout the day. She drank a whole cup of water and some sips of milk at lunch. For lunch she had a feast! Tortilla chicken soup, peas, her pears, a whole piece of pizza, pb crackers, and yogurt!!! Her and Kobe were having a competition!

Very happy today! We played downstairs early morning for a long while and read books, sang songs, played with puzzles (well destroyed them) Then I was going to try and not have the babies nap until after lunch but then she was signing for nap. So what I did was put her in my room in the pack n play with some toys/books, opened the curtains so the sun came in and didn't put on her sack (because I didn't want her to nap, just rest.) Kind of did this last week but my goal wasn't to not have her nap (she didn't nap all last week in the mornings though) Worked well and she played and talked to herself for an hour (did the same with Kobe too) I think she just needs a little alone time in the AM. So after quiet time we played in the playroom then had lunch and then some more play time until 12:30 when she was def. ready for a nap.

I didn't take them outside today because A. it's soooo windy and B. Alexa wasn't too fond of Mr. Kyle and the lawn mower :-) haha

She is all sleep sacked up, teeth brushed, sang to, read books to and so ready for her nappy (she is talking to me in her pack n play as I type in my room (hence why I probably won't be able to blog the rest of the week) She is cracking me up because she's so sleepy she keeps falling over in her blankets but then gets up because she doesn't want to miss anything I'm doing (she looks drunk!)

a huge #2 this morning also!!!

Friday

Alexa had her cereal and fruit for breakfast, for lunch chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes/corn, pears, yogurt. She ate well. She's had a good bit of water today in a cup and just sips of milk. No bottle! I'm fine with you not bringing the bottle if your ok with it! She played well this morning. Bryce dressed crazy for waky dress up day and she freaked out whenever she saw him (screaming like crazy!) I thought she was going to throw up again but then after I had him hide from her she was ok. she had rest time from 10-11 (didn't sleep though) but loves it up there! I think it's her oasis :-) And I just put her down for a nap again at 1 and am pretty sure she's passed out! She had a blast showing me her jumping skills, painting the patio with water, and dancing to music today!

The big kids made b-day cards (mine for daddy and the Mattlins for their Uncle). Landon and Aiden played cars and legos all morning. We had some problems with cleaning up but I used it for bate to play the wii this afternoon and it worked. Lana has been playing baby dolls all morning. I can tell she needs a nap and hope she sleeps (she was picking on Kobe quite a bit after lunch today) She told me she was sleepy. The big kids had chicken nuggets, tator tots, grapes, and juice for lunch (Lana eats like a man!) the other kiddos ate ok but no clean plates.

Oh FYI I told Aiden he isn't allowed to sing "I'm sexy and I know it" anymore here. I've heard him sing it a few times and was meaning to have a little chat with him. Not that I really care, but I don't want my boys or any of the other kids belting the words at school. Well wouldn't you know that Bryce was singing it today at school :-) Luckily his teachers thought it was funny, but she did say she told him it wasn't a appropriate word for 5 year olds. Just so you know. Aiden was funny when I talked to him.... I'm just glad they took my word for it and just agreed not to say it I really didn't want to get into what sexy is (I'm not the best with words and meanings) haha

I made the big kids play outside for an hour today (it was like pulling teeth!) Ugh kids! They were happy once I got out water and paint brushes and showed them how to paint wwith water. I have to start thinking up some fun things for them to do to get them to play more outside!

Thursday

Good day! The girls made necklaces, Aiden made a monster mask. Miss Lilly was being a diva this morning on and off and got some time outs for scratching/hitting and taking toys. I just put her down for a nap at 12:30 because she was having melt down after melt down. Her and Lana blew bubbles for a little this morning too. They've had days better than today with playing. Lana is playing babies now.

The big boys wanted to pick flowers for their teachers this morning. They were upset with me when I didn't let them cut down all the flowers. Still so sweet!

Baby Syd ate at 9:30 an 12:30 so far! Napped from 10-11:30 upstairs and seems happy (well except from 11:30-12 she was having a grumpy time.

Big boys had fun at school. L and T learned how to spell their names (but they already knew Mrs. B told me!)

Aiden played cars until the boys got home, all are playing Wii now until rest time (it looks yucky outside today)

wednesday

Days like today I feel so blessed to have this job!!! Everyone is happy and doing terrific today!

Alexa ate well for both her meals (cereal and fruit for bfast and eggs with cheese, mixed veggies, pears, a little pb and j sandwhich, and extra yogurt). She loved everything. I gave her extra yogurt since of course I'm having trouble getting her milk in with a cup. My doctor always told me not to fret if they don't drink milk as long as they are getting a lot of dairy in foods. I tried a new cup I use for the big kids I watch today and she loved it, but of course only if water was in it! It's not spill proof but she drank I would say 4 oz of water in it at lunch, so she's staying hydrated. I even warmed her milk before putting it in the cup but no go. She played hard this morning. We were in the basement (she loves it!) and we worked on puzzles and animal sounds. She is so funny when I ask her how a lion goes she makes a kitty meow sound while Kobe growls like a wild animal. I laid her down for a rest from 10-11 but she didn't sleep. Had lunch at noon and will lay her down somewhere between 1 and 2.

Ian is doing great too! Him and Landon have played all morning in the basement. We put CARs soundtrack on cd on and danced and sang. The boys played choo choos and read some thomas books and also did puzzles. At 10 I put the CARS dvd on an they watched the movie while playing out the story with cars. We then cleaned up and had some lunch. Oh and Ian peed in the potty 2 times for me!!! Yeah!!!!! Such a good boy! We did the potty dance! All the kids and babies played the ducky game (with colors) after lunch. He ate well today too! banana bread with milk for breakfast and pb and j with grapes, cheese cubes, and yogurt for lunch. He is excited to nap in Bryce's bed again :-) Love that!

Tuesday!

Look at me mommy and daddy I'm a big girl today! Syd loves to sit in the high chair (it's reclined!)

It's been a lazy/good morning. Lilly and Lana are playing nicely (for the most part) I can tell Lilly needs a good nap, she's had some issues with screaming and spitting and has gotten some time outs. The girls played outside a little today too, mostly playing babies inside. They also blew lots of bubbles on the patio.

Syd has been so good! Took a cat nap after drop off in the swing. Very happy when awake! Gobbled down bottle #1 at 9:15 (like in 10 minutes!) loves the stage 2 nipple! Took a huge nap up stairs from 930-1130!

Boys had a good morning at school. I'm hoping for naps today all around!

Oh Free Rita's today! I was thinking Tristan can eat dinner with us around 5 and then we could take him to get a free rita's !? I can drop him off on my way to mom to mom!

Monday

Whew! Miss Ashley needed to wave the white flag today!! haha I guess that's what I get for thinking to myself early this morning that today is a good "easy" day.

Well where to start??? Well let's begin with the good stuff! Everyone ate very well today. Ian had banana bread and milk for breakfast and for lunch pb and marsh sandwhich with some mac n cheese, grapes (he's not into fruit much anymore huh?) and I made dirt cups with gummy worms for a treat (pudding, cookie crumbs and gummy worms) for Bryce's school snack because they were learning about worms today. Landon and Ian helped to make their treat and had fun!

Alexa ate her cereal well and I gave her some applesauce (organic) with it since her pears were still frozen. For lunch was whole wheat mac n cheese with veggies, yogurt, and some of her fruit.

I could not again get Miss Alexa to take her bottle (just a few sips) tried to put it in a cup after morning rest time (I'm pretty sure she didn't nap this AM) but that was just a few sips too.

I don't think Kobe napped either this morning (they 2 busy bugs played nicely up in their beds for about an hour)

My Landon was a total disaster today! He was a grouch and I'm guessing that was from 2 days in a row with no resting time. He acted like a 2 year old today so I wasn't expecting to have my hands full with a out of control 4 year old. Him and Ian finally started playing nicely together later in the morning and went out to the sand box. They also painted a little. Ian looked sleepy today and was very quiet. He was very good as usual however he did pee again this morning but this time it was early like 9:30 outside. I asked him a few times this morning and had him sit once before he went. I guess he's just having too much fun here! Poor guy looked like he was trying so hard to stop it from coming out. Then he tried for another 15 min afterward because he said he wasn't done. Oh well hopefully Wed will be a success!

Alexa had a super great early morning. She wasn't clingy, ate well, didn't cry at drop off, and was happy to go outside and play and get in the car for preschool drop off. After attempt #1 of morning nap however, she was a different baby girl! She was very fussy/clingy beginning around 11. She cried on and off at preschool pick up, did well for lunch time, but after that she wanted me to be holding her (which was very difficult when I had to deal with a spilled cup of worms and dirt on my kitchen floor!) Ughhh yes, Bryce got them from his field trip today (thank!) YUCK!! I screamed so loud, I hate wiggly worms!! Of course it was my Landon who did the crime! Anyway, during this craziness, Landon had his final melt down that granted him the rest of the day in his room.

I put Alexa and Kobe in the playroom while I put him up to bed (kicking and screaming and spitting!) Well Alexa was so upset that I went upstairs she started crying so hard she threw up on her self!!! I'm just glad Kobe wasn't close by. So I took her and Kobe up to wash her off (she's back in her jammies) and then she slipped on the towel and bumped her head!!! Then to top it off My Kobe who is usually happy to play by himself was clingy and fussy so he wasn't happy with me when I had to tend to Alexa!

So everyone was down for afternoon naps by 1 today (which is way earlier than usual) but wowza it's either a full moon or a bad case of the Mondays! I hear Alexa on and off talking to herself, I know landon and ian are passed out and Mr. Kobe is playing still!

Now I'm off to clean up from lunch! Just one of those days!

Friday

A very nice/relaxing Friday morning today! Each day I'm noticing Alexa getting more used to my house/me/our schedule! Drop off went well for Bryce. She ate her breakfast well! Her zipper was broken on her coat hence why she doesn't have it on in many pictures! I changed her before her nap also why she doesn't have the correct onsie on in the pics (I changed her back!)

So after drop off I took Kobe and Alexa downstairs to play (haven't done too much yet) They loved it down there! She was really into the big kitchen set, mega blocks, and was busy busy busy! Around 9:30 I contemplated letting the babies skip AM naps but then chickened out because I didn't want them both melting down at lunch today. However Miss Alexa jibber jabbere during her "rest time" I don't think she slept, but was happy in her pack n play. Hopefully she'll make it through lunch before afternoon nap time.

I read books (well tried to) read to the babies downstairs (I wanted to do counting books) they were not interested and just wanted to play play play! Kobe loves practicing the stairs (with 2 steps and is obsessed with climbing up and down... repeat again and again.....

Alexa wanted no milk this morning before nap, she had a big #2 before nap too. She seemed to drink a good bit of water from her sippy though.

The big kids are playing great this AM! This is why I started blogging now at 10:30am! They are playing monster trucks so well and little Lana is playing baby dolls. Haven't been outside yet today because I'm not sure if it's going to rain or not.


Ok now it's 12:30am! Update.... All the kids went outside to play from 10:45-11:45. The babies swang and ran around, the big kids played trucks in the mulch and bikes. Came in and had lunch around noon. Big kids had grapes, yogurt, pb and j sandwhiches, juice and a cookie for treat.

Babies had whole wheat spagetti with brocolli (last night's dinner) Alexa loved it, and ate her fruit and yogurt too. Still doesn't want her bottle of milk but keeps sipping her cup of water. No nap yet today and she's still happy. Hoping for a nice long one this afternoon. Kyle is playing with the kiddos in the playroom now while I type!

Lana and Aiden are having a great day too! Aiden and Bryce are now playing and Landon and Lana are playing with the babies!