Let's Pretend That We Were Not on a Break . . . Okay?

I am kicking my butt for not blogging this year. There are so many stories I want to capture, moments I do not want to lose, and lessons I want to remember. So, enough is enough; I am jumping back into it head first. I am going to ignore the crazy notion that I need to catch up on all the half-written posts I have accumulated, I am going to ignore the fact that my blog header is pathetic and outdated, and I am just going to write. On the count of three you are going to pretend that we have been chatting this whole year on a regular basis, and I will pretend that I do not have a squirmy toddler on my lap, awkwardly nursing and making this whole writing thing extremely difficult.

1 - 2 -3  . . .

I think the most thrilling aspect of adding another child to our family after ten whole years of being a family of five, is watching how the kids interact with Leif. Zoe and Elliot are very nurturing and they are like a second set of parents to him. Avery, on the other hand, is rocking the big brother role. He torments the life out of Leif, but like a good big brother, he is always watching out for him.

Last night, amidst the routine chaos that happens in our home between the hours of 6:30 am and 10:00 pm, Elliot scooped Leif onto his knee and read to him out of an encyclopedia of world history, while sharing his Cheerios with him. The two of them are ridiculously cute together! When they were finished, Elliot stood up, held Leif really close and exclaimed: 

I can't believe how big he is getting!

Then in a much softer voice, Elliot turned to me and said:

I really hope I teach him well.

Oh. My. Land.

What did I tell ya? Ridiculously cute, and this over-the-top cuteness happens all the time around here ever since Leif joined us. No wonder I am so in love with my life right now! It is painfully difficult most days, and I am dreadfully tired and impatient most of the time, but at the same time, it is overwhelmingly awesome. It has just the right amount of chaos that I yearn for. Not the bad kind of chaos, but the kind of chaos that comes from living in a house that is bursting at the seams with people, big ones and small ones

On that note, let's close with a visual of what I deem to be over-the-top, make-your-heart-hurt cute:

Life as a Thing 4

Being the fourth baby has some definite advantages. According to dad, mom is way more relaxed with me than she was with the other three. I find this hard to believe because if you know my mom, she is anything but relaxed. I think the word is a high-strung. Am I right? Not to mention by the time I am in my teens both of my parents will be in their fifties. Yep, factor in their age and the fact that they will have just survived (hopefully!) both of my brothers' teenagehood, they should be good and worn-out. Again, am I right? 

Anyhoo . . .

As awesome as these  points are, the best part about being number four is there is never a shortage of arms to hold you or people to sleep on:

But, since we like to keep it real here at Shenanigans Inc, I must confess there are some definite disadvantages to being number four as well, and I think the next photos sum this up quite nicely:

Yep, those would be my jeans on my head and my socks on my hands . . .  ugh! 

Don't worry I am plotting my revenge as we speak, and my mom, who albeit had nothing to do with this ensemble but did insist upon taking a photo of it, will pay as well . . . muhahahahahahaha! If only I could figure out how to operate these legs and arms . . . .

Signing off,

Thing 4, Leif Webster

Random Craziness According to my Iphone

 

I was preparing a blog post for next week with all the pictures of my baby bump, and I came across a ton of crazy photos I have taken over the past few weeks of the kids and I. We really do have a lot of laughs here at Shenanigans Inc.

Okay so this one is pretty scary!

Elliot showing off all the non-age appropriate games he played at Grammie's while Zoe and I were at the IWK . . .  grrrr!

Gosh, I love these monkies and I can't believe there are only five more sleeps until another monkey will join us in our shenanigans . . . eeeep!

Day Four

Another one bites the dust . . . .

As of this morning, the number of infected individuals in our household has gone up to 4. Zoe thinks we need to wrap the outside of our house in yellow, police tape and give Mr. Level-Headed, the last man standing, a hazmat suit . . . tee hee!Avery, who only had the sniffles and some sneezing up to this point, has now entered the achy body stage, and he is not impressed. Avery, the fighter of our household, figures being sick undermines his masculinity and so he has had to ramp up his testosterone-fueled tough guy image. Beware: He is in your face, he is intense, and he is looking for a fight. 

 As for Elliot, this illness has consumed him, and he spends his entire day discussing his symptoms at length, asking about everyone else's symptoms, and moaning and groaning. Thankfully, we have all learned the skill of zoning him out (did I just admit that publicly? Eeek . . . I mean we love him dearly) because if not, we would all break out into a fit of hysteria since according to him, every second of the day, this cold is no ordinary cold. Nope, according to Elliot, this cold is most definitely a sign of the apocalypse and will single-handedly bring on the demise of all of humanity . . . tee hee! What a kid!

So, it looks like we will be spending yet another day in bed drinking smoothies and honey lemon tea, while reading about Ancient China and trying to diffuse Elliot's overwhelming obsession with the end of the world. Yay, me!

Oh, and in case you do have the misfortune of coming down with this apocalyptic cold, do not try to freeze your boogies by standing in front a fan because according to both of my boys, who I just found out tried this last night before bed, it does not work. Ya' know, just in case it crossed your mind . . . tee hee! They may not be bright, or healthy at this moment, but they sure are cute. 

Happy Thursday

Siblings

I love watching my kids interact with one another because, at times, they can be so close, while at other times, they can't get far enough away from one another.  

It reminds me of my own siblings . . .

Can I have a big shout out to the Skov sibs? I love you guys!

Anyhoo, when we are on vacation, our kids get along amazingly well.  Mr. Level-Headed and I always comment on how well we all travel together.  But really, why would they fight?  Everyone is getting what they want, and there are no restrictions placed upon them.  You want to drink pop and eat pizza all week?  Go for it!   You want to stay up late watching movies in your bed?  Go for it!  Vacation is a blast!!

But, then you come home, and oh, reality can be so very harsh.  All of a sudden you are expected to go to bed on time, wake up early, do school work, do your chores, and eat colourful foods . . .

and I am not talking about this stuff . . . 

which was sadly disappointing when we finally got into it.  :(

No, I am talking about broccoli, carrots, peppers, mushrooms . . . mmm . . . real food!  So, it should be no surprise to me that the kids were a little surly this week.  What a shock to their little systems!  Especially the boys, and one boy in particular, who seems to need a vacation from his vacation.  Elliot has not slept all week.  He is up till 1:30 - 2:30 am and then wakes every hour or two afterwards.  Help me!!

Anyhoo, I digress.  So, where was I?  Right, surly kids.  So, the boys can not even be in the same room with one another without hitting, calling names, and, generally, just making life miserable for one another.  All I hear all day long is I hate you!  You are such a moron!  What an idiot!  Last night, Avery claimed he could not possibly sit down to eat supper because having Elliot sit across from him was making his stomach sick. 

Aaaaahhhhhh!

But, before I lost my cool or began weeping because my children are heading down the path of Cain and Abel, or Nephi and Laman and Lemuel (Book of Mormon characters and a very interesting portrayal of sibling rivalry . . . you should read it some time!), I remembered times with my own sisters and brother.  We were the best of friends and the worst of enemies.  This is what siblings do.  Siblings are"safe" people.  The people you can lash insults at or pummel with your fists when you are feeling at your wit's end, and then in the next breath, they are the ones you are hugging, laughing with and sharing some of the best times of your life with.  

Awww . . . 

And this is true for my own kids!  Even though I spent the entire week asking the boys to stop harassing one another or beating one another up, there were many moments like these, where they just couldn't get enough of each other:

 No worries . . . right?

You may be wondering where Zoe was in all this fighting and loving.  Well, Zoe was busy with her own life, and we didn't see much of her.  She came home and jumped right back into the world of studying for tests, volleyball games, soccer try-outs, and getting ready for her first church dance, which she is over-the-moon excited for because kids from all over Nova Scotia, PEI, Maine, and New Brunswick will be there.  They are going to have a blast!!

Here is the dress we bought for her, while we were down in Florida:

Gorgeous . . . right?

So, of course, we then had to go shoe shopping:

And since these shoes were on "Buy One Get One Half Off", and the mama liked the yellow ones and Zoe liked the red ones, we figured we might as well buy them both and share them!  I LOVE having a teenage daughter!!!

Ooh!  I really hope I did not ruin her grand entrance tonight?  Surely, your First Dance dress is not like your wedding dress?  I may be in trouble, folks . . . again.

Since Zoe was busy all week, she really didn't get into the fighting matches too much,  but she was at the brunt of some light-hearted brotherly teasing!  With the dance coming up, the boys are quite concerned that Zoe will find her one true love . . . tee hee!  Elliot has informed her all week that any boy that wants to marry her has to first go through daddy, then him, then Avery, and then her grandfathers.  And according to Elliot, it won't be pretty (as he punches his fist into his palm) . . . tee hee!  Poor Zoe!  This sends her into a fit of rage.

I am NOT going to meet the man I will marry at the dance.  I am only fourteen.

But, mommy met daddy at fifteen.

Stop right there!  Man, that comparison hit me like a ton of bricks.

Zoe is not going to meet the man she will marry at the dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am such a hypocrite . . . tee hee!

Anyhoo, that's how our week went down.  There was tears, there was fights, there was teasing, but there was also a whole lot of love.  

I am so happy to be home!

And our furry family member was glad to have us home too!

I  guess he prefers the People Park to the Puppy Park.  It must have been the company and all the fun toys.

Have a great weekend!!

A Funny Story

Thursday night I laid down in bed and was about to drift off to sleep, when I realised I had forgotten to make up Elliot's schedule for Friday.  I tossed and turned, while debating whether or not to get up and do it, but eventually my inner procrastinator won out and I fell fast asleep.

Friday morning, the kids and I got up early and headed out to a doctor's appointment and to do some errands.  By the time we got home, everyone went off in their own direction.  Avery played pirates with his Play Mobil, Zoe and Elliot built a fort in the boys' room, and I began a sewing project.  It was a fantastic Friday afternoon!

Everything was going well until Zoe and Elliot grew bored of their fort and began pestering me about supper.

What are we having for supper, mom?

If you have no plans, can we make it?

As my sewing machine was clicking away, I tried to remember what was planned for supper, while also trying to ignore the two hovering bodies over me.  I knew I had something planned but could not for the life of me remember what it was.  Then it dawned on me; we were going to have take-out.  But why?  I usually only schedule a take-out day if we are not going to be home, and since soccer wasn't until 6pm this made no sense at all.

click click click click click . . . . the sewing machine buzzed

why oh why were we going to have take-out . . . .  my brain asked

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

I screamed and leaped from the table.

Avery!  Charlee's birthday party is right now!  We have to go!

With all the sunshine my brain had soaked up over the past three days, I had completely forgotten about Charlee's Birthday, even though her wrapped gift had been carefully placed on the counter earlier in the week so I would not forget.  Ugh!

But rather than spring into action, my kids stared at me with looks of horror and a slightly green-tinge to their complexion.  

What?!

We thought you sewed your finger or something, mom.  Don't ever scream like that again.

Oops!

 Right . . . my poor hovering, unsuspecting children were not privy to the inner dialogue that was going through my head just moments ago.

Elliot was the most visibly upset so I gave him a squeeze, and apologised.

I am really sorry, bud, for scaring you like that.

What is wrong with you today, mom?

I forgot all about Charlee's birthday party and I didn't want Avery to miss it.  Sorry.

Elliot stood there for a moment quietly, and then his face lit up:

I know what's wrong.  The schedule!  You forgot to make up today's schedule.

I think you are right, bud.

Geesh!  And they think I am the one with NLD . . . .

tee hee!

Score one for Elliot.

Here's Mr. Smarty Pants, later that evening, holding up his win for being the MVP of our first game of pick-up soccer for the season.  There will be no living with him here on out!

Have a great weekend!  Oh, and if you see Papa Skov around, wish him a Happy Birthday!!

A Visit from Flat Stanley

Last week, Avery's buddy Tanner, who moved to Provo, Utah last year, sent him a letter with a Flat Stanley in it.  Avery was thrilled!  For those of you who don't know who Flat Stanley is, he is a fictional character in a children's book series.  As his name suggests, he is flat and this enables him to have many adventures and to travel all over the world via the postal system.  

I guess Flat Stanley has always wanted to explore New Brunswick and so it was our job to show him just how fantastic our province is.

We're off!

Our first stop was lunch at the new St. Hubert's Express. It was getting rave reviews from Elliot because they put your food in a cardboard car so Avery needed to check this place out for himself.  

It was a big hit!!

  No more envelopes for you, Stanley!  Travelling in a yellow, St. Hubert's convertible is the only way to go.

Then, we went to Costco, one of the Seven Wonders of the World . . . tee hee!

As we were pulling out of the parking lot, Avery spotted some rocks and was adamant that Stanley needed to have his picture taken on them.  Yes, I am that crazy lady who pulled off the road and was taking pictures of a little boy with a cardboard cut-out doll on some random rocks.

Although we were having fun, Stanley was becoming antsy to experience something famous from New Brunswick, and after much deliberation, we decided to take him to St. Rest's Beach to see the magnificent Bay of Fundy.

Listening to his mom, is not one of Avery's strengths, and so when his mom told him to only go near the muddy cliff, he scoffed at her and plunged right in.

And surprise, surprise . . . mama knew what she was talking about.  Avery got stuck in all that mud.  Then Elliot got stuck trying to pull him out, and then Avery fell down into the mud while he was trying to break loose from  his mud-packed boots. 

Even poor Stanley got dirty!

It was one very long walk back to the car carrying two mud-caked boots with us.

After we cleaned up:

it was time for soccer:

If you look closely, you will notice that Flat Stanley is now covered in saran wrap . . . tee hee!

And that's what a day in New Brunswick with the Websters entails, Stanley. Hope you enjoyed your visit!

Before and After

I'm off to an early morning appointment today, but I didn't want to leave you without your daily dose of shenanigans.

This is before the mama decided to homeschool:



Oozing with coolness!

This is after the mama decided to homeschool:

Not quite sure what he is oozing with here, but whatever it is, it is definitely not cool.

tee hee!

Now you can enjoy your day . . .

And then there were two . . .

The big news around Shenanigans Inc. this week is that this guy is off to camp!

Skateboarding camp!





How much fun is that?

Judging from how exhausted he was last night after I picked him up, I'm guessing it was a whole lot of fun.

There was skateboarding, a game of Fishes and Whales, and water balloon fights.  What more could a ten year old boy ask for? 

But, while Elliot was playing Tony Hawk all day, this little guy was lost.

From the mama's point of view, it was an awesome day because, as many of you already know, all it takes is the removal of just one sibling and the angels begin to herald.  It was bliss!  Especially when that sibling is the high maintenance one who has difficulty entertaining himself for anything longer than ten minute intervals, but rest assured mama still loves ya, baby!  In fact, the morning went so smoothly I was actually able to vacuum, mop and clean a bathroom, three chores which I am ashamed to admit have played second fiddle to beach days and other summer adventures.  Please don't judge me . . . .

The day started out great!  Zoe and Avery headed to Lego city and I didn't hear a peep from them for at least two hours.  They were so caught up in playing and building they forgot all about the obligatory teasing, wrestling, and practical joking which typically fill our summer days.  Sorry, Elliot, but it doesn't look good for you.  Coincidence?  I am beginning to think not . . . tee hee!  It was almost creepy. But, then I heard a little squeal.  "Mom, I found Elliot's Lego man!  He is going to be so excited!", and the spell was broken.  From then on, I was followed around with forlorn looks of desperation, "when Elliot is coming home?" or "how many more minutes?".  Avery had lost his partner and crime, and things began to look bleak.

Mama, being the wise and wonderful woman she is, took the wee-est Webster down to our beach to cool off and to brighten his day.  I envisioned the two of us splashing, swimming, and laughing so much that the void in his heart would heal over.  How does that saying go?  The road to H-E- double hockey sticks is paved with good intentions?  Something like that.   Confession:  I know I said yestereday that we moms need to spend less time being spectators and more time being participants, but you really shouldn't listen to me.  Seriously, I'm not playing with a full deck!  Being a specatator is perfectly fine, especially when seaweed is involved. Another confession: I don't love anyone enough to swim in that stuff . . . tee hee!

Yuck!  But it didn't stop these two . . .



All was going well until Scouty kicked it into lifeguard mode and harrassed Avery each time he tempted to go for a swim. 

"My work here is done."

But, oh, how this makes Avery mad! 

Which then lead to a game of "Oh, look I'm swimming  . . .

 . . . and, now I'm standing!"

It must be some strange canine instinct because the minute Avery lifted his feet off the bottom of the river, Scout would rush into the water, but then would stop dead in his tracks as soon as Avery stood up again. It was hilarious and it entertained them forever! 

All good things must come to an end, though, and thanks to an aggressive horsefly who would not leave Avery alone, our beach excursion ended sooner than I had hoped.

Shoo, fly, shoo!

Well, I tried!  As for the hole in his heart, it was immediately mended as soon as Elliot walked through the door.  There were hugs, cheers, and stories shared.  Avery proudly returned his Lego man and they headed down to the basement. 

"MOM!  Elliot punched me! . . . Avery called me a loser!"

How many hours till Elliot returns to camp?

Tee hee!