friday night... and feeling alright.

It's been a while since we've had Aaron home for dinner on a Friday night. Last night we celebrated with homemade pizza, breadsticks and a yummy salad. The kids made their own mini pizzas. Luke made a car-- that turned into a long limo. Zack wasn't feeling well and went to bed without touching his pizza... (but it's the first thing he asked for in the morning!)

Simon was already good and fed when we sat up to eat, but he wanted REAL food. We took off the toppings and gave him a piece of crust to suck on. He was in pizza heaven!

When we took it away, he threw an absolute fit.

Isn't it too early for tantrums??

April Fools

Last Thursday was April Fool's Day. I was on my media strike and had a pretty low-key, kick back day. In the afternoon, I ventured out of the house to pick up Aaron's dry cleaning. He happened to call while I was driving home. I told him that we were losers for not pulling any kind of April Fool's prank. He agreed and said that we were too busy to be cool. Next year we would think of something good.

Later that night, an opportunity fell into my lap and I just couldn't resist. Aaron was supposed to be home around 7-ish. Thursday nights are my night without the kids. I had planned a Girl's Night Out with neighborhood friends. 7:00 pm rolled around and I hadn't heard from the husband. He went straight from work to a meeting at the church.. so I really couldn't blame him for being late. When 8 pm hit, I decided to pack the pajama-wearing kids in the car and take them with me. There's nothing like walking into a "girls night" with four boys in tow. We put on a movie for the kids in the other room... I was positive Aaron would call any minute and pick them up on his way home. 9 pm rolls around and then 10 pm. The kids were still awake. Simon was the only one complaining... he wanted his crib, and bad. At 10:30 Aaron calls my cell phone. Instead of answering, I asked the girls what would be a good April Fool's joke. He called back a few minutes later and I ignored it again. At 10:45 pm, I walked into a quiet room to call Aaron back. This is how the conversation went down:

Aaron: Hey babe. I tried calling a bit ago, but you didn't answer. Where are you?

Janet: We've had a terrible night, Aaron. We're at the ER.

A: WHAT? What happened?

J: Zack swallowed a quarter and I couldn't get it out of his throat.

A: What? Is he okay?

J: We don't know yet. I didn't see him swallow it, but Ben told me what happened.

A: Where are you? Where are the boys?

J: Zack and I are at Southern Hills hospital, but the other kids are at Jane's. Will you go and pick them up?

A: Sure. What else can I do?

J: Why don't you pick them up and then I will call you. I don't know how long we'll be here. Oh, and before you leave, will you look at the calendar and see what day it is?

A: What?

J: Just look and see what day it is before you go.

A: Why? What?

J: It's April 1st. You know? April Fool's Day?

A: You are so mean. I am not even talking to you.

J: Pretty funny, no?

A: No. It's not funny. It's terrible. You don't joke about those kinds of things. Especially because swallowing a quarter is something Zack would do.

J: I know. That's why it was good.

A: So, where are you?

J: I am at girl's night. The boys are watching a movie in the other room. We should be home soon because it's way past Simon's bedtime.

A: You're terrible. I'm really mad at you.

J: April Fool's only comes around once a year. I couldn't help myself.

A: (click)

It's been a week and Aaron still doesn't think it's funny.. but believe me, it was. Did you pull any good pranks this year?

18 pounds of deliciousness

Simon is FIVE months old today.

He's 18 pounds and 32 inches long.
He rolls over like a champ.
He sleeps 10-12 hours a night (bless his heart!)
He squeals when you talk to him.
His cheeks bounce when you pat his back.
When you kiss him, he closes his eyes, opens his mouth wide
and attacks your lips.. (something he learned from his daddy.)
He loves real people food but will take mush if it's the only thing offered.
He has a pointy lizard tongue that sneaks out when he's happy.
He burps 4-5 times after every feeding.
He loves bathtime.
He slobbers like a hound dog.
He kicks wildly when you walk near him.
He uses his fist as a chew toy.
He is cuddly as ever, especially when he's sleepy.
He's taken on a new nickname: Sir Poops-A-Lot
He's ticklish under his chin and in between his thighs.
He likes to take out his pacifier and chew on it sideways.
When you blow raspberries on his tummy, he looks at you as if to say,
"Why in the world are you doing that to me?"
He favors Ben over his other brothers and sometimes over his mother.
When people see him, they comment on 2 things:
how LONG his body is and how LONG his eyelashes are.
He says "ma-ma-ma-ma" when he's sad.
He loves to stand, but he's not such a fan of sitting up.
He has the most endearing giggle.
He is an absolute joy to have around.


Dear Grandparents,
There's a video of 5 month old Simon
and his crazy brothers on our other blog.

robinson crusoe and other adventures

This was taken sometime last week. I can't remember which day because they were all the same. Aaron was working late and all four of my boys joined me in bed for a second (or third) helping of Robinson Crusoe and his adventures as a castaway. I was surprised how much we all enjoyed it... meaning, I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. Robinson's adventures led to some great conversations-- some intense and others hilarious. Which reminds me, I have another post for my edition of "kids say the darnedest things". Here we go.......

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One night after reading, Luke asks: If our family was on a ship and it crashed, which kid would you save?

Me: It depends on who was nicer to me that day.

Zack: Then I know it would never be ME!

(the kid is smarter than I give him credit.)

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The next morning, Simon was jibber-jabbering on the floor. Zack laid next to him and had a conversation that went like this:

Zack: Are you talking to me? (in a high pitched, squeaky voice)

Simon: goo-goo, ga-ga.

Zack: Really? You have a lot to say!

Simon: Aaah! (accompanied by spit bubbles.)

Zack: That was a great story! All about Robinson Crusoe!

(we all thought it was funny, but Ben literally laughed for five solid minutes. He had tears in his eyes after he was finished.. I love to see Ben giggle like that.)

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another conversation inspired by Robinson:

Zack: Would you eat throw up to save Ben?

Me: Yes. I would eat anything to save Ben.

Zack: Would you eat Ben to save the whole world?

Me: um, probably.

Zack: Me too.

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Zack: I have four brothers.

Me: No. I have four sons, but you don't have four brothers.

Zack: Yes I do! I have four brothers: Ben, Luke, Simon and GOD!

Me: In that case.....

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Zack (closing the sliding glass door to the backyard):
Hurry Luke! I am going to close it! Would you rather be squished or still alive?

Luke: Duh. Alive.

Zack: Well, sometimes I would rather be squished! (As if to say, "not everyone thinks like you!")

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After wildly running across the road, I explained to Zack (for the millionth time) that he has to be careful when crossing the street. He shrugged his shoulders and said: There were no cars!

Me: You didn't know that until after you crossed.

He looked at me with his typical smart-alec smirk and said: Well, do I look FLAT to you?

WhyIoughtta...

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I asked Zack to do me a favor. He defiantly said, "NO! I am not your pixie!" (we draw "pixie" names around Christmas and secretly do nice things for them around the house.) According to Mr. Selfish, that's the only time of year we do nice things for each other.

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While cleaning up dinner last week, Zack was running around being his crazy self. Simon was playing happily on the floor until Zack got close. All of the sudden, Simon was screaming bloody murder. I picked him up while asking Zack what he did. Zack came over and said, "I accidentally bonked Simon on the head (long pause) with my foot." Where I'm from, that's called.... kicking.

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On our hike with Uncle Brett, Zack was tired and miserable. When we finally got to the top, Zack looked at me and said, "This hike was NOT a good idea!" On the way down, he got his second wind and was back to being his happy self. We ran down most of the way and beat the others by a long shot. While waiting, he climbed on my lap and for hugs and kisses. This is what was said before Daddy and the others caught up to us.

Zack: I loved that hike! (KISS)

Me: I'm sorry you were such a stinker!

Zack: Yeah! I was stinking! (KISS)

Me: I am sorry you didn't go to bed on time.

Zack: (KISS)

Me: I am sorry you keep kissing me with such a dirty face.

Zack: I will NEVER be sorry about THAT!

And in spite of everything, Zack instantly becomes the one I would chose if our ship was sinking.

7 days and 7 nights

7 days and 7 nights. That's how long our family went without TV, internet and music. It was quiet and peaceful & just what we needed before Easter. We filled our days with science projects, field trips and play dates with friends. We didn't miss any of our "favorite" TV shows. We talked a lot. Meal times were never rushed because we didn't have anything else to do. We read twice as many books as usual. Bedtime routines were more thorough and less frustrating. All in all, it was a fantastic week. The hardest part (for me) was running without music on my ipod. But after a couple of days, I realized that my thoughts were clearer... and the sunrise seemed to make it's own music.

After seven days of no media, I feel really hesitant to put any "garbage" back into our lives. Little by little, I know we will get there, but hopefully this week we can ration what we watch or listen to. I have spent the last 2 hours reading my email account, which is a great deal longer than usual. But these service giveaway entries were worth EVERY minute. Wow. I realize that most of you would rather not put your stories out for the world to read and that's okay. I hope you'll give me permission to share some of them on my blog next week.. they are just THAT good. Keep them coming.

As far as getting caught up on my blog and the happenings of last week, I am not going to worry about it. I kept a clipboard in my kitchen and wrote down all the funny things the kids (ie. Zack) said this week. I filled up two pages of goodies. Hopefully I will get around to documenting those later. Until then, let me post one picture and call it good.


We had a great Easter weekend with Aaron's handsome brother, his bodacious wife and their darling little boy. One windy afternoon we took a hike up a mountain. Kate and I talked our manly-men into wearing the baby slings. There is power in numbers and when BOTH men look girly, they didn't feel awkward... rather, they felt less awkward. Anyway, Simon slept the entire hike, but little Sebastian was bouncy and so HAPPY to be in a baby carrier. He was squealing and kicking and his feet happened to be in the perfect place. Brett seriously needed a cup to protect himself and he kept saying over and over, "A man isn't supposed to wear this thing." (As if the yellow flowers didn't say that already.) Three cheers for men who are in touch with their feminine side and those who are willing to sacrifice everything so their women can sit back and laugh at them.