Birthday Party!

Jaden had a great party! Lots of friends, family, food, and fun!!! Daddy cooked hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. Grandma Leslie made a chocolate princess cake. There were games and crafts that everyone did (including some of the adults). The kids played "put the crown on the princess" (like pin the tail on the donkey), made foam princesses, picture frames, and tiaras.

These kids sure grow up fast!!!!

After the rain

I guess it rained over night last night because when I got up at 6AM, it was still a little drizzly and the ground was wet. By 10AM, it was nice enough to play outside. It gets so hot here in the summer. Especially in August (or this close to August). It was a nice relief to have the cold 90 degree air! LOL!!

I have to take a break REALLY soon!!

***Nathan's first photo shoot- he can sit up, crawl, and has two teeth***

I am so worn out!! I think I could sleep for a week straight and still not feel rested. It is hard when I watch the kids continuously, instead of having 2 days off. Last week, I worked from Monday through Saturday, but on Saturday, it didn't end until 6PM. My only day off was Sunday, and then, I had to get other stuff done that I couldn't get done while all of the kids were here. Plus, the mystery shopping, and Amazon & Ebay sales... Today was particularly bad because I thought grandma Leslie was coming (the last time she came to our house was over a month ago). She had at first said Wednesday and Thursday she would come out. Then, she said that she couldn't do Wednesday because she had to take someone to the doctor... Then, I got an e-mail saying that she would be here on Wednesday. Wednesday (this morning), I found out she would not be coming. She told Jaden that she would come on Thursday instead. So, I called her last night to make sure she was coming, and she's not. I say all of that because I think that is the only way that I was able to keep my sanity. I knew that she would come every now and then, and I would have ADULT contact. Plus, the kids love to hang out with her, which frees up my lap. It gets tiring when I am in the house changing 25 diapers, putting kids in time out, feeding them breakfast, lunch and dinner plus 3 snacks, and having them not all take a nap at the same time (so not even a 5 minute break for me- no lunch hour or rest period). I wish so much that I could just stay home with my two kids- Without having to watch other kids for so little money. Nathan is 7 months old, and today he took 2 naps for a combined total of less than 30 minutes!! I just want to sleep for a long time...

It's really not MY fault!

I don't know why he gravitates to girly things, but he just does. Even with Jaden telling him that dresses are for girls, he still wants to wear them. He wears headbands, necklaces, princess shoes, and bracelets, too. He is still wearing this dress. He has been wearing it for two hours now.

Doing too much...

I am having trouble that a lot of people have. I am trying to do TOO much, but I don't know another way to be. It was different when I was going to a job. I worked a lot of hours because I felt pressured to get it all done, but when I came home, I didn't have to do my "work" from the job. Now that home life and job life is the same, I find myself spending more time working. For example, it may look like I am playing on the computer, bu I am actually working. I am running the Ebay business which right now is over 150 listings. It fluctuates between 150 and 220 listings per week. People that are Ebayers know what I am talking about. Then, I am, also, running my book business that is at least 100 books a month sold (that means packing them and shipping them out). Then, who can forget the kids: From 6AM until 5:30 PM, I am watching anywhere from 2 kids to 8 kids- Monday through Sunday morning... It varies depending on the care that each parent needs. Of course, there is also the mystery shopping that we are still doing. LeCount does most of the shops now that I am so booked. You would think we would have all kinds of money, since we are working non-stop... Everyone knows that is not the case- we just have to work harder for the money than we did before the lay offs. Whew! I am so tired! I have to get to bed now. I wore myself out just talking about work :0)

Sad and hard to deal with

Well, it turned out to be a very sad day today. I don't even know how I will tell the girls. I have been taking care of 3 kids during the week, and now, 2 of them will no longer be coming (July 3rd is their last day). The kids have grown so close, and it is breaking my heart- really... Not to mention the financial burden that it now places on us (like there wasn't one before!) I really don't know what we will do. The only thing I know is just to see what comes of it... When one door closes another opens- or so they say.

Drums of the World continued

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

">

Here are the swiiming pictures from Monday

Jaden and Morgan are both doing great in the water now. Jaden wants to jump in all of the time. They practiced their kicking, floating on their backs, going down the water slide, and walking in the water without me holding on to them (of course, I was right there).

Saturday entertainment

First of all, I will explain the photo. We have been in need of another toy box for awhile now (we, also, need to go through some of the toys that they don't play with and get rid of them- even temporarily). Well, I found this toy box on craiglist, and we went to pick it up today. I can't wait to get all of these toys in there!!
Today we went swimming again at the place where the girls had their lessons. We worked with them some more on the things that they learned in class, and I added some things, too. I actually got Jaden to jump into the pool (into my arms)!!!! I was so excited that I just kissed her and kissed her and told her how proud I was of her. She had jumped in before, but only while holding onto my hands. I told her I wanted her to jump to me and I would catch her. It was a big struggle with lots of crying and tears. I just kept telling her "1,2,3, jump!" When I had said it for about the 25th time, she did it!!! When I was telling her how proud I was and told her about "trust" (what I had discussed with her before- to explain the meaning), she said, "Well, you just kept saying '1,2,3, jump!', so I just jumped."
Morgan wouldn't do any jumping because she just didn't really understand what she was supposed to do... but she has no fear of the water. She was doing everything (except going under)- kicking, splashing, blowing bubbles, etc. Both girls even practiced floating on their backs.

Beautiful day for a walk

Grandma Leslie came by today. She took the kids out for a walk almost as soon as she got here. Each one of them had their own stroller/shopping cart & baby. It always cracks me up to see them walking down the street like this :0)

Magician Monday

Where is Uncle Kevin when you need a magician? Grandma Leslie came over, and after awhile, we all headed to see a magician who was also supposed to be funny... I missed the humor somehow. Even the magic wasn't so magic, but it was something for the kids. I think they liked the popcorn best. If you were to ask them how they like the show, they probably wouldn't know what you were talking about :0) It was packed with people, and they had to turn people away, so you would think that it must be good... Hmmmmmmmm... Maybe next week will be better. It will be about music, so that may keep their attention more.

Strange week comes to an end

This week has been a strange week. I feel like I have lived through 4 weeks in one!!! Over the weekend, Nathan went to the emergency room when he went into convulsions from a febrile seizure. He was admitted to the hospital when they couldn't get any fluid from a spinal tap- for further observation. Nathan remained in the hospital on Monday and Tuesday. We went up to the hospital to visit him on Monday and bring some things for Esther. Then, we went to visit Grandma Leslie. We headed back home to beat rush hour. Rachel stayed home from work that day, so Josh and Rebekah weren't with us. On Tuesday, we went to Aunt Janet's house to play in her pool, and that was a full day adventure... On Wednesday, all of the kids were back to our house (all 5) and Rachel, too. Rachel had gotten locked out of her house, so we all spent the day together. We tried to go to the water park, but for some reason it wasn't on at all... There was no water and no people... Hmmmmmmmm... So, we returned back to our home area and went to a pool close by instead. Thursday was an almost normal day... except not quite. I think there was some confusion on who was supposed to pick up the kids... But, today was normal. And thank goodness it is Friday!! You would think I would be rested because of the week I had, but it just threw me off. Plus, Grandma Leslie was supposed to visit, and she didn't get a chance... So, that was kind of sad. It is always fun to have her here during the week. The kids love spending time with her, and so do I :0) We usually do something fun with her (like go on a field trip).
Next week should be a normal one... I hope!

Swimming, swimming, everywhere!!!

We have been swimming, and swimming, and swimming (as you can see). It has kept us busy for the past couple of days. Jaden is not sure of the water... Morgan doesn't have any fear of it at all. Luckily, they will both be taking swimming lessons starting next week :0)