Beethoven's Ninth

This is a lovely piece of music.

However, it loses a bit of its luster after being played repeatedly on the piano by my daughter. I have encouraged my daughter to practice (as this does not seem to be her natural inclination), so I have no one to blame but myself. I suppose my parents can relate, as my sister and I pounded out countless attempts at piano pieces years ago.

Maybe someday she will be a famous concert pianist, and I will look back on these days (and the fact that Beethoven's Ninth is permanently etched in my brain) fondly.

Home again, home again

I returned last night from a glorious weekend in Galena, IL, with all my college girlfriends. It was heaven! We shopped, we ate, we talked (and talked and talked!), and we laughed together. What a blessing they all are to me.

When I arrived home, I had a reception I rarely receive (since I rarely leave for so long!). The kids all attacked me and gave me monster hugs. Though it is nice to get away (that is a minor understatement), it is always good to come home!

The cheese stands alone (er, make that the mommy)

I'm sure so many of you are waiting with bated breath to see who else is afflicted by the plague in our house. Well, (drum roll please) my husband was hit last night. Thankfully he is doing fine this afternoon.
I have not had the stomach flu in at least 20 years. I know I am tempting fate by writing that here, but I hope I go another 20 (or actually the rest of my life!) and remain unscathed by it.

And then there were two. . .

My daughter gave in to all the germ peer pressure this morning. Thankfully, my husband and I are still well. This evening, everyone seems to be on the mend. Maybe tomorrow I will be able to venture out of our house o' sickness!

Not everything works like rollover minutes, son

This morning at breakfast, my 7 year old son (who is feeling better now after his bout with illness yesterday) asked if he could have both today's allowed pieces of candy as well as yesterday's pieces.
He's nothing if not optimistic!

Another one bites the dust!

My 7 year old son succumbed to the ickies this morning. When you have lots of kids, I guess it's only a matter of time before they all get sick. Ironically, germs are the only thing my children are happy to share with each other.

The best laid plans. . .

This morning, I got up, my mind running in a million directions. I had a doctor's appointment this morning, with a sitter coming over for my 2 year old. I had much shopping to accomplish all afternoon, my daughter was having a friend over after school, and then there was RCIA at church tonight (confirmation class that I am involved in). Not being much of a homebody, I was looking forward to the day of busyness.



Then, after my husband left to take the older three to school, my youngest son threw up. As I knelt there consoling him, my mind began to flood with the day's planned activities. The people I needed to call, the appt. to reschedule, etc. Then the disappointment set in. . .no shopping, no class tonight (my small group is great!), nothing. Nothing but staying home all day. I quickly changed out of my going-to-town clothes and put sweats on (no point in dressing up for vomit!).



After awhile, I began to think that maybe it would be good for me to be forced to stay home all day. I could make the peanut clusters I was planning to make. . .I could wash the floor. . .and most of all, I could play with my little boy and spend some quiet time with him. Though I am still sorry to be missing out on most of my plans, I am truly thankful that God has given me this quiet day to be together with my littlest child.

Seven things I'm lovin' right now. . .

In no particular order -

1. Coke Zero. All that great Coke taste and NO calories. Life is good. Sadly, it does have caffeine.

2. Falling gas prices. I saw $1.94 today. I know it can't last, but for now, hallelujah!

3. The rose my husband brought home for me tonight. For no reason. I am so blessed to have him!

4. Viva la Vida by Coldplay. I have no idea what it means, but I love it.

5. The Time Traveler's Wife. A friend recommended it recently, and it has completely drawn me in.

6. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. We saw it on opening day Friday (we took out a second mortgage on the house to do it, but hey, is there a better reason to do that?), and we all loved it. Of course, we might actually hear all the lines when we rent it in a few months. . .

7. Christmas shopping. I start early and enjoy every second. It is shopping I am supposed to do - no guilt!

Election party!

Though we are disappointed in the national elections, last night we had a pretty compelling election right in our family room.
While the kids were at school, I printed a ballot for dinner choices. As soon as the kids heard about our vote, they immediately got into the spirit of things. My 7 year old went right upstairs to put on a tie and dress shirt, so he could properly debate the menu options. The younger boys followed suit (no pun intended). My two year old had his tie clipped to his Mickey Mouse t-shirt. It made for a very cute picture.
When Daddy got home, the debates began. We had Senators Fish Sticks and Chicken Nuggets, Senator Milk (who was Daddy - he gave an impassioned speech) and the like. My daughter was the mediator and asked some thought-provoking questions (such as. . . Why do you think you should be eaten?).

Watch out, Washington!

It seems. . .

inherently wrong for my sweet two year old to keep repeating today, in his angelic voice, "Shake your booty!, Shake your booty!".

Gotta love Daddy dance time in the evenings. The kids just love all those 80s songs.

A new blog!

I have recently begun blogging at Lots of Kids, a website for larger families. Check it out!