Photo Update

Landon the day before school started. He just loves boxes as playpens. He has truly completed our family. On the few days he is naughty (very few) he is a joy to everyone the rest of the time. I am waiting to see if he will show us a different side of himself as he grows. But I will take it!!

Wow!!

I can't begin to explain why I have not been writing. Most of it seems to be the kids again! Hmmm, funny how that always seems to get in the way of things that I feel are important.

I don't know if anyone still reads this or not but I purpose to be a better blogger this year. I missed it so much.

I have been knitting, just not really finishing much. I did a couple of scarves for Knot Another Hat. Realizing quickly that I would not be inspired to knit scarves for all my Christmas gifts (smirk,chuckle,laugh).

Okay so the boys are in school again this year. Most of them are loving it. I will refrain from any long ranting here. Just in case I have any school folks reading this. We have one challenge person in our midst and I have committed to praying for said person, because the alternative is not, well very nice. heheheh.

After a few months of discovering mean people in my life. I quickly decided, mean people suck. Really there is nothing I can say that would make that statement untrue.
So I am weeding out those that take to much out of me and take me away from the things that matter in my life. FAMILY, FRIENDS, KNITTING...ETC.

Alex has been so over the moon with his classroom and his new teachers and friends. He is so funny. The stories he is coming home with are challenging me as a parent to figure some things out.

The boys are all doing a round of soccer and Makoa can't wait to get a turn. Basketball and wrestling are just around the corner for him. Can I just say if any care dealer/manufacturer would like to donate a 10 passenger van or Suburban to this crazy, busy mom of 5 active boys we are glad to have you email us. heheheh. We are living in the car. Homework is just not as fun if you are elbowed by your bony knee, pointy arm brother, who can't sit still for anything. Not to mention the light are not made for homework/reading.

I will post photos after I drop off the kids tomorrow. Mr. Landon is getting so big. I can't believe he will be 8 months already. Time just seems to have taken a lofe of its own this year.

If anyone still reads this and is interested in the rantings of this busy mom. Shoot a little comment and I will share some stories with you soon.

Eyelicker

Okay, sadly this post is only about a month over due. I can't believe it takes me so long to blog these days. Wee little Whitaker seems to know when I sit down at the computer, he is hungry or poops just about every time. Heheheh..

So, on to the story. It isn't really as big of a deal now a month later, but the day it happened well, you tell me what you think.

I have been trying to find ways to discipline the troops in a more creative way. Our old stand by methods are just not working for the bigger boys. They require a bit more than "Because Mommy said so."

In honor of that, my boys were on a quest that morning to give me several opportunities to work on my creative correcting. Funny how that works. The day you decide to put some new plan into action they find new ways to wow and amaze us. I don't even have to say anything they just KNOW mom is up to something so they should be.

On my way into town we had to stop a couple of times to remind a couple boys who's names have been changed for their protection. Dex and Joel (hmm can you guess). How to behave in the car. Absolutely no throwing balls, jacks, or cards at anyone. We had to be reminded that yelling in the car is not okay and that our made up swear words would no longer be acceptable. Dex replies "You never told me that before
'' "Sorry mom". I am figuring out that boys need to be told what is expected they don't ever just KNOW that something is unacceptable. Go figure.

So we continued on to the store for a few more EPD (embarrassing public displays).
Just the usual things we all deal with when shopping with children. I am determined to make shopping for things necessary for our survival a pleasant experience. If I don't we may all starve to death.

After that was a quick stop to drop off a coffee drink to a friend at work. The boys were reminded that they didn't need to get out of the car for any reason I would be in and out. I could see them from the door and all that fun stuff. Well, another thing with boys is it doesn't matter how short the time frame is they find ways to AMAZE me. I was gone for maybe a minute at the most two. I open the door to my van and hear all of them in unison tell me "He licked Landon's eye." It took a me a few seconds to register what the heck they were talking about. I decided finger pointing can be used as a weapon when you have three brothers pointing at you all at once.

"WHY! WOULD YOU DO THAT!" I asked. Any mother would be curious I think. Really? Why would you think, Hmmm.. I should lick my poor, helpless, car seat bound, infant brother in his eye while mom is away. Sure, why not? Hello!!!!
" I don't know " was the response (note to self I don't know is not an answer). How do you take care of that? I was in shock that he would even think about that. I got into the car informed the troops to buckle up and I drove on in SILENCE. Our next stop was HAIRCUTS! Once we arrived my friend Maria noticed I was a little tense and says "What happened?" . Then the silence was broken. Sharing with her the events of the last few moments she look at the suspected individual and said. "Did it taste good?"
"NO"
"I think that is hilarious" she says. " I did that to my husband once just to annoy him" hahahhahha.. What? Seriously I would never think let's lick someone in the eye. What ever call me closed minded and sheltered. That is crazy. So I did what any good mother would do. I told him "Wait until your father gets home."

See not as big of a deal now that I think about it. My poor little Landon will have several more interesting boy moments before he understands his brothers I am sure. Well that is all for that story.

I have been knitting a few things and I do have pictures to share I just need to download again. I got a new diaper bag friendly camera and I am still learning how to use it.

Check out knotanotherhat.com for all the new yummy yarn choices and fun stuff they have been getting in. I am working a project for the shop right now using Alpaca with a Twist PUNCH.. Oh what yummy softness. The color choices are wonderful & bright.
I miss all my knitting pals a lot right now! Can't wait for a day off to go and hang out for the whole day.

Well more from my housefullofboys soon.

Summer Break?

Oh boy have we been in full swing since school has been out. I had a wonderful visit with my mom. She has not been to visit us in 7 yrs. I have gone to Hawaii a couple of times with Alex to see her. But there is just something comforting about seeing YOUR MOM in your own space.

My boys are home! Summer!! Summer Break!! Hahahahhaha. That is proving to be a bit of an oxymoron around here. I have not adjusted to all the troops being home as quickly as I had hoped. Funny how spending 8 hours a day away from your kids makes you forget the little things they do to make you laugh,cry and utterly frustrated.

For example.... Here we go the stuff I know you all sit around and wait to hear.

My #4 seems to have developed (rather successfully) the knack for getting in the LAST WORD(S). I was in a bit of a dilemma the other day and was not able to respond properly until I could finish feeding WEE LITTLE ONE.. So after a minute or FIVE of debating(arguing) with my 4 yr old (I am still the parent)(grrr).. I told him to go to his room and think about his attitude until I could take care of it.
*** " No mom, I don't think so. I am fine!"
"Go sit in your room please until I can talk to you about your attitude."
*** " I don't have an attitude mom. You have a problem with it not me." Alex says, with raised eyebrows and his signature hands on hips.
"Now don't say anything else please go to your room."
** "But, mom if you hear me.."
" I said go now with out saying anything else.."
As he is walking down the hall to his room, he mumbles...
" I told you once I don't need to think about it. I am good."

What is a mom to do? I was half irritated and half entertained by this display of LOVE from my child. It always amazes me to see how his vocabulary/reasoning is growing in his quest to annoy me. hehehehhahaha..
Ok so back to the RESOLUTION.

"Alex are you ready to listen to mom?"
"Yeah, do you feel better yet?" (ALEX)
"What do you mean do I feel better yet?"(ME)
"You're being bossy and we aren't suppose to boss people."(ALEX)

Again what do you say?

I have an eye licking story to share along with some update photos in the next post.. Bet you can't wait for that.. hehee..

Where Have All the Hours Gone?

Hello All.. I have had an extremely busy time with our new wee one. He required a little more feeding attention in the beginning. We are so greatful he seems to have turned the corner and is gaining well just Breastfeeding now. What a job it is to feed your little one. I will never assume that breastfeeding or any other NORMAL/NATURAL baby care method will just happen. Every baby is different as is each need for that baby.

I have been knitting a bit and sewing too. Also I have repainted and sewn new curtains for the living room. It was a real life home make over... It was not as quick as the 24 hours shows but I think 3 days from start to finish with 2 people and a nursing newborn isn't too shaby.

My mom is visiting us this week. Her first visit in 7 years. We have been catching up on my sewing PILE/projects. I promised she could eat and sleep when we were done.. Not a moment sooner. Hahahha.. I can be such a slave driver. Just kidding we are feeding her and she likes to craft like I do. So that has been a fun time.

We just spent the last 24 hours visiting with family at my great Aunt's celebration of life memorial service. She was nearly 80 yrs old and had such a zest for life. She was strong and determined. She was such an example in that respect. Her knitted christmas stockings she had done for each grandchild were displayed at her services. What a legacy... I am so glad that she instilled in me a desire to learn to knit. Thanks Aunt Hazel. You will be greatly missed.

I will follow up with the KAH baby shower for Mr.Landon when my mom returns to Hawaii. Until then... Happy MONDAY

Photo Session!

 

 

 

 

Ok so I can't see what picture is what so I will list as many Thank You's as I can. It has come to my attention that Landon is blessed with lots of talented Aunties. He has quite a hand knit/handmade gift collection going already.

The quilted blanket is curtosey of Auntie Cheryl (aka Dreamtime Blankies) I will post more info as her new business takes off. This is lined with satin and has the ohhh soooooooo soft minky squares in it too. I love it! It will be hard to share. hehehee.

The little blue giraffe was a test knit for Nichole at knotanotherhat.com. I discovered that I am not the best test knitter. I sort of forget half way through the project that I am testing a pattern and start to do my own thing. I have to say that this pattern went pretty quickly considering it was completely made up as she went. Love the finsihed product. This will be one of the stuffed he MUST TREASURE FOREVER. The pattern is carried at knot another hat.

Then the ultimate baby blanket. The Knot Another Hat Aunties whipped up this surprise for Wee Whitaker. I can't express what this meant to me. I have discovered so many things about friendship over the past 2 years. One of them being Knitters are among the most giving people I have come to know. These ladies have become more and more like family over the last couple of years. This blanket is a testimony to that. Thanks Sarah, Nichole, Jill, Yvonne, Clair, Stacy, Shannon. I hope I did not forget anyone. You truly surprised me. I had know idea.

Landon is also sporting a pair of the smallest socks I have ever seen. Knit up courtsey of Sarah. Because my Wee little man has the longest little feet I have seen on a baby they will not fit him for long. So he is wearing them every chance he gets until he out grows them. hehehee.. Thanks Sarah.

The top picture is a bad picture of the dishcloth pattern blanket from Auntie Wendy. I love the color combo in this blanket it is just so happy.
Also from auntie Wendy was the yarn to make this little newborn hat. Of all the hats we knit up before he arrived none were small enough to fit him so I started and finished this in one sleepless evening. Love the Cascade Pima Tencel yarn it is so soft knit up.

Well that is all for today. I will get some photos of my sock busting obession that has taken root this month. I do believe at last count as of Feb 29th-Today I have completed 3 ankelets pairs, 2 pairs of pedicure socks , 1 pair of regular socks, 3 pairs of kid socks and have 1 pair of socks for me in process and a replacement pair 1/2 done for Cole. His original pair felted a bit in the wash and no longer fit.

Wee Whitaker

 

Hello Blog Land! I am back for now. Hhehehe.. We would like to introduce our Wee Whitaker..
Landon Cooper Po'okela Whitaker joined our crew on March 19th. He weighed in at 7 lbs 11.6oz, 20 inches long.

It looks like we are to remain AHOUSEFULLOFBOYS!

I have to say he has been a very laid back baby for the most part. If we can adjust a few things during the day for him. Mommy might actually get some sleep at night.

The boys have been loving on him as much as they can. Visitors have limited some of the holding time for them, but they are looking forward to him eating better and being awake a bit more so they can hold him and play with him.

After a brief update from people at their school it seems our trip to the hospital was well narrated. I consider myself a pretty open person. I just am not sure how comfortable I am with the fact that 3 kids went yelling down the halls "SHE BROKE WATER" "NOW WE ARE JUST WAITING". One of the 5th grade moms shared her daughters play by play of my labor progress. Oh boy do I love my boys. They just have to tell it like it is.

I have more pictures to share I just have to transfer them to the blog. So I hope to have a little photo session later tonight or tomorrow after the kiddos are off to school.

That is all for now.

Still Waiting

Just wanted to throw out a quick update. We are still pregnant. Still waiting. Baby is still a couple weeks from EDD. Monday morning we had a little test run to the hospital, thinking maybe we were in labor. It turned out that we were having contractions but not anything to stick around the hospital for.

I came home and it has all been about the same since then. If anything new happens I will update.

In the meantime I am breaking the washer (to many loads). Knitting and getting my final sewing projects finished up. I have 2 pairs of socks on the needles and 2 finished pairs to photograph and post. I gifted the 2 pairs of pedicure socks! They were a huge hit. I hope to have the second sock of one of the in progress pairs done today. That would make 3 pairs of socks completed since Feb 28th. My sock yarn stash may just start to look UNDER CONTROL. hehehe..

TROOP NEWS! Well not much to report they all seem to be excited to have the baby out too. Alex has cleaned up his colorful vocabulary for the time being. THANK GOD!
He also informed me yesterday that all I have to do to get the baby out.....is to squeeze my belly like a zit and pop it out. Then the lady will catch it.
Oh if only....

They are all looking forward to spring break and Easter parties. It will be good for all of them to have a little break.

Well I will close for now with a BIG HAPPY BDAY to my husband. He is REALLY old now. That is what the kids are saying anyway. When did 33 get to be OOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLDDDD. heheheh'

More Pictures!

Thanks to Sarah I am able to post the latest FO's for you all. Whoot, Whoot!..

Picture Time!

My first crochet hat. Can't wait to tackle the next HOOKER PROJECT.


Here is my MOMMY & ME matching hat for my sister in law and niece Lily.


This was out of the One Skein Wonder book. Made with the super yummy Cascade Leisure. I love how it turned out. It is just so happy. Now to find buttons.


Another Wee Whitaker hat. Organic Cotton Hat so soft.


Roo Design Tractor Sweater. I love all the sweater patterns Knot Another Hat has in stock of this designer. Just to cute for words.


My original left over baby hat design. I still need to write up the pattern. Love the end results.


Welcome Home Wee Whit Hat and socks. One ball of Cascade fixation with left overs for baby ankle socks. Stay tuned for updates.
Okay that is all for this post I will get the other photos up today too.

Oh Mylanta!!!

Well all those who still read this blog. I am still around. My goal was to figure out what was wrong with my picture software. This would enable me to blog a bit more inspiring posts. Alas I have failed to figure it out. So this weekend I am going to look up more on the Picasa site and see if I can't work my way around that. Wish me luck.

Also with the kids in REAL SCHOOL (hahaha) (outsider comments make me laugh). I have has less blog material to work with. With just one at home he tends to be better behaved and lacks the ENCOURAGEMENT to boldly go where no 3 (oops) 4 year old should go.

Since I have started working at Knot Another Hat I have been discovering, as well as reminded by my CONCERNED co-workers that I may have a habit, addiction, problem.. Whatever you want to call it. Hehemm.. We knitters can only justify our stash habits to a point and staging an intervention can be hard. Especially if those involved may have similar stashing habits.. I love them all.. So my committment to de-stashing this year is being revisited.

Christmas was a good starting point. I feel great about all I accomplished for gifts this year. Also I am happy to report that ALL HANDKNIT ITEMS were recieved with great affection..

I finished up a big project for the shop. Again no photos I will have to have Sarah snap a picture so I can post it. It is the Ripple Afghan Kit she has for sale at the shop. I started it and set it aside for the holiday's but it was fast and rewarding when I picked it back up and got to work on it.. Love the color choices too..

So far this month I have finished a few items.

Team Spirit Hat aka Sarah's Scallop Hat Pattern: For sale at Knot Another Hat.
1-Organic Cotton baby hat for Wee Whitaker
1-Baby Cascade Fixation Socks (color KOI) TOO CUTE.
1-Cascade Fixation baby Hat (Koi leftovers)
1-Freakin Adorable baby Giraffe (Nichole Pattern for sale soon at Knot Another Hat.)
1-Roo Design's Tractor Sweater (Wee Whitaker Toddler Collection.. Heheh)
1-One Skein Wonder Baby Sweater (Cascade Leisure/Lily Pond Colorway) Can I just say yummy to the yarn and the pattern was so fast. This was a great way to pass the last half of the Super Bowl Game.
1-Pair of Sock Monkey Inspired baby socks. LOVE THEM!!! Fast to knit and so cute finished.
1-pair of Magic Slipper's (Ravelry Pattern Find) So cute and great way to use up sock yarn remnants.

With all the doctor appointments and waiting in line to pick up the troops I have had lots of on the go knitting time. I love the sense of accomplishment this gives me. The laundry is even starting to become a little more caught up.

As for the pregnancy progress.. Things are going well. Baby is growing and all the blood sugar concerns seem to be undercontrol as well. Thank God we haven't had to do any drugs to keep it that way. Another plus is weighing less at 34 weeks pregnant than pre-pregnancy!! I am determined to keep it up after wee Whitaker arrives.

Well that is all for now. I should feed the hungry preschooler now.

The Day After, After Christmas

It was the day after, after Christmas!!
I am happy to report that we had a nice quiet Christmas Day. Well, if you can call a house full of boys and a husband quiet. Add to that the new toy DAD received and the whole quiet concept may not even apply. hehehe.
We were able to just stay home this year and do a very simple Christmas. The in-laws came here for a morning of presents and breakfast and then dashed up to spend the afternoon with the other grand kids.
Then we busted out the new video game ROCK BAND. It was so funny to watch all my boys try to be rock stars.. Not exactly the most user friendly game for this crew. But they have had a great time figuring it out.
I have to toot my own rock star persona... I was rocking for about 1/2 of "SLOW RIDE" hehehe.. Ahh the things I will try to fit in with my boys. Crash and bomb MOM.. That's me.

This Christmas knitting marathon went on successfully and mostly without photos. My camera is still full from the first half of the year photos. I will be taking care of that tonight. Transferring pics and videos so I can reveal the FINISHED HUBBY SWEATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blog land does not give many options for adding enthusiasm to your posts. This is a monumental moment. I finished weaving in the ends on Christmas Eve. I had to force the dear man to wear it home. He had a long sleeve shirt on and it was hot in the car.. But it fit. I need to block it but I can happily and guilt free move on to another project.

Christmas Knitting-
I finished (7) Keep it Simple Knitted Hats in various colors- Love that it is knit on size 17 needles with Lana Grande yarn. It maybe took 30 mins per hat.

(1) Ann Norling Spiral Rib Hat- on size 10 needles with Cascade Pastaza in Black and Nashua Ivy held together. This is a fun pattern once it gets going. I had a little trouble trusting the pattern.

(2) Earflap Hats- Out of Alpaca Grande. These were for a friend but I heart the feel of the Alpaca Grand it was soooooooooooooo soft.

(2) Ann Norling Head Huggers- For my boys.. Out of Teseo of course.
(1) Adult pair of felted slippers
(1) Kid pair of felted slippers.
(1) Hubby Sweater
(1) Custom pattern earflap hat. (photo coming soon)
(1) Sewing cowboy project (photo to come)
(1) project bag (sewn)
(3) pairs of fixation socks (1 was finished by Thanksgiving)
(1) cabled headband
(2) pairs of fingerless mits

Dozens of batches of jam and cookies topped off our holiday madness. I have to say it would be much easier if I started all of this earlier. But not a bad month of work I suppose.

Hope you all had a great holiday and many New Years Blessings to all of you. I think I have discovered what a group of great friends can add to life this past year.. I hope to be a better friend to all of them this coming year..

Christmas Knitting!

Happy Holidays to all you faithful blog followers. As soon as I figure out why my PC won't let me download my photos I will post pictures. This will be alot to catch up on.

I have been a a knitting fool. I am always amazed how much I can get done waiting in the doctor's office. Unfortunately I have had too many visits to the doctor this pregnancy and most require me to wait for long periods of time. Annoying for my time management... Great for the knitting mojo..

Completed this last 3 weeks... 4 Teacher gifts, 3 boy hats, 2 fingerless mits and one cabled hat just for me. Not exactly your 12 days of christmas format but you get the idea.
I have finished a couple cutie projects for Knot Another Hat this last month as well. One major project still underway. It needed to be put down so I could get the holiday knitting done.

Believe it or not the HUBBY SWEATER is almost complete. Only about 5 inches of one sleeve to go. Plus the neck.. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Baby news- All seems well on the baby front. We have had everything undercontrol and the doctor is pleased. Whew!! For those of you waiting to hear the gender news I will let Sarah at the shop know in the next couple of days. HUBBY DOES NOT WANT TO KNOW!!! So it needs to stay a secret for him.

Well I will close for now and get the troops loaded into the van for the first of the christmas concert marathon. Uggh..

Has it Been That Long?

Boy oh boy. I didn't realize how long it had been since I updated. With the troops in school this year my material is just not there. hehehe.

I have to say that not much has been going on these days. Nothing really.. Except working, running the kids to and from, working, general housekeeping (not very well), trying to get the food plan in place for this pregnancy. Then there is the knitting (of course). I even scrap booked a page. (yes Julie, gasp I did a page)

Off the sticks and recently gifted were prayer project gifts. I knit the shawls and scarf for the kids' teacher's and they prayed for them and gifted these lovely items. The teacher wore them all day. They really know the way to a kids heart. The boys could not stop talking about how much the teacher liked them because... " She wore it all day mom." Oh to be a kid again just for a day or two.

The changes of the new school thing is going well. Now if I could just find the laundry fairy's phone number I would be all set.

In the middle of all this running around. We decided to switch doctor's. Talk about a year of change.

I have been enjoying the yarn shop. I feel a little bit like a fish out of water. Learning all the yarn specifics. It is a whole different ball game when someone else needs help with yarn.

Well I should go eat something before I take the kids to school this morning. Can't wait for that extra hour of sleep this weekend.. Yeah!!!

Good Morning Everybody!

Well I have no real excuses for not getting a post up for a bit. I guess I am getting a little tired of the picture-less posts. My USB cord has been located, the picture program on the other hand is not cooperating. So I am trying to get the Picasa thing down and the pictures will ready. Yeah!!

I have officially been training to work part time at our local yarn shop at Knot Another Hat. I feel slightly guilty getting a paycheck to hang out in a room full of yarn and knit in my free time. Talk about lucky. It will be a fun venture.

In knitting news.. I have had to frog a couple projects and they have been knit up into other creations. One project comes with alot of giggles as I imagine my kindergartener's face as he gifts it to his teacher. He had asked me to knit something for his teacher. My thought at first was........(She is nice and because I've known her for a while, seemed worthy of such a treasure) then I began to wonder why she was already so special to him, he would want something HANDKNIT for her. After about a 30 min scene in my head, complete with the judge awarding her (the teacher) custody of her new little boy. I came to my senses and started a Stole which became a prayer shawl instead. As I was working on it. My little guy began to take extra care in the way he dressed (dress shirt and tie). This is not his normal attire so I told him he didn't NEED to dress up for school. To which I get.
"Moooomm! It's okay I want to." At this point my interest was beyond piqued. When we arrived at school to find another little guy all spiffed up I knew this teacher must be something special.
The only problem was the other little guy had a candied filled mug as a token of his affection. This was followed by a little stomping from my little man accompanied by hands on his hips, looking at me over his glasses with raised eyebrows. "When are you going to finish that shawl for my teacher." I was a bit afraid of the clenched teeth. hehehehehe. Oh got to love kindergarten. Well all that to say it is BLOCKING now.

I have to do something for the other 2 teachers too. So I will be starting those this week.

The kids are loving school and the field trips are starting. After turning in my packet of information to VOLUNTEER at the school I will be able to help in their classrooms. So I will be able to see them a bit during their day.

That is about all for now.

Is It Possible?

I believe I have accomplished even less with my kids in school than I was when they were all home. Is this really possible?
With all the extra running around I feel like I have had know time for the important things. Like, knitting, talking on the phone for leisure (bill paying is not included), scrapbooking and reading. I have become a slave to the household to do list. Humffff.. Oh the joys...

We did just arrive home Sunday afternoon from the annual church family camp. I have realized that as much fun as it can be for the whole family. Some times spending three days and 2 sleepless nights with other people is not always fun. hehhee. Details in person later. I don't want to offend anyone. Ahheemmmm..

Alex has officially become the one line singing extravaganza. If I hear another Disney Movie chorus I could jump out of my moving vehicle. He is always wanting me to sing along. I don't really enjoy the Chicken Little Songs OVER AND OVER.. Sooooo.. "DON'T GO BREAKIN MY HEART, DON'T GO BREAKIN MY, DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART" rerun again and again can make a person temporarily insane.
Add to that the "WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS, WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS." with varying degrees of vibrato (of course) finishing off his chorus medley with "IF YOU WANNA BE MY LOVER GOTTA GET WITH MY FRIENDS." it is a full day before we get the breakfast dishes done. Oh the joys of my little boy.

It has been a wonderful experience for the troops. I have had lots of encouraging comments from others who have had my kiddos throughout the day and they all say what wonderful, respectful, helpers they are. Is it bad for me to be a tiny bit bitter that they are at school HELPING when they could be home picking up the toys and misc. clothes tossed about?
I will refrain from any negative thoughts about the lack of helping at home. At least they are behaving in public and being a general blessing to others.. My biggest school room fears have been avoided.

Top Ten List of School Fears

10. The bathroom announcement with details as to which number (1 or 2)
9. Raising their hand just so they CAN talk.
8. Not participating in school activities because they are to big for them. (this is a big one for our 5 year old.)
7. Attempting to burp the ABC song or worse for the older ones their spelling words. (boys find this very entertaining)
6. Trying to convince the choir teacher that the armpit really is a musical instrument. (just give my boys a few minutes of your time.)
5. Pushing their way to the head of the line because they want to be first.
4. Taking off their clothes because they are just too hot.
3. Admitting to FARTING in class with complete confidence
2. Using their SPECIAL made up swear words in every day life. I won't post for those that keep it g rated
1. Revealing the secrets of our household to the general classroom population.
Our mom watched NETFLIX movies (Ugly Betty, Dr. House while we practice our spelling words.)
Don't judge me on the last one. We only have 2 more discs I will be more responsible. You would do it too. Maybe you just can't admit it. hehehehe. I have tried to consider this part of multi-tasking but it doesn't really fit.

If any of you would like to enable me to purchase my spinning wheel at OFFF this weekend please leave your encouraging comments and I will print them off for my hubby. HE JUST DOESN'T SEE THE FINANCIAL INVESTMENT LIKE I DO.. hehehe..

Doctors Office Visit

WARNING!! THIS POST CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ANYONE WHO IS NOT A WOMEN. OR IS UNFAMILIAR WITH BEING A WOMAN..

So today was my official prenatal visit. We have been blessed to have our last 3 babies at home and intend to do it with this baby too. I was thinking that I was going in to the office to do all the customary blood work and listen to the baby's heart beat. Our Dr. is our back up doctor so we see him when we have to. Our midwives are much more in tune with making you feel comfortable before they zap you with words like pap smear and OVERWEIGHT. It is really necessary to point out to the fat girl that she is overweight. Therefore risks for this and that are higher. I have not exactly been average weight since having kids nothing has changed. Do I not know I am overweight. Hello... I think I am aware of that. Seriously! This happened.


He wanted to do the routine exam. Breast exam, pap the whole nine yards. I should appreciate the thoroughness. I don't appreciate the procedures. What do you say after that? Thank you. Have a nice day. See you next time. Let's have coffee. I don't think so..

Part 2: The Lab. I know the lab lady so that was a giggle fest. Until she flashed the bottle of ORANGE liquid at me. Yes the lovely glucose test. So I put on my party hat and chug...chug...chugged that baby down. As I was drinking it, I realized with startling reality why I hate ORANGE SODA. It taste exactly like this stuff. YUCK!! After the liquid yuck was down. I continued to catch up with the gal at the lab. Laughing is not the best thing to do with a full bladder. But it was a good transition from the dreaded exam.

Part 3: The Plan. The original plan for the day included a quick trip into Costco for some essentials and lunch items. Well that had to be re-planned (or rather scrapped completely) do to the extended doctors appointment. At this point it had been almost 2 full hours. So plan B was to spend a few hours at the Local Yarn Shop... Oh yes. What better way to kill the thoughts of the morning completely. So off we went. My friend, Alex and her 3 little ones. I know crazy as it sounds the kids did amazingly well. Thanks Nichole for tolerating the "WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND" over and over and over.

Anyway enough of that. A girl can only take so much the first week of school. Without her children. Really, do I need to be this flexible? On to the kid news...
I promise I am almost done BORING you all with my saga.

We could not have asked for kinder, more caring individuals to have with our troops all day at school. Kindergarten has opened my eyes to the crazy life of a K-5 teacher. Here are the highlights.

***Cole was so excited to be a construction worker and parade around the halls of the school. He got to go to the Principals office and he spilled chocolate pudding on his stark white button up shirt. Clarification on the principals office. We were thinking oh great 3rd day and already in trouble. Truth was they went on a tour of the school and got to see the principal's office. WHEW!!

***Makoa(2nd grade) He was worried that mom would be sad without him home. He asked me on day 2 if it would be okay if he tried school again tomorrow. He assurred me his teacher was really nice and he was going to trade some of his lunch at school the next day so he should be there. Well of course I wouldn't want to waste all my hard work preparing that meal for my child. Sure sweety, you go ahead and go to school again. Forget the education.. Let the trading begin.

*** Austyn(5th grade) No I am not smarter than a 5th grader. After the parents met the teacher and toured the classrooms. I do not desire redoing 5th grade.. His teacher is young and super sweet. She came up to us and said " Austyn is such a joy to have in class.etc.etc." He is a great help. It was nice to hear that. I wanted to stick around and see if she said this to all the parents. I left quickly and kept thinking HEY MAYBE WE ARE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT... Yeah!!

So, I have survived the first week of school. Also, my sitter (currently a senior at their school) even offered to bring them home from school. Who could ask for a better wrap up? Thanks for the kind words and well wishes this week.

The First Day

Who knew that sending your kids to school for the first time could cause a person to sweat profusely. Yes SWEAT... I was doing pretty well with the idea of everything until I loaded them all into the car and was halfway to school.

They were chattering with Alex letting him know he would have so much fun with mom.
Alex was a bit disgusted that he was not able to go to school too. They were so sweet comforting him.

Our morning started with Dad's cheesy potatoe breakfast. Usually a crowd pleaser. They were too excited to eat. Followed by each child clearing their plates (without being asked) putting them in the dishwasher and promptly getting ready for the day.

This all seemed so strange the banter, cooperation, kind words about their apperance. They aren't normally mean to each other it was just one of those quiet calm moments that make you wonder what is coming.

Anyway back to the story. I was getting all the bags of school supplies out of the van and into the proper childs hands. All of them started to talk at the same time. Will the kids tease us? Is Alex going to get a smoothy? He said you are buying icecream? Are you getting us or is dad coming to get us? It was then I noticed the armpit rings in the side mirror of the van. Thank God I had my sweat shirt in the car. I don't believe this was the original design feature of the sweat shirt but I put it on real quick and ran the kids inside.
Ausytn was happy to be able to be the first helper to arrive in class.
Cole was just a little confused as to why the teacher was calling him Justin. Instead of Cole (His whole name is Joshua Cole). That is what happens when you call your child by his middle name his whole life. Ooopps..
Makoa was a little bit more appropriate with his reaction. He was a little worried but hugged me and went to meet his teacher.

I am so proud of them. They did such a good job with everything. The sweat just kept pouring. Is this a normal reaction to stress? I don't know.
By the time I filled out the paper work I was soaked through my t-shirt. I couldn't tell if I wanted to cry because I was sweating so bad or because I had just dropped my kids off for the first time.

Alex the whole time was chattering on and on and on. Hehehee..

So after a quick stop for a hot cocoa and OJ break with a friend at Shari's. I came home to shower and cry. It only lasted as long as the shower did. I felt 10 times better after that.
The kids survived and so did mom. They all wanted to try it again today.

Rick has taken on official breakfast cook duty so I am down with that. The only other adjustment is the snacks and lunches for all of them. But the big boys will do their own lunched next week.(Another great dad idea)..

Well I should wrap this up for now and warn you that my blog content may lack it's usual I can't believe he did that moments. But I will share anyway.

Labor Day!

Well I have been putting off an update until I had all my stuff together. Again that did not happen. hehheeh.. So I will post another photo free blog post. Sorry.

We have had a few new developements at housefullofboys (AKA the Whitaker house).
A few weeks ago after our hawaii family visted I was feeling a bit under the weather lots of headaches that turned into migraines. Headaches have been a part of my life for a while now. So I didn't think much of it. But when I started the extreme sleepy, nausea and vomiting. I began to suspect it was more than a month long hang over..

With a busy house of boys. I tend to get a little overwhelmed with daily household responsibilities. So I figured stress. Hahahahhaha.
After being forced into the bathroom with a home pregnancy test (yes forced, by my hubby). I waited a few extra minutes. I truly was shocked that the test was POSITIVE.... When my husband started knocking on the door saying WELLLLLLLLLLL!! What does it say? I just opened the door handed him the test and sat down to finish knitting the bday gift socks I had been working on.

He is so excited to be adding a new little one to the crew. We are not sure exact due dates yet but we are thinking by mid-march baby number 5 should be on scene.
Funny how things have a way of sneaking up on you...

This news was followed by the news that Austyn's homeschool turtoring group ( he adored) was not going to financially be able to stay open. That completely changed out school plans. We had intended to send Austyn full time this year so I would only have 2 at home full time homeschooling. Soooooooo.. To make a long story short we have decided to put the 3 kids into a local private school for the year.

Note to anyone: Don't make a life changing school decision the weekend before school starts. Top three reasons..
1. You have to shop WITH the kids.
2. The stores are out of half the items you need anyway.
3. It costs a whole lot more all at once.. hehhee

After a sugar induced adventure to Walmart at 5pm at night. We spent our first investment for the year. Ughhh.. Came home to double check the lists and had to return yesterday for the essentials like TP, toothpaste, bread, milk and cereal.

It hit me yesterday that the one downside to not homeschooling was that I have to wake up and make breakfast at 6:30am instead of 8am. We will be adjusting for the next couple weeks.

I will post tomorrow. I would take a picture of my crying mommy moment, but how do ask someone to photograph that.. heheheh..

So highlights of the summer to follow. Stay tuned for more baby info..

August Update

Okay! I am beginning to hate blogger.. Everytime I write up a post lately I am having to redo it.. GRRRRR...

So second time is a charm. Nothing new to report in the land of knitting.
I am working away on the hubby sweater and I discovered I have 6 inches left before the ribbing on the bottom. Not 4 in.. like I thought. AHHHH!! Then it will be time for the sleeves. I am hoping to have it done before September. That is when it was originally started.

I have FO photos and will post today or tomorrow..

Hope you are all enjoying the end of your summer. We are gearing up for the new school year. YIKES!!!..