A deal with Drew and I

Among all this craziness, Drew turned 5 months and is now knocking on the doors of 6.  Seriously?  why so fast?  I bought this shirt with Farrah in CA and we didn't think it would make it passed valentines day - but thankfully he is still wearing it.  I put it on him during his fussy days (yes, he has them) and it reminds me that he is still my lover boy.

Back when we decided to move, I knew we would be touring with Drew as a little one.  We made a bit of a promise to each other.  I would do my best to sit down and 'nurse' him.  During that time, he would do his best to drain me of my stresses.  I remember Nicole telling me that there is some hormone released during nursing that really does relax you. 

We have had many moments with me in tears in a rocking chair or at my whits end with the boys, moving etc... and it was all I could do to sit down with him.  He will also attest that i wasn't always sitting down either.  But for almost 6 months we have each held up to our ends of the bargain.

Sometimes I don't say it, but, thanks Drew.

random

In an effort to keep everyone busy we did a few things.  Here was Ronald at a grand opening of McDs.  (sadly no play place)  But attending the grand opening Nick and Shane received 12 free happy meals - but recently reading the small print I know way McDs is still in business....  Coupons - only to be used at said McDs (no play place) one coupon at a time (I have 2) and only 1 free happy meal per kid per month - geesh....

Next a favorite photo of exhastion - this photo says, say no to 8AM golf.  It was taken the sunday after the time change at 8:45!!

Bridging the gap

One week after our things arriving we had visitors - yup, already entertaining.  We love the Duelley's and they were carving out some time for us during their quick venture back to the states.  Ben started school in Norfolk in January.  Eleanor flew out at the end portion to enjoy life in the USA and return home with her husband.  I love how crazy and yet easy life can be with a full house.  It was the pressure I needed (but hated) to get things 'livable' 

They walked in Friday afternoon.  We had a quick snack and as mother nature opted to rain, we headed to the pool.  have I mentioned before how much I love our gym.  The kids love it too.

that night we stayed up consuming too much wine and just chatting.  loved it.  The next morning - yup, a little hazy.  The boys (all 6 of them) happily filled the mini van and headed to the Dulles Space Museum.  The girls (only 2 of us - and Drew, he is still with the ladies lucky man) went shopping and searched for hangover food - found it.  oh, happy st. pattys day too!

Later that afternoon, we grabbed the kids while the boys tackled 18 holes at the golf course.  I am always amazed at how well 2 moms can handle 5 kids.

Than we got dressed up and hit the brambleton center for nachos and wine tasting.  In honor of Eleanor, I even busted out the heals.  I far cry from the pair she wore, but a 'step up' to my flip flops.

Thanks for looking past the unhung photos, the messy rooms and just enjoying us.  We loved having you visit and looking forward to connecting where ever we are for the next many years.  definitely a favorite family.

The Decent

The day we have been anticipating since the moment we decided to move to Virginia.  Moving is tough and since we were not present for the pack up, the unpack could only equal certain disaster.  The lead up was just horrible, customs inspections, additional fees, storage, extended rental cars, the list just goes on.  Well the cars arrived first and I was SO happy to see her

Can't you just hear the angels singing?  I love this car.  Chris was hoping during the customs inspections they would switch them out for a Porsche or 2, is it crazy that i would have been devastated?

And here is the other 40' container.  packed full.  2 very hard working guys (and one crew leader, clearly not the brunt of the labor) worked from 9AM til 5PM.  They had a lunch break of McD (can't say I have spent over $60 at a McDs in a while, but I love the drive thru as well as the credit card option!)

So here is my attempt to make light of an experience that is more horrific than anything I can imagine.  I know you guys are all thinking it, why is it so bad.  O.k. if you are really thinking that, than you haven't moved in a while, much less with 3 kids 5 and under, been unpresent for the pack out and delt with the worlds worst company, now as for the kids it means a lot of things, stuff and...  well kids. 

Thank you to Barbara and Wyland for being with us from 10 until Dinner.  They unpacked boxes, entertained kids and extended a hand in every direction possible and here are some gems from the end of the night.

Bunk beds are here, but we can't find the other mattress or the hardware to BUNK them.  Gosh they take a lot of space.  One would think a mattress would be easier to find too...

They say a nursery should be serene and simple.  makes me wonder how drew slept that night.

A gem from moving, old things get new purposes.  Wyland unpacked this candle holder which turned into a vase holder.  not bad.

This was my favorite.  Who needs a magazine rack when you can use a globe.  Clorox wipes handy

This is what it looked like when we left to take a mental break for dinner.  I give Chris all the credit in the world because it did not look like that an hour later, but I was no help.  I couldn't even muster the energy to take the after shot - but rest assured, it couldn't be worse.  can anyone find lunch?? 

And this was our room that night and MANY nights after that as it was the last one to get unpacked.  We wore 'what on top' for several days.  As the movers were unpacking and they kept saying - master bedroom, master bedroom, I would just cringe.  Later that week as Chris and i were unpacking we had a contest in the box opening department.  Winner = opening the box with the lamp shade in it, Loser - opening the box with the toiletries thrown in it.  I was the total loser.

Lessons learned from moving

Always wear pockets and carry a knife (or Gerber - even better!)

When unpacking have a trash box and good will box near by because that item that you didn't get rid of in the previous home because it was 'contained'.  Now that it doesn't have its spot is a glaring piece of junk!!

final moments of peace through Nick's eyes

I enjoy the photos Nick takes.  He seems to be able to make the camera work better than I...  sometimes. so here are a few gems.

 If you don't have these blocks and you have kids....  get them now...  They were a savoir for us.  Nick and Shane used them to build towers, race cars, golf, ramps down the stairs and play tennis.  Best toy ever.  I loved being in the kitchen and listening to the new game they would dream up with them.  Having NO furniture in teh house made me a bit more accepting of the golfing and tennis option.  

Racing cars were our other necessity

Barbara has always loved this toy for the 4-8 month age bracket - It also works well if you are 2 and 5

We also discovered the 1st Saturday of the month kids home depot project.  Race cars.  How do they know?

Brothers tend to be a great play toy...  sometimes.... the more time they spend together - I personally question that.

Chillaxin by the fire, Nick style

The sight of Friday movie and a pizza night.  We have checked off lady and the tramp, 101 Dalmations, Cars 2, Dinasours and Land before time is this Friday. 

Guess someone went exploring out the back deck.  Also give you an idea for our next project, the fence.

We ask a lot of our kids, not sure if they need to sleep THIS close to eachother.

Happy birthday to Mom (me..)

I LOVE sunday birthdays!!  Having Chris around all day was my greatest present as parenting as a team is truly the BEST.  This was also the ONE DAY that I was thankful to not have our stuff yet so we didn't feel the urge to unpack.

A beautiful bouqet of flowers arrived from my folks.  I love them (but I did tell them I would perfer my folks instead!)  Do you see anyone else in the back ground?  Yup, Barbara and Wyland popped in to help with the kids so Chris and I could go out.  Another AMAZING perk of being here and having amazing grandparents.

A little birthday Skype while Chris prepped his birthday craft.  Yup, you saw that right, Chris not only surprised me with such a thoughtful gift, but he had all the crafts and knocked it out that morning.  What a true treasure.

Craft in progress photographed by Nick!

Love this little green monster

Almost my idea of a pedicure =)

WE have hand and foot prints of all the kids and mom.  What a truly thoughtful treasure.  I love the time he put into this and how it involved all of us.  Thank you wonderful man.  Now lets ditch the kids for some sushi at Hooked (a recommendation from a new lady a meet on 'meet up' - honestly, they are the best tourist info going...)

Thanks to Barbara for an absolutely YUMMY cake to make me feel extra special.  Like my extra wind?

Honestly, Im not sure how old I am, but I do love birthdays =)

Bunco feels like home

So its been a long time for my blog and I - not for lack of things to post, just time and motivation to do it.  With everything here life is in a constant state of re-organization and having 3 kids in a constant state of wanting me - no time to do it.  I will say I am happy to have my taxes done and be able to see some of our flooring.  As they say being a stay at home mom is FILLED with highs and lows.  Its rarely moderate which would be nice some days.....

This Tuesday I hosted Bunco at my house - crazy right?  Well, its a new group (gosh, didn't I write this 3 years ago) and the original host was plagued by fevers and sick kids.  She still wanted to host, but not in her germy house....  I I opened my as to keep the momentum up.  All the ladies brought snacks, so really I just had to 'pick up' as I told them we were barely unpacked. and get the munchkins occupied with my wonderful husband.  (knowing I needed the time with some ladies, he happily obligued - one of the many reasons why I love him)

I loved having the house full of great ladies I have never really met before.  Mingling over snacks, chatting about hunger games and switching tables along the way.  I love the easy way bunco introduces folks and keeps conversations lively.  I ended up being a co-founder with a very vibrant mom of 4 names Christi.  Loved the group as well as the renewed sense I felt when it was over.

Now, im back.... for now =)

make new friends, but keep the old....

Is anyone singing it with me, one is sliver and the other gold.....

Random photo of my farrah inspired lunch.  I want to remember its all about presentation.

Today after Nick's 3rd day at Pre-K things were going quite well.  He happily walks into his classroom, sits down to a writing journal and off we go (yes, a writing journal, seriously?  I am dying to know what he is writing)  This morning a sweet mom introduced herself.  I meant her son, in Nick's class - fabulous, her other son almost 2 - and the big bonus, she lives directly across the street!! Amazing.  So we chatted for a bit and planned  to link up at the playground that afternoon.  It was fun walking by her home and having her son excitedly hang out the window yelling he was coming out!  

Rewind a bit, 2 mommie moments I want to remember

1 - while sitting at the lunch table - Shane broke into tears out of NO WHERE scared about some geese.  Geese!! He was afraid they would come into the house and chase him.  We are thinking maybe the kids hear them in the window or they were spooked by one on the deck in the morning.  Who knows.  But shane spent the remainder of the lunch on my lap.  Drew was the only one really upset about that.

2 - after putting Shane to nap, Nick fusted around and stumbled on his memory cards given to him by the german kindergarden.  He selected his 5 favorite and brought them up to his bedside.  The OCD in me wanted to return them to the box so they won't be lost.  But as we said our prayers tonight he told me looking at the cards made his heart hurt.  He kissed Niklas's card and placed it on his pillow.  I do pray that he will never forget them as well as all the wonderful friends who are in our hearts and have made us who we are today.

love these thee!

Sleeping soundly - do you see the cards on the left?