I'm not a good enough writer to describe a day like today... where to start?

The ironing board is as good a place as any, I suppose. You see, I had just finished telling Leah and Sam that my ironing board was not for general play when I turned around to see Cameron IN the bumbo chair, ON the ironing board, 3 feet UP in the air. They thought they were being nice giving him a ride! So, I grab Cam, still in the chair and safely deposit him on ground level. Only to turn around and this time see Leah and Sam both on the ironing board, cheerfully riding it as it sunk lower and lower. As you can imagine, my cheap Walmart ironing board legs had buckled under the increased burden. Hey, you can't blame it for wimping out. My weekly ironing load consists of Steve's Sunday shirt, my skirt, possibly Leah's dress, Sam's shirt, maybe his pants depending on how long they lay crumpled in the wash basket and possibly a little jumper from Cara. It is an extreme policy here that any item of clothing purchased has to pass a stress test first. I stand in the middle of the store, grab a handful of material and mash it in my fist. If after a minute I open my hand and the article of clothing still looks wearable, I'll consider it. If it has the slightest wrinkle retain, not a chance. So, my ironing board is not buff. Now I don't know what to do with my ironing board because it doesn't collapse all the way any more.
I have been wanting a coffee table.
The rest of this amazing day will have to wait for another time. I need to fortify myself in case tomorrow is another of the same.

Ingrid and Hen were right, there are a few more "hats" I could have added but of all the ones I forgot to mention, I believe the one labelled PLUMBER was the biggest overlooking on my part. Ah yes, how did I ever forget the 1/2 package of wipes I dug out of the toilet courtesy of Cammers? I am VERY thankful he didn't flush as has become a delight of his! Too bad he doesn't have any monetary concepts, I would have removed half of his piggy bank stash to make my point (on wipe waste AND real plumber labor bills)

Sam gets these moments when he loves to work. He vaccumed the entire stair way. My "babies" are 7 months old today. I know bottle holding may not be a huge accomplishment to many but she's had so few bottles and so to see her like this...

reminds me that every day she is getting less and less dependant on me, aka growing up, and it goes SO fast. When I get teary eyed about this I remind myself what a great blessing it is that our children are so healthy. It is not a guarantee. I've said it before but sometimes I am overwhelmed how good the Lord is to us, it is not because we are deserving and the more I think about it, the more amazed I get!

Sitting up in the corner of the playpen, it's amazing how fast that growing up process moves along!

Today I was invited to Leah's classroom to share a Mother's Day lunch with her. Some of the high lights

Listening to her read all the memory verses she's learned this year

Watching her sing (whisper) the songs with her class

Having her so desperate to serve me..."finish your juice so I can go get you more, as soon as you are done you're plate I'll go get you dessert..."

Seeing the playground through her eyes (I even got a push on the swing)

Thank you, Leah, Mrs. G and Mrs. M, it was a special time!

This morning

I am
1) a supreme pep talker - I talked myself out of bed after one of THOSE nights
2) successful negotiater - I convinced Leah to get out of bed
3) not so stellar nutritionist - instant brown sugar porrige for Cam, brown sugar toasts for Sam and I, rice crispies for Leah, rice cereal and the same old, same old milk for Cara and Cody. (not all bad but not really great either)
4)health care provider - changed a whole ream (seems like) of diapers, washed faces, brushed teeth and even I got a shower!
5) fashion consultant - I got clothes out of the drawer AND dressed the kids and myself
6) psychologist - put Cara and Cody to bed and let them wail themselves to sleep as I knew they were tired and they just needed to figure it out for themselves. This is when I went in the shower because with the water running I didn't have to keep track of their session on the "couch"
7)dish washer - well, they're sitting in hot, soapy water if their not quite in the dish rack yet
8) laundry worker - only did some clean up this morning because I'm only willing to run the washing machine so many days a week!
9)receptionist - answered a few phone calls and even checked email.
10) sanitation engineer - moved a bag of stinky diapers outside

And the day is only 3.5 hours old, no wonder I'm already exhausted!

Apparently Cody wasn't convinced because he's starting up again. I better get going if I'm going to wash those dishes, straighten up the house a bit, do my hair and get everyone (and everything) into the van on time to make a 11:30 appointment at the school for Mother's Day lunch.

Few Selections

From+200 to 85 - I think I'm doing alright.

Starting with Cody wearing Papa's hat before work, right past a bout with bubbles and some helping Papa mow the lawn, with a quick picture of a teething girl about to lose her fingers all the way down to some special times at THE park.

Please do not be too alarmed, Cody and Cara were not in any real danger, I was shooting up from the ground!

Ikea type of Living

Cam said, "bed."

Steve said, "who needs bunk beds or a bigger house?" :)

It's not a perfect picture but it's so Leah. Anytime we go to the park Leah and I have to have a who-can-jump-the-furthest contest.
I would say this is my favorite picture of the day but I have a lot of pictures to look through before I can make that claim. Starting with Cody wearing Steve's hat before work this morning, past bouts with bubbles and Sammy helping Steve mow the lawn straight over to the picnic supper at the park pictures... I think I took about 200 today. It will be something to see how many I can whittle this folder down to. Maybe I can start on that tomorrow :)

Incredible

It's already May! April seemed to fly by and in reflection, it was the busiest time yet since Cara and Cody joined our family. I'm so thankful for beautiful, sunny mornings. I find it much easier to crawl out of bed at 6:00 when it's already light out!
The twins are needing more and more to eat and I'm finding I don't have sufficient for their growth rate. Cara is very willing to take a bottle and has been getting a soy bottle the last few days (she has also slept the last 3 nights through - YAH!) Cody has decided he does not appreciate the bottle but when I look at his hot, swollen top gums I can hardly blame him at all. He is not sleeping through the night right now and neither is he going to bed willingly or on time. He has been going to bed between 10:00 - 11:00 and waking up again at 12:30ish. Glad that it's only him and not both.
Last night I was too groggy to do anything about Cam's crying and so he cried himself to sleep again. Hopefully that solves his night waking for a few months again! :)
Reading over this I think I know why April was a bit tougher. Between a bit of sleep deprivation and sad, teething babies there was less energy and not enough cuddling time to go around :)
Well, I have some everyday type of keeper photos to share again. I'll see if I can get them loaded up some time today.
In the meanwhile, I have a bathroom to clean (didn't get it done Monday, Yvonne :( ) and more wash to take care of.