I turned it off.

After having the T.V. on all winter, spring and summer.  I finally got the courage and strength to turn off the darn television.  For a whole week.  (That's the plan anyway).  I have let the kids watch waaay to much t.v., I'm talking, on in the morning at probably 7:30 til about 10:30 then on again when I'm cooking supper, and then who knows when else.  Yes.  Its a lot.  And I'm just trying to be honest here, cause I have no secrets, and I want you I have a list of reasons/excuses that I've allowed this atrocity.
-I was sick/pregnant.
-We were remodeling our old house and needed them out of the way.
-We were packing our old house and I needed them out of the way and accounted for.
-I was losing my mind and needed to drink my coffee without someone in my face.
-I was pregnant and put on "restricted activity" because of pre-term contractions, and I was too lazy to lead romper room in the house, and going anywhere caused contractions, so well..., oh well..
-We were unpacking our new house and I needed them out of the way.
-It was too hot to play outside and I couldn't find any quiet "indoor" toys/activities for them to play with.
-It wasn't too hot to play outside, but we found ourselves infested with "Cicada Killer Wasps" in the back yard, and front yard. (google it, they are creepy and scary and when I say six inch wasp, that kills cicada's and then drags them into a whole in the ground, you'll understand).
-I had a baby, and didn't want to take him outside to supervise things when the wasps weren't hovering. (we lost our beloved fenced in back yard where I could shoo everyone out for a while).
-The sun was out.
-It was raining.
-I could only have one cup of coffee.
-I gave up.
-I pretty much gave up.  That summarizes it.
I gave up trying to be anything but a incubator and then wet nurse for a while there.  Well, I had enough, and I'm trying to get back on my 'a' game. So, today I said no t.v.!  B cried and whined, Q was ok with it, and J doesn't give a rip.  But the start to the morning was B.A.D.  The youngest boy had me up twice last night, which isn't horrible, but when you don't go to bed til midnight, two trips to his room was enough interruption to my sleep to get me so cranky this am.  It is mornings like these where I wish I could have my cup of coffee in my bed before anyone talks to me.  And this am, B was up in my face asking questions before I had a chance to wake up fully or even get out of bed.  I hate answering questions before coffee.
Then at the breakfast table, someone kept asking me if he could play the computer, if not, when, and why not?  This was about half way into my first cup of coffee, and I can't stand repeated questions when I'm fully awake, but in my half awake half cup status, I couldn't take it.  I blew up and ALMOST caved and almost turn it on , just for a half hour.  Please?  But I powered through, and prayed for strength to persevere.  And since then, I have to say, all is going ok.
So, since 8 this morning, we did the following.
-Played "bikes and scooters" in the rain...in their pj's.  (with raincoats on, I'm not that horrible of a mother;)
-Made our own playdough which was a huge hit.  The fun lasted about 2 hours.
-Ate lunch.
-Played legos.  And they're still at the lego playing at 2:30.  I've even helped with a lego plan for building a 4 car garage....
Fingers crossed, I hope this goes well.
 

Picture Pages

 The Bookends.  Oldest and Youngest. 

 Where I come from, love being part of a large family....

B.  Cute and silly, just the way I like 'em.

Ugga Mugga Daniel Tiger

I will give you a prize if you get the reference of my post title.

Hey, I had a baby a month ago!  All went well.  Daniel was born at 8:14am on July 5 as planned.  He was long and skinny, weighing in at 8lb 5oz, and 21 3/4" long.  My longest baby, but lightest.  He was so scrawny looking, I immediately wanted to feed him donuts and bacon to fatten him up.
He's so precious, and I'm so thankful for this baby.  He fits right in with the boys!  They all love him, even J, whom I was sure would try to scratch his eyes out the moment he saw Scott holding another baby.  (J had some jealousy over the bigger brothers).

At a day old.

At about 4 weeks.
Little man has my nose (complete with what we call the butt crack in it), and looks like it will be brown eyes for him!  He also has my furrowed brow.  Sorry dude.  Everyone will always ask you if you are pissed off...

He is probably the easiest part of my day at this point in life.  Feed, change diaper, cuddle, repeat.  Easy peasy.  There's no discipline involved or worrying if I'm ruining his life by letting him veg in front of the t.v. all day.  LOL.  This roller coaster has its moments, but I"m loving it.