Maisy Daisy

Well, this is a glimpse of what talks to me all day long. I've been watching May everyday since she was 3 months old! She's soooo not a baby anymore (she was 2 in Oct), and I can't say I'm sad to see the era gone. The occasional babysitting for a baby or 1 year old, and yah. I guess you don't realize how much work it is, until you're not in it anymore;-) There is MUCH wisdom in having all your kids close together. Yes, it is helpful to have older ones to watch and help...but really...it's much easier to stick with one age bracket instead of spanning them all. But anyway, she's still the "baby" around here and generally has figured out a way to use her "sad eyes" to manipulate Kenna into anything she wants.

She is also quite the talker! Mind you, not very many things are real words, but if you're tracking with her, you'll get the gist of it. It's adorably cute Alien Language, as my kids call it.

Back at it!

Well, our summer is OVER, it's official. We have Sonny & May back now, everyday, starting today! My kids are very excited for their friends to come back and be part of everyday life.

We topped off a crazy week (mostly crazy for Brian) by going to Camp Pendalton (30-ish mins from our house - a military base). Our good friends the Allen's were in town! Sam had training, and Heather and the girls came along for the fun of it! They rented a cabin there, and it was big enough for ALL of us, so we joined them! It was soooo fun, and I didn't manage to take a single picture. BOOO.

Brian took Thursday off work so he could hang out with me and kids (and Heather, and her kids...haha!) He used the day to catch up on sleep, and just do nothing but talk and visit. It was really quite lovely. Although he pulled off a miracle with that hospital job he finished...he was booked back to back for another job - in an occupied space downtown Norfolk in the World Trade Center - so it's a night job. Joys, right?! So he didn't really have a chance to catch up on any lost sleep from the hospital job, so it was really nice that he could a day off to sleep and rest up and hang out. Poor boy!

A funny - he said while he was at the hospital job, and spending the night there working - 2 different days/nights he never came home at all. He caught a few hours sleep each night - once on the floor with his feet against the door so no one could come in, and once on a reclining chair that they use for pregnant ladies  - it's some kind of really comfy chair that leans back so they can relax the mom/baby. I thought that was funny. He said that he just couldn't bring himself to sleep on an exam table with stirrups. HAHA!!

Anyway, now that we have Sonny (3) & May (2 in Oct) back, it's school time too!! It will be another month before we add Ardyn (2) & Alice (will be 3 months) to the mix, since their mom is still on Maternity leave. And then, I will not have them everyday, but only 6 days per month.

Once I have the kinks to our school schedule worked out, I'll post about it, (how, why and if it's working for us:-) - Running a day, including schooling 5 to 7 children, ranging in ages from 7 to infant:-)

I have lots planned and scheduled for this year. It will be our busiest ever, so far, with regards to kids, and school anyway. It will be fun though, and I can't wait to post and share about our progress!

Here are a few pics from today - no school today, we're starting on MONDAY! Yay!! But I have introduced them to a few things that will be part of their daily schedules this year...

It's quiet play time for May-May

Sonny is working on one of his chores - laundry :-)

Busy Book/Quiet Play

This set up is a new arrangement to the boys room this year - it will be necessary space wise for things like quiet/structured play time and also a large "desk" area for when that is needed (for when Kenna or Brooks need a quiet place to concentrate when I'm doing louder school activities with Sonny & Grey)

Bye Bye Ardyn

Today is our last day having Ardyn, full time. Her mom took a very part time job, so I will only have her about 6 days per month, from now on. We've had her since birth, so kinda sad! Her baby brother or sister will join us for those 6 days too, once he/she makes her appearance this summer:-)

The Extras

Well, summer break is over, this means that Monday through Friday our house is very full of busy little people! Here are the "extra kids" that I talk about from time to time, or that will pop up in posts every now and again.

ARDYN aka Ardy
Ardyn will be 2 at the end of December. She is talking very well/advanced for her age, and loves to be my super little "helper" mostly going along behind me and undoing what I've just done:-) It's fun to have a girl around after all these boys! She loves babies and dogs, and is only a little bit stubborn. For the most part she is a perfect little girl, who only lets her "red haired" temper flare when the big boys won't share with her. Then it's time for them to get a piece of her mind. We have Ardyn M - F, 8:45 - 2:30ish.

Ardyn

SONNY aka Sonny Bunny
Sonny is two and a half, he'll be 3 at the end of January. He is talking very well, forming little sentences, and beginning to potty train, and he loves to colour pictures! He and Grey are either best buds or worst enemies, at any given moment. They have a love/hate relationship with sharing their common love of trains, train tracks, trucks and cars. As if we didn't have enough of those toys for an army of children:-) Sonny is very obedient and responsive, and loves to look out for the well being of the other kids.

Sonny

MAY aka May-za, Maisy Daisy
May is Sonny's younger sister and is currently 11 months old, she'll turn 1 in October. She's my little gem because 1) she can't walk yet (although getting close) and 2) she still takes two naps a day:-) She will eat anything in sight, and much prefers real food to her bottle any day. She's a chunky monkey, so we love to smooch on her pudgies! Those cheeks are just too pinchable! She adores Kenna, and loves to be dragged around and doted on by Kenna & Ardyn. We have Sonny & May M - F, 7:45 - 4:45

May

On Break

We are on Summer Break from our extra kids! Since Sonny & May's mom, and Ardyn's dad are school teachers, we get a little (much needed) time alone as a family. We will welcome them back in late August...until then...FREEDOM:-) I'm loving it! Just think, I only have one bum to change, instead of FOUR! Heavenly

The Extras

Many times people are confused as to who is in my house on a daily basis. Here's the scoop on "the Extras" as I affectionately dub them. With a house full of 6 kids, ages 5 & under...there is NEVER a dull moment, and always a poopy diaper to change! It's definitely a full time job (plus some, really!), but I wouldn't trade it - it allows me to bring in a paycheck (which we need), but also be home with my 3 kids, and homeschool 2 of them - while attempting to control the mess and clutter. We love our Extra kids!

Sonny aka Sonny Bunny and Son

He was born Jan 2010. He's a pretty easy going kid - has a cry that will rock your world and send you running for the hills:-) But as long as he's happy, he's a gem. He can be a sneaky one, you have to keep your eye on him or he'll quietly run off (which I am not used to, as my kids do nothing, I repeat, nothing, quietly). He's not a big eater, but loves his milk and Capri Suns! He is a very obedient little boy, and we're hoping that rubs off a little on his play-mate, Grey;-) Sonny is here Mon thru Fri, Sept thru June, from 7:45am - 4:30-45pm

Ardyn aka Ardy and Arda

She was born Dec 2010. She is the baby sister of Jack, who we used to babysit, until he started school. She is cute as a button, and full of opinions. Although she can't talk yet, she "yells at me" or the other kids to let us know exactly what her little heart desires. She's not really fond of sleeping, and eats like a horse! She started walking over the Christmas break, so it has been fun to watch her toddle around! Ardyn is here Mon - Fri, Sept thru June, from 8:30am-5:00pm

May aka Baby May May and Maisy Daisy/Daisy Maisy

She is Sonny's baby sister and was born Oct 2011. She is calm, quiet, sweet and cute. It will be very interesting to watch her personality grow and see what she's like. For now, she's the perfect little newborn. She's so cute and chubby, we love "pinching" her chubby little thighs. Ah! We love fat babies! She of course, is here like her brother, Mon - Fri, Sept thru June, from 7:45am - 4:30-45pm