As 2016 has progressed, I have continually felt more and more overwhelmed. I am still mourning the loss of 1 years worth of pictures from a computer back-up/hard drive/kids issue that left us one computer short this winter. I am having minor medical issues related to this pregnancy that have left me unable to play with/care for the kids the way that I want to, and I will never completely get used to living so far away from the happy stay-at-home mom life that I enjoyed while living in Idaho.
That being said, I am trying to get out of this funk by instituting a new level of organization into my life! This probably sounds like pulling teeth to most, but for me, it produces a smile in my heart. I love organization and feeling like I'm accomplishing things (checking them off my list) even if the house seems to be falling down around me. I am trying a new way to get household and personal projects completed. This method includes breaking things down into minute tasks that can be completed between naptimes and temper tantrums. One of the projects that I am completing this month is starting my blog back up. I will get 2016 going, then when I am caught up I can think about back-posting to get my family journal up to date.
So here's some of the fun activities from the first part of January this year! We flew home on January 1st with Mary and Gary in tow. It was an interesting flight that started wonderfully and ended with an hour wait on the tarmac for a gate to debark at, then another hour wait to get baggage and situated. This 2 hour block happened to be right at dinner/bedtime, so it was an airport adventure. I was very glad to have some extra grownup hands, flying solo with 3 kids is an adventure without any delays :).
While we had family in town, we decided to hit up our first Cal basketball game! It's always fun to get out, even if the kids enjoy the snacks and don't watch the game at all :). Sporting events have always been a big part of our childrens' lives, so they don't think anything of the bright lights, loud whistles, and cheers from the crowd. I have started bringing coloring books and other activities to games so that I can watch at least some of the action! At this particular game, Kenzie entertained herself by playing peek-a-boo with the nice man sitting in front of us.
We've been enjoying some rain recently. I love the wonderful rain smell, and the kids have a blast playing in the puddles. This particular shot is of all the kids outside barefoot, with Kenzie drinking the super dusty and dirty water from inside the Cozy Coupe cracks. Yum!
Playing Hungry Hungry Hippos with Grandpa. They both got to do 2 hippos, which maxed out Carter's coordination efforts. He ended up jumping up and down with every push of the tail. He was so excited, I wish I got a video of it before he realized what he was doing and stopped :).
This is how we feel about Grandpa and Grandma leaving us on the 5th! We love having them visit!!
The kids got introduced to The Sound of Music one evening, and they totally loved it. It begins with the overture playing and scenes of beautiful Austria showing. Eventually it pans to the top of a hill with Maria singing. As soon as she was visible, Kenzie started jumping up and down clapping...showing her musical-loving self.
one of my favorite picture poses...kids playing piano, and fighting over the piano together :)
About once a year we have to complete operation play room. We pull out all of the toys (including the bins that are currently on toy vacation), go through them, decide which to donate, and organize the rest. Our kids definitely don't have a shortage of play things, so regular downsizing is a definite necessity.
Aah!! Crazy messes...then we added 2 kids, a toddler, and the noise level in our house went up about 15 levels...
3 hours later we had the kids in bed and we were able to have a completed, nice looking play room and a giant pile of toys and stuffed animals ready to donate. Mission Accomplished! I really enjoy the process every year of the kids choosing what they would like to keep and what other kids might enjoy. It's easy to see their wonderful hearts at work as they pick some of the most played with toys to donate. They may be loud and crazy and messy, but they are sweet kids.
Just some cute baby hair, and the eyelashes that were so distracting to me as I was doing her hair.
Alex sent us this picture from work one day when they had a snow day in Berkeley! We didn't make it down for the event, but they do them all over the Bay Area where they bring truckloads of snow for kids to play in. If we end up not seeing snow next winter we will have to find one as a way to make a snowman. the kids were pretty disappointed to not make one this year.
Soccer fun! I really enjoy this time chasing around M as the other two kids are in their soccer classes. She is such a good natured sweetheart, always looking for the next adventure. She 'joins' Carter's class every time I start chatting with other moms, so I'm grateful for forgiving coaches as well.
The last thing before our trip to Boise to visit Amber and family was an ultrasound to find out that we are evening out our numbers with a little boy in June. After calling my mom to tell her, she asked if I was more excited about having a boy or being 'right' (I have been right about the gender of each of our children, Alex is 1 for 4, having only agreed with me once)... I didn't know at that point, but I am so excited for this little man. It's funny being in the middle of what will be my last pregnancy because every first is also a last. I'm trying to enjoy it more, and to cherish this time with a little one growing inside me.
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