Sorry, Nathan

I forgot you on the list!  Not because you didn't do anything positive, but because mommy was TI-RED!

You should have been #3. Nathan shared very well today with a little boy in the toy store without even being asked to.

Thanks, Uncle Curtis!

7 Things, Day 3

I've decided I'll do this for seven days, just to follow the pattern:)

1. Addison took an extra super long nap today that she really needed.
2. Kate has an amazing appetite.
3. Emma loves to cuddle with me, hold my hand, or just sit next to me.
4. Bailey thought it was cooler to be at the Primary Activity for Church than a birthday party.
5. I just wrote a pretty awesome paper on Racial Profiling:)
6. Ben ran to Walgreens instead of driving and ran raster and longer than his last run.

7 things, Day 2

The great things about today:
1. Addison walked holding my hands.
2. Kate was super content playing alone or with Addison today.
3. Nathan is able to express himself more with words.
4. Emma made me laugh so hard I cried when she described how she loves to pass gas because it makes bubbles.
5. Bailey got super boy muddy playing football and didn't get upset when his team lost.
6. I successfully got up at 6 a.m and was ready before my children were up.
7. Ben is studying hard on a Friday night when he would rather be here with us so I can stay home with the kids and we can have a comfortable life.

7 Things, Day 1

Dear Bailey, Emma, Nathan, Kate and Addison, A.K.A. BENKA(CI):
Mommy has decided that some of her posts are a bit too negative in describing the everyday life here in the Oram House.  So, for the next little while, I will post 7 things each day that are a positive directly related to the 5 of you, and one for Daddy and I. 

1. Addison gave me an amazing baby hug
2. Kate brightened my day with her smile.
3. Nathan made me laugh even when I didn't want to.
4. Emma gave an extremely thoughtful prayer before bedtime.
5. Bailey cooked a great BBQ.
6. I got a good grade on my first writing assignment.
7. Ben is a good listener.

Week 5, Man Alive...

This was me in happier times...

Ok, so it was only taken Sunday.  But, man oh man is this week a nutty one or what.  And it isn't even over, but I am a little scared to see what the rest of this week holds. 

So as not to be too extremely negative, only one story of the insanity this week will be on here.  And it happens to be about....

Hmmm...Emma, you say?

Emma and her friend, Gabby were playing on the trampoline this afternoon.  I noticed after dinner (which Emma did not eat because she did not like grilled cheese today) that there were papers and shoes outside on the trampoline.  It was still light out so I told Emma to go clean it up.  She of course said, oh yes, mom right away!  Um, that would be in Bizarro world for this week.  Instead, I heard that it was too cold or she didn't want to or just yeah, no.  Well, I put her outside and locked the slider.  Yup, locked it and told her she could come in when she picked everything up.  So, of course, the entire neighborhood can hear her screaming "No, Mommy, Don't lock me outside, it's freezing!" As I type this I am waiting for CPS to pound on my door she was so loud.  Well, after about 15 minutes, she picked most of it up and one of the pairs of shoes.  I looked outside at the few things left and decided it was good enough for now and let her in.  Emma then made the choice to inform me, with a little hand on the hip and a snide voice, that she hadn't picked up the other pair of shoes out there or the last piece of paper.  Oh, Emma, that was a mistake.  I was going to let you slide.  So out she went again. Lock. Bye.

She got so mad she threw the papers she had picked up all over the yard.  After another 5-10 minutes, I went out and told her that since she was not going to pick everything up, she could come in and go to bed. She told me that she didn't care about the shoes left outside.  (All of her shoes are now in the top of my closet except her old pair of tennis shoes she hates to wear.  I guess if you don't care about shoes...yeah, she's not happy right now). I put her through the shower, got her dressed for bed and she has been there ever since.  

To Emma: When you read this at an older age, I am letting you know that the documentation of this story is not because I don't love you or want to portray you as a crazy six year old.  It is so you can laugh when you are a normal, well adjusted, shoe addict of a beautiful young woman who will punch a boy in the face if he tries to kiss her. 

Happy news for this week: We are over the halfway mark to getting Ben back-yay!  And Emma is getting to be an excellent little reader.   I have not poked myself in the eye with a pencil yet-yay me! 

Happy Birthday, Nathan!

Our little three year old!  Our family wouldn't be the same without you.

Here are some highlights from the big Par-tay:

The cake...

All he asked for was a Cars cake.

So I made, ok, bought one:)

Three candles for being "frwee"

He needed some help blowing out the candles before the cake was covered in spit.

He has been so excited all day ready for his party.

I want presents, I want presents!

He had a great night and loved every minute of it.  He did not, however, love the cake and instead ate the peanut butter chocolate balls. 

We are now officially done with "birthday season" in our house...

This Just In!

Emma was upset tonight because she hasn't been able to sleep in Bailey's bed with him on Friday nights in a long time (It's probably been a year or so) They used to have a Friday night plan that she could sleep in his room on Friday nights.  They grew up sharing a room and had gotten so used to it that Emma was sad when we moved her out and Nathan in.  However, Bailey is too grown up for that anymore apparently.  And who wants to have a slumber party with your little sister?  

So we explained to Emma that when Kate and Addison get older, they can have Sister Slumber Parties.  She was so excited that she wanted to start tonight.  Emma wanted to climb into Addison's crib, but she was already asleep.  So, she joined Kate.  Emma fell asleep first, then Kate. All in a little Ikea crib built for one...