Today we celebrated my mom’s birthday. Her birthday was during the week, but she wanted to wait until the weekend to celebrate so all her grandchildren could be with her. Something must change once you have grandchildren because Lance and I would honestly prefer a nice meal alone. I mean, really, who wants kids fussing, crying or fighting on your special day? Certainly not me.

I have the best mother: she’s not afraid to give her opinion about anything, to tell me when I’m being a bitch, (although she doesn’t use that word), she helps with my kids unless she is sick, and loves good food and movies, things I like. Lance loves her too and misses those days when we used to double bubble and get food. She was a great mother while I was growing up. I can’t really describe why except to say that I was always happy to come home from school to see her. I loved her cooking and wish she cooked more often now.

Last winter after my grandmother died, my mother came and stayed with us for about a month. We had the best time while she was here. Lots of wine and desserts. I think we spent at least 60 bucks a week on desserts. I’m not sure we should be proud of that. We spent a lot of time talking and it was great for the kids to be around her. Once she left, we all missed her more than I thought we would.

Thank you mom for being the best mother in the world and the best grandmother to my children. I love you so much!

Your job is to focus on my personal happiness, she said, & I’ve got big plans, so break time is over.

I’m looking for something meaningful for my fifth kid. While searching, I came across the above quote and rather like it. I wonder what Lance will think when I buy this for us/him. Not sure where to place it…I’m thinking at the computer so he sees it daily.

My dad’s best friend has been inviting him to go on a silent retreat for at least fifteen years. My dad has promised to go a few times, then backed out at the last second. This year he promised to go and try to maintain silence. He was pretty worried about what he would do the entire time. I’ll admit it’s not easy being on a silent retreat. I’m not as holy as some of the people. As much as I want, I don’t have it in me to just sit and pray nonstop in Adoration. I know what a blessing it is, but it doesn’t matter. My mind would always wander, and I’d start writing in my journal and not about the retreat. I knew my dad wouldn’t be any different, but I’m still glad he went. Some spirituality is better than nothing, right? So far, I have received two text messages from him. I am not responding because it’s supposed to be a silent retreat. My brother said he has received several messages as well. My last message was a bit of gossip he received from someone at the retreat. Are they passing notes?

Even though I STILL want to homeschool Goose, I am showing my support and doing my best not to be such a bitch to everyone, meaning Lance, about Goose being in school. I don’t think I’ve even mentioned any of my frustrations lately on this blog. Good for me, I’m learning self control. I guess it’s about time I learned some lessons in life. Still, I would hate for anyone to think for one second that I am happy about the situation yet. BECAUSE I AM NOT!!!

I purchased a Rogers sweatshirt which means I probably need sweatshirts from Lamar and Memorial soon! (presents children!) Goose is so proud when I wear his sweatshirt.

I also went on a field trip with the school. It was fun except for the tie-dyed t-shirt we were all forced to wear. His teacher wasn’t too thrilled about the shirt either. And we had to pay for them. Yesterday, Goose asked if I would go on all his field trips with him. I guess I’m glad to know he misses me and wants me around.

Maybe this is a sign of depression, but I ordered 34 books last night on Amazon for my kids. Lance thinks I am crazy and started comparing my new kids’ books obsession with my Snoopy obsession. I went on and on about how each and every one of these books is important to the well being of my kids. Most of them are Tomie De Paolo books and mostly Christmas books. I figure we can use these books for years to come and then our grand kids will love them. Don’t ask how much money I spent. I will say that all of my mad money for the rest of the year is gone. And then, I remembered two gifts I forgot to order and one more for Goose.

Dear Lord, Help me with Gluttony. No Joke. Our friend, Bryan Caswell, one of Food and Wine’s top chefs in the country, is opening a new restaurant. We’ve been dying the try Stella Sola and we made it in tonight for the last night of mock service. Bryan wanted us to try a little of everything. We had four different entrees, two appetizers and a taste of all the desserts. I am so embarrassed to admit that Lance and I ate almost all of the entrees, one full appetizer and tasted each of the desserts before calling it a night. Our time at the restaurant took less than an hour. In fact, we spent more time in traffic than in the restaurant. We got home and I could barely say anything to the kids before resting. The babysitter probably thought I was crazy showing her my big belly. The food was great and I’m really excited about this new restaurant. For now, it’s bed time. Double workouts for me tomorrow.

Ever since I started hosting Super Saints, I have made a weekly trip to Michael’s. While there are times that I browse the store, I usually have a specific list and pick up the items immediately. Then I wait in line for at least fifteen minutes. What the heck? It drives me crazy that there is always just one lane open despite the fact that there are always five people waiting in line. I’d boycott the store like we have done with Walmart, but my only other option is Hobby Lobby, a store further away and with the same line problems.

We went to Austin this weekend and stayed at my dad’s place. While wrestling on the floor with all three of his brothers, Squirt found a scorpion. Yes, all four boys were rolling around next to a scorpion. Lance managed to catch it before anybody was stung. I was telling Paul the story and casually said something about not having to worry about another one. He told me he heard that they (scorpions) travel in pairs. So now all I can think about is the rogue scorpion just waiting in the kids’ room in Austin. Waiting to get his revenge on us when we go back to Austin. Because, yes, Lance killed his friend. His little friend that was trying to sting us!

I didn’t get many pumpkin pictures this year because each time we tried to take pictures, it would rain. And not just a little rain, a freaking downpour. I took these of Goose one day after school. It was actually picture day so he is wearing a collared shirt. Isn’t he so handsome?!

We took the shots of the baby on Halloween, which was also the day we bought the pumpkin for Squirt to carve. Where does the time go????

Every year we dress one of our children for our friend Chris. Chris has no kids of his own, doesn’t want any kids, but loves our boys. Or at least he does a pretty good job of pretending to really like them! Goose has been Dwight from The Office and a Mexican Wrestler. This year the Hulk got to be Don Draper from Mad Men, the best show on television. We focused so much on Baby Hulk’s costume that Goose’s costume came from the pretend drawer. Don’t feel too sorry for him though, he was more than happy to be a doctor. The baby was an army man, sort of. He was supposed to be a monkey, just like all his brothers have been at his age, but I lost the costume. Yes, ME, Nicole, the most organized person around, lost a monkey costume. Oh, and I realized it the day before Halloween. Squirt decided that Kobra should be an army man so he painted his face and gave him a headband, which Kobra promptly threw off his head. Squirt even dressed up to hand out candy.

Is there a doctor in the house?

Never too old to have fun!

We ended up having a blast. My mom came to check out the kids’ costumes and Hulk got extra candy from some houses for his clever portrayal of Don Draper. I even got wine from one of the houses! Like everything in our life, the night felt rushed, but the kids really enjoyed their time and are already looking forward to next year.