Almost Wordless Wednesday-Better Late than Never!

We took the kids for pictures today.

There will be many more to follow, but I wanted share

the beginning:

And THE END (at least for Alex!).

Happy 7th Birthday, Drew!

Drew, you are such a joy to us! Your smile brightens each and every day! We love you!

Wordless Wednesday-Narnia Edition

Birthday Plans

My Drew is turning 7 in July! We let the boys do something with friends every third year*** starting with first grade (so this is Drew's first friend party. I like for the kids to be old enough to remember it before they have a party like this.

So, even though his birthday isn't until July 6, his friend party is on Saturday. I wanted to have it before summer plans really got underway for everyone. Drew and the boys in his class are going to see Toy Story 3. Then we will do cake and presents in their party room after. He is really excited about this! I am sure I will have pictures to post on Saturday!

***I really wasn't thinking when we decided on the every third year thing-Peter and Drew ended up with parties this year, and Michael and Drew will end up in the same cycle. We may move Michael's party when he is this age as a result!

Wordless Wednesday-Big Brother Edition

She has joined the club!

Finding the toilet paper is a right of passage in our house.
One that I try to avoid as long as possible!

Peter, 2001.

Drew, 2004.

Michael, 2006.

Alex, 2010.

Wordless Wednesday

Long Week

It has been a long week in our household as we try to adjust to a new normal. We have been having a hard time getting a hold on Drew's allergies this Spring. It started with the first warm-up. He was stuffy as usual, but he also had this cough that we could not seem to get rid of. I decided to skip the pediatrician and take him directly to the allergist. I am so glad I did!

When Drew went 18 months ago, they said he did not have many allergies, as the skin test showed. The doctor examined Drew this past Tuesday, and immediately said he was wheezing (could not hear it myself, but later found out that his coughing jags are when he is wheezing). They decided to to a lung test first. His capacity was at 74% (down from 96% 18 months ago). They gave him albuterol and retested. It only came up to 79%. Drew's diagnosis? Asthma.

The also repeated the scratch test for allergies and he lit up like a Christmas tree. His big ones are danders, trees, grass and mold. I really like this doctor and he came up with an action plan. They increased allergy meds, and added 2 inhalers. One is for daily use and the other is albuterol for before exercise and as a rescue. I need to take him back in a month.

So, the week has been spent adjusting to new med schedules, and coming to a new normal. The diagnosis did not surprise me, but at the same time was kind of unsettling. We'll get used to this. So far, Drew is doing brilliantly. Since the addition of the twice daily inhaler, he is breathing much better. Soccer season is starting again in a couple of weeks, and we'll do fine. God will help us through this!

Super Mario

My boys received this for Christmas. I have to say that of all of the games that we have for Wii, I really love this one! While my boys tend to get pretty competitive when they are playing Wii, they can't do that with this game. In this one, they work as a team to defeat Bowser. It has been great watching them work together (all 3 boys!). Hearing them encourage each other as well.

At one point today, I did hear the following conversation:

Drew to Peter, "Dude, that was AWESOME! Let's try it again!" (I don't really like when he uses dude, but it was cute!)

Peter in response, "No one messes with Peter!"

It has been a good break!

They also received Sports Resort, Family Game Night 2, and Mario at the Winter Olympics. They have had a great time. I think I'll wait until Sunday to remind them that back to school means video game free zone!

Not just about the baby!

Lest you think that baby Alexandra is the only child who gets space on this blog, I thought I'd throw in a couple of my boys.

Sorry for the blur in this shot, but I thought I would post a picture of Michael's goose-egg from last night when Drew "accidentally" pushed him out of the way to save him from running into a shelf. It looks much better today-there may be a Christmas picture after all!

The boys were pleasantly surprised to find that, yes, their Mama had stayed up last night to finish all of their winter hats. In truth, I finished making Peter's last week. Today it is supposed to be around 32 degrees, so I'd say I finished just in the nick of time!

School pictures

This is Peter, my fourth grader. He is 9, and is such a sweet boy!

He is a great example to his brothers!

Drew is now in 1st grade. He is 6, and again, a great big brother!

Happy Birthday, Drew!

My Drew is 6 today! We celebrated with my in-laws on Saturday at their house as my MIL was not ready to come all the way in to our house. Then, we celebrated with my sister's family yesterday. My sister and her husband are Drew's Godparents. Busy weekend, but a lot of fun!

For the actual birthday today, we are taking it slow (Mama needs to!). Right now, they boys are playing the new racing game Drew got for the Wii. For his birthday dinner, Drew has asked if we can go to the food court at the mall. Because we eat out so seldomly, the boys never ask for home cooking on their birthday.

Happy Birthday, Drew! Mama loves you so much!!!

No more baby teeth!

My Drew lost his first tooth today! Really, he didn't lose it as much as he pulled it out. We have been waiting patiently about 3 weeks, and today he decided to pull it out. The one next to it is also on its way out! I think he looks pretty cute! And, yes, he will be the orthodontist's dream. He has a full under bite, just like his Mama did!

Wordless Wednesday

Drew to Michael, softly, "Michael, don't ever do that again. It is dangerous." (Sorry they are a little out of focus, they were moving!)

Wisconsin State Fair Cream Puffs!

Wisconsin State Fair ends today. We didn't make it this year, but we did enjoy the Cream Puffs! The Fair has a drive-thru for Cream Puffs from 6-8 AM every morning. My sweet hubby went out and picked these up! Drew and Michael were first to the table!

Drew loves the creamy goodness! And, yes, we had them for breakfast! I felt like Bill Cosby-they have flour, eggs, dairy-that counts, right?

Peter may have been last to the table, but after many years of cream puff eating, he has the devouring down to a science!

Pictures from the Waterpark

Michael was happiest wrapped in a towel watching his brothers!

Peter LOVED all of the slides!

Drew did too!

What it means to have sons...

As the mother of sons, I often feel outnumbered in my own house. As their mother, I am often the nurturing one, however, as they are growing, there is less and less need for that, and more and more need for me to have a sense of humor. I am forewarning readers that this post is not for those easily offended or the faint of heart!

Belching and flatulence are a regular part of our household-in fact, I just heard my son, Drew say to Peter, "let's play the tooting game!"

It is Sunday night. Time to prepare for the week ahead. The boys have had dinner and are in the process of taking baths. Tonight's story revolves around my almost five-year-old, Drew. Before hopping in the tub, he decided that he needed to do his duty. When he has to go #2, he does tend to take a while. I was urging him to hurry up and get in the tub. He told me that he needed to wipe his heinie (thank goodness he doesn't need me to do it for him anymore!). Andy warned him to flush just as Drew was saying that the toilet was full of toilet paper. I am sure you can guess what came next-yes,we had to plunge, but not before Drew told Andy, "Dad, I believe you need to plunge the toilet!" I'm glad that Andy was here to do it!

My Big Boys!

Well, we moved our oldest boys, Peter and Drew to their own room today. They are very excited, especially Drew! He kept running upstairs and laying on his new bed. Unfortunately, so did Michael. We'll see how tonight goes-wish us luck!

Here is a picture of their new digs!

Haircuts!

Last night was the time to give the Spring haircut to the boys-BUZZ! (except Peter, I will take him in for a nice haircut right before First Communion)...I did have to go in and trim Michael's while he was in bed, asleep, as he still throws a fit when his hair is cut!

P is for Proud

On Thursday, I had an interesting conversation with Drew's teacher. She asked me if I had been working with him on Math. Let me start out by saying that I never know how to answer these questions because I'm not sure if they are asking because he's doing really well or really poorly. Besides, at age 4, I don't work on specific academics because if he learns too much, then he'll be bored in school. Anyway, so I hesitated, and then I said that I had not really worked with him, but he does love to sit and count.

His teacher's response? She had been testing him that morning (third quarter report cards come out next week). She told Drew to start at 1 and count as high as he could. She said she had to stop him at 122! As a guide, I should say that when Peter was in K4 (at another school), students were expected to count to 30 by the end of the year. She also said that he could name any random number she pointed to. I know he's only 4, and I know we have a long way to go, but I am really proud of him!