Grocery Shopping

Having 6 kids - and 4 of them being starving teenagers (or close enough) we always seem to need something at the store.  If Xander gets up early enough on a Saturday I will just go with him to the store and get the shopping out of the way while it isn't very busy at the store..and i don't have to take Nick. 

 Last Saturday Xander and I headed out around 6:30am.  I grabbed two carts - because it is always two carts - and pushed Xander's cart and pulled the other one behind me all around the store.  When I went to check out the cashier said (in a haughty voice) "you know, Dad's can help out too" - implying I should've left Xander home with him while I shopped.  I kindly let her know I got the easy job and Dad is home with the other 5 kids.  She shut up pretty quickly.  No, I didn't tell her they were older and all asleep - but I kind of wanted to put her in her place.  I will miss these big shopping trips and hungry kids always around the house - but I won't miss the shopping bill!

 

BYU BOUND!

Gosh I'm so dang proud of this kid!  Sometimes he drives me nuts, but he always impresses me and reminds me to just let Ben be Ben.  When it was time to start thinking about college Ben just kind of hummed and hawed about making a decision about where to apply and what he wanted to pursue in his future.  I was wondering if he would buckle down and apply somewhere when out of the blue he announced he had applied to BYU Provo.  He did all the leg work himself and had his Dad read over the essays that he had written.  Apparently Taryn had applied, so he decided he would too.  He didn't apply anywhere else because it just didn't occur to him that he wouldn't get in!  To be fair this kid is crazy smart, talented, and has had an amazing high school career - so he had every right to be confident that he would get in.

Kallie had a girls night "gals-entines" last night and during it Taryn came upstairs to tell us the good news.  That prompted Ben to check out his email to see if he got in.  Low and behold he did!  We video chatted with Maui clan, called Bebe, sent out messages to family and celebrated.  We are going out to night to celebrate both the new college bound kids!  I couldn't be more proud of both these amazing kids!

We took the kids out to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate then came home and had some yummy desserts with everyone.  It was a crazy moment to look back and see my oldest getting ready to leave for college, and Christopher putting our youngest in his infant seat.  What a crazy life this has turned out to be!

But seriously, how adorable are these kiddos?

 

Oh Andrew....

I find myself saying this more and more these days!  Oh Andrew, with an eye roll.  We decided to finally move into his room which required a severe clean out.  He is almost 14 and had clothes that were size 10 in his drawers.  I found several baby teeth he had saved, as well as a mold of his teeth when he was 8.  

One of my favorites is this proof of Andrew being Andrew.  For two years in a row he has worn the same shirt and sweatshirt for picture day.  When I showed him these pictures I asked if he noticed anything about these pictures.  His response?  "Oh wow, I changed the part in my hair!"  Oh Andrew.....

 

Night to Shine

Kallie has been so lucky to get to experience Marching band and high school with this amazing group of kids.  They donated their time, after school, and participated in "Night to Shine".  A community event put on by a local church where special needs kids get to experience different events.  The high school marching band was invited to attend and Kal went and had a great time dancing around and playing her clarinet with other band kids.  How amazing is that!

 

Reading and Backpacks

Nick:  Mom!  I need my backpack!

Me:  Why do you need it?

Nick:  I need to read my stories!

He climbs up on my bed, put on his headphones, turned the book upside down, and read, out loud, his Lightening McQueen book.  I don't even know if I could love this kid even more!

 

Super Bowl Baby!

I love Super bowl weekend.  Not because I'm necessarily invested in any team, but I love Super bowl parties and watch parties.  This year we were lucky and got to do Super bowl AND Chase's birthday on the same day.  Of course Ligaya put on an amazing spread, Kallie was a huge help, and the boys chilled on the couch.  haha!  

This year was LA Rams vs Ohio Bengals.  I'm from LA, we've lived in OH; I haven't watched a single game this season - so I went with the cutest uniform.  So Bengals it is!  Half of us were Rams, half Bengals and it was awesome to have a little competition on such a fun football game.  Ultimately the Rams took it, but it was a great game!  Bonus - it was over after 10 so we got home after midnight.  Thankfully school was cancelled the next day due to "severe weather" which in VA terms means sunny.

 

Fashion Icon

Getting dressed for the day includes - 3 pairs of jammie pants, one pair of short, 3 jammie shirts, one pair of socks (not pictured - rain boots, coat, Zack's goalie gloves)  I think it's safe to say he got his fashion sense from me!

 

Toothy-smile

Guess who broke her tooth again?  I'll give you one guess.....

The culprit?  A granola bar.  Thankfully she has braces so it just stayed in her mouth broken until we could get her in.  This was the longest the fake tooth stayed in though!  Last time it was fixed was in England - over a year ago!

 

Xander is 6 1/2 months old

Xander is 6 1/2 months old!  I have no idea where the time has gone.  This kid is such a delight to have in our home.  He is always happy, always smiling, always up for being around people, and a fantastic little sleeper.  Xander loves to put everything in his month, loves to investigate everything you hand him, loves his jumper and walker, and loves, loves, loves food.  Any food - he loves.  He always wants to try whatever we are eating too.  His head control and hand control are so much better and he is getting stronger and stronger.  He doesn't really roll over on purpose - but can accidently roll.  Just after I took this picture he almost rolled off the table!  Thankfully I was right there, but man it made my heart jump!

Xander still nurses, but also eats solids 3-4 times every day (about 1/2 cup).  Here are his stats!

Height 27 1/4 in (70%)

Weight 16 lbs 7oz (25%)

Head Circumference 43 cm (30%)

We are slowly gaining weight - which is fantastic.  We are going to add more proteins to his diet (meats, yogurts, cheese) and see if we can fatten him up even more.  The doctor was happy he hadn't lost any weight and is maintaining his curve.  We go back in 4 weeks for another weight check.

Oh and remember how he had a double ear infection last time?  He had another double this time too.  But again - how was I to know!?  This kid is always happy!  We are going to try a different antibiotic and see if it a; never went away or b; just a second random ear infection.
 

Kallie gets her license!

This girl has been so busy that she hasn't had time to get her license.  All she had left to do was 6 days of behind the wheel training -and there were not 6 days in a row where she didn't have something going on.  She could've gotten her license back in November!

Kal was pretty nervous, and to top it off she was so sick that day.  In fact I made her stay home from church to just rest.  She just goes goes and goes that sometimes I have to step in and be mom.

She is going to be so upset I posted these pictures, but she hasn't taken a new one for me...so if she sees this maybe it will inspire her to actually let me take a picture of her!  She thinks she doesn't look good because she was so sick that day - but I think she is absolutely gorgeous!  I'm so lucky to be her mom!