The Party People are Pooped.

TWO Birthday extravaganzas this weekend...it was a little bit of a miracle that they happened at all. It seems like kids are scheduled every minute of the day (mine included). I can't say whether this is good or bad, but it makes it hard to get a group of kids together.

G's get together was first (which is strange, since her actual birthday is after Mike's; I can't even remember how she talked me into that).

As you can see, since this was a group of third-almost-fourth-graders, there were very sophisticated.

But throw a 5-year old in the mix and they are more than happy to come down to his level. Quickly.

Mike's had his party at Chuck E Cheese, or as Nina called it, "Vegas for the under 10 crowd". It is totally like Vegas, the kids eat too much Spongebob Cake, and their tokens are gone before they know it.

Fortunately everything that happens at CEC stays at CEC.

How did Angelina feel?

two words: Not Impressed.

April Vacation

G's school put on a parent-child dance this year. The theme was "Fly me to the Moon" and it was super cute or the pictures make it seem that way...Mike, Angelina and I weren't on the guest list.

What to do, what to do...without Bill and G, we had a lot of options. Instead of dancing and hob nobbing with the Millbury Elite, we played Wii, picked out cookie recipes we want to try on http://www.foodgawker.com/ and made movies. Movies that will be boring (i promise you) to anyone but those directly related to us. Or scientists measuring the velocity of baby sneezes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9WKDZsdkus

Number Three

Poor Angie...

Already three months have gone by and she hasn't had a single post on Soybutter. I really don't think she is taking it personally...in fact, most days I think she is glad that I don't forget her at G's dance class.

She is assimilating nicely into the family. She has learned to assert herself already, her explosive poops are enough to intimidate everyone but Nina. She is learning to share and has a (necessary) patience that her siblings did not need to have. We have routines we share with G and Mike, like mealtimes and bathtimes, and she has routines that are just hers.

It's magical to see the first signs of her personality emerging. She talks up a storm and is already more serious then her siblings were at this age. Her smiles are heavenly, but they are only won with a little effort on our part. I love it, but it was still bittersweet to pack away those tiny 0-3 month outfits this weekend. Fortunately, I know from experience--even more fun times are ahead!

Happy 3-month Angie, my beautiful number 3!

Meet Anthony!

Anthony is here!

He made his appearance this weekend both feet-first and a week early; clearly he heard how many illegal fireworks were puchased in NH by his dad and he didn't want to miss the opportunity to see them on the 4th of July. So we know that: he is punctual, loves surprises and is a bit of a pyro right from the womb. He's going to fit in just fine.

Here is Justin doing his best Buzz-Lightyear-Goes-to-Surgery impression.


...and now he's doing an impression of that pole that holds the IVs. All in the name of keeping spirits high. It must be working on Nina, she's smiling while she's actually walking to surgery.

He's a keeper! (that's actually a nice product shot for the iTouch there too--I'd send it to Apple, maybe get AJ's college paid for...)

There's the beautiful boy! He is absolutely perfect! Nina was the picture of grace under pressure during the whole experience. I'm not biased, the nurses and MDs all were amazed at how cool and calm she was from the moment she found out this wouldn't be a typical birth right up until she held Anthony in her arms. Justin was a fantastic birth partner-strong and calm, he kept everyone serene and did absolutely everything right.

"If I have a monument in this world, it is my son"

-Maya Angelou

The D-Word

Sweet relief. I am NOT good at keeping secrets and even worse at not talking. That stream-of-consciousness thing I do is sort of a compulsion, so I guess this could count as therapy.

New destination-appropriate outfits are ready...

Bags are packed (the butterfly one is Bill's)...

Now I just need to make it to tomorrow morning.

It is not quite what I anticipated...but their reaction got better as the morning went on. Michael was very concerned about what kind of fuel the plane runs on (?!).

April Fool's and Cognitive Psychology

yumm....grilled cheese!

G was a little confused when I served her this last night...but I blamed it on being distracted (long day, can't concentrate, blah blah blah). She found it rather easy to believe that yet again, I don't have my act together. (is there a message for me in there somewhere? that's what sublimation is for folks--let's make some crafts! )

Anyhow--this is actually slices of butter poundcake (toasted) with orange-tinted vanilla frosting. It took a few bites for her to believe it was dessert and not a grilled cheese--even after I showed her the frosting. It was interesting how long it took for her switch her thinking and not trust her eyes. Mike would not believe it no matter what we did. He would not try it.

This is what they are getting at breakfast--its not cranberry juice, it's jello. Whee! THIS is what parenting is all about, playing mindgames with your children.

Holiday Wrap-up

The holiday post is way overdue, but here are some great pics from the holidays. Santa did find our house, and he was good to everyone.

X-mas morning...notice the Zhu Zhu pets on the fireplace. They have yet to be played with (downside: out $50 bucks, upside: no lead poisoning! I think its a win).

Gia with her American Girl Doll! This the one with the llama. (as opposed to the one with the horse, the one from the depression, the homeless one--someday I'll learn their names).

And Nina with her American Girl doll. Err...I think this is the one from China....

My two little angels eating the holiday dinner. Wait, is that Mike saying grace?!?

Actually, he is squishing the roll between his hands to mash it flat. Because it "tastes better that way".

I hope you all had great holidays!!