Stuck

The weather here has been SO very very cold the last few days and it doesn't look like it is supposed to warm up soon. And by cold I mean -30ish with windchills of around -45ish. NOT fun. Needless to say, we have not really been out with the kids. Yesterday I braved the weather and took them to the library for storytime......we nearly froze walking the 10 feet from the van to the doors. We are definately NOT going out anywhere today. The kids are a little antsy, they are getting bored of their toys and float from one thing to another every minute or so. We are trying to think of creative ways to keep them busy and entertained (especailly after Anthony was spoiled by so much attention from the university students this weekend).

Cooking at the retreat was wonderful. We all had a great time and things ran smoothly. There were points where I wasn't sure who was the biggest kid....some of the boys were more than willing to dress up in bed sheets (like capes) and 'fly' Anthony around and around and around the building. It was great fun!

Here's hoping that where ever you are, the weather is warmer and the sun is out. More pictures are coming (eventually), I promise....:)

Sweet Bliss

After months of trying, the conquering army of toys that has been taking over my living room has finally been contained!!! We have been living where we are now for over a year and I've managed to 'put-up' with the toys invading every area of the house. I realized that they couldn't stay in Anthony's room in the basement cuz, at the time, he was to little to play down there by himself. But slowly, more and more toys would find their way upstairs until I would go crazy and send them all packing back down to the confins of Anthony's room.
For the past feew months I have been trying to come up with a solution that works for the kids and for me.....that solution (it's brillant, really it is...even if I do have to say so myself lol): the unused microwave cart that has been sitting in our laundry room (it housed the detergent but seriously, isn't that what the top of your washing machine is for...especially if it is front loading?) Troy was kind enough to assist in the defeating of the toys and carried the cart up the staris into the living room. The toys have now been banashed to the cupboard when they are not being played with and I feel like I have a 'grown-up' room. It is a wonderful feeling (not sitting down on a chair and jumping up again 5 seconds later cuz I've sat on a toy and not having to trip over every single lego block on my way to anwser the phone).
Now, if i was REALLY the conquering general, my kids would always, and promptly put away the toys as they were finished and only pull out the toys they were using.......I have no such illusions of that happenign however and am content with the fact that the wayward invading army now has a place to call home!!!

BTW, isn't it a little sad that finding that microwave cart totally made my day and I am SO incredibly excited about it....maybe I need to get out more!