square one

Rob wouldn't go to sunbeams today. I tried to take him in kicking and screaming and crying (AND PUNCHING) but man...that kid is stronger than me. He has new teachers...and he just wouldn't go. I don't know what to do. I threatened everything. And as we speak he is grounded from TV and TREATS today. Both of Rob's true loves. He doesn't quite understand what is going on.

This was not today...I am not sure when it was but Cortney took it with his iphone sometime at church (it was sometime since I got a big belly). But it is how today felt. Any suggestions on getting kids to obey.

The beginning of a new time of my life...

Kindergarten.

I can't believe the time has come for my baby to FINALLY enter the world of school. Yay. I can't even say just how excited I am for this day to finally be here. Of course, it was scary for me but also so wonderful. He definitely needs some entertaining.

As Cortney gave him a blessing this morning, I felt overwhelmed. It is scary to send your kids out into the world. I told him today that now it was his job to choose the right even without me there. He is a good boy.

His first day outfit of choice. I bought him probably 8 or 9 plain t shirts. School shopping for me this year was really cheap. Oh and yes, he got his hair cut (I had to pay him to do it...sheesh that kid). We looked through an Entertainment Weekly to see if he saw any hair cuts he liked. He picked a picture of Robert Pattinson...hahaaaa. This is the first time Oliver has really worn spiked hair. He was really looking in the mirror this morning as we got ready to go.

How handsome. I love being able to see his face again. That long hair was getting on my nerves.

Walking in.

My shy little boy. I know every mom feels the same feeling I felt...that they hope their kids will be able to make friends.

His teacher. She is so cute.

Name tag.

He walked in without so much as a glance backwards.

It felt like a long 3 hours. But it was so nice and quiet. Rob and I did a little grocery shopping and then I came home and got some work done. It was a nice afternoon.

After school I took the boys to Wiseguyz for a couple of slices of pizza. Oliver couldn't believe that there is no lunch during kindergarten. (I fed him before...honestly) We picnicked on the grass in front and talked about the day. Oliver said he was the best one in his class. I like that he thought that.

organization

Cortney and I took the weekend to start going through our storage room. AYE. What a pain and what a mess. Three days later and we are still living in pure chaos. Put we are throwing away tons and tons of stuff, I have nearly gotten all of my baby to 5 year old clothes organized by size, and we have come to find out that Cortney is quite the pack rat. In the whole entire storage room there is maybe one tupperware of my stuff. Everything else is Cortney's or Children's clothing. I love it.

I have always been someone that doesn't keep a lot of storage. Moving every 6 months for 7 years will do that to you. But we have been in this house for 3 years now (our record) and the storage room just got a little out of control. It will be so nice to have it done and one more thing off of my list of things to do before the baby comes.

Last night when we were saying prayers I asked rob "what are you thankful for??" to which he responded "storage, I am thankful for storage.".

How cute is that the little guy must have been listening to me tell Cortney how grateful I was for such a big storage room, earlier in the day. Haaa.

I have an update coming from the reunion as soon as I get this house all cleaned up. It should only take a couple of trips to DI and a couple of trips to the dump. Hallelujah.

Help

I have tons and tons of lemon cucumbers in my garden. More then anyone could ever eat. SO if you live around here come by and pick some...please.

the drive

So Cali and I just got back from what is probably the last road trip we will take together for a long time (boooo hoooo). We have loved so much being able to fit in one car. It really helps to have someone to talk to and someone to help with the kids and such when one is driving (Cali always drives). On the way down the kids were pretty great. They really are such good travelers. And it is NO easy feat driving 12 hours with someone right next to you bugging you all day long. It is a pretty jam packed van.

Here are a lot of car pictures. I just think they are funny.

Both on the way there and back the three front row kids fell asleep right after lunch and stayed that way for a while. It sure helps to have half of our kids asleep.

We always leave SUPER early (4:00 am) so we can get a lot of driving done before lunch. On the way home we didn't stop for lunch until LeGrand. That is like 9 hours into our trip. We had stopped once to pee before that but it was a fast stop. Our kids are road warriors.

On the way back Cali and I were the weakest links. We had to PEE a lot. I don't know I guess two pregnant women equal a lot of bathroom breaks. We love rest areas...I know gross. But...the kids get to run around and there are no treats for them to get distracted by.

Letting all of their wiggles out with a couple of laps around the building.

On the way home the kids weren't as good for some reason. They were still good but, they were all very hyper. After lunch we got a couple of red boxes and that settled them right down. At one point right before we stopped for lunch they were all crying and freaking out. So I sneaked this video clip. Yes they are all buckled and in car seats...it just doesn't appear that way. Tyson was the only one that realized I was taking a video.

We had a great time but are so glad to be back. It was a bittersweet last ride...we are really going to miss our long car trips.

I guess this goes without saying but in case it doesn't...No more road trips because come October Cali and I will have 8 kids between the two of us...we'd have to have a huge old van.

things that make you go mmmmm....

I am heading back tomorrow, we had a wonderful reunion. I will do a longer post when I get back but here is a picture of my Grandma, Aunts, girl cousins and nieces. What a great bunch of women. I am so grateful for the strong women examples I have had in my life. I love all of these ladies. (were not to hard on the eyes either....hahahaaa)

Moses Lake or bust...

Cali and I are on our way to Moses Lake tomorrow. I can't believe how crowded it is with all 6 of the kids and two pregnant women. We will definitely be making memories that is for sure. The kids are so excited. So who knows....I probably won't be posting for a while.

oh my gosh....I am having a baby.

Now I know this is not news to any of you...but tonight it is to me. Cali called me from the store where they were having some sales and asked if I wanted them to get me some baby clothes. My immediate reaction was "yick" I don't know why...but that is what came out of my mouth. Up until now it just hasn't hit me. Then tonight when I saw what they had picked up. It HIT ME...oh my gosh I am having a baby. I little baby boy. It has been FOUR long years since I have had a little one. I can't even imagine it.


Here are the lovely things they got for me. I just stare and stare at them and think...what are these for?? How crazy. (although I got an email from a pregnancy site saying I have 74 days left...that is forever) 10 weeks. I know it will fly by though because Oliver is starting school, and I have a bunch of family things going on. (yay I head to Moses Lake on Saturday...can't wait to be back home)

In other boicefamily happenings Rob has been saying "holy Crap" the last two days. I don't know where he got it...it isn't one of mine that is for sure. I keep telling him not to say that to which he says "mom it's not a bad word"...I have been trying to explain that it isn't a "nice word" that it is rude. He doesn't quite get it.

you all must be crazy

Yesterday we went to the park. It was horribly hot. I just kept thinking...I don't know how other mom's do this...how they do "stuff" all the time. I would way rather lie in my bed snoozing. It sure looks fun though.

I think all of the grandkids except Dougie were there.

I was dying in the heat...I really was. Then out of no where an ANGEL appeared. Okay it was just my dad but he had a HUGE box of creamie popsicles from costco and it was a lifesaver.

Gg sure thought so.

Not only did we have popsicles but all of the kids went and sat under the shade of a different tree so the adults got a little quiet ice cream time.

Our sad attempt at a group shot. Mom and dad haven't mastered the art of "just look your best at the camera and don't worry what the kids are doing". Amateurs. I took this picture and by the time my camera was ready to take another shot they were all gone.

Oh...and you can see the shorts I made Oliver wear that started his breakdown yesterday. This picture was mid tantrum for him...but you can't even tell. That is how deceiving pictures can be.

difficult `

i know I have mentioned Oliver's obsession with clothing before but in the last couple of months he has taken it to an all time high. I don't know what to do. HE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. Honestly it will be nice to have a little baby around because the two kids I do have don't seem to care about minding me at all. It will be nice to have someone that doesn't sass back.

Anyways...the new problem with Oliver's clothes is that every day...regardless he wears a plain shirt, baggy jeans, socks and shoes...oh and a hat...of course I can't forget the hat. Now I know this doesn't sound like a problem but it is 100 degrees here. Every morning when I get out of bed he is already dressed (shoes and all). Today we went to the park and I had to threaten him to wear some shorts. (FORGET ABOUT FLIP FLOPS...he won't even budge in that arena) Then when we were leaving the park he freaked out crying and rolling on the grass because I told him he couldn't go home and change into jeans before we went to Cali's house. He decided that he would rather go home and not play then wear shorts. We have now been home like 5 hours and I won't let him wear his jeans. He right away changed into pajama pants (he won't even wear pajama shorts)...and he has been crying non stop for me to let him be ungrounded from his jeans. I am going crazy, there is no parenting book that tells you what to do when your 6 year old won't dress appropriately for the weather. I cannot wait for school to start so I can tell him it is school rules.

Oye...every day I pray for the strength to be patient. I could have never imagined a kid would be this difficult about JEANS.