Swing fun

This swing is a Ferris staple. Someone gave it to us when Cooper was a baby. Every one of our boys has enjoyed hours of entertainment swinging in our front yard. This might be the last child to enjoy it. We are talking about taking the tree down in the spring... We are sick of deep roots that interfere with our sewer pipes.

St. Louis has crazy weather!!!! These pictures were taken 2 days apart. Sunday, sunny and 85, Tuesday, breezy and barely 60.

What a week...

I've been helping a neighbor out. His 5yr old twins come every morning, play with my 3 boys, eat lunch with us, and then get on the bus right after Cooper. This is all fine and good until I absolutely have to leave the house.... Then I look like a crazy woman. Five boys, the oldest being 5.5 yrs old is not a pretty sight!!! I never knew my van could hold 5 boys (all but one in a carseat). I also never knew that 5 boys in a van could produce so much noise in such a short period of time. I wasn't to the end of the block and I was praying for the rapture to come at that very moment. Thankfully, we only had to venture out one time ,to bring Nelson to school.

Maddox has been crankier than usual, I found out Tuesday he has his first ear infection, I suppose I should be thankful that it's taken this long for him to get one. I'm not so thankful, I'm sick and tired of the whining, screaming, clinging, and all around unhappy child that has taken over Maddox's body.

Travis is on call this week, I usually love the extra time alone, this week, it's been aweful! He doesn't get home from work before 6:30PM, if I hold dinner for him, we eat, barely have time to bathe the boys and they have to go to bed. I'm thinking tonight, I may order pizza, eat it out of the box (less dishes that way), bathe the boys myself and have them in their jammies when Travis gets home. He can put them to bed and I can try to escape this zoo that once looked like my house.

A recent development (As in the last 2 minutes) I can no longer blog when Cooper is around. He's pointing to words and parts of words on the the screen and reading them to me. I will have to remind him that since I'm typing I know what all the letters and words say. (He knows the words "my", "me", "I", "a", "the", and "we". Those letters and words show up quite often in this post)

Fall Fun

It's sad when the 1yr can look at the camera and look normal, but the schoolagers can't seem to get it together.

Daddy proud of the little man picking out the perfect pumpkin.

Games, games, and more games. This patch was the best! It was full of tons of activities for all the boys and it had wagons to pull pumpkins or little boys in.

Cooper's Fall party.

We are struggling to get the boys to look at the camera and look normal... Hopefully I'll have the kinks worked out by the time we take our Christmas picture.

The pizza shaped like a Jack-O-Lantern. One of the families in Cooper's class owns a local pizza place, this pizza was made especially for the class party.

Yummy Mashed Potatoes

Travis and I weren't keeping Maddox's plate full enough last night. He took matters into his own hands and climbed out of his chair (that he was buckled into) and on to the table to get more potatoes.

Cazy Monday...

You all know how I feel about Mondays. Today was especially a doozy. Travis's car is over heating on a regular basis, that's not a good thing. We decided to drop it off this morning and have me bring him into work. That's all fine and good. I bring him in, get the boys home, fed, dressed, and Nelson to school. I then realize the throat thing that I've been fighting since Saturday is not getting better, and possibly worse. I know yelling at the TV last night and screaming is sweet victory with the Bears when they clobbered the Packers didn't help either. I went into the doctor, got diagnosed with an ear infection and a virus, was handed two Rx and sent on my merry way. Since Maddox fell asleep on the way home, I decided naps were more imprtant than runs thru the drive-thru pharmacy. Maddox woke up and in an attempt to save a few dollars on the Rx I decided to bring them to Walmart. They didn't have the right information on file, I didn't have the right card in my wallet, so all that for nothing! I did find some great DVDs for Travis and some juice bottles for the older 2 boys, so don't worry, the trip wasn't a complete bust. Travis finally called to tell me where to meet him and his gracious friend who agreed to bring him partially home so I didn't have to drive all the way to his office to get him. As I was hanging up with him, he asked what we were having for dinner. DINNER!!! I forgot to even think about that. I had just over an hour to pick him up, make and eat dinner, and get myself and the boys to Bible Study. That was not enough time to accomplish all that had to still be done. I decided to do something I've never done in the history of being a stay at home mom (over 5 yrs wih no end in sight) I drove thru a drive-thru because I forgot to think about dinner. Don't worry, I made it well worth our forgetfulness. We dined on KFC!!! One of my favorite things in the entire world. I got the taigaters feast (perhaps I was still on a high from last night's game). I then decided to "splurge" and get two orders of apple turnovers for dessert. We get home, eat dinner, and decide to enjoy yummy apple turnovers before we have to jet out to Bible Study. THEY WEREN'T THERE!!!!!! I called and asked them to credit my card the amount of the turnovers, they couldn’t. So, after Bible Study Cooper and I drove to get my prescriptions and to KFC to get the missing turnovers. (Nelson fell asleep eating his chicken leg at dinner so he skipped Bible Study tonight) Not only did I get the turnovers, they gave me a chocolate cake too because I had to drive there. I came home, and decided I had to have my turnover, it was hot, smelled good, and was screaming my name! I went to get it and discovered they had given me extras!!!! Now I have some for breakfast tomorrow too! For being a crazy Monday, it sure ended great!!!!!

You would think...

You would think the more kids you have, the more times you go every month to get pictures taken that first year you would learn... Nope, we never learn. I purposely scheduled Maddox's one yr picture of after dinner on a Friday night. In my brain, it seemed like the perfect way to start a weekend. Dinner as a family, jet off to get the picture, come home, put monkeys in bed, clean out the toy boxes and go to bed.
NONE of it went that way.
1. No dinner at home. We packed the boys up and decided to eat at the food court (yeah, nothing but the best for our boys!)
2. We got to the picture place and they were running behind and short staffed. What should have been quick and easy was long and not so fun!! Maddox did not cooperate at all.
3. We did make it home in one piece, and managed to get the boys to bed *almost* on time.
4. The toys are not that inviting tonight. I am sure they will still be piled, spilled, and all over the place tomorrow after my coffee date. Besides, I wouldn't want to get too ambitioius and have nothing to look forward to tomorrow morning when Maddox wakes me up before the sun rises.
5. Bed,ahhh, what a great idea!

Mid-week entertainment

What is his name? Travis Michael Ferris
How long have you been together? We started dating in August of 1996 and got married in August of 1999
How old is he? 32
Who eats more? He does
Who said I love you first? He did
Who is taller? Travis, barely
Who sings better? It's a toss up
Who is smarter? Depends on the subject matter.
Whose temper is worse? We tend to both be rather hot headed!
Who does the laundry? I do, but he does all the ironing.
Who does the dishes? Our dishwasher, but Travis loads it most nights.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Travis does, it's closer to the alarm clock.
Who pays the bills? I do.
Who mows the lawn? Travis does, I have never pushed a laun mower and don't plan on starting to.
Who cooks dinner? Me
Who drives when you are together? Him
Who is more stubborn? We are equally stubborn.
Who is the first to admit when they're wrong? Me, I hate fighting.
Whose parents do you see the most? Mine
Who kissed who first? He initiated the first kiss, but we kissed at the same time.
Who asked who out? He asked me first.
Who proposed? Travis
Who is more sensitive? ME!!! I'm a ball of hormones.
Who has more friends? I think him, but just because he interacts with more people during the day.
Who has more siblings? Him
Who wears the pants in the family? Depends on the issue at hand.
Oh, and if you read this, I'm officially tagging you!!!!

Another Birthday Party.

My very own Little People!!!! This is great!

Wow, wrapping paper is fun!!!!!!

Let me at it!!! I want the cake!!!!

All of this? For me!?!
This Birthday Cake is good! Thanks Daddy for a great cake!

Where has the time gone?

Happy Birthday, Maddox Carl!!! One year ago, you changed our family and we love you for it.

Family, family everywhere.

Uncle Clint trying to capture Batman (a.k.a. Nelson)
Aunt Sheila and Maddox, so excited to see eachother again.

The boys showing Grandma how to play Gameboy.

Evan loving Tallie.

The boys (and Toby) hanging out with Uncle Eric and Uncle Karl. Maybe next yr. Cooper and Nelson will be old enough for cigars.

Cake and Presents, oh my!

Blowing out candles on the yummy Portillio's Chocolate cake.
Enjoying his yummy bithday cupcake.

Showing off his new winter hat from Great Grandma.

Tearing into wrapping paper, his favorite part of the presents.

Family time!

The Birthday Boys with their grandparents.
The Ferris Family with Travis's mom and younger (taller) brother, the infamous Uncle Tim.

The Birthday Boys with their proud mommies.

Lessons I've learned

You can't get mad at your dog for searching for "high ground' away from flying Diet Coke cans and a rather mobile almost 1 yr old.
I had a tear in my eye when I saw this. I never knew I could be so proud of someone. Maddox has learned the importance of proper hydration. (Yes, that's a Diet Coke can)

A holiday for EVERYTHING!

Travis walked into the door last night talking like a pirate, when I turned around to question what he had eaten on his way home, he was in a patch and earing. Apparently it was National Talk Like a Pirate Day. Enterprise, being the all inclusive place it is, celebrated it. The boys were so excited to see the "costume" they had to try it on too.

The small things...

Yesterday morning, we left the house early. Maddox was fussy, I know, that's a shock to some of you (eye roll), I needed gas, Sarge was begging for a shower, and Maddox also was in desperate need of diapers. I got to the gas station and the car wash was out of order, oh well, I was still in desperate need of gas. I filled up, got a cup of coffee, loaded with caffine (we only stock decaf at home), and was on my merry way to the next stop. When we got to Kmart I reminded the older 2 boys we were only there for diapers. We were not looking at toys, halloween costumes, or anything else. They weren't allowed to ask me for anything! Cooper being the wise one that he is, asks what is on our list (we are HUGE list shoppers) I told him only diapers. We get the diapers and are in the checkout. I look over all the candy and antisipate what they are going to start asking for, when my eyes freeze.... Staring back at me is a Snickers, but not just any Snickers, DARK Snickers!!!!! I pick it up, pet it, and go to put it back when my stomach starts SCREAMING for it... Not just a quite moan, a scream that could wake the dead. I slide it on the belt and instruct the older 2 to go sit at the end of the lane. Cooper all of a sudden pipes up, "Mommy, that candy isn't on the list" Dang it, I've been caught, hurry up, think fast. I can't think fast, I'm too hungry and too fixated on the dark Snickers. I tell him the truth, Mommy didn't eat breakfast and is starving. I need to try this new candy bar and tell Erin and Grandpa if it's good.
I get the diapers and the candy and get in the car. I can barely think straight to buckle Maddox into his seat. I get the car started, the bar open and I bite into what might be the closest thing to heaven. IT WAS AMAZING! I start heading to Nelson's school, and pick up my phone, first I call my dad who agreed to pass the infomation onto my sister in law, Melissa, another dark chocolate lover, and then I call Erin.
Writing this all down makes me think, the boys and I might have to go on a little field trip this morning to find another one for breakfast...

Injury report for Friday...

Maddox, is blury, but I think you can still see the swollen upper lip. He forgets that he can't let go of things when he stands up. He let go of the fridge this morning and reached for Coop. He met the floor, hard!
I was cleaning up in the laundry room, and came into close contact with the attatchment for the utility tubs we don't have.

Eventful week for Maddox

Maddox finally figured out how to go all the way up the stairs. In the past he will go up 3 or 4 and then pound on them and yell for someone to come get him. This past week, he goes all the way up, and FAST! I was working on laundry and he was playing with toys in the hall. About 10 minutes later, Travis walked into the room with him. I asked Travis if he got him from the hall or bathroom (2 of Maddox's favorite hangouts). He said no, he got him from the back of the library. Maddox had crawled up the stairs, thru the kitchen, into the library, over the boys and straight to the bookcase to play with Mr. Potato Head. I guess it's time to get the baby gate out and start blocking the stairs.

He showed an interest in utensils. He does much better with plastic versus the regular ones.

Like father, like son...

Maddox has to be in the same room as us, lately. Usually he has to be touching things he's not supposed to be touching. Travis was working on our church's computer and Maddox crawled into the office, up on one of the PCs amd started pounding on the keyboard. It was too cute not to document. Now if only he would learn to leave folded clothes folded I would fall in love with him all over.

A girlfriend, ALREADY?!?!?

Cooper skipped off the bus today in an exceptionally good mood. He handed me an envelope with his name on it. I went to open it, and he says, "mom, it has my name on it. That's kind of private." Well buddy, if it's so private, don't hand it to me. Inside was a pink balloon, a back scratcher, a top and 4 "notes". One was a picture of a house, a few lines, and another house. Turns out to be a map to his girlfriend's house! She drew it so he would know how to get to her house tomrrow since it's Sat. and there won't be school. (That picture isn't shown, he wouldn't let me see it, he doesn't want to lose it. The kid really thinks he's going to go to her house tomorrow.) There is a picture with "yes" and "no" boxes. She asked him questions and he answered them. I pressed, I wanted to know what kind of questions he was answering. 1. Do you like me? (he said yes) 2. Do you think I'm pretty? (he said yes) 3. Are you my boysfriend? (he said yes) HOLY CRAP!!!! He's 5 yrs old, I didn't have my first serious boyfriend until 3rd grade.(and you can all guess how long that lasted and how "serious" it was.) This kid needs to slow down. He dropped a huge bomb on me on the way home from the library... He says, "Mom, I have to tell you something. Jannelle held my hand a little bit on the way home. We sat in the same seat. I liked it."
I'm now going to go to Home Depot and buy supplies to make him a cage. He's getting locked in it until I determine he's old enough to date.

Maddox showing off his new skill...

Slip and Slide fun, Monday afternoon.

Picnic at Queeny Park

The dogs were more concerned about us with horses less than 20 feet away, than looking at Traivs.

Maddox did surprisingly well for being out of a high chair and in the middle of nowhere.