No more snack in the car

So two years ago, when we bought the Tahoe, I had a rule of no snacks in the car. Some of you might hink this is harsh, but we rarely drive in traffic, and living in Austin our commute time averages 15 minutes. The kids can wait until we reach our destination to snack or eat, but really what sane person would drive four kids anywhere during a meal time. Over time I have become more lenient, and realized that I have made too many exceptions, so the rule is back.
How do I know that made too many exceptions...as my friend Tammy put it, I probably had enough food under my seats for a family of four.
I needed to replace the harnesses on Sammy's and John David's carseats so I was going to have to remove two out four carseats. Than once I got outside I was motivated by the 70 degree weather this afternoon to take out all the seats and vaccum the inside of the Tahoe. It was pretty gross to find old crumbled down cheerios and goldfish, plus the raisins that could have passed as pebbles. Can't forget to mention that we apparently had a pet spider under one of the seats. Sammy helped me clean everything out, Gavin was just chilling, and for the first time Carlos was scared by the vaccum in the garage. I told Sammy the new rule as we were cleaning and explained why. As soon as John David got home, Sammy shared the new rule with John David. not much else was said about the new rule, I guess we will wait and see what happens next time we are in the car.

I've always wanted to do that

Sammy was finishing his lunch, as I was feeding Emma. When I was finished with her food her in her bowl, she made it known that she was not full. Sammy turned to me and said, "she can have my last nugget, I'm really good at sharing." I asked if he was sure, and he said "it's okay, I've always wanted to do that." As soon as I cut the nugget and place it on Emma's tray she was eating right away. She also made sure to smile at her brother in appreciation for her yummy nugget.
This confirms that Sammy is so kind-hearted and giving. He will give anything to anyone, even his last piece of candy. I hope he continues to be this way, but at the same time I hope that he doesn't get taken advantage of.

I have astronaut friends

This morning I took Sammy and John David to the dentist. On the way there, John David started saying that he knew there were different countries, but we all lived on earth and only astronauts can live in space. Sammy then said he had some friends that were astronauts that lived in Africa with his other friends. I asked him if they lived in space, and he said no.
John David then started laughing and said that he was making it all up because astronauts don't live in Africa. I told him that astronauts are not in space all the time, and that they could live in Africa. He then said that Sammy doesn't have any friends, and he pretends. I told him it was okay for him to pretend. Just like sometimes he says something and then says "I tricked you." Curious to hear Sammy's answer I then asked him to name some of his friends. He said John David was his friend...and John David got a big chuckle and said "no, I am your brother." I told John David that he could be his brother and friend. Sammy then said Ethan was friend. Once again John David chuckled and said "no, he is your cousin." I reminded John David that his cousin could be his friend too.
It looks like Sammy's friends are back for another round.

you're not bigger than Jesus

Raja joined us for dinner today, since his wife is in Houston. John David asked him to read a book, "When I Get Bigger." Raja said he was the biggest. John David and Sammy kept going through their order of who is the biggest. When Raja repeated he was the biggest...John David was quick to respond "you're not bigger than Jesus." Sammy then chimed in and repeated the same.

The hubby rocked again today

Today was suppose to be a busy afternoon, since Emma and Carlos both had 9 month and 2 yr well checks respectively. I had the car loaded and ready to go, but when I turned the ignition the Tahoe was not turning on. My first call was to call JP and tell him he would have to pick up John David at school, and then come home so one of us could take the babies, Emma and Carlos, to their appointment. When he got home I was all ready to go, and he volunteered to take them. I asked if he was sure, because I wasn't sure if shots would be involved or not. He said that was fine, so I got the easier task and stayed home with John David and Sammy.
My dad came over with a technician and fixed the Tahoe. We are hoping that the problem was just a loose connection, because if not we will need to replace the battery. I then started cooking dinner for my hubby. I made some spaghetti with tomato sauce, and then breaded some chicken breasts in order to have something similar to a chicken parmesan. By the time he got back home, the dinner was ready and we got to share a warm meal together. I asked him how it was, and said it was okay. His only complaint was the layers of clothes on my kids. I told him it was only in the 40's today, of course they are going to be layered.

SO for those of y'all waiting here are the stats from their visit:
Emma's hefty 15 pounds and 10 ounces put her in the 5% for weight. She grew approx. three inches to put her in 10% at 26 inches long.
Carlos was also helping round out the bottom of the curve as well. He weighed in at 25 pounds and 11 ounces to land in the 10%. His is 31.75 inches tall, and that puts him in the 3%.

the chupacabra might come

Sammy watched a Scooby Doo movie yesterday...they went down to Veracruz, Mexico to vacation. Of course the meddling kids had to solve the mystery of the chupacabra. During the day Sammy had not said anything about the episode, but once it was time to go to bed...Sammy told me the chupacabra might come, with almost perfect pronunciation. JP asked him what that was and he responded that it was a big scary monster. I was afraid that it might keep him up, but it didn't. I guess he was just stalling to keep from going to bed.

My hubby rocks!

most of my posts are about my kiddos...but I have them thanks to my hubby. so this one will be be about my hubby. earlier this week I told my husband I thought I was getting sick, because I felt achy and had a sore throat. he was all there for me and let me sleep, and he got up with Emma the times she needed help to fall back asleep. it was great to get two nights of solid sleep and I feel much better. I truly appreciate that because i know he has to go and function at 100% at his office the next day.
as you all know I talk a lot, and my husband will tell you that I tell him a lot of things. so one of the many other things I also told my husband this week was that I wanted to try the breadbowl and cheese broccoli soup from Panera. Today when he came home from work he brought it to me. I was so excited and surprised. I was planning to make grilled chicken breast and some pasta with them, however my husband didn't think that was exciting enough. He told me not to worry about cooking and he would figure it out. I had asked to stop by Costco and pick up somethings on the way home. That is when he picked up my soup and it was sooo yummy! He was so nice and thoughtful, especially since he came home and made himself some chicken nuggets for dinner.
that is the 2nd wonderful thing my hubby did for me...I am so lucky.

Pros of being a stay at home mommy

So not all days are like this...but today I realized the true benefits of staying at home with my kids.
This morning I was awakened by John David walking into our bedroom, and saying I'm ready to get dressed. Then after he got dressed he asked if he could lay in bed with me for a while...I said "two minutes." Being at home means I am no in hurry except to get going except to get him out the door in time. Then we went downstairs so I could get him breakfast and pack his lunch. Wave at him good-bye and time to get myself ready. Then on my way up to shower I hear that Carlos and Emma are awake. I guess my shower we will wait until nap time...and I guess I am lounging in pj pants and t-shirt until then. How many people can just lounge around and play until lunchtime?
After I feed the kids lunch, I put Emma, Carlos, and Gavin down for a nap. Then I let Sammy play V.Smile so I can shower and get into clothes. I will have to go outside to get John David from the bus top so I need to get out of the pj pants. Then I am ready for lunch...so I decide to make myself breakfast for lunch. Great I get to have refried beans with scramble eggs in a corn tortilla.
Then as the kids are napping I download pictures from the camera as Sammy looks on from my lap, and send out a quick email. So far the day is great. All I have done today is play and read to my kids. I did do the dishes, but besides that all my attention has been on the kids. I still don't know what I'm serving for dinner, but I've got another hour or so before I have to figure that one out.

Two cute

Carlos is two years old today. He had a fabulous day, and went strong without a nap. Emma also joined in the no nap festivity. He was actually opening his presents on his own, so we had to keep the older brothers back, so he could have some fun. It was cute to see his reactions to his presents. I think it was very obvious which ones were his favs. I think that the vaccuum cleaner and the wood blocks were at the top of the list.
It's hard to believe that our baby boy is already two. He is still not using words to communicate, but he makes himself understood. I am sure this year will hold a lot more fun and excitement.

Emma is 9 months

Emma is officially nine months as of yesterday. She is very vocal and isn't afraid to tell you what she wants. She is still not crawling, and would rather lay on her back than her belly. It doesn't matter what I put in front of her, she will just roll over to her back. I'm in no hurry for her to be mobile. I enjoy sitting her on the floor, and having her stay there. In regards to teeth...she has the second front bottom on the way out. The first one is still not all the way out, but she can still bite down pretty hard with her little teeth now...just ask her daddy.