Flyby!
WHOOOSH! That is just the sound of the wind that seems to be acompanying my days. Yes, a whirlwind pace it is. So, the superbowl fondue party turned in to FONDOODOO. Everything was going great. The Food was delish, the drinks, refreshing, the puke, contagious! it was a silent assault with no warning signs, no sluggish, feverish children, no "I don't feel goods" They were running amok having a good old time, snacking here and there. Then Kaya BLEW CHUNKS all over Addy. Ok, err, maybe too much juice and shrimp cocktail and tumbling around, yeah that's it! Fast forward and hour, Marlin eats two bites of icecream, scowls and hands it back. Mama's ears prick. Fast forward Ten more minutes, Marlin exits bathroom and burps, has funny look. Mama says "are you ok" Marlin starts to nod yes, WHAM, jaw opens, fish sticks and strawberries shoot out of mouth all over kitchen. I try and get her to the toilet, but she is petrified when I try to position her head over toilet. Having never puked before, placing your head in a poop recepticle might seem odd. She puked a few more times and luckily grasped the idea that the toilet is an all out bodily fluid recepticle! I was next in line to be virus stricken and Addy caught it the next morning. Our mortified guests were graciously tagged by our virus with in a week!
In other exciting news, Our baby Boy has turned one!
I can't believe a year has gone by. But a year can also seem endless. It feels as though Evren has always been with us. He has burned himself straight into my heart, even though he yanks my hair out and bites my shoulders, and keeps me up all night.
Kaya has hit the why stage. It takes like 3 hours to get through a conversation because I have to navigate back to the point after deviating through all the why's on top of why's. Example:
Kaya, please take your shoes off. WHY? because they are muddy. OH MUD, WHY? because the ground was wet and you stepped on wet dirt, that's mud. WET DIRT WHY? Because it rained, the ground got wet. WHY DID IT RAIN? because moisture evaporated into the sky and the cloud got too heavy and had to unload some water particles. rain helps the grass grow, and rivers flow, everything needs water, rain helps. WHY I NEED WATER, so you can get your shoes muddy, take them off. TAKE THEM OFF, WHY? and that is how our day goes!
Since you have waited so long for my entry, I will leave you with a special treat! Follow this link,if you are atwork, turn down the volume, if at home do the opposite!
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/llama.php

What's up.
I have been meaning to get on here and type a few lines, but life keeps on just happening. My days are filled with preschool, play dates, lunch and dinner making, laundry and house tidying, and chasing Evren. I have enough pets to equal a 4th child as well. I'm not ready to give up the blog, just perhaps float it along until more interesting things occur. Today was Thursday, Playgroup day, nothing noteworthy happened.The kids just played for 5 hours. Came home and made spaghetti and meat balls. See, so not blog worthy. I have had no profound thoughts in my head, not unusual either. I will see if I can muster up some kind of news......OK, I am trying to get Addy to finally go get himself snipped. He said he would and now he is back pedaling. If he keeps it up, sooner or later, he will be working OT for Baby #4's tuition. The kids and I are making super cute Valentine cards. We started end of Jan so we should be cool by the 14th. Marlin's swim lessons are going great, AND she likes them. We are going to see Goldilocks and the three bears on Sat morning, they will serve us breakfast there. Not porridge because the people will serve us and not the bears, but I assume you knew that. We are going to VT next week for a ski trip. My Parents are coming to hang out and watch the boys. Marlin will come to the MT with us. I am excited, but she is not because "she does not like skiing". We are having friends over for Super bowl. I do not like football. I have no clue who is in it. I just wanted to eat fondue. Both cheese and chocolate. Not mixed together, separate, one much later than the other. We will have other foods too, but I just wanted to talk about the fondue. OK, I will post when I feel I have something to say. Bye, and I hope you get invited to a Super bowl hangout that has fondue, both cheese and chocolate.

I'm back
AND I have the link for pictures! I have been so busy. I have so many little projects that need my attention, so I may be scarce until I catch up. Kids are all well and busy. I can't believe Evren will be a year old in a few weeks! Stop growing baby! Oh new project happening! We are setting up a saltwater tank! I am excited. I am currently cycling the tank with dead cocktail shrimp and waiting for my live rock and PC light system to come. It should be pretty cool in a few months. The process is slow but well worth it! Plus,the kids want a Nemo. Here are the pics: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbsmTdy5YtGfs
Some are from Pumpkin picking, and Christmas of course. The fireplace picture is where Santa "supposedly" made a mess when he stepped from the soot filled fireplace, what losers are we?!? Some from Evren walking, and some with Marlin and the birds! Enjoy and I will touch base soon!

I am still here!
Whoops! Time has just been flying. I can't believe how many days have past since my last post. I keep meaning to make an entry, but as darkness falls, so does my head against the pillow! Let's see, what have we been up to? Well, we acquired ANOTHER parrot. He is a Quaker or monk parakeet named Sam. He is cute and mostly sweet. He came with a big cage so all the birds hang out together and do birdy things. There will be no more birds! I swear! The biggest news is that Evren is a walker! He is walking around like a little scary elf for the last 10 days. I can't believe how fast he has grown. He will be one in just a month! The only downfall is that he is teething gain. Lot's of tears and sleepless nights, UGH! Marlin starts swim lessons this weekend. She says she is nervous. I am sure she will be OK in a few weeks when she knows what to expect. Kaya is a dancing singing fool. I have to put this boy in to Tap dance class. I am currently trying to track one down. The kids have been busy playing with other kids all week, so really time is flying. I have so many appts to catch up on. Dentists and Dr's for me and kids. Just a crazy time. I will post pics by tomorrow, I promise!

Merry, Merry, Migraine.
Well, Christmas started out great. We got the kids off to sleep with a little help from "Santa will not come if you are awake!". We dashed about eating cookies, and sipping milk, ever so careful to leave the appropriate proof that it was Santa who made these crumbs and splashed his milk. We planted some shredded lettuce, and a soot laden boot imprint about the fire place (LOSERS!) We put treats and trinkets in stockings. Stacked boxes under the tree. Rearranged the playroom to fit the kitchen and train.
The next morning, Marlin awoke first, but seemed to have forgotten about the magic that had unfolded and was waiting for her. We decided not to mention it until Kaya awoke. So we just hung out in bed and waited. Finally, some mumbling and a pitter patter of socked feet ebbed closer until the bed shook with his arrival. I reminded them that it was now Christmas morning. "OH YEAH!" We grabbed recording devices and caravaned down the stairs. They ran to the tree, passed out presents, and tore into them. Then, Marlin noticed her stocking and just up ended it. Finally, she said "Santa must have put my kitchen downstairs, there is no room here!" Down we skampered. Addy bounded ahead with the camera. The kids eyes were wide, mouths open, wowing and oohing away. Great Stuff! There really is but handful of Christmas' left before the rouse is up, and I intend to savor each one of them.
Kaya's train set took about and hour and a half to setup, and no more than 5 min's to dismantle. Kaya took it all down. I had visions of him spending an hour moving it through the tunnels and over bridges. His plan however, consisted of heaping it in trundles. Not too long after, I spied the first twinkly lights in my peripheral vision. MIGRAINE was on it's way. I tried to head it off with three Excedrin Migraines. It did put a dent in the pain, but it still left it's mark. I puked my guts out for 5 hours. I wasn't in severe pain, but what a way to spend Christmas! Luckily, I was good to go by the time Dinner was served. All in all, It was a fine day, minus the times I was Ho Ho HOOOOOOOOING over the bowl. All kidding aside, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. All that mattered to me was seeing the magic happen for my kids, that truly was MY best present! I will update pictures in a few days!

So little time left.
Christmas is coming. I'm a lazy slug. Presents aren't wrapped, some still not bought. Yet, I remain calm. I finally put up some Christmas decorations. I AM drinking egg nog and date nut bread though. See, I am some what festive.
We did put together the kids big gift(s) from Santa. Marlin's wooden kitchen is being stealthily hidden underneath a blanket in the furnace room. As is Kaya's train table. We need to set up his train on Fri/Sat night. They are going to be beside themselves. Kai is such a Thomas freak. He will be elated/overjoyed/thrilled! Marlin loves cooking and making meals, and serving. This kitchen is just amazingly perfect for her. She will be busy/happy/busy! I have had these presents since the summer (long story, prices very low before the Sept Xmas price hike). I have been waiting for Christmas for so long it seems. I am beyond excited to see their faces light up as they march downstairs early Christmas morning. They only get new toys on birthdays and Christmas, so their anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyday Marlin says "Santa still hasn't come?" Soon enough little one! The days seem to painfully drag for us both, but there really is so little time left.

We went to the Mall yesterday to have the kids pictures taken with Santa. I thought it was going to be a mob scene, but much to my surprise we only had to wait for one child to scream through their picture. Marlin is usually shy and clingy. She is NOT a fan of Santa. Somehow I was able to convince her to stand near Santa and have her picture taken. The line moved quickly so she didn't have time to think about it and back out. Our time came and we quickly made sure that there were no boogers on noses, hair was decent, and wiped cookies off chins. Gave them the Santa is not scary pep talk, stuck a boy on either knee, and positioned Marlin up front. I stood back by the camera lady and yelled for them to look at me a smile. Well, Kaya looked befuddled, Evren, a deer in headlights, and Marlin tried her best to look pleasant in a forced and sucky situation. So all in all, a success! Marlin even attempted to tell Santa what she wanted. Remember, this is a big brave step for her. He said " what?" Crap, Santa is deaf. She said "a kitchen" again. Santa leans in, hand to ear, Marlin says "Kitchen" Santa says "A Dora Kitchen?" Marlin just looked at me and gave me the get me away from Santa glare. I switched focus to Kaya. I said, "Tell Santa what you would like". He smiles, eyes widen, "Thomas!" Santa says "A Truck?, I'll try." I laughed, scooped up the kids and paid my 12 bucks for the proof of our torturous visit with Santa. I'll scan a copy to post so you can giggle later this week. As we were leaving the Mall, and I was buckling Marlin in her seat, she glanced out the window. She says "Mom, it looks like they need to practice their letters more" I look over and she is pointing to the Lord & Taylor Logo. I said "well, they tried". She said " They'll get better". Funny.

Kind of funny if you like alternative schooling.
This was printed years ago in The Greenhouse Report published by North Carolinians for Home Education. It was written by 2 NC homeschooling moms.

14 Days of Homeschooling

(To the tune of "Twelve Days of Christmas.")

On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you homeschool
legally?"

On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they
socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give them
tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me,"YOU ARE SO STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me,"How long will you
homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Look at what
they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the eighth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Why do you do this,
look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the ninth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "They'll miss the
prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you
homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the tenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about
graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're
missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the eleventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "I could never do
that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look
at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool
legally?"

On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can they go to
college, I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom,
why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you
homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They Can go to
college, yes you can do this, they can have graduation, we don't like the
prom, we do it cuz we like it, they are missing nothing, we'll homeschool
forever, WE ARE NOT STRANGE!, We give them P.E., and we give them tests, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY!

On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can I get
started, why didn't you tell me, where do I buy curriculum, when is the next
conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE? I think we can do this, if you will help us, can we join P.E. and we'll homeschool legally."

The other world.
Tonight I had the death and God talk with Marlin. It was awkward. It all started because she wanted to know about dead animals. How they might die what happens when they die. Then it morphed into people. I knew it would, it always does. She usually touches lightly on the subject but backs off quickly as she becomes very emotional about me or her dying. I never tell her more than she asks as I don't want to go in an area that she may not be emotionally ready to handle. I am also, frankly not sure what to tell her. I am myself unsure of what happens at the end of the road. I really feel guilty about maybe lying to her even though it is a very comforting white lie. For all I know, it might not be a lie at all. I tried to make the existence of heaven not so fact like. I said " Some people believe there is another world" I also shed some light on other theories. Like others believed that you come back again. She surprised me when she said "Like in new babies? Maybe you and I were somebody else once, but we don't remember" I also said that maybe nothing happens. She just wanted confirmation that when we go to the other world that we are alive again. I said kind of, I know great answer. She wanted to know what happens to our bodies. I told her how they stay behind. I explained how we break down and the earth reuses us. That seemed to make perfect sense to her as she said the worms and plants will use us to grow. I didn't even mention cremation! She is still very confused about how we can live in another world without our body. She is too young to get the whole soul thing. We talked a tiny bit about God, but she just really wanted to talk about THE dead cat. Now she wants to see the dead cat at the end of road turn into dirt. I really hope the town picks him up soon. The kids know exactly where it is and they make me drive by really slow just to see a glimpse of him. For the longest time Marlin was quite adamant that he was just sleeping. She finally admitted that yes this cat was quite dead. Kaya just says that he will miss him ( we never met the cat). Anyway, She was really upset at the thought of me dying. I told her that I go to the Dr. regularly to stay well, eat healthy, don't smoke, buckle up and try to be safe so I should be around. I said look how big I am, my mom is still here. Look at how old Grandma( wink,wink!) is and Great Grandma is still here. She nodded. What she really wanted was reassurance of what would happen to her if I died. I told her that she will always be taken care of and loved. She wanted names. I provided a name she would say, " and if they die?" After 10 names, she was too sleepy to go on. Before she fell a sleep I asked if if she had any more questions or if she was scared at all, she said no. It was silent for a minute and then she said "let's just stay in this world together for a while" If she only knew she is why my heart beats strong.

One Hour.
We have implemented a new TV schedule around here. This year especially, the amount of TV had increased due to a few new shows popping up. It was becoming difficult to motivate the kids to partake in activities that excluded the tube. Toys were not being played with, silly fights were being fought, brain cells were dissipating. I now only allow one hour of TV per day, with a little leniency on the weekends. AMAZING! It took them about a week to figure out what to do with themselves. They are now playing with toys that previously collected dust. They have created these intricate imaginary games and make believe stories. They have created a boat out their beds complete with a blanket ocean. They have blasted off into outer galaxies in an empty laundry basket with strainers for head gear. Kaya has even been a concerned Daddy feeding and rocking his tired babies to sleep. They do not ask for the TV, they keep busy and they are finally amusing themselves. We raid the library for books on tape and they relish such stories as Peter and the Wolf, the tales of Anansi, and Where the Wild Things Are. If they are getting too wound up, we take a ride and look at Xmas lights , or visit the museum, or aquarium. Board games are great as well for passing time. No one ever says no to a great book either. It was really probably the best parenting move I have ever done. I am astounded at the impact this has made on my children in such a short amount of time. It has also has affected the way I use my time as well. I am much more efficient in the way my tasks and chores are handled. Because I too am not sitting idle, I am completing far more in my day. Gives the the old saying "If only there were more hours in the day" truth. There are! and for my family it is time well spent!