In the Tundra

I haven't had time to blog.  Why?  Because the weather has been that bad.  I promise, this won't all be me complaining, but let me get it off my chest.  For real, it's so darn cold that we can't get outside at all.  The kids have nowhere to run off their energy.  I can't take them very many places because with the coats, carseats, strollers, running toddlers, we're all frostbit by the time we get inside.  So we stay home.  And we drive each other bonkers!  And preschool keeps getting cancelled for the cold.

3 of my children are very, very outgoing.  They have a need for getting out and socializing.  Agnes in particular is about to talk our ears right off.  She NEEDS preschool and the interaction with others aside from just us.  And consequently, I haven't done any preschool with Anna in a few weeks because I simply don't have time with all four kids running around!

Okay, end of rant.  The rest will be random updates...

- So we've been up to a lot of little crafts, we reorganized our basement (LOVE IT!), we've been baking and playing with playdoh and going to the Discovery Museum.  We've done about every winter activity I can come up with.

- Mya's also potty trained now.  She did awesome the first week, only one accident.  The next week was a disaster and I seriously contemplated putting her back in diapers.  But after that, she's been great.  She has an accident once in a while, although it only ever happens in her high chair when she's sitting still for an extended period of time.  That tells you how often she sits still...

- Mya also dislocated her elbow again last week, during Mass.  That was quite the fiasco.  Hopefully we can keep her from doing it again, but both times she did it by pushing us and twisting her arm at the same time.  So not really preventable, it's her own strength causing it...

- Related to all this weather nonsense, I'm sure, we're having some major bedtime challenges.  Mostly with Anna (what's new).  That girl needs to get outside to wear herself out!!  It's getting better, but man is she stubborn!

- I never update about Anthony.  My husband laughs when I tell him about the kids' day, I always leave him out.  Why?  Because he's good.  ALL. THE. TIME.  He's happy and friendly and helpful and loving.  His favorite phrases right now are, "Hi, how are you? I good", "Mommy, I yuv you", and "I goch you!"  He's just so darn sweet.  So basically, we can always assume Anthony's been my sweet relief each and every day.  He gets lots of extra snuggles and hugs just for being himself. 

- We registered Anna and Agnes for preschool in the fall!  They're going 3 days a week in the Pre-4 program.  They're both way excited.  I'm excited for them and also a little sad that my babies are growing up way too quickly.  The next year, they'll all be in preschool!!

- I had a lot of thoughts this week on the Roe v. Wade anniversary.  Maybe I'll get them written down.  Maybe not.  I have a lot of pictures I'd love to post too, so when time presents itself I'll get on that!

- On the adjustment front, everyone seems to be adjusted to our new family of 6.  In fact, my sister commented that she was looking through pictures and couldn't find any of Mya and Agnes from last summer.  She then remembered that they haven't been here that long.  It feels like they've been here forever.  They are just a part of our family.  And Agnes reminds us regularly how nice it is to be a family.  It melts us and reminds us how right she is.  We're thankful for the blessings of our four beautiful kids and we're trying to enjoy our time with them (although, I'd still like to enjoy that time outside instead of inside...).  Our families have welcomed them with open arms and I really can't believe it's only been three months.