These Kids... (Megan)

One of these days I hope to find more than a minute to write on the blog.  It has been an eventful winter - keeping up with Kindergarten through 11th grade homeschooling and a myriad of extra curricular/sports activities, chasing a crazy toddler, and adapting to the physical and emotional demands of carrying twins.  As I type these few lines, I'm trying to block out the sounds of a howling dog, a squawking bird, cacophonous piano playing, and squabbles two inches from my elbow.  I just snatched a dry erase marker from Brandan with my third hand, and reminded my seven year old for the billionth time that we only have one bathroom, and, yes, he needed to wait his turn.  In the midst of this, I received an e-mail from my loving husband who told me that he was looking at my marathon picture, appreciating me and all that I've committed myself to.  In the midst of so many challenges, I am striving to keep my eyes on the larger goal - loving and nurturing these children God has blessed me with (while retaining my sanity and sense of humor)...

Here are some recent quotes:

One of Brandan's favorite breakfasts is Amish Oatmeal.  He calls it "Almost Oatmeal."

The other day Shaila came upstairs to inform me that there was a mouse running around the basement.  She assured me, "Mom, it is really precious, but it startled me."

Saturday was "haircut night" in our home.  I lined up all of my men, and Brandan offered his two cents as he inspected my work.  When it was Stephen's turn, my little guy studied his dad's hair and undermined my confidence by saying, "Oh, that's too bad, and OH, that's OBNOXIOUS!"

Brandan often joins me for my prenatal pilates workout.  He takes the routine quite seriously, arranging his weight, mat, and pillows.  There's nothing cuter than watching him do his lunges and pelvic tilts.  Every now and then he'll check in with me, asking, "Mom, how's your baby doing?  How's your back feeling?"

The other day Connor rushed upstairs and informed me, "Brandan pooped so badly that now I smell like his diaper!!!"

After my mom babysat, the kids told me that "Grandma keeps us on a really strict drinking schedule."

Shaila, my little informer, announced that "Brandan was watching creepy, sinful ads on the computer."  (previews to the Transformer movie)

I always know I'm in for a treat when Shaila runs out of the bathroom yelling, "MOM!  Come look at what your two year old did in here!"

Last week we took February break, and I was struck by what an variety-packed stage of parenting I'm in.  My week began at the Boston Children's Museum, followed by elementary Physics Club, and we rounded it out with a tour of the UNH pathology lab with Ethan's Explorer's veterinary group.  Ethan assured me that he wouldn't mind if I joined him on the tour with his high school and college peers, so I waddled my way through the facility, feeling a sense of triumph that I was not the girl who hit the floor when they pulled out pickled organs with tapeworms and alpaca fetus.  On our way home, Ethan and I had a big laugh over how the guide would give me awkward, sideways glances whenever he referred to pregnant bovine.