We are so happy to be in our house. The kids are so excited to be able to run around and not be all over each other. Ethan will stop me at least twice a day, stare me straight in the eyes and with a voice strained with excitement, exclaim, “We are in our NEW (pause while taking deep breath) HOUSE!” It certainly beats him crying and asking to go back to his “real” home. The twins are just happy to have found new cupboard space to explore.







Here is a picture of Ethan and Alaina having a moment at dinner time. That girl is so spoiled with attention, it isn't even funny.



It will be even nicer when we have heat (such a nightmare…but it is coming next week) and when, or should I say, if, our movers ever decide to bring us our stuff. (another nightmare…one I have quite happily chosen to ignore and let Robert deal with.) But despite those two minor details, we are loving it here. The day we were unloading our car we had 3 neighbors come by and introduce themselves. Wow. What happened to the good ol’ fashion rudeness we have gotten used to up North? One could pin it on Southern Hospitality, but none of these people were from the South. There is one neighbor with a girl one year older than Ethan and a girl the same age as the twins. And another with a 5 year old boy and a 2 ½ year old boy. Our kids are ecstatic.
We have been sleeping in the living room this last week. For one, our bedroom is too cold. And secondly, it is nice to be close to the kids. Ethan has been sleeping great, but the twins have been waking up several times a night. Mostly due to the terrible colds they’ve all had, but a couple time they have just been disoriented. A couple of nights ago I woke up to Austin screaming his head off. I ran in to help him and already checking for a fever before I realized what he was screaming. “CANDY! CANDY! CAAAANNNNNDDDYYY” he cried. He was still halfway asleep, moving around fitfully as he sobbed. “What? You want candy?” I asked. “Yeahhheeesssss..” he moaned. At that moment, Alaina popped up to sitting position, and from a dead sleep, looked over to me and clearly asked, “Candy?” “No…no candy.” I replied incredulously. I couldn’t believe we were all having this conversation at 3 in the morning. After I explained to Alaina that there was no chance of having any candy that night, she shrugged, laid back down and fell asleep. Austin needed some major consoling and rocking before he relaxed and went back to sleep. It was a very sad moment for him. What do you think he was dreaming about? Christmas? I hope all visions of sugar plums aren’t this realistic…our traumatic.
I found a dvd of old Betty Boop cartoons for the kids to watch a few days ago. Yesterday, after Robert came home all of the kids came running up to us and started asking Robert to play the DVDs. Only the question came out, “Dada…we want boobies! Boobies! We want BOOBIES!” Robert had no idea what they were talking about, but he took it in stride. He reached down to Austin shoulders (the ring leader), squatted down to look at him man to man and said, “Don’t we all, son. Don’t we all.” It was very funny.

So who needs ballet classes when the party is goin' on at home? Ethan and Laina were gettin' down to some hard core children's music...I believe this one was a terrible remix of "the ants go marching." As you can see...clothes are optional and bringing your own costume is recommended. Ethan couldn't decide if he was dancing or playing the drums to the music. Alaina was cheering him on..."go ethan, go ethan...go! Go!"



Here are a couple of pictures of the kids on Thanksgiving Day. We were able to spend it with cousin Chad and Danielle's family. It was fun to see them again...but we forgot our camera, so no pics...sorry.

Packing Break

Today is Packing Day. Craziness. Tomorrow is Driving Day...not so crazy b/c all the little ones are strapped down in car seats, or "stuck" as they refer to it. But today has been one little nightmare after another. Two nights ago the twins woke up with high fevers and this morning Ethan woke up with a chest cold. All three have brought crankiness to a whole new level. Which, by the way, has been manageable. Not fun, but not the end of the world. However it has been the little "extra's" of the day have decimated my sanity.

I woke up this morning to Ethan's gigantic, round face directly in front of mine along with his, "Wake up Mama! WAKE UP! UH-OH! OH NO! WAKE UP!" I look over and see that he had decided to crawl into bed with me moments before he wet through his diaper (we haven't figured out the miracle of a dry morning yet.) I heard Robert's words from last night echoing back to me as I started to clean up the mess. "No...we don't need to put him in his big sleeping diapers...he wakes up almost dry everyday. A normal little diaper will work just fine." Hmmm. I guess it is still fine for him, 'cause he's at work and I'm cleaning up the mess. All I'll get out of that guy will be a "oh...I was wrong." But, again, not the end of the world.

The day has been full of packing and feeding kids. I've also been trying to unload all the furniture we got from Craigslist. (From Craigslist thou art and to Craigslit thou shall return :) Austin and Alaina have decided to start potty training, so we've had the usual 15 trips to the bathroom. On one of these trips Austin went his normal 10 gallon pee and before I put on a diaper he decided he had to go again. He's really into standing like a big-boy but can't really reach well, so we've been using my feet as a little booster. We ran back into the bathroom and he struggled to produce. I kept asking him if he was done and he refused to leave, so we kept trying. After a whole lot of nothing in the potty I pulled him back only to discover that there was a whole lot of something smeared on my pants legs and covering the floor. I guess he was done going pee after all. I tried to put him on the toilet which only spread the poo over more surfaces. It was a nightmare. 15 mins and a shower later we had the most of it cleaned up. Thank goodness I've been putting off cleaning the bathroom. It didn't make me feel as bad as if I had just finished it.

But seriously...why today?

I decided that I needed a break to regain my momentum, so I thought I'd unload (heh heh) my story into cyberspace. Too graphic? Well, I figured most of you skipped over this entry when you saw there weren't any pictures attached. And the few of you who read through all my stuff (mom, gina, lora) aren't easily shocked.

And...I do feel better now. I guess I better get back to the grind. Wish me luck.

Here we are trying to pack the twins. They just won't stay put!

We had yet another beautiful day as we walked along the D.C. mall. Our first stop was the Museum of Natural History...a sure hit with all the dinosaur bones and what-not. It's a little sad because it was our last big outing here from Centreville. Next Saturday is our big moving day. I must say, I'm very very excited to sleep on a real mattress. Of course we are still in the middle of our movers' nightmare, but I digress.

The boys loved all the bones and the giant elephant in the entrance of the museum, but they were even more amazed at all the buttons they could press. In fact, I think they would have like the museum even more if it only consisted of buttons and touch-computer screens.

Alaina proved to be a real girl, though. She loved the African artifact section with all of the "dollies and pretty dresses." However, it was the jewelry section that really got her going. I held her as we passed by crowns and necklaces given to empresses and queens. At each display she held on tight to the glass with her eyes glued to the pretty, shiny stones. Her running commentary went something like this, "Oooohhh, pretty. I like this one, mama. I want it, okay mama? Pretty. Ohhh.....how 'bout this one mama? How 'bout this one?" It was non-stop chatter. As soon as I pried her hands off one window she was off talking about then next one. I guess she just has simple taste. Simply expensive. Like mother, like daughter. I wouldn't mind a couple diamond encrusted tiaras and 200 carat diamonds, myself. The only problem would be finding the right outfit to go with it...




After the museum we walked around the modern art sculpture gardens. The twins didn't mind running around, but Ethan wasn't very impressed. He was really confused at the giant typewriter eraser. I have to admit, I was a little lost when I first saw it. Robert, of course, knew what it was the second he saw it. Like he sees giant typewriter erasers everyday.









I gave the whole exhibit two thumbs up...well, maybe three.




The kids' favorite part of the garden was this giant fountain. The fountain is in the middle of a huge doughnut shaped building. It is really cool because the spray starts out small and slowly grows higher and higher until it looks like it reaches the sky. The little monsters stayed there forever, running back and forth. When they started washing each other's hair, we knew it was time to take off. (That and the grumpy looking security guard bee-lining it in our direction.)



The little ones were so excited they kept running back and forth between the fountain and us. Of course, it was alaina working the camera.

Veteran's Day at Arlington Cemetery

Despite the fact that most trees have now lost their leaves here in Virginia, Arlington Cemetery has magically managed to remain in a perpetual state of early Fall. Our usual chilly mid-November weather was replaced with temperatures in the high 70's with a cool, soft, refreshing breeze. Most trees in the cemetery have retained their red, green and gold leaves creating a gorgeous landscape of Fall colors.




Because it was Veteran's Day, a small company of officers walked through each section of their cemetery to say a few words and play taps on a single bugle.


At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we were able to watch the changing of the guards. The Tomb is in honor of all those soldiers who have fallen and were never identified. The guards pace back and forth for an hour, 24/7 and there is a ceremony every time they switch. The kiddies did as well as could be expected for three toddlers in keeping with the required silence at the Tomb...but they were ready to leave after the 20 min. ceremony. However, Robert and I really enjoyed the watching it.









Alaina had a permanent seat to it all on her Daddy's shoulders. I don't know who was having the better time.












We trekked all over the pathways and roads to make it over to the famous Iwo Jima statue (naturally located outside of the cemetery for those, like us, who thought it would be with all the other monuments.) But it was worth the hike. Very cool.
















Here are a couple of cute pics of the kiddies. They held on to each other until they all fell down in a pile of little arms and legs.

Another day at the park. The kiddies were so cute I had to take a couple of pictures of them.





































Alaina can be seen here modeling the "grunge-sloppy-pj's-"yeah I'm wearing my brother's undies...what are you gonna do about it!" look.





Ethan is going with the less is more approach.
























Robert needs constant reassurance and support to eat his dinner. Alaina is a born cheerleader. Put them together and this is what you get.

A Norman Rockwell Moment,

Fall here is really spectacular. I've forgotten what it looked like after living in Colorado for so long. In Colorado, Fall consisted of a two week transformation from the hot and dry summer to the cold and snowy winter. In those two weeks the trees start out green, turn colors, fall to the ground and are frozen over by a sudden freeze. Here the process has been nice and slow. All month the trees have been gradually turning colors (while still on the trees) and gradually falling to cover the ground.

Today I took the kids to the park. It was cool but we were bundled in sweatshirts. After exhausting ourselves on the play equipment we started running through the blanket of leaves that cover the grass. Whooping and laughing we kicked the leaves high off the ground. We chased each other and fell into a huge pile of leaves that I had heaped together. First Austin, then Alaina and Ethan became lost in the golden pile. I threw more and more leaves over their heads until their cheeks were red with laughter. I couldn't help joining them...wrestling around like a child. After we had calmed down Austin headed over to a small hill and discovered how to roll down the grass. His expression the first time he went down was priceless...a mixture of fear and excitement. By the time we caught up with him he was on his third run down. Ethan bounded up the hill and practically threw himself back down in a dive-roll. Alaina carefully worked her way up the hill and tried to join them. It took her a little while to realize that you have to face parallel to the ground and not perpendicular. Although, it was amusing for me to watch her try to get going sideways on the hill. Pretty soon she got the hang of it and was flying down with the best of them. I held off for a few moments, posing as a responsible adult until the urge to roll down was too strong. There is an exhilarating sense of freedom rolling down a grassy hill. All those pretenses of being a grownup are shattered and you remember just what really makes you happy. So, together we bumped, twirled and twisted until we were all covered in twigs and leaves. After a while I just watched the kids run around, unable to keep up with the inexhaustible amount of energy. Ethan ran off to kick his soccer ball, Alaina studied the leaves and Austin tried to break the law of gravity by rolling up the hill. I realized that today was a day I'd dust off out of my memory when my three babies are all grown up and acting very seriously with their own lives. (I'm sure I'll manage to keep all the diaper changes and late nights tucked safely in the dark recesses of my mind forever.) It was a perfectly lovely day, though. A Norman Rockwell day.

A change of perspective

Laughing, they ran past me at each other’s heels. They always move in a group, chasing and running around each other. I continue to focus on my task. Peanut butter…check. Honey…check. Where’s the bread? Ethan, in the lead, screams out, “Come on! Chase me!” Everything with Ethan is spoken with exclamation points. The laughter passes back through the halls as I start spreading the honey onto the sandwiches. I've finished making the sandwiches before I realize the house has suddenly become very quiet. I put the knife down wondering what mischief they had gotten themselves into. Before I take a step, a slow and somber Ethan shuffles by, head down, shaking slowly back and forth. “no, no….no.” he mumbles. One step behind him is Alaina wearing the same forlorn expression. “no….no….” she whispers. And Austin with his blue eyes cast down has fallen just a step behind Laina. “no.” he says. The funeral-like procession passes by as my somber children wander into the living room. I’m fascinated and very curious. What could have happened to suddenly change their playful demeanor? Alaina peers over to me and say, “no…no mama. (huge sigh) scared. No no no.” “what are you scared of Laina?” I ask…but I’m only getting more head shaking. I grab a couple of hands and lead them back into their room to find the culprit. “What is it, guys?” I ask. Ethan breaks out in a mournful sigh, “we’re scared of the dark.” The twins concur with sad mumblings. Because we only have one lamp at the moment, there is no light in the twins room. I laugh…”oh, the dark? That isn’t something to be afraid of…. it’s fun!” Instantly three little continence’s brighten. Ethan shouts out, “yeah, it’s fun! Yeah!” They run around me, jumping and clapping…it’s fun! Whahoo. I guess it really is all in your perspective.

Ahh...Halloween

The wonderful life-lesson moments where we teach our kids to hide their identities, walk up to strangers and demand as much plunder as they can get their grubby hands on. It just warms the heart. :)
And our little monsters loved every moment of it. Twice, actually. Once at the church halloween party and again last night. It was last night, however, that they really got into the "give me candy or give me death" mentality.
They would approach the door en masse and begin what became their knocking ritual. Ethan, grinning in anticipation would start the pounding on the door. Alaina, not to be outdone by her brother would gleefully tap tap tap with her little fist. Austin, the bumbling bumblebee would force his way in between the two and give the door a good ol' smack or two. Then, all together...before anyone answered the door...they would shout out in unison "TRICK OR TREAT." By the time door was opened, the kids had already exhausted all their pleasantries and went straight in for kill. In through the door and over the threshold they crowded with their bags low and hands high in the candy bowls. Most people were so surprised that they took a step back. Mistake number one.
Instead of backing off the kids would take this as sign of weakness and crowd in even more. Watching their glittering greedy eyes, I could tell that if no intervention would take place they would send the people back in a full fledge retreat and claim their candy plunder. So as soon as we spotted the scared-deer-in-head-lights look we pulled the monsters back. Invariably as soon as the boys started down the hall to the next conquest, Laina would tip toe back and flutter her little eye-lashes and ask for more candy.
Which she got. Every time. It was really masterful work on her part. Flawless timing. Perfect mix of coyness and boldness. And stellar results. We are in trouble with that girl.
It was a fun experience but boy where we (and I mean Robert and me) beat. The kids were thrown into a bath with their suckers still stuck in their mouths, scrubbed down and hurried off to bed. As soon as their doors closed we collapsed onto the floor...devoured as much candy as we could shove in our mouths and vegetated in front of the TV covered with discarded wrappers. Okay...maybe not that bad, but we were pretty exhausted and we did eat some of the candy. This morning Robert took off with the majority of the candy to disperse to his co-workers. Poor kiddies.