Day 4

Ahhh, morning nap!  For Monkey, not me.  Though I wouldn't mind one today to be honest.  Our day has begun fairly well I think.  Thing 2 has already cleaned his room, while Thing 1 and Beastly are currently working on theirs.  Though I now hear the sounds of Monkey waking up, and Thing 1 bringing him down the stairs.  I should have started this sooner I guess...  LOL  It's another really nice, not raining, not windy, not too hot day, so YAY!  More time for the kids to be outside!  I like when they are outside.  I love my kids, love them like crazy, but too much makes me crazy!  ;-)  And so they shall be cast out into the sunshine and fresh air!  Monkey and I will sit in my cave like office and he shall jump up and down, while I write.  Not a bad deal all in all.

Dinner out tonight, partly because I feel like it and so does the Sailor, and partly because his car is on base and we really need to go and pick it up before he has to drive to work before the sun comes up in the morning.  Glad it's him and not me!  Not sure where we'll end up eating, but I'm guessing it will probably be Chili's.  It's the kids' favorite non-fast food place on the base.  That's fine with me, because it's yummy, and I don't have to cook it!

My posts may be shorter from now on.  As I sat here today, going through the school work for tomorrow, I realized I may not have as much time to sit here and do this!  ;-)  I'm sure I'll fit it in some how though!  Thankfully Things 1 and 2 are taking the same math class, so I only have to teach 2 maths each day.  A lot of their work can be done on their own though, they proved that last year.  Beastly's will be much more Mommy involved though.  Of course, I knew it would be.  I'm pretty sure she's not going to self teach for a few more years.  Math I always have a hand in, because it can be tricky, confusing, and just plain because I think I need to make very sure they understand it.  Not that I don't do this for the other subjects as well.  It's just that some are explained well enough in the book that they can read that, do the work and as I check it, I know if I need to step in and explain it further.  Of course, I'm now obsessed with sticky notes, and little sticky taggy things that I mark their assignments with for the next day, and write directions on such as, read pages x-x or do worksheet A-42 or whatever it happens to be.  This is fine, it lets me play with brightly colored, sticky paper which can be fun.  It also allows me to write with pens, pretty, girly colors for Thing 1 and Beastly's stuff, and plain, boring pen colors for Thing 2's stuff.

But the pens are at least cute Hello Kitty pens.  I really like Hello Kitty and even though I'm in my mid 30's I'm not ashamed to admit it!  Especially when you take into account that I live in JAPAN!  Where Hello Kitty rules the land!  I even seen Japanese men wearing her!  As a result, I have many, many Hello Kitty pens on my desk.

And sushi erasers.  Don't forget the sushi erasers.  I have sushi magnets too, but they aren't on my desk, those are on the fridge.  Just thought I'd throw that out there for you.  Take notes, I may give a quiz later!  ;-)

Hmmm...Sailor left his wallet on my file cabinet.  I can see without touching it, there is money there.  Since it's on my file cabinet, doesn't that mean I get to keep it??  Probably not, huh?  Oh well.  I suppose I'll just go get my own money out of the bank when I need it.

Have I mentioned that my dog, Pixel is neurotic?

He is.  That's him there.  As you can see in this picture, Beastly also enjoys covering him up with his blanket when he falls asleep.  :-)

He walks backwards through certain areas of our home.  Not sure why exactly, but he seems convinced that the baby gate will chase him, drag him to the ground, and beat him to a pulp if he turns his back on it while in the hall way.  He is better than he used to be though.  He used to go over all thresholds backwards, and have to spin in 2 or 3 circles before coming in our going out the back door, or entering or leaving the hallway.  He doesn't do that part anymore.  He does still go from the dining area to the living area backwards and down the hall.  He's fine with walking forward from the living area to the dining area though.  Perhaps one day, if God grants doggies the power of speech he can explain his reasoning to me.  Or maybe when we all die, I can sit down in Heaven and ask him about it.  I'm sure God will let dogs talk in Heaven.  That way they can tell us how crazy it is, learning to live in a house full of people!  I'm not sure however, that he should let cats talk.  I'm sure cats would say very rude things.  I think they would curse a lot!  Cats have the "If I could talk, I'd cuss you out" look on their faces a lot.  If you have ever owned a cat, or spent much time around them, you'll know what I'm talking about!

I think I'm going to have the kids start looking through recipe books, or searching food websites for new things they would like to try.  Heaven knows if I make something new, they run screaming for the hills.  Or maybe it's the valley?  We live on a big hill, so there's no place to go but downhill from here.  Anyway, they do, they run.  As if I'm trying to pour boiling acid down their unwilling throats.  I'd never actually pour boiling acid down any throat, willing or not.  In fact, if I met someone who was willing to have that done, I'd probably take them to the nearest psych ward!  Eww....that's just nasty.  And it's creepy too.  So homework before their cooking days will be to find a dish they would like to cook.  That way I have time to make sure we have everything we need, and if not, run to the store and get it!

Time to go and get ready to head out to dinner!  I'll finish this post when we get back, and I get all my little ducklings tucked into their beds.  :-)  You never know, dinner could lead to a very funny tale to tell!

Well, dinner wasn't really all that funny.  Monkey really had a good time raiding everyone's plates!  A little mac and cheese, some mashed potatoes, cinnamon apples, super yummy, good stuff for babies!  ;-)  I'm off to get everyone to bed, and try to relax.  We have a super busy week coming up with Dr. appointments, dental appointments, Brownies, knitting, library, WIC and Heaven only knows what else!

Another day in the life

Of the insanity that goes in my home.  :-)  Today was good.  Monkey is teething though, so he has spent some time as the "Howling Monkey Beast" today.  I'm nudging him towards weaning, and he's not pleased about it.  I've tried about 4 or 5 different cups and so far none are really what he wants...anyone know where to find a boob shaped cup??  No?  Yeah, I figured it was too much to ask.  So anyway, teething, how fun!  The last thing I need is a 10 month old who is starting to walk teething on the chair legs, edges of tables, the dogs rear end...you get the picture I'm sure.

Things 1 and 2, and Beastly have spent a good portion of the day outside today, rather than stuck in the house like they have been the last few days.  Wind and rain mean they are stuck in here with me.  Do you know what that's like?  Trapped indoors with 4 children who all think they are the ones who need my attention if I am trying to cook, clean, fold clothes, eat, read, watch a show, or talk on the phone.  Of course now blogging is included in the times that they must have something that only I can give right now.  So it's interesting to say the least.  Thing 1 is "that age" so she's always moody, you never know what will set her off, unless Thing 2 is involved.  If he is involved there will be anger, frustration, fighting, yelling, glaring, door slamming, foot stomping, mumbling, grumbling, irritated, pubescent Thing 1.  No questions at all...  Beastly and Thing 2 don't do much better.  Thing 1 tolerates Beastly reasonably well most of the time.  Unless of course Beastly is feeling evil, which is fairly often actually.  Today though, has been good so far.  By the time I close this after they are all in bed tonight, I may change my story.  Life in my home is a lot like the weather, it can change at any moment.

While the kids were playing outside though, my sailor and I were able to have some bonding time.  Got Monkey down for a nap, and just sat there and vegged a while, talking and watching nothing on tv.  Nothing is on here a lot.  Kind of like in the States, only fewer channels of nothing to surf through.  I think I need a hobby or something, that would help with the times that there's a poorer quality of nothing to watch.  Maybe I'll take up crochet again, or try to teach myself to knit again.  Who knows.  I'd say I'd just write here, but there's only so much to write about in a day, and I want it to be worth reading.

Today I have spent a portion of the day shopping online, choices on base are severely limited.  Not to mention I'd like my kids to not all be wearing the same things that every other child on base is wearing.  Thing 1 is old enough that she's interested in Japanese clothes from time to time, so she gets a little more variety that way.  The whole Goth look is going to be interesting to find for her though, not a lot available for someone her age/size!

The Halloween costumes got here today!  Thing 1 is a Gothic Rag Doll, Thing 2 is the Headless Horseman, Beastly got her's on base and is a kitty/cheetah in a dress thing, Monkey will be a skelly.  :-)  I love, love, love, love Halloween, and this isn't only because it's my birthday!  It's also because this is the one day of the year where I take my kids, whom I have worked hard to teach not to take candy from strangers, dress them up, and take them all over the neighborhood telling them, go ring that door bell and ask that stranger for candy!  How awesome is that!  Not to mention, I just love seeing all the other kids out in their costumes as well.  The Sailor generally gives me my heart's desire, even if it's just plain silly and I don't really need it, as long as it's within reason.  He's very sweet that way, he loves me and he likes to see me happy.  Even if it means a new iPod every year.  :heavy sigh:  Got one last year, but this years model has a camera in it!  I am sure I neeeeeeeeed a camera in my iPod.  It will make posting pictures to Facebook much simpler!  Not to mention, Betsy and I have passed many an hour texting eachother and playing games like, Words With Friends, and Words With Pirates!  ARRRRGH!!  My new iPod does not please Thing 1 though.  She would like me to give her my current iPod Touch when I get my new one.  But alas...I don't see gifting my 11 year old with a $300 iPod.  Instead I am passing it along to my mother-in-law.  She'll get good use out of it, and won't be likely to kill it or lose it either!

Pixel!  Have I mentioned Pixel yet??  I'm sure I haven't!  Pixel is an almost 3 year old.  He lives here with my crew.  Pixel is a Pomeranian...a mutant Pomeranian.  I say this in all honesty.  I know, I know, what could be mutant about a little bitty dog, right?  Well, I'm sure you know that typically a Pomeranian weighs 3-7 pounds or so, they are very small, fluffy, yappy dogs.  This is not Pixel.  Pixel is about 16 pounds, but isn't a fat dog.  He's almost the size of a small Shiba Inu.  He isn't yappy either.  Actually, I think he's convinced he is a Rottweiler, he thinks he is very tough, and snarls and growls most ferociously when he's shaking his cow to pieces.  Or his duck.  Pixel also adores Monkey.  From the time we brought Monkey home from the hospital, Pixel has stayed very near him.  He would lay by the bouncer, the playpen, where ever Monkey was, there was Pixel.  Now, Monkey is very mobile, as I have mentioned, this means Pixel has to follow him at all times, this is because you never know when Monkey might have some little tidbit of food he could drop, or have stuck to his rump from breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any of his many snacks.  I feel sorry for Pixel now though.  The sound the letter X makes is hard to pronounce, and takes babies and toddlers longer than other letters to master.  This means that Pixel will likely be called Pickle or something similar by Monkey in his early toddlerhood.

Things 1 and 2 are in superb moods this evening.  Their father let them stay out extra late playing hide and seek in the dark with their friends.  Brings back memories of playing ghost in the graveyard for me.  We loved that when I was a child.  :insert wistful sigh here:  I'm now off to throw Monkey in the tub again, maybe I'll get lucky this time and he'll play with bath toys?  After that I must beat the other three into submission, fling them through their showers and start getting everyone ready for bed.  Then I think I'll spend what's left of the evening cozied up with my sailor, and watch my favorite show.  Supernatural!

I'm back, I think I can do this.

Today I'll introduce you to my children, some of you know them, and with luck you will know who is who, as I have decided not to use their actual names.  This is because you never know who is reading you really.

Thing 1...Thing 1 is an 11 year old girl, she's full of spirit!  Sadly, she is also full of attitude!  ;-)  Ahh, the joys of having a tween in the house, and she's decided to "go goth" as she puts it.  This is actually fine with her father and I, as neither of us ever fit the mold of the good kids growing up either.  Both rather wild youths!  She's a fabulous kid, a joy to be around most of the time, and my saving grace when dealing with the youngest child.  She's my baby whisperer.  When Monkey can't be soothed, pass him to Thing 1 and he's happy as a pig in slops.  Thing 1 is brilliant, funny, beautiful, amazing, and a real sweetheart.  Basically, most of the time (when the attitude isn't getting in the way) she's a dream child.  Thing 1 is in 6th grade this year, and as extras she takes karate, with luck some swimming lessons next month, possibly a cooking class, and she has a knitting class once a week as well.  One night a week she cooks with me also.  I figure if we are home schooling, it's best to make sure we cover everything we need to!  She is artistic, VERY artistic and has drawn some really neat stuff.  She loves to write, haiku, poems, short stories, plays whatever pops into her mind.  Which as of tonight is a blog of her own.  Seeing as I started blogging last night, she can't wait to give it a try.  Thankfully I have found a free site for teachers to set up blogs for their students, which being a "teacher" now, I have done.  This way she can blog and only those who are able to sign into our account can read it, which a select few people will have the ability to do so.  This makes her happy, and it makes me happy too.  She gets a "real blog", and I get to keep her as safe from the sickos of the internet as is possible for me to do!

Thing 2 is a 10 year old boy.  He's everything you'd expect from a 10 year old geek.  :)  And I mean that in the best possible way.  Thing 2 isn't much on rough and tumble boy games, this is because he's a very small guy for his age.  He's an awesome kid.  He recently informed me that he needs to "smell more manly", and would like Dove for men body wash, or Axe.  He got Axe, as well as Axe deodorant and is much happier using his "man soap".  I think this is because he's got a crush on the girl across the street.  ;-)   He's a WoW gamer, and loves all things PS3, XBox 360, DSi, and PS2.  He also takes karate, and has his night to cook each week as well.  I'll be damned if my son will be trying to come home for dinner every night when he moves out!  ;-)  He will at least know how to make some basic meals, even if it's just spaghetti, chili, stews, soups and the like.  He'll know how to make it, and make it well!  He's pretty handy with Monkey as well, but doesn't have the mothering instincts like Thing 1, which is fine, and understandable.  He's good at many other things.  He's the math man, loves to read, and build with Legos as well.  Very typically boy in many respects.  He's also very sensitive, and I wouldn't change that for anything most days, except when it makes him overly Emo!  Thing 2 is in 5th grade this year.

Beastly, she's a 6 year old girl, and is VERY good at being one.  She's got the temper of a small hurricane and she's not afraid to use it!  I have no clue where she gets it from.  :::innocent look:::  She's in 1st grade this year, and it's her first year home schooling with me.  The others did half the year last year.  She is a super sweet kid when her temper isn't getting the better of her, and loves to help in any way we let her.  One of her favorite things to do is dust!  This is marvelous!  I don't really care for it myself, so I gleefully pass the cloth to her each time I'm cleaning, and she skips merrily about the house, dusting anything that doesn't run or crawl away from her fast enough.  Beastly is also a snuggle bug, she loves to get a good cuddle in on the couch with me or her father.  She'll even settle for Thing 1 or Thing 2 when we aren't able to sit with her.  She ADORES Monkey!  She wants to do so much for him, of course there's not too much I can really let her do yet being 6 years old.  But she loves to help feed him, or bring diapers and wipes, help bathe him, and put his lotion on.  She also LOVES to shop for him and pick out his clothes!  She had some EXCELLENT training from her Aunt Betsy while she lived in Japan also.  Aunt Betsy is an expert marathon shopper!  Beastly is a very cleaver, bright, funny, sweet, evil child!  Beastly is also known for saying some interesting things, such as, "But Mommy, chips are good for your heart!"  Her favorite word right now is literally.  Every thing is literally.  This is fine, but she can't pronounce the letter R, so it comes out sounding like "little willy", the other day her father had an unfortunate emission, and she said, "Eeeew, Daddy that 'little willy' stinks!"  He might have been devastated if he didn't know better!  ;-)

Monkey, the newest member of the crew.  Monkey is a 10 month old boy, and he has recently found that he has a penis.  This was just last night in fact.  During his bath, he looked down to pick up a toy and what did his wondering eyes behold??  A pink thing tucked neatly between his legs.  He couldn't pick it up, it didn't really do anything but kind of wiggle in the water when he kicked his legs or splashed, but he could REALLY get it moving around when he squiggled his fingertip on it!  Oh the fun he had in his bath last night with his new best friend, Penis!  Monkey is trying very hard to learn to walk now, he crawls like the wind, and even plays his own version of soccer if you give him a balloon to crawl after.  He cruises along the furniture, and will let go and stand on his own.  His favorite pass times include eating, napping, nursing, standing naked by the tub slapping the rim while watching his bath fill up, taking the diapers out of the package, eating paper towels or wipes, and of course, as of last night, observing his penis.  He's a very well rounded baby!

Today didn't consist of too much.  A trip to 3 stores on base, the kids store so Thing 2 could get a new rain coat, the NEX so I could buy some time cards for the sailor's cell phone and mine, and the commissary so I could get my Splenda and some salt.  Bedtime went well tonight with minimal howling from Monkey.  He thinks I should just hold him till he is deeply asleep.  Of course being a mother of 4, I don't have time, or the inclination to hold a child to sleep every night.  I'd be shooting myself in the foot with that!  But by the time I had gotten down stairs and turned off the TV (Ahhhh, blissful silence!) he had already stopped and gone to sleep.

Hmmm, let's see how this goes

So I've never actually tried to blog before, this is probably because I feel like my life is pretty boring.  I'm a stay at home mom, 4 kids ranging from 11 years, to 10 months in age, 2 girls and 2 boys, I home school my three school age kids.  I guess this means I'm a 1st grade, 5th grade and 6th grade teacher this year.  I'm married to a pretty awesome guy, he's a sailor in the U.S. Navy, and I have to say we're pretty proud of him...at least most days!  ;-)  I married him almost 13 years ago, and am as crazy about him today, as I was the day I married him.  Might be why there are so many kids in our house!!  My kids are all pretty awesome as well, but of course I'm biased!

We live in Japan, have been here for about 3 years now.  It's pretty cool, I just wish I would make myself sit down and learn the language.  I feel like the kids and I miss out on a lot because we can't talk to the people we see when we are off base, and there would be a lot we could learn just by asking a stranger a question in a Japanese market!  This is one of my goals this year in our home school studies, to learn some Japanese.  A wonderful friend who lived here in Japan with us for a couple of year, gave me a copy of Rosetta Stone, so I'm going to try to use that and see what I can do. 

Today was a busy day.  We had to run a lot of errands on the base to make sure I had a few supplies in case the typhoon that's moving our way has much of an impact.  Not a lot of stuff, but I have yet to see much of a storm here.  Virginia was much worse for storms.  I love the rain though, not crazy about the high winds that come with this kind of storm, but hey, ya have to take the good with the bad, you know?  I guess if the weather doesn't get too bad tomorrow I'll have to run to the store again though.  I forgot to get some Splenda, and some salt too.

I'm hoping to take a few minutes each day to sit down and write about what we did that day.  how school was with the kids that day, what kind of things we did.  If we went out and about to Japanese stores, or on a field trip, things like that. 

If you're out there and you read this, let me know how I'm doing.  I'm not generally very good at things like this, but even a home schooling, mother of four can get lonely and bored.