Church at 9am...the beach until 1pm...naps...hockey tryouts at 4....dinner in the oven ready for a couple of hungry kids upon their return. This is just the wrap up of another busy summer weekend. I was able to slip out yesterday for a fabulous late afternoon movie with my sister, Heidi. 6 weeks left of summer vacation and I think I can make it.
I was notified this morning that Mairin is going to swimming "A" finals. She is swimming the butterfly in the 8 and under girls. I had to do a happy dance when I received the email. One more week of practice for her and then the finals on Friday. I am so so proud of my little peach. She seems to have no nerves and just goes out and swims her stroke.
My husband decided to clean out the garage today (one of the hottest days) so when I pulled in from the beach the driveway was completely covered with everything that was in the garage. I cringe when I see such a thing because I just know before the clean out is complete I will get into trouble for too much stuff. David always associates my stuff and the kids stuff as all mine. I have to remind him that we have 6 kids and yes the garage is going to be full for at least the next 10 years. It went much better than expected so hopefully this evening will be a somewhat relaxing....
Hockey tryouts are today and as David was walking out today he commented that he couldn't believe he was heading out to tryouts for a season that will not end until late March. It is a crazy sport but Eamon and Liam seem to love it.
At the beach this morning Finn was having a meltdown and would not stop crying so I had Heidi watch the other ones while I escorted him to the car in his suit. I turned on the car and turned off the movie and let him sit there for 10 minutes to chill out and regroup. I waited at the back of the car and by the time I opened the door he was silent and ready to go play. What is up with the attitude adjustment needed at the beach??? I only had 1 swim diaper to change today. Declan dropped a big load in his swim diapers. This is by far the worst thing to change. A soggy wet, soiled diaper...ewwwww...No more diapers for next summer that is for sure.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
FOOD
I was in awe so instead of being in shock by myself I took a picture to be able to share. To all the parents out there who have older boys this is probably nothing to you but since I am just beginning this endeavor I thought it was something to take note of. This was just a regular dinner; grilled chicken breast, green beans, asparagus, mashed potatoes and cantaloupe or watermelon. They ate everything on their plates and even had another snack before they went to bed.
I probably cook dinner at least 6 nights out of the week. The only take out that we really do is pizza and we rarely go out to dinner (all 8 of us). My grocery bill is huge and now with school being out I feel like it only gets bigger when everyone is home all day. I am in amazement at the amount of food my boys can put away. I purchase burger in bulk and I patty it out myself and I am putting 9 patties in a bag for a dinner. Chicken breasts are a minimum of 9 for dinner as well. We are a 2 package hot dog family now too. We always have a few leftovers but they seem to be gone by the next day when someone packs it for lunch. The amount of fruit that I buy is crazy. I tend to buy the little apples because it provides a little less waste when Liam wants an apple and then 5 others see it and want it too. A dozen apples provides 2 snacks for our family. Don't even get me started on cereal. I think cereal is out of control. I clip more coupons for cereal than anything else. The variety changes constantly because of what is on sale. The kids can clear a box in one morning.
I do struggle with running out of ideas of what to make. I am constantly online searching for new creations. I have to be careful at this age to have things that are not all mixed together. They do much better when items are separate rather than casseroles with everything mixed up. They love lasagna but many times I keep things simple to keep the kids eating.
Popcorn is another family staple. We have popcorn 4 or 5 nights a week and I do buy it in bulk from the eastern market and pop it the way my grandfather did. Eamon loves popcorn the most he can pack it away. I am sure this is just the beginning of what is ahead and I am sure by the time the kids are grown I will be a super cook and probably hate it after years and years of it but so far it can be a bit of a challenge to put together a meal with some pazazz and get my Eamon to say, "that was the best dinner ever".
I probably cook dinner at least 6 nights out of the week. The only take out that we really do is pizza and we rarely go out to dinner (all 8 of us). My grocery bill is huge and now with school being out I feel like it only gets bigger when everyone is home all day. I am in amazement at the amount of food my boys can put away. I purchase burger in bulk and I patty it out myself and I am putting 9 patties in a bag for a dinner. Chicken breasts are a minimum of 9 for dinner as well. We are a 2 package hot dog family now too. We always have a few leftovers but they seem to be gone by the next day when someone packs it for lunch. The amount of fruit that I buy is crazy. I tend to buy the little apples because it provides a little less waste when Liam wants an apple and then 5 others see it and want it too. A dozen apples provides 2 snacks for our family. Don't even get me started on cereal. I think cereal is out of control. I clip more coupons for cereal than anything else. The variety changes constantly because of what is on sale. The kids can clear a box in one morning.
I do struggle with running out of ideas of what to make. I am constantly online searching for new creations. I have to be careful at this age to have things that are not all mixed together. They do much better when items are separate rather than casseroles with everything mixed up. They love lasagna but many times I keep things simple to keep the kids eating.
Popcorn is another family staple. We have popcorn 4 or 5 nights a week and I do buy it in bulk from the eastern market and pop it the way my grandfather did. Eamon loves popcorn the most he can pack it away. I am sure this is just the beginning of what is ahead and I am sure by the time the kids are grown I will be a super cook and probably hate it after years and years of it but so far it can be a bit of a challenge to put together a meal with some pazazz and get my Eamon to say, "that was the best dinner ever".
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Just Another One
There has been a wave of activities at the Mott house this past couple of weeks so I guess I will just start with what is happening.
Swim is in full force and Mairin loves it. She has been winning some metals and improving her times with each meet. My niece Maddie was at our last swim meet and was cheering Mairin on. Mairin just finished the butterfly and was so excited with her time.
The triplets are still taking very well to the water. The puddle jumpers have allowed me to take all 6 kids to the beach for hours of fun. We have stopped off at Aunt Myrna's pool too for even more water time. Last night we took the triplets and the older kids down to the beach and they were troopers until we finally came home around 10pm. They slept so good. The older kids played ghost in the graveyard and every other outdoor game while the trips swam and played in the sand. Today I took all 6 over to the pool and it was lots of fun.
I am so glad we have several pairs of suits for every kid and so glad that I get to do laundry neither everyday with all of this beach and pool time. Date night for tonight.....
Swim is in full force and Mairin loves it. She has been winning some metals and improving her times with each meet. My niece Maddie was at our last swim meet and was cheering Mairin on. Mairin just finished the butterfly and was so excited with her time.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Traditions
I don't think I ever understood the power of tradition until I had my own kids. I never thought I had a lot of traditions but in taking a moment to step back I see some family traditions in the works. The summer is when we try to go back to my hometown of Stanton and enjoy Derby Lake (the lake I grew up on). My parents have kept many of the toys that make the visits so fun. The weekend starts with boat rides in the evenings, swimming in the days and lots of food. My mom will always have pea and peanut salad along with a batch of store bought macaroni salad that she has added cheese and diced eggs to make it just a little heartier. We are usually grilling burgers and brats or pan frying fish that dad and the kids caught. Memorial Day weekend would not be complete without a couple pans of morel mushrooms.
The days are never very productive but they are full of lounging, laughing and the occasional road trip to town for items that may complete an adventure or replenish an item we may have run out of.
I love waking up to Eamon and grandma having a conversation about what grandma should make for breakfast. Eamon is my breakfast kid and grandma will always make him whatever he wants. I enjoy the sarcasm and banter between between my father and David and Heidi is always around to pick up the slack by helping with the kids or helping mom with the food. My dad's brothers always come over too so it makes for a mini/partial family reunion.
The triplets were very fond of the water this past weekend. They had no fear jumping off the dock and into the water. Eamon and Liam took the paddle boat out by themselves and you could tell that they loved the independence.
The days are never very productive but they are full of lounging, laughing and the occasional road trip to town for items that may complete an adventure or replenish an item we may have run out of.
I love waking up to Eamon and grandma having a conversation about what grandma should make for breakfast. Eamon is my breakfast kid and grandma will always make him whatever he wants. I enjoy the sarcasm and banter between between my father and David and Heidi is always around to pick up the slack by helping with the kids or helping mom with the food. My dad's brothers always come over too so it makes for a mini/partial family reunion.
The triplets were very fond of the water this past weekend. They had no fear jumping off the dock and into the water. Eamon and Liam took the paddle boat out by themselves and you could tell that they loved the independence.
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