Sweet.. or is it??

Take a look at this precious picture..

Two brothers, embracing each other. Connected by the bonds of brotherhood. Awww.. everyone say "Awwwww.."

Wait, what is Jorge whispering into Alex's ear?

A plot to attack the boys who won't play with them on the playground?

"You take the front, I'll take the back?"

Well, a momma can still be proud of the unity of at least these two, right??

thankful for milestones..

I love when a milestone hits.

And I'm not talking about walking, talking or clapping.

I like the milestones that bring independence with them. Or that usher in a new calm in our house.

Take for instance the event pictured below. Imagine classical music (Vivaldi, to be exact) playing in the background. And complete silence (other than my man V).
My two older boys sitting happily on the floor drawing in their "dream journal" books. (Technically, it's just a book for them to draw in but they got that name from a movie they've seen.)

I also noticed, after the shot was taken, that they are both sitting the same way. One right handed the other, left.

It's a neat milestone that I thought would never come when they were 3 and 2 and screaming like banshee's all over my house. And just the thought of them sitting still to color was sheer torture.

Alas, one more thing that older moms told me would happen in time.. and it's happening.

Just in time for the younger two to scream like banshee's in my house.

Oy.

the magic walls in my house..

My sister doesn't believe me. She thinks that if i just kept my kids from napping for, I dunno, 10 days.. then they would sleep in later. Well, the TRUTH is.. my house has magic walls. It matters not what we did that day, if they had a nap or not, my kids (or one of them) will wake up at the 5:45-6:15 range. The only time that my children sleep past 7 a.m is when they are babies. And even then they wake up in the wee hours of the morning, nurse and then go back to sleep.

Here you see Alex, up and playing with his Army men by 6 a.m.



even though it's early, it is still cute.

a little bit.

What time do your kids wake up?

the SCREAM heard around the block..

So my nephew is here for the week to attend VBS with his cousins (if he doesn't get severe homesick"ness" before Friday).

Anyhoo, my older three, plus Levi (and my niece, Nataly) were all playing outside. I was mopping the floors. Then I hear my nephew say in a very sweet voice, "Aunt Rachel.. can you come here?"

I walked to the laundry room and he was holding a red bin (used in the school room, btw). I peek in, fully anticipating a small insect. Instead I see this:

And yes, I screamed. In shock. Horror, even. Of course, my kids laughed at my screaming.. but I only hoped it would instill fear into them until we could identify this freak of nature.

While they were happy to inspect the bug.. I was wishing I had a macro lens.. to allow me to be even further away from the monstrosity.

You see, growing up I had NO desire to even look at bugs.. so I had no clue as to what kind it was.. but I quickly sent a picture to mom, dad and my brother Paul. All three texting back that it looked like a "stag beetle."

To make matters worse.. she would not leave "it" alone. She kept wanting to "pet"it. Ewww.

I promptly called my sister and said she could come pick up her son (an hour away), who would be sitting on the porch.. with his new pet.

My Crazy kids...

I think it's well documented on this blog that my kids are.. well.. different. Lots of energy and just a tad bit silly.

I heard Isaac cackling and immediately grabbed my camera before I even knew what I'd find.

Yes, that is my eldest licking the glass..

and that is my youngest.. going in for the kiss, because.. well he sees tongue. and that's baby gold.

and here comes Eva to bang a rock on the glass door.

while crazy.. they are very adorable.

so my boys don't feel left out...

My posts have been a little "Eva" heavy lately.. so just in case you forget that there are also three little boys in this house..

I came when I heard hysterical laughing.. they stayed like this for a while. .

this guy really likes oreo's and cream Ice cream.. but then again, who can blame him?

Alex playing while at my sister Mishka's house. (post to follow). He loves that transformer toy and finds it every.single.time he goes to her house. My sister said she would like for him to "lose it" anytime he can. (bc she is still willing to put the thing back together for those that get frustrated and can't do it.. me, I'm a meany. NOPE not gonna play that game. over and over). But he is still cute while playing with it..

Hobbits..

I don't know why.. but this cracks me up. I think because their legs look so long..

If I've told you ONCE..I've told you 1,000 times..

Listen up mommies.

Have those days, nay, years where you think, "seriously, how many times do we have to go over this??"

Well, take heart. Eventually it (apparently) sinks in.

With my boys I am constantly saying, "Open the door for girls (for mommy), and then let them go first." Our practical application is attempted every time I open the van door to let the kids in. Eva will be attempting to climb up (she's 2, so that can be a slow process) and the boys will trample her trying to bypass her. INSTEAD of waiting patiently. So generally, in my best ladylike voice I gently say (ehem.. read here YELL), "LADIES FIRST!"

I don't know how many times we go over this in a day.

We are already trying to master gentleness with the female species while playing, with, "boys, God made you strong to protect girls. NOT hurt them."

So today, while eating at CFA, the Sprite had gotten low. So Jorge (5) volunteered to go get the refill. You know, he's a half grown man now, right?

So off he goes, chest pushed out, head held high.

Then he returns. With Alex and Eva waiting at the playroom door ready for a giant gulp. As soon as Jorge opens the door Alex, being faster and stronger than Eva, gets the first spot in front of the cup. And with a very manly voice you hear Jorge bellow, very kindly, "No No, LADIES FIRST." And he walks over to Eva and lets her have the first gulp.

Melt.my.heart.

Well everyone. It seems my job is done.

haha. I wish. But I sure am proud of that there gentleman.

My super boys.

So we don't "do halloween" in our house, but I will do the mess out of 50% off costumes the week afterwards.  As you may know, our little men have a growing collection in their "costume box."  

 

I can rest at ease knowing that Captain America and The Incredible Hulk are tirelessly defending the Garcia casa today.  Im sure I will have fun prying these off of them when it's time to head to my nephew's birthday party later this evening.  

As of late

Been a while since I have uploaded pics.. so here ya go.. proof my kids still exist.  

Riding the carousel at the Galleria.. you know.. this is getting to be too expensive, btw.. 

We dog sat Princess.. Eva LOVED her and wouldn't leave her alone.. 

Finally got enough hair for a bow.. although, there is still more bow than hair.  

New ride.  Garage sale find.  Wonderful!! she loves it and has already figured out how to get in and out all by herself.  

Today we went to Herdmont park with friends.. Alex is my strong man and decided to give me a hand pulling his little sister and older brother.. hey anything to wear the testosterone out!! 

Jorge doing a little "fishin'"  

Radio Flyers work great for the creek.  the little holes on the bottom allow water to come up and into the floor and she gets to splash without getting drenched.. and she is content to just sit.. NICE.. 

We have been quite busy lately.. it's almost the middle of August and I wish I could say that we were already schooling.. but, ummm, not yet.. dear hubby is going to be working on our office to schoolroom transition this weekend.. so hopefully I can post some before and after pics.. and umm.. more importantly.. get my rear in gear.. (not that 4k is anything to shake a stick at)..very easy to do.. once you do it (so I hear.. LOL).. 

adios! 

Ode to Jorge Emanuel...

It's 8:35 on June 1oth and we were about 25 minutes away from meeting little Jorge, just four short years ago.  

Oh the excitement in the room.. is it a boy or a girl?  We had outfits for both.  We had decorations for both.. then at 9 p.m that little body popped out and daddy yelled in such excitement: "Its a BOY!"  He truly was surprised and thrilled.  

Jorge, you are a treasure.  You are a wonderful son: very thoughtful, considerate and smart as a whip.  You are a wonderful big brother: you share, you protect and you get mommy diapers for your siblings (you are even good at getting pj's for Alex).  

You love routines and your chore chart.  You love to do Bible Time and are often having to remind mommy that it is, in fact, time to do Bible Time.  You confess your sin when questioned about it and you are tender toward the Law of God.  I am praying that the Law, as it is your tutor, leads you to a relationship with the giver of that law and thus leading you to a life of Grace in our Lord Jesus Christ.  

You amaze me little man at what a delight you are.  God placed you in our family in a specific role and for a specific purpose.  I am so honored to be your mother.  And besides all your protest one day you will thank me that I tell you that you can not marry your brother, that God wants you to marry a godly girl and that in fact, girls are not dangerous.  (yes, my son says girls are dangerous).  

I love you baby ("mommy, I not a baby.  I spiderman").. and one day when you can understand this ode, I know you will appreciate it. 

Before I forget..

Jorge is saying some of the cutest things lately and I knew I had to blog them or else I will forget them. 

Yesterday in the van: 

Jorge: "hey Alex, can I kiss you?"

Alex: "NO." 

Jorge: "Alex I want to hug you and to give you a kiss like daddy kisses mommy."  

(no worries people, its not that kind of kiss). 

Tonight we were at my SIL's house and the older kids were watching Spiderman 3.  As you may be aware, Jorge is obsessed with Spiderman.  So when I told him that he had to come back upstairs because he wasn't allowed to watch that movie, he yelled "OH NO I'm gonna watch this movie,mommy."  Well he got disciplined.  I explained again that he was too young for that movie and that he would be able to watch it when he got older.  I then tell him to go kiss his Vita (grandmom) and tell everyone goodbye.  I round up my other two kiddos and go to find Jorge.  Where is he?  On the stairs hanging over the railing staring at the t.v (with spiderman on it).  I call his name and ask what he is doing.  His response, "oh uh.. I just saying goodbye to 'dem."  Little stinker!!! 

On our way home, I called my hubby (who is out of town) to tell him about the story.  And how Jorge yelled at me and all that jazz.  When I got off the phone this is what Jorgito said" 

"Mommy, I so sorry."  

"for what, baby?"  

"I so sorry that I watched Joshua's movie.  I so sorry I not obey." 

Then during prayers before bed he prayed: 

"And Jesus I so sorry I watch that movie.  It was all my fault. I so sorry I not obey mommy."  

Oh Lord I pray he always be sensitive toward his sin against you.  

My new FAVORITE PLACE!!

So my hubby takes treks with the kids and tells me he is "going to the creek with the boys."  Normally, I stay home and clean or cook dinner.  Well, today we went to the park, you know with playground equipment, and the boys kept bugging me to go to the water.  

Since I had not been before, they had so much fun showing me the way.  And this is what they did.. WARNING:  it's a young boys' paradise.  

Rocks to climb on!

Even Eva gets a nice view.. and entertainment. 

You can stand, run and play in the water that is not worrisome deep.  Ankle high! And a little "island in the background" that they get to run to and grab smaller rocks to throw in the water. 

He could do this for hours!  

She liked it too! 

Take a stab at a caption for Eva on this one... 

Anyhoo.. it was a blast.  Had we gotten there before 11:30 we could have stayed longer, but I thought an hour and half was enough... especially when Eva was getting very upset.  

This, if the water doesn't evaporate due to heat, will be a great place to come hang out when the heat is getting to us and some cool water would feel nice on our feet.. (and the pool is just a wee bit much for me with three little ones, this year). 

Anyway, if you are interested in it and you are in the area its at City of Pelham Park off of Hwy 31.  But at the back entrance (Baseball field entrance).  

Enjoy! 

Buzzed....

So my boys got buzzed tonight.  Classic, sitting on the front porch getting hairs cut.  This is not the first buzz for Jorge.   Although, it is for Alex.  While I am a fan of short hair, it is taking some getting used to with Alex.  I have never seen it this short.  But I know for boys, this will be so nice for the summer: cool and as often as we have to cut their hair, cheap.  

Recession, baby!  LOL.  

In case you needed a before picture.. 

I like it.  I do.  

"Where you be at?"

Bad grammar aside, this has been the question I've been getting. I didn't have a computer for about four days and then when the weather turned nice we have spent every possible moment outside (mom's with boys, you understand).. no playing with dolls here. Must be outside, tearing something apart. climbing (or they climb walls..I have proof.. more of that later) or yelling as loud as they possibly can. Anyhoo.. here are some fun pics to show "some" of our adventures.. some of which are poor quality BC they were taken with my cell phone.. enjoy!

This is just to show how adorable my, now 6 month old, daughter is.  I could eat her! 

Seriously.. I found him like this.. 

Just for the record:  WORLD magazine.. only the best for our little scholar.

Birthday cake surprise at my husband's.. um.. work..  

Beauty got her first bath in the bathtub.. yeah.. she liked it. 

can you count all the rolls?? 

Proof that "sit time" at home pays off out in public.  At the library. 

then reward for sit time at the Library.. playing like crazy at the park. 

still could eat her. 

Dinner out for his bday.. cell phone pic.. i love that man. 

Color time counts for "sit time."  
 

OCD Alex has to put the crayons in some kind of order.. they say this makes them good in math.. we'll see.. 

Okay.. DISCLAIMER:  My husband taught him how to do this.  And he gets down without incident.  But it still makes me cringe every time he does it.  He is spiderman. 

At the Zoo.. had a blast.  NOT going to stay two hours the next time.  We all melted down.  LOL. 

Fun with Fritz at another park.  Although after the kids got "bored" playing on the playground equipment.. I suggested that we go "over to that big hill and let them run up and down it."  They loved it and it did a great job wearing them out.  This was them taking a break.  See, Alex was even too tired to look up at the camera.  

It's been wild.  Lots of fun and not alot of time to blog.  Guess that's a good thing.  I hope to do a little more blogging this next week.. we shall see.   Just enjoying my kiddos right now and the fact that we can be outside and not sweat or get sucked away by skito's.  

going to bed. adios.