When I was in law school and living on my own I kept my apartment very clean. I had a roommate bail on me so I lived for two years in a two bedroom, two bathroom condo, alone (and with the financial help of my then-boyfriend, now-husband, I was able to afford to stay there). I liked things neat and orderly. I suppose because I lived alone and only had my studies to keep me company, keeping my place neat was something that kept away the loneliness.
I wish I could say that my neat freak attitude stayed with me, but it hasn't. I don't know where it went, but it certainly isn't here in this house. We have so much STUFF. So many papers, toys, books. This is a large house, which I suppose with a family of six you have to have. I have a gorgeous kitchen island that I cannot see. I rarely see it, unless we're having a big family holiday here and we have to use the island for food. I have stacks of magazines without a home, kids' school papers that need to go to their box in the basement, bills, junk mail. It is overwhelming. Doug isn't allowed to do anything other than pile things up for me to go through, since he threw away something important when we first moved here that almost cost me the ability to declare myself an inactive attorney in the State of Maine. So, it's up to me to take care of the mess on top of the other things I'm already responsible for. To say that I relegate it to the bottom of the list is an understatement.
Last night I was watching the Red Sox game and checking Twitter, when I came across this from Casey at mooshinindy: When that moosh lady met the Style Network, Trish Suhr and reality TV. And had cameras FILM HER HOUSE. http://twurl.nl/0mcb8k. I checked out the website last night and this morning and did something very unlike me~I signed up for the contest to have a cleaning intervention staged at my home! A FILMED cleaning intervention. I doubt I'll win, but holy cow it would be nice for some help. I am good if I can keep on top of the mess, but when it gets to the stage it's in now, well let's just say that I turn a blind eye to it and hope it goes away.
Don't get me wrong. I like to clean. I love vacuumed floors, dishes put away, clean sheets and sparkling sinks. But hello, I have four messy, messy children who don't believe in my clean philosophy. When I vacuum the living room floor, the younger ones immediately take out trucks and go in circles, ruining my nice, clean rug. Someone always starts crying when I try to go upstairs for a few minutes to put things away (no, I don't take them with me due to the abomination that is the kids' playroom; it's not safe for the twins to go in there with all the toys on the floor thanks to Meg and Drew, and we've already had tumbles down the stairs and we don't need any repeats). My driveway is gravel, so my floors are always covered with dirt. Did I mention my kids are messy?
I once wrote a post about how I'd spend a free day scrapbooking. Ha. If I had a day to myself with NO KIDS, I'd clean. Really, I'd want to read a book or take a nap, but I would clean. For now though, since a day without kids isn't on my horizon, I'll have to do little bits here and there to try to tackle it all. And maybe I'll win the cleaning intervention and get some good hints for taking care of my house. I really want to be a better example for my kids.
Showing posts with label house. Show all posts
Showing posts with label house. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Our house in the middle of our street
I think part of everyone's American Dream is to own their own home. I know it was my dream. We bought our first house for our first wedding anniversary. Poor Doug was convinced he'd never be able to live up to that gift! We sold that house in 2002 and bought another house in a wonderful neighborhood where we had friends.
In late 2005 we started talking about moving. The house was feeling small with two kids and all their stuff. An opportunity to buy some land sort of fell into our hands and we ran with the idea of building our own home near Doug's work. After several years of him commuting, we were both ready for him to work closer to his home.
So, in 2006 we put our house on the market. At that very moment, the housing market started its collapse. We struggled to even get showings on the house, let alone an offer. I found out I was pregnant. With the twins. Our house was under construction. We moved, leaving our house listed with a broker, and started paying two mortgages. One one income. With two more babies coming into the world. For the last three years we've struggled to find respectable tenants to live in our home. We've hired attorneys, had to pay outstanding bills that our tenants left behind for us. We've had to repaint our home, haul tenants' trash to the dump. Not my idea of the American Dream.
Last month we re-listed that house with new brokers, not expecting much. We were under contract in four days after about 20 showings. I won't go into details of how much of a financial hit we took to sell this house. It was depressing, but it had to be done. Yesterday we closed on the sale. The new owners are young and full of energy. I think they'll love the house. It's a great neighborhood, they both work in the city, and have friends down the street. I'm so glad that the American Dream came true for them. I'm even happier that I'm no longer a dual home owner. Now we can put the energy into this home that we meant to do when we built. It's time for our American Dream to come to light again.
In late 2005 we started talking about moving. The house was feeling small with two kids and all their stuff. An opportunity to buy some land sort of fell into our hands and we ran with the idea of building our own home near Doug's work. After several years of him commuting, we were both ready for him to work closer to his home.
So, in 2006 we put our house on the market. At that very moment, the housing market started its collapse. We struggled to even get showings on the house, let alone an offer. I found out I was pregnant. With the twins. Our house was under construction. We moved, leaving our house listed with a broker, and started paying two mortgages. One one income. With two more babies coming into the world. For the last three years we've struggled to find respectable tenants to live in our home. We've hired attorneys, had to pay outstanding bills that our tenants left behind for us. We've had to repaint our home, haul tenants' trash to the dump. Not my idea of the American Dream.
Last month we re-listed that house with new brokers, not expecting much. We were under contract in four days after about 20 showings. I won't go into details of how much of a financial hit we took to sell this house. It was depressing, but it had to be done. Yesterday we closed on the sale. The new owners are young and full of energy. I think they'll love the house. It's a great neighborhood, they both work in the city, and have friends down the street. I'm so glad that the American Dream came true for them. I'm even happier that I'm no longer a dual home owner. Now we can put the energy into this home that we meant to do when we built. It's time for our American Dream to come to light again.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Goodbye and good riddance.
When we moved to our current home in 2006, we left behind another home that we couldn't sell. It's an older (1942), smaller home, and of course we put it on the market just as the market was starting to tank. The home remained vacant from August 2006 to April 2007 when we finally found a tenant who loved the home and asked for an option to purchase in the lease. A two year lease. We were thrilled to have someone covering our mortgage payments. Those charmers gave notice and moved out April 2008. After a couple months of repainting, cleaning and fretting, we found another tenant. She moved in with her kids on June 1, 2008. And she moved out on January 31, 2009. Yes, we are totally getting screwed by this house. It's like an albatross hanging over our heads.
While we were at the house on Saturday doing our final cleaning, we talked a bit about how we don't miss it, even though there were so many memories there. Meg was just 1 1/2 when we moved in, so she grew up in that house. Drew was born while we lived there. The twins were conceived there. We had great Christmas Eve dinners with our families there. We had a big family reunion around our pool and met our new nieces and nephew that Doug's brother and sister-in-law adopted. We had our tough times there too. We endured two miscarriages while we were there. My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimers while we lived there. That house saw a lot.
Today we're putting the house back on the market. We're no longer looking at making any money on the sale. In fact, we're taking a huge loss just listing it at the price the broker suggested we list it for. I know we're not the only people going thru this; I read every day about foreclosures, short sales and the depressed economy. I scan Craigslist for what others are listing their homes for and think "well, maybe our house will sell because we aren't asking so much for it". Doug created a spreadsheet for us so that if and when an offer comes in, we can determine if we can financially afford it. The house is a good little house for a small family, or a couple just starting out. It treated us well while we were there. Now we just want it sold. We said goodbye 2 1/2 years ago. Now we're ready to say good riddance. Cross your fingers for us that something good happens.
While we were at the house on Saturday doing our final cleaning, we talked a bit about how we don't miss it, even though there were so many memories there. Meg was just 1 1/2 when we moved in, so she grew up in that house. Drew was born while we lived there. The twins were conceived there. We had great Christmas Eve dinners with our families there. We had a big family reunion around our pool and met our new nieces and nephew that Doug's brother and sister-in-law adopted. We had our tough times there too. We endured two miscarriages while we were there. My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimers while we lived there. That house saw a lot.
Today we're putting the house back on the market. We're no longer looking at making any money on the sale. In fact, we're taking a huge loss just listing it at the price the broker suggested we list it for. I know we're not the only people going thru this; I read every day about foreclosures, short sales and the depressed economy. I scan Craigslist for what others are listing their homes for and think "well, maybe our house will sell because we aren't asking so much for it". Doug created a spreadsheet for us so that if and when an offer comes in, we can determine if we can financially afford it. The house is a good little house for a small family, or a couple just starting out. It treated us well while we were there. Now we just want it sold. We said goodbye 2 1/2 years ago. Now we're ready to say good riddance. Cross your fingers for us that something good happens.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Why I need more coffee.
Our house saga continues. Ok, it's not so much a saga anymore. We're still dealing with the tenant issues~the loads of junk they left had to be stored and we had to send them a letter telling them that they have 14 days to come get it. Yes, we actually had to do that by law before we could toss it. Rather than risk a lawsuit in case we tossed something of "heirloom" quality, we complied. LOVE knowing lawyers who help me out. We had a neighbor with a lawn business clean up the yard (as the tenants never even bothered to rake the leaves!), our friendly painter repainted the most heinous rooms, and we had a cleaning service come last week to clean the rugs and the kitchen and bathroom (thank you Mom and Dad). Our open house on Sunday yielded a prospective tenant/buyer, and we have decided to work with her. She loves the house, her two kids love the house, and being there allows her kids to stay in their current schools come fall. I am hoping in the next several months to report that we're under contract to sell the home to her. That is our common goal, so I am breathing a little bit easier about it.
I became "that parent" yesterday. You know the one I mean. The one that the teachers cringe at because you take an interest in your child's eduation. The one that wants the best for her child and wants answers when it seems that isn't happening. But, sometimes you have to be "that parent". Megan has been evaluated on and off this year by the Gifted and Talented teacher at her school. We were not informed of this prior to her first meeting last fall. I don't know how many times Megan saw this particular woman before she even mentioned it to me very off-hand in the car one day. I didn't even know there was a Gifted and Talented teacher at the school. But anyway, I emailed Meg's teacher about it back then to see what the scoop was, and was happy to hear that they thought Meg warranted the evaluations. I mean, what parent wouldn't be excited? And of course we think she's incredibly smart and we're not at all biased (cough cough). Then one day Meg came home crying because the work with the teacher was hard and she didn't finish it. She told me she felt stupid. How do you explain to a 7 year old that they aren't stupid? That they just need to try, and all we ask is that they try? The invitations to work with the G&T teacher stopped coming after that. We were a bit frustrated, but what can you do about it? Then last week, the G&T teacher came to Meg's class to work with her G&T group individually and had Megan read to her. She told Meg that maybe she could come again this week (yesterday). No invite yesterday, again. Meg didn't say anything, but I could sense she was sad. So, I emailed the teacher. I wasn't harsh, just concerned that she is toying with my child. Her response to me today was quick. I won't bore you with the details of her response. Now I have some thinking to do. Do I let sleeping dogs lie, get Meg through the rest of first grade, and not make an issue out of it? Or do I push them to give her another chance, because I think she's matured over the course of the year? It's a hard issue for me, because I loved to learn (until I went to law school and it beat the love of learning out of me) and I want her to love it too. I want her to try her hardest and be proud of her work. She is of course only in first grade and maybe in another year she'll be a bit more mature and understand more of this. Sometimes I think I push too hard, and other times I think that I baby her too much. I don't know where to draw the line. And of course having three other children who need me means that I can't give her the 150% attention that she wants. Oh what fun this will be when all 4 of them are in school.
I am supposed to be working on my big scrapbooking day for Saturday. I have 13 customers coming to scrapbook. I am not at all ready. I have been spending what free time I have playing baseball with Drew, or hanging out with the babies, or going to softball games, or stressing about the other home. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to do things. I'm sure it will pull itself all together, but since my plan was to be all ready by now, I'm a little freaked out.
On the upside, Izzie was better this morning. She ate and drank and didn't cry the minute I put her in the living room. Hooray!
I became "that parent" yesterday. You know the one I mean. The one that the teachers cringe at because you take an interest in your child's eduation. The one that wants the best for her child and wants answers when it seems that isn't happening. But, sometimes you have to be "that parent". Megan has been evaluated on and off this year by the Gifted and Talented teacher at her school. We were not informed of this prior to her first meeting last fall. I don't know how many times Megan saw this particular woman before she even mentioned it to me very off-hand in the car one day. I didn't even know there was a Gifted and Talented teacher at the school. But anyway, I emailed Meg's teacher about it back then to see what the scoop was, and was happy to hear that they thought Meg warranted the evaluations. I mean, what parent wouldn't be excited? And of course we think she's incredibly smart and we're not at all biased (cough cough). Then one day Meg came home crying because the work with the teacher was hard and she didn't finish it. She told me she felt stupid. How do you explain to a 7 year old that they aren't stupid? That they just need to try, and all we ask is that they try? The invitations to work with the G&T teacher stopped coming after that. We were a bit frustrated, but what can you do about it? Then last week, the G&T teacher came to Meg's class to work with her G&T group individually and had Megan read to her. She told Meg that maybe she could come again this week (yesterday). No invite yesterday, again. Meg didn't say anything, but I could sense she was sad. So, I emailed the teacher. I wasn't harsh, just concerned that she is toying with my child. Her response to me today was quick. I won't bore you with the details of her response. Now I have some thinking to do. Do I let sleeping dogs lie, get Meg through the rest of first grade, and not make an issue out of it? Or do I push them to give her another chance, because I think she's matured over the course of the year? It's a hard issue for me, because I loved to learn (until I went to law school and it beat the love of learning out of me) and I want her to love it too. I want her to try her hardest and be proud of her work. She is of course only in first grade and maybe in another year she'll be a bit more mature and understand more of this. Sometimes I think I push too hard, and other times I think that I baby her too much. I don't know where to draw the line. And of course having three other children who need me means that I can't give her the 150% attention that she wants. Oh what fun this will be when all 4 of them are in school.
I am supposed to be working on my big scrapbooking day for Saturday. I have 13 customers coming to scrapbook. I am not at all ready. I have been spending what free time I have playing baseball with Drew, or hanging out with the babies, or going to softball games, or stressing about the other home. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to do things. I'm sure it will pull itself all together, but since my plan was to be all ready by now, I'm a little freaked out.
On the upside, Izzie was better this morning. She ate and drank and didn't cry the minute I put her in the living room. Hooray!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
One Step Forward, A Zillion Steps Back (EDITED)
Just when things might start to look up, they go downhill again. Let me start at the beginning.
We had our open house at our other home yesterday. When we had a broker and tried to sell the house before, no one ever came to the open houses. It was so depressing. So, we didn't have high hopes for an open house in the pouring rain yesterday. We were pleasantly surprised with the turnout though. We had people come with brokers, and some on their own. Most gave us their information so we could contact them, although one just left with barely a thank you. We have one person really interested in the house because it would keep her children in their current schools (the school system is being redistricted there), but we're not sure if she's ready to buy. While we're ok with a rent to own option, if the tenants opts out of the purchase, we're right back to where we are now, which is paying two mortgages. We'd rather sell the home outright. So internets, keep your fingers crossed for us. We could use some good luck.
So, that was the step forward. Listen to the step back. Last night, at 10:30 we were sitting down to watch Deadliest Catch on DVR from last week (I don't know why I enjoy chain smoking crab fishermen in Alaska, but it's riveting). We were enjoying some popcorn and relaxing when a loud clunk game from the garage. Doug disappeared out to check it out and didn't come back in. I finally hunted him down to see what was the matter, and he said it was his truck (a 2002 Ford Explorer) falling apart. The clunking we heard was a spring falling off the truck. This truck has been a nightmare. I won't bore you with the details, but we just had the wheel bearings on all 4 wheels replaced a couple of months ago. And it's had other issues too. So, this morning I am without a car as the Explorer just went off on a tow truck and Doug has my van. We'll go get a rental, again, later today. Argh. (EDIT: No rental. Truck will be fixed, to the tune of $600. Turns out, we only have the "basic" extended warranty, and the 2 springs that are being replaced fall under the "holy shit expensive" double dog dare extended warranty. GAH.)
To top it off, the twins have been IRRITABLE since Friday. Lots of crying and low grade fevers. I think it's just the molars they are getting but PUHLEASE....sometimes I have to leave the room and it would be swell if they wouldn't cry EVERY time. Too bad we can't go anywhere today to change their moods.
We had our open house at our other home yesterday. When we had a broker and tried to sell the house before, no one ever came to the open houses. It was so depressing. So, we didn't have high hopes for an open house in the pouring rain yesterday. We were pleasantly surprised with the turnout though. We had people come with brokers, and some on their own. Most gave us their information so we could contact them, although one just left with barely a thank you. We have one person really interested in the house because it would keep her children in their current schools (the school system is being redistricted there), but we're not sure if she's ready to buy. While we're ok with a rent to own option, if the tenants opts out of the purchase, we're right back to where we are now, which is paying two mortgages. We'd rather sell the home outright. So internets, keep your fingers crossed for us. We could use some good luck.
So, that was the step forward. Listen to the step back. Last night, at 10:30 we were sitting down to watch Deadliest Catch on DVR from last week (I don't know why I enjoy chain smoking crab fishermen in Alaska, but it's riveting). We were enjoying some popcorn and relaxing when a loud clunk game from the garage. Doug disappeared out to check it out and didn't come back in. I finally hunted him down to see what was the matter, and he said it was his truck (a 2002 Ford Explorer) falling apart. The clunking we heard was a spring falling off the truck. This truck has been a nightmare. I won't bore you with the details, but we just had the wheel bearings on all 4 wheels replaced a couple of months ago. And it's had other issues too. So, this morning I am without a car as the Explorer just went off on a tow truck and Doug has my van. We'll go get a rental, again, later today. Argh. (EDIT: No rental. Truck will be fixed, to the tune of $600. Turns out, we only have the "basic" extended warranty, and the 2 springs that are being replaced fall under the "holy shit expensive" double dog dare extended warranty. GAH.)
To top it off, the twins have been IRRITABLE since Friday. Lots of crying and low grade fevers. I think it's just the molars they are getting but PUHLEASE....sometimes I have to leave the room and it would be swell if they wouldn't cry EVERY time. Too bad we can't go anywhere today to change their moods.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Nothing special
We spent several hours at our other house today trying to clean. Bagged up trash, cleaned toilets, vacuumed the two rooms with rugs, re-caulked the tub, tried to figure out why the sink was clogged (in the 4 years we lived there, that never happened), cleaned windows. Doug spent quite a bit of time trying to fix the fence. It's old and junky and sections of it fell down. It's standing again now. Tomorrow we have the appliance repair person come to determine what is wrong with the dishwasher. Here's to hoping it's just an electrical glitch. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we'll find a buyer. I could really do without being a landlord again.
***
We may have a stripper in the family. Friday night we put Annie and Izzie to bed, then were sitting down to dinner with the older kids. Meg went to check on the girls because they were fussy and announced over the baby monitor that Annie was getting herself naked. Yep, she's figured out how to unzip her footie pajamas and take them off! So, we put her back in her jammies and the girls went to sleep. We went to bed about 9:30 and found her facedown in her crib in just her onesie! Again, put her back in her jammies and we went to bed. Got up yesterday and she was in her onesie again. Little twit. Did the same thing again this morning! Duct tape seems to be in order! Just kidding.
***
I had a nice day yesterday with my girlfriend Angie. It was nice to get out, work on my album project, which sadly is Meg from birth to age 1 (depressing since she's 7). I didn't start scrapbooking until she was almost 18 months, so I went forward instead of backward. I am incredibly behind in all my album projects, so days like yesterday are a godsend. And when I got home last night, I put the babies to bed after some snuggles, and Doug and I went out for a quick dinner. A good day all around.
***
It's school vacation week and I have the kids and Doug home. We're hoping to start our garden project this week. I have to do some research and then we can get to Lowe's to buy the supplies. I'll post pictures. We're trying to do (we. ha! Doug.) yardwork, as we got snow so early in the season that we never got to rake leaves. While I'm blogging he's out there raking around the snowbank in the front yard. I should probably go help instead of sitting here blogging.
***
We may have a stripper in the family. Friday night we put Annie and Izzie to bed, then were sitting down to dinner with the older kids. Meg went to check on the girls because they were fussy and announced over the baby monitor that Annie was getting herself naked. Yep, she's figured out how to unzip her footie pajamas and take them off! So, we put her back in her jammies and the girls went to sleep. We went to bed about 9:30 and found her facedown in her crib in just her onesie! Again, put her back in her jammies and we went to bed. Got up yesterday and she was in her onesie again. Little twit. Did the same thing again this morning! Duct tape seems to be in order! Just kidding.
***
I had a nice day yesterday with my girlfriend Angie. It was nice to get out, work on my album project, which sadly is Meg from birth to age 1 (depressing since she's 7). I didn't start scrapbooking until she was almost 18 months, so I went forward instead of backward. I am incredibly behind in all my album projects, so days like yesterday are a godsend. And when I got home last night, I put the babies to bed after some snuggles, and Doug and I went out for a quick dinner. A good day all around.
***
It's school vacation week and I have the kids and Doug home. We're hoping to start our garden project this week. I have to do some research and then we can get to Lowe's to buy the supplies. I'll post pictures. We're trying to do (we. ha! Doug.) yardwork, as we got snow so early in the season that we never got to rake leaves. While I'm blogging he's out there raking around the snowbank in the front yard. I should probably go help instead of sitting here blogging.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The vultures have left the nest!
Ok, not quite, but the tenants are MOVING OUT! On Friday, my dad emailed me to say he called a neighbor of ours (lives directly across the street from the old house) and asked her to keep an eye on the house. She replied that she had seen furniture leaving and we took that as a good sign. Doug drove by yesterday after Meg's hockey and from the road could see that the dining room was empty. Today we took another drive down there, chatted with our neighbor who first reported the good news and then took a quick walk around to the back of the house (as they have all the shades drawn). There are still some things in the kitchen (like a partially drunk gallon of milk on the counter, eww) but the downstairs looks empty. We'll be going in Wednesday morning to inspect, as they have declared they will be out by midnight on Tuesday, and hopefully just move on from this experience and sell this house! If we can't sell it and do end up renting again, we've certainly learned our lesson on what to do, and not to do. Too bad it was a hard lesson to learn.
As I was perusing blogland this week, Swistle had a lovely post about shopping at Children's Place for little girls clothes (and if I had ANY IDEA how to link directly to that post, I would do it. Help internets!). And thanks to her, I remembered a $25 CP gift card burning a hole in my wallet, so today we went to the mall. Twenty one articles of clothing and $82 later, I was happy. I was able to purchase summer/springs things for all 4 children. Sadly, Meg is at the limit of CP's clothing line~yes, my 7 year old wears a size 14 (she is 4 foot 4 inches tall). Sigh. I will have to resort to shopping at Old Navy for her, because there aren't many places that I can shop for her that don't make her look like a hussy.
We are on the school vacation countdown here. T minus 7 days and I will have both Megan AND Doug home for school vacation. I am thrilled that he will be home for this vacation. Days on end with all four children make me crazy. And, if the twins are true to form, they will get sick for vacation. They were sick over Christmas and February vacations. Maybe they'll buck the trend and stay healthy. Please cross your fingers for that. Of course, they are due for their 15 month checkup and shots, so that ought to screw things up for them anyway. Poor planning on my part I guess.
And speaking of the twins....in the last 2 weeks, they have sprouted 3 new teeth! Without fanfare. Annie acquired 2 and Izzie 1. And it feels like Annie will be getting two bottom teeth as well. These girls are so different from Meg and Drew. When Meg was teething, she had a low grade fever, diarrhea, and drooled like a madwoman. Every. Single. Tooth. After the 3rd tooth, we figured it out. With Drew, he drooled like crazy too, and chewed his crib railings to pieces (had to buy plastic guards because he was literally taking chunks out of the crib!). Annie and Izzie are different. NO drooling. Ever. No fevers. Annie does chew on her crib railing, but it has a plastic guard and she doesn't do it too often. They aren't even incredibly cranky about the teeth, either. Makes it hard to know to give them some Tylenol. Basically, if they seem a bit fussy for no reason (i.e., they've had fresh pants, a snack, music, kisses, books, kisses) I jam my finger in their mouth and find a tooth. It's just bizarre. I'll take it, but it's still bizarre.
I guess that's all the news from here. I must go cheer on my Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox, as their both playing tonight. Thank goodness for Picture in Picture on our tv.
As I was perusing blogland this week, Swistle had a lovely post about shopping at Children's Place for little girls clothes (and if I had ANY IDEA how to link directly to that post, I would do it. Help internets!). And thanks to her, I remembered a $25 CP gift card burning a hole in my wallet, so today we went to the mall. Twenty one articles of clothing and $82 later, I was happy. I was able to purchase summer/springs things for all 4 children. Sadly, Meg is at the limit of CP's clothing line~yes, my 7 year old wears a size 14 (she is 4 foot 4 inches tall). Sigh. I will have to resort to shopping at Old Navy for her, because there aren't many places that I can shop for her that don't make her look like a hussy.
We are on the school vacation countdown here. T minus 7 days and I will have both Megan AND Doug home for school vacation. I am thrilled that he will be home for this vacation. Days on end with all four children make me crazy. And, if the twins are true to form, they will get sick for vacation. They were sick over Christmas and February vacations. Maybe they'll buck the trend and stay healthy. Please cross your fingers for that. Of course, they are due for their 15 month checkup and shots, so that ought to screw things up for them anyway. Poor planning on my part I guess.
And speaking of the twins....in the last 2 weeks, they have sprouted 3 new teeth! Without fanfare. Annie acquired 2 and Izzie 1. And it feels like Annie will be getting two bottom teeth as well. These girls are so different from Meg and Drew. When Meg was teething, she had a low grade fever, diarrhea, and drooled like a madwoman. Every. Single. Tooth. After the 3rd tooth, we figured it out. With Drew, he drooled like crazy too, and chewed his crib railings to pieces (had to buy plastic guards because he was literally taking chunks out of the crib!). Annie and Izzie are different. NO drooling. Ever. No fevers. Annie does chew on her crib railing, but it has a plastic guard and she doesn't do it too often. They aren't even incredibly cranky about the teeth, either. Makes it hard to know to give them some Tylenol. Basically, if they seem a bit fussy for no reason (i.e., they've had fresh pants, a snack, music, kisses, books, kisses) I jam my finger in their mouth and find a tooth. It's just bizarre. I'll take it, but it's still bizarre.
I guess that's all the news from here. I must go cheer on my Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox, as their both playing tonight. Thank goodness for Picture in Picture on our tv.
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