April update

Let me offer you all a word of advice.  Don't get your carpets professionally cleaned.  Because if you do, you are dooming yourself for carpet carnage.  For example, your three-year-old might get the flu and vomit purple smoothie all over the hallway (Thursday), your husband could decide he's going to start ripping out the master bathroom (Friday), or your husband and children may track fresh-mown lawn on their shoes all the way down the hall and through the bedrooms (last night).  It's enough to make a woman stop trying to keep the floors clean.  Wish I could afford hardwood through the house.  I did learn a great tip from my neighbor-- I used Tide on the grass stains. 

Speaking of floors, I have to admit I miss Brutus a little bit.  I have to sweep much more frequently now.  He used to be really handy for cleaning up all the food my children can't seem to get to their mouths.  Who knew it was so bad?  They all need utensil training, clearly.

As I mention, the bathroom is completely gutted now.  Our other kind neighbor (electrician husband of Ms. Tide) came over last evening and helped place new outlets, wire a light for inside the shower and move the lightswitch.   Tonight our plumber neighbor is coming over to give us an estimate on moving all the piping to its new location- which is about 4 inches forward.  I am hoping that my design/selections on the cabinets/tile/paint/flooring will actually turn out well.  Interior design is not one of my strong suits.  (Janet, why don't you live closer?)

Jared's water polo season is almost over.  He has state in 2 1/2 weeks.  Here is a picture that I have "borrowed" from one of the parents who likes to sell us pictures of our kids.   (I figured no one would mind that it says 'sample' on it.)  He's getting his summer all planned out.  He's brought home brochures on Lacrosse and Track in addition to swimming (oh yeah-  and youth conference, scout camp, and tutoring a younger neighbor).  I'm not sure we'll ever see him.

Rachel is having fun swimming.  She's so excited to finally get a locker at the rec center so she doesn't have to lug her bag back and forth.  Hopefully she'll bring her stuff home at least monthly for washing. She and Sarah have their spring dance concert next week.  They've been working hard on their dances.

Sarah is having a great time making up stories.  She's been in trouble for it a couple of times.  For example, yesterday she countered her friend's mom claim that she was strong. "Well my mom is stronger than you.  She lined us all up on the couch the other night and told us all how she has bigger muscles than Sara Hill."  Uh huh.  That sounds just like me.  Especially since Sara Hill has routinely kicked my butt in pioneer leg wrestling, rock wall climbing, hiking, zip lining, and all other activities we've done together at girls camp, not to mention spinning and zumba.

Maren is in the three year old manic stage- happy one moment and frantically crying the next.  She wants macaroni and cheese for every meal (thank you Easy Mac).  She says, "I love you really bad."  She wears her gold sparkle pants as soon as I get them washed.   Her big-wheel riding skills have taken off!  She goes all the way around the block, stopping every five seconds to pick dandelions.  It takes forever.  Last week she was caught by some teenage boys in the neighborhood not wearing her helmet.  They took her picture and blackmailed me with it for brownies.   

Yikes- just got a call from the school.  Another child throwing up.   Why is it that always seems to happen when I'm blogging?