Land of McGovernville

Ruby that is.  She jabbers a lot, but, she also says a lot of words.  She surprises me with all of the words she says. 

Nina
necklace
me
help
play
flower
blanket
teet teet (“tweet tweet”)
poptart
breakfast
pretty
diaper
Lulu (Kenniston’s nickname for Ruby)
thank you
smart girl, no really she says “smart girl”  Yes sweet Ruby, you are indeed a smart girl.

Just because I know you probably wonder what it is like to go shopping with us.  Just because you probably wondered where it is I put all of those precious children when I do go on an outing.  Just because I wanted to prove that I do indeed leave my house to go on said outings.  Just because I had a cute sling on.  Just because I don’t want to forget these days. 

And “just because.”

And just because I knew you would ask..yes they are all mine and yes I do have my hands full.

family birthday party complete with egg yolk   M&M cake

Cool Spiderman Cruiser

trip to the children’s day at the Farmer’s Market

the beach

pictures of ME!!  Something that is a rare treat!  I don’t mean to sound vain, but I often wonder if the kids will think that I wasn’t around during their childhood…I am never in front of the camera, always behind one!  And, in the rare case I get a picture taken of me, I usually *ahem* filter the pictures that are actually kept so very few are around.  I love the fact that this beautiful sweet little baby girl was in the picture too!  Just look at that sweet face!

Time with Nana is never dull!

OH yeah, I would think he likes ice cream alright.

Ice cream isn’t all that this adorable boy likes….

Yup, that’s sushi.  A philidelphia roll to be exact.  Raw fish probably souldn’t be served until the second or third year of life.  So, maybe that is when we started the older kids on it anyway.  But we do start our kiddos on sushi sometime around a year of age. 

And these two, just like their older siblings, seem to love it!

Today we all got to enjoy some sushi.  When Nana visits we go to the Chinese restaurant.  Funny how the kids see our favorite Chinese restaurant and instantly think of Nana.

four
babyhood

saying hello to….
“big kid” status
independence
big thoughts
big plans
elaborate details

FIVE

Five years ago I was laying in a hospital bed in Watertown New York.  Just weeks before I had said goodbye to my amazing husband.  When he left for Iraq I was 39 weeks pregnant with our first child. Said child was 9 days overdue before he arrived.  3 days of labor and at 5:51am a direct replica of that amazing husband was born.  All 7 pounds 5 ounces and 21 inches. I remember looking at him in disbelief that he was my own son.  My sweet little boy.  So serious.  So curious, even just after birth.  I stayed in the hospital just that one night after he was born, but I could not put him down.  I got in trouble for holding him in the middle of the night (I might have fallen asleep while holding him). 
That serious and curious little Vincent grew up, yet remained curious.  He has always been very loving and passionate.  He has grown cautious over the years, yet somehow he still explores the world around him. He had an interesting third year and somewhere in the forth year of life he really changed and has become so much more cooperative once again.  He loves learning about the earth that we live on.  Volcanoes and the Solar System blow his mind and he could talk about them for hours.  He wants so badly to be a super hero so he can help others.  At times he is full of energy, so much in fact that I have to ask him to go outside to release some of it.  He loves his siblings and will stand up to protect them (I have seen him do it).  He will also wrestle them despite please to stop.  He loves them all the same. 
He is my sweet Vincent Boo, my Boo Bear.  I am so glad he is my son.  I pray for him constantly and it is my hope that he continues to have a love for God that inspires others. 

“Good Bye 4″

On a side note, Vincent had the great idea to hold the number 4 in the picture.  I told him we were going to take a picture of him on his last day of being 4 years old.  When I came back to get him to go outside and take the picture he informed me of his plans.  What a smart kid!

Brought to you by Vincent.  He told me that we should have a bar b que at our house and we should cook hot dogs.  If you know us, you know that we rarely eat hot dogs, if ever.  However, I agreed to the bar b que request and we stopped by Trader Joes for Nitrate free turkey dogs (oh come on now, you can’t be surprised!).  The kids played outside while I fired up the grill (er ok, so maybe the neighbors husband fired it up and showed me how) and cooked up some hot dogs and veggies.  I threw in some beans and called it good.  The kids sat at their little outside pic nic table and we enjoyed a little bar b que fun.  It was great, but sad at the same time.  I looked over and saw the babies and big kids all eating from their little plates and sipping from their cups.  Theh babies are still “babies,” but they are growing quickly into toddler hood. 

Today the big kids went to “school.” It is actually childcare here on post, but they had never been to anything like it before.  Sure they have been to childcare during my Bible study or other short things like that.  Never had they been to a 4-6 hour care situation.  When asked what they were looking forward to, I thought for sure they would answer “playing with kids, playing with new toys, doing art projects.”  Instead I was told “playing outside.” HUH?  I am constantly asking them if they want to go outside and play and rarely do they actually say yes.  In the early evening before bed every night we go for a walk around the block, but for whatever reason, the kids looked forward to playing outside at “school.” I am just glad they enjoyed it so much.

After a rough night we got started a little bit late on our day.

By lunch time a sweet baby was doing this:

Ruby:
popcorn
toes
shoes
toys
eyes
nose
eat
moo
“who who”
oh oh ah ah (as in what a monkey says)
ninet (Vincent)
eow (meow)
cracker
cookie
banana

Jack:
play
shoes
down
back (as in, give my toy back, lol)
go go
cracker
cookie
banana

Ruby is a bit ahead in the talking department, but Jack is running circles around her (litterally) in the walking department. 

This has been kind of a hard week.  I feel so overwhelmed with responsibility, which I know sounds silly.  I am the mother of 4 children, my husband is deployed why would I be overwhelmed?  I would just like to have a break all by myself at some time other than 9pm.  I would type more, but a very fussy Jack just woke up from his nap (very early I might add) and I need to get ready for an appointment.  If you could, would you please pray for some peace and a break for me.  I fear I am becoming grouchy, overdone, taking life too seriously Mommy instead of the fun loving happy go lucky enjoy life kinda Mommy that I like to be. 

Just like a clock, I feel like I have 4 main areas I have to put my main focus on everyday.  Here is an example from today.

An evening at Cracker Barrel, by the McG crew 5

12: “Kenniston, I know that your little men (aka the golf tees that are part of the triangle game set on the table - if you are from the south and have ever been to a Cracker Barrel you know exactly what I am talking about) like to talk and jump off of the table, but they could hurt someone when you throw them so please keep them on the table.  Thank you.”

3: “Vincent that is a cool picture you are coloring, oh, it is a map and it leads to the botanical gardens…hmm, maybe you shold color some flowers to go along with it.  Yes, I will color with you.”

6: Observe Jack trying to put his straw back into his cup.  Clap and cheer as he suceeds then watch his eyes light up and smile grow to epic proportions.  Watch him repeat.

9: “Ruby, what are you coloring”  See her look up at me and smile then hear her say “tickle tickle babble babble.” and giggle then she continues to color little scribbles on her kids menu.

take a sip of my tea.  repeat.

Dinner arrives.  Dish out food for each child.

12:  “Kenniston you really seem to like your corn and carrots tonight, have you tried your mac and cheese yet?”

3:  “Yes Vincent you can go play checkers, especially seeing how you ate all of your veggies and most of your mac and cheese.”

6: “Thank you for *finally* saying please Jack.  Would you like another (as in your third) plate of food?”

9:  “Ruby you are so into staying clean tonight, though I can tell you have eaten quite a bit.” 

take a bite of my food.  repeat.  12…3…6…9 repeat…..

Still on vacation, but we will be back soon, very soon.  We have had a good time so far, but we look forward to being home sweet home.