The Frog Days of Summer

Unfortunately, we only have a few days left of summer vacation. This summer has been one of the best. I couldn't wait for it to start and stop nagging the kids to do their homework, go read, go to bed early, etc... Why does it seem like this vacation just started yesterday? And we go back in just four short days? Definitely not looking forward to packing lunches and nagging about homework. I can't believe that I will only have Teresa home with me this school year. When did Annie grow up? I will either love having just one at home or hate it. Only time will tell.

We had one quick unplanned vacation to Philadelphia. Michael went for training there, so we decided to go and take the kids to Sesame Place. It was probably one of the most relaxing vacations I have ever taken. The kids were amazing on the drive and super good sleeping in the hotel. Other than going to Sesame the one day, we just relaxed. We found a couple parks to go to, walked around a couple malls, and enjoyed the pool. I didn't have to cook or clean for a week, now that's what I call a vacation.

Other than that quick vacation, we spent our summer at the pool. This is probably the first summer that I actually have a decent tan. We love the pool. The kids get along there, plus they have tons of friends there (and so do I!).

We had a few friends in our backyard this summer. We had a bunny rabbit make a nest in our yard and had 5 bunnies there. The kids got a kick out of checking on them every day. The hardest thing was keeping Rocky away from them. Finally, the momma got smart and moved her nest.

Then we have a frog that is always in our yard. It has become Dominic's pet frog. He named him Hoppy. He loves his frog. He checks on him every morning and every evening. Who knew that frogs burrow a little into the ground? He had a couple holes he went into near my rose bushes. Then every evening he would be sitting on the window ledge of the basement window. One of Dominic's favorite things would be to create a home for the frog. He would use the kiddie pool and stack buckets on top of each other, along with rocks. He enjoyed watching the frog swim and hop around. I can't believe that this frog came back to my yard every day.

These were my frog days of summer........relaxing, pool times, and new friends. Definitely a summer to remember.

Funny things my kids said.....

While driving Annabel to a school field trip, she says to me "I know what is even better than going to Disney World". I was interested to hear what she had to say, so I said "oh, yeah, What?" and she said "Going to Church". LOL....can you tell she goes to a catholic preschool?


While on vacation, Dominic had to share a bed with Annie at Auntie Gina's. The first night he said "I don't want to sleep with Annabel". We ask him why and he says "because her breath stinks". LOL


The other day, we were grocery shopping and Kayla (9 years old) had to go to the bathroom. We go into the bathroom at BJ's and she notices the thing on the wall that says 25 cents for napkins and tampons. She says to me "They make you pay for napkins here?". LOL!

Our Trip to Disney

I am writing this mostly for my benefit, so that I can remember our trip. Please do not feel obligated to read this long blog.

We headed out to Florida on Friday, March 26th. We picked up lunch and went over to pick up the kids from school early. Then off to Florida we go. We figured, Teresa would eat her lunch and then within an hour she would be napping in the car. But, boy were we wrong. First, she was fighting sleep and then she had to poop and turned out she was constipated and was trying to poop for hours! You try pooping strapped into a carseat and see how easy it is. Turned out, she was up the first 6 hours of our drive! Despite everything, she was pretty happy during this time. We finally stopped to get something to eat at Cracker Barrel (seems there is one pretty much at every stop from here to Florida) and then off we went again. Only an hour more into our trip and Kayla now had to poop! Another stop for us for poop. Off again. Finally, Teresa falls asleep. No one is allowed to talk! But, of course, after about an hour she wakes up! We decide to start looking for someone place to stay to sleep. We got all the way to Charlotte, NC and stayed at a Residence Inn. Everyone slept all night.

Day 2 road trip to Florida. We eat breakfast and are off by 8am. Making good time. This time Teresa must have been exhausted and we caught her sleeping at 10am, but not for very long...maybe a half hour. When she wakes up, we look for a place to eat. We stop at Perkins in Savannah, GA. Once into Florida, we decide to stop at Aunt Gina's to let the kids run around. After that only 2 more hours to Orlando! The only traffic we hit on the way down was getting off our exit in Orlando.

We stayed at a Hilton Grand Vacation. We had a 2 bedroom condo type place. We had a full kitchen, washer/dryer, two balconies, living room, and the master bedroom had a jacuzzi tub and it's own private bathroom. We had Annie and Kayla sleeping in a bedroom, Dominic slept on the couch, and Teresa slept in the playpen in our bathroom. Yes, she slept in the bathroom. But, it was the best thing ever! It was so dark and big, that she slept 12-14 hours every night! I don't think she ever slept so good!

Grandma and Grandpa Kodek was with us in another room. They came on vacation with us to watch Teresa a little so we can go to Disney with the older ones. What a blessing it was to have them with us.

Sunday we went to Animal Kingdom. We saw a 3D Bug movie, that Annie was afraid off. Annie and I went on a Flying Elephant Ride. The kids played on a big playground. Then we went on a animal safari. That was really cool and we even had rhino's chasing our jeep! During the safari it started pouring! We stop and get some pancho's. Michael took Kayla and Dominic to see a dinosaur movie, while Annie and I had a snack. We all hoped it would stop raining, but alas, it did not. Back to the hotel we went.

Monday we did Hollywood Studios. And this was my favorite! We split up and did alot of different shows. Annie didn't like doing any of the scary shows. Between all of us, we saw nearly everything we wanted to. My favorite was the Little Mermaid Voyage. It was a mixture of life action and animation. They even had water falling onto the stage, like a waterfall, and then mist in the air with lasers that made it look like we were under water and waves above us. It was SO cool and Annie loved it! At the end of the night we saw Fantasmic, which was a laser, fireworks, water show that was amazing! A great show to end the day.

Tuesday, we took Teresa with us and headed to Magic Kingdom. It was so crowded and not easy to manuveur through the crowd with the stroller. We saw a couple shows and Teresa was so super good sitting through them. We saw the big parade at noon and at first Teresa was terrified of all the characters. She finally stopped crying, but sat so still it was funny. Dominic was so excited to see and slap hands with all his favorite characters, including Woody, which was his highlight. And Princess Belle blew Annie and Kayla a kiss that was the highlight for Annabel.

While at Magic Kingdom, we all (even Teresa) rode the Tea Cups and everyone loved it. Michael took Dominic and Kayla to ride the Haunted Mansion ride, while Annie, Teresa, and I stood in line to meet the princesses. We waited in line so long, that Kayla got to cut in before we got to see them. The big girls were in awe over the princesses and nearly speechless! While, Teresa was again terrified of them. They got to meet Cinderella, Princess Belle, and Princess Aurora. I am sure this was the highlight of the trip for the girls. Kayla even had them sign her hat, which will be a treasured item for life.

At the end of the day, we were walking out and decided to try and beat the crowd and miss the last parade of the day. As we were walking out, the parade started and like heaven opening up....a space opened up just big enough for us to see the parade. We were meant to sit there and watch it. It was an amazing parade full of lights and characters.

Wednesday, back to Magic Kingdom without Teresa. Now time for us big kids to ride some rides. Again, we nearly rode everything we wanted to. The fast pases are awesome when you have kids. We pretty much only rode rides with fast passes and walked right on. The kids even got to ride Space Mountain twice (well, not Annie). Since we saw the parades the day before, we decided we would go meet Mickey and Minnie while everyone else was watching the parades. With only a 20 minute wait we all got to meet them. Dominic was so excited to meet Mickey! This was our last day at Disney.

Thursday morning and afternoon we lounged around at the hotel and enjoyed the pool. Then off to Auntie Gina's we go.

We arrived at Aunt Gina's just in time for dinner. The kids went right into the pool and the adults got to eat in peace:) Then the kids ate. My kids were so happy to see Aunt Gina and her family. And I think they had more fun there than at Disney. Cousin Maria kept them all occupied with coloring, computer games, and video games. They thought it was so cool to hang out with big cousin Maria. Maria even babysit one evening so us adults could have a night out. WE went to dinner, movie, and played poker. During our stay we hit a couple playgrounds and a beach.

We stayed at Aunt Gina's until Easter. WE all went to church together and had lunch with Aunt Gina's family, and Uncle Franks brothers family. What a wonderful way to end our vacation.

Back on the road we go. We made it day one all the way to Charlotte, again. WE stayed at an Embassy Suites. But, not before sitting in traffic in Florida for an hour!

Monday morning we had breakfast and off again. This day was the worst day of driving ever! We got stuck twice in an hour a piece of traffic. Once in the Carolina's and once in West Virginia. It took us 10 hours to get home from Charlotte, when it should have been only an 8 hour drive. But, despite it all........the kids were amazingly good.

I was so proud of all my kids during this trip. They were so good and listened so well during this whole trip. I couldn't have pictured it going any better.

When you are a mom, improvisation is a necessity.

For weeks I have been telling Michael to go get new tires on his car. He drives 45 minutes to work going into the snow belt, so this father of 4 should probably have good tires on his car, no? He had taken his car in over a month ago and they said his tires were bad and he should get new ones. One day of procrastination turned into many and before you know it, we wake up and there is a foot of snow outside and he still has crappy tires on his car.

So, he decided to work from home and go get new tires. In turn, I had to rearrange my schedule and miss a meeting I was planning on attending. But, he needs new tires, so it is worth it.

As I was out running errands that day, my rear back wheel continues to squeal, get overheated, and smell like burning rubber. This has been going on for months. We have taken it to the dealer, where they tell us that they can't find anything wrong with it. Really? Is it normal to have that one wheel twice as hot as the others and smell like burning rubber? They said it didn't happen when they had it.

So, since we were already going to the car shop, I figured, myswell have them take a looksy at my van. I drop it off and make sure I take the car seat out of my van and put it into Michaels car (because, yes this family of 6 only has one carseat for Teresa....yes, I know it is dumb).

Of course they call me shortly after I got home and tell me that they, too, can not find anything wrong with it. This is driving me mad. This does not sit well with me, since we will be driving 1000 miles to Florida in just a couple months.

It is 330pm and my kids get home at 4pm, and we decide to run out and get my van, so that we only have to go with two kids and not all four. Not sure how we would go with all four, since Michael's car can only fit 3, but whatever.

This now brings us to this morning. Teresa most certainly woke up way too early and on the wrong side of the crib! I sit her down to eat breakfast and all she wants to do is scream and slap her hands at me trying to hit the spoon out of my hands. She doesn't want her cheerios or milk or anything for that matter. So, she just screams. Meanwhile, I am trying to get my other three kids ready for school. All the while, they are trying to make Teresa happy.

Finally we are all coated, gloved, and booted up and are ready to head to school. The older kids climb in and I get Teresa and head to the van. But, what's this? Something is missing. Yep, you guessed. The carseat is still in Michaels car and he is already at work (remember 45 minutes away).

What is a mom to do? Quick thinking is a necessity, along with improvisation. I run into the house, put Teresa down and start thinking. How are the kids going to get to school? Do we have another car seat? Hmm...can she go in a booster? No, probably not a good idea! Oh wait! I still have the infant car seat. So, I run to the basement, pull it out of the closet and go to the car to install it. And anyone that has installed an infant carseat knows this is not the simplest of things, especially when you are running late and in a hurry! Thank goodness Teresa is so tiny and able to fit in the infant carseat.

Teresa thinks it is hilarious that she is sitting backwards again and the older kids do, too. Ahhhh....everyone is happy again and actually got to school on time.

Now it is naptime and time for my coffee break.

Conference Time.....oh how different they really are.

Yesterday we had conferences for my two older ones. Kayla is in third grade and Dominic is in kindergarten.

They do them differently then when I was a kid. Although, many things are different than when I was a kid (remember when you actually scored points in sports?....ahh but that is a whole other subject). Now they are student-led conferences. So, my daughter told us how she thought she was doing. She had to fill out a paper stating what she thought she needed to improve on and what she thought she was doing good on. Couldn't I have done this all at home? I did get a chance to talk to the teacher afterwards, though. But, didn't really learn anything I didn't already know. She is a smart kid that needs to be a little more organized. Over the years she has become my "quiet one". The teacher said she needs to talk more in school or at least "talk up" more in school. We don't have that problem when she is screaming at her brother and sisters at home. Mommy never had that problem (keeping quiet)either....not at that age or now.

Then we have my son's conference. The kindergarten conferences are not student-led. So, we actually get to sit down with the teacher and see her point of view....what a novel idea! I was pleasantly surprised at what she had to say. Despite how loud he is and how social he is, he is actually really smart. She said that many times when a child is very social, they lack in the academics. But, not Dominic. He is awesome all around! She said he is impulsive...again, nothing I didn't already know. He just doesn't know how to control his volume and his excitement. She said he shows that enthusiasm with everything, not just his friends. He is always jumping out of his seat to answer questions in class, too.

All in all, I have really great kids! I have a quiet really smart 3rd grader. And an over enthusiastic kindergartener. Both very different, but both great in their own ways. I can't wait to see how Annabel and Teresa will be once they embark on school. It is great to see their little personalities emerge. It is also great to hear "Your doing a good job" from the teacher to me as a parent. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Teresa...My baby

Teresa is the baby of the family. The other day my husband and I were talking about the day she was born. She came out screaming and literally screamed for an hour straight. Non-stop for an hour straight! While we were reliving that day, our kids in the back of the van were screaming.....trying so hard to talk over one another and screaming! We sat there and said "I bet, she thought that is what you do when you come out...scream". She probably heard my kids screaming all the while in the womb and when she came out, she just wanted to be part of the kids. And she was.

She was probably my most difficult baby. She pretty much continued to cry for her first 6-7 weeks of life. She was not happy to be in the real world. Finally, around 8 weeks or so, she became a little happier. I think she realized she was not able to climb back in, and would have to figure out a way to be happy here. She became content. But, that didn't last long.

She is a momma's girl. Wants momma and momma only. Around 3 months old she became really attached to me. Wanted me and only me. Screamed bloody murder if someone even just thought about holding her. I learned to vacuum holding her, cook holding her, do just about anything with a baby on my hip. Thank goodness for my maya wrap!

When she was 10 months old, I left her with my parents for 5 nights. That was probably the best thing I ever did. Now she loves my mom, too! She finally realized that if mommy went away, she would come back. She is now more comfortable going to other people. This past weekend, was the first time ever she went to my mother in law without screaming. We are making progress.

Even though, she was my most difficult baby. I have enjoyed her the most. While pregnant I made sure to take in every little thing, because I had a feeling she would be my last one. Even now, I can sit and hold her and just smell her forever. I love them at this age. So innocent, so cute, so little!

She has taught me a lot. She has given me more patience. She has forced me to sit down on the floor and see things from her perspective. (I literally have to sit on the floor at all times or she will scream at my feet). She has taught me how to love more than I ever thought possible. I never thought after having my first, that my love could just grow and grow. She has added so much to our family. My older girls just love her. Love to hold her, play with her, hug her, kiss her, and be her other little mommy. Dominic loves to make her laugh. She thinks he is the funniest guy in the world (probably because he is). She has made us a family of 6 and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I love you, Teresa. Thanks for allowing me to sit on the floor and be a kid again.

Kayla.....my independent, helpful one

Kayla is my oldest. Oh, how easy it was back when it was just me, Michael, and Kayla. If only I knew then, what I know now.

Kayla was pretty independent from day one. She never was a cuddlier and slept in her own crib from day one. As a new mom, I was sad that she didn't like to snuggle up with me. She could be screaming up a fit, and I could lay her in her crib and she would be happy as a clam.

She has never been a sleeper, never been a big eater, and never been a big drinker from day one. I don't think she ever took more than 5-6oz of formula at a time and when it was time to switch to milk, she never liked the taste. It was a fight from the beginning to give her a set bedtime and naptime. And to this day, she will stall as much as she can to get a few more wakeful seconds.

I realize now that her love language is "quality time". She cherishes the most, the times we spend together. We could be scrapbooking, shopping, watching a movie or just out having some hot chocolate at the coffee shop.

She is my Little Mommy. I can always count on her to jump in and help just when I need it most. If she sees I am trying to cook dinner and I have Teresa pulling at my leg, she will get her and take her into the other room and play with her. She has been known, on more than one occassion, to be at someone else's house and clean up their playroom. That is just who she is. She takes after me in being the one that will go above and behind to help out someone in need.

Here is the perfect example. Ever since she was born she had the most beautiful hair color. It is a reddish, brown, blonde color. We are forever getting compliments on how beautiful it is. Well, she was only 4 years old and she come up with the idea that she wanted to cut her hair and donate it to a child that needed it. So, we went out and got 12 inches cut off and sent it away to be made into a wig for another child that needed it. That is just how Kayla is. She is always thinking of someone else and I love that about her.

She reminds me alot of myself. And sometimes that bites me in the butt. But, oh what a wonderful compliment to know that she wants to be just like me when she grows up. I must be doing something right?

I love you, Kayla! I love spending time with you, too. I love that you enjoy scrapbooking with me and just sitting with a cup of hot chocolate (or coffee in my case). I love that you enjoy helping me out and jump in right when I need it most. I know I can always count on you and I hope you know you can count on me, too.