Movie Night

As many of you know, my family consists of a crazy bunch!

Tonight, my mother asked me to watch all the kids, since her and my father each had plans tonight. She assured me that my father would be cooking dinner. Good thing they know me so well... I doubt they want 6 kids sick with food poisoning if I cooked!

Of course, my Dad made pasta. Have YOU recently had pasta with 5 kids under the age of 6, and 2 of which refuse to use their silverwear? It's not a fun situation to be in. Trust me. I wonder if my Dad purposely chose tonight to be pasta night?

After a "fun" experience doing a bath chain after dinner with all the kids, I wasn't really in the mood to have to deal with the usual nighttime/playtime madness.

Back when it was just Sidney and Jamie, Shawn and I always had a movie night when we we're left in charge. We hadn't tried it in awhile, since Jason, Emily and A were thrown into the mix. Considering ALL of the kids seemed to be in a weirdly great mood, I asked Sidney and Jamie if they wanted to have a movie night. I told them the terms, which was basically no superheroes. I can't watch another Hulk or Spiderman movie on Netflix.

Sidney wanted something scary, so I had Shawn search the house for "Monster House". Lately, Sidney has had a rough time following directions and chilling out, so I really wanted to meet her request. I didn't even expect her to go along with movie night, so I figured it'd be safe to go along with her terms as she was surprisingly going along with mine.

As I was finishing up baths, Shawn searched everywhere for the DVD. Of course, he couldn't find it. The Auborn curse.

Meanwhile, A and Em were in the girls room, completely destroying it! It only took them about 10 minutes. Sidney and Jamie were so excited about movie night, that they helped me clean everything up! What another weird surprise!

Once everyone was settled in their makeshift beds on the floor, we started "The Nightmare Before Christmas". I am so happy to say, that it was a peaceful success! Kudos to this Momma/Sissy!

As I saw all 5 of our beautiful babies together on the floor, I was once again reminded of how blessed I am for my family. We're not perfect, we're not common, but we love each other all in ways that most people don't understand.

I was so thankful for this quiet time, without kids running, screaming and crying everywhere to remind me of just how lucky am. I watched Sid, Jamie and A with their arms wrapped around each other, laughing about some secret joke they had shared. I watched Emily with her arms around Jason, with a big smile on her face, because she had her big brother. And I had Jason repeatedly tell me, "My Emmy", everytime he looked at Emily. The love and bonds they share seriously makes my heart melt.

I am so proud of all of these kids. I'm so happy to report this great night that was filled with love, snuggles, and such huge advancements in our children with so many horrible things against them. I am frequently finding myself in awe of them.

To end this sappy post, I am absolutely obsessed with the song "Where You Belong" by Kari Kimmel. It is my family. To a T. I hear it, and I'm an emotional nutjob because I bawl my eyes out. Everytime.

***

If you're feeling down or weak
You can always count on me
I will always pick you up
Nothing's ever gonna change
Nothing's gettin' in my way
I will always hold you up

Anything
Come what may
Don't look back forget yesterday
Forget yesterday

[Chorus:]
It's not where you come from
It's where you belong
Nothin' I would trade
I wouldn't have it any other way
You're surrounded
By love and you're wanted
So never feel alone
You are home with me
Right where you belong

I know sometimes you're feeling lost
It's hard to find your place in it all
But you don't have to fear
Even when you mess up
You always got my love
I'm always right here
Oh, cause

Anything
Come what may
Don't look back forget yesterday
Forget yesterday (ay)

[Chorus]

Oooo Oooo (Oooo) [x2]
Don't matter where you've been
Oooo Oooo (Oooo) [x2]
You're here for a reason

Oooo Oooo (Oooo)
Nooo

***

Okay, no more sappiness from this girl.

-Paige

Relaxing Night

Tonight, A and I finally took a walk around the lake. I've wanted to since we've moved in, but it was always too hot outside! The weather was perfect tonight, and not too buggy. Our neighbor and her 4 year old joined us.

A was such a big girl! This past week she's really gotten into playing with her baby dolls. She pushed her baby doll around the entire lake all by herself! She was so friendly -- waving hi to anyone we walked past. I was so proud of her.

Bedtime came easy for her after our walk. Now that it's cooling down outside, I plan to do this with her more often.

I wasn't able to take pictures of her during our walk, but here is my little miss priss before school this morning.

Our Saturday with 3 Little Monsters!

Today was Sidney and Jamie's first day of dance class. Well, we thought it was Jamie's first day, however he does not start his classes until this Thursday. He was really upset when he could not stay with Sidney in his class. So I took him and A to the park instead!

It was so nice! We were the only ones there, which meant that it was nice and quiet! It was nice and breezy by the water - and just a great time spent with my daughter and my brother.

Afterwards, we caught up with my mom and Sid, and took the kids out to lunch at McDonald's. It was a quick visit, considering we had 3 sleepy kids, but it was still nice! 

Today is also the first day A is in her training pants and Pull-Up's! I really think that she is ready to potty train. If we try it and she's not quite there - then that's okay, too. But she fully grasps the concept of going "potty". I just hope this works out!

Sleepovers

Tonight A is sleeping over with her Poppy and Nana. I am sure that the toddler bed that sits by the foot of their king-sized bed is left untouched. If I know my girl - & my father - I know that she weaseled her way into their bed. I also know that sometime during the night, A will wake my father up and he will stay up and play with her all night. This happens frequently. I don't fight it anymore. A is currently at the stage where she doesn't even nap during the days most of the time, instead she just quietly plays in her room - thinking that she has me fooled. Of course I'm not, but as long as I have a couple of hours to myself during her "nap time", I'm not going to go and force her to nap. With my child, forcing her to do anything is impossible. 

While she is over with my parents, Sidney is spending the night with me. If she has a good week in school, I like stealing her on Friday nights. Her new obsession is Uno. She started playing it in school with her teacher and classmates. She is a little Uno-expert! Last week, I had to take her to the store to buy a new set of Uno cards to keep at my place, that way she has a set with me, and one at home. I am still finding myself amazed whenever I watch that pretty little head do such smart things. 

While A is sure to be hogging up my parents' bed, Sidney is hogging up mine. This is typical whenever she spends the night. When Sidney spends the night, I don't get any sleep because she feels the need to roll, kick, and plop everywhere - all night long. When Jamie spends the night, I don't get any sleep because he feels the need to stay up talking to me all night. Last Saturday when he spent the night, by 12:15pm, I had to threaten to make him sleep on my couch if he didn't close his eyes and be quiet. 

This is why I love my siblings. They always keep my on my toes.

Tomorrow morning, both Sidney and Jamie begin dance class! I am so excited for them! I absolutely loved being in dance when I was younger! Sidney is so excited, too! I cannot wait to take her over to meet up with my mom, Jamie and A tomorrow at the studio and watch S and J dance with their new dance-mates. I have wanted Sidney to be apart of dance for so long now, and I am finally getting my wish! I just know that she is going to be absolutely amazing at it! The girl spends 80% of the day dancing to her own music. 

Well, this is it for my first post. Enjoy this picture of Sidney on my side of the bed (of course) Have a great night everyone!