Happy Birthday Trey and Dylan!

I cannot believe my little twins are 10! As they say- they are now in the double digits.

This is where I would love to insert pictures of them from the past- but as I have said before Jen has never hooked up our scanner!

Dylan- you get teased a lot about being smaller then Trey- and I know this is hard- but it makes you a stronger child. You are so loving and no matter what you always have a hug for me. You are so helpful and ask me several times a day if there is anything I need. You are compassionate and smart and not boastful at all- this makes you such a joy to be around. I love you Dylan!

Trey- You are such an amazing little boy. You are athletic, and smart, and good at everything you do- but still humble about it. You do not brag or make people feel bad and this is a great quality. You are helpful and funny and though you have a crazy side- your smile lights up any room. I am proud to be your Mom and I know great things will come from you. I love you Trey!

We took them shopping yesterday and they thought that was cool to get to pick out stuff they wanted- I guess they are growing up! Funny they picked a lot of the same stuff- but the little boy inside them still wanted to go to "Build a Bear" and make a bear. they I got them to sit on Santa's lap at the mall and I of course bought a picture! I sure need that scanner now don't I?

Well Happy Birthday to Twin A and Twin B- you have sure made my life complete- I love you so much!


Dylan got the beaters


With their angel food cakes

Trey got the bowl

The cake my friend Lisa brought for them

Hard to believe they are twins!

Ranting.....about Taya's parent teacher conference

So I went to Taya's parent teacher conference tonight- now I have been to my fair share of parent teacher conference- but this one irritated me. Her teacher is like 12 years old, not married, and has no children- so she does know everything about parenting.

First of all remember that Taya is 3 1/2. This is what she had to complain about:

Taya does not hold her pencil in a three point grip- she holds it like a stick-Who cares? What the hell does it matter? Bryce holds his in a 4 point grip- my nail tech does something funny when he is coloring my nails- I think he uses the over, under, 5 point grip- but it works for him.

She takes the paper off the outside of the crayons- so she likes naked crayons- is she hurting anyone? She is at least leaving her clothes on, I appreciate that!

She likes to play independently instead of with others- this translates to the other kids are no fun or she does not like to share- for goodness sake she has 4 brothers maybe she wants some alone time- why is this a bad thing? Maybe they have bad breath? Maybe she wants to be the boss, who knows and who cares. If she wasn't playing at all they would complain about that too.

She only asks yes and no questions- maybe she does not care about anything yet that requires colorful answers. Yes and no answers most questions- I think she is getting her basic needs met.

She spilled 1/2 a glass of milk and only got 1 paper towel to clean it up- be glad she even tried to clean it up- most kids wouldn't. Next time don't pour her so much milk- where is the teacher's responsibility in all of this?

Sometimes after she washes her hands she needs to be reminded to throw her towel in the trash instead of on the floor- again back to the 4 older brother thing- she throws it on the floor at home- of course maybe she should throw it in her teachers face and say "How's that?"- it would be a non yes and no question.

When she colors she moves her whole arm, instead of only her wrist- so I need to start doing wrist exercises with her why to avoid carpel tunnel? I am thankful she is coloring on paper and not the walls- she needs to save her wrist movements for waving at the crowds of people lining the streets wanting her autograph from one of her naked crayons.

Then at the end of the conference the teacher let me know she was moving to KY- hooray- glad to be done with you- can I help you pack?

Life goes on

Not a whole lot going on in our lives. Jen is back and I am so happy about that. Trey and Dylan turn 10 on Sunday- not really sure where that 10 years went.

Bryce is doing horrible in school and it frustrates me- so he won't be driving. He does not seem to care though. Christmas is in 5 weeks and I have bought zero gifts!

We have like 4 females in heat- and had this huge dog fight- females just hate each other when they are in heat- plus the dogs are white- so a little blood looks so much worse- but I was sure glad Jen was home to go look- blood just really freaks me out. Toby cut his finger open to the bone about 2 weeks ago and I just can't look- I even made the Dr. cover it up at the ER with a towel. I am such a wuss.

Taya tried to flush a stuffed animal down the toilet tonight- didn't work. :)

Life

Jen is back and all is well

Taya is fixing her hair

On this day Taya decided to come up with her own outfit so we went with it.

The great news is that Jen is back.

Wordless Wednesday!

I went to a scrap booking weekend- this past weekend- I farmed all the kids out and went and got some work done. I do love to scrapbook. I will go again in March yippee! I am still so behind.



A funny political page



a page with my grandmother

play and tub time

This is the fun tree house

Halloween- I know it is late!

Ok I know Halloween has come and gone but I am in a slump- so I am behind. Halloween sucked- we got a snow storm on Thursday so no school Thursday or Friday so the kids missed all their parties. It was cold for Trick or Treating and Jen was still gone- whine whine!

Haloween is my favorite holiday but not this year. Taya really enjoyed the house to house thing. She would say-"thank you, Trick or Treat" so she kind of got it. :)

Hope everyone had a fun Halloween.


Taya was a kitty


Trey, Dylan and Taya

Look at my eyes

Trey dresses like a girl every year- hum

The group with Jen's Brother's kids before Trick or Treating

Why?

Why does my daughter draw on EVERYTHING??????? The boys- all 4 of them never did this. Taya draws on everything. The toaster, the walls, the dishwasher, the doors, the tile in the bathroom, the back of my car seats. She is killing me!

Homecoming Take II

Bryce went to Homecoming in another town this last Saturday with a good friend of mines daughter. She was not going to go because her friends all had dates- so Bryce was cute and asked me if it was weird if he asked her to go to her own Homecoming. I told him I thought it would be nice. It was her first "date" so poor Bryce got the lecture from her dad- her dad said he had been waiting 15 years to tell a boy the lecture and my son was the one who got it.

They had fun so that is all that matters- and they make a great couple. I am so glad he is not serious with any one girl- I think it is great that he has a bunch of friends that he enjoys spending time with.

I have made it one week without my honey. This weekend was really rough. Toby woke up this morning and asked me if I ever sleep anymore. lol



Bryce and Amalia


Amalia's flowers

What a cute pair

Oh my heart is heavy...

This is a whiny post about what a big baby I am- My honey is leaving me for a month for her job to go to PA and I want to just die. I am not brave like Michelle and Nick. I love being with her and I am scared to death to be alone at night. What if I hear something outside? What if a snake comes to visit like last week? I have to be a single Mom to 5 children- all have parent teacher conferences while she is gone- I can't sleep alone- oh woe is me.

OK enough whining. I just love her!

Not Much going on

Not a whole lot going on here in the McBride household. Jen started her new job on Monday so I am really missing having her around all the time. She leaves Monday for a whole month in PA! I am just going to die. I am praying I do not get sick. Have not been to the hospital in almost 2 months now. Knock on wood!

My parents came for a visit, it was home coming, I am trying to get some scrapping done.

Have not sold a dog in two months- that is odd for us- I guess the economy is catching up with us here in CO.

It is starting to get cold- I am not a big fan of the cold. Still love my life, kids, and spouse so I guess life is good.


Jen, I and her nephew "Turtle" at the homecoming parade- notice I am wearing Bryce's jersey!


Trey #23 in the parade and Toby jumping up in the back

A scrapbook page I did last week- I actually got about 5 done- yeah!

Taya sleeping with "Brobie"

My daughter draws on EVERYTHING!- so now I am going to make a scrapbook page about it

Wordless Wednesday

Ok I have to have a few words- so you don't think I beat my child. Taya got stung by a bee at school right under her eye. The crazy part- they thought we were weird for picking her up from school- they said she would be ok. Would someone really leave their child at school looking like this?

Reflecting on Life

I have been in contact with people in the past few weeks that I have not talked to in years and it has made me reflect a little- I have come to realize, once again- that I love my life, family, Jen and overall I am in a good place in my life! I am happy with the choices I have made, let go of hurtful things from my past and hurtful people, and I just want to add peace and joy to people I am in contact with. I have really enjoyed talking to an old friend Patty- nice catching up.

My parents came to visit from Hawaii for a night- they were able to go to all 4 of the boys' football games and they all won- so it was great! Sad news is they are thinking of moving away from Hawaii and back to the mainland. We will sure miss seeing them in Maui- but will get to see them more once they move. This season of their life is coming to a close. I think of life a lot more in seasons.

The season that Jen and I have shared for the past 10 months of her being layed off is also coming to an end- as she begins her new job as a correctional officer in 1 short week. I have enjoyed having some one on one time with her. Her last job really drained her- so it has been great to see her get back to the old Jen.

Bryce went to Homecoming- he is growing up. His date was beautiful and they had a great time. Last year he went stag- I think stag days are behind us now. Another season over.

Toby is an animal in football- for the second week in a row he has gotten the MVP award. The gas man came to our house the other day to change out our meter and he asked me if I was Toby's mom- I said yes and he told me that Toby was a natural at football and I needed to nurture that talent. It was a little weird that s total stranger knew my son!

I hurt my finger when I went shooting with Jen- I got a blister on my trigger finger. I just don't think I am made for shooting. Probably never gave this season a chance!

I appreciate all of you!


Family picture with my parents


The boys!

Toby and his "Big Stomp" award- it is like MVP

Full shot of Bryce with his date for Homecoming

Bryce and his date!

This is the blister on my sore trigger finger