Larkin's words

I know I have a lot of catching up to do... but this was just too funny not to write about.

Tonight I was on the phone with gregor and larkin overheard me saying... oh no... the house is such a mess. Here is the conversation that followed:

L: Mom, what did you say that?

K: Oh, it's okay... dad said someone might be stopping by and I said that the house was a mess.

L: Why does that matter?

K: Well, people like to have their house a little bit clean when people come over... I don't really know why.

L: Hummm. Well, I'll help you clean up the parts that they will see... we'll just close the doors to the office because it's crazy in there and we can pick up the rest of downstairs. It doesn't matter if the upstairs is messy... no one will go up there.

Awesome plan Larkin! How old are you again? 4 years old and she already has the tricks worked out. Love her.

Our first SNOW DAY

SNOW DAY!!!!!

Happy 11 Months Nellie

Nellie.. you were 11 months yesterday! Wow how time flies. I can't believe you are going to be 1 yr old in a matter of weeks! You are such a little nugget of joy. You've been sick and a little clingy these last few weeks, but I think you are finally feeling better. You are totally in love with your daddy right now (umm... why can you say daddy and not mommy!). You will actually choose him over me every once in awhile now which is so cute. You were at the doctor these other day for your sinus infection and you weighed in at 17.5!! You really are growing :)

You are a joy Nellie.... we love you so much.

Crazy Realization

I just realized that I am in charge of keeping 140 finger and toe nails trimmed! No wonder I feel like I am doing it all the time.

20 for me

80 for the kids

40 for the animals (these are the ones that get neglected... sorry grace)

Christmas Card Teaser

Here's a Christmas Card Preview. I can't say it's going to be this picture. and I have no idea what card, but I think I've got one in here from today's photo shoot that might be IT. This is picture #9... I've got almost 200 more to go through... but it looks promising so far.

Excuse ME!

THIS IS WHY I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ON THE COMPUTER NOW. PUNK-ASS TRUCKEE SITS RIGHT HERE WHENEVER I TRY TO TYPE!

updates

So many things have happened these last couple of weeks, I don't know where to start. I feel like I'm getting so backed up with updates that I don't have time to talk about all the funny/crazy/happy/sad happenings, thoughts and conversations going on in this nutty household. One day readers (if there are any of you left) I'm going to get back into my groove. A few highlights: Gregor, Nellie and I went to Philly for a wedding. Hudson, Larkin and Brooke had successful sleepovers (YAY... this may open up a whole new world of opportunities for us), and we had a good time at the wedding of friends we've known for 10 years or so. Things could have worked out better (Gregor forgot Nellie's suitcase with EVERYTHING in, Nellie didn't sleep at all the night we stayed over, Gregor had to circle the streets of Philly for almost 2 hours looking for a place to park when we got home from the wedding, Nellie broke a glass in the middle of the floor during the reception, etc etc), but even given all that we had a few highs as well. We only had one kid which was so nice, we had a stress free drive where Gregor and I actually got to talk to each other, we made it together to a wedding for the first time in a long long time (besides my sister's), and we had a great breakfast with friends in Philly. All in all ... good times.

We drove up to New Paltz, NY for thanksgiving to see Gregor's parents, Uncle Lucas, and Aunt Birdie. Lots and Lots of chaotic fun there. It was cold and a little wet, but perfect weather to make it feel like the holidays. The kids had fun...big thanks to aunt birdie who kept the kids entertained with animals and crafts.


These pictures are from New York... I love the faces. I have a ton more... maybe I'll try to put them up as a slide show or something.

One hilarious conversation between Uncle Lucas and Hudson in the car on the way to the movies:
Lucas: Have you been naughty or nice hudson?
Hud: NICE
Lucas: What about Brooke.... Nellie.... Larkin... mommy... daddy... etc etc etc...
Hud: each time responded with "NICE"
Lucas: Is there anyone on the naughty list?
Hud: yeah, god
Lucas: Huh?!? what did you say.
Hud: god!
Lucas: god, now why is that?
Hud: Well, sometimes he gives us bad luck.

Umm... maybe I need to supervise the veggie tales intake for him for a little while. That said we've had quite a few conversations since then that have been more than a little challenging but fun. Gotta love the little brains and how they process.

We got home on Saturday which was fantastic because we spent all sunday unpacking and decorating for Christmas. I love the way the house feels during the christmas season... warm and festive and simply homey. I tried once again to get a picture of the the kids all together... still hoping for a christmas card photo... yeah, not yet. This is the best one I got. See the fuzzy blur in the lower left corner? That's Nellie's hair as she's crawling in my lap.
Saturday... that's my plan. I am going to get a christmas photo this saturday no matter what!
That's all for now... Nellie's been screaming for the last 15 minutes... I guess I shouldn't ignore her any longer.

Where's my Tooth?

I have so many things to catch up on with this blog... but I couldn't let this one go a day without posting! Hudson lost his first tooth last night! He was SO SO excited... apparently his was the only one in his class that hadn't already lost one, so now he's feels like his part of the crowd. The tooth fairy came last night can brought him a gold dollar coin!
Yay Hud!

10 Months..WHAAAAAAAT!

I know I know... Horrible picture! I can't help it... Nellie is on the move now and would not hold still for her 10 month photos today! I seriously did not get one single good picture. At least this one captures her energy now. I'm going to try again tomorrow. I can't believe my little baby is 10 months. I find myself saying that every month, but it really is true. I am so busy with the other kids that Nellie's little month anniversaries just seem to come so quickly! Nellie is definitely not a little baby anymore (well other than the fact that she is barely in the 10th percentile for weight and is only 16.5 lbs!). She's got 6 almost 7 teeth now... gets ticked off when I break her food into small pieces... wants big girl pieces of anything everyone else is having (particularly the brownies in our frozen yogurt), and is just so busy. She can't be bothered with little baby toys anymore, she wants Hudson's legos, Brooke's puzzles, and Larkin's magnetic dolls (all choking hazards that she really shouldn't play with). She adores Truckee and I swear says kitty cat. Nellie has this fantastic sense of humor and hasn't lost that huge belly laugh that just brightens my day when she does it. I'm going to try to get a video of that so I can listen to it on those days when I need a pick-me-up. Happy 10 months Nells!! xoxoxo

TRUCKEE

We've added a new addition to our family!!

Meet Truckee Patsch our 5 month old kitten. I don't know how it happened honestly... one minute we were wondering around on a Sunday wondering how to occupy our post-lunch pre-nap time and we ended up at the SPCA. We fell in love with this little guy who was very social and feisty and wasn't afraid of the kids including a screaming Nellie. He just seems like he wanted to come home with us. So, we went home and talked to Gregor about it and all decided we had to go back and get him today. Right now he's set up in our bathroom, but hopefully soon, he'll be free to roam the house and play with Gracie.

Welcome to the Patsch Family Truckee!! We hope you survive in this crazy place!

Happy Halloween!

Late as usual these days... but here are my Halloween kids. I had a bounty hunter from star wars, a strawberry fairy, a peacock fairy, and a little pumpkin for the night. We had a successful potluck block party in front of our house complete with a parade and twister. Kids from all over the neighborhood arrived (even some that I've never seen before) and I think everyone had a great Halloween! I'll be sad when the kids get to old for the easy trick or treating around our little loop. Right now, it's the perfect number of houses... and there is nothing better than walking the 'hood with the neighbors! Honestly, I think Hudson and Larkin enjoyed giving out the candy to the kids at the door more than actually knocking on the doors themselves. Nellie kept her pumpkin hat on much longer than I anticipated and I actually broke out a costume this year. All in all a Halloween success.

Bike Rider!

In Typical Larkin style... she is now riding her bike with no training wheels! Yay Bean!

She was determined to master this skill... she asked Gregor to take her training wheels off and would not put them back on (even though she had to wait for times when an adult could help her start out). She wanted to practice every day and after a few weeks, she's mastered it! That girl was determined and focused. Once again, I'm truly impressed with her!

Brooke is cruising along behind Larkin trying to keep up and just looking adorable doing it!

More pumpkins

Pumpkin Picking

FALL!!! My favorite time of year!
I look forward to pumpkin picking all year long. This year we went to Chiles Orchard only one mile from our house and it was Fantastic! Hudson got to use a pocket knife and everyone picked out (and carried kind of) their own pumpkin. We had apple donuts and there was the perfect fall chill to the air. Love it Love it Love it. I am still failing at the family photo... anyone out there know the trick of getting four sets of eyes pointed at the camera at once. I'll even take a not smiling face... just getting everyone to look at me at once is impossible.

9 Months!!

Happy 9 months Nellie!
Can it really be true?!? Are you seriously 9 months already? I can't believe it. You are my little baby! You can't be that old. But... somehow you are.
You have three teeth now and a lot of spunk. You are always on the move... crawling around, pulling up, and wanting to be where all the action is. You spend most of the time eating, but are more and more dissatisfied with your baby food. You want the real stuff now. With all that eating I would think you would weigh a bit more, but you are still a little peanut... I'm guessing maybe 16.5 pounds. You still have your fantastic laugh and get a particular kick out of Brooke. We do baby yoga on fridays and spend a lot of time with your bff Maya. You are enjoying your alone with mom time in the mornings now that Brooke started preschool, and you even get a fairly consistent morning nap now! I still wish you would sleep a bit better at night, but hopefully once all these teeth come it, you will get in a better routine.
You hated getting these pictures taken today (all of the other ones are of you screaming) so I'm going to try again tomorrow to get a couple more shots.

Whirlwind weeks

Don't give up on me... I'm going to get back to my blogging one of these days. I'm blaming it on not having our main functioning computer and the fact that I'm totally spent after every day and the thought of opening my computer and putting my thoughts together is just overwhelming... but as time goes by, there is more and more to tell and it gets even more overwhelming. So hang in there, I'm going to get my blogger mojo back one of these days.

This last week is a bit of a blur. Moving backwards in time, yesterday my trip to mayo to talk to "the man" about my scapula surgery (which was supposed to happen today) was cancelled because of freakin' insurance people and general negative feedback from a few other doctors.

Monday we drove home from Hilton Head after my sister got MARRIED! Saturday, Mollie had her wedding at the house I grew up in on Hilton Head. It was gorgeous. The only pictures I have are on my phone and I can't figure out how to get them onto the blog... this is the only one that worked of Larkin and Brooke as flower girls (adorable I know!). I'll figure that out and put more pics on here. Until then, you can see video clips here, here, here, and here (four parts... Love the videos Tom!). Mollie looked unbelievably gorgeous. Mom looked utterly amazing. It was beautiful. All four kids were in the wedding and really hung in there. Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Kinard (or Lynes or Lynes-Kinard... whatever you're going with Mollie).

The thursday before that was my 33rd birthday, which I celebrated by driving with my family to Hilton Head. I thought that Mollie's wedding was going to overshadow my bday (which is fine, I don't love all the attention anyways) but I was pleasantly surprised when everyone was around for a little bday dinner and a cake! Yum! I haven't been with that much family for a birthday since I don't know when... It ended up being very special. Thanks family for making me feel so special.

The Tuesday before that, three of Nellie's teeth finally broke through the gums... Finally! I'm hoping this means she will sleep a bit better!

Finally, the Monday before that, I had the best night EVER when I got to stay alone in a hotel in town. As my post-anniversary pre-birthday present Gregor got a night for me at the hotel. I was a little worried because Nellie hasn't been sleeping through the night, but after a great dinner and a little wine with my friends (Saras, thanks for coming through for me!) I didn't care anymore. I had my first full night of sleep in I don't know how long! It was fantastic. Gregor survived the night as well... Oh, if I could only do that once a month I would be a different person (well probably not, but at least the circles under my eyes might not be so dark).

The week before all of that, Gregor was out of town for a week for work. My dad arrived just in time to give me a helping hand, and somehow, we all survived. That's why I've been a blog slacker.

But.. like I said... hang in there. I've been stockpiling ideas of things I want to write about... one of these days.

too funny to forget

It's late, we are leaving to go to Mollie's wedding tomorrow and I have so many other updates and pictures to share, but this was too funny to forget!

The four kids and I were at dinner last night when this conversation happened:

Hudson: Mom, how old are you supposed to be when you have a baby?

Me: 28 (okay, I was 25 when I got pregnant, but I'm not telling him that!)

Hudson: Well, I heard someone talking outside of my door at school today and she was pregnant and only 20!

Larkin: Well Hud, she probably just forgot to take her medicine to not have baby.... big mistake!

Me: all I could do was nod my head and try not to lose my diet coke through my nose because I was laughing so hard. That's my Larkin.

Week of Firsts

What a big week for the kidddos! Larkin had her first ever soccer game on saturday. I was so proud of that girl! She put on her game face and sported that bright orange shirt (even though she really wished it was purple) and hung in there the whole time with a team full of people she didn't know. I was truly impressed. She had tons of fun and we really enjoyed watching from the sidelines.

Brooke had her first day of school this rainy morning. It was so hilarious because Larkin has been prepping her for the last few days. She helped Brooke pick out an outfit that Miss Juliet (her teacher) would really love (Larkin is an expert because she had Miss Juliet last year). She also explained to her that she would wear slippers, be given "lessons", and usually not get enough snack. She told Brooke that she would look for her at recess on the playground and to not worry because it was lots of fun. Overhearing all of these conversations just made me laugh. Brooke didn't hesitate this morning... she just looked back once and hung in there the full 3 hours! I was surprisingly sad today dropping her off, in a good way. My Brookie... so grown up!

Happy Birthday Debi!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo PrintingBetter late posting than never! Happy Birthday Mom. We made pink cupcakes with Debi's special recipe pink and purple icing to celebrate your big day on Monday. Sorry for the super poor video quality... stupid phone video. I would have thought it would be much better. Anyhow, we were thinking about you and sending you our love. Wow, my voice is really obnoxious on this one!

What to do...

What do you do when your 4 year old looks at the large man with a turban in the bagel shop and says, "Wow, your hat is big!! Are you a chef?"

I just laugh, walk away and say ... maybe.