Let me just say that it's a good thing that I have "time off" on Monday and Friday mornings now (time off meaning I only have 1 child during that time...so not completely by myself) because if I didn't have that time, I wouldn't have created this:

Here's my creation-

Footprint ghosts!

Here's my inspiration from Pinterest.

I personally like mine better.

My very own Pinterest.com-inspired art project.  I RARELY get a chance to look at the Pinterest website, let alone even THINK about creating something that I find on there.  Maybe that will change a a little now.  Having those mornings gives me the time to get out to the craft store or to the grocery store to get any supplies/ingredients I'd need to try something new.  So I'm looking forward to that.  It's good for the soul.  It's good to have a couple hours that don't involve my latest role:  referee.  

Yup, the boys are at that stage.  They are starting to bicker over things, they always want the same toy at the same time, they always want whatever the other one has at that exact moment.  It's a blast, let me tell you!  One word they definitely know is "MINE".  "My choo-choo!"  "No, my choo-choo!" 

One other "role" that I'm trying to get back into is runner...maybe jogger is a better term?  I'm by no means a long distance runner, but I just love running.  It's my stress-reliever and it's my sanity.  The problem is that sometimes it's a challenge to do it regularly.  I have four kids, you know!  However, now Ella is going longer between feedings and is on a more regular schedule, so I've been able to fit it in more.  This past week I decided to set a goal to find the time to run 3x per week.  I wrote that goal on a piece of paper and hung it up.  That way I remember, and Myke will see it and push me to do it when I'm feeling lazy.  I put the goal up on Monday morning and I've already run 4x since then!  

The reason running is such a perfect workout for me is mainly because it kills multiple birds with one stone.  When you have a bunch of kids (or even one kid, for that matter), anything that kills more than one bird with one stone is a MUST.  If I went to a gym I'd have to get in the car and drive there, I'd have to have childcare for the kids or leave them with Myke (which would severely limit the opportunities to get to the gym at all...would be after 5pm or on weekends only).  With running I almost always take 50% of the children.  AND the dog.  So I get a workout, I get to listen to music, I get to clear my head, the dog gets a workout, and the kids always enjoy the ride...and it all takes less than 30 minutes at this point (I'm only running about 2-2.5 miles each time).  The kids really seem to like it.  When I take the boys I don't hear a peep out of them...they just sit back under their canopy and take in the scenery  On Wednesday I took the girls.  When I stopped to cool down / for Chloë to pet a cat on the sidewalk, we realized Ella had fallen asleep.  I guess my running pace was soothing to her.  

The girls!

Chloë stopping to say hi to the kitty

My big girl 

Ella's not crawling yet, but she gets into EVERYTHING!

Including the recycling bag that I hung on a drawer handle the other day. 

So, yes, the bickering between the boys has been driving me a bit nuts.  Eli seems to be really getting into the "terrible twos" the past couple weeks.  We've always said that he wants to be an only-child, as he is happiest in a one-on-one scenario or when he is center of our attention.  I can't say I blame him.  Hey, I don't know what it's like to have to compete with 3 other kids for the attention of your parents, but still.  That's his life and he's going to have to get used to it eventually.  Anyways, the "terrible twos" thing is him fussing and crying every single time he doesn't get his way.  Today:  Chloë is painting.  Eli wants to paint.  Eli doesn't want to wear the smock.  Eli has a tantrum.  Owen is playing quietly with a train.  Eli wants that train.  Now.  Eli has a tantrum.  Eli wants "up" while I am in the middle of making breakfast, hot things on the stove.  I tell him I can't pick him up right this second.  Eli has a tantrum.  Two is such a fun age.    

Smoothies!  Don't they looks so precious and sweet?  

(Ella is in the stroller...can't see her)

Tuesday and Thursdays I have all 4 kids.  All day.  The bickering and Eli fussing started early so I loaded up the kids in the car and got the heck outta dodge.  This might sound crazy (taking 4 kids under 5 out in public when they are being fussy), but really they LOVE to get out.  As soon as I say "put on your shoes", the fussing stops and they run to get ready. Eli especially LOVES going places in the car. He is always excited to jump in his car seat and go somewhere.  I took them to the huge shopping center across the street.  We got smoothies for snack and then walked around a department store and finally hit up Barnes & Noble to play on their train table in the kid section.  You get a lot of looks when you are out with 4 small kids.  Sometimes comments (the main one being "You have your hands full!!"  I hear that EVERY. SINGLE.  TIME.  I.  GO.  OUT.  with them.  Without fail.)  The kids were all great though.  Angels.  Until it was time to say goodbye to the train table.  Then Eli had a tantrum.  :)