Paperwork

 Did you know when you become a parent you're signing up for a whole lot of paperwork? It starts at the hospital, where they won't let you leave until you fill out all the forms that prove you had a baby. And then it continues at every doctor appointment. How a parent could ever forget her child's birthday, I don't know, since it has to be written on three separate forms every two months (or more, if you're lucky enough to get a baby prone to ear infections). And then they start school. That's when wise parents should invest in a pallet of ballpoint pens. 

Paper

 One day my dad brought home an enormous roll of cardstock paper. As a kid it seemed unending, and we used it for anything we could think of, from school projects to giant paper dolls to race tracks. So when Lizzy and I found a big roll of paper at an estate sale for $3, it seemed like an obvious purchase. So far the kids have used it to make fantastical maps, trace each other, create a rainbow runway for a fashion show, and write out stories. I love, love, love when I can share a little piece of my childhood with my kids. 

Making time

 The funny thing about me and blogging is that when I have a lot of ideas to write about here, it's because there is a lot going on, which means I have very little time to write. But when I have plenty of time to write, there is nothing to say, because not a lot is going on. Right now, for instance, I find myself in a quiet house with one napping child and one husband in a zoom meeting in the other room. The laundry is mostly folded and put away, and the cleanliness of the house is probably a 7 out of 10. (Why bother trying to improve on a 7? Three elementary children will bust down the front door in about 10 minutes spreading chaos and crumpled papers in their wake. Really, what would be the point?)

And yet, the only thing I have to say for myself today is that I played dinosaurs with Gus this morning, and it wasn't even particularly interesting at the time. So here's a cute picture of Henry, because that will make this post worth something. 

Road Tripping 2019

If you ever need to drive 1,892 miles (one way) across the country, dragging six children through eleven states, I recommend finding someone like this guy:

He'll get you up well before what any sane person would consider morning, pack the car, and drive every single mile himself. He'll gas up the car and run into the convenience store to buy the kids a candy bar in order to keep them smiling. He'll pull over in the middle of nowhere to let a kid throw up (or pee) on the side of the road and not even complain about the smell they bring back into the car. He'll get you to the 4th of July parade of your childhood on time, and catch a pepperoni stick while he's there. He'll build sand castles on the beach with your sisters and teach your kids to body surf without losing a single one in the ocean. He'll take day trips to Mt Hood or Mt St Helens, leading kids through dark caves and starting snowball fights. When you say, "On the way home let's stop at Four Corners! Or Mesa Verde! Or Santa Fe! Or the Cadillac Ranch!" he'll drive hours out of the way to take you to those places and make those memories for your children. He'll make a month long road trip the Best Summer Ever. 

Did I say I recommend finding someone like this guy? 

Good luck. 

He's one of a kind.

Easter

I really thought I was going to do better this year and update my blog more often. I feel like I could use the writing practice, if nothing else (because I write very well thought out clever, elegant posts, right?)

Anyway, these are the pictures I should have posted at Easter. 

First Day of School

The two littlest are sleeping, and I really don't feel like climbing Mt Laundry right now, so instead of wasting time on YouTube, I thought I could do a little blogging. See where my priorities are?
School has been in session for two weeks now and it has been good.

Lizzy is in middle school this year, starting sixth grade. There are so many things that I could say about this, but I suspect they are the things that all parents say when their oldest child reaches this stage, so I will forbear. Did you notice how her glasses are taped together? She broke them two days before school started. 

Barak is in fifth grade, top of the school and cool as can be. 

Sebastian is in third grade. He is excited to enter the world of state testing.

Henry is in first grade. He does not love school so much. He tells me there is too much work involved. He would prefer to just play. Or watch TV.

Ivan started PreK. Again there are So Many Things to say about this. But regardless of how I am feeling, he is happy and loves school. He's so happy to be one of the big kids. 

Baby Gus and I spend the mornings ... actually, what do we do all morning? I feel like it's time to pick Ivan up before I've ever gotten anything done. Mostly I suppose we go grocery shopping or crawl around and eat things off the floor. Anyway, we stay busy.

Aren't they a handsome bunch?

Why yes, three of them did pick out the same shirt for the first day of school. I don't usually buy them all matching clothes, but this is what they each wanted to wear. Which I think is awesome. :)

He is cute, though.

Ivan and I were having an argument about whether or not he is cute. I could not convince him, so finally I asked him how he would describe himself. To which he responded, "Rich. And famous."
So here is my rich and famous boy:

Hot chocolate and peanut butter toast. Living the high life.

Admit it, you'd give yourself a fake beard, too, if you had bath paints.