Oh what a Monday!

Can I just take a minute to re-cap this day while I sip a glass of wine?

By 10:30 a.m. Owen and I were hanging out together in Urgent care, with his lip split open good and blood covering his pants and shirt. The cause was a freak playground accident involving a slide, a block and a brother. Poor kid! It's not always easy growing up with four older brothers who you want to keep up with!

Lovely huh?

I was hoping to just go to our pediatrician's office but because it was possible Owen would need stitches (nooooo, not again!), the pediatrician advised us to go to Urgent care. I was praying that Urgent care would somehow be empty on a Monday morning, but alas, it was packed. We waited and waited and waited some more. Then a lovely physician's assistant came in and I kid you not, this guy (who was nice as can be!) looked like he was 15 years old. Am I just getting old???

Anyway, as it turns out, Owen did not need stitches (YAY!!!) and his cut should heal just fine.

On our way to Urgent care, I got a message from our pediatrician confirming that Everett's strep test came back positive. Poor Everett (except not really bc they started him on medicine last Friday anyway and he's doing great now!)

By 3:00, Carter had spiked a fever of 102. Poor Carter, I did not see that coming! So now Carter and I have a date at the pediatrician's office tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. (bc he's already on antibiotics so it's confusing why he would spike a fever).

Between Owen's lip, Everett's test results, and Carter's fever, I talked with "Sheila, the advice line nurse" (that's how she answers the phone), at our pediatrician's office, four times today! We're buds now. "Oh hey Sheila, it's Jess again...."

So then at 4:00, Chris got his wisdom tooth pulled.

Boy were we all a sight to see around the dinner table. Chris in his post tooth pull state, Carter laying on a couch pulled up by the table, and Owen, trying to eat with his lip still split open.

I hate when my guys aren't feeling well and/or get hurt! Not fun. But of course, it could always be worse. Also, I'm really hoping that the rest of the week is less "exciting"!

Cheers to that!

A Science Birthday Party!

I've been meaning to post some pictures from Colin's science themed 6th birthday party! It was so much fun!!

While we tried to steer Colin in the direction of having his party at a location other than our lovely home (because it's on the small side and because it just seems easier to have it somewhere else), what he really desired was a birthday party, at home, with a science theme.

And because he's so cute, well, we just couldn't say "no"!

Also, my in-laws are scientists (a huge WIN when your kid wants a science party). Lucky for us, they were totally on board for helping to make this party a success!

My father-in-law started the party with a science show. It was such a hit! My absolute favorite part was how when a cool reaction would happen, the children would yell, "It's magic!" and without missing a beat, my father-in-law would correct them. "No. It's SCIENCE!"

 

I also got a kick out of the fact that none of these kids had any idea that they were in the presence of a man who speaks all over the world and whose contribution to science has literally changed lives.

After the show, the kids broke up into small groups and moved station to station doing experiments and making sciencey stuff (a technical term), to take home.

Here's how the stations broke down:

Station 1: Flubber (Jessica's station).

The recipe, if you're interested, is so easy!

You need:
3/4 cup cold water
1 cup Elmer's glue
liquid food coloring (we used green)
1/2 cup hot water
1 teaspoon borax

Steps:
1. In one bowl, mix together the cold water, glue and a few drops of food coloring.

2. In another bowl, mix together the hot water and borax, until the borax is completely dissolved.

3. Slowly add the glue mixture to the borax mixture. Mix it all up and pour off any excess water.

Station 2: Lava Lamps (Chris's station)

Here's how they did it,

You need:
Small water bottles
2 tablespoons of water
Enough vegetable oil to fill the bottle, the rest of the way to the top
5 drops of your chosen food coloring.

Steps:
1. If you are using water bottles that are full of water, pour out the excess water and leave about two tablespoons of water in the bottom.

2. Pour in the vegetable oil until the water bottle is filled up again.

3. Drop in the food coloring of your choice.

4. Tighten the lid!!! Another option would be to actually glue the lid shut. Trust me, you don't want oily water spilling everywhere if your kid decides to loosen the cap. :)

Station 3: My father-in-law helped the kids explore electricity with batteries and lightbulbs. He helped them form a circuit by using two wires, a D volt battery and a 2 watt light bulb. The kids loved this!

Station 4: Germination. My mother-in-law guided the children in planting seeds, that they could then take home and watch both the roots and the leaves grow.

Here's how she did it,

You need:
Small plastic cups
Coffee filters
Seeds (we used pumpkin, radish and another flower seed)

Directions:
1. Put the coffee filter in the cup
2. Place the seeds in between the coffee filter and the cup, on the sides (not the bottom)
3. Wet the coffee filter slightly
4. Keep wetting the coffee filter daily and watch the seeds sprout!
5. Once the seeds sprout, transfer them to a small pot if you like.

The stations ended up being very successful in terms of keeping the kids happy and occupied, while passing time.

Next, we had cupcakes and opened gifts. It was organized chaos, in a mostly good way, haha.

I want to say that we are SO appreciative to Chris's parents who really helped make this party so special for Colin and us!

GO science!!!

Taken during the science show..... he was so so happy. Can you tell??

I suggested a great big Happy Birthday balloon, but Colin really wanted the American flag balloon as part of his balloon ensemble.

Picture Perfect....and Behind the Scenes

We had our first snow this week. Yesterday to be exact. By four pm, this was the scene outside:

 

Snow gently falling and little boys playing in it. 

Picture perfect. 

Of course, that's not the whole story. ;)

Let me just put it this way, I'm not sure which was more painful. Birthing them all....

-Or-

Taking them all shopping for boots, including one 18 month old who thought it was his JOB to pull every box of shoes off the shelves that he possibly could.

Searching the house for the bin of snow pants, hats, gloves, coats etc. and determining what still fit.

And finally, dressing five little boys to go play out in the snow. 

All in one day. Because God forbid I was to plan ahead one of these years. 

By the time we were all out there, I was SPENT. They, on the other hand, were energized.

And so it goes.......

I spy five Miller boys

Owen kept making the funniest faces while exploring the snow. Love this kid. 

The only one who didn't need any new snow gear. Thanks to hand me downs!

Colin

Everett

Finn

 Well, I just noticed that I don't have a picture of Carter from outside. Probably because he was too busy shoveling. That kid is such a worker and seriously loves the outdoors. He never stops working and playing, even for a second, when outdoors. 

BUT- I do have a funny picture of Carter, from today. He ran over to me all proud and asked, "Mom do you like my necklace?! It's a scissor necklace!"

While I can appreciate the creativity, I do question the safety element of a "scissor necklace", especially when I see him running around the house, scissor necklace swinging everywhere.

 Maybe it's just me. 

Picture Perfect......and Behind the Scenes

Here's what I wrote back in August: I've been thinking lately about our stories and our pictures and what we choose to share or not share with others. I notice that many pictures out there in social media portray the most beautiful parts of life. And that's okay. It's nice to highlight the lovely and focus on what is beautiful. But sometimes, I look at those pictures and wonder if there's more to the story.

At the time I shared this post.

So here we go again. I'll show you a lovely picture, where all is wonderful and calm. Then I'll share with you the real story of what happened just before or after the picture was taken. 

....................................................

You guys. A miracle happened yesterday. We were EARLY for story time at the library. Yes, you read that right. Not only were we on time (instead of flying in about 10 minutes late, and getting seats in the way back where you can hardly see or even hear the story). No friends. We weren't even just on time. We were EARLY.

This was no less than a Thursday miracle. Do you know what it takes to get five kids out of the house, most of whom aren't fully independent yet? It takes a miracle. We are rarely on time for anything.

We had to actually wait, at story time, for the lady to bring out the carpet squares and the name tags. We hung out in the parent chairs, as seen in this picture and eventually made our way to the front row. That's the choice you have, when you arrive, FIRST, thank you very much.

I mentally patted myself on the back. Look. At. Us. We have got our stuff together this week. Well, today at least. Or, this hour at least.

Story time was great and if I only posted the above picture with a capture, "Early for story, just another Thursday", you might think we really do have our stuff together. But that wouldn't tell the whole story.

 Because after story time, things started to disintegrate. Fast. One child got heavily stuck on finding a "mickey mouse book" (God bless the librarian who scoured the shelves finding the very last one available). Then, they boys wanted to go down the snack bar for apple juice which, for a variety of reasons, just was not going to work out today. I said "no" to getting apple juice.

This did not go over well. One of my sweet boys completely, momentarily lost his ever loving mind. Tantrum city.

We got off the main floor elevator and while everything else was pin drop quiet, my child could be heard screaming, "But I wanted apple juice!!!!!!!!!!!"

People were looking.

I however, had my eyes set on the door. One step at a painfully slow time, we made it to the doors. I could see our mini van parked just outside. We were almost home free. It wouldn't be long until we were in the van, and on our way home.

Only, as we walked through the doors, alarms started going off. Let me say that again, ALARMS, STARTED GOING OFF, at the library.

Apparently I hadn't check our books out properly. I thought about just making a run for it and never looking back. Or, dropping the books first, then running. But instead I looked in my periphery and could see concerned librarians motioning me over. And so we went back and over to the counters. And a certain 3.5 boy kept on tantruming.

And people kept staring.

"Did you even check these out??" she asked accusingly.

"No, I was actually trying to steal Pete the Cat." (okay so that's just what I said in my head). In real life I tried to hold back tears and said, "Yes I did check them out but maybe amidst everything going on, I did it wrong"

This is the point where I turn to search for the hidden cameras because maybe just maybe I'm on  candid camera.

Nope, this is really just my morning,

Finally, we properly checked out our books, waved goodbye to the library and made it to the van. Eventually, we all re-calibrated and life was smooth again.

And you know what? Darn it all. We were still EARLY to story time. We'll always have that.

Meet Froggy

So there's a new little man in the house. He's got sticky feet, eats live crickets and has made a certain five year old over the moon.

Meet Froggy. (I'm not sure how to spell his name.... it's a long "o" sound... Frooooogy.)

Oh boy. Have I mentioned before, that I'm not really a bug or reptile enthusiast? I'm not.

Anyhow, over the weekend, Colin came racing over to me. "I caught a tree frog! I caught a tree frog!!"

And not a few hours later I was driving home with a bag of live crickets on the passenger seat, an aquarium in the trunk and a pamphlet on how to care for a tree frog in my purse.

That kid has me wrapped around his little finger, haha :)

and yes.... in case you're wondering, I have very mixed feelings about letting the boys hold onto pets they catch in the backyard. The answer won't always be "yes", but this time it felt like a good learning experience for the boys and we are doing our darndest to keep froggy well fed and happy. 

Spa day with my boys

I'm not sure I ever thought I'd be typing that heading.

Okay, so we weren't at an actual spa, just in our living room. Still, I had a great time with the boys today, watching them get haircuts just in time for Christmas and later getting pedicures.

First the haircuts. Thankfully, we have someone who comes to our home to cut the boys hair. Such a blessing! The last time we took the boys for haircuts at a salon, A LOT of hair product ended up on the floor and things got pretty rowdy. It wasn't pretty. In the boys defense, it's hard to sit still and wait for your turn, especially when there are shelves full of hair products just begging to be rearranged.

Everett, staying still

She asked him, "What kind of haircut do you want?" His answer, "A handsome one"

On to the pedicure. Wasn't it just yesterday I was getting pedicures boy mom style??

Apparently, we've come a long way. Today, Colin begged me to let him paint my toenails with "REAL toe paint."

Sure thing.

Add a little sparkle? Why not?

The finished product

Beautiful, no?

After seeing my gorgeous nails, everyone wanted their toenails painted and Colin happily obliged!

A bit later, while I was in the kitchen, and had obviously forgotten to put away the nail polish, Carter ran in all excited.

"Mommy, look! I painted my toe nails myself!"

Yup. You sure did Carter!