I can actually hear the hum of the air conditioner.

Weird.

This morning, our plans to do our usual split up were foiled, when one of us missed getting up on time.  Rather than choosing another mass, further breaking up the day, I decided that we should go as a family at 8:30.  I was feeling brave.

We parked ourselves in our usual spot – two pews back from the alter.  (I know what you’re thinking, but, as I learned from my friend Troy, it can work.  The children are at least more likely to behave when a) they can see what’s going on, vs. staring at the backs of a bunch of heads; and b) the priest can look them in the eye.)

Besides having to lay a calming hand on Child #4 and shushing Child #3, things were going brilliantly.  Then I heard a familiar crinkling noise.  I glanced over, but no, it wasn’t the baby’s toy.  He ( the little angel) was sleeping peacefully.

So I leaned forward and looked down the pew…

…to see Jack pulling a package of Pop-Tarts from his pocket!  (FYI, this is NOT a normal occurrence for our family.)

Needless to say, Dan confiscated the contraband and we made it through mass without further incident.  As a matter of fact, we even received a compliment on our children’s behavior!

I couldn’t imagine what was going on with Jack, but he claimed that it was his intent to distribute the Pop-Tarts after mass…  I guess they were just making him uncomfortable, sitting there in his pocket in church.

As you can imagine, I was thrilled when she told me she and her family would be able to come for a visit.  As were my kids.  So much so that I was afraid for Lucie and Harry!

However, Lucie and Harry held their own against their cousins.  There was a lot of fun had and amazingly very few tears.  The kids enjoyed crafting together.

We visited The Field Museum:

Uncle Wayne showed off his talent for making the baby smile:

We fed the baby for the first time.

We had a lovely dinner out (yes, with all those kids!), and Caroline and I even snuck in a pedicure.

Overall, it was a wonderful visit.  I just wish they didn’t have to be so few and far apart.

What a way to end the summer!

As they started out with this project yesterday, my sister explained to my children that although the markers were permanent, the material that the creatures are made from doesn’t absorb the marker very well.  So, she told them, newspaper underneath while working was essential.  As was letting the project dry thoroughly, and letting Mom (me) wipe them down so any excess marker would be dealt with.

Unfortunately, my dear sister completely forgot that she was talking to four children who suffer from severe hearing loss (inherited by their father).  The kids went at it, full force, with the markers.  They each colored their own little creature and even made one for Andrew.  I do believe they kept to the newspaper rule.  However, they did NOT wait patiently for their new little creations to dry.  Nor did they have me wipe them down.

No, as soon as they were finished, they started playing with them, shooting each other with them, crashing them into one another, etc.  Within just a few minutes their hands looks as if they belonged to corpses… blue, yellow, black and red smudges everywhere.

Sam burst into tears after washing his (to no avail) thinking he would no longer be able to suck his honey thumb.  (Caroline reassured him.)

The toilet, somehow, ended up with permanent red hand prints all over the seat.

And, this morning…  Ah… this morning!

After feeding the baby and setting him back into his crib to play happily, I ran off to the store for milk, leaving Dan in charge.  I was gone FIFTEEN minutes.  When I returned, Luke was leaping around my room happily, playing with his “Blank.”  He asked me to put Andrew on the bed so he could play with him.  I told Luke that I would love to have him play with Andrew, but that he wouldn’t be able to play with the “Blanks” with him because they aren’t good baby toys… that Andrew would just put them in his mou–

As I was finishing my sentence, I turned to get Andrew from the crib.

And saw this:

Clearly, Andrew had already been given his “Blank” to play with.

And, to top it off, see all that orange stuff in the background?  Know what that is?  Yep.  It’s shit.  Right out the diaper and up the back of my little baby.  Which he clearly rolled around in.

FIFTEEN minutes, I was gone.

I have the bowls. (Bought today.)

I have the spoons.  (Bought today.)

I have the rice cereal.  (Bought today.)

I have a baby that is clearly ready for food.  (As demonstrated last night during dinner.)

What I don’t have is the desire.  He might be ready, but I’m not.  It makes me so sad that he’s growing so fast.

10 Days.  3,703 miles.

We survived.  ALL of us.  And, we had fun!!!  Seriously.  I only considered homicide once.  In the hotel in North Platte, NE.  It was our first night away from home, first night in an unfamiliar location.  We were halfway to our destination.  The kids were wound up, to say the least, despite a late-night swim in an effort to wear them out.  But, after much threatening, yelling, stomping, snickering, pushing, changing beds and rearranging bodies, we made it through the night.

We arrived in Salt Lake the following day and our very shy gregarious children met up calmly with some of their cousins and went berserk with them on the playground.

After a wonderful dinner, prepared by Chef Kevin, we headed to Ogden, UT where we were presented with luxurious accommodations, compliments of brother No. #2.  An unlimited supply of Diet Dr. Pepper, Blue Moon and a shower to die for.  (I almost didn’t make it home.)

The kids went on a hike with Dad and uncle while the baby and I stayed back.  Jack came home disappointed that he didn’t quite reach his goal, but not to worry!  Uncle John took him out again and without siblings to slow them down, they made it.

Saturday afternoon, we headed into the mountains for a cookout at Brother #2’s friend’s cabin.  Shrimp, prime rib, beer, soda, raspberry cobbler and popcorn.  Mmmmmm!  Those Garcia’s sure treated us well.  Not only did they provide food and drink, but there was plenty of entertainment for the kids – BB guns, other kids, a creek, and s’mores.  Lukie woke me the next morning begging to go back.

On another day, as you know from this post, we floated down a river with Brothers #2 and #4 (and family).

Another day found us at Thanksgiving Point where everyone got to ride a pony.

On Tuesday night, we celebrated Dan’s FORTIETH birthday (don’t worry – you didn’t miss it.  It’s not actually until September, but we had to celebrate with family while we could.)  We went here, where we were treated like royalty.  Really.  Brother #1 knows how to throw a party!  We’ve never been wined and dined like that before.  (The kids stayed home with an awesome babysitter, thanks Brother #2’s girlfriend.  She fed Andrew his very first bottle, which made me a little sad…  Until I was out in a fine restaurant with other adults, anyway.)

We visited the Children’s museum on Wednesday where the kids all had the most fun in the construction zone.

On Thursday, we headed back toward Chicagoland via Denver, and stayed a night with my wonderful friend, Joan, whom I’ve known since sixth grade, but hadn’t seen in 10 years.  She may very well be my oldest friend.  When Maria found out how long we’d known each other, she thought that was soooooo cool.  She told me she hoped she and her classmate, Lucy, would stay friends that long.  After a long night of reminiscing (and drinking) we said goodbye and headed out to breakfast with another friend of mine – Julie, from high school.  The visit was great, but way too short.

Rather than drive the whole 16 hours, we chose to stop over in Omaha for the night.  We enjoyed a late night swim and some pizza, before catching some zzzzz’s.  The kids were MUCH better this time around.  Guess we figured out the formula.

The next morning we had breakfast with Grandpa’s cousin before making our way back home.  (Yes, we know people everywhere!)

Our arrival home was was bittersweet, as the kids were teary-eyed because they missed their cousins, but were also happy to be back in their own beds.

Cheerio was happy to see us, and when he saw her, Luke was sure he’d grown.  He even wanted me to measure him.  Nope, he hadn’t grown.  It was just that Cheerio looked much smaller in comparison to Uncle John’s labs!

Speaking of Cheerio, our dear dog-sitting neighbor left us a note.  Earlier in the day, Cheerio discovered a bunny nest under the pumpkin leaves in our backyard.  Before it could be prevented, she had a little snack, so our neighbor called the vet.  Yep, Cheerio would be fine.  Wish we could say the same about the bunny!  EWWWWWWW!

So… While Andrew sleeps in the shade, I’m burning up my battery playing Words With Friends, which I am shamefully addicted to, but not very good at. Have an iPhone? Download it for free and look me up: afullvan.