Merciful Meme

In an extraordinarily merciful turn of events, The Mother Load, has tagged me for a meme. I LOVE her for many reasons including her highly entertaining posts, the fact that she has four children her youngest being only about 1 month difference in age than mine, and the fact that she (unlike some of us) is so positive! Anyway, this is just what I needed this Monday morning (okay, Monday evening now)! So here goes:

1. Post a picture of you with your kids.

Unfortunately this picture is from Mother's day so is several months old and Baby has changed a lot! However, I look freakishly skinny in this picture, so this is what you get!

2. How many children do you have?

Four: Boy, boy, girl, boy

3. What are their ages?

11, 8, 5, 8 months

4. What do you eat for breakfast?

I am trying to be a good little "spark" so I usually have 1 cup of Kashi Go Lean Crunch or Cheerios with 1 cup of milk, a piece of fruit and water. Sometimes I change it up and go with two pieces of whole wheat toast with sugar free strawberry preserves, yogurt, a piece of fruit and water.

The children eat a wide variety from the ultra healthy pop tarts and breakfast bars to cheerios, eggs, pancakes, waffles. It varies from day to day.

5. Do they watch TV?

Not as much as they would like. They are not huge T.V. watchers although Dancer loves Playhouse Disney and has been known to be "babysat" by it during a rough school morning (Don't judge me!) All of the kids LOVE "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" it makes our house seem sane! So I DVR it and we watch that every week. The boys sometimes watch Saturday cartoons and during the summer sometimes watch Disney channel in bed, but they are not too bad. They would much rather choose an activity with high mommy involvement that makes a huge mess!

6. What are their favorite activities?

Football Boy-baseball and he would claim football although he has never played on a team. Loves playmobil and putting on shows for us.

Baseball Boy-baseball, playmobil, drawing, jumping all over the house for seemingly no reason and, as strange as it sounds, tickle torture

Dancer-Dance, playing baby dolls, helping me cook

Baby-sleeping, eating, unrolling toilet paper, playing in the toilet, pulling expensive technological equipment off shelves, totally ignoring anything appropriate for a baby

7. Do you get a break from them during the day?

Rarely. I homeschool. And on Tues. and Thurs. when I send them to tutorial, I teach 5th grade so even though it is technically a break, it does not feel like it. I do have a wonderful MIL, however that is usually to help out on days that I am desperate!

8. How do you end your day?

On Mondays and Wednesdays, I iron. On Thursdays, Tigerfan and I have popcorn and House Hunter's night. The rest of the week--who knows? Hopefully with a little peace and quiet cuddling with Tigerfan.

9. What is your best parenting tip or advice?

Well, I usually do not take my own advice but if I was giving myself any I would say, slow down and enjoy the moment you are in. I look at baby and cannot believe he is 8 months old. He will be walking soon and talking...I do not want to miss even one more smile or laugh because I am stressed about the house or schoolwork, or whatever. I really wish I would sit down and play more, laugh more, talk more and not feel guilty or worry about what is left undone.

And now, on the business, I must tag 5 other people. I will tag Purple Diva, because she always has something fun to say, Happy Mommy, Growin' With It, P.S. He Loves You, and You--play along if you would like!