Our First Christmas

For those of you who don't know, I am from Texas. Most of my family is in Texas. So I went to San Antonio for Christmas while Phil stayed in Illinois with the boys. Phil and I have only been together about 6+ months but during that time, I think we've all grown on each other. To say I have missed Phil and the boys, is an understatement. Before I left, the boys and I bought gifts for their dad to put under the tree. And, again, before I left town, one of the boys gave us this:

He said he is sorry for not getting me any presents "so this card is more for Jen than for Dad". Now, I don't expect anything from him or anybody else. This is just a super nice gesture and card that he made on his own.

On Christmas Day, Phil and I FaceTimed so I could watch the boys open their gifts. It was so great to be able to watch them open gifts and see their smiles on Christmas morning.  ❤️❤️

I hope everybody had a great Christmas with the ones they love! 

Grandma and Grandpa's House

We (all 7 of us) went over to grandma and grandpa's house this morning for breakfast and ended up staying ALL DAY. And yes, we ate ALL of their FOOD.   :-)

We went hiking at Forest Park Nature Center.

We watched the Bear's Football game.

Editorial Note/Update:  I forgot to add that everybody played TriOminos together while I took a much needed nap on the couch.   :-)  TriOminos is a very common game played at grandma and grandpa's house. The boys really love that game. I actually refuse to buy it for Phil's house so they can only play it at grandma and grandpa's.

Grandpa taught them how to play poker:

Grandma made dinner and I set the table for dinner... because that's what we do:

7 of us and 2 of them... makes 9 table places!!  :-) 

We left shortly after dinner with very happy kids and stuffed bellies. We loved hanging out with grandma and grandpa all day today.  :-)

Reading Is...

This evening all seven of us went to watch Star Wars for Phil's dad's birthday. There were a total of 17 of us in the movie theater (yes, we took up two rows).

After the movie, we were driving to Phil's sisters house for cake and ice cream when we pulled up behind a car with an interesting bumper sticker.

One by one, the boys started reading it... "Hey, look at that bumper sticker in front of us... it says 'Reading...' something"

Then another one said, "It says 'Reading is...' something"

Finally, the third boy said, "It says 'Reading is... OOOOHhhhhh!'"

Then the whole car goes "Reading is... OOOHHHhhhhhh!"

Yep, this was the bumper sticker:

Not ONE of those boys said the word "sexy"  :-)

PJ Day

So today is PJ Day at the grade school. When was this brought up? Why didn't they have it when I was in grade school?  I think the kids get to wear PJ's and then watch a movie. One of the boys mentioned Polar Express (I think?).

Maybe they created PJ Day to give parents a break in the morning from getting their kids ready for school. I mean it, it really saved time this morning. The kids woke up, rolled out of bed, had breakfast, and all that was left was to put on shoes! NICE!

Yes, let the kids have PJ Day at least once a week... my hair thanks you for the extra time.  :-)  hehee...

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

Phil and I finally got around to digging out and dusting off our Christmas boxes. Well... Let's put it this way. I had my ONE Christmas box. Phil had his THREE Christmas boxes. A Christmas tree, ornaments, and more Christmas decor. Mine simply has ornaments, Christmas quilts, and one ceramic Santa (mom, I thought I had more?).

Anyway. I put up my ONE stocking.

And then Phil hung up their SIX stockings.

I would say that I'm the "odd one out" but I think in this case, I am the "odd one in".

Merry Christmas everybody!... And, Happy Holidays!

Reflecting...

Last night, Phil and I went out for dinner and drinks with friends. We were introduced to a married couple who had five kids. We told them that Phil has five boys. So we ended up chatting about that for a while. It made me recall some of my favorite stories that I like to tell about when we split up and maybe at one point we only have three boys at one time, or when Phil takes some kids to basketball and I watch two boys.

For example...  a few months ago, for one reason or another, Phil and I only had "the bigs" (that's what I call his older three boys). ... My eyes LIT UP and I told Phil, "Let's go out for dinner tonight! We only have three boys!"  ...  So yes, we went out to Famous Dave's.

Then a couple nights ago, Phil took three boys to basketball and I watched two. Well, I had some errands to run at Target that evening, so I took the two boys with me. The oldest played his cards just right and said, "Jen, Can we get ICEEs??"  ... I was giving it some thought when he continued with, "Jen, you only have to buy TWO ICEEs... NOT FIVE."  ... Well played, sir, ... well played.  Yes, they did get ICEEs.  lol...

They Are Learning Well!

I think only the women will get this one...

This evening, I was doing the dishes (SO many dishes)...

PILE OF DISHES!

When Phil's oldest son walked into the kitchen. 

So that's when I said it, "I wonder if there are any dishes in the living room."

And he said, "I'll go check!" ... And he brought back several dishes!  (this is where women laugh)

This boy is being trained... umm... I mean... raised correctly!

Sidewalk Art

So yesterday afternoon, we had a BEAUTIFUL day in Central Illinois. It was sunny and ... I don't know high in the 40s or maybe the low 50s...?

Phil had taken one of the twins to his sisters house and then to Sam's. So I knew they would be a while.

The rest of us were just hanging out inside, watching a movie, and really just being lazy. So finally, I got up and thought, "this place needs to be cleaned."  I told the boys, "ALRIGHT! Whoever is in this house - you need to help me start cleaning!... Anybody else, go outside and play!"

Can you imagine what they did?

Yep, I was cleaning by myself.

BUT THEN today, I went outside to calibrate my Garmin GPS watch to my foot pod. And that's when I saw their drawings:

The Classic Hopscotch  :-) 

Counting from 10 to 100... 

A car in the driveway

And this one is my favorite. "I heart dad and Jan"

Super cute! I loved going outside to see all of these - they were great!  :-) 

Poopie Pants

There's really no way to write about this topic. I don't even know what to title this blog.

I was just in the kitchen minding my own business when I hear, "Jennifer?"... Where did that come from? Ah, it came from the bathroom... "Jennifer? Can you come here?"

"Sure buddy, what's up?"

It was the youngest one... He said, "I didn't make it to the bathroom on time and I..." and he rattled off. But basically, he pooped his pants.

Oh boy... Phil was at basketball practice with one of the other boys.

I had to do this.

I'm 35 with no kids. I've never changed a diaper. I've never wiped a butt.

Until today.

No... I didn't puke.

I actually had a really hard time trying not to laugh at the entire situation. And when I say "entire situation"... I don't mean him pooping his pants at all... I mean me, trying to clean this mess up without a clue what to do!

Luckily, he seemed to know what to do, so he was cleaned up, changed clothes, and back to playing with his brothers in no time.

Phew! 

Go Clean Your Room

Twins' room

Jennifer! I lost a tooth!

Oh man... Not what I was expecting this evening during the movie.

Phil stepped out join a conference call meeting for work.

So the boys and I were watching a soccer movie that was based in Texas (of course the movie had my full attention). All of a sudden I hear:

"Jennifer! I lost a tooth!"

And one of the other boys saying, "No he didn't, he just wants money!"

Ok ok... I'm coming.

Sure enough, he lost a tooth! That's when I realize, I had no idea that he snuck away to work on his tooth from the movie. So I asked him, "did it hurt?" ... And he said, "Nope, it was loose, so I just yanked it out."

(Jennifer almost gets sick here.)

Then I saw the bathroom the tooth was lost in... Not covered in blood, but there were enough blood spots...

(Jennifer almost gets sick here also.)

So all I could think was, "OMG. Does this mean the tooth fairy comes tonight??" ... "Do they still believe in the tooth fairy??" ... "Should I text their mom to ask her?" ... "Where's Phil? I'll go tell him."

He was still on his conference call, but I walked in the room and he must have just ended the meeting.

I told him about the lost tooth and he did let me know that the twins are the only ones that believe in the tooth fairy.  Regardless, the tooth is under the pillow and Phil does have some money.

*sigh*  I need a manual for this "parenting stuff". Night all!

Exactly. I cannot!

How Boys Fight

I learned a lesson today. THIS, right here, is how boys fight:

1. It begins with ARGUING.
2. Then it goes to PUNCHING.
3. KICKING is next.
4. Then more ARGUING.
5. Last is the DRAGGING.
Then it starts all over again...

NOTE: Sometimes it just goes straight to punching.

Can't bring myself to clean yet...

... this is why:

And since we have the boys again on Tuesday evening through Wednesday... I think this will be my explanation:

:-) 

sssoooooo tttiiiirrreeeeddddd.....

I do have an all new respect for parents around the world all over... Last night, I went to bed around 7:30pm. Yes, on a Saturday night. Tonight, it's 4:20pm and I'm ready to pass out now.

What does that tell you?  Yes, we had the boys this weekend.

And as if bowling wasn't enough yesterday... They played bowling on the Wii at their grandparents house today.  :-)   We hungout there most of the day today, actually. It was very enjoyable.

Wii Bowling

Oh, today, I learned that the middle boy has an outtie!! He showed us and then he said, "I'm the differentest one because I have an outtie."  :-)  lol... 

Sorry ya'll... Time to shut down and relax before work tomorrow. 

Bowling this Snowy Day

We all went bowling this afternoon. All 7 of us take up two full lanes.  :-)  One lane with bumpers, the other without. 

The boys and their dad, bowling. 

There were a couple times I felt like doing this also. I think he's praying for a strike??

Please hit the pins... please hit the pins... 

After two games, a few of us started to get tired and crabby.

(hold on, the twins want to write something:

hi. i am one of the twins.

hi. i am the  other twin.)

Cute interruption... Anyway, I was going to say that the kids made an indoor bowling alley at home upon return from the bowling alley:

The indoor bowling alley... The walls are the bumpers. Hmm... 

On that note, at 6:45pm on a Saturday night (eh hum... "evening")... I'm going to finish watching Mr Peabody with the twins and pass out shortly after. 

Digging deep...

... and not for a booger!

Isn't this so cute?

Must have been looking for the most perfect toy.    :-) 

"Jen, you like to run a lot."

Yes... I do like to run a lot and Phil's boys know it.

Tonight was really no different... But, tonight I ate dinner just before my run. I felt gross. I was ready to quit when I realized I had a shadow...

See my little shadow back there??  :-)

So I did a couple more miles and thought of this quote that I've seen on Facebook like 100 million times!

And when I finished running, he said "Jen, you like to run a lot."

Check it Out! Kids YouTube!

We had the boys last night and as soon as they get in the door, the twins ask for my phone. "Well, where is your iPod?" I ask... And they say, "The battery is dead."

OMG! What do I do?? The twins' iPod battery is DEAD??

Not to worry though... I have an iPad and my iPhone as backup to their iPods. I know, I know... I'm not supposed to shove electronics in front of the kids. So some times I do say, "Oh, I'm sorry, my battery is dead also..."  And they move on.

So yesterday evening, after dinner, I gave one of the twins my phone and he said, "You got something new on here!"

Yes, they know my phone so well, they know when I have downloaded something new, or deleted one of their games.

But this evening, was something NEW. Something so awesome, he had to tell his twin brother.

"CHECK.OUT.WHAT JENNIFER GOT!!" ... "It's YouTube for Kids!!"

Now we don't have to worry about them watching things they're not supposed to. 

Thank you to my friend on Facebook who posted about YouTube for Kids (sorry, I forgot who posted about it).

Us non-motherly types don't know these things, so I appreciate the tip!

Indoor Soccer for the Twins

The twins are the youngest of the five boys. They are 7-years old. Old enough to help out around the house, but young enough to still be cute.  :-)

Today was their second soccer game. Remember last weekend, I promised one of the twins that I would go to every soccer game there-after.

I need to use the phrase "soccer game" loosely. It started out as a skills camp:

Skills camp - which is great! They need to learn... 

Then they turned it into a "pick up game" in which I thoroughly enjoyed watching the goalkeepers' boredom (since I was a goalkeeper back in the day... trust me, I've been this bored before!)

I wonder if I ever laid down during a game.  :-) 

I enjoyed it, but I was slightly bored myself. But in the end, I got two huge hugs from the twins. Well worth it. They are great boys. All five of them. 

Twins. Identical brothers. Best friends for life.

Minecraft and... Football...?

It truly is not enough to play just JFL. These kids play football all the time. Even on MINECRAFT. I didn't even know you could do that???  They built these fields on Minecraft:

The Soccer Promise

Last night before we started the movie, one of the twins asked me if I was going to his soccer game the next morning (this morning).

I told him, "I'm sorry, but I'm going to be at one of my running events and I will not be at your soccer game."  (I was signed up for another 30-mile trail run on Saturday.)

Right on queue... on the word "game"... He started crying. It broke my heart. I said, "I am so sorry. But I know you have a lot of games after tomorrow and I promise to attend every game after that."

His face lit up, but I could tell he still wasn't happy.

Even this morning, before my event, I did ask Phil if I should go to my event or not. He said, "Yes, go to your event, it will be fine."

So during my event today, I met a lady (who is a mother) and we started talking about life. It's just what we do on the trails. I told her the story about the crying about missing the soccer game today and she asked, "What time was it?" and I said, "What do you mean? What time was the game?"

And she said, "no, what time did he ask you about going to his game?"

I said, "Oh, around 7:00 or 7:30pm...?"

She said, "Kids are tired on a Friday evening...  It's been a long week. It's been a long day. He was crying because he was tired. I'm sure he woke up this morning and completely forgot about it."

And you know what, that's just the advice I needed to hear. Mom's know these things. I don't think I thanked her for that information but it was great to hear. 

Snuggle Boys

We watched Pixels this evening. It was really good! I think the boys really enjoyed it.

But during the movie, there wasn't a minute that I didn't have a twin to my left, a twin on my lap, and the middle boy on my right. They all had to snuggle!! It was very sweet.

To say the boys are growing on me, is almost a literal statement!  :-)  haha... 

Football Undies

A couple weekends ago, I did the boys laundry. While I was folding clothes, I told one of the boys to get his football undies and get ready for their last football game. He came in, got his undies, and I said, "take these to your brother also."

He said, "Ok... He gets the small... because he has the smaller penis." And walked out of the room.

AND SO IT BEGINS!!

Legos

Let me pre-face this with: Every post on this blog has humor intended.

Now, with that said, LEGOS are quickly becoming my least favorite toy. I don't know who came up with Legos, or why... But I believe the main intent of Legos is to leave them all across bedroom or living room floors so that parents can step on them in the middle of the night, or morning, and feel the worst pain imaginable on the bottom of your foot.

So please... Explain to me why... When I took the kids clothes out of the washer and placed them into the drier... Legos fell out of the pockets of the clothes?!?!  They carry these around in their pockets now??  *sigh*

The only good point of this story - I can't step on them in the washing machine.  :-)

Our Very Own Picasso

Check me out! Didn't he did so well??  I think it resembles me.  :-)   Super cute!

"Look! I drew you!"

My iPad...

... used to look like this:

Now.... It looks like this:

And sometimes I get pop-ups like this:

A couple weeks ago, one of the twins came out of the bathroom with a huge smile on his face. "Jennifer, do you know what game I downloaded??"  Nope, no idea.  And he said, "Potty Time!"  What? What's potty time??  

Well, it's actually called "Toilet Time." And it's basically mini games to play in the bathroom.  I had no idea. No wonder why he was all smiles walking out of that bathroom!  

Why didn't I have Toilet Time when I was 7?? Man! 

Xbox

I need to learn how to operate the Xbox.

End of story.

Haha... This is appropriate!

The other night, while hanging with the boys... Phil had just told them it's time to go to bed... They just put their iPods on chargers and left the room... When I smelled it.

And I asked Phil, "Did you just fart?"  He said, "No, I'm sure the boys did just before they left the room."   :-)  Awesome. That's awesome.

So this is appropriate:

The "B" Word...

Last night while we were all sitting around watching TV, I think the word "breast" was mentioned on Family Guy. Now, I don't watch this show, I'm not familiar with it... But, it definitely got the living room talking.

"Breasts?"

"Chicken breasts?"

"What are breasts?"

"Is it bests?"

And then it came out loud and clear from one of the twins (the youngest in the room)...

"DO WE HAVE BREASTS???"  .... oh boy!

Phil and I just looked at each other and smiled/laughed about it, we didn't say anything.

The same twin then said, "Are you watching this? Do you want to go to the other room to watch TV?" ...  I said, "Nope. Yep."  So the twins and I went to the other TV room to watch a cooking show on Food Network.  :-)

How did I come up with this blog idea?

As I've mentioned in the "About" section of this blog, I have no kids.  I've been in previous relationships that involved children... But, not of this magnitude.

My boyfriend has five boys. Since I've been involved in their little lives, I've noticed something.  Each day or weekend that we have the boys, I come out with at least one funny story or two.

This blog is simply an outlet to tell those stories so everybody could have a laugh with me.