As I spent a solid hour straightening up the kids’ bedrooms and putting away their clean clothes, I started to think about how much I truly adore my children. I mean, duh. We all do. But sometimes I get a little emotional, just thinking about how quickly they’re growing up, and how their little personalities are so different from one another, and how they’re starting to really experience the world and learn things. It just flies by. And it’s so precious. And I find myself swaying back and forth between, “Awwww, my babies” and, “Seriously? What in the HELL?”

I mentioned that I worked on their rooms for an hour. That included putting away about three loads of clothes, straightening up, making 2 out of 4 beds, and vacuuming. Did I mention I just did ALL OF THIS on Friday? I can’t even figure out how, in four days’ time, they managed to do the damage they did. Mallory wasn’t even HERE for most of the weekend. Pablo spent most of the weekend playing Mario. Apparently it was the little girls, and they were BUSY. Glitter ALL OVER the bathroom counter. Where did they get glitter? Tiny alphabet beads strewn throughout the carpet. Tiny scraps of paper EVERYWHERE. And it’s not like they didn’t clean up their room ALREADY. I made them clean it up before bed last night, but their cleaning method seems to be placing everything they own into a bin. I just CLEANED OUT all the bins last week. I swear, I did. Still, today, I found a toy bin that was hiding a sneaker, a sequined boot, half a dozen books, a Bible, and several fruit snack wrappers. RAAAAAAGE. The bin is NEXT TO the trash can and the bookshelf. That is just lazy, right there. So annoying.

So while I’m muttering under my breath, I come across a note written by Nikki. I’m not sure who the recipient is supposed to be (and I wouldn’t rat her out anyway) but the note ended with, “I won’t be a princess, I won’t be fancy at all, but I love you, I love you so so much.” Yeah. I died. If I could wish anything for that child, it would be that she grows up feeling like she is okay exactly how she is, and that she tells people how much she loves them. That’s what we should ALL do, right? I’m practically wiping the tears away, and then I realize the kids have used up nearly an entire roll of scotch tape, because they thought they needed to tape a drawer shut. GAAAAAAH!

I see this again and again. The kids tug at my heartstrings when they ride past me on their bikes, giggling and shouting – and then they wear out the toes of their sneakers by using them as brakes, and leave their helmets in the street. They surprise me by picking up the backyard, and then they eat ice from the pond. Every day is like a series of never ending good news/bad news jokes. My brain keeps shouting, “Why are you so annoying?” and then it shouts back, “Because we’re kids!” It’s no wonder women seem so moody. Our emotions are yanked all over the damned place, just trying to get the house clean!

Possibly Related

• February 17, 2010 -- I love Vinegar!
• September 28, 2009 -- Laundry Day! Uh…yay?
• June 22, 2009 -- Mama’s crackin’ the whip!
• May 3, 2011 -- I can’t tell if it’s killing me or making me stronger.
• August 6, 2010 -- Class Reunion!

I guess I’m a little behind in my photo project. Things sort of went south after last weekend’s epic event, also known as THE SLUMBER PARTY. It took me several days to recover from that, and the pictures never caught up. I’ve been taking them, though, so here we go.

Last weekend, we had Nikki and Lexi’s slumber party. It was nutso. Next time, we’ll invite fewer kids. I say next time like at some point, I’ll be ready to do this again. HAHAHAHA! Yeah, no. Well, maybe. Fourteen little kids, one puker, one going home in the middle of the night, one with a massive headache requiring a call to mom, and ALL on a MASSIVE sugar buzz. Paul DJ’d a little dance party for the kids, which was awesome of course – but these kids are still so young, they have limited attention spans. They want to dance for like ten minutes, and then sit on the floor and play rock-paper-scissors and Miss Mary Mack. We had pizza, a cool Captain Jack Sparrow piñata, oh, and did I mention the photobooth? It was adorable, but like I said, these kids are young. They were a little confused by the props. I think I’ll save them for our next shindig, because photobooth pictures with drunk adults would be hysterical.

The days afterward were busy, as the kids fiiiiiinally went back to school after being home since mid-December. The first day of school, Pablo decided to wear a tie, for some reason. He was damned adorable, and got tons of compliments on it. The second day, he woke up before everyone in the house, got dressed on his own (shoes included), and packed his lunch – even making himself a sandwich with turkey and “mouse cheese.” Also known as Swiss. When I came downstairs to find him, after he was missing from his bed, I discovered him sitting patiently at the table with his backpack already on. Think he was ready to head back to school?

I’m realizing now that I fucked the date up on all these pictures – dang it! I think I’m going to just call it good and start fresh with a new post! So, consider yourself partial to mostly caught up!

Random LaLa Goodness

• June 10, 2008 -- We don’t need to tie that shit down.
• January 4, 2011 -- Project 365 – Photo A Day
• March 29, 2007 -- MELT.
• May 17, 2009 -- OMG I will never be this cool, EVAR.
• August 16, 2007 -- Thursday Thirteen

What I’ve Heard in my Home Since December 16th:

• Justin Bieber songs, on repeat.
• The Mario theme.
• “Mooooooooom, I’m hungry! I don’t WANT an apple or a banana or a string cheese!”
• Mallory’s heeled boots, as she runs through the house constantly.
• “You are such a brat! I’m never playing with you again!”
• Selena Gomez songs, on repeat.
• The Angry Birds theme.
• The “beep-beep-beep” of the back door, every time it opens or closes. Which is constantly.
• “How many more days until our birthday?”
• Evil giggling, indicating sneakiness.
• “You never play what I want to play! It’s not fair that we always play what YOU want to play!”
• “Mooooooom, when can I have a turn on the computer?”
• “I’m telling!”
• Pablo’s ever present, “Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah! Hi-yo, hi-yo, hi-yo!”
• Constant yelling. Nobody ever TALKS here, they just yell.
• “Coming up next, on Disney Channel…” ::insert annoying clip of annoying show::
• Three little girls, singing The Lazy Song over and over and over and over and over.
• “Mind your own business!”
• “She hit me back!
• “When do we go back to school; I’m so bored! There’s nothing to do here!”

What I’m Hearing in My Home, Right Now:

• The ticking of two different clocks, in separate rooms.
• The hum of the refrigerator.
• Cali snoring.
• The passing bell at the high school down the street.

Bliss. I sort of want to go turn the stereo on, and listen to music THAT I ENJOY, but I think I need to bask in the silence for awhile longer.

Possibly Related

• January 25, 2011 -- TRACK ON, Baby!
• January 4, 2012 -- Staying in the Lines 4/366
• January 3, 2012 -- Four Hours at Chuck E. Cheese’s. 2/366
• December 13, 2011 -- Cough, cough, cough
• June 19, 2011 -- The Graduates.

Shufflin’…through piles of laundry and Legos. Huh. I took this picture and uploaded it, but apparently forgot to post it. Isn’t my hubby cute? He made this sign at work and it cracked me up.

Possibly Related

• January 9, 2012 -- Watching the Bronco Game with Daddy – 8/366
• January 7, 2012 -- Taking down the Christmas lights – 7/366
• January 6, 2012 -- Peanut Buttah Cookies – 6/366
• January 5, 2012 -- Centennial Center Park 5/366
• January 4, 2012 -- Staying in the Lines 4/366

Pauly brought home some goodies for Nikki and Lexi last night for their birthday – balloons, candy, and a bottle of sparkling cider. He had me throw it into the freezer to chill it, and we promptly forgot about it. Fast forward to this morning, when I opened the freezer door and found this insane mess of sticky slush and broken glass.

Fucking hell, man. At least the kiddos learned about science today, and how liquids expand when frozen. Teachable moments for the win!

Possibly Related

• January 9, 2012 -- Chiweenie wants her mommy. 9/366
• October 16, 2009 -- Update to the Campbells/Swanson Mold Thing.
• March 23, 2009 -- I love my house! But…
• September 10, 2008 -- Gravity is a cruel mistress.
• July 22, 2008 -- Are you awake NOW, lady?

Today was a pretty boring birthday, I have to say. I started the day with an epic migraine, and really, all we got done was getting haircuts for the girls and getting Mallory to Brownies. Also, the girls picked out a special birthday dinner. On the menu:

• Corn Dogs
• Chicken Wings
• French Fries
• Doritos
• Hot Wing Flavored Potato Chips
• Grapes
• Salad

It was a feast, for sure. And the cake they picked out was pretty cute, too.

Didn’t quite measure up to last year’s model, but that one DID set the bar pretty high.

Then: presents! The girls each got a remote control toy dog, a new coat, and a Star Wars bobblehead for their desk. Lexi’s is Yoda; Nikki’s is Chewbacca. It’s been a lovely, albeit boring, day. The real celebration comes this weekend, when we have the SLUMBER PARTY! (Eeek!)

Possibly Related

• July 25, 2010 -- Kayley on her Birthday
• July 25, 2010 -- My baby is FIFTEEN today!
• January 18, 2012 -- Nikki and Lexi Turn Seven.
• August 30, 2011 -- I have 8-year-olds.
• April 4, 2011 -- Two Weeks.

Pablo and Paul did the Pinewood Derby race last night at Boy Scouts. They worked on Pablo’s car over the weekend and it came out so cute. Pablo worked hard sanding and painting the car.

He wanted something special for his car, but we couldn’t find the right thing. We tried adding Lego guys, but Pablo wasn’t feeling it. Then I found some Angry Birds pencil toppers, and those turned out to be perfect. Paul added some dowel pegs for them to rest on, and I think they look bad ass!

Paul said Pablo’s car was pretty popular. It sure is cute. Pablo didn’t do too spectacular in the race, but he REALLY enjoyed blowing his whistle to signal the start of each heat. He’s been talking about it all day. Cuteness!

Possibly Related

• June 1, 2011 -- Oh, hello.
• January 25, 2010 -- Powderpuff Derby Update
• January 12, 2010 -- Is there a tutorial somewhere?

It’s time for my annual retelling of the story of Nikki and Lexi.

Seven years ago today, I got up at the crack of dawn and kissed my 17-month-old twins goodbye. Grandma watched them while Paul and I headed to the hospital for my scheduled c-section. I sure didn’t want a c-section, and Paul could tell you I was scared to death of being cut open. I bawled my eyes out the night before the big day.

At the hospital, we settled in and got ready to meet our newest babies. We were at a brand new hospital (Good Sam, up in Lafayette!) and we were the 13th delivery there, and the very first twin delivery. As the OB was doing the ultrasound, preparing for the delivery, we got some unexpected, fabulous news. Both babies had turned head-down. Just days before, at my final appointment with the perinatologist, we were told that a c-section was the only way to go – we had one baby breech and the other transverse. To hear that both babies had turned completely around in just a couple of days was the most wonderful news ever – I cried because I was so relieved!

The c-section was canceled. The OB broke my water, I labored a few hours, and Lexi and Nikki were born that evening. They were born at 4:43 and 4:47, just four minutes apart. It was my fastest, most painful, scariest delivery, but damn if I didn’t birth some beautiful, healthy, big babies.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t exactly thrilled to find out I was having another set of twins – but now I cannot even imagine them not being here. I’m so lucky.

Possibly Related

• January 18, 2011 -- 6-year-olds in the house!
• August 30, 2010 -- Seven Years.
• January 18, 2010 -- The Itty Bitties Turn Five
• August 29, 2008 -- 5 years ago.
• January 18, 2008 -- Happy 3rd Birthday, Little Girls!

Kayley and I had a conversation earlier that’s been on my mind all night. We were discussing Pinterest, which is an addiction she and I both share. We were discussing how someone we know from church just joined Pinterest, and started following both of us. Kayley asked, mostly jokingly, if I was going to start being more “careful” with what I was pinning now. I said, “Hell no! I am who I am! She’ll have to get used to it!” We laughed, but then I started thinking more about social media, and how Pinterest has added yet another level of instant intimacy between people who oftentimes barely know one another. And I guess sometimes that can be weird.

I think, though, that I’m pretty much the same person online as I am in person. I don’t have some public persona that differs to greatly from how I am behind closed doors. Sometimes, that’s proven to be a bit of a detriment. There have been lots of times where I’ve wished later on that I would have kept my mouth shut about something, for sure. I really do wish I was better at that. But the truth is, I’m not. My parents always encouraged me to be a precocious, outspoken smart ass, and apparently it’s stayed with me.

You know what, though? I am totally okay with that. I want people to read my blog and see the things I pin and be like, “Yep, that sounds just like Laura.” I personally love getting to know people better via social media. I love finding out somebody else had the same Run DMC poster on their bedroom wall in 1986. I love seeing people’s Christmas trees. I love hearing about how much they love their kids. It’s all cool. And honestly? I LOVE it when I get to know someone better and realize they have some “dirty little secret,” like they love gangsta rap, or they drank too much on New Years Eve, or they say FUCK sometimes. I love that. It’s like, “Hey! Look at me, being an actual person over here!” I love that. But what I love is finding out someone is even MORE awesome than I originally thought – like, I already knew they were funny, but now I know they love Star Wars, sushi, and good beer. I HATE it when I find out someone has a secret, shitty side that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. Like, they always seemed nice and friendly, but then you friend them on Facebook and find out that they’re racist, homophobic, or just phony shit-talkers. I don’t THINK you’re going to find that with me. Really. I mean, I might be completely delusional, but I’d like to believe that people are not all that surprised when they friend me on Facebook or follow me on Pinterest. I’m pretty transparent.

Do you find that you censor yourself online?

Possibly Related

• September 28, 2011 -- My Love/Hate Relationship with Pinterest
• January 28, 2011 -- 365 – It’s the little things that make me happy.
• September 29, 2010 -- Something I have to forgive myself for.
• September 27, 2010 -- 30 Days of Truth – A whole month of ME. Aren’t you lucky?
• July 23, 2010 -- Wow, is it that simple?

The kids put on a little play for us, and it was painfully cute to watch. Pablo and Mallory were a bride and groom, Lexi was the minister, and Nikki was the flower girl. (In a sequinned gown, natch.) When they came around the corner, Paul elbowed me and whispered, “Pablo is wearing a tie!” The cuteness just went on from there. The fact that the girls whisked him away from his world of Legos and Spongebob and “gave him a makeover” just makes my heart happy in so many ways!

During the skit, they all acted out their parts, and Pablo even proposed to Mallory, getting on one knee and sweetly asking, “Do you want to make me married?” I DIE. And then during their “wedding dance,” there were spins, dips, and even a little booty shaking. I think Paul got it all on video; I’ll have to check. The memory is probably sweeter than the mpeg, though.

Possibly Related

• March 20, 2009 -- I had to capture this moment.