Pics

I had to post this sweet picture my neice, Kirstin, took when we were in Colorado.

Concert Photos!!!!

Sophia (sort of weird lighting, and it looks like she has on a bit too much eye shadow)
Danced to the country song "Angels Among Us" ( I can't remember who sings it) in the little kids show "Fantasy Petite"




Blythe is the green costume on the left (some miscommunication and they didn't take any solo photos of her)

Blythe and Oliver were in the "grown up" show that benefits Make a Wish Foundation. Blythe was in a production of Sleeping Beauty




Oliver (poser, jk)
His karate class did a production with music from Cirqu du Soleil "Ka". Oliver was the youngest one in there, but was allowed in since he's in the "senior ranks" karate class.



So here are finally some photos of the kids from Concert!! It would have been sooner, but I just got them. We were in CO when the photographer came the first time.

Izzy turns one!!!

My friend, Janine, made this adorable outfit for Isabel. She does an amazing job.


Isabel is an easy going, sweet baby. She has every member of the family wrapped around her chubby finger. She's also started dancing before she's even able to walk. (There's a lot of music and dancing that goes on around here and it's apparently wearing off.) I'm pretty sure she's getting her mom's curly hair. I'm definitely sure she's getting her mom's big booty. And, even though she was a bit of a surprise (ok, a BIG surprise) she's the perfect missing piece to our family.

Colorado Family Vacation

So, after the kids attended a whole 1 day of school, we took off for Colorado for a little over a week. We stayed in an awesome cabin on Grand Lake, which is near Winter Park. We had WAAAAY too much fun! We hiked, mountain biked, fished with the kids, the men fly fished, we did some white water rafting. We relaxed and went to the local meat market and farmers market to make dinners. The weather was absolutely perfect. We even had a cleaning lady that came some mornings to clean up after us, straighten the house, and do laundry. (That last part was my favorite)

My Dad and his girlfriend arranged for this great place. Most of my siblings and their additions were there and it was a blast!! We also brought my neice, Kirstin (on Jay's side), with us. It was the first time she met my family and I have to brag... that she fit like a glove. Everyone got along awesome!!

We also celebrated Sophia's 5th birthday. Kirstin, Alexa, and I decorated for about 2 hours the night before. There were streamers and balloons everywhere. Whatev, it was a big house to decorate. Go big or go home!!

We had an amazing time with cousins and the rest of the Schindels. Soon, I'll figure out how to post a slide show or a collage with some more photos. Hey, it took me a week to figure this &%^$ camera out.

First day of school

Well, I'm finally starting to figure out this camera. These are a few weeks old, but here's Sophia's first day of kindergarten, Oliver in 2nd, and Blythe in 4th.

A NEW CAMERA!!!!!

Yahoo!!! Yes, you will no longer hear me complaining of my old one. My Dad was trying to help me out by taking it to a camera shop (as I'm too busy trying to pack for a family trip to Colorado) and he was told it was capoots (how would that word be spelled?) So, the sweet papa he is went out to Costco on the way home and picked me up a new one for our trip. I am soooo excited!! I've obviously complained about my stupidity with the old one and this one is tiny and easy and I may be in love....

So, maybe I'll learn how to put the pics onto the computer next. Whatever, I'm too busy packing and cleaning the house so that I come home to a clean one right now. So, I'll save that for after our trip. We're going for a family vacation with my extended family, then we're staying in Denver for a couple of extra days while Jay looks for a new job. Wish us luck and keep us in your prayers. We're thinking Las Vegas, Colorado, or back to Florida (or really anywhere in between, hardee har har)

The end of "HELL" week

So, as I've previously mentioned the 3 big kids are in two different programs this summer. The week of the shows I've officially named "Hell week." Where do I even begin??? First, I should say that between the three kids in two different shows, but 1 act each, we had 3-15 hr. days all week. (I'm trying to give everyone the short version of this story because it is excruciatingly long!!!) Pictures to tech rehearsals to dress rehearsals to 3 total performances. It's a lot of make up and buns/gelled boy's hair/curled little girl's hair. Whatever.

It comes down to this...it's the worst week of the year for me, but every one of those kids (not only mine)has been looking forward to this week for seemingly the whole year. They were the only reason for me to continue with this craziness. I've got to say, believe me or don't, that it's really not a "stage mom" kind of mentality at Fern Adair. These kids are really loving what they do and the focus is on them. (It's actually the reason we started taking the kids there, my sister used to compete against them in gymnastics and my mom really liked the difference in those types of things 20 yrs. ago, and it's still the same)

Anyway, my point is....after all of this, next year, Blythe has decided to take Jazz in addition to ballet, Sophia has also decided to take jazz in addition to her ballet/tap, and Oliver wants to take gymnastics in addition to karate. Surely, I'll lose my mind LOOOOONG before next summer.

Also, this whole "kids doing extracuricular activities" thing is a big learning process for me, so bear with my faults. My regular digital camara, which I've complained about before, completely failed on me. Then the video camera of papa's that I took to dress rehearsals (I volunteered for the big kid's dress rehearsal and opening night) and ran from understage dressing rooms upstairs, down hallways, up more stairs, etc...to tape them, then I had the dumb camera have a brain fart. That all being said, their performances were taped and we're getting DVD's of them. Then they were also photographed in their costumes and with the other kids in their classes which we're also going to be getting. However, we won't be getting either until Sept. or Oct. so I suppose I'll be posting photos then. :( slacker mom!!

My flavor of Ice Cream??

So, I saw on someone's blog, this test to see what "flavor of ice cream you would be"
Here's the website, if any of you are as big of a dork as me...
http://www.the-n.com/quizzes/quiz_main.php


You're Black Raspberry.
You are passionate, creative, and inspired. Black raspberry ice cream is an unusual color and flavor, so some people might consider it strange, but your exciting personality is what makes you so delicious. You bring a juicy burst of flavor to everything you do, and your life is packed with one memorable experience after another.

Like this quiz? Send it to a friend.

Want a scoop of something else? Take the quiz again.

3% of the people who took this quiz got the same evaluation.
Want a badge? Here, take this one!

20 Year Tag

20 years ago.....

1. I had just met Cindi (and we became best friends/secret lovers for the next 20 years) Crap! I'm old to have known ANYONE for 20 years!!

2. I had just turned 15 and was counting the days until I could get my learner's permit

3. Yelling at my younger sister for borrowing and ruining my clothes

10 years ago....

1. I (almost to the day) just found out I was pregnant with Blythe

2. Was working as an interior designer

3. had been married for 3 years

4. Jay and I had recently moved onto Ft. Carson (Army post housing) in Colorado


5 years ago...

1.I was 8 months pregnant and laying on a beach in Bermuda, thinking I had my hands full with 2 1/2 kids. (ha!! what did I know??)

2. Was praying very fervently for Oliver's safety and recovery after he ruptured his appendix 4 days after Sophie's birth. Then thanking wonderful surgeons and hospital staff.

3.Wondered if Jay's school would ever end. Especially on our anniversary when we saw each other for 10 minutes while changing hospital shifts with Oliver.


3 years ago....

1. Jay had graduated college and we were waiting to hear from the Army on Jay going back in.

2. Went to the Bahamas for my brother's wedding.

3. Found out Jay and I are such screw ups that WE wound up getting pregnant on my brother's honeymoon.

4. Before getting knocked up for the FOURTH time, went shark diving in the Bahamas!!! Definitely the highlight of the trip!

1 year ago....

1. Jay left to build Jackie's house and I was fat and pregnant during the summer AGAIN!!

2. Survived my first Concert Fantasy with Fern Adair!! (See previous post to get an idea on why that's such an accomplishment for me)

3. Gave birth to my fifth baby on my anniversary. FYI....labor and delivery is a really CRAPPY anniversary gift!!!



So far this year I.......

1. Started running

2. have been training for a half marathon but couldn't run in it since Jay couldn't make it back to go up to Bryce Canyon with all of us

3. Have almost made it through my second concert and all of those rehearsals, costumes, running around, etc. (10 days to go!)

4. made some new friends

5. am anxiously awaiting our family vacation to Colorado!!

6. Watched Hayden turn into a TERRIBLE 2

Yesterday I.....

1.Celebrated (I use the term loosely this year) my 35th birthday

2. was permitted by Oliver to choose WHICH Star Wars we watched (1 of his bday gifts)

3. Was sick and had no voice

4. Got lots of phone calls from friends and family (thanks guys!)

5. Spent over 3 hrs. at Fern Adair for rehearsals. On the plus side, I was able to get some things done during that time...get Sophie's costume and try it on, have rhinestones glued onto it because the broach it came with was getting caught when they tried to rehearse, start to sew minor adjustments to Sophie's, meet with the seamstress to have major alterations done to Oli's costume, finish Blythe's minor tears and adjustments on her costume, feed the younger kids while there. Good times!

Today I.....

1. Was at FRICKING Fern Adair twice today.

2. Was still hacking away and I can't get rid of this chest cold!!

3. May have come closer to selling the 75 blazer!!!!

4. Gave Izzy 2 baths cuz she had 2 major blowouts. The stomach flu is still lingering on a bit.

Tomorrow I.....

1. Won't sleep in because my boys NEVER do.

2. will again be at Fern Adair for only 1 hr and 15 min this time.

3. Will hopefully get out of the house with all of the sickness that seems to have lingered from the weekend. (I mean to go somewhere other than.....you guessed it.....Fern Adair)

4. May make it to the mall for some shopping and to finally get Izzy's ears pierced.

5. May get started on shampooing the carpets again.

In the next year I.....

1. I may be moving states again.

2. Will definitely have a husband who moves states. (either back to Vegas or wherever the next job takes all of us)

3. Will be potty training Hayden (then one more to go!!)

4. Will have 3 out of 5 in school!! Yippeee!!!!


So....now I guess my job is to tag others. Since I don't know THAT many other bloggers I'll stick to Janine and Melissa. Can't do Cindi since she never updates the darn thing.

Concert is coming

I mentioned earlier the 3 big kids had their big concert coming up, and I will very soon have some photos of them in rehearsal and in their costumes. Oliver and Blythe got their's last week and Oli's needs MAJOR alterations and Blythe's needs a few adjustments. Sophia gets hers tomorrow and can hardly wait.

To give you an idea (I don't spend NEARLY the amount of time that parents with kids in multiple performances do, but still, for me, alone, it's ALOT) I spend between 1.5-3 hrs. 5 nights a week at the studio. The performances benefit the Make a Wish Foundation, and are put on at a theatre here in Vegas. Anyway, Sophie is in one Sunday afternoon. Blythe and Oliver are in two Sat. and Sun. (Aug. 9 &10)

Next week starts even more rehearsals and starts to get crazy. But.....the following week is insane!!!! I would be ranting to tell you the amount of hours I will spend at Cashman Theatre.

That being said, my point is that even though this is the time I'm ready to jump off of a bridge, this is the time that my kids, and the others at the practices, get sooooo excited!!!! They are so excited to get on stage, to receive their costumes, to have an audience watch them. This is the time that makes it worth it for the parents. (who, by the way, all look annoyed, hot, exhausted, and wonder what the heck they are doing in 110 degree weather in Vegas running around like crazy people.) Whatever, I guess it's these kids faces and excitement that keep us all going. So, I'll post some photos next week.

She's standing!!!!

This isn't the clearest shot, but I love that you can see Blythe's excitement in this shot. Yes!!!! Isabel can FINALLY lift her fat butt up off of the ground. She's not too steady, but she's quite proud of herself for getting there. This is the actual first photo of her accomplishment.

This milestone reminds me of a discussion I had with a friend of mine when our first babies were starting to walk. (I'm pretty sure it was Melissa who also, ironically, has 5 kids)

The discussion was about the fact that we wondered if you got THAT excited about every child's little milestones. Our conclusion (about 9 years ago) was that once you just said, "oh yeah, that's great" and went back to stirring your pasta sauce, you knew you were done having kids.

Well, even though I can say, positively, without a doubt, that we are done having kids.....it is still just as exciting when our babies/kids reach ANY milestone. And the great part that Melissa and I didn't yet get was that you have that many more loving family members getting sooooo excited. I mean, really, you can just see it in Blythe's face. And what the camera didn't capture was a bathroom full of Adams kids ALL cheering for their baby sister.

Slash Live and In Person!!!!

Oh, yes. I realize not many of you will appreciate this post, but who really cares. I got to see Slash in concert!!!!!!! Yahooooo!!!! For those of you younger than myself, He's from Guns n' Roses. I found out about him playing at the Red Rock out at their pool on Saturday afternoon and figured I wouldn't be able to find a sitter or friend who could do the same and at the last minute managed both. For those who love rock, picture Jason Bonham on drums, Jerry Cantrell, Royston Langdon (rocker guy married to Liv Tyler) and guest appearance by the lead singer of Jane's Addiction (I forget his name, whatev...google it) They played a ton of classic rock including Led Zeppelin, of course, some blues, and some Guns n' Roses!! again yahoo!! It was so much fun to kinda relive those days, but then, my ears rang for a day and a half after from being in the front. I seriously thought I permanently damaged them, but figured it was worth it because I couldn't hear my kids fighting as loudly. MAN, I am getting soooo old. Who cares, so were half the people there. So much fun!!! Oh, and my kids were totally jealous. They, of course, love classic rock and 80's and 90's rock, including, but not limited to GNR. Oh, and they're huge Guitar Hero fans, too. But I can still kick their butts at it!!

The Gnome

So, a friend of mine started this really funny thing with a gnome. Sounds strange, but it actually started by stealing her brother in law's gnome, because, really, isn't a gnome in the yard just ASKING to be taken?? Anyway, it's a funny idea she came up with and you should check out the blog. It explains the whole thing. www.gnomewhereabouts.blogspot.com or the link is on the right of my page.

Finally...

A little catching up would be nice. I have FINALLY figured out how to get the pics from my camera onto the computer. Actually not that hard, but in my defense, I was a bit intimidated with this camera. My Dad gave it to me after he upgraded to a newer one. To give you an idea, he was a professional photographer in the 70's and the digital camera he gave me has many lens attachments and I have yet to take a clear picture. Sooooo intimidating and I really don't have much time to read the manual. Anyway....I had better include some milestones for the brats. Oliver got his orange belt in February. He's only been doing karate for about a year and rec'd his yellow belt last November. Such a great thing for him to focus on. Blythe, Oli, and Sophie are getting busy training and practicing for their big concert in August put on by Fern Adair (where they take dance and karate) to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation. They do it every year and it's the kid's second year doing it. They work VERY hard practicing for it and we all LOVE seeing their proud, happy faces at the performances.

More recently our 4th of July festivities included a hair brained idea of a friend of mine who thought that it would be SOOOOO much fun for us all to tie dye t-shirts for the 4th. About 5 minutes in I thought surely she's insane/younger and has more energy/has a few less children/couldn't have anticipated the chaos. However, it actually turned out to be a fun project!! We did it in the grass and had the kids in underwear to minimize the mess. The shirts actually turned out pretty cool. It was the kind of thing that they couldn't mess up. ALL of the shirts turned out cool. And in my effort to keep the dye off of the kids, I had purple hands for 3 days afterward. Oh, and don't you looooove Hayden's (far left) big belly in this photo. I love his squishiness still. It won't last much longer.


Here's Izzy modeling her tie dye onesie while stuffing her face. Oh, and at 10 months she is finally crawling. Hey, don't mock, it's quite a task to lift all that fat off of the floor.

The Cutest!!!

So, I just had to post this picture my brother just sent cuz it's the cutest!!! It's of my nephew, Louis at 17 months. He totally reminds me of my kids in this picture.

You call them that??

So, I was pondering (yes, I am capable) the term brats in my blog name, wondering if folks might think I'm a bit harsh, then I reconsidered. Frankly, anyone reading this will obviously know (and of course love) me for my sarcasm. This naturally includes my most beautiful, amazing, intelligent, adoring, perfect children. (she said mockingly, but truthfully this time) Because they love to look over my shoulder and read what I'm doing. Good thing it's clean. I'm reconsidering this whole teach them to speak and think for themselves thing, though.

This gets me thinking about why I've started this whole blog thing. (Haven't you heard, it is THE in thing to do these days. hehe) Since my beloved friends and family live so far away I should maybe give you all a little update on what makes them tick and their little cutie patutie doings these days. So, here goes.....

Blythe (9 yrs.)- My beautiful ballerina (more to come on Blythe, Oli, and Sophie's upcoming concert later) She is a good example, sister, student, dancer. She's maternal, giving and when I'm asked how I DO 5 kids, I answer "Blythe" (no offense to Jay, the most selfless, loving, best father/husband ever. Did that cover it?) My bro, Bobby, jokes that she ought to dumb it up a bit so that guys won't be so intimidated. haha.

Oliver (7 yrs.)- Where do I begin?? There are many layers to Oli, but underneath it all, he genuinely wants to be kind and loving to everyone. Oliver can turn a bad situation good in 10 seconds flat (or sometimes the opposite). He is also an excellent student which is no small feat with some ADHD struggles. He loves karate and is the only orange belt in an advanced class.

Sophia (4 yrs.)- The drama queen. We call her Sophie in Charge. She has more attitude than the other 4 put together(no easy task). Tiny and sweet despite the 'tude. So much so that she has all dance/pre-school/sunday school teachers convinced she's sweet as pie. She constantly makes us laugh with her big girl comments from a lil girl. She starts kindergarten in the fall.

Hayden (2 yrs.)- Was once my sweet baby boy until he turned 2. Despite the fact that he's a hitting, screaming, fit throwing, typical 2 year old, he's an extremely loving big bro to Izzy. He's a bit gender confused at times with Dad working in OR and being at home all day with 2 sisters and a Mom that loves high heels and handbags. But he adores Oliver, trucks, and throwing balls, as well as (most recently) pointing out others misbehaviors. ie. "Oyi (Oli) BAD or Soapy (Sophie) BAD!!!

Isabel (9 months)- For starters, she's in that perfect phase where she takes good naps and kinda sleeps through the night, she can move around and somewhat entertain herself while attempting to keep up with the big kids. But, most important, she's not a terrible 2 yet. This week she finally started sitting up on her own, which we knew she could do, but chose not to. She crawls a little, but mostly drags herself around like Ursula the Sea Witch from The Little Mermaid. And she has the SWEETEST personality. She really is always happy. Oh, and not only does she slither like Ursula, but she's a big fatty like the Sea Witch!!

I am NOT a runner!!!!!

So, I have officially registered for the Bryce Canyon half marathon. What the H am I thinking?? Whatever. Now Cindi and Sara better sign up cuz I'm not doing this on my own. Maybe Ashley could do it next year if she's not knocked up AGAIN!!!
Stupid Slater sisters!! I'm seriously rethinking this whole adoption thing. My own disfunctional family seems like quite enough. hehe.

Look What I Can Do!!!

In the words of Stuart from MadTV....Look what I can do!! I actually figured out how to upload (or is it download) photos onto my blog. I may be smarter than I thought. One more thing....WHY do all of my kids think it is their job/duty/mission in life to wake any sibling that is asleep whether during naps or nighttime?? Apparently they think (no matter how much I have explained/yelled at them to the contrary) that they should walk into said sibling's room and turn on lights, talk to, and give toys to any other child that makes the slightest peep while sleeping. I am writing this at 10:30 at night with 2 children awake. AAARGH!!

LOST

What the heck am I doing?? I hate Cindi for making me do this and I am too stupid to figure computers and websites out at my age!!!!