Mom Always Said "DON'T PLAY BALL IN THE HOUSE!"

This sounds just like the Brady Bunch. Although with seven of us in the house, we are kinda similar. HEHE! If only I had Alice! With five kids I have tons of balls flying around this place. Balls for ball pit, kickballs, soccer balls, baseballs, basketballs, super balls, prickly sensory balls, exercise balls, and golf balls. Oh and one more....TWO BEACH BALLS! Seriously....I can't fit anymore in this house. I like to think that I run a tight ship here and tell the kids we play with them outside or in the basement. Ususally the rules are followed. I have on occassion played in the hallway with the kids. Drew started soccer a few weeks ago and has been doing pretty good. (As in he's improving). Brian and I have been working with him at home. I played outside with him this past week and the previous weekend. Brian, however, comes home from the store this evening with a soccer goal and sets up in the living room. GEESH! I come down from taking a shower and they are playing one on one. They at least moved the coffee table, so I guess I shouldn't complain. Either Brian and his brothers were really sneaky playing ball in the house when they were kids or Brian knew I was still to sick to care.

In other news in the house, I've been filling out Preschool evaluation forms for the boys. Emma is going to be a typical peer in my good friends Preschool class, and the boys will be tested for Developmental Preschool here in Avon. I'm not sure they all will qualify but it doesn't hurt to check it out. They are all doing amazing for being 28 weekers. If the boys don't qualify they will join Emma or rotate days in the Preschool in my good friends class. We all went back to school two weeks ago. The kids have adjusted well. Drew is doing great in Prek. He loves his teacher and friends. He's beginning to read. I pulled out a book the other day and he said it's Inside, Outside, Upside Down. I about fell over. It's not one we read often. Usually it's Sheep In A Jeep! Maddox, Parker, Emma and Jack really like that one too. If you don't have it-GET IT!! Target for $10. Not much else going on, we've been busy with soccer, school, and sleep. Time for sleep now, everyone sleep tight!!

Hot Fun in the Summertime.

Whoa, is it hot! We've been living life in the A/C and pool lately. Drew has become quite the swimmer. I let him watch the Olympic Trials on tv a few weeks ago and the next day he was pretending to be Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps in the pool doing freestyle swimming. I have three of four quads swimming independently in a puddle jumper and Maddox who will swim holding one hand. When we're not in the pool we've been finding new places inside to play. We spend a few hours in the basement each day playing with our bikes and the train set. We usually pick a movie to watch "movie theatre" style right after nap, and sometimes we play upstairs in one of the kids bedrooms if we aren't in the playroom. We are gearing up for school again. The quads will start a new daycare soon, I think it's going to be good. The new director was a Principal at one of the local school corporations and each employee has either a valid teaching license or a state approved daycare provider license. Finally, someone who is knowledgeable in things my kids have problems with!! Drew will be heading back to Saint Susanna for Pre-K. He's excited and doing great with letters and spelling. Struggling with numbers a little. I'm sure it's all going to work out fine, I'm just OCD about it. :) Not much else going on in the house, it's been quiet here. We're all doing well. Lots of Love,

The Scotts

The Beach Life and More!

We did it!! We took five kids age 4 and under to the beach. It was so much fun and the kids did great in the car. You might have thought they knew what a beach house was before we even got there. They kept saying "Go to beach house now." every time we stopped.

We were fortunate for some of my family to go with us. Nana, Papa, Uncle Nick and Aunt Stacy went too. We stayed at a condo just three blocks from the beach. We thought about staying on the beach, but I was too nervous about having an escape artist disappearing on the beach. We really had the time of our lives. We shopped, ate lots of sea food, went mini golfing, played on the beach for two days, the boys went deep sea fishing, and Drew and I hit the pool for a bit. The kids were able to do a lot at Ripley's Aquarium. After we finshed the aquarium, we walked on the boardwalk. The kids were able to feed some very hungry fish off the pier, play on the playground, eat fudge, and stuff a bear from Build A Bear.

Seriously....what a wonderful trip! Since we've been home it's been interesting. Emma is doing great with potty training. Maddox, Parker, and Jack are showing interest, but more so after they've been tucked in bed. Every night this week has been an adventure. Sunday night after bath, we tucked everyone in bed. A while later I heard Jack screaming. I went in the boys room to find a bottle of baby shampoo dumped all over the carpet and the three of them covered in bubbles. I hosed them off in the shower, hoping my neighbors wouldn't call the cops from all the screaming. The boys HATE the shower. Although, it was hilarious watching them try to climb up each other to try to get out. Monday I had to get Bailey (our dog) from the vet. We decided to board her while we were gone. Brian called to tell me I needed to paint when I got home. I guess Brian left the kids alone to play while he went to turn on the sprinklers outside. When he came in he found the quads coloring on the two story foyer walls. Which of course has flat paint, which isn't washable. I was lucky to find a paint can in the garage that is only one shade darker than what's on that wall now. So, if you come over, don't mind the paint mismatches! The last three nights have been crap-tastic. Maddox and Parker refuse to leave their diapers on. They have peed, pooped, wiped, and played with it all. I have scrubbed blinds, walls, beds, curtains, bedding, and the carpet to no end. They are about to meet my friend "Duct". Plus it's Daddy's turn tonight to be on clean up duty. This mama needs a break. Other than that, we've been playing in the pool and keeping cool in the basement with bouncy house. I know it's a long post, but we are happy you're here following along with us! XOXO Sara

One Fish, Drew Fish!

Last fall we let Drew have fish for pets. Drew has been a very good fish owner. He helps feed them and gets quite concerned when Brian cleans the tank. I'm glad Brian is a fishy kinda guy because this mama DOESN'T DO FISH TANKS! Drew also makes sure his fish go to bed at night....no fish tank lights on! Drew likes his fish so much he's decided to try to be one himself. It all started when Brian and I bought a small above ground pool this spring. Drew and I swam all summer in a small blow up pool and we decided it just wasn't gonna be as much fun as a big pool. So one day after school Drew and I went to the store and picked one out. A few weeks later we took a much needed outside playdate to set it up. We got it filled and immediately Drew climbed in. It was a little cold. To his surprise, he decided he didn't need floaties because he could touch the bottom. Every night after, Drew would want to take a bath so he could practice for the pool. He was learning how to hold his breath under water and trying to float. This past holiday weekend Brian and I had gotten in the pool with Drew and worked with him a little. He is now a fish himself. He is diving for dive sticks, floating and swimming without any help. He's so proud of not having to wear floaties. His biggest accomplishment has been learning to CANNON BALL! If he's already learned all of this in just two weeks in the pool I can only imagine what he's going to learn throughout the summer.

On top of all the fishines in our house, we've been going to watch Drew play baseball. He hates it, but I am not going to let him quit. He gets so bored out in the field and loves to practice his homerun trot. Sprinting isn't in his baseball vocabulary! It's at least fun to watch him goof off and be silly outside the house. Drew also graduated from Preschool. We are so proud of him and glad to see he likes school. He learned a lot this year.

Maddox, Parker, Emma and Jack are all doing good. They are not quite loving the pool like Drew, but will get in for short periods of time. They prefer the sprinkler! They are quite the two year olds. Singing at the top of their lungs, jumping on furniture, slapping and pushing each other and more. Maddox has taken a love for shoes. He was running through the house yesterday yelling "I LOVE SHOES!" ROFLMAO. Parker is getting glasses. He's going to be so handsome in them. His speech and language skills are starting to take off. I'm excited to hear him make sentences like everyone else. Emma is SASSY! Boy does she know it. She loves to dance and sing, but don't mess with her cause she will let you know about it! Jack is still my little snuggler. He's sneaky too. Don't ever under estimate the baby of the family. He's become a master of playing opposum. I love the little grin he gives...melts my heart every time.

We're getting ready to take our first vacation. Heading to Myrtle Beach. Hoping to post before then. Have a little more free time now that summer break has begun. :) Looking forward to taking the kids to the beach and hoping to make great family memories. XOXO

Swimming Along!

Time once again has gotten away from me. Five weeks have passed and I'm feeling bad I haven't blogged.

We had a good Easter. Lunch with my family and egg hunting with Brian's family. It was beautiful outside so we were able to play outdoors all day. Drew went fishing with his cousin Nick and had a blast. Maddox, Parker, Emma and Jack ran around the farm with super sized kick balls. It was a nice quiet ride home in the car after baths at Grandmas. Speaking of baths...bath time here has been interesting. Drew has been practicing his swimming in the tub. He has been holding his breath underwater. He's up to 9 seconds without plugging his nose!! He's also been blowing bubbles out of his nose and mouth underwater. All of his fish-like actions have prompted Parker and Emma to try to swim like fish too. They love to lay on their backs in the tub and wiggle around like fish. Sometimes they get brave and put their mouths under the water. Jack and Maddox have never been big on swimming but they do like the toys in the bathtub. A few weeks ago I took Drew shopping for a birthday gift for his friend. As we were walking through Toys R Us, he looked at me and said "Mommy, I need a big pool." He's so cute, and when I replied with "Lets talk to daddy about it." He said "Daddy wants to swim with me and I can hold my breath." Luckily I had gift cards in my purse, so without consulting Brian (knowing he'd be upset with me), I bought the pool. I think it's going to be fun, hoping now that Maddox and Jack will enjoy swimming. Summer break is coming, which means vacation is coming too! We are excited to take the kids to the beach (Myrtle Beach). I've bought some items, still debating on others, and thinking about my packing list. I'm a bit nervous traveling with all five for that long of a distance. Not much else going on with us as we've been busy working, going to baseball, and spending time taking walks and playing in the backyard.

Spring is in the Air!

We've RECOVERED!!!! Yes, Brian and the kids are feeling much better. After weeks and weeks of lysol and cleaning everything, we are beginning to feel like ourselves and a happy little family.

We went to Drew's first baseball practice on Tuesday. He was so excited and did so well. Of course I took tons of videos and cheered like a crazy mommy in the front row of the bleachers. He learned all about "gator" aka ground balls, showed his stellar batting skills, and ran around the bases like a natural. There were a lot of other good hitters on his team. It's gonna be fun to watch this season. Brian was excited to take the whole family to the diamond. The quads didn't do to bad as a cheering section...thank goodness for M&M's!

We've been able to play outside a bit lately. At daycare they have even been playing in water. All of the kids love the swing set. Jack and Maddox have mastered climbing the ladder all by them selves. Drew is learning how to cross the monkey bars. He's two bars from the ladder now instead of just going one bar out. Brian bought a basketball goal for himself. Look out Michael Jordan, here comes B Scotty! Maybe I should warn his ortho surgeon....get your saw!

We are just glad to be feeling better and playing outside. It's been a short and boring post, I'm sorry. Hopefully more fun happenings coming soon.

XOXO

Just Send Lysol!

There's been a reason for me not blogging. It includes kids, buckets, lysol, kleenex, antibiotics, and tylenol. Did I mention Lysol??? UGH! Brian and I have been up to our eyeballs in vomit, snot and fevers. These germs are not taking the hint to scram either. Poor Drew has missed a ridiculous amount of school this quarter, as have I trying to take care of everyone. Emma and Maddox seem to have taken a hit with the germs too. Parker and Jack have been more cranky than anything.

We've not done much other than clean. We did go to a St. Patricks day party at one of Drew's classmates house. It was fun, and green. Drew brought home Clifford on Friday. Clifford is the class pet and he gets to go home with a friend every couple days. While we had him over the weekend we read stories in Drew's bed, played Wii, and went to J.B.'s house. We tried to make him look as green as possible, but he is pretty red. :)

Hope you're all staying healthy, we are slowly getting there. SLOWLY!