OurLittleMcFamily.com

So, the plan was for all of the kids to help make breakfast for mommy and deliver it to her in bed. Mom tried to pry the secret out of them during the day on Friday, but they stayed strong! Saturday night trouble landed the girls in their bedrooms though, so it was just Daddy and the boys; they were super excited to help with Mommy’s special treat. We made French Toast and eggs, with juice and some strawberries. Bon Appetit!

Danny: Mom, what do pandas eat?

Me: Mostly Bamboo.

Danny: Oh, okay.

Nikki: Mom, what do piggies eat?

Ezzy: Out of the garbage can, duh.

Nikki: Oh, okay.

*worried look on her face. mom secretly laughing inside*

Nikki: Mom, do I have to eat out of the garbage can?

Mom: No, Nikki, you can continue to eat at the table like all little girls.

*all other children, as well as mom, laughing out loud this time for a good five minutes*

Apparently we tell her that her room is a pig pen a little too often because now she actually thinks she is a little piggy. And as soon as quiet time is over, I am going to help Danny look up information about Panda Bears–his newest obsession. Yeah, like Kung Fu Panda had nothing to do with that spark. Or the fact that his stuffed panda accompanied him through his circumcision surgery yesterday. I love it when I have all four ninos home. It just feels right. :)

I have many family members and friends out there that not only love to cook, but are really really good at it. My sister, Jaimee, started a family/friends food sharing site. There are multiple contributors, which I am one of. Yes, you heard me correctly! And, no, I have not contributed yet. However, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve–not many, but I do have a few.

Anyway, here is the site: http://fromourkitchenstoyours.blogspot.com/

I am sure that Jaimee would welcome more contributors to share yumminess with.

–rach

How does a new mom of four celebrate Rachie Day:

1. French Toast and strawberries in bed

–delivered by the most adorable brown-skinned beauties you have ever seen.

2. Gorgeous flowers arranged in my grandmother’s carnival glass vase

–arranged by mine truly. 

3. Watching three of the four ninos sing (I Often Go Walking…) their hearts out with the primary

–the fourth was, well, singing his own tune in the van with daddy. :)

4. Dinner with the McCrackens

–the men planned, prepped, and cleaned a “Tour of Italy.” (I am sure it was delicious)

5. One yummy back massage, and another amazing card from Adam

–a perfect ending to a perfect day…………as a new mom!

Baby Lea has actually been a part of our lives for as long as we have had the ninos. And now he is finally, and officially, here! 

The night Zackary was born, I took the ninos to see their new little cousin, and they were in total awe over the new little alien. I think they were in even more awe over their Tia. They were curious about everything, and they had a million questions for her, which she answered in typical patient Tia style despite the fact that she was exhausted. These were firsts for the ninos–visiting someone in the hospital, and watching someone go through an entire pregnancy with a live little baby to show for it. I can tell that they understand the process a little more now. (Maybe Tia J. will eventually post some of those pics for everyone to see)

Welcome to the world, and the family, little Zack!

Nikki is actually really good. Our little princess is the fastest runner out of all the ninos. She also has the most natural stamina. She can’t hit the ball as hard as Danny, but she can hunt down and tag whoever the coaches tell her to. Maybe she will embrace her sporty side after all. She begs us to go on a walk every single night. I love it.

Then there’s the Wompster. He and Nikki are on the same team. As you can see, our shortcake is a little behind Nikki in the speed department, but last game he actually tagged two people out at home. Impressive! The first two weeks he would purposely hit the tee instead of the ball because people would laugh. Then, after he was finally able to hit the ball, he would chase it instead of running to first base (most of the little ones do that at least). So mean mom made him sit out for a game, and he finally got “serious.” :)

Ezzy tries so hard! She wants to do well, but sometimes falls short athletically in the shadow of her brother. Blast those oldest children! We are trying to create ways that she can shine in other areas, and here at home. Regardless, Ezzy loves to run and play and have fun. And that is what this little league is all about. Her coordination has some catching up to do, but she was able to get a couple of runs last week. She thought that was totally awesome. Of course, she and her friend, Erica, kept calling them “home runs.” Hilarious!

Athletically speaking, Danny just gets it. He intuitively knows what to do, usually without explanation. He can hit hard, run fast, throw far. Baseball is right up his ally, although he is happy playing any sport or just being outside. Well, he would be “happier” if we let him exercise his vegging muscles in front of the tv or wii more! :) (Dream on, bud!)

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Adam has absolutely loved the past month of baseball. The kids beg to play catch with him now. And he is most happy to oblige. They didn’t really even know how to do it before. Imagine, an eight year old little boy not knowing how to play catch, or even knowing it was possible! The things we take for granted. And now they have a daddy to do it with.

We are grateful that this little league was formed through the church. We made a conscious decision when deciding how to parent to not let sports dictate our schedules or our lives. But we also want the kids to have fun and develop their physical talents. This particular little league is only one night a week (the practice and game) for eight weeks, it is free, and it is non-competitive. PERFECT for us! I think a lot of other parents must feel the same way because there are over 250 kids participating. It is a new program, and I think it is here to stay.