What a Difference a Year Makes

I've been prompted (yes, I'm looking at you, Briana) to blog more, so here goes.

It's been just under a year since my last entry. We've grown a lot since then, saying goodbye to some friends, and hello to others.

Zo left for preschool, Ru left to move across the country, and A left for greener pastures.

P and R (brothers) joined us in late summer last year. P and We are only a few months apart in age, and fight like cats and dogs most of the time. They're very quick to blame the other for any and all mishaps, while at the same time bemoaning time spent apart. It's the definition of a love-hate relationship. P and R will only be with me for a couple more months, as their family is posting to Jordan at the beginning of June, and will be gone for a couple of years. Given that their mom and I have become fast friends, this is a loss I'll feel very deeply.

Baby girl H joined us in January, and spent the first few weeks sitting in the middle of the floor in sheer terror at the velocity and decibel level of a house full of small boys. She's acclimated quite well, and now rules the roost. If H isn't happy, the boys run for their lives, or try and shush her. It's really quite impressive.

In June, we'll welcome baby S, who will be 7 months at the time. Her parents just bought a house here in our neighborhood, so they'll be nice and close!  Then in November-ish, baby-to-be-determined will join us, at just 6 weeks of age. Mama interviewed with me when she was just a few months pregnant, and decided to register before even knowing the baby's sex. That's dedication, yo. She'll find out next week what they're having. I've got to admit, I'm sending girl vibes as hard as I can.

We've been up to much of the same lately. The dynamics are slightly different with so many boys so close in age, but it's working well. Everyone sleeps, which, let's face it, is the biggest fear. My most "problematic" child (if you can even call it that) is my own 3 year old son.

I think we're finally rounding the corner in to Spring, and couldn't be more grateful. The last 5 months have been brutal, with very few chances to get outdoors and explore. We still can't make use of most of the playgrounds in the neighborhood since they're mud pits, but we've logged a few dozen miles on the stroller tires. That'll have to do for now.

Now that Spring is starting to...spring...it's time once again to start seeds!  Except, I think I'm skipping the seed thing this year and going straight to starter-plants. We did get a vermicompost bin this year, so the kids have gotten a HUGE kick out of helping me throw their food scraps in to the bin, and then check it a few days later to see how the worms have devoured the scraps. Definitely imparting crucial "circle of life" lessons here. Or something.

Upon request, I'll be sprinkling the daycare updates with my take on recent parenting articles. I am quite certain that I am no better than the mother next to me in the line at Wegman's, but my opinion seems to matter to some, so I'll run with it. Who doesn't love an ego boost?