Dress Up Party at the Sindlingers...

Tonight the door bell kept ringing and ringing and girl after girl filed in the house and down to the basement...This is what emerged...

Macy, Abby (back row), Chloe, Piper, Avery and Teagan in the front...

Chloe, Macy, Avery, Piper and Abby  (Teagan must still be changing??)

Macy-pink, Chloe-front, Abby-part hidden, Piper-green, Avery-black and white and pink

The surfer girls...Avery, Piper, Teagan standing on Abby, Macy and Chloe

Oh well...Kept them occupied and out of trouble for about an hour.  Atleast I didn't have to hunt my kids down when it was time to come home!!  Enough for now... I gotta get to bed, gotta work tomorrow--UUGGHHH!!  -AS

Piper and Taffy Playing...

The BIG CHEESE!!

Piper--Queen of our Teeter Totter

Piper taught Taffy to climb the ladder...

Taffy LOVES the Trampoline!!

And she loves the playhouse...

Taffy is having a HARD time with Chloe (mostly) and Teagan going to school.  She cries every time they walk out the door and leave without her.  She is usually grumpy most of the morning.  Piper is a good playmate but even that will be limited when she starts preschool next week.  I DREAD that day!!  Piper will be gone 3 mornings a week.   It's gonna be ugly for poor Taffy.  She wants to be a big girl soooo bad!! We usually try to get out and play in the yard for a while.  Piper is a good play mate to Aftyn.  She's very patient with her as she tries to learn new things.  Piper usually teaches her stuff I haven't necessarily agreed to (climbing the ladder, Piper thinks Taff needs to ride her bike, high off the ground stuff)  Aftyn is a broken arm waiting to happen, count my words on that!!  Enough for now...-AS

Quote/Thought of the Day...

Today, I was sitting with Piper and Taffy after the other kids had gone to school and we were watching cartoons or whatever.  Piper said, (and she's far from lady like in general--Don't let her dresses fool you!!), "smell my armpits, Mom."  I said, "Eewww, No way!"  "But I put on dahwodewrant last night".  So I pretended to smell her pits and I said, "Fresh".  She said, "Fresh from the farm".  What??  Granted, Piper hasn't been on too many farms but fresh isn't really the word I would use to describe them!!

Piper just said, "Mom, you're not the boss of me?"  I said, "I'm not?  Who is?"  She said, "My life is the boss of me."  So deep, Piper...

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Today, I also had Ashley come over so I could have alone time (twice in 5 days--Aaahhhh...).  Anyway, I'm driving to Walmart and I realize that I have forgotten to eat breakfast.  Now I used to be one that NEVER forgot to eat and couldn't understand how anyone could do that but in the last month or more, I have realized it alot that I had forgotten to eat.  How crazy is that? I do it at supper time all the time, especially if we have half the neighborhood over, I'm so busy making sure everyone has what they need that I forget and then after the kids are in bed and I'm sitting here surfing, I think, "hmm, I'm hungry.  What did I have for supper?  Oh yeah, NOTHING!!"  So eating supper at 8:30 has become the norm for me.  Enough for now...-AS

Tag! I'm it!!

I've been tagged and I've got to come up with 7 things about myself.  Uugghh!!!  I'll try...

1.  I LOVE staying home--even more now that 2 kids are is school--LOL!

2.  Raising 4 kids is HARD--and it's NOT getting any easier as they get older!!

3.  I really need a bigger house!

4.  I love meeting friends out to eat or a movie--SO CALL ME!!

5.  I love to exercise!

6. I love to sleep and so sometimes I don't get up to exercise.

7.  I wish I had a maid.

8.  I have a GREAT husband who encourages me to take naps, buy stuff I wouldn't ordinarily spend money on (my new purse), works hard so I can stay home, mops the floor, cooks, etc.

Now I'm suppose to tag seven other bloggers but I only personally know the blogger that tagged me, although I regularly read a few.  So if you're reading this and you're a blogger, consider yourself tagged!!  Have a great day!!  -AS

Class Reunion

Lynn, Me, Janice and Penny

Mark Woods and his wife, Penny

The whole gang that came...

Dirk, Paul, Marsha, Scott, and Jenifer...

Last night was our "informal" Class reunion.  We've planned them in the past and didn't get a whole lot of people to show up so this time we just decided to all meet at the beer tent.  That worked just as well as the other reunions with a lot less work.  Enough for now...-AS

First Week of School

The first week of school went without a hitch.  Everyone got where they were suppose to on time and life was good.  Teagan is still so giddy and excited to go to school, it's AWESOME!!  And now that Chloe has someone to go with, I think she may actully like going now too.  Maybe she just thought she was going to miss out on something (I'm not sure what??) but Teagan's missing out on it too!!  Teagan got to ride the bus for the first time on Friday.  It was really cute.  I watched from the window as Chloe held her hand and helped her onto the bus.  We also have "bus socks" that Teagan is going to were every Friday so she can remember to get on the bus.  Yes, I'm anal!  Hey, but whatever works!! 

This week Piper has her open house at Preschool to meet her teachers.  She knows all of them since they were Teagan's teachers last year but they did lose one so they have a new one that none of us know.  She's excited to get back to school too.  And I'm excited for her to go but she's Taffy's really good playmate so Taffy's gonna miss her alot!!

Enough for now...-AS

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL...

INTRODUCING...

Punky Brewster (aka Cyndi Lauper aka Teagan!!!)

Chloe actually was EXCITED to go to school...

This is the girls meeting spot before they cross the street to my van.

Miss Reed lining up the kids before heading into the school--lots of moms were shedding tears this morning--but not me.

Today was the first day of school.  Chloe went in at normal time but the first two days of kindergarten are "transition days" so she doesn't go in until 9:45 and gets out at 1:45.  Of course, Chloe doesn't think that's fair--how she forgets she did the same thing in kindergarten.  Teagan bounced out of bed at 7:30, ate a little breakfast and got dressed.  She asked every 15 minutes if we could leave and get her to school.  Once Chloe left for school, she asked every 5-10 minutes.  She wanted to ride her bike so she wouldn't be late.  We finally left and walked to school.  We weren't the first ones there--just the third out of 120 or so.  But she was happy because she was at school and not late.  I asked her a couple of times if she wanted to stay home with me but she consistently said she wanted to go.  I was glad about that--I shouldn't even joke about it in front of Piper because she'll take me up on it and want to stay home.  She'll be the one in tears next year although she had no trouble with preschool last year and I'm not expecting much trouble this year either.  We'll see, her mood changes with the wind.  I picked up Teagan and Mikaela and they both said that they would go back tomorrow.  Even Chloe said she had a good day when she got home--Maybe this is Chloe's year to start liking school!!  That'd be nice!!!  Enough for now...  Enjoy Teagan's "style".  I wanted the teacher to see it right off the bat.  So far, Teagan has her talking shirt picked out for tomorrow!!  He He!!  -AS 

The day before school starts...

Teagan, Abby, Chloe, Macy, Avery and Piper--this isn't even all the girls in the neighborhood!!

Chloe and Taffy at Chuck E. Cheese

Cael, Taffy, and Teagan...

Taffy and Piper in the tubes...

Taffy...

School starts tomorrow and the only person more excited than me is Teagan!!  She will not be able to sleep tonight, I just know it.  She wanted to go today!!  Last night I had 7 girls from the neighborhood over for supper.  Completely NOT PLANNED so they got hot dogs and left over pizza.  Not what I would have served had I known.  Sorry girls...And then I took Teagan and Chloe up to the school to meet their new teachers.  (Shane stayed home with Taffy and Piper-he has strep-STILL!)  Teagan went to her classroom first and then we had to stop by one more time on the way out.  Chloe's class room is clear up on the top floor.  She has a brand new teacher--she seams very sweet!!  Teagan's teacher has experience and is very sweet also.  Today we went to Chuck E Cheese for their last day of fun.  Not my favorite place but it wasn't about me today.  We met Melissa, Cael and Avery there too.  Enough for now...-AS  PS. Tomorrow can't come soon enough--finally some quiet!!  And a whole lot less running!

Move over Shawn Johnson...

Taffy doing her somersault...

Teagan and Piper before the meet...

Piper doing her routine with some assistance...

Teegee got 2nd Place--YEAH TEEGS!!

Piper and Teagan with their medals...(every one gets one)

This shirt is SOOO Teagan--Chloe and I picked it out and couldn't resist!!

...It may just be a Sindlinger in the 2020 Olympics!!!  Teagan and Piper had their gymnastic meet this weekend.  It started out rocky in more ways then one.  I woke up with the flu at 1:15 am on Saturday morning--that ALWAYS sucks!!  So we get to the gym and Piper won't go out for warm ups--let's just say, she's a bit shy.  She finally goes out and sits with one of her coaches and warms up that way.  Then it's time to march in--nope, she won't march in so she's carried in by a coach (sobbing).  I got called over to sit with her in the line up (she's number 3 to do her routine).  I think I'm about to pass out when they call "Mrs Sindlinger, can you come and sit with Piper?"  Ugh...but I make it over there.  It gets to be her turn and she's still sobbing (she's been sobbing a while now, maybe I forgot to mention that.)  One of her coaches tries to do the routine with her and she does it- kind of.  But on her second tumbling pass, she did it ALL BY HERSELF!!  YEAH PIPER!!!  I knew she would do this so that is why I signed her up because I'm trying to get her over her shyness (it kind of worked with Chloe).  She tied for 4th with a score of 8.10 (they're still on the old scoring system).

 Teagan was in the next session and she has not one ounce of shyness in her body!!  She warmed up, she did her routine and got 2nd place with a score of 9.10!!  YEAH, TEAGAN!!!  I was so proud of the girls but I felt so CRUMMY!!  After the meet, the grandparents came over and I had to go straight to my room because I felt so crummy and so they wouldn't catch whatever I had.  I was miserable!!

Tonight, Aftyn Alivia learned how to do a somersault!!  And she does them perfect almost everytime!!  I remember Teagan learned how at 18 mos too so hopefully Taffy will be a gymnast too! (That is my favorite sport!!)

We went shopping today and Chloe and I saw this t-shirt and we just had to get it for Teagan--that girl does NOT ever stop talking!!!  Chloe and I were laughing so hard--it was just too perfect!  I think she should wear it the first day of kindergarten!! (Teagan doesn't know how to read yet so she has NO idea--he he)   enough for now...-AS

PS.  By the way, CONGRATS to Shawn Johnson and Nastia Luiken for representing our country so well!  Good Job Ladies!!!

TAFFY'S 18 months

My baby girl is 18 months now.  Today she had her check up.  She is 22 lbs even which is in the 20th percentile and 31 1/2 inches tall which is in the 50th percentile.  Different stats from my other girls!!  I think all of the others reached 22 lbs by their 1 year visit.  Taffy's just a little tyke!!  She's much busier then the others but she's got a lot to keep up with.  She doesn't eat much or drink her milk like the other girls either.  Taffy thinks she's 4 and Piper still wants to be 2.  Taffy's favorite activity right now is watching Barney and jumping on the trampoline.  She LOVES it and she wants me to jump with her (I have to make sure to go potty first though!!) Enough for now...-AS

PS.  Is she not the most beautiful baby or WHAT??

State Fair 2008

Taffy picking vegetables with Chloe's help.

Chloe's helping her drive the tractor.

Chloe, Piper and Teagan found the water spray zone.  They got SOAKED!!

Teagan, on the left, going down the GIANT slide!!

Piper (green shirt) and Chloe (red shirt) riding the tractors.

Today, I took the girls to the Fair.  I, generally, LOVE the fair.  Today, I had the whiniest kids.  "Its to hot.  I'm itchy."  HELLO it's 82 degrees outside.  It's NOT too hot!!  Anyway, we did the kids farm twice--they LOVE that!!  We also did the GIANT slide.  Teagan, did it 3 times: once with Chloe, once with me and once alone.  Chloe did it once and decided she doesn't like heights--just today.  Piper doesn't like heights either and wouldn't even consider doing it.  We also did Ye Ol' Mill, as always.  Other then that we just walked around and looked at whatever , watched the talent show, and ate and ate and ate.  The cheese curds were FABULOUS as always!!  That's my only "must have".  Other then that, we just got the normal food, nachos, root beer float, cotton candy, etc.  My stomach hurt by the time I got home, that's for sure!!  I offered to pick Shane up from work on my way to the fair so he could go but he declined.  I don't know why he doesn't like the fair.  It's an Iowa Tradition!!  Enough for now, I need a nap!  -AS

PS  On the way home, we stopped by the school to see if the class lists were posted and we found out who Chloe and Teagan have for teachers.  Teagan wanted to go in and meet her teacher right now.  She says she's scared to go to kindergarten.  Chloe has a new teacher that we don't know--AGAIN!  I'm kind of tired of "breaking in" new teachers.  I hope she atleast has previous experience!!  Teagan's teacher has been around here for 6 years and a teacher for 14 years so I'm happy about that.

Back to School Do's

Piper getting a wash...

Piper is cut and now getting a style--pigtails, of course.

Chloe--short and sassy...

Teagan is short and sassy too...

Our excitement today was the girls getting their haircut.  This was Piper's first haircut and I think Teagan has only had 1 or 2 others (that's one good thing about having girls--low maintenence haircutting!!).  None of them have had a cut since last year's back to school cut--maybe I should take them more often then once a year, huh??  Teagan and Chloe both got about 5 inches cut and Piper just got a trim.  I'm not ready to cut her hair and she didn't say she wanted it any shorter so we'll go with this for now.  They all turned out really cute!  And Tara always puts in glitter or Piper usually requests "colors"  so one pony was orange and the other was purple.  (often times she'll go with Shane to get his haircut and comes back colored). Stay tuned until tomorrow, we are going to the Fair!!  YEAH!!!  I love it--Shane does not so he can just go to work.  Enough for now...-AS

The Windy City...Day 3

Shane, Piper, Taffy, Chloe and Teagan on Michigan Avenue.

Piper, Teagan and Chloe with some statue guy.

Our family after Shane bought the girls their dolls (he's even smiling!!)

Shane paying the Toll.

Henry, the cat sitter.

Saturday, we had planned on going to the zoo but then we decided to go down to Michigan Avenue instead because the girls wanted to go to the American Girl Store.  I thought Shane would need CPR when he saw the prices.  (Much like I'm going to need CPR when I see the credit card bill!!)  I'm cheap but he's beyond that!!  We told the girls we would just "look" and then decide later if they would get anything.  We shopped for awhile and we found a Disney Store.  Shane was hoping to make a deal with the girls but they didn't budge!!  So we went back and got them their dolls.  Teagan, of course, wanted a new outfit and a swimsuit and new shoes for her girl.  Shane didn't budge.  When you're buying THREE dolls, there will be no accessories.  Maybe Santa can bring some.  After that, we headed back to the hotel and the girls swam in the pool--which was probably one of their favorite things anyway.  

Today, is my birthday>  Yipee!!  We headed home and stopped by Williamsburg and got Piper and Teagan some jeans for school and a few other things and I picked out a new purse as my gift.  I've been looking for one for a year now and I just happened to find one I liked today.  When I got home, Henry and his family had left me a cookie cake on the table for my birthday.  How sweet is that??  Anyway, I gotta get folding laundry.  Enough for now...-AS

The Windy City...Day 2

Piper, Teagan, Aftyn and Chloe in front of Shedd Aquarium.

Chloe and Teagan heading out to swim.

Piper and Taffy staying close to shore.

Wholey Cow!!!

We got up on Friday morning and went down to The Shedd Aquarium.  That took 2 hours to get there on public transportation (however, I wouldn't want to drive there--they're Crazy!!)  We finally got there and, it was of course lunch time.  I wanted to eat before we left the hotel area but my wise husband said, "Let's just eat when we get there.  It won't take that long."  (I also have a STRONG history of car sickness)  So we look around at a few things and the aquarium has the most AMAZING view of Lake Michigan!!  It's breath taking to say the least!!  And we eat and the whole time, Teagan and Chloe and Piper are saying, "Can we go to the beach yet?  Can we get out of here and go to the beach?"  So we look at a few more things and finally we gave in and leave.  We debate over which beach to go to and decide to go to the one we saw on our memorable bike ride.  Which is quite a hike or a 15 minute water taxi ride.  Shane, being the cheapskate that he is, said let's just walk, it's only right over there...I just checked mapmyrun.com and it was 1.94 miles.  That's a LONG way for a 4 and 5 year old to walk!!  It took us a solid hour if not longer.  I can't remember exactly.  "It didn't look that far," my very Wise husband said.  Uugghh...  Atleast Taffy got a 30 minute nap on our walk.  Finally, we got to the beach and the girls had a great time splashing in the water!  

Our hotel was next to Harry Caray's Restaurant so we, of course, had to eat there.  They had this cow out front that the girls thought was pretty cool.  The food was not bad but I have to vent for a minute and it's not just this restaurant.  Yes, we have SIX people in our family but does Aftyn really count when I don't even order her a meal??  I think it's BS that they AUTOMATICALLY add gratuity since we are a party of SIX!!  It's one thing if she ate something, but she's an infant for goodness sake!!!  Anyway, enough about that...-AS