What it's like to live with us: Part VII

EPISODE ONE: NEED A MICROSCOPE?

Ethan is finishing up in the bathroom after taking a shower, and I realize I forgot to grab some clean underwear for him. He volunteers to go and get them, and goes streaking out of the bathroom and into his bedroom. Unfortunately, Zoe is standing in the living room with Daddy and sees the whole thing.

ETHAN (streaking): Zoe, don't look at me!

ZOE (to Daddy): I saw that tiny little thing that he pees out of.

Nathan starts laughing.

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EPISODE TWO: PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS

We are trying to eat a meal, and Ethan will NOT shut up. He's making me crazy, and I have repeatedly asked him to please, please, please be quiet.

ME: Ethan, how much would I have to pay you to shut your mouth?

ETHAN: Ummm...probably $8.00.

ME: Is that all?

ETHAN: No, just $1.00. I don't need any money. I have some money from Granddad.

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EPISODE THREE: BAD FOR BUSINESS

A telemarketer called to ask if we were interested in accepting credit cards for Nathan's business (for the thousandth time). I told her that he had previously considered it, but that we were not interested at the time because it would not be beneficial to the business. She would not give up, seriously, and would not shut up. I had four kids yelling and going berserk in the background, so I finally told her in a very firm voice that we were NOT interested, and I would appreciate if she would not call back again. I hung up the phone.

ETHAN: You weren't very nice to that person. Who was it?

ME: Someone trying to sell something to Daddy that he didn't need. I told her no, and she kept bothering me about it.

ETHAN: Oh.

He thinks for a minute.

ETHAN: What if she has kids?

ME: Huh?!

ETHAN: That lady. You were rude to her. What if she has kids?

I feel guilty.

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EPISODE FOUR: YOU MIGHT NEED THOSE

The boys are in their room, playing together. I hear screaming, and Nicky comes tearing into the living room at top speed. He looks at me, breathless and shaken.

NICKY: Ethan scared me out of my brains!

ME: He scared you?

NICKY: Yeah, so bad my brains almost fell out!

Anna's First Birthday Party

We had a big monster bash for Miss Anna Beth on Sunday, and were able to celebrate Mother's Day with all the mommies as well.

We ended up having the party at about 1:00 so I could feed everyone lunch. It turned out to be a lot of fun, because we had some monster-themed munchies.

Like these little guys that I made for all the kids.

We also had monster eyeballs (meatballs), monster toes (pigs in a blanket), and monster juice (water and tea). I got a big platter of deli meats and cheeses, different kinds of bread, and my mom made ham and chicken salad. Sharon brought chips and dip (including some yummy salsa that Hannah made), and we had more than enough to feed everyone!

Decorating was a lot of fun. 

I made a monster banner by cutting these cute little guys out of felt.

The kids decorated a few balloons with monster faces (and Anna LOVED them!).

And crepe paper is a must for all kids' birthdays, I think.

It makes a good backdrop, if nothing else!

And here's the cake!

I have to say, this may have been the easiest and most cooperative of all the birthday cakes I've made thus far. 

I like this fuzzy guy.

I also made these!

Cute, right? The kids liked them.

After lunch and some time to visit, we all sang "Happy Birthday" to Anna, Ethan blew out her candle, and we got ready for some cake. However, it wasn't just Mother's Day on Sunday, it was also my nephew Ian's birthday! So, we had to sing again, of course!

I made him a mini monster cake like Anna's.

He thought it was great!

CAKE TIME!

She immediately started to smoosh it with her hands.

Check out the look in her eyes. She's super excited!

 "You mean I can eat this?!"

That's more like it!

She ate the entire thing! Thank goodness it was small, or the child would have been in a sugar-induced coma. Then, we cut the cake so everyone else could have some as well. The inside was colorful!

Death by artificial coloring.

Next up - presents! Anna got some really fun things, and a couple of adorable outfits. The toys were a huge hit with all the kids.

"Open it, Mom!!"

 My big girl, with a pink-stained face.

Zoe has to teach her how to use it.

Or maybe she can just play with Daddy's sunglasses.

Ian got to open presents, too!

Yay for birthdays! I have to say, though, I am so glad it's over. I get a break now until next December, when I have to do the boys' again. I'm going to enjoy my time off, for sure! It really was a lot of fun, and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves (or I hope they did!). I miss our family when we're not together, and this gives us all a reason to hang out, so it's totally worth the preparation and planning!

Happy birthday, Nanner!