Hello Summer!

Since the boys are changing schools we will have our first official summer break between grades (not just the 4th of July week). The boys are excited!! Mom and Dad are excited!! Not sure about the twins but I am sure when they notice their brothers are home everyday they will be excited too :)

Summer- relaxing, long days... I just filled out our monthly calendar and I am wondering where those days will fit in. We are starting summer with J and E off at a national futsal tournament for 4 days. L is at a soccer camp each night with one of his best friends. Next week J and L are off to runners camp for the week. This is the first time we have done this camp and they can not wait. I think L is really going to love it, running all day is perfect for him. This camp is just half the day so I hope the other half we may squeeze in some pool time.

In two weeks J is going to do a golf camp with one of his soccer buddies. He is also staying busy with his futsal and soccer pick-ups. Then he may have one more soccer camp thrown in there before heading back to school. Mom and Dad are still "talking" about it = dad says yes, mom says no!

C has been busy helping out with the high school camp this week. The next few weeks for him is all about getting ready for high school soccer tryouts. He has his schedule printed, a lot of conditioning, running, weight lifting, etc....To fill in his schedule he is also playing futsal, you can never have too much pick-up! He is also volunteering to coach some of the younger soccer players in our area. Last he would like to fit in two trips to visit family in Sarasota and New Orleans.

L is the one who all of a sudden is busy, busy, busy. He is also doing the futsal along with the camps. He is really excited about starting flag football on Saturday. He is so ready for this! He is playing with a few of his soccer buddies to keep in shape for the summer. When he is not doing football he has his summer filled with 3v3 soccer tournaments. This team is great. When Eric started playing in the adult league we met another family that had boys the same age as L. These two dads have been waiting for the day that the boys could play together. We live 40 minutes away so summer time is the best time. They have tournaments planned out until school starts back.

So last night  all the schedules were updated, today I added two sleepovers, one birthday party, and a night out at the movies.  Whew....Hello Summer!! May be crazy but the boys love it. Thankful we have the long summer days to fit it all in!!

Soccer Weekend

This weekend was all about soccer and the boys! All 4 boys (the big ones included) played in our local tournament. This is when I am thankful that we found a house right around the corner from the big soccer complex!!

L's team was playing up an age group. They did not win but did incredible. His little team is so much fun to watch. Most of the boys have older siblings so they have no problem competing against bigger kids. They are fierce and will not back down from a challenge. These pictures make my laugh, this is my L! If a big kid is going to push you around he has no problem letting them know he WILL push back and he is a lot stronger then he looks:)

J played with a bunch of his soccer buddies. They took home 1st place :) Great job boys!! He was really excited to have on of his school buddies join their soccer program this year. It is going to be great having them out at the fields with us this year!

 

 

Last C joined his dads team for the weekend. This was great to watch! These two played with all the coaches.  C is a U15 but had no problem jumping right in. They also took home 1st place and the team gave C the trophy to take home.

Hope Mom did not see me just take down the goalie :)

 



The Fans!!!

 

What a great family weekend!!

Midweek Randoms

Random...

1. For Father's Day I decided I would hang out in bed with a fever and let E spend the entire day with all his kids :) Perfect Father's Day gift!!

2. Only 7 more days of school then I will have one in high school, one in middle, one in elementary, and 2 at home--WHAT!! How did this go by so quickly!!!

3. I had so much fun planning the twins birthday parties.  I am addicted to pinterest :) They have the best ideas for parties!! I plan to post some more pictures on the blog soon!

4. I finally have someone in the house to watch SYTYCD with me....how cute is she :)

5.  Car seats-Ugh!! I am all about safety but did you know the kids are supposed to stay backwards until 2 now. I guess we were not safe with the first 3 boys!! Yes the boys will be entertaining these two and handing them whatever they need for another year. I guess it is only fair since the main reason they are in the car is to take the boys to their soccer games or practices. But look at these smiles, this is when we pull into the garage. A few minutes before when it was just the three of us it was all screams!!

Thankful!!!

After spending the weekend celebrating the twins I  sat down today to reflect on this past year.

One word that would sum up how I am feeling today is thankful! I am so thankful for so many people and how much everyone has stepped in to help us this past year.

1. I am so thankful for my husband. He never has to say much just look at me with those blue eyes of his and I know everything will be ok.

2. I am so thankful that my sister and mom were at the hospital with us when the twins were delivered. When I was rushed back to the OR after delivering due to complications they stayed with the twins. They were able to give the babies their first bottles and never left their side. Even though Eric and I could not be there with the babies I was ok knowing that my mom and sister had them.

3. I am thankful for my dad who kept the boys busy for the weekend while we were at the hospital :) The boys had a great guys weekend!

4. I am thankful for my sweet friend who slept with her phone beside her bed for weeks waiting for THE CALL. She came over in the middle of the night when I was not even sure if my water had broke (it did:) I am also thankful for the quick hug and encouraging words that we could do this as we headed out the door to the hospital!

5. I am so thankful for all the meals, the baby gifts, the hand me downs, the encouraging words, and the love we were all shown.

I wish I could sit here and thank each and every person!! We survived this first year with all of your help!

Below is a little thank you card I made from the twins this weekend, hope you enjoy

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a63774e444d324d44593d0d0a&blogview=true

Happy Birthday Twins!

Happy 1st Birthday to our sweet blessings!!

A
5:41
6 lbs 13 oz
20 1/4

 

M
5:49
6 lbs 2 oz
19 1/2

Happy Birthday to my big brother!

One of the best gifts I have ever received was having a big brother to look out for me. I am so thankful everyday for him and the role he played shaping who I am today. I had the typical all American big brother. He was perfect at every sport!! He was the star tennis player, the ladies man, Mr. Popular :) He was also my best friend, the one I would turn to in need. My first speeding ticket, he paid for. If he wanted to get something for his girlfriend, I would go shopping with him. If my heart would break, he and his buddies would go after that guy--Just kidding. I did grow up being known as P's little sister...no one was going to mess with me :) When I was a freshman my brother was the SENIOR!  I loved it until he left to go off and travel Europe playing tennis.  I was always so proud of him and his tennis career. I had no problem bragging on my big brother. I have also watched my strong big brother fall down to his knees. Thankfully he has an amazing wife (who I just love!!!) that is there to support him. Those two have been through so much with the loss of their twin girls Grace and Ella, along with going through Katrina. No matter what they go through they show such strength and example for all of us to see. They now have 2 beautiful girls, P is still doing what he loves and teaching tennis. But more importantly he is a family man. No matter what he is there for his family and the ones he loves.
                                    Happy Birthday to the best big brother! I love you!!

One of our many trips to Sea World

Rehearsal dinner before my wedding

My brother and his little angels

My brother, SIL, and nieces

My kids

C

Age- 14
Loves- soccer, iPhone, and going to the movies with his "girl" friend G
Food- typical teen, hates breakfast foods and would eat cold pizza all day
Excels- he is great in Math! I send the other 2 to see him when they need help with their homework, win win!!
What I am always saying- Sit up straight!!!
Strongest trait- Giving heart, would give the shirt off his back to anyone.
One of the best memories- We had a party at our house, one of the dads was chasing his kids around and never had a chance to eat. My sweet C was around 5 or 6, took a hamburger and was trying to slip it into his pocket to take home for later. Was the sweetest thing to see. We always said he would make sure no one would ever go hungry around him.


J

Age- 11
Loves- soccer and hanging out with his soccer buddies
Food- Homemade Chicken-n-dumplings (my southern boy :)
Excels-in reading. Last year he set a record with 530 AR points for the year.
What I am always saying--I will miss you!! That boy is always on the go.
Strongest trait- Confidence, loving
One of the best memories-watching J take his brother into school on his first day. J reached out and took L's hand and off they went. J guided him and told me not to cry he would always be there for L at school. Such a caring and loving big brother.

L
Age 8
Loves- soccer. star wars, football, and being very active
Food- pasta
Excels-in all subjects :)
What I am always saying- tie your shoes!
Strongest trait- giving hugs, always full of love
One of the best memories- When L stood up for one of his best buddies little brother. During a soccer practice L saw his little friend getting pushed around on the playground and he ran off the field to make sure he was ok. He may have pushed the other kid down (which we talked to him about) but just knowing he was so protective of the people he loved was so sweet. He reminded me so much of his Uncle P (who he was named after). He would drop anything to be there to help.  L will always be very protective of the people he loves.

A
Age almost 1
Loves- her brothers, big stuffed dog, dancing, and her doll
Food- bananas, yogurt drops
Excels- in walking :)
What I am always saying- give your brother back his bottle
Strongest trait- very independent
One of the best memories- watching her try to take care of M when he fell

M

Age almost 1
Loves- music, balls, peek a boo with his brothers, watching soccer and the weather channel
Food- chicken nuggets, bananas
Excels- in climbing :)
What I am always saying- that is your sisters snack
Strongest trait- cuddling and giving out smiles
One of the best memories- hearing  M cry for the first time after a scary delivery

One of those honest mommy moments

I said something to my sweet husband that was not like me..it was one of those thoughts that happen in my head but never come out of my mouth :) I went to move the car back in the garage the other night, a great song was playing, and I just sat there. I told him I almost backed the car out of the driveway instead of pulling it in. When I walked out of the house both babies were screaming because they were overdone for that day, the dog had just decided to wet on the kitchen floor, the other three boys were  playing soccer in the upstairs hallway, and he was in his office working. I knew I would have to walk back into the house and hear all that. It would be so much easier to enjoy a nice, long drive. Then maybe, just maybe when I walked back in the 3 boys would be quietly watching a movie, the twins would have decided that it was a great idea to go on to bed, and the dog--well my senior citizen dog you just have to love! It was at the moment I think I surprised him. I am not sure he really knew what to think about me saying I was going to pull away :) I love being a mom to 5 but there are those moments when the noise gets too much. There are those moments when I really have to step back and take a deep breath. That night was one of those moments. Thankfully I have an amazing husband who pushed me out the door the next day to have a few hours of shopping time. Love that man. When I came home the house was all clean, they even made my bed :) Guess it is not so bad to run away for a few hours every so often!!

                                                

   I think I need more of these moments....

Questions about the twins

 

Questions I get all the time….

1.       Were you surprised?

 I think everyone knows that answer. YES! Yes we were surprised we were pregnant, Yes we were shocked when they said 2 heartbeats!! No we were not trying but we never had the talk that we were completely done.  

2.       Are they your first?

 Ummm, nope J they are #4 and #5.

3.       Were you really trying for that girl?

 Seriously, see question 1.

4.       Do they run in the family?

My grandmothers mother was a twin, guess it skipped a few generations.

5.       Now are you done?

You did see we have 5 right!

6.       Do you know how babies are made?

 Really, not funny anymore!

7.       So what is it like starting over?

Crazy, Tiring, Stressful, Amazing, Blessed!

8.       How do you manage?

I would say day by day but now it is just hour by hour.

Then the other day….

9.       Any regrets?

Wait, what?? Regrets?? I think she noticed my face and quickly said any regrets they are not closer together?  I am thinking she did not get a good look at these two, so full of smiles and pure joy. These two are such happy babies!! They may be a little attached to mommy and not want to go to strangers but they show such joy just to be here. Even after 11 months of sleep deprivation, even when M is up for the 4^th time at night I go in there and look at those eyes. Those smiles. How can there be any regrets to having more. I am so thankful I had 8 years between the kids to prepare me for twins. I am so thankful I have 3 older boys who adore their siblings and fight over who will help mom out. I am so thankful that our family has grown from the Bratager 5 to Bratager 7.