Chocolate is the solution.

I live by the believe that chocolate can and does solve any problem. Luckily my husband knows this and applies the philosophy as needed. Examples of his recently proffered very good solutions are shown above.
Now tonight he is away and I am facing a little problem known to all mothers as" bed time" and so I went to make a large cup of hot chocolate. Second problem the steamer is not working.
Right chocolate biscuits will have to do.
But I gave those away on Thursday.
This has now turned into a chocolate emergency I will have to break into the stash.
Sorry honey can't be helped I need the support as there is a lot of resistance forming against this "bedtime" thing. The fact that the five of them go to bed at roughly the same time every night you think would make it easier. I mean they know it is coming, and there is no way to get out of it but still they try every excuse to delay. Here are those that can physically get out delaying. Two cribs may not be enough for this house.

I love knit night

Every Thursday I go to a knit night here in Blackrock at This is Knit yarn shop. The girls are lovely and you always get to see some really fantastic knitting. I go to steal ideas mainly and ask advice about stuff that is way beyond my current knitting capabilities. This is my way of pushing myself forward in the art. Last night I got some beautiful new wool for a baby project. I had no photo of said baby with me "what kind of a mother.....?"so here is Zoë Anaïs Siegel this morning sporting her new Baby Surprise Jacket in pink of course.

Happy Birthday

This post is for Silly Susan - Happy Birthday. We wish we were there but know you are going to have a great Birthday. Here are the boys and Dana singing Happy Birthday to Susan before bed.

illness

Unfortunately we have had an attack of the vomit bug. This bug only shows up when Dad is on duty. It seems to know when I would like a little quiet time and then acts accordingly. SO I get the call "child x has vomited all over me". Really it has become such that I expect it. No panic enters my voice I just say" I will be right back". Then cancel my order and rush to a taxi. When the vomit bug has boarded ship, it is all hands on deck.
Now as you know the vomit bug travels swiftly through crowded communities thus we are doomed. Five kids under five years old is a lot of vomit.
As a result of these current circumstances I will not be providing a photo today. I will let you use your imagination - large buckets at the end of every bed.
I look forward to time passing and the bug passing with it.

Valentine

These are my 4 valentine cards made by my four sons. I am the luckiest woman alive and I even get to wipe their bums! I never liked this holiday until I became a mom - now any excuse to get out the glitter and glue and go wild. Holidays are made for kids not adults.
Happy Valentine's day and hugs and kisses all the way around.

Feminine or masculine?

This morning Eoin was playing with the screwdriver. Now with four boys I am well aware that the tool box is a favorite toy. But this was a first because instead of trying to unscrew the TV, radio, piano and table he kept picking up a knitted dress with the screwdriver! My assumption now is that he was trying to knit!

Weather

This is the snow we had on Sunday morning. We are only a half a block to the beach so this has never happened before. It did look so beautiful and lasted half a day. It was a very sunny afternoon and unfortunately for the boys we didn't get enough snow to make a snowman.

Birr

My husband is stuck somewhere between Spain and our house in Dublin Ireland. Yes the weather has gotten to us too. The seasonal but unusually severe cold has brought so much ice and snow with it that Dublin airport has all but closed. Jonathan was unaware of this as he has spent the last few days in the African desert. Now although I have no photo to go with this blog on his safe return I will share with you his snaps. I am going to bed now mainly in order to heat up. Goodnight.

Oh my Gosh Snow

The question is how to keep warm. My nose is cold inside the house with the heating on. Ireland just is not prepared for this type of weather. Lex's preschool closed as they are just not able to get the many heaters they have to bring the temp above 11 centigrade. Building must have zero insulation. It seems many buildings here are this way. It is blowing a blizzard outside. I was twelve the last time we had snow in Dublin that stuck. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of snow - well it is more the cold that goes with it and the dark days that are unpleasant. Give me a sunny California day anytime. But here we are and as you can see layers of clothes is the only way to go with baby Zoe staying in her sleeping bag. Next problem is indoor entertainment and Lex has that covered with guitar hero. Hope this cold snap is short lived.

Fab buttons and hand knit socks.

I just finished socks I have been knitting for Jonathan since June! These are very special socks. Anyway how many husbands get hand-knit socks in 2009? I feel like I am a throw back to the 19th century. Take a look - well the full effect is in wearing them you will have to take my word for that.
I just finished the BSJ for Zoë and found the most amazing buttons for it in "This is Knit" in Blackrock each one is a different animal so cute.

Dressing up.

Playing dress up is the favorite game in our house at the moment. This is them getting ready for the show. Lex is count dracula and Maxim humm not sure but I love to eaves drop on their game and here the story. Maxim told Liam the vampires don't go to tiny school much to his relief!

Lex's 4th Birthday

Dana made a lovely cake for Lex and we had four blue candles. It has been a lovely day with visits from Grandma Marie and Grandpa Jim and Uncle Richard. Dana brought a big dragon castle. Silly Susan sent the best Spiderman umbrella and a tool kit (the ideal gift if you know our Lex!) Here he is flanked by his brothers Maxim 5 years and Liam 2 years making a wish.

Getting things done!

I find with 5 kids in the house even with two adults it is near impossible to get even the simplist task completed. Booking flights on-line should be so painless -right?
Today I had to go down stairs to get my credit card. An operation which should take at most 30 seconds but 20 min later I am cutting a peanutbutter and banana sandwich (after checking homework, changing a diaper and settling minor power struggle). Then when I return to my computer to book flights I find it has "timed-out"!
Due to some unavoidable interruptions (oh and some avoidable ones) it has taken me two days to book 2 flights.
Here is said sandwich emergency and oh yeah I had to critic the current art project as there is now a competition in the house for Christmas art! I didn't like to suggest it might be a bit early to start that collection. Artists are a bit sensitive to a negative vibe especially if it is coming from mom.
I know I am doing all day long but as for getting things done it can be a little difficult.

Back Home

Here we have tiny school back in action. Lex, Liam and Eoin doing sand-paper letters. I am so lucky to be able to join in learning with these little ones everyday. I love that I usually am the one who has to say that is enough learning for today "let's have our raisin box" and a cup of tea for me of course.

Switzerland

We just spent a couple of days in Davos near Zurich. It was amazing. The most picturesque place I have ever been. Jonathan got the ski challenge he needed after 10 years away from the slopes. And I got so much peace and quiet only having one baby (little Zoë ) that I really feel rested.
The mountain air and great food where just what the doctor ordered.
I would recommend the train ride up there - magic!

Bedtime Blues

Does every mother have the bedtime blues? For about an hour after I have put them in bed (and read at least 3 stories) I have my 3 boys popping up with - I am thirsty, I am hungry, I need to pee, he hit me, my head hurts...and the list goes on. This is the door way and they just appear with one sad story after an other. Oh what to do? Anybody got a magic wand for me to fix my problem and have a nice quiet bedtime on time?

Playdate

The best part of being back at school is seeing your friends. Maxim had two friends over on Friday. They came directly from school and played first in the park, hide and seek, chasing then a quick snack and on to Lego and other toys. We had six boys in the house and one baby girl. It was a really fun afternoon. We all loved having a full house.

OK back to my knitting

I love to knit. Not that I really know why but who cares the reason for something as benign as knitting. Hum my husband might as he wonders why my stash is growing and planning to insulate the house by next winter. I am now competing with his electrical wires around the house to entangle any unsuspecting person or child who wants to walk from A to B.
Anyway this is Liam modeling my latest knit. I am lucky the boys love to have new stuff and strut around!

Last day of Christmas Hols.

It is back to school tomorrow for my lot and you know they are so happy. Yes they have been asking to go back - as they miss their friends. I am delighted of course it will mean less video games and more early nights (although that might be a battle at first).
It is getting really cold here even in the house. Lex has taken to wearing his new big heavy jacket in the house I think he just knows how good he looks in it.

New Year

Well we are all better thankfully. And Dad made fantastic pancakes early new years morning - here are the boys enjoying them. Our little princess is sitting watching them at three months she just loves to be in on the action.
Now that everyone has recovered it is back to the usual mayhem. One five year old who is practicing for his teenage years by asking me to play video games every five seconds.

Mom, Dad, Maxim and Lex went to see a play yesterday in our local theater. It was super. The cast of five did a fabulous job of Peter Pan and the boys just loved the audience participation. Maxim was literally on the edge of his seat the whole time. Here is to more plays and less video games in 2009. (hey, I am mom, I can dream!)