This Crazy Thing Called Life: 13 & 14

I know,I know, I have been a total slacker with blogging lately. I guess that's what happens when you have four very busy, always on the move kids. We are all doing great though and just trying to get thru this very hot summer. We were having a lot of fun going to Busch Gardens most weekend evenings, but the heat and rain have slowed that down. And our weekly beach outings have also been disrupted. So, I will give quick updates on everybody in case anybody is wondering what we are all up to these days. First off, I will start by saying I believe I am raising a bunch of monkeys. These kids climb like nobody's business. Any and every surface that is capable of being climbed, they will climb. My day consists of pulling babies off of the backs of couches, the tops of counters, toys they shouldn't be on and more. They know they aren't supposed to do it and will smile at me while shaking their heads "No" and still do it. If I am busy with a different baby, they will sneak a peek to see if I'm watching and if they think I'm not, they climb at lightning speed while giggling to see how far they can get before I notice. I think we need to call Super Nanny already. The leader of the pack (for now) is definitely Makayla. She is still the smallest of the group,around 18 pounds, but she is definitely in charge. She's still tough and determined and sweet and cuddly all rolled together. She is usually the first to do something and the other two quickly follow. She still sleeps the least of the three and is quick to let you know if she isn't happy about something. She was biting for a few weeks, but she seems to finally be understanding that's not allowed. Marissa has become the friendliest of the group. She is fine with other people holding her and will interact with them much quicker than Jack or Makayla will. Not that long ago, she was the most shy of the three, so it's been quite a turnaround. She is maybe a pound, if that, bigger than her sister. She is the squealer of the group and loves to hear her voice. Future singer in the making! She loves to play peekaboo with you and likes to grunt just to make you look at her. She is pretty easy going with her siblings and doesn't get too upset when they take her toys from her most of the time. Her and Makayla have a strong bond. They love to kiss each other and "speak" to each other. They will make sounds at each other and then start giggling together like they just told a funny joke. I just wish I knew what was being said! They don't like to see the other one sick or getting in trouble. They get very jealous of the other if they are being held and instantly need to be held too. Jack is emerging as quite a dancer. The boy does leg moves, arm moves, spins, booty drops, you name it. He will bring me the remote to the tv and start shaking his arms around and that is his way of telling me to put the music on the tv so he can dance. I am not sure where he has learned all of his moves, but he's definitely got it. I really don't think he would be as into the climbing if his sisters weren't showing him, but he is not getting left behind! He is still so silly and always happy. He is easily my best sleeper and still just a really easy, content little boy. He has become a very picky eater and rather make his sisters laugh by throwing his food on the floor or spitting it out of his mouth than actually eating it. He is a bit too thin for my liking so I hope he changes his ways soon. Together they are so much fun. They are always together, following each other from room to room and if they do happen to get separated they will yell to each other to make sure they are still nearby.They really understand a lot now and can follow simple commands like bringing you a diaper, shoes, clothes. They love to bring me their diaper and the box of wipes when they need to be changed. Hopefully this means they will be super easy to potty train! Nap time is a lot of fun to listen to, you hear lots of squealing and giggling for about 15 minutes, then all gets quiet. They keep each other entertained and love chasing each other around the house or colliding into each other on their ride on toys. Of course it is still a lot of work, but I enjoy (almost) every minute of it. And last but not least is my Marley. She is almost four!! Only a couple more weeks!! I cannot believe it. I cannot say enough what a wonderful big sister she is. She loves those babies with all of her heart and just asked me last night if her and "Baby Rissa" can share a room once the babies move into beds. She loves the fact that they are bigger now and get to do more than before. Just tonight, one of the little girls took her cup of water and when she saw it, she got the baby's cup and handed it to her and then took her cup of water back. My mom said how the majority of other kids would snatch it from their little sister and tell them it was theirs and I realized how right she is when she said what a good big sister they have. Sometimes all she wants to do is relax and watch tv and she's got three babies climbing all over her, yet she very rarely loses her patience with them. She is usually making them come in the playroom with her and they all (yes even Jack) love to play Barbies together. They are always watching their big sister practice her gymnastics and try to mimic her. I would say the feeling of love is definitely mutual. So, that is the Boucher Bunch over the last few months in a nutshell. Just staying busy and doing our thang and moving forward every day.