Dear diary,

Friday, Feb. 20
Today I woke up feeling as though someone jumped on my head all night. Maybe it's because the baby & the little boys had a rough night and woke me up 4 times. I should definitely remember this tomorrow night & NOT stay up trying to get things done until midnight because no matter how little sleep I get, I am still awakened at 5:30 am by Len's alarm clock & then again as I'm finally drifting back into a deep sleep at 7:00 by Mack screaming "MOOOOOM". All morning I washed sheets, put away clothes, toys & made bread for the weekend. By noon I realized I better take a quick shower because it's Noah's early out day & I was supposed to get him a present to take to a birthday party at 2:00. Crap! At 1:00 (Mack & Sam's usual nap time) I was at Target with 3 kids in the toy aisle trying to explain that we are not here to buy toys for us. That didn't go over well. We have survived situations like this before, but I only had 1/2 hour before Noah would walk into an empty house, so I agreed to let Sam & Mack pick out 1 toy each that we would wrap & save for their birthday's in March. Good deal. We made it home just in time & welcomed my cousin Kelcee & her family for a weekend visit later that night.

Saturday, Feb. 21
Again with the headache in the morning? Geez! Poor baby Bella is not sleeping well lately. Had to keep kids quiet for a few hours this morning so Kelcee & Todd could sleep, thus we have a few crumbs in our bed from allowing breakfast in bed while trapping kids in our room. I am quickly realizing that Sam & Mack have no concept of time & think today's their birthday & want to open their presents NOW! Big mistake. We spent the day at the dinosaur museum in Lehi looking at dinosaur bones, digging for bones, watching a blurry 3D IMAX movie, and chasing around 3 tired boys that started to resemble monkeys on crack by about 3:00. We actually did have tons of fun, it was just crazy kind of fun! We walk through the door at 4:00, and all the adults & babies are zonked out by 4:02. Todd & Len were downstairs sleeping while the boys ran around them chasing each other with police siren helmets on their heads, but luckily Kelcee & I were able to rest quietly in our beds with our little baby loves. I could've stayed there all night but we had dinner reservations at 5:30. Neede to remind self that 15 minute power naps are supposed to be healthier than long yummy naps. Get up!

Sunday, Feb. 22
We will miss Kelcee, Todd & baby Ethan so much. We sit & talked for a few hours this morning. Eventually, we get hungry & eat lunch before they have to get on the road. Poor babies Bella & Ethan have not embraced the power nap theory. They are desperately in need of long yummy naps. Sam & Mack are still begging for their birthday presents while showing off their ill-mannered, hyper active sides. Noah is joining them. We must say goodbye and get to church quickly because I forgot to get a substitute for my music calling. Noah, Bella & I slip in for the last hour of church, while Len holds an intervention (nap) for the monkeys on crack at home. Did we even eat dinner tonight? I can't remember doing anything other than hitting the bed & vegging in front of TLC while cuddling Bella. Len took over the boys and got them in bed & hopefully fed for me. Thank you honey. TLC had a terribly sad show about a father who murdered his babies & wife. Great- now I can't sleep.

Monday, Feb. 23
Very tired again, but being back on my weekday routine makes me feel energized. I am such a fan of routines after a fun, hectic & fly by the seat of your pants kind of weekend. Noah's at school. Boys are playing & occasionally bringing me toys to transform & fix. Put baby to sleep. Showered. Making cleaning & to do list. Blogging. Ahhh! We also made a birthday chain this morning so Sam & Mack can understand that their birthday is NOT TODAY! They thought it was so fun to make, but still don't get that they have to wait 29 more days to open their presents. As soon as I cut the first chain off, they cried. They thought I was ruining their pretty chain by making it shorter. I tried to explain the concept again, but I still think it's going to be 29 days of crying for their toys. Oh, well at least I know they'll be happy on their birthday & love their presents! Being a parent & especially a stay at home Mom, is such weird work. It's so different than an office, but in my opinion much more exhausting! It's fun, crazy, frustrating, tiring, and awesome all in one 24 hour day! It's 10:30...time to stop blogging & get kids healthy snack. On with the routine!

p.s. I don't have much time or interest in watching many TV shows, however after a long day sometimes nothing sounds better. I look forward to Thursday's because I know it's my night to veg & let everything go. I am really annoyed that I have to wait 3 weeks to watch another new episode of Grey's Anatomy. Maybe I should make a Grey's Anatomy chain.