http://blasdellzoo.blogspot.com/2008/10/hgp-week-7-guest-room.html

Week 7. Where has the time gone?

This week we are working in the guest room. If you don't have one I would use this as a catch up week or if you have a home office do that room.

Since I have 3 rooms for the children, not all got done so I will be completing those rooms this week.


Holiday Prep for the week:

Holiday Prep:
~ Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
~ Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
~ Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
~ Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying.
~ Ask for gift boxes
~ Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now and store packages in them.
~ Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts.

If You Decorate for Halloween:

If you decorate mainly with a fall harvest look, then a few Halloween things can make it for Halloween. After October, replace the Halloween decorations with Thanksgiving things for a minimum of work.

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/10/first-haircuts-for-boys.html

I know you are probably thinking...a haircut, really?!?! They have enough hair for that!!! My answer would be YES...they do! Can you believe it?!?!? With their hair being SOOOOO blonde and thin it is hard to tell that they actually have a decent amount. Alex actually had wings and the beginning of a mullet. Zach had some wings going on as well. So I bit the bullet this morning and decided to cut their hair...by myself! Well it went a whole lot better than I thought it was going to go. I had pictured a wiggly little boy...sharp scissors...with an end result of having to shave the head completely (and trust me I do NOT want to go back to having hairless kids!!!).
Alex did great! I put him in the booster seat (did not even strap him in), put a towel around (just like the pros do) and wetted his hair by dipping the comb into a glass of water. Then the cutting began...he sat pretty still, which is COMPLETELY amazing considering they do not sit still unless they are sleeping nowadays. :) Obviously since I was by myself I could only take a few pictures, so here they are:
BEFORE (he looks worried!!!)
DURING (a little more relaxed)

AFTER (is he handsome or what...totally takes after his daddy!)

Zach was next...he did get strapped into the chair as he does not know how to sit still. He also did a good job. He did a lot more looking around just as I was to cut but it still turned out ok.
BEFORE (not as worried as his brother looked)

DURING (he's having a good time)
AFTER (I am also a handsome guy)
I hope you have enjoyed the pictures. I can't wait for daddy to get home to see them.
Love, Jen

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-am-just-stay-at-home-mom.html

This post is not about the kids. It is about me or rather being a stay at home parent. A few days ago someone made a comment to me that reminded me that some people still think that being a stay at home mom/dad means eating bon-bons/chips, watching soap operas/ESPN & a ton of "free time" and that it is not a "real job". So on behalf of myself and all the other SAHM & SAHD out there here are the realities of our job: we work for no pay, we get no sick days or vacation days, we work 24 hours a day 7 days a week, our job is constantly changing, and many titles such as activities coordinator, chef, nurse, laundry attendant, teacher, accountant, meal planner, inventory clerk, purchaser, housekeeper, and many, many more. Would you take a job that description was the above? To be a SAHM/SAHD you have to be completely unselfish, able to multi-task, be able to work under some harsh conditions, be able to know a little bit about everything, etc.
As for me, I would not change a thing! I love my job! I took this job knowing that it is not easy or glamorous. It is more rewarding than most jobs (in my opinion). I am glad I put my career on hold and would stand behind and support my children if they decided to be stay at home parents.
So if you know a SAHM or SAHD please don't talk to them as if they are not important or talk down to them or over them. They have a REAL job and have the ability to hold a conversation. We are educated and have opinions.
Just think before you speak because words do hurt.
Thank you,
Jen who is happy to be "just" a stay at home mom

PS Stay tuned for first haircut pictures...will be happening this week!!!

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/10/rub-dub-dub4-toddlers-in-tub.ht

Last night my sister and Alexis stopped by to visit on their way through town. We were just headed outside when they showed up so Alexis and the kids play outside for a bit. We invited them to stay for dinner. So Jean helped make dinner and entertain the kids as Jeremy was still working outside. Jeremy got in about 6:30 so we ate dinner at 7. I was planning on giving the kids a bath because we missed Friday night bath due to us being at a wedding reception, so asked if Alexis needed one too. We cleaned up the kids after dinner and headed upstairs. Jeremy cleaned the kitchen and was happy to do so as he did not have to help with baths. :) The experience was not to surprising for my kiddos as they always bathe together so what's another kid?!?!? :) But Alexis was extremely happy to have others to play with in the tub. So what do 4 toddlers do in the tub???? SPLASH!!! We had water pretty much everywhere. I think Auntie Jean had a great time watching as well. Here are the pictures from the fun bath time. They had a BLAST!!! Enjoy.
Love, Jen

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/10/one-tired-little-boy.html

One nap a day is going well. We have changed the lunch time due to the kids not wanting to eat much lunch before nap and sometimes falling asleep at the table. Now we let them nap and then eat lunch. It does work out well since we eat a later supper anyways. Somedays it has been quite obvious that the kids are ready for a nap. It could be whining, crying, tantrums, rubbing eyes or this...fighting to keep the eyes open. Poor little Zach tried real hard the other day to stay awake...shortly after the picture was taken I put them down for a nap.

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/10/introducing-potty-chairs.html

Today I finally put the potty chairs together and introduced the kids to them. I took some pictures (go figure, I know;)) of the meeting!
Alex is wondering if the seat is a toy like a frisbee...
He was a little disappointed that it was not a toy...but hey he is sitting on the potty!!!
Liz had no problem testing out the seat...
Ok Alex it is not a necklace or hat either....
Again disappointment....but still willing to sit on the potty!
Liz trying to figure out the mechanics of the potty (she is such her father!)!

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/10/who-needs-pony.html

...when you have a daddy!!! Today I played horsey for a short period during the day. Well after dinner and clean-up the kids wanted daddy to play. So they all took turns riding around the playroom aka the living room. At one point both boys tried riding which did not work. Alex even tried riding backwards. Everyone had a great time! And yes....that is the VP debate on TV in the background...and yes....we should probably be watching it. We were at one point but when Palin didn't bother to even try to answer the questions we did not bother to listen to her babble(probably the only time I would even write anything about politics as it is bound to tick someone off). Anyways, daddy has a great time playing with the kids once he is home from work. Great stress reliever for him. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Love, Jen

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/10/future-mommy.html

Liz has been acting more "motherly" recently. She has tried to feed Roxy her sippy cup and constantly wants to cover her up with blankets. Roxy is very patient and plays right along (as best a dog can). Then today she decided to become a mom to a Teddy Bear. It was in the toybox in the boys room. She had played with it before but attached herself to it. So this morning it HAD to come downstairs with her. She did let it sit while she ate meals but all other times it was being held.

So what makes her "motherly"....well....

Every mommy should have her baby wrapped in a blanket and burp them...

and be protective of them....
As well as cuddle with them as often as possible....and laugh with them....
mommies should carry them properly....
and feed them.
Isn't she cute?!?! She got extremely upset if the boys took or even touch her "baby". Today she also started saying baby clearly. She has said it for a while but it is clear as a bell now.

Love, Jen

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/10/future-heartbreakers.html

The boys definintely got their daddy's handsome looks! These two may break a few hearts in the future! Their smiles can melt anyone at anytime no matter how mad you are at them.

http://blasdellzoo.blogspot.com/2008/10/well-this-is-going-up-late.html

Well this is going up late. Things have been a bit crazy around here for a lot of reasons. But we are back on track now.

This week we are in the children's room(s). Luckily most of my children are older so I have a lot of help. The rooms have mostly been done since just before school started. I am going through dressers this week changing over to falls and winter clothes since the temperatures are starting to fall.

This week's Holiday Prep includes:

~ Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
~ Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
~ Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
~ Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying.
~ Ask for gift boxes.
~ Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now and store packages in them.
~ Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts.
~ Check smoke detectors and clean them, change batteries if needed.
~ Make "goody basket" for guest bath, from samples found in abundance in stores right now.