Haven't done one of these for a while! Let's skip the questions and have everyone give an update on what's new/exciting/boring/challenging right now.

We're waiting for the final college acceptances to hopefully roll in next month. My older son will be starting college in the fall and we're not sure where he'll be going. Lots of decisions in the next 2 months. Thankfully, the application process is over!

My little guys are doing fine. Halfway through the 8th grade and getting ready for all the high school paperwork heading our way. We're facing a horrible allergy season already. In CA, the temps were in the low 70s yesterday after weeks of higher-than expected temps. So everything has started to bloom. Two of my boys are miserable, despite allergy meds, nose sprays, inhalers.

Winter water polo has ended and spring polo begins in a few weeks. My "A" just loves polo. He's definitely found his passion. He's planning on playing in high school.

I've entered the 21st century this past month. I have a new cell phone that I've found very handy. Love the email/text functions and they have improved communication for me. And the games - lovely to play while waiting at polo games! Yes, it's a toy.

And I finally joined Facebook. Last person on the face of the Earth. It's interesting but I'm new the experience. Certainly not looking at the games. A time-waster for me.

Off to start waking the kids for school.

Sharon
14 year old b/b/b + 17 year old son

The most exciting thing that just happened in my household is that the girls have started doing their own laundry! I got sick and tired of having to tell them a hundred times to put away the clothes I had just washed, so enough was enough. Of course, they thought it was the end of the world when I told them, but now they're actually kind of enjoying it. It feels strange not doing all the laundry, but I should've done it a LONG time ago!

My oldest dd is in 7th grade and growing every day. Her school district has a really nice indoor swimming pool, so she goes swimming a few times a week. She keeps busy with schoolwork, orchestra, piano, swimming, and ccd.

My second oldest dd is in 5th grade, her last year at the school where I work. Next year she'll join her older sister in middle school. She and her best friend have known each other since PreK. They won't be going to the same middle school, so that's going to difficult for both of them.

The triplets are in 4th grade. My babies are growing up! They are such nerds, lol. They do well in school, and I never have trouble getting them to do their homework.

We're all excited that we're taking a vacation to Wash. D.C. in July!!! Can't wait!!

Oh, and I haven't joined Facebook, so maybe I'm the last person on the face of the Earth, lol.

Gloria

Mom to five girls: ages 12, 11, and 9/9/9

Gloria!
Love the laundry thing! I just expressed my frustrations in my post and maybe this is something I should do with my kids? ESPECIALLY after my oldest dd made this comment this morning, "Mom, you really need to start keeping up with the laundry. I don't have any clean socks." I wanted to crown her! That comment actually really hurt my feelings.

"Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears."-- Gillian Anderson

It's still taking some getting used on my part. My girls even seem to be taking pride in their new responsibility. One of my triplets told me yesterday, "Mommy, you said it was a lot of work, but it's not that much." (lol). I'm still supervising them . . . telling them what to wash together, what temperature, etc.

I highly recommend it!! Your kids will hate you at first and try and lay the guilt trip by telling you it's so unfair and that they're only little kids . . . but they'll get over it, lol.

Gloria

LOL, Gloria. I truly thought I was the last! I'm a dinosaur when it comes to new technology.

Congrats on the laundry accomplishments. My boys all know how to do laundry and we enforce the putting it away rule. Right now, it works but I do find piles of clean clothes "hidden" in their rooms from time to time.

Sharon

Hello!

A lot of stuff going on in this household!

My new job is going well so far. I've been in training for 2 weeks and really haven't had much of an opportunity for hands on experience yet.

It's been very challenging juggling the new job, my classes and family life right now. I'm really stressing out. I'm pretty overwhelmed and my kids are being little turds about the whole thing. They really need to step it up around this house or my head is going to exploded. Dh and I need to find the time to sit down and discuss the issues that we are having with them and how to address them. I'm extremely frustrated. I don't want to nag them. Anyone have any suggestions?

Oh yeah! Sorry but I GOTTA throw this in here! WOOHOOOOO to the Packers!!!! We live about 20 minutes from the stadium and it's been just nuts around here. A few schools in Green Bay were actually closed yesterday because they were on the motorcade route. A lot of them are closing early today due to the big Welcome Back celebration planned at Lambeau Field.

"Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears."-- Gillian Anderson

You do have a lot on your plate! Work, kids, house. That's a full plate and more. The good thing is that your kids are old enough to help out - you don't have toddlers any more.

I think you have a good idea. Meet with your dh and come up with a plan. Make up a chart for the kids. Really - how long does it take to do a load of laundry? Your kids can take turns doing a load a day. Chores around the house don't take that long if you do a little bit a day. Don't expect perfection and lower your standards. Everyone will survive.

At my house, my boys clean up dinner every night and often help cook the meal. I do the pots because I don't think they do a good job! But they put dishes in the dishwasher, sweep, wipe the table down, clear the counters. It takes them about 15 minutes and they whine the entire time. It would take less time if they stopped whining. And yes, if I'm cooking, I clean up as I go so it's not a disaster zone for them!

Congrats on the Packers win!

And the college process is just draining.....

Sharon
14 year old b/b/b + 17 year old son

I am sooooo not looking forward to the application process. Dd is a Junior this year and still undecided.

"Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears."-- Gillian Anderson

Just got back today from a two-week photo trip by myself. Much needed.

Started out by going to a friend's photo opening in San Fran, then traveling with her for a few days (Carmel and Monterey). After dropping her off at the SF airport, I drove down to my folks for a couple days -- good to see them.

Then to Joshua Tree National Park, then Death Valley, then driving home via Hwy 395 along the east side of the Sierras. Very cold, very hot, very beautiful. I watched the sun come up every morning and watched it go down. Enough stars to make all my wishes on. Got most of the mold dried out between the ears...the desert is always good for that.

Have not seen the boys yet -- I'll pick them up tomorrow from their mom's. What did I miss...Alex broke his arm and has a cast. He also got his upper braces today -- we are scheduling some oral surgery for him during the last week of February.

I really needed the time away -- I feel renewed and ready to face the world.

The landlord has not got the heater working yet -- so it goes!

Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks