Belle the rat

We bought a new pet...

                                            A RAT!!!!

 We went to Petsmart for the sole purpose of buying a hamster.  We picked out the cage, food, and bedding and then went to the helper and asked for them to get our hamster.  They looked at our four kids and warned us about the biting issues with hamsters.  We wanted to make the hamster our Cub Scout Wolf troop's mascot and have him go from boy to boy so they could pass off the elective of taking care of an animal.  We were at the store for two hours debating on buying a rat.  The thought alone freaked us out.  In the end we found Belle, she is a Dumbo rat and is very calm and clean.  She doesn't bite and doesn't try to jump out of the kids hands.  We know people are freaked out by rats so she will not be our Wolf mascot.  I know we have crossed a line into weird territory but it is an experience :)

 The first time we put Belle into the ball Ryan kicked her across the room.  Belle freaks out now if we try to get her in the ball.  Rats are amazingly smart and have great memories.

 She is still a baby so we frequently get peed and pooped on.

 Hayden LOVES Belle.  She has woken up for the last 3 days at 6am asking to hold "my Belle".

 This is the one and only time Ryan held her.  She will pet/slap her and likes to scream in her face.

 Lucky Daddy got to assemble the cage.

 Isn't that tail crazy?  It still gives me the heebie jeebies a bit, but I am trying to get over it.  She is super sweet and was so calm last night she fell asleep in my arms for 20 minutes.

 She freaks out when we hold her too much and has to clean our smell off of her.  She eat nuts and sunflower seeds and fresh fruit.  Weirdly, she is not suppose to eat much cheese.  It is too high in fat and rats need to eat a diet high in fiber with low fat.

Our latest adventure in the DeMille home.  It's always a party over here :)

Preschool field trip

For Hayden's Mommy preschool we went on a field trip to Sawyer's Daddy's dentist office.  Dr. Hardy was so great and had props so the kids could understand what he was saying.  My favorite part was when he taught the kids about floss. He had them stand shoulder to shoulder and used a big rope to separate them and show how floss cleans between your teeth.  I know I am teeth obsessed but I must say it was my favorite field trip this year :)

 Parker brought broccoli for the fish and Dr. Hardy put it on these hooks that attach to the tank for the fish to swim by an nibble on.

 The kids were mesmerized!

 Isn't that the most adorable group of kids?  So fun!

 Hay Hay & Park.  Parker knew all the answers about dental hygiene, Hayden mostly sat with her tongue out. Gotta love these girls :)

 Taylor was the bravest and sat in the chair for a ride.  Dr. Hardy showed the kids all his tools and even blew air on them from a water/air tool.  The kids thought the examine room was amazing because it had a TV.

 Here is the polishing machine.  He also showed us how his rotating x-ray machine works and we got to see where all the tools are sanitized in a mini "dishwasher".

No trip could be complete to the dentist with out a fun new toothbrush and toothpaste.  But does Dr. Hardy stop there? Oh No!  He also gave the kids an awesome sand timer, like the ones you would get out of a board game.  He told the kids they should brush until all the sand goes to the bottom.  Isn't that just genius?!  My girls loved it and it has helped so much with brushing time.  Thanks so much Dr. Hardy for the wonderful field trip!!!!

Tigers 1st game

Taylor & Hayden had their first t-ball game last week.  It was super fun.

 Here are the girls warming up.

 Hayden is a wild child and can attack the dog, and has even attacked a speech therapist at her preschool.  The problem is in baseball she is all girl.  If only I could harness all of her aggression and put it into baseball.  She is an enigma this girl, crazy girly but I had to stop her several times from eating dirt. Let's just say it is always an adventure :)

 Taylor has an arm on her so we had to push her back for Hayden's safety.

 Gotta love Jonas, he had to be told many times to put the bat on the ground and then had a meltdown after the first inning.  He cried the entire next inning.  Good times :)

 Taylor got the game ball for her "huge hits" and for getting an out at first base.  She slept with that ball that night and was so proud!

Yeah for baseball!!!!

Baseball Season Spring 2014

Woohoo! Baseball season is here again!  Tyson is on the same team he was on before.  This will be his 3rd season with this awesome coaching staff and we couldn't be happier.

Isn't that one adorable kid?

This year we have our two girls on the same team.  We are the Detroit Tigers.  I love my Hay-Hay but she is a wild one so I am a team "coach" too.  I coach Hayden basically :)

We have 6 girls on our team.  It's awesome!!!

Look at that sisterly love.

Tyson walking in for opening ceremonies.

After opening ceremonies we had the girls team photos.  Tyson & Ryan decided to relax in real grass.

Future ball player?

Jonas the 2nd kid sitting from the left bawled like a baby through the whole picture taking process.  I can't wait to see the real team photo :)  Gotta love t-ball!!

We of course put money in the raffle, and... We won 3 baskets!!!  With 3 kids signed up in little league you also get a discount on the registration fee.  This season is already a win win!

The one basket had a gift card to Regal Cinemas for $50 and totally paid for our $40 in raffle tickets and then some.

Love, Love, Love baseball season!!!

March 13 X13

We had a preschool party on the 13th and Suzie told me I didn't text and remind her about the 12th. Guess I am the one who needs a reminder.  She remembered and I totally forgot :)  We had our St. Patricks party for Mommy preschool. I was in charge of crafts and we made leprechaun beards to go with these fun hats I had.

 After all the fun at the party Hayden was pretty wiped out.  She has been fighting croup and allergies.

 Taylor and I made her Leprechaun trap.  It was a homework project and due the next day. The theory is that he will climb the ladder and reach for the coin and fall down the tall well and be trapped.

 After I got the girls off to school it was Mommy and Ryan time.  With the time change I have to keep her up an hour later and put her down around 1pm.  Daylight Savings is not a friend of mine.

 Ryan and I got down to serious laundry business.  Ryan is our only kid who will help with laundry. It is adorable.  She gets so excited to put clothes away and cries if I don't fold fast enough.

 After getting the beast down it was time to jump on the treadmill.  I was rudely interrupted only 20 minutes in by Darrell getting home way early.  His ride has a 2 hour window.  They are suppose to pick him up at 2pm and have until 4pm to bring him home.  So how were they calling me at 2:05pm freaking out that he was at the door?  Where is my 2 hour window? I'm just saying.

When Tyson got home I went through his backpack and found a story he had written.  It was absolutely horrible.  I couldn't understand half of it. It was not part of his homework but we had a whole blowout about the effort he is putting into his school work.  We marked the original draft up and I made him rewrite it as a final draft.  I am a mean Mom but I have to be right on top of this kid.  When he finally graduates high school I may go up and accept that diploma :)

 After having a blow out with Tyson I had to have a blow out with Taylor.  She is fighting learning her sight words so I made her write every one of the ones she got wrong 5 times each and say the word after writing it.  Jason wonders why I am ready to murder everyone when he comes home.  Exhibit A: Homework!!

 For dinner we had a Shadow Creek recipe chicken and stuffing and cheese all put together in a casserole.  A favorite with everyone.

 After the homework nightmares and dinner the kids played a bit outside.  Tyson and Ryan love each other.  I love that he is a good big brother.

 Hayden came home from school asleep on the bus. I carried her in the house and put her on the couch.  She slept through both homework meltdowns and dinner.  Here she is popping up from her nap after 6pm!  She felt worlds better and turned a corner with her sickness.  A 3 hour nap on the couch worked wonders for her.

 Jason walked in the door from work and I ran out the door with Tyson for his first baseball game of the season.  We are the Red Sox and we played the White Sox.  Tyson thought it was hilarious.  They won 4 to 2 and it was super fun.

Tyson talked me into Dairy Queen after the game.  It was not a tough sell :)  Long, long, long day.  We walked in the door after 9:30pm and went straight to bed!