Who needs skydiving for a thrill?

At the doctor a few weeks ago, all three girls had to have shots, Caroline-2 month and Gracie and Courtney-15 month. It was thrilling. Some skydive, some race cars, I try to see how much chaos I can contain in a small exam room:) The boys were with me too. They hate to hear the girls cry during their shots so they were trying to hide in the bathroom. Caroline went first and did a great job, but she was still fussing in the infant carrier when I put Courtney on table for her shots (Gracie was strapped into the double stroller--which takes up half the exam room anyhow). Luckily the nurse brought a friend and as I held down Courtney's arms, the two nurses counted to three and gave her a shot in each leg. Courtney is as strong as an ox and it was a fight, but she got the shots. I gave her to Kirill (who had emerged from the bathroom, more curious than scared to hear his sisters crying), who is quite good at comforting Courtney and got Gracie out. Caroline has stopped fussing at this point and has dropped off to sleep and Gracie takes her turn. She does pretty well, but doesn't want to get back in the stroller at this point. Unfortunately, she has to get in the stroller as does Courtney, because I need one hand to push the stroller and the other to carry the infant car seat with Caroline. The nurses leave the room; I gather the kids and head out. "Oh, wait" calls the nurse, "you didn't get your prizes." So now the boys take 10 minutes to choose a prize while the girls squirm and try to rip off their bandaids. I want to ask, "Do I get a prize?"

Swimming with 5 kids is an adventure. Actually getting to the pool is a challenge and then the pool itself is another level. It's kind of like a video game. Can we get there in the window the pool is available for open swim from 1:15-5:10 with naps and anything else that might be going on that day? and how long will we get to stay? Caroline wins the prize for being the golden child by napping at the pool in the afternoon so the other kids can swim. Kirill can swim well and usually entertains himself in the big pool. Alex had learned to swim "underwater" in the kiddie pool (max depth 2') and doesn't stray far at all. His main desire is to scream "Mom, watch me!" over and over until I turn and look at him. The other day he wanted me to watch how he can swim underwater and talk. He wanted to know if I could hear him talking. It was very cute. Since he's started swimming underwater in the last week it has severely complicated matters because he wants his goggles put on tight enough so water can't get in, but loose enough to be "comfortable" on his eyes and face. For those of you who wear goggles, you know that this isn't very possible, especially if your definition of "tight" is like Alex's.

And then there are Courtney and Gracie. They look adorable in their lime green hats and bright pink suits. But don't be deceived! They can't stay in one place for long and it's usually not the same place for both. They love the water and splash a lot, but keeping up with them is a full time job, and then watching Alex's tricks and checking on Caroline to make sure she's still asleep and then looking over to the big pool to make sure Kirill is okay...Every so often I get a chance to talk with another mom who is vigilantly watching her one or two children:)

Some day there might be pictures of the pool, but if you don't ever see any, you'll understand that it's not really an option to add taking pictures to my routine. I forgot to add the excitement of getting the girls in and out of their swimming suits. But all the while I consider it easy if sweet Caroline sleeps on...

I hope it doesn't sound like I'm complaining; I love my life and my children. This is all normal to me and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Sometimes I think I unecessarily complicate my life by trying to do too much, but I don't want the kids to miss out on things like going to the pool and story time(which we did abandon after just 5 min on Wed due to general lack of interest on the part of 4/5 kids).

For all of you who know and love me, despite my lack of poise and grace, I'm posting this picture to show you the wonderful mess I made today when I tripped and dropped the almost full box of Trix on floor.
Alex in our tent.
The boys wanted to sleep out in our new tent(Thanks Becca the yard sale goddess) the other night. We put it up in our backyard. They got in. Alex lasted 10 minutes. Kirill about 20. It wasn't even dark when they came in the house. They will try it again another night when Daddy can sleep out with them.

Posing in front of our tent. Kirill is on the phone telling Grammy and Paw-paw about it.

Sweet Caroline aka Little Lina, Liner-49er, Liney is turning into a chunky, little thing. Matt asked her the other night where she got her fine alabaster skin.

Gracie and Courtney love to "hold" Caroline.