Funny things kids say

So tonight, the kids and I were going home from school and a common theme of discussion is "monsters." They were asking me if I liked monsters - do I like werewolves, etc. to which all the responses were no and that there are no monsters. We live near the woods and they get scared and think monsters are in the woods. I told them they didn't have to be scared because God protects us. Hunter asks, "Mommy, does God fight the monsters with guns?" I said, "No... he just keeps us safe." So we finally make it home, and they are scrambling to get in the house fast - scared of the dark woods. I said they needed to help me clean out the car and of course they are no help. The girls run in the house and Hunter stays behind a minute to clarify, "Mommy, God protects us?" and I say "yes." He responds, "well God will help you clean out the car" and he runs inside. The things kids come up with to get out of working!

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010 was a small quiet Christmas, but carried much more excitement as the kids are now 4 years old and have some concept about PRESENTS and the magic of Santa Claus. We enjoyed a beautiful midnight mass and then got a bit of sleep before opening presents the next morning. Grandma and Grandpa of course spoiled the kids with lots of presents while Mom (me) bored them with new clothes. I felt blessed to have my mom here with me for 2 days. I don't get enough time with her. Unfortunately, my dad (grandpa) couldn't be here as he is still in Afghanistan working. I feel blessed that I still have my mother, father, and grandmother alive to enjoy my children. They amaze me every day and I feel very fortunate to have my beautiful babies, though the absence of Preston is noticed every day of my life. While I don't fully understand why God took him from me, I am just so thankful for these 3 miracles and am more mindful of God's presence this time of year.

Here are some pictures of Alexandria, Gabrielle, and Hunter from the holiday.

Time to Get Healthy

As I become more aware of the lack of nutrition in the average American diet, and probably even less in the Ewing Household diet, I realized a need to make a change. In the 80's I was inspired by the JUICEMAN and started juicing. Yes, I was the most healthy I had been at that time, but hello... it's hard to keep up with:
1) when most social outings revolve around yummy food
2) you have to pass by so many fast food restaurants and hear them calling your name
3) lugging a big juicer and pounds of fruit/veggies to juice at lunch time is hard
4) and CLEAN UP is an absolute pain in the butt.

So, despite the downside, here are the benefits:

increasing energy
decreasing weight
improving digestive health
boosting immunity
preventing illnesses such as cancer, diverticulitis, heart disease....


We can never eat all the fruits and vegetables that comes from a few glasses of juice a day, nor can we get 100 percent of the value of any of those fruits and veggies. Bottled juice? Pasteurization, high fructose sugar, and lack of enzymes which is one of the main points of juicing are lost. Cooking the food strips the food of the vitamins and phytochemicals which are one of the main points of eating the fruits/veggies. So, we are juicing here in Ewingville. The girls really don't like the juice because we have had them accustomed to bottled juice. It definitely takes some adjustment. However, we are the parents and if that's what's available, we figure they will get used to it and join the program!

I know that to totally embrace this lifestyle, we have to give up meat (all animal products) and we aren't quite ready for it yet, but maybe eventually. I am trying to remember it is eat to live not live to eat.

At the start of this process, I am feeling fatigued all the time - yes, I work and have 3 children, but still!!! It's not normal to feel 80 in your 30's. I have Graves Disease and subsequent to the medications - Methimazole and a betablocker, I am up 57pounds and disgusted with what I see in the mirror. I am afraid that if this weight gain continues, I will not be able to exercise, develop further illnesses like diabetes (since both my mother and father have that) as well as hypertension, etc.

My husband is healthy and 10 years my senior; he obviously must be fit to climb a 7 story tower with 50 pound gear, drag a 160 pound body, do charged hose drags, and do hammersleds all under 6 mintues. However, he is feeling the effects of age and wants more energy too. We aren't spring chickens. So, we do this for Allie, Gabby, and Hunter. We will let you know how it works out!

My Little Ballerinas!

Summer 10

The kids have been home with daddy all summer enjoying "quality time." :) (He's so happy they are going to school soon)! They have been to the beach twice and to the pool several times. We have been working on getting them swimming. In the beginning, Gabby wouldn't even leave the steps with floaties on, but she was the first to take off her floaties and show some real bravery and leading the way for her sister. Both are swimming at least from the steps a few feet and then able to return to the edge. It is so exciting. We had a blast! We also had a couple horse riding lessons, but swimming really took priority, living in Florida.

Now, it is time to start Prek-4. They are so excited about starting school. We took them shopping for back to school stuff and it was like they were on a sugar high, running and showing us different outfits that they thought were "so cute!" or that they "love." Grandma got them a few outfits too, so I am pretty sure they are set for awhile! They have been looking forward to getting their shots! I know? Wierd, huh? I thought these kids were definitely abnormal until we went for their shots today. Allie practically dragged me back to see the nurse to get her shot. Hunter was up first and the girls wanted to watch. When they saw him cry, they immediately started screaming and crying so hard, you would have thought they were the ones getting the needle. Needless to say, they were running, hollering. We pretty much had to hogtie them to get their shots. Poor babies! At least I know they are normal now.

School starts Monday! It's going to be a huge adjustment, getting up at 5:30 to leave by 6:30 as school is over an hour away! I hope it is a year of great learning and great fun that will help them succeed in kindergarten. Wish us luck!

video-2010-07-17-12-39-53

Gabby saying prayers

Here is a link to Gabby saying her prayers - every night it varies who she blesses in her prayers. Allie is the one in the background with the oddest blessing :) Leave comments on youtube please :) love to hear what you think

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vtp3kLI3uc

4th birthday April 3, 2010

The kids turned 4 on April 3rd and it's hard to believe that 4 years have passed by since the first moment I got to hold them in my arms. I struggled with ideas of what to do for their birthday. I wanted it to be special, but wasn't having too many ideas. They wanted to have their friends from school over. Hunter wanted a Batman cake and the girls wanted a Princess cake and they wanted their friends to sing the happy birthday song to them. Well,unfortunately, their birthdays fell the day before Easter, during Spring Break when many of the families are out of town. Additionally, our home is 40 miles from the school AND 7/11 kids in the class have April birthdays. So, having friends over was vetoed by mom. The teacher accomodated a special day for them March 30th, before spring break. I brought a cake and the kids did get to have "happy birthday" sung to them by their friends :)

We focused on making them have 2 very nicely decorated rooms. I say WE, but my husband did all the work - I just shopped and selected things while he painted 2 rooms! The girls have an updated flower room with some neutral paint. We plan to add some things later, but funds were already tapped out. We gave Hunter a baseball room. They really love their new rooms.




















I still struggled with ideas of how to spend THEIR DAY. I ended up taking them and the 2 older kids to the horse stables for riding. While we were there, they got to hold bunnies, baby chicks, and baby goats. They absolutely fell in love and didn't want to leave.




























The day pursued on with the CAKES - yes batman AND princess cake. We still have cake left over!!!













We also played in the backyard and they swam in their kiddie pool. Of course, the best part was the special people that got to be a part of their day - their older brother and sister, mom and dad, and GRANDMA!! Just when I was questioning, did I do enough???, Hunter came up and gave me a hug and said "Thank you mommy. It's the best birthday EBER (ever)!" So sweet and made me feel fulfilled. I worried for nothing.

Spring 2010 Update

Wow! I haven't been very faithful in keeping up with this blog. The fact that the kids are turning four (Wow!) in about 2 weeks reminds me that I need to post an update. We have just been extremely busy. I am working 4 days a week as a contract provider for a community mental health agency and that alone is draining. I haven't had anymore than 4 day weekend for a vacation and I tell you, I am about ready for one. Only problem is that since I am not an employee, I don't get paid when I don't work. My husband is about through with the fire academy and hopefully will be employed again soon! It will be great being a 2 income family again! In our case, we need 3 or 4 incomes, so he better get extra jobs :D

The kids are amazing: my little joys. Alexandria, Gabrielle, and Hunter are all weighing about the same - 32 pounds, give or take a few ounces. They are on the small side still, especially the girls because they are a bit taller. They are in 18 month pants, but can wear 2T or sometimes 3T dresses. I never noticed how tiny they really were until they started school. The other kids just seem so much bigger than my kids.

Alexandria is my little drama queen. She is just definitely dramatic. All these expressionate faces and reactions all the time. It's just so funny. She bosses her sister and brother around, mommying them so she has earned the nickname "little mommy." However, she is the sensitive one and cries reactively, especially when her sister tells her that she doesn't like her.

Gabrielle is just as sweet as she can be, smart, and full of mischief. If there is a ring leader when it comes to trouble, it's Gabby. She likes to tease her siblings and will take things away from them just for the joy of being chased in a game of keepaway. She is definitely just a mommy's girl. She tells me this all the time. She wants to go everywhere with mommy, particularly shopping. The kid finds things just to buy, whether she needs/wants them or not. She is all diva, fighting with me over what she will wear, has to have more and more shoes (Emelda Marcos watch out), and loves to have her fingernails painted, but has no patience to wait until they dry.

Hunter loves his Batman and when I say he is my little baby, he gets mad and corrects me "I'm no baby. I'm Batman Hunter or if I am lucky, he will say his full name "HUNTER NEW-ing". His grandmother bought him a pair of jammies that had a cape attached and he loves to wear this. I thought I would die when he went outside, wearing swimming goggles and his cape to ride his bike. I wondered where I could hide if someone came along and saw us. Hunter apparently has a girlfriend at school -a girl named Zoe who "mothers" Hunter per the teacher. She moves her chair to sit next to him and tries to spoon feed him his lunch. He insists he only loves Pedro because girls are yucky. Pedro, a boy in his class, is apparently his "best friend." Today he told me Pedro doesn't love him because he follows Pedro too much. He keeps track of Pedro's fave snack, informing me at the store that the ritz and cheese cracker packs are "Pedro's favorite." Hunter is definitely all boy and all boy things. I should feel privileged when he tells me he loves me or graces me with a hug. He definitely favors his daddy (another manifestation of this all boy orientation). He is amazing with sports and has been advanced in his motor abilities for well over a year now. My husband says that hand-eye coordination like his at this young age is really quite a rarity. Fortunately, at 4 years of age, Hunter can join things like t-ball and soccer so he will finally get his chance to play! He's been talking about it for over a year. For his birthday, he wants a baseball room. That's what he will get.

All 3 of them started at private Catholic school on February 1st. They are doing extremely well and the people there are wonderful. I have never seen such kind and loving people. I love to hear and see the new things my kids are learning. They have really shocked me by repeating prayers they have practiced at school on the way home. It's just so sweet to hear! The way they are growing spiritually, emotionally, and socially seems more prominent than academically (although I am sure they are). They have been able to say their ABC's, count to 20, and know most of their shapes since they were 2. They can draw a circle and are getting much better with their coloring. I am awaiting the outcome on speech assessment they are undergoing this week. The bottom line is they are loving school and I know they are in the best place possible for them when I leave them in the mornings at the school. So, that's been a blessing.

Well, I hope to post some more recent pictures soon - hopefully some birthday pics. I am still trying to figure out what to do because their birthday falls not only during spring break, but on the day before Easter. I think they will just be celebrating with mom and dad this year. We will figure out something.

Fall 2009

It's wonderful that the kids are finally old enough to start to appreciate the holidays. They participated in choosing their Halloween costumes this year and were so excited in anticipation of the day they would go out in costume and get candy. We even practiced how to Trick or Treat to get it right. The girls were so excited about putting on make up and glittery dresses, as they were fairies for Halloween. Hunter had no other thing that he wanted to be more than Spiderman. I haven't any idea how he even knows of Spiderman because to my knowledge he hasn't seen any movie or cartoon with Spiderman in it. I had so much fun taking them out Trick or Treating around the neighborhoods nearby. They didn't want to go home. Allie had blisters on her feet and still wanted to walk in her costume, but we got them home somehow and they only got to have a few pieces of candy before bed. I remember being given total carte blanche when it came to Halloween candy as a kid. I guess we are a little more strict in that department. Their teeth will thank us later.

(We had some pics taken at the pumpkin patch but I haven't been able to figure out how to get them on here, so it's been delaying the blog post. I just figured I would write an update and figure out the pictures later).

Now that Christmas is approaching, they are asking us nearly every day about it. "Mommy I wanna see Christmas," Hunter tells me everyday. I tell him he will soon enough. Then he will tell me about what he wants for Christmas, which seems to evolve everyday. It's so exciting that this will be the first year they know a little about Christmas and will get to enjoy opening presents. I can't wait to start holiday traditions with them like decorating the tree, baking cookies, midnight mass, and going out to see Christmas lights. They get so tickled when they see decorations of any kind. Joy now comes from seeing the happiness of my kids. That love is amazing. I have never loved anyone more in life than these 3 precious souls. I am just sooooo very thankful for them, when they are good, when they are bad... it never waivers. Being a mother is just the best thing in the world.

Changes and loss

We have moved away to the Orlando area - living in Clermont, but in the country. We are on 3.4 acres of gorgeous conservation land with wildlife abundant. Unfortanately, didn't realize that we had gators until we moved in. However, it is paradise. It is great not having to drive 2 hours to work anymore and a relaxing setting to be in when I do arrive home. We have had a loss since we moved here. We lost my cocker spaniel of 15 years and honestly the most loyal companion I ever had. I feel a great loss, but time is making it somewhat easier to bear.

The kids have met friends here. Hunter has his first boy friend. He hasn't ever gotten to socialize with boys his age and now he is "friends" with a 4 year old Jacob who he cried about for several days, stating he didn't get his "kiss" and hug from his "new friends." He is just the cutest. What's not the cutest is his opposition to mommy. He is a dada's boy and it doesn't bother me too much until he gets really disrespectful, such as pushing me away, denying me kisses, telling me "NO mommy!" Well, it hurts my feelings, but I try to recognize it is a phase. Then, he will surprise me by crying for me or telling me out of the blue "Love you mommy." The other consolation is that I have two girls who are definite momma's girls, so long as grandma or their aunts aren't around. When that happens, you might as well chalk it up and call it a day because goose liver is more popular than me.

They keep reminding me, well at least Hunter does, that they aren't "wittle babies" anymore. Hunter will add "I big boy mommy." He definitely will always be my wittle baby but he doesn't seem to get that right now. They certainly try to act grown, copying everything we do and the girls will say they are mommy. Hunter will say he is daddy. The girls love to go shopping, dance, and sing. Hunter just loves everything about sports, particularly baseball.

Shortly after we moved into this never been lived in beautiful home with brand-new everything, the kids happened to have a "cookout" in their rooms. They gathered up all the food out of the fridge that they could find and dumped it on their carpet when daddy wasn't looking and when mommy was at work. They totally destroyed the carpet. Stanley Steamer wasn't able to get the pink pepto bismo stains out, so we have covered their stains with a white throw rug for now. I guess we have to keep it all in perspective. A few stains on the carpet aren't worth getting all upset about when we have 3 beautiful healthy babes.


I hope you enjoy the pictures. My dad took them while he was home from Afghanistan. He is returning tomorrow. I love these pics.

Jon Dorrough

I just had to add in here with a little note of pride that my Uncle Jon Dorrough (my dad's brother) and the guy who started this website for me has finally got around to publishing a book, something that has been in the work for years. He has another book on the way already too. The book sounds very interesting and one that sounds like it needed a ton of research and imagination, just from the description. I will have to buy one. I just think it is such a huge accomplishment to not only write a book, but for it to be good enough to be published and sell on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble!? That's difficult! Kudos to my uncle! That's something I have always wanted to do myself. What a dream come true! Love you Uncle Jon!!

Here's a link to his website which gives more details about the book!

http://www.jdorrough.com/

Allie Gabby and Hunter's Birthday Photos

ON DONALD'S BOAT IN TOON TOWN


GABBY AND ALLIE ON THE BOAT GETTING SQUIRTED


ALLIE ON LEFT, GABBY ON RIGHT


A MAGICAL MOMENT WITH MICKEY AND MINNIE


IT'S A SMALL WORLD


HUNTER GETS DRUMS FROM GRANDMA


HUNTER AT GRANDMAS


NATURAL TALENT


AT GRANDMAS, GIRLS GET DORA PURSES AND DOLLS


ALLIE LEFT AND GABBY RIGHT CHECKING OUT WHAT'S IN THE PURSES


ALLIE'S FACE


ALLIE


ALLIE


HUNTER



AT THE HOTEL, COMFY AND COZY


ALLIE ON LEFT, GABBY MIDDLE, HUNTER RIGHT



BED TIME



HURRAY FOR DISNEY


TAKING A BREAK ALLIE (LEFT) AND GABBY (RIGHT)


ALLIE AND GABBY



IT'S STILL US



TIME FOR THE CAROUSEL


TOON TOWN


GABBY AND DORA



GABBY AND DORA



JUDY AND ALLIE (VISITING AFTER OUR BIRTHDAY BECAUSE SHE WAS ON A CRUISE)



GABS