Extreme Heat!

Chicago has been experiencing some extreme temperatures this summer & we've had many days in the 90's & several 100 degree days.  It's been difficult to allow the kids to be outside more than 30 minutes at a time.  Emmett doesn't do well on these hot, hot days & even Jack is quickly worn out.  Not to mention, Nora can't be out there! 

So, John & I decided we'd pick up & pack up & get these kids out of this house!  They're starting to crawl the walls & frankly we could all use some semblance of a "vacation!"  We decided a hotel not too far away with a pool would do us just fine.  We headed to Kenosha, got provisions at our favorite spot, Woodmans (if you've never been there and happen to be passing through Kenosha you MUST stop!  Best liquor department you'll ever encounter!), and checked into the Best Western.  Nothing fancy, but all the things we were looking for.  The best part is that the kids thought it was the greatest weekend ever!

 Jelly Belly Factory gives FREE tours...fun hats & jelly beans included!!!

A little beach time...John was stuck in the car with a hungry baby who eats incredibly slowly & a tired toddler who was taking a long nap!  Molly, Jack, & I had a fun hour of beach time...I could have stayed out there ALL day!
Our two night stay was just what everyone needed to regroup & rejuvinate. 
As always, Monday came all too quickly!

My First Solo Excursion

I've always been an "on the go" mom.  It's a lot of work, yes, but it beats being cooped up in the house on a hot or cold day.  The kids get crazy in our little house & SO DO I!  Each time I added another baby to the mix, I thought, "How on earth will I ever get out of the house with (  ) kids?!"  Then it happens & it gets easier each time...until the next baby arrives! 

Yesterday was my first attempt to take all 4 kids out of the house on my own.  The boys really needed haircuts & it seemed like a reasonable task that wouldn't take too long.  Ha!  I'm learning that ANYTHING with 4 kids takes too long!  Throw a newborn's feeding schedule into the mix & good luck!

Anyway, I get everyone into the car (which is a feat all it's own!), and we head to the old neighborhood where my parents still reside to pay a visit to Al the barber on Grace Street.  Al has been there for decades & as a kid I called him "Bob" when I greeted him on my way to school.  No idea why, but I was MUCH older when I found out his name was really Al!  I digress...

Al's place is very tiny & he only has about 5 chairs to wait in.  We were about to seriously take over!  I slowly drove by & saw one guy in the chair & one waiting.  Perfect!  By the time I park, get everyone out and across the street 3 more gents arrived & settled in to await their turn.   *sigh*

OK!  Back to the car because there was no room for my brood & now the wait would be much too long for 4 little monkey's!  Get everyone back into their seats.  I was getting these haircuts, damn it!Quickly look up the online schedule at my salon which is just a couple of blocks away.  Booked.  I remember there was a kids haircut place nearby on Irving Park Rd.  Here's to hoping it's still there! 

I was greeted by a lovely (& quite chatty!) stylist/shop owner named Julie...I saw toys, videos, suckers...this was the place for us!  Cuts were had while "riding" in sports cars, watching Elmo & slurping on dum dums!  I forked over what I thought was entirely too much for 5 minute haircuts, but we were the only ones there, entertainment was provided, I was able to feed Nora & everyone survived!  Phew.

Stay tuned for our next adventure!

Fresh Cuts!

In the Words of My Father In Law: "It'll all work out!"

It's sad to look at my tax bill & see how much we contribute to public education when we are unable to take advantage of it!  It's been quite a ride exploring the world of CPS, let me tell you!

7.5 years ago we bought our house exactly one year before our wedding.  At the time I paid some attention to the area schools & thought we were in district for Bridge Elementary.  After all, the kids next to us attend there.  Looooooooong story short, rezoning took place & our neighborhood school is Locke Elementary which is overcrowded with more than 1100 students in K-8.  There are other aspects of the school that I am not thrilled with as well.  So, I learned all about CPS' Selective Enrollment program to see what our options were...

Testing for gifted (AKA Options for Knowledge) & entry into Magnet schools via a lottery system (insane details I won't even get into!!!).  We applied for both & also submitted apps to multiple schools that had "open enrollment."  Testing, deadlines, applications...NUTS!  After all, this is only KG!

Jack missed qualifying for gifted by a small margin...fine, we had other options to hold out for...
He ended up wait listed for the other schools at #'s too high to ever get accepted.

Our LAST "free" option...an application to The Chicago Academy which is a CPS contract school located in the old Wright College building on Austin Ave.  The accept children based solely on proximity...the closer you live, the better your chances of acceptance.  I applied for both Jack & Molly not realizing Molly was only going into 3 year old prek & they only have 4 year old prek.  So, from the start I knew Molly would not qualify which was not a big deal.  We then had to wait....until the END of JUNE! 

Around June 18th, Molly's letter arrived & it was a general letter stating "...due to the amount of applications we are unable to accept your child..." I knew it was because of her age & wasn't surprised by this.  However, a letter did not arrive for Jack.  I didn't panic & actually thought that maybe this was a good thing!  Maybe he was accepted!  2 weeks go by...nothing.  On July 2nd I called the school.  The secretary didn't find his name on the acceptance list nor the wait list.  I hung up & cried.

Then just today it occurred to me...would every kid who applied be put on the wait list even if they were #985?  It seems to me they would fill their available seats & then place the rest of the children on the wait list in order of proximity, right?  I remembered that when I handed in both apps, the secretary paper clipped both of them together with Molly's on top.  I can't help but think that Jack was never even considered b/c his app was attached to Molly's!!!!  It just doesn't make sense that Jack never received a letter.  I considered going there, but what might they do at this point?  I guess it wouldn't hurt to find out...

On the other hand, we've begun to explore the world of private/Catholic school.  I honestly don't know how families do this...especially with two... let alone FOUR kids!  It's honestly keeping me up at night & contributing to my gray hair on a daily basis.

Thus, I end with a photo of the man behind these wise old words...my wonderful father in law,      Bill Conway..."It'll all work out!"

4th of July FUN!

We typically have really great fireworks all around us on the 4th of July, so we usually stay home and view them from our 2nd story deck.  This year our festivities began on the 3rd when our friends & neighbors, Brendan & Tracy McCrudden & their 3 daughters joined us along with my oldest & dearest friend Katie & her husband Derek (who are expecting their first baby in November!). 

The crazy Conway/McCrudden Bunch:

On the 4th, which fell on a Wednesday this year (mid week holiday's suck in my opinion!), my parents came over for dinner & to catch some of the firework action.  The kids enjoyed their Snaps! 

Our smallest firecracker on her 1st 4th!

Nora's 1st Photoshoot!

Soon after Jack was born & I learned of the cost of professional pictures I started paying attention to babies/kids in ads & on photo websites.  I thought, "I can do this!"  I began to dabble a bit & found I took decent pics with my point & shoot Olympus.  A couple of years ago a good friend gave me his digital SLR when he upgraded his model and last September I purchased my own Canon.   
I love taking pictures of my kids & torture them quite often!  They're pretty big hams though so it isn't too hard.  The hard part is getting 3...soon 4 to all look at the camera at the same time!  For now, Nora can get away with looking anyway she wants...it's mom who has to do the work of capturing those special moments. 

Here are a few from Nora's 1st photoshoot at 6 days old:

 

Not Enough Hours, Not Enough Arms!

Many people are asking me how it's been or what it's like having 4 kids now.  It's creeping up on 3 weeks & so far so good, BUT I've had a lot of help/visitors!  Many thanks to our family & friends who have come by to meet our latest edition & for the generous meals & groceries!
There have been several days completely solo now & I have to say, we're all surviving!  There is never a "bad day" just chaotic moments....everyday!  They all seem to need something at the very same time...& it's usually when I'm trying to feed Nora. 
None of us ever feel like there are enough hours in the day to complete everything we'd like to get done.  In addition to that I'm finding I could use at least 2 more arms! 
Accepting that I cannot add hours to the day nor grow anymore arms I am doing my best & reminding myself that the laundry, dishes & dust will still be waiting for me tomorrow!  Each child is learning to wait...which has been the lessen each time a baby joined the family. 


Jack is a great big brother & patient most of the time.  I have to remember that he's still only 5 1/2! 

Molly is "Miss Independent" which is good & bad at times...getting herself dressed, good...choosing jeans & a long sleeved shirt when it's 100 degrees & refusing to change, bad!  She is for sure our  most stubborn & I mean STUBBORN!  There's no bribing that one!  But, she says everyday, "I love my new sister!"

Poor little Emmett who no longer holds the title as "The Baby," is having the most difficult time adjusting.  However, each day is getting better.  He hasn't looked me in the eye & given me the, "I no like that baby, I no like that mama," in several days now!  In fact, today he looked at Nora & said, "Hi baby Nora Jane."  It was sweet & cute.  He also said goodnight to her & gave her a kiss....we're making progress!

Nora is heaven sent....I literally look for her halo & wings!  I have a lot of new mommy friends out there who are experiencing motherhood for the first time & are operating on limited sleep, so I hate to even mention this...but, Nora has been sleeping through the night nearly from day ONE!  I've only fed her in the middle of the night 3 times since she was born.  She didn't even need "Conway Boot Camp!"  We've been blessed with sleepers...hence we have 4 children VERY close in age!  See what happens when you get too much "sleep?!"  Wink, wink!

Here are a few pictures of the kids doting on Baby Nora:

Finally, it goes without saying, but I'd better just say it...I couldn't do what I do without my man!  This picture says it all:

I LOVE YOU, John Conway!

I Started A Blog!

So, this is my official first blog post!  I have no idea what makes me think anyone is interested enough in my life to follow this blog, but I have told myself I'd start a journal for the past 6 years & I have yet to do so.  Hence...I thought I'd give this a try! 

Two weeks ago, on July 16th my title upgraded from "Mother of Three" to "Mother of Four!" Much to my SHOCK another baby girl joined our family. She didn't have a name for about 13 hours because I had completely convinced myself that "she" was a "he!" Ian James wouldn't do! After calling her several different names to see which was a good fit, we agreed on Nora Jane. Although I would have been equally as happy with another sweet boy, I was never more happy to be wrong in my life! Two boys & now two girls to round out our beautiful family! 

Photos from Nora's 1st 48 hours...