Parenting advice anyone!?

I'm just about at the end of my rope with a certain 4-year-old in my house that shall remain nameless for the time being. Everyday I wake up knowing getting him dressed and to the breakfast table is going to be my first (of many) challenge of the day. The rest of the day goes EXACTLY how the day before went. Power struggles and flat out disobeying! Most of you know I try to be reasonable yet stern (for those of you laughing, shhh!). However, with him, all reasoning goes out the door and frustration sets in. I do love the fact he is a strong willed child because I know later in life it will get him far, but as of now all it does is get him in trouble. Unfortunately, I am out of disciplinary ideas of how to deal with him these days. Time outs, grounding and even a few butt spanks seem to be getting me no where. I remember back when he was a laid back and quiet little guy. I miss those days!!! HELP!!!

Hoppy Easter...

The kids started off Easter morning bright and early by hunting down their Easter baskets.

Andrew showing off the great movies from his basket...

Austin digging through his basket...

Aaron checking out his basket...

 After they found their baskets, it was on to search for eggs. The kids were able to find the eggs pretty easily, but rumor has it that as the kids get older, the Easter bunny will start making the hunt a little harder ;)

Andrew finding the eggs with his name on them...

 Austin going in on the search...

 Austin helping Aaron out...

 Andrew and Austin trying to choose the best ones...

 Still more to seek...

 More than enough for everyone...

Aaron found a couple especially for him...

Their 'egg'citing findings...

After we got done with the morning festivities, I got the other boys dressed and we all headed over to my parents house for Easter dinner. It slipped my mind to take any more pictures of all the boys dressed up, but they really did look adorable all dressed up in their Easter outfits. It was another wonderful holiday with the family!

'Egg'stravaganza...

Spring has sprung and Easter is in the air! With Easter comes the dying of Easter eggs. I haven't been feeling the greatest with this pregnancy, so I held off doing this little task as long as possible. I finally bit the bullet today and set everything up for the kids to color their eggs. They did pretty well and made very little of a mess... my kind of project!

 Andrew writing his name on his egg...

Austin stirring his egg around...

Andrew taking his egg out of the dye...

Austin seeing if his egg is dark enough...

Andrew coloring another...

Austin loves the bright colors...

Andrew with this egg...

Austin admiring his...

 Aaron and I working on his egg...

He had fun stirring it...

Aaron's final project...

Boys Birthday Pics...

I finally took the boys to get their birthday pictures taken. I procrastinated this year because it seemed like everytime I was ready to take them, they would have a blemish on their face or a runny nose. They finally had a day where their faces looked great, but of course, I didn't think about haircuts. Oh well! Hope you all enjoy regardless!

Aaron...

Silly little guy...

Austin...

So handsome...

My big guy, Andrew...

Another Year Older, and None the Wiser...

It's hard to believe we are in the middle of March and another birthday has passed for me. Luckily I still have one more year in my 20's before turning the big 3-0, and I am relieved. I'm not ready to grow up and be a 30 year old adult. I enjoy being a 20 something-year-old, swinging on swings and playing tag (even without my kids). It's even harder to believe how much my little guys are growing up. I remember thinking last year on Andrew's birthday how this would be the last year he could hold up just one hand to signify his age. And on Aaron's thinking that his bday would be the LAST 1st bday we celebrate as a family (little did I know God had a different plan for us). Now to look at my boys at 2 years, 4 years and 6 years old, I am amazed. It once again makes me question my age and maturity. Am I really old enough to have 3 kids and one more on the way? I am thankful that I will be done having kids by the age of 30, because that was always my own personal age limit. I just never thought the number of kids would end up being 4 after we actually started a family. I will admit, even 4 1/2 months later, a HUGE part of me is still in shock over the pregnancy. As I get bigger, feel the baby move more, hear the heartbeat and glance at the pics time to time it does sink in more. When we found out about this one it was definitely a bittersweet moment. The brief thought of "this could be our girl" was quickly replaced with thoughts of a summer pregnancy, being cut open a 4th time, being up all night again for feedings, having a child constantly on my hip when Aaron had just finally gained more independence, diaper changing for another 2 years, finishing the bedrooms downstairs sooner than expected to make more room, and lastly just the added expense of another child (especially since I had just recently given ALL my baby stuff away). So many overwhelming thoughts and emotions that I had never experienced with my other pregnancies. Are we really ready for all this again? Then I look around at all the people who never get a chance to experience these thoughts, feelings and even fears. My husband has a job, we have a house, 2 cars, savings in the bank and most of all a very supportive family and group of friends. I mean, here I am 29 years old and am still acting selfish about the greatest miracle that can be given to a person which leaves me to conclude - another year older and still none the wiser...

Birthday Bash...

Since the boys' birthdays all fall within a 3 week span of each other, we usually do one joint birthday party to celebrate. And since the kids have so many friends along with a large family, I try to find a large, kid friendly place to host all of us. This year we decided to go with Jungle Joes. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it's an indoor gymnasium with a bunch of inflatible slides and bouncers that provide hours of sliding and jumping fun! We had about 20 kids come and join in the birthday festivities. For the first hour, the kids played in the bounce area and had a blast bouncing and sliding their little hearts out.

Andrew going down the big slide...

Austin bouncing like a little kangaroo...

And of course, we had to have a pinata filled with yummy candy!

Austin pulling the first string...

Andrew giving it a try...

The mob of kids going after the goodies...

After playing in the arena part and opening the pinata, our party was escorted to a room on the side to continue the birthday festivities and sing Happy Birthday.

Blowing out the candles...

Once everyone filled up on pizza, pop, cake and ice cream, it was on to the presents. It was so nice because we were given a helper for each child to help them unwrap their gifts. All I had to do was sit back and relax while the "helpers" took care of everything... it was wonderful!

So many presents...

By the end of the day, everyone was completely exhausted and ready to go home! It was a great way to celebrate the kids birthday and I am excited to see what next year brings for them!

Boy Wonder...

Aaron has been such a little ham lately, and I wanted to get some cute shots of him. Of course that meant I had to take pictures of the older boys, too, but wanted to share only his cuteness with you all.

Andrew chilliing...

Look closer! Do you see half of Aaron sticking out of the bucket!?

All turned around now...

Taking Tigger to his couch...

To chill with him...

Trying to do a backflip off his couch...

All tuckered out...

Happy New Year!!!

New year = new obsession. Last year it was Facebook, so this year I've decided it should be this blog. It's nearly impossible for me to get my caught up on my scrapbooks these days, so I figure this is the next best thing. Anyway, stay tuned for some fun reading about what's going on in the good 'ol Millard household!