updates

Gosh...I have to do this quickly. 
And QUICK is the new magic word.  If I have 5 quiet minutes, then I need to start recording the funny, mischievious, or milestone-worthy things my kids do:

Cale:
Currently obsessed with playing Mario games on the Wii or his DS.  Noteworthy, why?!  Well, it's just that as he approaches 6, his mind is able to coordinate things differently.... All he talks about these days are his birthday and how many days are left and how much fun he's gonna have with his friend Wesley at his sleepover.  They're also going bowling.  He has a little buddy at school named Joel and they write notes back and forth to each other.  All super cute stuff like "you are the best.  you are osum. i love you...."  We had a parent-teacher confrence with his teacher last week.  She told us that he was a delight to have in school and that he tries hard and is doing well. ....Always nice to hear things like that. ;)
His struggles?  Finding things to do for himself.  If he's not engrossed with something of his own accord he will follow me or Tim around asking for food, or DS time, or for Tim to play Mario on the xbox or wii....  Oy.

Megersa:
Currently wearing a size 4T shirt.  Noteworthy because he seems to be shooting up in height.  And while he can still fit his skinny body into the twins clothing, it looks hilariously short.  He will play with anything the twins play with, but if you listen carefully, he's doing a play-by-play of the toys.  :)  His imagination is taking off.
With his imagination blooming he's recently been trying his hand at lying.  Though wildly unsuccessful - he holds on to his story like the twins hold on to their "monies."

 

Thaddeus & Shepherd:
Speaking of "monies" - these 2, unlike Cale, never seem to need to have someone tell them what to do.  They can always, always find something to entertain them...like chuck-e-cheese coins.  Often times it's something adorable like taking their socks off their feet and putting them on their hands to perform a low-budget puppet show...but it can also be insanely frustrating when they split up to make a mess - one dumps a box of cereal on the floor while his twin plays with a container of vaseline and toilet water...
They are learning new words all the times, but still do talk to each other (or themselves) in a coded 2 year old language.  If we didn't have 3 other kids, just those 2 would keep us on our toes all day long.
The challenges we are facing with them are somewhat different - while they take turns being the more difficult twin...right now I'd say it's Thad.  I swear he's a Diva at heart. ;)  If he wants to be in a good mood - he's adorable and happy as a clam.  If something is bothering him, there's nothing that will make it better unless he decides it will.  ...it's pretty frustrating.
Shepherd is just unwilling to hear or obey the words "no, no!"  Okay - he's dumping stuff on the floor - you get his attention, say "no, no Sheppy"...he looks you in the eye, and keeps dumping.  If you scold him he either covers his face, puts his face in the corner somewhere or lays on the floor with his face down.  Then he becomes a lump and we have to drag him to his new location. 
Joys of two two year olds, eh?

Our beauty girl Neve:
At 8 weeks old, I'd say she's probably close to 11 or 12 lbs.  She's getting pretty chunky! Awake for more periods of time each day, she is much more expressive.  She follows objects with her eyes and definitely loves to have someone straight on looking/talking to her. Her smiles are TO. DIE. FOR!  And she'll hand them out for a very little price.  For whatever reason she loves to have her nose tickled (or even picked) and gives us the best grins! :) 
Right now we're experiencing a vicious late night cycle.  Starting at about 9 or so, she wants to eat.  Falls asleep while eating, you can't put her down because she squirms or cries because she has a burp.  But for whatever reason it takes forever...  Then when she does - she wakes up...and wants to nurse back to sleep.  And on and on and on it goes - til around 1 am - sometimes even 3am.  Rough stuff.  Not sure how to fix it or if there is even a way to do it. 
Power through, right?  As with every other "struggle" - when this one is over it'll be something else.

But we love 'em all...and we'll keep 'em - warts and all. :)