The ark is full.

At least that's the way it feels. With four kids in car seats it means we have only the passenger seat available for an adult to occupy in our minivan. Once Mr. Maricucu had installed the baby's car seat I sighed, turned to him and said, "that's it we can't have any more kids, we're out of room." Obviously that was not the only reason we're fine with four but the reality hit right about that time. Four kids in the car, four kids out. Three backpacks, one huge old lady bag and a sling occupy the space behind the driver and passenger seats:




The boys go in the back since they can blessedly do their own car seat straps. That's right moms, one day they will get in and get out on their own!




The girls are in the middle row rearfacing which makes for some interesting giggle fests as their older brothers alternate between entertaining and annoying them:




So yeah, I've got a mom-mobile. And yeah, it's full of kids. So sue me.

That was bound to happen.

Those who know me know two very important things:

1. I'm big on natural and home remedies. If it's reasonable (and in my mind that can be a bit of a stretch) then I'm willing to try it. Well, let's look at number two actually . . .

2. Willing to try it as in give it to everyone else in the household. Remember me the former picky kid? My mom was also big on herbal/home remedies. One famous concoction we chugged down involved shark oil, raw garlic and raw onion among other ingredients blended into the most goopy, vile liquid known to a child. So while I have no problem giving my kids or Mr. Maricucu safe home remedies I typically am not so quick to dose myself. However, in my defense my kids are very good remedy drinkers. You should see the stuff they chug down and don't bat an eyelash. Their cod liver oil/probiotic powder morning shot? They will loudly complain when I forget it. I kid you not.


So the other day I had these two bottles on my counter. They both look pretty similar especially on the darker inner corner of my counter.




I grabbed the yellow the one on the left and gave all three kids a drop of what I thought was vitamin D. The bottle on the right.




It wasn't until I dosed myself that I recoiled in horror when I tasted garlic and bitterness. I quickly looked at the bottle and realized I had just dosed everyone with this.




Yes, ear oil. Bitter willow and pungent garlic ear oil. Thankfully not a big deal toxicity wise but when I tasted that awful mix I immediately asked the kids why they didn't say anything and told Mr. Maricucu to stop laughing at me. The kids responded that they didn't notice. Lovely. Note to self: Read labels carefully.


And because my sister has loudly protested the absence of recent baby photos this is for her. Outfit also courtesy of my sister and handed down from another absolutely adorable little girl.

NOT back in the saddle

Remember how I gushed in my last post that I was back? Yeah, for an ADD person that's like announcing on January 1st that you won't ever touch chocolate while PMSing, you'll put away your clothes immediately after the dryer stops or that you'll unload the dishwasher instead of pulling out one piece at a time until the thing needs to be reloaded. Yeah, my "woohoo! I'm back" was followed by a deafening silence that spanned weeks. Typical. So I'm now announcing that I'm NOT back in the saddle in true opposite day form. For that matter I'm getting soooooo much done around the house (not). And I'm definitely not wearing a snuggly baby in order to get stuff done around the house. Exhibit A:




Notice the super clean mirror (not) and my very cheerful face (I could work for the mob with that expression). For those of you seeking a more chipper version click here. I also did not have rice pudding for breakfast the other day. Super delicious, creamy and sweet Dominican style rice pudding using my mom's recipe. Nope, no I didn't and I also didn't lick the spoon clean because frankly what kind of manners are those?




So sometime soon I won't be posting some random stream of consciousness catch up posts. I'm so not back in the saddle. Really.