The house doesn't smell like smoke anymore...at least I don't think it does.  For the past couple of nights though, the kids have been worried to go to sleep, asking if there could be a fire again. 
     We decided to take them to the fire station to meet the men who arrived on call.  We took a few pizzas (and fire hot sauce because Adam has a sense of humor) to the guys to say "Thank you".  We hoped that it would let the kids see the men as the kind and friendly people that they were.  It might even take some of their fear away of "the big guys" that ran into our house. 
     The firemen were getting ready for dinner when we showed up with the pizzas so they seemed to be surprised and genuinely grateful.  
     The men gave the kids a tour, showing them the cool weight room, kitchen, conference room and then the big daddy area of them all...where they kept the fire trucks. 
     All four kids let out a simultaneous, "Whooooaaa" as they gazed at the shiny red perfection.
    The kids were allowed to sit and pretend to drive the big truck, look at the equipment and ask a hundred questions.  The firemen went above and beyond and ended up taking so much of our little ones worry away.  

     It truly takes a certain kind of person to put his or her own life at risk to help others.  It seems like so many times, the men and women who are there to keep us safe are taken for granted.  
     Thank you to those of you who help and serve in every sense of the word.  There's not enough pizza (or hot sauce) in the world to show the amount of appreciation that you deserve.
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     "FIIIRRRREEE!  Mommy there's a FIRE!  RUN!  RUN!!!"
     Yes, this was our night.  Perhaps it would help if I go back a little. 
     Wanting to give Adam a surprise, I decided to make his favorite dessert...strawberry cheesecake. 
     Taking the kids with me to the grocery store this afternoon, I grabbed what we needed to make a full home cooked dinner.  Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and grilled vegetables.
     On our drive home, Adam called saying how hungry he was and I smiled telling him how much he would love his surprise.   
     Unloading the groceries, our little girl and I got started right away.  We began to make the dessert first so it would chill while we worked on dinner.  I have a cheesecake recipe that is ridiculously good.  It's been passed down through my family, but it requires that you turn the oven up to 500 degrees for the last five minutes of baking.  No big deal. 
      It IS a big deal when there's evidently food that's spilled on the bottom of your oven though.  Do you know what happens to that food when you crank your oven up to 500 degrees?  You guessed it.  Boom.  The whole thing lit up.  I couldn't believe how engulfed in flames the entire inside of the oven became or how fast the house filled with smoke.
    The boys ran in screaming as I yelled for them to go outside and take their sister.  They wanted me to go with them but I tried to stay in to figure out what to do.  Reaching for the phone, the whole "auto-pilot" thing took over and I called "911".  
    "What's your emergency?"
    "Ummm...it's not an EMERGENCY I don't think...I just don't know what to do."
    "Ma'am, what is your address please?"
    "Oh, I don't think you need to send anyone...it's just that, well, the inside of my oven is on fire right now and I'm not sure whether I should wait to see if it will die down or if I should open the door and go for it with an extinguisher." 
    "Ma'am, PLEASE state your address and phone number."
    The fire was getting stronger and I started to get a little more nervous.  Our little girl was in the front yard crying for me to come outside. 
    That's when it hit me.  
    It's a GAS oven.  It's the first time we've ever had a gas oven but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that gas and an open fire are probably not the best combination.
    I held my breath and winced as I ran towards the oven to shut it off, hoping to cut off the gas supply. 
    "Are you out of the house Ma'am?  Please get out of the house."
    "No, I'm still here but I'm going."
    "Ma'am, get OUT of the house.  Help is on the way."
    Going through the front door, I took in a deep breath of air.  My chest ached from the smoke and the house screamed with alarms going off.  
    Looking up, I saw Adam pull into the driveway, barely turning the car off before he jumped out.  The four kids ran to him yelling, "There's a FIRE Daddy, there's a FIRE!"
    Neighbors began to come out one by one to see what was going on.  Sirens began from the near distance. 
    Half scared to death, half wanting to cry from embarrassment, I realized that I was shaking.  
    "WHAT is HAPPENING?"  He yelled as he began to run into the house.  Lights and sirens suddenly approached.  A Fire truck, an Ambulance and then a Police car raced to a halt. 
    Looking at Adam I shook my head.  "I can't believe this."
    A neighbor took the kids down the street as I explained to the men going into our house.  It was hard to breath.  The house was even more full of smoke.  
    The men stayed inside for what seemed like forever until they finally stated that everything was alright.  They hooked up a neat device to pull out a lot of the smoke, so I went to our neighbor's house to get the kids.

     When everyone left, we checked the inside of the oven.  It's fried.  I don't even know what to do with it.  It's completely black and charred.  Adam disconnected the oven from behind the wall and cut the gas supply off just in case.  We took one look at each other and decided to head out for pizza.
     Jumping in the car, the kids were going a mile a minute with questions like, "How long will our house stink?" and "How do we know that the oven won't catch on fire again?"
     Still somewhat numb from disbelief, I looked towards Adam as he drove.  He smiled at me and shook his head.  "I'm glad you guys are okay.  You scared me to death."
     Shooting him a half grin, I whispered, "Surprise."  
     Raising an eyebrow he quipped, "No more cheesecake, okay?  Never, ever make a cheesecake."
     And I think I never will.    

    "Mom...she didn't come." 
     A tiny whisper in my face woke me from a dead sleep.  The only thing more frantic than my eyes trying to find the numbers glowing in the dark room, was my stomach.  The pit began to swell as I realized that I had fallen asleep. 
    I missed her again.  For every single tooth but one, I've been 'simpatico' with Ms. Tooth herself, but this time...I dropped the ball...well...the tooth.
    "What time is it Buddy?  It's still dark outside."
    "I don't know, but I looked everywhere and she didn't come."
    Being able to focus now on the clock, 5:02 glared its ugly stare.  
    "Baby, it's not even time to get up yet.  Go back to sleep and she'll still make it."
    Feeling relief, I hoped that at least an hour or two of borrowed time had been found.
    "I CAN'T Mom!  My tooth isn't THERE anymore!"
    (What?)
    Rolling out of bed, I followed our son as he guided me through the dark hall.  "Don't wake up your brothers or sister."
It was too late.  The other two boys had already snuck in with their covert operation to try to find the goods.
    Turning on the light, they quickly turned. "Mom?"
    "Hi boys.  What's going on?"
    "Uhhhhhh, we're just, uhhhhh...seeing if she came yet."
    Getting ready to put them all back to sleep, I worried that now they were too awake to summon the Tooth Fairy for her visit.  I went to feel under the pillow and he was right, it was gone.
    Suddenly, little Preston yelled, "HEY!  I FOUND IT!"
    From under the side of the bed, he held up a note in the shape of a tooth while Christian and Ethan's faces were as surprised as mine.  
    "What?"  The boys ran over.
    (WHAT?)  I couldn't believe it myself.
    "What does it say guys?"
    "What a wonderful, pleasant surprise to visit you tonight!  Thank you for leaving such a beautiful tooth.  You have given me quite a collection.  Have a wonderful time this summer.  See you soon!  Love, The Tooth Fairy"
   (Wonderful, pleasant surprise indeed)
   The boys crawled back in their beds with gaping smiles as I went to collapse into ours.  Feeling Adam's scratchy face, he smiled and whispered, "You were sound asleep."  
   Trying not to laugh too loudly, I whispered back, "That Tooth Fairy sure is something isn't she?  She really knows how to come through in a pinch."
   "That she does.  That she does."

     It's Summer.  Warm sunny days have arrived, swimming and cook-outs fill the days and nights...and you always seem to find runners outside in their next- to -nothing outfits, glistening with their warm tans.
     Ummmm, yeah.
     I haven't "glistened" in years, but I decided that there's no time like the present to try and get into some sort of shape.
     You know how people always say, there's no excuse for not exercising?  You have to MAKE the time?  Well, here's a sample of my work-out in case anyone wants to use it - and it goes a little something like this...hit it.
    The Warm-up:
    6:00 am
    Alarm goes off.  With every intention to get up and sneak outside for a run while the kids are sleeping, I nod silently with determination at my husband as he gets up for work.
    6:01 am
    Our four year old little girl stumbles in rubbing her eyes and crawls into our bed.  If I make so much as a move, she grabs my arm and uses her crazy Ninja skills to lock me into place. 
    6:01 and 30 seconds
    Forget it.  Go back to sleep.
    The Second Warm Up:
    2:00 pm
    It's too hot to go outside for a run now, not to mention, impossible with four kids tagging along, so it's time for Plan B.
    The treadmill. 
    Giving a quick stretch on each leg and a twist of the back, I pull the dusty conveyor belt of doom out of it's lock until it creaks and reaches the floor.
    The sound acts as a beacon to the older boys as they run into the room begging to put their action heroes on the treadmill to watch them fling across the room.  
    As tempting as this may seem, I scurry them out. 
    2:05
    The Run
    Stepping on the treadmill, the familiar pace of setting 6 begins to remind my muscles and bones of what to do.  Right, left, right, left...my usual bare feet find their comfort in soft running shoes.
    "MOOOOOOOOM?  I'm HUNGRY!"  Our four year old yells from downstairs.
    "Baby, You JUST ate less than two hours ago!  Can you wait 20 minutes?"
    "But I'm hungry!"
    2:09
    Stop button.
    Run downstairs.
    Fix a snack.
    Run back upstairs.
    Start button.
    2:18
    Hit the number six again...aaaaand go.
    2:18, 35 seconds
    "Can I have a snack too?"  Our son yells up.
    2:19
    Stop.
    Run down the stairs...somewhat annoyed.
    "WHO wants a snack?  ANYBODY that wants a snack, tell me RIGHT now."
     Fix three more snacks and give them to children with an "oh @#$#" expression on their faces.
     Run back up the stairs. 
     Start.
     2:30
     Breathing hard from either the stairs or pure anger, I hit the stupid number 8 to run faster.  Watching the clock on the treadmill, I no longer keep track for time, I wait to see how long it takes for the next interruption.  
     2:31
     "MOOOOOOM!"
     (Are you KIDDING ME?)
     "WHAAAAAAAAAT!"
     "Can you come here?"
     "Not right NOW guys!  I'm trying to run!"
     2:33
     As visions of any number of catastrophes run through my mind, I slam the stop button to go back down to see what they need.
     "What's up guys?"
     "Oh, never mind.  We got it."
     "Got what?"
     "The remote."
     "The REMOTE?  You called me down because you couldn't find the REMOTE?"
     2:36
     Start.
     Slam number 10.
     Rage and frustration battle through my pulse as I come to realize that I won't get a decent workout, or anything else for that matter, until we wave "good-bye" to our last child fourteen years from now.  
     I hit number 11.
     I can't feel my feet.
     I don't care.
     "MOOOOOOOMMY!" 
     Our four year old little girl comes in.
     2:40
     Stop.
     "Yes?"
     "I'm going to color a picture."
     Not knowing whether to laugh, cry or simply pass out, I feel my rubbery legs walk to our daughter.
     "That would be a great idea Lauren.  I think a picture would be nice."
     "Will you draw it for me?"
     "Yes, baby.  I'll draw it."
     "Snow White?"
     "Yes, I'll draw Snow White."
     2:45
     Cool Down:
     A slow stretch occurs while walking down the stairs with a hand pulling the way.  Resistance training is futile.
     Beads form across my forehead and I smile at the fact that at least I broke a sweat.  It was a humble attempt at a work out that only reminded me of how the "lazy days of summer" are anything but.  
    So, for any work-out instructors who go on and on about "making the time to exercise," I'd like to invite you to a house full of kids in the real world...with no nannies, fitness instructors or gym memberships.  
    There's only one prerequisite before you come...you need to be able to throw down with some goldfish and milk during snack time and always, always be ready with your princess drawing mad skills.  (Action hero flying is optional.)
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    Happy Birthday America!  If you're heading to a cook out or picnic today, here's an easy and fun idea from Skyla Stark's facebook page.   

    How CUTE are these?  Skyla was kind enough to let me post this idea and the directions as follows:

    Strawberries, washed and dried
    White chocolate
    Blue sugar, edible glitter, or sprinkles (blue sugar is shown in
    the picture)

    Place blue sugar in a bowl. In a separate bowl, melt
    the chocolate in the microwave on 50% power for two
    minutes.  
    Stir until the bowl is no longer warm. Then microwave for
    30 second intervals at 50% power, stirring after each, until 
    the chocolate is completely melted. Dip the lower two thirds of
    the strawberries in the melted white chocolate. Then, dip the 
    lower third of the strawberries in the blue sugar or spoon it 
    onto the strawberry. Place on wax paper or silpat until 
    completely cool.
    Thank You for the Great idea Skyla!  You can find more ideas like this on Skyla's fb page at: https://www.facebook.com/starkravin1
     Have a Happy 4th of July!  
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     "Are my legs longer?"
     "What Buddy?"
     "Are my LEGS longer?  I'm six years old now, right?  Does that mean that I'm taller today?"
     As Preston looked at us with the most sincere expression, I couldn't help but smile.
     "Yes Little Man.  You're six years old today and your legs are most definitely longer.  Happy Birthday Buddy.  We Love You."

     Tonight, I took the kids to the bookstore which has an upper and lower floor.  The second floor has a children's space and the escalator ride to the top was actually kind of fun.  I put the two younger kids on first, then stepped on with the two older boys.  Nothing to it. 
     When it was time to leave and we had to go back down?  Well, that was a different story.  
    Adam is usually with us in times of escalator adventures so I guess I've never realized what a difference that makes.  When there are four kids and one of you, it can become a little tricky on that downslope of doom.  
    Our nine year old hopped on just fine and down he went.  Our four year old needed me to pick her up to place her on the moving steps (that seemed to be going strangely fast).  She was doing fine so I got on to follow behind.  Turning back to our eight and five year old boys who were still at the top, I waved for them to follow.
    "Mommy?"  Our five year old muttered as he tapped his foot on the rolling stairs.  
    "Come on Buddy!  Just step out and stand on one.  Grab the rail.  Ethan, help your little brother and take his hand."
    I was getting close to being half way down so I started to try to walk back up to get him.
    Lauren, who was now almost to the bottom yelled, "Mommy, No!  Stay with me!"   
    I was stuck between riding down with her or going up to him.  
    Preston's eyes widened, "MOMMY!  HELP!  I'm SCARED!"  He stood above with a paralyzed lock.
     Starting to run up, I turned back to our oldest son Christian who was already standing at the bottom.  "Get your sister, I have to help him!"
     This is where I guess I should mention that I was wearing a long sundress...and flip flops.  
      Running up a flight of stairs as they go against you is hard enough on a good day, but when your shoe gets stuck in your dress and there's nowhere to go but down...you can imagine what happened next.
     I don't know if it was the kids yelling, me running up the stairs like a deranged chicken or maybe when I finally bit the dust, but people were staring at us with complete bewilderment.  It was almost enough to mask the throbbing pain...almost. 
     Gliding down the stairs like a magic carpet ride, I prepared myself for the bottom.  Blood spilled from my right foot and left knee.  Christian and Lauren stood waiting at the bottom with dropped jaws.  Ethan and Preston had jumped on when they saw me fall so they were almost down too.  All that - and he got on just fine.  Outstanding.    
     "MOMMY, you're BLEEDING!"
     As if we didn't already have the attention of every last person in the bookstore, now people were rubbernecking around the aisles to witness the aftermath. 
     Hopping out of the store on bloody foot, we restored the peace and quiet to the coffee sipping people with their harmonious page turning.  
    It will probably be quite sometime before we go back to the bookstore again...at least to the second floor.  
    One thing's for sure though.  You can guarantee that I'll be the one in tennis shoes when we do.  
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     "Adam, where's the bread?  The whole loaf of bread is gone."
     "I didn't use any bread.  Are you sure it's not in there?"
     Standing in front of our pantry, I began to notice that quite a few things were missing...crackers, peanut butter, fruit snacks, cereal..."What in the world?"
     "Hon, where is all of the food from the pantry?"
     "Babe, I don't know!  If you didn't take it and I didn't take it, then..."
     (Ugh...what did they do?)
     "KIDS!  COME DOWN HERE!"
     The familiar sound of trampling feet thundered down the staircase.  
      Standing by the pantry, I pointed at the shelves.  "Do you guys have any idea of what happened to the food in here?"
      (Food?  What food?)
      Innocent faces stared up at me but there was one that was just a little off.
      I've come to realize that when you have children, you become pretty in tune to body language and facial expressions.  By the time our fourth child came around, I could all but double as a secret agent for the FBI.
      Our four year old little girl lowered her eyes.  "Mommy?"  
      "Yes, Lauren Elizabeth."
      "I was just getting ready for school."
      The boys and I looked at her with confusion.  "Ready for school?  What do you mean baby?  Preschool doesn't start until September."
      With her head lowered, she turned and said, "I'll show you."
      Taking me to her room, she pointed to her brand new backpack and lunch box.  She has carried these two things around since the day she got them.  Little did I know what was inside.  As she opened the backpack, I instantly saw a box of spaghetti pop out.  The bag was loaded down.  Jelly, Oreos, granola bars...on and on I pulled things out of her bag and then her lunch box.  
     Lauren whispered, "I didn't know what else to pack and you said that I would eat lunch there."
     "Yes baby, but you don't need to pack lunch for the entire YEAR.  This is waaaay too much and we need some room for other fun things in your backpack too, okay?"
     "Okay Mommy." 
     wow.  Well, I guess the good news is, it looks like she's ready for Preschool.  The bad news...well, she just might end up being the youngest person on the show "Hoarders" in recorded history.       
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    One of the best things about doing reviews for the Hallmark Channel is getting to watch their movies around the holidays.  This 4th of July is no exception.  
    "Banner 4th of July" is a wonderful movie starring “American Idol” alum Brooke White, Oscar® and Golden Globe® winner Mercedes Ruehl, Christian Campbell of “Big Love” and Michael Barbuto from “An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving".  
    In the small town of Pinewood, Mayor Rosalind Banner (Reuhl) desperately seeks the reunion of her daughter Desiree (White) and two sons Mitchell (Campbell) and Johnny (Barbuto).
    The brother/sister trio used to form a highly successful band named "The Banner Project", however it's been ten years since they've been together due to a falling out.
    News of their Mother's heart attack brings them home to be by her side.  Concerned for their Mother, the siblings are forced to revisit their past in hopes for a better future.
    Little do they know that the town is in financial trouble and they could be the only ones to save it all...with the help of the ridiculously handsome town's attorney named Colin, that is.
    "Banner 4th of July" is fabulously done with a dynamic cast that melds extremely well together.  It premieres Saturday, June 29th 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8C on your local Hallmark channel. 
    I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.  There's just something about curling up to a good movie to bring the holidays home. 
    Oh!  And as an extra bonus, a movie Soundtrack EP is available now exclusively on the iTunes store:
iTunes.com/HallmarkChannel, iTunes.com/BrookeWhite). 
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