stabbed by forks

We recently started a complaint box to cut down on negativity and the emotional vomit that comes out after school and makes me super overwhelmed and frustrated.
It has proved rather entertaining. It makes me take a step back and look at things from a distance. Here are some notes I have received:

Zoe: "Liam hit me, stabbed me with a fork, and was making a mess while I was trying to clean the front and yellow room."
Liam: "I didn't do anything! Zoe flung my backpack across the room and grabbed it, and I tapped her medium on the back. Geez....Liam"
Zoe: "I do admit that I threw his backpack but thats because he wouldn't move it when I asked him nicely 5 hundred times and he already stabbed me and slapped me!!!"

Lydia: "I was eating bloobarees I got one she got it that is why"

Zoe: "I said she was pretty and I love her but she stormed off. She is so SENSITIVE!"

Zoe: "She keeps rolling her eyes!"

Lydia: "Mom, So I did this I was haveing fun but Zoe and Ulekses had a lagruje (language?) and Zoe said Lydiapoop thats why"

By the way, no one was actually harmed by forks or rolled eyes. My children are just expert at utilizing hyperbole.

Christmas post

 We had such a nice Christmas break. To be clear, kind of a rough time for me through Christmas break. Don't know how much detail to include, but I will vaguely say that it is a really dark time mentally. But even though I had to forfeit some expectations I had for Christmas (things I wanted to do, etc.) the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves.

 Also, it was so nice to have family around. I know some people find that family causes stress and anxiety, but my family is so awesome that they alleviate stress.

 We had Steve and Shawna and my mom and dad to enjoy Christmas morning with us. We had Richard and Laura, Ethan, Gabe, and Logan and Elisabeth later that night.

 It was the first Christmas (probably the first holiday) that Felix was actually able to enjoy. Usually he gets really over stimulated and hates the whole ordeal. He finally "got it" and kept saying "I like Christmas" or "I like my scooter". It was so thrilling to finally have him have a positive experience with a holiday.

 Zoe was so sweet to make Christmas gifts for EVERYONE!

 Over the break we went to the church and used Liam's RC helicopter and the PVC bows and arrows that I made the kids for Christmas.

 My dad brought stuff with which to make terrariums. I have always wanted one and was excited to make it.

 We enjoyed some cousin time!

So, when I say that Christmas break was nice, it reflects the feelings of love and support and peace surrounding our family during that time, not necessarily my mental state. Just so that I am never accused of painting an unrealistically rosy picuture.

Read him like a book

 Liam was reading to Lydia one night. I thought it was so cute. I probably let them stay up later than I should have. But in summertime they argue so much that it is nice to see they can be friends, too.