Fun Friday

Jennifer took Kate and Shelby out to play again today. They had a blast, as usual. They went bowling and then to the Louisville Slugger Museum. I told Jennifer they could go to her house and clean because these two would have fun no matter what they did together.

Lauren's new hobby

Lauren's punching bag and weights found their place in our garage today. She is excited.

More flying lessons

Flying Lessons

Lauren's little project is starting to develop his feather wings. We hope "Lucky" takes off soon.

Mother's Day

My sister's boys are hilarious. Brennen is 5 and spent Mother's Day asking Theresa when it was going to be Father's Day. He literally wanted a count down. Mason, the most rotten three year old ever, told her she could have one kiss for Mother's Day, but Daddy could have a billion! There is no mercy for the mommy  most days.They criticize her for wearing pink because "that's a girl color". She still needs to point out that she is a girl! When I was shopping for Brennen's first birthday, I called to ask for ideas. She laughed and said, "it doesn't matter, just get two of whatever it is because he'll just bang them together". Brennen was the first boy in our family so seeing him develop so differently from the girls was always fun (for me anyway).

I used to struggle with Mother's Day. Greg and I  really don't exchange gifts. We'd both rather have time spent together or something nice done for us. It's been years since we've had birthday, anniversary or Christmas gifts. However, Greg doesn't plan anything for Mother's Day, Nothing. I used to get myself into quite a pity party over that. He is a wonderful man and I know he loves and appreciates me. Two years ago, I told everyone up front that I wasn't cooking, getting dressed or cleaning that day. They needed to plan accordingly. I was taking matters into my own hands. Well, Erin called that morning from her friend's house inviting me to a "formal tea" that her sisters were not invited to. Really? How nice to think of your sisters in such a loving way. Her friends had also invited their mothers so I didn't think I could refuse the offer. I got dressed up, went out in cold rain and arrived at the "formal tea" to be presented with a voice recorded card that let me know that I was old. (Got to love 13 year olds!) Nice. There was no tea, no food and no one else was dressed up. After 15 minutes, I went home to find all my other children were still hungry and Greg was waiting on me to see what they should eat. The day went like any other day and I went to bed sulking that night. Greg was perplexed. We don't "do gifts". It finally occurred to me, I am the planner. I am the one that makes sure I serve special meals to celebrate people and events. I am a mom. That is what I do. He is dad and he doesn't think or act like mom. God made us this way. In all honesty, my family is spoiled and I created that. Most of the time, I love spoiling them. Every once in awhile, I want to be spoiled back. But, I no longer expect anything more than a few scribbled cards the kids throw together when I have them sign or make cards for their grandmothers. This year, Erin, who is now a more considerate 15 year old, informed her dad on Saturday night that I would wake up to tea and omelets this year. It was wonderful. Kate made a card at church Saturday night that had blanks to fill in. She says I am 46 feet tall and weigh 10 pounds. The sweetest part was where she noted that she likes helping me cook lunch and dinner. I like that too. Erin colored a picture that thanked me for running this zoo. It was a beautiful day.

Ty's first haircut

After talking to Kristin and finding out Avry's already had two haircuts, I started looking at Ty's and wondered if I should be cutting his. He had some hairs sticking out over his ears and the top was taking on a "comb over" look. The back was getting a bit coarse with waves. So, Greg and I went to work with the clippers tonight while all the big kids were out. They all want him to have long hair.....not happening! Anyway, he was quite content playing with a rubber duck on the bathroom vanity while Greg ran the clippers over his head. I told Greg I am glad we did this now rather than wait on more of those sweet baby curls to arrive because I likely would have cried as those were removed. He was, at that moment also glad we did it tonight. I want to look into getting a longer guard for the clippers so it doesn't have to be quite so short the next time. It was pretty surprising to see how much hair we cut.

Lauren's Turn!

Hey I`m Lauren! I`m 13 years old, the 2nd child in the family. I love animals. I would like to have a farm when I`m older. I`m going to start weight lifting. I go to bible study every Tuesday night, and I go to church every Saturday night! I love hanging out with my friends, they're the best! We just walk around the neighborhood, hang out down by the creek. We kinda just do whatever. I`m in the 7th grade and I would have to say my favorite subject would be math. I`m just a wild, loud, go with the flow kind of person. I`m always outside. Summer is the best! This year I`m going to Dustin, Florida with me friend Kelsey and her grandparents. I am also going to Gulf Shores with Kelsey, her mom and her step dad. I can`t wait for a tan!  




This is me and my best friend Paige in the picture getting ready for the purity ball! 

Sunshine!!!

The sunshine is invigorating! I can't get enough of it.I take the kids out for multiple walks everyday since we are avoiding our yard a bit. We've had construction workers building two houses next to ours the last couple of weeks. I've tried to keep a low profile for safety reasons. I haven't had any of the picnics Kate has requested. I think I need to just get over it because we enjoyed dinner on the patio tonight and it was wonderful to relax and take in some fresh air together. Kate finally got the corn on the cob and watermelon she's been requesting since the first sign of warmer weather. It was rather yummy!

Ty explored Kate's sand/water table this afternoon. He loved it! He was covered in sand and had wet hair by the time I could see he was ready for his afternoon nap. He slept so well after we removed all the sand covered clothes! I was able to accomplish some things in the kitchen while he was occupied. On that front, "Baby Jail" was introduced today. A neighbor's son was here when I made the decision for sanity purposes to put up the pack n play. Collin called it baby jail and it stuck. Ty is just so busy I can't get anything done quickly because I am constantly interrupted to get him out of something. It bought me a few minutes.

Zoo Pals!

We joined our playgroup at the zoo yesterday. Kate's special friend, Joshua was able to go with us while his mommy was at home with his new baby sister. Both Kate and Joshua asked permission before we went to hold hands at the zoo. They are so cute together. During our picnic lunch, they shared Joshua's apple slices and he put his hat on her head. She proudly wore it. He calls her "Katers" and she doesn't mind a bit!

Ty seemed to really enjoy the zoo as well. He was content in his stroller the entire 3 and a half hours! The only animal he appeared to notice was the hippo. It stopped right in front of him and Ty just looked from it to me as if to ask, "are you seeing what I'm seeing?"!

When we were in the gorilla viewing area, the zookeeper handed the kids a bag of laminated photos to hold up to the window. As soon as the photos came out of the bag, the largest male gorilla ran up to the glass and sat there watching intently. It was really cool until I overheard the zookeeper explain to someone else that the photos were female gorillas....I'm just not sure how I feel about my kids contributing to whatever one would call that!

This face is so ugly, only Lauren can love it

Lauren has taken on another animal loving project. This baby robin has to be one of God's ugliest creatures, but it needs care and Lauren is of course, the one to do it.  She's keeping it during the day and feeding it every time it chirps. Paige and her family are caring for it at night (praise the Lord because I have enough little people trying to keep me up at night). It was hatched along with 4 siblings in Paige's grill and the other four died after being abandoned by their mother. Lauren noted today that it likes to hide its head. Makenna quickly responded, "if I were that ugly, I'd hide my face too".

Too tired....

Kate has been in quite a mood lately.....she was sent to her room to get dressed. Several complaints about her wardrobe and "needing help" later, I turned on the vacuum to better ignore the poor behavior and get something done while I waited on her to comply. 45 minutes later, she came down stairs wearing a dress up costume that didn't fit. I had a decision to make, another battle (which is what she was looking for) or let her go out in public like that. I told her to get in the van because we needed to go to the library. A look of pure shock came across her face. She very quietly got into the van. Lauren and Makenna were rather stunned too. We went to the library and nothing was said. When I later recounted the story to my sister, she said she was proud of me for being a cool mom because she is too uptight to let her kids wear things that don't match when they leave the house. I assured her that I am not cool, I'm exhausted! I want my sweet Kate back! This little stinker isn't much fun right now!

Kate's Opinion

Me to Kate after endless complaints and whining, "Kate, did you know the bible tells us that God wants us to be kind, loving and not to complain?". Kate responds, "my bible doesn't say that." I assured her that it does and will be happy to show it to her when we get home. She says, "well, you don't obey the bible". I am a little dumbfounded and asked her why she thinks that. She said, "God says in the bible that we feed people then they are hungry and you don't feed hungry people". "I don't? Why on earth am I in the kitchen for hours everyday?" She said, "you don't feed people again right after you feed them the first time"! So, she equates my rule about snacking after dinner to me disobeying God. And, if I don't obey God, then why should she? After a brief discussion about respect, she got a time out. We're in trouble.

Love that Face!!!

Someone at church said we need to capture those cheeks tonight....they are pretty kissable!

This is Ty's exaggerated version of a raspberry! I have wanted to capture this expression for several days and am thrilled Erin was finally able to get it on camera. He cracks me up! Unfortunately, the first time he made this face, he spit oatmeal across the room too....Lauren ducked out of the path just in time and that amused Ty tremendously. Discipline will not be an easy task with this one!

When we say he chews on everything, we mean everything!

Lauren did Ty's hair after his bath

Few photo updates

Ty's feeding himself mashed potatoes. The dining room will never be the same!

We continue to have decorating and organizational conflicts. Ty really prefers we spread out all of our things, especially if they make a lot of noise as they hit the floor. 

Ty's big boy car seat.....life is rough. All the work he makes for Mommy wears him out!

Letter to clothing designers

I need to vent....I am a 30 something year old woman who would like to dress age appropriately and conservatively. This is apparently too much to ask as I have spent countless hours in search of basic wardrobe pieces and come away empty handed. It is discouraging at best. I don't think it is appropriate for me to look like my teenage daughters nor do I want to dress like my mother or grandmother; however, there doesn't appear to be any middle ground out there. I finally discovered jeans that actually fit my body with minimal alterations required but they are in a store full of other merchandise that makes me blush! So, praise God I can be caught up with jeans for a few years at a time. My basic wardrobe is made up of jeans, capris and tee shirts. Some changes have been made in the tee shirt department to dress them up a bit, but why on earth do we have to wear layers in order to have enough fabric to avoid being see through? I don't want to wear two tee shirts at a time, I have enough laundry thank you very much. Shorts, don't even get me started on shorts. Good heavens, there isn't enough material there to cover an anorexic barbie! And they want how much for them???? I'd just like to bend over to pick up my son without exposing myself. This is where my darling husband points out the proper lifting procedures and I ever so sweetly express how much I love being married to a safety supervisor! But I digress, I really do want to update my wardrobe to  look like a put together momma, not my baby's grandma or a teenager. And I'd like to accomplish that without breaking the bank. Any suggestions would be appreciated or if you happen to know any clothing designers, please pass this along!

This is where I could start in on sizing and the unlimited hours we could spend in dressing rooms with multiple pieces of the same item and have multiple fits.....but  I'll let that go for now.

First Steps

Ty started walking using his walking toy tonight. He is so excited to be moving and upright. He also decided that the church nursery wasn't too bad tonight. He actually played and smiled once he got settled. That is a big relief!

We had a double rainbow tonight after a storm rolled through. The rain made for an interesting drive home as several roads were covered in water. We literally prayed out loud for a safe trip.....the rainbows were present immediately after we arrived home.

Big Sister/Little Brother

It was a fluke that we ended up with coordinating tee shirts but it made for a fun, although challenging photo shoot. Ty is too busy to sit still for photos.

Small project for Makenna

Makenna was ready for a little more grown up look in her room. We relocated the dollhouse bookcase my dad made her a few years ago to Kate's room for easier access to toys. In it's place we refinished a desk donated by our friend, Candy. Makenna is thrilled with the results. We are still searching for a small stool or chair to work with the very narrow 17 inch opening. We will also be replacing the upper level hardware. Three of the four knobs came with the desk but Makenna thinks something a little more colorful would be perfect. Being that Makenna is one of our more colorful children, that only seems appropriate.