Hunters...

"We're gonna twap dat wascally wabbit if it's the wast thing we do!"

Kudos to Saxon...

When asked how many kids are in his class, Noah replied, "There's eleven kids in my class...counting me. There's TEN kids in my class NOT counting me."

So glad to see him using his math skills.

The "N" word?

There's a new family that moved in across the street. A dad & his two sons. My boys have loved playing baseball, riding bikes, and getting to know their new friends. Daniel was very serious last night when he came in for supper. "Mom, one of the boys does something that starts with an "N"...but I can't tell you." Um...yes, you need to tell me. He was quiet for a long time & it took some convincing, but he finally divulged. "That one boy doesn't ever wear his shirt!" So I asked the logical question, "Okay...but what is the "N" word that he says...or does?" With a look like "Duh, Mom!", Daniel replied, "I told you....he doesN't wear his shirt!"

Too much work to talk...

Lately Daniel has taken to abbreviating words. Who knows why? Maybe it takes too much effort or too much time to get those long words out, for a little boy who is constantly on the go. But what's more concerning is that we actually understand what he's saying, which only encourages him further! ;)

The other day he asked Phil, "Dad, can you put up the alum?"
Translation: "Dad, can you put up the aluminum ladder...so I can climb up to the tree house?"

And last night he asked, "Who made the zoo?"
Translation: "Who made the zucchini? I want more!"

The birds & the bees...

Today after church, the kids found a baby sparrow hopping around on the ground under a huge tree. It had fallen out of its nest, but since the tree was so high and filled with several nests, we decided to bring the baby bird home instead of climb through the tree, trying to locate his family.
Hudson followed Phil all around as he collected nest materials and food for the baby bird. Hudson said, "Uncle Phil, you're amazing with the bees and the birds!"

I'm glad my nephews are here to make me smile...

Tonight was the school Christmas program. Last Friday, I got to watch the kids preform for a local high school, so I enjoyed knowing what to expect the second time around. Nothing could have prepared me, however, for my youngest, who choose to ham it up his entire performance. It was his moment to shine, and "shine" he did through every song, his duet, and everywhere in between. I'm not sure if it was because he could see us sitting near the front, or if it was because he knew he was on camera, or if it was because he saw countless people laughing hysterically at his antics. Whatever the reason, he didn't stop. The laughter only added fuel to the fire, despite my prayers and desperate attempts at telepathy! So, although I was embarrassed for one evening, it was all caught on tape & I undoubtedly will have many occasions with which to embarrass my son with the evidence of his behavior. But something tells me...he just might be proud of himself!!

On the upside...the other three did great & behaved themselves wonderfully. :) Grace was one of the main characters (Fluffy the Lamb) and did great on her lines & her solo for "Away in the Manger". Abbie was a 50's girl & looked cute in her poodle skirt. She also had a solo; we love to hear her sing out with all her heart. Noah was disappointed to be the only one in the family without a solo, but he sang his little heart out & we were proud of his part as one of Noah's "animals". They are all glad to have that "over with" and are counting down the days to Christmas break.

The funnies

This year, the 3rd-6th graders have been receiving the paper at school. Grace is cute about making sure Phil gets her paper, "'Cause I know how you like to read the paper, Daddy." I love getting the paper for two reasons. Sudoku and the comics. The comics make me laugh, and (as oddly as it may sound) Sudoku is a stress-reliever. As it's been a while since I wrote about life in general, I thought I'd be corny, or cheesy, or whatever :) and compose a family newspaper, complete with the comics. Enjoy!

School Year Is Underway

School seems to be our life these days. We leave around 7:15am & get home around 5pm most nights, so it is a long day for everyone. The kids are enjoying school (for the most part) and love their teachers. As parents, it's exciting to watch our children excel because of their desire to please their teachers. Abbie memorized 1 Cor. 13 after her teacher challenged the class. Grace has read above her reading goal (which isn't due until October & is a huge deal for my girl who "doesn't like" reading!). Noah is working hard on his reading & we're amazed that he can read stories already. Daniel loves his teacher & everything about Preschool. And he doesn't mind being the only boy in the afternoon with six girls! Phil has been a big help on the mornings I can't "rally the troops" & even though the dishwasher doesn't get loaded the "right" way (Right, Mom? :) I'm not rearranging it, I promise!), I'm thankful he is doing his part to help out.

Mysterious Stomach Pains Are Slowing Subsiding

Abbie has been suffering from stomach and intestinal cramping for the past 3 weeks. She claims it has nothing to do with Math. :) It got bad enough that we took her to the ER to be sure she didn't have appendicitis. After blood work and other tests, the results were negative. A visit to the Doctor's office last week & more tests confirmed that she didn't have an intestinal parasite. She is slowly getting back to her old self & her pain & cramping are decreasing each day, for which we are very thankful.

Motorcycle Moves On Down the Road

After several garage sales, unsuccessful sales attempts, & a final farewell ride up & down the road, Phil loaded up his motorcycle at the crack of dawn Saturday morning. He & Jim drove down to Clorita to an auction & he finally sold his high school pride & joy. Abbie is glad she has one less obstical in the backyard to mow around.

Funnies

One night Daniel asked, "Are we having library tomorrow?" I told him I didn't know. To which he replied, "But Mom...teachers know everything!!"

Daniel asked Phil, "Dad what is bear day?" "Bear day?" Phil scrambles for an explanation, "Um, is bear day on Friday?" "No! Bear day means a green crayon." Understanding. "Oh! You mean verde?" "No, Dad. Bear day."

We were trying to get information out of Noah about his reading group - procedure, what they read, who is in the group, etc. No matter what we asked, he kept giving the same answer, demonstrating how he reads. Soon we were cracking up at his repetitive reply - "Some kids read like this - (loudly) B - A -T ...BAT! And I read like this (quietly) b-a-t...(yelling) BAT!!"

After listening to talk radio all day about health care reform, Phil is more convinced that we need to care for our own bodies. He was cutting apples for supper & in an effort to drive his point home, said, "What is it they say? An apple a day..." "...gives you soft poopies." Nothing like a 4 year old to turn things upside down. :)

Why am I still up?

Too much Diet Pepsi. Too much thinking. Too much to do.

It's almost midnight & Phil is gigging for frogs with his buddy Jim. Basically it's a way to explain the need grown men have to get in touch with their inner "boy" and have a blast chasing frogs & getting muddy! If I had my camera I would take a picture of the gig he constructed. It's quite the weapon. And I would have loved to take a picture of my boys sharpening their own "gigs" (sticks). Noah stood in the driveway with no shirt on, and informed me he was gonna gig the van. It was a "Lord of the Flies" moment. If only I had my camera...but I left it in Kentucky, and that's a story for another day. I am glad my husband is having fun, but he'd better not bring any frog legs home. I've put up with a deer head for the past several months. I draw the line @ frog legs. A woman can only take so much.

Goodnight. I'm going to bed. I better not have nightmares.

The lazy days of summer?

Whoever it was that coined the phrase "the lazy days of summer" obviously wasn't a mom. Especially if they meant "lazy" as in "having nothing to do or doing nothing at all". I have the opposite problem, as in "I have so much to do, I don't know where to start, so I'll just sit here a little while longer." Or maybe they are the "lazy days" because it's just too stinkin' hot to move. Don't mind me. I'm just hot & bothered because I had to climb up in a 350 degree attic to retrieve bears & lids to finish jarring honey this afternoon. I really need to go restock the shelf at the grocery store, but every time I think about taking 4 kids with me, I decide it will be much easier at 9pm tonight when they are all tucked snugly into bed.

I had a panic attack this afternoon when I lost my list. Yes, I'm a list maker. Go ahead and make fun of me. But if you know me at all, you will know that I am lost without my lists. Or rather, I am dependant upon them. Don't be offended if I don't remember something important you tell me. If I don't write it down, chances are it will be gone from my mind the moment the conversation is over...or before then. It helps me to stay focused & on task. And sometimes it's nice to glance over it at the end of my day and see that I did, in fact, accomplish something. These last fews days my list has been full...too full. It spills over into the next day & I can't seem to catch up. So I'm learning to let go & hand over some of my "to do" items to my kids, even if they don't do them to the obsessive degree that I do. And I'm plesantly surprised to learn that they do a fairly good job. :) I'm also learning that some things just don't need to be on the list at all.

I came to the realization this afternoon, that for various reasons, I wasn't enjoying these "lazy days of summer". And after my nap, I feel like I've gained some perspective. As a mom, there will always be plenty to do, but I want to be intentional about being "lazy" this summer - reading books to my kids, playing in the sprinkler with them, building a fort with them or just hanging out in the hammock. I plan to put it on my list.

Evidence of manhood

Daniel & Noah were trying to put together a new carseat. Daniel was about to open the manual, when I overheard Noah declare, "I don't need instructions!"

I feel pretty, oh so pretty...

After Phil's conquest last December, I have the unfortunate experience of having this thing hanging as a focal point in my living room, and looking down on me while I work on the computer. I decided that if I have to live with it in my house, I might as well have fun making him pretty. And I'm thinking of how I can incorporate him into my seasonal decor. He might look festive with Christmas lights! If nothing else, he'll be a great place to hang my bras to dry. I think he needs a name, though. Any suggestions?

Resourceful

I found one of Grace's school pages yesterday & was laughing my head off. She was supposed to write a short story with these guidelines: "At the beach one day you decide to catch a crab for a pet...tell how you would do it. Tell how to find a crab, how to catch a crab, how to keep a crab, and what you would name a crab." Here was her response:

"I would go to a farm. Then I would get some horse hair. Then I would make a net. I would go to the shore and throw the net out. I will wait till I feel a tug. I would name it ted."

It's definitely not what I would have ever thought of, but you've got to give it to her. That girl sure is resourceful!

Partying in pairs

Mom - Daniel, where are your socks?
Daniel - They are wasted.
Mom - What do you mean, they are wasted?
Daniel - I wore too many & now they are all wasted.