Valentines specialties

True to my sweet son's nature, Colin wanted to make his Valentines again this year.

So, I turned to Pinterest--a new love of mine!

We found this adorable idea that seemed very feasible for an eight year old. Colin loved it right away, and went to work just as soon as I could hit the print button.

We printed out the template pages, trimmed them up nicely, folded them.....

....and Colin began creating his portraits.

{Gavin}

Each one matched their real life counterpart very well.
{Olivia}

{Tyler}

I was so proud of Colin....he worked so hard on each one of these!

{Destiny}

He used true to life colors for hair, and even did some of the girls in curls because he told

 me that "that is how they do their hair when they want to be fancy."

{Grace, Ellie}

He even did one for his dear old Mommy.

{Notice the blond highlights and my favorite dangly earrings!}

He worked so hard and created 19 of these--one for each member of his class and one for his teacher and her aide.  I sure love that little guy and everything about him. He is such a special boy with a great heart, and he teaches me new lessons each and every day.

This week, I want to remember (2/6-2/10)

Monday, February 6

Laundry day.  Mounds and mounds and mounds and mounds of it. I know everyone has different ways of doing laundry, but I do it all in one day. Every Monday.

It's a lot. A LOT....

(this is two loads pictured, and I do about 8-10 each Monday)

But eventually, it was conquered and all was clean and spotless again in the laundry room.

For about seven minutes, anyway. *sigh*

Tuesday, February 7

Left the Lolee girl alone for about three minutes in the kitchen. 

Big mistake. 

Darn that salt container!

While I was tidying up my bedroom, we heard the 'this is just a test' weather siren. Actually, at that moment, I had my camera in hand and caught poor Ethan's immediate reaction. For some reason, he is all of a sudden terrified of tornadoes. It's a season all children go through, I'm sure--being scared of the weather.

I reassured him through the whole thing, but I know he was very relieved when that siren ended!

Lola found her new set of hat and gloves (I found them at Old Navy for her for next year
for .98 cents! Woot!) and decided to model them for me....but she couldn't figure out how
 to get them on right! I did what every mother would do:
put down my camera immediately and helped her
laughed at her and took pictures!

We colored some pictures and made some crayons....

....and then after lunch, Lola hit a milestone: she sat all the way through reading time.  It was the first time she has ever done that! We read for over 30 minutes and she did not try to move once! I was so proud of her.

Reading before the kids' rest time every day is something I have always done, since before Colin was Lola's age. I've been a bit worried because Lola just hasn't shown the interest in books the way her brothers always did. She doesn't like to sit for them, and usually just wanders around Ethan's room while I read to him.

But the last few days, she has seemed very interested...and maybe today, something inside her snapped! This reader Momma was so happy!

It always tickles me...the kids are never, ever tired....

....but they are both out in no time!

Wednesday, February 8

One of those absolutely tornado-like days. It was one chaotic event thing after another, and I truthfully don't even know where the day went--but I looked up and it was gone.  We did most of the normal things (and had great luck with Lo at reading time again!), but there was a definite touch of crazy added in for good measure.

No photos.  Booooooo.

A fun thing of note--I got my hair cut and highlighted! Love, love when I get to do that.

Thursday, February 9

Grocery store time!

Of course, it would fall on the coldest day of the week...but what must be done must be done!

On that note: I hate how long that takes! We left the house at 8:30, and by the time I got there (about a 25 minute drive for me), shopped, checked out, loaded the car, drove home, unloaded the kids, unloaded the groceries into the house, then put everything away--we were past lunchtime! And hungry kids mean grouchy kids. Whew.

That afternoon, we got some Valentine's Day cards and goodies from Grandma 'Nette and Grandpa! 

I think it is just the sweetest thing in the world that they do that for our kids. 

They were thrilled!

Ethan has been coughing more and more....he was so sweet at dinner when he prayed, "Dear Jesus....please help me to feel better soon."

I never want to forget that innocence. That sweetness.

Thank you, God, for my babies--and the lessons they teach me every day.

Friday, February 10

Friday morning, the older two requested their favorite for breakfast: keeny (zucchini) bread....

As much as Ethan usually loves keeny bread himself, this morning it apparently was not his number one choice. When I told him,
"Ethan, we're having keeny bread this morning!"
He replied,
"Mommy, would you like to hear the list of my favorite breakfast foods?"
Keeny bread didn't make the cut.

The younger two requested a bath after breakfast, and since I had some packing to do 

in my bedroom, I obliged! Baths are a very easy way to keep these two in one place and 

out of trouble for a good length of time!

(Yes....I have a purple tub. Long story--it was here when we moved...it'll

be gone when it's this room's turn for a remodel! One bathroom at a time!)

While in the bath, Ethan began examining his bruises.

"Mommy....do you know why I have all these marks on me?"

Me: "Why, buddy?"

E: "Because Colin and Cameron do damage to me when we are playing."

*giggle*

He also had to show me a 'new trick'.

My children definitely have different definitions of gaming.

Lola: Sesame Street Chutes and Ladders.....

....and Ethan: the Wii head. 

Ethan, after lunch: "Mommy....can I please play Mario Kart on the Wii?"

Me: "Yes, buddy. You've been a very good boy today."

Ethan, already focused on the task ahead (and no longer on the conversation, apparently):

"So have you, Mommy."

Distracted, much?

The boys came home from school and Colin began work on his Valentine's Cards for his classmates....I can't wait to share that with you next week!

Funny things I've neglected to blog

Facebook is storming the globe, of course--and many times, nowadays, when my children say something funny, I just pop over there and posted it as my status for friends and family to see.

Today, however, I wanted to record them all here. So, if you're reading these as duplicates--my apologies! (Although I'm not that sorry for you, I guess--who doesn't need more laughter in their day!?)

This Momma has to record for prosperity purposes!


Ethan, playing basketball on the Wii:
"Mom, guess who I have on my team?"
Me: "Who, buddy?"
E: "It's me, you, and Grandma 'Nette."
Me, drumming up some excitement: "Are ya gonna win!?"
E: "Probably not with that team."

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Lola: "Happy birthday, poopy head!" (She mumbles a lot, but of course THAT was clear as a bell)
My head drops into both of my hands....I look up to see each brother laughing and pointing at another brother! They knew the next question out of my mouth was going to be:
"WHO taught her that!?"
and then Ethan added to the laughter by blaming Buddy--our Elf on the Shelf!!

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This little girl climbed up onto the table and helped herself to a couple of apples....
and my inner junior higher instantly came out.

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Around Christmas time, we read quite a few books about the nativity, which was great! It wasn't as great, however, the day Ethan saw a lady in a burqa and shrieked (in a quiter-than-Mommy-would-have-liked-restaurant): 

"Mom! It's MARY! From baby Jesus and Joseph and Mary in the manger!

(Though, to be fair, middle Eastern garb does look quite a bit like biblical attire....)

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Speaking of stories of Christmas:

Me: "Ethan, do you remember our story from last night? What was the name of the angel who told Mary that she was going to be baby Jesus' mother?"

(Looking for the answer Gabriel)

Ethan: "Uh.....ummmmm....."

Me: "It started with a "G". Guh....guh....gaaaaaa....."

Ethan: "Gabraham!"

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And, Christmas songs.....

"Tha paddles are glowing....the baby awakes.....

(Ethan, singing Away in a Manger)

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Cameron, the day after his birthday: "Mom? I still feel like I'm five."

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We actually got a bit of snow a couple of weeks ago--more like a dusting. Ethan was so excited. It didn't last long, though, and when he looked out the sliding glass door after his rest, he proclaimed:

"Aw, Mom! All the snow died!"

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For the last couple of years, we have had a lot of fun with our Elf on the Shelf. His name is Buddy, and although we don't use him as a behavior modification technique (think, "You better be good because Buddy is watching you and will tell Santa!") the boys love to get up every morning and find where Buddy has "hidden".

One night, I hid Buddy in the stockings, and had the bright idea to put some torn paper underneath.

 (Buddy has a tendency to be naughty once in a while.) 

Ethan woke up, and, after he had found him, looked him square in the eyes and said:
"BUDDY! You're not supposed to be opening presents before Christmas! Shame on you!"

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My boys love to create "Miis" on the Wii.  They have created many characters resembling real life people, including a few of the Bears players--Forte, Urlacher, and Hester, to name a few.

One night, while playing frisbee golf as the "Hester" mii, I overheard Cameron, trying to justify his poor score to Ethan, who was beating him rather solidly:

"Well.....this is golf. Not football. It's not Hester's game. What do you expect?

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Lola: "Tammy!"

Cameron: "What?"

Lola: "Tam-mmy!"
Cameron: "What?!"

Lola: "TAM---MMMMY!"

Cameron, loudly: "Lola, what? You're supposed to say SOMETHING!"

Lola, shouting: ".......SOME! ......TING!!"

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Oh, my children...I am so thankful God gave each and every one of you a great sense of humor! You each brighten my day--every day--more than you will ever know!!

This week, I want to remember (1/30-2/3)

Monday, January 30

The kids spent the day playing with Ethan's new birthday toys!

 Lola was quiet and I found her like this. This girl loves her some things she shouldn't touch!

And, it was such a beautiful day....

....that we were able to get some outdoor time in, too!

We've sure been blessed with such a mild winter.

The kids have been outside more times than I can count.

Lola used her new dishes from Grandma Nette at dinner! She loved them.

Shane built Ethan his new train track so he would wake up to a nice surprise on his birthday!

Tuesday, January 31


It's Ethan's birthday! And Mommy's, too!

The boys woke up and decided to add to Ethan's track.

Banana nut muffins for breakfast! 

Special request of the birthday boy (and why we baked so many of them last week!)

Ethan was a little confused opening Gram's card (which contained a check)....

....until I told him what it was!

We played Candy Land, read lots of books, and did some learning time.

Then, in the middle of the day--I got flowers!

First, a bouquet of roses (Thank you Dad and Amy, they are absolutely lovely!) and then

a very colorful assortment containing one of my faves--Gerbera Daisies--from Shane.

Later that night, we went to dinner for our birthday and had a great time with our family.

The boys sat at the end of the table and had their own conversation.

Adults are boring.

My cousin Haley and Lolee girl. Haley is having a baby girl herself in just a few weeks!

Yummy cake!

Told you it was yummy.

Haley and I

Lola took her turns around the table sitting on laps.

First, it was Grandma Jane's turn....

Then it was Daddy's.

What a great birthday!

Wednesday, February 1

(How are we in the second month of the year already? Wha?)

It was Errand Day. I did a lot, lot, lot of things--but no pictures! :) Just one of those busy-keeping-the-house-running days.

Thursday, February 2

We woke up...and I was able to give the boys a lesson on fog.

Lola has been showing lots and lots of signs...and today was the day.  Underpants! 

We ditched the diapers and she did really well. Only one accident, which I thought was great. 

I kept her in undies and a robe only, for ease of dressing/undressing.  I had put her on the 

potty several times when I saw this:

then this....

....and then this!

She had ditched her clothes and climbed up there all by herself.

This girl never ceases to surprise me!

On the toilet note, when you turn five in our home, it means you start doing the deed all by yourself. And by doing the deed, I do mean the 'wiping' deed. So, between Ethan learning to wipe himself (and me checking him) and Lola going potty every 7.4 minutes (and wiping her), I think I washed hands (including Lola's, Ethan's, and my own) about 438 times. (All numbers approximate. Whew.)

Ethan played on his train again for what seemed like hours.....even Lola loved it!

Then the weather cleared up--it turned into a gorgeous day....

....so they kids were able to play outside again!

And, when the big boys got home from school, Ethan informed them:

"Guys. That bird saw his shadow." 

Friday February 3

My poor babies stayed home from school today. I wouldn't say they are "super" sick, but Col and Cam each have a cough that I didn't want to expose the other children to. 

We ran our poor nebulizer silly....but it seemed to really help.

Colin and I had this conversation:

Colin: "Mommy, I'm most like a monkey."

Now, to be fair, this absolutely came out of nowhere. I try really hard to respond to my children at all times, rather than reacting to them (I fail a lot, but I try!) but in this situation, I was at a loss.

Me: "Uh.....huh?"

Colin: "Well. Monkeys are wild. Monkeys are independent. Monkeys are loud. Monkeys are fast in trees. And monkeys are goofy."

Me, failing again: "Uh....o....kay."

(He later went on to explain that, in school, they are doing an art project where they have to choose an animal that they are most like, and do a project on it. Which helped, knowing that that conversation did not, in fact, come out of nowhere! It was a pretty funny few minutes of conversation.)

Sometimes...on days like today, it appears....a girl just has to get her Tinkerbell on.

We had another lovely "Family Night" at home.  We ate some Tombstone pizzas, picnic-style (a.k.a. in front of the TV--rare for us--and yes, I was feeling gourmet, thankyouverymuch) and watched Mr. Popper's Penguins! Cameron was so excited when he heard which movie I had chosen. His exact words were: "Mommy, Hayden and Waylon (schoolmates) both said that movie is so funny, and that the penguins in it pooter all the time!" 

Apparently, it takes nothing more than bodily functions to get laughs out of little boys! And, considering Shane was giggling quite a bit, it seems that some things never change!

We all really enjoyed it.