Merry Christmas

Welcome Home Captain Rogers

We couldn't be more proud of you and couldn't possibly be more excited to spend the Holidays together this year.

Grace's Concert

Sleepy Girl

Two of Michael's Favorite Things

Yes - it has been a long time. Besides the day to day craziness of four kids, one dog, and a deployed husband we have been blessed with every sickness under the sun (including strep throat, the flu, and I won't even tell you what we have going on now).

We had an unwanted visitor which made for some excitement when someone went to use the toilet. (In case anyone is wondering, I did make a real effort to remove the frog before I gave up and flushed him.)

We have had to replace a water logged computer. The guilty party is extremely remorseful, especially once they heard that a family trip to Disney would now not be happening because we needed to spend the money to replace the computer. Most effective punishment EVER.

So I guess I will reintroduce you to who you have been missing.

Miss Faith
Muckle giving his sister kisses.
Annabelle after a night with curlers in her hair.
Grace at her Thanksgiving Feast at school. Her teacher named her Chirping Bird, because she is always talking.

OK, so here we are.

It is kinda funny. Everyone has been complaining about not being able to see the kids and here I am with them everyday, almost always willing to ship one or all of them off to a relative.

Happy Halloween

Pebbles and Bamm Bamm
Fancy Nancy

Snow White

Cookies

Annabelle Lee

The Field Trip

Grace's class went on a field trip this past week to the Fire Station. For their last field trip, they went to a puppet show and I was unable to go. I told Grace I would try my best to go on the next one with her. Fire Station - here I come.

We were thinking that this would be fun for Michael as well. The Boy LOVES trucks. Loves them. And most of the time we would be outside anyways, so I decided to bring the little ones along (really, there was no option here. No sitter, therefore they come along, too).
As you can see in the picture, Michael was having a hard time from the moment we arrived. He wanted to run around. He wanted to scream. He wanted to do just about anything EXCEPT look at the fire truck.

Go figure.

So I was walking around with him, trying to get him interested in doing anything but screaming when Grace's teacher came over and told me she would be happy to drive Grace back to school since Michael didn't seem to want cooperate. (Hint Hint - please get the loud kid out of here as he is disturbing the rest of the kids).

So I took the little ones to the car, turned on a movie for them, and both Michael and Faith proceeded to cry for what appeared to me to be no reason whatsoever for the next 30 minutes.

I waited for the trip to be over and then I found Grace so I could at least drive her back to school. She was very upset. She was upset I didn't spend any time with her on HER field trip, but mostly she was upset because her brother continues to ruin her life entirely.

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

The Bangs Are Back

After a brief yet frustrating period of Grace growing her bangs out, she finally asked me to cut them. I could not have been more happy to do so, as it was getting quite tiring following her around with a clip or a headband to keep her growing bangs out of here eyes.

I was trimming Annabelle's the other night and she came in the bathroom declaring that she would like hers cut as well. I asked her repeatedly if she was sure, making clear there was no putting them back on once they were cut. She said she was sure. When we were done, she said, "you were right, Mama. This does look better."

Sweet victory.

No matter how small a victory, I will take it. I know this is just the first of many battles her and I will fight over the years. And I am pretty sure one of the few I will win.
And she seems quite pleased with herself.

The Boy

Poor George

George used to have his own chair in the living room. It had seen better days, and since George repeatedly tried to take up residence on my couch I needed someplace else for him to call his own. He felt like he was "winning" when he was allowed in the chair, and he also stopped trying to get up on the rest of the furniture.

Sadly, recently the chair had to go. It smelled more like a dog than George did. And it was dirty. So I hauled it out to the garage and replaced it with a dog bed.

Apparently he still prefers "people" furniture, because now that the chair is gone he has decided to take up residence on the kids table in the front window.

That doesn't look comfortable, not even a little bit. But you can tell by the scratch marks on the top that he gets up there quite often. Usually he gets down as soon as he hears me coming, but for this picture he was in such a deep sleep he didn't even notice.

Poor George. How dare we expect him to sleep on an actual dog bed.

Chicken Fried

Here are a few snapshots of Michael dancing to his most favorite song, Chicken Fried. I wish I could post a video because he is pretty darn hilarious. And he asks me to play the song at least 47 times a day. At least.

Grace Gets Crafty

Grace got a sewing machine from Santa last Christmas. She was finally ready for her first project - a quilt - last weekend. First, Gramma showed her the basics.
Then I stepped in to help her sew together the quilt top (made from 4 bandanas), make the quilt sandwich, and sew it all together.
Grace did so well. She seems to be a natural, which is exciting because should I ever take up making purses again I will be sure to employ her in my sweat shop.
The finished project - the front.
And the back. She is pretty proud of it (and so am I) and even took it to school for show and tell this past Friday.

Happy Birthday Grace Lenore!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school - first grade for Grace and pre-kindergarten for Annabelle. Last night we had a celebratory dinner (pasta with no sauce), ice cream and dance party to get ready. Their outfits were all picked out, backpacks were packed, and lunches were made. They were both excited, but slightly anxious.
MAMA: Grace, can't you just stand still and stop doing all these crazy poses so I can take a normal picture???

GRACE: Mom, I am a poser. I pose, that is just what I do.

MAMA: I see. Well, can we just get a little pose?

GRACE: Fine.
Annabelle was a bit nervous - this year she is at a new school, away from all her friends and the teachers she knew and loved. But she had a good time. Both girls were a tired when they got home, but are ready for day two.

Michael, Faith and I went to Target to celebrate. Michael may not be starting school, but he is attending potty boot camp at home with me. We picked out some big boy underwear and some pull-ups for nighttime. This should be interesting...wish us luck.

Hurricane Michael

This is Hurricane Michael.
This is what kind of damage a Category 3 "nap" can do.
It is a lot of work making such a mess. Sometimes the hurricane passes out for a few, in the middle of his destruction.
But that just makes him stronger. By bedtime, he is a category 4.
I should have left him in there.

Caught Green Handed

Normally I would be very upset to find that Michael had gone into the kitchen and taken food. When I heard the commotion as I was coming downstairs this evening, I expected to find him with cookies or goldfish, or even a bag of chocolate chips from the pantry.

I was ready with my "Mama's really upset with you" voice. And when I finally caught a glimpse of him, I was not prepared for what I saw.

Broccoli. That's right. Could I get mad at him for eating broccoli??? No, but I could get mad at him for stealing the broccoli and feeding it to the dog. I prepared my "angry Mama" voice once again and asked him if he was feeding George.

Then he opened his mouth and showed me he was not sharing, but eating it all himself. And by the way George was salivating, it was pretty clear the dog wasn't getting any.

Way to catch a Mama off guard, Michael. I moved him, and the broccoli, to his chair and he finished the entire bag.

Bathing Beauty

Excellent Adventure: Hula Girls

I am pretty sure that this is not in Hawaii, but instead in Nami and Geet's backyard. But who knows... they are on an excellent adventure.

Big Boy Bed

After putting it off way too long, I finally moved Michael out of his crib. He had been climbing out pretty much daily and it was only a matter of time until he hurt himself.

So I found some Toy Story bedding and he is thrilled. He is already very particular, too - the Buzz Lightyear side of the pillow case must ALWAYS be facing up.
Faith wanted to check the new bed out as well. She was excited because a big boy bed for Michael meant she was now in a room of her own and wouldn't have to dodge all the stuffed animals Michael had started throwing in her crib.
He is still a bit confused how all the sheets are supposed to work. To solve that, the first night he pulled all the sheets and comforter off the bed, made a pile on the floor and slept on that.
Perhaps the biggest change for Michael is the freedom he now enjoys. He can move around his room however he wants when he is supposed to be sleeping. I think this may be his favorite part. He loves standing at the gate at the door and yelling for me to come and get him.