Being dethroned

Going from being the baby to not-the-baby all in one day has had some lingering effects for sweet 3 1/2 year old Landon. Those initial gentle kisses and touches he gave to Peyton have since been replaced by not so gentle blows in the face and hard-as-he-can squeezes to her hands, cheeks, and feet.

We are forced to be ever-vigilant as he adjusts to his new position in our family. We know these acting out episodes are normal and we expected some fallout. Regardless of what we knew or expected, it remains very hard to see him struggle. Providing him the extra attention he needs is proving to be quite the challenge for us.

Of course, stealing "neck sugars" from that little boy neck isn't difficult for me to do. In fact, doing so is one of the highlights of my day. I just have to make more time to do so...making both my always-to-be baby boy and me much happier.

The grands are back!

Jimmy left on a trip yesterday so we brought in reinforcements. Granna, Pawpaw, and Aunt Paula came to take turns holding Peyton and playing with the other kids. The plan is for them to stay through Saturday. However, with everyone home for the summer, I'm hoping this "total kid immersion" all day for three days doesn't drive all this good help away sooner.

Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they will never cease to be amused

Recently someone I know was applying makeup (my husband calls it "war paint") while looking into a magnifying mirror (very bad idea) when something on my chin (okay, fine, this is all about me) caught my attention.

Upon closer inspection (actually a panic-filled probe) I discovered a hair. There was a hair protruding proudly from my chin! This hair wasn't just lying there as hair on a woman's chin should; rather it was standing alert and proud, waving wildly back at me. And to make matters worse (if that's possible) the hair was gray! What? I'm getting so old that I couldn't even muster a dark-colored hair on my chin?

How is this possible? I only recently celebrated my "milestone" birthday. Should this sort of thing be happening already? And for that matter, what's next? Will I be searching for my spectacles soon? Am I doomed for the little blue-tinted hair color aisle at the grocery store? Will I be trading in my beloved treadmill for a walker long before I'm ready?

I plucked that ugly, wretched whisker with my best tweezers, hoping I pulled it from the deepest follicle. Now I need to decide, should I continue using that magnifying mirror so I can snatch any future (gasp!) beastly chin bristles? Or should I pretend to ignore any more troublesome tufts?

So as I ponder this earth-shattering decision, I will grab my magnifying mirror and do a quick body search since really, who knows where else I might be sprouting these hag-like, errant gray hairs from next? I will pioneer my own plucking frenzy since I don't need anyone pointing them out to me because, frankly, I'm horrified enough.

Things I know now that I'm one month old

The ceiling fans in my house are so cool...I stare at them all of the time.

I love my baths; it's the cold, drying-off part I don't like.

I don't think Mommy likes to get up with me at 2am but I enjoy spending quality time with her.

My daddy's chest is the softest sleeping place I know.

I really like it when Sutton takes me outside.

My brothers are very loud and they kiss me...a lot.

My mommy and daddy always tell me how much they love me.

Keaton sings so pretty when she holds me and I always fall fast asleep.

The wipes warmer is my friend.

Reagan takes very good care of me. She reminds me of my mom.

I rarely have to cry around here because grunting gets me anything I want.

When I am forced to grunt, all of my family members jump up to help me.

I don't like changing my clothes and I really don't like being naked.

My brothers and sisters fight over who gets to hold me next...Mommy says I'm spoiled.

God made sure I went to the perfect family for me. They love me and think I'm really cute. I know I'm going to like it here.

The doughboys

Jimmy and I enjoy watching Food Network; a dangerous activity when you're hungry (which is all the time with me now in a perpetual nursing state). Recently we saw an episode of Everyday Italian with Giada de Laurentiis where she made Italian Donuts. Now, I often remind myself that she can make any recipe, good or not, look delicious simply because she is so beautiful (and thin), but Jimmy really wanted to try this one.

He bought the ingredients and he and the boys cooked breakfast for us. The donuts were quite tasty. The process of cooking them, however, was the true joy as the boys got to participate in just about every step of the process.

If you're interested, the recipe is here. Be mindful, if you want clean clothes and an untarnished kitchen when all is said and done, do it without little boy help. But if dough-eating, sugar-coated finger-licking, flour-wearing boy children (and a Dad) sound appealing...we'll send a couple over to assist.

Happy, um, 27th (?) Birthday Big Daddy

Yet another birthday celebration. We had a lovely Italian meal before Wiley and Diane had to rush back home to check on Diane's mother. We didn't get to spend a lot of time with them, but the visit we had was nice and the food delicious. Below are a few pictures of the party-goers. The only picture we took of Diney didn't turn out:-(

Bid Daddy, we hope you have a wonderful birthday and an even better year.

Pass me the get-out-of-jail-free card

At the end of last summer I wrote this post. Maybe it makes me a bad mother, but I was so happy the school year was beginning and my children had some place to be during the day, doing activities planned, executed and supervised by someone else. If it helps my totally tainted image any, all four of our school-aged were excited about returning to the classroom and not the least bit hurt by my gentle, yet forceful, pushing of them out the door on that first day of school.

Jump ahead ten months, add a new baby to the mix, and you've got a momma quite apprehensive about the next few months. I've got to make plans, construct schedules, anticipate kids' requests, and contact grandparents to plan visits for each child. Oh, and Jimmy goes back on the road. TV is not an all-day option so my lofty plan is to teach the girls how to cook some simple meals and to tackle those cabinets and closets I missed during my nesting phase last month.

In the picture above you see a`family game of monopoly the other night. That one game lasted several hours and was still not finished when I sent them to bed. It kept Jimmy and the girls busy but Hayden, Landon and Peyton were less than interested. Maybe it's time to train the little ones to enjoy board games because after trying to keep them occupied so the others could play, I am convinced it's going to be a very long summer.

Sister time

Awards Day

Keaton and Hayden had Awards Day at school and were each recognized in a number of areas. For their grandparents, who admittedly are the only ones interested in this post, here is a list of each child's awards:

Hayden
Outstanding Achievement in Homework
Outstanding Achievement in Math
Outstanding Achievement in Phonics
Outstanding Achievement in Spelling
Outstanding Achievement in Reading
Outstanding Achievement in Writing
Outstanding Achievement in Bible Memory
Outstanding Achievement in Obedience (REALLY?!)
Outstanding Academic Performance in All Areas

Keaton
A Honor Roll
Math--A+ Average for the Year
Spelling--A+ Average for the Year
Outstanding Bible Memory
Outstanding Obedience (REALLY?!)

We are so proud of our children who worked very hard, and extremely thankful for such outstanding teachers who guided them in such a positive way. It was truly a wonderful year.

Excuse the mama...focus on the baby

Not a very flattering look for me, but thrilling just the same as I am rarely in pictures.

The size of a baby doll.

















All head and no neck? Yet, still precious.

















She's sitting pretty.

Positively perfect graduation program

Big night...happy endings

Grinning graduate

Burrito baby

I love you's and little boys

Last night Landon came to tell me goodnight. I scooped him up into my arms, hugged him tightly and whispered in his ear, "I love you."

He smiled so sweetly, wrapped his little legs around me and squeezed me back even tighter as he leaned in stammering, "I...I...I...," (my ears awaited his response, those words every mother longs to hear):

"I didn't toot on you."

Ah, well.

Obviously, I have a lot of work to do before the kid grows up and gets a girlfriend...Wish me luck.

Two big 'ole hairy GOOBERS!

I never know what I might find when I download pictures from my camera.

Happy Birthday Naunie

My mother's birthday was Thursday and lest you think I am a real heel and forgot, I did call her early Thursday morning with birthday wishes and to tell her about her gift.

She retired from education last December after 35+ years as a teacher, vice principal, and principal in middle schools, high schools and colleges. She has directed hundreds of plays (many award winning) at all those levels and is known in her area as the go-to lady when the local community theatre needs a director.

Mom is getting to finally do now what she put off doing many years ago...act. She is auditioning and winning roles in commercials, videos and films and is having the time of her life.

My siblings and I are so happy for her and plan a trip to Hollywood someday to watch her accept her Oscar. (She's going to be so embarrassed I just wrote that!)

I love you Mom! Happy Birthday.