Picnic-ing

An impromptu picnic proved to be just the thing for Master Landon (3) who has decided being home is much more fun than going to school. It was only PB&J, a few chips, and a juice pouch, but there were ducks, swings, slides, dirt and the undivided attention of Mom, Dad, and Peyton. As you might expect, he is already scheduling the next one.

Physician confusion

During their usual nighttime wrestling match...

Landon (galled by an unexpected blow): "Dad! You hit me in my eye!"

Dad: "Oh, I'm sorry Buddy. It was an accident."

Landon: "It's okay, but now you're gonna have to take me to the dentist to fix it!"

Cause and (the quite stinky) effect

Our pediatrician suggested the breast-only diet for Baby Girl until six months. We've been bopping right along with no problems until the past few days when she has lunged for and cried to taste just about anything I have eaten. She's recently attacked my banana and happily sneaked a nibble, begging constantly for tastes of all things, edible or not.

As is usual in my quest for perfect mothering (a crusade I continuously, pathetically fail), I called the doctor's office to seek approval to start cereal twelve days early. When the nurse stopped giggling at me for even asking, ("Honey, isn't this baby number six?!")I got my go-ahead.

**Okay, I'm a rule-follower; I follow the rules...it's a curse.**

Daddy got the cereal, I mixed it up, and everyone gathered 'round for the feast.


While she doesn't look thrilled in the pictures(the whole spoon concept was new and kind of threw her), her tummy got full and she was a happy camper. I was too until the inevitable dirty diaper happened this morning. Oh. my. gosh. Those breastfeeding poops pale in comparison.

Stuffed, sweet, and just a little bit stinky, that little girl of mine.

Senior Night

I guess volleyball Senior Night is one of the first "last" things we'll be acknowledging this year as Sutton inches closer to graduation. I fluctuate between excitement and a little bit of panic when these occasions sneak up on me as I often refuse to admit she's growing up. I must try to put her need to leave and my need to hold on to her into the proper perspective. She will leave and I can't won't stop her.

My sadness was compounded by the fact that one of the team's managers took her own life the night before, leaving the team, coaches, school, stunned. The grief and despair must be overwhelming for this girl's family and our hearts and prayers go out to them. All of the players wore pink ribbons, Shelbie's favorite color, on their shoes to honor her.

The senior girls and their families were called onto the floor before the game began last night where the girls received flowers and letters from underclassmen. The match that followed was outstanding as our girls won in three!

Our family minus Dad who was still on a flight home:














I, as usual, ended up chasing a three-year old:














Our favorite player:
















The team:

I was just fine until...

...you stuck that witch in my chair.

A looooooong morning, in list form

Up by 4:30.

Iron, feed, dress, fix hair, kiss good-bye all school-age kids.

Call dentist for Hayden's hurting tooth (secretly hoping there's no appointment until Daddy gets back from his trip on Wednesday so he can take him).

Dentist will see him in two hours (DANG!)

Load up/buckle up fussy three year old and sleepy infant, both crying.

Unload/unbuckle little ones to get Hayden from his school (in the rain).

Reload/rebuckle all three children. We are soggy.

Drive in torrential rain, Peyton screaming, to another city only to have to unload/unbuckle in said rain again.

Realize I deserve a raise.

See dentist with all of us in exam room (fun).

Face the rain again as I reload/rebuckle three hungry, sleepy children.

Baby girl screams hysterically in her car seat the entire drive.

Landon screams because baby is screaming.

Hayden screams because Landon is screaming.

I want to scream.

Head to McDonald's (yuck) because I have to feed school boy fast before returning him to school.

Nurse hysterical baby in parking lot.

Unload/unbuckle, we get more wet running into Mickey D's.

Order over baby screams, boy requests for food as they run around the restaurant, and loads of frustrated people in line impatiently waiting on me.

Get drinks and lids, straws, ketchup, napkins, the the boys settled and try to discreetly nurse screaming baby.

Hayden: spills his drink, can't find the ketchup, gets one napkin, drops my fork.

Landon: spills his drink, dumps his "chup" all over floor, drops entire bag of fries, loses his straw.

Peyton: refuses to nurse, "flashes" me to every male customer in the restaurant, grabs my salad and spills it.

I give up.

I take my screaming baby and ketchup covered boys and we clean the table. I then focus on the floor as I sop up drink spills, retrieve scattered french fries and napkins, and scoop up enough ketchup to fill a bottle.

We face the rain yet again while I reload/rebuckle all three as baby girl does her best to set a screaming record.

I drive unamused at my life while my baby wails, Landon complains about sister and Hayden tries to convince me that he is my only good child at that very moment.

We get to the school, unload/unbuckle, get more wet, redeposit the "good" child.

Peyton, Landon and I get back in the car, soaked, as I reload/rebuckle for what has to be the thirtieth time today. Peyton howls in disbelief as we head home where both children sleep for three hours while I contemplate my "no alcohol while breastfeeding" rule. I settle for chocolate.

Daddy WILL be doing the next dentist run.

I'm getting fluffier...

...and squishier and even more yummy; just ask my mommy.

Effort and Attitude

Little Miss Reagan was given the "Effort and Attitude Award" voted on by her fellow teammates yesterday. She now signs the mini volleyball and returns it in hopes of someday winnng it again. She's twice won the "Hustle Award" voted on by the coaches. Volleyball has become very important to her, and a little recognition is a definite shot in the arm.

It's a Texas thang

When I lived out of state, I was shocked to learn that other states don't subscribe to the homecoming mum infatuation madness trend we Texans so proudly boast (while the rest of the world laughs and shakes their head in disbelief). These monstrous symbols of school spirit are as much a symbol of a guy's "love" for his girlfriend, as they are a chance to one-up your girl-friends. These colossal corsages should be pretentious and gaudy and garish and by all means, the tackier the better.

Sutton is quite proud of hers ya'll.

It's obvious where I get my chubby cheeks...

...and even more obvious that mine are cuter and lot less hairy.





















**Edited to add that Daddy says Mommy needs to mention that my ears are like hers. Mommy says that my hair will eventually cover them so Daddy needs to back off.**

Giggle growth

He.















HeHe.

















Hehehehehehehehehe!!!!!!!!!!

Some families have opulent homes and luxury cars

We prefer priceless artwork.

Not a morning person?

Keaton (10), stumbling unhappily downstairs after her 5am wake-up call:

"Most people get up at the crack of dawn, in this house we have to get up at the crack of dark."

Anybody want a three-year old boy?...Anybody?

Landon, laughing, after he walked up and slapped me on the rear:

"Wow, Momma! You're hiney is sooooooo wiggly!"

Answer: Orange with a black stripe

Question: What is the color of Hayden's new belt since passing his latest belt test?





















This time he broke two pieces of wood.

These things are cool

A`sister's love.





















Being beautiful.





















Mommy/Peyton pics.



















A Price Is Right pose.





















Cooking parties.





















A frog that talks to you.
















And makes you smile.
















Breakfast picnics with Dad.

Deep thoughts

Hayden: "Mom, you know, if a dinosaur had hair, she'd have to use max-hold hairspray."




hmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Maybe you can pencil me in

As we rush home from a sibling drop-off during Landon's nap time:

Mom: "Landon, we have to hurry home so you can rest."

Landon (obviously tired): "Noooooooooooooo!"

Mom: "You're sleepy and grumpy; you need a nap."

Landon (defiant): "Mom!" (deep sigh, shaking his head) "I just don't have time for this."

I know exactly what you mean.

Krispy Kreme Kiddie Krimes

"They buy the donuts.
They eat the donuts.
Guess who gets the funny looking hat?
I'm not sure that's fair."

The song says it all

Copeland's memorial.

I found them!

My toes that is. Not only are they wiggly and slippery and often hard to catch, they taste amazing!

I may have to speak with your manager

One night last week, just before I had to take my five other children to Sutton's volleyball match, I took them into a local sandwich shop for a quick bite.

The young man behind the counter was so nice, commenting on how busy I must be caring for all of my kids, offering to carry high chairs, drinks, and chairs as we needed it. After I ordered the food and cookies for each of my brood, he asked what flavor I liked and stuck a free chocolate chip cookie in the bag just for me. I smiled and thanked him profusely for the treat and the additional compliments he bestowed upon me, feeling a little better about those extra baby pounds I'm still sporting. Obviously he was flirting with me; what a sweet, sweet guy.

Him: "And you smell so good! Is that White Diamonds you're wearing?"

Me: "Thanks! No, actually it's Juicy Couture."

Him: "Oh really? I was sure it was White Diamonds 'cause you smell just like my mother and I've been thinking of her ever since you walked in. You remind me so much of my mom.

I felt myself deflate just a bit.

The little twit.

All-natural conditioner

I warned her about lifting the baby above her head.