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.

Things I know now that I am 18

You can't drive 42 in a 30.

Police officers don't care if you're cute and polite.

They'll give you a ticket anyway.

Just because my debit card worked in the store, doesn't mean there is money in my account.

When my curfew is 11:00 pm and I walk through the door at 11:05, I better be prepared for a lecture.

I hate lectures.

And curfews for that matter.

My parents don't know anything, yet they know "everything."

I know you say my room smells like dirty socks, but it's not dirty socks at all, it's my knee pads. Okay, it's probably the socks too. Well, it could be the dirty uniforms and work-out clothes. And maybe the tennis shoes. The old food could contribute. But really, I have no idea what all the fuss is about, I can't smell a thing.

Cell phone calls at 3am get me in a lot of trouble.

Being grounded stinks.

Parents giveth and they taketh away (ex: my phone, my car, my computer, my freedom).

When flying a plane at 5500 feet, it's not wise to fall asleep at the controls.

Being the oldest of six is a tough job. Oh, the pressure!

It's not me that's moody and grumpy, it's all of THEM.

You shouldn't say, "Pffft...They'll never fire me" because it will happen.

I know I act like I'm ready to graduate and get out of here and everyone in my house drives me crazy, but I really love all of them and I know they all love me...How could they not?

Things I know now that I am five months old

Daddy sometimes puts my clothes on backwards so Mommy has to fix it, and then she laughs at him.

I would have rolled over a lot sooner if people didn't hold me so much...but I'm not telling them that.

Mommy gets grumpy when I want to get up at 4am.

If I can reach it, it's going in my mouth.

I need my mom to hold me while I sleep; this includes all night long and for every nap. It's even better when she lets me nurse-sleep, my absolute favorite activity.

Those loud buzzers at the volleyball games? Not a fan.

If you stand up and bounce me, I'm putty in your hands.

I'm a drooler. I drool on everything and it doesn't bother me at all.

That baby in the mirror is really fun to talk to (and she's pretty darn cute).

I do NOT enjoy that car seat. In fact, since my screaming doesn't stop you from putting me in that torture chair, I'm going to have to come up with a new strategy, and it won't be pretty.

I like to lick the cold, wet outside of Mommy's ice water glass. I like to lick her face. I like to lick.

I really love my family. I live for the tickles, giggles, kisses, snuggles, hugs, and baby talk.

Life is good.

"Keaton! Be still!!"

"How can I get a good taste of you when you keep moving?!"

Most toddlers nap with a blankie or a binkie...

Ours prefers his new Diego ball, his Gap cap...
















...and the ever-comforting sleeping baby sister.

In all fairness, he did what I asked

I urged Landon (3) to pick up the mess he'd made when he'd strewn items on the floor. I was busy with Peyton and didn't supervise the clean-up. He returned, so proud of a job completed and assured me it was well done. I went to inspect and was thrilled to find the area clutter-free. We high-fived as I praised his "big boy" action and the speed in which he accomplished his assignment.

I might have celebrated a little too early.





It's seems our decorative bird cage is a new easy place to "hide" items.
















Mess off the floor, Mommy temporarily happy...yep, he's figuring it all out. Smart kid.

Well, other than the whole we-can-still-see-everything part.