Nicknames

Do you have nicknames for your kids?  It seems that the closer I listen, more and more kids are being called by special names. 

My nieces are bug and worm....cute right?

I often here boo and poodle. Or how about snickers or pooh?  Those are all precious and it has me rethinking my kids nicknames.  Somehow they sound like something straight out of the Beverly Hillbillies show.

Sissy, come give momma a kiss....Bubba, stop smackin' your sister.

Sissy and Bubba...Really? 

What nicknames do you use?

Sports for Kids

Do your kids play sports?  Do you have a rule for how many sports/activities they should play each year? 

My kids do a number of sports - soccer, baseball, tumbling, dance.  I find myself debating over the need to start eliminating activities, but how do I help my kids decide which ones have to go?  I would rather my kids be really great at one or two things then average at 5 things.
 

What do you think?  How do you have a good balance?  Am I overthinking this too much and is there a magical age where you have to start worrying about focusing on one sport?

What Would You Take With You?

I typically limit the writings on this blog to the silly, awesome, and terrible things my kids say. However, if it weren't for them, I wouldn't have a blog. So when I stumbled upon the burning house, I thought long and hard about what I would take with me in the event of a fire.

The posts are so interesting to read....I know that my top list would be:

1. My husband, kids and dogs

2. My pictures

Once I have all those things in hand, nothing else matters.

What would you take with you?

Road Trip Surprise

In just over two weeks we will be heading to the beach for a much needed family vacation.

This year we will be driving and my kids are having a major issue with the thought of driving 11 + hours. You see they are spoiled. Yep, I said it. I've created two little monsters. They go on a vacation every year and get to fly on a plane. Put these kids in the car for more than 2 hours and you would think they are being tortured.

But, I have a plan. Lots of new activities and games to give them over the course of the trip. They have no idea I've been collecting these things, so it should be a nice surprise for them. At least I hope and I pray. Or this 11 hour trip could be a real pain in the you know what.

While we were driving lastnight Logan brings up vacation.

"When are we leaving for the beach?"

"2 weeks.", I say.

"What time are we leaving?"

"4am."

"Will there be anyone on the road or is it going to be just us and be totally BORING?!"

"There will be big trucks. Isn't that fun?!"

"Yeah Mom, real fun."

"I have surprises for you both to make the trip fun."

"Really, surprises Mom? Well I hope your surprises are wings and a jet to fly this car there."

Well buddy unless I strap you to the top of the car and you start a flappin, we are going to stick to my surprises.

A lot or a Little

As we were driving the kids home lastnight, I did my usual sappy stuff.

"I missed you today sissy. I love you sooooo much."

"I love you sooooo much too Mommy."

Daddy says, "what about me? Don't you love me too?"

"I love you sooooo much Daddy."

"What about Logan, don't you love Logan?"

"I love Logie soooo much too."

"What about Shelby - you love Shelby too right?"

"Yep, I love Shelby sooooo much."

"We can't forget about Crosely...You love him too, say you do!"

"ehhh, well, um....only a little. I only love Crosely a little."

Awww poor Crosely. I actually feel for the guy. But oh my look at this face...How can you only love him a little?

A Visit Down Memory Lane

I was rummaging through some old photos and couldn't believe how big my boy is getting. 8 years goes by in a flash.
I found this picture taken 3 years ago when Logan was 5. Oh my, look at those baby teeth. Where did all those little bitty teeth go? They have all been replaced by gynormous hippo teeth.
And oh my word, look at this one! This was taken when he was 7. Now he won't even look at the camera. Where is my little ham. Oh yes that's right..he cannot be bothered by his mother.
I know I cannot stop time, but I think for today I'll look at this picture and think about my sweet baby boy and I may even cry about how fast time is going. Because I'm a sap and that's what I do.

Dance Recital Memories

Pardon this post because while I do want to jog your memory, I also want to brag about my little angel and her recent dance recital.

She's an old pro...three years a runnin' :)

This past weekend was her dance recital. The girls did their dance routines to a packed theater and I'm sure brought a few tears to viewers eyes. Or was that just me that gets misty at the drop of a hat?

I never performed in a recital but I absolutely LOVE watching the girls (who range in age from 3-18) perform in front of a packed crowd. It sort of makes me wish I had experienced it myself. Did you perform in dance recitals...do you remember them, what you wore, what you danced to?

PS - I wish I had pictures from the actual performance - Hair all done, costume perfect before the bright lights but unfortunately no cameras were allowed during the performance :) I was lucky enough to have a friend take these for me during the rehearsal...but since I'm such a sneaky little devil I was able to snap the below pic right before the performance.

The Official Brush Off

Do you get the brush off from your kids?

Do they tell you to get lost? Do they roll their eyes at you when you ask them a question or give them a hug? Do they just plain ignore you when you ask them about their day? Mine don't...thank goodness!

I think they are still too young and actually consider me their BFF. BUT, I think those days are coming.

I asked Morgan the other evening my usual questions...How was your day? Did you go outside? What did you eat for lunch?

She simply responded "Nunya".

Reeeeaaaaallllyy...... I just got my first official brush off. From my 5 year old, no less. At what age did you start rolling your eyes at your parents?

Spread The Word....

Spread the word...about what you ask? I have absolutely no idea.

I just like the sound of it, and apparently so does Morgan. It's her new sayin'.

Spread the word baby. She answers questions with this phrase, sings this phrase, write this phrase - the list goes on and on.

My particular favorite was on our way for an ice cream treat after tumbling.

"Morgan, Mommy and Daddy are going to get you some ice cream on our way home."

No thank you, just a simple....

"I'm getting ice cream tonight, spread the word baby!"

The Desk Project

Where do your kids complete their work or projects at home? This is my munchkin workspace below....I admit it's usage varies. Sometimes they sit there quite often and then it could be weeks before they use this space. But don't you think if your kids had one of these desks, they would never get up? This desk is one that is available via The Desk Project. What an amazing way to support a great cause and get a functional piece of art for your children.

How Do You Build A Sand Castle?

I don't know about you, but I love to play in the sand. Even as an adult there is something wonderful about sitting on the beach (or even the sand park) and creating a masterpiece. I however have always done this sitting, I think it takes extra special talent to build a sand castle while upside down. How do you build a sand castle? PS - I promise to you my readers and myself that I am going to work on my photo taking skills. Hang in there...I promise they will get better.

Silence Is Golden

Look at this picture. This is a favorite of mine. Why you ask? This was the only 30 minutes of this child's life in which he couldn't speak or utter a sound. If I would have known removing two teeth could do this, I would have done it ages ago. Oh now, I'm kidding. (Not really ;) I did however take him out for ice cream. See I'm not the meanest Mom ever, now am I?

Fashion Advice From Your Kids

Do your kids give you fashion advice...or perhaps they critique your outfits? I suppose this concept never really dawned on me since my little ones are exactly that...little. What do they care what Mom has on, what her shoes look like or even if she matches. Aren't they suppose to think their Mom is gorgeous no matter what she wears...even if it's a mumu?

Apparently that's not how it's working in my house any longer.

I took my boy shopping with me (really had no choice this was his only option...I know people... complete and utter torture) and tried on a number of potential new things.

He definitely was full of opinions.

"Mom, that makes you look like a hippie." (How does he even know what that is?)

"Mom, that makes you look like a balloon." (Thanks buddy, thanks alot)

"Mom, OMG that makes you look like a sick purple penguin."

OK, so much for that shopping trip. Such an ego booster.  Have I mentioned...having kids is fun.

PS...I don't typically post pictures of myself out here, but what the heck. I can be stylish, even if I look like a sick purple penguin. Take that kiddo.

What Happens in D.C. Stays In D.C.

There has been much talk in our house and at school about American History and Washington D.C. We have every intention of taking our kids there someday...when they can appreciate the history. Logan must be thinking about it too, but I'm afraid his view on what you see there is a little warped.

The title of this artistic rendition is "The World's Largest Banana Picking It's Nose In Washington D.C."

And in front of the White House no less. What exactly are you learning at school buddy. I've never been to D.C., but bananas picking their noses is definitely NOT what I thought I would see.

But hey, you never know...what happens in D.C., Stays in D.C.

Royal Wedding Attire

I never planned on writing about the Royal Wedding on my blog. For a couple of reasons, but the main one being I couldn't imagine how it would play out in my children's everyday conversations. Obviously I was wrong.

While getting ready for school on Friday my kids saw the wedding on TV, and Morgan as a young princess herself was fascinated. You see, she will be in a wedding later this year (as will her brother) and couldn't get over the fact that of course that was exactly how the wedding she will be participating in will be. Yes, Morgan just like that. Exactly like that.

She was yammerin and yammerin about all the Royal Hubub all morning.

Logan was quiet. I figured he could really care less, until he finally says...

"Mom, if I have to wear that dumb soldier costume.... I'm not going.  I am NOT wearing that."

And who says boys could care less about wedding plans?

Loving Thoughts Between Siblings

Do your children say nice things about each other when talking to others? I'm hoping someday my kids get to that stage...Maybe as adults.

The other evening I was getting things setup for Logan's upcoming First Communion luncheon. He of course decided to help...While I wasn't looking. And that translates into not really helping but causing me more work.

I come in to see his contribution. He thought he would set out the cups. All 300 of them...stacked from floor to ceiling. Yeah buddy, cause that's exactly how I was going to arrange them. Thank you. Thank you for all your help.

(And y'all don't worry about why I need 300 cups? That's the only darn quanitity Sam's Club offers.)

I cursed under my breath and said..."What in the world was that child thinking."

Out of nowhere, Morgan says "I have no idea Mom, Logan is an idiot."

Well then...I'll keep holding onto the idea that the loving thoughts between siblings will come. Maybe when they are 40, but it will come.

Monkey Butt

Logan recently got some new underwear...Paul Frank. Apparently these underwear make Logan feel like dancing. Dancing and prancing around the house with a Monkey on his butt.

And apparently Morgan felt like spanking that dancing butt. WHACK!

Then Logan comes out with it..."Morgan stop spanking my Monkey."

Oh my...oh oh oh MY!!

I cannot possibly overuse this phrase...HELP ME JESUS. Please Help me. If Jesus can't help me, do you think Rhonda can? Help me Rhonda, help help me Rhonda.

If you want a Monkey on your butt...go here