All The Colors Of the Forest

Do you ever take car rides with your family? How about scavanger hunts while you enjoy your ride?

We tried both on our vacation with a drive through the Smokey Mountains. While driving, the kids found themselves quickly bored and me quickly annoyed. Even though we made frequent stops through the tour, my son complained as much as he could.

Mooooom, when are we going to get there. This is sooooooo BORING!

Mom, I'm bored. How long is this going to take.

Mom, can we get out yet, I'm dying, I'm sooooo BORED!

Logan, why don't you look out the window and count the colors you see.

Fine. 1,2 I'm done. Moooooooom! I'm still bored!!

I can't really argue with the child. This time of year, there really are only two colors in the Park, but apparently I'm not allowed to shove a sock in his mouth.

I did however get some good shots of the two colors of the Park.

I've Got The Vacation Blues

So we are home...sad but true. Vacation was great, I had time to read, soak in the hot tub, and sleep! The kids were busy with activities including the Titanic Museum, Magi Quest, Mining for Gold, riding the chair lift up the mountain etc.

Sadly, Dollywood was closed on the day we were going to go, so we will leave that on the list for another year. All in all, vacation was a success and I'm glad to be home.

Happy Weekend

It's FRIDAY! And for us, it also happens to be the last day before Spring Break. To celebrate we are heading to Tennessee tomorrow. Goodbye Cincinnati, Hello Smoky Mountains.

I do believe pancakes are in order, Dollywood, and maybe we'll see a bear or two.

We'll see you back here on Thursday....have a fabulous weekend!

Photo via here

Spit Just Doesn't Cut It

Lastnight was a busy night - soccer school and tumbling. We have a system when we need to get the kids to these activities because they are 30 minutes from our house.

Stop one, head home pick up the soccer gear, the tumbling outfit

Stop two, pick up Logan from school - (of course he was running late because of after school art class)

Stop three - pick up Morgan

Stop four - head to nearest drive through for dinner & pray we are on the road by 5:40

Of course Logan did not like this order. The order we have been following for a year.

You see - he was STARVING!

MOOOOM - I'm starving. I don't want to get Morgan before dinner. Puhhhhleassse take me to McDonald's now - I can't wait to eat. I'm STARVING - and I'll I've got to eat is this spit in my mouth.

Well heaven forbid all you have is spit - Stop three, head to nearest drive through and continue to pray we are on the road in time.

And for all you curious readers...of course we were late. The drive through lady did not know how to take orders and forgot our fries. Thank you McDonald's, Thank you

Like the picture...you'll love the book more.

Assigned Dinner Table Seats

Do you have assigned seats in your family when it comes to eating? In my family, we never actually stated that we did, but everyone always sits in the same seat.

Morgan with the perfect view of the TV, Logan with the seat that allows for the fastest getaway, and Mom and Dad next to each other pretending they are alone.

The other night, Morgan wanted to stake her claim on her chair (remember, she must never lose her view of the TV), so she made little place cards with our names on them.

She very proudly states to the family "These are your assigned seats. Please keep your name tag here so you know where to sit"

Mom says "Ok babe".

Dad says "Thanks Morgan".

Logan says "That's dumb. I don't need a note to tell me where to sit. I always sit in the same chair anyway".

Morgan says "You don't have to look at your tag, so why don't you just shut up and sit down in your assigned seat".

Well allrighty then, please do NOT mess with the seat master.

Teaching Children About Money

Logan is obsessed! With money that is.

I was at my wits end...Mom, I need you to buy me this, Mom, can we go to the store to get this, Mom, how much does this cost, Mom, can I do extra chores so I can buy this? IT NEVER ENDS!

So in an effort to educate my boy on money, I had a long conversation with him and also showed him that there are more important things he should be focusing on...like climbing trees, playing with his friends etc

This conversation took a good 15 minutes...his Dad and I had his undivided attention.

All was quiet, the child was actually listening to me! It's going to sink in, I could feel it.

At the conclusion of the lecture, I said "Logan do you understand what we are telling you?"

Yes.

Quiet pause

Quiet pause

Quiet pause

So Mom, can I have 3 dollars for a hermit crab?

Help me Jesus.

No more Monkey's Jumpin on the Bed

My Morgan gets hurt, alot. I've come to terms with the fact that she is accident prone. The other evening while I was getting her pajamas ready, she thought it would be fun to jump up and down on the bed while I wasn't looking. You can imagine what happened next....I hear a loud bang followed by a piercing scream. This is what happens when you hit the floor chin first -

This is just one of many bumps and bruises she has had. Last year she thought it would be fun to jump up and down at the pool and managed to hit her chin on the deck stairs. Many stitches later....

We have also managed to have a fall on concrete and needed emergency tooth removal, as well as a fall while drinking a cup only to have stitches needed on her lip.

What is it about this girl. And you know it's not so much the falling, as much as why does she need to do this right before picture days?!?