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.