Sugar Plum Fairy Castle



Craft kit + hot glue gun + Mom + Daughter = Sugar Plum Fairy Castle

Christmas Goings-Ons



We have been a blur of activities. Which is OK because that means the last two weeks of December should be free to shop and stay at home.

First, we went to a local area junior college's performance of the Nutcracker. The kids love this. The first year we went the talked on and on about it for weeks. We have the book too. This year I printed out some coloring pages and talked to them a little about what we were going to see the day before we went. This year all the homeschoolers got put up in the balcony which was new for the kids and slightly dizzying for me. First thing they said when we came out is that it was different from the last Nutcracker performance we'd seen. I guess they thought it would be exactly the same every year...

The performance we saw was more of a warm up for the real thing so it only cost $2.oo per person. Brandon was quite bummed to hear that if I'd take them to the "real" show he would have gotten a chance to hear a live orchestra, see the whole story not a section, and see special guest dancers. What 13 year old boy wants to see a live orchestra? A boy that has discovered the Trans Siberian Orchestra!





That evening I had a Mom's Night Out at a friend's house. We each baked 6 dozen cookies to exchange. So, we went home with a mixture of 6 dozen cookies. This is the first time the family has been all behind me going to be with my friends. They are just now finishing up all those cookies!

As for my friends and I.... we enjoyed a quite night in front of the fire with our original 5 core members of our homeschool group. The only thing that we seem to have in common on the outside is that all 5 of us is that we are all homeschooling Moms. Other than that we are each so different. I love the mixture but most of all I love that we have decided to love each other and value each other for (not despite) our differences. These ladies have become family to me and I always know I can turn to them when needed.


The next day we went to the family showing of Toyland put on by a local theater group. Some of the kids from our group were performing in it. This was such a cute musical! The story is of three sisters (the littlest of which is slightly naughty) that get taken to Toyland by the bed bugs. The bed bugs are working for the evil toy master Jack who turns out to be the littlest girl's discarded jack-in-the-box. In the end Santa saves the day! The kids work so hard practicing several times a week and did 9? performances in all. We saw it on family day (because our homeschool friends are family to us) and again the day our group went as a whole. Emily is still singing the songs from the play!

After Toyland we went to the Christmas parade. BUT not to be IN it. Brandon and Emily went to sell light up Santa hats, necklaces, braclets, teeth, etc to raise money for our 4-H group.



Sunday after church was the December American Girl Tea/Fashion Show with guest speaker. This was a really cute event. It was a "dress up" holiday tea for girls and their mothers. Girls brought their favorite dolls (American Girl or otherwise) to be part of a doll display, and the girls "walked the runway" for a fashion show. Our fashion show announcer was a proffesional belly dancer! LOL The kids got a real kick out of her. I hope she didn't over shadow our speaker too much!

Our special guest was a woman who has paved the way for others in the world of television. Joan Hallmark has appeared for over 30 years on KLTV 7 News in Tyler and her Proud of East Texas has long been an audience favorite. Joan has interviewed hundreds of news makers, including President Bush (both father and son), Nancy Reagan, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, George Foreman, Hank Aaron, Carol Burnett and many more. She told us what it is like to be a real American Girl and encouraged the girls to believe they could be any thing that they wished as long as the worked for it!



After the AG Tea we headed to meet Brandon and Friends at A Journey with the Wisemen... This was put on by an area church. I was torn between wanting pictures and not wanting to ruin the moment with camera flashes. In the end I decided to skip the pictures and enjoy the moment. They did a really nice job of setting up a Bethlehem market place with animals, sales booths and the works. The show was guided by a Wiseman that walked us through town to witness the birth of Jesus, his crucifixion and resurrection. The emphasis was the true reason of Christmas. Kudos to this church and all the hard work that had to be put into building, acting, and praying for this endeavor.

We stayed the next 2 days with friends in an exercise of spending time with friends covered with the guise of saving gas money by not going home between events....

Tuesday was our group's Christmas party. We had a low turn out for us but we didn't let that stop us! We had several Christmas crafts for the kids to do, lots of good food, and a gift exchange. For the gift exchange we asked we family to bring a board game. One representative from each family stood in a circle and we read the Night before Christmas occasionally replacing a word with pass at which point they would pass the game to the right. When the story was over you got to keep what ever game your holding. Then each child got a stocking with a few presents. After the party our field trip for the month was to go to the Toyland play. We were supposed to go to our 4-H party that evening but considering that we did all the above events starting Friday to Tuesday I just wanted to GO HOME. I felt bad about missing the party. After the low attendance at our event I know how it feels when people don't show up but sheesh I was tired!

We had two days to rest...Well, almost Emily and I still had Awana on Wednesday night.


Finally, we wrapped up on Friday exactly a week from when all the action started by replacing our monthly park day with a showing of Prince Caspian in my church's youth building. Big Thanks to my youth director for setting it up just like our own private Movie Theater complete with popcorn, big screens, surround sound, cocoa and soda! Someone asked if we could do this every Friday! LOL Our youth leader Luke said no problem but I said may be next month for park day!


Brandon has a progressive dinner tonight with the youth group but other than that things our settleing down around here for the rest of December. I purposely made all our plans for early December so we wouldn't be rushing around the last two weeks building up to Christmas. I hope everyone is having a wonderful month! God Bless!

Polar Express



Mr. Don and Mrs. Lisa took Emily to ride the Polar Express in Palestine. We bought her a special pair of warm fuzzy PJ's with feet in them to keep her warm. She stayed the night with Don and Lisa so when I saw her at church the next day she was bursting with excitement! They bought her the Polar Express book and the conductor signed it, she got a ticket with an "E" cut out of it, she saw candy land?, elves and Santa, and and and she got a bell from Santa's sleigh! She wove such a colorful exciting story of all she saw I'm not even sure how much was real and how much was in her head. I do know Mr. Don and Mrs. Lisa were some tired Children's Church teachers on Sunday morning...something about her staying up late, asking for bacon at midnight and kicking so bad Mr. Don had to sleep on the couch....




Awanas


What is Awana? “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed.” II Timothy 2:15 AWANA is a ministry committed to reaching boys and girls with the gospel of Christ” The meetings are a mixture of games, memorizing bible verses, crafts and listening to bible stories.

Our church is offering classes for ages 3 thru 6
th grade.
Each age group has it's own curriculum and cute name. It starts with Puggles: toddlers, Cubbies: preschoolers, Sparks: K - 2nd, T&T (Truth & Training): 3rd - 6th.

This program has been really great for Emily.
She is so proud to have earned her vest!

How did I know I'd end up being Stuffing?




You Are The Stuffing



You're complicated and complex, yet all your pieces fit together.

People miss you if you're gone - but they're not sure why.

Mr. Trouble


Remember Mr. Trouble? I promised I'd come back to him. I made this promise even before anything bad happened. Even though the country girl in me loved the idea of wildlife in the yard some how I knew it was gonna be trouble. Sure enough, about a week after the first sighting I let the dogs out to potty before leaving them in the house for the day and they made a beeline straight for the area the raccoon had been hanging out in. Right away I knew they were after the poor guy. So, I went to get them in.

Here is where I knew something was wrong. The coon was near a tree but just sitting there on the ground with the dogs harassing it. Also, it let me get pretty close while I was running the dogs off. I felt this was wrong but was running late and thought may be it was too scared to move? So, we went ahead and left for the day.

When we came home we had company coming right behind us so I told Brandon to let the dogs out to potty and get them put back up so they wouldn't bark at our expected guests. Guess what...yep, straight at the coon. This time Brandon goes to get them and came back saying the coon wasn't fighting back, just kindda laying on it's back that slapping at the dogs. So, I went over and it was sitting in almost the exact same spot that it was in before. Why wasn't it going to safety up a tree? I went and fetched the neighbor man because he is handy to have around at times like these and we get within say....3 feet of the thing and it just sits looking at us. hmm.... I called City Hall, nope, Animal Control, nope, County Sheriff's office, "Did it bite you or your pets?" Nope can't help you. (A friend pointed out I should have called Texas Department of Wildlife. Duh. I'm so rational sometimes.)

Everyone agreed that something was wrong with this animal. My fear. Rabies. So, the neighbor guy (God Bless his helpful soul) cages it. We know it is sick and want to keep it separate from our pets. We decided to quarantine it for 3 weeks. If it was well at the end of that time we'd release it. We didn't want to kill it if it was unnecessary. At first it ate and drank. We had high hopes.

Soon, though we knew it was dying. Neither of us had the means or heart to kill it. Finally, it died. We burned it's body for fear of the dogs digging it up. Meanwhile, I took all the dogs to renew their rabies shots.

The raccoon was hanging out on the empty lot next door. That is the same place the stray keeps having puppies that always all die. Plus, the lady that used to live there had 5 dogs that all died at once right before she left 5 yrs ago. My theory is that land is some how full of animal diseases. We are now keeping a very close eye on our pets.

Poor Mr. Trouble. I hope he doesn't have any relatives hangout next door. I think the thrill of wildlife in our yard has passed.

November American Girl Book Club


1932
A girl of Depression-era America and Kit Kittredge's best friend.

Ruthie loves fairy tales-and happy endings. She'd also love to help Kit, whose family is struggling through the Great Depression. When Ruthie learns the Kittredges are having trouble paying the mortgage on their house, she decides to find a way to reach Kit's Aunt Millie in hopes of creating a real-life happy ending.

This month's AG Book Club meeting was really cool because we had a surprise field trip to the museum next door to the library which was built in 1904. The lovely lady who guided us started working there when it was the Tyler Library in the early 1940's. Not only that she used that library when she was a school child. Her name is Mary Jane and she was about 4 foot tall and packed with wit and knowledge. I absolutely fell in love with her on sight. This building was crammed packed, every inch with historical paraphernalia! However, some of my favorite things was the simple. Like the steps into the building were worn in the middle to a sway shape from the years of feet going in and out. I still say the best gem in building was Mary Jane herself. Wonderful story teller! I took lots of pictures of neat things but I'm going to refrain from posting all of them and just post a few of what took us to the museum in the first place which was the 1930's kitchen set up to show the girls, "No, really... they really did use stuff like this!" LOL



Opps, the photos don't exactly line up
for a perfect full shot of the room.
But you get the idea.






Ok, I had to post one of Mary Jane.
Isn't she precious!







PS. I you haven't seen the Kit Kittredge movie yet you soooo should!

November's Meeting and Field Trip

We decided to do our monthly field trip the same day as our group meeting. It was kind of a emergency worker day. I was bummed that not more people got this opportunity because it stormed pretty hard that morning and both the meeting and field trip had low turn outs as a result. Those of us that came anyway were really blessed!

First, we had a couple of EMT's come talk to the kids for our meeting. They spent about an hour telling all about their jobs, what they do, how to become a paramedic, continued education, safety, what to do in different emergency situations, what happens when you call 911 and urged every one to learn CPR. To finish it off they let us look through the truck and sounded the siren. This was a great meeting. Very informative. The kids really listened and I could tell they were taking it all in.

After the paramedics were through for our field trip we headed over to the Athens Fire Department. These guys are great! We went a couple of years ago but had another event after them and had to leave when they obviously were willing to spend a lot more time with us. This time we didn't leave until they showed us and talked to us about EVERYTHING! These men were so patient. If a child had a question or an "um, one time my Mommy..." story they listened to it and answer it. They let the kids see everything from their bedroom to every single compartment on each truck. They let them touch stuff and try stuff on. After the tour they sat the kids down and went through fire safety, how to become a fireman, what it is like to be a fireman, what happens on a call, on and on. They had gifts for the kids and took the time to pose with the kids in pictures. I've always taught my kids to respect the police, fire men, and paramedics but I think all the kids came out of this day with a new awe of respect for these heroic men and women. I know I did!



Two Weeks with Grandma Snider

Grandma Snider has been here for a two week visit. We've had so much fun. I haven't had time to post but I have been taking pictures, lots and lots of pictures. So here is a photo diary of our time with Grandma.




While she was here Grandma had her 77th birthday.
Emily helped bake her cake and decorated it all by herself.






Grandma enjoyed watching the kids making Jack-O-Lanterns. I took the kids to Walmart to get free Halloween pictures taken. Aren't those great? We have always gone to our church's Fall Festival but I begged out of working it this year so we could do something different. This year we decided to split up to better meet the ages of the kids. Cecil took Emily Trick or Treating. I think this was her first time ever. It was so sweet that she had her Daddy all to herself for the night. I took Brandon to meet some friends of ours and attended their church's Halloween party with them. The party was great, the hay ride was long and cold, her church folks are gold but I must say you truly know your partying in Texas when a rooster is strutting around your feet. After the party we all went over for Brandon's first ever haunted house. Ours is a fundraiser for the local fire department so that was a bonus! We made it home around midnight and Emily was still up waiting for us. Fun night. I think we'll all remember the year we did something different!



One afternoon we took Grandma over to the Texas Freshwater Fish Hatchery . After wards we went for a picnic at the East Texas Arboretum. I didn't get any pictures there because my camera is eating batteries like crazy!

On the way home we stopped so I could vote. We live in a small town so there is virtually no wait. The kids have always been able to go with us and watch the whole thing. This time Brandon sat in the car with Grandma. Although he likes to talk about politics he has kind of been there done that on watching us vote. So, I just took Emily in with me. I voted on a machine. So, I let her punch in my code and hit enter when it was called for. She was so proud to vote. I hope they both always remember what I've taught them about being an American, our freedoms, and how important it is to VOTE.




On another day we took her the Brookshire's Wildlife Museum. This is a neat little place and completely free of charge. As you might glean I forgot my camera this day so your stuck with my tiny little camera phone pictures. This museum has a lot of real animals that have been stuffed so you can get really close. The polar bear really makes me feel tiny. It also has a neat little 1920's store and a nice playground. This is a small museum but crammed packed with neat stuff. Grandma said she liked this place best of all. Emily and Brandon like it because I always buy them a giant jawbreaker in the gift shop.




The day we came home from the Brookshire's Museum our dogs treed this guy. This story is actually on going and I'll surely address Mr. Trouble in a blog in the near future.



Right before Grandma went home she also got to go the the 4-H food show to see the kids compete. Brandon made fried rice and served on out of a Japanese dish w/ chop sticks displayed on a Japanese tapestry. All three items sent to us from Japan. Emily competed as a Clover Kid in nutritious snacks. She made a peanut butter and honey tortilla roll up. As a Clover Kid Emily automatically won for participation. Brandon also won for his age group in his food category. He will be going to district to compete in February.





Grandbaby's First Picture

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CSI:Live


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Mad Science Productions presents "CSI:Live!," an exciting interactive journey through the fascinating world of crime scene investigations. Based on the popular television series, CSI: Live! incorporates cutting-edge forensic science, unparalleled audience interaction and amazing visual effects into a fast-paced, mind-blowing production. With tons of audience interaction, cool technology, and thrilling special effects, this 60-minute adventure will entertain and educate its audience like no other production.

Brandon and I went to the much anticipated CSI Live show today. I forgot my good camera so I just got these few shots with my wimpy little camera on my phone. Still they are better than nothing. This was a neat show. Brandon and I are true science nerds . I had long ago let him start watching CSI. Some of his other faves are Mythbusters, Dirty Jobs, Most Extreme, Smash Lab, and something called Destroyed in Seconds.. Point is this show was right up our alley. Forensic science is so cool! OK, well.... we think so anyway. If this show comes your way it was only $6.00 a person and well worth it if your into this kind of stuff!

Basic idea was they start the show off with a crime. Relax Mom & Dad the victim is just hurt not killed and there is no blood or gore. This show is directed for children. Any way an investigation ensues with audience participation. The cast (a whole two people) sticks around afterward for meet and greet. Good stuff and fun had by all.


HSM3



A friend and I took our little Divas to HSM3 today.
HSM3 Senior Year. *sigh
Is the journey really over?
Will our girls recover?
Exactly how many more times will I end up seeing this movie?
Were the Divas really as excited to see it today as their Mothers?
Only time will tell.
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Check Up




Brandon and Emily went in for their 6 month dental check up and all was good! Now if I can just get Emily to let me pull the tooth that has been barely hanging on all week..... And don't even get me started on her keeping the teeth. She insists on writing notes to the tooth fairy asking her nicely to leave the money without taking her precious teeth.

First Year of 4-H

This is our first year in 4-H and sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed. To tell you the truth I don't think I could do it without my friend that already knows the ropes. She is practically leading me by the hand. However, we are really enjoying it.

First of all, it has given Brandon archery which he has really just thrown himself into full steam. Brandon has always been easy going with not a speck of competitiveness in him. He is truly content at doing a so so job at just about anything. This the first time I've seem my son actually willing to do whatever it takes to excel. In short, he has found his "thing" and I'm really proud of him. But there are so many more opportunities!




Here is a picture of recent community service: The kids donated stuffed animals to the hospital to
help when they have to draw blood from scared children.





Here are pictures of Brandon & Emily at Archery:

Perhaps she shouldn't shoot straight UP? Ya think?


Daddy came to Archery this time. It made Brandon's day.
I forgot to take pictures at Rifle this time and it is only once a month.
So, I guess you'll just have to wait to see...
yet another shot of Brandon's back as he uses a weapon. LOL





Here are the kids at Food Fun Night:

This was more or less a food and nutrition class. They also learned about food safety and comparison shopping. I was really impressed that Emily sat and listened so well. They also learned about a Food Show that they will participating in; in early November. Originally I just signed Emily up for this project but Brandon asked if he could do it too. I didn't even think about how much he loves food! Duh, this project is just a natural for him!






Still coming....who knows what. Emily is supposed to do Clothing and Textiles at some point and our group is really holding out for a Dog Care project. I know one thing there are 101 ways for a child to learn, grow and be active in their community through 4-H. If your worried that you don't own a cow, stop worrying and find a local group for your children!


American Girl Book Club


Details: Very Funny, Elizabeth
A girl of Colonial America and Felicity Merriman's best friend

Emily meets a friend no matter where she goes. It was this little girl's first book club meeting. She had just moved here apparently and Emily not only stuck right by her for the book reading, games, craft and snack. She even let her hold one of her "daughters" through the meeting because she didn't have one. So sweet! If only she was this giving all the time. Just joking but her unselfish behavior this particular day really was a proud mommy moment for me.

This meeting actually was one of my favorites so far. It was pulled together so well. I think next month is Ruthie. They are doing the "friends" books this year. We don't have any of those books so we'll just follow along best we can. We're really looking forward to December. From what I hear we will have a real American Girl (woman old enough to have lived history) to come talk to us, a fashion show and a tea! I'm having so much FUN having a daughter! I plan to make the best out of every second we have together!

What the Pumpkins Are Up To...



At our last ACTS meeting the kids painted pumpkins and took them to a local nursing home to donate for decorations. They worked hard on them and seemed proud to give them away. The activities director introduced us to a couple of ladies that could really use visitors and the kids did their magic. It was so sweet to see the happiness the kids could dish out by just passing out a hug! I plan to try to take them to visit their new "grandmas" soon.


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History Fun

This year we are using The Mystery of History II. Brandon seems to be enjoying this curriculum more than all the other history curriculum we've used in the past. Dare I say, we've finally found the perfect history curriculum for us? Gee, it's only taken us 5 years of homeschooling to hit pay dirt!

Here is his Time Line. I followed the book's advice and just bought a package of historical figures. He really likes this method better. The time line will fold up to for an easy put away...say, under the couch...or you can hang it on the wall to work with it. I just leave it up on the wall.






















He has done a few little projects already this year. Nothing big but he has enjoyed them and I do feel confident that this is a curriculum he "gets" with very little necessary input from me. That kind of makes me sad because I love history and think I'd enjoy this study myself but at least I don't HAVE to help him which means he can do history even if I'm busy. I guess I could catch up and read the lessons in my spare time....LOL

Any way, here are a few of little things he has done along with his lessons:

When he studied the Dead Sea Scrolls he tried to duplicate the environment the scrolls were found in so you'd see how the salt preserved them. He boiled salt in water and left the paper in a tray of the salt water in the sun to evaporate. So, the paper ends up covered in salt crystals and stiff. Also by accident he found that it was also at least slightly fire proof! How about that?




Here he made a copy of the Apostle's Creed and then made the paper look aged by crumpling, soaking in strong tea water, drying it out and burning the edges. Around this time is when he discovered that the sea salt paper wouldn't burn. We then mounted it under self sealing plastic to put in his notebook.



This is a topographic map of Israel made of salt dough to remind him of the Salt Sea. The little flags are places where important things that he has studied so far this year have happened. It's not supposed to be quite so flour-y but we had a hard time with the dough sticking to us and not the cardboard. This was messy and not quite perfect but a nice break from the ordinary map worksheet.

Cherokee Trace Safari & Tiger Creek Refuge

Daddy took some time off work recently and we took some time off school (surprise, surprise). We used this time mostly to catch up on things that were falling apart around the house. However, we did spend one day together just having fun. First, we went to a close by drive thru Safari, Cherokee Trace. It mostly contains deer and cattle type wildlife, very few what most people would consider exotic. Still, it was often just jaw dropping to see these animals up close. I was surprised how hard it is to get good pictures because once the animals surround the car they are too close to snap shots of! Many would run to the car and simply beg. A few could care less that we were there. We never saw the kangaroos (which was disappointing). I was prepared to love the llamas (which we did of course). I was not prepared to fall in love with the bison. The pictures do not do them justice and I didn't get many of them because they surrounded the car and Cecil made us roll the windows up. They are amazingly cute! Their noses kind of stick up a little like a pug or pig and their eyes seem so sweet and innocent. Any way, Loved loved loved the bison!




After the Safari we went over to the Tiger Creek Refuge which some of you might have seen on Animal Planet's show Growing up Tiger. It is a small-ish place but they are trying so hard to love and care for these animals and are working on building larger habitats. The guide took the time to let us know about each cat, their special personality and how they came to be there. Even though we all know that these are savage beasts that can turn at the drop of a hat it still was hard not to see a little of our cat Snowy in them. This was Brandon's favorite stop of the day.




Well, I have more to post on recent events and activities but we're currently running behind on getting ready to head out to Awanas. So, I guess it'll have to wait until the next time I can steal a few minutes to myself to post.

Emily's Extra Curricular Activities

Our church has finally gotten an Awana's program! Emily is a Spark! This is a wonderful program and I think Emily will love it! Here is a picture of her at game time during the very first meeting.

I also have her signed up for All American 4-H. Her projects will be in Food and Nutrition and Clothing and Textiles.

She will be going to the monthly American Girl Book Club at a local library.

When we remember them we'll go to the Home Depot and Lowe's kid's clinics. She loves those.

I haven't decided if she'll do children's choir this year.

I've also gone to a local dance studio and checked into the price of putting her in tumble and ballet. We just have to talk Daddy into it!

Brandon's Early Christmas

Even though I haven't really mentioned here lately, we have indeed started our "school" year. Brandon has some really great curriculum and I have high hopes for this his seventh grade year. However, he personally is most excited about our newest extra-curricular activity we added this year. We joined the All American 4-H group and he is doing Rifle and Archery. He is doing so/so in rifle and I think it has dampened his enthusiasm a bit. He doesn't like the prone position they make you start out in and he can't move up to standing until he conqures prone. I think with more practice at home and better scores, his interest will rise back up for rifle. Now, on the other hand Archery he loves! So much so, that we went ahead and made the investment in buying him his own bow. Yes, he is a very proud boy! He even gracefully accepted that this meant he would not get much for Christmas.

Wordless Wednesday?

A Drama Queen and Her Bubba

Things can get pretty irritating around here. By that I mean why in the h-e-l-l-o do these two kids have to fuss and fight and pick and whine 24/7!?? What happened to that extra special super close bond they were supposed to build being at home together and homeschooling? Yesterday they were right in normal form until when about 1/2 way through the day I decided I had had enough.

Let me set up the scene: I was busy (ok preoccupied....ok obsessed with fixing my blog's template) and asked Brandon to help his sister with her school work. Now I know she can be let's say.....a brat... at times especially to her big brother but he in turn has developed this habit of growling at her. He just talks so roughly and snaps at her it seems constantly. As I sat in my room I kept hearing this over and over and finally I had had enough. So, I called him into my room and asked him to find the paddle. (It seems I spank my children so often that the thing can turn up missing for weeks without anyone knowing it was gone.) While he was looking for the paddle, because it was indeed no where to be seen, he would pass his sister and growl at her for getting him in trouble. See... they thought he was in trouble for not helping her to do her work not realizing that it was his attitude that had sent me over the edge.

So, here he is all mad stomping around the house looking for the object of his impending doom when Emily came into my room. She had her serious face on and I could tell she meant business. She walked right up to me and took my hand in both of hers so as to have my full attention. She looks me straight in the eye and says in a tiny little voice,

Emily: "Mommy, you shouldn't spank Bubba because it's not his fault."
Mom: "It's not. Well, then who's fault is it?"
Emily: "It's mine. He tried to help me do my work but I told him to leave me alone."
Mom: "So, he shouldn't get a spanking?"
Emily: "No. "
Mom: "Well, who do you think should get the spanking?"
Emily: "I should."
Mom: "You think you should get a spanking instead of Bubba?"
Emily: "Yes Ma'am , It's all my fault. Don't spank him. Spank me."

Now, at this point her bottom lip is sticking out a tad and trembling, her eyes are red, silent tears are trickling down her face. Sweet wispy strands of hair have worked loose from her braid and are sticking to her wet face. Her tiny little nose is kindda swished up. She is SO sincere. She is breaking my heart! About this time Brandon came into the room looking suspicious. I could read his mind, "What's this monster done gone and done to me now." So, I called him over, put my hand under her shaking little chin to tilt her head up to his face. I asked him to look at her in the eye. As he did I saw his countenance visibly soften. Then I dropped the bombshell.

Mom: "Brandon you see this little face, this little face that you have snapped at and growled at all day long?"
Brandon: "Yes, Ma'am." said a little humbly.
Mom: "This little face just asked to take your spanking in your place. She said it was her fault and not yours."

Brandon's eyes tear up a little, his hard shell is dropped. He is broken.

Mom: "Now, is this is the same person you yell and growl at. Do you think now may be you can see what I'm saying and quit being so dog gone mean to her? She loves you."
Brandon: "Well, I love her too."

Emily throws herself at her Bubba and they hug and kiss and declare they love each other....... but as they leave the room I hear her pipe up in that dramatic gasp-y voice she uses sometimes,

"You should be grateful! I just saved your life!"

Lessons Gone to the Dogs



Dobie: "Dude, the book is upside down.
I can't make any sense outta this.
What is it written in human or something?"

Sassy: "Just lay back. The boy will read it to you."

Template

Hmm....I had a really cool template loaded but it needed tweaking....reverted back to old template to work over the new one and now I can't get the cool one back......This stinks.

Edited to add I got the cool template back, but it still needs tweaking.

A Teen

Oh signs have been coming in for a while now. I had to break down and buy Proactive. He had to start using deodorant and Axe body spray. A faint mustache is forming on his upper lip. He began to like a girl. He now cares if his clothes match... Yes, it has happened, my boy has become a teen. September 14th he turned 13 years old. Ah, the big one three. I had originally planed to have one big bash to celebrate his birthday with style and then move on. You know what they say about the best laid plans, right? This was the birthday that wouldn't die.

First, his Me maw set us up at a Log Cabin style resort for the first week of September. Yep, just one week of the school year in and we took a week off. Regrettably I forgot the camera. It was a nice cabin, fully furnished, dishes, towels, etc. It had a bed room downstairs, 2 beds up stairs and a pull out couch. We had some friends come hang out with us. The kids spent most of the day walking the trails. It was an enjoyable week. BUT I had to come home on Friday to prepare for Emily's party the next day. Then Brandon's was to be the next Saturday.

As I said Brandon's party WAS to be the next Saturday. However, Hurricane Ike had different plans. I doubted seriously that anyone would want to attend a Luau in a hurricane. So, I canceled his party. On the 14th we did take him to pick out his MP3 player. He got a Creative Zen. It was second to the ipod nano and so far we really like it.

My Mom also came over with her presents. Lots of clothes! Yeah! I'm so grateful my children are finally at an age that they like to receive clothes for presents!

His party was tentatively rescheduled for this last Saturday but we all fell ill. Especially Cecil. Brandon had a hacking cough. I just couldn't see it making any sense to have people come to our home just to get sick. So, I canceled again. Then Friday a trip to the doctor's office said we weren't contagious just having severe allergies. *sigh WHATever!......after two days of med's we all felt fine so I went ahead and invited a few of his friends over just so he could at least have his cake!

While we were out Daddy and Emily decorated the house, baked his cake and started supper. When we got home supper was ready. We all ate, then had cake and ice cream. We got him a new game for his Wii (Star Wars: The Force Unleashed). His friends got him a Beatles t-shirt. (He has since had me download a ton of Beatles songs onto his MP3 player because he didn't really "get" who they were. Now he likes his shirt even better.)After cake and ice cream came the silly string war, the sack race and balloon race. I think his birthday is finally over.....



A boy and his Dad.




A boy and his Dog.




A boy and his friends.


American Girls

Not only did Emily have a way cool party where she really cleaned up on some great new clothes but she got to celebrate her friend Macie's birthday with her too. For Macie's birthday we went to...........American Girl. Is there really need to say more? Does it get better than this?

Now, last Christmas I bought Emily a faux Julie doll to see if I really wanted to hand this child a $100 doll. Not only has she taken excellent care of her, she also sleeps with the annual AG catalog that comes in the mail, she finally watched the Felicity movie (I'm planning on buying all the ones they've made for Christmas.) , I've been reading her the AG books (a wonderful friend loaned us a beautiful set), and she has been to the AG book club at a local library several times. Yes! It was time. She was ready for her very first Real American Girl Doll! She got Samantha! We are currently making a "game plan" on who to buy next and which accessories are necessary, etc.



Her mouth just dropped open as we entered the store.



The dolls can get their hair done while their "mothers" shop.



At the Bistro the A girls get their own highchairs and menus.



A girl and her shopping bag. This was a good day folks!



She fell straight to sleep that night and
didn't even ask once if she could sleep in my bed.