Why Boys Need Moms!

I got this adorable email from high school friend of mine who recently had a baby boy. It's so great, I just had to take the time to post it, because more than a few of these things have happened around here. Read on after the pics too!

Why boys need Moms...

And you also find out interesting things when you have sons, like...

1.) A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft.house 4 inches deep.

2...) If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over themwith roller blades, they can ignite.

3.) A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in acrowded restaurant.

4.)If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is notstrong enough to rotate a 42 pound Boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however,if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

5.)You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on.When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ballup a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

6.)The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop abaseball hit by a ceiling fan.

7.)When you hear the toilet flush and the words 'uh oh', it'salready too late.

8.)Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.

9.)A six-year old Boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36- year old Man says they can only do it in the movies.

10.)Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old Boy.

11.)Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.

12.)Super glue is forever.

13.)No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you stillcan't walk on water.

14.)Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15.)VCR's do not eject 'PB & J' sandwiches even though TVcommercials show they do.

16.)Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

17.)Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.

18.)You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.

19.)Always look in the oven before you turn it on plastic toys donot like ovens.

20.)The fire department in Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time.

21.)The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

22.)It will, however, make cats dizzy.

23.)Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

24.)80% of Women will pass this on to almost all of their friends,with or without kids.

25.)80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brakefluid.

Too many irons!

This morning, the Little Guy and I were off to a VBS (vacation Bible school) meeting. I had volunteered to do the activity part of each days lesson for grades 1-3, found out today, the lady doing the lesson part has decided to take the year off, so now I'm doing both. I'll roll with it. I've got 2 months to prepare and it's really going to be fun.
After the VBS meeting, I met the Man in the school parking lot to hand-off Little Guy, because I was volunteering in the lunch room today. Not the greatest of timing, but it was really great. I love getting to see Buddy at school with his friends.
Then home for some quick preparing for the baseball game tonight, then back to school to pick up the Buddy and found out the game is cancelled, so back home to call all of our baseball parents about the cancelled game.
Got a phone call about another volunteer opportunity coming up in a few weeks and a call from the Girl Scout Troop leader about their art project.
I finally took a deep breathe and sat down about 5 o'clock and watch iCarly with the boys. That show is so funny, its really hard not to watch it when its on, although I've seen each one about 15 times.
But the funniest thing of all was the salt shaker handed Man out in the garden at 10 PM greatly reducing our slug population in order to save the garden.
But I can see why one would got to such extremes........

Little baby bean sprouts!

Rainy Day Art Project

This Friday, I will be leading an art project with a local Girl Scout Troop and knowing we have a baseball game Thursday night I knew I'd better get all set today. And what better day, it's been raining since about 8 AM and there's no end in sight. As Mother's Day is approaching, I decided to have the troop do a Mother's Day collages. Here's the one I made for Mom. I love this pic, so I was glad to get to use it in another way other than scrapbook page. It was taken when Mom & M.E. went on a scrapbooking bus tour around KY. It was so fun!!

So today, I painted all the boards for the girls.

Then I assembled all the supplies into an art pack. They looked so fabulous on my orange table cloth.I'm really excited about these project and I hope it goes well. And that I get to post pics from the girls doing it.

Also, got THE CALL today from Buddy's school. A couple of weeks ago the principal of Buddy's school called to personally tell M.E. there was a science teacher opening for middle school. Long story short I interviewed last week and it looked promising from the current Principal's stand point because he knows M.E. and I think he really wanted M.E. in the classroom, but the new incoming principal was alittle hesitant because I've only taught math, not science, so I was told today that I didn't get the job. (that's a huge run-on sentence)

Am I upset? Hardly, I'm really glad I don't have to make the decision of going back to work or not. I get to stay home another year with Little Guy and volunteer and that's really where I need to be.

cutie pie

Little Guy being cute today.

He built himself a cushion house on the couch and stayed most all day. He's had a low grade fever, but I think its just allegries.

Sears

As I mentioned earlier, here is the Sears post. So, last week or whenever it was we got the new bed, I was looking at the duvet covers and bedding and saw something I really liked. It reminded M.E. of the Hampton Inn bedding, so I put my eye on it. Upon check out, we got a $15 off coupon for any bed or bath item. Yes!
The coupon expired Friday, hence why it was a big deal to go by myself to Sears. Off I go to get that bedding I wanted. And guess what? It was on sale, 20% off. How wonderful.

Today, I washed it before putting in on the comforter. Upon taking it out of the dryer, it was super wrinkled. UGH! I do not iron. Ok, I do iron, but I loathe it. And its a very rare occurrence. So I attempted to iron this huge, queen size duvet cover on my skinny foot wide ironing board. IT was soooooo fun! Anyhow, I got the major wrinkles out and check it out.

Now, I need the bed skirt, throw pillows, art above the bed, etc. But on thing at a time, that's how we roll.

Weather Channel

We are in for a big round of storms tonight, so we've been watching the weather channel alot today and during the local forecast I had to take this pic because I've never seen a 7 day forecast like this.

However, I'm sure now living in OK, I'll see plenty, but this was hilarious all the same the flashing lightning bolts. And because I'm a geek, Isolated means there is less than a 30% chance of t-storms and Scattered means from 30% to 50% chance. Just thought your might like to know there is a difference.

Yard Work!

M.E. likes to brag about growing up in the country and how I know and understand the nature of things a little better than the Man. I admit it.

Unfortunately, I do not know the nature of things when they are in town. i.e. dead leaves. In the country each fall, you enjoy the colorful display of leaves, then they fall and then they blow away. Its just what they do. As a kid, the only time we raked leaves was so that we could run and jump in them, not because they needed to be off the grass.

So last fall, when all the leaves began falling off the trees, we did nothing, but enjoy the colorful display. Now we are enjoying the huge bald spots of mud in our backyard. In town, with fenced-in yards, leaves DO NOT just blow away. (makes sense, but "it had not occurred to us dude") They pile up against the fences and stay there until they decompose, suffocating all the grass underneath them.

Today, we exposed these large patches of bare earth and began reseeding them, worked in the garden, picked up sticks, mowed the yards, and did alittle weedeating. The Man said, I really wished we'd taken before and after pics. I agree, the yard out back is looking fantastic. We'll be spending sometime out there.

Earth Day Tribute!

WE PLANT SEEDS

It helps now and then to step back and take the long view,

The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts; it is beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction

of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.

Nothing we do is complete.

Which is another way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.

No sermon says all that should be said.

No prayer fully expresses our faith.

No confession brings perfections.

No pastoral visit brings wholeness.

No program accomplishes the church's mission.

No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

That is what we are about.

We Plant Seeds That One Day Will Grow.

We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.

We provided yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.

This enables us to do something and do it very, very well.

It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,

an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the Master Builders...

ministers, not Messiahs.

We are prophets of a future that is not our own.

by Archbishop Oscar Romero

Goodwill Find!

The Man only works half days on Friday, so its almost like having a three day weekend - almost. So today, I decided to run some errands BY MYSELF, before picking up the Buddy from school. Now don't get me wrong, I love my boys and take them everywhere with me, everywhere, but sometimes its really nice to go somewhere with out them. Today, it was to Sears (there will be a Sears post later on) and Goodwill - because its close to Buddy's school and I had some time and cash to spend.

I scored a really cute skirt at Goodwill which I'm excited about and as I was leaving the store, I was walking along the sidewalk looking in the display windows. When I saw something that made me stop in my tracks. I literally ran back in the store and pulled it from the window and paid for it - without thinking. I think its my very first impulse buy. There were no second thoughts, it was like, here's your money (and it was half off at the register, double bonus)!

Ok, so you are thinking, you ran back into the Goodwill for this. An old picture that belongs on the Little House on the Praire. Well, yes!

But let M.E. explain, this very print is currently hanging in my parents kitchen in KY. It has been hanging there my entire life and I absolutely love it. I've always loved it and I don't recall ever having seen another one before and to find one here in OK. Well, I had to have it. It would have haunted M.E. to know that it was there for sale and I didn't get it. Back at home, I presented this to the Man. He says, "hey that's in your parent's kitchen."

First of all for the Man to have noticed this in my parents home and have remembered it is a big deal. Second, he totally agreed to letting M.E. hang it in my kitchen, for my boys to enjoy their entire lives. It's like a circle thing. Now if I could just find the print of the little girl leaning against the barn, I'd be set.

Way to go Little Guy!

I thought Little Guy deserved his own post tonight as he has been wearing the same underwear all day! NO ACCIDENTS! not one.

Way to go Little Guy we are very proud of you!

Wow, Wow, Whirlwind!

Today has been a blur with all the things going on. First I thought it was Buddy's turn for snacks at school and quickly got dressed (in something other than what laying on the bedroom floor) and fixed my hair to take his snacks to the classroom. I realize after I get to school that Little Guy doesn't even have any shoes on and it turns out snack day is tomorrow. Oh well, at least they are there.


On the way home, the Man calls and says the Sears guys are waiting at the house. They are early. When have delivery men ever been EARLY.

If you will recalled I mentioned how wonderful our nights stay was at the Hampton Inn on the way back from KY. Well, I got online (I spend way too much time on the internet). and found out that they have custom-made Serta mattresses in all their rooms. You can purchase them online, but you'd have to take out a bank loan to pay for it. So I just daydreamed about it.

The next day, I luckily received at coupon book in the mail from our Sears with a 50% mattress sale on the last page. YAY! I immediately began talking to the Man about it and managed to talk him into going to Sears with me, just to look or lay.

Well, within minutes of laying on the nice display models in the store, the Man agreed we needed a new bed. So behold, we got a new Serta mattress and box spring. I'm soooo happy!It's so tall compared to our old worn out one. Can't wait to sleep on it.

Shortly after getting that all settled, I had to get ready for real (shower) to volunteer at Buddy's school, the Man came home for a long lunch to watch Little Guy. Then I'm back home to do some last minute laundry before the big baseball game tonight, then I'm off to get Buddy from school and back home for finish up the baseball line up, etc and work on a craft project for about an hour. Then it's 5 o'clock, we've got to hustle and get out of here, so I get the Little Guy ready to go, Buddy gets his uniform on and heads outside for some practice in the driveway and I'm getting ready for the game when I hear........

CRASH! SHATTER! TINGLE!

"BUDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDY!" I yell as I take off running down our hallway, half dressed. I discover Buddy frozen like a statue in the middle of the driveway with a very blank look on his face. I immediately grab him, "are you all right? what happen? buddy?" He says, "I didn't mean to, honest, I was just practicing grounders, Am I in trouble, Mommy, I didn't mean too"

It's then that I actually discover the baseball size hole in one of the garage door window panes with the spiderweb cracks running from it. OH, NO! It's now 5:05 and I've got broken glass in the driveway, garage and shards still hanging in the window. Quickly, I get dressed and Buddy apologizes. Then we sweep the garage and driveway, Buddy wants to know if he will be grounded, and then I carefully pull all the remaining glass from the window, Buddy apologizes again. I put a box over the window and tape it up, Buddy asks if we have to tell Daddy. Its now 5:20 (we are late), Buddy's really sorry and wants to know How mad I am. I have to stop and laugh. I'm not happy but I'm not mad. It happen, it was accident, we will deal with it later, now we need to roll.

We've been in the house 6 months and this is the first broken window, not bad really. Knowing my kids. 5 more window panes to go.............. Grandpa and Papaw, I'll be calling this weekend for help in replacing the box with some plexiglass.

To the game.... we weren't late, just not early. The opposing team was good. I mean GOOD. All their players could hit and new how to run bases and understood the game a little better than us. But we managed to out score them 24-21. It was a great game and we all had a wonderful time. 3-0 Gotta love it. Home at last and going to sleep on that new wonderful bed! ahhhhh!

Cleaning House!

For some reason, my week got all out of sorts and I've been running all over the place and doing projects. I spent about an hour today preparing for a craft project that I'm doing with our school's girl scout troop. I'm really excited about it and can't wait to post the pics here, but as some of them read the blog, I don't want to spoil the surprise. But lets just say it will be fabulous.
In doing my running around, I've neglected the house. So, now I'm getting to my routine of daily chores. Better late than never and lets just say it needed it. And thanks to this little piece of wonderful technology my job is soooo much easier.

I present the Bissell Steam Mop. Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful. Simply fill the reservoir with water, plug in, wait about 30 seconds, then steam your floors with the reusable, washable cloth pads. I clean my hardwood floors, ceramic tile, and clay tile with it. Its designed for any hard surfaces and it works on the stickiest, dried on, 3-day old kitchen crud with just a couple of swipes (trust me, I know).

I looked at all the options out there at the stores (wal-mart and target) and watched the infomerical on tv. I finally got online to research what would be best for us. According to GoodHousing Keeping and other sites, the Bissell was economical and efficient for basic needs. The only thing was finding it. I went to 4 stores before I found it on a high shelf at Home Depot with no display model out. If I had not been looking hard for it, I would have never found it. But I've had it for 6 months and love it! Happy Wednesday!

Practice

I realize that you - M.E. Readers- are probably getting bored with all the baseball pictures and news, but its pretty much our lives right now. We are out three nights a week playing or practicing, so you're just gonna have to bare with m.e.

This afternoon was a gorgeous day. In the 70s with a gentle breeze and sunshine. Gotta love it! A perfect day for some batting practice. Look at that stance, eyes on the ball!

3-2-1 Contact!

The Man has been working with him on following through with his swing to get some real power to the ball. Not bad, I say!

Baseball Game

Unfortunately, its too much chaos at the games for M.E. to take pictures at the game, but let me just say, Buddy looked awesome. I got him some new cleats and some knee high purple tube socks. Its awesome.

The team had another outstanding game. We won 12 - 2. And I learned how to keep the official score book.

Its pretty awesome and you know M.E., it suits my math side and I'm already calculating the players stats. Now if Little Guy could find a job and stop running on the field.

The Man's at it again!

Yesterday the gutter! Today a garden!

The Man has become ambitious and I'm not complaining. He planted two little raised beds in the backyard this afternoon which will have tomatoes, herbs, pepper, cucumbers, cantaloupe and watermelons. Unfortunately this is the order he planted them in. OH, NO!

Tomorrow night we are going to have to go out and rearrange somethings so we don't have cucumelon, waterloupe, cantambers!! Advantages of growing up in the country, lets you know how to plant a garden. But I'm really excited about it. I'm hoping to learn to can some tomato sauce, yeah!

Lazy Day

I must say, I slept later today than I can remember sleeping anytime after having children. I'm sure I've slept later but today was approaching near 9:30 AM. Unfortunately it made me lazy all day and I got little to nothing accomplished. But that's ok. One lazy day once in a while is fine, right? It just means I'll have to wait at least 7 days before having another one, right? LOL!

Seriously, the Man actually got out and cleaned the gutters today. A very long overdue necessity and I was so proud of him. Although him being on the roof in flip flops is not my idea of safety. I was ready to call 911.

After the gutter cleaning and playing baseball with Buddy, we all got ready to go over to Zkid's house for some supper and fun. After dinner, quite near bedtime, we discovered they have a Nintendo Wii. Just let me say, we do not have video games in our house. Its just something that we would rather not spend our money & time doing. Buddy has never asked for one, so its really not been an issue, but I have a feeling that's about to change.

For those who might not know (Mamaw), the Wii is a video game in which you hold a controller and act out what needs to be done on screen. So when Buddy is playing baseball, he has to stand up and pretend the controller is a bat and actually swing it at the ball in order to hit and play the game. Well, we had a blast.

Look at the sweat pouring off this guy. Its a very active game, which is one of the reasons its so fun. The Man was beat by a 3rd grader at bowling and tennis. He'll not like it that I reported that. Buddy played several games of baseball and tennis and M.E. actually got up and bowled. I have to admit it was fun. I don't know if this house is ready for it, but it will be considered if the Buddy (or the Man) starts in about it.

More Baseball

We were still reeling from our dramatic win last night when we got ready to go to a AAA baseball game tonight. (Can you say FREE tickets?) The Zkid and his family were going and we stopped and got another friend on the way for a trio of fun, sugar-filled kids at the ball park.

Just look at these little baseball enthusiasts. You can see the sugar rush in Buddy or at least I think that's what that is. I sent the Man after some water and nachos in the 3rd inning and he comes back with a spirit and snow cone. Hmm!

But there's nothing like live baseball, good friends, and watching little boys enjoy the game. We had a beautiful evening and really good time. So glad the season's started and hopefully we will score many more free tickets.

Baseball Season has begun!

Tonight we had our first official baseball game. Let me tell you it was exciting and stressful for the ole M.E. Here's the story.....
I should have known when the store emailed to say that our baseball caps which were suppose to be delivered today, weren't. So no team caps. Last minute email out to parents to bring a cap.

Then Little Guy fell asleep on the way to the ball park. Not good. At 5:15 the Man calls to let me know that he was rear-ended on his way to the park. He's not hurt, his car isn't hurt too much, but they are waiting for the police for a report. UGH! I've never coached baseball or any sport for that matter. Its our first game in a new league in a new state, I don't know what to do. I haven't been to any of the coaches meeting or taking any of the online training. I'm a little anxious at this point. Thankfully my friend Chris was there to hangout with and allowed me to be calm.

So at 5:30 I had to wake Little Guy up to get the kids and supplies up to the dug out. He was not happy. We get to the dug out, players start arriving, I have no idea what to do. Good thing, I already had the batting line and defensive position printed out for us and the other team. Little Guy is still whining/crying. We finally get the kids on the field to warm-up. Here's Buddy.

Then at 6 we had to take the field, thankfully we were up first, so it was easier to get myself together mentally. We did great. Our parents really pitched in and helped both on the field and in the dugout as the Man still hasn't arrived and Little Guy is still crying. I'm trying to keep the score book, which I've never done before, so I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, so I just write down what I observe and hopefully that will be good enough.

And let me tell you.... the Buddy is awesome!

He really hit the ball well and got several players out. I'm really proud of him and he just loves it which is the best part. This is his third year and you can defiantly tell, by his seriousness of the game. We really out scored the other team in the first 2 innings. The Man finally arrives, yeah! Little Guy is now wide awake and climbing the fence. yikes.

We wound up out scoring them 19 to 5. Our kids were so excited to have played their first game and I really think they had a blast. Their little eyes were lite up with excited when they'd score a run or come in off the field. It was so worth all the mental stress to get to see those little faces and spirits soar.

It's going to be a good season! BIG THANKS to CHRIS for the photos! I was too stressed to take pictures.

Happy Tax Day!

Laundry, dishes, vacuuming, taxes, etc. Life is back to normal around here. While doing chores, I couldn't find Little Guy. I checked everywhere and finally he answered me, 'what?'
He was under the dining table eating a chocolate bunny!

He knew better than to eat that chocolate, but he loves it so! Thus he was hiding under the table. He was too cute and sweet to be mad at him. Look at him hold the earless bunny up so I could take his picture. Easter on comes once a year and that was the last bunny in the house, so let it be gone.

Buddy has a baseball game tomorrow night, and I hope to get some good pics.

Happy Anniversary!

The Man and M.E. are celebrating our anniversary today. I really can't believe another year has flown by, so much has happened with the move and all. So I got him a new Weber charcoal grill with all the equipment, its not put together yet, so I'll not post pics of the box. I got surprised with a floral delivery.

Aren't they gorgeous!

Getting Back to Home!

We had to leave KY shortly after Easter dinner to get on the road home. Buddy had a baseball game tonight, so we really needed to get back. We stopped last night and stayed in a Hampton Inn & Suites and let me just say, their beds are wonderful. No, make that WONDERFUL! I really need to find out what mattresses they have because they're awesome. Anyhow, we drove through rain half the day and arrived home this afternoon and found a package at the backdoor. In a rain soaked box was my new pizza stone. Yeah!

Wow, I don't even remember my old stone even being that light in color. But perhaps it was and just my many pizzas have darkened it so.

We rushed to get baseball uniforms on and ready to go to the game, when I checked email and discovered the game cancelled. What? We rushed all the way from KY to not have a game. Oh well, at least we are home and can relax before school tomorrow. And perhaps have pizza!

Christ Has Risen!

Happy Easter! We headed to church for a wonderful service and an egg hunt. I loved seeing all my church family and the kids. I really miss teaching Sunday School.

Little Guy really found alot of eggs and treats. He has already acquired the habit of shaking plastic eggs to hear if anything is in them.

The Man and Papaw
I simply love this photo of Buddy!

Here Little Guy, S-man, and a sweet little friend of ours hunt for eggs.

I wish I would've taken a photo of my church so you could see it, but oops, I didn't. After we got home, we tried to get a family portrait, but it didn't quite work out. Hopped up on candy the boys really didn't want to get their photo taken anymore.

Easter in KY!

I didn't realize it until just moments ago that I took alot of pictures today, so this will be a big post. We started the morning early as all the kiddos get up with the sun. I started the day by decorating my sister's bunny cake. I don't remember when Aunt Cream (my sister as Little Guy calls her) first started making these bunny cakes, but no Easter is complete without one. (I have step-by-step photos, if anyone is interested)

After most of the family arrived, Mamaw wanted a picture of her and all the grandkids. My niece and her son wasn't there, but the rest agreed for the photo. Let's just say I don't know if anyone got a good pic, my boys weren't cooperating very well and Mamaw had to get Buddy.

I don't know why they are so pixelly (I'm not sure that's a word) but they are fuzzy.

The festivities were at my sister's house, so most events include her in-laws who are fabulous people. I even call her mother-in-law Mimi like one of the grandkids. So Aunt Cream's niece was there with us and this is her super gorgeous, good-natured baby girl.

She is 9 months and starting to pull up on things and loves to babble. She's just too cute - makes M.E. want a girl.

As mentioned above, Little Guy refers to my sister as Aunt Cream. Wonder why?

Aunt Cream loves ice cream and Little Guy apparently knows this. And by the way, so does my niece's dog, Sheriff.

Another family tradition is to hide plastic eggs filled with candy or money for the kiddos. This year, I brought about 3 dozen, Aunt Cream brought about 6 dozen and my sister-in-law brought about 7 dozen. Do the math -- this is about 200 eggs filled with treats for the kiddos. Sugar overload!!!

The egg hunt!





The boy's Easter loot ended up being about 3 lbs of candy. Little Guy got about $3 from all his eggs and Buddy was super happy that he managed about $8 from all his eggs. Wow!


Still reeling from the candy high, it was time to color the real eggs for church tomorrow. It was such a gorgeous day we got to do it outside on the deck and its a good thing.

Even my teenage nephew got in on the action! But I can't say anything, I did just as many as the kids. Its too fun not to.
Like I said, good thing we were outside, because this is what happens when Little Guy colors Easter Eggs!

It is wonderful being home with the family for Easter. It's one of our favorite holidays.

Christ will rise again!