New Year

We welcomed in 2007 in a very low-key fashion. The kids did some sparklers, bottle rockets and roman candles in the backyard. Then we went inside for a few rounds of CLUE and Spiderman UNO. Uno is Trent's favorite game and one of the few he can play without assitance. Zane's friend Taylor came over and we had a nice time all the way until.....ten o'clock when it was time for bed. Sparkler Fun!

Draw Two

Mia's preparing for a Texas Hold 'em championship.

Hello.... anybody there?

Sunday night Kaylee had a low grade fever so we decided to let her stay home from school. But by Monday morning at 9 am the fever was gone and she didn't appear to have any other symptoms. So, she and I spent some girl time together doing normal Mommy errands. Trent and Mia had pre-school so it was just the two of us. We went to Sam's and I was trying to figure out something on my cell phone,while waiting for our big pretzel to cook, and we discovered all the different ring tones. She had a great time playing all the songs all over Sam's Club. Then, she was the offical phone carrier all day long. After a long morning of errands we got back home, about 5 hours later. I went to our home phone to check the messages and I had 5 messages. They went something like this.
"Hi Mom, This is Kaylee, I love you."
" Hi Mom, I'm just sitting in the car, talk to you later."
" Hi Mom, I love you lots, call me back."
"Hi Mom, I'm going to lunch with my friends, bye, I love you."
"Hi Mom, I'll be home soon, I love you."

I did not even hear her make all these calls. I asked her how she knew to call and she said "well I know the phone number and I had a phone" (Geesh! she must think I'm clueless)
Wonder if she'll call me that much when she's a teenager and I want her to check in every once in a while?

It seemed like a good idea

I read a tip in a magazine about making big sacks for Santa to put toys in on Christmas Eve. Santa has not in the past wrapped the presents just carefully arranged them under the tree in little clusters belonging to each person. But with 4 children and a limited amount of tree space I thought this was a grand idea. So, this year I purchased 4 different types of material and we cut names out of felt and put them on each person's "loot sack." In my excitement, I failed to think about Christmas morning pictures as evidenced below.... However Trent's sack did do a nice job of covering his little motorized Hummer.

14 years ago today...

14 years ago today David and I said "I DO" Who knew it would lead us where we are today. Since Christmas ended for the year, I really have quit thinking about the 12 days of Christmas but my friend Gayla did this on her anniversary and I totally stole the idea.(See Davis family on right) It was a personal challenge to try to remember all the numbers.

14 years
13 doctors
12 months spent in braces
11 days spent hospitalized (Family combo)
10 Pets owned
9 occupations
8 local Wal-Marts
7 countries visited
6 vehicles owned
5 lawnmowers
4 children
3 homes owned
2 severe sunburns
1 happy life

Humm...Humm... Hummer

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

My True Love gave to me...

12 hands to serve HIM

So many times at Christmas we focus on the incredible GIFT God gave to us by sending his son Jesus. While this is the correct focus to have, our pastor challenged us today to try to figure out what gift we can give back to God. Nothing earthly will suffice, He only wants each of us to trust in Him and to live in a relationship with Him daily.
To wrap up my 12 days of Christmas I can conclude that "every good and perfect gift comes from above." Including my children, my husband, my family and my friends. SO.... my "true Love" must be Jesus.
Merry Christmas!

On the 11th day of Christmas

My true love gave to me....

11 Peanutbutter Blossoms (wonder where the 12th one went? hmmm)

do you see a pattern here with the peanutbutter?

On the 10th Day of Christmas

My True Love Gave to me....

10 hands making Peanut Butter Ball Candy

9 Reindeer for Santa

8 hours of sleep

7 Synchronized Schedules

6 Candy Canes

5 Golden Tokens

4 on a firetruck

3 kids a crafting

2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a Santa hat

On the 9th day of Christmas...

My true Love gave me to me....

Nine Reindeer for Santa... (Think Rocket can pass for one of them?)

8 hours of sleep

7 synchronized schedules

6 candy canes

5 golden tokens

4 on a firetruck

3 kids a crafting

2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a Santa Hat

PAUSE

The 12 days of Christmas are officially paused until my "material" gets back from Nana & Paw Paw's.
I will still have time to complete the 12 days once they return. You know when you start thinking about the 12 days you begin to say everything in the song's tune....."I-m-No-t- Hung-ry" "Ti-me- To- Get- U-up" "Where-Are-You- Go-ing" It's a disease... "I-m Sure- of-it"

On the 8th Day of Christmas...

My True Love Gave to me....

Eight hours of sleep..... Since Nana took the kids back to her house for a long weekend.

So I posted a picture of Kaylee at her Christmas Recital last Saturday. She did a great job and tapped her way through Jingle Bell Rock.

I felt like last week was the beginning of a crazy week filled with parties, meetings, recitals and more. But we made it through and last night I slept like a baby. Sometime around noon today I even got out of my PJ's. We went to see "The Pursuit of Happiness" and did some last minute shopping at the mall.

On the 7th Day of Christmas....

My True Love Gave to Me.....

Seven Synchronized Schedules

(David, Nana and I had to get to Zane, Kaylee, Trent & Mia's parties)

On the 6th day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

Six Candy Canes

5 Golden Tokens, 4 on a Firetruck, 3 kids a crafting, 2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a Santa Hat

On the 5th Day of Christmas....

My True Love gave to me

Five Golden (ChuckECheese) Tokens

4 on a firetruck

3 kids a crafting

2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a santa hat

On the 4th Day of Christmas....

My True Love gave to me

Four on a Fire Truck

(I know it doesn't sound very Christmasy, but our friends the Fazzinos host an annual Fire Truck ride & toy drive for a local children's home. Everyone rides on an antique fire Truck through the neighborhood to look at lights and Santa comes along on the ride as well)

On the 3rd day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me

three kids-a-crafting

(with Aunt Darla)

2 reindeer antlers

& a cutie in a santa hat

On the 2nd Day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me

Two Reindeer Antlers
and a cutie in a Santa Hat

On the 1st Day of Christmas...

my true love gave to me a Cutie in a Santa Hat

First attempt at Video

Cookie Swap

Sunday night Kaylee and I hosted our 1st Annual Mother & Daughter Cookie Swap. We invited several of Kaylee's friends and their moms to our house for a cookie exchange and Christmas party. We ate yummy food and had fun exchanging presents with a little game. Each person brought 6 dozen cookies to exchange following strict guidelines on what was allowed, (I don't know anyone who would send out guidelines with an inviation do you?Especially not Eleven!) Then we all told about the cookies we brought to swap and took home a variety of delicious cookies.

14 different kinds of cookies were swapped. When the boys got home they were in heaven with all the cookies. There was almost a brawl over the peanut butter cookies with the hershey kisses on top.

Here are the girls exchanging their presents

Darla (David's sister), Toni (David's Mom), My Mom (aka Nana), Mia, Me and Kaylee
Enjoying yummy food!

Nana and Kaylee making a little frame that everyone got to take home. We used scrapbook papers and ribbon. Thanks to my cousin Amy for technical advice on the project.

A Star, A Star is burning in the night........

This may be the last year of our star tradition. Unless the kids quit growing or David can grow another arm. Neither of which sound appealing. Everyone always wants to be the "one" who gets to put the star on top. So, since Kaylee was born he's always held everyone while the star is put on. But it's just getting to Heavy. This year Kaylee did the ultimate honor. Although Zane had to give it a little push from the top. Next year will be Trent's turn. (I hope I can remember that)

Deck the Halls

Scenes from Monday's Decorating Night. Getting ready for Christmas.....

" Give me a red nose and call me Rudolph...."


Not sure if Zane is hanging ornaments or checking the transmission

Trent need a little "Booster"

Father & Son Cake Bake

We can do this!
Step Away from the Master!

We're Done, Let's EAT
Oh Yeah, Proper Gentlemen use Forks. Don't eat yet, it hasn't been judged
" Victory Is MINE!!!"
Zane's Boy Scout troop is raising money for a new Grand Prix track to race their pine wood derby cars. So this month they hosted a Father and Son Cake Bake. The cakes were judged and then raffled off. There were 35 cakes entered and Zane came away with the ribbon for Most Unique. He and David were very proud.

Caps to the Capital

My Bible Study leader made us aware of a movement that could possibly save newborns in developing countries. I did a little research and printed out the pattern a few days ago. Yesterday I wasn't feeling so well (allergies, sinus) so I decided to give it a shot. While I was crocheting David passed by me and said, "Hey, Granny!" My Granny is 94 and still crochets. (I pray I am crocheting at 94). Here are my results.

I am pretty pleased with them seeing as I haven't crocheted in quite sometime other than those beaded socks. (The purple one looks a little lopsided but it's really round, I promise)

It didn't take to long to construct so I think I'll make several more. I would like to also make some to send to the orphanage where Mia spent her first days. I have heard winter is a very hard time because the orphanages don't have heat.
If you knit or crochet here is the Info on the Caps if you would like to participate. www.savethechildren.org
"After Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers 2006 report highlighted simple, low-cost practices that could save newborn lives — like warming their heads with a knit or crochet cap —It is estimated that Four million newborns die each year within the first month of life. Half within the first 24 hours of life."

Little Miss Muffett

Little Miss Muffett
Sat on her Tuffett
All the way to school
But when along came the spider
that sat down beside her
She cried, "Mom it's scary! Not COOL"

So after the spider scavenger hunt successfully accomplished by Dad, Kaylee annouced she didn't like it. Frankly, it was a little scary looking. It was very big and very hairy. But I pinned it on her anyway and off to school she went.
At 8:30 when we arrived for the parade she made it out the door fine but when she saw me the tears began to flow. She wouldn't tell me what the problem was and finally I asked if it was the spider. "YES" it was the spider. So we un-pinned Little Miss Muffett's spider and the rest of the day was wonderful......

Fun Day at the Park

Most Wednesdays we meet with other moms and kids and have some type of outing. Today we visited a new park in the area. I had heard it was really nice but it is also really HUGE. The kids had a great time running and playing. We stayed about 3 hours and had a picnic lunch while we were there. If you look up "Bliss" in the dictionary this picture may be next to the definition. These swings were like mini-recliners suspended with chains.

He Shoots..... He Scores

Today was the last day for Upward Soccer. Trent finished the season well. Until today he had not made a goal for his team. But apparently he felt the pressure and came through with a hard kick and scored his first and only goal for the season.
Zane realized this morning that this would be the last game and gave him a little pep talk about "trying real hard and maybe you'll get a goal!" I guess the talk paid off

Pumpkin Carving

Everyone picked out a small little pumpkin to carve. It was a lot of fun getting all the "yuck" of of the middle. The kids did a great job of carving faces on to their pumpkins.




Who knew cats actually like raw pumpkin. Can you tell in the picture that Zane is feeding her off the spoon?

What do you DO all day?

A day in the life.... While this is not all that wonderful of an account but it gives some insight into life with 4 kids.

12:31 fall into bed
6:20 Child #1 wakes BEFORE the alarm even goes off
6:21 Get up, spend some Quiet Time before the day begins
6:40 Child #2 Wakes
6: 50 Child #4 Wakes
Breakfast, Clothes, Backpacks
Wake up Child #3 - Load the Car
Pick up Friend 1 and Friend 2
8:05 arrive back home from dropping off "load" at school
8:10 fix breakfast watch 5 min of Today show... Decide I don't need this season's fashion must haves......really where will I wear my little black dress and red pumps?
8:30 decide to make a Target run... All $1 spot stuff is .25.... need things for Awana mart...(I'm the official shopper, yipeee finally a job I like.... spend other people's money on "great" bargains)
Remember need blue jeans for Zane and Kaylee - acquire successfully
10:30 Stop off at Sam's to look at Christmas merchandise, kids eat slice of pizza, partake of salted pretzel and coke icee
11:15 Start thinking- Dinner? Start Craving ROAST.... Got to have ROAST... it's been too long
11:25 Acquire Roast and few other grocery items
12:30 Put child #4 down for nap.. Put child #3 in bed with a movie, join him for 15min. siesta
1:50 Call friend to pick up child #2 because child #4 is not awake
2:35 change child #2 into dance clothes, load car, drive to dance lesson
4:00 Friend brings Child #1 home and leaves her daughter here
Play outside with Friends and Neighbors 1 - 5. Nine kids in front yard (LOVE IT!*)
5:55 Friend picks up daughter and neighbors return home
6:00 Go inside to check roast in slowcooker, Finish up dinner
7:30 Start baths, homework
7:35 Help Child #1 on Texas Governor Election project (try to decide were my ballot will be cast)
8:45 Children 1 - 4 Successfully in bed.... Send husband on scavenger hunt for big rubber spider(needed for Child #2 Miss Muffett costume, 8 a.m. Tomorrow)
9:04 Three Baskets of Clothes await in Living room with one new episode of Survior


* Absolutley love having all those kids playing here today. We have waited for so long to have kids in the neighborhood to play with. 3 news families have moved in within the last year so it's finally beginnning to happen.

Personal Accomplishment for Day - Roast was good but Finally succeeded in successful gravy making. (Almost) Just like Mom's

9:19 Husband returns with Spider