Ah-Ah-Alligator

Sweet girl was so disappointed that she did not get to start school this year. So we went to WM and bought her a school box and her very own school supplies so we could do school at home. I decided to start with A and to do the short a sound...so we did apples and alligators yesterday. She did have a hard time remembering the letter A...but she knew the sound...she could even think of other words that started with the same sound. When asked what letter we were studying she kept saying C.

So, we worked a bit harder, read some books and I really thought she had it. I showed her the letter A and asked what sound it can make...she did that perfectly. I asked what words start with that letter...she named 5 different words. Then I said ok...what letter is that? She said C...so proud. I said...no it is an A...why can't you remember that. Her reply "Well, then you should have never told me about (making the letter sound) c-c-crocodile!

To explain, we do have a CD that has a song on it and it goes through the alphabet and it says C-C-crocodile. She is just so smart!

Anyway, we are having a blast...even little man joined in the school activities and learned the sound an A can make.

Price Check...Price Check

Ok...this is going to be a short one...but I know it will make you laugh.

Ever imagine yourself being 'that person' in the check-out lane that has to purchase something that you don't care for everyone to know...maybe tampons, hemorrhoid cream, depends...and the price is not coming up so they have to call someone and loudly have to say "I need a price check on..."

So, Sweet girl has been suffering from so bad tummy aches...we even had to take her to the doctor to have blood work and an X-ray...turns out she just needs to poop. So...picture this...I am at Wal-greens looking for some poop helper...I look at the prices and want the best for my money right...so I get MyraLax and I decided on the BIG bottle...more for my money.

So I get to the check-out lane (you see where this is going right?) and there are 2 men in line behind me, 3 workers 'hanging out', and several other ladies shopping. I would say about 15 people in the store, plus the stupid lady at the check-out trying to but MyraLax (yep, that would be me).

The clerk (he) says...I need to get a price check on this because it is not coming up. He TRIES to do it quietly by the phone "do you know the price of MyraLax?, no the BIG one...oh ok"...
Good he has it...nope. So another worker comes up from the back...about 20 feet away and the clerk with me holds the BIG bottle up and says...MYRALAX...THE BIG ONE...I NEED A PRICE.

Hello...could I have been anymore humiliated. I mean, I couldn't turn to all those people and tell them it was for my little girl because the bottle was BIG...and that would have been way to much for a little girl. They must have really thought I was backed up.

So after 2 sort of bad days around here...again I am reminded not to sweat the little things. I guess God thought I needed to be humbled and that I needed a little laugh.

Battle Scars

OK...so we did want a boy...and we wanted him to be all boy. Can I just say we got what we asked for. I think I have mentioned before that my little man is so different from my girls...but I need to stress...HE IS SO DIFFERENT FROM MY GIRLS. No I am not yelling at you...I just want you to understand that I am not joking.

Well...I have to confess, he has been known to play with Barbies, Mermaids, and Little Pets...but he plays with them quite differently. Instead of talking sweet, dressing them and making sure they have shoes and a purse...he will use a dinosaur to attack the innocent barbie. He also likes to pretend they are drowning and spider-man will rescue them. He is so sweet.

However, there are those moments that remind me why I used such an odd title for my blog. I am reminded constantly that the grace I try to exhibit to my kids does not even compare to the grace my God gave me. So if he can take me as I am with all my faults and all my mistakes and still love me...then no matter what my little man throws at me...I love him more than he will ever realize. Today was one of those days...I just wanted to share some moments with you...step into my shoes for a moment...

It started this morning...early...around 3:30a.m. I think...may have been 5:30a.m. but that doesn't matter...it was early and my eyes were not seeing straight. My wonderful little man comes to MY side of the bed and says 'here you go, here you go' and he proceeds to hand me his 'foo-foos'. Then says again 'here you go, here you go' and as I put my hand out he puts his face close to my hand and...can you guess what happened? Yep, he puked right in my hand...

So we spent some time in the bathroom (daddy snoring) cleaning up and making sure he is ok. He was fine...just got choked or something. Chalk that up to my first battle scar of the day.

We played in the floor for a bit and I was 'getting him'...so he turned around and said 'get you'. So cute right? Well, I was not expecting the head-but he gave me. When I said ouch...he gave my head a kiss! Yep, he is a sweetie. Second battle scar.

The next victim was Sweet Girl as little man ran in her room to give her a Barbie...he said 'here you go, here you go' and tossed the barbie to her. Now, I say tossed...what I should said was chunked it right at her head. Luckily she was standing up when he was throwing and it caught her on the leg...after lot's of crying he said 'sorry' and kissed her leg. Third battle scar.

Playing outside while daddy and Sweet girl went to pick up Big girl...he said 'play wis me'...ok I agreed. So he wanted me to stand at the slide while he went up the ladder and down the slide. So sweet, until...out of the blue he slid down, jumped up, ran over to me, stepped on my toe, and kicked me in the shin. Honestly, I was shocked. He has never done anything like that...I told him I did not want to play anymore because he hurt me...again came the 'I sorry'...kiss on the foot and shin...and there goes the fourth and fifth battle scar.

Finally, it is bath time...what can happen at bath time...well, let's just say, I was not in the bath but I think I had more water on me than he did. Little man does not like getting his hair washed and tonight he protested by stomping his foot in the tub (water everywhere), flinging the mermaid he was playing with (water everywhere), then on the last rinse he raised his arm, hit the cup (again water everywhere). Sixth battle scar.

OK...so we are in jammies and now mommy needs to potty (yes I said potty)...but little man is right by my side. He wants to play ball...but mommy wants to go potty. So my bright idea...I say...look little man, if you toss the ball and hit the wall, it will bounce right back to you. Well, can you guess what happened? He THREW the ball (he does have a good throw) at the wall which is in very close proximity to the toilet...where I was sitting...and BAM right in the face. Seventh battle scar, but I guess that one is my fault!

Once everyone was home and the excitement of seeing Big girl was calmed...daddy put the kids to bed so I could work. I am almost finished with my work...I just thought I would share my battle scars!

He is so stinking cute...you just can not be upset with him...take a look:

Just wanted to share

Wow...what a day. Outside in the garden, and daddy built us a compost box. I have wanted one for some time...but we have so many projects to complete. Big girl has been visiting mammaw and pappaw and we have been having fun here. I just wanted to share a few pictures of Sweet Girl and Little Man (I may need to change that to little stinker if he poops one more time today).

Anyway...we have missed Big girl, but we try to keep busy so we do not miss her so much. Sweet girl loves her new stroller (as does V if you look closely).

Fun at the zoo

A special visit!

Hello everyone...just thought I would share about our special visit we had. The girls were so excited when we told them about having a few special visitors. All the girls were in fantasy land with the dress-up clothes and they all loved swimming in the yard. here are a few photos...enjoy.

It hurts mommy!

OK...we did have a great weekend...but yesterday after church my precious little man decided to meet the pavement...OUCH! He hit pretty hard, and it was hot asphalt right after church. It swelled up really quick and he just kept saying 'it hurts mommy'. Here are a few shots of the bonk...it is hard to see, but it is a big shiner right on his little head.

My precious baby...his ouchy...hurts!

Found It!

OK...I know I haven't posted any pictures lately, although a few of you seemed to enjoy the creepy crawlies! But I have finally found my camera cord...so I thought I would put a hold on the creepy crawlies. Anyway...I am just posting some pictures for you...so I hope you enjoy!

These first few photos were from Inks Lake...camping trip in 107 degree temp.

These are from a play date at a friends house...FUN!

Just goofing around...playing hair stylist!

Update

I just wanted to update everyone about my 'fat content'...many of you know that I have been trying to lose weight and this month has been rough. We have not been working out and we have taken several trips in which I did not eat properly. So I was a bit worried when I had to weigh in today...but I have to admit I am proud of myself. The results:

My good cholesterol is up, my bad cholesterol is down! Yea...when I first started my good cholesterol was low and my bad was a bit high. So that is an improvement.

I have lost 24 pounds since Jan...and have dropped 2 full sizes! Yeah!!!

My arthritis is doing much better...I do not cringe when I put my feet on the floor first thing in the mornings from the swelling and pain. And I can bend up and down without falling or screaming. I can also sit on the floor with my kids for longer periods and when I stand up (although sometimes tight) my hips will still move and I can walk. So...those of you that know about my problems...I really am doing better...and I think it has a lot to do with my weight. OK...so my hands, shoulders, and neck are still a problem...but what can I expect with the things I do...but I am feeling better.

So here is the negative...I am not being strict enough on my diet...I am allowing myself too many treats and that is disappointing because my goal weight still seems far away. Although my doctor keeps assuring me that it is not necessarily what the scale says but more of the size of clothes, the inches, the blood work, and how I feel. Still...I am going to buckle down and get a bit more serious this month. I want to be at my goal weight for Christmas...so just say a little prayer for me and any words of encouragement would be great at this time.

I will keep you posted...H, you know my mom is going to take me shopping when I hit that goal!

I have been reading!

Ok...I know...it has been a while. But let me explain...I may have mentioned...or maybe not...that I took on a new position because I felt that I 'had the time'...HA. Anyway...I have spent every moment I could reading and researching...teaching and grading...mothering and cleaning...wife-ing and wi-fying (that may be hard for a few of you)...gardening and cooking...training and stressing. So, I really have been doing something.

I know many of you think that I have forgotten about my huge reading list...I have not...but I had to put the fun books on hold and read the even more fun invert book...yes that was 586 pages and not only did I read it...but I have studied it...so that should count for 2 books right? Anyway, I did manage to fit a few in for the kids and one for me that was rather odd. So I have updated my reading list...check it out and I could use the encouragement!

I think I mentioned that I had to purchase a new 'off-brand' computer...so I have also spent hours transferring data, learning my new operating system (yuck) and even more time in trying to figure out how to use word 07...and I tell you...I am about to chunk it out the window.

Anyway...I love my new computer and have enjoyed not having to sit directly in front of a fan hoping that my computer will not shut down on me before I finish my work. I have also spent numerous hours trying to research information for the new class I am helping develop for the university...so since I can't find my camera cord to show you the cute photos of my kiddos...I am showing you some creepy images of my new friends I am really getting to know! Enjoy...and in the mean time I am looking for the camera cord!