Pop Quiz

While working on learning our verses for Awana Sparks for tomorrow night, I asked The Boy if he could name 3 other names for the Word of God

Um no but I can name 3 ships Christopher Columbus sailed on - The Nina, the Pinta and the Santa-Aria.

Pumpkiny

We bought a small pumpkin - oh we are we kidding it is probably just some large squash or something - at the grocery store today. The Boy has been jonesin for a pumpkin as we are one of the only people in the cul de sac without some jack-o-lan-tern-festive-ness on our doorstep. Our initial plan was to break out the beloved paint but when Daddy came in early from the woods we were able to carve an honest-to-goodness Jack'o'lantern!

The finished product was Pumpkiny - she's a girl, if you couldn't tell by her lipstick. The Boy can't wait to put a candle inside and see her in the dark outside.

Saturday Arts & Crafts

I had to make a late-afternoon Michaels run so I could finish up my craft for Sunday morning & The Boy? Well he haaaaates craft stores Mommy until he remember that Michaels had the cool wooden stuffs and I can paint! He was in luck - Tempra Paint was on sale. So Saturday night we partied it up Big & painted after dinner. The artist made a huge mess, had paint all over the floor, his hands & his pants - but had a most fabulous time so very well worth it.

He's already talking about painting ornaments at Christmas so it's sure to be a fun time in November after Halloween when we put up the tree. But we shant get ahead of ourselves. For now, we'll just enjoy painting fun little wooden things from Michaels. Because crafts aren't all bad.

Adios Karate. Adios.

Today was our last day of Karate. We went out with a bang, getting a time-out for horsing around and not paying attention. That's okay - no one noticed since all the other parents were watching a Balloon to see if there was a kid inside! Thankfully we ended our Very Last Day with the 2nd best thing to the trampoline - nunchuks! If you're looking for a place to give karate a try, we have a recommendation for you. We enjoyed our time there but are just thinking Now Isn't The Time for Us. The Boy wants to give soccer a shot in the spring so that's what we're aiming for now. But, hey, he made Karate Look Good, no?

Worth Noting.

Wednesday's Going to School Attire:

The Boy insisted he needed goggles for school - deemed them Driving Goggles and wore them that morning. At least they matched his shirt, right?

And Wednesday's After Sparks Attire:

We Got Our Vest! Looking forward to filling it with jewels and badges in the weeks and months to come.

OT: How We Roll

Since The Boy's Occupational Therapist had to miss his appointment last Wednesday due to Early Release day, she blessed us with a Fat Ton of homework to work on for the week. Okay not really a Fat Ton but Man That Was A Lot of Letter Writing per all the complaints fielded from the one writing.

This is how we roll with our OT - it's helping us with our grasp and our fine motor skills but not doing much for the whole One Of These Kids Is Not Like The Other bit what with all the get-up

In case you are an inquiring mind, here is how it breaks down:Thankfully we finished it up tonight and can turn it in tomorrow, just in time for Ms. Sam The OT to visit at 2:30 in the afternoon!

IHeartFaces ~ Excited!

So very excited about this week over at IHeartFaces where everyone is showing off exciting photos with excitement in the faces! The Boy was quite excited himself to get to feed the ducks (er, geese) this weekend at the local park. It's quite the juggle, breaking bread, keeping an eye on overly-aggressive ducks & trying to capture those little moments of Duck-Feeding. I was thrilled excited to find this photo when looking through the camera after we got back home!

Make sure to check out all the other exciting entries over at IHeartFaces this week!

Well Hey Y'all

Yes, yes. I know it's been a long time since I've updated. Sure, sure - as much dust here as there is on the fans throughout my house. I get it. But in my defense, we've been B.U.S.Y. Between homework, karate, sinus infections, typing reports, cutting grass, hunting, scratching fleas and getting in the trash? The members of this house have barely had time to say Cheese for the camera. Shocking, I know. I mean, I haven't even shared We Have Our First Loose Tooth

Barf, gag, barf, gag - loose teeth make me want to hurl. But we're excited about it nonetheless.

Saturday we made time for saying cheese after finding an entire pack of hot dog buns in the bottom of a crate. Said buns were flattened and had just passed the Sell By date - perfect for feeding the ducks at the park ~ ahem, the word ducks used Very Loosely as I believe there were more geese than ducks but I digress . . .

The Boy was Beyond Excited for this adventure, but I'm unsure if it was just because he got to throw bread at ducks or because he was feeding the ducks. Shoot, I'm still not sure

We had a good time, once we found some calmer "ducks" - the first batch were, shall we say, aggressive and chased after us. Demanding little boogers wanted all our bread and we had to take off for the hills! But this little gathering was much more appreciative and we gave them all we had. The Boy was a great shotLet's zoom in on that one - See?
Looser goose missed it though and the one hiding behind him said SCORE! Shortly after we ran out of bread, a sob-fest was had because we had because (1)feeding the dogs was over and (2)I said No Playing On The Playground In Flops. All that drama aside, fun time on a Saturday afternoon. We might try it again sometime soon - but The Boy says Next time we are wearing tennis shoes cause I really need to try that playground

Fun with Cousins

The Boy was psyched to get to hang with his "cousins" this weekend. After his insistence he hadn't played at their house in "thirty years" and counting down the minutes until time to go, he was THRILLED to play outside and inside and have pizza and a pretend birthday party and camp out and all the other fun stuff with Cason & Kayla! A few tears on the way home, as he feels it will be "another thirty years" before we play together again. Such a drama queen sometimes, no? Regardless we had many laughs, enjoyed some good company and hope to do it again soon!

Brought to you by our local artist.

Tonight was the opening of a special exhibit at the local museum featuring artwork by local students. It's an "Exceptional Student" gallery and The Boy has a painting proudly displayed. We headed by tonight to sneak a peek and snap a few photos along with BigMama & Papa. The Boy's Race Car will be featured for the next 30 days - stop by and check out all the fabulous artwork if you get a chance!

IHeartFaces ~ Blue

I spy with my little eye something BLUE over at IHeartFaces this week! Lots of fabulous photos all around the color BLUE!

For us? Boy In Blue Jeans Wearing Blue Vest Sitting On Brick Road Appears Blue and Bored Over Bazillion Photos By MomBut Man Does He Not Rock The Hat, right?

Go Spy even more Blue Awesomeness at IHeartFaces!

First Field Trip? Two Thumbs Up!

Today was The Boy's first field trip of Kindergarten. The class loaded up and headed to the Planetarium. I'm unsure just what went on at the Planetarium, as all I've learned is there was a movie about your backyard and it was really very dark.

For, you see, the main thrill for this field trip? What brought a smile to the face of The Boy? What had him up bright and early raring to go?The Boy Got To Ride On A School Bus. And he was going to be the quietest. And I didn't let Mario get me in trouble. Plus it was my favoritest part

Field Trips Rock - he already wants to know if he'll ever get to ride another bus for another field trip! Sounds like a plan to me . . .

Mad props to BigMama for snapping photos at the field trip!

IHeartFaces ~ Completely Candid!

What a fun week over at IHeartFaces where the theme is Completely Candid! And boy was it hard to narrow down what to enter for the theme. Seeing as I'm rarely without the camera during those Little Life moments I have a bazillion trillion candid photos (side story: my son once asked my mom do you want to get your camera as he rode the carousel outside of the grocery store - see? rarely without the camera). I let David help me pick which one to post this week and we decided this photo snapped earlier this summer in the backyard was So Very The Boy having a blast in the backyard playing in the sprinkler

You may notice the Boots With Bathing Suit - that's just How We Roll.

Make sure to head over to IHeartFaces to check out all the other fabulous entries for the week!

Rocket Ships to Jesus

The Boy amazes me more times than I can tell you. The thoughts he has - the things that he says - I am shocked that someone just barely 5 can think so deeply.

Jesus is the Son of God. And we need to tell people. So why do we only talk about it on Sunday & Wednesday at church?

Sure, he is still 5 and does think like a 5 year old boy a good bit of the time.

Me: Let's work on your Bubblegum Words. Can you tell me what this one says?
The Boy: But. hee hee hee It says but. Ha ha ha. But. You know, like that word I can't say?

Wednesday night after church we caught every single red light on the ride home. This means Prime Thinking and Talking time for The Boy.

Him: Mommy? I keep praying and praying for a brother and Jesus keeps saying no. And Daddy said it was because your body is broken. Why did your body break?

Me: (pause thinking do we really have to have this conversation now?) Well I got sick when I was at the hospital when you were born.

Him: But HOW did you get sick?

Me: I got an infection. (As soon as I said it I knew the next question)

Him: What's an Infection?

Me: When you get a germ and it makes you really really sick. I almost died and went to heaven but then I got better.

Him: But if you died then I wouldn't have a mommy. And that would be sad.

Me: But I didn't die and you do have a mommy. But my body is broken and you can't have a brother.

Him: But HOW do you know it is broken?

Me: Because the doctor told.

Him: But HOW did he sound when he said it.

Me: (wondering why this conversation tonight) He just sounded like a doctor son. He just said "I'm sorry but there isn't anything we can do you're broken"

Him: But I really just wanted a baby.

And then he starts to cry. And, well, my heart breaks. But he quickly stops.

Him: Mommy is heaven just beyond the clouds?

Me: What?

Him: Is heaven higher then the clouds and right before the outer space?

Me: Heaven is where Jesus is baby. I don't exactly know Where it is and you can't See it until your battery dies and you go live with Jesus.

Him: I think it is higher than the clouds and right before the outer space and the meteors. And you know what mommy? I am going to get me a rocket ship and I am going to fly up to heaven and you know what I am going to do? I am going to find Jesus. And I am going to talk to him. And I am going to ask Him where my baby brother is.

Me: Are you now. Well baby God knows what is best for you and it isn't always what you think is the best for you. Just because you want something doesn't mean it is the best thing.

Him: Mommy is that my verse for next week?

Me: Um No.

Him: Then can you tell me that one more time please?

Me: Just because you want something doesn't mean it is the best thing. God knows what is best. And right now he thinks it is best for it to be is a Mommy, a Daddy and you.

Him: Yeah. But I still want that crazy baby.

And what I wish I could do a million times over is grant that one wish the little boy who wants to get on his rocket ship to fly to Jesus wants.

But, you see, these? These are the conversations I am having with my 5 year old.

And I can't help but think to myself that someday?

Someday this little boy is going to do great things.

IHeartFaces ~ Contemplative

Fun week over at IHeartFaces this week, where they are All About Contemplative Faces. The guidelines? IHeartFaces dictionary defined contemplative as thoughtful observation; full or deep consideration; dreamily or wistfully thoughtful: a pensive mood; expressing or revealing thoughtfulness; quiet modes of apparent or real thought; can be marked by some sadness, but doesn't have to be.

I give you The Boy Goes Contemplative.

What I wanted? The Boy sitting on the brick road. Instead? He's 5 and has flung himself down on the brick road flinging off his shoes, resulting in a quiet mode brought on by one's mother stating Son Just Five More Pictures And We'll Go Get Some Dinner At Burger King. He's in deep consideration over the fact that we've taken several pictures and I did not allow him to get Inside the Fountain to get wet. The deep consideration is whether he should really go with the Burger King or maybe instead choose McDonald's.

Okay maybe not. Let's just call it - I lucked out on the header photo and this photo. He's a character and those photos are why we start in September for a Christmas card photo (wink).

There's also a special Pets category this week - couldn't pass up the opportunity to share a Mildred Louise photo, now could I? She was being Killer Attack Dog barking back at the neighbor's dog. All Bark, mind you, as if you came within 2 feet of her, she'd wet the floor before rolling over for you to rub her tummy.

Make sure to head over to IHeartFaces and check out all the other fabulous entries this week!

Just Chillin Out Maxin Relaxin All Cool

So much to catch up on & I know better than to leave it hanging on a weekend - especially with this being Grandparents' Day of all days - and speaking of WHO KNEW?! apparently everyone but me so before we even get started we need to give a huge shout-out to the Grandparents who Rock Our Socks Off. Happy Grandparents Day!

Since our last posting we've become a Spark for Jesus, gotten our White Belt in Karate, found ourselves immunized and caught up on shots for the next 6 years, had a spend-the-night-party at BigMama & Papa's where Prizes were given for getting shots AND hung out with the neighbors. And that was just The Boy. David had opening weekend of archery season but didn't see any deer & I had a migraine so we weren't nearly as stellar in the fun department.

But enough of all that jazz. Let's get to the important stuff - the photos!

These are the feet that kick Kee-yah and concentrate enough to get a white belt in karate

And this is the look of the screaming boy at Rivertown after getting shots. Why yes I was the one you allowed to step in front of you in line as I carried my 53-pound sunglass-donned sobbing hysterical son out so as not to scare your calm, cool and collected little girl for life. And dear Rivertown employee DOES HE LOOK LIKE HE WANTS A SUCKER? Ahem.

Here is the face of excitement over going to BigMama & Papa's and getting a prize for shots - the same face of excitement that woke just before 7 a.m. on Saturday full of excitement because of this prize

Now looking below you might notice the look that results from spending the day taking too many photos of your son

And here? I think he loves his new games from BigMama & Papa a whole lot, don't you? Sound asleep in bed right now clutching the Leapster with Up playing.

All I've got for tonight. I've got a full office day tomorrow & my guys have full days at school. Mildred has a full day in the crate til we get home. Toss up to who has the worst day ahead (wink). G'night!

Karate. Keeeee-Yah. Sir.

Today The Boy started Karate. Thursday they may ask him not to come back.

You see, his listening skills during his private lesson today? Less than stellar. I'd even venture so far as to say They Royally SUCKED. Wait, no. I'd go even further and state that they were Nonexistent.

He acted like a 2 year old on Red Koolaid, cupcake icing and chocolate M&M Crack.

But he rocked out the outfit, right? We make Karate look Goooood.

Boundless energy, inability to focus long enough to get a direction - to the point of once? He was being told where to put his hands and mid-putting-his-hands our son goes Oh Look There's An Airplane Out the Window.

Head.Banging.Against.Wall.From.Parents.

We managed to gather our wits and get it together enough to practice kicks. Barely. Took a little bit more redirection even with the kicks

Today we learned about saying SIR. And that if we don't follow directions and pay attention? Mommy & Daddy will make us say I'm Sorry to Mr. Berryhill. And that until we get our White Belt we can't go out in the Big Room with the Other Kids. Thursday's the Big Day for White Belt - here's to hoping The Boy gets it together between now & then.

I will say fatigue/exhaustion may be a contributing factor & we best get a good night's sleep the next night before. This was The State of The Boy at 7:45 this evening

Side note unrelated to Karate: The Boy rocked the house on his Progress Report from school. Kindergarten Rocks!

Labor Day Family Fun

Great day with my guys (and the dog!) driving all over taking photos. Managed to get a few good ones and Millie had herself a grand time playing in the water over at Flat Rock Park! We hit all my favorite photo-snapping spots & even tried out a new one (enh, kind of a bust but did get a few good ones). And we also backed in to a Non-Moving Tree that was camoflauged by all the other Non-Moving Trees we were running over. Ahem. Please note the truck was not damaged as we hit said tree with the trailer hitch. Also note if you are going 10 mph and you hit a tree with your hitch? Your truck will STOP. Ahem. Grilled out for dinner some most fabulous ribs. And are about to call it a night since we all have extra-early days tomorrow. Can we have Labor Day every Monday, please? Thanks.