Yearbook pictures

Ok, so after Nancy did this I just had to check it out myself! I wasn't planning on posting these, but someone insisted. Here they are. This is about the age I started dating Rick! This picture looks eerily like my mother.... Yet another reason I am NOT a fan of short hair! See why? I had to laugh out loud at this picture. I swear they took this from my best friend in high school's year book. I am not kidding, her picture looked just like this - hairstyle, fuzzy sweater, gold chain necklace. Hysterical!

I think my child needs therapy.....

How else can you explain this self-portrait: If there were a title for this little artist's work I would name it "The Angry Child". Jason had a "homework" assignment over the weekend and this was it. He had to draw a picture of himself. Now, this simple task started a great discussion in the van on the way home on Friday. I hadn't read the instructions all the way through when he informed me he wanted to draw Superman. "Superman?" I exclaimed! "You're supposed to draw a picture of yourself". Now Jason, never being the one to back down from a good argument, rebutted with "Yes I can draw Superman. Teacher said!". Of course, after reading the entire letter from the teacher, he, in fact, could draw a picture of himself dressed up like someone. Ok, I give. So we started our little project on Saturday. Starting with the eyes. Ok. Then the nose - a bit like Frosty, but again, it's his drawing. Then came the mouth. Oh my Lord. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, there is not ONE frowny mouth, but TWO, count 'em TWO frowny mouths. He drew the first one and I said "OK, that's great" gritting my teeth....."but you look mad with that mouth, can you try to make it look like a smile?" I said in my cheeriest voice. So he quickly took his little Sharpie marker and drew the same thing right below it. I can't tell if it makes him look even more angrier or like a small child with a double chin. As he finished coloring outside the lines and scribbling all over, I bounced between holding back my right arm to keep from correcting the picture, to wondering what I had done wrong as a mother. I mean, how can a child of 4 years old draw himself this unhappy? And how in the world is a type-A mom like me going to turn this in to the teacher? I am, after all, expecting him to go to Kindergarten next year! I left the picture as it was so Daddy could see it to give me some clue as to what I've done wrong as a mother. He took the picture in hand and asked Jason why he had such a mad face in the drawing. He replied "because I don't know how to draw anything else". Well, there you have it. I'm not a failure as a mother after all, except for the fact I've never learned to teach my child to draw fuzzy, happy bunnies. So I will turn his little "self-portrait" in tomorrow - all smiles as if my child's picture does not reflect some dysfunction at home. It doesn't, (really, it doesn't) but if I were his teacher I would wonder...... One of these days I'll look back on this and laugh. Not today. Probably not tomorrow either - or the entire week or month it is posted in his room at school.

A cupcake sorta day...

Today I had a huge craving for cupcakes (no I'm not pregnant!). So I took myself to the store and bought 1 box of cake mix and 1 can of frosting (I don't think I've ever gone to the HT just for that and came out just with those 2 items). After picking up Jason from WEE School, we came home and made them. Jason exclaimed "this is the best day of my life!". Mine too! They are yummy!

First day back to WEE School

Jason went back today to WEE School for what, most likely, will be our last year there. We plan on sending him to Kindergarten next year if all goes according to plan. He complained on the way there he didn't want to go, and he had a few tears at drop off (as you can see by the hat in his face). Oh yes, he had to wear his new Oak Ridge Boys hat to school today to show it off!

But at pick up he was his happy little self and was telling me about his day all the way to Wendy's. (He got to pick where he wanted to go to lunch today). I love those moments in the car when it's just him and I and he's talking non-stop about his new friends and his old friends he saw on the playground. What a sweet boy he is - I love this age!

Of course after drop off, I got a little "me" time and met Nancy at the Flying Biscuit for brunch. What a lovely morning of no children, great conversation, wonderful company and excellent food! I'm ready for Thursday!

The boys first concert

When my husband and I were dating, there was a bit of a rivalry between us from the get go. I was a huge Alabama fan (the country group - not the football team). He, on the other hand, was a devoted fan of the Oak Ridge Boys. Rick didn't really care for Alabama - he always thought the Oak Ridge Boys got jipped at awards ceremonies by Alabama (like it was some sort of conspiracy). Anyway, I quickly became a fan of these guys as well and we have attended several of their concerts over the years. They sing beautiful harmony - especially in the gospel songs Rick and I love to listen to. We've met them a few times and they are wonderful guys. So this weekend they were playing at Myrtle Beach - the Alabama Theater no less - so Rick took David and Jason to see them. I had already committed to a wedding reception and didn't feel right backing out on my commitment, so I reluctantly stayed behind.

The boys waited for them outside their bus, and sure enough, the Oak Ridge Boys came out and signed David and Jason's books for autographs and took pictures with them. Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen and William Lee Golden all took time to talk to our boys - asking them how old they were and getting down on their level to talk face to face. They are a great group of men and I am thankful this was David and Jason's first concert to witness.

Needless to say, they have been singing, playing the drums and guitar here at the house, and even making me do an introduction for their new "band" - The Cross Band. Of course, I have to announce them just like the Oak Ridge Boys were introduced at the concert. They even are signing autographs for me. Who knows, maybe this could be a start of a budding career. At the very least, it has given them a renewed love of music. For that, I am grateful.

The boys will always remember this day, and no doubt so will Rick. How neat is it that a group he enjoyed so much as a kid, he now gets to share with his boys!

And how sweet that he remembered his wife on the trip.

Look what I got when he came home:

an Alabama greatest hits 2 cd set and book by them. HUGE deal for my husband to spend this much money on Alabama merchandise. He must really love me!

Murphy's Laws for Children

(I saw these on line and had to share)

Murphy’s Laws for Children:

• When you need to carry a child they will want to walk.
• When you want them to walk they will want to be carried.
• When you bring the stroller they will want to walk.
• When you forget the stroller they will want to ride.
• The more potential a food has for stains the greater the coverage area when it is hurled by a child.
• A child's favorite one day is never a favorite the next day (especially food). The intensity of the tantrum is directly proportional to the amount of people around to witness.
• If it's mine it's mine, if it's yours it's mine, if I like it is mine, if I can take it from you it is mine, if I am playing with something ALL of the pieces are mine, if I think it is mine it is, if I saw it first it's mine, if I had it then put it down it is still mine, if you had it then you put it down it is now mine, if it looks like the one I have at home it is mine, if it is broken it is yours.
• If I make a mess you must clean it up
• If I broke it, its your fault
• Soccer, Dance, Basketball, Softball, Piano, Girl(Boy)Scouts (etc.) is always on the same day with less then 5 minutes between.
• The more preparation time for the meal the less likely a child is to eat it.
• As soon as the child is in the car and the car has left the driveway the child will have to use the bathroom.
• The clothes/shoes you bought last week will not fit this week or will not be "cool" enough for this week.
• The greater the importance of the phone call the louder the tantrum the child will have.

and for my friends Nancy and Christy......as soon as your children get settled in to school, they will get sick and have to stay home.

The best granola snacks!

In my feeble attempt to get my boys to eat healthier, I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com for granola snacks. They are great and easy to make! Ingredients: 2-1/2 cups crispy rice cereal 2 cups quick cooking oats 1/2 cup raisins (my kids won't eat them, so I substituted mini chocolate chips!) 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup light corn syrup 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions: 1. In a large bowl, stir together the rice cereal, oats and chocolate chips. Set aside. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. 2. Combine the brown sugar and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat just until boiling then remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Pour over the cereal and oat mixture and mix well. 3. Press into the prepared pan using a spatula. Allow to cool, then cut into squares. Yummy! This is my boys attempt at being funny. Trust me, they DO like them!