A great "boy" gift put to use

Andrew received a Backyard Safari Habitat for his birthday (Thanks, MeMe & Pop!) and he has been anxious to put it to use. I promise he was elated to get this gift even though the picture looks otherwise.


While playing in the sprinkler a few afternoons ago, Andrew caught his first occupant on our back porch. We only kept this lizard for one night before releasing him back "into the wild". I'm thankful Andrew isn't intent on keeping all his creature finds f-o-r-e-v-e-r.





Now, mark lizard off the list. Next up: frog. I love being a mom to boys.

Microwavable bread recipe

Thanks to THE KITCHN', I think I'm gonna try making some bread....but this time I'm gonna do it in my microwave. Crazy huh? We'll see!

Free Reynolds aluminum foil w/ rebate

Wanna a free roll of Reynolds Aluminum foil? You can only print this rebate form today (one time printable) but it's good until May 4, 2009.

I'm a mom who uses foil like crazy....meats, leftovers, casserole cover, etc.....this is a rebate I'm gonna appreciate!

The Door to Hell

Someone found the door to hell. Check it out.

Andrew's cake

We celebrated Andrew's actual birthday over the spring break holidays with my family that lives 2.5 hours away...but, we still wanted to celebrate with his local friends and family. This past Saturday afternoon we did just that. Our plans included meeting our friends at the fire station for a tour but it just so happened that an emergency call came in minutes before our tour was to begin. So, the tour didn't happen (we'll reschedule a smaller trip where he'll take two friends) but Andrew seemed OK with it. We then took our friends to our church where we ate cake and ice cream, played on the playground, and opened gifts. It was a wonderful time with friends and family!

Thanks to Andrew's preschool teacher, Mrs. B, for making the special "fire & emergency" cake!

RedBox Code today only

Today's RedBox code, good til midnight:

M6FR97

Come to Jesus

Although Joshua listed 22 essential words that make up cheesy christian songs, I don't think that one of my favorites (songs) would fall into that category.

click DELETE

I REALLY need to clean out my email Inbox. It's way too full. The earliest email saved is dated 2/13/04.

Would you rather....?????

...have five bottles stuck on all of the fingers on one hand for a year?

OR

...have a bucket stuck on your foot for a year?

Boots

Hand-me-downs are the best! Abigail loves her "new" boots. Thanks, Kerin!

Free cone @ Ben & Jerry's on Tuesday, 4/21

Go get you a free cone at Ben & Jerry's this Tuesday! Want proof?

Choo-Choo!

One day this past week, my husband took our oldest to the doctor to get his five year old shots. During this time, our youngest was taking her afternoon two hour nap. I was looking forward to this time because it meant that I would get some good solid time with our middle child who is no longer taking regular naps. I asked him what he wanted to do and he grabbed my hand and led me to his room. There, we sat on the floor for almost two hours constructing a train track, setting up a surrounding town, blowing the choo-choo whistle, and watching Percy pull the cars.

Luke-Duke, I sure do love spending time with you, my sweet little man.

You might be a Canadian if....

Does this apply to you or to someone you know?

Is it just me?

To my fellow Yahoo Mail users....is it just me or is anyone else getting IM invites from random, strange, raunchy people?

Cake Wrecks

Since we're on the topic of high-fat foods, you should take the time to visit one of my favorite blogs. Be prepared to laugh your booty off. I say, "scroll til your finger hurts and then keep going!" The archives are THE BEST!

Flubber blubber

Talk about being blunt.

Just like dad

The boys wanna be just like their dad. If Daddy is playing it, they want to do the same (no matter what the sport!).

Springtime = mudtime

It's springtime and that means it's time to play in the mud!

Uncle Tyler

Abigail sat in her uncle's nap for a little while this past weekend when we were over to his house for dinner with the extended family. I thought it was precious how she just talked and talked to him. I guess he's used to it since he's the father of only daughters.

My girl

I can't believe she's almost two years old! I enjoy her more and more everyday.

Who am I that God has chosen to bless me so?

Documenting the return of soldiers

I'm sad, grateful, and proud.

The Big Picture documents the return of US war dead.

Wordless Wednesday

Mark Driscoll to men: How Dare You?!?!?!

Trust me....there's no reason why I'm posting this video other than that I like what he says. The sermon makes me thankful for my spouse. Mitch is the best husband in the world and I couldn't be happier in my marriage.

I love you, Babe....thank you for showing Christ to me.

My mom : Abigail's Gami

While at my mother's house over spring break, she and my daughter had some good bonding time. Much of it was due to the fact that they spent an entire day together, just the two of them since Abigail wasn't feeling well and my sister and I were off with the older kids celebrating two birthdays. This picture was taken about 30 minutes before we parted ways....Abigail looked everywhere for Gami once we arrived home, walking around the house with her hands up, asking, "Gami? Gami?".

Would you rather....?????

(a) have one long, thick furry eyebrow across your entire forehead?

OR

(b) a huge amount of ear and nose hair that cannot be trimmed?

Kid's meal toys

Ok, I admit it....I am a sucker for buying my children those expensive kid's meals at any fast food establishment. They make my children happy (har-har) and it makes ordering easier (call me lazy). SO....of course this has made me an EXPERT (insert laugh here) on evaluating those ever so valuable toys that come along with the nutritious bagged/boxed meal.

By far, Chick-Fil-A has the best "toy" since almost EVERY toy item is educational (ok, sometimes even a bit boring...I mean, what kid really wants a set of "THE U.S. 50 STATES AND FACTS"?). I love the book serious that CFA often includes in their toy line-up, too. The puzzle series kept my boys busy for hours as they mixed up the pieces to make weird pictures. If I were an award giver, I'd recognize CFA for coming up with those foreign language CDs last year. I played mine while washing dishes late at night and found myself speaking Japanese to an empty room. The CFA meal deal is even sweeter in that you can trade in your unopened toy for an ice cream cone! Oh, Mama loves this!

And...yes, I MUST mention the toys from McDonald's and Burger King. How would the world stay informed of the upcoming movie releases if it weren't for Mickey D's and BK? Promotion is the ticket at these dining establishments. I'm not a fan of these toys because they have JUNKED UP OUR TOY ROOM and MY VAN!!!!!! I try to secretly dispose of these toys when all three of my children aren't looking, but I've made the mistake of not burying these delightful treasures deep enough in the trash can and have found myself CAUGHT, trying to explain how the toy got there.

Arby's is a hit or miss type of toy distributor. Sometimes they make lousy excuses for a sport toy (frisbee, plastic basketball hoop, etc) but they have also surprised me with games that engage the mind and encourage interaction. Not to mention that the curly fries are A-W-E-S-O-M-E! Andrew got one of these games as his toy a few days ago and I will probably post some of those qusetions on my blog to see what random comments and responses it creates.

Well, this was not meant to be a post about kid's meal toys but it seems to have turned into just that. I like to make lists in rank order.

RedBox Code today only

Today's RedBox code, good 'til midnight.

J89LA2

Paw-Paw's grave

My father passed away nine years ago, so my children will never get the joy of knowing him. I have told them many stories of their "Paw-Paw" but the kids are most fascinated with his actual grave. I know....that sounds morbid. It's not actually the grave itself that they are interested in but rather the difference between Paw-Paw's body and soul. They understand that it's only Paw-Paw's body in the grave and that his soul is in heaven with Jesus. Andrew smiles when he says, "I'll get to meet Paw-Paw in heaven one day, won't I, Mama?".

My five year old "gets it" and has been begging me to take him to see Paw-Paw's grave on our next visit to my hometown. Spring break brought that visit so we made it a priority to stop at the cemetery and let the boys see my father's grave and begin asking their questions.

In this picture, my sister shows the boys my daddy's grave marker for the first time. Then, the questions began and honest answers were given. I would have loved for them to have met my dad but they will surely know of him through stories and pictures....this one included.

Easter 2009

Even though I had nursery duty on Easter Sunday, it was good to be in church, celebrating the resurrection of our Savior. I see God best when I look at my sweet family. He has truly been gracious and good to me.

Granny's goats

My children enjoy visiting their great-grandmother (my dad's mother). They have already made so many fun memories of their time at her house:

1. egg hunts anytime of the year
2. climbing on the grapevine posts
3. playing hide-n-seek in the woods
4. racing up the staircase
5. swinging on the back porch swing
6. eating at the Kid's Table
7. getting kisses from Granny
8. picking weeds
9. hiding behind the large trees
10. and most of all....feeding the goats

(click on the collage for a larger view)

Happy 5th birthday, Andrew!

Andrew's birthday usually falls during spring break. This year, we were visiting my mother and sister on his actual birthday. The cool thing about that is that Andrew's first cousin, Emily (my sister's youngest daughter), shares the same birthday....just four years apart. Spending their birthday together was special so we celebrated all day long.

First, we went to the local library for story and craft time. After eating a light lunch, we traveled 30 miles south to Tallahassee to enjoy three hours at Zoinks (think Monkey Joe's). There, they jumped on all the inflatables, played air hockey, and threw some skee ball. After a VERY short rest, we ate dinner, cake, and ice cream and then opened gifts.

The only downside to the day was that Dad wasn't able to join us and Abigail wasn't feeling well. She and Gami stayed home while we played, but we sure did miss them all!

Happy 5th birthday, Andrew!

(click on the collage for a larger view)

Friends for a long time

I've been friends with Summer and Ashley for a loooooooooooooooooong time....since childhood. I'm so glad we've kept in touch and are so comfortable together. Even our children act like they've known each other forever!

I had a great time chatting with you two this past week. Let's do it again!

Wordless Wednesday

RedBox Code today only

RedBox Code good today thru midnight:

TS473G

MUSIC: Love it, hate it....don't care.

Do you love that song but your friend hates it? Does that song make you change the track or hit replay? Think again.

An excellent article by Bob Kauflin with reasons why musical forbearance might be good for our souls.

Perry Noble makes a good point, too. I just don't have the guts that he does so I'll just post the video for you.




HT: Abraham Piper

Sidewalk chalk tracings

Sidewalk chalk is always a hit at our house. We go through a pack in one play session. The kids love it when I trace their bodies and then they can color in their clothing and facial features.




I think it's funny that Abigail ACTUALLY laid still long enough for me to capture her entire body tracing.


It's rained for what seems like two solid weeks here. We've had probably two days of sunshine peek through the wetness. This weekend has been beautiful but I think more rain is coming, making it truly a spring break.

Just one more

You can tell the kids are pooped. They just finished hunting Easter eggs in the hot sun and the last thing they wanted to do was pose for a family photo. The day was full of great memory making and I'm so glad I got to snap a few shots of my friend and her family.

The REAL McLeod

I think they photographed with perfection. And Chad even managed to wear his favorite hat (what were you thinking in the photo below, C-Dog?).

Messin' with McLeod

Happy Opening Day, Chad!

My first family photo session

A spring time picture of my sweet friends. I enjoyed photographing them and they made my job easy! More to come later.

Field Day

Field Day at WCS. Andrew enjoyed the tug-of-war most of all, even though his team lost in the second round.

Joann's coupon

Here's a coupon for 20% off your entire purchase as Joann's Fabric Store. Don't forget that they have a craft and scrapbook section!

This coupon expires tomorrow, April 5th.

Colonel Sanders FOUND

Colonel Sanders has been found....and in Japan of all places!

Thanks to my friend, Amanda, for this laugh!

Office Depot

Here's a coupon for $10 off your purchase of $50 or more at Office Depot.

FYI, Staples accepts competitor coupons so you could use this one there, too.

Lizards on the prowl

Andrew will hunt a lizard until he's torn the whole yard up. He spotted a lizard in our neighbor's brick pile and got busy hunting. Luke and Abigail got in on the action, too!

Thanks, Sassy!

My kids call my sister "Aunt Sassy". Her real name is Angela but I had a hard time with all those syllables as a child, so I tagged her as Sassy. My kids like that name better, too (it's much easier for them to say than Aunt Angela). She sent a few crafts our way to save up for a rainy day. Today was that day! The kids hated being cooped up in the house and, since I'm battling sickness, this puppet craft was the perfect thing to occupy a good chunk of time Tuesday afternoon.

Andrew chose the Dalmatian and Luke chose the monkey. Abigail would have done a frog puppet but she wasn't very interested. I'm saving it for later, Sassy!

Would you?

To my reformed friends:

Just curious....would you add/request them as a friend on Facebook?

John Piper
Sean Lucas
Justin Taylor
Abraham Piper
Bryan Chapell
Tim Keller

Can you name a few more?

Bring rain, not snow!

Abraham, over at 22 Words, captured his son's plea . It's so cute! He wants rain, not snow!