Happy Birthday Slick

Happy Birthday Slick!

We celebrated Slick's birthday today. Carson got all into it. Last night I told him that we had to go to bed because tomorrow we would celebrate Slick's birthday. He got all excited. Carson told me that Slick wanted to have "Monster Truck Birthday." I told him "great!" He went into his room and found his Batmobile monster truck and told me that is what he wanted to give Slick for his birthday. So this morning we wrapped it all up...he was so very proud. We all had a great time!

Slick is very important to me and has become very special to me since Brad and I have been married. I am very close to this guy...I do believe I have the best father-in-law (and mother-in-law for that matter) of anyone I know. He is such support...more than I could dream of! He is so caring and wants to be involved in all of the things we do expecially my kids and that is so important to me. He gives us his time! One of our favorite things to all do together is ride the trails on our golfcarts. My kids eyes light up everytime we mention this man's name and especially when they see him coming down our driveway on his red 4-wheeler. When my kids do to any doctor of any kind (or me if I'm pregnant at an OB appt)...Brad is always my first phone call (if he is not with me) and Slick is always 2nd! I can't say enough good things about Slick! I appreciate all that he does for ME and my 4 boys...more than he'll ever know.

Ouch!

This is how one of my closest friends spent her 6 year anniversary with her hubby. OUCH! When I found out what they were going to do to celebrate 6 years last night I told her to take lots of pictures because I guess I have secretly always wanted a tattoo but wouldn't know where to put it or even what to get. So I was living vicariously thru her last night...

Happy 6th Anniversary!

Wild Toby Hair

I couldn't resist sharing this photo with all of you! This morning (the official start of summer vacation--woohoo) Toby was eating a waffle with peanut butter and syrup...it is yummy! I have to give credit to my friend Sharon for this...she told me of this breakfast trick when Carson was very young and now all 4 of my boys eat it several times per week. It keeps them full so much longer with the peanut butter on it! Anyways...back to my story...Toby was feeling quite independent this morning so I would put the bite of waffle on his fork and hand it to him. He would eat it then play with the fork and rub it all thru his hair...I know...YUCK. He was enjoying himself...so I said what the heck! Afterwards I got a warm cloth and was washing off his face and hands then did a good rubbing all over his hair attempting to get most of it out...well this was the end result...WILD TOBY HAIR!

My big fat girls

Yep...these are my big fat girls (buff orphington are the yellow and barred rock are the black and white). I also have 2 roosters that you can probably spot too. We have others...but these are MY big fat girls! They are such a funny sight when I call them and they all start running as fast as their little legs will carry their large (10lb) bodies. Well, I hope you got to enjoy a little of what I get to enjoy on a daily basis.

We love monster trucks

We are a bit obsessed with monster trucks at the Smith household! This monster truck belongs to a student at our high school. We see him driving all over town and my boys spot him quick and yell "hey mama, there's the monster truck...look!" Well Carson was wanting to go home with Slick today so I was going to stop by his office and when I did...there sat the monster truck. The guy was getting in and I hollered out to him "hey...I have a crazy question." He loved that Carson was so interested in his ride and opened it all up so he could see inside. Then I asked Carson if he wanted a picture with the truck and he just grinned from ear to ear! He was so pumped that he got to really see the truck.

Oh and on a side note...today was his teacher's birthday (Ms. Julie). Ms. Amanda (asst. teacher) is crazy and full of great ideas. She had these shirts made for all of the boys in the class to wear all day long so that they could advertise that it was Ms. Julie's birthday. The boys loved being a part of his birthday celebration.

first word & "now I understand"

First off...Toby said his first word other than "mama" or "dada". It was "MILK". The other night at 2am I had Toby on my hip and I was fixing him another milk bottle...I was saying "milk, milk, milk." Then Toby just said it...too sweet. You go Toby-man!



Ok back to Carson's artwork about the "broken house that don't have a roof on it." I was driving to pick up Carson and his buddies at school and talking to my dear friend Joan. She commented on Carson's artwork and said she had been thinking about it and knew exactly why he drew it and what it all meant. She said it was because of all the recent tornadoes in our area, the family who we helped who's roof was blown off their house, and that we recently got a tornado shelter. I picked up Carson and asked him to explain to me why he drew that picture of the "broken house." Well...Joan was right...exactly right! He said "Mama, that is what would happen to our house if a tornado hit it!" Wow! The things he comprehends and keeps with him are amazing to me.

Oh and I have to include this funny about Gage just because I have blogged about my other little chickens! Last night Brad and I were putting the boys to bed. Gage was sitting in my lap and I said "let's talk to Jesus." He said "thank you God for Mama, Daddy, Bubba (Carson), Boby (Toby), Nana, Pilchard (our little grey cat) and all of our other Pilchards (yep he was referring to our other 3 cats)...he is a mess...but I am thankful he loves to talk to his Jesus and I know Jesus knew exactly what he meant by the other Pilchards!

No Cavities...

The older 2 boys went to the dentist today...an awesome Christian man who my sister use to work for during her college years. Carson has been several times and did good today. But today was Gage's first trip to the dentist. He would ask me if it was going to hurt then answer his own question by saying "noooooo" then he would say "mama it is going to tickle right?" and I would say "yep Gage it's gonna tickle." He did really good for his first time. Oh and Brad and I got an A+ report because both boys got a great report with no cavities! Yea...all that hard work wrestling them 2x a day is paying off. We go back in 6 months and Toby is going to join the crew for a teeth cleaning...oh what fun.

Carson's artwork

Most days Carson's draws at school after he is doing with his classwork. It gets sent home in his backpack each day. I always ask him about his picture because there are usually great stories that go with each picture. Today I uppacked the backpack...I said "Carson tell me about this picture." He said "it's a broken house that don't have a roof on it and that is myself in the picture too." All I can say is I wonder what in the world was going thru his little mind as he was drawing! You go Carson!

Free Sonic Breakfast!

Ok...I love Sonic! Especially either a large Sonic Diet Coke or Sprite Zero with yummy Sonic ice of course. This morning I got an email from a blogger/IRL (in real life) friend Kristi...free Sonic breakfast! FREE! So I decided to try it out and yep it works. I have already printed out my coupon and am ready to head that way. Get you one too! Do you love Sonic? What your favorite item on the menu...post a comment and tell me!

You have to go to the web site and enter your email address. They will send you a link to print your coupon. Only one coupon per email address…

Sonic not to be out done by KFC........ and remember Sonic is a Oklahoma based firm.
http://www.sonicdrivein.com/croissonic

Field Day Fun

Carson had Field Day at school on Friday. I took off work to go help out...man was it fun...but I was worn out at the end of the day! They start off Field Day with a big pep rally in the gym. All the classes were each a team and they all had a special cheer and costumes to go with their cheer. Carson's class was the Mighty Vikings...We are the Vikings, the Mighty Mighty Vikings, when we come to town, we'll take you down...aauuugggghhhhhh! (Carson is the one on the far right with the red shorts on)

Carson and Nick doing the human wheel barrell races...

Carson and McLain competing in the hula hoop roll.

Egg races...Carson did not drop it but I don't know how he did because he kept looking at the boy he was competing against.

Christy, Hunter, me, and Carson

Hunter's class was the crocodiles.

Carson did the chicken fling the farthest from his class and the class we were competing against...so that means our class won. Go Carson!!! Jonathan, Cameron, Carson, Nick, Damarious, and John Carl - a class of ALL boys!

Splish Splash

We got our first slip'n'slide today and oh boy was it a big hit!

Mission Friends

Well our cute little mission friends perfomed last night! They did a great job! I'm sad it is over until September. But it will be fun and exciting to start back teaching in the fall...rested and ready! It was amazing to see all that they did learn and soak in during the year.

2 and 3 year olds: Ayden, Avery, Bella, Cooper, Gage, Jeremiah, Worth, and Emma

They sang the song "I'm a little mission friend" to the tune of "I'm a little teapot".

4 and 5 year olds: front Mia, Tori, Mylie, Alex, Cameron back Seth, Carson, Sherrod, Lauren, Maggy, and Hayden

They sang the song "Jesus taught us how to pray" to the tune of "Jesus loves me".

'Tis the season...

Thanks to my mom I feel the need to decorate for every season (Christmas, Valentines, Mardi Gras, Easter, etc). I have never really "decorated" for Mother's Day. I got 2 very special gifts this year from my oldest boys that I will cherish forever. I wanted to do something special with them. So I have displayed them on the piano (where I decorate for every other season) for right now. I will send pictures for the other seasons when I decorate for them. After the season is over I will just pack them away in a small box (usually a diaper box since I have so many of them) and put them in the closet and pull out the next seasonal box. I just thought I would share this because we can get overwhelmed with "things" made for us by our children and this is the way that I am choosing to cherish them. Just think in 20 years when I pull out this picture of Carson or Gage admires each year how much his hand has grown...how special they will feel that I have cherished their special gifts they made for me many years ago.

One blessed mama...

I want to say "thank you" to those 4 boys I live with. You all are my heart! The oldest of them completes me. He helps me with the younger 3 so much. I could not be such a good Mama without his support. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful, happy, healthy family. I love you boys more than you will ever know...

I had a great Mother's Day! When I walked in the den I found this rocking chair. Brad even got Ms. Elizabeth at FeedItKleenIt to personalize it for me. I will cherish this rocker for a long time. After church we ate sushi leftovers (yummy) on the road. We went to spend a few hours with my grandparents to see Meme on Mother's Day. Brad was able to help Papa John with his tractors and other odd job. The boys just played outside and visited with all of the cows. On the way home we stopped for ice cream at Sonic! It was a great day spend with all of my boys!

It is a short rocker and fits me great b/c I am not a tall person! I'm going to seal it a couple more times b/c I want to make sure before I put it out in the elements it is nice and safe b/c it is so special to me.

Toby and Friends

Saturday night we had some of Toby's friends over to play with their parents too of course. They had such a good time playing. We had stripped them all down the put them in the swimming pool and they played...then it was time for supper so they all got their diapers on. They were too cute all naked with nothing but diapers and we could not resist a photo shoot!
Toby (Feb 08), Caden (Nov 07), and Casen (March 08)

Toby say "cheese"

Trouble Makers!

Krispy Kreme

Last night Bradley and I had our every-other-month SONBEAM date night. We enjoyed some yummy sushi...Brad tried squid last night. His rating was it was ok and bland but the octopus from the last time was much better. We ran a few errands after we ate for things we needed on the farm and then picked up the kids at 9pm. Afterwards me made our traditional pilgrimage to you guessed...Krispy Kreme. There were hats at the check out counter and Brad grabbed 2 for the boys.

Carson and Brad about to enjoy milk (white and chocolate) with their doughnuts.Gage, Toby, and I about to indulge also! Toby loved his doughnut (it was his first). Oh and mine is the one with chocolate and sprinkles...my favorite. Brad refers to sprinkles as "rainbow rat turds" if you must know...obviously he can't stand them!

Carson couldn't keep his eyes off the doughnut making process. It was amazing to him this time even though we have been several times before. He kept saying "Mom, watch them with me."

The glass is 1/2 full

I have this saying that I learned on a mission trip many years ago in 1992 in Grenada, West Indies (I'm sure that Liza will remember since she was there with me)..."things can always be worse than they are so be thankful for the situation you are in." I'll explain (quick version) a group of us had gone to the other end of the island to do some ministering for the week. We went to sleep one night with the windows open (on the 2nd floor) b/c it was HOT and HUMID. That night we were robbed...they came in our rooms while we were asleep and robbed us of shoes, money, anything they could. We woke up the next morning and started getting ready and realized what had happened. WOW...yes, we were robbed..but God kept us safe! When things get wild and hairy at my house (and they do) this thought comes to mind.

Yesterday I had to run by the Mr. Joe's drug store to get some allergy medicine b/c now that Toby takes it too we run out faster and we were out. While I was in there, I hugged Carson and he felt like he had fever. We went to Lola's to pick up the other boys and Lola took his temp...it was 100.3 and climbing. I called the clinic where we had already visited Saturday remember with Gage and Wednesday with Toby. I told them we would be right there...MelAnn saw us quick and Carson wanted to make sure that she was going to listen to his heart! too sweet. Well we were in and out of there in 30 minutes (thank the Lord for living in a small town). Then off to Mr. Joe's for MORE drugs! Oh and the other 2 boys went with to the clinic and pretty much behaved except for Gage loving the 2 automatic doors and running back and forth to each one and letting them open.

We were still going to try to make it to the sport banquet at the school to be supportive. We decided to take 2 cars just incase though. Glad we did b/c when we got there the "man-in-charge" told Brad that he needed to sit with the coaches and not with his family. I just looked at him and said "seriously?" I was so mad b/c I was there with all of my boys and needed his help. I decided to leave...Bradley supported that decision! He got my box supper and helped me to the car and kissed me good-bye. I decided right then that the "man-in-charge" was NOT going to ruin the rest of my evening and we were going to have fun. I took the boys to the little park in town and they loved the big swirly slide we had not been in a while. Nobody fussed when I said "load up boys and let's head home". We all took showers and then watched Tom and Jerry until Bradley got home.

Oh...remember Carson went to the zoo several weeks ago. Well they did a big animal unit at school and Carson had to draw "the best animal at the zoo." Know what it is? Can't you tell it's a happy alligator! I love it especially the 4 legs and the smile...it made me smile! One tidbit about Magnolia...the language dept at the school writes everything in cursive. Cursive is easier to write b/c you never pick your pencil up...think about it! Don't you think it would be easier for kids with disabilities (or any kid for that matter) to write in cursive and learn phonics? Come on school systems...get with the program!

Oh and by the way...I had a great day even though several things got in my way to try to make it not so great!

My Wednesday

My Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Teacher Appreciation Week!

We have sent some fun "happies" for some great teachers this week! Their favorite sweet treats, personalized cd with notes from Carson, yummy smelling antibacterial soap (Say no to swine flu), and today Carson was suppose to take flowers for each teacher...but we made flower pens instead. You know we gotta be just a bit different from everyone else! Flower Pens: ink pens, artificial flowers, and green floral tape. Just wrap the floral tape around the pen starting at the point where you write with it then when you get about 1/2 way up the pen start wrapping the stem of the flower until you get to the top. Be generous with the floral tape.

Lola called at 11:15 to tell me Toby had fever (thanks Gage for sharing that sippy cup with Toby!) So we went to the doctor at 1:30. Yep...it's just what Gage got treated for on Saturday...the crud. We got our drugs and we are going fine now. Oh and yes...that is a bottle and yes...he is almost 15 months old. Sippy cups are so messy for those who have not mastered the art of drinking from them...so we practice with them a lot at home but until we get it down we will drink from a bottle sometimes when we are going places where I'm not dragging bibs, extra clothes, etc.

Gage and Cooper last night at Mission Friends making Mother's Day frames. Trying to find the perfect place for those purple hearts.