Song Bird

This afternoon, the kids were playing out back while a friend and I were visiting. We peeked out at them to see Shelby sitting on the monkey bar that swings. I asked her what she was doing. " Pretending to be a bird", was her reply. My friend then asked her, "what kind of bird are you?" Shelby answered, "a bird that sings!" But of course!?!

Semi-Homemade

Bert and I have a couple's baby shower to go to this weekend. I did get the usual Target/Babies 'r' Us registry, but I usually prefer put something together that is a little more personal. Generally, I like to make a memory box for the mom-to-be, but this weekend I just don't have the time or the energy to put it together. I did actually go to Target (for those of you that haven't been to the one downtown, ya gotta take the kids there so they can watch the shopping cart go up it's own little escalator!) but just couldn't get my act together. So, this evening I headed to Ross to browse, and I came across this little box of goodies for $5.99: (Box, 1st curl box, 1st tooth box, announcement frame, handprint kit)

Ok, but still a little generic for my taste, so I headed down to Jo-Ann's for a little personalization. So with a little ribbon, bows (glued them over the imprinted bows), a memory box poem, and reusing the announcement frame to decorate the front, I came up with a happy medium. Total for gift? 10.00!

Meet Mom's newest brain child!

Hey, Mom gets a new idea, and I get to bring it to life:) Check it out, and help someone today!
Still working on it, but you get the idea!

Update on Garry

Well, all I can say is that Garry's trying to be a good sitter. I was able to leave for about an hr and a half (long enough for the oil change/alignment to get finished). Of that hr and a half, I received about 15 phone calls. Aidan this, Aidan that. Poor Garry. Of all of my children, Aidan is the child who never forgets. If he's playing with something and we move it out of his way and try to distract him with something else---NO! He will not forget about the other thing for a long time! Of course crying the entire time. Stresses Garry out pretty quickly. Can't blame him, bothers me too. Where does he get that? Not me, that's for sure. I'm known as the etch-a-sketch around here. One quick shake of the head, and I've forgotten everything... I forgot my pin number one time that I had been using for 5 years; I had to get everything reprogrammed: phone, atm cards, passwords online, everything. Never remembered it. I'm gonna have to take mom's advice and design her favorite item "the Senior Stick-it". Her idea is a vest with velcro all over to put every item one might need during the day. But where can I put the kids??
BTW-as I'm writing this I had to make a mad dash for the shower. I totally forgot that I was coloring my hair and went well past the allotted time. So if you see me with a hat on, it's because all my hair has fallen out:)

The power of money

Garry is pretty good about saving his allowance so he can have some of the stuff he wants, i.e his Wii, phone; aside from a Wii remote (so we could play together) we usually don't purchase anything for him. So, in order to make some extra cash, he can work extra jobs here and there. Today, a no school day (and no housework day!) I decided I wanted to go out and play. So I gave Garry 2 options: 1, I would take Aidan with me wherever I went, or 2, I would leave Aidan and Bryce and he could earn a couple of bucks. Without hestitation, he said that he would watch the boys for me. I remind him that he didn't have to if he didn't want to. He replied "well, I really don't want to watch Aidan, but I want the money!" LOL, at least he's honest:) He's a good sitter, though. Even if Aidan wins many of the battles!

Wipe Out!

Our weekly viewing of Wipeout---Of course before I brought out the camera he was laughing even harder, but still I love his He, he, he.... Sorry it's so dark-Aidan kept turning out the light every time I turned it on. Apparently I was ruining the ambiance!

Aidan's turned the big "2"

Yup, Snorty Porkal turned 2 today! In the morning Gma Frances came by with Sara (cousin) and brought fun toys. Then we spent the afternoon at Seaworld playing, enjoying the beautiful (if hot!) weather. Aidan rode some of the kid rides for the first time; although I'm not sure how much he liked them. The sand box seemed more his speed! Happy birthday, baby boy!

Labor Day Reunion

I luv my family. Yes, there are always one or two one wants to strangle occasionally, but overall I have the bestus family:) We had a great time talking, eating, playing games, eating, singing; did I mention eating? Uncle Ordy worked very hard to make it a very pleasant day, and it was great to see some that we haven't seen in years (you know who you are, come back sooner!). I do wish everyone was just a little closer so that it wouldn't be so long between visits. Still, it's like we've never been apart, just picking up where one left off. See you all next Labor Day!
PS-if you want a link to the 230+ pictures taken over the weekend, please email me!

100+ :)

Taking the tram on the way to the airplane (Bryce's favorite part of the plane was the toilet!)Sight seeing at the New River GorgeJunior Ranger in training!

Packing up

Well, we are heading out to WVA soon for the reunion. And so the packing begins. Instead of driving, this time we are flying much to the delight of the younger kids, who are looking forward to riding in an airplane. However, of course, there is the small issue of luggage. The airline we are taking charges for baggage, so we are trying not to pack too much. We usually carry way more than we need since we have the entire (and usually Papa's great big) van to fill up.
So I start making my lists and I let the kids know that they can bring a couple of toys to play with on the van.
About 1/2 hr later, here comes Shelby with 1 pull suitcase, one pet suitcase (holds 2 stuffed animals), a purse and another bag. When I inform her that she cannot take all that luggage on board, she looks at me and bursts into tears. She then informs me that she needs all these toys and doesn't want to leave without them. I tell her that the airplane won't let us take that much stuff onboard and to please take them back upstairs and we will pack together. Well, she heads back up the stairs....and cries and cries. I'm sitting at the bottom trying to decide what to do. Do I go up and say, stop crying I'm packing the bags- I'll pack your stuff? Or do I try to "talk" thru it? Well, talking won. Great. So, I head up the stairs and into her room where she is sprawled out on the bed with her beloved toys all around her. I explain that the airplane has rules and they won't let us take all this stuff. I pointed out that if everybody brought all their stuff from their rooms, they wouldn't have room for us. That got a tiny giggle. We then looked over all the toys and we talked about each one of them. It didn't help that one of her birthday gifts were two stuffed animals, which she didn't want to leave behind! But, after about 15 minutes, I got a happy face, we compromised on what to take (as much as she could fit into a 8x10" bag, and she was happy. Crisis diverted. Yup, I know this was a small one, and they are going to get much worse. I'm not in denial....However, I was happy to have this one finish with a happy ending. Thank goodness there is only one Shelby!
By the way, two days after her birthday, she started saying...I can't believe I'm almost 7!!!! (WHAT?!?)

Peanut is 6 today!

It's the birthday girl! After a favorite breakfast of sausage and pancakes, we are heading off to Seaworld to visit Shamu. I love you, Shelby!

Look what popped up in our living room!

Camping is on the agenda this fall, and of course we needed a tent. Well, we purchased on online, and it came in yesterday. Of course the kids wanted to put it up right away. Unfortunately, we had bad storms in the area, lightning and hail. So, being the fair weather campers that we are, the kids set up the tent in the dining room. All 17x10 of it:) Our living and dining furniture is currently pushed up against the front wall. Still, they had lots of fun, slept in it (not mom, no airmattress yet!), and are looking forward to our next adventure.

To the Zoo we go!

For the little kids birthdays this year, Grandma and Papa bought the kids a season pass to the Zoo. So, we made our first trip last weekend. It was also homeschool day (presenting classes for next year), and Garry won a semester in foreign language from a raffle at the event (go Garry!). We saw cats, Bryce's brother(monkeys), elephants and more. Shelby was especially excited about the kangaroos. A special thanks to Grandma and Papa for this fun gift, and we plan to use it many times this next year.

Shelby loungin'Yes, honey, you were there!Admiring the elephantsWhat's in there?

Can't leave without hitting the splash pad!Ribbit!Aidan's having lots of fun!

Picnic time!Yummy:)

Santa Sighting:)

We spotted "Sleigh 2" as we were heading to the zoo. Must be taking one last vacation before the big rush. Although the windows were tinted and it was hard to see in, Santa was in passenger seat (the beard gave it away). Santa, Shelby's got her letter started, so look out!

(reindeer faces are painted with the bells along the bottom of the car)

Marine Science Center

As we haven't seen Gage in almost a month (GASP!), we decided to scoot on up her way today. So this morning, I made some potato salad, baked beans and oatmeal raisin cookies (sorry Kevin, I forgot you weren't eating sugar at the moment!), thru them and hot dogs in the cooler and headed that way. Since it was such a nice afternoon, we picked Sara and Gage and headed on down to the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet. Although a small museum, there was plenty of turtles, fish and birds to see. Down the street from the museum was a little park where we ran off some steam, and then headed back to Sara's to go swimming (Gage's first swim) and have dinner. It was a fun day, and none of the little people protested going to bed when we got home!A happy boy (as long as we weren't in the car!)See the lil' head peeking out? It was the only way he would ride in the carrier!

Getting photos with the screech owl

Talking about injured animals at the museumHappy boy!
Ok, I know this wasn't fair:)
Fun in the sun
My first swim!
Shelby floatin'

Goodbye Sallie!

Did you notice the ticker? It FINALLY made it's way down to zero. WOO HOO! Now the only thing left on the ticker is the car (almost there) and the house. Wow! Who knew one could get to the bottom of $40,000+( Us a little over 2 years ago)! In light that Bert is for sure going to lose some of his off-duty, it sure is a relief to know that that money we're losing from our budget is not necessary (although we are really good at spending ALL that comes in!). So, I'm restarting the ticker to mark off the car. (flowers and butterflies per Shelby) We aren't too much in a hurry as we are saving up to pay cash for a vehicle for Bert, hopefully by the end of the year. Honestly, if I wasn't so good at spending money, we would probably have the car paid off by now. However, we do have a life and of course, all those kids. Still, it's a pretty good feeling to be almost to the bottom of the pile!

DEAR SIS

April 18, 1990

Dear Sis,
As usual, I'm behind on my writing, but here goes. Ok, I'm trying to decide which to do for the summer. I don't know if I can fit all the above in; besides, won't I look silly in a tutu? Still, I'm game for whatever comes our way. I can't wait to do it all--together (did you realize together would include 5 children!?!) . I forgive you for the way you acted, I'm sure I'm not the perfect sister that everybody else believes me to be (snicker). On second thought, I think a tutu would do wonders for my figure:)
Love ya too,
Your big sis.
PS-You are not a brat (at least all the time!)

LOL-as I'm cleaning out my garage tonight I came across this-thought I would share!

Pics from trip

Lake Eola Playground

If only he could drive:)

Playin' in the water downtown.

Papa and his boys (some of them!)

Eating icecream!

Wild week

Following the exciting week at VBS, we, the little people, grandparents and my foster son (as he refers to himself) headed up to Georgia on Sunday to drop the big boys off at camp.
This is where it gets wild:)
Sun-to Cousins in Tallahassee after dropping boys off
Mon-back home with cousins in tow
Tue-riding the bus downtown, eatin' ice cream, walking around the lake and feeding the swans
Wed-back to Tallahassee
Thur-out to splash pad and more ice cream
Fri-back to Georgia to pick up the boys and head home
Sat - kids had a birthday party to go to
Sun - repack for Monday
Monday-head to Fort Pierce (unexpected trip)
Tuesday-BACK HOME!!!!
Whew! I don't know about you, but I'm tired. Including the ride on the bus downtown, we logged over 1,500 miles in the course of the week. Now, being that we had 6 kids; 9, 7, 5, 4, 3, 1 yr olds, you would think that woudl be an episode of Trips gone Bad....but, we all had a great time, minimal meltdowns and lots of laughs. It sure helps that these are the favorite cousins (sorry, other cousins, you are too young/old!). Everybody had a buddy to play with (Hope switched between Shelby and Aidan). We look forward to camp again next year:)

Pics from VBS

More pics from Camp Journey:

Thank goodness for Katie!!!

Aidan loves the bouncy house

Cheese!

Shelby coming down the slide

Aidan would NOT share with his mommy:)

Yum, yum!

Bryce had gotten up at 6 am (way earlier than normal). He fell asleep
right after this and woke up just in time for the icecream and bouncy fun!