I love....

...how she says "moo-mee" instead of movie.

Whew!

What a day!

Today started at 7:30.  Kevin is sick, so I heard him barking in the bedroom first thing this morning (I crashed on the couch because Livi wanted to sleep with Daddy and I didn't feel like moving her when I was ready for bed).  Poor guy.  He got sick Monday night and has been down for the count since then.  He plans to try to go to work tomorrow, but we'll see about that.  He usually gets worse in the night. 

Benjamin's piano lessons started again today.  His teacher arrived at 9.  Once she got here, I ran to Walmart to grab something for our homeschool group's Not Back To School Party. 

When Benjamin's piano lessons were over, I slathered the children in sunscreen and we headed out for the NBTSP at the new splash pad in town.  To say that it was hot would be ridiculous.  It was miserable.  Since this is the official kickoff for the school year, there were tons of families at today's park day, and we all crammed ourselves under this one pavilion.  I should have sat at the other one, but that seems a bit anti-social.  Anyway, the kids had a blast.

We got home at around 12:45 and spent some time with Kevin.  I threw in laundry and folded a load.  Then I played a bit of Paper Mario with Benjamin.  He's really been enjoying that.

Later we went to the neighbor's house to keep her 4 little girls for about an hour and a half.  I did a little work while I was there to bless her, and left feeling happy.

When we got back, I made some homemade chicken soup for Kevin.  We all had dinner before I headed over to the other neighbor's house for a new Bible study that started tonight.

It was a crazy day, but I feel great about how everything went.  I've been praying a lot lately about God helping me to handle my stress better.  I don't want to fuss at the children or my husband simply because I'm feeling anxious.  It seems to be helping lately.

In other news.....

Olivia has declared that she would like to learn to read NOW.  She insists that I teach her immediately.  Once she realized that she had to learn all of her ABCs in order to read, she knocked them all out in about a week and a half.  I was blown away!  I guess that when she really wants something......  Anyway, we started learning what vowels are now.  We sing Old McDonald with AEIOU at the end instead of EIEIO.  It feels a bit ridiculous to be teaching my 4 year old about vowels and phonics, but we're going to do it anyway.  She's excited.  It is fun to have her walking around saying, "buh-buh-buh banana" and "mmm mmm mmm Mommy!!" 

Benjamin is spending lots of time making new creations with his Legos.  He finally moved out of the room that he and Olivia were sharing and into the office.  He really enjoys having his own space.  He builds creations and doesn't worry about his sister playing with them (aka destroying them).  We bought him a new bed.  We decided on a captain's bed because it has drawers underneath where he can store his Legos.  It came with a trundle, but we decided not to put the mattress there and, instead, are letting him use it to store his completed creations.

That's what's up!

Crabbing with Pawpaw!

 We visited family in Louisiana in June.  There were lots of fun things to do!  One thing that my children haven't done yet is go crabbing.  I suppose that most children haven't done that, but if you're from the New Orleans area, it's just as normal as going to the park.  Well, calling it normal is probably a stretch.  ;)

Daddy had taken several days off during the week we were visiting.  He called one morning to see if the children wanted to go out crabbing.  I jumped at the opportunity because I had always loved it when I was a child, and I knew that the kids would love it too.  Benjamin was very excited.  He got to help Daddy set everything up.  I didn't think he'd want to because it involves touching raw chicken, but he was all for it!  I told Mom that Olivia was probably down there touching everything gross while Benjamin watched.  I was wrong.
 

Olivia got bored and went to play on the playground.

To set up, you take raw chicken (or any type of meat, really) and tie a string to it.  You put a weight by the chicken so that it sinks to the bottom.  Benjamin threaded the weights, Daddy tied them all on, and then Benjamin wrapped them up to take out to Salt Bayou.

The water was deeper than I remembered.  Olivia couldn't go out alone, so she sat with Mamaw.

This is exactly how I picture Daddy....in the bayou, trudging through the mud, catching some sort of creature.  :D

Olivia talked Mamaw into getting a little closer to the water.

This is what they were catching.  Fun!

You take the chicken and tie each individual string to a line that runs across the bayou. Then you come back and pull them in slowly, one at a time.  You keep the net ready and then drop the chicken (with crab hanging on) into the net.  You shake the crab off and then throw the chicken back in.  If it falls through the holes of the net, it's too small.  If not, dump it in the bucket and move to the next line.  Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Mamaw caved.  She's a sweet Mamaw.  Livi got in the water after all.

Daddy paused for a picture with Olivia.

These are what the houses look like all along the bayou.  If you look closely, you'll see that they are all up on pilings.  Almost all of these houses are new because most were completely washed away in Katrina.  Yes, washed away.  You could drive down the road and see how a house had been completely lifted off of it's pilings and then dropped across the street or down the block, etc.  Amazing.

Olivia and I decided to leave early because she was very disappointed that she couldn't swim like Ben.  We went back to Jenny's apartment and went swimming there for a while before we headed out to dinner with Pawpaw and Mamaw.

This is what a crab looks like after you cook it. 

Olivia eating frog legs (!!) with my Dad.  This kid rocks!

We had to have a talk about how to eat shrimp.  LOL!

Mom was showing Benjamin how to peel a crab.  He was not impressed!  While catching crabs may be fun, he declared later, "Yuck! Crab is gross." 

This is a different kind of crab, but Olivia liked the claws on this one more because they were bigger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of days later my dad came and took Benjamin out fishing.  Benjamin wasn't sure what he liked the best, but he sure thinks my dad is fun!!  I am glad that the children got to experience something that was so common to me as a child.  I should remember these things more.  :D

Olivia and Cicadas

She loves cicada shells.  Benjamin hates them.  He shivers when he even looks at them.  Several weeks ago she found several on the side of the house.  She picked them off of the house and stuck some of them onto her shirt. 

She even looks like she has a sneaky plan!

She is very happy about this!!

She had to pause so that they could have a kiss.  :D

It was funny.  It was even funnier when she said, "Mommy, I gonna go show dees to Bruller (brother) 'cause he will freak out!!!"  Then she giggled and ran to Benjamin's room.  She was right, he did freak out.  "Mom!!  Olivia has bugs on her shirt and she won't stop showing them to me!!"  I should have encouraged her to not torture her brother, however, it is hard to do that when you're cracking up laughing.  She is so different from her brother.

This morning she was riding her bike up and down the driveway.  She has learned to use her "big bike."  I was sitting on the porch because she wanted me to watch how fast she could go.  One time when she got close to the porch she noticed a cicada shell on the wall.  She pulled it off and stuck it to her shirt.  She told me that she hoped he could hold on in all the wind because she was going to ride "SO FAST!"  She was thrilled when he made it through the trip. 

What will she think of next?

Week in Review: Benjamin turns 9!

Benjamin:  Psst, Olivia, what did Mommy get me for my present?
Olivia:  Oh. An ooooooooooold boot!!

Olivia (holding up 4 fingers):  Mommy, I'm four.  But when I put my uller finger up like dis (lifts her thumb slowly), I'M FIVE!!

Benjamin saved his birthday money and his allowance and bought himself a camera.  He took 57 pictures on the first day.  It is hilarious to look through them.  Especially the one where it appeared to be under water.  He said, "Well, the camera said it was waterproof so I took it in the tub."  Oh, son of mine.  We discussed the different between "water resistant" and "waterproof."  Luckily it still works.  Thanks God!

We did the "Dress up like a cow and get free Chick-Fil-A" thing.  We met up with Angie, Jenna, Melissa, and all of their children.  So much fun!!

Benjamin turned 9.  Wow!

Benjamin had his family birthday party as a dinner at Papacita's instead.  He insisted that they NOT sing to him.  He wouldn't even let us bring out the birthday stuff until their were no waiters around.  He invited Dennis, Debra, Judah, Ev, Ken, David, Lori, Marissa, and Burr.  We had a good time.

Benjamin had his Sonic-themed birthday sleepover.  He invited Jasper, Josh, Blake, and Cody.  They played in the yard, made their own pizzas, ate Sonic-topped cupcakes, played Sonic video games, and then built Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction.  He had a blast. 

Olivia spent the night with Dennis and Debra while Benjamin was having his sleepover.  She went with Dennis to drop the dogs at the groomer and went to the grocery with Aunt Debra.  She sure loves them.

I saw a wonderful part of my son's heart last night.  I had fussed at him quite strongly for something he did.  I was a bit too harsh.  Last night I went in to apologize to him.  I teared up and he said, "Mommy, have you prayed about this?"  Oh, sweet son.  You're so smart.  You have the right perspective at 9 years old, and I'm struggling at 33.  God, please protect this part of his heart. 

I love those 2.  I am so undeserving, but thankful nonetheless.



 

Wii are "best fwiends!"

One thing I love about that sweet husband of mine is that when he sets his mind to something, he follows through.  He has decided to work on his health.  He has been using our dusty Wii Fit game and doing the yoga setting.  He is finding that it is really helping his back, neck, and posture.  Oh, it is also great father/daughter bonding time!

Olivia is interested in anything that Daddy is interested in.  She says it "because Daddy is my best fwiend!"   If Daddy likes Cheerios, Olivia likes Cheerios.  If Daddy likes reading, Olivia likes reading.  If Daddy jumps off a cliff.....well, she'd probably send Benjamin.  Anyway, Olivia decided that she needed "to get some eddercise like Daddy to be healfy."

Stretchiiiiiiiing.

This one is my favorite.

Racing!

She even stands like him.  I love this!

He is such a good Dad.  I love that man!

Who knew?!

After making the belly cakes for the baby showers at church, the pastor's wife asked me if I'd make the wedding cake for her SIL.  I have never made a wedding cake before.  I really wanted to do it simply to see if I could do it.  However, weddings and all things wedding-y tend to be very emotional things, so I didn't want to say yes, botch the whole cake job, and have a disappointed bride.  Keeping this in mind, I said yes.  (?!?!!)  There is something wrong with me.

Luckily, Evelyn was excited and wanted to help me.  She is really good at artistic things.  I am good at practical, methodical things.  We ended up being a great pair.

This is what we ended up with.  I was thrilled.  Hm.  Who knew that Ev and I could make wedding cakes.  I should probably change my phone number......  ;D

Beginning.  I think it is pretty just like this.

Terry wanted a teacup on the top that was tipped over and had flowers spilling out of it.

Cake sitting on top of little bowls of purple glass beads.  The cake was lit from underneath.

I love that they set it on burlap.  Pretty.