It's Like A Whole New World!

I never thought I'd see the day when my husband and I could actually just walk out the door and go on a date without having my mom or sister in-law babysit the kids! I mean, it's not like I waited for that day to come. IT JUST HAPPENED! We realized that our older kids were "responsible" enough to watch their siblings if we wanted to go to the movies, or dinner more than a couple of blocks away!!!

What's even better is when we spontaneously decide to go somewhere! We can actually go and do errands together...sans kids! It almost feels like we are back in the dating stage again!

Of course, that doesn't mean we don't talk about the kids, and we are always in communication with them when we're out! And we even miss them after a few hours..lol. I mean, who wouldn't miss these faces?

And we are always thankful to our "big kids" for being so helpful, and willing to babysit. Well, do they even have a choice? Hehe. Hey, if we come home and nothing is broken, or someone isn't crying, then we consider that a bonus!

Here they are at their Spring Play last week. They did so well..and we're so very proud of them! I know....not the best picture, but I was sitting way to the side!!

The Funny Things Kids Say!

One part of my job at my kids school is being a yard duty.

I love it! I get to know their little (or big) personalities, and listen to their stories about home, or just "whatever!" I thought I would just share a few each week, and maybe you'll get a laugh out of them like I do!

For instance. I was talking to a couple of 1st grade girls, and I had to warn them about the dog poo on the blacktop so they wouldn't step on it on accident.

Girl #1-"My dad said that he would eat dog poo if there were spiders on it. Chocolate covered spiders."

Girl #2-"My dad told me that when he was younger, he farted and burped at the same time. He said it was a life changing moment. Isn't that weird?"

There's a 2nd grade boy who hardly EVER talks. I probably only heard him speak ten words, at the most. Out of NOWHERE, he comes up to me and says, "Have you heard about general testing, and how it's ruining the atmosphere?"

"WHAT?????"

And just the other day, another 1st grade girl asked me if the "dried white stuff"  on the playground is bird poo or bird pee. I told her it was bird poo. She said her mom told her it was bird pee. Her friend jumps in and asks, "I wonder how birds even go pee?"

I was helping out in the pre-k room, and I was having my snack with the kids. I was eating trail mix when one of my favorite little girls asked what I was eating. When I told her I was eating nuts, she then asked "why" I was eating it. I told her they gave me energy. Then she said, "Oh, and what about the M&M's?"

And finally, it was the end of the day, and one of the pre-k girls stopped me and asked where my daughter was. I said, "Which one? The older one or younger one?" Finally, she says (matter of factly).."Mrs. M..you have alot of kids." I replied, "I know. And sometimes I forget their names."

And it feels weird to post without a picture..so here's one of my 8 year old today! I know it's dark (we were under a car port), but I love his rosy cheeks from being out in the sun today!

THEY'RE SO OVER ME...

Taking their pictures.

Actually, I take that back.

All of them, but my youngest. She's usually ready to pose for the camera.  Even if it's her fake smile.

I'm "lucky" if I even get a decent shot of my older kids.

They ask "why" I have to take a picture of them.

Or they'll say, "Is this for Facebook? Is this for your blog?"

Pfft..of course it is! 

See that barely there smile on my son's face? And he's the one who is always smiling!!

Wow...HAPPY CAMPER! I mean the one on the right!

I couldn't even get his whole head, but you can just tell he wasn't in the mood either!

Ha...I'm assuming my kids aren't the only ones who get like this, right?

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM...

We all scream for ice cream!

It literally felt like summer the other day.

Kids in shorts.

The Ice Cream Man.

Hopscotch.

Riding Bikes.

It was great while it lasted.

It's raining again.

CHEESE!

It seems like EVERY Sunday morning, we are rushing to get to church on time. So, when we make it at least 10 minutes before service starts, we know it's going to be a good day!

Just like yesterday morning, the kids were up by 7am, showered, and ready to leave the house by 9:25! We had a friend come to church with us for their first time, so we had to meet her by 9:30 so she could follow us there.

Since we had time to kill, I heard my husband telling the kids that he was going to take their picture since they were all ready. I had it on the wrong setting (again), so they came out kinda blurry. But, I think they still look adorable!

"Say CHEESE!!"


"Now make a funny face!" Look at the way Mocha is looking at Veronica. She thinks she's lost her mind!

HOW DO THEY DO IT?

How are kids able to have endless amounts of energy, regardless of the climate conditions they are in?

Well, at least my kids do.

I feel like such a complainer when I watch my kids play soccer.

It's not that I don't enjoy watching them play.

I just don't care for the scorching sun blazing down on ME.

That sounds so selfish considering they are the ones running around in the heat, chasing after a ball.

However, I don't ever hear one complaint come out of their mouths. They don't even show signs of wanting to quit. They are like the energizer bunny.

They keep going, and going, and going.

Here I am, wiping beads of perspiration off my forehead, while they are drenched in their own sweat.

Makes me think twice!!

WHY DOES THIS SEEM TO HAPPEN...

Right when you have one of those great "photo" moments, you realize your camera battery is low???

I took my kids to the park again on Wednesday and I took my handy dandy camera so we could take some cute shots on this bridge overlooking (dirty) water. Of course, I take two pictures and then it shuts down on me!

Well, thank goodness for my Blackberry!

I know these could have been way better if I took them with my regular camera, but I'm still thankful I was able to get these shots. With the help of Photobucket, I used the "Auto Fix" option and it made the color more vibrant!

Miranda's friend Phylicia, Miranda, Mocha, Eli, Danny, & Veronica

This is Miranda acting like she's falling in the water..LOL! Ewww..swine flu!

Phylicia, Mocha, Miranda, & Daniel. DON'T FALL IN! SWINE FLU!

This is the shot where I wish I was able to use my regular camera!!! Love it! Oh..and after this shot, they all ran down the hill, and of course, Veronica falls, rips the knee part of her pants, and starts bleeding! That was our cue to go home...

CUPCAKE FIX

I love to bake, but I am by no means a "Betty Crocker". I just like her products! My kids love anything dessert, so I decided tonight would be a perfect night to make cupcakes! Thanks, Duncan! I do like to bake from scratch, but when I'm in a hurry, and I want a no fuss recipe, I break out the box! So, the kids had fun putting on the frosting, and complaining that they couldn't eat more than two cupcakes! And this was BEFORE dinner! Ooookay!

"Can I eat one now, mom?"

"Mmmm..those look good!"

"I'm trying to be patient!!"

She's thinking, "Don't even touch it, Danny!"

There ya go! Half of them with Christmas sprinkles!