Foul Play

James and Teagan were playing upstairs in Teagan's room.  All of a sudden I hear Ireson banging on her door yelling, "Let me in!  Let me in James!"

Then I hear the skeptical inquiry from the eldest:  "Did you get your diaper changed?!"

Ireson replied:  "YES!  Mommy just changed me so I not stink anymore!   Now let me in-Pleeeeaaase!"

James opened the door and said, "Welcome, Sir.  Come on in but ONLY if you're SURE that you don't stink anymore."

Ireson:  "No I not.  See- smell my butt."

I asked James about the course of events that had just played out.  Apparently, they told him that he was not allowed in to play with them until he went and had his poopey diaper changed.  Teagan informed me that "He smelled sooo bad, Mom, and we couldn't handle being around him."  James concurred, "Yeah, Mom- it was hard to even breath!"

The truth to the matter is that they were right!  No excuse for the banishment of the little brother yet I was just telling Ireson the same things moments ago when the not so honorable diaper changing occurred.

Animal Antics

Anyone that meets my eldest son, James, will soon realize that he is an avid animal lover and virtual walking animal encyclopedia.  He's more than happy to share some sort of interesting facts he's gleaned from his years of animal observations, book reading, and studying.  He's been some sort of animal every year for Trick or Treating since his first year.  Lions, elephant, gorilla, and this year a blue jay (hand made by him and Grandma).
Our family weekend movie nights typically consist of an animal show of some sort.  And when we're fortunate enough to catch a Nature show on PBS, he's quick to inquire if "David Attenborough is going to be the narrator." 

He knows the entire Planet Earth series by memory and will even go as far as to mimic David Attenborough's vocal inflections when he relays to you what he's learned!
I especially love that he watches them through a biblical lens, using God's eyes and God's ears.  When evolutionary philosophies are mentioned in some of it's segments, he is quick to point out, "Oh, Mom, that's not right!  He needs to read his Bible.  What?  That's crazy talk."... etc., etc.  He will make many similar comments as he watches them by himself as though he and David are holding a private conversation.  Apparently, they are on a first name basis.

Here are a couple of the more comical comments I heard from him just last week as he was watching Planet Earth.

*Humpback whales mating-  "MOM!  Did you know that humpback whales have a 12 foot long penis?!!!!!!  That's crazy!  I'd need new pants if my penis was that long!"
New pants indeed.  This fact is quite impressive to observe in action on the video mind you.

*Ant Eaters - "Mom!  Did you know that certain Ant Eaters have a tale that can hold their entire body weight?!  I need to get a tail.  I'd be sooo good at climbing trees!"

Intelligence Inquiry

Today, during school time, Teagan asked me:  "Mommy, when did you become sooo smart?!  Was it when you married Daddy?"

Favortism - Humph.

The kids and I were goofing around on my bed this afternoon.  Giggling, laughing, tickeling, fun, and snorting was accomplished by all. 

As the festivities calmed down I declared, "Alright, I'm going down stairs.  Who's coming with me?" 

Ireson jumped up and then off the bed onto me and excitedly hollered, "I'm going wiff you!"

My response was of a joyous sort as I laid on the kisses and zuberts: "Oh goodie- I like myself some Ireson!  Do you like your Mama too?!" 

To which he replied:  "Yeah...but I like Daddy the best!"

True story.

Boys And Their Toys

Man vs. Wild Style - building a fishing pole.

A little assist from Dad to help bear the 30 some pound weight.

Fueling up for some leaf blowing.

Blowing solo.

Bear Poison

Last week we were over at my Mom's along with my sister.  Ireson walked through the kitchen, where we were all standing around.  Trailing behind him was a rather foul odor of the most stenchy proportions. 

The conversation that followed has stuck with us... much like the smell of a skunk after it's aroma has infested your car.

"Wow, Ireson, you stink!"  "Holy cow kid!"  "Get him outta here!"- were the numerous comments from the on-smellers.

Ireson just smiled and laughed as he passed by Grandpa to get to his Dad.

Grandpa:  "Geesh Ireson.  You could kill rats with that smell!"

Ireson, rather proudly replied with a giggle:  "Yeah!...rats....and bears too!"

Always the comedian.  A true Stinkerson.

Flight School

Oh the things we let our kids do....Tonight Lil' James put a bunch of pillows on one of our "Fat Chair" base pillows and used it as a landing pad.  James and I sat on the sidelines and observed the madness.  Okay- we cheered on the madness. 

Launch Pad:  Window seat or Ottoman or ...

Mission:  Jump a good 4-5 feet onto the pile, or shall we say tower of pillows. 

Flight Plan:  Acrobatic stunts, and choreography to be performed at your own risk.

Flight Plan Safety Precautions:  Just aim and hit the pillows please!  Don't flip over the top of them, and avoid banging head on couch.

Responsible parents (yeah right-we failed that test!)- make sure that the pillow zippers weren't on the receiving side of flying body and catch any loose canon children! 

Please note:  I was in charge of the camera.  James was in charge of keeping track of the children's launching point and trajectory. 

Case and Point:

Window Seat  

Entertainment Center? Honestly Daddy?!

Bruised knees, goose egg= pain is only weakness leaving the body.

Mid air collissions = bones will heal.

Black eye =  scars will fade
                            No Broken Bones, memories made = Priceless!

Becky Rice Rosskins

Last night, Lil' James, Teagan and I went with Laura Ross and 5 of her kids to go see Mary Rice Hopkins way down in Lagrange, Ohio. It was about and hour and 20 minutes away. The kids had a great time playing in the car and snacking on special treats from their very own treat bags the whole way there. James especially enjoyed hanging out with Michael and Megan, while Teagan and little Sarah were "Good Buddies" all night. We got there about 30 minutes early and so we acquired great seats and had a great view the entire time.

The Puppets with a Heart put on a show throughout all of the musical performance and it was an all out fabulous blast! The kids were enthralled the entire time. Laughing and giggling filled the sanctuary! The puppets were named Gringo and OH-NO. They were brothers who, like all kids, go through different troubles in their young lives. The puppet characters each have a removable heart that contains an object that is used as a visual aid for that particular part of the show. Mary would take them out to see what's inside and then she would talk about it and replace the bad stuff with something good and a verse from God's Word. Wonderful object lessons that really stick with the kids.

I got to meet one of my favorite children's praise musicians and the kids got to meet the lady who gave them all their favorite songs (The Hippopotamus Song, Superman, God Did, Matilda the Gorilla, Splish Splash, etc.)

I try to tell everyone about her wherever we go. I primarily use her amazing repertoire of music when I direct different kid's choir at Bible Schools. There was a few hundred people at the concert but only about 50 kids or so.

My kids know almost all her songs and the accompanying hand motions. So when Mary came down into the audience and saw Teagan's enthusiasm, dancing and hand motions, she came over and sang with her and turned towards me so I could to take their picture together. It was Teagan's first meeting with a celebrity! I think I was more excited than Teagan.

I looked around and Laura and I were two of only a few people who seemed to know all the songs and were doing everything and looking like we should have been part of the show. She and I have been told that we should take a show on the road. This was even more incentive.

It took everything in me not to jump up in the middle of the aisle and start doing all the hand motions and teaching the audience and getting them fired up with dancing and moving. It's what I do!

James' review: "I loved the puppets. Gringo and OH-NO were the best."
Teagan's Review: "The fun part for me was when she sang the songs with me. I learned that God can heal your heart if it has band aids on it."


After the concert, we went up to meet her and got our pictures taken. I told her that she needed to include this Mary Poppins joke I made up during a part of her concert when she pulled this large (obviously expandable shovel out of a very small bag). She cracked up, wrote down my joke, asked me my name so she could give me credit at her next concert. THEN she told me that if I come up with anymore good jokes that I should email her. I also told her that it was all I could do not to jump up and help her out with the motions, etc. For her, it was more of a solo show this time. Usually, she has a back up singer or other players or something. She has a nephew that lives in Lagrange, so I think she was doing a concert as part of her visit. She said, next time I should just get up and join the show.

I tell you what- you can guarantee that will happen! Just call me Becky Rice Rosskins

Thank you Lord for an awesome spirtually filled and blessed night!

Be sure to check out her Puppets With A Heart TV show on TBN.org.