Pause it!

I was driving all over today and Lil' James and I were having a conversation about something or other and Teagan couldn't get a word in edge wise.  It was true roll reversal.  Anyhow, she was trying to get our attention and in so doing yelled:  "Mom!  James!  PAUSE IT!"  I stopped talking and laughed.  "Now listen!  Look over there it's a deer!, she said with relief." 

I think I like "Pause it!" and shall use it as one of my own child hushing tactics.

A Dog's Life

The kids have their list of responsibilities/chores that they have to do before breakfast.  Making the bed, getting dressed, clothes on and/or put in the hamper, toys put away, teeth brushed, etc. along with letting the dog out and feeding her is.  It's a basic biblical principle.  The man who does not work, does not eat.  The dog doesn't get fed-you don't get fed.  Okay that second part is from the NBV (New Becky Version) but the principle still stands.

Most of the time Ireson will elicit the help of his brother or sister to help get the dog food.  Yet, this past week, Ireson has been more than happy to volunteer for the task and quite demanding that he feeds the dog all by himself.  I generally don't have to check that she's been fed her adequate amount because they're pretty reliable. He's especially good at taking notice of his furry friend and bestowing upon her an ample amount of hugs and kisses all throughout the day.  It's entirely too sweet. 

I went into the laundry room to put a load of clothes in and saw Lexi's bowl.  I had to chuckle when I saw the complimentary treat that Ireson left for her enjoyment.  Now it makes sense why he's wanted to feed her all week.  When I asked him why he was giving her a treat with breakfast (he usually always asks first before giving her one) he said:  "Because, Wexi just needed some more wove." 

It's the simple things in life-like the complimentary mint on your hotel pillow.

You Snooze You Schmooze

Today, I put Teagan and Ireson down for a nap.  I started baking some muffins and about an hour later Teagan decided to grace us with her grouchy presence.  I saw her come into my room with a look of consternation on her face.  I asked her why she was out of bed and she proceeded to plead her case.

"Mom, I couldn't sleep!" she retorted.

"Well, did you try to go to sleep?" I asked.

"Yes!  But I smelled something SO wonderful that I couldn't sleep!  If you weren't cooking down there something that smells so good then I could have fallen asleep!  So it's your fault.  See?"

"Really?"  I wasn't sure quite how to respond being that the whole house did smell wonderful and it was rather intoxicating.  I tried telling her "that Ireson was still asleep and it didn't seem to bother him."

"Well, that's because he was tired and it didn't "bother" me Mom, it just made me have to get up and go eat whatever you're making.  So (then she looked at me with eye brows raise, head tilted and a good pause as though to wait for my response and then she paused some more)  What did you make?"

She'd make a good attorney.  Since she couldn't snooze she tried to schmooze.
I guess I learned MY lesson.

Me & My Beany

My Jamaican sister Deanna came over for a visit with little Ben (Beany).  We are so in love with this kid.  I can't get enough of him!  He's just so yummy!  I had to share some pictures of him and his cousins. 

Multiple Personality Disorder

Ireson has been having a hard time with his behavior of recent.  He's been incredibly stubborn, selfish, strong willed (not necessarily bad) and well sinful.  He's been intentionally provoking his brother and sister until he gets his own way and constantly yelling...just plain nasty I tell you!  He's been spending a lot of time in the corner, his bed or time-out in general.  Anyhow, I was lying down with him in his bed the other day to discuss his behavior and to do some prayer time with him to ask for some much needed help and guidance. 

I said "You're having a really hard time being a child of God lately.  You have a lot of anger on your heart and you're not being very nice.  You're being quite the little Crabberson."
He looks at me behind his scowl and evident anger of being secluded AGAIN and grunts, "NO I NOT A CRABBERSON." 
Then began the back and forth banter: 
"Are you a Stinkerson?"
"No, I not a Stinkerson eeder."

"Are you a Braterson?"
Trying to hide the giggles- "No, I not a Braterson."

"Are you a Maderson?"

"No (pause), well yes, sometimes I a Maderson but no I not a Maderson right now.  (Deep sigh as though to succumb to the defeat)  Mom- I just.  I just- a Boy-son."

Well, I'm glad we got that cleared up.

Failed Test

  I decided to give Lil' James a 1st grade standardized test.  I was torn on whether or not to bother since I think they are wrong at this stage of education.  I did it not so much to see how he was doing, but rather to see how I was doing and if there was something that I needed to work on with him and to make sure he and I were covering all the bases.  I thought it would be nice so he could see how he was progressing and where he is more advanced or lagging.  I didn't do it in the typical logistical and rigid testing way either.  We did a page or so of questions every day over a week.  I also think it's important to learn how to take a test since they will inevitably come across tests such as these throughout their lives: driver's license, college entrance, etc.

  Anyway, one of the reasons I'm an advocate for home schooling is so children aren't "taught the test" and public Ed is heavily based on "teaching to the test" as my many teacher relatives will testify.  I've heard so many complaints and frustrations, from many relatives and friends that are teachers (private, charter, and public), about how they feel trapped because they don't have a choice but to teach the test!  I've gained a different perspective from talking to them.  I feel incredibly blessed to have 6 close friends and relatives who are teachers in the system who are there to help at my beckon call!  I love that they are there for me to ask advice, teaching tactics, and glean from their wisdom.

While I was at a lengthy Dentist appointment recently, I read a Newsweek magazine and the entire thing was dedicated solely to the education system and the "error of its ways."  I read that whole thing cover to cover in the time I was there.  I wish I had asked to take it home.  I felt incredibly vindicated and reassurred in why I we are homes chooling in the first place!  I love it you come across those things that are so blatantly "in your face" reminding you of why you are doing what you're doing.  I couldn't believe how blatantly honest Newsweek was!

Anyhow,  I found it rather ironic that some of the questions in the test completely proved the point of why I think they are primarily pointless and an unneeded, added stressor.  For example, this was straight out of the test:

Directions:  Put the proper punctuation at the end of the following sentence.

I like to run and play outside

A -     .

B -     !

C -     ?

James responded with an excited:  "Oh, I LIKE to run and play outside-so that would have an exclamation point after it!"

Of course the test was simply looking for a period as the proper answer.  I'm assuming that because it doesn't say "love to play outside" is why they were looking for a period.

THEN- Lil' James said, "Well, if I'm saying it then why aren't there quotation marks on the outsides?"

HA!  Exactly!  Take that you dingy test makers!  It was a proud moment.  I didn't tell him that they wanted him to choose period because HE was absolutely right.

Another sample question in the reading comprehension section:

What do you do when you are happy?

A -      Laugh

B -      Cry

C -      Sit

You can probably see where this is headed.  James said, "Well, sometimes you laugh, but sometimes you cry like when you found out that Ireson wasn't going to die in the hospital."  Right you are my boy!  Of course they wanted him to answer laugh.  Oh well.  I love that he's learning to critically think! 

Otherwise, he did great on the test and we found a few things that we needed to review.  All in all, I think the test failed him. 

Now- back to the drawing board....

Ben came over for a visit and James lost his second top tooth the day after losing his first top tooth.

Pharaoh-ish ways

Lil' James' 2 top teeth have been very loose for a very long time.  The other night I was finishing up with brushing his teeth and it's like they were begging to be pulled out.  You can practically bend them over sideways.  So we decided to see if we could get them out that night.  Daddy and James sequestered themselves in the bathroom and worked at those teeth for over a half hour.  I was watching from the sidelines and commented that those teeth were stinkin' stubborn! 
"Yeah!  Like Pharaoh!  They're Pharaoh teeth."- he replied.  Naturally, we had to start singing: "Let my tooth go..." to the tune of "Let My People Go."  From this point on he's been asking everyone if they want to see his Pharaoh teeth.

Teagan and siblings were sitting and eating breakfast while I was talking to my Aunt Cindy on the phone one day.  She's a Coronary Care nurse and she was telling me how they had a patient code at work the other day and he died.  We saw Cindy later that day and Teagan relayed her concern to her by saying,
"Cindy!  Mommy said that you killed someone at your work yesterday!"

Privacy is overrated.

The other day the phone rang and James answered with his usual rhetoric:  "Ross Residence.  Who's calling, please?"  
Short pause followed by:  "My Mom?  Can you hold on a while she's going potty?"

Apparently I had to go and train him to be polite and all and in the process I forgot the part about full disclosure.  It could have been worse.

Volcano Science Experiment and the kids doing some Yoga moves at Circus Class.

James, Ireson and Lil' James are under there somewhere.

Brotherly Love

The other evening Ireson took a nap until almost 6pm.  I let him sleep that long because it was a late start on a much needed nap and respite for me.  Consequently, we didn't put him to bed until almost 9pm.  Meanwhile, James and Teagan went to bed at 8pm.  James past out almost immediately, Teagan shortly after.

Come about 9:30pm James and I hear doors closing and we figured Ireson was up.  We were watching a video so we gave it a few more minutes until we went to check to see what Ireson was doing.  James reluctantly got out of bed at 9:45pm and headed to the boys' room.  He comes back in a minute later and said with minor comical annoyance- "Beck, we're missing a kid."

The search was on.
Where was Ireson and what was the little Stinkerson doing?  I figured he was in the bathroom getting a drink of water or sitting on the potty seat- but no such luck. 

I told James to check Lil' James bed.  He came back in chuckling and said, "Now that's too stinkin' precious- you've gotta come see this."

Sure enough- Ireson had climbed up into the top bunk with James and was passed out, upside down, shirtless.  James went and grabbed the camera and we tried a bunch of different shots to document the darlings.  I'm surprised the flash didn't wake them up or the neighbors for that matter! 

After some minor bodily contortions on my part- I picked Ireson up and put him down in his own bed to avoid the kicking and hitting of others that happens in my children's sleep.  James and I have both been victimized by flailing body parts.

James has been known to go down and sleep with Ireson in the bottom, double sized bunk, to help his brother out when he gets scared.  I thought it was soooo cute that Ireson climbed up with his sleeping brother rather than stayed down below with his dog.  Oh well, sometimes you just need a brother's love instead.

Poop-erson

Today- Ireson pooped on the potty.  After breakfast, he approched me with with a grimace and said in a husky voice, "Mom, my belly hurts and it feels like I maybe have to go poop." 

He's been showing me more signs that he's interested and ready these past couple of weeks.  So this past week we've been discussing alot more about listening to his body and trying to understand what it is his body is trying to tell him. 

So he sat on the potty, requested I get him his Bible to read, and commensed with the process. 

James, Teagan, and I were sitting at the kitchen table doing school work when we heard a loud splash.  Padon the graphic nature of this post...but it's exciting!  We all looked up in amazement, looked at him and started to laugh and scream with joy!  Ireson was giggling and blushing.  I ran in there and gave him a kiss and he looked up at me with his big Eeyore eyes and said, "Can I have my present now?!"

I stocked up on Match-box cars and airplanes for $1 each for this occasion and I've been telling him about them for weeks!  I went and got him one to unwrap and he was elated.  We called Daddy to share the news, and he's told everyone that has called today as well.

We're off to a great yet stinky start!

Tooth Extraction 101

On Christmas Day we discovered that both Teagan's bottom- middle teeth were loose.  We thought they had a month or so to go before readily available to pull...as was her older brother's situation.  It seemed like they took forever to be ready to come out.  However, this past Tuesday the tooth was practically bending halfway over.  All of her diligent playing with it and wiggling it must have paid off.  She was primed and ready to yet again catch up with her older brother of 16 months.

When her Dad got home she approached him with the dilemma.  He looked at it and told her he didn't think it was ready.  Then Teagan proceeded to prove him wrong and say, "Uh-huh, seeeee" as she bent it over.  James amazed at the loosing progress said, "Wow, okay-let's do it!" 

Teagan, all excited, ran upstairs into their bathroom and began to assemble the proper tools.  She had witnessed the deed before when her Dad pulled out James's first tooth so she was well educated  in tooth extraction 101.  She got out the floss, anbesol, and tissue and neatly laid them out on the counter as though she were the scrub nurse for her own oral surgery. 

Meanwhile, Daddy came into our room and told me with a cheeky and proud grin, "She sure knows how to get to my heart.  Ahhh..."  Then he went into their bathroom with Tea, shut the door, and proceeded with the task at hand...err tooth.

For a time, all I heard was laughing and mumbling.  About 10 minutes later, much longer than I expected, James paged me to the OR......or rather BR.  "Beck, we need your help for a minute here."  I scrubbed in and received the report.  I see this frazzle haired little wee Tea standing in the corner with a big long floss string hanging around her tooth.  James told me that he couldn't get a hold of the teensy little tooth and she's complaining it hurts and the floss was stuck under there and he couldn't get that out either.  Hmm...well, we decided that she couldn't go to bed with the floss in her mouth because she'd probably choke or aspirate it and we weren't going to stick any sharp objects in there...though that sounded kind of fun to nurse Becky... so I told her that it had to come out tonight. 

With that said, James said he'd be right back and ran downstairs.  Teagan got herself worked up into a crying tizzy, and told me that she didn't like the taste of the blood and that it hurt.  Moments later James returned with a popsicle!  Genius!  Teagan perked up immediately when she tasted the fruity toothy treat.  With anesthesia in place for a few minutes and Teagan's spirits positive, James grabbed on to the tooth with a washcloth and started wiggling, pulling, and prying and Teagan started...crying...again.  He stopped, stepped back, and said "I quit."   

I was ready to take over with my more dainty hands as Teagan stood there crying and thinking that she was going to have to live with floss sticking out of her mouth until her next birthday!  James said, "Hey Teagan" held his hand out in front of her and opened up the washcloth.  To Teagan's surprise she saw....drum roll please...her tooth!  Then she started laughing hysterically amidst the tears and wet cheeks.  She was soo happy and started jumping up and down and yelling for her brothers so she could share the good news.

She asked if I could sneak into her room tonight and give her the special "Mama Tooth Fairy" treat since "Daddy is too loud."

Ahh the human child experience.

A Croupy Christmas

Last Wednesday we took a Christmas Vacation.  We drove all of 9 miles to Grammie and Grandpa's House and slept overhrough Saturday.  The kids were in their glory getting to see their grandparen't every day for 3 days straight!  Relaxing, crafting, cuddling, scripture reading, baking, playing and giggling filled our days. 
We'd wake each morning and make a fantastical breakfast and ate ham or bacon almost everyday!  This too was a highlight to the kids as well as James and I for we don't eat pork unless it's offered at someone else's house.  We felt the effects mind you but it was well worth it.  We're detoxing this week as a result! 
We went to ou wonderful annual Christmas Eve Service at church and then headed back home to Grammie's.

Sarah and her dog Penny came over that night to sleep over as well which was a special treat for the kids and for Lexi (our dog).  Happy feelings were abundant!

Then about 1am...happy feelings gone.  Apparently, Croup came upon a midnight clear.  James was sharing a room with Ireson and he came into our room at 1am and told us to "Come quick, Ireson needs you, he can't breathe."  I was proud of him for acting quickly and looking out for his baby brother. 

Sure enough Ireson was having an acute attack of Croup...except when he gets Croup (1 day out of the whole year!) it's a combo of Tracheaitis and bronchiolitis and he goes into respiratory distress.  Big words I know- but trust me...it's bad.  Due to having RSV when he was only 1 week old he's more prone to developing asthma and so this was basically an acute asthma attack.  The poor boy was crying, freaking out and coughing and getting himself worked into a panic stricken frenzy.  Thank the Lord, I got out some Eucalyptus Oil the night before thinking that he sounded slightly congested and I thought he may be getting a cold.  I soaked a cotton ball with the oil and rubbed down his shirt and his chest and unfortunately I had to yell at him to calm down so he could breathe.  He listened and started to breath a bit easier.  I knew that we had to get home stat and get out his Nebulizer Aerosol Machine (that has been collecting dust for a year) and give him and Albuterol and Steriod treatment or head to the ER.  His lips were actually starting to turn blue until I got him calmed down and taking deep breaths of Eucalyptus vapor.  It's nature's bronchodilator! 

Thankfully, I felt we got him stable enough to make it home.  James, Ireson and I loaded up in the car and I told Sarah that we would be back sometime tomorrow.  We got home in less than 10 minutes with no one else on the road at 1:!5 in the morning so that was a plus.  After two, 30 minute steroid-aerosol treatments ( I mixed in a little colloidal silver too:)- my own special concoction and he was able to breath normally with minimal wheezing.  He finally fell back asleep on one of us on the floor of the steam filled bathroom.  I let James listen to his lungs to hear what wheezing sounded like.  I think it made him appreciate the seriousness of the situation even more though it feeds the emotions of fear and stress.  It's handy to be a nurse and have a real stethoscope lying around the house as part of the toy itinerary.  Come 2:30am we said "Merry Christmas" to each other and we finally went to bed. 

James and I now had time to come out of the adrenalin rush and deal with the emotional turmoil from the night.  The kids rarely get sick, but when Ireson gets even a simple little cold-it takes me back to when we were in the hospital with RSV and almost lost him.  As I lay next to him in bed watching him look all pathetic and weak and listening to him breathe, I tried to regulate my own breathing and tears as I thanked God for the reminder of his grace, watchful hand, and my abilities that he has blessed me with as a Mom and a nurse.  The writing was on the wall.  I still wouldn't go back and change a thing.

Ireson slept well the rest of the night.
He woke up around 9am and looked at me smiling and said with a frogy grogy voice, "Mom, I all better now.  Can we go to Grammie's house now?"  It was so sweet.  I started him on a breathing treatment regimen for the remainder of the week.  He was slightly congested on Christmas but happy and energetic just the same, a new kid.  He was done opening his gifts in record timing and then began bestowing his adoration and thanks on the whole family with all smiles and snot.

We relaxed and stayed in our PJ's all day!  The kids got a bunch of fun videos (animal, Shirley Temple, Charlotte's Web)  tons and tons of legos and Knex, books, games, Teagan-fairy stuff, James got an orienteering kit and a flint necklace, Krinkle blocks, a dodge ball game with target vests!, hand made clothes from Grammie, and a lot of other loot.  I even got a nap for Christmas!

That morning we discovered that Teagan had a loose tooth!  She was thrilled.

The day after Christmas we went home, had naps, and then Teagan, James and I headed over to Cindy's where we had wonderful time with the entire extended family.  We had oodles of fun and ate like kings while Ireson had special Daddy time back at home!

We were simply having a wonderful Christmas time.  See ya next year!

"Peanuts's" are gross.

This year for my birthday, Mom took Teagan and me to see "The Nutcracker Ballet."  It was a special mother-daughter day.  I hadn't seen The Nutcracker since I was in Junior High.  I remember getting all dressd up and going to see it with my Mom and Grandma as well.  The lights, the costumes, the giant theater, the larger than life music and the eloquent dancing was all so captivating!

This was Teagan's first official ballet.  A momentous occassion that required us to get all dressed up.  We had great seats too and they even provide boosters for the kid's seats!  As we were sitting there waiting for the lights to dim and the curtain to go up Teagan informed me that "the people behind the stage were going to have to move that curtain thingy so that the ballerina would have room to dance.  What are they thinking?"

The set design and the costumes were indeed impressive and inspiring. - Well, to me anyway.  Teagan had other ideas about the boy dancers and their not so "modest" attire.  As soon as the first male dancer began his solo Teagan felt compelled to report her "issues" with their tights in a not so quiet whisper. 
"MOM! (tugging on my shirt with disgust)  Are they wearing tights?!!!!!!"

Seeing where this conversation was headed, I tried to ease her concern.  "Well, their not tights exactly, they're men's ballet pants that they need to wear to be able to dance so freely... but they look alot like tights though, huh?"

"Yeah!  Boys are NOT supposed to wear tights!  Boys have to be modest too, MOM!  That is not responsible of them!  You can see their p*#@^!"  Insert big sigh and humph accompanied by rolling eyes and gritted teeth here!

"Okay, Teagan, let's just be quiet and watch.  There are other people here that can hear you and they'd like to watch the performance quietly."

Well, we made it to the intermission without much fidgeting and further anatomical commentary.  I felt there was hope for the second Act after a refreshing snack and potty break. 

I was wrong.  She spent most of the second Act facing me or turned around in her seat.  I asked why she stopped watching and all she could do was look at me upset and said, "I can't watch the boys, their p*#@^'s are gross!"   Insert another big argh and sigh here this time complete with raised hand expressions of more disgust.
I understand how distracting it was and is and there was little I could do to encourage her to not notice and not worry about it.  She didn't want to look through the binoculars that I brought anymore either.  She asked me to tell her when the boys were done and she could turn around to see the girls dancing.  I happily and somewhat proudy obliged.

Despite her "Disgust" of certain show features, amazingly she was paying attention to every little dancing detail down to the pointing of the toes and the extended finger with the arm extensions.  She's been dressing up in her ballet garb every day since dancing for me and showing me all these new and often impressive moves that she's imitating.

The next day at church she was relaying her experience to Aunt Sarah.  Sarah reports the following from the encounter:
"How was the ballet Teagan?!" Sarah asked not knowing what would come of her innocent inquisition.
Teagan poignantly and rather loudly projected:  "The boys wore tights and their peanuts's were gross!"
Sarah tried to reason with her, as only Sarah can:  "Well, when you're married, you may not think their so gross."
Teagan looked at Sarah rather stunned and apprehensive as she asked:  "Do husbands wear tights too?!"

Ahhhh, the childhood human experience.  What a journey.
Looking back, I am proud of her for watching everything, even a ballet, with God's eyes and choosing to decipher right from wrong even in what we would think to be the most innocent of situations.  I prayed that the men in tights wouldn't be the only thing that she remembered and thankfully it wasn't.

Thank you God for the ladies in my life, young and older and the special memories we're creating.  Thank you Grammie for the very special day and all the gigles and laughs and photographs.

Thank Full.

We were incredibly blessed this year to spend Thanksgiving week in Virginia Beach amongst some of our most favorite people.  People who are brothers and sisters; people who taught James the Truth; people who counseled us and married us; people who had an integral role in James' and my relationship during our courting years; people who you wish lived right next door; people who you will spend eternity with in the Kingdom.  It makes you long for that glorious day even more. 

The trip down was quite eventful as one hopes it wouldn't be.  Forty-five minutes into the trip-Ireson threw up his entire breakfast all over himself, his car seat, seat straps and all.  We stopped for over a half hour cleaning up, wet wiping everything, changing clothes, bagging clothes, and taking apart his car seat-instantly upgrading him to a booster seat since we had to revert to using the seat belt rather than his puke laden car seat straps. 
1 hour later it hit again in a less aggressive and bountiful manner but gross just the same.  Once we hit the mountains and the twists and turns, it was well...all up hill from there.  We stopped at a gas station/subway shop to clean up AGAIN and we went inside to eat what our stomachs could bear.  At this point my stomach is in knots and my nerves were shot from constantly turning around every time I heard him move and then lunging to catch anything that was expelled.
Ireson was pale and pathetic and cuddling on me and just laid there with his poor pasty head on my shoulder.  I rather enjoyed it for a few minutes.  Luckily for me, I passed him off to his Dad just in time.  I finally had hands free to eat my sandwich when we saw him start to lurch. James headed for the bathroom though I needed to assist with the door opening since his hands were literally full with either a kid or throw-up.  Sorry for the graphic visual, but I'm recording this mostly for posterity.  Anyway, once his stomach was completely void of contents and we were passed the mountains and into VA he fell asleep and things died down or rather stayed down.

We spent the night in a hotel (always fun!) to ensure that Ireson was merely car sick and nothing more.  He had done this sort of thing on a smaller scale on numerous other trips, so I was pretty sure that it wasn't an actual sickness.  Anyhow, we took chicken and mashed potatoes back to the room and settled in.  Ireson was running around being his jovial old self all pink and perky.  He sat down to eat and intensely inhaled 2 pieces of chicken and a ton of mashed potatoes.  Of course we encouraged him to pace himself but the poor kid hadn't eaten anything in over 12 hours.  Needless to say, all turned out fine and we headed out Sunday morning for bacon at the Waffle House. 

The kids walked into The Waffle House chanting "bacon, bacon, bacon!"  The poor pork deprived children thought this to be the best official start to our vacation.  I indulged in the swine tasting as well!

We headed off to church where we saw a bunch of brethren that we hadn't seen in over three years.  Then it was back to Ruthie's house to settle in where we had an afternoon of fabulous fellowship time with some seriously special people and their adorable children.  Jonathan & Corrina and Meredith and the twins were a great start to a great week!  The kids all hit it off great for not having seen each other in years! 

During the week we spent hours talking scripture, eating, reminiscing, relaxing, eating, and spending quality time with "Queen" Esther, Ruth and Murray and Joanna, Shay and Cian while eating.  I would have been perfectly content simply staying home, talking and spending time with everyone all week.  However, we did make a few jaunts to various venues.

Tuesday:  Ocean - Along with the misty, windy and slightly chilled weather, we HAD to go to the ocean.  So we set out with our wind breakers to go take in the sights, smells and sounds on the outskirts of Neptune Park. The previous week a hurricane had hit and they lost a 1/3 of their beach!  Fortunately for us, the hurricane left a ton of sea debris on the beach and we had a great time scavenging the sea weed for dead sea life and some real life science application.  Shells, egg sacks, horse shoe crab shells, dead mini crabs, and trash were a few of our findings.  I counted that as a school day!

Wednesday:  Ruthie treated us to an afternoon at the Zoo- Teagan was absolutely enthralled with the 4 week old baby giraffe.  We couldn't tear her away.  I think her maternal instincts were telling her to take it home.  She got all teary eyed when we moved on to the next exhibit where James got to meet 4 lion cubs!  Their pride was proudly perched up on top of this mountain thing in their enclosure.  We had a great and eerily up close view.  They all got to pick out a stuffed animal or souvenir to take home.  James got a Fennec Fox, Teagan a baby Tiger, and Ireson a bag of bugs.  Good times and another school day accredited!

Thursday:  Thanksgiving Day!  We went in the morning to see some brethren and to check out "Queen" Esther's in-law suite under construction.  Then a bunch of family including: Jesse, Jacob, Joanna, Shay and Cian, and Uncle Bascom came over to share in the festivities.  Much food and fun was had by all. Later, we went to Murray's parent's house on the edge of a river!  The view was outstanding.  What a blessing to have that in the family.  Jesse took James and Jacob and the kids out on his fishing boat for a 2 hour excursion!  Teagan stayed back and built sand castles and animal burrows and watched pelicans with Joanna and me.  My kindred spirit, JoAnna and I had some "intense" conversation while trying to stay warm, watching the sun start to set, and wondering where our children were!  As the boat approached at high speed, all you heard was squealing and laughter!

Friday:  We went over to Nathan and Antonia's house to visit.  Nathan was James' best man in our wedding so it was great to reconnect and have our kids play together.  Teagan disappeared 30 seconds after getting in the door.  She saw a girl and girly toys and went running.  I think she was please to be surrounded by some estrogen.

Saturday:  We got up, ate another delicious breakfast, with bacon!  It was a great start to the end of our trip for we headed home around 10am.  We took a bunch of pictures after Ruthie and "Queen" Esther spent time reading the Bible to the kids.

As we were pulling out of Ruthie's development, Teagan pathetically piped up "Oh Mommy, I miss Ruthie already.  How am I going to do this?"  James and I just looked at each other and started crying.  10 minutes later she so matter of factly states:  "Mom, aren't Cian and Shay special?" To which James concurred, "Yeah.  Aren't they so much fun?!"

Indeed they are.

For the ride home we prepped Ireson at breakfast with some ginger laden applesauce.  Ruthie gave us a bucket just in case.   Ireson was adamant that "I not throw-up Mom."   I was torn but eventually I did give him dramamine to help ensure an uneventful trip home.  He was fine the entire ride home.  Shew.  We got home safe and sound and tired around 8pm.

Our Thankful Tank is Full.

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.