Today is my birthday

and if you saw how cute I looked in my new workout clothes this morning you would be so jealous! But you won't because i didn't get a picture before I worked out.. and so I will not be reenacting that one!
and then if you saw how cute I looked in my new circle skirt and tanktop, with new birthday sunglasses you would be so jealous!
and if you saw the humongous oreo salad giant cupcake brithday cake the mr. was whipping up for my birthday you would be even more jealous.

Now if I can find a birthday babysitter, the Mr. said he would take me out and show me off.. well that's not exactly what he said.. but you know the Mr. he rarely talks like that.

Any whoo.. hopefully I will actually get a picture taken but.. in the meantime. Here is our newest family portrait. 

So before you say anthing, we did get the boys haircuts, I think the day after this photo was taken.. if I post a pic of little daddy now you will be blown away, because he is practically shorn and it makes him look considerably older.   Also, the photographer insisted on taking a picture of The Mr. and Mrs. even though we explained there was no way we would be purchasing it, I don't love it, but hey that's how it goes some times.

Consequently, this is my "Channelling Donna Reed" dress that I made myself for church. I LOVE IT!!  The bottom is a circle skirt with a few pleats. I have been sewing a few things for myself, (even though what I would really love is to buy everything at the Anne Taylor LOFT).  Perhaps I will show you some pictures sometime.

Anywoo I am having a fabulous day! I know you are so jealous.

laughter!

Here are some funny things you might be interested in:

Three nights ago when the kids were wrestling.. Miss H said,"stop your crushing me and hurting my back" to which Cubby replied as he was getting up "Sorry it's because of my sexy abs."

I stifled a pretty big laugh, and brought the subject up at dinner.
"So when you said it was because of your sexy abs, what did that mean? what are sexy abs?"
"You know like hot abs"
"No, I don't know. What are hot abs? Are they on fire? Do they need an ice pack?"
"You know like when girls at the pool are trying to act all hot, and so they lean on the garbage can and their belly buttons are sticking out..."
(here I tried for a stoney I have no idea what you mean"
So Cubby Added..
"It's when these teenager girls wear black dresses and high heels and they put blue stuff on their eyes.. and then they take their purses like this.. (and here is where his arts based education is really paying off because he got up out of his chair and stood with tilted hip and and shoulder and put on his pretend purse) ... and they walk like this.. (now you've all seen teenage girls trying to act hot with their sexy abs.. now picture cubby doing it)."
"Oh" I said.. (inside I was a raucous giggle volcano) Why do they do that?
"I don't know".. whew! at least he's not completely corrupted yet.



-----
as we were driving down the road.. just lil bit and I she says out of no where..
"mom, when those alligators come in my room you are going to have to get them and you can throw them out the window because I don't think alligators can climb on leaves of the tree out my windows. So that's what you hafta do. Okay? Got it?"
here is where I made my big decision.. to just go with it,
Okay.. I'll throw them out the window.

---
The Mr. was trying to convince the kids to go shopping to buy me a present. They were not that interested.
Cubby: "WHat SHOPPING??!?!? I can't go shopping I'm too tired!!!!?! (notice the exclamation points, in this case those mean exceptionally whiny and perturbed) I was downstairs and I was yawning down there!!! AND I already got mom a present (here my dear husband innocently asks what and my ears prick up) TODAY at school I was singing for her and other things and she REALLy liked it. (it's true I did like it)
Little Daddy: Well I'm going to give mom a hug, that's a great present and that is what she really wants.

Mother's Day---

So this was one of the gifts that the kids brought home from school for Mother's day.  Can you guess what I must have worn the Friday before Mother's day?  I know so cute!! 

So you may not be able to read the text.. but the highlights of their interview about me.. 

My mom looks prettiest.. in a light blue dress (C) when we go to church (H)

While I am at school my mom.. I don't know what she does on monday, on tuesday she shops, on wednesday and thursday she goes to bible study, on friday she goes out and looks for stuff (C) She does fun stuff with the little kids. 

My mom's eyes are green (C) light blue(H) .. perplexed that my children are obviously blind I also asked this question of the younger kids brown (A) and Rachel said Gold hmm flatterer! 

According to C my favorite thing to do is sew and make hairbows, but my dear daughter is quite convinced my favorite thing to do is have a little rest. either of these could be correct.  

Apparently, Miss H is convinced that I am the best coach, while Cubby thinks I rule at sewing. 

The pictures were great, and the interviews quite insightful. I had a great Mother's Day, especially the little rest and steak dinner. we also have the most adorable family of blue birds (made of pottery) nesting on the downstairs mantle in the family room. 

Mother's Day does mean that summertime is right around the corner, so we are beginning to assemble our fair entries.. here are some of the projects the kids have completed already. I love filling our summer's with arts and crafts am excited with all the sewing projects the kids have lined up! 

 Cubby- Deacon Deacon in oil

 Miss H Sundress

 Miss H- Aslan in oil

 Miss H- Red eyed tree frog

 Little Daddy-Alligator (painting on wood)

Miss H-Mixed media (marker and chalk pastel)

I would really like to do some batik fabric painting but I am having trouble finding a book on it from the library, and I thought a pottery wheel would be fun.. 

Also.. the pool is open! I haven't brought my camera down there yet, and it is still that awkward week when the younger kids don't remember that they love swimming.. but.. finally! Summer is just around the corner. 

strawberry field

It's that time again! Strawberry picking! And although dear cubby was terribly disappointed I would be taking the younger kids while he was in school, I forged ahead any ways.. because sometimes I am not a super mom, sometimes I am an easy way mom. Although I did promise him we would go one time with everyone. Here's some pics.. you know.. cause it's all about the documentation.

As usual my "helpers" were 100 percent helpful for approximately 12 minutes, and then they were only interested in eating berries. Which is okay, since it does make for good photos. Unfortunately, it also means that they don't contribute much to our gallon, oh well! at least they weren't complaining.
and seriously.. can you even believe lil bit's hair??

The final stretch

When I get a minute I will update you on where I have been all spring.. and how awesome it is to be a coach. But for your interim entertainment I give you this...

Cubby and Miss H have now trooped off to Kindergarten 163 times... as a group we have accrued 9 tardies (three of them because of the stinking Thursday train I don't remember until the last minute, one when Mimi had to take the kids to school, and a few lost shoes/car keys/ why are we even going) I think our abscence total is 5 3 days off for a broken arm, 1 fever, 1 dentist appointment, and one day the sun didn't come out and I just couldn't hack it)

Anywhoo... so subtracting our fails I think we have made it like 149 times. Well today.. ATTEMPT one hundred and SIXTY FOUR.. I was naively thinking things were rolling along nicely.. healthy lunches packed, kids dressed (except Rachel because sometimes she's a pain) and I am putting the perfect ponies into Miss H's new shorter hair (I chopped 8 inches off ) when what comes skipping down the hall but Cubby....

IN HIS BATHING SUIT!!!

What??

Yes after successfully getting dressed and preparing to get into the car he elected instead, to return to his room and put on HIS BATHING SUIT!!

Really? After 163 tries? Bathing suit?

In his defense swim practice does start today at 5:45 did he not think 3 hours would be enough time to change?

I did not handle this well people.. not my best moment.
blessedly there are only 16 more days.

Better Family Portrait

I thought this might make some of you laugh.. see I tried to select the best one available.. thank goodness for digital photography!! we would have had an entire roll of less than stellar... although this are a little more realistic..

still here...

I know it's been forever.. and I have every intention of posting and updating... and basically catching up on what I've fallen so far behind on! But.. in the meantime..