Friday Funnies

Michael has done a great job of encouraging the boys to take me on dates, and it's become a special time one on one with each of the boys. The are super sweet and ask to take me out fairly often. And they always pay with their own spending money! I'm choosing to believe it's because they want special time with me, not because they get hot chocolate or donuts or bagels. ANYway...here are couple dating stories.

For one of our first dates, Stuart took me for a "donut date" at the Kaldi's in Schnucks. We got our coffee and bagels/donuts, then went to sit down. The little seating area had a TV (which I didn't know before we went). I had to remind him to look at me while we're talking instead of watching the news program on the TV. He responds, "But, Mom! I really like the TV!"


Stuart: Mom, we have to go on our date tomorrow. No, I'm going to take Dad for donuts. I'm going to trade dating. Every time I get $5, I'll go back and forth between you and Dad.
When I'm rich, we'll all go to Cracker Barrel.


On the way home from our date at Kayak's Coffee, I asked Chase a few questions about how he feels about God and school and life in general.
Chase: Mom, I'm just sensitive.
Me: Really? What makes you think you're sensitive?
Chase: Because I can smell really well. For example, Stuart's hands have a unique smell. It's their own smell. I can smell from far away things that he's touched. Like if Stuart's touched a penny and it's in the the living room, I can smell it from our bedroom. I have a super sense of smell, so I'm sensitive.

Hand to Jesus, people, I don't make this stuff up!

Not Me! Monday

Even though MckMama seems to be on a Not Me! Monday break, I will be sharing with you a few tidbits that DID NOT happen this past week.

SJ DOES NOT call her sister "Florence" and the doll "Fiona" when she plays house. She also DID NOT call her sister "Flower Garden" yesterday because of her Halloween costume. As in "Flower Garden, Flower Garden! Come here Flower Garden!" Nope, didn't happen.

I DID NOT use orange Kool-Aid to dye my oldest child's hair Ron Weasley red. These are not before, during, and after photos. Nope.

I DO NOT love his ginger hair so much! I especially HAVE NOT considered trying to convince him to actually dye his hair red. Nope, that would be silly.

He DID NOT get this idea because he read all of Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets in 4 days. We DID NOT catch him reading with a flashlight at 11:15PM one night. Nope!

Mompetition is NOT my new favorite place to go if I just need to laugh!

Stu DID NOT spend breakfast this morning telling me what his Halloween costume plans until college graduation. He DOES NOT like dressing up that much.

My favorite new phrase is NOT "You're confusing your opinion with knowledge." I HAVE NOT said this to my oldest child multiple times this week. I HAVE NOT considered making a T-shirt.

I DID NOT have an absolutely crazy day on Tuesday. It was not a day hijacked by all sorts of insanity. By the end of the day I DID NOT feel like Tina Fey in the movie Date Night. Michael DID NOT suggest to me that I might want to sit alone and drink a Diet Sprite. I DID NOT laugh so hard I almost had to pull the car over to be safe! Nope, it was not that crazy of a day.

And of course, Michael and I DID NOT go through the kids Halloween candy and take all the good stuff out. We would never feel that was our right as parents! Not me!

This IS NOT typical of our house. Nope. Always calm and controlled around here!

Happy Monday and Happy November one and all!

Camp Whitmer

Last Saturday we invited eight 8-year-old boys to "Camp Whitmer".



After a pick-up soccer scrimmage...


We lined up the boys in order of birthdays. It's always funny to me how long that takes kids to figure this out!


Everyone got their camp bandanas.

 

Next, we made compasses and found our bearings around the house. Making compasses was a total hit and so easy! They had to find their own leaves, magnatize a needle by swiping it in one direction over a magnet. (We used the letter magnets from our leapfrog refrigerator game.) Fill a paper plate with enough water in it to float the leaf.  Rest the needle in the leaf and it will swing around to North. The boys really enjoyed it!
 
 

The littlest girl just watched and smiled.


We had an egg toss. Yes, real raw eggs. We live on the edge.


After the eggs, they had a scavenger hunt that we found hysterical. One group worked well together reading the clues and thinking before running. The other, well, they were really good at running.
 







 

Michael went over some fire safety before we gave the boys sharp sticks and let them roast hot dogs. Just so you're aware: a large group of 7 and 8 year old boys roasting hot dogs will have a lot of conversation about wieners. They think they're funny. Me, not so much.



We were still making banana boats (bananas, chocolate chips, and mini-marshmallows) and putting them in the fire when the parents started arriving! We had more activities planned; I had my guitar ready with camp songs, as well as another game or two. Chase really had a great time and it was fun to see him with his friends. Camp Whitmer may open again for another party!

The Chase Man

Eight. Really, he's eight? I'd like to be in denial that he's reached this sage age. (I did outlaw fractional ages this year. He was still 7 on Sunday, no matter what he said!) It helps that he is small for his age. I can pretend he's still a little boy.

He's been an old man for 8 years, but an old man who has an unquenchable desire for information and knowledge. He would sit for hours being read to.


I think the only thing that rivals his love for knowledge is love of food! (I'm kidding, sort of)




His bright eyes and sweet smile always something that warm my heart.
Age 3

Age 4

Age 5

Age 6

Age 7


He's wicked smart and so wants to please. His sense of humor and boisterous nature are well, growing. He definitely has a joie de vivre.

Happy Birthday, my first born!

Chase's Soccer

I finally got to watch Chase play soccer! His first two games we were in Prague, so I was estatic to get to watch Chase for my first game!

Chase lead the warm-ups! 

(His push-up form was actually really great, but in the shot, he was starting to get up)

Game Time!

Chase is focused. (The other CCS kids in the yellow are playing for the other team because they were short players. Rather than forfeit, we traded players every quarter. How great is that?)

His fan section

Chase may be small, but he's scrappy.

 

The Post Game Snack!

Not Me! Monday

Have I avoided Not Me! Monday because of insane busyness? NO! Not Me!

If you were at Deirburgs on Sunday night while I was waiting for the slowest deli clerk ever, you DID NOT see me wipe my baby's nose with a Starbucks receipt. Nope, I am always prepared with tissues and would never risk ink schmeg all over the baby's face. No, that was another woman. Not me.

Also, that trip to Deirburgs was NOT a last ditch effort to make it before the 10 for 10 sale was over. I absolutely DID NOT procrastinate the trip to the grocery all week. I DID NOT make my list from the circular on Monday.

I DO NOT allow my baby to climb on our brick hearth. Nope, I would never allow that kind of unsafe behavior. I absolutely would not take photos of it or nick name it her "perch."



This child is NOT still obbsessed with call his sister "The Chewer."

More funniness over at MckMama's Blog

Have a great week!

Friday Funnies

Time for the eldest to take a turn! C is quite hard to describe in a blog. You really have to know him to get how funny he is. First of all, he's not really 7; he's 80. He's been 80 for a few years now. Also, he is insanely intelligent. This wonderful gift is still quite unwieldy in his immature character. Based on his limited experience, he knows everything and can deduce the outcome of most any situation (even if that means he has to change his answer to be correct). Believe me, we're working on it! Anyway, his pride does lead him into so very funny back-pedaling situations that would rival any spin-doctors or political pundits or completely erroneous statements said with amazing confidence!

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Me: C, it's time for bath. Head to the bathroom.
C: Moooom, I don't want to bathe.
Me: I know, buddy, most elementary school boys don't want to bathe.
C: I am NOT an elementary school boy!
Me: You're not? Why don't you go get that dictionary and look up "elementary".
C: [looking up the word, read the definition] "Pertaining to the first 6 or 8 grades of school, sometimes including kindergarten."
Me: What are the first 6 grades? And what grade are you in?
C: Well, 1st-6th and I'm in 1st, but I'm not in elementary school.
Me: Really, how's that.
C: Well, Central Christian School isn't an elementary school. It's not called that. And, I'm not there right now. So I'm not technically in elementary school.
(Can't you just see the future debate society leader? Technically? Really? We shot him down and got him in the bath.)

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Annalise is chewing on anything she can find. One day Chase was taking things out of her mouth every few seconds. He finally says, "Mom, I think Annalise needs to be called [leans back, lifts one knee, and puts up 'air quotes'] "The Chewer". He thought he was so funny, he has said it to every person he's met this week. Ahh, to be seven.

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"Mom, when I'm ten. I'll have probably had Chinese food like a thousand times."

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C was reading aloud from The Magician's Nephew. He read the description of Uncle Andrew who has "long, white fingers" and he stops.
C: Mom, it's because he has diarrhea.
Me: WHAT?!
C: Well, in our Moses story, God told Moses to but his hand into his cloak and it came out 'white as snow'. It was because he had diarrhea.
Me: Honey, it was like he had leprosy, not diarrhea. And Uncle Andrew's fingers are white because he's pale. He spent all his time in the attic without sun.
C: Well, he couldn't be so white if he lived in this house, that's for sure! We have too many windows.

Friday Funnies

Wednesday around 10:30PM, C got up to go to the bathroom. When he left the bathroom, he didn't turn the corner he went into the kitchen.  We called him a few times, but he kept walking...straight to the garage door. Opened the door (we're still calling him), opens the van door (again calling him), climbs under the baby seat, and gets in his seat in the back. I almost had to get into the van! He finally climbed out and shuffled back to his bed. Didn't remember a thing in the morning!

I ordered a set of  Baby Legs for A off eBay. Several of them were Baby Legs and several were an off brand from China called "Animal Kids." The description underneath reads exactly:

Use Everydoy,Needs Everyday
For All Person Wear Well

Awesome.

Quick Remembers

Been so busy recently, but just a few things I want to remember

Retelling the story of Cinderella with Samantha, Sabrina, and Sophie Grace:

Sabrina: What's the prince's name?
Me: I think it's just Prince Charming
Sabrina: I think his name is...mmmmm....Prince Greenflower. Yes, Prince Greenflower.

Monday:
Stuart: Mom, I want to go on a date with you. Can we go on a date?
Me: Sure that would be great. We'll have to wait until Daddy gets back in town.
Stuart: Let's go Saturday.

Tuesday:
Stuart: Where are we going on our date?
Me: I don't know. Where do you want to go?
Stuart: I want to go on a doughnut date. Can we go on a doughnut date?

Wednesday:
Stuart: Mom, don't forget about our doughnut date on Saturday!

Thursday:
Stuart: Mom, we're still going on our doughnut date on Saturday, right?

Friday:
Stuart: Don't forget! Tomorrow is our date.

Saturday 7:15AM:
Stuart: Mom. Mom. Mom! Can we go on our pajama, doughnut date now?
Me: Stuart, I'm sleeping. We can go after we all get up.

Saturday 10:00 AM:
Stuart: Mom, let's go!

We did have a great time on our date!


Chase had his first chess tournament on Thursday and won both his games. He was very proud of himself that he moved from 125 see to 120!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Michael and I are looking a really busy January. He is working Saturdays just to keep up. He has 3 trade shows in January. He will be gone in Atlanta the entire last week of January. More on that later.

2. I'm contemplating getting family pictures taken this spring. We've not had family photos since I was pregnant with Sabrina. Any suggestions for family photos in St. Louis with kids our kids' ages.

3. We've taken down the Christmas tree, but not finished putting away all the decorations. My goal is MLK weekend!

4. My 4 hours of sleep from Saturday night is really catching up with me. I'm a touch crabby and trying to hide it.

5. I've been studying a small bit on missionaries that go to Islamic nations. It's no surprise that this has been a much debated topic for centuries. I read an two contrasting positions on the topic. Charles Foster writing in 1845 said that we shouldn't hold Mohammad to the standard of Christ, but rather Moses. I found this argument a complete fallacy. Why should we not compare Mohammad to Christ? He is the standard by which we are all compared; therefore, we all fall short because of Christ's standard of perfection. Without his sinless divinity, there would be no gracious salvation. Romans reminds us "there is no distinction [among people]: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Moses was judged by the standard of Christ, therefore; so should Mohammad. Just a little something deep for y'all.

6. Samantha has been playing a game she had as a kid with the children. I don't remember the name of it, but it has to with fantasy monsters and ambushes and my kids love it. Sabrina gets bored of it and walks away about half way through.
7. Chase typically is quite grouchy when I pick him up from school. I don't know why this is and bothers me; however, I am not responsible for his attitude, and I can't really change it. But today he hopped in the car and said, "I'm in such a good mood I want to tell you all about my day and all my others days!"

8. We've decided Chase is not going to participate in chess tournaments this year. With what our January is like (it' s only 6 weeks) and having a 4-month-old, it's just a bit much. But I grieve a bit for him. Being an only child until I could drive (yes my sister just graduated from high school), sometimes it's hard for me to make choices where one child has to sacrifice for the good of the family. I know he's only 7, and he has many years left to compete, but it's hard for me to ask him to give up an opportunity.

9. Sabrina is totally into Fancy Nancy books. We have to read Fancy Nancy everyday. Sabrina can tell you that a fancy word for shiny is iridescent and aubergine is a fancy word for purple. Also that RSVP means "Répondez s'il vous plaît" or please reply.



10. Stuart is really learning how to read. Chase was so different. He could read a book by himself without help at 3 1/2. Stuart is 5 1/2 and his journey to literacy has been so different. His education is such a group effort! And in some ways, more satisfying because of the greater effort. But it is just as exciting to listen to him struggle with a word and finally succeed!

Just a bonus picture

Not me! Monday

Yep, Monday, Labor Day, and a week of things I did NOT do!

While feeding the baby, I did NOT discover that size 1 diapers are much bigger than newborn diapers. I did NOT discover this leak by a huge wet spot on my shorts. I did NOT continue to wear the shorts the rest of the day. I certainly did NOT wear those shorts the next day.

Stuart does NOT insist that whenever Annalise cries, that she needs to burp. When she cries really hard, he does NOT say that Annalise wants him.

Chase has NOT discovered that he can play games on our iPods and Michael's work phone. One of those games is not Ms. Pac Man. This was NOT my favorite game as a child!

I do NOT not remember when I showered last. I am NOT using the excuse that I'm doing laundry and don't think that there will be enough hot water.

I am NOT totally eating up these girls together!


My youngest baby is NOT 2 weeks old. It does NOT feel like she's always been a part of the family.



Leave your own "Not me!" antics in the comment section!

Not me! Monday

Oi vey! It's Monday! Time for a little fun...

This past week I HAVE NOT been reveling in a dreamy baby girl. She is NOT sleeping almost 5 hours already. I DO NOT know how amazingly wonderful that is. (Really—a-MAY-zing!)

My older kids DID NOT start a great school year the day before Annalise was born. They DID NOT LOVE it. I DID NOT hear about how great school was.

Chase DID NOT confess that he doesn't really like the baby. That same night he DID NOT get out of bed when I was getting ready to feed her "just to check on her". He did not get up 20 minutes later to ask me this: "Is Annalise left or right handed?" It was not 3:30AM.

I have NOT gone a little coo-coo for this free mug from the hospital.

I have NOT been mercilessly teased by people, including the baby's nurse for getting excited about the mug.

I AM NOT feeling so good that I want to go running. (Reminder: I hate running). I am NOT getting frustrated because I feel I should be able to do more and then I realize I spend 8-9 hours every day sitting in a chair feeding a newborn.

Hope y'all have a great week.