My New Mantra!

I was walking at the Mall yesterday and saw a sign that said, "Don't just stand there, eat a cookie!" in the Mrs. Fields store window. Sounds perfect to me!!

Cross walks

Have any of you noticed that cross walks with out a WALK/DON"T WALK system have completely been demoted? The other day I was driving and stopped for a pedestrian and she just stood there and stared at me for a few seconds, not realizing that she was in fact at a cross walk and I was stopped for her. On the flip side, I was walking while T Jay and Summer were riding their bikes. When we came to a cross walk, one driver stopped and let T Jay cross, while a second driver sped through before Summer and I had a chance to cross! That was even in our neighborhood. It's almost like they have become the game board for playing "Chicken"! Soon they might start having some sort of score keeping system at each one! See who is more brave, the motorists or the pedestrian! I bet I can guess!

Kindergarten Program

T Jay's school did a Thanksgiving program. It was really fun to watch all of the scream/singing from all of those cute kids. As it turns out, I am quite the sap lately. I got a little teary eyed thinking about all I have to be thankful for as the kids sang. T Jay was a little worried that he wouldn't finish his head dress in time for the program. He is a slow, meticulous worker. He was very proud once he finished! I think he looks great!
Group song
T Jay's class getting lined up.
We are heading up to the pan handle for a Joyner family Thanksgiving! I am very excited as this is the first time I have had a Thanksgiving with them (as far as I know). I hope you all have a great Thankful day.

Enjoy the "Now"

I was watching the CMA awards last week and this song was performed. I got all teary eyed. It made me think about how much I love my little babies. I can't tell you how many poems and stories I have read that tell you to enjoy the zany-ness and the fingerprints that come from being a parent because they will be gone before you know it. They all bring a similar reaction-tears to my eyes and a swelling heart. Anyway, in the mist of all of Matthew's mischief, Summer's drama and T Jay's life as the oldest, I've decided to just enjoy and focus on them more. I've tried to laugh or at least document without getting mad Matthew's messes and spend time with all of them. Last week I taught Summer how to make cookies all by herself and she loved the attention. T Jay got his chance on Sunday night. It is so much more fun to spend their childhood doing those types of things, because before I know it, I won't be the coolest person in their life-although I can hope, right?!
So take time to enjoy whatever your "now" is, because chances are you're gonna miss it.

So, I guess No nap today...

I went to check on Matthew after a bit to see if he was asleep. Instead of finding a peacefully slumbering baby, I found one that thought he may have a touch of diaper rash...on his hands. Well, Problem solved.

We should see improvements by this evening. Don't you know the more you use the faster you see results!! Since he used Burt's Beeswax diaper creme, his room has a nice geriatric smell to it. So fresh and minty! I guess it's time to empty out the drawer in the changing table.

Time

Tonight we took the kids back to the park for a couple of hours of rolling in the sand. As we made our way home, it was getting dark. The kids went straight to the tub to wash away all of the sand that hitchhiked home in their hair. Matthew won that contest! Once they were done, it was completely dark out. They donned jammies, brushed teeth, said prayers and off to bed they went. As I got downstairs to begin my quiet evening I looked at the clock. It said, 6:34 pm! Oops! My kids usually go to bed between 7 and 7:30. It seemed like it was that late, but... I went back upstairs to offer them stories in their beds for a bit and I found Summer fast asleep and T Jay on the edge. He stirred when I came in so I asked him if he wanted to read for a bit. He did, so I brought him a few books. It's funny that even a week or two later, even I am having a hard time adjusting to the difference with the time change! I wonder what time Summer will wake up after going to bed so early? I hope that she at least sleeps in until 6:30 since it's my turn to get up! And yes, 6:30 is considered sleeping in around here, sad, huh?!

Happy's visit

My high school friend, Happy came to visit last week with her kids and we had a blast.

On Friday we took the kids to this park and we stayed there for like four hours! We got there about an hour before lunch and decided that the kids were having so much fun we didn't want to leave. So, I ran to Wendy's and we had lunch and then they played even more. It was so nice to sit and visit with Happy while they were completely occupied. I am taking the kids back today for another round!

Matthew ate like 7 orange wedges! He would eat them right to the peel to where there was a hole through the middle of the peel. T Jay also taught him how to put them in his mouth, too.

Summer. Teya and Happy at the park.