Little People and Geo Tracks

In our house Little People is one of the most popular toys around.
Valarie got her very first Little People play set. A pink airplane
with 3 people... Now she won't have to keep playing with her bubba's.

Avery added to the boys collections with possable Eddie and his police cruiser
All the boys love the police siren sound it makes, and Eddie can sit..
Totally Cool !!!

Next, they got the promised new firetruck and poseable Michael.
It also makes siren sounds and the boys are playing with it non stop.

Next is the 2 new car sets added to the Geo Tracks collectons.
Each came with 2 people who can sit or stand.
First is the trash truck and then the ambulance. Alex's favorite is the trash truck.

Color Coded Kids

Avery is Green... and so were all his gifts....

Anthony is red... and so are all his gifts...
Anthony loves red because it reminds him of Jesus
dying for our sins.

Alex is blue... and so are his gifts...

Valarie is pink... because she's a girl.. we didn't have pink paper.
but we had purple.


I've been hearing about Color Coding Kids for organization.. both for mom and kids.
Especially when young. So I started it this year, and so far it's really great..
Now each of the kids have a color coded towel also.. Now when Mommy or Daddy
says who didn't hang their towel up.. We will already now.

They opened the towels first and it was a great way to keep them in one spot.
No one could open another gift until they were sitting on their towel.
And had their wrapping paper in the trash.. since it was color coded we knew who hadn't done it yet.

Christmas Miracle

As the season started I didn't know how Christmas would turn out. How would
we ever afford it. It wasn't that the boys wanted much or needed much.
The big gift has yet to come in the mail. Will post once it gets here. But that
one gift took all our money and most of the christmas money the kids got.

One morning a few weeks ago we got a package in the mail.
It was amazing, inside was a gift for each child and us, and a card.
It was for Wal-mart and for good amount. Tears filled my eyes.
I had no idea who it came from, but it didn't matter. I knew it was God providing.

Anthony really only wanted 2 things for Christmas.
The first being anything but cheap. He wanted a bigger bike.
The second was a football. Thankfully he was able to get both.

Now, Alex needed a blue bike, but we didn't have that much money.
However, Anthony's old bike was in still very good shape, and paint is much cheaper.
Terry has spent every evening this week taking the bike apart, spray painting
and putting it back together. The only evidence is the seat is the same,
Alex, didn't care though. All he saw was his own blue bike. Now he just needs a horn.
He also got more GeoTrax cars, which he loves playing with non-stop.

Here are the two bikes and of course the miracle gifts
which we were able to get the kiddos this year.

A Very Late Night Playing Santa

Last night was a late night for Mommy and Daddy. It started when the boys went to bed and were asleep around 8:30ish... and lasted till around 2 this morning... AHHHHH my bed felt so good. What were we up to??? Well, playing Santa of course. We hadn't done anything and I mean anything for decorating, wrapping, etc....so it had to get done.. And I was making crayon cupcakes too. So as we wrapped gifts, looked up jokes on line to humor ourselves, drank coffee, strung lights on our ummm tree???? and put out some of the boys favorite ornaments. Below are the pictures.. Our navity because played with all year long was missing a few parts. We have 2 sets and I couldn't find a full set of eather, and no sheep whatsoever.. but at least I got sheperads, an angel, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and 3 wise men. Our tree is truely unique. We don't have room for one so we wrapped lights and ornaments around a 3 tierd fruit and vegtable hanger. Rather nifty I do say and looked pretty cool. Then we stacked the gifts and last but not least we put the bikes out. Kept all the lights twinkling for the kids when they woke up in a few hours, and the night wouldn't have been complete without our late night suprivisor who fought sleep the whole time.. Don't you love how she's just lounging around, and if you notice she had baby Jesus.

Crayon Organization????

Mommy called all three of us into the kitchen today and told us to unwrap all of
the broken crayons... this wasn't very easy.. and acutally mommy ended up
unwrapping most of them.. but was this really an art project or was it a school lesson???

Mommy got all of these plastic containers out and told us to sort the colors out.
Hmmm.. sounds like school to me..... but it sure was fun..
and if the crayons broke we didn't get in trouble for breaking them!!!!!

Here is the finishing project that mommy is working on late tonight
these are crayon cupcakes or muffins. Don't they look cool.
Hope noone tries to eat one.

After peeling and sorting all the crayons by color. go lightes to darkest and
I'm using my small crockpot set on high filled 1/3 - 1/2 with water.
Put a soup can or anything like that in it. and put crayons inside
They melt and you pour them into cupcake holders and let them harden.
These are just way to cool....... Makes everyone want to be a kid again.

So thankfull Jesus is big enough to go around...

Alex and Avery this morning were playing with Jeses the figurine doll in Avery's hand. He was driving the "sleigh" and Alex there was leading the Reindeer "cow" and my jump drive as the sleigh... It was really funny watching them running through the house going Jesus says giddy up reindeer.. and then later on today we started fighting over Jesus he had to ride the bus which Alex had and Avery wanted him to play with his other animals.. Alex already had baby Jesus on the bus, but he had to have them all. I made the comment to the kids that there is enough of Jesus to go around for everyone and how thankfull I am for that.. So glad He isn't a little doll that only one or two of us can have but He's here to save the whole world if we only let Him be the center of our hearts. Amazing how kids playing can remind you of something so precious.

Helping Hands... Ummm..

Avery thought it would be a great idea one day last week to help with dishes... He said he would rinse and sissy could wash.. Yep, can't you see Valarie laughing at that idea too. Her washing dishes. She can't even reach the sink. Though I must say Avery can be a big help with rinsing dishes..

Avoiding Housework Game

Dec 19, 2008 (17 hours ago)
Avoiding Housework Game

from We Shall Mount Up With Wings by Rachel
If you want to play along, copy and paste the list then put the things you have done in bold

1. Started your own blog .
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (school band for 6th - 8,10 & 12th grade - clarinet, contra-base clarinet)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (Disney World)
8. Climbed a mountain (actually backpacked it.. it was awesome!!!)
9. Held a praying mantis (on a stick)
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (no, it was repleing off a mountain several times.. really fun)
12. Visited Paris (I've been to Paris, TX)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (not on paper, but I have 2 girls who claim us)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables ( lima bean plant in elementary)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (before married and hardly any bills. I could go bowling anytime : )
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (just simple stuff around Colorado Springs)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (hairline only )
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
80. Published a book (I tried)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating ( I use to help my parents do up Rabbits)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (I saw Neal McCoy and said Hi in Hobby Lobby once)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee (it was red wasp actually)
100. Read an entire book in one day

I learned something else new... NO HANDS

Hi again there camera... you sure come out a lot these days.. So what do you want?
Oh.... Mommy told you I learned how to sit up last night..
Yep, It's true.. Kinda tricky.. at first I fell over backwards.

See nothing to it really.. You just with your legs like this.
It's another balancing act.

Hey, Mommy did you get all that... Okay now watch real close at this next trick.

TA DA.... LOOK NO HANDS HOLDING ME UP!!!

Mommy wasn't smiling : (

What do you do when you finish all your wonderful squares on the walls, only to discover that the "painter's tape" took part of the paint with it..... so now mommy has to touch it up......
But then this is what Alex mommies wonderful helper decied to do... He opened the blue paint and helped add another blue square.. Great now I gotta fix that too... Maybe.... So mommy not being very happy put all the paint away and said under no certain terms was she working on it.. for awhile at least..... anyhow this is where the "closet wall is going to be... I have a shelf with rod that will hang clothes on it at a level the boys can reach. Then they can have things on the shelf top...
Avery's wall which is to the left is solid green.. needing a 2nd coat of paint.. Hope this gives ya'll an idea of what I'm doing in there.

Valarie can Crawl !!!!

Hey, there everyone. I started figure this thing out the other day.
I've been watching my friends at church, and my cats and my big brothers.
... and they move around on 4 legs (hands and knees).. I figure Hey it doesn't look so hard..
I was BIG TIME WRONG>>> but after a few weeks of trying and only going backwards.
I went forwards. This is only the 4th time for me to do this so watch closely.

And nope I wasn't crying.... my bubba's were nice enough to share their cold with me.

Now wasn't that just sweet of them.

First things first here... Get up on all 4 of them legs you got.. or arms, legs.. whatever you call them. and get your balance really good.

Now reach forward with one arm, careful not go your dress caught in your knees when you move them.

Sometimes you need take a break. Carpet can be tuff on knees.. so just rest them a second

This is also a great arm exercise if your interested..

Push up and get started going again. Reach forward.. balance and move your knees forward.. only one at a time.. It doesn't work to well if you try to both at once. I tried it and all that happened was boom, I hurt my nose.

Reach your arm way up high and get a really good stretch.

Try really hard to keep your balance with the other side so you don't fall
Remember Balance is big factor here...

Okay you got it... Now I got across the floor to this toy. I think I will stop for now.

Valarie helping set up the Awana Christmas Store Tuesday afternoon

A WEEK OF....... A WEEK

AHHH. NO PICTURES FOR THIS UPDATE....
BUT I'M SURE SOME OF YOU WILL LAUGH... THOUGH AT THE MOMENT.
MOMMY & DADDY WERE NOT.

Monday: All 3 boys are not feeling well. Anthony sounded horable with a wheezy cough.

Tuesday: Start of at the Dr. and then we ran a lot of errands with Grammy. Boys checked out okay just extreamly congested. Alex has a little fluid on ears but nothing to be concerned about.
Happy mommy because I really hate antibiotics.
After going by Aunt Ruth's house ---> I told the boys do not go near Miya with your colds. Stay in the living room. Okay mom says to little boys. But mom she's so tiny and cute and I have to see her. This is from Anthony. Only if you don't breath on her. you are full of germs.. After being there awhile I look to see Anthony. He has taken a huge deep breath, just outside of Aunt Ruth's room, steps inside peeps onto the bed where Miya is laying now only 4 days old. Steps back out into the hall and lets out all the air and starts coughing.. Well, he says you told me not to breath on her. Gotta smile.
Next stop was getting some food at CiCi's of course. Then to Target to get some medicine and other things. Great Anthony's isn't in... UGHHHHHHH...... soooo off to drop Grammy off at Sutton's so she can be there till mom gets home. I drive across town to the church. Where I find a sister.. Hmmmm....
I put the boys down for naps, and start to work on the Awana Christmas store. There for awhile. Back to Aunt Ruth's, pick up Grammy, go to Lowe's to get some paint (for the boys room) and back to the church. Then we met up with Pappa at I-Hop. and home.. sure was a long day..
WEDNESDAY: Wake up, everyone seems to be sick with somthing. Mommy is so tired. Someone was up all night coughing and mommy taking care of them or listening to see she needed too.. Anthony is trying hard to be a good big brother. Mommy come here....okay just a minute.. trying so hard to get up out of bed. Finally I do.. and what do I find.. 5 steps out of my room.. "It Empty".. "Huh, what's empty Avery?" ... "This" (holds up large baby powder bottle)
OHHHHHHH NOOOOOOO It's not even 8:00 yet... So to Anthony's room I go.. Find a "Bonfire" made by Alex, you name it, and it was on Anthony's floor. and Aver's Empty was all over the bed and other areas of the room.. Daddy hears mommy's UGHHHHHHHHHHH and comes out.. What is.... and he sees what is... FUN.. Not really...
So then we Mommy, Grammy, and the 4 kids get in the car. We go to a store get some supplies for tonight. Go pick up Jordan and Jori, to their house. to the church. Mommy runs to the store ALONE : ) ooops got in a line that won't swipe cards.. UGGGGGG... Jump in car, get a pizza.. drive to church. Throw 3 boys and Jori in my car.. Drive to Maria... someone parked in front of me.. How am I to get out (would have to see to understand) Made it to church @ 6.. Good we are on time... Get the kids to Awana.. and back across town to Grammy.. Help with Awana store. and then Daddy and Poppa arrive with 3 little boys in tow.... we leave late.. get to bed late...

Thursday: I get up early and go to Jennifer's even though we are cleaning and organizing it really was a break for me... Then I did carpool pick up. then to Target (Terry relized I'd forgotten the prescription last night), back to Jennifer's. Terry text says I'm on my way home.. I head to Aunt Ruth's and help her with a few things.. say hi to little Miya.. shhhh Shianne was sleeping.. Valarie is now feeling horrible.. Eyes are red red water and swollen. She looks so bad. She's all stuffy and running a low fever..... and has "The Cough" get home early okay.. depends how you see 2AM...

FRIDAY: Mom wakes me up.... huh.. what oh yeah. give me a few minutes and send the boys home..... 4 sick kids and house needs clean = call Terry.. "can you come home early?" So he does and helps with boys.. Nap time.. Yeah.. I can.. nope now that 2 is asleep 3 has woken up crying.. his ear hurt.. great... Give him some medicine hold a wimpering hurting little Avery in my arms who is cold but running 102..... I fall asleep in the rocking chair... Wake up. Lay Avery in my bed. Other boys getting up.. "Mom where is the key".. "Alex you don't need the key we aren't painting today"... I thought that was the end.. "Mom, Alex is hammering the wall".. I go look.. NOOOOOOO, steam is coming out of mommy... tired this is soooo not funny sight.. Alex is covered in Blue paint.. well his shirt and hands are. He has painted a blue square (it's supposed to be green), painted a wall blue, painted toys, it's everywhere.. Daddy hears mommy yelling.. I was far from the wonderul mommy at the time.. Daddy helps me clean it up.. I put all the paint away until futher notice. Fix supper. boys to bed. Daddy gets mommy some Finca's and I pass out... sorta.. Anthony wakes up crying his ear hurts bad.....

SATURDAY: I was supposed to go to Jennifer's again.. but.. Hmmm what is that sound..running water, thunking. oh Terry must be in the kitchen doing dishes.. hmmm.. sleep.. sleep.. Eyes wide open.. Jump up.. (just remembered Terry is at work), Avery is at the sink with my glass gallon jar for tea.. I catch it just before it trys to fall from the cabinet.. "What are you doing?""Making juice" I look at the time it was 7:23am we go to my room, Valarie is awake, change Avery's pull up, change Valarie's diaper, she's warm again, get medicine and temp... pick her up.. gross just got threw up on and it was mostly yellow mucas she had swallowed... "thank you avery" he'd got mommy a towel.... things calm down.. call Jennifer, Anthony wakes up, still coughing but feeling better. I finally go check on Alex, He looks at me.. "Alex are you okay"... shakes head no and throws up on me.. that's 2.. "Alex run to the bathroom to do that." He tries but stops again and gets it on the floor.. Clean this up.. Find Alex standing with his head in the tub.. okay... Put him back to bed in my bed.. Valarie is back asleep... What a morning and it's only 9:00 ... The day continues.. Cough, cough, mommy I don't feel good. Mommy I want juice.. Mommy.. Mommy.. Time for naps after a late breakfast/lunch... But I'm not tired says all 3 boys.. "Don't care lay down and see if your eyes want a nap" and now it's just pass 2. Avery is crying in my lap with his ear again. and Alex just woke up. Valarie woke up and Anthony is still asleep and he was the worse I'm not tired.. .


Soooo... Just thought If you thought your week was long.. check out mine.. and smile.

Christmas Cousins

After church a few weeks ago I took some pictures of Valarie with one of her many cousins
Isn't Maria and Valarie cute together.
They are the only 2 girls on Terry's side of the family for grandkids. There are 5 boys.