30 toes

Fine. I admit it. I take too many bathtub pictures. What of it? I am a SUCKER for little naked booties. I have pictures of them all over my house. I am the bathtub paparazzi. These are going to show up in slide shows, scrapbooks, wedding videos, graduation announcements, yearbooks...they can thank me later, but they are gonna love it that I have documented all their bathtime fun. Okay, so I walk by (because it was noticably too quiet) and spy 30 little toes propped up, chillin' in the bathtub. We have the "lettin it all hang out with no regard to personal modesty" brother goose, the "perfectly manicured and all the ducks in row" mother hen, and the "trying my darndest to stretch those little piggies so that the toes and the head stay out of the water at the same time" baby Banty rooster. Three very different children, all on the same page.

Mr & Mrs Potato Head...

Mr. & Mrs. Knuckelhead is more like it, but MAN are they cute!!

Bus Rider

Last year he was bused from one school campus to another just for the sheer thrill of being a bus rider. No real purpose in it except that he wanted to do it. Of course being a big bad first grader he wanted to be a bus rider both afternoon AND morning but you know what...that 7am pick up and 45 minute bus ride is a bit much for my senses to take so we compromised. Tate is now being dropped off at the end of the block and he GETS to WALK home. Everyday when he gets off the bus he waves to his driver, "Miss Judy", bounds down the steps, and greets me with a huge smile. That kid is RARELY grumpy. And the bus is just a perfect end to a great day for him. He's pretty amazing. Like Jason always says, "He's the best kid we've got".

First day of First grade

Monday morning...Tatum practically skipped out of bed. He has been looking forward to this day for weeks. He chirped all through breakfast and was ready to go with 10 minutes to spare. Emma and TC picked up on the charge in the air and followed suit in the excitement. I couldn't quite convice TC that it wasn't HIM that was going to school today (notice his backpack).

The halls were packed with parents and students, everyone wanted to walk in today to ease their first day jitters. Tatum charged on, leading the way for the rest of us, stopping, of course, to greet the librarian, vice-principal, PE teacher, art teacher, and couselor.

His is the first name on the rack. How exciting! A special place just for him! It's almost as if someone knew he was coming?! When Mrs. Luongo asked how he was doing, he replied "Well...I'm a little bit anxious" to which she responded, "I'm a little anxious myself" (She just found out she was being moved to a different grade about 3 weeks ago).

I've saved the best for last of course. No one can tell me that Tatum's life is lived by chance. No such thing as luck. God has had His hand on him from the beginning, leading the way and opening doors for him that continually amaze us. A week before school started, Mrs. Hord, the vice principal, called to tell us she had a proposition for us. Mrs. Luongo was moving to 1st grade and we had the choice of putting Tatum back in her class again. Let me think about it for a second...YES! First grade is one of the hardest in a child's elementary career, they learn more in the first grade then any other...and Tatum will have the benefit of a familiar classroom with a teacher who already knows his quirks and most importantly, LOVES HIM.

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not calamity, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

New shoes

I remember when I didn't have any children and I knew alot about them and I had a plan and I knew exactly how I would be as a mom. I would say things like... I will never let my children eat donuts for breakfast... I will never let them stay up all hours of the night just because I have something to do... I will never let my children run around in just there underwear...I will never use TV as a babysitter... I will never let my children pee in the front yard... I WILL NEVER LET MY CHILDREN WHERE THOSE TACKY CHARACTER TENNIS SHOES. Hmmm...isn't it ironic that I have been proven a liar on all of my "I will nevers"? When your 2 year old squeals "PIDA MAN! I WANT DOZE!!, how can I really say "no". What kind of a mother would look into those big blue, expectant, hopeful eyes and really in good conscience crush her child that way. So we found them in a size 9 and it's been love ever since. The boy who has not worn shoes all summer, who shucks his shoes as soon as I look away, wants these "Pida man" shoes on when he first wakes up, sleeps with them at nap time, and throws a fit when they must be taken off to bathe. Paired with the shoes is his backpack, which he dons and proudly annouces "I Go Kool Now" (school). The difference between TC and every other kid...he makes a tacky pair of tennies look GOOD!

Don't even bother reading this, it will be a waste of your time...

9:50 p.m....Jason walked in 15 minutes ago and when the children all streamed out of their rooms with their shrill little voices announcing that "Daddy's home!", I really didn't believe them...it's a good thing he walked in the door because I was about to start handing out spankings...I'm not grumpy, I'm not mad, I'm not even frustrated...I'm just tired...this job doesn't get a lunch break or a smoke break or a freakin' coffee break...I've done really well, held my composure, had enough energy-patience-sympathy-kisses to last the day and into the night...still good...but just don't want to talk to any more miniature tyrants-project managers-demolition workers-blooming thespians-music/giggle boxes...I'm off the clock...so why do I still sense a twinge of guilt sitting at my computer, wasting time, doing exactly what I want? Here's something new I learned today...those little sparkle wands that are filled with the glitter that slides back and forth when you tip them...they are filled with what seems to be baby oil...I know...I've tried to clean it out of my carpet...I also learned today that if TC wants it bad enough, he will shove 1/2 a chickfila sandwich in his mouth when you mention icecream...and then proceed to choke and spit out the half chewed, slimy sandwich onto the table...yum...Emma knows how to climb to the very tip top of the playscape and sit contemplatively while TC scurries to join her, making it to the exterior of the outer railing before yelling "Help!, I tuck (stuck)"...I made an apple pie for Jason's birthday which is on Friday...I think I'm doing a great job to #1 remember and #2 actually bake something in his honor...he informs me that is the test pie and he would like his to have fresh apples...his will be another cakeless birthday I'm afraid...I've already eaten one piece (it's dang good by the way) even though it cost be 7 stinkin' weight watchers points...Jason is still in with the kids...I bet he's asleep...I think I'm going to play another game of solitaire...

Last day...

Our last full Sunday with Daddy was full of swimming, pizza, and lots of play time. The last hoorah...we will miss you Daddy

Goin' to Granna's

Mom and Dad moved in June and here it is August and we have yet to go visit. So now Jason has started football and we have some long days ahead of us with not much to do, so this would be a perfect time to pay Granna and Poppy a visit. The kids spent alot of time exploring the new place and each day we went to the pool. But after 3 days the new began to wear off and they began to wear on each other (and me) so it was time to call it good, load the wagon, and head for home.

Squirrel Hunt

We're goin' on a squirrel hunt...

We're gonna catch a big one...

What a beautiful day...

Where not scared...

Where is Sugar?

Granna: You know where Sugar is? (the cat)
Tatum: In heaven with Daddy's shoebox. A stranger drove by and SQUISHED Sugar and kept on going. We can't keep ol' dead Sugar. We can't get another cat until our dogs die.

Depends on the mood

Depending on what mood Emma is in and on what day you ask her...this is either her newest cheerleading pose or a karate move. This face doesn't scream "Go Team!" to me today.

Drinking & Driving

TC is by far the youngest of my 3 to master the Gator. He can steer, turn around, even back up...but this new trick beats all...driving with one hand on the wheel and one eye on the road while downing an ice cold one. Can you pick up on the atttitude? He is one tough kid.

Good on a hot day

Nothin' like good friends and an ice cold long one...a popcicle that is