Glamorous!

I just laughed so hard I cried. And I was driving, so crying, while doubled over with laughter does not equal safety first. We made it home alive anyway. What I would have given to have my camera with me, because it takes video clips. Oh I can think of many things I would have given up for a recording of this one, including my right arm, my first born, and my wine for a year. (well, actually, let's not get carried away). Anyway, there we were, ALL of us, in the van, and "Glamorous" came on the radio. by Fergie. It's kind of an old song now, so the kids were all excited, and saying how they haven't heard this one in ssssooooo long. So I cranked it up, and the next thing I know, EVERYONE is singing at the top of their lungs. Including Jake and Josh's little voice "....So if you aint got no money take your broke butt home!" At the top of their lungs, and Andrew, who usually lets the girls take center stage. Well, we didn't know it, but Andrew has opera talent. I am so serious right now. Rick said we needed to look into getting him in chorus. He can quiver his voice. So there he was, more like a work of art than hip-hop. Drawn out, voice quivering, holding the note, yet still on beat. "G. L. A. M. O. R. O. U. S." It was beautiful. And I died laughing I almost peed myself.

I know he's old, but...

Jake: "Who was the first president?"

Me: "George Washington"

Jake: "Was McCain the second one?"

Just DY

So I have not done this since this post, but I love to see how people get to my site. So here is my new favorite: "Just DY" OMG! I love it that someone googled this. That cracks me up. Yes, I am a firm believer in this. Just Do Yourself! Do Yourself, Do yourself, Do yourself! You will surely have a great time. So what are you waiting for? Just Do Yourself! Here is the post where this was discussed.

A New Baby!

Her name is Snow, and she knows her name, so I wouldn't want to change it. She is 7 yrs. old. She is gorgeous, sweet, and lovable. I love her.

Thank-you, Rick. I adore you. You are an amazing fiance and Dad, and constantly sacrifice to make us happy. We are so lucky to have you. I love you, and I can't wait for the honor of getting to call you my husband.

Jake and Josh are six!

Dear Jacob and Joshua,

You turned 6 yesterday, and it was the best children’s birthday party I have ever attended, let alone hosted. Unfortunately, only 1 out of the 16 kindergarten friends that were invited attended. It was fine though, because we have 7 kids ourselves, and Brooke’s and Andrew’s best friends came, and your cousins Zack and Megan came. So including the girl from Josh’s class, there were 12 kids, and 7 adults. Not to mention all the regular barn people. We had it at the barn, and started with hotdogs and face-painting. Then, everyone took turns riding horses on the trail. You both dressed up like true cowboys, and had a great time. After the trail rides, you all went on a hay ride through the fields of horses, and were allowed to throw hay out to the horses, which made them follow you. Sadly, the hay ride was cut short, because there was a poor injured horse in the field, which had been shot by a real arrow! Oh-my-Goodness the excitement this caused at the barn. We all watched as the horse-men applied antiseptic to the horse, and cut and pulled the arrow right out of the horse’s leg! The horse was fine, but everybody was very sad that this happened.

The Invitation


A close-up of the wanted pictures on the invitations:




You guys in the yard right before we left for the party.


Jake took this picture with his new camera (Rainia getting her face-painted)


Jake took this pic. of Nick and Andrew who are WAY too cool to get their faces painted.


Cousin Megan getting ready to go on her trail ride



After the excitement of the injured horse wore off, we sang the birthday song to you guys, and everyone stumbled over the name part, because there are two of you. You both had your own cowboy inspired cake, and then we went out to hit the cowboy piñata. The piñata actually started its life out as a “Bob the builder” piñata, because I couldn’t find a cowboy one. But you guys are WAY too old for “Bob the Builder”, so Rick covered the Bob part in red wrapping paper, and then plastered it with cowboy stickers. It was so cute. Jake, you went first to hit the piñata, and didn’t even say a word when it swung back and hit you in the forehead with all ten pounds of candy. I would have never even known it happened if I hadn’t noticed the red knot pop up on your forehead. Josh, you went second, and then a couple other kids, but it was your big cousin Zack who hit that piñata like a baseball, and busted it open. You all ran to get the candy.

Josh blowing out his candles


Jake blowing out his candles


Close-ups of the cowboy cakes




A couple pics Jake took of the pinata





After the piñata, we went in to open presents and you guys were so excited. Josh, you impressed everybody, because Andrew’s best friend Nick gave you $5. And then your cousin Zack gave you $5. And you made everyone stop what they were doing, and you yelled “NOW I HAVE TEN DOLLARS!” We were impressed because you had added it up so quickly. After the presents, it was time for everyone to go home, but you didn’t want to go home, and Josh’s friend didn’t want to go home, so all the kids played on the playground while you guys, Raven, her Mom and I walked through all the barns to pet the horses. Jake, you woke up the pig by taking his picture with your new camera, right in his face, with the flash on. Then we ran out of there because he started making some VERY loud grunting noises.

Jake took this pic of Josh's friend Raven skipping to the barn


The pic. that woke up the pig



We all spent some time on the playground after that, and finally came home. We had a sleepover with us, plus Nick and Savanna, and I set up the tents for everyone to sleep in. You guys decided to come inside with us though, and Andrew didn’t sleep out there either. We had a big campfire, and roasted hotdogs. Jake, you actually burned your finger on the hotdog by touching it right after you roasted it, but you didn’t complain about that either. You are tough boy. Josh, you spent more time inside playing your new video games then you did at the campfire. First you got Rick to play with you, then you played by yourself. Finally, you got your Uncle Sky to play with you. You did spend part of the night out with us though, dancing to the music and roasting your hotdogs.



Unknowingly, I documented Jake's injury


A few pics Jake took







Jacob, your favorite gifts were the digital camera from me and Rick, and the boots from Grandma. Josh, your favorite gifts were the “Speed Racer” video game from me and Rick, and the “Basketball” video game from Uncle Sky.

I love you guys SO much, and I can’t believe that my babies are so old.

THAT mother

I am sick. I have a terrible cold, and have been too tired at the end of the night to write anything.

I do want to talk about Rainia's elections, because I was so proud of her, and am THAT mom. 2 years ago, when Kyley was in 4th grade, Rainia's age now, she was also elected into student council. She was running for vice-president. We spent hours writing the perfect speech, and she delivered it flawlessly. I didn't know until I got there what the parents with older siblings already knew. The speech in elementary school doesn't matter.

There were students doing flips, students in costumes, and students throwing things into the crowd. There were students who brought their older siblings to do the speech for them, and students with music. It was a show like I had never seen. It had absolutely nothing to do with the position the kids were running for, and everything to do with the “awe” factor. So poor Kyley delivered her speech beautifully, but didn’t stand a chance.

So this year, with Rainia, I was prepared. We decided that we would spend a lot less time on the speech, and a lot more time on the tricks. Her sisters volunteered to help, and I left it to them. They are, after all, the professionals.

So they created a lift, and Kyley even went to cheerleading with them so that she could learn how to spot. (Safety first.) So when it was Rainia’s turn, they lifted her high into the air, where she balanced perfectly. I handed her the microphone, and she delivered the speech she had memorized. When she was done, they threw her up, and caught her flawlessly. It was beautiful.

How was I supposed to know that in the last 2 years since Kyley was there that the school had been working on getting the kids to stop doing tricks? How was I supposed to know that she would be 1 of only 2 students who did anything other than stand sweetly at the podium and read their speech? How I ask you, how? So I became THAT mother. The one who tries to get her kid to show-up the other kids. But, I tell you people, it was not my fault.

EEEWWWWW!!!!!

Kyley has serious skin problems. She has been diagnosed with ecxema, and she gets a nasty rash on her legs every June that goes away in Dec. She has recently come down with another rash. Unfortunately, this one can't be covered up with pants. This is us at the Dr.'s office. They finally referred us to a dermatologist, and I will let you know what they say there. So now she has 2 different excema creams. One for her legs, and one for this.







POOR BABY.

Vowels

Brooke: I worked on my vowels last night.

Me: Your what?

Brooke: My vowels. for the wedding. I worked on them. Their not done yet.

Me: Oh, their called vows. Without the "l". Vowels are, you know, a e i o u.

Kyley: And sometimes Y.

So yes, we are incorporating our kids in all aspects of this wedding. I have been working on the perfect monogram for us. Here is one that a fellow knottie, Ponticelli came up with.