A Sneak Peek

We've decided, after being in this house six years, that it needs to be painted. Actually, we knew it needed a paint job when we moved in, so I guess I should say....We've decided to finally paint the house.

Our house is mostly brick, but on the sides there is Masonite siding. It has been a yellowish/cream color and the trim (shutters and around the garage) has been blue. We are painting it green (Dried Basil to be exact) and the trim will be white (columns in the front, garage doors, etc.) with black shutters.

Here is a before - Jason pressure washing before painting. The crowd watching Daddy and asking many, many questions.

And, as far as Jason got on the painting before the rain came. And to go along with the outside re-do, here are some great landscape lights that go down our sidewalk (in the monkey grass) that Jason got from my parents for his birthday.

I am so excited about this project. Between Jason working Saturdays and rainy Saturdays, it is going to take awhile, but Jason assures me this is one project he will finish. (my fingers are crossed)

Capps Quotes

Every night we put the kids to bed and within 10 minutes Capps comes out to ask, "What day is tomorrow?" If you know Capps you know he is a little quirky, but he is also very obedient and I don't think he is stalling, he just needs to know.

We try to nip that in the bud now by telling him "tomorrow is ...." after our prayer, but we don't always remember.


Then he always has another question. Always something random, always brings a smile to my face and, quite frankly, I look forward to each night. I think he is just trying to clear his head for sleep. Here are some examples:


"When will we have spaghetti for dinner again?"


"Can we go roller skating for my birthday?" (2 months away)

"When does Daddy plan to play his ninja game on Xbox again?"


"Do you think Superman is real? And if so, could he really pick up a skyscraper?"


"When I get older, I think I'm going to buy a motorcycle!"


"Daddy is the best and Mommy is the best because you let us stay up until 9:03!"

"Mommy, next time you say 'Get your PJ's on', I'll remember to pick up my toys too" (after the boys got in trouble for not picking up their room before bedtime)

"What do you think Aunt Ruth is doing now?" (Aunt Ruth recently moved to South Africa)

"Exactly when will I get my doughnut tomorrow, for breakfast, after lunch or after dinner?"


"Does Ms Amanda (the mother of the baby we keep) know the Harris' (cousins) because I want to know if she'll know who I'm talking about in the morning when I tell her what I'm going to tell her." already planning out his morning converstation



"I just sneezed so hard that I tooted" (aka passed gas)

Just for Fun!

or

"A Laura Neumeroff rendition"

I promise that I don't have loads of extra time, I just enjoy a creative challenge. When I think of some project I want to accomplish, not much else gets done until I've completed that project. Last night my mother was reading "If you give a cat a cupcake" to the kids. I thought to myself, I should try one of those stories - just for fun. If you haven't read them, this may not make sense...

If you give a kid a hug,
He’ll probably want to snuggle.
If you snuggle on the couch,
He’ll probably want you to read him a book.
If you read him a book,
He’ll probably want to get his blanket.
When he gets his blanket,
He’ll decide he wants to build a tent instead.
Building a blanket tent will make him want to play make-believe
And then he’ll want to play dress up.
He’ll dress up like an Indian, then a Cowboy and then a Pirate.
Dressing up will make him think of Halloween
And he’ll want to go trick-or-treating.
Since it is Summer and no one is handing out candy,
You take him to the store to get a treat.
While you are out you decide you might as well do your grocery shopping.
You buy milk and bread,
Eggs and Cheese,
Cereal and Bananas
Seeing all the food at the store will make him hungry for lunch.
Since it isn’t time for lunch yet,
You take him to the playground to pass time.
At the playground he’ll go down the slide, swing on the swings,
And climb across the monkey bars.
After so much playing he’ll really be hungry.
So you leave the playground to get some lunch.
You go home and make a peanut butter and honey sandwich.
You won’t put enough honey on it and he’ll want a little more.
When you put a little more honey on the sandwich,
It drips out everywhere and makes a mess.
As you are trying to clean up the mess,
A juice cup gets spilled and makes a bigger mess.
The only way to handle the situation
Is to put him in the bath.
You run the bath for him,
Wash his hair and clean his tickle pits.
He loves playing in the tub.
He really loves playing with his boats in the water
Playing with the boats makes him think of being a pirate.
So when he gets dried off he wants to put his pirate costume back on.
Then his Cowboy costume.
Then his Indian costume.
While in his Indian costume, he remembers making a tent with his blanket.
When his blanket falls on top of him from the tent that was built,
He’ll remember how much he likes holding his blanket during story time.
So he’ll want you to read a book to him.
He’ll want you to read the book to him while on the couch,
Snuggling.
And chances are…
If you are snuggling on the couch reading a book with your kiddo,
You’ll get a hug in the end.

Mother's Day Gifts

Sometimes you have to take things into your own hands. Like when you have a non-gift-giving husband and you just make yourself something for Mother's Day.

I made the kids put their handprints on a terra cota pot for me! They got to play with paint, I got a gift - it was a win, win!

These are some of the things I did receive because my children are in school. Here are some pages from Daegan's book he made me and gave me at the Mother's Spa.

(This is me giving him a bowl of cereal at breakfast, he is sitting at the counter) (This is me with my broom)

(Obviously, him playing Xbox and him using the blue controller)

He also made me a flower - I have one of these from the older kids also!

Mollee's class did a jar with little cards in it. On the cards, the kids wrote things they loved or remembered about their mom. Tavis gave me carnations from his Wednesday night class and at school they made a stained glass candle.

And these are cards that the kids made Saturday - Mac and Capps because they don't go to school and Daegan, just because!

Happy Mother's Day to me!

Field Day 2010

Field Day last year was in the gym because of rain. This year it just happened to be on the hottest day of the year thus far. I don't know which was worse better. In the gym last year they didn't get to do all the races, but out in the heat, I had to run from field to field, field to field, field to field to catch Mollee and Tavis' events. I definitely don't need to do the treadmill tonight.

Actually, besides the sweltering heat, it was a fun morning - I love these things! Somehow, Mollee and Tavis both ended up on the Blue team so our cheering section dressed in blue. (I got Daegan out of class to come with us because they do kindergarten Field Day on the last day of school).

They always start the day with the "Parade of Nations". Each year they have four teams and each color represents a different country. On Thursday, the day before, they spend the afternoon with their teams and learn about their country. Blue was Italy! They parade around the school campus before the activities begin.Mollee and Tavis won their races by a long shot. I'd like to say they get their speed from me, but I'm guessing it is from their dad. Although, my father would like to say it is from him!

The fox tail was another interesting event. You mark who throws it the furthest - Mollee threw it backwards!

This is called the canoe race. I missed Mollee's, but Tavis' didn't go well and his true Caines temper came through (teamwork might not be his strong suit?).The biggest part of CCS Elementary Field Day is the Tug-O-War battle. It is a 4-way rope, first team to get it back to their cone wins.I love how Mollee is in the middle of all those boys!!!Afterwards, the entire 3rd grade along with their families were invited to the Scott's home to play on the trampoline, jump through the sprinkler, play basketball and enjoy a picnic. The kids had a blast and when we got home at 3:00 this afternoon, everyone was exhausted from heat!

I think I have my base tan ready for summer!

Mother's Spa

hosted by your kindergartner!

CCS has a great tradition that the Wednesday before Mother's Day, the kindergarten hosts a spa afternoon for the moms. Of course, this is my third invitation, but it is always an adventure.

You start with cucumbers on your eyes, while your child massages your shoulders.

Then they do your hairand your makeup!

and your nails! (mine are pink on one side with heart stickers and purple on the other side with stars)You then have some time to read through a book your child has made about you (which I will scan and post later) and the opportunity to read other books to your child.Don't I look relaxed and refreshed? It was great - always a sweet time!What a great tradition!!