Old Sneakers

Yes, I said sneakers, get over it. My mother is a Yankee.

I just happened to notice today that Daegan's socks were peaking thru the end of his shoes. I'm embarrassed to think how long he has been walking around with holes in his shoes.
So, we threw them away - and he cried! UGH! The tragedies of childhood.

Happy Birthday, Miles!

Today was a 6th birthday party for my nephew, MilesWe headed to the playground right after school for the celebration

And enjoyed an Indian Jones birthday cake (right before dinner)

2007 Photo Dump

Call me a copy cat, but if Moriah and Tabitha can post a bunch of older pictures, than so can I, right?

This is going to be a photo dump/memory lane entry for 2007 (since I've only been blogging this year, I hate for you to have missed our highlights from that year).

In 2007, Mac was a baby (born in January), therefore, he will be the focus of a lot of them. Here he is laughing at his big sister.
Capps and Daegan get stuck in the playhouse, that obviously was not set up correctly

Juice Box break after biking riding

This is my favorite one of the boys together, all playing on the deck with their baby new (2-months old) baby brother

These lollipops were a bad idea from the start, but we had them anyway

I used to decorate cakes for people for pay, but this is the only one I've done for my own kiddos

Daegan had to get seven stitches in his forehead after being pushed into the door frame by his sister on the way to Sunday School

The stitches occurred the first week of school and when Mollee was asked to draw a picture of her family, she included Daeg's woundA random picture of the kids in September that has always been one of my favoritesThe kids acting like a pumpkinMollee playing dress-upObviously, Mac is too big for the bouncy seat, but Mommy just couldn't let go of using it

Best Buddies - Daegan and Capps

"What happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandma's" t-shirt

New Year's Eve - Mac driving to Grandma's (eight doors down) with Daddy

THE END!

Zip Line and Rope Swing!

These two things have new meaning for my children.

On Sunday, my brother's daughter, Louisa, was being baptized. We went to join them for the baptism and worship and we were invited to my sister-in-law's family for lunch. The Smartt family is always so hospitable and we had a wonderful afternoon.

After lunch, the kids got to enjoy the Zip Line. It starts up a hill, back in the woods.It was hard to take good pictures because they were moving so fast, but here is a quick glimpse of them on the zip line seat:
Capps wasn't sure it was a safe idea, so he took a shorter ride via Uncle David
The rope swing was also a big hit, but I didn't take that many pictures. You got on the swing on this rock and jumped off. The other end of the swing dangled over the creek before you headed back toward the rock.The kids were disappointed to know that Louisa was only being baptized once, they were hoping for a repeat of the afternoon another day very soon!

Boys and Cutting Grass!

My boys are obsessed with watching Daddy cut the grass. I'm not sure what the fascination is, but on Saturday, they were all coloring when they heard the lawn mower start. They immediately picked up their coloring and parked on the front porch to watch Daddy (while coloring).
I can't complain about 'cheap entertainment'.

Up on a Hill

If you've been to our house you know we are up on a hill. I grew up in this neighborhood so I was used to the hills as a kid who roamed the neighborhood (remember when kids could do that?). Now, this hill is annoying for many reasons, such as: walking in the neighborhood for exercise (as an adult) is not recommended, also, when the kids throw a ball that goes to the road - that ball is never seen again. With four boys I have lost count how many balls have disappeared.

Well, if you are a local reader you know that we have had a lot of rain. From Sunday lunch until Monday lunch we got 7 1/2 inches at our house (and last year we were struggling with a drought?). Up on a hill is appreciated right now.

Today Jason took the kids to work with him (this was only possible because he is working at a friends' house) while I went to physical therapy (round 3 was quite a challenge as I had to play catch with a weighted ball while standing on the tip toes of my one bad foot/ankle - the other foot was not allowed to touch the ground). Anyway, as I was driving to pick up the kids everything around us was flooded. Everything! Again, happy to be up on a hill!!!

Now when is the sun going shine again?

Fall Decor

A friend blogged about her 'Fall Decor', so I was inspired to get mine out this weekend and, well, copy her and blog about it also. I never seem to be able to find my fall things until it is time to get the Christmas decor out, but this is what I managed to find and will be happy with this year. Note to self: make Fall box for easier find next year. #2 Note to self: Actually do it this year!

Here is my favorite pumpkin from Pier One - unfortunately, I have caught Mac carrying it around twice (it is ceramic), so who knows how long it will last?Here is a plant in a pumpkin basket in the kids'/guest bathroom - unfortunately, the plant already seems to have some toothpaste splattered on it.Here is my kitchen table centerpiece. The two box candles have bamboo sticks around the edges and the gourds are real, so they will be rotting soon, but for now I like how it looks. The dark cup looking item is a candle Mollee made in school last Christmas and we don't dare take it off the kitchen table. I also have a "Charlie Brown: Great Pumpkin Patch" flag that hangs outside that kids look for each year. I can't take a picture of it because it has been raining all weekend and isn't hung yet.

Happy Fall!!

A Do-Nothing-Saturday!

Despite all the rain (actually, probably because of all the rain), this weekend has been wonderful and uneventful. I'm anticipating a lot of chaos for our October weekends (two more Greta's Beads Expos, Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome, Alumni Weekend at CC, our anniversary and then Halloween), so I was trying to have a low key Saturday this time around. I have to plan this because it doesn't come naturally to me to 'do nothing'.

Saturday the kids woke up and played downstairs (without coming up every five minutes to see if I was awake) until I finally got up and got everyone a bowl of cereal. I made cinnamon rolls and coffee and headed back to bed. The kids allowed me to just rest and watch cartoons with Daddy (actually Daddy watched cartoons while I slept) until 11:15. I finally got up, got some laundry going(which still has to be done on a do-nothing-Saturday), made lunch, played on the computer and then ran to Wal-Mart (also a necessity on a do-nothing Saturday) and then I laid in bed the rest of the day watching football (I love football season!!). I made a yummy new experiment of feta-stuffed chicken and then watched more football after the kids went to bed.

Like I said, I don't 'do nothing' very well, but I think I did pretty good this time around. Today we ate lunch at Mom and Dad's and came home to some more football, cereal for dinner, and haircuts (because I just couldn't handle it any longer). I'm a little frustrated that it is Sunday night and I can't run my 5k because of my ankle, but I'm trying not to take it out on Jason. :)

Monday - here we come!!

Manners

There are some manners that are required in our household. The "yes, sir", "no thank-you", "please" types - I can't stand the "yep", "nope", and "sure" responses. I'm a stickler for those from the first time they talk.

As for table manners, I have to confess, I'm not as picky as I should be with these. I decided a few weeks ago that we would have one manner a week that we would work on at the dinner table. First week, was the one that bugs me the most- "No talking with your mouth full!" I have no desire to see what the kids are chewing. Because of too many drink spills, last week was put your cup at the top of your place mat when not drinking - not in harms way right next to your elbow. This week was to pull your plate towards you and eat over it, not sit two feet away from it so that half your food hits your chair rather than your mouth.

I think next week will be to actually stay in your seat, with your bottom touching your seat for the entire time we are eating - as we say here at the Brown house, "No, crouching at the table!"

Tabitha, you last picture made me laugh because we have the same thing here. Although, I never put the positive spin on it as missionary practice. :)

Daeg's Mosquitto

Daegan wanted documented proof on my "e-mail journal" of this mosquitto he built out of his Kinex:

PT Part 1

Today was the first day of Physical Therapy for my ankle. I was dreading it a little, but it wasn't bad - at least not today!! After many tests, the PT decided that he is a little leery that I have a slight slit/tear in my peroneal ligament and he wants to be very careful. (The worst thing you can do for this is a cortisone shot, which is what I got - oh, great!). He sent me home with exercises to do for the next two days, with major icing afterwards, and then I will go back for an intense workout with him on Thursday. He said these are good building block exercises before starting major strength building. He is afraid that any wrong move will end up in a complete tear. I am not allowed any running, walking, aerobics, lunges or anything for three weeks. When he did the functioning/strength test my right ankle is only functioning at 51%. He will not let me walk until it is 80% and no running until it is 90%. I will get tested again after five physical therapy sessions. I'm afraid this is going to be a longer process than I 'planned'.

Crazy Four

This past weekend I had an Expo at the Mall for my Greta's Beads business. There were a bunch of different businesses at different stations "sharing" their business with passerbys. It really was way out of my comfort zone to do such a thing, but maybe it was worth it? The day was ok, nothing grand in the sales department, but I did have a whole day without kids, hanging out with friends and making new friends. And I did hand out a lot of brochures, which usually results in a few sales down the road.

Anyway, my table was near a lady selling Wooden Brain Teasers. She had lots of different types of puzzles. I bought one called the Crazy Four. I don't think I can do it justice to try to explain it, but when you put all four cubes it in it's 'sleeve' you can see all four sides and you are trying to get each color on each side (I'm sure I just butchered that description). Here is what it looks like:

Capps is our child that we always challenge with these things because he is a puzzle person. He is a five-year-old ??? (still looking for the right description). He wanted to try it tonight and got it figured out in less than five minutes. No lie!! My parents were here for dinner and can testify (if a Grandparent's testimony is worth anything?).

Of course, he wanted a picture:

Jason said his nickname has just jumped from "Monkey" to our "Retirement". :)

Three in a day!

Today Tavis slipped in the bathroom at school and bumped his mouth with his knee and took care of three front top teeth that needed to be lost. He earned a $1 coin for his 'hard work'.

My ankle

I know, you're tired of hearing about my ankle, but I'm hoping this will be it (ok, maybe a complaint post about physical therapy will be coming?).

After waiting four months, I finally saw the orthopedic specialist about my ankle today. After looking at x-rays and doing a few "strength" tests, he said the ligament on the outside of my ankle was the problem. The terms he used were "ankle ligament laxity" and tendonitis. Because of this, the muscles around my ankle have weakened. My peroneal tendon is loose and every time I run it causes inflammation. Therefore, he is sending me to physical therapy. He said it should only take 4-6 sessions to strengthen the muscles so that the ligament can heal and so that the tendon will stop slipping. He was pleased that there was no arthritis on the xray and he felt like it should heal fine. He made me promise that if I was going to be running that I had to get good running shoes and continue to get good running shoes (don't ask me how old my shoes are - maybe you could call me cheap?). I will be going to meet with a recommended salesman that will analyze my foot to tell me what brand would be best for my foot and the way I run. He said he felt like I could continue to walk my 5Ks (not run) until the Physical Therapist gives me the ok to run again, which I will definitely be pushing for.

(fingers crossed) Here's hoping this is it and the problem will be healed soon.

"Alone"

Since the big kids went to school I see a lot more of Capps. He always seems to be in my "back pocket". He isn't a nuisance, just....always there!

Today, while he was eating breakfast, I went to take the garbage out and when I came back inside, I could sense his panic. When I asked him what was wrong, he said, "Oh, I didn't know where you were - and you know" (in his cute slur) "I hates to be alone".

Oh, I love my little monkey!

Perspective

Do you ever have a pity party for yourself and then view things in a different perspective and realize how selfish you are?

For a week-and-a-half, Jason was working an hour away, so he was working long days to make the trip worth it. Most nights he got home after the kids went to bed. I joked (ok, maybe complained) that I wasn't cut out to be a single mom.

Then, I had my sister-in-law and her four kids over for dinner. She was in the middle of 17-days by herself, while my brother was overseas taking a class for his International Business Masters.

While we were talking, we were discussing the fact that my cousin is about to endure another year 'alone' (with her five children) while her husband is overseas serving this country in Afghanistan.

What was I complaining about?

I just saw a special about military families. They were interviewing these young children talking about their fathers being overseas. One 11-year old boy has only seen his father for 5 months out of the last 2 1/2 years. One 13-year girl was really struggling because her Dad had already been gone for 13-months and was about to have to go again for another 13 months.

What was I complaining about?

Unfortunately, it will probably be my first response to complain again about Jason's late nights. But I pray that I have a better perspective and just be thankful that he has work.

Free Veggies

I'm not too proud (I lost all pride in this area long ago) to say that I have been a recipient to W.I.C. (Women, Infant, Children - not Women in the Church) for about 10 years. W.I.C. is a government program to help families out with grocery bills and to try to get people to eat healthier. They offer milk, cheese, juice, eggs and few other items to people who have children under the age of 5. I started on the program when I was pregnant with Mollee and have been on it ever since. When you are pregnant they also give you carrots and tuna fish to help your babies brain develop properly.

At one point, I had four children on the program and we were getting 16 gallons of free milk each month (4 per kid) and we were using every bit of it. I still am not sure I completely understand it, but Jason says the government wants a healthy nation and this is one way they strive for that. My kids are definitely milk drinkers now and I'm not sure I would have offered that much milk to my children, so I guess it helped us be a little healthier. We also eat an egg meal once a week, my kids can't believe that some people eat eggs for breakfast.

Anyway, today I went to pick up my vouchers for the next quarter and they were having a W.I.C. Farmer's Market. This is a new program that our county has been given the opportunity to try. All the produce they are giving away has been grown in our county. It, obviously, made my trip to the health department a lot longer than I had planned, but I got a big box full of: 2 cantaloupes, a bag of apples, a head of cabbage, a bag of okra, three eggplants, a bag of peaches, a big bag of squash and a few onions. We got to choose what we took - other options were potatoes, red peppers, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers and jalapeno peppers. (Yes, I chose cabbage, okra and eggplant!!)

Free yummy food just makes me smile!!! Now, how do you cook eggplant?

TV, Lollipops and Juice

TV, Lollipops and Juice is always my formula for potty training.

When Mac turned 2 (in January) I said I would potty train when we were in warmer weather (I find short sleeves and no pants works best). When Summer came I said "Next Week" many times. Then I said, when the kids go back to school and I can concentrate on just Mac. We are now in our third week of school and the time is now! If I blog it maybe I'll be more motivated to post good news (like exercising accomplishments)?

I always start potty training by watching a lot of TV, drinking a lot of juice and as long as he is sitting on the potty he can hold a lollipop. This is my formula for the first few days until he understands what we are trying accomplish. I then move on to just wearing underwear around the house and cleaning up his messes, until he learns to run to the potty as his underwear gets wet. Mollee, Daegan and Capps all learned within a long week - Tavis took over a year (can you say hard to motivate?).
Here is Mac sporting new Elmo underwear this morning. We'll see how it goes!