My little buddy!

Most of you know that I keep a baby for a friend 2 or 3 days a week. David is my little buddy and is going to have a unique relationship with my kids as he grows up. I like that my younger kids are experiencing a baby in the house without a baby in the house, if you know what I mean. I think he is a cutie, but you can see for yourself.
He looks a lot like his grandpa who was a good family friend. Unfortunately, David won't get to know him because he passed away from a heart attack a few years ago, but I have a feeling he will know a lot about him through all that knew him.

My Mom

My mom is one of my best friends!

I don't know how our relationship compared to others when I was growing up, but I really believe parents shouldn't be friends (with their teenagers) - they should be the parent! We had our differences. Our biggest point of stress was clothing. I liked the hippie/bohemian look that was a little too messy for my mother, who was born at age 30 (always an adult).

October 18 was her birthday. We honored her by fixing Sunday lunch, which she does for us every other Sunday (I know, we're spoiled). She has a hard time not doing anything, but I think she enjoyed herself.
If she was born at age 30, maybe the cake should have said 92?

Mom is always "behind the scenes". The chances of getting a picture of her are slim, so sometimes you have to force her to sit and get a picture. My last picture of her with my kids was when Daegan was a baby (obviously, missing two other children). It was my goal to get a new picture. Since I was busy helping my sister, Heather, getting lunch ready, I asked Jason to take charge of the picture taking for me. I think he did a great job.I was glad he snapped this one also - my mother and my daughter have a special bond.Funny enough, Mom's birthday is also Jon's (Heather's husband) birthday, they are exactly 20 years apart.Sorry Jon, same cake, one candle different!

Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!

Failed Attempt

I decided (actually Jason decided for me) I'm going to do it! I'm going to get into this major coupon thing. Saving on the grocery bill is greatly needed around here. This website is supposed to make it so easy.

I had trouble with the website, not because of the website, but because of my own connection. UGH!

To get ready I was going to do two things. First, Jason and I were going to clean out a junk closet in our kitchen today. We were going to get it ready to be our stocked pantry. That didn't happen, with so many past busy weekends we had too many other home projects to tend to today.

Second, I was going to prepare for the coupon organizing. I was going to cut out all the coupons I've collected and get the baseball card organizers to store them in. I went to five stores and didn't find them. Therefore, why cut the coupons out yet, they'll just get lost?

I haven't given up hope, just too tired to deal with it this week. We needed groceries so I went to the old standby, Wal-Mart, and spent way too much money.

.....maybe next week?

Thrift store!

After my meetings today I picked up the kids from Aunt Heather's house and we headed to the thrift store. We haven't spent any money on Halloween costumes in a couple years. There are enough dress up clothes around here that we always make something work. I decided we would check out what we could get "new" for cheap. The thrift store did us right today. We got all we needed for $12. Everyone is happy with their new costume and mommy is happy with the small amount of money spent.

Coming soon (in 15 days) blog about what the costumes look like!

I haven't started on the coupon savings yet, but I do like a good bargain.

And the boys each got a new weapon (swords and guns) for 59 cents each!

Parent/Teacher Conference

Today I had Parent/Teacher Conferences at school. I always look forward to these meetings. It is very intriguing to me how others view my children and it is very important to me to find out how they are behaving. I am so pleased this year with the teachers the kids have.

Daegan is in kindergarten with Mrs. Wieldraayer. We love Mrs. Wieldraayer! Tavis had her also. She said Daegan was doing great. Surprisingly, she said he isn't the talker that Tavis was (at home Daegan is our #1 talker). He is so enthralled with learning that he seems too busy soaking in information to be disruptive and talky. She said she can definitely tell he is older (since we held him back), but it is to his advantage (whew!) in the learning process.

Tavis is in 2nd grade with Mrs. Bates. I didn't know Mrs. Bates prior to this year, but she is great! On Tavis' report card last week he got an S- in self control. He is very "grade oriented" and couldn't believe he was graded on that, hopefully, that knowledge will help. Mrs. Bates said he is very energetic and blurts out answers, but if his name goes on the board he has great behavior the rest of the day. She said he seems to soak up information and always has a 'different' perspective on what they are learning. We are still working on his scattered-brainedness (is that a word?). As I've shared before he looses library books, jackets and lunch boxes often. He was missing an assignment this past week and she made him go through his desk to find it and they found seven books. He is only allowed two from the library and one from Mrs. Bates at a time. Oh, Boy!

Mollee is also having a good year. Third grade with Mrs. Wilson has been a blessing. Of course, everybody that I passed in the hall today that comes into contact with Mollee said, "I always get a hug from Mollee!" So true, I'm trying to teach her that sometimes it can be too much. :) She has struggled with math facts a little, but she is getting better. She is reading really well and seems to enjoy it. She does great at grammar and has gotten good grades on her geology, geography and bible tests. I went and ate lunch with the kids Tuesday and she chose one of the boys in her class to eat with us - so that hasn't changed, still hanging out with the guys!

I feel so blessed to have our kids in a Christian school.

CZ Studs!

Mollee's birthday isn't until the end of the month, but she got her gift today.

About a year ago she asked to get her ears pierced and I told her she had to prove to me she was responsible enough by keeping her room picked up and her hair brushed. This didn't happen.

Six months ago she asked again. I told her I was serious about my previous stipulations. She has done great. She has come to breakfast each morning with her hair brushed and her room, well, lets just say it has been ok (ok in mommy standards, but great for messy-Mollee standards).

I wanted to take her to get her ears pierced when we had some down time at home. First of all, so that we can stay on top of the cleaning. Mostly, so that if it bothers her we can deal with the drama at home (I can remember it being hard to sleep because my ears were sore?).

Fall Break begins today so Grandma kept the boys and we went to get them done. She did great, no tears, no complaints.

Before..... (when did she start looking so grown up?)

After! Of course, she wanted the CZ studs instead of the (cheaper) silver balls. No big deal, they look beautiful!

Now, we just have to keep them clean and steer clear of infection.

Fall Parties

Today was the Fall Party for each class at school. It was a struggle last year to bounce between two parties, but today I had to bounce between three parties. I did my best.

It is always fun to see what activities different moms (I was a 2nd grade Room Mom last year) come up with.

Daegan's class played "bob for the doughnut" - it was hanging from a fishing pole. It was quite entertaining for the kids. Tavis' class played "hot pumpkin" - instead of hot potato.

Mollee's class did turkey crafts that she enjoyed - she loves all crafts!!

I always enjoy the class parties. The kids have fun and you get to know their friends and the other moms.

Now.....

Fall Break Begins!