Happy Birthday Das!

  

The Cast of Characters are....

	Logan- The absent minded professor, math team member, football player, wrestler, actor, xbox addict, witty, forgetful, jokester, easily annoyed, smart,good big brother, messy, greatful, loving almost 14 year old.
	Macy- The fashionable , texting, cheerleader, actress, klutzy, responsible,slow moving, hair straightening, singer, fun big sister, computing, friend loving, sweet, caring, silly 12 year old.
	Molly- The beautiful , tomboy, softball player, eye roller, animal lover, cryer, messy, laugher, loving, sneaky, friendly, art lover, computing, disney watching, stubburn,blessed with awesome hair 10 year old.
	Parker- The cool, great student, temper tantrum throwing, pouter, music lover, guitar playing, wii player, never forgets, clothes hound, Auburn fan,bike rider, picky eater, funny, responsible, snuggle bunny, often grumpy, great with babies 8 year old.
	Collin- The always hungry, very cute, deep thinker, ds player, tv watching, smiler, outdoor loving, funny, awesome big brother, hugger, nature lover,bratty little brother, night owl, moody 4 year old.
	Hudson- The very cute, awesome laugh, always thirsty, smiling, fit thrower, cookie eating, stingy kisser, shoe lover, dancer, spoiled little brother, center of attention, sometime shy 20 month old.

Sadie is 4

You gotta remember 4 years ago when Collin had just turned 6 month old I posted the first picture above announcing the birth of our second niece. Sadie and Collin have grown up together and have tons of fun together. Here is the double trouble duo at Sadie's birthday party last night. Happy Birthday Sadie !

Extra! Extra!

Read all about it! Macy and I were both in the newspaper this week. Macy's picture was in the St.Clair Times for being the winner of her division of the Miss Queen of Hearts pageant. What a great picture of her and her friends.

I was interviewed by an awesome new paper, St. Clair County News. The article is about me, the family and blogging. I was very surprised when a friend recommended me for the article. To me I am just a mom, nothing out of the ordinary. Most of my days revolve around laundry,the kids school work and whats for dinner. I started this blog just to keep the family updated with pictures and current events in our crazy household never gave a second thought that someone else might find it worth reading. I was honored and humbled that my little slice of life is interesting to other people.

For the love of Pickles

Today while I was on the phone upstairs I could hear an uproar coming from the kitchen. It was Hudson's mad whiney cry. I could tell he wasn't hurt and figured the boys would come up to tattle soon enough. Collin comes in my room and I ask him whats going on down there. He tells me Hudson's is mad because he wants a pickle. Collin had open the fridge to get a drink and Huddy saw the pickle jar. Hudson refuse to move so Collin could shut the refrigerator door and of course he got pushed out of the way. Poor baby was left to hang on the door handle wailing loudly for a pickle.
I can't fault the child I used to love pickles too. Pickles were my favorite snack growing up and I even was known to drink pickle juice straight from the jar. The love for pickles is in his genes and so is being a bit demanding. I saved the day and got him a pickle . Hudson sat happily and slowly savored every bite , he was smiling the whole time.

Family Fun

It was a beautiful day outside yesterday. We loaded up the crew minus Molly who was spending the night with cousin Hailey and headed out to find something to do.  We took the kids to a place to eat they hadn't been to before and everyone really liked it. It was a compromise between fast food and sit down restaurant. We went to Taziki's  and their greek food is really good.  Just going to a place like that saved us about $35 alone. Even fast food for 7 or 8 people isn't cheap so it nice to have a healthier and tastier meal out and not have to spend $100 on it. Some time ago we decide to drastically cut out taking the whole family out to eat. We have always dined out with our children and believe it is good for them to be raised to know restaurant etiquette. But the expense has grown as they have grown, it seemed it was no longer a treat for them and often food wasn't eaten and was wasted. That's a huge price for that sort of result. So we decided to scale it back if the opportunity arises we often take a few out at a time. When we do all go together it's a nice change of pace and very enjoyable.   

After lunch we tossed around several ideas and decided to head to Homewood Park. The park was very busy since the weather was so nice. The smaller kids enjoyed the playground for awhile and the older ones tossed a Frisbee. The kids then decided to do races. This was so much fun and I laughed so hard. We all took turns racing each other. To make it fair I asked Logan to bunny hop while racing Collin, and Macy skipped while racing Parker. The competitiveness between these children is vicious at times but we all had fun and laugh alot.

I am trying to keep in mind that we have many low cost or free options of entertainment all around us. I want to make a point to get out of the house away from the wii, xbox, laptops and tv's and enjoy a new experience together.  It doesn't have to be expensive to be fun for everyone and yesterday proved that.

Conversation in the Produce Aisle

While I was grocery shopping with Hudson and Collin. We stopped to look at the apples , as I am looking over the big display of shiny fruit this is the conversation we had.

Collin: "Mommy, why do you tell me you love me so much?"

Me: "Because I never want you to forget that no matter what I love you."

Collin: pauses for a  sec

Me: bagging apples

Collin: "Mommy, do you know why I say I love you so much?"

Me: "Why is that Collin?"

Collin: "Because when I tell you that I love you it makes me happy inside."

There is a lady across the aisle who looked up at us and smiled saying it was the sweetest thing she'd ever heard. It was one of those memories I would do anything to have on video but I will just have to replay it in my mind. It is true telling people you love them does make you feel happy inside. Such wise words for someone so young.

                           

Cheering you on

 

Macy had try-outs for cheerleading over the weekend. She made the squad and we are so happy for her!  She has worked hard and been dedicated to improving here skills. Good job Macy we are proud of you!