Found It!

You may be looking at this picture and wonder what is that?? This would be a picture of the missing part that the electrician needed YESTERDAY! I had waited till the night before to bring in a large box from the back of my car that contained a ceiling fan my Mom had replaced at her house and gifted it to me for Hudson's room. I waited as long as possible to bring it into the house because little people like to mess with things around here. The electrician began looking for a part, so I searched the typical places under beds, in closets and so on. I had caught Hudson with one of the globes as I was coming out of the shower so I knew it was possible he could have ran off with it. After checking around with no luck we decided maybe it was lost in the transition of things and the electrician came up with plan B.

Fast forward to bed time. As I removed all the decorative pillows from my bed right there tucked between 2 pillows at the very edge was the missing part.  Am I surprised? No not really , things turn up missing here alot.  One of the major ones was a birthday present I had bought for Doron which I still haven't found and I ended up replacing. Just part of the adventure I guess, like when I found a shoe in the freezer. No one did it or so I was told. Not much surprises me anymore.

 

Mugshot of Huddy Buddy

From the desk of Mom

Dear Moon Children,

You all are my pride and joy. From the moment I held each of your tiny little bodies, I knew I was in love with you. I would jump in front of a moving vehicle or an angry bear to protect you without a second thought. I was very aware that I would more than likely spend between 38-40 weeks feeling sick and swelling like a tomato but I knew you were missing from our family and it would be worth it in the end. I said all of this to let you know I would do anything for you but it would be so kind if you would remember several request for me.

*If you are older than 4 years old I refuse to do the smell test to see if your clothes are clean.  I have been sick to my stomach long enough while you were growing inside me. I don't want to relive that feeling for the sake of making sure a shirt thrown across your bedroom might be clean. We have 3 laundry hampers at your disposal. If you need a map just let me know.

*If you eat off of it, drink out of it, or make something with it, it's your mess. It would be very helpful to return the dishes to the sink at the least or dishwasher if you really want brownie points.

*The night before is the best time to need papers signed, forms completed or checks written. Asking minutes before the bus arrives is never good and the countless times we have rushed to fill out things and you leave them on the counter is frustrating. I am certain your teachers would appreciate not having to read my half asleep handwriting.

*While I do not mind you being involved in sports, cheer, drama club and other after school activities. It would be kind to occasionally thank your taxi driver for the ride. Sometimes you might have to wait on me but you've never been forgotten about.

*To the 2 smallest Moon's kids, I would like to able to take a bath, shower, or potty break without you needing me RIGHT then. Just because you can't see my face doesn't mean I can't answer your question through the door. The door is locked on purpose and you don't need to turn it 100 times to try to open it. Unless there is blood or flames I am sure the urgent issue can wait a few moments.

I will stop the list there because I understand too many directions at once get you all confused. I love you all and think we make a pretty good team even with these minor issues.

Love Always,

Mom

Self Portrait

 

Here is Collin's version of his dead face. The best picture out of the 20 he took without my knowledge. Never a dull moment!

Do-over

Sometimes in life you just need a Do-over and tonight was just that. Macy was in the Miss OMS pageant back in November the very day that we got the call Granddaddy had taken a turn for the worse. Her Daddy headed straight to Huntsville after getting the call, her Maw was also at Granddaddy's bedside and Mimi stepped in to babysit for me since our plans suddenly changed.
Popi and Ninny Edith were Macy's cheering section but there was still a bit of sadness that everyone else missed it.

Tonight Macy won Miss Queen of Hearts for the 6th-8th grade division. I was so happy for her and so thrilled her cheering section was in full force. She is a beautiful girl inside and out and it shows. Macy, we are very proud of you and we know you can do anything you set your mind to. Congratulations baby!

Another day in Paradise

"Just as sand goes through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives"

The above picture is the typical display of laundry awaiting to be put away. If only I could invent some sort of stylish paper clothing or convince the Moon crew that nudist living is the way to go.I don't see either happening so for now I must go I have another load to wash.

Motherhood is NOT for Wimps

The lessons I have learned this week is that if you mess with my kids you mess with me. And I will take any and all the necessary steps it takes to reassure my kids they are my top priority. I will not sit by and let them be mistreated, abused, harassed and feel unsafe. They have me in their corner and I will not let them down.

I also realized I am making my life harder than it needs to be. I am heartbroken but Collin is going to stop going to preschool for now. I love his school and they loved him. They have been great trying to help me with Collin's unhappiness and once he is THERE he seemed happy. But the fretting and crying from him about going has worn us out. Recently he even started it the night before school and the whole morning till he got there. It's just not working for us. I will miss it , and the adventures he'd tell me about school each day. I will greatly miss the people there too. But we will work on finding our groove at home. I have some things planned to work on . He's only 4 years old once I need to slow down and enjoy this stage.

Randomness

On Monday Molly and I worked hard on her history project. She decided to do the Stagecoach route from Ashville- Montevallo the same topic Logan picked back in 4th grade. She did a Then and Now comparison and I think it turned out really cute. She seemed to learn alot when we researched it to write the report. I have several blisters from the use of very hot glue gun that helped hold this puppy together. I am proud of Molly for the effort she put into this project.



The year of the Mullet

I was messing with Hudson's hair yesterday. I was running my fingers through the back when it dawned on me he is sporting a small mullet. His hair grows so fast on the back portion and its thick too. The top is thin and grows so slowly. I told Huddy he has the look of "business in the front party in the back" going for him. He doesn't seem to care one bit. He is too busy finding other names to call me to worry with hairstyles. He has gone from him calling me Daddy to now calling me Mimi! While I am happy he can say both those names I'd really like to be called Mommy instead. He's getting so big but he still is my baby always will be!

Valentines Day

I do love Valentines Day and I believe it is not just for romantic love but a celebration of all love.For me it's celebrating love for the people in your life who make your heart feel whole.

For those of you who know me well getting up to make my family breakfast isn't really my bag. I would have made a horrible pioneer woman for sure. Without the invention of cold cereal,pop tarts and instant grits and oatmeal my kids might starve. But for Valentines and for the sake of eating adorable heart shaped blueberry pancakes I was up making breakfast.

I didn't get too fancy with decorations just a cute helium balloon (for $1 each from Dollar Store) tied to their chair. The kids each got a small gift from us (older 4 got some clothes and the 2 littles got Uglydoll monsters, I think they are so cute!) that along with some cookies and chocolate suckers made by a friend. Mimi and Popi came over for a visit and we watched some Olympics and talked. They gave everyone a box of assorted chocolates each which they devoured in no time and a balloon.

Brian really surprised me with the black boots I had been admiring way back at Christmas time.They are really cute and make my size 9 feet appear small so double bonus. I got Brian a cookbook I knew he had been wanting for awhile. So maybe that gift will benefit me way more than the boots will benefit him! But he really did want it and has already picked out some things to make! Woohoo!

Today we are all home for President's Day . I think we will take it easy and do a few chores around the house. Hope that everyone had a nice weekend. I was thrilled to not have more snow as they had predicted , a few days and I am over the snow but the kids did enjoy it. I am ready for spring! Collin playing in Fridays snow.

This week in Crazytown

Today ended up being a snow day after working hard to finish up class Valentine's cards and Parker's President project. The work for this project started awhile back but getting a 3rd grader to write a one page report is like pulling teeth. There were several attempts that were thrown in the trash, finally after a speech and guidance from his Dad he made some progress. If they discussed at school how to write a report Parker could not recall it so we had to talk him through making an outline of the information and in what order it should be written. We also had to make a list of facts and display some pictures. Parker did a good job for his first real project and I know he learned alot. I think the finished project turned out nice.

(click to see our slide show from the USS Alabama trip from April 2006)

Yesterday we traveled to Georgia to attend the funeral service for my best friend Doron's Papa. Papa had served on the USS Alabama battleship back in his military years. Just a few years back our family was able to attend the Battleship Reunion along with the Hines and Soulis families. My oldest four kids have many fond memories of that trip. The military funeral service yesterday was just beautiful and the show of respect and honor so touching. The funeral processional passed by as cars stopped along side the road and construction workers stopped their task and removed their hats. Just one of the great things about the South. I know yesterday Papa was smiling down and he was so proud of his family.

Also this week Logan and Macy landed roles in the spring drama production of Peter Pan. Macy was thrilled to be picked as Wendy and Logan as Mr. Smee. Logan wasn't so happy but I do think this is a great role for him. To be able to act silly and make people laugh he is the man for the part. I can't wait till its showtime to see it all come together! I am proud of both my actors. I can't imagine where they get their dramatic flare. Haha!

The snow is still coming down and I have a house full of stir crazy people begging to get out and play in the white stuff. It doesn't snow enough for them to remember how cold and wet you get and they will want to come back in just as soon as they get out there. I bribed them with lunch first before they start making me lots of laundry to do.

Fun with the Cousins

Today cousins Blaze and Phoenix were here with Hudson and Collin. The had a great time together and get along well. I was pretty proud that I was able to get the 3 youngest asleep at once. My hat is off to any Mom with 4 kids ages 4 and under, lucky for me both the cousins are easy going type kids!

Hurricane Huddy

Hurricane Hudson is in full swing at our house lately theses pictures are of him caught in the act. If he goes missing for too long you can bet he is making a mess somewhere. Apparently today he reached the milestone of opening the pantry door. I guess the Bisquick looked like something fun to play in. Let me know if you know a local babysitter because it's impossible for me to get projects done during the day . You have to keep an eye on this little guy!

Fruits of Life

I arranged and placed this tray of fruit on the counter on Saturday. Brian and I had made a trip to Aldi and I had all this fruit that I needed to do something with and this is how it ended up.

As I placed the tray on the counter I told the kids the rules. The fruit is NOT a ball or toy. If you mess with it you eat it. We have past experiences where apples become something you can play pitch with. Of course all parties claimed it wasn't them and they didn't know they couldn't do that.

Last night when Parker who had spent the night away on Saturday night asked , Umm what's the deal with the fruit? Is Mom going to paint it or something? I laughed.

I do love seeing this on the counter , it makes fruit look more appealing and hopefully to the kids it looks less like a ball. The pineapple will be cut and eaten tonight but for 99 cents I think I will replace it soon.

An Oldie

Just a random picture. This is what happens when you have 2 big sisters. Look at the date and you can figure out who this little chunky monkey is. He is easy embarrassed and all about his image of being cool. He has his own style now and it sure doesn't include fairy wings!

The Moon house is chugging along just fine at the moment. Same ole same ole, I think I have a touch of spring fever already. Hope all is well with our friends and loved ones.

School Predicament

Well after many calls and some emails I learned what Collin's fate will be next school year. The Public school system will not let him start next year at all. He is 12 days past the cut off, period no exceptions (supposedly )! If he goes to private school he will have to attended a Private School till 2nd grade before transferring. In the state of Alabama you have to be 5 years old before Sept 1 to start K5 and you have to be 6 years old to start 1st grade.

I must admit I was alittle heartbroken for Collin when I got all this news. Because he is smart and a fast learner. He is big for his age and can handle hanging with the kids slightly older than him. People are usually shocked he is just 4.

There are a couple of scenarios floating around in my head. Brian and I will have to sit down and weigh all the options. I plan on talking with his current Preschool teacher because she is a wise woman with lots of experience , I think she will help us sort out things.

I do feel this is an injustice to Collin but it may work out in his favor after all. If he shows up to Public school kindergarten light years ahead of the other kids they will be forced to reconsider the situation.And I will make sure they do. He is wanting to learn to read and I have been hesitant up until now. He is hungry for knowledge and wants to learn more and more. I am going to change my way of thinking and follow his lead. There are plenty of workbooks, flashcards even computer games that can help us with this.

That's what we know so far I will let you know once things are decided upon.

Logan's Autobiography

I believe this picture would make a great cover for Logan's autobiography someday. This picture was his black eye at the 2 days out stage , the eye is now really black and impressive looking. Brian and I have a glimmer of hope again in our school in regards to Logan. I am proud of him and how far he has come. His journey is just beginning but thankfully he's a fast learner.

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone

Ouch!

Poor Hudson fell last night and hit his head. Once the tears stopped he let me take a picture of him, here he is saying Cheese! This morning the swelling has gone down and it is a dark blue , lets hope it fades quickly. Bumps on the head are a scary thing for sure.

Fun with Sissy

I believe Macy is training Hudson to be a circus performer or male cheerleader. This is a new game he likes to play with her. I now have proof that she started this game when he grows up to be a big boy and wanting to walk up her legs. But for now it's pretty cute.

Someones sleeping

Someones been sleeping in MY bed and he's still there. When I took myself to bed last night this is what a found. Collin and about 5 toys surrounding him. He looked cute,happy and small. He is growing up so fast I love when little things remind me he is still my little boy.

Btw please excuse the poor picture quality my nice camera has had dead lithium batteries but I will be getting some today.

Blog Award? Who Me? Really?

I was doing my usual ritual yesterday morning of getting my juices flowing by reading some blogs before diving into the work around here. I love using my blog roll to read the latest thoughts and goings-0n from my blog pals. Some people who will remain nameless don't blog everyday because they have these things called "real jobs" and those pesky jobs get in the way of blogging often so seeing several post in a week from them make me all happy. Anyways I was surfing the blog roll and read Doron's newest post down at the very bottom I noticed she passed the award on to me and a few others. Wasn't that sweet of her?? But the catch is I have let you guys in on 10 things about me you might not know and pass on the award. In order to do this "Major Award" justice I have to wake up my still sleepy brain and think. So stand back and let me give it a go.

First I want to thank Doron over at http://wethreehines.blogspot.com/ for bestowing this award on to me. Here blog is a good mix of the happening in her family which includes my favorite 10 year old boy her son Tater, the adventures of teaching and her kitchen. She is a FAB U LOUS cook and you are to always accept a dinner invitation to her house. Trust me your taste buds will thank you! Go wander over and read her 10 things.

Here are the 10 things you possibly didn't know or ever care to know about yours truly.

1. I don't really like driving. I prefer to be the passenger whenever possible. There no real reason why I feel this way it's just my preference. I am always willing to pitch in for gas if someone else would drive.

2. I love shiny, sequin-y, glittery, bling stuff. It goes from my purses to toe nail polish the more it shines the more I like it. I do TRY to restrain myself and not get too gaudy but I have a feeling I will be one of those old ladies that wears the big jewelry and fur coat at an inappropriate time. Oh well atleast I will think it looks good.

3. I prefer to wear some sort of heel all the time. Brian has made great fun of me for wearing heeled sandals to a soggy soccer field before. Probably the #1 reason I detest tennis shoes. I am short enough I need a little bit of extra height with my shoes.


4.While I detest clutter around my house my closet is a train wreck most of the time. My dresser drawers aren't much better. But if you just stopped by for a visit things would be somewhat tidy looking.

5.Motherhood is more rewarding but much harder than I ever imagined. Each age group comes with it's own joys and worries. I am finding the teenagers to be alot of fun and it interesting to see the glimpses of them being more independent .When I get questions asking how I handle 6 kids I give my older kids alot of credit. They are a huge help in countless ways and I am greatful for it.

6.Within the last year I discovered I like raw oysters. I had never tried them before I just judged them based on looks. After trying them with some cocktail sauce laid on a saltine I really liked them. Doron is my raw oyster eating friend and anytime she is willing to go to the oyster bar I am there in a heartbeat.

7. I have never been athletic , there was a time around 7 years old I played soccer but really it was only to get a trophy. Once I figured out you had to run to play the game I wasn't so happy about playing. I am going through a fitness bootcamp right now and it is by far the hardest thing I have ever done physically. After a year of walking, running and weight training at home I have enlisted a trainer to push me even more. And he is KILLING me but one day I will be thankful.

8. My first car was a White convertible VW Rabbit. My parents surprised on Halloween 1992 when they rolled into the driveway with my car. I had no clue about it and no clue how to drive a stick shift. But I learned and I loved that car. I will one day have another convertible , it may have a handicap tag and the trunk may contain my walker but I will own another one day.

9. I love clothes, and change clothes often. I don't like wearing the same clothes very long and most often I change outfits during the day.

10. I don't like drinking milk. I can go weeks maybe even months without drinking milk from a glass. If milk is ever wanted by me it is to wash down some warm chocolaty dessert.


I pass this Major award on to the following people.

My sister in law Kristi at http://fivefortenberries.blogspot.com/

Friend Jodi and Mother of 5 http://www.jodisorganizedchaos.com/

Fellow blogger and Mom of 16 extraordinaire http://16blessingsmom.blogspot.com/

Fellow blogger and teaching Mom of 1 http://southerndomesticgoddess.blogspot.com/

There are rules to receiving this award and they are as follows:

*You must thank the giver of the award and post a link to their blog in appreciation for receiving the award.

*Share 10 Honest and informative "bits" about yourself.

* Present this award to a few others who's blogs you find so delightful that you wish to share theirs with others.

*Tell them they have been awarded The Honest Scrap Award and inform them of these steps to receiving this award :)

Way To Go Hailey

My niece and name sake Hailey Nicole rocked the school Spelling Bee yesterday. I am very proud of her for coming in 4th place overall. That is big accomplishment! I'd love to try to take some credit for her stellar spelling abilities but lets just say I think she inherited other GREAT attributes from me. :) Congrats to Hailey for doing so well!

In other Spelling Bee news Logan will also be in upcoming Middle School Spelling Bee. He may or may not inform me when it is so I can attend that's just how he is. He has the sort of luck that he gets an extremely hard word after several rounds he is knocked out and then some kid wins with the word PIGGY! I kid you not! Fingers crossed he will be the kid with all the luck this year.