The Garden of Pinkie

((What am I doing blathering on and on when there is American Idol Tivo'ing? Typing fast....))
It's a bit early yet, but maybe you get the idea. Any significant patch of dirt that you see is loaded with zinnia seeds. I also have some Honey Bear sunflowers planted around my fence edges in certain places. They need to hurry up and grow, so I can see them and kiss their faces. Sigh...I have kicked around making this garden a tad larger, but our North yard is next on the outdoor project list (I may get the gazebo I've always wanted!) Alas, the larger garden may have to wait a season. Or three.

Mr. Pinkie calls it annoying, but I name all of my plants. Well, the ones that choose to live. The giant Knockout rose that you see there is Rosie NotDonell. She blooms all year long, and she responds very well to a severe pruning whenever I dish one out. I love her for that. The dirt around it is covered in zinnia seeds right now. Last year, my zinnias were about 4 feet tall and gorgeous. Thank you Miracle Grow! (The kind in the bottle that looks like 7UP that you attach to your water hose, in case you wanted to know.)

This is the back side of the garden. There are cannas coming up in the center there with some Creeping Something or Other underneath it that has the most beautiful, tiny blue flowers in early February. I also have more zinnias and cosmos planted in the spare dirt in this area. Along the back fence, I have my Honey Bears planted. Kiss, kiss.

Look at this face. This Rosita Fresita. Which is, I believe, Spanish for Strawberry Shortcake. Sophy named her, and I'm not kidding about that.

Can you believe these Purple Wave petunias lived through the winter and came back this thick? I'm just saying...buy some Miracle Grow.

All of the monkey grass you see here came from this yard. I just keep dividing and dividing and dividing and dividing....Anyone need some monkey grass? Look way in the back and you can see the Mexican Feather grass that is growing everywhere. I guess it must seed profusely...

This has nothing to do with the garden, but I thought it was a pretty pic of the front porch area.

Sam would like to know....

The following is a mere sample of the 101 questions that Sam is likely to ask you on any given day. I try to not grow weary during the inquisitions, but it's so hard. So very, very hard. "Not another question. Do you hear me?" Yes, I've said that to him before.
1. Do bees have boogers?
2. Why do we have hair on our arms?
3. What is that cable called that is up on the electricity pole?
4. Why do we have names?
5. How come they're called 'flowers'?
6. Why did God make the Earth?
7. Can we drink blood like mosquitoes? (This was followed by, "See Jack? I told you!)
8. What happens when you drink milk?
9. Why does poopoo stink?
10. Where does electricity come from?
11. What do they do with all of that trash?
12. Why does water and dirt make mud?
13. Why do we have to sleep?
14. Does Santa Claus feed his reindeer all year long?
15. What makes your breath hot?
16. When are you going to have money?
17. Why do girls look like that?
18. Does the North Pole ever melt?
19. Why can't we make our car run on water?
20. Why is blood red?
See? It goes on and on. Every day. Every. Waking minute. Of his. Day. Natural wonder is a good thing, but SHEESH already!

At the ballet

We saw Cinderella today performed by the Shreveport Metro Ballet downtown on the riverfront. It was a nice little diddy. We went with Grandma Pinkie (mother to Mr. Pinkie), sister of Mr. Pinkie and her daughter who is 9 months younger than Sophy. The girls had a ball (no pun intended.) I have some of the cutest pics known to man that I may or may not have Shutterflied to you if you are reading this, but since Cousin Pinkie is in them I'll not post them here. I try to not post pics of other people's kids unless I can help it. I'm considerate like that.
Here we are posing with Cinderella and looking mighty happy!

Skipping to the theatre...

Showing Cinderella some moves....

Checking out the fountains as we stroll...

Randomness

Is randomness a word? I'm not sure about that. I'm not sure about a lot of things. For instance, why my husband is reading over my shoulder. HELLO! Glad I'm not carrying on a steamy conversation with my boyfriend, Bear Grylles. I'd hate for him know about that. Ahem.
Know what else I don't get? Dave Matthews. What is up with that cat? I just can't like him.
Wanna know who I can like?? Bear Grylles. Wait. Have I said that?

This picture from last summer makes me drool at the thought of a swimming pool and, I don't know, WARM WEATHER! Ug. By the way, that's Sophy Claire surfacing after a stellar dive. In case you've never witnessed it, she's been quite the swimmer since sometime around her birth. Just kidding. It was more like when she was 2. Her nickname is Aqualung. She can swim underwater like a Navy seal (I exaggerate.)


While I'm nostalgating (is that a word?) Here is a pic of Jack learning the butterfly last summer. Isn't that water gorgeous? Sigh......


Since I can't leave out the Red Monster, here is Sam from last summer...sans water. We're pretty excited about the fact that Sam was swimming pretty nicely by summer's end. He's very cautious (go figure) in the water, so his progress has been more tentative than the other two.


Where was I? Oh yes, randomness. I want to get that software (?) that shows you who reads your blog and where they're located, so I can see all 2 of you. AHHAHAA. Seriously, I have this blocked for the most part (I think), so just a random person can't find me without having the link. When I had my journal on another site, I made so many friends all over the US, one in the Netherlands, one in Australia, and a couple in the UK. Now I feel so restricted that I think I have about 2 people who read this. Which is fine. Really. Sniff. PFfft. I try to print out most of my entries pertaining to the kids, but the rest of these wonderful, educational entries are just brain fodder. Bantha poodu. Is that how you spell poodu? I'll have to ask Jabba the next time I see him.

I think I should go read and go to bed. It's ok to be random, but it's time to stop when you start referencing Jabba.

I want to write a romance novel...

but I want to write it under a fakie name. I keep trying to hatch up a name that just smacks of good, old fashioned romance. I dunno...like Kelly Valentine. HAHA. Or...hhm.....Christine Lovejoy. HAHHAHA. Ok. Maybe I won't.

Bbbrrrr....I mean, Happy Easter.

Happy Easter from the North Pole.
See how Sam is shivering?
It's because it's cold.
WHY IS IT SO COLD?
Global warming, obviously.
HARHAR.
I hope it's warm and bright where you are and that your children are still under the sugar limits for their ages and weight.
I'm afraid it's too late for us.
We're not off from school tomorrow. DRAT!
My fingernails are taking their yearly beating that comes with planting and gardening. I am in dire need of a visit to Mr. Nyguen. I don't wear falsies, but maybe I should consider it.
We had some really good ham today.
Spring pig is yummy.
My nephew started calling me Frank today.
Repeatedly.
He's 2, so it's ok....for now.
It's freezing outside, and Daddy Pinkie and boy Pinkies are outside launching rockets.
They're guys, so it's ok....for now.
They're screaming.
I'm worried.
I think I'll go make hot chocolate.

((E., we had 6 girls and 7 big girls at the tea party.))

2nd Annual Tea Party!

It's not the type of weather we had hoped for, but the girls had their annual tea party today. Originally, the tea party was an excuse to buy fluffy dresses and a chance to teach 6 little girls about proper manners and etiquette. Though we're still a little shaky in the manner's department (c'mon they're 3-6 year olds), we had the fluffy dress thing taken care of! They were like little cupcakes in their pastels and poof. It looked like an old lady convention with all the hats, gloves and fake jewelry. The food was wonderful! The big girls devoured, er....ate chicken crepes, Queen's soup, tiny yeast rolls, some type of strawberry salad, and tomato pie. The little girls ate fresh fruit, pbj finger sandwiches and petit fours. We were very well behaved...for the most part. (We won't detail the burps, sugar bowl episode, and stuffing whole strawberries in the mouth....) Each girl brings a tea cup to exchange, so they will each have a collection of tea cups by the time they're older/betrothed/engaged/adults. They also went home with goodie bags filled with bubble bath, nail polish, lip gloss and flower/hair barrettes. This is something of a tradition that we are hoping to continue as the girls grow. As they get older, we expect them to be a little more civilized and learn the right manners, etc. Today our little host gave them a quick lesson on how to properly decline certain foods on your plate that may not be to your liking. We're not sure if his instruction took root, but at least we're exposing them. Pfftt.
I'm not carried away with this picture of myself, but I love how Sophy is looking at me. Hehe.

Cat on a hot tin....

Sophy was playing so quietly, minding her own business. When out of no where, ATTACK of the killer kitty!

Why is it so sweet to see a little girl playing with a doll house? Sighhh.....

Things you should know!

1. TGTHEB '07 is finished (minus the roof and backdoor.) I plan on updating with a Shutterfly slideshow soon.
2. What exactly is the creeping crud? All I know is I have it, and Thank the Good Lord for potent antibiotics. After some frightening (and I do not exaggerate) moments last night where I seriously wondered if I was dying, I am happy to report I am consuming large quantities of Flutuss (sounds nasty, huh?) and an antibiotic that could kill a horse. Nnnnaaayy.
3. We get out of school for Good Friday, and I plan on staying home to wean myself off of the cough syrup that I am sure to be addicted to by then.
4. Terri, I have tried to sign your guestbook and can not make it work! I wanted to let you know that Mattie and Sophy have the strangest similarites. We also puke on curves and hills. Wow. I thought it was uncanny when they both wore only underwear and called themselves Tarzan.
5. Ang, if you're reading this, tell Mrs. Ernestine to be careful on her big trip. And you be careful too. But I'm not worried about you. It's her I'm worried about. I wish I could see her taking in the sites (heck, I wish I could see me taking in the sites...hahaha.)
6. Sophy has learned how to do a full-fledged cartwheel.
7. Speaking of Soph, kindergarten roundup is at the end of the month. EEK!
8. I think my account is overdrawn. Figures.
9. I am trying to make it #10.
10. I'm there.

Where I compare fried bologna and American Idol.

Mr. Pinkie is back at work today after 2 days off. The kids are actually playing happily together (yes, it is alarming), and I just finished cleaning up the breakfast mess. Speaking of a mess, our local station that carries American Idol has dropped it's service, conveniently, during the Tuesday performances and then also the results show last night. WHAT THE HECK and OMG all at the same time.
When it happened Tuesday, I was livid. Last night, after I washed the kids and finished our goodnight kiss/kiss/sing/sing, we were so excited to hit the TIVO and be able to see the results after having missed Tuesday night's show. Well, imagine my FURY when the screen read:
NO NEED TO CALL US. WE ARE EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
As if that is ANY kind of excuse. ARRGGHH!!!

Sam asked me for hot bologna this morning. I promise that I'm not married to my uncle and there is no vehicle propped up on cinder blocks in our front yard. I didn't even know the kid knew what hot bologna was. He knew what he was talking about. He ate it like it was his last meal along with 3 cinnamon rolls and a gigantic glass of chocolate milk. Could you ask for anything more nutritious? Speaking of bologna, I hope Sanjyah was voted off.

Yesterday the weather was great, and we were able to eat all 3 meals outside on our new patio furniture in between garden work, tree fort construction, and yard cleaning. Supper was amazing. What is it about working outside all day that makes your appetite something akin to a wild animal? Daddy Pinkie grilled THE best burgers, chicken wings, and sausages. We also had potato salad, beans, and macaroni salad with black olives, tomatoes, and artichoke hearts. Made me want to slap somebody's mama...but not mine. She fights back. HA.

We're pretty much just hanging out here until Daddy Pinkie gets home from work. He has senior portraits this afternoon, and then we plan on going to Discovery Zone, the park, or some such place. Jack is hoping for Discovery Zone. Bless his poor, nerdy heart. He wants to go back to the paper airplane exhibit and launch more planes. My dad took off of work to spend some time with the kids, which is ironic seeing as how we have to twist most people's arms to spend time with us, and Jack wants to eat Mexican food with him.

Sam just asked Jack for help building a marble run. Jack told him, "Do it yourself. Use your imagination." To which Sam replied, "I don't have any imagination." HAHAHA!

OHHH! Our driveway people just rolled in with some giant machinery! We're getting a driveway extension/circle, and Sam is about to explode! Better go check in..

10 Interesting Things I've Heard This Week:

1. Smell my armpit.
2. Get out of my submarine!
3. Do ants have blood?
4. Why do dogs have fur?
5. Get that rope off of your sister.
6. When I'm 8, can I do armpit tricks like Jack?
7. Can we change Sam's name to "skunk?"
8. Go find Daddy's stapler. QUICK! And bring the tape too!
9. If we drink chocolate milk, will our bones turn brown?
10. Uhm, Mom. Do you know where the extra bricks are?

10 Things About LOST! ((but only 10 because I have 1,000's of ?))

1. How creepy was this story line? I loved it! BURIED ALIVE. SPIDERS. It was filled to the brim with every phobia known to man.
2. I wonder if Eko was really dead, or was he bitten by a spider?
3. After the magic box, I was sort of thinking Lost had gone beyond anything I ever would care about again. It does explain, maybe how Jack's dad was there and such. Or maybe not.
4. I really liked that there were other people of the Beachaways that had found the same things that the cool kids had also found. The smaller hatch, the plane where Boone died, etc. Even though some of their backtracking was a tad sketchy and patchy, I liked where they were going with it all.
5. Is it possible to love Sawyer any more? I don't think so.
6. Desmond is my boyfriend.
7. So, now that the submarine has been blown to shreds, what does that mean?
8. Do you think Michael and Walt are really back in civilation? They didn't go on the sub. According to Ben that is the only way back to the "real" world. Michael and Walt left the island on a boat with a specific coordinate. Maybe it was to the sub docks? Hhhm.....
9. I think if Locke were to be killed the island would implode. Really.
10. I predict there will only be one more season of Lost.

My little bookworm.

This is where Sophy usually is...lying on her bed reading a book. Her new fav is the Ready Freddy series and the Frog and Toad series. However she learned to read, I wish she would teach Sam. He is so uninterested in learning how to read. He usually calls Sophy into the room whenever he wants to know what something says. He is good with numbers and shapes. Spatial things.
After our mud bath, we took a bath in earnest in the house. With soap. And shampoo. Now my drains are probably stopped up with mud. Oh well, it was fun. You'd never guess by looking outside at the sunshine that our town's tornadoe sirens were howling for most of the morning. Luckily we dodged the twister. It went north of our side of town, obviously. We're still here.
Mr. Pinkie is STILL on top of the tree house. God bless his little, pea pickin' heart. The boys have gym class this evening, and I've got red beans and sausage cooking. Oh, and I made guacamole. Ohhhhh, I think I'll make tortiallas. Sluurrrp.

Blame it on the rain (with regrets to Milli Vanilli...)

Spring Break-Tuesday

Sam spent most of the morning outside setting up a trap to catch bad guys. He was just talking to himself and making hand gestures and arguing with someone. It was hilarious. I just stood at the window watching him. Several of our senior citizen neighbors passed by in the cars more than once and just waved and smiled at him. He's a mess.
As I type, Daddy Pinkie is on top of TGTHEB '07 with the boys putting up the rail and finishing the wall supports. It's dark and looks like rain, so the construction efforts today may be short lived. Sophy is in her room "crab sitting." It's a wonder she hasn't tried to dress the crabs up and brush their teeth. She's really into taking care of them and letting them "exercise" on the floor. I have a feeling I may find a shriveled up crab somewhere in the future, but I hope not. She's taking very good care of them, so maybe they'll make it for a while before they turn their toes up.
I had hoped to take the kids to the library today, but I wish you could've seen Sam's face when I said, "Hey. Why don't we go to the library today?" After all, it is supposed to storm today. But no, Sam looked at me as if I had suggested he go in for a tonsillectomy or some such procedure. He was aghast. I guess we won't go to the library today...or this week for that matter.

Spring Break-Monday

Look at this sweet face....awwww!
We spent most of Monday running errands and getting things done that I can't get done during the school day. The brightest moment of the day was when Mr. Pinkie came home with patio furniture in tow! YEEHAWW! We have the nicest backyard complete with creek and blooms and birds and grass and trees. I've wanted a dining table that seats at least 6 for a while now. YAY! Now I have one! Daddy Pinkie and the boys stayed out last night until about 10 putting it together after we made it home from my dad's birthday dinner. They lit the chimenea and unpacked, screwed, sliced, assembled for half the night. They were covered in soot and packing ink when they were finished, but they were awfully happy. I'll take a pic of the patio today...if it's not raining.

Spring Break (First Weekend)

We spent the weekend near Austin with my brother's family doing some pretty fun things, one of them being the adopting of 2 of my niece's hermit crab colony. Meet Swings and Dot. Sophy is so excited about her new pets that she could spit, but hopefully she won't...hehe. Other than the 5 and half hour drive, our trip was very nice. We took the kids on a picnic, went on a nature hike, played at a park, BBQed, etc. The kids are always so excited to be at Uncle's house, so they were not disappointed. The weather was great while we were visiting, but today looks really dark. I didn't think it was supposed to rain today, but it's certainly looking like it might. We have tons of errands to run today, not the least of which is restocking the kitche. I feel like Old Mother Hubbard whose cupboards were bare. It's slim pickin's in our fridge, so we're off to the grocery and then to nursery to pick up some ferns for the front porch. Tonight we're celebrating my dad's bday with the family, so we're going to the hardware store to pick up something Pop-esque. Pop is easy to please, so that's good news. Tomorrow it's supposed to storm, so we're going to the library and such. Wednesday we're planning on a play date and lunch in Shreveport with some friends, then on Thursday we're going to Discovery Zone at SciPort to let the kids see some of the new exhibits. I'm sure we'll go eat pancakes for supper that night, since that is what Jack has requested. Friday the kids are going to Mimi and Pop's house all day and then to have a sleepover there. We'll see how that goes. Friday night, Mr. Pinkie and I are going out to dinner with some friends, so we're looking forward to that.
Hopefully I won't forget to post pics of the tree house progress. If we're lucky, we might (JUST MIGHT) be finishing it up this week. Mr. Pinkie has made some good progress. I'll do pics soon!
I plan on updating every day this week, so I can print out my entries for my journal that I've kept over the years. Be back soon.

It's here!

High-Tech Santa

Go Santa! Get Busy! It's your birthday! Check 'im out! Santa got skillz. The Santa that I am apparently obsessed with has a website!
www.santaofwaskom.com
AIN'T HE THE CUTEST THING? Oh. My. Gosh! That dude is REAL. I'm speechless.
Better watch out. No crying or pouting. The man in red has moved to town!
((Side note to the family of Santa: I am not stalking or obsessed with your patriarch. It's just that I had a curious reader who inquired as to why Santa attended a wedding March, and the rest just sort of happened from there. I promise this is the last entry about Kris Kringle. For now.))

((OTHER SIDE NOTE TO THE FAMILY OF SANTA: If I told Sophy where Santa lives, hehehehee, there wouldn't be anything you could do to keep her from your house. But, like I said, I'm not stalking or obsessed. PAH!))

Ok, so this Santa thing....

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Sarah (click in my friends list to find her journal) who married a nice gentleman whose father, for all intents and purposes, is Santa.
From what I understand, Mr. Father-in-Law fills in for Santa during the holiday season by taking photos and wishes from youngsters at shopping venues and holiday locales. Again, this is what I can surmise since the fellow is a dead ringer for The Big Guy. Heck, he may even BE the Big Guy for all outward appearances. The beard is real, he looks like he has a ton of secrets, and even has the Santa nose. What, you ask, is a Santa nose? I don’t know, except it just looks like a jolly, ol' schnaz.
Back to the wedding. The happy couple has just joined hands at the front of the sanctuary, and Sophy whispers into my ear that she has just seen Santa. Oh! Santa, I ask? Yes, he’s right behind us, she whispers. So I turn, and sure enough, Mr. Claus was situated about 4 pews behind us--red suit and all (it was more of a red tuxedo, I guess you could say.) Sophy, who has been being inordinately cooperative during the ceremony, begins to righteously insist that she must go introduce herself and request a material object that has been taped to our refrigerator in hopes that someone would have mercy on her poor, pitiful self and buy it for her. After several minutes of Sophy staring pointedly at Santa and wiggling her fingers at him and saying PSSSTT, I realize that we may get no peace, and the wedding may be interrupted by a severe bout of very loud whispering if Sophy isn’t allowed to quietly tiptoe to Santa and make her wish known. There was no fear on her part as you would think a child may be prone to. This was no stranger in a red suit (ahem.) Santa, to my knowledge, had not even acknowledged Sophy’s existence. Yet, she was most insistent that she must speak with him. Like a fly to sugar, quietly she slipped around the corner of the pew and crept up to Santa. It was instantaneous recognition, one soul recognizing another. Santa brought Sophy in for a kiss on the cheek, and like the seasoned veteran that he is, instinctively leaned closer so as to hear the request being uttered from the lips of a 5 year old. I am not sure what she said to him. He may not even know. But in her heart, she was talking to Santa. And in his heart, Mr. Father-In-Law was Santa. He nodded in agreement with her and sent her back to her seat. She sat quietly and happily for the rest of the ceremony and is convinced that Santa is on the job she gave him.
Let me tell you something. I’ve never felt so validated as when Jack leaned over to Sam and whispered, SAM! Mom was right! Santa really DOES watch us all the time! Uh-huh. Mom was right, indeed.
And now you know why Santa was at a wedding in March. (SMILE!)

Teeth, Ebay, Tree House, and School

The boys have finished their homework, it's almost bedtime, and the kids are having one last hoorah before we hit the hay. Mr. Pinkie ran out for a photo meeting with a client, so I thought I'd update while I had a second. ((BTW, CoolMama, Santa Claus was at a wedding in March because even the big guy has a soft spot for romance.)) HA! I forgot the first M in CoolMama, and it looked like Coolama..Cool Llama.HAHAHA. It's been an incredibly long day.
**Happy Much Awaited Baby to Mr. and Mrs. Pithy! I'm so happy he's here and healthy!**

Teeth:
Sam lost tooth #2 on Saturday night. You would think that someone who has bled as much as Sam has would be used to the sight by now, but nope. Not him. Of course, it doesn't help that he bleeds like a stuck pig. So, Toothie left Sam a whopping 3$ for tooth #2. He was so excited. Sophy wept because she was afraid Toothie was going to come steal her teeth when she came to get Sam's. Haha. That child is so vain. She's mortally afraid of getting freckles...hahaha.
Ebay:
I found a seller on Ebay who is, very likely, the nicest person I have ever had dealings with in all my many (and sordid) Ebay transactions. As I type, this sweet lady is mailing me a pair of earrings for Sophy that I haven't paid for because she wanted me to see if I liked them (14K gold) before I paid for them. How nice is that?
Tree House:
Mr. Pinkie made a lot of headway on the TGTHEB '07 yesterday. He did NOT want to work on it yesterday, but when his schedule opened up and it looked like he would have a couple of hours to devote to it, I pretty much threatened him with bodily harm...so he worked. I'm glad he made the dent that he did. He's really over the first big hurdle, and the floor can be laid now. Thankfully, I don't have to hold any 2X4's over my head anymore! UG. Talk about painful. I've had a twist in my shoulder all day from hoisting 2X4's and 6X8's, but it's for a good cause. Mr. Pinkie is a rather stout fellow, so my toting and hoisting exploits were limited to when he was seriously in need. I'm making pics along the way to make a Shutterfly slideshow. I'll post it all when it's completed. I'm hoping when I say completed, that I'm actually meaning this year. HA!
School:
Is it over yet? 'nough said. TAKS testing is coming up soon. TAKS is a four letter word. I'm cautiously optimistic for a very good scoring this year, but sixth graders are like wild animals. They spook easy and are unpredictable. We shall see.
I leave you with a cute pic or two.

Summer Plans

We're in the process of planning out our trips for this summer, and I'm starting to get a little antsy for school to be over now. Why, oh why, is June so far away? ((And on a totally unrelated topic, what's with the new time change? Stupid law makers. Why don't they move Christmas up a week, so we don't have so long to run the Christmas lights? Or make T'giving only applicable at dinner time, so as to limit the use of oven/microwave/cooking energy? Der.)) Ok, rant over. So, here is what we have planned so far:
The first week of June we'll be in Hot Springs, AR to visit Mr. Pinkie's dad/step mom. They live in the village, so I'm sure we'll be doing lots of fishing and Hot Springs-ish things. Whatever those types of things are. The kids are looking forward to it. I think we'll be there for 3-4 days.
June 18, 19, 20, and 21st we'll be at Canyon of the Eagles resort in Burnet, Texas. We'll be hiking, picnicking, river cruising, kiyaking, swimming, fishing, eating, etc....WITHOUT children!! HOOHOO!! We're so excited! We're planning for our friends to go with us (they'll be childless too, WHOOOHOOO again...), so we'll really not know what to do with ourselves.
Sometime in late June or early July we'll be going on our second annual camping/fishing trip with my family. If we're lucky, no one will be puking this year. Of course, we're prepared for the worst. Bring it on. This was a barrel of fun last year, and the kids can NOT wait to go fishing again and sleep in a cabin with all of their cousins.
July 7-12 we will be in Florida for our annual vacation there with Mr. Pinkie's mom/stepdad/sister/cousins, etc. Last year we flew, but I think I've convinved Mr. Pinkie that we want to drive this year and find some side stops along the way.
In the meantime, I'll be in the process of getting my classroom situated and returned to normal (whatever that is.) Our campus is being moved to a new building (long story), and 10 years worth of classroom will have to moved and rearranged. Should be an interesting summer for sure!
Mr. Pinkie just arrived home from the wedding he was shooting tonight, and he has supper with him! WHAT A GUY! Better scoot! Oh, but I must say (SARAH!!), that Sophy saw Santa Claus today at the wedding, and she was so enraptured with him that she snuck up to him during the ceremony and hugged his neck. She wanted to further quiz him as to the location of his reindeer....luckily, I shuttled her through a side door before she could accost him. She was already forming a list of things to tell him....my little material girl. HA!

On the way to the wedding...

Swedish Meatballs and other interesting things.

I'm in the process of heating up a Stouffer's Swedish Meatball entree. I'll let ya know how it comes out momentarily. In other news, we woke up late and went to Lowe's after Mr. Pinkie's family portrait shoot this a.m. He worked on The Greatest Tree House Ever Built '07 for about a half hour (yeah, I'm worried about his work ethic on this particular project...) while Sophy and I planted flowers in the window boxes on our front porch. This was possibly the cutest planting ever, since Sophy was wearing a Hawaiian night gown, pink rubber boots and artificial flowers attached to her ponytails. Sam and Jack built a bridge over the creek using sticks. Sophy pretended to be Godzilla and smashed it. Poor guys.
My mom had bought a red, climbing rose for Mr. Pinkie when his step-grandmother passed away in January, so we planted that this morning just off of our back porch. Hopefully the guys who mow our yard won't destroy it.
Mr. Pinkie met with a asphalt man this a.m. about adding a circle portion to our current driveway, as well as a parking pad, which means Jack can get the basketball goal he so desires. This is our second estimate for the project, so hopefully we'll find someone soon who is as cheap, er...frugal as we plan on being. Sam is so mortally excited over the whole deal that he almost explodes every time we mention it. I'm sure the day it's laid we'll have to let him skip school to watch. It would be cruel otherwise.
((Pause while I go fetch my wonderfully microwaved meal...)) The verdict...uhm...assuming one doesn't mind the pervasive whang of meat by-products (and doesn't over nuke the meatballs in the first place), you might consider them to be edible. Then again, you might not. I'm going with NOT.
Well, we're off to a wedding, so I better go spit/polish the kids. Oh, maybe I'll take a pic to share!

Growing Pains

I'm so glad I have this blog. It's sad that I don't use it more often to purge my soul. My old journal is such a treasure to me now of stories and events from our baby days. To be able to look back and read about so many insignificant events from our daily lives is something very sweet. You forget about all of the booboos, the milestones, etc. Just this past weekend, I found the first 5 years of my previous journal that I printed before I closed it. At first, I was just cleaning out a trunk. The next thing I knew, I was crying and laughing while I read about Sophy's first cookie and the boy's first fishing experience. Those baby days are gone so fast, yet they seem like they're creeping when they're upon you. Our babies all came so close together, that it seemed like we had babies for 5 years. About the time one made a little progress, another was born. Then another. There are great spans of time that I don't even recall. That is too sad. I wouldn't want to forget any of those moments, and yet here I sit with the perfect tool to record more of our lives...and I simply don't do it. I'm going to try to be better. Maybe one entry a week. That's a good start. 20 entries a day wouldn't cover the stories of our lives at this point, but I have to record these days. Someone, if not myself, will be so happy to have them down the road. It's all golden, and there has to be enough time in my day to cherish and record it all. Sigh. I'm waxing sentimental here, but I don't care. Reading through my old journal really snapped some life back into my blogging desire. For corn's sake, it would be a tragedy to not remember how big Sam's eyes were this evening when he asked me if germs cried. Why, I asked, would germs ever cry? Because, he said, they're like bad guys, and that has to make them really sad when they think about it. Or Sophy sighing while she watches her daddy and says, Mom, my daddy sure is cute.
Sniff, sniff.

Random Photos

A tea party in progress and an apparent interest in playhouse construction. Look how happy Piglet looks. He looks like he wants to squeal.


Future site of The Greatest Tree House Ever Built 2007. Coming soon! Also coming soon, daffodils to a flower bed near you (er, me.)


The garden in repose. That is a really pretty way of saying the garden is dead for a while.

These are a few of my favorite things......

(Bread. Cheese. Meat--aren't these the top 3 on everyone's Favorite Thing list?)
Our Sunday school class rotates bringing breakfast each week. Being the culinary artist that I am, we usually make a run through The Doughnut Palace on our Sunday to draw the short straw, er...provide breakfast.
However, most of the REAL women in our group PREPARE (i.e COOK) something to be served hot to the class. Yeah, I'm in WAY over my head with this group. They pretend to not judge me (afterall, it IS church), but you would have to be blind to not notice the barely veiled looks of disgust they shoot at me. Wait. That would be Mr. Pinkie throwing that look at me as he realizes that there ARE women who cook (I've tried in vain to convince him that cooking is SO 2006.) Fortunately, The Doughnut Palace makes a mean kolache. So far, no one seems to mind our meager contribution to the breakfast buffet, even if I do imagine them scoffing at me behind their glazed doughnut, "I bet she doesn't even own a saucepan." I can just hear them! Can't you? Maybe the voices in my head are getting out of control.
Recently, one of those over achievers who uses her kitchen for more than serving macaroni and spaghettios made the following foodage in an attempt to make me look bad. It was simply divine (if you weren't in the mood for a doughnut.)

Sausage Puffs
Ingredients:
1 can croissants
1/2 pound sausage
5 tablespoons cream cheese
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Directions
Spread 1/2 of the croissant pieces on a greased cookie sheet. Fry the sausage, adding cream cheese while still warm and stir. Spread sausage mixture over croissant dough. Cover with other half of croissant pieces and crimp edges to make a neat roll. Rub 1 egg white over the top and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
Serves 4

More Puppy Pics

I know this puppy doesn't belong to me. Darn it all. But how cute is she? I ask you. How. Cute. Is. She.



We're rotting at home with more fever (we actually think Jack may have Chicken Pox despite having the vaccine as a babe), and things are just puttering right along. I know what you're thinking. Believe it or not, we actually do have moments of health and vigor in this house. I know EJo and Amy can vouch for me. It seems like with kids you get hit with cycles of germs or something. It seems like we go for months, or longer, with healthy kids. Then, out of the blue, it's just one thing after another. We've had our share of one thing AND another lately. This too shall pass. Er, I hope.
It would seem that our President's Day holiday was ill-fated from the beginning, but we're starting to become immune (no pun intended) to the realization that school holidays are on the books merely to taunt and torment us. Know what? Spring Break is coming up, and I plan on being one step ahead of the game. I'm going to buy bulk. Lysol. Clorox. Wipes. Sprays. Aerosols. Gas masks. Flame throwers. HAZMAT suits. Body armor. Tanks. Napalm. We're going to be ready for everything Dr. Germ has to throw at us. C'mon Ebola. We're ready! (Not really. You can keep the Ebola.)
I wish I could remember some cute childhood anecdote for you. It would seem that my blog has become a dumping ground for posts about sick children. We're more than a germ! WE ARE! I'll have to think up a ridiculously clever entry about one or more of my offspring. Tomorrow. I'll post one tomorrow.

Can you see this?

I'm a little picture shy due to my last 2 entries being sucked into a black hole of cyber space. Hopefully, this works. If so, you should be looking at the sweetest puppy girl known to mankind. Her name is Pappy Jo, and she is my mom and dad's new baby!

Is anybody out there?

Blink once for yes. Twice for no.

1, 2, 3

testing testing testing. is this thing on?!

Home Again, Home Again...Jiggity-Jog!

Little Man Sam started running a high temp on Thursday night, and it's been a rough couple of days since then. His spirits have been up, but we were very concerned about him a time or two. When Sam gets still and quiet, it's time to pay attention. So far today, his temp is around 100, which is low considering where it has been. Hopefully we're on the downhill side of this. Most of his symptoms were very flu-like, so who knows? He has been one sick fellow. So, here we are at home. Again.
I thought I'd use the time today (when I'm not tying Sam down to the couch in order to rest) to get caught up on some phone calling, Lysol scrubbing. We recently found out that the league we play tball/baseball with will not be operating this Spring. WHAT?!?! We haven't begun to tell the boys yet. They will be crushed. There are other leagues nearby, but all of our friends play in the old league. We're not sure what we'll do, but we have to decide soon. The nearest league ends it's sign ups this week. Jack is still getting ready for some Fun Runs later on this Spring and a triathalon at the beginning of the summer, so we'll have that to keep him busy. I'm very interested in the swim team in our area or possibly getting them in a kid's gym program. This past summer was very interesting for me because it was the first year that I felt that I had big kids that I had to 'entertain.' The days we didn't find a pool or an outside activity (on days that it wasnt' 120 degrees), the kids were happy to just watch tv or wander around the yard. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem turning them loose with their own imaginations, but sometimes unstructured imagination can be dangerous...at least at our house. Until we can afford an inground pool (hopefully in the next 3-4 years), we will be chasing summer activities. I don't want my kids growing up with their noses stuck to a television screen and their heart rates below 55 beats per minute. Hehe. Gee, do I digress, or what? And what is with my grammar, run-on sentences, and such today? Oh well. It's a sick day. So there (sticking my tongue out at you.)
Plans are still under way for The Greatest Tree House Ever Built '07. If no one pukes or runs a fever during the week of Spring Break, we will be building a tree house. I am so excited about this project. The kids are beyond excited about this project. Garden Daddy is a little less than thrilled, but he'll get over it! HAHA! The kids have the days marked on the calendar and are counting down, so he really has no choice but to comply with our wishes! Poor guy.
This post has taken me about 2 hours to finish due to various children running around (Sophy has a pair of panties on her head) when they should be resting. I better wrap this up.

Show me the money!

This morning I wore my leather jacket. I can't tell you the last time/place that I wore the jacket (well, prior to the morning's events.) On the way to school, I noticed that the pocket was rather full of coins, so I stuck my hand in to find about $4 worth of quarters just begging me to buy a sausage biscuit from my favorite greasy spoon. Ahh, my mouth was salivating. The biscuit was going to be so flakey and warm. The thought of such a treat made my morning errands (read: drudgeries) seem petty.
My heart was warmed by the very thought of that yummy breakfast sandwich. I even debated with myself. Should there be jelly on this biscuit? If so, what kind. In the end, it was no. No, there would be no jelly to muck up the taste of the biscuit/sausage melding together in perfection.
The moment of bliss finally arrived. When the cashier (who I know personally and whose 4 children I have taught) rang up my order total, I reached into that lucky pocket and pulled out.....a fist full of game tokens. STUPID. STUPID. GAME TOKENS. Game tokens from Party Central (think Chuck E. Cheese on crack if you've not had the misfortune of attending a birthday party at such a joint.)
Cashier Girl collapsed into giggles, as did several patrons seated near her. I was mortified. Mostly because I had no other cash to my name. Not even my debit card was with me. I may never recover from the shame.

Where we go for all of our homework help.

Cats really do make the best homework tutors. Thomas helps Jack with his homework every night. She's a killer at subtraction. She has promised to teach me how to knit, but her schedule is really tight these days--what with story problems and spelling words and such. Thomas is the sweetest kitty ever. She's even forgiven us for the whole 'we thought you were a boy kitty so we named you Thomas thing.'

Ahhh. Finally! Puke on a non-holiday! That's more like it.

I know why we're puking. Because after this horrendous bug made the rounds through every household within a 20 mile radius of us, I had the audacity to proclaim that we had 'dodged the bullet.' Nay. No dodging. This was one of those sneak attack, hiding in the bushes, lying in wait bullets. Last night, shortly after my blog entry about lottery commercial songs and beautiful sisters, our very own Beautiful Sister violently emptied it in her bed. Then in the toilet (about 4 times). Then in a H'ween Bucket (about 8 times). All of this within 2 and a half hours. Enter: Mr. Suppository. Shortly after Mr. S arrived on the scene, Beautiful Sister fell asleep until 4 AM (at which time she tossed it up again 3 times.) Enter: Mr. Suppository2. We've only had one spewing since 8 AM, so all is right with the world for now.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I remembered Sam was supposed to dress up like he was 100 years old for the 100th Day of School Party today. Siigghh! So this morning, as I inserted suppositories and cleaned up things I won't describe (Your Welcome), I found a white t-shirt and wrote "I AM 100 Years Old" on it in large, black letters, slipped it over Sam's head, and Wa-La! TRAGEDY AVERTED!

I'm sure his teacher will not be as pleased with his costume as I was. Or maybe he'll be all the rage.

Beautiful Sister begged us several times last night to please 'buy her some roses.' Knowing her daddy, she'll get her wish. Poor gal. She's melted into the couch right now with the orange jack-o-lantern bucket clutched between her fingers. I swear that pumpkin is laughing at us.

Tomorrow is Friday. Tomorrow is Friday. Tomorrow is..

Mr. Pinkie is at a wake for his step-grandmother this evening. I ordered pizza in lieu of cooking, and we just wrapped up the homework/bath time dance. We'll be in bed shortly! Ahhh, the bed......
If there are peeping Tom's in our neighborhood, we've surely given them a good laugh this evening...for lots of reasons, but mostly for dancing in the middle of the living room to a lottery commercial. It's the song. The commercial has the catchiest tune. It's like one minute were playing with Legos, picking up socks, and drinking juice. The next minute we're all bobbing, weaving, and shaking what we got like crazy people in the middle of the living room. Commercial ends, we're all back to whatever it was we were doing before. We ain't right.

Speaking of not being right, Sam was getting dressed in his bedroom after bathtime. I was just about to go in his room when I heard him singing, "Sophy is so beautiful" all sweet and sappy (this is NOT like him.) So, I said, "WHAT? SOPHY IS BEAUTIFUL?" He was so embarrassed and hid in the closet and screamed, "LEAVE ME ALONE! YOU STINK!" Hehe. I love that kid. It wasn't long after that when Jack ran into the room shouting, "Mom. Quick. There is dog thief on Inside Edition!" It's all the important stuff around here. ONLY important stuff.

Tomorrow is the 100th day of school, and Sam has to dress up like he is 100 years old. Funny, I FEEL like I'm 100 years old after the week I've had. I probably look it too. Maybe he could take me in for show and tell. "See kids! I told you my mom was 100 years old."

Tivo + Me = Happiness

I love me some Tivo. How strange and wonderful to be able to pause the news, rewind to catch the weather, record 2-3 shows while watching another, record various titles under a season pass that allows you to NEVER have to endure a forgotten episode of Survivor or Lost or...gasp, American Idol (more on this later.) I look back now on all of the years of television that were lost in shuffle of diapers, feedings, pukings, etc. When you have 3 children under the age of 4, that happens. But oh boy! Not anymore! Don't get me wrong, we're still insanely busy. It's different now, though. We're able to record any number of mindless shows to watch once the kids are abed.

Happy sigh.

Here is our current recording list:
Lost - Of course, the show is OFF more than it's ON, but we endeavor to persevere. I read somewhere this season will consist of 17 back to back episodes. We'll see! I'm pretty much over my Lost obsession, but I will most definitely follow it until the end, which I also read is in the works. The writers of the show didn't want it to be the show that ran for "2 seasons too many," so the final season is already being planned. No word on when that is. Anyone know?

Survivor - The season just ended, but I'll be locked and loaded for the new season. Sometimes Survivor lets me down. Sometimes the "characters" aren't as interesting as other times. I'm really annoyed at the producer's inability to think up some other locale than an island setting. It would be really neat to see some different terrain. Think of what it would mean to the survivor's SURVIVAL. I think the purpose of the show is getting diluted because the players of the game have figured out how to survive the island setting ahead of time AND how to play the game by watching/learning from previous mistakes of previous players. I'd like a really big location shake-up, but I'm sure they'll never host the show in an area where you can't wear a bikini. Skin sells. Still, I'm a fan and will continue to watch. Favorite season of all time? Australia. Colby. ((Although Rupert pulled a close second some seasons later.))

Medium - I have no idea why I watch this show, but what can I say? I'm weak.

Dirty Jobs - TOP OF THE TIVO'ing list. Mike Rowe is my boyfriend. When this show leaves television, I will mourn and wear black. I love this show. For one thing, Mike Rowe is about as sarcastic as a human can be. He has a very twisted sense of humor. It's love, I tell you.

Man Vs. Wild - My latest Discovery channel addiction. Bear Grylles is my back-up boyfriend in the event that Mike Rowe ever cheats on me. This show is amazing. At least once per episode, Mr. Pinkie and/or myself will be like, "Huh. I didn't know that." I like the fact that he takes real life situations where people have been killed, like the Kim Family's father in the Oregon wilderness, and dedicates an episode to showing you how to survive if you were in that situation. Of course, there are the locations like the Costa Rican rainforest. Yeah, I'll probably never go there, but it's pure entertainment nonetheless. He makes no excuses for the survival choices he portrays saying that you will almost always make bad decisions in a survival situation, but the important thing is to keep making decisions and try everything possible. He's my hero. And my boyfriend. Don't worry, Mr. Pinkie is aware of the situation.

American Idol - It's like a bad crack habit that I can't kick (I assume.) It's just that...well, this show is as much of a fishbowl as Survivor is. There are 3 types of people on Idol, 1.) extremely talented people who need to be discovered, 2.)people who can sing on key, but need to stick to the church choir, and 3.) flat-out, weirdo, manic people who have no idea (and how does that happen)that they can't sing. Not only can they not sing and don't know it, they seem to have no clue that the rest of us are sitting at home with our mouth's agape in horror and awe. Like last night, the 2 little (one was actually huge) guys that were obviously out on a trip from their Group Home without a supervisor or counselor. Simon compared one of them to a bush baby or a jungle monkey..oh, it was dreadful. Normally, I laugh at the ridiculous people and their humiliation. Even if they're pitifully unintelligent...I know. I know...I'm being honest. But these 2 guys...they broke my heart. WHAT ON EARTH? I mean...their parents, their caregivers (because they were BOUND to have caregivers)...WHO let them out to traipse around Seattle on their own and embarrass themselves in front of THE WORLD...HELLO? Ok, so despite those 2 people, I find the bulk of the tryouts to be, far and away, more entertaining than anything else the rest of the season has to offer. My favorite winner to date...probably Chris Daughtry, but I liked Carrie Underwood and Kelli Clarkson. My favorite Idol ever was the kid last season with the amazing voice, asthma and bad teeth whose mom looked really sick. He was such a nice guy. As if I know him. HA!

15 Things You Don't Know About Me

((This is the most retarded title ever. I mean, after I tell you these things, then you'll know them...which makes the title...well, pointless. Right?))

1. I am phobic about boat travel.

2. I am not supposed to drive at night..you know, the whole night blindness thing. Still, it's kind of fun.

3. My first strawberry was consumed at the age of 17. The avocado was shortly thereafter.

4. I learned to swim in a stock tank on a peanut farm.

5. While in middle school, I used to hide under my brother's beds and listen to their phone conversations. I am still not ashamed of this and would do it again in a heartbeat.

6. Big cats, like lions and jaguars, pee on me on sight. It's happened 3 times in my life at separate zoos.

7. I've never eaten an orange.

8. My mouth used to (HA!) get me in trouble a lot.

9. My favorite color is pink.

10. My favorite number is 5. It turns up a lot in my life. For example, I am currently seventy FIVE dollars overdrawn.

11. If I could be any animal, I would be a bird.

12. I collect glass birds. Fenton birds.

13. I drink a pitcher of tea a day.

14. Cooking is not my favorite past-time.

15. I've always secretly wanted my own pet guinea pig.

Sophy Claire

Girl. Girl. Girl. Sophy is 195% girl. She is so dainty and prissy. She can't stand to have chipped nail polish, loves shoes and clothes, and dreams of being a glittery mermaid with diamonds in her hair. All of these girlie persuasions make it a little hard to visualize her, then, asking her brothers, "Hey. Wanna go fight?" She loves nothing more than a good tussle. She usually imparts as much pain as she receives. She has learned; however, that squealing in pain (even if it's a fake squeal) usually causes a momentary window in which she can get a better foot hold, hand hold, hair hold, etc.
Kindergarten is calling. As of August, all 3 kiddos will be in school. Sophy in kindergarten, Sam in first grade, and Jackson in third. I'm scared. Mostly because I know what Sophy is capable of. We had actually considered skipping kindergarten with her, but socially we do not feel she is up to the challenge. Academically, she is reading on about a second grade level, she is adding/subtracting, spelling, doing her brother's homework on request, etc. It's because of the latter that we've had to intervene on several occassions. I've caught most things that she has completed, but some things still get by me. At least we know she can do the work, right?
She is constantly leaving me notes on the fridge that say I LOVE YOU MOMMY or I LIKE PRESENTS or ITS MY BURTHDAY. Hehe. Lately she's been telling me that we're "sisters." Fine with me! As long as she doesn't ask me "wanna fight?"

Sam

So, we've covered the fact that Sam lost his first tooth. It wasn't exactly a loose tooth, but the ball that came along didn't seem to mind that the tooth wasn't exactly loose. $3 later, we've recovered from the bloody trauma.
Kindergarten is going good. Sam loves his teacher so much, and I love her so much too! She's great. We're really working on our basic reading skills which is not his favorite thing to be learning right now. He's finally starting to show some interest, so I'm hoping he'll start to pick it right up. Whereas Jack is more of a loner and happy to be that way, Sam seems to make friends where ever he goes. He has a different tale every day of some kid or other that he hooked up with at school. This could be good news or bad news for our future. He tries very frequently to get Sophy to his handwriting, homework sheets. She usually obliges, and I am forced to intervene. More on this in my Sophy update.
As I type, Sam is giving Sophy a horsey ride around the house on his back. I'm always frightened when they're getting along. It's seems safer, usually, when they're not on the same page. If they are ever together, it pays to look into their activities. Never good. Never. Like the time he tied her to the basketball goal with lots and lots of ropes (she agreed to this part). Shortly after securing the ropes, he walked away and told her he was going to get his pet bear to come eat her. Sophy didn't appreciate the humor and became hysterical with fear. Sam thought it was hilarious. Don't feel too bad for too long. Once she was untied, she promptly attacked him like the pet bear he wished he had.

Jack Ryan

I have one child simmering in the tub, one vegged out in front of the tv, and one tucked away with a book somewhere. Seems like a good time to update about the 2 guys and the doll. Guy #1 is less than 6 months away from being 9, uh-huh...NINE, years old. Eek. He is still my most likely to be reading a book somewhere. We're still leaning towards space, flight, and airplane topics. He can sit for hours with a book on trains or space travel and be perfectly content. Sometimes I worry because he is so placid and laid back. He takes orders very well from Guy #2, and usually this concerns me. As Guy #1, you'd think he was the boss of the crew. Nope. That role falls to Guy #2. The good news is that Guy #1 usually totally ignores the dominating ways of Guy #2, and it would probably be in his best interest to continue ignoring him. At least, this is what I keep telling him.
A few nights ago, Jack woke up in hysterics. Sobbing, crying, etc. When I finally got out of him what was wrong, I felt so bad for him. Turns out that he had a nightmare about me. He dreamed that I was in the forest picking flowers and 10 hunters came out of the woods and shot me. So...yeah, I was disturbed then too! I can't imagine where this came from. It isn't something we've heard about or seen on tv. We're very selective about our television viewing, so I don't know. Needless to say, I won't be picking flowers in the forest anytime soon. Hehe.
Jack has really gotten interested in exercise, jogging, etc. We recently bought him a pair of jogging shoes, and we're looking into some kid Fun Runs scheduled for the spring. If all goes according to plan, he'll be participating in an IronKids Triathalon on June 2nd. This will entail a 100 yd swim, 1 mile run, and 3.2 bike ride. He is so excited, and he is really doing his part to get ready for it. He is constantly begging us to let him go jog, so we're just backing him up on this one. We can't all be Derek Jeter, eh? I guess it wouldn't be so bad to have an Iron Man in the family!

The Story of the Tooth Fairy

As everyone knows, the Tooth Fairy lives in a recently remodeled birdhouse upgraded to fairy specifications. Her newly added front porch allows her to relax on her not-so-frequent night off, watch the sunset with her pet mosquito, and sip a soothing nectar of sugar-free orange juice with a splash of sparkling water. I've been told the secret location of her fairy cottage is in a hidden garden somewhere near Florida. Of course, that's probably a rumor. It's in this quaint little cottage, hidden by rose bushes, day lilies, and climbing jasmine that Toothie (as she is known by her closest bossoms) operates a very lucrative fairy dust operation to help offset travel expenses. Of course, bulk fairy dust is missing the one special ingredient that helps Toothie slip through key holes and under pillows, so we need not fear a rash of home invasions and pillow snatching. All is safe. It's about time now. Toothie is saddling up her trusty steed, a blue iridescent butterfly named Bicuspid, to head out into the wintry night. We're ready Toothie. We're ready.

10 Most Interesting Comments of the Day

10 most interesting comments of the day as quoted by Sam.

10. HELP! HELP! ((Blood running down his chin)) SOMEBODY HELP ME!! (Turns out he lost a tooth. An un-loose tooth, but a tooth nonetheless.)

9. When the Loose Fairy comes, how does she know where you are? (Mr. Pinkie and I laughed and laughed. Wonder how the Loose Fairy feels about Sam sullying her pristine reputation. She went from being an icon of innocence to "loose" in the blink of an eye.)

8. If we glue the tooth back in, do I still get the money?

7. Are my teeth plastic?

6. ((With a rag tied around his head/jaw, a golf club for a walking stick, and a very exaggerated limp)) I think I need to be absent tomorrow with this big hole in my mouth.

5. How many days until I can eat again?

4. (Topic change) Mom. How do they get babies out of your tummy? (I knew this was coming one day....) ((I took a deep breath and told him the truth. That babies come out of your belly button. Don't frown. You don't know Sam like I do.))

3. Gee. Do belly buttons stretch really hugely?

2. ((Pulling a stuffed puppy out of his pretend-impregnated tummy)) SOMEBODY HELP! SOMEBODY HELP! There's a puppy stuck in my belly button! ((Ack.))

1. If I swallowed my tooth and it came out my hiney, would it bite me?

If I have to tell you ONE more time.....

I have said this one little phrase about 1,997 times today. Ack. It's starting to leave a rancid taste in my mouth. About 2 hours ago, I dropped the aforementioned phrase for a more pleading, "Why? Why would you do that when I just told you to stop?" Followed up by, "Now you're sister has green marker eyebrows." After that I was answered with a quickly delivered, "I dunno, fish head...she likes it that way," while the offending red-headed 6 year old ran off to shoot the cat (once again, for the 219th time since lunch.) I finally just dropped all pretense at verbal reprimanding and leveled the dreaded 'look' at anyone who dares to step in the visual path of the stare. It didn't work in case you were wondering.

It's a school holiday for corn's sake. I don't want to beat anyone today. Ya know? Why can't we all just get along? Why must we stuff ourselves into pillowcases and fall on one another as we topple over lamps and giggle like insane, crazy people? Is it completely necessary that we hover a finger 2 mm over any given sibling's skin while they scream in obvious terror at the thought of being touched...by a finger?

As a last ditch effort, I did what any Mommy would do on a 31 degree, icey road, tree crackling day (if you wouldn't, please don't tell me.) I bundled them up, layers, toboggans, jackets, and tennis shoes and made them jog to the end of the block and back. Twice. ((Evil laugh inserted here.)) THAT worked in case were wondering.

In even more disturbing family news, Sophy has bemoaned the fact on numerous occassions today that she wasn't endowed with certain anatomical features (ahem) that her brothers were blessed with. To the point of tears and very specific requests made to rectify the situation. Why, she pleaded, would they have such handy equipage and she did not? Who had forgotten to give it to her, she wanted to know. Could we buy one at Walmart was the next question. She cried silently in her room for a while. Mourning the loss of her manhood that never was. Boy, wouldn't she be disappointed to learn about the fun mother nature has in store for her womanliness down the road? Let's hope that is a long, long, long way off. First, we have to get over our missing parts. Or, part, as it were.

A New Dog in the Family

My parents finally made the BIG commmittment and bought a LITTLE dog today! Hehe. Mind you, we've never really been a small dog family. I guess the Pinkie's started the trend with the our YorkiePoo, Pongo. We live in a neighborhood and have no fence, so we needed/wanted a small pup who wouldn't need to romp and roam. Boy did we get that one right. He's a lazy sloth! HA! My brother's family just bought their children a Papillion (small dog, GIANT ears) a week ago. My parents were so happy when all of the kids left home because that meant they no longer had to care for a dog! I guess, lately, they've been lonely because my mom requested we help her find a Papillion for her own. I believe "Pappy Jo", as my mom has already named her, will be ready in about a week. The kids are so excited! I can't wait to see her...teehee.

Life

As we drove home from the B&B with my nose buried in the giant bouquet of roses from Mister, we passed a large cemetery on the edge of town. Out amongst the markers and tombstones was an elderly fellow with a small bouquet of his own. He was holding the flowers close to his chest and had his head down. With the backdrop of gray clouds and the wind blowing the willow and oak trees around the cemetery, it was a really poignant moment. It was someone he loved. A wife, maybe? I don't know, but I inhaled the scent of my own roses and held on a little tighter.

Our Anniversary Celebration!

It's too much to type all of the little plannings that Mr. GP put into pulling off our evening, so I'll just focus on the important things. We arrived at our destination, Roseville B&B www.rosevillebedandbreakfast.com, at about 7 p.m. Mr. GP introduced me to husband/wife owners of the B&B that he knows pretty well. We ended up chatting with them both of and on throughout the night, and they are the neatest people. I'm looking forward to spending more time with them and stealing a few gardening ideas. So, we settle into our room, The Jacob room (if the link works you can see the tub! OMG.) We made our way to a secluded dining porch where a candelit table was waiting with a beautiful little bouquet of pale pink roses that a friend had made and delivered ahead of time. This little indoor porch was so nice with a little fireplace burning by our table. Oh, it was beautiful. We started dinner with a fresh strawberry and tomato salad on a fresh bed of greens. You can not imagine how wonderful this salad was. I can't begin to do it justice by describing it, but it was so simple and fresh and amazing. We also had a soft puff roll with our salad that was topped some type of seasoning. TO DIE FOR. So then our meal comes. Mr. GP had selected our menu ahead of time. I was served grilled tilapia on a bed of steamed tomatoes and asparagus, tomato pie, sweet skillet cremed corn, a potato casserole, seasoned green bean bundle wrapped in bacon and a lime drink with French rasberry syrup in it. I can honestly tell you that I have never had a better meal in my life. It was absolutely the best food I've ever eaten. The fish was seasoned to perfection and the asparagus-tomato combo under the fish just did something for the flavor. And the tomato pie, well, I just can't begin to tell you. It was beyond description. So awesome. At some point over dinner when we weren't rolling our eyes into the back of our head in ecstasy, we exchanged gifts. I gave Mr. Pinkie a heirloom pocket watch that he can pass down to one of our boys down the road. Mr. Pinkie, God bless him, took some loose stones that his mother had picked up in Russia last year, and had my long-awaited Mother's ring made. There are 3 stones, the kid's birthstones, and 8 diamonds set in white gold. Apparently the Russians know how to cut stones because the jeweler who made the ring said that you could never find stones cut like these in the US. He appraised the value of the ring at about $3,000 because of the stones...1 red tourmaline, 1 blue topaz, and 1 alexandrite. It's gorgeous. I can't seem to stop looking at it! Aww, it's beautiful. Ok, so then dessert came. Chocolate layer cake with praline icing and the best coffee that Mr. Pinkie has ever tasted. Turns out the coffee is from Tyler, Texas and is the commissioned coffee of the White House and has been for years and years. The B&B owner gave us directions, so I'm sure we'll make a trip! We sat and talked and laughed and just enjoyed being able to talk and relax while we had the best meal on the planet. The owner stopped in to visit with us and told us he would be right back. He came back with a lemon ice-box parfait that he had whipped up for an event the coming day and wanted us to try it. Who were we to deny him such a thing? So, we ate. Omg. Is there nothing this man can't cook? I'm not exaggerating y'all. It was the best food that has ever been in my mouth. And there has been a lot of food in my mouth. Once the visiting was over, we headed to our room. Mr. GP had a friend of ours make me a GIANT bouquet to match the small one that was on our table for our room. The color of the roses is so special because it's the color of roses that my grandmother always loved.

So, Mr. GP has this friend make these 2 arrangements for me. Waiting for us there in the room was our wedding album and our toasting flutes from our wedding reception, strawberries and chocolate, and a bottle of something sweet and bubbly and red. Not sure what it was, but it was really tastey. We lounged on the beds, soaked in the tub, ate our strawberries, giggled about wedding album and how people have changed (namely us), watched a little tv, read a book, and laughed and talked about funny things (or not funny things) that have happened to us over the last 10 years. It was just a really sweet time. This morning, we had a coffee/tea trolley right outside the door, so Mister got a cup (a sweet, red toile cup), and we headed out to the garden and grounds to walk around. I made friends with a little striped kitty, and we located the crowing rooster that had made his presence known at about 6:00 a.m. When we got back inside, our places were set in the big dining room. Again, a candle lit table with a rose bouquet for me again. We ate quiche of some variety that made my toes curl up in happiness. If you had been served this cold out of the fridge, it would've been no less amazing. ((Note: the owners are VERY skilled in the kitchen)) Along with the quiche we ate fresh strawberries with pineapple, ham, bacon, spiced bread, fruit bread, and hot tea/orange juice. We relaxed for just a while longer and then headed home. It was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. It was so nice, in fact, that I told Mister that #15 was mine to plan for. :-)

I LOVE THIS MAN!

You know the diamond commercial where the man takes his woman to Paris (or some such romantic spot), and asks her to marry him again. As she gasps, her family all starts standing up in various hidden locales. And the woman says, "I Love This Man." Isn't that the one? Maybe I'm blurring 2 comercials together. Maybe I don't know my diamond commercials after all! GASP! HORROR!
Where was I? Oh yeah. Well, I used to watch that particular commercial and giggle because I could picture my family, in Paris, trying to blend with the locals. Well, if you knew my family (and maybe you do--stop giggling) you could easily imagine the humor of it all. After some passage of time; however, I viewed the commercial with a fair amount of curious speculation. I want to go to Paris and be proposed to again. I don't necessarily want my various and sundry family members there. It might ruin the mood. I would like for Mr. Pinkie to be there, of course, as he would be the one I would want to propose to me again. I saw an article the other day that said something like 64% of women, if given the chance to do it all over again with their spouse, wouldn't. I think that's really sad. But it makes me realize how very happy I am. How very blessed my children are to be tucked safely into a family unit that (albeit mostly insane) loves and would love again if given the chance. We've got LOVE coming out our ears PEOPLE! What do I love about Mr. Pinkie? Oh, just let me tell you.
First, I love the way that he wakes up earlier than I do. He actually likes doing this. It's one of my favorite things about him. He makes breakfast for the kids during this time. You see why I love this, right? Secondly, Mr. Pinkie cares. Being someone who usually doesn't care about much of anything (it's genetic), I am amazed at how much he DOES care about. Genuinely. He is such a good person. I did get lucky. I tell myself this mostly when he wants to smoke his yearly cigar as the Christmas lights go up. I have someone I blame for this annual habit, but I won't name names. Ahem. Bottom line is, I am so thankful that I married a kind hearted individual, and not some hard-head like myself. Next, I love the way that Mr. Pinkie comes home from the random trip to Walmart and has purchased panty hose for his 5 year old little girl because he knew she would be needing them for church the next day because she tore a hole in her last pair. Not only this, he knows what size to get and what color. Can there be a better man out there? Nay, I tell you. Not so. Last, I love him because he loves me. And that can NOT be an easy task. I don't think there is another human on the planet who would love me in all my glory. I must have charms. Big charms.
So, on the Eve before the eve of our 10th wedding anniversary, I wish to my Mr. Pinkie enough strength and love to be married to me for 10 more years + 50.
XOXOXO

Sophy and the Great Fire Dryer.

I'm going to write a children's book one day, and the heroine of the book will be a little girl who tackles all sorts of 5 year old adventures like unruly brothers and animal taming. Even the most mundane activities become worthy causes when Sophy is involved. Her labels and descriptions for things are far better than any we use in our daily doings. Tonight, she randomly called our hair dryer the "fire dryer." She was cold and shivering after her bath, wet hair and goosebumps. As we slipped on her pink flannel gown she chattered, "Quick, Mom! Get the Fire Dryer!" All of a sudden, we were girlie heroes...stamping out Cold and Evil. Fighting the Battle of the Wet Head. Eradicating Damp and Chill with...(trumpets and fanfare) THE FIRE DRYER.

I'm serious about that book. I would especially like to chronicle Sophy's fight to bring snow to the East Texas region in the form of a roll of toilet paper pinched into thousands of tiny snowflakes and carried around the house in a Halloween pumpkin. Waiting. Waiting for just the perfect moment when one needs to feel 'winter' the most, at which time the bucket is ceremoniously tossed into the oncoming path of said winter needer. Somewhere along the way, Sophy would demonstrate her medicine woman skills. Move over Dr. Quinn. You've been replaced by a 5 year old with a box of Curious George bandaids. That handy innovation is used regurlarly for everything from mommy's headaches to attaching princess painties to the back of her Barbie for any future predicament that would require Barbie to parachute behind enemy lines (those usually being in the aforementioned unruly brother's room.)
Not to be forgotten, the wild animal rescue that began with Sophy leading the charge to free a ruby encrusted unicorn from the bowels of it's captor's fortress (Barnes and Noble.) Buying Uni's freedom with every coin of spare change in her red, polka dotted purse while she proclaimed to the waiting store patrons upon her triumphant exit, "She's FREE! She's FREE! She's not in jail anymore!" While, I kid you not, her victory line of patrons applauded and cheered. At least this time she had the forethought to grab her piggie money ahead of time, so Ruby's freedom was acquired through the correct legal channels. We once encountered a stuffed snail that begged for his freedom as well and made his way as illegal contraband stuffed under the little freedom fighter's rainbow striped poncho. (Not to worry. Greater powers were at work that caused the return of the swiped snail to it's legal place in the consumer market.)
That's Sophy. Saving the world. One captured unicorn at a time.

What was I thinking?

Any minute now my nieces (ages 4 and 6) will be here to spend the night for a much talked about, much anticipated sleepover to end all sleepovers. My children planned this event pretty much without my consent. I didn't fully comprehend the magnitude of it all until my nieces came bounding up to me with joy in their eyes....so excited they were, literally, about to wet their pants. And so they come. We're excited. Yay. HA! I'm sure someone in this house will have loads of fun tonight. It just may not be me. Or Mr. Pinkie. He's not really excited by sleepovers. As it turns out, the boys have already made plans for all 5 kids to sleep in their bedroom and 'camp' and get up in the morning to make camping breakfast. I am so very frightened.
Mr. Pinkie left to go pick us up a dinner of steak medallions, baked potatoes, ceasar salad, and bread pudding. We felt like we'd deserve it before the night was over (or really even started.)
Honestly, I'm excited that our cousins are so in love with us and us with them. It's so exciting to watch them grow together and learn how to be people together. They're all so hilarious and have been raised closely together since birth. I'm just not sure if we'll still love each other in the morning. HAHAHAHA!
Happy Weekend.

2007-Unresolutions

I am not much of a resolution type of gal. I'm pretty anal, organized, get-it-done now, etc. I never make 'resolutions' because, for all of my organization, I tend to think of a resolution as more of a guideline. Sort of like a rule that is begging to be broken. Still, I totally dig this time of year because I (for as long as I can remember) have made "To Do" lists for each new year. We're usually talking about projects, remodels, etc. For example, last year was gutting the 'master cave'...er, bathroom and adding a window to the living room. This year, I want to do the same, but I've also added some new things to my list.
1. REMODEL THE KITCHEN - gutted and remodeled. It's atrocious and drawers are off their 50+ year old rollers and the cabinet doors no longer align and close right. DRIVING ME CRAZY!! TO DO THING #1!
2. Finish the mudroom. This shouldn't take too much $$ or elbow grease. Well, other than replacing the flooring...which will come with #1.
3. Invite more people over for dinner. Which would mean...
4. Cook more meals at home.
5. I will start some time of regular exercise regiment. I am not concerned about weight which I have gained over the years..but I'm still probably underweight for my height. I am VERY concerned about my health, loss of muscle tone, and the fact that the only (haha--only) exercise I get involves 3 other people in this house.
6.Take a few short road trips with the kids.
7. Keep in BETTER (meaning more frequent) touch with all of the old people in my life.
8. Make Mr. GP buy me flowers more often.
9. Get estimates for master suite addition (hopefully for '08), but I want the ball rolling this year.
10. A family portrait of all 5 of us. Together. With no lude gestures, awkward expressions, threatening glances or silly giggles involved.