Word to yo' mutha

Or, um, Hi Mom!

Please forgive me all who come here to get updated...or just get a good laugh. Life kind of took me over the edge and I've been slowly working my way back up. You know things like Hottie out of town, sick kids, school activities, Hottie in school, grocery shopping, sick kids again, dance (the kids-not me), memory verses, science projects, calls to 911. You know just the regular stuff.

So, obviously a lot has happened since mid-January. Here's a brief update.


Hottie went out of town for 2 weeks. Yes, we survived, but just barely! The kids made "dad"vent calendars to count down Hottie's return. It worked without too many tears. And Hottie came home safe and sound. Just in time for Valentine's day. I'm so lucky!



Punka. She. Does. Not. Like. Homework. Need I say more?


Gigi discovered that she fit perfectly in the frying pan. She loves to open cabinets so much I actually went out and bought the little latches to go on the cabinets. Did I mention this is the 1st kid I've had to do this with? And she is quite upset about the whole ordeal, too.


This is what I get when I say, "Look at the camera. Say cheese. Please??!!" They don't hear me. They are too loud. They have a mind of their own. They don't care. Until they are adults and accuse me of not taking pictures of them. Whatever.


Hottie and Punka went on a date. She spent all day trying to decide what to wear, where they were going to go, what they were going to do. Oh, my! Hottie took her to "Mr. Nick's" downtown where they shared stuffed red snapper and then next door to get pralines. And they brought some home to me still warm. Yummy! Punka was so elated. Before she went to bed she asked where we (she and I) were going the next day. I think dates are important and pertinent. Especially if it's with someone as cute as Punka.



I just wanted a picture of Gigi. That's all. Nothing complicated. Or so I thought!

This is a photo of me and Mr. Potato Head. Goldilocks made him to resemble a much loved member of our family. I beat you can't guess who it is GUAPS! Here's one of his creator. So Proud.


One more thing about this "moment". Everyone was required (by a 4 yr. old) to kiss the Guaps Potato Head. And we did. Just to appeased the boy. We do things like that ...occasionally.

I found them "measuring" Gigi. Punka and Goldilocks wanted to see where she matched up with the skeleton in the book. Gigi was quite cooperative (surprisingly) and kept trying to lay down on the book after they were done with their experiment!


We went to Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium one weekend. It was so much fun! Everyone was worn out by the end of the day, especially Guaps and Grams. And my camera battery died, so we couldn't take anymore pics while we were in Atlanta. Bummer.


While we were in Atlanta, Hottie and I slipped away to see the Bodies Exhibition. It was very interesting. We were there for about 3 hours and Hottie said he could have stayed another 3 hours. He was way into the whole thing. If you ever get a chance to go, it's a must see. Very amazing.


She's walking. That's all I have to say about that.

I think that is all for tonight. It's late and I've done my duty updating our "fans" if I dare call you such! Stay tuned. Tomorrow I promise to share with you Gigi's 1st Birthday pictures. It deserves a post all in itself. For now, I'm climbing into the bed before anyone wakes up. Wish me luck!

In the bed and over the edge.

Nighty Night. Sleepy Tight.

SCHOOL GIRL!

Punka announced about 4 weeks ago that she no longer wanted to be home schooled. Hottie and I were open to it being a stepping stone, so that was okay with us. The challenge was finding a spot for her to start back at the beginning of January with only 5 days before schools were breaking for the Christmas holidays! We did it though and she loves her teacher, the class, the school. She has resource classes each day and homework every night. This is real school and there's no foolin' around in 2nd grade. She even had homework this weekend and was most upset about it on Friday. We made it through though! I'm very happy that she is excited about school again. Not so happy about making sure her uniforms are clean for Monday. Which reminds me...they're dirty.

Gotta go.

Over the edge in the laundry room at 10:42 on a Sunday night. Suds, suds, suds.

German Pirate Pants and dresses too!

Guaps and Grams went to Germany during the holidays and brought lederhosen back for Goldilocks and dirndls for the girls. We went to the park to take a few pictures and they had a blast! Goldilocks really digs his "german pirate pants" so don't be surprised if you see him wearing them some random day! Thanks Guaps and Grams!



Oh, the life. To run around the park with out a care in the world!

Can you tell I'm trying to update the blog in one night! I need another snack!

Over the edge and not stepping on the scale for a few days!

It's a blizzard!

This was the morning we left! FUN! FUN! FUN!

Gigi was not sure about the snow.

Goldilocks "licking the snowflakes!"

This is something Punka has wanted to do for a while!

Here we are! Our first family snow!

Looking at these pictures make me want hot chocolate...hmmm.
Over the edge with marshmallows!

Welcome 2009!

We had plans to be home for the new year. Obviously from the way this e-mail is beginning, you can tell that didn't happen!

We were in the plane, taxi-ing, taking off, Goldilocks saying,"put your hands up everybody!", all wheels off the ground...all wheels back on the ground, plane sliding, braking, turning and stopping. What happened you ask? We were wondering the same thing. The pilot announce the de-icing controls were malfunctioning so we were going to have it checked out. Yeah...good thing since it was snowing and had been all day! We were all deboarded and they took the plane to fix it and test the system. Then, we all got back on the plane for the flight. Did I mention we were flying with 3 children 2 booster seats, 1 infant car seat, 1 diaper bag, 2 backpacks and dinner in a plastic bag? And we were in the very last seats of the plane!!! Joy, Joy, Joy! Nevertheless, we made it safely to Atlanta...and promptly missed out connecting flight. Did I mention we had 2 servings of formula and 2 diapers? Joy, again. Lucky for us my parents were in Atlanta for the Tech/LSU game (sad story) so they meet us bright and early with backup, ate breakfast with us and sent us on our way. Nothing exciting happened from that point on other than not finding our luggage for about an hour. however, we spent New Years eve in a hotel. So, we celebrated the next morning! 2009 pancakes and all.


Happy New Year! I pray your year is filled with more blessings and lots of laughter!
I'm over the edge and looking for chocolate...I know I hid some somewhere.

Kids, Mountains and Bears! Oh, My!

Okay.

Yes, we saw bears.

In the woods.

On the mountain.

Behind a big wall.

It was a zoo.

We went to Bear Mountain and spent a majority of the day there. Everyone rode the carousel, and went to the zoo. Then we ate (this is the part when Goldilocks informed us that "today was not working out" for him) and some of us went to the ice skating rink. It is outdoors and cold. Goldilocks told everyone he was going to practice his skating on ice. The next day he wanted to practice his skating on snow. Code for skiing. Punka had a blast. Goldilocks did "great" (think Tony the Tiger). Gigi slept in the car with her aunt watching over her. (Thanks Aunt Tippen!) We tried to get a picture of me, Punka and Goldilocks on the rink, but all 3 of us couldn't stand up together! The kids kept falling. We just laughed and laughed. Needless to say, everyone was exhausted and went to bed early. So much fun. And by the way, the day ended up working out just fine for Goldilocks!

Over the edge and out for the night!

Me, Punka and Goldilocks (going down)!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

We decided to surprise Hottie's (Bro 2) family in NY for Christmas. Only 1 brother(Bro 4) knew we were coming. All four brothers came from the four corners of the earth to gather and celebrate the birth of Christ. It was so fun to keep the secret from Hottie's parents and 1 brother's family! We arrived at the airport Christmas Eve afternoon and met up with Bro 1 and his family (from Hawaii) at the grocery store. We figured we should buy some food for us to eat, although we knew The Ma would have plenty to eat. Then, we traveled to The Homestead caravan style. After passing The Homestead (on purpose and parking in the snow pile), we walked with 6 excited grandkids trying to keep them quiet through the snow and down the driveway, up the steps and across the deck to Grandma's house we go! Oh, sorry... got caught up in the song! We gathered around the sliding glass door (outside the dining room) and began to sing (in our mixed accents) We Wish You a Merry Christmas. And into the second verse we went because they didn't open the door! It was really scary because I don't remember anymore of the song than that! Anyway, Bro 3 opened the curtain and everyone sat there with their mouths opened and we were still standing in the FREEZING cold..with a locked door between us! Did I mention the islanders and southerners were outside and the northerners were inside? Yeah...we were cold! Anyway, it was exciting and fun and The Pa and The Ma were soooo shocked, surprised and excited to see us. We had a great time reconnecting with each other and meeting nieces and nephews. Here is a picture of The Ma realizing we were there!

There are lots of stories to tell and lots of time to tell them. We have had a busy day, so I'll tell you more tomorrow...but here's a teaser: it has to do with BEARS! Yes, the kind you are thinking of!

So off the internet and over the edge and down to bed I go!