I don't envy her

I dropped Kady off at the best-baby-sitter-in-the-world's (henceforth known as Mary Poppins) house yesterday. As I was leaving, one little girl (We'll call her Abby.) asked if Mary Poppins knew where her doll was.

Mary Poppins: No, I didn't even know you brought your doll today. . .

Abby: Oh, I didn't bring my doll to your house.

Mary Poppins (to me): Do you see why I have gray hair?

I can honestly say I have the best baby-sitter in the world, and you could not pay me enough to do her job!

Names have been changed.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Alternately Titled: A Day from H*LL OR The Worst Day Ever

The day before Valentine’s Day is rough if you’re single or, in my case, just unable to be with your spouse. I knew it would be emotionally challenging, but I was doing my best to make it a good day for the kids. I had already given them the small gifts from Kev and me. After surviving theblizzards that wouldn’t end, Kady’s plague of pneumonia, and several days at my parents’ house, we arrived home to bare cupboards—eating stale popcorn and scraping the sides of the peanut butter jar type of bare cupboards.

We took off to the “big city” of Fayetteville to get our groceries. The Fayetteville Wal-Mart ended up being our destination, despite some objections on my part (it’s right beside the mall and most restaurants—almost insuring traffic issues on the Saturday night before Valentine’s Day).

Sure enough, it was BUSY. The check-out lines were 5 deep when we walked through the door, but have you ever tried to drag children out of a Wal-Mart before they’ve had a chance to look? I’m sure it’s DHS-call worthy, or at least the sounds they would make would appear that way. We stayed. I decided to suck it up and bite the bullet and just do it and all those other cliché things people say when the situation pretty well stinks, but you don’t have a choice. . .

Almost immediately, Kady began cheering. Loudly.

“GO RAZORBACKS! I LOVE TO CHEER—GO RAZORBACKS!”

It was cute for a second. I mean, at least she wasn’t cheering “Roll Tide” or something truly embarrassing. However, I reminded her that she was inside, and she must use her inside voice. . .To which she replied. . .

“I IS A CHEERLEADER AND THIS IS HOW CHEERLEADERS TALK—GO RAZORBACKS!”

It’s amazing how quickly you can grocery shop that way.

As we were leaving, Kady apparently thought she saw her daddy, despite the fact that he’s 8 hours away. She was loudly yelling, “DADDY, DADDY WAIT! WAIT, DADDY!!!” I was never quite sure which one she thought looked like Kev, but I can say there were a few men I’d never seen before making a speedy get away. . .

After slowly (due to VDay traffic/auto accidents) making our way in the general direction of home, I called a single with no-children, teacher friend of mine, who is often intrigued/appalled at the misadventures my hooligans get me into. As I was talking to her, chaos suddenly ensued, and I found myself saying something I never dreamed I would say. . .

“I’M GOING TO HAVE TO CALL YOU BACK. I JUST GOT HIT BY A SWEET AND SOUR SOAKED CHICKEN NUGGET.”

My daughter had attempted to throw a chicken nugget at her brother and missed. The sticky, poultry ball had ricocheted off my jacket, rolled down the arm, and bounced in my lap.

I can assure you that we are not in the regular habit of throwing food. My theory? Apparently, when one recovers from pneumonia, one finds themselves with an overabundance of energy and the need to throw food towards one’s sibling. . .What can I say, it’s the best answer I’ve come up with.

Anyway, as you can imagine, we immediately began discussing disciplinary actions that would occur as soon as we were home. Kady began crying. She announced that if I tried to discipline her, she would throw me in with the frogs. Yep. I checked it twice, because I thought I might not have understood. If I tried to discipline her, SHE WOULD THROW ME IN WITH THE FROGS. . .I managed not to laugh, but it was one of those parenting moments when you can’t decide whether to laugh, cry, yell, or just give up and completely LOSE IT. . .

And, just when you thought I survived (without getting thrown to the frogs), I arrived home to find that I had washed a pull-up in the washing machine. . .So, how was your Valentine’s Day?

it's possible we're not in (ar)kansas anymore: when winter hits arkansas

Arkansas averages one good snowfall a year. To us, that means we get 1 or 2 inches of snow that the kids make (muddy, rocky) snowmen out of. This year, we've already had two good snowfalls, including last week's 7 (!) inches. A 7-inch snowfall all but REQUIRES everyone not using a walker to get out and play in it. Out came the boots, the snow suits, the gloves, the. . .WHERE ARE THE HATS? WHO HAS A HAT? WHERE DID YOUR HAT GO?!

My question to the more northern readers: How do y'all do this ALL winter long? Is it possible to surgically attach gloves or hats to children?

Kev drove more than 8 hours in ice and snow to see us. That's love. I'm not sure if it's love for me and the kids, his dog, or playing in the snow, but I'll take what I can get.

Sunday (since it was the blizzard of the year and church was cancelled--seriously.), Kev took the kids to his brother's house to sled. Sledding around here involves a 4wheeler, a rope, and something else. Sleds are SO optional. The guys sledded until they removed all snow AND grass from the ground. Not everyone can come home from sledding muddy. . .

My niece (possibly the smartest of the bunch) decided to build a snowman instead of being on the redneck-ride-of-death-and-dismemberment. Kady found the buttons she had "forgotten" on the snowman and returned them. Oops. I guess we need more practice at the snowman bit.

Ssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

We're back from vacation, and I have to say that vacation rocks. Work, well, it's here. . . : )

Don't tell my hubby, but I took the kiddos to have their pictures professionally made while we were on vacation. For the sneak peek, go HERE. (Scroll down to see big brother, little sister pics.) Didn't she do a fabulous, amazing job?!

More about our vacation exploits later. . .Work beckons.

quite possibly conspiring to take over the world

My kids fight. There, I said it. I try to stop it. I try to minimize it. I try to referee or interfere or exterminate it. I thought with 6 years between them, the sibling wars would be at a minimum. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. I've spent the last couple of years pretending (to the outside world) that it doesn't happen. I learned yesterday that perhaps I should be more concerned about their getting along in order to conspire together.

Kevin and Kyler worked all day Saturday to clear a wooded area where our new water line will go. (Side note: Just because you ask the well driller and he says he wouldn't drill any deeper, don't believe him. DRILL DEEPER.) With this new water line, I can have a pool, or a jacuzzi, or a professional laundry business, or. . .sorry, I got sidetracked. Where was I? Oh, so, Kevin and Kyler worked hard at clearing the brush out. Kevin let Kyler, our 8-year-old!, drive his old pickup. He let him DRIVE, as in brake and gas and all. Granted, it was just in the yard, but you can understand how a mother might get a little. . .um. . .nervous about something like that, right? Anyway, somehow, my 8-year-old son and husband survived the weekend without any motor vehicle accidents.

Monday morning dawns bright and early. Kady announces she does not want to go to the Best-babysitter-in-the-world's house. Considering we can all be a little cranky in the morning (although that's usually reserved for Kyler and me), I didn't think anything about it. I continued getting ready and slowly started listening to the conversation taking place in my bedroom. Kady was trying to talk Kyler into driving her to see Daddy. Kyler was explaining that it would take 4 hours to get down there, and Daddy would be at work by the time they got there.

My question is this: How worried should I be? And, could you send Kyler home if you notice him cruising by your house, please?

and there I go

I am absolutely, positively swamped. As in, I cannot stay afloat, and my eyeballs are sinking. Therefore, I only have time for a brief update. Yes, we're still alive and kicking in Arkansas. I'm sorry to disappoint and upset you all that I haven't been blogging much. : ) (What do you mean "you hadn't noticed"?!)

Kyler can hardly wait for school to be out. He's doing amazing this year and looking forward to spending the night with his teacher's son very soon. He's also looking forward to spending lots of guy time with Papa this summer.

Kady and Sissy had an unfortunate altercation involving one very highly coveted worm yesterday. It seems Kady is a worm thief and Sissy was not impressed. Luckily, Kyler was able to find a worm for each of them, and the crisis was over. (I told you the babysitter had a worm farm at her house!)

Last weekend, I had the kind of weekend that only childless couples take for granted. Kyler and most of the other boy cousins spent the night with Moo Moo. Kady spent the weekend with Nana and Papa. I spent the weekend with Kev. . .and his other woman. (Relax! His other woman has a wet nose, four legs, and part of a tail. Her name is Maddie, and I'll post pictures one of these days. . .) We went bowling and out to eat. I did his laundry and. . .well, that was it. It was heaven!! (For the record, my husband is the WORST bowler ever! He has a difficult time, as he says, "keeping his ball out of the ditch." It was hilarious. . .and then he kicked our tails at pool.)

We have a family reunion this weekend, where we look forward to seeing the not-so-crazy bunch of my family! I promise to try and post more often. . .even if you don't read, it's good for my sanity!!

From the mouths of two unruly children. . .

Kady let one this weekend. (I never thought I would write that sentence for anyone to see, let alone twice. . .) I said, "Kady, what do you say?" She said, "Mama, I poo poo'ed in my tummy!" Eeeeeeeeewwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Y'all have read how the weight loss is. . .not so much. I've been lifting some light weights at night before bed. Kyler has also heard how the weight loss has been nonexistent so far. Trying to help, he told me this weekend, "Mom, I think you're supposed to take your shirt off when you lift weights. I've seen other people lift weights, and that's how they do it. . ." I've not exactly determined how that's supposed to help the weight loss, but I have decided not to scar my son (or anyone else) in that way. You're welcome.

Where do they get this stuff?

timely advice

You know when you're sitting in church and you just know, I mean, you really KNOW that perhaps the message is for YOU? I had that Sunday. Let me tell you a little about Friday night first. When we got home (after a VERY long day of work), I had to go to the bathroom. Usually, I have to kick everyone out, but this time, they went off to play (Hint #1 that this was going to be a rough night). When I came out, the noises were coming from the utility room. . .and they weren't quiet (hint #2). Kady was IN the dryer with one of those big water cooler water bottles and couldn't get out (hint #3). She had placed toothpaste in my brand new washing machine (let's just stop counting the hints, shall we?). She had knocked the bottle of color-safe bleach onto the floor and it had run all over the floor, including up under the washing machine. Let's just say the day was, um, trying.

Sunday arrives cold and windy. I manage to get both kids to church on time (sometimes a HUGE accomplishment!). Our pastor had a family emergency, so the associate pastor had been called on to give the sermon late Saturday night. His sermon? Sometimes you just want to take your kids to the zoo and leave them, but you still love them. If you can love your kids (even when they're horrible) that much, how much more does God love you? (Matthew 7:11)

OK, God, I got it. . .for now. Please feel free to remind me, because we both know I need frequent reminders!

I can't talk about it

I was 9 months pregnant when Kyler started school, and I felt every bit of 9 months! My fear was that I would go into labor that day and miss getting to see him and talk to him. Instead, I waited a couple more weeks before I had Kady.

That first day was hard. I'm not usually a highly emotional person. Seriously. However, if your baby starts kindergarten when you're 9 months pregnant, I suggest taking tissues. Kevin was very understanding (although he kept laughing at me. . .), and some random teacher gave me a hug in the hallway. (Seriously. Never saw her before.)

Kevin took me to have breakfast, where we proceed to talk about how fast it's went thus far. Then, the talk turned to "and before you know it, he'll be driving." I boohooed. I broke down and bawled. Something about my baby in a car, driving scares me to death. I don't know if it's the lack of control parents have at that point, the fear of something happening to him, or the idea that he would actually be old enough to maneuver a vehicle on his own, but the idea still sends me to tears. Whatever you do, do not mention Kyler driving.

This weekend, we let Kyler steer (or "drive" to him) up the driveway. Kevin (because he's so loving and sweet like that) kept talking to Kyler about what will happen when Kyler's old enough to drive. They laughed while I cried. Kyler wants a dually pickup like his Papa's. Kevin said, "we'll see." I think Kady should get a Jeep, because I loved my Jeep. Kevin says no. Apparently, boys like girls with Jeeps, and we can't have that. . .My husband is as weird as I am. . .but at least I found something to torment him with. If he brings up you-know-who d r i v i n g (that was too hard to type!), I bring up Kady-bug getting a Jeep. All's fair, right?

bad mommy

I make beautiful kids, huh? These pictures are several years old. I've been cleaning out my purse, looking for lost insurance cards, when I came across these. Kyler was always the cutest little guy--when you could see him. He was (and still is) quite hyperactive. I have to admit I lost my cool this morning. I had taken the morning off work to get some house stuff caught up. The phone rang at 9:00. It was the school nurse. Kyler had an earache and needed to go home. It was an hour before I could get there. In the meantime, he had returned to class and appeared to be doing fine. The nurse, however, felt he needed to go home, so my son comes bounding down the hallway, laughing with a friend. Whether or not he has an ear infection (we'll find out later today), I do believe he was well enough to remain in school. . .I told him that from now on, he is not to go to the nurse unless he feels it is a true emergency. I overreacted. Looking at this picture made me realize just how fast it goes and just how fleeting my influence on him may be.

While this may not be the typical tongue-in-cheek post most common to Fro' Me to You, check out some great stories at We are THAT family.

Deer, Deer, Deer, Deer, Deer, Deer

I hit a deer. Relax. We're ok, and it's actually been several weeks since it happened. We were driving home at dusk one night. I saw a deer and began stopping. Before I could get stopped, another deer ran in front of my car. I had time to say deer about 6 times before we hit it. I really did not hit it that hard, but it hit square on my bumper/grill area and bounced back on the road. I pulled over and jumped out. My grill (2 pieces), bumper and headlight housing were broken. About that time, the deer came to, jumped up, and ran off.

It was all very surreal, especially when it came to my kids. Kyler (the mighty hunter) was crying because he was afraid the deer would die a long, slow, painful death from his internal injuries. Kady on the other hand, had her hand shaped like a gun and was "shooting" pretend deer. I think my daughter might be practicing to be a poacher. . .

PS The damage came to $2,600.00. My insurance company hates me. My body shop loves me.

PPS The headlight on my car costs way more than the bumper or grill. Does anyone else find that odd--especially considering the headlight itself wasn't broken??

She's growing up. . .

and I don't like it. I wish there were a way to freeze time. Right here. Right now. My kids are having none of it, however. Kyler is as high as my shoulders. He's only eight. He wants to play basketball again this year. He's prtty good, which may be because he is twice as tall as some of the other kids out there.

Kady is two and all attitude. She insists upon doing things for herself. She repeats anything she hears and thinks nothing of telling me her opinion on what I have laid out for her to wear. ("I no wanna wear that, Mommy.")

Last week, I arrived at the baby-sitter to see Kady sitting at the table with the other kids and her hand stuck out in a "stop" gesture. It took me a minute, but I realized she was saying, "Wait a minute, Mama! Wait a minute! I'm drawing." She loves to draw.

Perhaps one of the reasons I have allowed her to hang onto the baba (AKA pacifier) for longer than I wold have ever dreamed is because it helped me see her as a baby still. Not anymore. Kady requires her baba whenever she's in the car. The other day, she had her baba in her mouth and was saying something. I finally figured out what she was saying: "I want two." I want two, as in "Give me another baba now." She then had one in her hand and one in her mouth. At least the baba is helping her count.

If you're ever in my neck of the woods. . .

Kyler and I had a long overdue "date night" on Saturday. (Kevin had to work Saturday.) Kyler had been wanting to see the movie Beverly Hills Chihuahua. We left Kady at my mom's house and went to the local theatre.


Theatre is at times too strong of a word. We have one movie that plays at a time. It has one showing on Friday, one showing on Saturday, and one showing on Sunday. Recently, they fixed the crack on the screen, which had been bugging me since I was a teenager. Speaking of which, when I was a kid, it was one of the only places we could "hang out." It was especially cool if your parents would drop you off. . .I had to settle with simply sitting in a different location from my mom. We went to the movies regardless (typically) of what was playing. I've even been in the theatre when a tornado came through town. (The theatre stopped the movie and shut down, because, um, it was safer to send screaming, scared kids outdoors and waiting for their parents. . .yeah, it didn't make sense to me then, either.)


Back to Saturday night. There were literally springs coming out of the chair I was sitting in. . .Your choices at the concession stand are popcorn or candy. That said, movies are $3 for kids and $4 for adults. Popcorn is $2 for a large. Candy is $1. You're bound to run into anybody and everybody. (Which also means if the husband of one of your friends gets there late and has to sit next to you, it might be wise to encourage your son to trade places with you. . .ah, small towns. . .) Honestly, it's one of my all-time favorite places to take Kyler. I don't need to spend $50 to see the latest blockbuster. Kyler laughs just as loud and just as hard whether we've driven an hour or whether we've frequented the local theatre. In case you're ever in my neck of the woods, I encourage you to check out what's playing.


Oh, and if you try really hard to avoid your overprotective tendencies, you might be rewarded. . .I let Kyler go to the bathroom by himself. He came back laughing and telling me about the "No Smooching" sign on the bathroom door. This is what I later saw. . .

Guess we have a ways to go on the reading skills.

A Frightful Hallow's Eve

As promised, here's our exciting and eventful Halloween doings. (Let me apologize in advance for the sideways pictures--I'm having issues with the computer today.)

4:45 show up to sitter's house. attempt to get kids dressed. Kyler is Indiana Jones. Kady would be the cutest little lion ever. . .if only she agreed to wear the costume. . .

5:00 realize camera battery is officially dead. go to wal-mart. let kids take in candy buckets because others are. buy batteries. realize wal-mart is not actually handing out candy yet. carry kids buckets for them at this point. Kady is cranky, but thankfully, not like on the wal-mart visit to h*ll.

5:15 leave wal-mart (are y'all impressed with how quickly I can get 2 kids through wal-mart? It helps that there was the promise of candy upon leaving wal-mart.)

5:25 arrive at square to trick-or-treat. realize Kady is sound asleep. As in NOT GONNA WAKE UP! Armageddon could strike, and ragdoll Kady would still be sleeping.

used opportunity to put cutest little lion costume ever on her. (Hey, I take advantage of an opportunity whenever I see it. . .)

trick-or-treated (AKA carrying 27 pound sleeping toddler while chasing 8 year-old humming, buzzing Indy) all the way around the square. arrived back at car. realized stroller was in the back of the car. . .

5:40-5:55 sat Kyler on bench at town square. made, um, asked Kyler to hold his sleeping sister. He acquiesced grudgingly. managed to get decent shots--although Kady's head is at a bit of an unnatural angle. . .

6:00 Kady woke up. was not impressed with costume. Neither child was impressed with having to take more photos. . .

6:15 supper at Subway. FREE COOKIES!!!

6:35 stopped at sitter's house for candy.

6:45 off to school for fall festival activities. Kyler (already hopped up on adrenaline and candy--thanks, teachers!) bounced from activity to activity. Kady (now awake and thinking this candy needed to be eaten) sat in the floor and opened candy as fast as she could and ate it. Now, remember, she slept all the way around the square, so she really didn't have that much candy. In a moment of sheer genius (later diagnosed as utter stupidity), I decided to let her eat all the candy on Halloween night. That way, I wouldn't have to hear the begging for days. (I typically ration the candy.)

7:45 My son manages to get a little out of control at that exciting classic game of "Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin." He spins out of control and crashes on his sister, who's still looking for any unopened candy in her bucket. She cries. Everyone looks. I look. Kyler's blushes. Kady has a black eye. . .Just another day in paradise. . .

8:00 we slink out of the fall festival, seriously hoping no one remembers this at next year's event. . . Can you be uninvited to a school fall festival? Hmm.

8:05 Kevin calls. He's on the way home and says, "Would you MIND running to Wal-Mart for me?" I glance back at the blurs inhabiting my car. I think they're my kids. . .It's hard to tell with all the movement. . . Perhaps this much sugar is not conducive to surviving Wal-Mart, I think. Kevin pulls the "please" card. and then the "speak nicely to your wife" card. . .You know where this is going.

8:15 We bound into Wal-Mart, which is about the last time I have a hold on my 2-year-old. I spent the next 30 minutes chasing a giggling, lightning ball of candy/speed/crack (what was in that candy?) across the floor of every department Wal-Mart has. . .And cursing. I did lots of that in my head. I can promise you that my husband, God love him, will NEVER be able to pay me back.

9:15 wait 30 minutes for Kevin to show up. start thinking about where I could purchase a bit of the plague/leprosy, etc. Just a little. Honest.

10:00 Arrive home. Fall into bed. Vow never to trick-or-treat or enter Wal-Mart-land again.

Ok, how did ours stack up to yours? Did ours live up to your expectations? (Do you know where to get some bubonic plague? Kidding, promise. . .mostly.)

In case you have any questions about my competence as a caregiver. . .

I forgot my son.

Let's just let that sink in for a minute, shall we?

I forgot my son. (He's 8, for the record.) He went to after-school tutoring. I was supposed to pick him up at 4:30. On the dot. (The school is very particular about this. They make you sign a form and everything. . .You have to be there at 4:30, period.) I did not. He stood there on the sidewalk waiting for his mother, who did not show.

I thought it was a normal day. I got off work about 4:40 and drove to pick up the kids at the babysitter. Kady was at the door waiting on me. Another little girl was running through the house telling Kyler that his mother was there. She came back a few minutes later and said, "He not here."

OH NO! It all suddenly, sickeningly clicked. I went running to the car with Kady, yelling over my shoulder to the babysitter about me being incompetent and Kyler standing on the curb crying. . .I think I explained it all satisfactorily to her this morning. I literally threw things in the car as fast as I could. (Do other 2-year-old girls take this much to the babysitter EVERY DAY?)

Before I could get Kady buckled, my cell phone was ringing. I couldn't reach it in the backseat, so I called her back once I got to it. Before she could speak, I blurted out something along the lines of, "This is Kyler's mom, and I think you just called me because I forgot him, and I am on my way right now, and I'm really close, and I'm SO, SO, SO sorry, and I've never done this before--I PROMISE!! I am so sorry. Is he ok? Tell him I'll be right there. I'm almost there!!"

Thankfully, Kyler was ok. The teacher was super nice. Kyler said it wasn't a big deal. I think he kinda liked getting to talk to the teacher and play by himself until I got there. He laughed at my story when I told him how crazy his momma was. . .as if he didn't know.

Updates on our Life (w/pics!)

So, what have we been up to, you ask. Oh, just hanging around mostly. (sorry it's sideways--so's our life most days!)Yes, as a matter of fact ditching the baba is going well. . . er, totally dependent on your definition of "well," of course.

We've survived all our birthday parties for one more year. . .

Inappropriate presents were given by family members. . .(yes, that's a knife, and yes, that's a can of Spaghetti O's)

Kyler's reading skills continue to improve. His teacher (and his parents) are very proud of him! He's a great kid.

Well, that's it with us. . .We're off now.

How about y'all?

Boring? Not us.

Kevin and I got married really young. We were babies, really. The one thing I always told him was I didn't want to be one of those boring, old-people. You know, those people who never do anything. They never go anywhere. They never have anything exciting going on. . .

Seriously, who are those people? My life is far from boring. Take this morning for example. We jumped out of bed running way late. I told Kyler to get dressed, and I started getting ready. I came through the living room. . .and Kyler was watching the Dukes of Hazzard. NO TV IN THE MORNING. You may NOT wear those pants--they have holes all over them! Kady, come back here! Kady, DON'T MAKE ME CHASE YOU! I finish getting ready, get Kady ready, and finally get Kyler out the door. Wait! No breakfast! Mom-of-the-year gets a breakfast bar (out of PopTarts) and gives to Kyler. Kady gets an all-natural, organic fruit roll-up. (She eats breakfast with the babysitter, the woman who most likely keeps DHS out of our house. . .) Guess what?! I have 7 miles until I am out of gas. . .and it's 28 to town. . .We detour to the gas station, where Kyler goes in and pays for the gas. He also gets himself a sausage biscuit for breakfast, so he's well fed this morning. . .

We finally get to town, and of course, Kyler is late to class. I had to go in and sign him in. Kady has this odd smell coming from her wet backside as we do this. When I return to the car, I notice the smell permeates my car. Slowly, the wheels start to turn. . .we had sonic last night for supper. . .she had milk to drink. . .which she drank all of. . .or maybe not. . .OH, Lord, let it not be true! That child spilled milk in her car seat! Last. night. GAG! So, I'm at work trying to figure out how to get the seat cleaned and the car cleaned out before I pick her up this afternoon. The babysitter asked to wash the seat cover, but I couldn't do that to her. She already had to change Kady, and I'm sure she'll wash Kady's dirty clothes.

Boring?! Who are those people? How do I become one of them!?! Please, let me come over to your side!!! I need some boring for awhile!

Things on my mind. . .

Lots of thoughts rattling around this morning, so to be somewhat coherent, I'm just going to give you a list. . .
1. My cousin passed away today. He was too young, but aren't we all? He suffered way more than is understandable. . .
2. My kids' babysitter is the world's best babysitter! I'm afraid that's all I can tell you, or she would be bombarded by others wanting her to keep their kids. Seriously. Since it was Kyler's birthday, I picked him up early from school. He then asked me to drop him off at the baby sitter's house (that he goes to EVERY day). When we got there, she had baked a birthday cake just for him. My daughter has never cried when I've left her at the babysitter's house. I'm actually doing her a disservice by calling her the babysitter. We truly consider her to be family.
3. Two-year-olds are extremely impulsive. This was reiterated this morning when Kady got one of the two goodie bags that were left over from the birthday party. Inside was a package of gum. I walked in the living room to see her squatted down, surrounded by goodie bag contents and gum wrappers. She yelled, "Hide!" and took off with her remaining gum sticks. . .Not exactly stealth-like.
4. It sometimes continues. Kyle came to Kyler's party. He comes from a large family. Remember when you HAD to eat the candy/cookies/etc., to keep your brother/sister from getting it? No? Maybe that just happened in my family. Anyway, Kyle rode to the party with my parents. He managed to eat all the goodies before he got home. . .except the gum. Mom said she told him that he could share that with his brothers and sisters. . .He managed to get all the gum in his mouth before he got home. : ) (Jenn, I hope you don't get mad! I thought it was hilarious!)
5. When a two-year-old has gum, all moms morph into Kate from Jon and Kate plus Eight (and I've only seen a couple of episodes of that show, but isn't it hilarious!).
6. Life is precious! Let the two-year-old chew gum, blow bubbles, and run around outside despite the dirty dishes in the sink.
7. It's book order time again. I love books. All. Books. In celebration of improved reading (YEA, US!), I want to know your favorite kid's book. Here are a few of ours. (Ahem. . .pretend you don't know where I, um, borrowed these pictures from.)

a. (above) Barney says, "Night Night" originally came from a garage sale. Our copy is falling apart, but each of the kids has loved it around two years of age.

b. (below) Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day is one of my all-time favorite books. This should be mandatory reading for adults! c. (above) Freckleface Strawberry. Yes, this is written by THE Julianne Moore. It's really, really good! It deals with freckles, which when I way a kid, were so yucky. Since I didn't want my kids to feel the same way, I bought this book. I'm really glad I did.

d. (below) Junie B. Jones entire series. Yes, she's sometimes rude and impudent, but she's funny and well-written.e. (above) Max Lucado's Just in Case you Ever Wonder. The kids think it's ok, but I have to keep from crying every time I read it!

YOUR TURN! Please tell me your favorite books for kids. Thank you!

Kiddos Update

Kady is sick. As my mom would say, "she has the crud." And with Kady. . .whatever she gets winds up in her lungs. Yesterday, I called the doctor and asked if he could get us a nebulizer for home use. He did and it's working. She still has a runny nose and a (looser) cough, but she's BREATHING again! I'm off in a few minutes to give her her next breathing treatment.

So, in a related note, here's your funny for the day. Her nebulizer mask looks like a dinosaur. Kyler loves dinosaurs. He asked me if I could give him a nose test. OOOOOOOKKKKKKKKK, furiously my brain went through nasal resonance testing procedures. . .It's what I do, y'all. Nothing. Why would he ask that? Had we said something about testing a nose. . .Nnnnnnnnoooooooo. Then, it came to me. He wanted a breathing treatment. You know, nose test--breathing treatment. Why didn't I get that? : )