Navy came to me and showed me a picture she had just drawn.
“Mom, it’s a banana, a plum and some pieces of poo!”
The odd part — I didn’t know she knew what a plum looked like.
Odd
Looking At Jackpots
We called the Seastrands over for one of our very favorite Christmas time activities.
But first, we ate some amazing corn chowder from yours truly.
And then it was into the world’s greatest car — my mini van!
(Sidenote: I don’t know why people hate on the minivan — it is mom luxury at its finest!)
We put the seats down, and loaded it up with blankets and down comforters.
And then stuck Jason in the back to be the crowd pleaser.
Look at all of those happy reindeer.
Because of the lack of safety in this whole picture, we only headed to a few very nearby Jackpots.
Denison Dictionary
(jak-pot: 1. A house decorated for Christmas that almost makes you want to go buy out all of Target’s light section. 2. When you get a shelled peanut/soybean that has three peanuts/soybeans inside.
Our favorite jackpot this year (and almost every year) has this “indoor” fireplace to keep us all warm from all of the ice fishing we were doing.
Every single year, they come up with some new cool trick or tactic to keep the kids (and adults) in awe.
And this year, my kids were beyond excited to “ice fish” for candy canes.
Everything at our favorite jackpot looked like it came straight from the North Pole.
Including this “North Pole Snail” that Scout let take a little jaunt down his face.
(Why do I love that he is just like me! There is documentation of me sticking a lizard in my mouth to entertain the Samuelians when I was in high school.)
We hit up a few more jackpots, and then called it a night.
So back to home it was, where hot chocolate waited — and more corn chowder for those who loved the parsley and candied jalepeno add ins.
Britni.
Megans
As we were just about to leave for Megan’s house (for their Annual Christmas Service Project), my kids were beyond excited.
So excited, that when I told Icka if she didn’t hurry up and let me do her hair she wouldn’t be going, Scout grabbed a brush and bow, and started doing it himself.
It was beyond sweet.
Dash was totally happy also. I didn’t catch it on the camera, but he was just directing music or biting the end of his Ugg boot the whole way down.
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The service project was a hit.
When we got there, Britni and Jay were there already helping out.
When they left, I convinced them to let me take their kids for a few more hours.
All of the kids were great.
But our drive home was pretty entertaining.
Little Grey was bobbing his head all over the place as he was in dreamland from minute five.
And this little guy was hungry/tired/teething, and wanted us all to know it.
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Our Special Date
Navy took a week to be back to normal, but I was so happy we finally got there. So when I was too hot while I slept, I decided to catch up on this blog. After catching up, I decided to take Icka on one of Scout and my favorite special dates. So at 4:35 am, I went into where she was sleeping, got her out of bed, stuck a sweatshirt over her head, and off we went to get hot, fresh out of the oven donuts!
At first, when I asked her if she wanted to go, she told me she wanted to go back to bed. But being her mom, I knew she would have a good time. So we braved the rain, got in the car, and drove down the hill.
Even though I knew it would be open, I acted surprised that we were “SO lucky” to get there when it was open.
And after she picked one out for several people, she held the box very carefully until we got home.
She was SO darling.
By the time we were pulling into the driveway, she was telling me all about the rain outside, and the moon, and everything else.
So we headed inside, put the donuts aside (she wasn’t into eating one just yet), and headed back to my bed to coozie.
Once morning hit, guess who was up and at ‘em, as she served everyone their very own breakfast in bed.
I am so glad that a little undivided attention has this girl back on track.
And that a little donut date in the wee hours of the morning, has been talked about ever since it took place.
Princess Loophole
Ever since I deemed “Mine” a bad word in our home, our kids have been really good about it. In fact, surprisingly, they have not only eliminated the word, they have actually tried to do and be the complete opposite. Scout and Navy are always trying to do nice things for one another and Dash.
But will this time come quickly to a close?
Navy asked me toady, “Mom, I know I can’t say that bad word, but can I say mind?”
I was stuck.
I wanted to say no, but how could I?
Isn’t it interesting that a three year old little girl can be so literal/mischievous.
So when I heard “that is MIND” today, I had to sit down and talk about the “idea” of mine instead of the actual word.
Sounds just like someone I married.
Especially when games are involved.
I don’t call him “King Loophole” for fun!
Family Night
A few nights ago for Family Night, we learned about being Selfless and not selfish.
I told a story of a sweet little Grandma digging in the trash for bottles and cans, and instead of buying a donut with my dollar, I gave her a bottle I found in my car, and the dollar. I told them how happy it made her, but that it really made me the happiest.
Then we declared the word “Mine” a bad word in our family.
Ever since that Family Night, you should see my boy and girl work overtime in Sweetsville.
Navy has made Bella’s bed, wrapped little treats for both of her brothers, and shared her things like crazy.
Scout has let Navy use his pillow, shared his popcorn, and told me to find the little Grandma so we can give her the cans he usually turns into school.
And then there is the always-perfect Dash!
Honestly, coming off the week I had last week, I couldn’t be happier about this pleasant change.
Merry Stinking Christmas to me!
Scout at School
I helped in Scout’s school today, and love catching him in his element.
With his buddies at recess.
Painting up a storm.
And drinking from a nasty water fountain.
Dash’s Boo Boo
Dash took a tumble off the bed.
There was a head wound.
And some back scraping.
But none of these could deter his love of Elmo and Andrea Bocelli singing together.
Especially when he has his very own Elmo doll that Nonnie picked up for him the day before.
Navy This Week
If I am being honest, I would describe my kids this way.
60% Best Friends
20% In Trouble and Working On Being Best Friends
20% Teasing/Reacting
All I have to say is that I am glad that the majority rules.
But that other 40% of the time — and that 20% especially COULD KILL ME!
I know I was a huge tease growing up, so Navy and partly Scout come by it innocently.
I also know Micah has a streak of that in him also.
But why….why…WHY!
Why can’t we all just get along?
It started last Saturday at the Christmas Tree farm. I saw a naughty like I have never seen before. Micah took her out, and I thought that would be the end of it. Well, a week later, I can tell you it was not.
The teasing is bad enough, but this sweet little girl was completely defiant towards me — and I was NOT having it.
I knew this was a case of If-it-isn’t-nipped-in-the-bud-immediately-this-will-never-go-away.
So I had a really long week.
It was constant time outs, constant no-tolerance policies and constant positive reinforcement.
I saw improvement, but she was nowhere near where she needed to be.
I took her on a special date with Dash, and she was sweet.
But afterwards, right back to stinky.
This went on day after day.
It was exhausting, and Micah was working overtime all week, so I was solo.
One week strong, I was so frustrated, because I knew something was going on, but didn’t know what.
Maybe she didn’t feel well. (Which she did.)
Maybe she didn’t like school? (Which she does.)
So finally, when it could be arranged, I took her on a solo special date (what they are designed to be).
We went to breakfast, then glittered some Christmas Trees and ornaments. We spent until 1:00 just laughing and creating together. Then we headed to pick Scout up and to gymnastics.
And the rest is history.
This girl needed some solo attention. She gets plenty of attention between all of her admirers, but she just needed some solo M-O-M attention.
Since then, we have been the best of friends.
And I couldn’t be happier.
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She really is like the very first poem my mom helped her memorize.
We have entitled it NAVY:
There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was VERY VERY good,
But when she was bad
She was HORRID!
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I am SO glad we are back to VERY VERY good!
Scooty
Have I told you lately….that I LOVE YOU!
Scout you are like a breath of fresh air.
That only gets polluted once in a while — when you react to the shenanigans of others.
Or should I drop the “S” and say other?
| DESIGN BY