Two Feet of Snow and Snowmen

Back towards Memphis today.  We are watching the weather closely, but there’s snow everywhere! : )  We have driven back through Tupelo, stopped at the Chick-Fil-A and played in their park.  They had televisions with VeggieTales and slideshows of kids with their cow mascot.  They were nice, but had no idea we’d ever been to a CFA before!  The manager was trying to tell me about their little stick-on placemats (Ha-I could teach him about eating at CFA and about our fantastic service from Raoul, balloons, ice cream with sprinkles and cherries, going on Tuesday nights for craft night, and trading in books for ice cream.  Dude, I have a PhD in CFA. : )

Finally we are out of rain!  It rained all night and all morning.  It’s a little after 4pm, and I’m so glad to see dry land.  I’m wondering how the people feel in deep, deep snow.  I have been bored, so I’ve checked out funny snow pictures (cars upended, snow plows turned over, front doors buried, and of course..hilarious snow people! Thank you, Calvin & Hobbes for inspiring an entire generation!)

Ok, just one for fun..

Oh what the heck..let's have a few more!

(are we too old to make snow men playing cards or snow aliens?)  Now, I just want to go home and make a funny snow scene! : )  Maybe a snow teacher and snow students looking out the window?  A snow family with crazy kids?  A giant snow insulin pump for Mary Claire (pink and all!), a life-size van full of snow people?

I saw a cute one-it was two huge feet with ankles (about 6 feet tall!), and was called Two Feet of Snow.  How appropriate:

Ahh..can't top that one. : )

Ok, we've landed in Something, Mississippi (well..it starts with an S!) not far from Memphis.  We all went to the movies, but split up: Ches and Clay to see Narnia (oh, how I wanted to see that one!) and I took Mary Claire and Ethan to see Yogi Bear (which Ethan had already seen).  We loaded up on popcorn, and came back way after bedtime.  I wonder how hard it'll be to get back in the go-to-bed-early and get-up-early routine?  Now the kids are asleep, and I've done two loads of laundry, worked out (while waiting), played on Facebook (more waiting for the dryer..), and now it's nearing one am.  I must get to bed. : )

Enjoy our snow-we might miss it around July! : )

Police (and Party)

Some days my kids are just the most precious things ever.  Really.  I have felt not-so-great since yesterday afternoon.  I don't think it's full-blown sick, but I haven't had much sleep, and I can tell I'm fighting something off.  Anyway, my life has to go on, and we had Halloween parties today, and then I came home to lay down.  Tonight Clay asked if I wanted some toast, and I told him how wonderful that sounded.  He made me three pieces with butter and jelly-and it was sticky and perfect.  It was so thoughtful-I love knowing that they have sweet, caring sides to them (and that I get to see those sides!).  (He also got me wet paper towels to wipe my fingers-I was reading and didn't want to get up!)

I just finished Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin, and I wasn't sure what she was going to choose!  She did end up choosing well, but oh, I hate those stupid girls who don't think through things!  I have to say I'm glad I finished it.  In the back, there was the first chapter of her next book, which is already out, Heart of the Matter-which looks even better!

I guess I haven't written in a few days.  I have been busy making body parts, talking till after midnight, and calling the cops on my neighbors. (ha!)
I made all sorts of fun body parts for the kids in Clay's class to guess.  We had slivered almonds for fingernails, a red canned pear for a heart, I made a jello-mold-thing for a brain, we had craisins for scabs (I thought the funniest one!), fresh green beans for fingers, etc.  I meant to get a picture of the brain (I did two molds, then put them together!), but I don't think I did.  We have had fun.  I haven't let Clay in on all the fun, since I didn't want him to be all braggy and tell his friends all the answers at the party!  He got a lot of them right, but I think he missed four?  Some were hard, I know.
Anyway, my balloon ghosts (that cost me $27!) totally flopped.  I planned to put three pieces of tissue paper on each one of them (you know..to look like a ghost?), and they were too heavy!  We improvised, and hung a little "tail"/cape on them, but I was disappointed.  I wish I'd ordered one early to try.  I just assumed (I know, I know) it would work!
I also didn't realize how long each thing would take.  I assumed (yet again!) that we'd get through each one in about 10 minutes, but NO!  We were slow movers today.  I didn't even get to my other game.  Maybe next year?

Ok, so you are wondering about the police call.  I do have some rowdy neighbors, but I've never called to complain about them.  Did I ever tell you about the burglars I caught in front of our house?  I was nursing Ethan in the middle of the night (yes, years ago!), and I always looked out my front windows as I was going back to my room, when I spotted a car pull up, turn off its lights, and they all (four) got out, sneaking towards my neighbors' house.  I immediately called 9-1-1, and turned on my outside lights.  They ran back to their car, and drove off.  The police came, at three in the morning, and I gave them a full report.  Our neighborhood is broken into a lot, and we've seen lots of break-ins, even when people are home! (Can you even imagine?!)  Well, this time was kinda similar to our last time...
Ches saw a strange car out in our cul-de-sac about 11 night before last, and didn't think too much about it.  But, at midnight when all the porch lights were out, it was still there.  The left front hubcap was missing, and the tags were pointing towards the empty lots beside us.  So..Ches encouraged me to call the police.  I don't need tons of encouragement as I really like rules followed, and want to keep us all safe.  So.  I called and reported the facts as I saw them-strange new white car, been there an hour, we don't allow street parking over night in our covenants, so...I wanted it checked out.  Ches got all brave (I was petrified!), and took his baseball bat out and was going to check the tags.  I was hissing (I'd turned out our porch lights!), to "Get Back In!" for fear of some big burly mad person (being angered by Ches' offensive bat!).  We go inside, and wait for police.  I keep asking if I should call the neighbors (who've been there since maybe March?) to see if they know anything about the car.  I decide I will call her cell phone, so I don't wake the entire house.  She answers about the time two squad cars show up surrounding the vehicle!  She says it's her sister's car, and I run out across the yard in my jammies (after midnight!), yelling at the policemen to quit searching her car with their flashlights-it's her sister's car!  They finish checking it out (even after I say nevermind), then leave.  The neighbor and I had a nice, long conversation about her sister (whose husband coaches at Ole Miss), and she's traveling back through town, and hit something (and lost her hubcap), and is leaking transmission fluid (which is why she moved it off the driveway), and is waiting till morning to take it to the dealership in Fayetteville.  Oh..so that's it.  I feel silly.  But safe.
So, we agreed that next time I'll call when I see a strange car! Ha! : )  What a life.
I hope her sister made it back okay!

I forgot-I have pictures!  I have some of the ice cubes I made for the kids' clear drinks (we can't have colored drinks for fear of stains at school).  I used half a red grape, a mini-chocolate chip, froze them upside down in a muffin tin (you know, I don't even own an ice cube tray-do you?).  They surprised me-the grapes' insides turned white when frozen!
This is a close-up of the grapes-I had to use a knife to hollow a tiny hole to hold the chocolate chip:

This is the entire tin full:

 

Aren't they cool?

  

Here are the goody bags, ready for school!

Today was also the Book Character Parade, so the kids dressed up!  Clay was Calvin, and here's his friend, Hobbes, and his book (and he's got his G.R.O.S.S. hat (Get Rid Of Slimy girlS club)!:

And here is my precious Fancy Nancy (they were rushing out the door, so her book and Frenchy her dog is in her bag):

We've had so much fun getting ready, I was really disappointed how this morning had to go.  Picking up Mary Claire last night at dance, the van got a screw in the tire.  It went flat fast, so this morning, Ches drove the tire to Sam's to get it fixed, then brought it home to get it back on the van.  Do you realize this is the third tire that's been popped?  I think those stupid Michelins are cheap.  Anyway, we had to get all the kids to school early (and get up extra early), so he could make it to Sam's, then back so I could get it all done and perform miracles today!
Thankfully, we made it.  Got the copies done, took Ethan some chapstick for his awful chapped lips, picked up the balloons (and ordered the right number after two popped!), made it to the church after school to finish books and envelopes...I'm so thankful that it all got done-it was a close call.  Praise God in the small things! : )

Magic Kitchen

Hey there!  How was your day? : )  We had the usual...Sissy came home early due to a fever-100 degrees, but I had stuff to do!  I don't know if it's her ear infection (from Friday) or something new.  She was totally fine and happy, so I don't know.

Her with her new orange and black rubber bands

I had to go get her sans shower (my least favorite!), but I got ready, and we went Out!  I had to first find tickets somewhere for the Hoedown-and my friend Danielle found some at Party City, but they were kinda expensive.  I went to Wal-Mart, and they were almost half price, so we got a deal!

Then we shopped for Play-Doh (emergency-hahaha!).  I did learn that they only have good colors when school starts, but not now!  I needed some for Ethan, but they had pink and purple (not his favorite!)..I'll stock up next fall!

Then we came home and started on her project to go along with her book club: There's a Boy In the Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar.  She had a few choices, but hers was to make a diorama of Bradley's room!  Boy, could we get into that! : )  We had a box of clothes at our door when we got home (yay!), so we cut off the top of the box, made a door and windows, then worked on decorating.  She picked out some fabric for his room, and got some doll house furniture-so cute!  We cut out pictures from PB Teen for his wall art (and fake shelves, trash can, etc.) then made him curtains and a poster thing with his monogram.  He had no middle name in the book, but she made one up!  She said she thought it should be Seth.  Good, Mary Claire, very creative! : )

So, then we got Ethan, she worked on her school work, and I started dinner: chicken chili. and we made a PiE! : )  Ok, not a totally homemade pie, but still!
We started with a premade pie shell, baked at 400 for about 13 minutes, isn't it pretty?:

While it cooled, we made the filling.  We aren't fancy and insist on homemade, so we used boxes!  We used little boxes of pudding-both coconut cream and cheesecake.  We followed the pie filling directions, and reduced the milk.  Mary Claire mixed them:

(and it started getting all over, so we had to move it to the sink!)

(Yes, he's wearing his batting helmet all the time now.)

Next, we made meringue!  This was a new experience for me..but we called mom, and got some advice! : )
We used five egg whites, 6 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.  We mixed it for four minutes on HIGH and it was sooo thick!

I always thought it'd be more like Cool Whip, all whoopy, but no-THICK!  I had to smear and spread it, then make it kinda level so I could get the coconut to stay on.

Then into the oven at 350 for 14 minutes (long enough to brown the coconut!).  We enjoyed the extra filling, the beaters... and some spatulas...

And, voila-a beautiful pie came out!

We couldn't wait to eat it!  This picture isn't the best, but it was yummy! : ) We did wait till after dinner with our new friends:

Yes, grasshoppers.  Clay and his friends collected them after school today, working on a boy scout project.  He's journaling about his time with them. (haha!)  They soon went out to the deck-it was freaky-they were all three down by the holes in the lid begging for freedom.  The holes were awful big; I just knew they were going to crawl out!  He eventually let them out, yay!  He can't wait till tomorrow to catch more to write about.


Then the boys headed out to play ball.  Clay is wanting to try catching, so Ches had me get a *cup* today-I had no idea what he meant!  I figured it out, and I guess he'll try it.  He's getting better at catching and pitching-they are working on it every day.  Now, Ethan joins them-he's got Clay's old baseball cleats, and Ches got him a batting helmet last week.  He's worn it nonstop!  He has a bucket of balls, and he uses the tee to bat the balls around.

I've gotten him new jeans, but they are too big!  He really wanted to wear them, so what do you do?

What a day!  I'm so thankful for my sweet kids and husband to spend it with!  We didn't have anything to go to this evening-yay!-so we got to stay home and have pie.  Precious time with them.  We read books (Ethan is choosing Calvin and Hobbes and Street Rodder magazine every night..should I be worried?), said prayers, and gave hugs and kisses.  A practically perfect day!

Life as we know it

Sorry it's been so long..it's been busy! : )  Mary Claire had a friend spend the night on Thursday since they had no school on Friday!  We got up and had plans to meet some friends at the Fayetteville library for story time, and they were all so excited!  We got around, then went to Fayetteville (where they were having Bikes, Blues, and BBQ-VERY BUSY and noisy!), and then it kinda fell apart.  We went the back way by Wilson Park, and we went over a few speed tables (bumpy), and Ethan had just had half a bottle of water, and right before we got to the library, he threw up water!  Mary Claire thought he had sneezed-his shirt was wet.  But no.  He did it a couple more times-just water-then we pulled over.  He was crying, and so sad.  We dried him, and he wanted to go to the library.  I drove into the parking garage, and got a Premier (right by the elevator!) spot. : )  But, alas, more water coming up.  : (  We had to leave, and Ethan said he was sleepy.  It really worried me, and I thought maybe he had an ear infection, and the bumps messed up his balance.

I called the Pediatric Clinic and made an appointment.  We drove back home, got him fresh clothes (while he slept in his seat with a blanket!), and went to the doctor.  He was all happy when he woke up, the kids all played in the waiting area, then we saw the doctor.  Mary Claire decided she wanted to be checked too, so we checker her in-my kids love the doctor!

So..they both had ear infections, got antibiotics, and we asked about the flu shots.  They had them!  The kids were not excited.  Ches came and met me up there (yay!), and so we all got the flu mist, but Clay decided at the last minute to get the shot-he said he preferred it to the mist.  (I think he was being brave for Natalie Grace!) : )

Then we went to Tim's Pizza for a late lunch while we waited on our prescriptions to be ready, picked them up, and headed home.  I was so tired!  They all wanted to go back to the library, but I'd had it.  Whew-four good kids, but tired.

Then Friday night I think Ethan had a reaction to his first Flu Mist-he had a fever!  We gave him medicine, and by Saturday morning it was gone.  He's been fine ever since (except he hates his antibiotic!!).  We have this new medicine trick, which only kinda works.  We give him the tiny amount-only 1 teaspoon! and then he gets a teaspoon of mini chocolate chips:

I'd say it's a good deal for him-especially since the medicine is yummy and tastes like bubble gum-I tried it!), but he whines.  I guess this way, he gets the chocolate!  (does he get this from me?)


So Saturday I got to sleep in!  Yahoo!  Then we had two baseball games, and a DATE! : )  We saw the sneak preview of Life As We Know It (Very good!)-I'd been waiting for it.  I'm so glad we heard about the sneak preview! : )  We went to Rogers to avoid the bike traffic in Fayetteville, but it was Homecoming!  There was a long wait at the restaurant, but it was okay-I had to run home and change Mary Claire's site!  Her blood sugar was in the 300's, and rose to 400, so I made quick trip home while Ches waited for the table.  They were having macaroni and cheese (full of carbs!), so we couldn't wait it out.
I made it just fine, and my hot tea was ready-I always order the Citrus Spice-it's delish!
So... then Today. (it's October, People!!)  We did the usual (church, eat out), and then I had to get Clay new shoes for church.  Last week he wore his too-small shoes, and I pledged to get him new ones.  (and forgot.)  So, today, he wore rolled up khakis, and flip flops!  (yes, it was cold here!), so after church we went to the mall, and got him new shoes, dress socks, and underwear!  (I'm sure he'd love me sharing that!)  Then we went to Sam's to check out new Christmas trees since I gave away two a couple weeks ago.  We no longer have a 12 ft. tree, but we need a new skinny one.  I want another 9ft for the living room-they are so much easier to decorate!  And then-I saw a new wreath-a good deal too!  I just remembered it's still in my trunk..but it's a good wreath.  I have a HUGE one, but I'm realizing it might just be too big.  Every year I just add to it, and it's quite large, and covered in glitter and leaves and pumpkins-and I am downsizing.  (Need an old fall wreath??)  So, next on my list (since it's really FALL Now!) is Fall Decorating.  I will have Ches get down all my stuff this week, and get started.  Beachy summer stuff is going, and fall pumpkins are coming.  I hate to say goodbye to summer, but it's really October now.  (and we have to inform my family-they are still swimming every day!!)
The kids know it too-it's costume time.  At school they are supposed to choose book characters.  Clay has picked Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes, and wants to wear a red shirt, have his hair stick up, and wear a newspaper hat that says, "G.R.O.S.S." (for Calvin's club: Get Rid Of Slimy girlS).  We are looking for a Hobbes-ish tiger online, but here is the closest I can find: tiger on eBay (it'll only show up till Tuesday morning!).  Clay likes it, and it kinda looks like Hobbes when he's *alive*.  I know, I know, it's Tigger, but there's nothing closer.  Can you find one?  ..I read that Bill Watterson "..stated something along the lines that he thought it would "cheapen the purity of his work" to have a stuffed animal created to sell.  (but oh, I wish he would allow it!  My kids *love* Calvin and Hobbes!!)
Mary Claire wants to be Fancy Nancy, so..we looked up costumes.  They are just fancy dresses and accessories, and she wanted a new dog (like Frency!) so..I made a deal.  I'd get her a new dog:

if she would be happy with me making her a costume from a tutu and tons of fancy things she already has-she agreed!  I got her silver glittery shoes this summer to wear for Halloween, and she has tutus, skirts with flowers, etc.  I'll bling her up and add sunglasses-she'll be beautiful!  The dog is ordered, and this may be the funnest costume ever! : )
And then..there's Ethan!  He still wants to be a dragon.  It's Clay's old Halloween costume, but he loves it, and he dresses up in it all the time! (sure makes it easy for me!)