Block party

Last weekend my children and I went to a block party that was about three blocks over. It was put on by a local church. A grassy place had a few games, a bouncy house, face painting, cookie decorating, balloon animals and prizes to go with it all.
W refused to play the games. He handed his ticket over to the girl in charge of the "toddler" game. He would not pick up a duck to reveal a number. The girl just sort of let him have at the prize box. He handed over all of his tickets, she let him choose what prize he wanted without playing a game. His favorite thing, a pair of toy sunglasses. He popped out the lenses so he would have glasses like the rest of us.

Q did not want to play games. He refused to take any tickets. He did however get a little shark with one of his sister's tickets. His most exciting part of the block party? The journalist from the local paper stopped us on our way to gets some refreshments. He asked if he could interview Q for the paper. Q told everyone for the next few days that he was going to be in the paper. :)

J didn't really seem impressed. Perhaps it is because she is getting close to becoming a teenager. Maybe it is because a lot of the games were geared towards the younger children. She did not seem to like the music; three local Christian bands were there playing. However, she did enjoy the sno-cones; these are a rare summer time treat (at least properly made sno-cones; she is use to not-so-great homemade ones that MeeMaw makes).

The boys are already looking forward to going next year.

The boys posing while taking a break from all the running around.

Her flower.

W with his "glasses"

Busy, busy, busy

It has been awhile since I last posted. The kids and I have been getting settled into our new place. The kids love having their own rooms! They like the location, the library is within walking distance. They have their own playroom. We are still getting sorted out around here but it is a little calmer.

Independence Day was a new experience. We now live right next to the parade route. In the morning we went to my parents' to pick up a few things. By the time we were ready to go home, I realized there would be no where to park by our place. So, we stayed at my folks' place awhile longer.

When we did get home the boys helped me to make homemade ice cream. They love this treat that they do not get very often. When it was time for fireworks we went outside, walked a half a block down, and stood on the corner. From there my children and I were able to watch the fireworks perfectly (bonus- we did NOT have to deal with the crowds!). Q stood back a little bit- afraid that the fireworks would get him, plus he does not do well with loud noises. J "ooh" and "ah"ed at every firework. W who was sitting on my shoulders shouted "Another one!" and did a little dance through the 30 minute show. My shoulders ached by the time the display was over.

Now every time we walk by that spot W says "Fyworks!" (fireworks).
I look forward to later in the month when the carnival will be held only two blocks from our place!!! The kids and I are going to have so much fun.

Waiting for the icecream

Watching fireworks.

Watching the fireworks. Well, Q was ready to leave.

laid up...

The other day J was riding her bike. She loves her bike, she will spend all day just riding around the one block that she is allowed to go around. She loves that she can go halfway around the block and speak to her great aunt and then finish coming around and is back here. Well, the other day I let her ride her bike after church. She was out there most of the afternoon. She came in to eat dinner then went back out. She was simply riding back and forth up the sidewalk in front of the house. W had fallen asleep in my arms for a late nap. J came into the house crying, "I fell and it hurts! It is bleeding, bad!" All of this she said through huge sobs.

I led her to the bathroom. I handed her a tissue then looked at her toe. I was panicked. I do not think I showed it. I hope I did not. It looked like part of her toe had been ripped off. I told her brothers to get their shoes on. Q was nice enough to run down the sidewalk, grab her bike and put it by the porch. I handed J the phone, she called Uncle and told him that she was on her way to the ER. Q ran into the hospital came out with a wheelchair. He pushed J to the ER. (Have I ever mentioned what a great brother he is?)

Uncle and his fiance both arrived shortly after we did. J pretty much threw herself into Uncle's arms. He had been working but came as soon as he got the call. They took the two boys out to the waiting room while I sat with my baby girl. She snuggled up to me and asked over and over if she was going to have to have surgery. I assured her that she would not need surgery nor would she have to stay overnight. The nurse came in to clean the wound, J started crying again. We were told right away that there was not enough skin there for her to get stitches .She had managed to remove a big piece of her toenail. She went down for an x-ray to make sure that she did not break the tip of her toe. Everything came back alright. She was bandaged and sent home.

J is my most active child. She loves to dance, run, ride her bike, and walk. Now, she is not allowed to play outside until her wound is healed up. Aww, how do I tend to make this easy for her? I am not completely sure!! Last night we looked through crafts and were talking about how to decorate her new room. She loves flowers so we are looking for creative ways to decorate her room, things she can help make.
Today, I took her to the local toy store. The owner is really nice. He has games set up for the kids to play. We went in after she watched a bit of a tap dance class and she started playing a game while I walked around looking for ideas for upcoming birthdays. W was looking through the toy animal bin as he always does. The owner even has a chair that he leaves there, W uses it to climb up so he can reach into the bin. This toy store is truly the most kid friendly one I have seen since I have had kids. The owner invited us back later in the week for a special event.
It looks like I will be getting out coloring books, crafting supplies, and picking up a lot of books at the library these next few weeks. J read an entire book today. Ahh, the library will be seeing even more of us!
Any suggestions for what we can do while J is laid up in the house recovering from her fall?

Q and J at the hospital waiting to get to go home.

College 4 Kids

J has been going to a summer program called College 4 Kids. She has three classes. Project Runway, Step-up and Dance, and Forensic Science. The science class was actually one that I had talked her into taking. She keeps saying that she wants to be a vet or a doctor, this was the only science class that they were offering. It was not one of her top picks, in fact it was the last on her list. The other classes that she wanted filled up rather quickly.

Every day I take her to school. She hops out of my car all excited about another day of fun and learning. "Have a good day. I love you." I tell her as I watch her get out of the car.

"I love you too." She always says then takes off running for the school doors. Her flip flops just about making her trip, as she does a little dance spin midway to the entrance. I shake my head, that girl is all about music; dancing, singing, humming, playing instruments.

When I pick her up from C4K she usually has something to show off to her brothers. I get to peek at it after the boys try to get her to give whatever it is to them (W only wants the things because Q wants them). She has made a few bracelets, a ring (she gave that to me), a wallet, a necklace, and an apron for a barbie doll.  She shows off some dance moves. She learned the jazz box step ( I didn't even know there was such a thing).

Yet, she talks the most about science. "Guess what we did today, Mom. We learned how to tell things by looking at a person's handwriting. Did you know that Mark Twain use to underline his name? If you underline your signature that means that you think you are important. Oprah writes her name on top of each other and underlines them both."
"What does it mean if you sign your name big?" I often sprawl out my signature when picking up medicine for the kids when they are sick. I am thinking to myself that it means I am holding a sick crying two year old while I have two other kids begging for toys or candy, and trying to sign for my payment; AHH!
"That means you want attention. Small writing means that you don't." I just about laughed; When I do sign in a big sprawl it is after I have waited in line for at least forty-five minutes on a medicine that I was told would be ready in about fifteen. I suppose at those times I was wanting the attention of the pharmacist!

Now she is all excited because they are doing a mock crime scene. She thinks she has the crime all figured out already. She'll discover the truth tomorrow.

I am so glad that she is enjoying this learning experience. Her classes during the regular school year do not offer science like this. She is learning that this is something that she enjoys; looking at things then piecing it all together.

J "reading" with Mark Twain at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Are your kids in any special summer academic courses? Was is their idea or yours? J about begged to get to go to this, I was more than happy to sign her up.

Who did you spend Father's Day with?

Father's Day, just the name suggests that you will spend it with your father. About a week before Father's Day I would get a little upset because my kids are being raised by me. J and Q's dad calls them during the week but he does not see them at the moment. W's father never really wanted to be in the picture. He does not even call. So, with all of this I was a little worried about how the kids would deal with Father's Day.

Before church they went to give PeePaw his card. They each had one special reason why they loved him. He really liked his card. After church the family got together sans my sister and eldest brother. My kids were so excited to see their uncles. Bubba (my younger brother) and his three year old X was there. Uncle (my older brother) and his fiance were both over also.
Sitting on the front porch of my childhood home I watched my kids give Uncle a gift. He opened the card and read "Thank you for being a great 'step-in' dad" (he does everything for my kids; takes J to father/daughter dances, teaches Q about tools, and just plain plays with W..I don't think he has E.V.E.R missed a school concert.) He opened the gift, it was a mini tool set. His fiance said the card was the sweetest thing. He had a man-to-man talk with Q about tools and him needing to be responsible so that he could get some come his birthday.

I love family gatherings. I love how my kids and my nephew have the best time together.

J and Q talked to their dad for awhile. Q talked about his upcoming birthday, he's getting excited and already planning his party. J told her dad about all that she had done in the past two days since she had talked to him.

I called W's father that morning, no answer. I had my baby leave a message.

A friend at church looked at me and said, "Happy Father's Day." I am glad that my children have wonderful male role models in their lives. They have my brothers and my dad who will do just about anything for them.

Uncle and Q having a man-to-man talk



J getting Uncle back.

Monkeys!!!

W and X with Uncle.


I hope that everyone had a great Father's Day!!! Who did you spend your Father's Day with?

Lightning bugs, baby bluejay, and a cat

The past few days here have been interesting. J was playing under the tree on Friday morning when she was dive bombed by a blue jay. She did not think anything of it, did not even mention it to me. That afternoon when she saw her grandparents, she told them. She went back out to play, I continued to hold my sleeping nephew whom I was babysitting. She came back in and said, "Another bird hit my head!" My momma checked out her head for me, then they all went out to see what was going on. Turns out my daughter was playing under the bird's nest, not knowing that there was a baby blue jay in the tree.

This evening I allowed my kids to stay up pass their bedtime so that we could enjoy the beautiful evening. There was a nice gentle breeze, the sun was just setting a beautiful golden color. W jumped off of the swing that we were snuggled up on and ran towards the sidewalk. I look over, jump up and ran. There hopping, flapping tiny little wings in an attempt to fly was the baby blue jay. There was my W about to catch it. I grabbed him and told him that he could watch but not touch. We watched as the tiny bird tried so hard to fly from the ground. It made it over to the garage where it got off of the ground only to fly into the garage door. W and I watched it softly saying, "Come on baby blue you can fly. You can do it." It managed to fly to a tiny branch about a foot from the ground. I turned to walk away.

"Look, lightning bugs. Do you want to go catch some?"

"No, no baby blue cat eat." W said in hushed tones as if he did not want to scare the baby bird.

"You want to watch the bird to be sure the cats don't eat it?" He  nodded his head and set his big blue eyes on the bird watching it try to fly.

Finally, I was able to get him to go to the yard to play with his siblings. They laughed and chased lightning bugs around. I heard J scream and Q yell. A cat was stalking baby blue. I ran towards them and chased off the cat. I tried to get baby blue but it was moving faster. We chased the cat off again as baby blue did a combination of hopping and flying right into the neighbor's garden. It took refuge under some vegetation.

J cried as we walked away. I explained to her that wild cats eat wild birds but I also told her that I think baby blue would be alright. She stopped crying. Q was just quiet, I think he was worried but did not want to say anything. My W was in my arms seemingly content.

That was our Saturday evening. How was yours?

Library fun!!

Remember when you were a kid and you would go to the library? You were always told to be quiet and if you had to talk to talk in a whisper. When I was a teenager I would  hide out in the poetry section of the library. It was on the second floor close to the balcony. Nobody was ever over there, I would grab a book from the shelf, sit on the floor, and read for hours. It was a place I could hide away, it was quiet.

Fast forward eleven years and the library has transformed. The second I walk in my children go to the childrens' section. I drop off our books in the return pile (we tend to get about twenty per visit) and head back to the children's section. There are large no back cushion chairs in odd shapes on the floor. A play house, three train tables, rocking horses, and several toys. My children play with other kids while parents look for books. Some adults sit at tables reading newspapers or talking with friends. More adults and teenagers at the computers working or playing on the Internet. The childrens' librarian seems to know every child by name. She knows mine; I have been taking my children to the library for their reading program since the oldest two were just little toddlers.

No longer is the library ONLY for quietly reading or researching. It is now a great place to spend time with your kids. A place where they can play. A place where your older kids can play miniature golf after hours for a special summer activity. It is still the best place to pick up books.
When we walk out of the library about an hour later; it only takes about ten minutes to find the twenty or so books and check them out, W looks at me and asks for a book. "Book!" He will hold a book in his hands on the way home eager to read it.

I love the library! I loved it when I was younger and I had to be quiet. Now that I am a mom I love it even more because our library has managed to become child friendly. Everyone in town knows that on certain days the library will probably have more kids then the park, so it will not be quiet. That is alright, I think everyone just enjoys the fact that so many children are enjoying the library. Hopefully, going home and enjoying the books too!

What do you think of your library? Is it a favorite hangout for you and your family?

Dreams

Tonight I am pondering dreams not yet realized. There are dreams that I have given up on in the past. Writing was one of those. I have children's stories laying around that I have simply never allowed anyone to read, notebooks filled with short stories, even more filled with poems. As I listen to some great violin (I have always called it a fiddle) being played by Lindsey Stirling I began thinking about dreams I have seen my children give up on.

My little girl always wanted to play the fiddle. I was finally able to afford to get her one and some lessons but a few months in she gave up. She was good! Her brothers and I loved listening to her play. She did not feel that she was as good as the other kids who played in the school orchestra so she quit. Every once in awhile I will catch a look in her eyes when we are listening to music and someone is playing the fiddle. It is as if she still longs to play it, every time I tell her that she can pick lessons back up again. Maybe if I were to get her private lessons she might feel a bit differently about it. Stick it out more. The girl loves music of all sorts.

See, my Q he does not give up when it comes to something that he loves, something that he wants to do. He is my artist. He will draw for hours! He fills sketchpads, notebooks, loose paper; anything that he can get his hands on he will fill with drawings. I do not want him to suddenly stop doing that! It is something that he gets joy out of doing, something that I love seeing him do. If he does not know how to draw something he will have me find him a how to draw guide for what he is wanting to draw. Once he gets it down he puts his own twist on it.

If I go back and try to realize my dreams of having a series of children's books maybe my children will see that it is NEVER to late to go after what you want? I do not want little ones to grow up thinking that it is alright to set your dreams up on a shelf simply because other things came along. It might not be easy but that it would be worth it to keep after your dreams. Perhaps J will pick up a fiddle again.

Yay dirt!

Up until the other day W would refuse, REFUSE to get dirty. He might have colored on himself a time or two, fallen down and had dirt smeared on his hands or knees, or spilled some drink on himself; every single time he would come to me and request in his adorable way to be cleaned up. He would hold out the offending body part and inform me that it was either "sticky" or "dirt". I would then wipe him clean while telling him it is alright for little boys to get dirty. Eh, at least I always have someone to help clean. Yay!

The other day MeeMaw was planting some last minute flowers. J was helping her, my little girl loves flowers and gardens. She does not mind getting dirty. Often times she has flower jewelry while playing outside. W and Q wanted to help also. It started that they wanted to do the watering. After watering the flowers that I had planted for her a few days before MeeMaw got out some new flowers to plant from seed. The boys eagerly picked out which flower they wanted to plant for her. After she opened the bag filled with dirt and seeds she allowed the boys to fill their containers with soil and their flower seeds. Q did this and then ran along to play. W, carefully took the rooting seedling from his bag and placed it into his container. He was then told to place the soil over it and pat it down. He looked up with a bit of an inquisitive look. Then slowly patted down the loose soil. A smile spread across his face and he continued to pat the soil down until it was time to water it.


MeeMaw showing W how to pat down the soil.

Carrying his flower can over to be watered.

Q is no stranger to dirt, he sort of overfilled his container.

J watering the flowers.

Today W decided to show me that he is alright with getting dirty. While his brother, sister, and cousin were playing in the grassy yard he decided to get down and play in the dirt. When I turned that dirt into mud he at first did not look very happy. Then I put his hands on it, he grabbed a handful and tossed it at me which started a mud fight. If only I had my camera at that moment! He even managed to get his cousin and brother when they came over to see what he was doing. I am glad that he likes to get cleaned up; I won't have to worry about fighting with him after he is done playing in the dirt.

Do you have a hard time getting your kids to just get down and play? Do you have a hard time getting your child cleaned up after playtime? I understand that there are times when a child needs to stay clean, I also understand that kids get dirty, it is part of being a kid and having fun. I look forward to your comments.

Sick!!!

This morning I took both of my boys to the doctor. I only intended for Q to be seen. I had already come to the conclusion that he was suffering from seasonal allergies for the first time but wanted to be certain that was what it was. My mom told me to have the doctor look at W while I was there also. Just to make sure that he did not have a cold in his eye.

At the doctor's office early Sunday morning there  was no wait to be seen. Q went first, the doctor examined him and said it was allergies, maybe a hint of asthma (to be tested for it once he is done with a bit of medicine). He was a real trooper once he knew he was not going to have to get a shot.

W had his turn. He would not hold still for the machine to take his blood pressure. He is use to Doctor M (a great lady who allows W to "use" the tools  before she uses them on him) so he did not want to hold still, he wanted to explore this new machine. After the nurse finally checked his blood pressure the "old fashioned way" the doctor checked out his eye and the few bugs bites that he has on his face. I was concerned about these since they had  not gone away but I have not caught him scratching at them either. She then checked his ears, breathing, and throat.

"He has tonsillitis." She said rather nonchalantly. "I'll call in antibiotics." She left it at that, would not stay and answer questions that I had, she seemed rather annoyed that I had questions. What is tonsillitis? He did not act sick, he was still running about playing as usual. Was there anything I could do for him to help him feel better? Ahh, the Internet, I used this to answer my questions.

After waiting two hours for the prescriptions to be filled we finally were able to make it home. I got meds into Q, he was rather easy. He is older and knows that he only takes medicine if he is really sick. W, on the other hand usually fights medicine. So much so that in the past he has had to get shots instead. I was rather surprised when he took this medicine for me without a fight. You're right if you wonder if I rewarded him! He deserved to get a bit of something special. Poor kid does not feel well but he is not letting that slow him down. He wants to keep on playing and enjoying summer. I kept him indoors today and spoiled him and Q with books and a few movies.
J was such a great girl today, usually she argues with Q over the silliest things, not today. She read and played.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day!! Thank you to all of those who have given of their lives; whether all of their life or some of their life, for our country. Thank you for serving your country, you are appreciated!!

Summer of Adventures

Summer is here, well summer vacation is here. I decided to make this summer one filled with adventures for my little family. I do not want my children to go back to school in the fall feeling as if they "bored" away their summer.

Yesterday we had our first adventure! My kids have never washed a car before. Sure they have gone to a car wash and sat in a car while it was being washed but they have never personally washed a car. I pulled my car onto the sidewalk, grabbed some rags, a bit of soap, and the hose; I got the car wet. I shut off the hose to conserve water. The kids and I scrubbed my car which was extremely dirty.

By the time they were finished they were all pretty proud of the job that they had done. They enjoyed being able to play in the water while the car got rinsed off. Then they ran around outside to dry off. J said that she had her wish for her start of summer vacation. All she wanted to do on the first day of vacation was to play in the hose. She was able to do that and wash my car! The boys; well, they were just excited to be able to do something with the car.

Stay tuned to hear about more adventures this summer! What adventures do you have planned for your family?

Summer programs?

With summer peeking around the corner, everyone seems to be thinking about what to do with their children. I see friends posting things on facebook about being able to get rid of their kids for a few days a week if they sign them up for this program or for that program. Then other parents saying "At least my child will get out of the house for a little bit." Really? Make your kid get out of the house. Turn off the television, turn of the games, take away cell phones (if your children have them) and let let them be kids again.
My kids do Not have video games, they do not have cell phones, or any other devices. They read books. They play outside. They color. They do the same things that I did as a child. I am all for summer programs. All three of my children will be involved in the summer reading program at the local library but I will be reading books to W since he is only two. They get prizes for so many books that they read, honestly my kids would ready without the prize incentive though.
With all of the summer programs that your kids can be involved in just do not forget to encourage them to simply go outside and play (with sunblock on of course!).

Never marry???

Yesterday my kids and I were driving along on our way to church. An adorable guy drove by in a truck and I said quietly, "He's cute." My daughter heard me, "What? I can think a guy is cute. If I am ever to get married I need to think the guy is cute right?" My daughter agreed. Then it happened, "Mom, I do not want you to get married!" Q said in a loud voice from the backseat. I asked him why. "I like you the way you are! We do not need you to get married!" I understand that if I ever get married it would be a HUGE change for the kids. I assured him that if I should get married someday that I would be the same mom.
It is not like I am dating. I have never really been on my own before. So, these past three years since W's dad left I have been discovering myself. Realizing that I do not NEED a man in my life. I can raise my children without a guy in my life. I guess my children want me to keep doing just that. It is not really something to worry about. If When I find the right guy I will figure out how to talk to my kids about that then.

Did any of you have problems with your kids not wanting you to get married? How did you help ease that transition? Some advice for the future would be great!

Counting

The other day W learned how to count to five. I made such a big deal out of it that he counts all the time now. He will count to five then start chasing his siblings while playing tag.

Welcome!

It is not easy being a mom! At times it may feel like rocket science;but the great thing about being a mom, besides not needing a fancy degree; is that I get to re-explore the world. I get to see it through the eyes of my children. I do not have to be "grown up" all the time. I love being a mom.

I have this amazing daughter who is eleven. She is a singer, she still loves to play with dolls, she makes up plays, she enjoys being in the kitchen, or working in the yard. There are times when I just do Not know what to do. She is at that age where she is trying to grow up but afraid to grow up at the same time. I have never had to deal with that as a parent. J will make things wonderful and interesting along the way.

 Then there are times when I look at Q, my nine year old son. I wonder how I got such an artistic little guy. He loves art. This little boy can draw, he sat down one day and drew a frog. This frog was eating a fly from a lilypad. He has sketch books filled with doodles, he is always wanting to get paint, clay, markers, crayons, and pencils. He loves museums.

Then I have W. He is my two year old who completely changed my, J, and Q's lives. Before he came along the three of us use to call ourselves the Three Musketeers. I got pregnant with W, his dad took off and never came back to marry me like he promised my kids. J and Q were wonderful druing my pregnancy, even greater when I brought W home. He has been adored since that first moment. Now, he is exploring his world and becoming this curious little boy. He follows his big brother, he tries to impress his big sister, and he is constantly cuddling with me.

What is your family like?