Taking me back

So Payten has been wanting to make friendship bracelets--


I made many of them as a kid-- but I could not remember how to make them at all--


and considering in the crafty department--- I am slightly (cough cough overly) lacking--it was not looking good--

I do however know how to be resourceful-- and my determination wasn't lacking--so I Googled it-- and look what I made and taught Payten to make (she made the top one)

Not to bad huh? I was pround of myself-- I mean I can't sew or make a dress-- but I sure can make some friendship bracelets-- :)

On a side note-- I must of had much more patience as a child-- because these take FOREVER-- I may not have had as much determination to learn if I had realized how long they take--ha ha

Mommy of the year

Both of my kids are allergic to grass--

But I got cute pics

What troopers they are!!

Progressive Lunch Rooms

One of the funniest things about picking Carter up from school yesterday was him telling me about his lunch. We let him pick whether he would like to take his lunch, or eat in the cafeteria, He chose the cafeteria.

So when I picked him up yesterday I asked him what he had for lunch-- and he said "steak on top of wice (remember he is not good with his r's) with chocolate on top"

It reminds me of a story my mom tells about my brother in Kindergarten-- She said that he use to come home and tell her he had "oysters" for lunch. She couldn't figure out what he was talking about until she started looking at the daily school menu in the newspaper. She finally realized that everytime they had tator tots on the menu-- he had "oysters"

Thankfully I didn't have to search the newspapers-- I had Payten to set us straight-- she let us know right away that the "steak" was actually meatballs, and the "chocolate" was actually gravy-- wheww--- I thought I was gonna have to talk to him about healthy lunch choices :)

First Day of School

We made it through another first day of school-- but as you all know-- this one was special-- because it was Carter's first day of Kindergarten (well really his stagger day-- I guess he will have another first day next week).

So--How'd he do? He did great -- left mommy and daddy looking a little nervous-- but I specifically remember the look on Payten's face being much different her first day-- that look like-- what are you doing to me mommy-- and I cried the rest of day

So how did I do? Well I did good-- As soon as he left I had to go talk to the school nurse -- so that helped-- I had to keep my business face on-- then Joe and I had an entire date day-- so that was super nice--

But I must admit-- when it was time for pick up at afterschool-- I got quite teary eyed when he ran from the playground to meet me--He had that sweet smile, and a look of excitement as if he hadn't seen me in 3 days--and I knew then-- that the days of him being that excited to see me are numbered-- especially considering it seemed like just yesterday we were doing this same thing on Payten's first day of school.

Faith in this Girl!!

Payten spent 6 summer Tuesdays with Ms. Melissa, because Ms. Melissa gave up her Tuesdays, while home from college, to spend time with Payten and other little girls her age taking them through the Faithgirlz Handbook.

She taught them how to appreciate their inner beauty, how to treat others with kindness, that God created them and loves them just the way they are,,,,,and lots more....

How awesome that she would give up a day a week of her summer break, to spend time with "little girls", when most soon to be college sophomores are busy thinking of themselves (I know I was :)).

So while she was encouraging all of these little girls it made me realize how lucky I am to have such a wonderful role model in my little girl's life. Ms. Melissa is beautiful inside and out and is a true example of "practicing what you preach"!!

Thank you Ms. Melissa for being such a giving person and for sharing your time and heart with Payten, she (we) are very lucky to have you for her to look up to (oh and for Carter to Marry ;))

ps. hope you don't mind I stole a fb pic :)

A Prime Example

In third grade she was one of 3 students to receive "The Patriot of Citizenship Award" for being a great rule follower and a role model to her friends-- that is 3 students out of the entire 3rd grade:

On the swim team she was one of 2 kids to receive the team spirit award-- that is 2 kids out of 50 swimmers.

So twice within two months from different leaders-- my girl has gotten recognized for her great attitude, and role model behavior---Pretty cool huh??

Confidence is key

If confidence will get you far in school -- then Carter is way ahead of the game.

Recently we were talking about "Kindergarten stuff". I was asking him his address, and #s, his birthday, we talked about letters, and then I got an idea-- let's make sure he knows his full name. I thought to myself-- he for sure knows Carter Brown, and Carter Joseph-- but does he know it is Carter Joseph Brown?

So the conversation went something like this..

Me: "Carter what is your full name"

Carter: "Carta Bown"

Me: "I mean what is your name with your middle name"

Carter: "Oh I know that, that's easy-- It's JOVIS, Carta Jovis Bown"

Pause...

Carter: "I'm Good at this Kindergarten stuff"

Sorry.... he's taken

This is a blog for all of you Cars, Trucks, and SUVs of the world, okay since cars can't read..... this is a blog to all of you Salesmen of Cars, Trucks, and SUVs of the world....

He's taken---no need to try, no need to waste your breath, he is in love, his heart is taken forever.....and now belongs to another---Yes the one for which he has longed for twelve years---the one for which he has begged his wife (for just as long)---the one to which his eyes have always wandered while driving every other car we've owned (yes it is true all other old cars, you have been emotionally cheated on-- he was never truly yours)

Now he is content he has his "ideal mate" -- The Jeep--

(and yes it has a name "HANK")

Things I'll Miss--Part Two

Carter turned 5 in July

In sticking with the theme, here are the 5 things I will miss most about this age

5. You can be entertained for hours with a matchbox car and a "wamp" and you make your own car sounds and say things like "gentlemen stawt youw engines"

4. You eat veggies to get big muscles --in fact it happens immediately after you eat them-- you show me every time

3. You still think those Fireworks on July 4th are just for you, and you thank me for your fireworks everytime

2. Your ending line on the telephone when talking to the ones you love-- "I love you, I miss you, I can't wait to see you" (you even said it to sissy when she was at a sleep over, and you had just seen her an hour before)

1. You still want to marry mommy, and tell me often "I am never gonna leave you, I am gonna stay with you foreva"

Things I'll miss

I missed blogging birthdays this summer, so here is a little make up, not to awfully late.

Payten turned 9 in June so I thought I would capture the 9 things I will miss about this age:

9. You don't like boys (except you giggle and blush every time I say the name Justin Bieber, and you can't pass a magazine with his face on it without stopping)

8. You like for mommy to paint your nails (one day you will notice how really unsteady my hands are)

7. You are still so little compared to all other 3rd-4th graders which makes you so huggable (you also passed for 8 when Mimi took you to dinner so she still got a discount ha ha)

6. You don't mind being tickled (even with friends around)

5. You still tolerate your little brother (most of the time :))

4. You play with babies-- (I enjoy watching what a cute little mother you are to them all)

3. You still like Barbies (which by the way are pretty cheap entertainment)

2. You are starting to primp but you don't spend too much time doing it yet

1. You still give lots and lots of hugs and kisses (and are not embarrassed even in front of your friends)

How I knew

I knew I missed blogging when I saw this picture, saved it and couldn't resist blogging it-- And yes it was in North Carolina

Beach Lifesaver

No not the lifeguard-- although they are nice to have around should you need them. The real beach lifesaver is the Wonder Cart..

Wow wondercart, where have you been all of my beach going life?? Especially my child bringing, beach going life. Oh Wondercart, now that I've found you I promise we will never be apart again.

"Woger Woger"

This weekend Carter had a friend over and they were playing Lego Star Wars on the Wii.

The conversation went something like this

Carter: "Noah get the Woger Woger guy" (ps. Carter is not good with is Rs)

Me (after hearing this 10 times): "Carter what is the Roger Roger guy"

Carter: "They are dese men that wear walkie talkies and they walk around and say Woger Woger, Woger, Woger"

Well I thought it was funny... I laughed everytime he said it-- Joe only laughed the first time and said I had issues when I kept laughing.

Beach Blogging 2010

Our annual summer beach trip has come and gone once again.. Here are some of my favorite pics from the week...

See that smile? That is the smile of freedom, yep his last free summer before Big School Starts.

See that smile? That is the I am at the beach smile, or maybe the my brother is crying over the broken shovel and I am being the good child smile, or maybe the please mom do I have to take one more picture smile
See that smile? Oh I guess you can't see me smiling behind the camera-- but what a sweet little Kodak moment..

It's Official!! He did it!!

It is officially official!! My hubby is a college graduate. And not only did he graduate-- he did it in style-- He graduated Magna Cum Laude, and was one of 7 to receive a scholarship pin, which is the highest academic honor at Montreat and means he maintained a certain grade point average (obviously a high one :)) for 6 consecutive semesters. Yes I said one of 7 and there were close to 200 graduates--- how cool is that!!

Payten was the first to notice his name on the program twice for both his honors, and Carter made sure to tell him "I am pwoud of you daddy". And I am extremely PWOUD too!!

Oh and for anyone keeping track-- the turd did beat my GPA.

A Song for You

Even though I can't sing, dance, or play an instrument-- music does something for me, always has. When I exercise, it makes me want to do it longer, move faster. I often hear songs that fit the moment that I am in, almost like I was meant to hear that song. I guess you can say I am a slave to the vibe.....

Recently I heard a song on my Ipod that was perfect for someone special to me.

Tonight I added that song to my blog for her. This song is for a friend who has endured a lot lately and has done it with such strength, grace, and positivity. I've told her more than once she is my Hero--

RD-- I am so proud of your "Can do", "Will win", "Will Beat this" champion attitude.

I know that not all days are easy-- and so that you won't forget, I have added this song for you--and just like the words of this song, "On a day when you feel spent-- you can "Trouble Me".

(p.s should you need the lyrics I have hyperlinked them here)

Looking forward to our eggtomatothrowingcussinggetitoutcryingpunchinghugging(not touching :)) night!!

MUUUUWWAAAHH!!

The most special gift

I got many things I loved for Christmas-- so I don't want to offend anyone who may have given me a wonderful gift. But this year one present trumped all... It was a recipe box made just for me by my mom....

And what made it even more special was the sweet poem she wrote just for me to put on the top...

Maybe one day I will be able to read it without tearing up.

My Baby is growing up...

I am so proud that he is learning his letters and writing his name....



But that means he is starting Kindergarten soon..In fact--I registered him last week......sigh...

A New Guinness World Record

Worlds Oldest Leash Kid.....

PS--We did check to make sure this kid was okay before we took the picture......

I did it!!!

I survived the winter storm of 2010 in NC without going to the store for milk and bread before hand-- and it wasn't because we had a load of milk and bread-- we actually needed both--I just protested

So there you go-- tell your friends-- you really can survive the storm without milk and bread--so no need to rob the stores of all of their supply-- there may be a little baby somewhere that really needs that milk on a snowy weekend--

By the way-- I would advise to stock up on toilet paper-- I mean seriously why are the shelves not empty of toilet paper at winter storm time-- I would think that would be quite vital.....

Next winter storm I think I will rob the shelves of all of the toilet paper and get everyone in a panic and start the new trend of getting milk, bread and toilet paper....