Bullfrogs and Butterflies

Fynn's Birthday shirt photos

2012-02-08T17:43:00.001-08:00

A Fantastic Fynntastic Birthday

2012-02-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

Well it has happened! Our baby boy has turned five years old! Here is a run down on his fun-filled birthday!

His day began with breakfast in bed with daddy. A lemon poppy seed muffin, cheese omelet, and orange juice.

Next he opened a gift from Rollin. Rollin decided to give Fynneus a helmet of his that he had been wanting for some time! He was very happy to get it!

He also got a skateboard. So naturally he and his brothers headed outside to try it out. Fynn said "I'm gonna go practice some nasty falls!"

Here Rollin demonstrates a "nasty fall".

Then Fynn came back inside to help me make his birthday cake. Chocolate with chocolate icing, and sprinkles.

We gave him a choice of going out for lunch and a movie, or staying home and having a fire and setting up the tepee. He chose the latter.

The plan was to have birthday cake in the tepee, but shortly after we got it up it began to rain. It was so cold so we went back inside.

Then he opened his present from Nanna and Poppa. It was the 3DS that he had been longing for.

He loved it! He played it until dinner was ready. He had requested steak and green beans. It was so sweet to see and hear him enjoy his birthday dinner so much. He kept saying "mmmmm, mmmm, dis is sooooo good!"

Then we had cake! And Ice cream!

Rollin made a "gummy bear war" on his dessert.

Fynn thought it was a great Idea so he did too. He used his pocket knife to eat his dinner and as you can see, his cake too!

I think he had a great Birthday. It is still hard to believe he is five. He is so smart and funny and fills our lives everyday with so much joy! Happy birthday Fynneus! Happy Happy Birthday!

2012-02-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Every morning I have been telling Fynneus how many days are left until his birthday, and every morning he screams and runs to tell his brothers. We are two days away now! I really cannot believe that my baby Fynn is going to be five years old! I remember holding him within days of his birth and thinking when he turns five I'll be turning thirty! Now here it is! I am pretty sure there will be tears here and there for the next week or so. I am an emotional reck over it all. But his birthday should be loads of fun! He told me yesterday he thinks we should be having gummy bears more often. He also told me a few days ago that before all the sweets happen on his birthday he would like to have something healthy. "Healthy?" I asked "yeah" he replied "something healthy to eat like green beans and steak." He also would like a skateboard, a 3DS, and gift cards. Along with a trip to incredible pizza. So I am not sure what exactly is going to happen for his birthday but it will be a fun day thats for sure. Oh I almost forgot, yesterday he came to me in the kitchen and said "did ya get the pink lemonade and the yellow lemonade yet?" "For your birthday you mean?" I asked. "yeah, we need to get that pretty soon." So I have added it to the list. And last, I have to mention that at the table this morning after breakfast, we were putting together a 3d dinosaur puzzle and he looked at me and said "I'm pretty much five" I looked at him and said "well not so fast, if someone asks you today how old you are you have to say "I'm four, but I'll be five in two days"' He smiled and shook his head yes and said "but I am pretty much five." Uh, he come the tears again!

The Perfect Word

2012-02-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

I was tucking boys into beds tonight and as I was up on Fynns loft bed with him he showed me, in slow motion, how he hits his head on the ceiling if he forgets and stands up real fast. He said that it really hurts. Then Rollin said, from the top bunk across the room, "yeah it hurts cuz of the nubbles" I could not contain myself! "Did you just say nubbles" I asked with large eyes. "You know the popcorn" he answered. "Yeah I know the popcorn, but did you just say nubbles?" He gave me a shy smile and said yes. I smiled and looked at him and said "well I think that is the perfect word for it!"

A slightly less than perfect day

2012-02-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

A slightly less than perfect day.
Tucker hit Fynn in the head with a tire swing.
Fynn threw a stick and wiffle-ball at tucker.
Tucker got sick from spinning on the tire swing.
Tucker and Rollin got in a fight about whose turn it was on the tire swing.
Rollin got mad a Tucker for hitting him with blowgun clay ball amo.
Tucker got mad at Rollin for saying that he could only hit Rollin in the back where he was wearing a shield.
Rollin punched Tucker.
Tucker blocked Rollin's punch resulting in Rollin's jammed knuckles.
Fynn "accidentally" slammed a door into Rollin's face. It left a mark.
Fynn scratched Rollin on the arm. It bled.
Liz stepped on sharp wooden blocks that were neatly concealed under a blanket.
Fynn ran and slipped on the freshly mopped bathroom floor.

*PLease note these incidents are in no particular order and happened periodically throughout our day.

Another Great Day

2012-02-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

Fynn informed me, less than a week before his birthday, that what he really wants is a drum set with drumsticks, and gloves so the the drumsticks don't fly out of his hands.

Today he settled for the mandolin. He actually did do quite a bit of drumming with two colored pencils and what ever was near by to drum on.

And I had to share this photo of Rollin because it made me smile just to look at him. He is about to run out the door and I know you can't see his sweet face but what you can see if you look, is his dirty blue hat on backwards (so he can see better), his "classic boy red shirt", a temporary tattoo on his left forearm from several days ago, just below that a white thing sticking out from his belt loop. It happens to be a home made blow gun. And on the other side of his body a leather pouch filled with home made clay balls for shooting out of his blowgun. You can't see his dirty bare feet or the big ol' smile on his face, so you will have to take my word on it.

Why today was fantastically amazing!

2012-01-30T20:52:00.000-08:00

First thing this morning Fynn said "can I help you make dinner" I smiled and said "you can help me make breakfast" "is that what it is?" he asked. I shook my head yes and he followed me into the kitchen. He told me that he thought we should have pancakes and I told him he probably didn't even need my help for that. I gave him such little instruction and he made the most beautiful, most delicious pancakes!

at one point he asked me if I would call Tucker and Rollin in for breakfast.

I watched him swell with pride as they devoured his creation.

and finally he enjoyed his own.

Later I enjoyed a few minutes of peace in the house. But even more I enjoyed the view out the back door.

Then there was boot camp, cooking, good friends. phone calls to and from the love of my life, sunshine, giggles, hugs, singing, wrestling, good music and to end the day a pulled tooth!

They were eating dumplings with chopsticks for second dinner. Tucker bit into his chopstick with a loose tooth. . A bit later he walked up to me with a seriousness about him and said. "I'm gonna pull this tooth tonight." and he did! He said "I got it!" "really?" I asked "yeah! I wish daddy was here" he said, then asked to call him. Later I heard him say it was the perfect time to loose a tooth because he is saving up for a 3DS.

Fantastically amazing!

There is a Birthday Coming!

2012-01-28T08:03:00.000-08:00

This morning I told Fynn that his birthday is in 11 days. "wow" he said. I asked what he wanted to do for his birthday. He said "scream!"I giggled at him then he added "I also want to play a game with marshmallows and then eat them!" He went on to tell me he wants to drink lemonade and watch the rest of us have a water balloon fight. He doesn't really want to do the water balloon fight with us because he doesn't want to get hurt.

Right Now!

2012-01-22T17:59:00.000-08:00

One of us is sanding wood.
One of us is drawing the piano.
One of us is playing angry birds.
One of us is crocheting.
One of us is trying to lasso the dog.
One of us is trying not to get lasso'd.

First Family Wrestling Tournament

2012-01-14T22:08:00.000-08:00

Today was our first family wrestling tournament! It truely was a family affair. I got everyone's clothes and singlets ready the night before and even prepared food for the day. Still we had to wake up at 6 to be there in time. I was running around this morning finishing up some last minute things and suddenly realized it was 6:30am, Time to wake the boys. It is much earlier than they are used to getting up. I played Queens "we are the champions" very loudly and sure enough three little boys made their way out of bed and into their singlets. All smiles and ready to go! I was running around then trying to get myself ready. I came into the kitchen and Asked Thadeus where the boys were. All ready and in the van! So needless to say we arrived right on time! Fynn and Rollin wrestled three matches back to back. Thadeus was of course in their corner and I was on the sideline recording video.

Fynn wrestled a little boy named Hudson. He was just as cute as Fynn and together they were completely entertaining! He beat him twice and won 1st place in his weight class!

Rollin wrestled three different boys from different clubs. He did Great! He really is a fighter and when he gets some moves down he will be a tough competitor. He lost his matches today and took 4th place in his weight class. But, he had fun and was just glad to be out there.

Then we had about a half hour break and Tucker was up. He won all three of his matches, with a pin in the third and final match. Taking 1st place for his weight class. He was pretty intense on the mat and really started to look good when he calmed down and started listening to his coach!

It was such a fun and exciting day! Seriously not a dull moment. The boys loved the wrestling of course but they also loved the freedom that comes with a gymnasium full of wrestling families and having lots of friends to visit with in between matches! Fynn got so many compliments on his gold medal. One coach even offered to buy it. Fynn just clutched it in his tiny hand and shook his head. Of course Thadeus has a mile long list of things he wants to work on with them, but we are both so proud of each of them!

The things they have been saying............

2012-01-14T21:45:00.000-08:00

"You forgot the spoon lady" ~Fynn, as I served him second dinner after a late wrestling practice.

"Mom? Do you think a person could actually die from getting shot by a meat bullet?" Tucker, during a drive to some friends house.

I threw a wet towel at Rollin and asked him to hang it up after his shower. It hit him in the head and he said "oh man that was like a mertior rock!" "A what?" I asked "A merterer, you know that falls from the sky?"

Fynn calls a wrestling tournament a "Gran Finale".

There must be so much more that I cannot seem to recall right now. More soon! I promise!

2012-01-14T21:43:00.000-08:00

Alright I guess I will admit defeat since it is already the middle of January and I still have not finished the series of Christmas advent calender post. At this point it is all a blurr! The rest of the activities were fun but nothing stands out to me anymore. Christmas eve we baked sugar cookies and decorated them with Jenn for Santa. Christmas was wonderful! A touching moment for me was when Tucker finished opening his stocking, which the boys all opened first and he looked at me with a twinkle of amazement and said "I cant believe this! I am so happy I don't even need any other presents, I would have been happy with just the stockings!" Oh melt my heart! But that wasn't all he received. He got the rifle he had been longing for so that now he can deer hunt with his dad! And all the boys were super excited to receive BB guns from their aunt Liz! Yes it feel a little like weapon central at our house, but with their super carful and attentive dad running the "shooting range" I am feeling more at ease with boys and BB guns! Thadeus got me a family camping tent and I am eagerly waiting the camping weather to arrive! My mom, with an amazing and loving memory got us a family tee pee! She remembered a comment I had made at some point in my life that I just had to have a tee pee by the time I turned 30, and with that birthday fast approaching it was perfect timing! Now we just need the ground to dry out a little so we can set it up! Best of all by far though was having my mom, dad and sister here to celebrate the holiday with! Well alright then, now that I have wrapped up the Christmas post I can continue blogging with out guilt. Back to all the wonderful, silly and amazing things that happen in our daily lives! Happy New Year!!

December 22

2011-12-22T20:59:00.000-08:00

A sweet invitation from friends made todays advent extra special. We went to the Hensleys for movie time popcorn and hot chocolate! And were surprised with some really sweet and thoughtful gifts! We love the Hensleys!!!

December 21

2011-12-22T20:56:00.000-08:00

Woah! What a day! We spent the entire morning at a wrestling tournament and Rollin got to wrestle in his first real match. Then Thadeus had a wisdom tooth extracted and we came home to a big box full of goodies from Mimi and Pawpaw! The boys had so much fun opening gifts from them which included pocket knifes, lanterns and family games! So we followed that by having family game night. Mouse Trap was a huge hit with these boys!!

December 20

2011-12-20T14:47:00.000-08:00

The boys had a lot of fun receiving a package from their Nanna and Poppa today. It had twix caramel popcorn and all the necessities to make sugar cookies and decorate them. Including cookie cutters! hmmmm................. Santa cookies??

December 19

2011-12-20T14:45:00.000-08:00

Well I had a fun blindfold game planned for this day but the time seems to be speeding up as we get closer to the holiday. We had a fun busy day and before I knew it boys were in bed and we never picked the calender.

December 18

2011-12-20T14:42:00.000-08:00

While we were having lunch today Thadeus came out of the bedroom wearing a Santa suit and passed out candy canes. Then we put candy canes all over the Christmas tree. They were very excited about it all.

December 17

2011-12-18T00:10:00.000-08:00

It was a great school day, which is worth mentioning since every day is not but today was and I am grateful for that! Then we headed to the gym for a workout and some family swimming. It was so fun because Rollin realized he could lift me up in the water and he got so tickled. It was precious! I told him all those corn dogs must have made him really strong. Then we headed home and began our advent a little late, still it was fun. We made home made dog biscuits for our sweet Koda and John Wayne, Christmas gifts of course. It was pretty comical because we tried to keep it a secret from Koda and so we talked in code about it all day.

December 16

2011-12-17T23:56:00.000-08:00

9 days until Christmas and this is what they read "It's Holiday fun! Who needs a bun? We will eat our dogs on a stick. You'll have to chew, not just lick! xoxox" And some how they guessed that we where having corn dogs but their eyes almost popped when I told them we were making them. Some good friends joined us for a fun evening and the corn dogs where good, but the next day I perfected the batter. I don't know what it is but making corn dogs from scratch makes me giddy. They boys raved about them and Rollin suggested that we start up our own corn dog stand. They were so good, I actually pondered it for a bit. We also made cheese on a stick which is delicious! So these photos are from the second go and the perfected corn dogs!

December 15

2011-12-17T23:39:00.000-08:00

Oh what a great evening. We had "party food" which consisted of green and red tortilla chips with a lentil and bean dip. Popcorn, which I attempted to make green and red as well. I tried to dye the kernels with food coloring and it looked promising but when they popped there was hardly a trace of color. There was also a veggie tray and pretzels. But the highlight, by far was the IBC root beer straight from the glass bottles. My heart was warmed with multiple "thank you's" and even a "your the best mom ever" and exactly three hugs! Then we watched "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" which is Fantastic and one of my favorite family movies these days. We even had time for a couple of card games after.

December 14

2011-12-14T20:28:00.000-08:00

That's right we finally made those ginger bread cookies! what a fun mess, and I stress the mess! It is amazing what three little boys can do to a project like this in the time it takes to open a bottle of wine! I told the boys to only roll their dough out to about a quarter inch thick, Tucker chimes in with "uh oh, mom this one is only a dime thick." Mr funny pants, I didn't hear him the first time so he repeated himself "mom is this okay? It's only a dime thick?"

Then because the cookies were actually a make up from the other day we also played hot and cold, which seems to be their new favorite game. I hid for each of them a new Christmas animal ornament.

Down by the lake

2011-12-14T20:10:00.001-08:00

Time in the woods

2011-12-14T20:06:00.000-08:00

A little pre-hike monkey business

A little pre-hike fuel

And the much needed time in the woods.

December 13

2011-12-13T20:52:00.000-08:00

Well we have had a very busy day. The boys had their first ever choir concert! It was adorable and entertaining and our special event for the advent was to meet up at our dear sweet friends the Hensley's' for a pre-show dinner. It was lively and fun!

December 12th

2011-12-13T20:49:00.000-08:00

Ugh. Mom fail day, We picked the calender late in the evening and were supposed to make gingerbread cookies but I was tired, kids were tired, Thad was just walking in the door from hunting all day and I just couldn't cope. The boys were sad and mad with me, so gingerbread cookies have been postponed. We will do it soon, and I will take lots of pictures.

December 11th

2011-12-13T20:46:00.000-08:00

Christmas Story time with Daddy!

Thankfully Thadeus picked up the slack because I was not feeling well. I think he actually sang the story to them. :)

vitamin tea

2011-12-12T07:19:00.000-08:00

So, this morning I made the boys raspberry zinger herbal tea. I even put a little sugar in it and the boys enjoyed it. But I could not leave well enough alone, so I added a berry flavored vitamin fizzy drink. Then I asked Fynn what he thought. "Do you like it?" I asked. He took a drink and turned to me and said "It's hot, very hot but good, but hot. It taste good but then when I swallow it, when it gets to my throat, (insert gagging face here) not so good. And HOT!"

December 10th

2011-12-10T19:34:00.001-08:00

Well I had intended to go to breakfast with Santa and the boys today but the breakfast was cancelled. So as the last bit of our day was winding down and we had not yet "picked the calender" I came up with a very quick plan. I cut out three little green Christmas trees out of construction paper, taped them each to a piece of chocolate and while the boys weren't looking I hid them in the living room. Then We played "Hot and Cold". Fynn had a hard time figuring this game out but after watching Rollin he was much better. Tucker was quick! A little too quick!

December 9th

2011-12-10T14:11:00.001-08:00

No photos of this event. We had a quick breakfast from a restaurant this morning on our way to choir practice. That is all.

December 8th

2011-12-10T14:02:00.001-08:00

We took a break from the Christmas Festivities to celebrate Thadeus' Birthday.

Thirty years old! I feel so lucky to have spent all of his twenties with him! Now I look forward to the thirties. I have a feeling it is going to be fantastic!

December 7th

2011-12-07T20:28:00.001-08:00

Tucker tapped me gently on the shoulder this morning as I lay sleeping in bed. I rolled over and he whispered with a smile "there is like this much snow on the ground." From his finger gesture I was trying to picture two inches of white everwhere, but I just had to get up and see it for myself. As I made my way down the hall I saw a naked flash then Fynn turned and came back to me and said "Mom you gotta see this" and he lead me to the back door...............later we got some warm clothes on him.

I can't say for sure, but I think when most kids play in the snow they come back cold and maybe a little wet. My kids come back with a bucket of grubs. And of course you can't go grub collecting without getting entirely covered in mud! I just can't get used to these "southern winters". When I was growing up winter was frozen through and through, through enough you could drive a truck out into the middle of the lake. Here under the beautiful layer of snow there is an even thicker layer of mud and apparently grubs!

So after a long day of playing, Chiropractor appointments, workouts at the gym and a little super last minute birthday shopping, and getting stuck in a traffic jam, I let the boys stay up much past their bed time to we could fulfill our advent for the day which was to make white chocolate covered pretzels. We added green and red holiday sprinkles and I think they did turn out well. It proved to be an easy and super fun thing to do with kids! We may make them again for Santa.

And now, now it is nearly 11pm and my kitchen is piled high with dirty dishes and the floor is covered with sprinkles and tiny muddy shoes and what not and I am headed back in there to clean it because I must make a beautiful home made apple pie. For the love of my life turns 30 tomorrow and I will not fail him in this simple pleasure I know I can deliver. But I absolutely cannot, will not, make a home made apple pie with an old family pie crust recipe and fresh crisp apples in a dirty kitchen. So first I clean!

December 6th

2011-12-06T11:54:00.001-08:00

Our Tree is naked! Oh My! Oh No! Lets dress is up and make it glow!

December 5th

2011-12-06T11:47:00.001-08:00

For the fifth of December we played a couple of family card games, read "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey" and Thadeus gave the boys their first taste of egg nog. They loved it!

December 4th

2011-12-04T13:17:00.001-08:00

I thought it would be fun to add a couple of Christmas movies to the collection, I'm not sure they agree.

December 3rd

2011-12-03T13:45:00.001-08:00

Paper snowflakes.............................

December 2nd

2011-12-03T13:41:00.001-08:00

We brought home a beautiful tree.........................

December 1st

2011-12-01T19:17:00.001-08:00

December 1st!! As children.........well I guess until we moved out, December first was a day to look forward to. I remember waking up to the record player and my parents singing Christmas songs as they marched into our bedroom to serve us breakfast in bed. Then we had a fun filled advent calender with something special for every day of the month. So finally I have started this tradition with my boys. The calender is nothing special or fancy by any means but it does the job!

The boys almost always beat me out of bed so I kind of knew I wouldn't be waking them up with a serenade. Instead we played Christmas music in the kitchen and made Santa cakes! The boys all had jobs to do as we made a batch of red pancake batter and a batch of green pancake batter. Then they each got to make their own pancakes and flip them! Of course we topped them with real maple syrup and snow (powdered sugar).

family marbles

2011-12-01T19:15:00.001-08:00

Family game of marbles.

burnt toast

2011-12-01T19:01:00.001-08:00

Fynneus was on a toast kick for a few days and was taking orders for toast with butter and or peanut butter and or strawberry jam. Mostly his brothers ordered toast and he was more than happy to make it for them. He began adjusting the time on the toaster and had his first burnt toast experience, he decided he needed gloves to get the burnt toast out of the toaster so naturally he grabbed his baseball gloves and naturally they were very dirty.

Remember

2011-11-25T06:14:00.001-08:00

This morning Fynn informed me that he "swept howwible wast night" when I asked him why he answered "because of the wemembowy foam".

2011-11-21T17:33:00.001-08:00

It was a Chinese take out kinda night and after we all stuffed ourselves there were exactly enough fortune cookies for each boy to have his own. Fynneus asked me to help him get his opened and then read his fortune. "Your perceptions are sharpened through careful observation." I read out loud to him and then was pondering the truth it held for this four year old person. He interrupted my thoughts with "shawpened? wike a knife? wike a shawp knife? wike I could cut somefing? wike I could cut wite fwoo this cookie? wike I could cut wite fwoo this table?" .................Lucky numbers , 22,18,36,38,47

Over Bloated

2011-11-20T09:34:00.001-08:00

Tucker rushed up to me this morning with his workbook in is hands and said proudly "finished!" I looked over his work and he he smiled and said "does this mean I'm done with school for the day? cause I'm really over-bloated with it." I giggled at him and said "no but you can go unload the dishwasher." He sort of laugh-squealed and said "ah I'm over-bloated with that too!"

Living Room Rodeo

2011-11-19T18:59:00.001-08:00

Tucker has been fascinated with bull riding since he was a toddler. Now he entertains his little brothers with the sport by volunteering to be the bull.

He does not take it easy on them though. In fact I am not sure anyone has ever made it 8 seconds on his back.

But they try, and try, and try, and try ....................................................

bits to share

2011-11-15T20:16:00.001-08:00

I keep a little notebook with me and realized yesterday that there are a couple of cute stories that I don't believe I have shared yet. And In my opinion they are definitely worth sharing.

Driving to the zoo today we took our exit off the interstate and headed through Memphis. Still about ten minutes from the zoo Fynneus woke from a cat nap and enthusiastically stated "yup! I smell elephant poop!" At that exact moment I got two nostrils full of exhaust from the city bus in front of us. A moment later Fynn asked "How big is elephant poop anyway?"

Fynneus~ "Mommy can I fossil my rock"

Fynneus~ "Mommy, Rollin thinks your nibbles are chi chi's!"

Tucker~ "niPPles"

Fynneus~ "That's what I said ni-pples"

Well I guess that is it for now. I thought there were more but I realized I had already posted a couple of them. Not much else new. I would like to do a school update soon, if I can find time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2011-11-15T18:13:00.001-08:00

I am having one of those days where I have to keep reminding myself to take a deep breath, and that some day these rambunctious, loud and lively little boys will grow up and move on and I will be sitting in a quiet house wondering where the time has gone. But for today I am having to remind myself to hold my tongue and take a deep breath.

Crooked Smile

2011-11-09T17:30:00.000-08:00

Rollin had a good bit of dental work done this morning and even though he was in some pain he still managed to laugh about his crooked smile.

Halloween

2011-11-01T18:26:00.000-07:00

Old Man Tuck

Dennis the Menace, Old Man Tuck, Little Red Riding Hood, Fynn the Boxing Champ

And Then The Wild Rumpus Began................

The rest really was kind of a blurr.

Candy for breakfast. Candy for snack. Candy for lunch. Candy, sweets and sugar. But the sweetest thing of all was what I found on the sofa when I woke the morning after a night of trick-or-treating!

This is Serious

2011-11-01T18:08:00.000-07:00

Baseball. Our Family loves baseball. We had seen a few of the world series games already as a family and Finally it was time for game 6. This year the Texas Rangers were playing against the St. Louis Cardinals and we were loosely rooting for the Rangers to win their first ever World Series Title, but mostly we just loved watching these amazing athletes. So when game six began Thadeus was at work but we all watched what we could in between the static and fuzz of the antennae acting up. There were some exciting plays and the boys were bouncing with excitement. Then we heard the door open and as Thadeus stepped in they all ran to greet him and Fynneus shouted "Daddy the Wold Serious is on!"

Fynn the Champ

2011-10-31T13:43:00.000-07:00

If you think he looks sore you oughtta see the other guy!

pumpkins

2011-10-31T13:36:00.000-07:00

I think our pumpkins were actually crossed with a sort of gourd. They were so tough we could hardly cut through them. But we managed at least to get the tops off and clean them out. They still don't have faces! We had a fire going so I decided to roast the seeds they tasted great but like the pumpkins were a little tough. The boys had a blast but of course they enjoy anything that involves sharp knives and slimy guts!

bite your tongue child!

2011-10-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

Today is Halloween and the wildness has begun and i will have many photos to share later but for now I want to write a story about Rollin before my memory fails me and it is lost forever.

I ordered by mail a mattress top for Tuckers old worn out bed and when it arrived we opened it and spread it out on my bed so it could breathe and what not. Fynn and Rollin were bouncing and giggling with excitement and clambering all over the new soft space. Rollin just could not seem to find enough words as he rolled around and finally he stood up. His eyes widened and he exclaimed "it is soooo soft the only way you could get hurt on here is if you bit your tongue!"

Big C Little C

2011-10-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

Today Fynn and I cuddled up on the sofa to look at alphabet flash cards. We went through a few letters. He would say "big S little s" then "big F little f" and then eventually we came to the "C" card. He looked at it for a moment and traced the curved letter with his tiny finger, then he said "big half an O, little half an o".

The Nina and The Pinta and The Douglas Family

2011-10-22T20:19:00.001-07:00

We visited these replica ships recently with some of our very best friends. You can see a more descriptive post here.

Tucker Sewing

2011-10-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

Can't Breathe

2011-10-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

I was in the kitchen with Tucker making dinner. I had some Venison veggi stew with wild rice simmering on the stove and and Tucker and I together were making naan, a stove top flat bread. Rollin came bouncing in to the kitchen and said "I can't breathe!" "Oh man, whats wrong Rolli? Is your nose stuffed up?" I asked. He was still bouncing around, smiling. He threw his head back and said "no it just smells so good in here I can't breathe!"

Family Shadow

2011-10-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

Fynn's New Joke

2011-10-15T21:24:00.000-07:00

F "Mommy what is the loudest bird"

L "hmmm, a woodpecker?"

F "Nope, a Frances pecker, I just made that up"

Please! Take me to the Game!!

2011-10-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

We were watching baseball last night together as a family and Fynneus began to sing his own version of "Take me out to the ball game." It was so adorable and I couldn't possibly recreate it here, but The best part was that at the beginning of the song he would shout "PLEASE!" and then carry on with "take me out to the ball game" and he also sang "one, two, three strikes and your outta there!"

Things a mother must say to her child when Bear Grylls is his hero.

2011-10-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

Things a mother must say to her child when Bear Grylls is his hero:

" I know he eats raw meat Honey, but we are going to cook ours"

"ummm I suppose it's okay dig two holes with an air tunnel between them and start a fire in one"

"Right now is NOT the best time to skin the mouse daddy caught in the mouse trap last night"

"Yep, I'm coming right now to help you start a fire with your flint"

"Alright, it is time to put away ALL the snare traps you have set in the living room"

"Hmm, Well I don't think Bear Grylls does birthday parties, but yes that would be really awesome if he came to yours"

"I'm sorry, I am cooking dinner right now and I cannot come hold the sticks while you use your belt to make a tepee"

"Did you really eat that bug?"

"please release your brother from that snare trap"

"ummm, yes I suppose Bear Grylls probably would eat a skink, IF he were trying to survive in the wild , but I really don't want you to try to eat that thing alive. Please take it back outside and let it go"

Heritage Festibul

2011-10-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

I took the boys to the Heritage Festival at the Ames Plantation today. Rollin and Fynn both called it a "Festibul" then they began to debate whether it was pronounced "festibul" or "vestibul". Whatever you want to call it, we had a great time! The boys were so excited that we got to ride a real school bus from the parking field to the festival. Shortly after arriving we heard cannon fire and of course that became top priority. A man walked by and the boys heard him mention the "Civil War area". Rollin bounced over to me and said "Mommy don'tchya think we should head to the Silver War area" I nodded and agreed with him then Fynn asked "Wheya do you think the silva wayuh (silverware) area is?"

Fynn and Tucker tried their hand at some woodworking.

The boys were in awe of the blacksmith.
I came through on the homemade ice cream that I promised them.

And got myself these lovelies.

Tucker milked a goat and we bought some raw goat milk!
we also got to watch some native american dancers.

so sweet, for a moment

2011-10-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

A real frog

2011-10-05T05:49:00.000-07:00

I was in the kitchen cooking purple hull peas to go with the venison steak Thadeus was grilling for dinner. I was a bit involved in stirring and seasoning and smelling, but all at once I heard a bang on the kitchen door followed by "Mommy, Mommy!" I spun around and saw Rollins sweet face poking through the big rip in the screen door. He was very excited and I could tell from his tone that he expected me to be excited too. Then I made out the words "a real frog, not a toad!" He pulled his face back and shoved his hands with a frog through the screen. I wiped my hands and rushed out to see.

It must be Autumn

2011-10-05T05:43:00.000-07:00

Seasons are changing, I'm sure of it because I have been drinking Twice as much hot tea and this sweet man keeps filling our house with guitar sounds. And of course the sweaters have all been pulled from the attic.

He Ties

2011-10-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

Hippopotamus

2011-10-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

We were at the zoo a few days ago standing in awe of the hippopotamus. The size alone is captivating but then to see the creatures eating and moving just 10 feet away was really amazing. We were the only humans within sight which also made for a special moment. Tucker watched the huge beast for a good bit then he raised his eyebrows and said to me "ya know when these guys get scared or threatened they start to poop, Then they start flicking their tail really hard and fast to fling the poop all around." First of course I pictured these massive creatures flinging their poop everywhere in a disgusting shower of feces, then I looked at Tucker in amazement. This is a small person with a huge interest for the habits and ways of the animal world. The information that he learns and retains is fantastic! We saw many other animals that day and He and I had a wonderful time informing each other of the interesting bits we knew about each of them.

2011-09-29T18:05:00.000-07:00

Breakfast, French Donuts and hot tea. Phonics and math. Reading, history. Co-op day, art, drawing, drill, composer and artist study, Monet, Mozart, lunch, pb&j, playtime, show and tell, poetry, soap carving, drill, nature study, library, bank, library, home, dinner, playtime, man vs wild, playtime, injured chicken, chicken first aid, bike ride, chicken check, trampoline, call to Mimi and Papa, bath, shower, story cuddle puddle, bed.

I'm too tired to write this all out in full sentences but this may give you a glimpse of our day.

yesterday: School and Zoo

tomorrow: Choir, Library, picnic and what ever else we can get into!

They Love things like................

2011-09-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

predator and prey
Climbing trees...............barefoot

and feeling free..........................

riding bikes...................
and wearing rubber boots............

and...........going really fast..................
and they love things like dead fish............
and slime..................
and of course dirt bikes and always, always campfires.

Half of a Collection

2011-09-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

We went on a hike this afternoon near a lake and as we ventured deeper into the woods Fynn began to find toads. Then we heard tornado sirens in the distance and thunder and lightening seemed to be getting closer so we headed back. I heard Fynneus say he had three toads so I turned around and saw that He and Thadeus were holding hands as they walked. I quickly looked for the other hand and sure enough he had a "three toad handful." Thadeus said that when Fynn had caught the third toad he ran to him saying "daddy look, I have three toads! That's half a collection!"

Apalachicola

2011-09-17T14:33:00.000-07:00

Black Swallowtail

2011-09-07T13:08:00.000-07:00

We found this beautiful creature as a caterpillar in our carrot garden and brought him to our class room to observe his magic. Today Tucker noticed the cocoon moving and we all got there in time to see him emerge. Then we watched as his wings spread and and his vivid colors were revealed. It was beautiful.

2011-09-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

The plants are done growing in the garden.................................................but there is still life there.

Force Field

2011-09-07T09:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I was in the kitchen with Thadeus clanking around in preparation for breakfast when I heard an argument coming from the living room. I quickly stepped in just in time to see Rollin shove Fynn across the room and fall to the ground. "You guys what is going on? Rollin why did you just shove Fynneus like that?' I asked. Rollin turned around and angrily replied "he just hit me with his sword!" My eyes were wide then and I looked at Fynn and asked "Fynneus why did you hit your brother with a sword?" He hopped up and threw his sword to the ground, still very agitated and said "betuz I said no foce fiuds (force fields) and Rollin said....................." Now Fynns eyes become really intense and he is mimicking what Rollin did earlier by taking a dominating stance and waving his arms in slow intense circles and then he whispers "Foce Fiud (force field)." I tried to give a motherly reminder that even if some one says "force field" we don't hit especially with swords. Then I explained to Fynn that he couldn't play with the sword right now and quickly returned to the kitchen and shut the doors behind me to share the story with Thadeus and laugh!

Strawberries

2011-09-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

"Um can we go to the store and get me some strawberries, fresh strawberries and a banjo?" ~Fynneus

Tuckers 8th Birthday

2011-08-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

These are Tuckers 8th "birthday shirt" pictures. He is an amazing boy and each year when I take his photo in his Poppa's old dress shirt I am reminded how precious these years are and how quickly he is growing in all aspects of his life.

Dog smell

2011-08-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

" Koda smells like rotten cows milk, or maybe dead opossum, oh or maybe it's just dog smell". ~ Tucker

Elvis Concert

2011-08-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

I just overheard Fynn singing in the bedroom so I stopped to listen for a moment I couldn't really follow what his song was about but Tucker interrupted and said "what I thought this was supposed to be Elvis singing? The tickets said Elvis Concert". Then they all giggled and Fynn kept right on singing his song.

sticks and slingshots

2011-08-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

I just stepped outside to check on the boys. They were running around with sticks and slingshots, "protecting" the chickens from "predators". I was headed back inside when I turned to ask them how happy they were on a scale of 1-10. Tucker and Rollin were both 8 and Fynn is 100! Love these boys!

Happy Rollin

2011-08-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

"I've only been happier one other time and it was when you got me that giant Ice cream cone." ~Rollin

Fynn's mind

2011-08-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

"My mind is telling me that I could catch an over hand throw with my glove" ~Fynneus

My Memories

2011-07-31T09:29:00.001-07:00

My memories as an old woman will not be of how tidy the living room was or how the kitchen floor shined on any particular day. I will not remember the condition of the beds, linens or clothes. I will not recall a sparkling bathroom. Nor will I remember these things undone. My memories will be the moments that filled in the time. Small voices, giggles, smiles and tears. I will remember the moments I spent face to face with my children, hand in hand and all around the kitchen table. I will remember the moments I paused and tried to freeze time with a sigh. I will remember moments where my only role was a distant onlooker of these little ones I love so much. My memories will be great, and I am making them now.

1980's

2011-07-29T11:11:00.001-07:00

Lots and lots of ruckus and squeals were coming from the boys room, which of course meant that it was bed time. Through all the chaos I heard Fynn shout "hey, hey you guys, what if i was bo-un in the nineteen eighties?" giggle giggle giggle "Hey what if I was, what if I was bo-un in the nineteen eighties?" more giggles. I was standing, humorously offended just out of sight so I stomped into their room shouting "HEY!" they all froze and looked at me wide eyed. "I'll have you know that I was born in the nineteen eighties!" I said in the most serious voice i could muster. Laughter erupted and a boy or two collapsed onto a bed. Then Fynneus asked "but what if I was bo-un in the nineteen eighties?" "well then" I said "you would be as old as me." He giggled, bounced and said "woaahh".

Tuckers best night

2011-07-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

The boys had been outside jumping on the trampoline and spraying each other with the garden hose. I was about to call them in for a snack before bed when they showed up at the door dripping wet. I wrapped them each in a towel as they peeled away their wet clothes. Then they sat happily and nakedly at the table eating bananas with chocolate hazelnut butter wrapped in a tortilla shell. Tucker said that he liked it better than cookies. Fynn liked it too but Rollin asked for a plain banana. I told them that when they were through eating it would be time to get ready for bed. I also said that I would have time to read to them tonight. Tuckers eyes widened and he smiled and said "this is my best night, like the best night I've ever had".

A trip to the mountains

2011-07-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

Professional Baseball Player

2011-07-22T17:58:00.000-07:00

I was on a hike recently with my mom and my boys. Everyone was moving much faster than Fynn so I stayed back with him as he took his time on the trail. He was walking along quietly in front of me with a walking stick he had found. "I want to be a real professional baseball player when I grow up" he said as he swung his stick. I smiled and thought for a moment, then asked "what do you think it takes to be a professional baseball player Fynn?" He immediately answered "well Rowin said you have to hit wots and wots of home runs." I smiled as the image of Rollin advising Fynn on the topic ran through my head. Then asked "what do you think it takes to be able to hit lots and lots of home runs?" He took more time then said "I don't know". I said "well one thing I know is that it takes lots of practice." Without missing a beat He asked "should I practice now?"

Right now 7/16/2011 5:40pm

2011-07-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

One of them is sharpening his rock.
One of them is arranging his cars in a row.
One of them has locked himself in the bathroom.

Canning Dill Pickle Relish

2011-07-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

bubbles

2011-07-06T09:15:00.000-07:00

Rollin Hood

2011-07-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

Our little Archer has lost his first tooth. But it didn't just fall out. He followed in his big brothers foot steps and shot it out of his mouth with a string and a bow and arrow. He took one practice shot. Then we attached the string and he made a nice clean shot and out cam the tooth. Unfortunately we lost it in the tall grass, but the tooth fairy did not seem to mind a bit!

Pip Sqeak

2011-07-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

We drove out to Pickwick Lake yesterday for the very first time. We had a lovely day filled with corn dogs and mustard, swimming in the lake, exploring and fishing. When it was time to head home we made one last stop at a restroom. As Thadeus walked inside the building I put the van into drive and started to turn around so we were heading the right direction but as I was doing this Rollin asked "are we leaving daddy here?" "No of course not" I said. "You mean we're not gonna leave him at pip squeak lake?"

dollars

2011-06-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

Fynneus to Thadeus: "We should go to da dowah stoa and get me wots and wots of dowahs."

baseball mom

2011-06-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

I had a very specific, very short list when I entered the store today with all three boys. Yet somehow we ended up in the toy section which was near the sporting goods section. Then I found myself holding a Rawlings baseball glove that had been marked down several times. Originally $30 now $7.49. So after refusing all the desires of my children I threw the glove in the basket for me. I justified my actions by telling myself that any use I get out of this new glove would be time spent playing ball with my three sons. From there we went to play in the water fountains and then the park and finally made our way back home and then after a late "breakfast for dinner" meal we all made it out to the back yard for a little game of catch. Except that Rollin refused to use a glove himself and wandered out towards Tucker and I swinging a metal bat wildly. Then I could hear, but not see Fynn whimpering from the porch. I called to him to come play with us and a moment later he ran to join us punching his empty ball glove with his fist. We got right to it. Tucker was in the outfield, Rollin at bat, Fynn played catcher and I was pitching. We were all having a good time until Fynneus became angry with me. He said that I had to wait for the signal. I agreed that I would, but told him that if i shook my head no that he had to give me another signal. He agreed and we played on. There are only two signals he uses. One finger pointing straight down at the ground or four fingers pointing strait down at the ground. I do not know what either signal actually means. Now picture if you will, sweet little four year old Fynn squatted down behind the batter. Now picture me, the mom/pitcher trying to be extra serious and mimic what I have seen "real" baseball players do. Fynn gives me one finger I shake my head no. He gives me four fingers. I shake my head no. He gives me one finger again, I agree and pitch to Tucker. Tucker misses and as Fynn tries to catch the ball he tumbles and rolls and lands in sort of a pretzel shape. Finally the ball gets back to me and we do it all over. At one point in this game I watched Tucker and realized he was having a hard time runing. I could see immediatley that his cowboy boots were the problem. Then actually laughed out loud as I analized each of my childrens baseball attire. Tucker was wearing cowboy boots jean shorts and a surfing t-shirt. Rollin and on red and navy striped swim shorts with leather hiking shoes. Fynn was wearing only a swim shirt. That's right no bottoms. Now if you will, back up a little and imagine him at that catcher postions all over again! I was fully clothed but admit I was wearing sandals. I am sure we were quite a site. We played until it was too dark to see the ball. I think it was $7.49 well spent.

lasso

2011-06-22T17:47:00.000-07:00

Rollin to Tucker: "hey when I do a hand stand you lasso my feet".

Bull Riding

2011-06-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

I was in the kitchen convincing my self that cleaning the kitchen was worthy of my time on this beautiful day when I realized the most wonderful bull riding event was taking place in the living room. I was determined to stay in the kitchen because I had set a timer for exactly 10 minutes and that was all the time I was willing to give to the endlessly messy room. But I decided to jot down the things I was still able to hear from there between the clanking dishes and running water.

"stay on stay on stay on"

"this is just the qualifying bull"

"I'm still on"

"who wants to ride a big bad bull"

"hang on"

"ready?"

"yep."

"I thought yo said you were ready"

"this is gonna be the hardest buck"

"hold on"

"I'm still on"

"still on still on still on"

"screams"

"you busted my lip"

"can I borrow your mouth guard?"

*In the end I could not stay away and I snapped a couple pictures. The kitchen is still a terrible mess.

Mouses

2011-06-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

Driving in the van today I caught this bit of dialogue coming from the back seats.

Fynn..................... and there were a bunch of mouses!

Tuck: Fynn can I correct you?

Fynn: what?

Tuck: Can I correct you? Mouse is the word if there is only one but if there are more than one than the word you want to use is mice, not mouses.

Fynn: okay.

Nasty Fall

2011-06-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

The boys are 4,6 and 7 right now. One of their favorite games to play is called "Nasty Fall". It is a game that they made up and they play it anywhere there are pillows and or blankets, some sort of cushioning, even the carpet will do and especially the trampoline. These are the boys explanations of the game:

Fynn: "Well you do a funny walk or somesing then............." he proceeds to flip himself into a headstand and fall over landing on the floor on his back and rolling his eyes in around in his head with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. He plays injured for a moment then all three boys erupt into laughter.

Rollin: " um fall down" he collapses onto the floor. I asked "was that a nasty fall?" "Well not really this is though" he runs and slides across the carpet and proceeds to flop like a fish out of water.

Tucker: " you run and then roll down, and just roll, like you just run and fall and roll or run and jump and fall. Any kind of nasty fall. Now do you wanna play?"

mothers day

2011-05-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

I said to Fynn "since it is mothers day can I kiss you whenever I want to as many times as I want to?" He smile and said "yes, and since it is mothers day I get to love on you as much as I can".

2011-05-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

Fynn: Did a cow jump over the moon the day you and daddy got married??
Liz: Yes!
Fynn: wooahh, that is a big jump for a cow.

his arms

2011-04-13T18:16:00.000-07:00

The sun was setting and I was being still and watching the chickens all head home for the night. Tucker joined me and began asking about the meadow voles that i had been telling him about. I told him that this was the time of day they like to come out and forage. So we sat quietly and watched as one came out of its home, then Rollin joined us and then Fynn. So there I sat enjoying a peaceful moment with nature and my sweet boys,.......................however the mosquitoes were out and trying to feast on me. Finally I said out loud "I wish I had my sweater" Fynn looked at my bare arms and leaned over and wrapped his arms around as far as they would go and said "this will warm you up". And it did.

In Real Life

2011-03-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

Fynneus was the last one at the table this evening finishing his dinner. Thadeus and I were nearby when he looked at us and raised his eyebrows and stated: "In real life I'm tall. Taller than both of you, Like a teenager."

Using Words

2011-02-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

We have had a couple of wonderful weeks complete with a nice break in the winter weather and some really wonderful company. Of course we had school and all the regular errands to run including doughnut delivery to the nursing home. Unfortunately all the excitement has ended presently with mild illness running its way through the household. Which of course makes for a serious case of the crankies, to which Fynn and Rollin seem to be most susceptible closely followed by me I fear. So tonight as I tucked the two little ones into bed Rollin continued to inform me of all the wrong doings of his little brother. Then as I turned to kiss and Hug Fynn he said "yeah and when you yell at us I just want to punch you". My first reaction was a chuckle, which I held back, but then I felt so sad to know that I evoked this feeling from my own sweet child. I apologized for my downfall and he replied ever so sweetly "but I do love you".

I spend a lot of my days trying to help the boys form words and sentences to go with their feeling and emotion as an alternative to reacting with physical contact or outburst and it is somewhat humbling when they get it right, as their honesty is no easier to swallow. But it is their reality and my place to accept that and help them through it when I am able.