Great day...

Lee was scheduled to have his picture made this morning with live bunnies in Union City. He was open to the idea until we were almost there. Then he told me he didn't want to hold the bunnies or have his picture made. I told him that we were almost there and he had no choice. He wasn't crying, but he was certain that he did not want to have his picture made. I did the only thing a good mother could do. I bribed him. He has been lugging around $10 in his wallet for a couple of months, so I told him he could use his money at Wal-Mart to buy anything he wanted. He was thrilled. We were the only clients at the studio, so he had a few minutes to warm up. Once Mrs. Katrina was ready, he was a pro. He smiled and posed and even held the bunnies!Even with 2 clothing changes and about 50 pictures taken, we were there about 15 minutes. That's how great he acted. I was SO thrilled and can't wait to see the proofs! The Wal-Mart in Martin is new and wonderful, so we stopped there on our way home. I was thrilled again when Lee didn't choose "junk" with his money. He had a hard time deciding between a Clifford Easter book and a Cars "Mack" truck. He settled on the truck and has played with it all day. Mrs. Katrina was asking Lee about his upcoming birthday and was teasing him about having a princess party. He was handling it and smiling at her for awhile. After a few minutes, he looked at me and said, "Mudder, tell her I'm having a Cars birthday." I don't know why he has started calling me "Mudder" but I love it.

I went to the Taste of Home Cooking Show tonight in Paris. It was loads of fun with some great friends. I didn't win any of the gazillion door prizes, but I did buy some homemade yeast bread that my friend, Ginny, made. Lee and I will be indulging in that for breakfast! I am already looking forward to next year.....and that fruit tart that I'm going to make soon.

My Little Redneck...

This morning Lee was in the living room watching TV, and I was in another room. Later when I came through, I noticed the TV was on a Nascar race. I thought Lee might have tried to change the channel and just got distracted and left it there. I turned it over to the Disney Channel and went on my way. When Lee saw what I did, he started screaming, "I was watching that! Don't change my channel! I don't want to watch cartoons." It was so funny. I had no idea that he chose to watch a race over his cartoons!

Frankly, my dear....

I was putting my makeup on in the bathroom when Lee came to visit. In an effort to keep him out of the makeup, I told him to brush his teeth. He jumped off the stool and took off. He said, "I can't brush my teeth. I have to run for now, my dear." He is so full of it!

TGIF

Friday started off yucky and rainy, so Subo and I tried to find something fun to do indoors with these 4 kiddos. I called the bowling alley and found out that they were open and were offering $1.50 bowling for the afternoon. We had a plan! My camera never takes good pictures there, so this was the only one I got. Katie bowled a 118, which is far better than I normally bowl. Alex bowled a 78, which is also very good. We had to call their mom when we left to report their scores. She was impressed too!

I went to put gas in my car after we bowled. I started the gas and thought of a funny story to tell the kids. I was going to step over the hose and open the back door to talk to them. Somehow, my shoe got entangled in the hose, and I fell flat on my face. It happened to be at the busiest time of day and at the busiest intersection in Paris. So I had quite an audience. As I was trying to get untangled and get up, all I could hear was hysterical laughing coming from inside my car. Of course when I opened the door, Katie said she was not laughing at me. Lee could hardly breathe, because he was laughing so hard. He kept telling K & A that his mommy fell down, like it was for their entertainment. Matt happened to be driving by at the same time, so he pulled in to say hi. He claims he didn't see the fall, but he certainly laughed when I told him about it. I fell on my knee, which I'm sure will be a nice shade of purple tomorrow, and I jammed my pinkie. I would be offended at all the laughing, but those of you who know me, know that I laugh uncontrollably when I see someone fall down. I can't help it. I guess what goes around comes around, huh?

Busy Day

The Coffields spent another fun day with us today. We spent the morning at home and decided to take advantage of the perfect weather by heading to the park after lunch.
Lee has been able to climb this for a long time now, but he has gotten really fast. I'm afraid this will lead to being careless, so I hovered every time he climbed it today. The climbing doesn't scare me as bad as the step that he has to take at the top to get to the platform. My stomach does a flip every time he does it.

Of course, it doesn't scare Lee one bit. Look at that smile!

We only had an hour at the park before it was time for Lee to get his hair cut. He had an appointment for next Thursday, but someone must have replaced his shampoo with Miracle-Grow! He was beginning to look like a Beatle with his long bangs. We also made plans to have his picture made next week, so that prompted me to get his hair cut sooner too. The kids were great at Mrs. Cindy's, so we went to Dairy Delight for a treat.

The only person who loves ice cream more than me is this kid!

Happiness!

Then a vote was taken on our next destination, and the park was the overwhelming choice! We were disappointed in the huge crowd that had gathered at the park since we left. The kids were being pushed and shoved too much, so we didn't stay long.

Lee has always loved to swing, but he has just recently become a pro. Once you get him started, he can get really high.

He was trying so hard to go as high as Alex. He had NO fear.

Of course, these 2 are daredevils anyway. I don't think anything scares them, which scares me!

This was the last picture taken before the haircut. The static just accentuates the need for a trim!

After the kids left, Lee was riding his bike while I walked. I heard him call for me, and as I turned back to look, he was running out in the back yard. He just came to a stop and sat there. I got to him and asked what was wrong. He said, "I wanted to stop my bike before I went in the yard, but I just got distracted."

Matt and I were having leftovers for supper, and I asked Lee what he wanted to eat. He said, "I want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut into 3 rectangles." I have to blame Aunt Subo for his weird shape requests. He was just fine with a plain old sandwich until one day when he had lunch with her, and she made his sandwich in the shape of a dinosaur. We got a dinosaur sandwich cutter for our house, and he loved it. Not long ago, she made him a sandwich in the shape of a heart, so that is what he started requesting at home. I'm not sure where the 3 rectangles came from, but he seemed satisfied with my creation tonight.

More Spring Break Fun

So far, Lee is a huge fan of spring break. He is going to be more upset than the kids who are actually in school next week when it's time to go back. The Coffields came to spend the day with us today while they are out of school, and Lee was thrilled. They are so sweet to him and indulge him in whatever he wants to play. Thankfully, it was a beautiful day, so they got to play outside for a long time.

I realize in just a few short days, these are going to be a major thorn in Matt's side, but right now, I just love them. They make me so happy when I look out at my yard and see these happy yellow "flowers." I don't know that I fully appreciated them before Lee came along. Now he thinks he must pick a handful every time we're outside. Today, we had the neatest conversation about them. He wanted to know how I planted so many of them, why weren't they there in the winter, why were they so short, and why were they in the yard instead of the flower beds, just to name a few. I love when he wants to "get to the bottom" of something. He is so serious, and you can just see those wheels turning in his head. He has so much fun picking them and trying so hard to get a stem long enough for a vase. (He did.)

This is the part that will cause Matt to cringe. Sorry, honey, but it was too cute to resist!

Does it get any better than this?

On to t-ball....look at this stance! This was completely unprompted and hilarious.

Now some sidewalk art...

Here is Katie's turn at the tee. She was so serious and a very hard hitter. I can't wait to see her in action when she starts playing softball next month.

Alex didn't care for t-ball. Who can blame him? He's a little leaguer! He spent his time hunting bees for the bug cage. He caught 2, without being stung!

I thought this picture was funny of all 3 kids doing something different.

Spring Break Sleepover

Spring Break really means nothing to Lee, except that his older cousins are out of school and ready to play! Nicholas wanted to have a sleepover at his Grandma's (AKA Lee's Great-Aunt Clara). Lee was more than willing to participate. Nicholas is 6, and Lee thinks he is wonderful. The weather could not have been better for 2 boys, with energy to burn.

They wanted to hunt Easter eggs, but since we didn't have eggs, we hid balls for them. They had the best time finding them. I think one is still missing.

Sam wanted in on the action too, but the boys just taunted him the entire time. The boys would complain about him bothering them, but as soon as he would leave, they would go pick at him until he was rowdy again. Here's proof!

Next was a soccer match. I was impressed with Lee's kick in this picture. Matt has visions of him being a linebacker one day, but I tell him that he can only be a kicker if he wants to play football. That way, the other players get penalized if they try to rough him up.

Time for a break!

Resting in a new location....

I thought this would be a neat picture, but neither boy wanted to "pose" for me the way I wanted them to. Lee told me he was "ready to get back to the fun." Gee thanks!

Nicholas was at least a better sport....for a minute!

Then he told me to take his picture on his stage while he played his guitar. He's a hoot!

Here are Nicholas and his Gramma. Nicholas gave Lee a detailed explanation on the word "Grandma." He said that it was "one of those tricky words, because it looks like you should pronounce the "d" but actually it is silent. That's why I call her Gramma." Lee was listening to every word, and after that lesson, he started saying Gramma. It is hilarious.

Nicholas found a double lucky rock and was so proud of it. Later, he said he lost it. We told him that he put it in his pocket, and he said, "NO! I put it on my belt loop!" We laughed and laughed but tried to find it. He had been running in the yard and driveway, so we knew the chances of finding it were slim. He was about to cry, when Aunt Clara convinced him that it must not have been so lucky after all. While looking for the original lucky rock, Nicholas found another one. He was tickled about it. About an hour later, he was playing in the driveway and found the original lucky rock. He was over the moon!

Lee was SO happy to be outside running and playing. So far, he is a huge fan of spring break!

After hours of running and playing as hard as 2 boys can, Aunt Clara tried to get them to settle down for bed.

SUCCESS!!!

Today, Uncle Roy's sitter came at 8, so Aunt Clara treated us to breakfast at McDonald's. The boys had the run of the place and had the best time. After a few errands, it was back home to play, play, play!

This is what happened moments after pulling out of the driveway headed to Paris. Spring Break takes a lot out of a little guy! Thanks to Aunt Clara and Uncle Roy for inviting us. We had the best time and can't wait to come again soon.

We love to party!

Remember that precious month-old baby that everyone was gaga over at our wedding? He turned 8 years old yesterday! How is that even possible? Hayes celebrated his birthday with us at Nam and Pa's on Sunday.

Here is the handsome birthday boy! I love how his cheeks are always rosy.

Paul and Lee got these cool monkeys for their party favors.

Hayes chose an army theme for his birthday cake.

After the longest wish ever, he finally blew out his candle.

Everyone had a great time, including this kid, who is always ready for a party!

Saturday with the Coles

Gracie had her last cheerleading competition in Nashville today, so Lee and I tagged along with the Coles to watch. We had so much fun!

Here is the 2nd place squad! Way to go Gracie!!

There was a Mardi Gras theme, so of course there were beads! Leave it to Lee to hang his on his ears. Aunt Shay made sure he only got "boy colors" so his daddy wouldn't be upset.

Here are 3 tired but still rowdy kids after the awards.

Brylie made a new friend when we got home.

One of my favorite things about Gracie is her ability to be so girly one second and a tomboy the next. I love that fierce swing all while wearing a skirt!

Lee abandoned the girls to swing.

Lee loves to help fold washcloths on laundry days, and he has actually gotten quite good at it. Tonight as he was getting ready for bed, I found his blankie folded neatly, hanging on a hanger, and hung on the table by his bed. Precious!

Even after such a fun day with Joe Joe, Aunt Shay, Gracie and Brylie, this was still the best part of my day....snuggling up with my 2 favorite guys for bedtime stories!

While the other cheerleaders were performing, Lee and Brylie put on a show of their own in the stands.

Funny Friday

While we were eating dinner, Buzz started barking and would not stop. I got up to investigate and saw the neighbors' new dog in our front yard. He has never been for a visit, so I think Buzz was trying to shoo him back to his own yard. Lee asked why Buzz was upset, and I said, "Jake is in our yard, and I don't think Buzz likes it." Without skipping a beat, Lee said, "His name is little Jake, Mommy!" He is a smaller breed of dog, which Lee is not used to, but I hate to break it to Lee that his family just calls him Jake. Buzz kept barking, and Lee couldn't stand the suspense any longer. He went to the open door and started talking to him. He ran back to the kitchen and told us that Jake wouldn't come to him. I told him that he isn't used to him yet and that was probably why he ran away. Lee then said, "Well, I was talking to him, and he smiled at me just a little." It was SO cute.

At bedtime, Lee asked me to "wub" his back. We were talking about our day when he remembered that he didn't get the promised tatoo after his bath. I told him that it was too late tonight, and he could choose one in the morning. He grabbed my arm, put it on his back and said, "You can keep wubbing while we discuss this!" Apparently I had stopped the wubbing, and he didn't like it.

Fun in Collierville

Lee's cousin, Wesley, is visiting my parents on his spring break. He lives in Texas, and we only get to see him a couple times a year. Lee thinks he is so fun! They played baseball for a long time, and then Wesley raked a huge pile of leaves for Lee to jump in. Mom decided to pull some weeds while they played, and then Lee wanted to "help."

I'm not sure this was her idea of helping.

He was having a blast though!

Then, something terrible happened. Mom found a huge worm and handed it to Lee. He was completely fascinated by it. I don't mind him holding worms, but it worries me about what he will find and want to hold in the future!

He was working so hard to rake his own pile of leaves.

Wesley was a good sport when Lee wrecked the leaves before he was finished.

Lee said he was making a leaf angel. He obviously didn't get to play in the snow this winter as much as he wanted. I told him there is always next year! We do not want winter back now!