Happy Halloween

Our Halloween started off a little rocky.  Our original plans did not quite work out as we thought they would and it appeared Sophie wasn't going to have anyone to trick or treat with.   Even her beloved big brother abandoned her for "teenager fun" (scary movies at a friends house).    We ended up going out to my friend Jill's house and had an amazing time.  Jill's kids, Sarah and John,  love Sophie and she loves them.  Sarah carried her all around the neighborhood and took her to each house.  It was even more fun because Sarah was dressed as Elphaba, the bad witch from Wicked and since Sophie was also a witch, they got lots of oohs and ahhs at each house.

Witchy Poo and Pumpkin Carving

Yesterday I spent the afternoon putting the finishing touches on Sophie's Halloween costume.  She is going to be in her words, "little witchy poo".  I think it turned out really cute and can't wait to see her in it.  I always loved making Madison's costumes and am thrilled I have a reason to do it again.  Last night we carved a pumpkin.  Sophie helped me scoop all the "goo" out while Madison and Wes played Xbox.  We picked the easiest pattern I could find and began carving.  We have two pumpkins but after I got the first done, my knife broke and I coudln't find anything else to carve it so he has a top that comes off but no reason to put a candle in him because he has no face.  Poor pumpkin.

Sick kids and sibling rivalry

Because Madison was an only child for so long I never had the experience of several children being sick at one time.  My friends, who have multiple children, always seem to have more than one child sick at the same time or they worry that the others will catch it ,which they inevitably do.   It's just funny to me that I am now living through these same issues after waiting so long for another child.   Sophie and Madison are both sick.  She went to the Doctor on Monday, he on Tuesday.  They are both on Claritin and Augmentin.  She the liquid versions, he the pill. (Buying two types gets expensive!)   The other thing that I now deal with is sibling rivalry.  I truly thought that because of their age difference I would not have this. I was wrong.  One minute they are fighting because she is touching his stuff or because he is teasing her.  She will grab the paper he is writing for school and take off running with it.  He will tell on her.  He takes her dolls and holds it out of her reach, she tells on him.  And just like other brothers and sisters, they love each other.  He thinks she is the prettiest little girl in the world and she screams his name and runs to him when she sees his car pull in the driveway, then straight into his arms.  There was a time when I thought these experiences would never be a part of my life.  Now, I thank God every day for the blessing of sick kids and sibling rivalry.

Did You Twist Your Ankle?

Camden and I decided to take a walk after supper last night.  It was a typical scenario for us; Camden pushing the stroller, he has to be in charge of anything that's considered a"moving" vehicle,  me doing all the talking and walking about a step behind him.  It was dark outside and the leaves are now covering the sidewalks making them hard to see.  I stepped off the side of the sidewalk, twisted my ankle and fell full force on my arm and side.  My husband, in true Camden fashion, turns, stares at me for about 15 seconds and says, "did you twist your ankle?"  Not, "Oh my gosh honey, are you okay?" or  "Are you hurt, can I help you up?"


 Now for  his side of the story, " I just noticed the endless talking had suddenly stopped and I wondered what happened?"

Daddy Did It

This weekend I headed out of town for my semi annual retreat with ladies I have scrapbooked with for 12 + years.  My friend Denise, Jill and Holly are so much fun to be around.  It's great to have friends where you can truly be yourself and laugh and laugh and laugh.  As a mom you always worry a little when you go away.  Are the kids going to get all their needs met?  Is everyone going to be okay without me?  Well I am happy to say they are and were thanks to Daddy.  When I came home, Dad had taken the kids to church.   I found out while I was gone Sophie had started running a fever and was coughing.  What did Daddy do?  He called my aunt Sherry, who is nurse, found out how much Tylenol and Benadryl to give her.  He sat with her in the coffee shop at church and held Sophie instead of putting her in the nursery and called her Pediatrian to get her an appointment.    What he didn't do was call me and tell me anything about it.  Why?  Because he knew I would worry and would feel I needed to come home.  He was right.   Even though I mostly take care of these issues, when he needed to, he stepped up to the "parenting plate" and took care of business.  I am very proud of him.  He is such a good daddy and husband.  Sophie told me after I got home, "mommy no go away".  It made me feel good and I was glad I was missed even though Camden did such a good job.

Mother's Day Out

My friend Suzannah told me about a wonderful Mother's Day Out program at Shively Baptist Church.  I had been hoping to find one and start Sophie in it at some point.  I put Sophie on the waiting list thinking that maybe after Christmas she would get in.  They called less than a week later and told me they would make room for her.  I was excited but also nervous for Sophie.  She has never stayed with anyone but Daddy, Mamoo Bobby, or Madison.  She goes to the church nursery but that's only an hour.  This would be 5 hours!  I decided to go for it.  I have been noticing how much she is growing up and with it the desire to be around other kids.

I took her to observe last week and we started this morning.  She was so excited to pack her Hello Kitty lunch box and put her beloved "Blue Gheesh" & Pink Minky Dot blanket in her backpack.  She really thought she was something.  If  anyone said anything to her she would immediately turn and show off her back pack.

I had a good feeling about it and when I picked her up, Miss Stephanie, told me she did fabulous and even took a nap on her little cot.  Daddy & I were so happy for her and it was nice to have 5 hours to do some errands and have some time to myself for the first time in 20 months.

Skinny jeans and Bubble gum

I was a "football widow" yesterday so I decided to take Madison and Sophie out to eat and then do some shopping.  Both of my children were thrilled with their purchases.   Madison - a pair of "skinny" jeans.  Sophie - Bubble gum from the vending machine.   Two things so different yet just as important to each kid.

First Post

I've wanted to do a blog for awhile now and actually opened the account several months ago. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how to set it up so I did what every self respecting girl would do, I called my best friend and talked her into doing one with me. Just like every best friend would do, she gladly accepted the challenge and we stayed on the phone together for over an hour while children climbed all over us, screamed at their siblings, protested going to bed and asked us 50 questions a piece. Some how we got it done, the blog, the kids, everything and I'm really excited to be here.