Warning: lots of pictures ahead!

Whew! Great to go on vacation, but so good to be home! We spent spring break lounging on the beach in (mostly) sunny Ft. Walton FL. We met our friends B & T with their two boys at Waffle House for breakfast Sunday morning and headed out. Their oldest one got in the car with us then and stayed there all week! We drove to Mobile, AL and spent the night since we couldn't get in the condo until Monday. The next morning we got up and went to Bass Pro. The kids were thrilled. I think we could have stayed there and they would have been perfectly satisfied. They think just getting to stay in a hotel is a vacation :)

The weather was pretty nice. The days were warm, but the wind blew like crazy, and the nights were still cool. But it didn't bother the kids AT ALL.

The pool was heated so we still got to enjoy it.

Sister wanted to kiss little man or rock him every time he got close even though she looks almost afraid here!

We ate at a place called Peg Leg Petes & the kids got these lovely eye patches. Notice no pic of Speck? he was too big to put it on and let me snap one! (they ate alligator meat...tastes like chicken they said, I'll have to take their word on that one)

There seem to be more pics of sis than the boys. They wouldn't be still long enough unless I wanted their back side.

She loved the sand. Only ate it once or twice :) and tried a seashell I think.

The Lucky Snapper had its very own balloon making pirate. (& wonderful crablegs) Notice the t shirts? T and I went shopping with the little ones that day and left the dads in charge of the big boys. They decided they needed appetizers before dinner...wings @ hooters. When they texted the pic of them in the tees we decided maybe we had shopped long enough!

A friend of my moms lives in Destin. We have kept in touch but haven't seen her in 19 years. She owns a shop there, Beach Bums, so we looked her up and went to lunch. It was so much fun to see her. She hasn't changed a bit! She has a son I baby sat when he was Sisters age...how old does that make me?! he is graduating from college this year :( After lunch she took the kids in her shop and let them go to town. They made out like bandits. She doesn't have grandkids yet so she said she was just practicing. Hmmm...somehow things didn't quite fit as good coming home as they did leaving!

She told us about Fudpuckers in Destin. There is one in Ft. Walton too but this one was bigger. There was an alligator pond in the middle of the restaurant where you could feed them. The boys were in LOVE.

Speck's favorite gator, the albino named Pearl. SC & HG, definately worth a stop this summer if you're looking for a place to eat one night & keep kids entertained. And the food was good too.

She is still a momma's girl, but got a little more attached last week spending so much time with daddy.

like I said, their backsides...

she sat forever and dug up the sand & put it in a bucket & dumped it out. perfectly content.

chasing bubba down the beach.

he was only confined for a minute then he broke free ;)

he informed me that when he grows up and has his own money he is going to move there.

Our last night...on the way back to pack up. We actually ended up staying 2 extra days. Friday as we were eating lunch the weather was BEAUTIFUL and the kids did ask to stay but didn't really push it. So T and I did & hubbies relented and we were lucky enough to get reservations for 2 more nights. We were going to leave early Sunday am, as it had taken us 14 hours to get there but Sat after dinner (@10pm) we decided to go ahead and start home. So hubby drove while I slept and about 4am we stopped so he could sleep. We got home about 9 Sunday morning, only 11 hours that time. Luckily the kids slept most of they way and mom had missed them so she offered to let them come over while we slept. Thank goodness for grandmas.

We began our day yesterday at the dr office. Little man is still without a cast, but has moved on to a walking boot. Better because we can take it off to bathe & sleep but otherwise has to wear it. So, also bad. A 5 year old who knows it can come off and can do it himself. Lets just say I have caught him without it more than once and its only been 24 hours. Will be a long 4 weeks! Sister had her first major boo-boo yesterday. She was trying to walk and drink out of her sippy cup at the same time. She hit the wood floor face first with the cup still in her mouth. Ouch. Blood went everywhere. Her lip swelled immediately and I couldn't figure out if she still had teeth. It split her gums and busted her nose, I think it bled for an hour. I'm sure it was the first of many accidents but you forget how traumatizing it is. (more for me than her I think) After school we ran to Walmart then to get haircuts. As I was unloading the groceries she was emptying the pantry & found an open box of rice and dumped the entire box in the floor. Who knew that was so much fun?!

Sometimes I forget how very blessed I am with three wonderful children, my own health, and a terriffic husband. I get in a hurry and miss lots of little things. Or take for granted that tomorrow will be what I have planned. I have seen two friends experience a "change in plans" lately and my thoughts and prayers are with them today.

Splash!

Emptying the toilet paper roll and her wipes is lots of fun!
He found a mud puddle and jumped right in, cast and all.

Dad to the rescue.

Afraid dad would cut off his foot, and big brother wasn't helping ease the fear at all!

Good thing he had an appointment to get it off tomorrow anyway.

Thanks

To some pretty great friends for my "big guy". He had a great time at the baseball clinic, but I think just as much fun on the trip. Apparently there have been a few conversations amongst themselves over the last few weeks. He has struggled a bit with the "having everybody watch you" part of his decision. Last week in church he wanted so badly to walk up the isle to tell Bro. Ronnie but just couldn't bring himself to do it with everyone looking at him. I guess a few of the other boys have been guiding him and the fear has turned into desire. He can't wait to begin the new Christian class and has asked several times if he can start going to Sunday School every Sunday. (we ususlly just go for service) Anyway, he specifically named two of his baseball buddies and I just wanted to say a great big thank you to Mr. TG and Mr. CC for helping him with something a dumb old mom couldn't do!

Spring is here (at least it was)

Top Knot and I were doing laundry when I heard a knock at the door ...and a very sweet friend was holding these. I LOVE them! Thank you. We missed baseball & t ball last night because she woke up rather cranky and smeared bananas in her hair, after she was bathed & in her pjs. So she got a trip to the sink.

Quick, but fun trip up the mountain with a girlfriend yesterday to do a little summer shopping.
& think we're venturing back tomorrow (this time with all the kids in tow) as I bought a yellow jacket for little man, even though I knew better when brothers was blue, so he refuses to wear it.

And there were a few places we missed so might as well try it again ;)

just a preview

Took Top Knot to baseball practice last night. Just a preview for what I am in for this summer. Doesn't like her tennis shoes, wants to walk on the concrete (in the street would even be better) and doesn't want me to hold her hand. Going to be hard enough to have to watch 2 games. Good thing she's cute ;) Bought this new comforter last week at hubby's request. He detested our other one, it was a strange material that made "too much noise". He loves this one, its really thick and heavy. I wake up every night sweating. Think it would be easier to move him to the other room.

Can I?

Can a "thirty-something" mom of 3 get away with it? Hubby wants me to try it, (and lots of my girlfriends do and look SOOO cute) its just not me. He ordered these and they came today. We will see... Speck got his wires in yesterday. Ouch :(

Started upstairs to work on the playroom and decided against it. The picture really does not do it justice. Going to take some real "get go" on this one. See the little guy in front of the TV? Think I am going to change his name to Casanova. He told me yesterday he now has 2 girlfriends. And he bought them each a bracelet. Good thing they aren't too territorial at the ripe old age of 5. I'm sure this is just the beginning. I vividly remember his dad in college...and yes, I still married him so there is some hope ;)

Top Knot isn't too sure about the grass or her tennis shoes. Barefoot on the carpet is more her speed.

Ta-dah!

I got little man's closets cleaned out, quite frankly I was almost afraid to reach too far in for fear of what might grab me!! Also managed to get under both beds. I took a yard stick and swept away! Oh my you wouldn't believe it...socks, shoes, underwear, shirts, shorts, a flyswat (a very important tool to a little boy with an itchy cast) a sippy cup that I should have known better than to open :( trash, flashlights and the missing pillow. (SW, I knew you had the red one, this was one of the matching ones off of the "made" bed) it was SHOVED under the bed. I can't imagine how long it must have taken him. Much more than the seconds to put it on the bed as I am sure I had asked. Traded a bag of clothes in the attic for a carseat that is being borrowed and rearranged a few of the cabinets/drawers. Still more to come. This weekend's project...the playroom. For now, a good start and a car full of treasures on their way to find a new home! All the while, sissy is still sleeping and I have an hour left to shower before picking up little man.

Silly girls!!

Ok, so maybe I shouldn't have said anything about having my feelings hurt. Rest assured I doubt they even know this blog exists, much less do they read it, so no, it wasn't any of my dear sweet friends who would never utter anything than a positive word to begin with :)

Our dreaded Monday morning began at 4:45 am. Top Knot decided she was ready to get up. As much as I would have liked to go back to sleep she just did not agree. Then as she was in her high chair eating breakfast, around 5:30 (still a good hour before we were supposed to be up) she made a HUGE mess. A really gross one, I won't even get in to it...lets just say I had to change clothes, she had to have a bath and I was really tempted to just toss the chair and buy a new one. Great start to the week. Needless to say she fell asleep taking the boys to school so I am off to work. Started spring cleaning, ugh. Two closets down, one to go, plus under two beds and a few cabinets here and there. It started when I was in search of a pillow. Yes, a pillow. The ones you sleep on & leave on your bed. At least most people do. Well, not my boys. And it has disappeared. You wouldn't think there would be too many places you could lose a pillow, but apparently there is. It is still missing.

Speck goes back to the orthodontist today to start the next step in his mouth full of metal. And on the topic of teeth, I discovered little miss has a new molar. She thinks it is hilarious if you put your finger in her mouth to check it out. And as I was brushing little man's teeth this morning he was complaining about it hurting. But thats normal, he HATES brushing his teeth. So just to humor him I stopped to investigate a little further. Yep, two loose teeth. Bottom front. He is so excited. I am so sad. Yesterday he was devistated because he wasn't 6 yet. We had to count the days. Don't remember exactly but something like 174. Not soon enough for him & too soon for me.

I'm mad...I think

I got my feelings hurt, or maybe was just disappointed. Or overreacting. I'm positive it wasn't intentional but it is bothering me and I'm not sure what to say. Not the confrontational kind. Anyway...

Romance is in the air! My 5 year old informed me, in his very matter of fact tone, that it means "to date" and he wants to romance Little Miss "M" :) Well, we told her mom (sorry HG, I know he's trouble) but I said he had to ask her dad too. He kind of got a funny look on his face, like I didn't know what I was talking about. Imagine that. Later he asked if a certain store had rings. At first I couldn't figure out what he meant but then he said, "M" wants me to buy her a ring. I laughed & said I didn't think they had any to fit her. "Well, then do they at least have a necklace? She won't be my date if I don't buy her something pretty." OH MY GOODNESS. What am I going to do with him?!

SO happy to hear little E is going to play T-ball and SO sad they aren't all going to get to play together.

Ok, so last night I needed to return something at the mall. Hubby says, come to town after school and we'll eat dinner and all go. Hmmm, shopping with 3 kids AND a husband? Not to bad until he decided he wanted to shop too. Let me tell ya, when it hits him, he can go with the best of them. Someone just forgot to tell him you don't do that with three kids, one of whom is a little girl who hasn't had a nap. She sat in the stroller for a bit but eventually wanted out. And she has the walking thing down pat. There wasn't any carrying her or even holding her hand, she wanted to do it all by herself thank you very much. Funny thing was if something caught her eye she would do a 180 and the 10 steps of progress we made were going in the wrong direction ;)

Speck and I got to spend a little uninterrupted time together last night. He read to me, we talked, he asked questions and was so excited. (TH, you were right) I almost feel guilty for not wanting to "push" it. I think thats what he needed. In fact, he fell asleep reading, not just a book, The Book. I started to take a picture, but then I decided, nope, this one is just for me.

Where oh where have you gone?

She finally gave it up after she didn't get what she wanted :)

My sweet, laid back, darling daughter is getting to be quite the little toot. She has learned to throw fits and have temper tantrums when she doesn't get her way. What?! She is only 14 months old (yes, as of tomorrow, ALREADY 14 months) Not sure if its being the third child, with two big brothers that she follows like a puppy and watches every move, or just the fact that shes a girl. None the less, she can arch her back, throw things and scream with the best of them. Don't get me wrong she is still sweet and loving but she is definately trying to muscle her way to the front of the line.

This & That

This lovely, snoring, farting, drooling creature has taken up permanent residence on our couch. This is Zoey. Speck's shadow. She normally stays in a kennel in the garage when we are gone but somehow has made her way into the house and onto my couch. Fortunately this is pretty much what her day consists of. Come on summer! Found this cute little yellow polka dot bikini for Top Knot. The boys said she was too fat to wear it, but the protruding belly and dimples in her legs are just too cute!

Ever let a 5 year old fix his own breakfast? Well, I got the Eggo out but let him add the "fixins". This was a brand new bottle of syrup, and all of what is gone went on 1 waffle.

He made me tear up on the way home from school. He says, " Hey mom, we learned a new song at school today. It goes like this. We know our numbers, 123. We know our letters, ABC. So long preschool its been fun. Kindergarten here we come"! Not like I didn't know it was coming but it made my heart hurt. I AM NOT READY for this. Not to mention sister doesn't crawl anymore. She is officially a walker. Isn't there a pause button somewhere?!

Where to go from here...

Top Knot decided to get up at 5 am. This was after she had been up at 11 & 2 & the writer had made his way into our bed because of a bad dream. Instead of rocking her back to sleep, like I so desperately wanted to, we stayed up and played and talked and ate. She dozed as we got home from taking the boys to school so I could get ready for a PTO meeting and lunch with a couple of girlfriends. This made for a much happier little girl. However, she threw everything on the floor and hollered "UH -HO" the whole time we were at the meeting. And lunch was pretty much the same way. But I still enjoyed the girl time. SW & TH, we missed you! I think we all decided we aren't ready for the boys to be as big as they are, and definately not ready to answer a few of the questions they are thinking about asking :) I am trying to figure out how to get Speck back in church without a fight. Last year he loved the Wed. night kids activities. In fact he got an award for perfect attendance. This year I can't get him to go. Sunday mornings have been the same way. He will go with us to "big" church but I wish he would go with his friends. On the way home from school I asked him if he would be interested in trying Wed night again with B & T. He asked a few questions & we talked about being saved & getting Baptized & how it had to be his decision. I guess he has learned a little more than I gave him credit for. He informed me that he gave his heart to Jesus a long time ago when he asked Him to be the boss of his life. I guess he told me :) & little man must have been spying on the conversation because as I sit here I can hear him singing "Joy, Joy, Joy down deep in my heart..." (although I think he is making up a few words as he goes along) They make my heart smile.

The strangest thing

By 9 am Friday morning Speck was fine. By noon he had eaten lunch, taken a shower and was fighting with his brother. Knock on wood, no one else has been sick. I had a short moment when I was afraid I might be next but it passed quickly and so far so good! Uneventful start to another week. Only 3 more til Spring Break then school will be out before you know it. Can't wait!