HuMbLe SoUp

** Update - book found, it was at school!

Ever had some? I am currently swimming in it. Let me explain. As my previous post stated, my 6 year old is just now learning to tie her shoes, basically lack of mom or dad teaching her. I just checked her folder from school. Guess what? I got this note.

Dear Parents,

Please help your child find their library book this weekend. Thank you! Mrs. Hennigan

Library book? You mean now we, I , lost a library book! (This also used to annoy me, I must have been a cranky teacher!) It is called, Sam the Sea Cow. The funny thing is, I kept seeing that book and it was in her backpack forever but I think Christmas celebrations messed up their library time so I am not 100% convinced that she did not turn it in. Of course, she says that she did. Another funny thing, I own that book, I used it teaching. We have another copy...where is it? Can't find it either! I know we have a lot of people around here but I run a pretty tight ship, it is not an unorganized disaster, usually just an organized disaster!

When we searched everywhere looking for it, I told Faith the librarian may not let her check out books again. Well, that just upset her so as I sipped my soup, I gently told her I would talk to Mrs. Hennigan on Monday morning and if we did indeed lose it, we will just pay for it. She said, "What if we do not have enough money?" I assured her we did. (Thank God it was a paperback!)

Anyway, I told her not to worry about it - we would take care of it. I do not think I ever lost a library book but I have gained pride. Wooh - I am a pill or was or can still be. (very verby-incorrect grammar but i don't care) I used to be annoyed at parents who could not help their children keep up with books, homework or whatever; I am sure I judged them. When I taught in the inner-city, I usually did not get upset about that kind of stuff. I expected it there but I don't remember them ever checking out books, kinda sad too.

If I went back to teaching, I would definitely be a better or different teacher, maybe with more grace. I only taught Kdg & 1st grade (a bit of GT 2nd) but we sure did expect a lot. I consider myself an organized, involved parent but I still mess up. I am sure BISD is glad I am at home... the feeling is mutual. Right now, I enjoy teaching at Power Castle, think I should begin a lesson w/a pop quiz and issue tardies to outreach? Nah...I bet Jesus didn't. Off to drink more hUmBle SoUp.

** Maybe if you visited me recently, you saw this book - let me know!

This week in conversation

Cl: Will, today I am 4! That means I am so big mommy has to buy me all new clothes and shoes!
W: munmundedemunude..mama?
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Cl (on phone ): I am 4 today! I am big! SO big! Soon, I will be 5!

F: Did all these people call me on my b-day?

Me: Yes, Faith.

F: Oh, I can't remember, my b-day was busy. I had a soccer game and broke my finger? It was a drama day (she is sooooo mine.)

After Claire hangs up the phone, Faith tells her she will be 7 on her next b-day.

Cl: I know Faith and Mommy & I will cry for days & days b/c you will be sooo big!

_____

F: Mommy, I have a question? (I am thinking, imagine that?!?!?)

Me: Yes, faith, what is your ?
F: When you taught school were your kids bad?
Me: (I am thinking - YES!) I don't like to call them "bad", sometimes they made they wrong choices. But I do not always make the best choices either. You just have to grow up and learn.
F: You sound like Mrs. Brocato! She is always talking about choices. I make good choices except when I get jealous.
Me: Why are you jealous at school?
F: I don't like it when it is some one's b-day and they get the b-day hat & special prizes.
Me: Faith! You got all of that & first, you have an early b-day.
F: I know but I was just telling you my wrong choice, it does not make me bad!
Me: No, you are not bad but we must rejoice with other people, Jesus made them and we are glad it is their b-day. It is hard, but you will learn.
F: You are jealous of that lady around the corner where we cross on our bikes to see the ponies.
Me: What lady? I do not know what you are talking about? What am I jealous about?
F: You know they lady with the house on the corner, you say you looooove that house. You want it, I can tell. Remember her tree was so pretty at Christmas and she still has it up?
Me: Well, I am not getting it so let's just drop this conversation. (She is too smart. I really had to think, I am afraid I have commented on several houses...Not to mention, my tree would be down if I lived there! :)
_____
Craig was feeding Will one morning. He kept throwing food. Craig sternly said, "No Will!"
Will cried.
Cl: Daddy, he is just a baby!!!!! Bless his heart...
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Claire & Will playing rough, chasing each other. Claire rolled on top of Will, he cried.
Cr: Claire, be careful with your brother, he is just a baby!
Cl: Daddy - that is what I say!
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Me (after Bible Study): Claire, I worked in the children's dept. today with the 2's & 3's. What did you learn about?
Cl: Jesus, just Jesus, He died on the cross and rose again.
Me: Really? Well, we talked about the man who Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. Did you talk about the word Sabbath?
Cl: No
Me: Oh, well we learned that some angry men (Pharisees) did not like Jesus to do that b/c it was the Sabbath, like Sunday. But this man had a withered, crumpled hand and Jesus healed him b/c he needed help no matter what day it was.
Cl: It WAS not "withvered", it was BROKEN. And, Jesus touched it and it was straight!
Me: Oh, so you did study that?
Cl: A little and the day is called Sunday not "savvath."
_____
Cr: Faith, would you like to bless our food?
F: Yes, Thank you God for today and this food. You are a good and I love you.
Let's sing "God, our Maker" Claire. God, our maker, God, our maker, once again, once again, we bow our heads & thank you, we bow our heads & thank you, amen, amen.
Cl: My turn!
Cr: (patiently waiting with hand on fork in hand)
Cl: God, our maker, God, our maker, once again, once again, we ask you for your blessing, we ask you for your blessing, all the men, all the men.
_____
Me: What did you learn at dance today Claire?
Cl: We don't learn about Jesus at dance Mama!
Me: I did not ask about Jesus, I just wandered what you learned?
Cl: We don't learn we just dance!
_____
Me: Hi Faith, how was your day angel?
F: Fine, we learned about January and a New Year.
Me: Really? What about it?
F: We made resalations.
Me: You mean a resolution?
F: Yes, like what are you going to do new, you can always do something better.
Me: Really, what did you choose as your New Year's Resolution?
F: I am going to learn to tie my shoes in 2008!!!!!
Me: Oh, that is great! (Feeling like a total failure - 6 year olds who could not tie their shoes drove me crazy! Conviction or condemnation set in. I wonder if those parents had 3 kids in 5 years! Probably.) I am proud of you Faith. we will work on it everyday, I promise.
F: It's ok, when Claire gets to Kindergarten, she will know how b/c I can teach her the summer before. And, that is why we have Velcro. (More guilt... However, Craig has worked on the 1st step with her for 2 nights, she is doing great.)

Peppermint Patties vs. Hersheys

The patty & the milk choc almond...both my faves. Today on an excursion to Hobby Lobby, I decided to grab one or the other at the checkout line. I chose the Hershey but out of curiosity, I flipped over the bar to see the fat grams. 14! I thought, this must be a mistake...are they insane? I looked at the patty, 2.5 g! It has more sugar & carbs of course.

The Hershey website is very appealing and informative. Want to guess which I bought?

* * *HAPPY 4th BiRTHDAY CLAiRE ELiSE* * *

My little girl is 4 years old! I cannot believe it & she is so precious - strong willed but precious! She rocked my world when she was born but I am so glad - she is such a blessing and as sweet as she can be. She loves her family (especially her siblings & cousins), playing dolls of all shapes & sizes, making friends and cuddling with her mommy & daddy (every night she manages to come in our bed around 4:00 am and yes, I "babywise" trained her but they left her out of the book!) I am so proud of her, she is enjoying school this year and ballet. Her teachers think she is a doll and loves learning as well as running the class. She is not afraid to speak her mind and is most likely a leader in the making.

Isn't her cake adorable? I know, I know, it looks just like the ones your mother made for you, or was that my mother? Yes, it looks just like my 4th b-day cake (minus the doll). It is so yummy & I decided if we are eating it, it is going to taste like a Texas sheet cake! I had 3 recipes: my mom's & paternal grandmother, Craig's paternal grandmother & Paula Deen. I chose Paula Deen, her directions were simpler but the ingred. were all the same.

For Claire's party in a few weeks, I will have a cake that does not embarrass her or me? How do people get these out of the pan as a sheet? I have a lot to learn...:)

p.s. in my post title, i did learn to copy adrienne's eye-catching font - what are sister's for?

Where the chips may fall

or cars really. As I picked up this afternoon, I laughed where they all "landed." Bless my darlin' boy.

under coffee table

dining room near couch
kitchen
den (this is my fave rug in den - not old shag carpet!)
bathroom
My closet!

Perfection

Faith got this game for Christmas. Sure, it looks easy but it can be challenging to an almost 4 year old, 6 year old, 35 year old & mini king kong plowing through it. The kong wants to eat the pieces & the girls want to WIN!!! Craig is working late so we have enjoyed game night and it has kept me out of the red & green peanut M&M's I got on sale at the store today. As I came to blog this post, I see they have moved on to Candyland & the kong is searching for gingerbread to eat. Gotta go!

He likes it

Will got this pony from Ma & Pa. It scared him the first time, I think he was just tired & fussy. He keeps walking around the house in circles & stops by his horse every few laps for a ride.
I think he looks a lot like his Uncle Chris in this first pic.
He even found the button to make the neigh noises...boys & their toys! This would make Papa proud, the cowboy grandpa, as Faith calls him.