Happy New Year

I finally sat down and put the videos from Christmas Eve, Christmas (THE BIG SNOW) and M's Hockey Camp this week. Make sure you go to Older Posts because the good stuff like Hannah's letter is in there!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I think I need some Airsick Meds for this One

More video by H!

Ouch!

More of H learning to shoot video...and a really good "OUCH!" Praise God for helmets!

H shoots a Video

Hockey!

Hockey Camp

Of course, I didn't record when he was doing great...my lack of camera skill caught his not so fine moments...oh well, hopefully, one of my later videos or Hannah's or Greg's will show his skills in a more favorable light!

Man on a Mission

A White Christmas

The kids were so excited to have a White Christmas, an unusual sight in the Heart of Dixie :-)

Opening Gifts

Emptying the Stockings

Santa's Letter

I think the letter says it all...

M is Easily Amused

Yep, how to keep a 6 year old boy entertained...it doesn't take much.

Snowball Fight with Santa

Yep, this is the beginning of the snowball fight with Santa whre H was pelted by Santa with a snowball...I don't think I got it on video but I think the story will remain (her letter to Santa was a keeper!)

I decided the best thing to do was to sit H down and explain Santa is not real...I took her to the Quiet Room and asked her to shut the door...while closing the door, she looked at me and said "You better not be going to tell me that Santa isn't real." Well, there went that plan.

Skating Snowballs

This is where H spent most of her time...little did we know the next day we would have the real stuff in our own backyard!

Skate With Santa

The kids love ice skating so when the local Ice Complex had "Skate with Santa" on Christmas Eve, it seemed like the thing to do...Meet Santa, now there is a little story that goes with Santa...

One of the games during skate time was a snowball fight with Santa (the complex provided a mound of snow and the snow was a hit...literally, it seems Santa hit Hannah in the forehead and left a mark! When we asked what happened to her forehead and she replied Santa hit her in the head with a snowball, we couldn't help but laugh...which made her cry...the only way to get her to stop crying was a stop at the local ice cream stand...and that was "Skate with Santa.")

My Nutcracker

I collected Nutcrackers in college and for a few years after college, Santas in the 90s and now I like Snowmen (light blue and white are my favorite). Last year, while decorating the tree, M found my old Nutcrackers and wooden soldiers and he loved them. This year while at Sam's Club, I found a 6ft plus Nutcracker so I used my mad money and now we have a Nutcracker guarding our door. The Nutcracker needed to be put together and H modeled the mustache for me during Major Chestnut's assemblage.

Ringing of the Bells

Last year the kids and I rang bells for The Salvation Army and we did it again this year. H brought her own bells this time since last year, the bells were well...worthless, broken pitiful excuses of bells to ring for such a worthwhile organization. In addition, to the bells, she brought the box which had the tune for Jingle Bells (two bell were left at home by M) so this little video is H, ringing Jingle bells minus two bells and competing with sirens...Oh well, we tried :-)

Welcome to M and H's Christmas

I am uploading videos on the computer and listening to the two elves in the bathtub (in their swimsuits, it was Swim Team day) and they are singing Santa Claus is coming to town. M asks H why you can't cry when you get really really hurt...H is explaining the difference in cries. I am always entertained.

A little video of Sunday's decorating festivities accompanied by our friend's Christmas CD. (Oh, and M is convinced that St. Nick came and left candy in their shoes because he liked the way our house is decorated!)

M's Turn

He's a little slow getting in the water...not bad for his first competition! (We won't mention he was disqualified for not touching the wall with both hands...Dad was kind of upset, his reaction? "He's six!)

H takes on the Water

H and M look a lot alike once those goggles and swim caps go on...you can tell them apart in the water since H has pink goggles and M's are green!

First Swim Meet

How Quickly They Forget

In the excitement of Trick or Treating...how soon they forget to Stop, Look, and Listen. (Not good video but very it truly shows the draw of good candy, you kinda take your life in your hands when you're a kid...)

Silly Boys

Halloween

I can't believe 6 weeks has flown by since I last posted anything...I am going to add a few Halloween videos (now that the Christmas Season is upon us!)

M on Drugs

The other morning, a news show was doing a story on a lady in FL who hires her drug sniffing dog to parents to search for drugs in the children's rooms and/or car. The slant of the story was the morality of searching for the drug on your children/their room/the car they drive. I murmured to myself that if I think my kids are involved in drugs you better believe I am going to do everything possible to stop it. M's response, "Just offer me an ice cream sundae. I won't do drugs. I love ice cream sundaes."

Frustration

I had the funniest conversation with my favorite Little Guy in the world and I thought I would blog about it...I had no idea I was in for two hours of trying to figure out how to make Firefox an exception to the Firewall on my netbook and another significant amount of time trying to figure out how to clear my cache...just to access my stupid blog which I never had any problems accessing on my netbook before...I am not sure which is more frustrating, the updates to make your computer more friendly or my computer illiteracy.

Hockey

Hockey no. 1

What a difference a couple practice sessions make in skating, this is last week's Hockey Camp.

Ice Skating No. 3

Ice Skating no. 2

Bullseye

The kids wanted to go skating today. It is Fall Break and the Ice Complex is running a $5 special which includes rental, how could I say "No?"

I found my camera in my purse, decided to take a little video and well, you get to see my children, true to color.

Wrong Answer

The other day, M came in and announced he was spying on the girls and proceeded to tell me all the things he had stuffed in his backpack (camouflage, of course) he had binoculars, canteen, Storm Trooper mask...never mind, I'll add a picture.

M then asked me if I knew what he was..."A spy." I answered in a confidant tone. "No!!! An Army Guy." M turned around and left the room...over his shoulder he said "Mom, I just rolled my eyes at you."

At least he is honest. (Kinda missing that Army respect though...)

The Builder

Saturday morning, M declared he wanted to build an Indian house to help decorate our home for Autumn. He started bugging me at 6 a.m. to go to Hobby Lobby to get the supplies. We went in the afternoon and he knew exactly what he wanted (I had to help him write a list after he drew a sketch of what he wanted to build) So, here is the sketch and the final product. (He still wants to build the ladder from chopsticks but first I need to get some chopsticks...Chinese for dinner?)

Tea for Two

H asked for a Mommy and Cuddles day. (Cuddles being my new nickname for her since she just can't get enough hugs and kisses)

We went to the Tea Room at her request. She was in heaven being alone with me and not competing with her brother for attention. H ordered Spearmint tea but after tasting my Earl Gray, she has converted to Earl Gray. I spent all yesterday morning refilling her teacup with Earl Gray.

You will see her other favorite thing...chocolate cake.

Eternity

Saturday morning our neighbor's cat came over for his usual visit (i.e. begging for attention and food) my little people happily obliged our little friend. He was fed turkey, played with and after he left, the children commemorated his visit by drawing on my flagstone patio...with a Sharpie...and yes, it is permanent. My husband's scrubbing and the graffiti remover only succeeded in making the stone lighter in color and the black marker...didn't budge. The pictures are there for eternity.

H also drew the planes flying into the World Trade Center. I probably should not have turned on the news that morning.

(The picture of Tiger is our runaway cat, Tigger)

School Mornings

I just never know what is going to happen on a school morning, sometimes it is nothing but sweetness and others nothing but contention...This morning, I heard M call H the "a@@" word, so I summoned him to come downstairs so he could get soap in his mouth...when he entered the office, he was already rubbing the soap in his mouth and around his teeth. I couldn't help myself I just cracked up laughing.

Oh, and Mom, the other day when M came in and said H and her friend had called him that name...turns out he made it up because the girls said he didn't give a good foot massage.

M's Puzzle

M picked out this puzzle. I should have paid more attention...it was round...thank goodness for the engineer husband.

My Little Builder

A few pics of what Little M does with his Legos (and no help from anyone, not even his engineer father helps him with his creations.)

1st Day of School

School started last week so I grabbed my camera like a good mommy and started clicking...and the lens started fogging up...did I mention it was a miserable sauna and it was only 6:45 a.m.?

The kids were so excited about riding a bus this year, they were ready to go at 5:30 a.m. I had to set a timer so they would know when they could leave for the bus stop, I got so tired of them asking...usually, I had to set a timer so they would know they were running out of time to get ready for school and to get moving! (That will probably happen in a few weeks when the fun of the bus ride ends)

Out of the Mouths of Babes

It has been a busy week, school started yesterday and I thought I would have lots of time to catch up on email, go to the gym, you know..."Me time.:" Not so far, I realized yesterday at 2 p.m. while I was eating my lunch (late for me, I am an early lunch eater) that it was only one more hour until the kids would be home from school. How did that happen? Oh yeah, I made the mistake of walking into M's bedroom to put clothes away...I decided to tackle it. (And this is the cleanest of the 3 bedrooms of my Little Blessings) H is next...that may take a few days...and Roo? Well, I am just leaving the door shut.

I have pics and videos and all sorts of stuff to amuse you but that will have to wait until tomorrow....gotta get the tacos for dinner started and I still have to go through the backpacks, fill out forms for swim tryouts tomorrow, and get the kids into bed...

In the meantime, here is my Facebook status from the other day, I think it will give you an insight into the "know it allness of H and the inquisitiveness of M."

H: Come on Matthew, we're going to play at Emily's but you have to be quiet her mom just had plastic surgery.

M: What's plastic surgery?

H: It's when you get surgery and they put a piece of plastic in your body. (on Sunday)

Family's First Jigsaw

We picked this puzzle since it reminded us of our cousin who loves Hummingbirds...it was her love of jigsaws that inspired this family project...

We never did find the last piece :-)

Mr. M

One night last week, I was putting the Short People to bed and M starts confessing that his sister, the little girl across the street and himself rode their bikes outside the neighborhood...needless to say, his sister was not happy with him. Now one would think the next day Mr. M would be on the defense from the wrath of H...but, no....he was on the offense. She wasn't up five minutes before he was on top of her tackling. When I pulled him off, he told me he did it because he hadn't had his morning tickle (from me) Oh, so it is my fault he is wrestling his sister in the early morning hours??? Geesh, I hadn't even had a cup of tea yet.

Last night, right before drifting off to sleep, he announced he wasn't sticking his finger up any alligator's butt. Huh??? He informed me that is how you tell the sex of the alligator and he wasn't going to do it.

A few nights ago, he jumped on the couch (against house rules) and hurt his knee...he build himself a cane out of markers and I had to lift the cripple into bed. I received the sweetest "Thank you, Mama, for lifting me up." It was worth indulging his cripple status for that small remark.

Then there is the story, I really wanted to blog about so I wouldn't forget because it cracked me up...and I have already forgotten it. I just told it to his big sister, Roo, two nights ago and it is gone. These kids just chew up my brain cells and spit them out like watermelon seeds.

I will add a picture of his cane tomorrow.

Dick and Rick Hoyt

This is the background story for Dick and Ricky Hoyt. Our pastor used this story as part of his sermon yesterday...more on that later but this is just something to watch with a cup of tea...and a kleenex.

My Redeemer Lives

After having a horrible morning getting ready for church (I am absolutely certain Satan has a weekly appointment for my house on Sunday at 9 a.m.) the kids and me made it to church. Our pastor's sermon was on service, following Christ and being able to do all things through Christ...he showed a video on Dick and Rick Hoyt (I am posting two...I really like this one because I love the song all by itself and I how this song goes with the video...the other video provides the story of this father and son.

Yesterday, the video used was set to My Redeemer Lives (another favorite song of mine but I couldn't find it on youtube but I think yo will like this one) I digress like usual...while watching the father carry the son to the finish line, it reminded me of God, our father, carrying us and all of our infirmities...to the finish line.

Wild Strength-Mens Strength Camp 7/9

Greg's new training program...He likes it, it isn't quite my cup of tea :-)

Part 2 of THE FROG

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

I know I don't call you as often as I should so I thought I would fill you in on The Little Darlin's...

This past week:

M has hit H, H has bit M

H and M fed the neighbor's cat, Bubba, their dad's steak...Their dad thought he would take a shower before eating dinner...I decided to let them tell their dad what happened to his dinner.

M has a cold, I woke up last night dreaming that Donald Duck was in bed with me, it was M talking in his sleep.

H has decided she needs a cell phone because her 8 year old girlfriend has one...I said no and the combative teenager in an 8 year old body emerged.

I vacuumed behind the chair in my quiet room and discovered Hershey's kisses wrappers stuffed behind the bookcase and chocolate on the off white carpet.

I vacuumed behind the window treatments in the dining room and found an empty bag of Hershey's kisses and LOTS of wrappers...they got to explain to their older sister what happened to her stash of chocolate.

Have I mentioned my oldest turned 21? I took her out for her first LEGAL margarita and SHE had to drive me home...I had one and a few sips of a second WITH dinner and I was toast.

This morning, I considered selling your grandchildren on eBay but I decided to try the nap thing first, see above picture...however, they woke up and got into the new Windex cleaning kit I bought to do the outside windows...the kit is rendered useless now and my windows aren't clean.

Mom, your grandchildren are going to drive me to drink and I can't hold my liquor...

There is more but I am tired and well, I think I am going to wash my teacup and fill it with wine.

Love,

Your daughter.

My Little Froggy

M explains his Lego creations to his big sister (he has a cold so he sounds a little frog'ish)

Girl Talk Part 2

Just a little girl Talk

Sunday morning, a little lazy, fighting colds...just a little girl talk...

First Video

Short videos with my camera at the end of swim class for the Short People...I am not going to be able to call them short people for much longer considering how fast they are growing so I have to take advantage of it while I can!

No. 2 of our Busy Day

No. 3 of our Busy Day

Busy Day

The BIG 21 for Roo and swim class for Short People. I had to pick up a cake, get some balloons, scream at the children for soaking each other when they were supposed to wind up the hose they weren't supposed to be playing with...did I mention it was time to go get the cake and they were fully clothed??? They held a tea party using all the pool paraphanelia on the side of the garage where Husband parks and he was due home from his trip that night...Did I mention I yelled? A lot.

Happy Birthday!

And she is 21!

Out of the Mouth of M and H

A picture is worth a thousand words...


Last week, M, had me rolling on the floor with laughter...I should have wrote it all down before I forgot...my brain has already forgotten 80% of it.

On the subject of marriage:

"Mom, I'm not ever getting married...too much kissy! I'm just going to live with you so you can always see my cute butt!"

H was talking about the Cinderella play she saw with her class put on by a local high school and said the Prince kissed Cinderella and M said "It's illegal to kiss in high school!"

"I know why they named it Minnesota, because there is a big building filled with soda!!!"

Then there is today:

H: Mom, why do some baby brothers annoy their big sisters?
Me: Not some, ALL brothers annoy their sisters and all sisters annoy their sisters.
M: I don't get "noyed" I just get mad and get really red in the face.

Such is my life...my friends are taking cruises, having grandbabies, seeing Europe...I stay at home and laugh.

My Mini Stay-cay

The short people and I took a little trip to see my friend in Georgia. They went to Vacation Bible School this morning while I sat on the veranda and had a nice time reading my book. It was absolutely perfect...there was no humidity, the breeze was gently rustling the trees in the leaves, the birds were singing and the scent of gardenias perfumed the air. Perfection...I wish I could capture the serenity in a bottle and take it home with me. :-)

Walking on the Moon

Untitled from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

The kids learned what it was like to walk on the moon at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville.

I had turned the camera off and put it away when M started beaming and talking about how much fun it was...he is kind of like a crockpot, he takes awhile to warm up but when he does, he's hot!

Watch Your Step

Watch Your Step from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Going Home

Mr. Turtle Going Home. from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

The Little People returned this wayward stranger after I found it in the backyard...How did I find it? I stepped on it, the little guy is lucky to be alive.

Shoot Me

Pool 5/28 I from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

I was ordered by M to come record his jumps, this is the first video...the last one...You can see Miss H has joined the fun and is now going to take over (you'll also hear me trying hard not to correct her taking over, sigh...) It's going to be a long summer.

Let's Go

Pool 5/28 II from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Cannonball Run

Pool 5/28 III from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Ah...Summer

Pool 5/28 IV from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

New Card Trick

Untitled from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

M is very proud of his new card trick...which is basically fanning the cards. I don't have the heart to tell him, not real exciting...I guess it is tricky when your hands are as small as his.

I wasn't supposed to record until he told me to because he didn't like the frog in his throat (bad cold and very hoarse). I am a bad mom, I thought he sounded cute...I lied, I was recording.

Master Builder Part 2

Untitled from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

I cut him off before he could say goodbye, Sorry...I only have 60 seconds with my camera or I can't upload the video...

Creating Part 1

Untitled from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

M put this together after his bath last night. He is a master of creation. He is describing his masterpiece in these two videos.

Loved This Dance

My Favorite Dance from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

This was the opening number for my daughter's recital. I LOVED it. I had to record it for my mom because I remember she always loved tap dancing. I only had my camera so I had to shoot bits and pieces. Sorry, I wish you could see it all at once, in its entirety.

My Favorite Production (besides my daughter's)

USS Nashville from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

USS Nashville Part 2

USS Nashville Production from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

USS Nashville Part 3

Recital 3 from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

USS Nashville Part 4

Recital 2 from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Recital 1

Recital I from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

I broke the rules and recorded this during the recital because I missed recording it the night before (which was allowed) but not allowed during the recital...sigh, I got caught...

Dress Rehearsal

Dress Rehearsal from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

The tap dance was from the Nashville Children's Theater, The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. This was H's favorite dance it combined the songs Knock on Wood, Brick House, and this last one (not sure what it is). Unfortunately, my recording M caused me to miss recording H. :-( We will just have to wait for the DVD at the end of the summer.

M Killing Time

Untitled from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

M spent 6 hours at his sister's dress rehearsal. He chased other brothers of dancers, played on his leapster, hit the concession stand and my favorite is on the above video.

1st Pool Day 2010

Summer is Here

Pool Opens! from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

You know summer has arrived when the pool opens and the mermaid hits the water.

Yes, I Yell at my Children

For all those whom I have fooled into thinking I am a nice mother...my yelling moment is captured on video...I like to think it sounds so terrible because the camera is right next to my mouth which is yelling...it probably would sound just as bad if I were on the other side of the yard.

Yes, I Yell from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Saturday Morning

I was ordered outside to watch M skate...here are some moments from the great event.

M Skate from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

M 3 from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

M 4 from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Untitled from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Playtime

Playtime from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Scene of the Crime

I often wonder what my children do before I get up in the morning...I found out when the two hoodlums in training got their hands on my camera...they remind me of the stupid crooks that videotape their crimes...mine do the forbidden handstands in the family room, running in the house and going outside barefoot...I will probably keep adding to this post as evidence of their crimes are uncovered.

Little Criminals from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

M takes the Camera from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Releasing Butterflies

I bought H a Butterfly House for Christmas and it finally warmed up enough to send away for the caterpillars. They became butterflies last week (boy, did I forget how messy that process was and how squeamish I am). The bad weather finally moved out and it was time to release the butterflies. H was a very proud mommy and I remained squeamish of that messy house.

Releasing Butterflies from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Lunchtime

Untitled from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Bedtime

Untitled from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Dive/Jump

Untitled from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Swim Class

Untitled from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Grandparents' Day

My children's school hosted Grandparents' Day last Friday...a great idea, if you have grandparents around to take to school. I decided to just skip school for the kids since they were not doing anything and getting out at lunch. We hit the Botanical Gardens. It was a gorgeous day! The Gardens have treehouses this Spring and the kids loved them...well, almost, M did not like the "We're not in Kansas Anymore" treehouse...note the ruby red shoes...

Whoops!

Last week, it was the end of the day, I was tired, it was time for the kids to get ready for bed...instructions to hit the shower, brush teeth, etc. were given to my two Little People. I was in the office when I heard a BIG bang. I ran upstairs to see H running out of my room...funny, could have sworn she was supposed to be in the shower...I went to see what she was running from when I found my bed...broken. I think I went a little nuts, see notes...

M Takes the Stage

After his sister's graduation, M takes the stage. He cannot resist a stage, never could.

Untitled from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Lisa Tries to Take a Picture

My sweet friend thought she would capture the moment...unfortunately, the camera had been left on the video setting...no problem, she caught the jumprope action!

Easter 6 from Susan Bice on Vimeo.

Marley

Two Christmases ago, I told M to stay out of a box because there was an alligator in it. He was so disappointed when he didn't get his alligator. Roo made a trip to Ikea after Christmas and brought M his alligator (stuffed) and H a little dog home from her trip. The alligator was soon put under the bed and not thought about too much by M (to my surprise) but Marley and H...inseparable. Marley goes everywhere and H cannot sleep without her. I even sprained my ankle while looking for Marley on one of our weekend trips.

What I love most is that every morning when H gets up, she covers up Marley. That is my H, high strung but with the sweetest, most compassionate little soul.