Look what the Easter Bunny brought!

Now....if only he would bring Ryans permit too!

T is for trouble times 3

You know that term your mom always used to say to you and you hated and swore you would never use it on your kids? The "if your friend jumped off the roof, would you do it too?". Or maybe it was a bridge. Or was it a cliff? Any high foundation I guess works. Well, yeah, anyway, THAT term.

Delaney is that said friend. And all her friends are her followers. I know you have heard me call her my 'cruise director'. But lately, her excited "hey let's do this!" comments are starting to mean trouble. It somehow is wrapped up in something they are not supposed to be doing and if it involves crayons, scissors, glue or a high foundation, I know I am in trouble.

It is bad enough when it is just Delaney. But when she has one, two or four other kids following her, that is usually a mix of trouble!

"Hey lets go play with moms glass breakables in the living room!"
"You lay there and I will jump off the sofa on you like a trampoline!"
"Wait! Let's plug up the bathroom sink and play in the water!"
"You aren't doing that right! You need to press harder on the crayon or it won't show on the wall!"
"I'll climb up the ladder on the roof 1st but you get to jump 1st"
"You jump on one foot, cross your eyes and pick your nose while I sit here and laugh!"

Ok, no. I am joking. She doesn't write on the wall anymore.

And I am not sure which I find more frustrating....Delaney as the ring leader, letting them to do things that she KNOWS none of them should be doing. Or the other 2-3 that follow her happily and KNOW they shouldn't be doing whatever she tells them to do. There have been times that I have to admit that the use of duct tape and chairs have crossed my mind! At least I would get about 10 min of peace before they unwrapped themselves and found something better to do with the duct tape!

Lately I find that I have a more annoying saying. "Delaney is NOT the boss. I am the boss and you should listen to ME. Not do what she tells you do when you clearly know it is wrong!".

I think they are probably inwardly rolling their eyes at me like I did with the whole jumping off the roof comment. Cause it is waaaaaaaaaaaay more fun and exciting playing human trampoline than doing the right thing, right?!

Well I never jumped off the roof. So I like to think that they won't either. But then.........sometimes I am not so sure!

Yeah....that's what I thought!

Palm Sunday

I'd like to say that I have been away cause I have been doing some exciting things. But, in truth, that isn't so. Just everyday things like a VBS meeting, a church meeting, bell choir practice, dr appointments, work, changing diapers, laundry, paying bills, etc is about as exciting as it has been getting. Gives one goose bumps from the thrill of it all I know!

Plus we are being guest chefs for a local Ronald McDonald house on Thur. and this has been taking some of my time too. This not only is a fun learning experience for us as a family but gets the kids out of school too which I am sure is probably the real reason they were totally ok with doing it.

So we have been trying to plan a meal for them and see if we can get any donations......in 5 days. Nothing like last minute! But this is up Todds alley. He does these fundraisers all the time and will probably be coming through, last minute, but coming through all the same.

Even though last minute things stress ME out, it looks to be a fun day all the same. I think it will be a nice learning experience for everyone. Even Delaney is coming to help. Actually thinking on it...this motley crew might make most worry. Todd (who does things last min), Me (who hates to cook), two teenagers and their friends (who would probably like to be anywhere but with US) and a 5 yr old. Maybe those staying at the house will think twice before tasting our ware!

And we just did our Easter Cantata at church. There is nothing that says Easter more than a full lot of kids in a choir singing with kitchen towels on their heads and waving their palms!

Come to think of it....WHY did I bother to torture my 5yr old and curl her hair only to throw a towel on top? Well, of course, just so I could get that ONE picture in the front yard! And have a fun story to tell when she goes on her 1st date!

"Oh you look so lovely in your prom dress! Reminds me of that time I curled your hair and then you went to church with a kitchen towel on your head! Wait! Let me go get the pictures!"

(turn down the music volume. Don't want to miss this talent!)

I somehow don't think Jesus got such excited palm waving and song as this! Can it be any cuter?

Spring cleaning

Now I know the real reason why people spring clean.

We like to think it is because the warm weather gives us a renewed energy. But the truth is, with spring comes day light savings. And longer days of light. And it is then we can truly see how horrible our house really is!

Those spilled drops down the side of the cabinet in the kitchen that sat there for 2 months unnoticed in the dark days of winter. The dirty walls where little hands touched. The dust behind the lamp that you forgot to get. The dust bunnies hiding under the dining room table.

The sun shines in the windows that haven't seen true sunlight in months and we go into shock!! It highlights all that has been hiding for a very long time.

We hit 70 degrees today and the guys have been outside working the yard. My intention was to join them. Help clean up. Supervise. Maybe start on the garden. But then the sunshine hit my kitchen and I noticed the dirty cooking range. Cleaned that and started outside. Then I noticed the microwave that looked like dinner exploded in it. Cleaned that. Cleaned the trashcan. Cleaned the bathroom. Cleaned.......yeah well you get the point. I haven't made it outside.

I think it will take many more 70 degree weekends before this house, inside and out, looks anything close to being livable again.

BUT here is some pics of all the fun we had.........

And I am off to....well....clean the computer desk I think!

Baking for the VBS meeting tomorrow

Lazy Cherokee~

Delaney and her friend, Morgan

Even Ryan's girlfriend, Rachel came to play

All tuckered out!

Here comes spring!

Here is some pics of Delaney and a few of my daycare kids starting the garden.....

Planting some SPRING!

Show us your shoes!

Well it happened. Delaney's feet exploded. I knew it was coming. But it seemed like overnight we went from a size 11 to no longer being able to fit in them.

And that posed a problem on Sunday morning as I have Delaney dressed for Church and am trying to shove on a shoe that obviously isn't going to go on her foot no matter how much I pushed and shoved and wished it so.

This process required some sweat. Maybe a little swearing. And then a mad dash to the closet to find something that would go with the one pair of shoes she had that would fit! Nothing like a little excitement in an already hectic morning!

Well we found some replacements last night. And Delaney was in her glory. She LOVES shoes! Set her free in a shoe store and she will have hers off and trying on every shoe within sight no matter the size.

But we replaced the dress shoes, picked up some sneakers and came home with a so important pair of rain boots. Cause life without a pair of rubber shoes for a 5 year old is not worthy! She wore them out of the store. She wore them on the rest of the errands. She wore them in the house. And if you know Delaney, that is a big statement in itself as she will walk barefoot mid winter!

She loved her new rubber boots. And she had even more fun walking and splashing in the water puddles from the most recent downpour.

Actually, as I watched her dance through a river of water in the parking lot, I might have been a tiny bit jealous!

Maybe I should get me a pair!

Spring is in my soul

Doesn't this song just make your toes tap?

The sun is shining. The weather warm. We have actually been hitting 60 this week. God is so good!

Today I plan on planting the beginnings of my garden! Ok Brenda and Doreen, close your shocked mouths! Flies will get in!

Yeah yeah....I know. I am not the local Mr. Green Jeans. I actually rather hate gardening. Actually I should change that. I don't 'hate" it. It just doesn't exactly bring me great pleasure! There! That is a better way to say it. And as you know I am totally a bug freak. Lets just say that I am sure I have given my neighbors a laugh or two over the last 7 years here when I spotted a worm or black creepy crawly in my planter!

But it is SPRING! And the sun is shining. And it is getting in my soul. I want to feel the warm sun on my skin and smell the fresh soil.......

And, in truth, I am fed up having to take out a loan to get produce at the local grocery store each week. And bad produce at that! And that really might be why I am doing it. Just saying.

So I am planting little sweet baby plants and saying a prayer that God guides my hands and gives them life cause I will need it. They will need it. I have NO clue what I am doing at all! But how hard can it be? Can't be much worse than paying $48.92 a week for bad tomatoes and a pound of grapes!

So here is my list of lovely soon to be produce..........
Small tomatoes
Big tomatoes
Lettuce
Peppers
Greanbeans
Cucumbers

And should I want to be really daring, watermelon and corn. We shall have to wait and see if I can get my brave on for those!

I can do this! Mother nature is calling to me to come forth and produce. I shall prevail!

I shall. I really shall!

................as long as there is no spiders or worms!

COOL!

This past weekend while Delaney and I were cuddling in bed together she announced it was time to get up because her tummy was talking and she was hungry. I layed my ear to her tummy and said that the only thing I heard was her heart saying "Ba-bump, ba-bump".

She looked at me in fascination and said she wanted to hear my heart. I told her where to listen and she placed her little head on my chest. After a few minutes she sat up, eyes wide in amazement, and said with excitement, "COOL!!!!!!!!!!! I can hear your heart! And it is on your BOOB!"

About time someone got excited about my boobs!

It is funny how such little things are amazing.

I find it amazing that I still have a basket of laundry in my family room. One might ask why that would be amazing to me.

Weeeeellllllllllllll, that said basket has been sitting in there since Friday of last week. I folded it in a hurry before running out the door that night. Sat. we had spent on errands so the basket sat here another day. Todd watched TV Friday and Sat, sitting right next to the basket and never saw it! So I decided I would wait and see how long it would take before someone noticed it and put it away. Or to lessen the bet, even dug in it to get out something needed!

That basket is on day 5.
Sadly sitting, untouched.

I am completely and totally amazed that I am the only one who can see it!

So much to do and so little time!

This weekend we did so much and basicly ran out of time. But it was the 1st nice weekend in months and people were all coming out of the woodwork. We were not to be outdone!

I would love to type something exciting and funny but really, it wan't much to cheer about. So here is the boring scoop. I'll try my best not to put you to sleep........

Sat, after swim class and drivers ed, we headed out to the Amish Market in Mullica Hill. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting but it was a nice outing. If you want to fight for a $5 1/2 homemade Amish pie with about 3 other people, then this is the place for you! Everything is homemade, expensive and the place was crowded. By noon there was not a pie or piece of bread to be found! Come early and bring your patience

We grabbed a light lunch there and some take home goodies and headed off grocery shopping.

Then we took Ryan out for his birthday. My boy is turning offically 17 on March 8th!
His choice was Applebees where we sang Happy Birthday as loud as we could! So Totally worth the embarrasement!
(this is a rare shot. Enjoy it while you can. It might not happen for another 17 years!)

(That is Megan hiding!)

Sunday morning, we cut down some dead trees with my BIL

The kids watched with fasination and yelled "BOOM!" everytime a limb or part of tree fell.

Then it was off to clean up the tree leftovers and some of us headed inside to clean house, pack away the snow boots and open some windows.

(Note the warm weather and yet still the little left over piles of snow!)

That is my girls in a santa hat, no coats or shoes!

The end of the fort! May we not see it again for another 12 months!

No snow? No problem. Make a bark man......

Wasn't that exciting???

NOW WAKE UP!

Bossy bossy bossy

So much exciting stuff happening!

Ok maybe not that exciting. Certainly not as exciting as a spider attack I am sure. I know that had you all on the edge of your seats!

On Tuesday, I signed Delaney up for soccer this week. I know that those close to me are thinking "Is she nuts?" cause I took her out of dance around the holidays because I needed a break and was doing way too much. And so was she. But Delaney is feeling cooped up. She is my outdoors baby and wants to run and be free. It is way too cold and muddy in the back to do so lately. Plus, in truth, she was kicking the daycare kids butts at indoor soccer this week.

I had set up a pop up net and they played with a soft Dora bouncy ball. The 3 and 4 yr year olds didn't stand a chance. She was dribbling left and right and around them in circles. So I spoke with her and she happily said YES! And I thought it would be good to get out and get some running done in the fresh air. So I did it. I signed her up. I will have to fill you in later on if I regret it!!

I have also been dealing with Miss Delaney being way too bossy lately. Maybe it is all the pent up energy. Or that she is evolving from my Cruise Director to my resident bully. She has not only been giving directions to the other kids but being forceful in doing so. I don't know too many cruise directors who yell at you to play bingo or else they will drag you over there to do it!! I have talked with her about it and how we play and talk nice to our friends but this child is not to be undone. She has stopped being loud in her 'directions'. Now she gives them the evil eye in silence. The spider stare down that says "You know what to do. Do it or else". Ah I love kids! Like not saying it outloud is ok and much better.

Lets hope she takes some of that bossy aggression and puts it on the soccer field. She gives the other kids that stare down and she will be one awesome soccer player!

May He RIP

Yes, I am sad to report that the spider did not survive the attack.
In fact, he was frozen where he stood and never was to move again.

Thank you Raid. You are my new best friend!

There's a spider in my underwear!

Man, that title can mean soooooooooo much!

I would like to say it is a joke. That I put it there to just catch your attention. But there really IS a spider in my underwear. Ok, the underwear part really was to catch your attention. He is actually in my red clothes hamper which hasn't included underwear in red for me in years. And that too can mean soooooooooooo much!

I was doing laundry and pulled out a towel and there he was. This big, black, jumping kind of spider just staring me down. Daring me to do something. He was huge! Ready to take me out if I moved. And I moved alright. More like screamed and jumped almost through the ceiling. Just in case you forgot a previous post about my fear of bugs, a spider in my laundry basket was not a good thing indeed.

I broke out in a sweat. My heart rate increased. My body began to tremble. And I froze and stared back at him. Afraid he might do something if I moved a body part. Not sure what he could do but I was thinking that jumping on me would probably be the death of me where I stood and I wasn't' going to give him any ideas. And I stood there debating on what direction I should take.

My 1st thought was to run fast and slam the door. But that left him alone and alive and free to come after me. He was a spider after all and could climb to anywhere in the house after me. And the thought of leaving him there to attack me when I had to open the door to do more laundry was not a pleasing thought. I would have to go back in there again cause eventually I would run out of underwear. He truly had me pinned up against a wall.

So there I stood trying to get my brave on. I opened the toilet lid, grabbed about 1/2 a box of tissues in both hands, took about 10 deep breaths while I stared him down, then went for it.....and missed. This resulted in another scream and jump and violent shake of my body. The tissue was not going to work.

I could reach in and pull the towels out and stomp on him. No. That would put my body too close to his and that is too risky in the jumping on me factor. Or, heaven forbid, climbing up my arm before I let the towel go!

So I ran to the pantry and grabbed an old bug spray left from the summer, thanked the Lord for making me get an extra can and ran back in and stared him down again. Yes, I sprayed the bug along with all my clothes in the basket. And I sprayed the basket. The side of the hamper. The towels again. Him through the hamper. Ok maybe I over did it but in that moment I still don't' think it was enough! When the smoke and fumes cleared I stood and waited. He didn't move. I kicked the side of the basket. He didn't move. I moved closer and blew on him and then slightly shook the side. He didn't move. I am thinking he was either playing dead and hoping I would go away or I accomplished my goal. I didn't stick around to find out. I sprayed one more time for good measure, turned on the fan and slammed the door.

I won't know until about noon when Ryan, my son, comes home and I tell him to go down and see if he lives. There is NO way I am taking any chances. I did as much as this old heart can take! The BOY can do the rest!

I would like to say he is gone. That he is just a bug and I am much bigger and introduced him to his maker. He gave a challenge and I took him down! But let this be a lesson that size does not always matter. And if he is in there still.....neither does clean underwear!