Joshua Clay at Four Months Old

Dirty Little Secret

I was in the kitchen today and turned just in time to see John David chugging juice from the jug. As the jug was on his mouth he turned and saw me looking at him. He knew he was busted! He put the juice down and said, "Aw man! You finally found out my little secret!" He thought it was so funny and was really giggling as he told me he'd been doing it all week without getting caught. I might have thought it was a little more funny if he hadn't just had a contagious virus on Monday!

If You're Happy

Aulora's favorite song right now is "If You're Happy and You Know It". She LOVES when I sing that to her and she just dances and does all the motions. We were sitting in the living room tonight and, although she hardly even talks yet, she was laying on the floor singing it to herself. I wish my camera had been handy - it was too cute!

Important Things

After dinner tonight (ahem, a dinner of homemade chicken fried steak, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, rolls, and chocolate pie.....made by.....ME!) John, Matt, John David and one of the dogs went on a walk to check on the progress they're making on the golf course we live next to. They had been gone a while and Julia asked where they were. Gran told her where they had gone and then said, in a somewhat sarcastic tone, that she needed to learn the important things in life. Julia interrupted and said, "I already know all of the important things in life - houses, cars, and golf clubs!"

Oh, brother. I know I didn't teach her that! =)

What a Hottie

I was in the twilight zone last night. Julia didn't feel good after church - she didn't want anything to eat, didn't want pajamas, didn't want to make a mess anywhere, nothing. She just wanted to go to bed. When we got home, she went upstairs and put herself in bed and was asleep within moments. Wow. I should have known better though. Before I went to sleep myself, I went in to check on her and the other kids. She was burning up with a fever over 103. We finally got it down with some tylenol and cool cloths. She's better this morning, but sadly she's missing her last day of school. (Sad for her and for me! I was going to get a lot done today! hahaha) She's now entertaining Aulora by playing Dora games on the computer.

In other news, John David locked himself outside for a good while this morning. He went out to see the dogs on the deck and the door locked behind him. I still thought he was just down at the table playing with his toys since I couldn't hear him knocking while up in our room with the fan on taking care of Joshua. I finally heard the door bell ringing over and over. He'd gone around to the front after a while. Poor guy. Now he smells like dog and stinky outside smell. Maybe I'll put him back outside.......

A Moment of Horror

I was soooo tired today, so when it was time to feed Joshua and Aulora was still finishing her nap, I laid down on my bed. If you're a mom then you know how it's possible to half sleep and half watch your children. Granted, you're not doing either one of those things very well but whatever.

I was aware that Julia was in my bathroom and I woke up enough to tell her to get out of my make-up. She stopped so I was satisfied. The next time I woke up a little I looked over to see the toilet lid open. That can spell trouble so I immediately got up and went in the bathroom. Julia's pants and panties were on the floor, the potty is clogged, and there was no Julia. This is good news and bad news. The pants aren't wet and the potty is used so there's no mess for me to clean up somewhere. However, it's bad news that Julia is not around. That can mean a multitude of things, especially since she's probably naked from the waist down.

I set out to find her. I only got to the bedroom door when I see her coming across the balcony with a big black plunger in her hands. She was holding it down by the actual plunging part! EWWWWW! (This would be the moment of horror to which the title refers in case you weren't sure.) And then she put it between her naked legs and started galloping and saying yee-haw like she was riding on a horse. I almost passed out right then and there. Have you seen the new Indiana Jones movie yet? You know the part where they're scrubbing him down after the bomb? Or maybe you've seen Monsters Inc. where a child's sock is discovered on one of the monsters and it's sheer panic as the detox team rushes in?

Yeah.

You've Got a Friend in Me (Toy Story, Anyone?)

The other day John David made the mistake of finding me to tell me he was bored. When I was growing up, that was just something you did not want to do because Momma was going to find you something to do so you wouldn't be bored.

I'm pretty sure John David won't be telling me that anymore since he got to sweep all the floors. He wasn't too thrilled about it either. His grandma walked in and said, "John David, you're sweeping the floors - how nice!" He responded, "Well, it wasn't in my mind to do it so it's not pleasant!"

Tonight, as we were laying on a blanket at the park having dinner, he asked Daddy, "Why do movies always have to end with people kissing?" John answered, "Well, they always try to have happy endings." John David said, "I wish they wouldn't do that - it embarrasses me when I'm with my family." He went on to say that it's ok if he's with his friends though. We told him that was silly - we were the ones who sees him naked and all kinds of stuff. He shouldn't be embarrassed around us!

He is just getting so old! He's 7 1/2 so I'm used to the growing fast stuff, but this is new. This maturing and getting wise. Am I ready for this?!? I love how he's fun to be around and have conversations with. He really helps with the younger kids and is such a little man. A funny little man, I should say. He can really make me laugh. Who else swims with goggles in the bath tub? Who else drops their drawers all the way to the ground every time just to stand in front of the toilet to pee? Who walks around squeezing bellies and peeps saying, "Belly belly belly, peep peep!"? (You have to see that one.)

And do you know that he has learned to swim, ride a bike, snap, dribble a basketball, whistle, and say all 66 books of the Bible?

And do you know that I had my very first kiss when I was his age??? I sneaked into the manger prop at our church and kissed another little boy my age. I don't know why - he wasn't even cute. But that's not the point. The point is - I was John David's age!

Anyway, tonight, on that picnic blanket, I was happily envisioning many years of friendship and laughter between us and our children. It thrills me to know that just as my parents were people I enjoyed being around and had lots of fun with (and still do), our children will have that same experience with us. It's sad to think of how fast time is going by, but I really can't wait for all the fun times still to come. I love you, John David!!!

Excuse me, you're HOW old???

Last week Julia came into the kitchen with something black on her eyes. When we asked her what it was she kept covering her face up and saying, "Don't look! Don't look at me!" Obviously, I had to know what it was at that point so I pulled her hand away to discover mascara on her eye. What?!? She said she was just trying out my eye brush.

Then yesterday she kept holding the inside of her thighs and rubbing them as she walked around. I asked if she needed to go potty. No. I asked her if her legs were itchy. No. What's wrong with you???

"I just wanted to try your scraper."

"My what?"

"Your scraper!"

I looked at her legs and then it dawned on me. "You mean my razor???"

"Yeah!"

So now my four year old baby has razor cuts up both her legs. Scary! I should have known I needed to hide my razor from her!

All I know is she better not walk downstairs wearing a push-up bra.......

Field Day

John David had field day at school last Wednesday. I took the kids up to see him in action. I think he was quite pleased to have us there watching. Excuse his mismatched clothes in the pictures please - they made him change his plain white shirt to a red uniform shirt since it wasn't a spirit tee shirt. Oh well. =) It was a fun day.....

Stinky Breath

The kids are close by in the living room and I overheard this conversation that was making me laugh:

JD: Julia, get away from me! You have stinky breath!

Julia: How do you know I have stinky breath?

JD: Because I can feel it! Now get your head away!

Julia:But why do I have stinky breath?

JD: I don't know - you just do. Now get your stinky breath away!

Being silly in our jammies.....

Picking Strawberries

Last weekend we went to an orchard just outside of town to pick strawberries. It was such a great experience! It made me want to live on the farm and have a big garden. =) I think we all enjoyed ourselves, but Aulora had the most fun. She LOVED eating strawberries - leaves and all! Daddy was worried she was going to have quite the stomach ache but she did fine. Funny thing is, she never wanted to eat a strawberry before that day and she hasn't touched one since. I guess it was just a lot of fun to eat something off the ground! We also got to eat lots of pecans. Daddy sat under a shade tree with Joshua and shelled them for us and we would trade him good strawberries when we found them so everyone was happy. John David was multi-tasking since he was hunting both strawberries and a "weta beetle". I think that's what it's called. He saw a picture of one at school and has been obsessed. It's a beetle the size of your hand - so gross! I'm glad he only found strawberries. =)

We ate at Cracker Barrel after the orchard and that night we grilled chicken at home along with John's parents and made homemade strawberry ice cream. Soooo good!!!

Next month blackberries will be ready for picking. I wonder if I can talk anyone into taking me again.......

He's Done!

My boy's done with the first grade! He got all A's and was even commended for his high SAT scores in the award ceremony along with a few other kids in the school. He did not receive the conduct award (hahaha) but we'll try again next year for that one! He is super duper excited to now be a second grader. Second grade. SECOND. Oh my........

Julia's First Ballet Recital

Julia's first ballet recital was on Sunday, May 18th in the Wichita Theater downtown. Her teacher's name is Ms. April and she has lessons once a week on Tuesday evenings. She started her lessons the beginning of this year and she has really enjoyed it. I was a little worried that she would not want to perform at the last minute because of some things she had been saying, but she did great.

The video is of Julia's second song which I had a much better seat for and she was a lot more comfortable on. The first song was a bunny song and they all had on bunny ears - so cute! The sound system cut out in the middle of that song though so they all just stood there for a few moments not knowing what to do. It's a pretty old theater so I guess that shouldn't have been a big surprise.

My parents flew in from Colorado to go to the recital and John's mom left the house for the first time since her fall to go. This was a very special day! All the grandparents, Mimi (Julia's great grandma), Uncle Maka and Aunt Kara, Mommy, Daddy, John David, Aulora and Joshua were there. After the performance we all went to The Jalapeño Tree and ate dinner in the party room. It was a wonderful day!

Scary Night

I was nursing Joshua to sleep tonight and had the girls in their room watching a video to keep them occupied and quiet. Just as I got him to sleep, there was a horrible crash. I ran to their room and found Aulora under the chest and Julia under the big tv. I put Joshua on the floor and quickly tried to get them out. John's dad was there within a few more moments and he helped move the tv. It was VERY heavy. The girls were both crying so hard and I thought for sure they were going to be hurt badly. They both ended up with knots on their heads and Julia has a smashed nose and cheek too. Maybe a black eye or two also. We'll see in the morning. I'm so incredibly thankful that's all that happened though. They could have been killed! Angels were watching them, I know.

Apparently, Aulora was climbing on the drawers and that's what caused the crash. I never thought those wall anchors were necessary, but I bet you can guess what I'll be buying this week. Please, please, please make sure your kids are safe too. Don't wait for an accident to happen. =(

Afterwards, as I was holding both of them on the floor and rocking back and forth, Julia was still crying and kept saying to me, "You should have been there! You should have been watching us!" It was breaking my heart. I told her that I couldn't always be right beside her to watch over her and that was why I always ask Jesus to watch her and send angels to protect her too. I know there are going to be so many times in their sweet lives that I can't protect them the way I want to. How wonderful to know that even when Mommy or Daddy aren't there, Jesus is.

Oh yeah.....my cell phone story.....

I forgot to tell my amazing cell phone story! I just got my new phone and only had it a few days when it got left in my jean pocket and put in the washing machine. We have front loading machines so even though I realized what I had done before the cycle was over, I couldn't open the washer. I had to just stand there and watch it swirl around. =( Afterwards, I took it out and watched the water jiggle around in the screen. Double =(. I let it dry for a few days - it's so not fun to not have a cell phone when you're used to having it all the time. I finally plugged it in and do you know that it works??? Isn't that amazing? So now I have a working phone and it's clean and good smelling too!

What a great weekend.....

My parents left to go back home this afternoon. We had a great time! We were able to do so much in the short time they were here. There was McDonald's, swimming, tea at the tea room for the girls, donut breakfast, strawberry picking at the farm, playing outside, church, ballet recital, eating out and Chuck E. Cheese's! The kids are sleeping like rocks right now. =) I have tons of pictures and videos but I'm ready to go sleep like a rock myself.

John David only has 3 1/2 days of school left. That's just so crazy!!! I'm sure the summer will go by super fast and then he's going to be in the second grade. Wow. I remember soooo much about second grade. I hope he has really great memories one day like I do.

Just wait until you see pictures from the ballet recital. Oh my goodness. I know Julia is my daughter and all, but I'm telling you - she was adorably gorgeous. I will never forget that special day for the rest of my life.

I had a nursery meeting today at 5:00. I'm not in charge of the nursery here, but I'm one of the "team captains". There's a team captain for each week of the month. It felt kind of good to be back in the saddle for ministry things. It will be interesting to see how I can handle this though. It's usually all I can do to just be at church with all my kids, much less do something at church! And most days when I'm working, John will also be working in the preschool department so it's not like I can just dump the kids on him. I'm sure we can manage.

Sandy is doing better. She went to the specialist today and found out that her shoulder is broken into three parts. She doesn't have to have surgery though so that's good news. In a couple of months she should be back to mostly normal. In the meantime, she can't really drive or do much else with her right arm/hand. So again, this will be interesting.

A Big Fall

John's mom fell and broke her arm and shoulder too (I think) this evening. It was just me and the kids home with her and she landed flat on her back. It was a scary thing! I called John's dad and had him come home right away and he took her to the ER. She's home now until she can get in for surgery. Silly lady - all she could think about as she was laying on that floor was all the things she needed to get done. It's her right arm too. =( We're going to have some tough weeks ahead, I'm sure. Don't expect too much blogging!

BTW, while she was having her x-rays done, we were home eating steaks from the grill. Isn't that horrible sounding? But we couldn't be at the ER with the kids, I had already cooked dinner, and we needed to eat. I felt kind of bad though. Fast food would have felt more appropriate, don't you think?

Blog Sloth

No, I haven't been dog paddling in the depths of icky sick stuff all week. I haven't been on vacation. I haven't even had an incredibly busy few days. I've just been a blog sloth. Sorry. I apologize. Let me see if I can get out of my slump......

• Mother's Day was great. Went to church, had a nice lunch here at home that my sister-in-law and brother-in-law headed up, and then went to a Mom's night at church with the kids. We played games, made a craft, did a 3 legged race (although we actually had 4 legs because I raced with John David and Julia both), and bounced in the bounce house. What a sight. Pictures and video will be posted another day. My kids got me handmade cards and flowers and sooooo much love. It was super sweet. My husband got me a new perfume set. I like Mother's Day. =)
• John David has learned (finally) to ride his bike without training wheels! Again, videos will be posted later. [read: I'm not totally out of blog sloth mode yet.]
• Julia had her last ballet lesson before her recital this coming Sunday. For two lessons in a row they have allowed parents to come in the dance room to watch their performance. I seriously don't think I ever smiled as big as I did when I watched her that first week. I absolutely CAN NOT WAIT until Sunday afternoon! Especially now that she has her recital costume - it's just as girly as can be!
• My parents are flying in late tonight and get to stay a few days!
  
• David Cook needs to win AI. I LOVE that guy! He's been my favorite for awhile now. Sorry, David A.
• Remind me to tell you a funny story about my cell phone. (No, this is not slothful procrastinating. My baby is crying and needs me now.)

More later..........................

You Know What's Great About A Seven Year Old?

They can make it to the bathroom in time when they have to throw-up. At 6:00 in the morning, that's a super duper bonus.....