A Simple "I'm Sorry" Would Have Been Sufficient

Jack is going through a "hitting" phase. He'll hit anything or anybody (especially me) when he doesn't want to do something. It's very humbling to be smacked by a two-year-old.

I'm trying to nip the behavior in the bud before it gets out of hand. It's been a challenge so far. But I'm perservering.

Take last night for example.

I was in the process of putting him to bed. He needed his bees (blankets), which were in the den. So I let him leave his room and told him to come right back. He usually is pretty good at this. But last night he decided he would dilly-dally around. I went to look for him and he was sitting right NEXT to the bees, smiling at me. What a charmer.

I calmly walked over, picked him up and headed for his room. UNTIL. I felt a bare-handed, two-year-old, slap across my neck and chest. It stung so bad, I almost screamed.

Immediately, he went to his no-no corner. I left him there for a few minutes. Then I went back to "discuss the behavior" (as much as possible with a two-year-old) and for sorry's and hugs.

I turned the corner and he quickly pulled his finger out of his nose. He said, "Here you go, mommy" and held his finger up the air. After I looked closer, I saw that he was giving me a booger.

Thanks, Jack. A slap and a booger. Just what I always wanted.

this is why i voted 10 times

I watched American Idol on Tuesday, as I always do. Then I proceeded to sit there and hit redial over and over and over. I got through 10 times.

Can I tell you how much I love Kris Allen? From the very beginning, I thought there was something different about him. (Plus, he's from the South and I have a tendency to cheer for my fellow Southerners.)

And then today, I read this post on Kelly's Korner and watched a You Tube video of Kris leading in worship at his home church in Conway, AR!! This makes me like him even more!

If you don't click to read the post yourself (but I hope you do!), let me tell you the best part...

Apparently, Kris told his mom that "he needed one more week because he was witnessing to Adam and needed a little more time with him." I have chills.

I truly believe this: Almost 100 million votes were cast in this finale and Kris turned up the winner, because our sovereign God saw fit to bless HIS child in an abundant way.

Now I feel like it's my honor to begin praying for him, his new wife, their marriage and their witness. What an opportunity they have! My prayer is that they will be strengthened as a result of this recognition. And also, that the seed that Kris Allen planted in the heart of Adam Lambert won't be wasted. Won't you pray for these lives, too?

I fell asleep last night before the report came on, but on Bill O'Reilly last night, he was reporting on American Idol in his Culture Wars segment. I'll see if I can find the link to this story, as I think it relates to the "WHY" on Kris Allen's win on American Idol.

God's at work here. Don't you feel it?

the pinata

Wes and I had such fun making this pinata for Jordan Ann's party. But I think the kids had more fun trying to break it. The instructions we were following told us to use 4-5 layers of newspaper. We were tired after three. Imagine how hard it would have been with all 5 layers!

We ended up having to cut into the bottom so the bigger boys could finally break into it. Out poured the goodies. I think everyone ended up taking home something fun from the pinata.

I know you can buy these at party stores everywhere, but if you need one for your own party, try making one. It was really easy and although it probably would have been something JA would enjoy, we worked on it at night after she was in bed already. Each morning when she woke up, she was excited to see how the pinata had transformed overnight. Maybe next year she can get her hands dirty and help with it.

Crazy for Cupcakes

It's official. She's four. The Cupcake party that she asked for the day after she turned three and that I've been thinking about ever since was so much fun!

We had cupcakes, cupcakes and more cupcakes on Saturday morning. With our friends over to play, we had the best time celebrating Jordan Ann's birthday.

I made the cupcake cake using the best pan from Williams-Sonoma. Those adorable cupcake bites came from the Bakerella website. (Unbelievable, that lady.)

The most fun, though, was the pinata. I'll post pictures of that tomorrow.

Thank you, friends, for coming. And if you weren't here, we missed you! We'll do it again next year. :)

So Long. I'll Miss You.

Playschool. Today's the last day. And I'm so sad.

For two reasons.

One: it's over and there's no playschool during the summer. And because there's no playschool during the summer, I have no organized activity for my children yet. I suppose I should get creative, right? I will. Hopefully.

Two: it's over for Jordan Ann forever. Next year, she'll go to real PREschool. She's already appealing to my sentimental side and told me the other day that she didn't want to go to preschool but wanted to "just stay at home with you." She had real, live tears in her eyes. So, in less than 2 seconds, I had tears in my eyes, too. I'm such a sap.

The fall will be an adjustment for everyone. Admittedly, I will struggle the most, I'm sure.

But we're not thinking about that just quite yet.

Instead, I'm taking them to school for parties and playtime and I'm coming home to finish the last details for her party.

And I'll probably cry at some point today as I prepare to celebrate that my pink little burrito baby is turning FOUR tomorrow. Why has it gone so fast? When did I blink?

Jordan Ann at three years old. Today's the last day. And I'm so sad.

Smocking, Paper-Mache and a Turtle

We're getting ready for a cupcake party around here! Starting with the outfit. Because everyone knows you need a new dress for a party. But due to the fact that it's almost 90 degrees outside and we're having an outside party, my original plan of JA wearing the pink dress I smocked was a little unrealistic.

So out came plan B. Last Friday, I decided to start smocking a cupcake outfit for the occasion. I've been at it nonstop. (You can ask my husband and laundry basket!!)

I finished it just a few minutes ago. I can't tell you the sense of accomplishment when I took the smocking threads out, saw the finished product and tried it on JA. It's just what I wanted.

Onto the next project. Wes is even helping on this one. We're making a cupcake pinata. (I realize that right now, it looks like E.T. But eventually, it's going to resemble a cupcake.)

Not sure what the birthday girl is going to think about this one, but at least we'll have some little boys at the party to smash it. If that doesn't work, I've given Wes permission to get out his golf clubs.

Last but not least, this little guy heard we were planning a party. I don't think he's a welcome guest at all. (Yes, that's the ENTRY to my garage.)

Today

I woke up annoyed this morning. That's really the only word to describe it. Just annoyed. And I can tell you this because I've already confessed this to my Father, been forgiven, and moved on. So, moving on...

We were up and at 'em early this morning. Jack had a stinky diaper with a black cloud following him, so he got changed and dressed earlier than usual. When JA realized that Jack was already dressed, she decided to get dressed herself. By herself. Like picking-out-her-own-outfit by herself.

She skipped down the hall wearing perfectly acceptable pink tshirt. Good. Then she chose shorts that were cute. Except they were cute a year ago. This year, they are a tad too little. For some reason, she wasn't buying it. She HAD to wear these shorts. So, pick your battles, mommy. "Fine, wear them. And I'll try not to laugh as I bounce the quarter off your booty, they're so tight," I thought.

I told her she could wear pink sandals or her white sandals. She said, "Nah, I think I'll wear my tennis shoes and socks." Ah, yes. Of course.

We headed out to the gym. (Lord knows I wasn't taking her anywhere else in that gettup!) Halfway there, I realized I WASN'T EVEN GOING THE SPEED LIMIT! It was 40 and I was hardly going 30. What's the deal? I was still annoyed, but this is strange, even for me.

We go in and get to the childcare area. JA pretended to be sad I was leaving. (This is a new phase for her and I'm ready for it to be over.) Jack took off and didn't look back. A friend of mine was there already and so she and I talked and walked. I was glad we had two treadmills together. Makes exercising much easier.

I even told her I was annoyed today. She's such a sweet friend, she just listened. And told me a funny story about her little girl getting dressed in a cute smocked dress. She said, "I look just like Jordan Ann." Not today, you don't!!!

So, we finished up at the gym. When I went to pick up the kids, they were happy and having fun. Love it!

As we headed out the car, I held Jack and JA held my hand skipping the whole way. As we went, we sang. All three of us, as loud as we could.

1, 2. I love you.
3, 4. Let's count some more.
5, 6. Get your kicks.
7, 8. Counting is great.
9, 10. Numbers are our friends. Let's count them all again.

And you know what? I wasn't annoyed anymore. Instead, I was refreshed and ready to be a fun mommy again.

Finished Projects

I mentioned a while back that I was learning to smock. Oh, I have just loved every second of it. The class I took was for geometric smocking only, but I have since figured out picture smocking, too. Both of them are so completely addicting, it's unreal. I've loved it.

Here are a few pictures of my first two dresses. Not only do I love them, but so does Jordan Ann. She's requested a white one next. I'll just have to see about that!

Over the weekend, I was shopping in a quaint children's shop in Birmingham. Wes patiently waited outside, so I could browse without sighs and watch-checking. (You know what I'm talking about.) I stumbled upon a dress that took my breath away. It was white with ivory and light blue smocking on it. But then as I was drooling over it, I realized it was the EXACT same smocking pattern that I had just finished on that pink dress. I immediately turned to the price tag. $82. My dress was not. (I was very quick to inform Wes how much $$$ I'm saving him by learning to smock.)

My next project? Learning to construct these dresses, so that I can make them from start to finish. If only I had more than 24 hours in one day. Or else didn't need sleep.

Happy May Day

I love May. Perhaps because as a child, it was the end of school and the beginning of summer. Or maybe because it's the "prettiest sounding" month of the year.

Both my children were due in May. Although, Jack decided he would prefer April and came 2 1/2 weeks early. Jordan Ann gave us a false alarm on Mother's Day, only to have the nurses send us home in the middle of the night (rolling their eyes in the process, I'm sure.). Then she hung in there snug as a bug until she was induced 4 days early. She's always had a mind of her own, that sweet girl.

So today's May Day and I'm happy. I just love May.

I want to make one of these and secretly deliver it to your door this afternoon. Since I can't, please accept my May Basket with so much love.