It's My Party and I Can Cry if I Want To!

I believe I have used that title before...yep, here, with a little red someone...

At this party, it was our little beastette.

I don't know what it is about birthdays in this house that seem to bring on the tears.

Thankfully, the entire day was not composed of tears. Emmeline decided a morning nap was not in order (with a little decision-making assistance from noisy brothers). Our plans were to picnic at the park, but the wind was blowing a little too fiercely for us...I know, we've turned soft since we've been away from gusty OK. So, we opted for lunch at Bojangles, home of the YUMMO french fries. Mmmm-mmm...just typing this makes my mouth salivate for their seasoned fries. We all agree they are fabulous, right down to Emmeline.

See my dainty daughter shoving, not just an entire fry, but her fist in as well?

The wind died down a bit, just a few blowzy gusts instead of the knock-me-over-if-you-are-the-size-of-Jos, Gavin, Gunner-wind, so we headed to the park to play. Emmeline loves being outside.

Emme wants all to admire her tongue.

An unsuspecting picture. Love it!!!

After spending time on the playground, we picked up Lloyd and hiked around a couple of trails at the park. Josiah and Gavin decided to emulate Lewis and Clark and took off, determined to hike all the way to California. Kit and Lloyd went to go find them, leaving Gunner, Emme and me in their dust. We had a long, detailed discussion of what would happen if we had to stay there...forever. Gunnison decided he would be King of the Squirrels. Graciously he told me Emme could be the queen. Me? I still had to be the mommy...forever picking up nuts, I guess.After an outfit change (due to a less than pleasant-smelling happenstance) and torrential tears (where the 1st picture is from {mean, mean, Daddy! snapping pics instead of giving loves}) we sang Happy Birthday and Emmeline got to dig into her purple cupcake. (Incidently, do not think yellow cake batter will dye purple...you end up with a color I term "Brain-matter")

Admire the tongue!

Yep, the whole fist-into-mouth, again

Wait! You get to admire her tongue, yet again!

This is her new "cheesy" face

On to the gift opening! Emme had an over-abundance of help with opening her gifts. Gavin was extra polite about it, though. He'd lean over close and ask, "Do you want help, Emme? You want help? Oh. Ok, I'll help you!"

Despite the tears, the Big Number 1 was fun. Thank you for the darling gifts and love! Regardless the miles between us, you all know how to show your love. We truly appreciate all you do for our family.

If my heart gave an extra thump or two throughout the day and my eyes leaked, just a little, when I kissed her good-night, I simply reminded myself it isn't every day my littlest turns one. Funny how quickly they grow. It seems that with every birthday my babies have, I have a lot of joy and a little bit of growing pains.

And Then It Snowed...

You know how the Native Americans danced to bring down the rain? In our family we have our very own Snow Dancer.

We took a couple of takes, Gav wasn't satisfied with a fall as the grand finale move. And guess what we woke up to this morning?

On the Move

Emmeline usually has her tongue out in concentration...either that or big fat alligator tears and snot as she makes her way to someone who will pick her up (I know...poor little girl is just so neglected...)

Boots

Boots. These $1.50 rain boots are Gunnison's favorite footwear. I bought them for him at the beginning of fall. Due to nice weather, they were tucked away into our black bench. As the weather worsened, so did Gun's desire to wear them. Finally, I couldn't say no and The Boots became an essential part of his wardrobe. In fact, I would say the only pair of footwear he wears (except for Sunday shoes...I do have some boundaries, people). Easy on. Easy off. Helps hide the jammies poking out the bottom of his jeans...can't say I complain too much.

Finishing December

We had some fabulous snow...I {heart} Christmas snow...

a white Christmas was lovely

And about 2 minutes after this picture was taken (which I hurried out to do as soon as he was dressed for the outdoors), Josiah was in the house drinking hot chocolate 'cause it was "freezing outside!!" My poor snow-deprived children didn't even know how to squish the snow together to make a snow-ball. They finally learned before all of the snow melted.

Next, a picture of the BEST Christmas presents...ever!!

I think I could just post this picture and call it the most wonderful Christmas blog

Note the fabulous camo heels (they look even better on),

the flower bag and oh-so-embellished shirts for me!!!

My husband (with a little help) gave me a fabbity-fab Christmas.

I'll move on now from my worldliness and show you a telling picture of my beasties (the Sunday before Christmas).

Gunner is giving you a peek at his oh-so-darling jammies poking out and bare feet (he chooses to wear jammies under his clothes...yes, I'm that kind of mom)

Gavin looks a little stoned...hmmmm...no, I'm not that kind of mom

Emme is thrashing, trying to get out of the death grip of her big brother

Jos, well, Jos actually looks cute in this picture, except whatever he's doing with his hands...what is he doing with his hands?

We've lost pajama boy and this is a much better picture...look! Emme is even smiling for it!

Everyone in their Christmas pajamas (these are now the reigning under-the-pants jammies)

One last picture. Santa brought Emmeline a new doll. She adores it. She reaches for it when she's tired and when she's getting up from sleeping; she kisses it.

She {loves} it.

I hope you're not too pictured out...

Merry Christmas!!

Thank you, everyone, for making it a fabulous one!!

What a Waste of $$

This is a little rant today...please don't read if you want a charming, picture-laden post. It is simply a whine...

I hate spending money on Not Fun Things. Let's see- tampons, toilet paper, underwear for my beasties, undershirts for the beasties, socks for the beasties (unless they are fabulously stripped or argyle), diapers, wet wipes, soap, food unless it is really yummo, electric bills, okay- bills in general, batteries, toilet parts...

I love spending money on Fun Things. Purses, shoes, clothes for myself, clothes for the beasette, clothes for the beasties, even clothes for Kit, yummo treats, hair accessories, ties, earrings, makeup, things to cute-up-my-house, gifts for people...ahhh, just thinking of all the Fun out there just waiting to be bought makes anyone smile...

Until you look at your account and realize you've already spent your money on Not Fun Things!!

Update

Since my last post got such a response (thank you for your advice and prayers), I thought I would update you. I wrote a note to Gav's teacher asking for her observations and her thoughts on what was going on. I have been in his class a few times and he does well. He has friends and adores his teacher; she is FABULOUS-which you will agree, too, if you read on. Anyway, I went to pick him up from school and she met me to talk with me. She said she noticed he looks down in the morning when he first gets there, but that once he's there he warms up, loves learning and is a darling boy to be around. She said she had him come talk to her, just one-on-one, and asked about his feelings of school. No big surprise-he likes school, but he would rather be at home with Mom and Gunner and Emme. He wishes he could just stay home and learn everything there. She asked him what his favorite part of school was (writing). She said they then came up with a game plan to make things better. She assigned him a daily job that only he can do. He is the Journal Cleaner-upper. (He was proud when he told me and had to describe how he wipes her writing off of the chart) Also, every day he and Mrs. Blake will have one-on-one writing time where he can practice sounding out words and writing them. (There is an in-class aide, so this is possible). I am so thankful for his teacher. She noticed his feelings, didn't brush them aside and has gone out of her way to make things better.

He still asked if it was Friday, still asked if it was his half-day and still made me count on the calendars to see when they would happen, but he didn't cling to my hand and there was no quivering lips (whew! I don't know how much more my heart could take-and if you don't know already, I'm not the too-soft-heart type. One might say I lean [probably not in a good way] too much to the other side--I have been called heartless by my oldest more times than I count).

Thanks again for your listening ear, shoulder to lean on and definitely great advice!