Holy /wok-uh-mo-lee/

Nothing points out your flaws as quickly as your children.  I am reminded of this when Zeke busts out with a  "damn!" (or a couple others).  And I didn't think I cussed.  I keep telling him that's a curse word and we shouldn't say it.  Hence the following conversation. 

I was excited to see some of my flowers coming up.  I was all, "Look guys!"  Even though the kids couldn't have cared  less about my flower bed my enthusiasm was contagious.  My son yelled, "Holy Guacamole!   Fish & chips!"  followed up with, "What else can I say, 'cuz I need to say something." 

That is the flower that is holy guacamole-fish & chips-worthy.  Yeah, I know--you can barely see it through all the grass. 

Eli and the Greats

Last week we went to Kansas and Eli met his Great Grandmas. 

Elijah and Great Grandma Evelyn

Elijah and his Kansas Granny

Elijah and Great Grandma Hoard

Not only are these ladies his Great Grandmas, but they have truly been great grandmas to me.  All three of them are wonderful women who have taught me a lot about the importance of God and family.   Wish we could see them more often.

Little Purple Flowers

One afternoon I told the kids we had plans to take some bluebonnet pictures.  Zeke asked a great question:  Why are they called bluebonnets when they're purple?  I asked that same question 14 years ago when I experienced my first spring in Texas.  And for the life of me I could not figure out why the natives were so gaga over these little purple flowers.

As the years passed, I have begun to assimilate.  Six years ago I had my first flower-taking experience.  This was the time before my non-scaley children.

Every spring since the birth of my first child, I commence my scouting expedition for the best possible field I can find.  Each year I give up and settle on a scraggly little patch somewhere near my house.  I have yet to park along the highway for some pics. (For all you non-Texans, yes.  They park along the interstate and get out to take bluebonnet pics.) 

I have indeed assimilated to the crazy Lone Star obsession with those little purple flowers they call bluebonnets.  However, I am still just a transplant; to this day I am reserving the word 'fixin' to use only when something is broken.

All Things Bright And Beautiful

 I finally got the baby boy's room finished.  The theme is 'All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.'  First we painted green and added a chair rail.

After the exciting part of painting was done, Abe and I didn't get quite as much help from the little people.

Daddy-Daughter Duties

Several unsuspecting people have been ambushed upon entering our house and much to their dismay end up playing babies.  Consider yourself warned.  A few nights ago The Daiser and Daddy came into our room pushing their buggies.  Little Miss Thang informed me, "We are growing-ups pushing our babies." 

Mommy-Kid Portraits

Zoinks! Zeke is 5 Years Old!

Scooby and The Gang invited a few meddling kids over to help celebrate Zeke's birthday.  But when we went to eat the cake, it was gone!  In its place was a note with a clue that led us to the back porch. 

First we played musical chairs.

Then we were sent around the corner to help Velma find her lost glasses.

We all found a pair to take home.

Next we played hot potato.  We earned a Scooby Snack for our work.

After that we had some dog food that needed to be eaten without hands.  The kids weren't sure if it was real dog food or not, but that didn't stop them from taking it down!

Meanwhile there was villainous mummy on the premises...

"I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for you meddling kids!"

With the villain out of the way, we finally got to eat our cake.

Eli even got in on some birthday fun.

Happy 5th birthday, Zekers!