Scared???

Okay, so the kids are going to Tennessee next week for spring break and this post is purely for the fun of giving the Grandparents a little glimpse into Tyler's world. Grandpa, watch out for your trees and bushes! Don't be scared! He is wild, but sweet too! So, here he is, Tyler aka The Spectacular Spiderman!

I took Tyler and registered him for Kindergarten today! Crazy, huh? So, when we got home, he wanted to play outside so I said to heck with the laundry and the housework and we sat outside and played. This is him riding his tractor AND singing "Redemption", or as Tyler likes to say it "Redemptshhhuuuunnnnn".

Tyler Randomness

A couple of the conversations from today:

"Mama, do you want to sell your car?"

"Um, no, why?"

"I don't know, I was just wondering."


"Mama, do you know what I want to be when I grow up?"

"What"

"A brain surgery"

The mind of a 5 year old!

Is It Worth It? Part 2

Well, another week of boot camp has passed, but I couldn't fully let it go without telling a story. Last Wednesday night it was just beginning to sprinkle as we arrived on the track. Now, Ma'am really doesn't care if it is raining or not - you WILL work out. However, the last time it rained she kept us in the gym for an hour and it was a lot like torture and there was much pain and agony as a result of that hour. So, it begins to sprinkle on Wednesday and she lets us know that we are going to do our running first and then if it is still raining we will move in to the gym. At this point let me stop and tell you that there are two things that I do not do well - I don't look good in the rain, my hair turns into a stringy mess. Also, I don't cry pretty - I do the hiccupping, snot-flinging kind of crying. The crying thing is completely irrelevant to this story - just thought I would share! So, my hair has kind of been a problem for me lately and especially with this class because it is two short to pull up into a ponytail and leaving it to hang in my face is quite annoying too. Plus, I use ALOT of hairspray, ya'll. I mean, most days my hair could quite easily sustain 45-50 mph winds and still come through without a single hair out of place. So, back to the story - mix the rain, the stringy hair, and lots of hairspray, and what you have is a mess. This has been an extremely humbling experience for me because I hate for my hair to look a mess. Well, by the time that we finished our run last Wednesday night, I had ditched the hood on my sweatshirt and was looking like a sweaty, rain soaked animal. And that was just from the sprinkling that was going on. By the time we finished running, it was coming down much more steady. But, even still, all of us were begging her to just let us stay out in the rain because we knew what happened in the gym - I think we were all still having nightmares and midnight charley horses from that evening. Well, I think I mentioned before that Ma'am really likes the great outdoors, so she happily agreed to let us continue to work out in the rain. So we began our exercises. When my friend and I arrived at the track that night we had to take our place on a slight hill because that was the only available spot other than the front row and we try to avoid that at all costs! If you will imagine with me a rainy night, a yoga mat, and a hill. Basically, I had my own personal slip-n-slide. Every time I got down for pushups or the dirty dog or elbows and toes, I had to brace myself for the slide. As if that wasn't bad enough I was dirty - I hate being dirty - you know, sticky little pieces of grass and mud on your hands and in your hair and on your legs. Yuck! So, by this point, my hair is drenched and water is dripping off of me. My sweatshirt has been soaked, but I'm scared to take it off because I did not want my T-shirt to be soaked - SCARY! I'm covered with little pieces of mud and grass and the knees of my workout pants are drenched from getting into "front leading rest position". All of that and then the unthinkable happens. Scissor-Kicks. Yep, now I'm flat on my back on my slip-n-slide. By the time we left that night, I looked so pitiful that even Ma'am commented on how wet I was. Is it worth it?

I know this is getting long but since I'm having such a great time laughing at myself in this post I'll take it one step forward and tell you one more story about my hair. Apparently I got into some not-so-nice hair care products and have developed this really disgusting film on my hair. If you have noticed me having some not-so-great hair days, please don't tell me. After some tips from my hair-dresser I went into my shower last night intent on getting this stuff off the ends of my hair. Basically it went like this: mix baking soda and water until you get the consistency of pancake batter - does anyone know how much baking soda this takes - ALOT. Then, wet hair, and then apply pancake batter to your hair and cover with shower cap or whatever and let that eat the yuck off of your hair. I thought I had a shower cap, but apparently I didn't, so I had to take alternative measures. I wet my hair, applied the goop, and then tried to decide what I was going to put on my head to cover it while the eating process began. What I learned was that my head it too big to fit into a gallon size ziploc bag, AND that my family laughs at me when I wrap my head in purple saran wrap. BUT, when it was all said and done and I had washed it all out and conditioned, my hair flowed like the girl's hair in those Suave commercials. It was awesome and I am so happy to have my hair back!

Is It Worth It?

About three weeks ago, I started an exercise class that, for most people, in any kind of shape would probably just be an intense workout. Since I am NOT in any kind of shape except big and round, for me it is a matter of life and death every time I go. I would love to tell you that I have enjoyed every minute of this class, but that would be a lie. I love how I feel when the class is over and I have gotten home and had a shower and my legs and arms have regained a little stability and no longer feel like jelly - does that count? Seriously, this class is called Body Boot Camp - heard of it? Basically it goes like this... I have paid money to be abused! Our drill seargant, her name is ma'am, is about a size 0, has a six pack that any man would kill to have, and she loves the great outdoors. So, our workouts are outdoors, unless it is raining, and then, if she thinks it is not unsafe, those will be outdoors also. So, for an hour, she yells at us. My name is Recruit. If, at this point, you think I'm joking, please stay with me - this is NO joke.

I'm doing this class with a friend from work and the first night that we showed up I wondered what in the world I was getting myself into. We were running slightly behind because of a mix up in where we thought we were supposed to be. So, as we enter the class, Ma'am begins telling all of us what happens if we are late - Scissorkicks! And lots of them! And, they are not just for the ones who are late. If anybody is late and didn't call to tell her you were going to be late, the whole class does scissorkicks. Apparently scissor-kicks are her favorite exercise because she also likes to make us do these if we are not following directions well, if we don't count loud enough, you get the picture. My body has learned to despise scissor-kicks. Now, if you don't know what scissor-kicks are, let me enlighten you. Flat on your back, feet six inches off the ground (not six feet, as Ma'am would say) and you lift one leg at a time, never touching the ground. If you are thinking these don't sound too hard, please let me come over and show you how they are REALLY supposed to be done, because if it don't hurt, you ain't doing it right! Okay, so back to the first night. She is telling us all this and then we begin to exercise and she is yelling at us and I just could NOT help it - I started laughing. What can I say? Uncomfortable situations make me laugh hysterically. After a few minutes when I realized that Ma'am was for real, I tried to stop laughing because I was afraid she might want 20 pushups or something.

So, what did I learn on the first night? I learned that I do NOT know how to do a jumping jack or a side-straddle hop as Ma'am calls them. I learned that people who are well-endowed in their upper body(and I ain't talking about triceps) need to be extremely careful when jumping around. I also learned that I actually CAN run, though it is not very pretty, and I run like a girl. I learned a whole new meaning for "pushing yourself", and I also learned that you can exercise for an hour and not throw-up. I didn't even have to call my husband to come drive me home. For the day after the first night of boot camp, I learned that your body can really hurt ALL OVER, that you DO, indeed, have muscles that you may never know about, and that pain relievers are the BOMB!

On Friday, I will end my third week of boot camp. I have pushed myself like I never knew I could. As a matter of fact, last night I pushed myself so hard that I made myself sick. Seriously, we exercise on this track and right beside where we exercise is a porta-potty. Wasn't that nice of them to put that there for us? I make it a point never to go into a porta-potty unless it is a dire emergency. So, you can imagine where I was at last night and how I was feeling when the porta-potty was beginning to look like a great place for me to hang out. I made it through all the exercising, made it through an intense jogging/walking situation, and made it part way through stretching before I knew I either needed to sit down or call a medic! I opted for sitting down. I had not felt that great yesterday anyway - Craig thinks I have walking pneumonia, but, ya'll, you don't not want to miss a night of boot camp because that just means it is really going to stink when you go back. Oh, did I mention that there are kids practicing soccer on the field that we exercise on? Yea, so not only are you working out like a dog, but you also have an audience! Isn't that special? I am learning to really get over what people think of me. Like last night for instance, there was this doctor running his laps on the track - he is not in our class, apparently, he just likes to run for fun. I do not even try to understand that! Anyway, I am running/power-walking and, basically, breathing like an elephant who has been out for his morning jog, and Dr. Man goes running by barely sweating and this is, like, the fifth time that he has lapped me. Do NOT think that I am so saintly that I didn't seriously think about tripping him.

I guess that is it for now on the humiliations of boot camp. I have to get up from my chair now or else the muscles in the lower half of my body will cramp up and I will be here all day. Sorry for any mental pictures that you have had to endure while reading this!

400%

FINALLY!!! We have a grade on our Science Fair Project! Remember our title? Cookies: Can You Blame The Burnt Ones on the Cookie Sheet? The grade is in and Kayla got a 400% out of 400% - pretty good, huh?

Pitiful

The miserable life of a little boy who did NOT get to buy an ice cream cone from the ice cream truck. Sad, isn't it?

Wondering Why

So, I went off to Wal-Mart today and while I was standing their checking out the cashier grabbed one of those little order separator sticks and stuck it down the back of her shirt and used it as a back scratcher. Yea, kind of gave me the heebeegeebees too. I bet you'll think twice before reaching for that next time!

Hulk Up Baby!

Today we celebrated Tyler's 5th birthday with 8 of his friends (all boys). His actual birthday is tomorrow, but we partied today. Wow, can I tell you that this is the first real party we have done with Tyler where he has a bunch of friends his age come over? It was night and day from the parties we have done with Kayla. Big surprise, right? There is a certain noise level that comes with boys! But, I think everyone had fun. We started off with taking pictures behind the 3-4 foot Incredible Hulk that we had colored and mounted on cardboard. Those were some great pictures! Then it was off to a truck throwing contest, because you know that sometimes when the hulk gets angry he throws vehicles right? Okay, I know, probably not a great lesson in self-control, but it was fun anyway. Then we drank gamma juice (Code Red Mountain Dew) and had a jumping contest. Congrats to A.C. who threw the truck the farthest and C.G. who jumped the farthest. Then it was into the house for a quick snack and cake and ice cream. I tried to do as much green food as possible, but we didn't do a lot of food. We had chips with green french onion dip, vegetables with green Ranch dressing, Monterey Jack salsa, green m&m's, and green jelly beans. After that it was presents and the pinata, and then the Hulk wrap. We chose two kids to get wrapped in crepe paper and then they got to bust out of that! Lots and lots of fun. Check out the pics and see for yourself. I have tried to be respectful of others and not post a bunch of pictures of everyone's children just in case someone doesn't want there kids pics out there

A New Phase

I have talked on here a little bit about how things will be changing for our family come fall when I have two children in school. We have taken the first step toward that change and will take another one before the month is over. Yesterday I talked to my boss about giving me more hours and he was extremely receptive. So, I have now become a 20-25 hour/week employee rather than 6-9 hours/week. God has been so good to bless me with the opportunity of staying home with my kids while they are little. Not only that, but He has blessed me with a very flexible job that allows me to work only while they are in Mother's Day Out. All of this came in light of the fact that Craig's hours have been cut twice in the past week, and while we feel confident that business WILL eventually pick back up, my extra hours will certainly come in handy. So, from now until school gets out it will be a little crazy, but that is only two months, so I think we can handle it! I'll work 15-20 hours/week during the summer and then come fall I'll just keep right on going, just adding in a few extra hours through the week.

Later in the month I have to go and register Tyler for Kindergarten. What a surreal kind of moment that will be. In some ways I am so ready for this next step; in others I think, where has the time gone? Aahhh, phases! You have got to love phases!

On a completely different note, I have been waiting to post information and picture about Kayla's Science Fair project until I have her grade. Most classes got their grades over a week ago, so, hopefully, they will be coming pretty soon. I'll have to keep you posted on that one.

Look Mom! No Training Wheels!

Well, my little guy is growing up. Craig has removed his training wheels and he is doing so well riding his bike without them! His favorite part is the falling off. He rides for a few seconds and then falls off! He is a mess. Check this out! Oh, by the way - he will be five on Sunday!!! We are hulking out with an Incredible Hulk party on Saturday. Hopefully I will get some good pics to share with you.

Basketball Season Ends With a Bang

Kayla had a great time playing basketball this year. She has improved so much from last year!!! That is a gross understatement - if you were there, you know what I mean. Literally, last year, she spent just about every game on the bench in tears. This year she was agressive and in your face! She took those big boys on like nobody's business! She did great!

Catching Up

Let's see - what has been going on in my life?

Craig and I had a great trip to Atlanta, enjoyed an awesome conference, and also had a great time together in a belated Valentine's Day gift to ourselves. The moms had fun with the grandkids except that my mom took a fall going in to Kayla's basketball game and is just now getting back to feeling normal. In a month's time, we will be leaving our kids with the grandparents once again. Just in case you don't know, this is not something that Craig and I do often, but I usually work Master's week and Ruth and Ron wanted to take the kids camping. So, during spring break they will be having a blast with Grandma and Grandpa. Will I be working? Who knows. Masters is up in the air this year all the way around, so we'll see. The state of our economy has become a reality in Augusta and I just don't think Masters is going to be as huge this year. So, if I DON'T work, I will be spring cleaning??? Yea, something like that. What will I do with myself for a week without my children? It is going to be weird.

Speaking of the recession that we find ourselves in, Craig's hours just got cut back to 32 hours a week. Sweet. Praise God that he has a job - that's what I keep telling myself. And, God, continues to provide in amazing ways lately - it is so fun to really see Him showing off, isn't it! I just love Him! On a bright note, this does mean that we will be having a date every Friday from now until who knows when!

I have actually placed in some of the writing contests that I have entered lately. That is exciting. That means that someone besides my immediate family also likes my writing. I actually have had votes - more than one! Haven't won anything yet, but I'm thrilled to have placed. I was running second in one contest until this morning when someone gained some votes and now I'm in a tie for third. It is still very exciting though!

We enjoyed a nice Georgia snow day yesterday. They called school off before church on Sunday night and not the first snowflake had fallen. And guess what? None ever did fall. So, we enjoyed a bright sunshiny day yesterday. It was in the high forties by the afternoon and the kids played outside. I wonder what my relatives up north think about that! :)

I have more to tell, but I have to get off of this computer for now and go and do something productive. More to come... basketball, science fair, guinea pigs, and Mustard...