"You mean you want me to open presents before I eat breakfast? This is crazy!!"

"Can we open yet? Can we? Can we?"

A "shootin' gun" AND bubbles!

Expect some big performances from this kid!!!

The perfect book for the boys :)

When it was all opened, Landon headed to the breakfast table and Gary outside to celebrate with Colton across the street. He got a new four wheeler and they were dying to ride with him! Once again...their presents were left behind for bigger and better things (last year, the card board box, this year, the neighbors 'wheeler)...

There's nothing like the brutal honesty of a child! Yesterday, I sang a smidgen of a solo at church. When I sat back down, Gary told me, "Mom, that didn't sound like your voice coming out of the speakers...... it was good!" I'm hunting for a new "biggest fan" because my old one is working on a one-way trip to a foster home!!!!!
He also showed me up Saturday at the nursing home. I made him practice Saturday morning before we left and was honestly concerned that this was going to be his final performance. He hadn't practiced like he should have and it was evident. We got to Pilgrim Manor that afternoon and he, as cool as a cucumber, played "We Three Kings" like he's been doing it all his life! Way to go, Gar-Bear!!!!

Mouse Trap

Landon's teacher shared the funniest story about him and the computer. Apparently when it became his turn to start the computer story, he had the mouse up in the air trying to "click" the monitor with it. By the time she was finished, we were both in tears! Anyway, I didn't even realize that he was "behind" the other kids in his class with his computer skills - or obvious lack of. Over the Thanksgiving break, we had a lesson and found some games he enjoys playing that will increase his computer fluency. I let him sit in my lap at the 'puter and placed my hand over his on the mouse until he got the hang of the buttons. I never left his side, as he got pretty frustrated if he hit the wrong button and it didn't do what it was supposed to. If you have a toddler/preschooler age child, I've started a new column of free online games. They are extremely elementary, but remember that they love repetition AND they love to be successful, especially when learning a new task. If you find that a link doesn't work or would like to share some other links, please email me or leave a comment and I'll update the list. The following is plagiarized from an online source (I can't remember which one) but it explains some of the importance of toddler computer experience. And trust me, you don't want your kid to be the only one in the class who doesn't know how to start the story!

Toddlers are on a huge learning curve and have many skills that they can be developing online, even while they are having fun! Online toddler games generally involve-

Hand-eye co-ordination- using the mouse to catch moving objects
Problem solving- puzzles, matching pairs, learning about opposites
Recognition- colors, shapes, sounds, animals
Social/interactive fun- singing, rhyming, ABC's, stories


Online toddler games will be helping your child to develop keyboard skills as well as the ability to use the mouse effectively, but be patient, if it is your child's first attempt at using a computer they will need some time. A mouse is a tricky new tool to learn to use, especially if it has multiple buttons. But look out, once they have the hang of it there will be no stopping them!

Right of Passage

Both my boys crossed milestone's worthy of adding to the baby books last week.

Gary was singing "na na na na, na na, na na Can't Touch This" which sent me straight back to 8th grade. I asked him if he knew the singer or the whole song and he looked at me like I was crazy! Thanks to youtube, I was able to share some quality "hammer time" with him. He stared wide-eyed and giggled occasionally at the original MC Hammer, "U Can't Touch This" video only asking, "yall thought those pants were cool?" No, son. We didn't think they were cool, they WERE cool!!! Click Here for a tour around the world, from London to the Bay.

Landon, went a little different direction. He spurted his first "Hey Yall, watch this!" followed by a "stupid trick" on his bike. He's uttered the words before, but not completely in the right context. Landon, I've ordered you your very own frequent visitor's card for the E.R. Daddy can explain what to do with it!

Is WYSIWYG a Christmas Candy?

Can you tell I'm a little excited about Christmas? I tried and tried to download a super cute blog template from the Internet like everyone else does. It can't be that hard, right? WRONG! After an hour, a virus, and a full-system scan, I created my own ghetto-fabulous template! Sorry, I can't do the same for you as I can only afford one copyright infringement lawsuit at the time!

We are the tribe from Greenfield - How

It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving with out the Greenfield Pow Wow! To commemorate Thanksgiving, the kids study Pilgrim and Indian customs, then participate in their own Pow Wow complete with the Greenfield Pow Wow Chant, Indian drums, and dancing followed by a Thanksgiving Feast. Each child also brings a peeled raw vegetable of their choice. The teacher helps them chop it and add it to the soup that they all share at the feast.Landon was psyched about the chants before hand, but kinda overwhelmed when show-time came around.
But he was still the cutest Indian (Chief Crazy Horse) at school!

Each class prepared and shared it's own dinner.

Daddy's a bit of a "crazy horse" himself!

The kids really enjoyed the picnic.

Each class also makes a tee pee (background).

How long till Christmas?

Vacation

This is a pic from our vacation to Africa last year during Spring Break. I can't decide where to go this year! Obviously, I'm kidding! Last spring, though, the kids and I were looking for ways to stay away from home while Randy had the flu. We stopped in to Touchstone's Museum on Hwy. 80 in Haughton for a couple hours of real excitement! I hadn't been there since I was a kid and was really surprised how much cool stuff they have!!! They even have 2 or 3 exhibits that they will unlock and you let you go inside of to take pics. If you are looking for something fun, local, and inexpensive ($2/ea.) try them out. It was definitely a fun experience, and run by a local Christian family (not your typical scientific point of view museum). You WON'T be sorry!

Behold...the First Tree of Christmas!

Gary partied with Lane Weeks tonight (Happy Birthday Lane!) which left Landon and me some much needed "us" time. Since I had his undivided attention, I decided to put up his tree in his room. He chose to place it in front of the window, so "eddebody" can see it from outside. The white tree he picked out was a first for me, but turned out charming :) He squealed every time he hung an ornament that didn't fall off. His unadulterated excitement makes me want to put up a Christmas Tree every day of the year! Unfortunately, we're limited .... One down, three to go!

We started on the outside lights last weekend (Nov. 1st). The goal is to finish by Thanksgiving so we can turn them on that night. Thanks to our "day after Christmas" shopping trip last year, we're sure to give the Griswald's (or at least the Nelson's across the street) a run for their money!

Thank you for small stuff...but mostly the really BIG stuff!

Landon and Gary are polar opposites when it comes to praying. As a matter of fact, they are polar opposites in almost every aspect! I still lead/prompt Gary with his and Landon can't wait for me to shut up so it can be his turn. Last night, Landon was first...
Me: "Now I lay me down to sleep..." interrupted by:
Landon: "AND THANK YOU FOR MR. COWIN'S TRACTOR DAT CAME TO MY HOUSE!"
He pretty much ruled the rest of prayer time last night, and did a fantastic job :-)
Apparently, Colin and his tractor made a pretty big impression on Landon this weekend. He did some prep work so we could spread grass seed. Next time you're in the neighborhood, have a look, we might be green! Thank you, Colin!
When I shared this cute story with Gary, he had to
one-up it...
"Thank you for Topps Trailers because if Mr. Colin wasn't my dad's friend and didn't have Topps Trailers, my dad wouldn't have that nice big trailer to work out of and we couldn't afford our house!"
Julie, the prayers are free, but we'll take donations to the kid's college funds for the blogspot advertising :) -lol

Happy Monday

What, it's not Monday? My brain and body are sure acting like it is! I started out the morning with the goal of getting to work on time (because i rarely ever do). Dropped Gary off and the little girl in the car ahead of us got out dressed so cute! I couldn't imagine why, but kissed Gary and shooed him out of the car. On my way to work, I called my good friend Beth and she informed me it was Christmas Picture Day! Well, nothing I could do about it then, at least he was wearing a RED polo today instead of white. Not much variety in his school uniform drawer since he won't wear navy ANYTHING, it's a red or white polo and khaki shorts every day with the occasional Haughton Hoodie when it's cold. On to work... I was only 2 or 3 minutes late (success!) But when I walked in, all the lights were off. I'm NEVER the first one here, so it took me a minute to process...(loud gasp) "Oh, No, Sandra's not here today, I have to open the office!!!!" Run around flipping on lights and start the coffee. Only one had beat me here and he was pecking away at his computer and I don't know if he even noticed me (hope not...it was our pres!) Anyway, I finally got my day started and had this constant "itch" on my stomach. About 9:30 I realized that it was the tag scratching me from the pants that I had on BACKWARDS!!! Well, at least it's my favorite day of the week and I have choir practice tonight :) Things are looking up....

Judgment House

If you haven't made an appointment to go thru Judgment House, do so before we're sold out! And if you come any night but Halloween, you'll see the two cutest angels you ever did see at the doorway of Heaven (my Gary and Lane Weeks). It's amazing how quickly they can morph from angel to devil between scenes, then right back to angel as the door to Heaven opens! They're having a BLAST and doing a wonderful job!
Judgment House Dates and times:
10/26 6-8 pm
10/28 6-8 pm
10/29 6-8 pm
10/31 6-8:30 pm
11/01 6-8:30 pm
Tickets are $2/ea. and you must reserve a time slot before going.
Call 949-2441 to make arrangments.

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

This sounds too easy to be true. If you are brave enough to try this, please comment and let me know how it turns out!
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons
chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

Mudstock '08

Changes abroad

Due to some not so proper comments on my blog lately, I've enabled comment control which essentially means that when you comment, it won't show up automatically. It will email me your comments and I will approve them before they are posted for the world to see. So, please continue commenting, but be patient as I'll approve them as soon as I can. You may still comment as "Anonymous", but note that I will not approve it unless you sign your name at the bottom of your post. Why bother to say something if you won't back it up with your own name?

Home aint where the heart is

Randy and Landon went to "Father's Night" at Preschool last night. I'm not sure I have the right words to describe the project they made together....

Clear as mud

This morning I told Gary, "Go into the living room. Look in the piano bench and there's a blank cassette tape. Bring it to me."
He brought me a roll of Scotch Tape from Randy's desk. The only part of the directions he got right was, "Go into the living room." Aren't they supposed to be able to follow multi-step directions by now?

Platt Cowboys 12 : "the other guys" 0

This was one of those one in a million times when I actually had the camera ready, focused on the right kid (they all look the same!), and trigger finger on overtime, to catch Gary's big play of the game. They all played really well this weekend. Of course, my focus was mainly on defense :-)

Front center..Gary (navy #86) "You're not getting by me with that ball!"

The battle's on... "Give it up boy, you're going down!"

"And stay down!"

(Behind the line of scrimmage, I might add - Thanks to Todd Holloway for pointing out and explaining this crucial detail to me.)

Labor Day Football Practice

Stretch it out boy, lets get ready to hustle!

" Mom, look what I found!" (It was a living locust!)

If I had to guess what coach was telling him, it would be something like, "Son, don't ever come to practice again with your socks rolled down!" (That's probably why mom's aren't allowed to coach football...)

Ruuuunnnn Foooorrrresssttt!!!!!

"Cheese!"

Landon took a "Cat Nap" during intermission

Gary is the one on the ground in the center dying to get under that dog pile!

Paige has captured the attention of both my boys at one time or another....

Good practice, boys.

Tag Team

Landon isn't tall enough to ride Gary's "Green Machine" so Gary gives him a piggy-back if he's real nice...

Change of Direction

Simmer down, now.... I think yall mis-understood the purpose of me posting Landon's "note home." I thought it was funny that he already had a note sent home from the teacher on the first day of school (especially since we know he's the "testy" one of our two kids). She's experienced in what she does and several years older than me. She's as sweet as honey and we love her (Landon included), but needs time to learn about Landon's personality. I deleted all the comments to the previous post. Let's give her a few more weeks before we wage a crucifixion!

Note from teacher #1 - Day #1

Landon's art project from yesterday.

Dear Mrs. Fuxan,

No amount of "encouragement" can persuade Landon Wilson to do something he decides that he doesn't want to do which is usually the case with art projects. Incorporate a wheel or a motor into the project and you'll be speaking more his language...

Sincerely, his ever-encouraging mother

Landon's First Day

"Look out Greenfield, Here I come!"..promising to add a splash of color to a bleak old school.

Cool as a cucumber

"Say dad, is it too late to turn back?"

They were both a little apprehensive about the playground...

Didn't take long to fit in..

King of the Playground in less than 5 minutes!

Is this the "in" or the "out" door?

S-U-C-C-E-S-S

"One potty trip down, a million to go!"

Landon and his teacher Mrs. Candy Fuxan (FYOOK-sin)

One last kiss for the road, so Daddy won't cry!

Moms

Gary enjoys laughing at the kindergarten moms that are crying on the first day of school. We didn't get to see any this morning, so he just said, "You know, all those moms should be smiling instead of crying because they are getting a break from their kids!" I have no idea where he comes up with this crap!!!! He never ceases to surprise me! Landon started PreK-3 today (with a non-crying mom). I'll post pics as soon as I get time...

Happy Dirtday, Landon!

We celebrated Landon's 3rd Birthday today with a dirt party. Here's a shot of the birthday boy and all the loot! You'll be seeing that blue shirt on the top left that says, "It's my brother's fault." pretty often, I'm sure!!

My masterpiece... I tweaked the "dirt cake" recipe traditionally served in a flowerpot with a daisy sticking out the top to fit our dirty theme.

" Hey Mom, Look at me, my eyes are crossed!" He's so used to being muddy, he was more excited about making faces at the camera than the fact that he was covered in mud. Another day, another dirt pile.

Ella Grace works on a muddy masterpiece.
The dirt party quickly turned to a mud bath when Gary filled his wagon with water and dumped it in the ditch. Can you say, "Slip-n-mudslide!"?

Braeden taking care of some serious business!

Noah - "So much dirt, so little time."

Brock - "Whachu lookin' at lady?!"

Amanda was the first to notice that girls and boys play VERY differently when given the exact same toys and setting. Ansley and Audrey were completely satisfied pulling wagons with no temptation whatsoever to get dirty.

Adrienne and Bailey finally indulged in a mud pedicure.

Now for the real fun... Before the kids arrived for the party, Randy (being the good dad that he is) decided to "fluff" the dirt since the recent rains had packed it down. He cut donuts all over the front yard with the Prowler.

Big Daddy wasn't satisfied....time to pull out the big-guns! Much to our neighbors delight (I'm sure) he continued his "work" with his truck! Out of all the kids at our house today he definitely had the most fun!

Thank you to everyone who came. You made our day memorable. If you didn't get a big enough does of "mudicine", please join us again. We'd love to have you come and play again. Landon's official birthday is tomorrow; but, he's having a hard time with "3". When you ask him how old he's going to be, his standard reply is, "All de manys!" which happens to be his "every number higher than two" number. So here's to "All the many"more fun birthdays!