just a few things...

If I have to argue with Brady one more time about why he can't wear shorts when it's 30 something degrees, that boy is going to be wearing jeans until the end of the year! That's worse than taking away his xbox.

Last night I spilled chicken noodle soup in my nice new, clean refrigerator. We were running a little late for church already, and then I had to do a quick clean up which made us even later. But the worst thing is I still have to clean it today. Soup has a way of getting in every part of the fridge. I think I would rather clean the bathrooms.

I'm getting old, because each day I have to constantly remind myself what's going on that day, and where I need to be. I think I'm going to take a picture of my calendar and put on here. I'm no busier than any other parent of three kids (or any number of kids), but I since I'm already getting old, this might be the only way I'll remember it in twenty years. Or ten years. Or five. Whatever.

I've always loved winter and cold weather, but it's definitely time for warmer weather, because Avery has outgrown all but one pair of jeans. Apparently his jeans don't even last for a whole season anymore! That's crazy.

When the kids were little, I wasn't above bribing them to be good in certain situations (but not on a daily basis). Well, apparently things haven't changed much, because I've discovered how to get a kiss from Avery when I drop him off at school. I've tried many things, but threatening to sing to him(loudly, in a ridiculous voice) as he walks in finally did the trick! I got a quick kiss two days in a row! I should have tried this last year!! Now, I'm sure Avery knows that I would also be horrified, but I guess there's at least a little part of him that is worried that I might actually do it. Fun times!

That boy!

Sometimes words fail me, and all I can think to say is, "that boy!" That is the phrase that we often use in talking about Brady. He's energetic, smart, persistent, 100% boy, caring, detests school, athletic, wishes he was as tall as his brother...the list could go on and on, but today he's eleven! I can't believe that eleven years ago, I was in the hospital with a 9lb 9oz whooper of a baby boy! It's gone by so quickly, and I know the next eleven years will go by even more quickly. Life with Brady is always lively, and he keeps us hopping, so I'm sure it will be interesting. :) Happy Birthday baby boy! (he'll always be my baby boy, no matter how big he gets!)

funny Chloe story

Chloe constantly provides entertainment around here. Like recently when we were talking about the brackets we filled out for March madness. This is the second year that we've all filled out a bracket, and for Chloe we just tell her the names, and she chooses which one she thinks will win. This process is pretty funny sometimes, like last year when she chose Butler because...well it has butt in it! If only she had done the same this year! Anyway, we were talking about one of the games, and it was then that she said, "Oh, it's basketball?!" Apparently we failed to tell her that before!!
But the real reason for this post comes from one of our many (many!) recent visits to the doctor. She was looking at a book (from the dr. office) about the body. She came to a page that talked about the intestines, and of course it had a pretty descriptive picture. I told her, and pointed to, her large intestine, and described it's purpose. I think you get the picture. Anyway, the picture below is the look she gave me at hearing this information.





(if you have an iphone, you've got to check out this app. -instagram. it's free and it has some cool filters for your photos.)

Track meet

Avery had his first track meet last night. I don't have any pictures, but I'll try to get some next time. I've said it before, but it's so fun to watch my kids doing something they obviously love! Avery says that he loves track even more than cross country. I'm still somewhat shocked that I have a kid (half kid-half man really!) on the track team. Of all the sports, this is the one that I really never thought any of my kids would try. Life has a way of surprising you though, doesn't it?! Anyway, back to the meet...Avery ran three races. He ran the individual 800, the 4x800 and the 4x400. He got 4th in the 800 and 2nd in both relays. He was really excited, and happy with all of them. Thankfully he had a big break between the longer races, so he had a little time to recover. I always enjoy watching him run, but it's also fun to watch him hang out and talk with his friends. You can learn a lot by just observing. :)

Being my first track meet ever, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, or how long we would be there. I got him there a little before 4, and he didn't get home until a little after 9. That, my friends, is a really, really long track meet. I actually didn't get to stay the whole time, because I had to get Brady and Chloe in bed, but I stayed for over four hours. I kept waiting, because I really wanted to see at least two of Avery's races. His last relay was the second to last event, so he couldn't leave early. It was an exhausting night for those of us just sitting in the stands, so I can't imagine how tiring it was for Avery! The poor kid was starving most of the night too! I'll definitely be a little more prepared next time.
After last night, I'm kind of glad that he only has four more meets.