George Washington was a, a, Pirate?

This little guy

has fallen in love, admiration, whatever you want to call it, with George Washington. You can't tell by the above picture, but the book he is carrying is titled, George Washington.  The cover of the book looks something similar to this:

When I think GW, this is what I think of...

But, this is what Bud thinks of....

So when he found this old book of mine from my teaching days, a simple reader entitled George Washington, he immediately belted out, "Wook, Mommy, a Pi-what!

He then went and found an old $1 bin pirate hat from our dress up box and ta-da! a modern day George Washington, or, er, pirate, was born! He has worn this hat DAILY since early October.

Don't believe me??

See for yourself!

 He wore it while singing in the rain,

 While catching bugs in the backyard,

 while waiting to roast hotdogs in the backyard,

 While having lunch with his sister,

 while hanging with dad at the apple orchard,

 while cruising in the tractor,

while riding on a hayride at the pumpkin patch,

While eating donuts,

while climbing trees,

while making pizza

(dressed as superman)

 (yes, it was a confusing day for most people we ran into.)

and, while posing for family pictures.

whew!

It's only now that he has eased up with this little obsession.
Good thing since the book is tattered and falling to pieces.

I'm glad we were able to catch this little phase on film.
And, I happen to think he is waaay cuter than GW!
I love my Bud!  

Got OJ

Baby girl has been running a fever for the past couple of days, nothing serious, just a virus. But, the virus has apparently made her feel the need to be attached to my hip and only my hip. No other hip will do. While it has caused some serious juggling (to say the least) I have enjoyed a little more cuddle time with my little independent baby girl.

Since she hasn't been feeling well and I am feeling the sudden urge to save all of their immunity systems from whatever virus she is fighting, I decided we needed some OJ (the fresh squeezed kind). Problem was, I didn't have the ingredients.... you know, oranges.

Being the problem solver that I am, I loaded the children up and we went to the grocery store to get some. For the most part, it was one of our most successful shopping trips. No tantrums or clean ups necessary.
However, if you race across the parking to ask me if all these young'uns are mine,
and you happen to be dentally challenged,
and you are a "grown up daddy",
then, do not be surprised when an unnamed Monkey is surprised by the lack of teeth and asks you about your recent visits from the tooth fairy and how much money you got.
uh humm.

Back to the story. Yes, we got our oranges and proceeded to add freshly squeezed OJ to the lunch menu today. We have a juicer, courtesy of craigslist, and it's great! Yes, it's kind of a pain to clean all of the parts but it does the job so quickly and, even better, it just happens to be the secret to maintaining a quiet atmosphere at lunch around our house!

You could hear a pin drop, seriously.

And even better.... it leaves the best OJ mustaches ever!

See for yourselves!

Bud's reaction was just too adorable! He's very sensitive to, well, pretty much everything these days so I wasn't sure how he would react. I love this little stinker!

 Happy to be using a big boy cup 

 Thinking about it....

 savoring the taste...

He like it, he really likes it!!

It's official....

Summer

HAS

ARRIVED!!

Ups and Downs

So, April has come and gone.
Oops!
It appears I ran out of time (once again) to post.
Have I mentioned life here is busy?
Like Crazy Busy??
I'm sure I have.
like 20,000x's
I really need to get back in the rhythm of posting. It seems like after I missed a few days I start to feel like a few more won't matter, and then it just feels awkward to come back on here and post.
WEIRD.
And then my family says, "Show us some pictures!"
I guess all I can say is patience. Even though I need this little blog to document and keep up with memories for me- it has become hard to document them while I'm in the midst of living them!
There are hundreds of things I have wanted to get on here- so I don't forget- but they will never pass over this keyboard because, sadly, I have forgotten them.
**OH- just remembered one! Monkey Do says kiss the sweetest way... it sounds like "chiss". He tells me 20x a day, "momma, you da best, Let me give you a chiss!"

So since this post is titled "ups and downs" I thought I'd share a few pictures from Puddin's Egg Drop Ceremony at preschool the other day.

And when I say it was full of ups and downs, I am not eggs-agerating!

Bud, sweet little Bud, had a monstrous meltdown that had me in tears the rest of the day and feeling like the worst mom to walk the planet. A sweet friend reminded me that he is just passionate, and that is a good thing. I keep reminding myself of that too.

so proud! Her egg survived the fall!
It's hard to believe her preschool experience is coming to an end!!! Only a few days left!

In other news... I've started texting! look out!!! Sadly, I am still really slow but, I am getting there. Or mabe it's sadder that I feel like I've accomplished something by getting on the text bandwagon?

My "mother's thumb" is acting up in a bad way. Seriously aggrivating! I have avoided the steroid shots up to now but I am considering acupuncture to help it... never tried it but willing to give it a shot.

yes, that is an Elmo DVD case Bud is carrying around in the pictures above. He carries one nearly every day. Sleeps with it too and he even throws a fit if I bathe him without it in his hands. Strange? Maybe, but it makes him happy and he's not too particular about the case as long as Elmo is on it. Plus, at least it's a comfort item that want require orthodontic work down the road.

And if you want to know what's going on in this picture, come back tomorrow and I will explain!

Rerun Flashback

Yesterday after the kiddos got up from their naps I was finishing up some laundry and rounded the corner to the kitchen. I ran smack dab into this: Which made me immediately think of this:

Anyone else ever watch Rerun on What's Happening!?

Funny the things that pop up in your memory at the oddest times!!

In other news: The newest "lovies" in the Puddin Pop Designs family have made their debut on the Puddin Pop Designs facebook page. Hop on over and check them out! I was going to post them here, but duty calls so it will have to wait!

BTW- I will be posting the run down of the "babies" most recent birthday party as soon as I get a chance. Our theme was a "picnic"... it was lots of fun!

2 precious years

I posted this on FB this morning. I know I've shared it here before. But today is Bud and Daisy's 2nd birthday. Wow- 2 years.

It's really hard to believe sometimes.

So today, just like 2 years ago, it was a day I knew was coming but didn't feel quite prepared for.

How does 2 years fly by so quickly???



So today we are spending some time soaking up our Wonder Twins...aka Sweet n Sassy.

While the trio is at preschool we are going to lunch at one of their favorite spots, and Daddy will join us. We may hit an indoor play area quickly before daddy heads back to work. This evening we will be partying with lots of Spaghetti and birthday cake...quickly followed by a "birthday bath!'

I'll share more pictures later this evening but for now, I'm going to snuggle some sweet 2 year olds!!


birth slideshow

In like a LION!

The Lions may grow weak and hungry,

but those who seek the LORD

lack no good thing.

Psalm 34:10

When Puddin was 3 she heard this verse to song in the SEEDS family worship CD, Seeds of Courage. ( AWESOME! I totally reccomend these CD's to everyone and if you have a child who is fearful, SEEDS of Courage will totally help!)

Anyway, after she heard the song, this Scripture became her favorite.

She said it reminded her of Daniel in the Lion's den.

So, since it's March I thought I'd play around with the idea of a lion,

and this verse immediately came to mind.

I think he turned out pretty cute!



And in other news...

The Wonder Twins will be 2 in six days. That's right, SIX days!!!! Crazy! I just don't get how quickly the past 2 years have whizzed by!! As you can see, they are up to their usual tricks... creating mayhem and looking adorable while doing it!

Little stinkers!

Things are looking up!

Whew! What a year this has been.
Stomach virus and this crazy fever virus have just about done me in.
Bud was the last to contract the "fever".
C-R-A-Z-Y!

It has lasted 41/2 days so far. The worst day his fever was up to 103.8.
poor thing just felt terrible.
His fever got so high I ran him a lukewarm bubble bath.

Our version of "bubble bath is bubbles from the sky.
They love it!
I just fill up the bubble machine and turn it on.
Watching the bubbles fall is relaxing.
I think it helps distract them from feeling so terrible!

Finally, today he seems to be on the mend. He is fever free at least- finally! YAY!!!
Remember the scene from the ya-ya sisterhood when Ashley Judd's character is dealing with 3 screaming, puking kids all at once???

I remember seeing that and thinking- my stars! What a nightmare.

And I'm sure it was.

BUT, having 5 small children with a virus spread out over weeks at a time is no day in the park either. I have literally been holding someone for days on end. All the while, trying to tend to the other 4 children and cancel appointments left and right.

But, I am optimistic! I shouldn't complain. After all, my children are healthy and can fight off virus' and even though it has been a long few weeks somehow I think having them all sick at once would have been harder. It most definitely been harder to comfort them if they were having to share my lap.

So, things are looking up!

I still have high hopes for 2011. Everyone is fever free!!! hallelujah!!!

If you think about us though, please pray for good health in the

upcoming days for my little family.

Now, time to crank back up that sewing machine and get some Puddin Pop Kids ready to ship!!

SNOW CREAM

This month has been a busy one. It was set aside as my Mary Month. Not familiar with that term?? Check out Jmom- she is way more articulate than I am! While I have been able to be more of a Mary and less of a Martha, lets face it, life with 5 littles is still a busy one!

We have also had a lot of snow- I mean a lot for our area!
2 weeks ago we had 4- 5 inches on the ground!! Last night left a dusting, just an inch or so, but enough to close the schools. And considering most of my babes have been sick, we didn't mind another snow day!

So while the weather outside looks a little like this,

from last nights snowfall... taken at lunch time today

We have been doing a little of this,

Bud and Daisy LOVED their first batch of homemade Snow Cream!

So, while I'm no where near a Pioneer Woman, I thought I'd still share my favorite snow cream recipe for those of you interested. It is YUM-YUM Good!!

SNOW CREAM

1 cup sugar

1-2 tbsp vanilla

2 cups of milk

4-6 cups of clean, WHITE snow ;)

Now, just mix it all up really quickly, top it with sprinkles and serve it to your littles!

EASY-PEASY!