Dreamland

At night when I'm tucking the boys in I sing them songs. It's the same four songs in the same order, every night. One of the songs I picked up from a cheap dollar video I had purchased for Hannah ages ago. It was a video that had a lot of obsure cartoons on it that no one really knew, but it was a dollar so I bought it. There was a super sappy cartoon about a boy and girl who were very poor and would dream about having an abundance of all the things they were lacking in real life. The cartoon has a theme song that is present from beginning to end and it embedded itself in my brain and eventually became a night time lullaby.
As it turns out the cartoon, called Somwhere in Dreamland, was actually very well known in it's time. It was released in 1936 by Fleischer Studios who brought us characters such as Betty Boop, Popeye and they were even the first animate the comic book hero Supermanm and such as... (I can't ever hear the words "such as" without thinking about Miss South Carolina 2007. So, so FUNNY.) Anyway, my point is that what I thought was cheap, low quality dollar store find, was actually a rich part of the history of animation.
I was a little disappointed to find out I didn't have all of the lyrics correct. My version still has the same general feel. I tried to sing the song the way it was written but Jonah quickly corrected me, so I'm sticking with my revised version.

Here are the lyrics as they were written:

I'll see you somewhere in dreamland
Somewhere in dreamland tonight!
Over a bridge made of moonbeams
We'll find our clouds are silver lined!
Each little star in the cosmos
Shining a welcome so bright!
Dreams will come true
For me and you
Somewhere in dreamland tonight!

Brrrrrrr......

So this week we experienced a historic event when it snowed in Houston. The kids were thrilled. We did our best to capture it on "film", but it was no easy task. If you click on the picture below you can see a slideshow of our snow fun. I know that the snow seems nonexistant in some of the pictures, but it WAS there, I promise. If you tune in to the Christmas spirit and look with your heart, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to *see* the snow.

Top 10 Reasons I Did Not Shop Black Friday

10. Getting up early makes me tired.

9. I'm extremely inept at prioritizing. I would have never been able to decide where to go first and that would be stressful. Stress is neither holly nor jolly.

8. Pregnant people tend to get swollen ankles if they are on their feet for long periods of time.

(While it's true that I am not pregnant, I would have been in danger of getting stuck in an obscenely long line behind someone that was. I surely would have been at risk of having to watch some poor lady swell up until her feet were hideously disfigured. Imagine the horror....)

7. Cleaning house seemed like a more productive way to spend my time. And by "my time" I also mean my kids time, who just happened to all be home (never happens) so I got out my whip to do list, and gave them all some chores.

6. People are crazy. I'm not just saying that, they really are. A man actually died when he was trampled by people rushing in to a Walmart. That's insane.

7. I didn't have anything to wear. You're probably thinking, "just throw on some sweats and tee and go!" but that would not have been sufficient. I heard on the radio that people shopping in groups were actually planning on sporting coordinating shirts. Matchy-matchy is so "right up my alley", yet I hadn't thought of it. I knew I would feel terrible when I ran in to those fashion savvy folks at the mall so it was best to avoid it altogether.

8. I was holding out for Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday just sounds so much cooler then Black Friday, which sounds ominous. Cyber Monday has a cool, smart feel to it. So shopping Cyber Monday seems like the more intelligent choice. Who's with me?

9. Getting up early makes me tired. I know I already mentioned this, but getting up early makes me really, really tired. So it counts twice.

10. I'm broke. Sure, I could have probably charged a bunch of "great deals" but credit is from the Devil. I'm determined to get out of debt and the only way to do that is to not buy stuff.

In the midst of being broke and feeling like I don't have any money, I've realized that even when I'm scaling back and "going without", I have more then I need. I can't help but think about men, women and children all over the world that know what it really means to "go without" the basic necessities. I can't justify going out and spending hundreds of dollars on stuff for my family and friends when none of us really "need" anything. While I don't see myself becoming some radical anti-consumerism advocate, I do see myself being very purposeful about how I spend my money. I can not, however, tell you how to spend your money. So if you we're already planning on getting someone special, like say... me, for instance, something pretty and admittedly frivolous, I won't hold it against you.

Random Ramblings

I'm so behind on everything. I've got so much to do I can't even think about what to do first. Not fun. Someone needs to send me there life schedule so I can copy it. Oh and I need a housekeeper for Christmas, in case anyone was wondering what to get me ::wink, wink::

I understand that might be a bit much to ask, so i'll settle for a Roomba or Scooba. Maybe you can find a great deal on a bundle pack and get me both! Come on, you know i'm worth it. Remember that time I did that thing for you and you were eternally grateful? No? Keep thinking, maybe it will come to you.

I will soon be taking our annual family photo for our Christmas Card, and I need to take Hannah's Senior pictures. I'm going to take hers and her best friends pictures and I'm looking forward to it. I find it's much easier taking pictures of people that actually stay where you put them and don't spontaneously burst in to tears when forced to stand still.

Here are some pictures I've taken just around the house and at the park the last few weeks. It's nothing special, but it's all i've got. Like I said, I'm behind on everything. I don't have any pictures of Noah. He's not been around when I'm shooting, but I think i'll probably take him along when I take Hannah's pictures so I can take some pictures of him too.

mm-kay.... let's see....

This is Jonah on a pole.

This is Emma leaning on our house.

This is Hannah leaning on our house (being sassy).



This is Jonah and Jaden showing you prime examples of why I'm excited to take Hannah and Noah's pictures.

Jaden hanging out by the pole.

Jaden in one of my favorite Boden outfits. Oh yeah, he said to tell everyone all he wants for Christmas is Mini Boden.

And finally.... Jonah being super cute with his cheesy grin.

Jonah put together this snazzy ensemble a few mornings ago. He then requested that I take his picture; he struck this pose and asked,

"Do I look like a real superhero?"

I of course said yes, even though the belt to his Batman costume was the only thing remotely "hero-esque" about his get-up.

You've gotta love a guy who's not afraid to accessorize.

Jaden's Singing Debut

Brace yourself. You're about to witness some raw talent.
This is Jaden singing along to the theme song from The Planet Heroes cartoon. He only says the last syllable of the last word in each sentence. Still, I think you can sense the depth of his passion for music, even at this early age
:: please insert a sarcastic tone::
Enjoy!

Meet Miss Mia

This is my newest niece Mia Ramielle. She was born yesterday, which just happened to be my anniversary. She seems to be very patient, which is always an admirable trait in a newborn, especially when you are you're Mommy's first baby. She's just as bitty as she can be, born 5.3 pounds and 19.5 inches long.
I'm pretty sure I'm her favorite aunt (shhh... don't tell Aunt Kelly). I'm also almost positive that she wants big Texas sized headbands adorned with froufrou bows. I have a sixth sense about these kind of things ;o) I guess I'll have to hook her up!

Koo Koon

There's never any shortage of fun around here, no siree.

Check out the little critter that visited us yesterday. It's a baby raccoon. He was wandering around our front yard, obviously scavenging for food so I took it a plate of cat food. Apparently baby raccoons are big entertainment because all of my kids came outside and just sat there and watched it eat.



He wasn't very fast and he didn't seem bothered by us at all. There was a time (long, LONG ago) when I would have taken in that bundle of potentially rabid furry cuteness and raised it as a domesticated pet, bought it little coon sweaters for the holidays, and so on. But not anymore. Five kids is apparently the cure for a chronic case of taking in stray animals. Although, if it had been a bird (particularly a Hawk) I probably would be writing this with a new friend perched on my shoulder. The coon however, was a bit easier to resist, even if he did have sad beady eyes.


I was pretty sure he was harmless, but a part of me was ready for him to realize he'd been lured in to a trap by the yummy goodness of Hills Science Diet and go crazy trying to claw all of our eyes out. I informed the kids that if it made any sudden moves they were to run for their lives. I even told them that coons can carry rabies and if they got bit they would have to get 20 shots in the belly or they would die. Extreme? Maybe. Untrue? Probably. But I couldn't remember all the facts about rabies and Google was not an option, so I had to punt. I'm sure I gave Jonah something good to talk about in therapy. Every time he moved in the raccoons direction I shouted "20 shots!!" in an effort to scare him straight.



After Koo Koon (ya, I named him/her) finished eating he headed for the nearest tree and started climbing. He got about 10 feet high and fell, yes FELL off of it and crashed on to the ground with a THUD! I might have freaked out a teeny tiny bit, and shouted "Get the baby! Get the baby!" because for some reason I felt like Jaden needed to be protected from a two pound dazed and confused orphaned raccoon baby.

Koo Koon finally made it safely to a nook in the tree and we all went inside. Today I wondered what the heck I was thinking sending a defenseless baby lump of love out in to the wild on his own. I passed no less then a dozen dead raccoons on the roads today. I couldn't help but wonder if that is how Koo Koon will end up. I put some more food out in the yard today in case he came back. Tonight I was driving home in the dark and I spotted some glistening spots in a neighbors drive way. "Koo Koon?" I thought.... no, just a soccer ball. Sigh. I guess I'm not as cured from my obsession with strays as I thought I was. Good luck tiny Koo Koon, live long and prosper!

A Homecoming Bri Ha Ha

This past weekend was homecoming weekend for Hannah and Noah's high school. I had this plan to get pictures of everyone before they left but it didn't pan out. It took a lot longer for Hannah to get ready then I thought it was going to (imagine that). And while I was helping Hannah do her hair, Noah got dressed and left to go meet up with his friends.
So here's what I managed to capture....

Bri and "Ha Ha" (that's how Jaden says Hannah, so stinkin' cute) doing their hair.

Then they left, about 45 minutes later then they should have so you know what that means? Yep. No before photos.

Fast forward several hours and they came home and asked me to take some pictures. They were so goofy. They are ALWAYS goofy.

Walking like an Egyptian.

Posers.

Uhhh... I have no idea.
Don't make the face if you don't want me to take a picture of it. That's all i'm sayin'.
Like I said, just plain goofy.

A hole lotta love...

Donut holes that is.

I heard Jonah laughing and calling my name from down the hall this morning. He walked in to the room declaring "You have to see this!" Then he held up two donut holes that were being held together by thier sticky sugary goodness and said "They are getting a hug!" and he laughed and I laughed. I snapped a picture. Then suddenly, without warning, he shoved the snuggling couple in to his mouth and there was screaming and gnashing of teeth... Ok, not really.

Donuts don't scream.

I have bloggers block. Isn't that silly? Silly but true.

So, um... uhhh... well, Jonah just had a birthday. He is four! Saturday is Lee's birthday and that is the end of our 2008 birthday run. You know what that means.... it's time for the holidays. It's enough to bring on a little panic attack, isn't it? Let's take a deep breath together.

For several years now, I've tried to use the Organized Christmas website to help me stay on top of the holiday madness. I always start late, but this year it looks like I'm going to be right on time! I'm going to count that as a victory, albeit a small victory, but these days every tiny triumph counts.

Summer is over and I didn't really keep my blog updated over the last few months. Let's catch up....

Jaden turned 2


My nephew Kendall visited


Hannah turned 17


We went to the circus


Emma started 4th grade (Noah started 10th and Hannah is a SENIOR)


Lee and Danny surprised me with a trip to California to surprise Christine


Hurricane Ike dropped by




Jaden narrowly escaped being consumed by his hair.

  

Jonah finally got to have his party after having it postponed for several weeks due to Ike




So, that's about all for now. Hopefully it won't be two months before you hear from me again...

The Mother of Invention

Thomas Edison said, "To invent you need a good imagination and a pile of junk." Apparently Emma and Edison are kindred spirits. She recently made a curious little contraption for Jonah. It's made from things you might find laying around your house. Paint brushes, a lid from a jar and tape. Tape is essential to Em's existence. She uses it for any and every thing. It got so bad that I had to forbid her from using tape for a time. I think the condition is communicable because recently Jonah started asking me for tape. I refused to give him any the first few times he asked so he came up with a new strategy. He now quantifies exactly how much tape he needs (3 pieces, 6 pieces, etc.), he presents it as a need not a desire, and he's always willing to negotiate. It seems to be working for him so far because I always give him tape.

If you had to guess, what would you say this is used for?

I bet you want a hint don't you? Well too bad. Hints are for people who don't know the answer and don't want to guess and be wrong.

Oh gawsh... stop whining. Fine, I'll give you a hint. It's used to reach something.

Ok, click here to see a picture of Jonah using it.
Isn't that cool? He always has to ask for help to turn on lights so Emma had the ingenious idea to make him a special tool so he can be more independent. It's a classic case of necessity being the mother of invention. He loves it AND it actually works! It's not very sturdy, but it's just a prototype. I think these gadgets are going to be huge, huge I tell ya.

Tomorrow is the last day of school. I welcome it, and yet I don't. I love not having to be on a strict schedule. I am however dreading the first "Mom I'm boooooored." Ugh. Not only do I have to cook and clean for the little monsters, now they are going to expect me to entertain them day and night for the next three months. I'm thinking about buying one of those big inflatable water slides to keep the kids busy, i'm just not convinced they won't get tired of it. I'm also a little afraid of how hard it will be to take care of and store. So i'm undecided.... Imagine that.

Great kid quote of the week:

Jonah: "I'm so happy Mommy."

Mom: "You are?"

Jonah: "Yes, you make me so happy."

Awww... So i'm currently looking for this in toddler sizes. JUST KIDDING.... You don't think I'd actually admit to having a favorite do you?

Jones

Today Jonah went to the doctor to have his ears checked. He seems to be having difficulty hearing so I decided to get it checked out. I totally didn't expect it, but he has an ear infection in his right ear. I asked him if it hurts and he said no. Hmmm... odd that. Anyway, he also has a good amount of wax built up in his left ear. He is on antibiotics and some anti wax drops and he's going back in a month to be evaluated. If I still feel like he's having trouble hearing they are going to do a hearing test. I'm praying that once his infection and the wax are gone that he will be good as new. His constant "Huh? What? What Mom?.... I can't heeeaaarrrr you." is getting old.

On a brighter note, Monday was a day of celebration at our house. Jones made a major life decision, all on his own, in true big boy fashion. We were having a casual conversation about whatever was on his mind and he told me his teeth were getting bigger. It's true, he made me look at them at least a dozen times and they are definately bigger, although they are not bigger then a breadbox, which is good. I mentioned that his big teeth were the reason a lot of his suckers (pacifiers) were breaking. He used the Soothie kind that hospitals give babies when they are born. They are the complete opposite of orthodontically friendly. His teeth are pretty messed up from them, but when we tried to take them away a few months ago he fell in to a dark depression. He quit sleeping and eating and he wanted to wear black all the time. We caved and gave them back to him. So on Monday, after our chat, I went to take a bath and he spent a good 30 minutes walking back and forth to the mirror. He would yank his lips out and examine his teeth, ask me if I thought they were bigger, back to the mirror to see them once again with his own eyes, then mumble to himself about his teeth being bigger. Finally he said, "I'm going to throw my suckers in the trash. Ok Mom?" I played it cool, like I didn't care either way. I didn't really think he would go through with it, but if he did I wanted it to be all his idea. Off he went and that was that. They are gone. He's talked about them a few times, but he's sleeping and eating and still dressing very fashionabley so I think he's going to be fine. I'm sure my "Let them suck a sucker until they decide they are done with it" technique won't win me any Mother of the Year awards, but it worked for us.

And how cute is this?? Jones drinking some Jones. LOL!

Emma's Birthday Photos

I know, Emma seems to be a theme for my blog these days. I have some big Jonah news but I'm saving it. He has a doctor's appointment for his (possible) hearing problem tomorrow so I'll just make him the topic of my next post and knock out all I have to share about him at once.
I had the opportunity to take Em to the park, and it was just the two of us. I wanted to try and get some pictures good enough to call her "Nine Year Pictures". I kind of wish we had been somewhere with decorative architecture, or even in a studio - but we weren't, so this is it. I took a bunch. Here are a few and there are even more on my flickr site.

Here she is throwing some "I'm nine" gang signs.

You'd of thought I asked her to balance upside down, blind-folded on a tight rope the way she acted when I told her how to pose for this one.

Serious Emma

Happy Emma

Wild Emma

Sweet Emma