Conversation with a 7 year old

I am so very happy to report that today brought none of the stress we experienced yesterday. To that, I say, ahhhhhhh.

After bedtime (8:00), Kinsey came out crying, and she was trying soooo hard to keep the tears coming. She had somehow managed to hit her nightstand with the top of her toes. I really didn't ask...But here's what it took to console her and get her back in bed.

That is purple tulle wrapped around the 'kitty ice'. She managed to stop whimpering long enough to say, "I wanted pink".

Trace has been letting his hair grow out for months; trying to look like Anakin Skywalker. Today, he announces that he wants to shave his head bald. That got a big, fat no from me. Then he tells me that when he goes to college he is going to shave his head bald. I told him to go right ahead. Then he decided that when he is 16 and can drive, he will come home one day bald headed. I told him again to go right ahead. And be prepared to deal with his dad when he got home. Then he decided college might be the best time to shave his head bald.

He also revealed, a few weeks ago, that he is now embarrased to hold my hand in public. When did he become his own little person???

What a Day!!!

Disclaimer: I ramble and jump around in this post. It was just that kind of day!

Whew...I'm so glad today is almost done. To start the day, I overslept and missed bootcamp, so I was dragging. Then Trace was G R U M P Y and had a very hard time getting up and going. In walks Kinsey, "My eye is stuck." Perfect...pink eye. We were supposed to go visit Grandmother today, but I don't think they need pink eye running around the nursing home.

The middle of the day was blissfully uneventful. I never would have thought straightening up the house would be the high point of my day. We picked the boys up from school, took Jaxson home, then off to Sonic for a little happy hour. On the way to the dance studio, Kinsey managed to spill caramel ALL over her arms, of course, while I was driving, resulting in a big panic. I finally got the picture for Kinsey's recital program turned in...and I think it was done correctly! A feat in itself.


Trace has had this baby tooth that just won't let go. Two weeks ago, the dentist told me to tell him that he had two weeks to get it out on it's own. So today, we went to the dentist to have her yank that baby out. Just before I took this strangely-super zoomed in picture, Trace's elbow got pinched in the door. Of course it did. Couldn't have this hour of our day go as planned. But Dr. Amy saved me and gave him an ice pack. Then, luckily, she yanked that little pearl out without a shot. A cookie and prize from the toy box later, and we were off to register Kinsey for kindergarten. Don't even get me started on that. I almost got her registered. The doctor's office in Sugar Land faxed her shot record yesterday, but failed to circle NEGATIVE on her TB test results. So, yes, that means I had to circle it tonight and will take it back to the school.

Next stop: baseball practice. All of 5 kids showed up so it was a quick batting practice where the dads were frustrated with the kids and the kids, equally frustrated with the dads...I should say that Chad was not one of the frustrated dads at practice :) There was no way I was cooking after a day like today. Thank You Thank You Little Ceasar's. $5 for a large pizza that's ready when you walk in the door. Genius.

On the way to get that gourmet meal, I saw a gigantic fan on the back of an 18 wheeler. When I say gigantic, I mean G I G A N T I C. To the kids, I said, "Guys! Look at that big, giant fan." To which, Trace replied, "That's not giant." Me: "Are you kidding? That thing is huge!" Trace: "Everyone has different opinions of what giant is." Me...in my head...you little FU&#ER. Needless to say, the kids went to bed a little earlier than usual tonight. We all needed it.

When I went in to turn lamps off, here's what I found:

She started out in her bed. I have no idea...

Kinsey, through the years

Kinsey turned five years old today. Sniff, sniff. For the last few weeks anyone who would listen heard that her birthday was March 31st, she would be five, and that her mom was 'not ready'. It is so hard to believe that it's already been five years!!! When she was three, I used to ask her if she'd stay little for me and she said that she would so that I could always hold her. She still loves to cuddle up with me.

Here we are the day she was born. I can't remember why Trace is crying, but I'm sure it had something to do with sitting still for a picture.

One day old, before her hair started to stick up.

Here she is at three months. Trace is three years old.

July 2005, four months old...rooster hair still going strong! And check out those monster cheeks!

October 2005, seven months

First Halloween! Seven months old, dressed as Pebbles Flintstone. Since her hair stood up on it's own, we decided to go with it! Hunee made her costume and Dad carved the bone hairclip out of styrofoam.

March 2006, almost one year old. I loved those 4 little teeth poking out of that smile. Precious!

First birthday party! April 2006

October 2006, 19 months. I loved her pigtails!!!

December 2006, first attempt at getting her on Bug. Clearly, she did not love it. At the time of this picture, I'd never have guessed that she would want a cowgirl party for her 5th birthday!

March, 2007, almost two years old. Ready for school!
March 2007, at her second birthday party. Always accessorizing and on the go!

July 2007, cheesing it up for the camera at Randy and Jane's

March 2008, third birthday party at McDonald's in Sugar Land

June 2008, enjoying a bubble bath at age three.

October 2008, three and a half years old. Look at that long hair!

February 2009, three years old at Austin's dirt party

May 2009, four years old...her first year playing t-ball, center fielder for the Hudson Power Puffs.

March 31, 2009...four years old

Happy Birthday, Kinsey Lou!

Spring in East Texas

The lovely yellow dust on my fingers...pine pollen. It has been giving me fits for about a week. At this point last year, my first East Texas spring, I was ready to get allergy shots. I couldn't wear my contacts for about a month and my nose stayed red from all the blowing.
I talked to a pharmacist today and she recommended Zyrtec to help with the sneezing. I could kiss her. I emptied the garage this afternoon and cleaned it out. And only sneezed twice! But I think the damage was already done. This evening I started feeling bad and ran a low grade fever. The kids were fantastic. They let me take a little nap before supper and Trace even said, "Don't you dare think about tucking us in. I'll do it." Such a sweetheart. Kinsey was a little concerned that I would be sick on her birthday, and wanted needed a little extra comfort. She wanted to sleep with Trace, but as you can imagine, they don't sleep much...lots of laughing...when they sleep in the same room. He was such a good sport about helping me tonight that he got in her bed to read a book to her.

There are times that they make me want to bang my head against a wall with their tattling and arguing and just being brother and sister. Then there are times like tonight that they can be so sweet that I just want to squeeze them and hold on forever. They are growing up way too fast. And they just get better and better with each passing day!

Hudson Rangers

Trace's 7-8 yr old team played their first game last night. They have only practiced 4 or 5 times and the majority of those meetings were to get the kids used to hitting balls from a pitching machine. They did not win, but it's a pre-season tournament, so maybe the next game will have a better outcome...for us, anyway! It was freezing!!! 50ish degrees and windy. All in the stands were bundled under blankets (or wishing they'd brought one) drinking hot chocolate. And, true to form, Kinsey had her shoes off.
Trace is playing 2nd base and Jacob is short stop. In this picture the coach is talking to them about who covers second and who plays cut-off or backs up the other in different situations.
And he noticed me with the camera...
His first at bat.
A little too late, but good form!



Playing 2nd base

Kid-isms

When the kids say something funny, I know I need to write them down. Well, I'm finally doing that. This is the best place I can think to do it so that you all can enjoy the darndest things that my kids say.


Kinsey and I were in the car the other day and she asked, "Mom, who is that boy that wears glasses, has a scar on his head, and lives at Wal-Mart?" Wal-Mart, Hogwarts, what's the difference?

Chad and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago. The kids and I were talking about it and Trace said, "Mom, you need to take us to the jewelry store so we can get you a present. And I'm buying." Kinsey said to Trace, "You don't have any money." To which, Trace replied, indignantly, "Uh-huh! I have $57."


After an exasperating afternoon of running errands with both kids, I took them to their new favorite restaurant, IHOP, or as Kinsey calls it, Popeye's. At one point Trace said, "Ewww, there's gum under the table." Me, "Don't touch it." Trace, "I'm going to need some sanitizer."
I'm sure there will be many more of these posts to come!

Family Friday

Trace had strep throat during spring break, so we spent all but Friday at home. After baseball practice Tuesday afternoon he told me that his throat hurt. To Urgent Doc we went. He got a shot of penicillin and we were off. Wednesday he felt great. I sounded like a broken record...get off the trampoline, no you can't ride your bike, settle down. Then on Thursday morning, sore throat was back. So back to Urgent Doc we went. Turns out the strep was resistant to penicillin, but this time no shot. After more antibiotics, he felt much better Friday.

To wrap up spring break, Chad took the day off on Friday. After a lazy morning, we spent the day outside enjoying the beautiful weather and some much deserved time together.

Chad laid down below the swings and took this picture of Trace jumping out.

What a happy face! Playing at the park after some chocolate ice cream...see it on her face?

Trace is almost 8 and he is very into playing it cool...

The kids 'took shifts' sitting atop the slides. Not sure what the shifts were for...Trace decided very quickly that this was 'lame', one of his new favorite words.

Kinsey was so proud that she made it to the top without any help!