Blowing Bubbles, Biking Backward...

HOT!!!

The other day it hit 100 degrees--100! That's a lot around here. You Texas and OK friends and family may be yawning, but all I can say is, just add humidity and 100 degrees is a different beast. At least in the southwest you can count on a breeze.

So, what do you do on an oppressively hot day? Water, of course. Actually, these pictures were taken on a day that was more 80-something. The driveway wasn't broiling, just a bit sizzily (pretend it's a real word), but I thought that I would mention the HOT day because I was feeling chatty and the universal language of chatty has a couple of staples--weather is one of them, so I went there.

While I was spray painting the front porch wicker furniture, the younger boys were having a grand time in the sprinkler. Every once in a while they would break from jumping on the sopping wet trampoline or sliding on the slippery grass to toast themselves on the driveway. If you've never done this, it's a must. Of course you have done this. I don't know a child in America that hasn't. If you have girls, they make water angels (like snow angels). But if you have boys, well--butt prints. That's what they delight in--butt prints. They also just like to lay there and get warm.












My wonderful "helper"! They used the empty spray cans to help me paint.

7 Years Young

Popcorn turned 7 years old on Wednesday. Next Tuesday is Shakespeare's 10th and next Thursday is Gem's 12th. Three birthdays in 8 days. This year Gem gets the friend party, so Popcorn celebrated with us.



This is the cake he wanted. Gem made it!



He and his daddy decorated it.



The birthday boy won!



Some presents were liked.



Others were not. It was a cheap cloth-type frisbee from the dollar isle and the first present he opened. He was thinking grand and got ???? What is this?



We sang happy birthday and clapped as he reached for his first present.



He requested Chinese take-out for dinner. : )



Earlier in the day, he requested brunch at Cracker Barrel. He enjoyed his pancakes and sweet tea (hey, you're only 7 once) and then all the birthday kids blew birthday cash on Webkinz and Mazin' Hamsters (which were buy one get one!).

What a wonderful 7th birthday!

I Call Him "Toothless"

I call him "Toothless" and he hates it. Makes it all the more fun. But isn't he adorable.



He lost his first tooth last week during a visit to a local nursing home. He was so excited. The residents loved that it happened in their presence. The delight on his face was precious.

He was so cute that the Tooth Fairy got all mushy in her heart and left the largest sum that our house has ever seen--five dollars, and not even an incisor. She must be getting soft. Not with those first kids--$1 max, usually a quarter.

Well, he's a rich boy with a hole in his smile.

Shocking

This happened last week. I was in the shower and the lights surged. Thought that was odd.

"Mom, Popcorn burned himself!"



Yep, sure did. With a nice big jolt to the right arm. I really have told them not to do this. It just comes with the territory of being a kid I guess.

The bungee cord's metal hook instantly welded to the screw. I had to buy a new faceplate and screw. Thankfully, I still have a perfectly good kid.

From A 6 Year Old

I made Popcorn a peanut butter and honey sandwich for lunch.

"Mom, you're a great chef."

Gotta' love that.

According to Popcorn

After taking a trip to the pet store with their Dad, Popcorn and Sinatra (but mostly Popcorn) reported in:

Popcorn: Hey, Mom, guess what? Guess what, Mom? Mom, Mom, Mom, guess what? Guess what?

Mom: What?

Popcorn: Ummm, umm, umm, we saw... Guess what we saw at the pet store?

Mom: Animals?

Popcorn: Yeah. And guess what my favorite was?

Mom: A mouse? A rabbit? A bird?

Popcorn: No, a Chiwawa.

Mom: They look like a rat. You really like those?

Popcorn: Yeah, I want one. But I don't want that fighter dog--the big fighter dog what always fights.

Mom: You mean a Boxer?

Popcorn: Yeah.

Sinatra: I want an Enchawawa, Mom.

Popcorn: They don't shed, Mom, and they don't look like a rat.

Boys and Bikes

Popcorn loves to ride bikes. He learned when he was 4 and hasn't stopped since--until now.

We bought him this new bike because his younger brother will be taking over the trainer bike that used to be pink but we spray painted blue. Also, it wasn't too late to cash in on making this one a late birthday present.

Notice the pleased, yet not-so-sure look on his face.




now genuinely happy...



fell off and whined for 10 minutes about his injuries.



He's only been back on the thing when forced. It's just going to take him a while to warm up to his big bike.

6

Popcorn turned six years old yesterday! Here are a few shots from his birthday party.

When I turn 6.

Popcorn: Mom, Shakespeare tried to get me to count to 100 once.

Me: Did you do it?

Popcorn: No. It's too hard.

Me: Well, we need to work on that.

Popcorn: I don't want to today. I'll do it when I turn six.

Me: That's next week, Bud. Okay, we'll wait till you're six.

Popcorn: Yeah. 'Cause today I'm already done wiff maff.

Fall Fun

Last night the big boys went to a church sleepover for all the boys. They played tennis and carved pumpkins and watched a movie. Here are their fall creations.

Sweetness

Watch this happen.

He sees me...



He deflects...



Flashes his winning smile...


And now the sweetness...


Being a mom is fantastic!

Boxing?

You know that kids actually play with the box instead of the present that was inside? Case in point:

The Caped Crusader

I love those eyes!



My little caped super hero wore that to Office Depot and Staples the other day. I love it! We're enjoying the daily adventure of having 5 kids. It's stuff like my little super hero that makes me smile.

Arrrrrrrrrr! Roaming the 7 C's

The 7 C's de Popcorn
1. Conscientious. If he had his own room it would be in perfect order.
2. Cantankerous. If you bump into him he cries like he's been shot.
3. Cute
4. Cuddly -- but only on his terms
5. Coordinated -- clothing, not necessarily athletic ability
6. Concise. He says it like it is.
7. Confoundit, he's just a great little pirate!

A Star is Born

Happy Birthday, Popcorn

I begged him not to do it, but in the end, he turned 5 anyway. At one point he offered to put it off for two weeks, but reneged at the last moment. What's a mom to do?!


We went to the store so he could pick out his own cake. He was set on getting a carrot cake with carrots on it until he found out that there wasn't one that didn't have nuts on it. In the end, it was the cake with blue on it that won. We added a Spider Man candle and all was complete.




Friends came over for pizza and presents. He got Mario Cart and Kung Fu Panda for the Wii. Very fun. He also snagged some money from both sets of grandparents. I also got him an electric toothbrush that he turned on and immediately put in his hair. Maybe he didn't catch the TOOTH part of toothbrush.

The Plea

When we were in Florida a couple of weeks ago we saw this:



I actually deemed it picture worthy--why? It's ridiculous! At least this one was tastefully done: no airbrushed Incredible Hulk or "I eat cars for breakfast" bumper stickers. The big U.S. flag might be a bit much but...Hum, "tasteful monster truck"--it just doesn't add up. Anyway, this particular monster caught the attention of the boys in our van--Popcorn and Sinatra. Sinatra was concerned when he heard that it was a monster, but Popcorn kept going on about how cool it was. Jon egged it on and said that maybe he would trade in his truck for a monster truck like that one.

Weeks later:
Popcorn was lying in bed the other night after prayers and looked sad. "Dad," he pleaded, with a sober face, "I don't want you to trade in the van for a monster truck." Jon could hardly contain himself enough to answer the kid. "Okay, Popcorn. We'll keep the van."

I don't know. Maybe getting five young ones in and out of a monster truck wouldn't be so bad. After all, I like to sit up high when I drive. Maybe they have mini elevators. Tempting.

Biker Dude

After Thanksgiving dinner the kids and Nana and Grandpa went outside to ride bikes and scooters (grandparents watched). After watching Popcorn peddal around on his training wheels for a while, Dad took the props off and taught him how to ride. He did it in about five minutes! By the end of the day, Popcorn knew how to start by himself and had no trouble navigating turns. Yea!!! I thought we would have to wait until spring to do that. I'm so glad that Dad took the initiative.



I love watching Popcorn enjoy his two wheeler. It's so rewarding when kids reach those childhood milestones. I wonder if he will remember looking back and discovering that grandpa had let him go 40 feet ago. The surprised face was classic.