Jenny

Happy Birthday, Jenny! Here's a picture for you and an overly-frosted cinnamon roll because you're delicious!

Poetry and Doughnuts

I found this poem accidentally while looking for poems to teach children. I really like it:

"If I had my child to raise all over again,

I'd build self-esteem first and the house later.

I'd finger-paint more and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging."

-Diane Loomans: "If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again".

We brought the kids to Krispy Kreme for doughnuts. Usually, when the "Hot Doughnuts" sign is on, the temptation is hard to pass up.

Burgers & Cupcakes

Zac got home from class early and had the day off work, so we spent time with our kiddos. Leah is already saying two-word sentences. "Happy girl" is her favorite, so far. She'll sit in her high chair and sing "Happy girl, happy girl, happy girl" over and over while she sways side to side. It's so cute.

We took the kids to Backyard Burger for lunch. It's Jac's favorite place because of the huge tree house. I wanted to apply at Gigi's Cupcakes, so we stopped in to try one of the cupcakes while I filled out the application. They're really good! I wouldn't mind getting into a baking job.

Stingers and Shopping

I was stung by a wasp for the first time ever today! I was riding on the motorcycle with Zac and we happened to drive past a wasp at just the right angle for its stinger to catch my middle finger on my left hand, which was resting on my thigh. What are the odds? The stinger barely touched me and the pain is so intense. I've put my finger in ice, but the pain remains.

I took Jac on a Mama-and-Son date to the mall to buy him some new jeans. He's in a transitional size, so the 3T are too small, but the 4T are too big. I had him look in the mirror to give me an opinion and he turned around right away to admire his butt. I said, "What are you doing?" and he said, "Just looking at my butt!" He's such a character.

RE: Afterlife

Zac brought me on a date to see Resident Evil: Afterlife this evening. Our very first date was back in 2004 when he took me to see Resident Evil: Apocalypse. It's kinda "our movie" series. The only issue I had with the movie was all the ssslllooowww mmmoootttiiiooonnn.

Bubbles and Kisses

I sat on the balcony this morning at Sean's and blew some bubbles for the kids to catch. It's one of those lazy days where it's cool in the shade and lava in the sun. I've been having a few allergies from all the cat hair in Sean's apartment from his two cats. I think if I scoop up all the hair I find, I could probably make a whole new cat.

Zac and I almost overdosed on sushi for lunch, then Sean had us meet his new girlfriend, Fallyn. She has a little girl around Jac's age named Kallan. Jac claimed her as his girlfriend and kissed her on the lips before she and Fallyn left. Inappropriate, but too cute.

Orrin's Birthday

I was up super late trying to pack for Louisiana, but managed to wake up this morning... no coffee! I'm still so tired. We drove to Kenner for Orrin's first birthday party. We were a little late, but the distance is forgivable. We filled up on cake and sushi. Jessie invited us to stay to hang out after the other guests left.

Popsicles

Zac and I brought the kiddos to the playground for a bit. As we were leaving, an ice cream truck pulled in. The kiddos got excited, but we didn't have any cash on us, so we tried to make some sort of excuse to get home. They started getting upset with disappointment and I guess the woman selling ice cream felt sympathetic, so she gave them each a free popsicle.

Family Stuff

This week has been nice. Zac and I introduced the kids to sopapillas at Fernando's and Jac said, "I want those with honey, but no bees. Bees sting." He's so funny sometimes. We went to the Renaissance, an outdoor mall near Jackson. Zac shopped for some school supplies while I entertained the kids at Barnes & Noble.

Meredith is moving to Texas with her family, so Mom threw a going-away party tonight. I baked some French vanilla cupcakes (recipe found HERE) and my kiddos played with Molly and Wes.

Louisiana Trip 2010

Zac and I went to Louisiana on Saturday and have been sleeping at Sean's. Our trips never feel like they last long enough, but we had a fun time.

Sunday was a lazy day. We woke up late, hung out around Sean's apartment for a bit, then Mawmaw called and invited us over for grilled burgers.

Yesterday, I woke up to the worst poo mess ever, thanks to Miss Leah. After  baths, we drove to Slidell to see Jena, Jenny and Reid. All of us went to Italian Pie for lunch. Grace tried her first lemon, but didn't even make the Lemon Face! Jenny and Reid needed to get the girls to bed, so Zac and I drove to Kenner to hang out with Jessie and Joey for a while. Jessie gave me a few books to read, which is great since I just finished Dearly Devoted Dexter. As the kids' bedtime came closer, we headed back to Jena's. We played Clue with her, Quinn, Jenny and Reid for a bit while my kiddos played with Bella and Grace.

Today, Zac and I met up with Jenny and Reid at the snoball stand and Jenny talked me into getting the most amazing snoball ever: Wedding Cake, filled with ice cream and covered in condensed milk. It's a recipe for disaster, but totally worth it. Jenny and Reid followed us back to Jena's so we could say goodbye.

We said goodbye to our friends and headed to Hattiesburg to visit Katie on our way back to Mom's. Katie's mom is so sweet and I met her sister and youngest brother. We hung out for a bit and then went swimming.

Friend Visits

Katie and Garrett came over Monday to hang out with us. The guys played Rock Band while us girls sat outside, talking about Mom Stuff. Spencer has grown so much since we last saw him! He's got super long baby legs.

The heat outside has reached 102 degrees! I'm so looking forward to autumn. We've had to start taking the kids for walks in the evenings.

Summer Stuff

Zac and I spent most of the day riding around on his motorcycle, running errands, while my parents kept the kids. We opened a new bank account and had smoothies. I got sunburned, but it was so much fun just riding around. It's so hot outside! We came home and took the kids for a walk around the neighborhood. 

Sick Kids

Carlton and Rachel's cat had a litter of adorable kittens... I'd obtain one, except the boys in my family are allergic, which is another reason why we don't have Amber.

Meanwhile, the babies are sick. Leah has a fever and Jac has been throwing up. They probably have a virus from one of Carlton's kids.

This Week in Pictures

Zac and I decided on not buying fireworks for July 4th this year. I had to work late and by the time I got home I was too tired and the kids were already asleep. Instead, Alex and Zac barbecued a variety of meats so I filled the new plastic kiddie pool up with some water and lit some mosquito-repellent candles. The inflatable pool was too hard to keep clean.

I've been knitting things as of lately. I made a Harley Quinn-colored scarf for Emily and a little pink hat for Leah. Both of which turned out pretty good for amateur attempts.

Zac and I have been trying to exercise together because looking at past entries I can tell my figure has gone from comfortable giraffe to borderline elephant. We went for a two-mile walk to McAlister's the other day and pulled the kiddos in their wagon. My legs are still sore, but the experience was delightful for the kids, aside from the heat. I'd like to get something that attaches to a bicycle so we can pull them a little easier and without as much back-straining agony.

We took the kids to the mall yesterday so I could get Leah some new shoes. Her feet are growing so fast! There were some people in the middle of the mall who were building a castle out of red clay or some other earthy substance.

Zac had an interview at Blockbuster. He really wants the job and I'm hoping he gets it.