Beauty Sleep

Audrey likes to dress fashionably when she sleeps.
You never know when you might get invited to a party in the middle of the night.

Can't be caught without arm warmers.

Doesn't everyone sleep with a fuzzy pink boa and white gloves?

That light from the fish tank is waaaay too bright.

Speaking of fashion. Parks and Rec hats are awesome.
I mean, Jackson could fit a bag of cotton candy up in that thing.

Ten!

In lieu of plastering a gazillion baby pictures of Sadie all over this post (I already did that last year), I pulled out some samples of her writing since that is one thing she loves to do. We just recently learned she scored a SIX on the writing portion of the FCAT. A 6 is a perfect score for the writing section and she was one of only two students in the 4th grade to get it this year. I'm only disappointed that I don't ever get to read the story she wrote. They should send those back to the parents.

Anyway, I have stacks of stories, essays and poems Sadie has written that I hope to someday have bound in to a book. It's that imagination of hers. I just know it will take her places.

ALL ABOUT ME - by Sadie (around January 2008)

Facts About Me
My name is Sadie. I am almost 10 years old. I live in Florida. My favorite color is orange and I was born on May 28, 1999. Actually I was supposed to be born on June 10 but I came early. All my other siblings were born late. So I just give myself an extra birthday on June 10.

Things That I Like
Now here are some things that I like, as myself. First up, I like drawing, poetry, the color orange, playing outside, (sometimes school), TV, riding my scooter, spaghetti, watermelon, popcorn, bubble gum, Sprite, and Webkinz. That's just a few of the things I like. I could list almost 3 more pages of the stuff that I like, But I won't because that is too much space it takes up in this book. Speaking of books, I like to write them. I do enjoy writing books.

Things That I Don't Like
Now here are some things that I don't like. First of all, I don't like pickles, mushrooms, root beer, olives, sitting up straight, rules, work, commands, the letter D, being yelled at, cleaning my bathroom, homework, and much, much more.

Things I Do Well
I do a lot of things well. Especially spelling. I was the third grade spelling champion. I won the championship too! I'm also a great chef and athlete.

People I Look Up To
I look up to my parents, my older cousins, my aunts and uncles, and other adults like my friend's mom, Julie. They mean a lot to me.

My Future
I don't know what my future will be like yet. I'm thinking about it still. Anyway, I still have a long way to go. No need to rush. I do know that I want to go to college and then be a mom of 4 children.

___________________________________

Here is a sample from Sadie's 5 Minute Writing Journal. A few times a week they were given a prompt and had 5 minutes to write something.

If I were a superhero, I wouldn't really have a name. But I would wear a cute outfit that has a white, orange, and yellow "S" on the front. I would also have some fighting. I heard about that 12:00 Maniac in NYC. Did you hear that he runs nude down Central Avenue at 12:00 in the afternoon every single day? I really have to get that guy to Egypt where he could run nude anywhere in the desert and no one would see him....
(To Be Continued....)
"Tonight on the 10:00 news update on News 13...The 12:00 Maniac has been escorted to Egypt by NYC police. Also, Sadie the Ex-Superhero has quit her job as a superhero after kicking the 12:00 Maniac in the face. Be sure to watch that news update tonight. Now, here's your weather..."

___________________________________

There were way too many writings to choose from. She's just a bundle of energy and imagination. The next Stephenie Meyer, perhaps? ☺

Sadie also has a very large heart. I hope Jennifer P. doesn't mind if I steal her favorite quote that sums up her daughter but I always think of it now when I need to describe Sadie. (Jennifer, she and Laura would either majorly butt heads or hit it off famously. ☺ )

"She is like a gale force hurricane wind ripping through your life and other times she is a gentle delicate breeze on your cheek."

That is Sadie to a T. (Or is it tee?)

When she was 5 she demanded that we change her last name to Schnibbens because our last name was too boring.

But then there was the time she threw a birthday party, complete with gifts, guests, brownies and crafts for a girl in the neighborhood whose mother died 2 years before, and her dad forgot about her birthday or kept putting it off or something.

Sadie, you are awesome and we love you so much! Happy Birthday baby girl!!

Presenting....

A Day In The Life Of
A Brand Spankin' New Two-Year-Old

(Stay tuned for Justin's exciting stats and milestones at the end ☺)

Good Morning!

Breakfast of oatmeal, while watching TV.

Taking the kids to school - not typical, Dad does this most days.
Thank goodness because Mom usually doesn't wear a bra.

Mid-morning popcorn fix. I will have another one after my nap later.


My sweet ride.


Getting creative in the garage since it's raining cats and dogs outside.
Nothing like a wooden slide and splinters in my hiney.


Talking to daddy.
How does he fit inside that little phone?

Gotta look good for the chicks.
Everything in the bathroom is a hair product.

Today's pick.

No one can say no to these eyes.

Mom's gardenias are blooming! Time for me to pick them.

A break in the rain.

This looks fun. It's not usually full of water.



MUD!! A boy's gotta do what a boy's gotta do.

Time for some tricks.


Go Noles! (Did I just say that?)

Waiting for Daddy to go on a bike ride. I travel in style.

Cruising the neighborhood with Jackson.

No day is complete without one of these. Gotta keep them on their toes.

Where are my pants?

Mr. Rooter wanted $160 for this job. Thank goodness Dad is handy.

The two bars of soap I flushed.


The daily check to make sure all my parts are still there.

All clean and ready for bed. But not before a little more playtime.

Jackson loves to make me laugh.

Cars are my life.

Seriously, how much cuter can a 2-year-old be?

A little hide and seek.

Uh, I'm not laughing anymore. This is scary.

Mom makes it all better. Looks like she has a little laundry to do.

This blanky is too dry. Gotta get it nice and soggy. Nighty-night!

Stuff about Justin
~height: approx 35" weight: 29 lbs
~picky eater, most days are difficult food-wise
~still drinks rice milk, does not like regular milk
~loves smoothies (doesn't know there's a handful of spinach blended into each one he drinks)
~loves cars and trucks
~balls take a close second
~has become quite a late sleeper (this will be appreciated over the summer)
~he still takes a nap (if he doesn't sleep late)
~says lots of words, repeats most anything we say
~Jackson is currently his favorite sibling
~he gives good smooches
~The funniest thing about Justin is how he uses Audrey's name in vain. If he falls down or bonks his head or something he says, "Oh Au-dreee!" in exasperation. And Audrey won't even be at home. It is so funny. He says it to anybody who's bugging him or if I say to stop doing something, "No! Au-dreeee!"
~he talks (or yells) in his sleep sometimes (AU-DREEE!)
~he helps get the kids off to school by telling them to remember their "back-back" and to "hurry"
~he's a little showdog, telling everyone to "look" or "watch" him do something
~the Wiggles and Backyardigans hold a very special place in his heart

Happy Birthday little buddy! I love you!

The Mother Of All Days

What a great idea - Mother's Day.

I thought for sure it was going to be a bad day when I woke up feeling quite cruddy with a stuffy nose, sore throat, itchy eyes and achy all over. I even missed church and the whole handing out of the carnations thing. So I slept for awhile and took a shower. I'm all about the "mind over matter thing" and I'm positive about "the better you look, the better you feel", so I got all gussied up while chanting, "I'm not sick. I feel awesome."

And it worked! I think I have either allergies or a little sinus thing going on but my body was just plain exhausted from a long week culminating in a garage sale that I committed to (and was reminded why I swore I would never do one again).

We took off to visit my parents and family and had a great time. The kids delivered roses to my mom (it's also her birthday this week), gave me their usual adorable cards and pictures and smothered me with hugs and kisses. Audrey declared she could hug me forever when I wear my housecoat (which is funny because it makes me look like a granny and I'll have to take a picture of it but I'm too lazy to do it right now).

The dishes are done (by Steve), the kids went to bed with nary a complaint, I'm looking at the gorgeous bouquet of flowers from my man. Life is good.

Happy Mother's Day to all you great moms out there!

Showoff