Tried and True

I know several of you out there are either currently pregnant or recently delivered...

What works?

I am having a hard time finding maternity clothes. This new secret belly pant doesn't work for me (the panel seriously goes to my arm pit!) The belly bands which many have raved over doesn't work for me either (I struggle going in public with my pants undone?!?) I also think I have entered the year of the mini-skirt! That doesn't work either! Has anyone found any long skirts? How about capri's?

If you have a favorite anything, will you please share! My kids keep saying, "Are you wearing that again?"

Thumb... gone!

Max went to his first dental appointment almost a month ago. He LOVED it! He thought having his teeth cleaned was just great... probably because that is what the bigger kids do and he was now joining the ranks.

Anyhow, while there, the dentist talked to Max about not sucking his thumb anymore because it was causing his teeth to shift. Max took this VERY seriously and honestly... IMMEDIATELY stopped sucking his thumb! I keep waiting to see him sneak it back, but he doesn't. He is very conscious of not doing it and literally stopped cold turkey. IRON will??

I am AMAZED! Now, may night-time potty training only be so easy!

Aiming for the Brown

Today was the kick off for the 3rd grade "Reading Olympics." The kids have a month to read a certain number of pages (1500 for Gold, 1300 for Silver, 1100 for Bronze) to attain the awards. Britton was asking the specifics this morning to Chloe' while I was doing her hair for school... inquiring if being read to counts or are there certain books she has read etc. Anyhow, Chloe' told him that she herself has to read the pages and the books have to be okayed by the teacher before she reads them and then when you are finished, you have a question/answer review to complete.

So Britton then asks how many pages she needed to read...

Me: "1500."
Chloe': "No mom, 1100."
Me: "Gold is 1500, Chloe'"
Chloe': "Oh, I'm aiming for Brown... not Gold."

Unable to keep a straight face, we explain to Chloe' that we want her to aim for the Gold. She matter-of-factly informed us that she felt "Brown" was just fine for her.

Forever our Chloe'!

100th Day of School

Today is the celebrated 100th Day of School here at the elementary school. The kids do all kinds of 100-related activities all day long in addition to wearing their 100-item hat. The truth of the matter is... on the 100th day of school, that day's attendance marks the head-count money that the state gives them. With the extra fun and hype, they hope to make sure everyone is at school that day to ensure as complete a count as possible. More kids = more money.

My kids don't know that stuff, but they do know they love the 100th day for the many activities that will be taking place. Here are the kids on their way out the door with their 100-item hats.

The MAN Tie

As of lately, my boys always want to wear a tie to church. Max usually wears a bow tie and Benton wears one of those little boy versions of a big guy tie. They think they look super.

On Sunday, Max decided bow ties were for boys and he needed a "Man tie." For anyone who knows Max, once his mind is made up, it is quite difficult to alter it. Unfortunately, I'm not long on ties and had a hard time getting the tie he wanted to wear over his head. After realizing we weren't going to church without this tie, Britton cut and safety-pinned it up to get it over his head. Once he was dressed, he properly declared his love for his "Man tie!"


The old BOY tie...


The New and Improved MAN tie! (looking a bit tight eh?)