The Blue Hutch

All Done Blogger, All Done

2011-10-16T23:03:00.001-05:00

In an attempt to use my iPad for what it was purchased, I have had to make a change. This change is going to require some flexibility on your part. The "pain" will be fleeting and you will find yourself safely home in the midst of humorous stories, cutesy crafts, fabulous photos, and (let's face it) adorable children being raised in a fall world by swirly parents.So, take a deep breath. . .

The Blue Hutch has a new address.

It's easier one to remember, actually.

www.thebluehutch.wordpress.com

Quick, go change your bookmarks, reader subscriptions, and mental notes. You aren't going to want to miss what's coming up this week. Seriously. . . there was a trip to Atlanta, a concert with my Honey, and a kid ate poop. See! You are not going to want to miss that.

So come on over and I'll see you there. Leave a comment to let me know you found us. I'll dig through the stuff on the blue hutch to see what I can find to share first.

Story Boarding

2011-10-15T22:50:00.000-05:00

Our proud little author made six separate trips into the living room to share the story line he was weaving on his dry erase board. He loved that I took pictures and I plan to print them out and make a little book for him.

The Author:

The Story:

I'm Here - RU Still with Me?

2011-10-13T13:50:00.000-05:00

It has been 14 days since I last posted. FOURTEEN DAYS! I think that is a record. Life has been zipping by and I haven't had time to breathe, much less write about my breaths. Right now my youngest has a friend over and they are dancing around in KB's pajamas, so I am going to seize the moment and see what I can type.

1. Fall has come to the Midwest and we literally have to wade through leaves to get to the van. I LOVE it and have put pumpkins and candy corn on most of our flat surfaces.

2. There's been a lot of soccer and Bubba has loved it. They won a game and it didn't even seem to phase him. I don't mind that. Honey makes a point of asking each week if he had fun and if he learned anything new about soccer. It's cute.

3. Last week was a whirlwind. Honey was in Las Vegas from Monday to Wednesday night LATE. I left Thursday after lunch and was in the south with my extended family until Monday. I now feel completely discombobulated and ready to settle back down into a "routine". (Who am I kidding? There is no routine here. Try as I may to create one, the Lord seems to think that my sanctification is more important and I obviously have control issues. Sorry, we now return to our regularly scheduled blog post.)

4. The trip to Birmingham and Atlanta was fun. Seeing my brother was a real treat (Andrew, I wrote Hannah Kate about doing a trunk show) and WAY too short. In heaven I still hope to have a mansion on the same block as him. Time with my mother and sister was super. We laughed a LOT. Several friends from seminary were at the conference and it was nice to see their familiar faces. There was little to NO free time and I was sad I couldn't see my dear friends in Atlanta - so close and yet so far. (Amy and Jackie we'll have to try again. Direct flights to the gateway city aren't too pricey and you are welcome anytime!!)

5. Honey finished another class in his quest for a second masters degree and that means we are officially halfway done. Only three classes left (I think) and then a big project. Sounds so simple. . .

6. Took Bubs to the eye doctor today to see if the patching has been working. His acuity is much better but the eye is still turning and Dr. G says the only reasonable action is another surgery. So, we'll be scheduling that in the next couple days.

That's all I can do right now. I have pictures on the camera to share and I am sure there are stories to be told. It's more important right now that I stop clicking away on the keyboard and listen to KB and her friend Lillian singing "O Come Let Us Adore Him" in the kitchen while playing with Playdoh. (Don't you hate you are missing that!!)

Wonderful Words

2011-09-29T13:03:00.000-05:00

The wife of one of our professors was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Her treatment starts soon and we received an email today encouraging us in how to pray. Part of that email was a quote from the letters of 17^th Century Scottish pastor Samuel Rutherford and a bit of comment from a sermon in which it was included. The words were so wonderful I wanted to share them with you.

“In one of those letters, Rutherford wrote to a much afflicted woman these glorious words:

Madam, when ye are come to the other side of the water, and have set down your foot on the shore of glorious eternity, and look back again to the waters and to your wearisome journey, and shall see, in that clear glass of endless glory, nearer to the bottom of God’s wisdom, ye shall then be forced to say, “If God had done otherwise with me than He hath done, I had never come to the enjoying of this crown of glory.”

When I read that God loves us with an everlasting love, that his people are always upon his heart, that he weeps with those who weep, that we never pass through a trial but that he passes through it with us, I am persuaded that Rutherford must be right.” (Rutherford, Rayburn)

Oh, that the things of earth would grow strangely dim in the light of HIS glory and grace.
Amen

Julia, You Are Forgiven

2011-09-29T06:45:00.000-05:00

This was sent to me today from my friend, Julia. The message accompanying it read, "I am sorry but I think of KB when I watch this."

No apology needed - I can see it too. (She would have chosen a better song. . . )

What I've Been Up To (Besides 102)

2011-09-27T22:27:00.000-05:00

I am realizing that I can only do one hobby at a time. I have been sewing which means I haven't blogged, read (there are 184 posts in my Google Reader), or scrapbooked ANY. I don't think I used to be this way. I have to admit that my ability to multitask isn't as sharp as it used to be. I mean it's not like I am on death's door or something, it's just that I have to concentrate a little bit more.

So, I have been inspired by Pinterest and I thought it would be fun to show you what I saw and then what I made. I have decided that Pinterest is just a time sucking covet trap unless one uses it as a tool, so I'm trying to be a better steward. That said.. .

My friend, Michelle, came up with the idea of the "sewing group" making these shirts. They are so adorable and I have to admit this is the earliest I have had a tshirt prepared for a holiday. The Pinterest link:

Source: thecottagehome.blogspot.com via Becky on Pinterest

Michelle gave me the pattern for a pair of pants she was going to make her little girl and I thought I would take that on as well. So. . . (or sew. . .)

Then there was this A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E spider shirt:

Source: etsy.com via Becky on Pinterest

and KB has this cute tulle skirt so I had to try and this is what I came up with:

The spider was a bit tedious and so I was NOT going to make one for Little (or Bubba, for that matter). I did a little search on Pinterest and saw this:

Source: halloween.tipjunkie.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I just realized I don't have a photo of those, but they were quick and easy to make and now the girls have matching shirts. Bubba's going to get a monster instead. You'll see photos eventually, I am sure.

Then there's the gift I made today and I'm excited. I can't remember how long ago it was that someone (my mom or another friend) gave me an clipping from Southern Living which showed a half apron made out of a dish towel and ruffles. Oooh, after a quick Google search it seems it was July 2010 that it was given to me and here's the photo:

Recently I was on Pinterest and came across a tutorial that spelled it all out for me and I decided to make one for my sister-in-law - she loves to cook. Pinterest link:

Source: alittleofthis---alittleofthat.blogspot.com via Becky on Pinterest

Brooke's apron (which I think will look better with real hips behind it - even small hips like Brooke's - and maybe I'll hem the towel up a few inches):

So, there we go. Now I have to move on to the next thing. Honey is headed to Vegas next week for a three day conference and the day after he returns I am headed south to see my BROTHER!!! and then spend the weekend in Atlanta with my sister and Mom. Oh, sorry - SISTER AND MOM!!!!!

I'll check in again real soon. There are soccer photos I must share and Bubba's first MLB game. Till then,

"Good night, sleep tight and may your dreams come true.
Here's a wish and a prayer that every dream comes true.
And now till we meet again, adios, au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen. Good Night!"
(Lawrence Welk)

I'm Sick

2011-09-26T22:58:00.000-05:00

I have plenty to say but don't feel like moving my fingers very much. . . so here's cute stuff other people said.

Source: designer.inktastic.com via Jacqueline on Pinterest

Source: signals.com via Melanie on Pinterest

For Kitty:

Source: 9gag.com via Lauren on Pinterest

For my Honey:

Source: andyouknowit.tumblr.com via Mary on Pinterest

Something I Thought I Would NEVER Do. . .

2011-09-24T11:36:00.001-05:00

Oh, calm down! It's not like I went to a Tea Party demonstration or streaked through Forest Park. This is much smaller in scope but demonstrates just what a Pharisee I really am. So, what did I do? I picked up this moppy haired little kid from school:

and took him to lunch. No big deal, right? The other thing we did left him looking like this when he returned to school:

Yep - I took my kid out of school for a haircut.

I feel like such a rebel.

Living on the edge.

Humor me.

Did I Hear You Correctly?

2011-09-22T14:40:00.000-05:00

Our son, newly six years old, was sitting at the table having lunch with his sisters this past Sunday.

Sandwiches.

They had come to the part of the meal where it became a game to rip their bread and giggle at who knows what and all of a sudden I heard Bubba say, "Look! This piece looks like the Dominican Republic!"

Labor Day Eve

2011-09-17T05:59:00.000-05:00

Twas the day before Labor Day and all of our flock

were laying clothes out for church: white sandals and boat shoes (no socks)

With such cuteness in the closet and Bub's seersucker so fine,

wouldn't YOU want your kids to wear it all one more time?

Sew Pass

2011-09-16T06:42:00.000-05:00

I deal with a lot of guilt in life - what's that about. I live so aware of what other's think and so often find myself attempting to please man rather than God. Just writing that makes me twinge a bit, cause you might think less of me now *wink*. I know it's wrong and that I am fallen but forgiven; I have an audience of one, etc. While my brain knows the fact of it, I am trying to grow in practically living the truth of it.

What's that got to do with sewing?

Well, at counselling yesterday I was asked what I am planning for "self care" now that school had started and we are starting to get into a routine of sorts. One of the first things I thought of was sewing. I am shocked at the joy I get from sewing and I was telling Patti that I plan to sew with friends for a couple hours every other week. Her response? "Oh, that's wonderful! A creative outlet and time with friends - two GREAT ways to care for yourself!" That, my friends, is a paradigm shift.

See my tendency is to think that sewing every other week with friends is selfish and I could better spend my time doing housework of some kind (a.k.a marking something off my list). I am growing to learn that I can't have a list that is ONLY about me, but it is okay - no, important - to have myself on my list. Caring for myself will allow me to take better care of my family and the other responsibilities God has given me. So, I am giving myself a "Sew Pass"!!

altered photo from Controlling My Chaos

Disclaimer: Patti didn't stop with sewing as self care but made me dig a bit deeper and we came up with a list of five or six things that were necessary and would positively impact my personal and familial quality of life. It's hopeful, really.

What's up first? I have some precious knits that I can't wait to sew. There's the seasonal need for jammies and then there are a couple skirts and dresses I saw on Pinterest. Like this one:

Source: thetraintocrazy.com via Becky on Pinterest

or this one:

Source: craftsy.com via Becky on Pinterest

Here's the stash:

Little has informed me that the pink with brown polka dots will be her first pair of jammies and I have even found it on, under and beside my sewing machine on multiple occasions!

I really don't have anything planned for Bubba except for jammies. (I love when he comes out and sits on the porch with me while I sew.)

Then there's this little stack that's being transformed as we "speak":

And this bigger stack that is halfway complete:

Just looking at the pretty fabric and typing some plans makes my heart glad!!!
What do YOU DO for self care??

I'm off to do number ONE on my list - shower AND wash my hair!!!!!!

Two TuTus and a Soccer Ball

2011-09-15T05:40:00.000-05:00

As a recap, our children are 7, 6, and a month shy of 4. Up to this point we have not been involved in any extracurricular activities outside of church. This year has brought with it "the big change". That's right folks, all three of our kids are ready for/in need of some kind of group activity at the same time. (It's moments like these that make me feel like a non-traditional mother of triplets - go ahead and roll your eyes, Kitty - even though I KNOW it isn't the same. Developmental delays of different proportions in two different kids often allows for multiples reaching the same milestone simultaneously. In that vein, enter ballet and soccer.

KB started ballet last week after talking about the desire to do ballet for a solid year. She is part of a class on campus and five or six of the other girls are all friends from church.

We weren't allowed to stay and watch, so I snapped a photo or two very quickly and headed to the playground with my friends for a 30 minute child-free chat. Fun for KB - fun for me!

Our son started soccer practice three weeks ago. (He is very particular about you calling it soccer practice so as to differentiate between that and the actual GAME.) With two practices under his belt, we headed out this past week to our first game - KDS vs. St. Clements of Rome.

Doesn't get much cuter than this:

If I am honest, I would have to admit that I never expected to see this

or this

Funny thing is, we never saw a game. The boys went out on the field to warm up and the sky opened up and dumped a ton of rain on us. The boys left the field and found shelter to wait ten minutes before reassessing the situation.

The rain did NOT let up and our little boy was let down. The rest of the day he would sporadically pipe up with, "The soccer game was cancelled. We'll have a game next week with no rain." Pray with us - we need the rain but we also need a soccer game!

Last but not least, Little started ballet yesterday. After a week of lugging her brother to soccer practice and listening to her sister talk about ballet, Little turned to me and said, "Mom, Bubba does soccer and KB does ballet - - - what am I going to do?" Great question. I had been thinking about it but just hadn't found the thing that seemed suitable. I sat down at the computer and emailed the gal in charge of ballet on campus and it turned out there was one space left in the 6 and 7 year old class and the teacher is a friend who I felt comfortable calling and asking if she thought Little would be okay and not too big of a distraction. Michelle signed off on it and Little headed to ballet just hours later.

I haven't heard much about how it went but I have been shown how to twirl on my toes and told there is a way to put my feet (never toes together?). I am thrilled that she'll have a group activity and will be in a loving environment. It's crazy how defensive I get on her behalf - - I just don't want her to feel foolish. I think she is incapable of that but I'm just not 100% positive.

So everyone has something and I have a new relationship with my car seat. Wouldn't it be cool if you could plug your sewing machine into your cigarette lighter?

Bubba's Birthday

2011-09-14T06:20:00.001-05:00

One of my best friends has politely pointed out that Bubba's birthday is glaringly absent from this blog. I forgot. It's very indicative of how his birthday went. I didn't forget the day or the shirt, but I just wasn't as aware as usual and the day just went by with minimal fanfare. My little boy turned six and it was just so-so. Still, I tell you about it, cause the shirt was cute and the cake needs the opportunity to end up on "Cake Wrecks".

So you know how we do birthdays around here - we make them about whatever the kiddo is crazin' on at that moment. Well, iPads are all the rage at the Blue Hutch and Bubba just loves to play Mayan Puzzle. He has completed all 50 levels but still goes back to replay often and watch everything blow up. I tell you this because, at some point, Bubba mentioned that he could have a Mayan Puzzle birthday and I took note. I am sure that he said it off the cuff but it worked for me and with the unhappy truth that his birthday, this year, landed in one of our family's busiest and most crazed weeks of the year.

So he had a Mayan Puzzle shirt (he can tell you how to solve it too):

So, six squares makes for an easy puzzle (you just move the middle square to your right so that the matching fabrics line up) but he's six and it works! A real puzzle looks like this:

and this is what I used as a pattern for making the cake. Of course I got distracted while drawing the squares and mixed the colors up, so I am not sure the puzzle on the cake is solvable.

I know it's pretty hideous, but it tasted good and held candles like it was supposed to:

We quickly opened presents:

and then Honey and I headed out to navigate two parent orientations at two different schools (we ended up attending the one at Promise together since we had done KDS before). It's fun that he got Connect4 and we have enjoyed playing together. He also got a drum pad and a DVD on how to play the drums - should be fun. The gifts I am really excited about are a subscription to God's World News, the children's resource by World Magazine, and a trip to the aquarium downtown where he'll get to feed the fish (big and small) and have a back stage tour of how things work. He's going with his daddy an it should be just perfect for my two lovers of learning.

So there you go. I forgot to give him his pack of gum ("We don't chew gum till we're six" is what you hear quoted around here) and I forget to give him a six year commitment which involves our reading of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe together. It'll be fine, I know, but messing up isn't easy for this gal.

At least I have now posted about the birthday and I can mark that off with a smile :) And he turned six. . . unfortunately there was nothing I could do to stop that.

I Found My Paper

2011-09-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

On the nightstand - THAT's where I found one of the slips of paper with notes of what I just couldn't forget to type up so that one day I could tell the stories to my children and watch them blush. Was it worth it? One item - kinda; one item - definitely; one item - eh. I'll let you guess which is which. . .

1. My friend, Michelle, gave us a bunch of books when she recently cleaned out her house and moved. Several of the books are from the Explore and Learn (affiliate link) series and I have been giving them to Bubba over time. His favorite so far is on Earth and Space and he can quote all kinds of facts about the earth's core and the planets, etc.

After the earthquake hit in Virginia/DC, I was telling Bubba what had happened and he proceeded to tell me how the earth had shifted and the movement caused walls to crack and blah, blah, blah - straight from the book. I told HIM that walls had cracked at the Pentagon and we Googled it so he could see pictures.

He was riveted. He went and found his workbook on the 50 states, found DC, and drew a Pentagon in the approximate location of the real building. He asked what happened in the Pentagon and why the earth and shifted under it and caused walls to crack blah, blah, blah. It was AWESOME to watch him learn. FRIGHTENING, but awesome.

2. The other day when we got home from preschool, I turned around to find KB standing in the driveway with her baby doll and school bag in one hand and my Diet Dr. Pepper can in the other with two fingers out as she waved and hick-nodded to passing drivers (like these guys). While looking for a photo to show you I learned that this is called a two finger farmer wave. My three year old aced it.

3. Bubba has to wear a patch over his left eye until October. His right eye is the eye he had surgery on way back when and it is still weak, so we are hoping that the patch will force him to use it more and it will grow stronger. He is NOT excited about the patch.

The two weeks before school were fine. He only has to wear it two hours a day and we would knock that out first thing while he was watching cartoons, playing in his room, etc. Then school started and he told me that he didn't need to wear it there; people would laugh at him. First of all, WHY is my Kindergartner even thinking about/aware of that?? I told him that if he wore the patch at home he wouldn't have to wear it to school but if he wasn't being faithful at home he would have to wear it in his classroom. He wasn't faithful at home.

We had the conversation in the van about the fact that I didn't believe kids would laugh at him. If anything kids would say, "I wish I had a patch to wear like a pirate." He ended up jumping out of the van and tootling into school without a hesitation. Now remember - he only had to wear it for a couple hours.

When I picked him up at 3:55PM he was STILL wearing the patch. He ran over and grabbed my hand and I said, "You still have your patch on! Was it a good day?" He answered (in complete monotone), "It was fine, mom. I didn't take my patch off. And no one said, 'I wish I had a patch to wear.'" That was ALL he said. Seriously.

Now you tell me - was it worth it?

Tough Day

2011-09-09T21:39:00.000-05:00

I did NOT succumb to tears, but my eyes stung for most of the day. It all started when we couldn't find Little's glasses, Bubba wasn't dressed after being instructed eight times (at least) to get dressed, and while I was getting my own shoes on, everyone ran outside to swing on the swings after being told not to.

Then I remembered that Little had gone through her pack of 26 pull-ups in less than a week (because the school was letting her change them at her own discretion) and I still had to buy more and deliver them to her teacher.

I have to tell you, listening to my children sing almost made me calm again but then I heard the words and the sting returned.

"I've got a couple dents in my fender. Got a couple rips in my jeans. Try to fit the pieces together but perfection is my enemy. . . " (Francesca Battistelli, Free to Be Me) Really? You think I need to hear that NOW? Thanks.

It just went on from there; nothing horrible but just "off" enough to keep me on edge and my eyes stinging. So, tonight I blew off the grocery list that has been haunting me all day and did something to try and relieve the tension in my shoulders - I created. And YOU get to benefit! That's right. I made this:

If you go here you should be able to download it for yourself and have it printed as an 8x10 at your local photo developer of choice. If you don't choose to download or print it, I don't need to know. I am just excited about picking mine up at Sam's Club tomorrow at 11:05AM and getting it into my "change with the seasons" frame in the living room.

I might even have to buck tradition and pull out something with pumpkins on it.

We'll see how the morning goes.

It All Must Be Said/Saved

2011-09-06T21:19:00.002-05:00

So, it is obvious that school has started back because I have had no time to blog. The first two/three weeks of school are so tough for me. I am a schedule girl and hammering out all the details of our schedule takes a bit of time. It seems the last details have fallen into place and tomorrow will be our test run and glimpse of what could become a well oiled machine.

During these weeks of transition there have been some doozies around here and I actually have texted myself twice, left a message on my own cell phone, AND written two notes on scrap paper to help me remember what I wanted to type! Of course, in true "new Becky" form, I have lost the notes and deleted the messages. I'm winging it. You will think what I remember is hilarious, AND I just don't want to forget them long term. Here we go. . .

1. Little found my labeler and I had the privilege of introducing her to the joy it provides. She proceeded to put her name on every computer toy she has. All my labeler tape is gone but she has also stopped yelling "It's MINE" as often!

2. Bubba ate poop off the floor. It was awful. He and KB came walking into my room - KB with something in her hand and Bubba with something in his teeth. Once we got his mouth washed out, KB's hand's clean, and passed the danger of barfing on each other I learned that he "thought it was a dried cereal bar". The hilarious part was him adding in straight monotone, "it was not."

3. Leaving the driveway last week Little said, "There goes the swing set." I responded with, "Yep. There is goes." She just kept on talking, "Maybe daddy and Mr. Meyer could take that swing set down and we could get a new pink one with white seats and a pink bar." And then her voice went up an octave (which it does when she prays) and I heard her quietly say, "Dear Jesus, Will you please give us a house of our own so we can have a new pink swing set with white seats and a pink bar. Aaaaamen." I'll keep you posted *wink*.

4. KB was in her car seat holding Baby, her baby doll, and I kept hearing her say, "Mama. Mama. Maaama." I finished what I was doing and said said, "What, KB?" Her response? "No, Mom. She is talking to ME." That's my imaginative child right there.

5. Bubba paused before getting out of the car at school and said, "Mom, Kindergarten is really hard work."

6. Honey is allergic to cats and dogs (and a gazillion other things) AND our lease says we can't have pets. I'm okay with that at this stage of life. KB let her feelings be known today when she said, "Mom - I wish we could have a house with no Mr. Meyer and no innergies."

7. We listen to "Mighty To Save" at least three times every morning on the way to school and Laura Story's name gets thrown around quite readily. Honey met her a few weeks ago when she was in town and I told the kids that she is singing at a conference I am going to in October. Definite cool points for the parents. Anyway, I was singing along with Laura yesterday and Bubba says, "Leave the singing to Laura Story, mom." Great.

8. Bubba is developing the cutest sense of humor. I can't remember what he said (it was on the paper I lost) but it's really cute. He's funny.

9. We had communion on Sunday and the children came back from children's worship to sit with us. As the bread was passed the children whispered and asked me what it was - I explained and they all asked to touch it. Gross, but whatever. Then the juice came and Little asked when she was going to get to have bread and juice. I leaned over and said that one day, when she was ready to recognize that she's a sinner and trust Jesus' forgiveness through his death on the cross, we would talk about it again. Well, I barely got that out of my mouth with Little cried out (at quite a volume, I might add), "But I'm a sinner NOOOOOOW."

10. After three days in Kindergarten Bubba says (as he rolls over and goes to put his THUMB IN HIS MOUTH), "I like Josie Heefner more every day. I am going to dream about her tonight. I am going to dream she is playing Mayan Puzzle." His favorite girl + his favorite game = sweet dreams.

Hope you have sweet dreams tonight too. . .

Friday Funny

2011-09-02T06:21:00.000-05:00

Warning? It seems like less issues in life would be a good thing!!!

Remember Me - Evil

2011-09-01T21:34:00.003-05:00

Okay, I just watched the movie "Remember Me". I don't know that I would have admitted it to anyone - it stars Robert Pattinson and Pierce Brosnan and that blonde from LOST - except for the fact that I feel so betrayed. I can't remember the last time a movie did this to me. ARGH!

So it's a drama - full of conflict and brooding (just what you would expect from the guy who played Edward in Twilight). The movie follows a pretty predictable road and everything is looking up. It is time for resolution and Tyler (Pattinson) smiles for the first time in the movie. I was emotionally geared for a happy ending.

Then it happened. As quickly and easily as a camera pan across a blackboard I was sent reeling and felt literally knots in my stomach. All of a sudden it became clear that the purpose of the movie, the true subject/theme was not at all what I thought. I had been set up for over an hour to communicate something in the last ten minutes. They achieved everything they intended and it was powerful.

So, there you go. I feel better. I need to walk and breathe.
Maybe a bowl of ice cream. . .

***** added *******
Now that I think about it, hopelessness and the perceived meaninglessness of life was the pervasive theme of the whole thing. It was awful. Don't ever watch it. Seriously.

First Days are Done - Honesty and a Link

2011-08-31T07:11:00.000-05:00

More than one person has asked about the vinyl on the sanitizer bottles and it caused me to think (I try not to do that - it makes my brain cry). I quickly realized that I didn't give an explanation about the teacher gifts and was dishonest by omission. Sorry, folks.

Okay, the truth is that I bought the vinyl online. Yep, I ordered it from a very efficient gal and let her do the work while I was driving carpool. . . again. I first read about Janae while reading this post on the HILARIOUS blog called Controlling My Chaos. Janae runs a business called Thoughts in Vinyl and has lots of cute kits and quotes and more for purchase (I am getting nothing for telling you about her - I just like what I've seen) and she committed to make these vinyl cutouts for readers of Controlling My Chaos after Jill posted her own bottles and we all responded with a loud, "I want to do that too!!!"

You can order your own here.

Hope all is well. I also hope to write more soon. Bubba turned 6 yesterday and that was the second-to-the-last hurdle on the journey to sanity. Now I am just waiting for transportation to get Bubba's bus schedule worked out. . .

First Days are Done

2011-08-26T05:26:00.001-05:00

Everybody has had their day in the spotlight and the "first days" are done. Pictures have been taken, new friends have been met, school supplies are tucked away, the carpool route has been driven and all the teachers have been given little back to school gifts:

I wrote about Bubba's first day and I'm about to give the girls equal "air time". Little started on Wednesday and KB started today. Here is Little before her first day at Promise Christian Academy:

Seriously, it is a ridiculous grin she is pulling out these days, but she is so darn cute you just get over the crooked smile. Oh, and a close up so you can see her little uniform embroidery:

She had a super first day. She walked right in and said, "Hey There!" to whomever might be listening and went straight to hang up her backpack:

Did you see that loud and bright backpack? Ugh. Another choice made by my daughter and another time to hold my tongue and remember it isn't about me. Don't get me wrong, it's cute enough. . . just not girlie :) See:

Her teacher was Mrs. Lee.

I say was because I got a call before lunch telling me that they would really like to move Little to the middle grades class for several different reasons. It was encouraging and sweet and now Mrs. Brittany is Little's teacher. Little was in her class today and L-O-V-E-D it. Little had homework tonight and it was FUN doing it; for the first time ever it was fun. All in all, Little starting school seems . . . hopeful.

And this is how we started the first day in our three year old class at Kirk Day School (mom, this is the dress):

Who is that "masked" girlie? Yep, that's KB. You wouldn't know it by the first photo but she was so very excited for her first day to begin. She's been carrying around a backpack full of baby dolls for a week now. It's really cute.

She hung her bag right up by her name plate and was ready to dash right away.

I forced her to come back for a photo with her teacher and then said, "Have a good time," to the back of her head as she darted over to the dollhouse to play. This is Mrs. Hauser. She's been teaching here for awhile. One of the mom's told me that Mrs. Hauser taught her in 3rd grade and now she was dropping off her son in Mrs. Hauser's class. THAT would be weird, eh?

KB must have gotten inspired in that learning environment because she came home and produced this:

All By Herself!!!

Little has been ready to drop after both days of school and KB is exhausted but won't let herself nap. Bubba's fatigue is showing up in hyper behavior and I am just plain tuckered. (Honey is exhausted too but his fatigue is for reasons not elementary school related so we won't go into that. Suffice it to say - meetings, meetings, meetings.) It's a good thing these days are over because, as a family, we are done.

"Motherhood is Application"

2011-08-25T20:26:00.000-05:00

If you don't regularly read "girltalk" you should make the effort and head over to read today's post - a quote. Click through here to read what Rachel Jankovic has written about motherhood.

My Son and Soccer

2011-08-25T06:52:00.000-05:00

So last week was the beginning of soccer. Bubba will be quick to tell you that he "did not play soccer" he "practiced soccer". It was boiling hot and they took water breaks ever 15 minutes, but after an hour Bubs came running to me (the first time I was aware that he was aware I was even there) and let me know he had "practiced too much". Covered in sweat and exhausted, my little boy had enough for the day.

I gave him his water bottle and told him to take it back with him to Coach Wacker; all that was left to do was pray. In a display of dramatics that would have made his little sister proud, our Bubba went back to the "huddle", took a long drag from his water bottle, and flopped down on his back on the ground with a moan. Ridiculous.

He loved it though. He did a super job and he loved it. No practice this week but he's looking forward to next week already. We got a soccer book from the library to hold him over.

Portraits and Puking

2011-08-24T05:20:00.001-05:00

One of the beautiful things about family is how we share, right? Pbllll! Sharing is great until it comes to germs, three kids, and fever.

The week before our guests arrived both Little and Bubba had experienced 12 hours of yuck. Bubba's clash with grossness involved high fever and throwing up. *Just a note on that. This was the first time one of my kids had thrown up who could talk to me. It was AWESOME! So great to have someone say, "I'm going to be sick" and then run to the bathroom instead of throwing up all over me and the carpet. Seriously. I know it is gross to talk about, but the fact that there was little to no clean-up was so GREAT.

Okay, back to the story. Little had only had the fever. So the upside of her soiree with sickness was that she wanted to snuggle but didn't vomit.

KB was well until the in-laws arrived. Tuesday she started feeling HOT but by afternoon she was fine again. I decided we would keep the appointment we had for getting pictures made the next day (I really wanted a photo of the kids with the grandparents and who KNOWS when we'll be together again). Well, she woke up with 102 and I gave her ibuprofen. The effects of the medicine were apparent, meaning she was running and jumping all over the place, and we headed out to be the first appointment of the day at Penneys.

Not only was it the WORST experience I have ever had at Penneys (I filled out an online survey of our time and told them we will NOT come back when that photographer is there), but because the picture taker was so slow and wouldn't listen to what we wanted KB's medicine wore off and she turned into a pile of hot mush. These are what we ended up with - no choices really - just the decision to buy the ones that were somewhat centered.

We didn't intend to get individual shots done, but these were actually the best ones taken. I love that I have this picture of Little with Scout - she takes that animal with her EVERYWHERE and now I have 1000 words wrapped up in this precious picture.

Bubba's birthday is next week so it was time for a six year old picture anyway. This is the close up shot but in the one I framed you can see his legs and feet. Those feet are HUGE. I just can't believe how much he is growing. Makes my mommy heart a bit tender.

And then there is this trouper. This is my beautiful baby with 102 fever. Look at that smile. How could I NOT get a copy of this photo, eh? Seriously. All the jokes I make about her giving us a hard time. . . KB is a delight; an absolute joy. I'm just so glad God gave us this little one to bring spark to our little clan.

In true Blue Hutch fashion, we decided to do Chickfila for lunch. We WERE already at the mall so it just made sense *grin*. Halfway through the meal KB started looking peaked and super mom (that's me) got a fry container under her chin JUST in time to keep her sickness contained. You should have seen the men moving. Almost immediately I had Chickfila bags-o-plenty.

The little girl threw up twice and was fine after that. We didn't know that was going to be all, though, so we left immediately. I went outside to sit with KB and wait for the family to bring the car around. She would NOT take her face out of the bag. She was so nervous about getting sick again. She kept it just like this for the next hour. Hilarious.

The rest of the visit was fun and low key. We went to Office Depot as a family because they had pencil sharpeners for a penny and a limit of 3/person. We ended up with 21 which will be great for one class on Valentines Day.

All-in-all it was a wonderful visit. It was fun to have these two all to ourselves and spend time together at a relaxed pace. The downside to living in the Midwest is the distance from family and we are so thankful the Lord saw fit to give up these moments together.

Sweet Kicklighter men.

I wish Bubba had his glasses on because the resemblance between the three is already uncanny. The glasses would have made it hilarious.

Hot Headed at Grants

2011-08-23T05:28:00.005-05:00

Just to prove that we hadn't learned our lesson, we set out the next morning for Grant's Farm. We were there 45 minutes, I think, before we were ALL ready to go. Well, Little was doing alright because she was wearing her new cooling vest. See that little pink vest she has? It's filled with ice and keeps her body cool since she can't do it herself. It was a lifesaver that day.

A highlight of the day was watching these two mammoth tortoises walk and eat. I have never seen them move and the show this day was amazing. They had both been just sitting there (as usual) and all of a sudden one got up as if to say, "I'm done sittin' here. It's uncomfortable." When she (?) stood it was revealed that she was sitting on a plate of veggies. No wonder she was a mite uncomfortable.

No sooner did that tortoise walk away than the other stood and walked to eat off the tray. Another first: watching a H-U-G-E turtle open those jaws and snap down on whatever there was. (Oh, and when that tortoise moved we were shown another plate of veggies to fight over later.

Relief was sought in the water sprayers/mist-ers BUT what it really did was make you feel all humid.

We rode the carousel, fed the goats, ate a snow cone and we were ready to GO. See these smiling faces? This photo is called, "So Happy to be Leaving".

Magic with the In-Laws

2011-08-22T05:26:00.000-05:00

The last thing that happened in July that MUST be told here, was the visit from the in-laws. It was wonderful to have time with them after a LONG time of being apart. Honey's folks live outside Savannah, GA and it's a 14 hour drive (Linda doesn't fly), so it is quite a commitment to visit. It's hard for us to make the trip with three little ones and their weird sleep needs, etc. So this was the first time they had seen KB since she was 6 months old and the first time she had met them in her way of thinking. We planned a couple things but knew that time together was the main goal and doing that at home was just as great (if not better) as doing it on the go.

One of the outings we planned was to the Magic House. I knew Jeriald would get a kick out of the place and the kids had won tickets from the library. We went EARLY because the temperatures were supposed to be so high (heat indexes of 115 all week that week). We also played in the front yard right away and for the first time ever. We ALL had fun but we were ALL glad to go in to the air conditioned house!

Great minds at work:

Jeriald and Little made something that actually looked like a something!

Everyone went to the very top of the beanstalk for the first time.

I love the baby nursery. It is my favorite room, I think. It was so fun to watch Little dress as a doctor (ironically from the Children's Hospital where the doctor said she might not ever ____________) and read the chart that told her the five steps to take with the babies. She listened to one's heart, weighed her, fed her, bathed her, and changed her diaper. Then she crawled up into the rocking chair and rocked the baby before putting her into the hospital bassinet. Absolutely precious.

It was seriously hot, folks.

The adults were exhausted in no time. Lunch was a great reason to head out and the rest of our day was spent lazily chatting together.