The Thornton Family

Snow Day.

2013-01-17T09:05:00.000-06:00

It wasn't much,

and it's already well on it's way to sludge.

But we have (had) snow.

I've only had two sips of coffee,

so this post will mostly just be pics.

These are the neighbor girls.

They're both always so good about playing

with the kids.

We're sure going to miss them when we move....

in two days. EEK!

Working on a little snow person.

And, we're done.

We spent more time putting coats on

than playing outside.

Now, back to my boxes.

Have a great day!

Maybe he does 'get it' after all....

2012-12-19T22:34:00.000-06:00

He's at the age where he wants everything.

All for himself.

Doesn't want to share.

Doesn't want to give.

Anything.

Ever.

This "phase" is pretty frustrating.

As parents, you don't want your child to be 'that child'.

Because, chances are, you've encountered a few

adults that you know were 'that child'.

Most of us probably don't give to and do for others

as much as we can or should.

I'm guilty there.

But we at least want to teach our kids to be kind

to others.

I guess the giving will follow.

We took cookies to all three Clinton Fire Stations

and the Police Station

on Thanksgiving Day.

I explained why -

that we always want to thank those that keep us safe.

That it's not always about us

and the things that we have/get/want.

That it feels good when you give to others

without getting or expecting anything in return.

We try to keep the explanations simple.

We talk about the "red bucket" and "charities" when

we go to Wal-Mart or Kroger.

(I always make sure to have change in my pocket.)

We try to teach him that this is how God wants us to be.

That He wants us to give.

He wants us to be kind.

The understanding usually only lasts so long.

Then he sees something on tv or in the store that

he wants/"needs".

He snatches and won't share with his sister/cousins/friends.

He gets angry when I suggest that he gather some

old toys to give to kids that don't have any -

he's afraid "they'll want all his toys" if he gives

just the old ones.

We start thinking we've failed.

That he doesn't really 'get it'.

We know he has a kind heart -

and we want to him to show it.

Then he does.

He shows us that his heart is bigger than you would

expect from someone his age.

Jake loves our mailman.

He can hear his truck turn onto the street behind us.

If he's not already in the garage waiting,

he stops what he's doing to go greet him at the mailbox.

Today, he wanted to sit in a chair on the sidewalk

to wait.

I gave him a candy cane ball (peppermint)

while he waited.

He said he needed two.

(Ugh! There he goes being greedy again.)

I told him he could have another one when he came back inside.

He then told me he was only going to eat one.

He wanted to give the other one to Mr. Mitch

(yes, they're on a first name basis) -

"jus to say thanks for bringing our mail".

(Ugh! And there he goes proving us wrong again.)

May not sound like a big deal to most.

He didn't give up any of his toys.

He didn't help put food on someone's table or

clothes on someone's back.

It was just candy.

But that's not the point.

He gave.

Something that was his -

that he wasn't asked to give.

To someone else.

And didn't expect anything in return.

Maybe he does 'get it' after all....

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!

2012-11-28T19:38:00.001-06:00

It's The Hap-Happiest Season of ALL!!

Autumn. Awesome.

2012-11-18T19:43:00.001-06:00

Jake: "Allie, the leaves are changing colors because it's Autumn."

Allie: "Yeah. Iz Awesome!"

Jake: "No! It's Autumn!"

Allie: "Yeah. Awesome!"

Jake: "No! Allie, it's Autumn! It has a 'tuh' in it! It's Autumn!"

Allie: "I know! Iz Awesome!"

I usually stop his correcting at this point,

but I let it go way longer.

He finally gave up and told her it was Fall.

I have lots of updating to do.

We've been on many adventures since my last post.

I'll get to it eventually.

Until then, here are a few more quotes.

You may see lots more of these in the future

since this is the only place I have to "keep" these things.

(I have written a few things down elsewhere so you'll see some things from as far back as 18 mos.)

April 19, 2011 - Jake: "Mama, you awre jus perfec!"

October 6, 2011 - Jake: "Why does boogers need two holes ta lib in?"

October 4, 2012 - Allie: "Ha-pee Berf-day, Brudder! Hers sum ap-pull juice!"

Allie: "Mama, wess count! waaaaaaan, twoooooooo, treeeeeeee, foooooooor, fiiiiiibe. Oh! Das pink!"

(she's easily distracted, ha!)

October 9, 2012 - After our regular blessing at lunch, Jake continued with a line from 'Horton Hears a Who' - "All that we need is all that we've got. We thank you, we thank you, we thank you a lot!"

Ferdy Eight and Bat Spiders

2012-08-30T14:28:00.000-05:00

Allie: "Mama, I pay ferdy eight!"

Jake: "Mom! Come watch us play forty eight!"

I'm not sure what "forty eight" is -

other than Allie's favorite number,

but they sure had fun playing it Tuesday

while "waitin' on da hurry-cane".

And then Jake found a "bat spider".

Little Diva

2012-08-19T14:41:00.000-05:00

Allie is no longer happy with me dressing her.

She has to pick out her clothes.

Her bow.

Her shoes.

All of it.

She usually picks a dress -

so she can be a "badawena".

I was happy with her dress choice for church this morning.

It's one of my favorites,

and it looks so cute on her.

Surprisingly, she picked the pink bow over the blue one.

Yay! The pink bow is the same shade pink as her sandals!

She didn't want the pink sandals.

She HAD to have the pink (knock-off) converse.

They're a size too big, but she doesn't care.

And this "posing" against the wall -

that's all her.

Amen!

2012-08-18T21:03:00.001-05:00

"Thank you God for all our people and all our families and for our Lord. In Jesus name. Amen!"

~ Jake

Six and One Third

2012-08-13T09:22:00.001-05:00

Today is post-op day 6.

And this is my view.

We were told day that days 2 and 3

and then days 5-7 would be bad.

I wish we were told every day would be sunshine and rainbows,

because Jake and Allie have taken turns proving

what the Dr. said.

Day 2 for Allie was pretty rough.

What little bit we could force her to drink

was not staying down very long.

Because she was getting dehydrated,

she was also running a high temp.

When I talked to the nurse,

she said we were "one vomit away from the ER".

Allie fell asleep while Terry was gone to get

phenergan and slept for 4 hours.

I guess that was just what her little body

needed because she was like a whole new

child when she woke up.

It was still a struggle to get her to drink,

but she was keeping it down.

(I never had to give the meds.)

She has continued to do well and has required

very little pain meds.

Fast forward to Day 5.

(Yesterday.)

Jake has not completely been himself

since the surgery,

but we could tell a significant change yesterday.

We've not had any issues getting him to drink

(or eat enormous amounts of ice cream),

but he has struggled more with pain.

He tries to be so tough and not

tell us when he's hurting.

He's so tired of taking medicine that he

would just rather hurt than take it.

(Until this morning. He did ask for some - 2 hours before it was due. :( )

Tomorrow is Day 7.

One week since surgery.

Hopefully we'll see the light tomorrow -

but hopefully it will be the end of the tunnel and not a train......

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now,

on to something a little more "fun".

1/3 of the kids started school today!

YAY!


Of course, he was NOT happy about me taking his pic!

I can't believe my "baby boy" is in NINTH GRADE!!!

Where has the time gone?!??!?!

We're about to get really busy with band practice,

football games and homework!

(And fundraisers, so y'all get ready - ha!)

The little kids will start Mother's Morning Out

after Labor Day.

And Jake won't be leaving the house for

school this year.

But more on that later...

I hope you dance...

2012-08-03T13:50:00.001-05:00

"And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance....

I hope you dance..."

Allie last night (8/2/12) at Livingston Farmers Market.

Allie last year (8/25/11) at Livingston Farmers Market.

2 kids

2012-07-31T11:50:00.000-05:00

2 kids

(in 4 weeks had)

9 trips to the doctor

7 antibiotics

2 shots

4 ear infections

5 throat infections

6 pharmacy trips

1 million doses of motrin and tylenol.

(The watermelon from Ms Kathy at Daddy's work has helped us feel better, too!)

SO......

7 days,

these

2 kids will be getting

1 set of ear tubes

and will be getting rid of

1 set of adenoids

and

2 sets of tonsils.

Yes, at the same time.

Jake will have his tonsils

(that have been the size of ping pong balls for over a year)

removed

and

Allie will have ear tubes placed and tonsils

and adenoids removed.

Allie still has sleep apnea,

so taking her tonsils and adenoids should help with that too.

Pray for us, please.

We know doing this at the same time is best,

but it's sure to be 'fun' here for a week or so.

Schooool's Out....... For four more weeks...

2012-07-16T12:37:00.002-05:00

So, this is only two months late.

Oh well.

School will start back (for the boys)

in four more weeks.

Allie has to wait another 3 weeks.

Jake is so excited -

much more excited than he appears in his

"first day of school" photo from last year!

He was excited and a little unsure about school last year.

Now, he LOVES school.

He has fussed multiple times a week all summer

about wanting to go to school.

I hope he's always like that......

but, I'm sure it will change.

Allie was excited to go to "school" last year,

but only because the boys went to school.

Once she realized Momma didn't stay at school,

it wasn't so much fun.

She had fun once she got over me leaving,

but every Thursday until the last day, was the same.

Excitement to go, then tears and "no momma" when we got there.

I even had to take her training potty and leave

at school each day because she refused to use the potty

at school.

Seriously, she would hold it for 5 hours -

I guess that was her way to rebel.

She's talked about her teachers all summer

and will be in the same class this year

(and Jakey will be joining her - in another class),

so hopefully she'll do better this year.

Last Day of School

Look how much they grew in just 9 months!

I think we're all (except for Austin) excited for school

to start back.

I know I am!

to market, to market

2012-07-11T22:03:00.000-05:00

Finally!

A real post.... kind of....

I can't believe school will be starting in FOUR weeks

and I've not posted anything from the summer.

One of our favorite things to do during the

summer (and fall) is go to the market.

Jake likes it for the waterslide.

Allie for the food!

We started the "market season" at

Dogwood Market in Flowood.

Meme was there, but the kids pretty much forgot about that

when I let them get in the water fountain....

Livingston Market is our MOST favorite!

Last year was great because Allie pretty much stuck by me

and did what I wanted to do.

This year, she wants to be a big kid.

She's in the water as much as I'll let her.

She even went down the slide once!!

Jake is ALWAYS at the water - barely comes up for air!

I usually have to drag him, kicking and screaming,

when it's time to leave.

Although Allie loves the water,

her favorite activity is to see how much produce

she can inhale in the short time we're there!

She's a true fan of fresh produce!

We've missed more times than we've been this year

because of being out of town or Allie being sick.

Hopefully that's all about to change.

Of course they had to coordinate the week

before the 4th!

And Baby Alek and Sissi even got to join that week!

Allie loves her some "Bay-bee Al-yik"!

And, I think I may have found a secret to preventing the

kicking and screaming when it's time to leave.....

Snowcone!!

And they'll gladly share so I don't have to buy two!

Man I hope that snowcone truck is there every week...

Lately......

2012-07-05T21:21:00.000-05:00

Family, Friends, Food and Forgetting (to blog).

Just a little bit of what's been going on lately........

Two Years Beautiful

2012-05-05T22:01:00.001-05:00

Really?

Where does the time go?

I mean,

I'm pretty sure we just found out last month

that we were expecting a baby girl....

And when I had her,

(yesterday, right?)

I thought she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen!

But,

every time I look at her,

she's more beautiful than the last.

How does that happen?

And her personality?

Boy, does she have a big one!

*Sigh*

My 'baby' is no longer a baby.

At Christmas,

I thought she still looked like one....

But where did this big girl

with her long(ish) hair and bows

come from?

She thinks she's 5 years old!

I guess having (the best) two big brothers

will do that to you.

She doesn't miss a thing!

She's under them,

learning and taking notes,

at all times!

(Sometimes, that's not such a good thing!)

She's a music lover.

And a dancer.

She loves "twirwin" and being a "baddarina".

(we're accepting donations for dance class - I think she can start at age 3)

And, despite all the girlie-ness,
she could live outside.

Preferably, in the "whing".

She's been potty trained for a little over 3 months now,

and with that has come the "Addie do it" phase.

Complete with dressing herself.

Multiple times a day.

In whatever clothes she sees laying around.

(wearing jake's shorts as a pencil skirt - both her legs in one pant leg)

She loves cheesing for the camera.

And I love capturing all sides of her.

Even the fake smile.

If you've been around in the last 4 or 5 weeks,

you know that she thinks everyday is

"appy to you" day.

(Baskin Robbins ice cream cake from MeMe on her birthday.)

She still walks around singing to herself.


(cake made by me for her party - 2 wks after her b-day)

Along with "appy to you",
she sings many other songs all day long.

Her favorites include:

ABC's

Twinkle Twinkle

Gee-zus yubs me

Gee-zus ub da werl / Gee-zus red shirt (Jesus loves the little children)

E got da hooo werl (He's Got the Whole World in His Hands)

Ole McDonald

and any of the 50 songs she learned from her 1st semester of "use-ic cass" (music class)

And I just thought her brothers talked early/well and had a large vocabulary......

Sister's got them beat!!

Stats from 2-yr check

weight: 24lbs 4oz

height: 33in

She's in the 25th percentile for both.

(In English - she's petite)

**I hope to not be so long with the next post. Blogger has changed some things and it has taken me a week to get this post done. I've started and lost it several time.

TWO!!

2012-04-14T21:40:00.003-05:00

(more after her check up on tuesday....)

Nature Nuts - Hearts

2012-04-01T21:50:00.001-05:00

I've had this post (with just the pictures) in "draft" for about a month or so now,

so I guess it's past time to write something and get it out....

Nature Nuts started back up in January,
but we had to miss because we were all sick.
We made the February session and the kids had a blast!

I think it was the largest group they've had since we've been going.
Quite often, last year, it was just the three of us.
All but one of the other kids there were from Jake's class,
but that's fine.
Friends are friends.

I found out at church this morning that
Mr. John is no longer with the
Nature Center because of lack of funding.
I'm kind of sad over this news,
but at least they're still doing NN.

February's session fell the day after Valentine's Day,
so Ms Terry had the kids look for hearts that she had hidden
around the trails.

The kids really had a great time once they
caught on to the "game".

I took these two pics (and a few more) when I saw
that look on his face.
That look says, "I'm up to something".
And, sure enough, as soon as I put the camera
down and turned my back....
he jumped....
and got laughs from all the other kids.

Poor Jake.
He's so shy, and hates to bring attention to himself.

And I know a little girl with the same problem.

Miss Allie started something at the pond.
She likes to jump too,
and couldn't resist jumping off the big rock.
Everyone else had to have a turn
once she was finished having her fun.
Allie found some "cheese".
Allie looooves cheese.
She didn't understand why she couldn't eat it....

We attempted a group shot several times.
This was the best we could do.

And I see trouble in the future if these four
stay friends.
And I hope they do!

Allie is in love/slightly obsessed with "Booper" (Cooper).
He's the one on the far right.
Sam and Cooper are (twins) in Jake's class.

As you can see,
Allie is just a regular ole big kid these days.

She's right in the middle of everything -
especially if Jake is involved.

We missed March's NN because of rain,
but hopefully they'll have something fun for
us this month!

Indoor Percussion

2012-02-20T21:15:00.006-06:00

I promised more pictures of Austin
but it's tough.
Even when he doesn't know I'm looking,
he knows I'm looking.

I tried to get pics of him at their last indoor percussion
competition, but it was tough.
There was no way he knew where I was in the stands,
but somehow he knew where not to turn his head....

(He's the one that seriously needs a haircut.)

Since he's just in 8th grade, and this is the High School group
he has to play in the pit.
Hopefully next year he'll be marching.
(And, hopefully, Terry or myself can sell a lung or two to pay for all this!)

They have another competition in 3 weeks.
I plan to video and post it.
We'll see how that works for me...

Sometimes........

2012-02-20T20:51:00.012-06:00

they like to take "play baths".....

they're sweet to each other......

they're cute......

and cuter.

And, sometimes.......

most of the time......

they're silly......

Some days......

2012-02-16T20:05:00.004-06:00

the mess is worth it.

James "Alek" Lloyd

2012-02-08T20:36:00.007-06:00

Welcome to this crazy world, Baby Alek!!

Sissi (Regann) went into labor early Sunday morning.
Mom, Dad, myself and the littles headed to Mobile around 5:15am.
When we were about 30 minutes from the hospital,
Regann called saying they were sending her home -
it was a "false alarm".
We continued on to Mobile, hung out and had lunch then headed home.

About 3hrs after our 3hr drive home,
we got the "real" call.
Regann had gone back to the hospital and the Dr said she
was really going to have a baby this time.
So, at 9:15pm, we made the trip back to Mobile.

Finally, at 5:49am on Monday February 6th,
after over 2hrs of very hard labor and pushing,
Baby Alek was born via c-section.

He weighed 7lbs 7oz and
was 20in long.

Big boy!!

We love you, Alek!
(And y'all too, Sissi and Jason!)

Take Two

2012-01-19T21:24:00.002-06:00

Bath Time Performance!

2012-01-19T21:13:00.003-06:00

Sorry, this is all out of wack
but there on here.
If they won't open for some reason
(like, because I don't know what the heck I'm doing)
then I'll email it if you really want to see.

Allie can count to 10 on her own.
She can go a little further with help -
mostly she just mumbles after 10,
but she's getting there.
I'm not sure what language she's speaking
when she says "seven",
but she says the same thing every time so I'm assuming
that's just how her little brain processes the word.
She wouldn't count past 8 because she was a bit
distracted with the bath toys and the phone/camera.

Then, Jake had to get in on the action when I
tried to get Allie to sing
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star......

Project 366 Rewind {Week #2}

2012-01-16T21:30:00.006-06:00

I started this on Monday
with very good intentions of getting it
posted no later than Tuesday.

It's now Thursday night.

But we've all been a bit under the weather,
so I'm not going to apologize this time for being late.
Tuesday night I gave/took 12 meds to the
sickest 3/5 of us,
and I'm pretty sure the others took something at some point -
that's a lot of pill poppin'!

Anyway, I didn't stick to the "Chilly" theme this past week
but here are a few pics anyway...

There's an awesome Children's Museum in Jackson
that opened about 18 or so months ago.
I'm a big slacker and just haven't gotten around to taking the kids.
One of Jake's school friend's had his party there Friday
so we got a chance to go check it out for free!

We WILL go back!
And, it just occurred to me that I only got
pictures of Allie.
Jake was off doing his own thing with his friends
while I chased Allie around
and took her for her first public restroom potty experience.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, our sweet baby girl
is wearing big girl panties!
(Well, actually, she's wearing Jake's undies that no longer fit him.)
I think she could have "milked" this cow all day.

Now, to try and upload some video footage of Allie counting.....
That's right, in panties AND can count!

Project 366 Rewind {Week #1}

2012-01-09T20:40:00.008-06:00

Okay. So, I officially suck at the daily posting.
I saw this on a friend's blog, so we're gonna do this a little different.

It's going to be a weekly rewind.
On Monday, I'll post pics from the previous week.
Each week, there is supposed to be a theme but I didn't know that in time.

This week's theme should have been "Fresh Starts".
A good friend got married Saturday,
so I guess this pic goes with the theme.

The rest are from the wedding, but they're of Jake and Allie.
Austin was at band practice from 9-5, so he missed out.

I promise I will do my best to sneak a pic of him weekly.

Jake found a "turtle belly".
I carried it around all day in my back pocket because he wanted to keep it.
There are very few people I would do something that gross for.

This little girl thinks she's so grown......

The property where the wedding was held was so pretty.
I loved this tree!

Allie and Jake loved their first time on a trampoline.

Maybe Santa will have to bring one next year.

Next week's theme is "Chilly".
Not sure how that's gonna go with temps in the 60's....

2:365

2012-01-02T21:49:00.003-06:00

Allie having a "nack".
This girl always wants a snack!!

Terry was given a 5 gallon bucket of popcorn at work -
I'm not sure what Allie is going to eat when this is gone.
Multiple times a day she gets a bowl, walks to the bucket and says,
"I own sum".
Things can get ugly quick if you don't open the bucket quick enough!