The Shakedown

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

This breaking news just in!!

Control has shifted. (insert applause, horns blowing, and dancing in the streets.) The toy closet has been returned to it's rightful owners. The Authorities have regained their rightful place...they now are 100% in charge of what comes in and what goes out.

The Band of Misfits tried to call their parents' bluff. Smelling that change was in the air and that they were on the precipice of a new dawn, the Authorities fearlessly and tirelessly worked to regain control. Throwing caution to the wind and with reckless abandon, they worked quickly. Piles of toys were contained one by one (literally...into containers), removed from the premisis and put into lockdown. Screwdrivers were brought out and knobs were removed. Locks were installed and keys placed up high and out of reach of curious, menacing fingers. Rules were put in place and a vow of No Wavering was promised. Now items will only be allowed to leave the closet if the previous items are picked up and put away first.

Before the Band of Misfits even knew what was happening, order was once again restored. I am happy to report that peace and tranquility has once again fallen on Hubler Planet. Gone are the days of ooooodles of toys overtaking the living room floor, gone are the days of multiple game pieces lying around just waiting to poke into the unsuspecting arch of a foot, gone are the days of legos being tripped over, gone are the days of a whole bucket of dress-up clothes throwing up all over the floor, gone are the days of magnetic dolls and their clothes being stuck to any magnetic surface that will welcome them, gone are the mountains of dominoes mascarading as banana peels just itching to see someone slip and come crashing to the floor, gone are the days of Hello Kitty playing cards littering the every surface making it look like a parade has just come through...gone are the days of clutter and chaos.

Peace has been restored.

You Wanna Be What?

Tonight's conversation at supper:



Ben: I want to be a chef when I grow up.

 

Jason: Cool...if you could work at any restaurant, where would you want to work?

 

Ben: Ummm.....Acapella.

 

Jason: Where?

 

Ben: You know, Dad, that restaurant we went to Nana with.

 

**Much thinking going on...**

 

Jason: Oh...do you mean Acapulco? That mexican restaurant?

 

Ben: Yes!

 

Lily: I want to work at Hot Cocoa too!

 

Ben: Where?!?

 

Lily: You know, the restaurant Dad just said...Hot Cocoa!

 

Ben: Acapulco....not Hot Cocoa Lily!

 

Cora: When I grow up, I want to be a mad monster...roar!

 

...Or Spiderman

 

...Or a goat!

 

Let's be Animals!!!!

 

 

True story, folks. This was all said in seriousness. This is what we talk about around the supper table.

 

Craziness ensues. Followed by lots of giggles from the parents.

 

 



 

 

The Fab 5

How did I end up to be such a lucky mama...

I can't believe that these 5 are mine....

Each with their own personalities...

All created by a God who loves them so...

I am so blessed.

Ella's 9th Birthday

Seriously...how can it be?

How can I have a 9 year old?

And when did she decide to start growing up when I clearly told her she needs to stay little...just for a bit longer?

*sigh*

And can we just pretend that she doesn't look 12 years old in this picture?!?

***

Ella had a fantastic birthday this year. She was smiling and giddy from sun-up until sundown. Her morning started out with her requested birthday breakfast...pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup and whip cream. She was so excited that she was allowed to put on as much whip cream as she wanted...after all, she was the birthday girl. I might add, she made the most of it and enjoyed them thoroughly.

After breakfast, we loaded up the van and drove to Teavana. It's a tea shop. She was so excited about this idea. This year she said she didn't want any toys...afterall, those things are so "babyish" (her words, not mine). Jason and I decided that we would try to embrace all this growing up business and let her pick a few teas that she wanted as well as a teacup.

As an added surprise, we picked up some lunch and headed out to the park. We had us a nice picnic lunch and the kids played in the 78 degree sunshine for about an hour at the Elm Creek Park Reserve. Even Hattie had a great time just watching all the children running around.

Ella had TruthQuest at church that night. She arrived a little early and noticed that her room was still dark. Assuming she was the first one there, she went to turn the light on and when she did, the whole room erupted with "Happy Birthday, Ella!". Her whole class had hidden in the dark and surprised her...she couldn't stop talking about it. It was such a thrill.

Once home, we had a little party for her with presents. Jason bought her a pink fishing rod and they are going to go on a little fishing excursion in the next couple weeks for an afternoon. Just the two of them, hanging out and having some qaulity father/daughter time. But don't count me out...I get to take her out to the movies for some one-on-one time. I thought it was a little tough to think that she is starting to grow out of wanting toys...but knowing that what she wants more than anything is to spend time with her parents/family is so wonderful. I'll take that over a toy r us shopping trip anyday.

***

A few more pics from her session...

Now to just be able to pick one for my wall...

One Of My Favorite Things About Homeschooling...

...is that I can see this each morning.

I love that I can incorporate learning about God right into her school day. That I have control over what subjects she studies. That I can instill in her the morals and values that I hold so dear. That I can teach her how much she needs her Savior. That this is the best way to start your day.

Miss Hattie

Hattie is getting so big...I can hardly believe that 5 months have passed by and we are approaching her half birthday already! How the time flies. A good reminder that I've got to be more purposeful about blogging so these memories aren't lost. Now just to find a way to carve out a little extra time in order to get it done. :)

Hattie is rolling over now. She can go from front to back and back to front. The rolling from the tummy to her back is her latest development within the past 24 hours so life is about to get real busy with a mobile baby. I guess it's time to go through all the toys and remove legos, polly pockets, etc. The thought of it gives me a headache. The big kids will be somewhat easy to sit down and explain the "no little toys downstairs" rule...but Cora and Lily? Well, I'm guessing all bets are off.

Another new item for us is that Hattie is now sleeping on her own mattress. This little girl and I spent the first 5 months sleeping together with her on my chest in the recliner. I know...I know. But I got very used to it and honestly, it was how I got the most sleep. I tried a few times to put her down on the mattress next to me....and after an hour or two of not sleeping on my part, I would scoop her up and head for the recliner. I would peacefully drift off to sleep knowing she was right there and safe.

But as this wee little baby grew, she began to feel more like a bowling ball on my chest instead of my girlie. So when the flu hit me, (and wow, it hit hard) I was forced to sleep next to her instead. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise as she has done really well with the transition.

Oh...duty calls...Ella is playing with her, but alas, I hear the complaining cry telling me that Hattie's done and wants her Mama.

Well, I'll call this a success...a blog post written, a memory preserved, and a cute picture to boot.

Love you, Hattie-cakes!

Hattie

A few pics I finally got around to editing...