It's winter..? Loving the warm weather

We love the warm weather down here - The boys still occasionally wear shorts outside. It's been so long since we've actually enjoyed these months. The boys were outside and I thought that I would torture them by making them pose for a few cute pictures. I think that I got one that it a really good one.

Cute pose of Jace at his Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. They had everything that Charlie Brown had at his.... popcorn, applesauce, and something else I can't remember.
Cute pose of Preston



Our pumpkin patch that was accidently planted at their house. The pumpkins were so cute - The boys loved picking all them (like 20 of them)

Meatloaf

Too funny... Preston said the prayer for dinner tonight and he says..... Thank you for mommy and daddy for making dinner. I am so glad it's meatloaf because I really like it. Eric just look at each other and smile.

If you have never had Eric's meatloaf - you are missing out. It's so good. Not a lot of left overs tonight. Yum.

Busy and trying to not pull my hair out!

I have been very busy lately. I don't know if it has just been overwhelming being a mom or what.

On my last post I talked about my new hobby - couponing. It's been fun chasing down the sales - I live really close to all the stores that have the good sales. This week I got shampoo for free, and razors & body wash for a super low price. Did you know you can load coupons onto your "loyality card" ? I had no idea. I can't wait for Monday - when new coupons come out. I've got a huge stockpile of all the bathroom stuff - now I need more food. It should be a fun shopping week.

I will be glad after this next week is over - Eric has inventory and will be done on Thursday. I will be so glad when it's over.

Halloween was a lot of fun. The boys were all some one from STAR WARS. I didn't even watch the movie until about a year ago. Eric recently bought a star wars game for his XBOX and the boys want to play it all the time. I think that is what made them want to be dudes from Star Wars. We went on the 24th up to Atlanta to visit my family and we went to a trunk or treat. It was fun and fast. We did go door to door on Halloween. There was hardly anyone passing out teats this year. It was tiring walking all around the neighborhood. How did we do that when we were kids? Next year I think that we are just going to do the trunk or treats and that is it. I'm no party pooper but the kids kept complaining..... I can't believe it. I mean hello they were giving out free candy. Anywways - I better go - I could write forever. I'll post pictures soon..

I am a coupon freak

Ok - I watched Oprah last week - there was this show on there about this lady that slashes her grocery bill in half and gets tons of free stuff by getting 3-4 Sunday papers a week and clipping the coupons.... I have gotton so mich stuff for free this week just from clipping last week and this week. You guys should go check out this web site and try it. I got free excedrin, free shampoo, free cereal this week. That is just a few things that I got great deals on this week. Go check it out.... www.couponmom.com read her free ebook. It will tell you what to do. I did it for a week and I am hooked. I am never paying full price for any shampoo or soaps again!

Fun Run Fundraiser

My kids participated in this "Boosterthon Fun Run" at their school. They had so much fun running and all. I just wanted to vent some things out on my blog to other mothers that maybe do or do not share my frustrations.

I love my kids school. The teachers are there to educate. Princlpals to discipline. Etc, Etc, They have this darn Fundrasing Committee at the school. I am sure that all schools have these as well but let me tell you how annoying and irritating that this group is. We have fundrasers for everything.

Let me list all the fundrasers that we have.

1. Pizza night at Stevie-B's

2. Monkey Joe's (play place for the kids)

3. Bar-B-Cutie (resturant)

4. El Cotija's (resturant)

5. Lollipop's on Friday in the Atrium (I've heard rumor that part of this money goes to another teacher to fund her wedding)

6. Boosterthon Fun Run

7. Coke sales (they go buy cases of Cokes Dr. P's and sell them for $20.

8. magizine sales

9. there's more - we just haven't done them yet... and it's only Oct.

They do 1-4 at least once a month. I mostly want to concentrate on #6. We are very much enemies. This was our first year here starting at this school. Three weeks into school they announce they are going to have this "fun run." Keep in mind I am already tapped out from just sending my kids back to school (backpacks, lunchboxes, new clothes)

These ADHD (not really - I just think so) college kids from Athens GA (they actually run this fundraiser) come in to the school pumping my kids up and saying things like if you raise "x" amount of dollars per lap you get to win "x" prize. So just for running the fun run you get a free t-shirt. The list goes as follows.

$1 per LAP- wristband

$3 per LAP- Beachball

$5 per LAP - watch

$7 per LAP - football

$20 per LAP - razor scooter

$35 per LAP - IPOD shuffle

Let me tell you what - these ADHD guys were in my kids school every day filling their little heads full of it. Not to mention that Preston's teacher told them they would get into the treasure chest if they came to school the very next day with 3 pledges. Not only is he thinking he wants the scooter but he's totally getting into the treasure chest. So they all come home and are all like "we have to get three pledges" - we'll go to these neighbors (complete strangers) we'll stop random people on ths street...... blah blah blah. If you know me at all..... you know there are a few things that I really dislike. They are as follows: smashed bread (people call me a Bread Natzi) and Fundraisers. I know it's for somewhat a good cause - but they still dirve me nuts. Anyways - back to my story. My kids all have their eye on the Razor scooter............. that's $20 per lap. Not just $20 ---- no it's per lap. The Flyer states that most children run 25-30 laps. Let's see the math .... $500-$600. So what did I do?

Knowing that Preston just had to have 3 pledges I made up fake pledges for my family and relatives. I put down a $1 flat pledge from mommy. That seemed to suffice until around 6:00 when Eric got home.... Then they were tring to figure out how to get him to pledge as well.

That evening we were heading off to bed and Preston keeps reminding me that I need to call Grandma and Uncle Chris and etc. Anyways to make my very long story short - I filled out flat $1 donations in my brother and my mom's name. At 3:00 AM =Preston comes in my room and thanks me and wakes his brothers up as well. He was very worried I wouldn't call (for fake) my brother and mom.

I did go and watch the run their little hearts out. Jace ran 32 laps, Preston 31 and Kenny did 25. I did finally convince them if they just forgot about the fun run I would buy them a scooter - and I did. I hope they had a fun time running. I have such fond memories of the ADHD guys.

Fall is knocking on my door....

This is one of my favorite times of the year. I love when fall comes and everything starts to cool off. When I say cool off I more so mean that it's still in the high 70's and it may get to the mid 60's at night. Yes the kids are still wearing shorts to school. There have been a handful of days that I sent the boys to school in pants. I pick the boys up from school and after we arrived home Preston runs inside and the phone is ringing..... he's all like running.... it's my mom. My mom asks the usual questions like "How was your day?" "What are you doing?" "Did you have a good day?" and Preston responds (to the last question) "My mom made me wear pants today and I was SO hot all day. " Then the phone gets passed over to me.... My mom tells me what he said, we both had a pretty good laugh. He is just the funniest child ever. I finally decided I guess I should try checking the weather more diligently to see if it's going to get hot in the afternoon or what - cause if I don't - I'm goin' to get in trouble.

I posted a picture of Preston when he was probably 1 - just the cutest and sweetest daddy's boy . Who knew he'd grow up to be so opinionated? I still love those cute little cheeks.

For those of you that didn't know - we used to have a dog. Her name was Sadie. Lab mix - black.... She was the sweetest dog in the world. We got her from the humane society - she house trained quickly and my boys fell in love with her. We took her on walks - or more like she dragged us...... she loved to chew everything. We lost countless pairs of shoes to her "teething." Then came the news that we were going to move in with my parents for a little while and my mom (fully knowing about Sadie's need to chew shoes) said we couldn't have her at her house. So we found her a new home.....

The boys always talk about her like we are going to go back to get her someday.... not going to happen. Just today - after getting home from school, my little Jace decided to make a little house out of boxes. Then Kenny and Preston decided they wanted to get boxes and make little houses for a dog. Then comes the questioning.... when can we get a dog? Like next week? How old will I be? Can we go to the pet store today? Then come the promises... I'll keep my shoes in my room. I will pick my toys up every day. I will scoop the poop. I promise - I will definitely scoop the poop. Those of you - when your child says this do not believe them. They make all sorts of promises. Anything for a promise of a dog.

Preston is definitely my most persistent child...... He will ask over and over and over again. Trying to get me to give in. I must confess - I have given in many times. But I now know that If I just keep saying no and then saying "Does mommy change her mind after I say no? " They eventually walk off. Preston will keep coming back and nagging more..... so finally I say" I will let you buy a dog when you save $900. You may think that is too much for a dog - but I had already explained to him that there were dogs that some people just give away for free. I was trying to tell him that it wasn't about how much money it was going to cost = it was that I didn't want a dog... right now. So after I tell him about the $900 - he runs off and tells Jace that he has to sleep in his bed every night. We just recently got him out of our bed - he goes in cycles in our bed then out. So I have told him that if he sleeps in his bed I will give him a quarter. After about 2 weeks I decided to change it to a dime. It's still as exciting to him. So back to my dog story.... Preston runs off and says Jace you have to sleep in your bed every night so you can get a dime. Yes - I know.... at that rate he will be on his own before he gets $900.

Then Preston comes in my room - after realizing this is going to take forever. He's trying to talk me down to $10. All I have to say is - that's not going to happen.

I hope you had a good laugh...... I sure do most days. Little boys just say whatever they are thinking.

School Pictures

School started here so early this year. We loved our summer break but are so glad to beback in school. These are a few of the pictures from the first few days of school. I don't kow what Preston was making this weird face for but Jace's cute little hat , just adorable I think -inspired by the book The Kissing Hand - Jace is still enjoying school. He still has his days where he cries at school and misses mommy. We are getting better though.
Lunch with Kenny - I try to eat with them every so often. It's the first year that I have been able to do that.
Check out these cool rocks. I am not sure why but the kids bring these little "gifts" home for me pretty much every day. Some come out in the wash - I guess it's better than other things huh?
This was Preston's trailer. He found out he was going to be in a trailer this year at his open house.... he thought it was so sool. After the first two weeks of school they moved his class inside in a classroom..... I guess they had room after all. Preston is glad beacuse he's not so cold in the building. You know how the air conditioners can be in those traiers... kick on all the time and then freezesyou out.

We haven't had too many rides with daddy lately- it's getting close to that time of year when the leaves are changing colors, we're thinking about pumpkins and Halloween. So that means that Eric has to work extra hours at work and some more hours on the weekends. I love this picture because Jace thought it would be cute to wink (as if he's not already cute enough).
Jace turned 5 on July 22nd. He helped pick out the "Dudes" for his cake. I can't believe that he is getting so big. Anyone know how to keep them from growing?
Jace and Mommy.
Pres & Jace
Remember the times you actually got along with your siblings? They will sit like this and spin for hours. I love it when they play so well together.

For some odd reason I can't get pictures to post right now. Anyone else ever have this problem? I click on Add picture and nothing happens.

School - school - School!

It's been a few weeks since my last post so let me give you the update. All three boys are in school now. Kenny has a great teacher this year. She is very nice and encouraging. He loves to go every day. He is glad to be back in the swing of things - but has more homework than he did last year. I guess that is what happens when you go to third grade. Preston is not loving this year yet. He started first grade and is adjusting to his new teacher. She seems to be a little more strict than his teacher last year. Hopefully she'll get the picture that not everyone of her students is a "perfect - quiet - listen to my every word" student. I love Preston to death - sometimes he is just a little like a boy. Gee - last time he was running around the house in his birthday suit - he was. Sorry - I am just a little frustrated with her right now. Jace has started school. He had a rough first week - he's getting used to have a early bedtime and getting up early too. Now that it's the second week of school - he's liking it better and getting used to not hanging out with mommy all day. I think that he misses running errands with me (he gets a treat) and having me all to himself. (At least that's what I would like to think.) I do miss him but it's a nice welcome break. For those of you wondering what it's like - It's back to before I had kids you know - very quiet - I don't do much. We are getting ready to move into a house across the street so I will be very busy the next 10 days - and then I get to unpack it all. Anyways - I don't know when will get to post again..... it may be a few weeks.

Are you happy now MEL? I posted.

A Little Update

Well as our summer break comes to an end I can not wait. I have been back to school shopping and getting all the clothes, new shoes, and all those school supplies - It's coming up... Yes the first day of school...... We asked the boys last night who was excited about going to school. Everyone but Kenny raised their hand. Preston looks over and says "Kenny, we get to use our new backpacks!" We just laughed. It's been a summer full of the pool and trips to the library. But Mommy is so ready for the boys to be in school again. I love them to death but some days they just don't get along and it makes for a long day. So - the countdown is on... six days until they ALL go. Can you actually believe it... my baby just turned 5 last week and now he's off to school. He's been very hesitant about even talking about it - so we will see how his first day goes. As for me - I have to put off school for a semester - I need to be a resident for a year and then I will apply...... so I will be working or taking it easy.... watching TV and eating Bon Bons.

We will be moving again in a few weeks...... we are renting a house across the street. It's a house and there is a back yard (which we are very excited about). Hopefully we will make friends that can come play at our house. They boys have missed that so much.

Anyways - that is my update for now..... I'll post pic's of the boys in their new backpacks.

Memories of The Wilderman's

Do you have memories of me? My friend did a post and I thought this would be fun.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog (if you want) and see how many people leave a memory about you.It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.If you leave a memory about me, I'll check your blog to see if you've copied this to play.I would love to read comments

Kenny turns 8

We celebrated Kenny's 8th birthday on June 23rd. It's so weird to think that it's been that long. It doesn't seem like it's been EIGHT years.

Kenny was baptized on July 5th. He was pretty nervous - just didn't know what to expect. Thanks so much for all those that came and helped us out.

What we did for the fourth.....

Cousins Jonathan and Austin eating pizza
Cousins Austin and Ryan with Kenny. They were all jumping in the pool and having fun.
Jace and Jonathan hanging out on the stairs.
We went to hang out with our cousins and Aunt Phyllis at the pool on the fourth of July. We were there for most the day. We had so much fun hanging out with cousins and we even ordered pizza at the pool. The kids thought it was so cool that it was delivered TO the pool. Talk about hungry boys. Those of you with boys - start svaing your money now. They scare me how much they can pack down and then do it all again 10 minutes later as if they had not eaten at all.

While we were up visiting the family I took the boys to Stone Mountian for the laser show. I thought that they would love it. They tought the lasers were cool but hated the fireworks. Apparently, they were "too loud" - I guess they were soft last year. Maybe I will wait a few more years to take them back again.

We came home and Eric went back to work. It was nice having him home for a week. Now were trying to find a house to rent (everyone is selling). We have been in an apartment since we moved down here and we are ready to have a back yard again. We have enjoyed the apt. - mostly the pool - but we just need someplace for the boys to run, dig and ride their bikes.

More Motorcycle rides!

Here's some more pictures of the boys riding.... we try to just do it on Saturday but sometimes we can't wait that long between rides. Jace who was quite scared at first loves it now. Preston is still content with his hands out and waving at anyone that passes or just looks our way.

I love to take these pictures when the kids cuddle with daddy. Jace is getting so big (mostly tall) and I am sure that he won't always want to cuddle. He usually does this when he wants his daddy time.... a.k.a. his "tickle time"

We went fishing last night. Jace is getting good at casting his fishing pole out - without hooking himself or others around......
after awhile Preston gave up fishing and went looking for minnows. He caught one and it's now living with our turtles in the fish tank. he checked to see if it was there the next day and apparently the little turtles ate it. oops!
Kenny was the only one to catch a fish (besides daddy) - the fish were really sneaky lasy night - we usually catch 10 fish or so - they have somehow figuered out how to just take the worm without getting close to the hook. Maybe we've already hooked them a dozen times and they remember us....? Who knows.

Anyone know how to flip the pictures? I wanted to show everyone the boys tan lines - no it's not underwear - they have white white white booties. We love our pool.
All the boys at breakfast - can't they ever just smlie - someone is always making a face.

Swimming the summer away

School just got out like two weeks ago - we have already spent so many hours at the pool. The boys love to go and play with friends. Mommy loves that they swim for hours and they are so warn out. I take them purely for selfish reasons - so they will all be worn out and asleep by 8:00 and I can get quiet time.

SO - after gas prices getting sky high, I have finally given into letting Eric get his motorcycle. We went up to Atlanta this past weekend to pick it up. Eric was so excited - although I think that Preston was more excited than Eric. Every day since then Preston asks "Do I get a ride today? Today? "

our first post

Hey y'all. We've finally decided to start a blog ourselves - only because everyone else is doing it. We rarely send out pictures so we thought this would be a great way to share them with everyone.