The Passing of Inside Information

"You mean Santa has a naughty list?"

"Yep. "

"Man, there goes our fun."

"Tell me."

Why Guilt Does Not Work With Our Children

Tim has been trying to use an age old guilt trip with our children when they complain about what we are having for dinner. I told him that guilt won't work on our kids. He insisted it would, until tonight.

Tim: Riley, don't complain. There are starving children in Africa.

Riley: I don't see why they are. They can hunt zebra. As a matter of fact there are a whole lot of animals there that they can eat, so they should not be starving.

Tim: I'm not even going to argue with you.

I busted out laughing and walked in the other room.

My Polar Opposite Children

Riley's Report Card: all E's and A+ with one S...

Riley: That was not a good report card. I should have all Es and A+s. I am going to work harder.

Natalie's Report Card: All S's... no unsatisfactory marks, no Es. And a note stating that she prefers talking with her friends over listening during circle time.

Natalie: Do we have to talk about this? Ugh.

Me: Natalie, don't you want to make Es?

Natalie: No

Me: Do you just want to do enough so Daddy and I won't bug you about school?

Natalie: Yes

Tim: I'm screwed.

Natalie's Latest Art Project

Natalie drew this picture of her sister Riley being chased by a snake. Notice the large popped eyes on Riley.

Soccer continues

We are continuing to improve each week.

Nat kicking a goal kick.

Riley on offense working up a sweat.

Running for the ball...

On your mark, get set, go!

Riley's team photo.

My Child's Wild Imagination

Natalie: Mommy, I'm scared.

Me: Natalie, go to bed!

Natalie: But Mommy, what if someone crashes through our windows?

Me: Natalie, you are safe... go to bed. Noone is going to crash through the windows.

Natalie: But what if they crash through the doors?

Me: Go to bed!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Tim: Natalie, you win again. (tic tac toe)

Natalie: That's because I'm better than you.

Riley: Mom I need your help. I told Dad I had to work with you, cause you are really good at math!

LOL

Speaking Harry Potter

Riley learned a new song during music class. She did a great job.

Allergy Fish and Black and White

Natalie calls the new fish I bought to eat the algae in the tank "Allergy Eaters".

Riley: Mom, were all your clothes black and white when you were a kid?

Me: No, why do you ask?

Riley: Well if all the TV shows were in black and white I figured you only wore black and white.

Not Ready

I just wanted to say that I am in no way ready to go back to work tomorrow. Can we please have the current weather, but another week of summer vacation?

First Soccer Game

Here is how Natalie looked after she realized she scored her first goal. I had to add this one in since I forgot to add it first. LOL Enjoy.

Today the girls had their first soccer game. Here are pictures from today. You will be able to tell that as the day went on I got better at taking pictures. I promise to have more of Riley's game next time. We had a rough start this morning. Natalie left her cleats at home and Tim had to go back for them, so I had all the gear, Natalie and the dog, plus tried to operate the camera. LOL

Here is Riley's team the Sharks. Unfortunately they lost.

Riley did a good job of keeping her eye on the ball.

Here are the Sharks during the most important time of the game for them... the snacks after the game.

One last huddle up with Coach Sonya.

Riley and Maddie enjoyed their snacks while Natalie and Joci played.

This was hilarious watching the little ones play. Natalie had 3 assists and scored 1 of the 4 goals of the game. Natalie is #7, since she has 7 letters in her name.

The field was muddy, as you can see here she lost her shoe.

Riley said it was too bright, even though it was misting out.

All lined up... Coach Mark is asking them if they know where their goal is located.

Running after the ball.

Nat did a good job of being aggressive.

So good that we had an injury, she bumped into another player and had to take time with Daddy to get a kiss and then head out to the field.

Realizing she helped with a goal and proud of it.

Riding the bench... Natalie road the bench a lot today because she kept walking off the field to talk to us.

Here are Joci and Lorenzo, fellow Dragons... forgot to mention... Natalie's team is called the Dragons.

Rainbows

Praise God, we had rain this afternoon. Yet, Riley's die hard soccer coach checked the Doppler radar and then decided to continue with practice. Yes, we have the most dedicated soccer coach a 7 yr old could run into... this aside we begrudgingly headed out to practice in the light shower of rain. On the way to practice we passed the largest and most beautiful rainbow I have seen in a while. The girls loved it. The best part was the conversation we had regarding the topic of rainbows.

Riley: Mom is there really a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

Me: Ask Daddy, he is Irish and leprechauns and rainbows are his area of expertise.

Riley: Daddy, is there really a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

Tim: There is a leprechaun, no gold... you have to trick him and then he will give you a wish...

Me: Remember girls, God gave us rainbows to remember His promise not to flood the earth.

Riley: Ohh, so where is the end of the rainbow?

Me: In God's hands.

Riley: Wow, God must be really big.

Long pause ...

Riley: So where do rainbows go when we cannot see them?

Me: Where do you think they go?

Natalie: They go back into God's heart.

Soccer

Here are current pictures of the girls with their soccer balls and shin guards. Riley ended up with the most serious coach of all. As a matter of fact, it is lightly raining today and Riley's practice is a "go".

Telling Directions

This past Tuesday, Tim the girls and I went to soccer practice. On the way home, Riley asked if we would play a game where she tells us how to get home. She did a great job. She was so confident she said, " see, I can be your UPS!" I asked her, "Do you mean GPS?"

Natalie's Way of Thinking

This Tuesday, Tim had surgery to correct a ruptured disc in his lower back. He is doing well considering and we are hoping for a full recovery. The girls are dealing well with his hospitalization. Yesterday Natalie explained to me that she knew where he was, the following explaination ensued:

Natalie: Mommy, I know where Daddy is, he's on a plane.

Me: Oh...

Natalie: Do you want to know how I know?

Me: Sure...

Natalie: Both your cars are here in the driveway and they are both here when Daddy is on an airplane. I'm smart aren't I Mommy?

The New President

This morning Riley dressed herself from head to toe in Red, White, and Blue. She then commented while looking at herself in the reflection of the TV screen that she looked like she could be the President of the United States.

Then all of a sudden she shouts: "They have fired Barak Obama! I, Riley McGovern, am now the President of the United States!"

Beware of RCS!

It is an affliction that has hit every family in the world. It rares its ugly head at the most inconvenient times... its name Rotten Child Syndrome (RCS). The only cure is discipline. RCS hit our home today and at my friend Danielle's house. Fortunately the anti-virus was on hand, we are hoping there will not be a relapse.

Restroom Adventure

Today while out and about, Natalie need to use the restroom. I went with her and when she was getting up she started to try and pull up her pants. I told her to pull up her panties first. She continued to ignore me and kept trying hard as she might to pull up her pants. I looked at her again and said,"Natalie, it will be a lot easier if you pull up your panties first." Natalie then said," I know but I forgot to bring my panties with me today." I looked down... no panties, just her pants. I laughed so hard I almost cried.

Natalie's New Talent: Life Skills from Cousins Camp

Natalie and Riley went to Cousins Camp up in Dallas in early July. Here is a sampling of one of Natalie's new talents she learned while staying under the roof with the WhatchaMcCalleys.

Riley's 7th Birthday

This year, Riley opted to not have a traditional birthday party. Instead we went to the American Girl Place in Dallas and she chose to go out to eat at a fancy restraunt on her actual birthday. She found her new friend Lizzy in the Just Like Me section. We then headed upstairs to the Bistro for some dessert.

Tim got Riley a pink 22 rifle for her birthday. Here she is holding it or the first time and learning how to aim. Tim will be giving her lessons at the range. This should be fun to see unfold.

Riley chose to go to Bravos for dinner and our neighbors Amy, Madi, and Joci joined us for a wonderful night out. The staff brought her a coffee gelatto dessert. We supplied the "7" candle at Riley's request "so everyone will know that she is turning 7".

Tim did exceptionally well with 6 women out to eat and being the only male in the group. I don't think it affected him at all do you? I mean continuous giggling is not annoying at all, right?

Here Riley is opening her presents. No, she did not open the gun at the restraunt... that was an at home reveal.

Here she is with her journal that she wanted. She had a great time turning 7. It meant a lot to her. So much that she would tell people on the 17th that is was her 2nd day to be 7.

Tim's Job: According to Riley

Tim came home from work today in his PT uniform. Riley looked at him and asked,"Oh you worked helping people cross the road today!"

Latest and Greatest

Our artist, Riley, is really into birds. Here is a picture she did free hand looking at a picture of a Bald Eagle.

Our Lives To Date

Things have been crazy here lately...  Tim had kidney stone surgery, Natalie busted her head open and got stitches, then she came down with strep throat.  So, we are in the limbo of ailments.  I have pictures I could post and yet I am just not in the mood to do so, isn't that bad... I am hoping to get back up to speed soon.  There are only 9 days of school left hallelujah!

Hasn't Lost His Touch

Thanks to Jill, we love making pizza with the Central Market Pizza Crust.  Tim used to work in a pizza parlor as a teenager and knows how to throw pizza.  This past weekend he threw pizza dough for the girls to watch.

Our Little Star

This week is the Week of the Young Child.  Once again I had to make a star about Natalie.  I decided to use this picture of her in an outfit she and Riley created together.  She thought she looked marvelous.  

The Wedding of Q and U

You know Q and U.  They are always together making the sound "qu".  Riley's Kindergarten class helped the students always remember this simple grammarical rule by having the wedding of Q and U.  

Riley was chosen to be her classes bride.  Her teacher Mrs. B supplied the gown with Qs and Us embroidered all over.  She said Riley got this look in her eye when she saw the dress.  Ladies, you know the look, the one where NO ONE will come between you and the dress.  So her teacher put her in the role she craved....

Please note the Qs and Us in the bouquet.

We got up extra early to do her hair...

When I picked her up she said that it was the most tiring day of her life.  Everyone wanted to take her picture and it was so tiring, the girls fought over who got to stand next to her and hold her train and the woes went on and on...  Maybe we won't have to pay for a big wedding?

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

Tim:  Natalie go clean up those crayons.  How many times do I have to tell you?

Tim starts to dial on the phone...

Natalie:  Daddy who are you calling?  Is it the Easter Bunny?

Riley's Report Card

Riley got all "E's" on her report card today.

Trapped!

Today Natalie managed to get herself locked in the bathroom at my school.  She flipped the "occupied" dead bolt on the door and couldn't figure out how to open it.... needless to say there is not an override key either.   So, 15 minutes later after talking her down from her hysteria and crying I was able to get her to open the door.  I went home and made a "momma drink." (Malibu rum and CranRasberry).

Worn Out

I think we have been going too much... this morning Natalie fell asleep on the way to school and Riley fell asleep on the "noisy" bus this afternoon.  Needless to say, I put both girls to bed early tonight with plans to continue early bedtimes the rest of the week.

The girls' social calendar is keeping us busy as well.  We have 2 birthday parties this weekend too!  

Spring Break

This week the girls and I have been on Spring Break.  Here are some pictures of us during our week off from school.  We have sewn, cleaned and spent time with our friends.  Overall we wish we had another week to celebrate.

This is a picture of Natalie, aka "Pig Pen".  We don't know how she does it, but she finds dirt and tends to get it all over her.

We also tackled purging Riley's room and went to Goodwill.  This is not including the 2 trash bags of just trash and the bag of items she wanted to "store".

I attended a quilting class with my friend Danielle... here is the final result of the top pieced together.  I still have to quilt it and bind.... will post when it is all done.

Same quilt different angle. 

10 Commandments

The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this: 

You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal,' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians...It creates a hostile work environment. 

The Front Yard Saga

Among other things fixed by the builder was the frontyard.  The landscaper came and scraped the frontyard up and relay topsoil and fresh sod.

We watered and followed the directions of not walking on the grass, but apparently some friendly dogs running loose in the neighborhood did not get the memo.  I awoke this past Sunday to the following...

It looked like the whole yard had ripples running through it.

The girls pitched in and helped to repair the damage.  Needless to say they slept well that night.  And our builder sent the landscapers back by to re-roll the yard, it looks like glass now.