Family of Five

Every now and then I am actually able to concoct a (relatively) healthy and (relatively) tasty dinner.  Like last night for example. 

Let me pause here to state that I am NOT a fan of fish.  Oh.....I try.  I really do.  I've tried it many many ways....but I just plain don't like it.  I know it's so healthy, so I cook it.  I want my kids to grow up liking it, and for everyone to eat well and healthily (quite certain that's not a real word but it works so well!) so I try to serve it every so often.

Anyway, I found these frozen Mahi Mahi filets at Target.  I found this rice at Target too.  I love Target.  Lots.  Love to shop with my latte there....and find random yummy things.

Anyway, I whipped up some FABULOUS fish that my 2, 5, 9 and 36 year old CHOWED DOWN ON and some unbelievable rice that this chiquita ate up. Oh....and fresh green beans....love 'em! 

Seriously....these new finds are wonderful.  Gonna make them again.  Lots. 

Everyone enjoyed....but as much as I'd like to claim that healthy habits are well ingrained in this family....please see below to observe how much MORE the 2 year old enjoyed her ice cream.

The answer is....LOTS.  Oh.....and LOTS.  

Well....all I can say is that at least the ice cream extravaganza was preceeded by a halfway decent meal.  At least they didn't all eat McDonald's burgers and fries before slurping down huge bowls of ice cream!  Yeah....we haven't done that since Wednesday!!!!!

I realize that I've mentioned billions of times before how very talented I believe my darling children to be.

I realize that I've mentioned that one of my darling daughter's talents includes her....well....let's call it her uncanny knack for dramatic flair.

I realize that I've already devoted several posts to her un(flippin)believable tantrums.

Well....it's gonna happen again.

SO let me ask you.....when you are two and a half....what

is the appropriate way to respond when your beloved Daddy tells you that it is bedtime?

Do you: A: Smile sweetly and say, "OK, Daddy!"

             B: Smile sadly and say, "OK, Daddy!"

             C:  Throw yourself down as quicly as possibl eand begin flailing your arms and legs while  simultaneously shrieking "NO NO NO NO NO NO NO" at the top of your lungs.

I'll give you ONE guess which one sweet Carolyn picked...... 

As Barrett and I both backed into the kitchen in surprise (because it came out of NOWHERE) she quickly looked up to make sure we were still watching.

 Apparently she couldn't believe that her devoted parents were not only showing no sympathy...but that her loving mother had also gotten her camera out. 

After asking her calmly to stop it, then asking again, and again, and then just one more time.....Dad decided to take matters into his own hands.

Notice how she's covering her eyes.  I think it's because she is trying to NOT see that her darling Daddy is not following her wishes.

Off to bed, princess.

See the legs still going full bore? 

Good night baby girl.  We love you.   See you in the morning.

It's hard being two and a half.  It's hard learning that you can't control everything in your world.  It's hard to find out that your parents love you enough to teach and discipline you.  It's hard hearing NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO screamed at the top of someone's lungs and partially deafening you. 

Yeah, life is a hard lesson.  Sometimes all you can do is take your bottle of wine tippy cup of milk, go to bed and let sleep take over.  But....to quote the princess of the south herself, "Tomorrow is another day."  And in the morning, our princess of the (way way way) south shall rise again.

Now I realize that my sweet biggest little boy is almost halfway to ten (GASP!) now....but as I said earlier, I had some technological difficulties posting this summer.  So while we are a little bit past the end of May...I want to take a moment and tell sweet Bennett---Happy Birthday, nine year old!

This spring I learned that when a boy turns nine, it's POSSIBLE that he might prefer the idea of a "boy's only birthday party that takes place as far away from polite society as possible" to a sweet celebration with streamers, balloons, perfectly decorated cupcakes and mommy.  It's possible. 

For Bennett's birthday this year he decided to head up to Duck Camp with his dad, his godfather, and his 5 best buddies.  Their theme was "Leavin' manners, moms and civilization behind!"

And boy.....they sure did.

The fearless hunters took their beebee guns and worked tirelessly to protect the camp against a possible attack from bullfrogs.

The mean and agressive reptiles had no chance against the mighty 8 and 9 year old warriors....especially when Uncle John jumped in to help with the attack.  Then...being the responsible citizens that they are.....the feral pack sweet group of guys decided to use the frogs for......well.....remember that expression "waste not want not"?

Yeah.  Who needs the healthy civilized mean of low-fat pizza and sweet potato fries food that mom packed when you can use the disgusting fresh meat you just hunted?

'Ain't they proud.  And gross.  But kinda cute.  Kinda. 

Then the pack moved onto saving the world from the snakes that apparently began attacking the cabin.

 You see....this picture might just show the reason that moms were left behind in this particular outing! Well.....maybe the frog legs were the reason.  maybe it's the "snake handling".  Maybe it's the idea that they actually truly did consider eating the snake.

Thankfully.....they finally used their better judgement (thanks, dad and uncle John!) and simply dumped that guy out.

Umm........yuck.

Oh well.  Happy boys....all 8 of them....dirty bodies, dead frogs to eat, flashlight tag at night, 231 smores, singing with the coyotes under a full moon and no woman-folk in sight.  Not a bad way to celebrate turning nine, huh?

I'm not sure whether to title this post: "Interesting Toy Choices" or "Mackdaddy".

Let me know.

Last night, as I was running the bath water, I told the younger two kids to pick TWO toys to take in the tub with them. 

They ran their little bare booties to the playroom and soon came back with their choices. 

Carolyn....bless her little heart....listented very well and had two very special toys.

Isa (the iguana from Dora....although I'm sure everyone knew THAT!).....and, well, her other choice would make her daddy proud.

Umm....yeah.  That's a toilet.  Yeah. 

As for Ethan....he did NOT do so well in counting his toys.....but he was so darn proud of 'em, and, well, what can I say except "Mackdaddy"?

I am having scary premonitions of him in a hot tub in college one day.  Ahhh!

So you see my difficulty with choosing a title.

Not the worse problem to have.....not as bad as say---being an iguana and having to take a bubble bath without your pink and purple potty! 

Although this "event" happened earlier this summer...due to posting issues I was unable to record it on the blog.  I do think it is worth it...so even though I'm messing up my oh-so-important chronological order....I'm just gonna do it!

While Barrett had taken Bennett away on his birthday trip (those pics to follow....) we decided to have some "end of preschool" fun here.  Ethan has had plenty of friends spend the night here....but never en masse.  So...we decided to have an end of the year slumber party for Ethan and the kiddos he had spent the last two years with. 

So nine 5 and 6 year old boys came to spend the night at our place.  It was very traumatic for me AWESOME!

As soon as they started arriving....guess who pulled up?  (Didn't HE pick a good spot?!)

Once the rest of the buddies got there mass chaos lots of fun began in the yard.

Of COURSE you should throw a giant cheetah ball at your friends on the four-wheeler while simultaneously shooting them with a cork gun!

And of COURSE you should only climb trees while wearing the RED power ranger uniform  (the blue one is for flying...thank goodness we didn't find that one!)!

 And of course if you are a two year old with any sense at all you should find the nearest available car seat and strap yourself in to try and stay safe around all those boys.

Then it was time for dinner.

When the Dominos guy got there he asked me if they were all mine.

I just looked at him....and said what any proud mama would say.

"Yup!"

Then asked him to take our picture. 

Then they came inside and made some sugary culinary works of art.....

...played until it got too dark to see...then broke open the light sticks and kept playing until I couldn't see straight.

Then it was into their PJ's and cuddled nicely into bed and straight to sleep like little angels.

I said RIGHT TO SLEEP.  PLEASE.  SLEEP.  It's 11:43....PLEASE SLEEP. 

Ok...we'll put in Wall-e.  Now will you sleep?

Ok....Wall-e is over.  It's 12:51.  NOW will you heathens angels sleep?

Oh.  Very nice.  Doesn't look very comfortable....but very nice.

Now....to settle down myself.....but wait!   It's 6:15!  Rise and shine world!

Donuts in bed, baby!

9 exhausted boys, several sets of happy picking-up parents, one very vivacious 2 year old and 2 pots of coffee later.....the house was quiet and calm(ish). 

Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and know that the memories of whatever crazy event you plan sure as heck better will stay with your son for a long long time....and you WILL get to sleep again....right?