The beginning of wisdom..

is knowing when to be silent.
This sweet little saying is recited quite often in our home these days.
What happened to the innocence of our older children. The worst part is they are corrupting our younger ones. The older ones, didn't have older siblings to teach them how to mock and laugh at their parents. But now.... it is all over. There are 5 of them, and they all think they have a future in comedy.

So, I think there should be an ALL NEW but very important rite of passage for turning 13.
The new teenager should lose all ability to speak for one year!

It is amazing what comes out of Fun Mom's mouth these days.
She saw me taking pictures of some pants to put on Ebay and asked why I was selling them. Easy enough.. they don't fit anymore!
You know what she says, "Good, now you just have to get down to a size ??"

I couldn't believe my ears! I think she needs to lose her tongue and vocal cords for a year.
Next I try on a top I am trying to decide whether to keep or not.
In all fairness she can't help herself, in her opinion she is the know all of fashion. It is one of those super cute, form hugging tops. But as you go about your day it creeps on up to your middle and there it stays all scrunchied up. I try to explain I am not going to be walking around, pulling a shirt down to straighten it all day long. She very seriously replied, "I am not going to say it."
And then she does, "I do it all the time."
" Well I am not 13, I am 29 years old and a mom to 5 children and that is just not realistic." I quickly told her.
She dropped over laughing. She just had to tell the 2 others that came by, that I was 29!
Alright I am not 29. I know that. I just couldn't exactly remember how old I was at the time. But did they all have to collapse in fits of hysteria. Then, did they have to go on about what a "Beautiful (with great sarcasm) 29 year old" I am.

Christmas Stories

On a Christmas reading list you will find the typical stores.
The Real Story of St. Nicholas
The Grinch that Stole Christmas
The Night Before Christmas
the Christmas story

But seven years ago we added a new story to our list. I discovered this little gem when we were living in Mississippi for 3 months. We were there from November to mid-February. It always bring smiles and giggles when I read it to the family.



So imagine my delight when we went on our Christmas light adventure to Candy Cane Lane and we discovered a house decorated in "Cajun Christmas." Candy Cane Lane is still my kids favorite. Next year, I don't know if I will find Cajun Christmas... I found it as I was exploring the neighborhoods and I have absolutely no idea how I got there.... but we will see if it becomes another one of our little traditions.
Candy Cane Lane added a new feature this year...at least new to us. Our second time through with cousins, there was a violinist playing Christmas Carols and accepting donations for the Food Bank. Her accompanist was handing out candy canes.

Not your typical Christmas Party....

For the first time we had a hockey Christmas party. It was great fun.
The big attraction....Dad vs players dodgeball!
The game quickly turned into siblings & dads vs players dodgeball.
Dads were encouraged to come to the party for their chance to "pound" their sons!
Both sides took their jobs very serious.
This mom attempted to play 2 times. Both times I was out with the first ball I threw. Those boys sure can catch a ball even if all they ever do is practice hitting a puck and not catching it.

Its been eventful...

December is always a busy month. It never seems to matter if all the holiday shopping is done before Dec. 1 or not. There is school, family, recitals, parties, tournaments, and more. In the midst of it all sometimes there is the stomach virus. This year we were blessed with all the above and a surprise visit from my sister and her daughters! Until a couple of days ago, we thought the virus had left our home for the remainder of the year. But alas, the last 2 of us were not to be left out. I have been a little discombobulated by it all. So I have spent the night looking back through the pictures in hopes of being able to remember a bit of what became a blur between laundry, trashcans and disinfectant.
Our surprise visit with the Aunt Shell and cousins was great fun. They were willing to join us at the kids' Christmas/piano recital. The cousins (not girls) even discovered an interest in hockey when they hit the road yet again to go with us to Oklahoma for a couple of games. Hockey Player instantly had his own cheering squad to cheer him and the team on! Aunt Shell got a sneek peak into this mom's transformation into Hockey Mom. When dad can't travel, he gives certain instructions to the mom... "get on him and "tell" him to skate hard and play strong". I pace and fret, and then I holler and cheer, then back to pacing and fretting. But admist all the hustle and bustle cousins found down time to snuggle and watch cartoons, play star wars,

some of my favorite pictures....

My guys!

My guys....

They are noisy and smelly.

They are noisy.

They are active and crazy.

They give the best hugs.

They are nice to their sisters, most of the time..

They create a ball of arms and legs frequently my floor when the wrestle.

They bring a tremendous amount of humor and laughter to my home.

And they are noisy.

Then there are moments like these,

when they recharge their batteries after a long day of hockey tournaments..

Super Hockey player

Back Flip Daddy's Buddy
Snuggly Flutter Nutter