Growing Up and Changing Online Nicknames

As hard as it is to admit sometimes, my kiddos are growing up.  Although they have not outgrown their names we so lovingly prayed over and gave them when they were born, their online names are another story.
There was some shock and dismay from Daddy's Buddy when he became aware enough of his online name.  Too little boyish for him.  He asked me to change it right away.  I didn't, but only because I did not know how to go about changing his name or what to rename him.  I couldn't possibly refer to him as child number 4.  He has since referred to himself as Dad's Bud.

Flutter Nutter has since turned 6.  And well, I will always hold dear this name we gave him, but I have to admit he is becoming quite the young man and Flutter Nutter no longer suites him.  The name around the house we hear more often than not is "The MAN".  So from this point on, "The Man" it is.

Fun Mom heard I was renaming her brothers and she asked about hers.  She's right.  She doesn't mother them much anymore.  They all are growing up and kind know what they are doing.  Sometimes she isn't even the one babysitting.  She is starting the transition years of getting ready to fly from the nest.  Oh where did the time go?  A friend of mine likes to refer to her as "Fun Girl".  So Fun Girl it will be.

Kind of sad this changing of names.  It is a mark of the seasons changing and my kids growing up.  But I am focused on enjoying the here and now with each one of them.

Brothers making pancakes together!

Hockey Player likes food.  He is 12. 
But he has always liked food. 
He has always enjoyed being in the kitchen. 
I  hope I never forget his grand adventure in the kitchen.
"Sugar Pie"  A recipe all his own and make it he did.
Must have been 3 or 4 then.  He has learned a few things over the years.
He has grown up wanting to know how to make the things he likes and things he thinks he might like.
So after 4 or 5 days not being able to orchestrate the meal schedule so he could make the pancakes he was craving. We cleared the evening off and let him get busy!
Flutter Nutter likes food too. 
He likes adding the sweet stuff to the food he likes. 
So after his pancake was ready, Flutter Nutter topped it off...

Whip cream

Bananas

Chocolate Chips

Joy !

Flutter Nutter is my Sunbeam for my heart but he doesn't take the wrinkles out of my clothes!

My iron met an early death this past week. 

Knocked over and dropped one time too many.

I ran to the store and brought this beauty back.

Flutter Nutter walked in while I was ironing.

He noticed right away and said,

"You got a NEW iron!"

"I like the blue and gray. 

It is Stylish!"

Stylish?  Where did that come from? 
This kiddo of mine is going to make some woman very happy one day. 
I know, cause he brought a huge smile to my face and laughter to my heart.

He's one special guy.

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When Dad Speaks, All Must Listen and Obey

Sometimes life gets a little you know crazy with our crew.

Big O Daddy O, sometimes, gets a little discombobulated.

When he does, he can be heard saying,

"GO STAND ON YOUR HEAD AND BARK LIKE A DOG!"

Well, Flutter Nutter obeys, and obeys, and obeys this command.

And then Daddy's Buddy joins in!

At least their energy is directed elsewhere.

Away from the Big O Daddy O, who just needs a little more space at the moment.

MidWest Hockey League Championships this weekend!

Favorite memories of the weekend so far:

The morning started off early at 5:30.  Had to leave for the ice by 7:00.  But hotel breakfast didn't start till 7:00 so we had to hunt out some food for us and coffee for Fun Mom.  Gotta keep her fun.  Sooo as Big O Daddy O was trying to figure out how to order a Mocha Frappe, Flutter Nutter renames it a Mocha Flabby.  He wants one too.  Anyone who knows Flutter Nutter knows he doesn't need coffee.  He is like the Ice Age Squirrel after 3 pots of coffee on a normal day with no caffeine.  So there was a unanimous veto by the whole crew in the suburban.  Poor Guy!  No Mocha Flabby for him.

Hockey Player was fighting for the puck when his stick was ripped from his hands.  But he kept fighting for the puck.  Shoulders and Feet.  Kept the opposition away by blocking his stick with his feet.  That's my guy ~ warrior through and through!   I would have thrown myself on the ice and hollered, "you can't have my puck!"  Not my boy.  That was big fist bump moment for Mom and son! !

Flutter Nutter Quoteables

While being forced to do his school work and not liking it one bit Flutter Nutter was fussing and mumbling. 
Then all of a sudden we heard, "HUMBUG!"  "That's the word I was looking for!"
To which Big O Daddy O would not chuckle over because Flutter Nutter was being disobedient.  Unfortunately, Fun Mom and Mom dissolved into chuckles.  The charm of this young man could very well be his undoing.  At least he will know the word for it, HUMBUG!

Cause he is goofy and we love him..

Flutter Nutter found a sticker laying around.  Decided he needed to be a little creative and animated. 

His praise hands !

His growl look !

Fist pump!

Check out those bottom two teeth missing!

Hard to believe when he does things like this, that he is six!

Another Flutter Nutter Quoteable

Dinner at IHop with Grandpa before church. 
Plates are being cleared and I see Flutter Nutter's almost perfectly empty!
Me:  Wow! Flutter Nutter, you were hungry, you ate all your dinner.
FN: I wasn't hungry, but I fell in love with it.

Guess so, cause I had a long day and fell in love with this...

and I ate it all up! 

Ordered it in place of my salad. 

Best salad I ever had.

Flutter Nutter's Sixth Birthday!

I don't know how it happened.  My baby turned six.  Five was a piece a cake for this mommy.  Starting kindergarten was easy.  No tears.  No heart strings being pulled.  BUT six, that is another story.  To make it even harder he went to the dentist a week and a half later and we discovered he is getting his molars and has loose teeth.  How can that be?  Where has the time gone? 
Since we saw cousins perform in the Nutcracker in Colorado Springs over Thanksgiving Flutter Nutter chose the Nutcracker as theme for his cake.  A little overwhelmed.  Determined I would not put ballerinas on the cake.  I did some thinking. I took the girls to the cake store to get some help.  AND by the way, "Mom, I want a bow and arrow on the cake too."  Hmmm, the Nutcracker used a sword...but it is his cake.

                                    So the Nutcracker went bow hunting, killed himself a reindeer. 

                                 The reindeer left Dr. Pepper Jelly Beans behind in the shape of a six.

                                     
Then he shot arrows into those pesky mice he had to fight in the Nutcracker.
 

After all was done and said, he was very happy with his Nutcracker cake.
The cousins (my neices) might be just a bit dismayed at our re-creation of their favorite Christmas story.
Dad was happy I stuck with it and eliminated the ballerinas.

We had lunch at Olive Garden just like he wanted.
Just a couple of days later, cause he had to share his head cold with everyone.  He didn't want to be the only one with the birthday sniffles.

Aunt Sharon did not fail the Aunty test.  She provided lots of sweets and treats.
Just look at the top of that present.

Look deep, I think we can see his stomache!

Whew, he blew them all out!

I may be sad about how old he is getting to be, but he is still my little Flutter Nutter.
Happy Birthday!

Birthday Favorites

Flutter Nutter received this shirt from Aunt Sharon and Uncle Terry.

This morning, Hockey Player announces to me, "Mom, I think Flutter Nutter has worn that shirt for the last 3 days." 
Me:  "Dad did you hear that?"
Dad: "3 days, WOW, you must like that shirt.  It must be a favorite?!?"
FN: "Yep"
Dad:  "Why don't you put a different shirt on after breakfast."
FN:  "I already have it on."
Dad: "So it is like stuck to you."
giggles
Dad: "Tomorrow, wear a different shirt."
 

What is it with Wednesdays?

Last week it was all about language.  This week, Daddy's Buddy asks me about Grandma when she died.  Did we put her in a box and she died or did we put her in the ground and she died?  I had to explain, she died in her sleep at HOME, then she went to a funeral home, they put her in a nice box called a casket and then put her in the ground.  AHHH, that is how it works. 
Hockey Player then asks, "Don't they drain all the blood out of the body and replace it with a preservative?"
A lot of oooohs and yucks. 
"Yes and sometimes  no," I replied shaking my head the whole time.
Little Princess pipes in with, "Unless they want to be cremated and turned into ashes."
Daddy's Buddy adds, "If they don't want to be in their dead body for the rest of their life."
Hysteria breaks out.
In their dead body for the rest of their life....
repeated over and over and loads of laughter
At this time, I am in the Pizza Hut drive through, at the window and can't stop laughing.  I have to explain to the lady in the window about last week and the current conversation.  She starts to laugh pretty good over being in the dead body for the rest of your life.  I mean seriously, how do the kids come up with these things?

But it doesn't stop there.  Flutter Nutter is giving me trouble with wearing his seat belt proper.  I decide drastic measures must be used.  I very calmly inform him, I do not want to buy a casket for Christmas.  I do not want to spend Christmas crying.  Would he please sit properly in the car?

He did for all of 5 minutes.  To which I sounded off and told him, "Fine, you die, I am not buying you a head stone.  I refuse to buy you a head stone for Christmas."  He shaped up and sat all good in his seat and seatbelt.  Who knew.  Having a head stone is important !

Then coming home from church Flutter Nutter is being all super silly and disobedient, AGAIN.
I am done and tired.  I am not letting them take you to the funeral home.  I don't want a Christmas funeral.  I will just leave you by the side of the road if you get killed.  Shaped up and sat like he was supposed to.  FLutter Nutter did respond with, "Cool."  Not exactly what I was looking to hear.  Hockey Player quickly responded with, "Not cool, cause then people would think you had been murdered."

Time to change the subject..."Let's go look at Christmas lights!"

Nintendo Mario and K'Nex Meet! !

Oh my goodness I am soo excited!  This year, I am way behind on my Christmas shopping.  No time, no ideas, until tonight!  I made myself do some shopping and looking around tonight.  Look what I found ! !
K'Nex Mario Kart sets.  My gamer/builder is going to love this !  Good thing he doesn't know about my blog.  Well he knows about it...but he doesn't go online yet.  If you are one of the big siblings reading this, "ZIP YOUR LIPS AND CLOSE DOWN YOUR WINDOWS!" No sharing what you know.

Early... who needs sleep when it is Hockey Season???

Its hockey tournament weekend! 
Saturday's games were all in the afternoon!  Blessed timing. 
Sunday's games are at 6:00 AM and 7:45 AM.
Translation:  Must be at the rink between 5:20 and 5:30.  Must leave by 5 AM.  Must be up with Hockey Player at 4 AM.  He needs breakfast and to get the blood moving.  He might need to shower again to clear his chest, throat and sinuses.  He has been fever free for 7 days.  BUT the previous 8 days to those seven were filled with fevers and crud.

But we will not have to juggle hockey with church.  We will be done with plenty of time to get to Sunday School and church.  Woo Hoo. 

But first we must get all the children to bed.
"Flutter Nutter if you want to go to the hockey games, you need to get to bed." 
FN:  I want to go!  I love hockey games ! 
Mom: They are really early.  REALLY EARLY.  You won't be able to get up if you don't get to bed. 
FN:  I love EARLY.  Sometimes I get up when it is still dark early.  Like Midnight early.  I LOOOVVVVEEE  Early ! !
Mom:  Then off to bed.

Honestly he does love early.  We have two that are up before the rest of us more often than not.  Little Princess and Flutter Nutter.  It can be a toss up between which will be up first.  Sometimes, though, we think it is Little Princess, but Flutter Nutter has curled up in a corner with a blanket and his DS.  He knows he isn't to play his DS in the morning till he has his stuff done.  But I guess when you get up and it is like Midnight dark outside Early, you know you can get some play time in. 

New Perspective on Bedtime!

Flutter Nutter just rushed downstairs with sooo much excitement and announced, "I get to go to bed! I am soooo happy! Daddy says I can go to bed. Now I don't have to be tired. I love him soo much, infinity beyond zero and all around the earth millions of times!"

Now I know, instead of saying "Go to bed." I need to say, "You can go to bed now, so you won't be tired."

Mystery solved.

Random Conversations!

The girls are loom knitting. A lot of loom knitting is happening here. Aunt Sharon has ordered 26 hats and scarves. So when they aren't sleeping, eating or doing their school work, their fingers are busy. We were in the car tonight and a discussion was started about making hats for babies at the hospital for next summer. Patterns, designs and colors are free for the imagination while their fingers are busy. This particular idea was about babies born on the Fourth of July and having patriotic hats awaiting them. Little Princess didn't want to exclude babies that were already in the hospital. What about the babies born on July 2nd or 3rd and maybe had wet lung?
Wet lung? Yes, she knows about wet lung. She has heard about her birth story and the day and a half she spent in the NICU. However, she doesn't know what wet lung is and asks me. But before I can respond, Flutter Nutter excitedly announces, "I know what wet lung is!"
Fun Mom, a lot quicker than her mom, responds with, "Tell us what it is Flutter Nutter!"
His response: Wet lung is when you take your shirt off and get wet all over!
Quietly, my shoulders shake and quiver and I compose myself before telling him, not quite. I then proceed to answer Little Princess's question. But I get his logic and I really enjoy learning about the world through his eyes.

Why it seems nothing ever gets done at home...

Lately, I am trying to keep from losing my hair.  Gray hair, no problem.  Hair loss could be a problem.
I look around my house and it seems to be in utter disarray. 
Then I have a day/night like I did today. 
Up early, got around for the day.  Took care of some paperwork.  Answered some school questions. 
Met realtor to review inspection list for house my dad is buying. 
Get ladder to inspect a roof.  We were having trouble believing the roof was okay.  Seller said the roof was replaced in 2009.  We happen to know there was softball size hail in the neighborhood in 2010. 
Big O Daddy O climbed up and all was well.  Matter of fact, he was greatly impressed.
Off to get a Pepsi, cause I am fading now. 
More paperwork, phone calls, count up popcorn sales and money for Cub Scouts, it is due tonight.
Whoops, missed lunch.  Time to teach English.  High school English and discuss MacBeth. 
The time quickly passes. 
Time for allergy shots, schedule a handful more and then post some packages at Dillons.
Home once again.  Just in time to start thinking of dinner. 
Fortunately, Fun Mom offers to prep dinner, while I lay down and work on Cub Scouts with Daddy's Buddy and Awana with Little Princess.
Little Princess is off to do her research now that I have her pointed in the right direction on the Awana website.
Daddy's Buddy is brushing teeth, lotioning hands and personal chores thanks to the Cub Scouts' section on caring for one's self.  Then, we discuss character trait: Faith. 
Close the eyes, but it is time to eat and I have to choose between snooze or eat.  Did I mention I missed lunch, and instead ate a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and a few handfuls of Cheez-its? 
Fun Mom has made chicken noodle soup from the basic of ingredients.  A great job she has done.  No canned soup for this girl. 
Time to leave:
First drop off Fun Mom for a play performance, featuring several home school friends. Then, a stop at the library cause it is only 2 or 3 blocks from Cub Scouts. 
Next, Daddy's Buddy has Cub Scouts and Little Princess and Flutter Nutter will hang out with us there.  Hockey Player will be picked up and taken to the rink by a teammate. 
Blink, blink, notes here, notes there, a little flag folding, wiggling, election, debating, and snacks Cub Scouts is over. 
Late heading out, a few phone calls while driving, pick up Hockey Player, pick up Fun Mom, and take the long way home around because the short way is closed due to construction!  Home sweet home and it is 9:45. 
10:30 and everyone but mom is in bed. 
Leftover Braum's and a bit more paperwork, computer work.  The day is done. 
But wait, just in case I can't remember why my house looks like it does in the morning, I will blog a reminder of the day(s) before. 

Tears

It has been a teary week.   First it started with realizing this would be Hockey Player's final official year of Awana.  Should he finish his book this year, he will earn his Timothy Award.  That took me down memory lane.  Cause with our club, they always ask parents what they will remember  most.  I can't help but remember Fun Mom's Timothy Award. 
These two kiddos are intrinsically "tied" together when it comes to Awana.  Cubbies came into our life as an answer to desperate momma prayers.  I wanted something to help me teach my sweet toddler "Fun Mom" about Jesus.  Pregnant with Hockey Player, my then 3 year old Fun Mom started going to Cubbies.  Beginning my journey of learning how to sit, walk, and live my life while teaching these precious children about God.  I had no idea, that a month into her first year of Cubbies, I would be laying in a hospital room in organ failure with dangerously high blood pressure, scared doctors and being induced. I was actually admitted, shortly after taking her to Awana.  I thought I was just going to get checked and sent home.  I wasn't scared when they told me I needed to be induced.  All I could think on was the Bible verses I had been helping my little Cubbie to memorize.... "All have sinned.."  "While we were sinners, Christ died for us..."   "God loved us and sent his son..."   I was asked once by my dear sister how it was I had the presence of mind to quote scripture at a time like that.  I had no real answer for her.  Many years later and many more life experiences later, my answer would be different....practice.  When I spend my time focused on God's Word, it is only natural it comes to mind when times are desperate.  Not that I can honestly say, I have done it "right" all these years since.  I have had my times of distraction, to only realize how distracted I have become because when I am desperate again and there are cobwebs where there should not be.  A reminder for why we are encouraged by God's Word to not grow weary in doing what we know is right (Gal. 6:9).

So as I dwell on my second's growing up and the faithfulness of God in his life, my littlest is starting kindergarten at home.  He graduated Cubbies last year and is starting in Sparks.  So ever glad, I am not sending him off on a bus.  I think it would be even harder on this momma .  My littlest girl turned 10.  She will, hopefully, be trying to earn her Timothy Award next year.  Daddy's Buddy is graduating Sparks this year.  So many milestones, so many reflections. 

A blessed reunion with extended family this weekend. Only six of the "greats" (3 + spouses) are still around.  God showed me how very much I am loved by my extended family.  Something I have known, but I saw it with my heart this weekend.  Made me a bit weepier.  With a childhood torn apart by divorce and lies of this world I sometimes can get lost in bad memories and then God so gently reminds me of the good memories and blesses me with the many grandparently hugs I have been missing for so many years.  I have a place where I belong. 

Then a phone call from my dad. 
My heart tells me maybe I shouldn't put off for another year what can be done now.  It is time for some more memory making. 
Tears, a little heart wrenching at times, soothing at others, joyful still.  But never unnoticed by my Heavenly Father.  May I always rest in the palms of His hands.

How it is....according to Flutter Nutter

Little Princess just celebrated double digits.  We had been chatting for a month about the big event.  Hockey Player's birthday is exactly a month later and it is now his turn to share his ideas and chat about his birthday.  (I have a 30 day rule, because of this 1 month spread.  They can start sharing and giving me their ideas for their birthday starting a month before.  Otherwise I become overwhelmed.)  But, when you are the little brother and you are 5 1/2 it seems like forever before your birthday.  Especially, when the list goes like this...Little Princess, Hockey Player, Mom, Thanksgiving, and then you! Then Christmas comes right after.  No spreading it out through the year. 
So a couple of days ago, Flutter Nutter wanted to talk about his birthday.  But it isn't his turn I very gently tell him.
His response, "But I have sooo many ideas!"  in the sweetest, non-whining voice.
Hockey Player isn't in the car.  I cave, cause who can argue with "I have sooo many ideas."
His first idea... a cake with icing grass, a house, trees and flowers.  When I repeated back what he said but in reverse order...flowers, trees, house, and grass,  I was immediately corrected.  Cause you have to get the order right when frosting a cake.  Otherwise, the grass is on the house and that would be silly and he doesn't want  a "tree house".
Love this boy.  I am not looking forward to his next birthday.  I like him this age. :)

Quiet Sunday Mornings at Home

Daddy's Buddy went to the doctor on Wednesday...sinus infection.
He was doing better on antibiotics till Friday night.
Saturday...early stages of bronchitis and new antibiotics. 
Rest and fluids. 
He fell asleep last night around 5 and slept till this morning.  His body is fighting.
Flutter Nutter spiked a 103-104 fever yesterday as Dad and Daddy's Buddy returned home from the doctor.
Off to the doctor again, cause we have weekend plans with grandparents.
Viral infection with flu like symptoms...not the stomache kind thank goodness.
Motrin, fluids and rest
He napped on and off. 
No grandparents this weekend.
The birthday open house for family is canceled. :( 
But the olders + friends + dad had fun Sat. night celebrating.
This morning I am hanging out with my boys.
I have listened to my church's sermons online.  Check it out here.
Then I revamped my blog. 
I have done a few other things. 
But a quiet morning it has been. 
I have enjoyed pondering the sermon I listened to in the midst of the quiet. I don't get this amount of  quiet very often.  It is nice.