You Wouldn't Care What I Have to Say

Adorable pics, Tex! Good to see the update.

Your "chore puzzle" made me chuckle. We've developed a Sunday AM "tag team" routine that has each of the oldest two responsible for getting one of the younger ones ready...it worked out nicely today, when we got to go to church in Quinn's "truck".

Thanks, Gid.

Your tag team idea sounds great. I can imagine there's a lot of craziness trying to get everyone dressed and fed and out the door. It's rough for us, and there's only 3 kids in my house.

Congrats again on the truck. I'm very happy for you!

Oh, I forgot to add in my article that Adrian is about to go the board for SSG. I told him it wasn't fair that I don't get promotions and he said that I just did. Haha. A "mom promotion" is having another kid.   

Thanks. We're having fun with it. I'm amazed at how much better it corners than a van. I was driving up county 17 the other day to try to make the CD player skip (good news -- I couldn't!) and hit that first sharp turn (you grew up here, I KNOW you know the one I'm talking about). I learned early on here you don't usually want to take that faster than about 25...Anyway, it was coming up and I looked down and I was doing 40...got prepared to fight the truck a little bit, figuring I'd slide, but it took the corner nice and slick. I was impressed.

But not impressed to try that turn again at 40 mph. I'll chalk THAT one up to luck...lol!

So ask him where the raise is that comes with it!

Err, wait, don't...that suggestion might start Amy to asking, too! That would NOT be good...lol!

Tex,

Awesome pictures. That little girl of yours is going to grow up to be every bit as cute as her Mom. The boys look particularly happy as well.

I love the black and white shot. Just beautiful...

As for:



I understand you've got a lot on your plate but still, I've missed your bits of wit and wisdom, Tex. It is always good to see you and yours...

Oh, I forgot to add in my article that Adrian is about to go the board for SSG.

Hey, good deal. I'm studying for NCO of the Quarter myself... I hope he's better at boards than I am. Good luck, Adrian.

And I certainly wouldn't *mind* hearing about a "chore puzzle."

Gid:

Don't wreck that new truck!



LOL.

You know some military guys actually give their wives an allotment? Instead of sharing the income, they give the wife an allowance to take care of household expenses with.

F*ck that!



Hehe. With six kids, she is a very HIGH RANKING mom.

Maso:

Thanks. Pictures don't do her justice. She is actually very flirty but she doesn't particularly like getting her picture taken. I don't think she likes the flash.

The boys are doing great. They just earned their Cub Scout rank (Bear and Tiger badges) and they are very proud.

I took them to see Ghost Rider yesterday to reward them for a week of good behavior, and they told me I was the coolest mom ever.   

Too bad I don't get that every day.



Thanks. I got them at Sears and I think the lady did a great job. Izzy was in a bad mood and the photographer let me have plenty of time to nurse her and play with her.

I didn't plan on being in any of the pictures, but I'm glad I went along with it. I really like it.



What a nice thing to say. Thank you.

LW:

pseudosoldier:

Awesome. Good luck with that and let us know how you do.

I had to mail Adrian's promotion packet paperwork to him a couple of weeks ago and I just found out today that he's missing the paperwork for a couple of awards. It's going to be super fun digging around trying to find those because I was so sure I had gotten everything.



Ha. Ok, well I thought it would be a good visual reminder of the teamwork it takes to keep the household running.

I took a couple of video game ads from gaming magazines and glued them to construction paper. I wrote a chore and person's name on the back, filling up the space with several chores. I included myself since I wanted to emphasize the teamwork thing.

I drew around the words, making puzzle shapes. I laminated it and then cut all the pieces out. I stuck velcro to the back of each piece and then put velcro on a sheet of construction paper.

I hung it up, and the boys have had fun today doing the different tasks (read for 15 minutes, take out the trash, pick up the backyard, etc.) and attaching their puzzle pieces. In fact, I'M the one who is behind!

It sounds really labor-intensive to make, but my middle child helped me with it, and it didn't take that long. I am good with scissors, though.

Yeah, you'd probably get my 'cool' vote too. I hesitate to ask because I really like Ghost Rider, but how was the movie?

Beautiful pics of your kids. I especially liked the black and white one.

Kind of corny, but still enjoyable. Just because Ghost Rider is so freakin' cool. The boys LOVED it.

Thanks, Rose.

(Did you notice in the...7th...pic she's wearing the outfit you and Chris sent? It is so soft and snuggly!)



Oh, and I have to brag...I got that red dress in the pics for $10. It's a $40+ dress.

Both of the kids are just adorable! And I love the red dress! What a bargain!

redbandana:

Thanks, but there's 3 of them. LOL.



Thank you. I think so too!

Oh, and welcome to JU.

Tex, I loved your pics!! Your daughter is so adorable with her chubby cheeks. I like the 7th pic for some strange reason. I also love how you can tell her big brothers love her so. Is she spoiled yet?

As for the black and white photo it's my absolute fave. It's a photo photographers could show off to get new business. Everything about it is beautiful.

UDigIt:

Thanks! And thanks again to you and Rose for the really special gifts. It was so thoughtful of you guys! The boys loved the Scooby Doo "coloring" books and especially the remote-control car (I have to admit, I like it a lot too! Haha), and the stuff for Izzy was wonderful. Thank you, thank you, thank you!



Hehe. The boys really are crazy about her. My oldest tells me all the time how she's the smartest and prettiest baby in the world! My middle child is very interested in her toys despite his being 6. Haha.

I can't wait until daddy is home...THEN she'll be spoiled!



Thank you. It's funny how B&W can really enhance a photo. I didn't think I wanted to be in any of the pics (my hair was terrible), but I think it's kind of sweet.

They are gorgeous Tex! It's always great to hear what's going on in your life! Keep up the good work on being such a geat mom!

Gosh...I think I need glasses! She looks adorable in her princess outfit.

And her red dress is adorable...nice that you got it at such a low price!

Great pics!  I can't believe you managed to paint her piggies!  Ashley's are moving constanly.  I'd make a huge mess trying to paint them.  I'm lucky to stop them long enough to trim them!

Ashley has that same Bumbo but she fills it out a bit more

I still need to get Ashley in the Hula outfit you sent and post a pic.  I guess I've been waiting for it to stop snowing!

Tex,

Got the package yesterday. Amy loved the outfit, and the kids loved the candy! Thanks bunches!

Heya Tex,

Toni and I went and saw Ghost Rider. It wasn't bad but I thought Nick Cage was wooden in the role. The effects, however, were spectacular and it was also nice seeing him riding around streets we recognised (it was filmed in and around Melbourne).

FS:

Thank you. You're so sweet.

Rose:

Thanks. I love it because she's my princess and it's so soft and snuggly.



I was psyched to get such a good deal on it.

Jill:

LOL. I have to do it while she's sleeping! And even then when she feels me doing it, she twitches!

I had planned for her to wear her black mary janes in the photos, but her feet got too fat for them, so I thought bare feet with red toenails would be cute.



Aren't Bumbos so cool? How old is Ashley now? She's 7 or 8 months, right? It is crazy how quickly they grow. I'll bet she is so much fun.



I'd love to see it!

Gid:

Hehe, the boys saw the box before I mailed it and Orian read the names and address and said, "Who's that?" Xavier answered with, "They're superheroes!" Bwahahahahahaaha.

Maso:

I don't particularly care for Nicholas Cage although for some weird reason my mom has a crush on him. Haha.



I agree on the effects. The boys were mesmerized. I didn't know it was filmed over there. That is cool. We really enjoyed it, and I'm glad you and Toni did, too!

Apologies for the dirty mind but...


You get that before the promotion! HAHAHAHAHA

Ah I crack myself up...


More seriously, I've had to work with children before, and I never managed to get them to actually help me put their chores together. You've got real skills there. Keep truckin'.

Cacto:

I think I'm dense. I didn't get it. You mean sex? I hope that's what you mean, otherwise I have no idea and you'll have to explain it to me.



Heh, there are some little miniature productive citizens out there who are very responsible with their chores. My children are slackers. They only do what they are absolutely required to do, and usually only with much encouragement.

Thanks, though.