the Leggett family

my poor, poor blog

2012-02-07T08:52:00.000-06:00

Dear Blog,
I think about you ALL the time - that is seriously no exaggeration! As I am going throughout my day, I see things, or I think of random ideas, and I am immediately reminded of you, oh dear Blog. I have all sorts of ideas that I would love to blog about, but.... there is this evil, evil monster called the Clock. The clock just ticks away the time, and somehow, even when I meticulously plan for time with you, my dear Blog, that clock just rips my daydreams to shreds. SOMETHING ALWAYS COMES UP. Grrrr. What's up with that? It is so very frustrating, but I'll continue to day dream about the day when I have HUGE chunks of FREE time, with NOTHING to do besides what I WANT to do, and no INTERRUPTIONS, and no DISTRACTIONS....... I wonder if... THEN, will I have anything to blog ABOUT.... ?????

Here's to 2012!

say Thanks to our Troops

2011-05-06T14:59:00.000-05:00

I've been feeling very shaky in this world lately. I found this site shortly after the Westboro, KS folks attempted their protest of a BRAVE Mississippi soldier's funeral (if you didn't hear about it, READ about it here... UN-REAL!). I thought I should share this appreciation site so that you, too, can say THANK YOU to our TROOPS for what they do for us everyday.

Wordless Wednesday: A Boy and His Dog

2011-03-02T09:50:00.000-06:00

Jax is 5 !

2011-02-24T14:56:00.003-06:00

Jax had one request as we began thinking about what to do for his 5th birthday: he wanted Blue Thunder to attend. That's his beloved 'coon dog. Yep, that looooud blue tick hound. He wanted to have his party at "some place" besides our house, he said, and he wanted to invite Blue Thunder. Oh. Wow. How will I handle this? No "place" is going to allow a D-O-G to attend!!! So, after some thought, we decided that we would make Blue the celebrity guest... and then our 'coon hunting party idea came forth. It was a perfect theme for Jax - he's really into 'coon hunting lately. So, we decided to go with it!
Now, I just THOUGHT I had a hard time finding paper goods and party supplies with a shoe theme for Joy... well, this 'coon idea was an ultimate challenge. I think it turned out pretty cool, and he definitely had a unique party and coordinating memories. The night of the party turned out to be soooo cold, we decided not to do the mini-scavenger/coon hunt that we had planned, but it still worked out perfectly. Here's some pictures for you to see our 'coon hunting party theme in action:

food table On the menu: HotCoonDogs and all the trimmings

we used his Davy Crockett-style 'coon skin hat as a topper for the 3 tiered platter

His cake was fashioned from the invitation design

We loved the 'coon cookies, made by Mrs. Heather. We displayed pictures of Jax's recent 'coon hunting escapades around, since finding 'coon-themed decor was not gonna happen

there's the celebrity guest and the Guest of Honor arriving at the party, with many fans waiting to meet and greet.

Getting ready to blow out the candles. Look at the paparazzi, ready to get all the photos!

a bashful grin as everyone sang "Happy Birthday". Blue sang along from outside. Loudly, I should add... VERY loudly.

He did it! He blew out all FIVE candles!

opening gifts - he was excited to get his very own wallet... WITH money already in it. Why is it I never get a pre-filled wallet?

opening gifts with friends

for party favors, we gave each guest a mini light. They were fun for all ages

It was very cold outside, but the party couldn't have turned out any better. All of Jax's friends were there, INCLUDING his best canine friend, which made him SO HAPPY. He was so excited to have his friends finally meet Blue Thunder, too. And, Blue Thunder was pretty darn happy himself... I think someone slipped a HotCoonDog out to him!

Happy Birthday, Jax!

Wordless Wednesday: Mini-Trooper

2011-02-23T08:01:00.002-06:00

Princess Styling

2011-02-22T14:20:00.000-06:00

Even a Daddy needs a little Princess style pampering from time to time!!!!

silly girls

2011-02-21T07:27:00.001-06:00

Joy is definitely spoiled by my sister, her Aunt Dana. Here, they have a S-I-L-L-Y lesson in Lipstick 101.

he is a 'coon hunter

2011-02-20T17:33:00.001-06:00

He already had the Proud Dad who was just waiting until he was old enough to go...

he got the blue tick 'coon dog back in late summer... "Blue Thunder"

he was SUPER excited to get this mini-sized hat and light for Christmas

and, he got a 'coon squaller too

oh my, I have just taken my child's picture with a dead animal. Oh, heavens.


So, it was just a matter of time... I should have known...

Indeed.

He IS a 'coon hunter.

Christmas; later is here.

2011-02-19T14:32:00.000-06:00

Yes, yes. I am still TERRIBLY behind on my blogging. But I do have a good feeling that I am very close to being caught up. My posts may not be exactly what I had originally thought up in my head, but they will be enough to suffice to get me to the point of "caught up". I'm ready to blog live. It's been a looooooonnng time since I have done that.
So, let's continue, shall we? ya know, with that catching up stuff...
Where were we? Ah! I do believe we have made it, more or less, to the CHRISTMAS SEASON! I've been saying I'll post Christmas stuff later. Well, I believe later is finally here. Finally!
Gosh, holiday time is soooo busy for us. It actually starts in about October: fall/halloween, then Thanksgiving, Joy's birthday two weeks later, and then Christmas two weeks after that, and then Jax's birthday two weeks after that, not to mention the other family birthdays mixed in between (mine, my sister's, my daddy's, josh's dad's, and one of our nephews, to name a few).... WHEW.
So, let me give a little pictorial attention to CHRISTMAS. We, of course, have tons of pictures from Christmas, so I have selected a view for sharing and documentation purposes here. I hope you enjoy. Hey, where else would you find yourself 'celebrating' Christmas in February -??-!!!!!!

at church, Sunday before Christmas day (see my separate post on the trouble with getting a picture of all of us together!)

Meet ROCKY. He's the latest addition to our family - our Elf on the Shelf! We love this new tradition, and the kids were super excited to find Rocky in a new place every morning. He's a sneaky little booger

you can see the mischief dripping off of him, can't ya? And, by the way, how do y'all like that skull mount cactus buck-? UGLY, isn't it? But the hubs insisted on perching it front-and-center on our living room wall, because it's a "freak of nature" he says. Whoop-deee-do, I say - it's STILL UGLY. An-y-waaayyy, Rocky didn't seem to mind.

in 2008, Christmas at our house somehow morphed into a Disney character-themed event. That year, we had newborn Joy, who slept through the ENTIRE event (Sleeping Beauty), and Jax, who insisted on running around in just his underwear, pretending to be Tarzan. Now, THIS year, 2 years later, we had a return to the character themed Christmas at our house. This year, we had Cinderella... and....

...and... Barney Fife. ha ha. These kiddos keep it interesting, that's for sure!

My parents and my sister and her family usually come to our house on Christmas Eve for a family supper and exchange of gifts. Would you just LOOK at all of the gifts?!!! These are just for Christmas Eve!! We each buy for everyone, so there is something for every person squished up under that tree. The stacks of gifts make my tree look tiny. But it is fun - giving is something it seems everyone in my family loves to do; I know I do - it's my favorite part! Oh. And, did you notice? There's a little Joy in this picture too.

opening gifts - she really got into it this year!

I was finally able to convince Joy to put her Christmas outfit back on (instead of Cinderella), but Jax was NOT parting from that gun belt and smokey hat. Not real festive at first glance, but it's ok. It will be something to laugh about when he and Joy are older. :-)


Barney opening gifts... you see that?- that IS a Garbage Truck ...named Stinky. Jax actually wanted that garbage truck. And, guess what - it TALKS!! Come to think of it, I don't think that thing has the capacity for "quiet" - it talks all the time. So, thanks, MoMo!

After the extended family left, it was time to prepare snacks for Santa and the reindeer.


"Reindeer Food. Sprinkle this food outside the night before Christmas. It will help the reindeer find your house and be a nice treat too!"

note the boots and Christmas pj's

and, note the princess "glass slippers" with the Christmas pj's here

Back inside to get Santa's treats out of the oven

Kids! You aren't eating SANTA'S cookies, ARE YOU?????

Joy insisted that she leave Santa's milk in her favorite cup

and, she also insisted on taste-testing it too!

so, finally, Santa's treats were in place and ready for his arrival

I snuck into the living room to take a quick snapshot of the tree and gifts Santa left before the kids woke up and destroyed it all. :-)

Jax got a COON HUNTING LIGHT - just his size.

Joy got a nice PINK kitchen. I don't think she noticed, but I loved the vintage style

And, because I have many picture frame ornaments on the tree, here's our ATTEMPT at a family picture. We had to wait until we visited my mom, so that all 4 of us could be included in the picture. By that time, PLENTY of grouchy and cranky had set in... this is the best that we got:

Joy appears to be engaging in the universal sign for "crazy" here. In the previous shot, she appears to be attempting escape. Hhhhhmmmmmm....

While we're on the subject of Christmas, I'd like to share a few of my favorite things about Christmas, with pictures, of course.

I love Christmas ornaments. I could go broke if I allowed myself to buy all of the ones that attract my attention. Besides photo Christmas cards, I think Christmas ornaments are my 2nd favorite thing to look forward to at Christmas time every year. Oddly enough, my favorites are not expensive at all. Rather, they are the sentimental ones - the homemade things that the kids have made, and gifts from ornament swaps and special friends. I even have some ornaments that were given to me by classmates in elementary school. That was many moons ago, and they are still precious to me.
As most of you know, we have experienced two miscarriages in the building of our family - my very first pregnancy, and one in between Jax and Joy. Although they were never really "babies" as defined by many, they WERE my babies. I found these Angel ornaments one year, and used them to memorialize my grandparents for a community Memory Tree sponsored by a local funeral home. I had some leftover ornaments so I created these two to memorialize my "angel babies", and I hang these ornaments on our family tree each and every year. They have actually turned out to be my favorite ornaments. I thought I would share this idea in case my bloggy friends know someone with similar struggles who may like to remember their angels in this way. There's a ton of potential in how this idea could be developed. Mine are just plain, but I still love them and what they mean to me and my family.

Although it IS a lot of work (especially with two little ones right under you, with every move you make) I am insistent on putting up a small tree in each of the kids' bedrooms. This is THEIR tree. Santa doesn't put gifts under them, but they do have a mini-celebration of the Christmas season to lull them to sleep each night. Jax's tree includes ornaments of all different forms and fashions - Disney characters mostly, but some other childhood toy-related characters may appear on his tree as well. Most of the ornaments on Jax's tree are homemade from McDonald's Happy Meal toys! That's right! We add to the collection every year (only the "cute" ones!) but I actually started the collection long before Jax was born. As a matter of fact, the collection of Happy Meal toys goes back to my teenage years, when Josh and I first started dating! For a while, we got on a McDonald's kick - and it seemed like we went to McDonald's at least once every weekend. It wasn't because he was cheap, but it was simply where we liked to eat at that time. I still like McDonald's an awful lot. He does too. But, we are aware that it's not the most healthy choice for meals... and it's actually not the healthiest way to eat for the pocketbook either. Happy Meals have gone up in price. I digress. Anyway, when we frequented McDonald's I usually ordered a Happy Meal and 2 apple pies (those are STILL $1, surprisingly!) - not because I really cared about the toy, but mainly because it was the perfect size meal for me. I originally saved the toys for kids at my church or school, my nephews, or my friends who were aspiring to be elementary teachers (the little toys make great reward prizes). I'd save them up until I got a sizable collection, and then pass them on to someone who could make use of them. As I was preparing yet another sack of Happy Meal toys to be given away, my mother suggested keeping the "cute" ones to use on a Christmas wreath or tree one day. I wasn't sure how that would work out, but I stashed them in my hope chest until I could decide what to do with them. Years later, Josh and I married, and found ourselves with virtually no Christmas decorations our first Christmas together. We didn't have a lot of money to spend on decorations either. So, I brought out those Happy Meal toys and Josh helped me add hooks to them delicately (and creatively), for our very first Christmas tree FULL of delightful ornaments. No one ever noticed they were not really Christmas ornaments... I have to say, they looked great! As the years passed, we did get some "real" Christmas ornaments and decorations, but I could not bring myself to get rid of the sentimental Happy Meal ornaments. Now Jax has them on his tree, and Joy has some on her tree too. I hope one day they will understand why they are so meaningful to me. Meanwhile, because they are character-themed, they make for a really CUTE theme for a kid's tree.

And, Joy's tree. Well. Her tree is... GIRLY. But we like it that way. It is no where near traditional, but it does incorporate "Joy" - a traditional Christmas greeting that also happens to be her name. Her tree is sparkly purple with teal, lime, and silver ornaments (from her Winter ONEderland first birthday party), along with a few of the previously discussed Happy Meal ornaments that fit the color scheme and girly appeal. Also, her tree has JOY-themed ornaments, which adds an additional personal touch.

I guess my absolute FAVORITE thing about Christmas is CHRISTMAS CARDS! It's no secret. I send a Christmas card to everyone in this country; not so much to show off my family, but because I secretly hope the trend catches on, and that the recipients will send us a Christmas card in return! It's called subliminal messaging. HA! It is the BEST thing to check the mail and get a handful of cards --especially the photo ones-- instead of a handful of bills! It's unfortunate, but the billers still send their mail during the Christmas season. However, it's just not as noticeable I guess, because those cheery Christmas cards are there to help me recover. I LOVE Christmas cards. I keep all Christmas cards that we have received each year in a coffee-table style scrapbook. I LOVE to look at them through the years. Christmas Cards are my favorite part of the Christmas season, and this is well-known in the Leggett household. No one; I repeat, NO ONE is allowed to check the mailbox in December except for ME!!!! Checking the mail and definitely opening the Christmas cards, is a serious offense that will yield serious tongue lashings by the Queen Bee here.
Since I love Christmas cards soooo much, I know that most all of you have already seen our Christmas card for 2010 -whether you really wanted to or not, - because you got one in the mail. But, because I love them so much, I'm posting our Christmas card here. again. yep, this is my blog, and I can do that. so, grin and bear it! and while you're at it, add my name to your 2011 Christmas card list. The top of the list will be just fine. Ok, thanks.

THANKS to my good buddy Susann Altman for the help with the card design
Also, a shout out to Amanda Smith of Reflections Photography for the super photos of my family!

Well. Merry Christmas to all.
don't mention the February part
:-)

How much trouble could ONE picture be?

2011-02-18T09:47:00.001-06:00

Ok, so that's a decent picture. Not the worst ever. Not the greatest by any means, but it was somewhat what I was looking for.
I would have initially labeled that one "bad" and deleted it without second glance.
It gets the label "decent" only after you consider the work that went into that picture.
But, how much work was involved in that ONE picture?
Oh, you don't even know!
It was a ridiculous amount of begging, pleading, positioning, fussing, whining, aggravating, crying, flopping, and complaining that took place before I finally got that shot.
And the sad part? -- it's still not exactly what I was aiming for!!!! It was just too much trouble ... I gave up.
Take a look at just a FEW of the snaps I went through in order to get that ONE "quick" snapshot picture above. Geez!!

Take ONE:

Take TWO:

Take THREE:

Take FOUR: (Jax was actually in the middle of snapping his fingers, I'm pretty sure, but, still - what's up with that bird? !!! So, tell me how you really feel about taking pictures, son!!!)

Take FIVE:

Take SIX:

Take SEVEN:

Take EIGHT:

Take NINE:

Take TEN:

Take ELEVEN:

Take TWELVE:

Take THIRTEEN:

{yawn} Ok, I'm getting tired and outdone just posting these. This is only half of the trouble that was involved in that one frazzlin picture. Yes, seriously. There are more. Lots more.
Why? WHY, children? Why can't you ALL just look at me and look pleasant and freeze that way for just ONE second. Why do you work me like this, all while snickering silently inside as you connive with each other via mental telepathy to create more group un-cooperation and mom-stress? Why?
All I wanted was ONE picture. I guess I got it.
But I got you back! Cause your charades are now posted for all the world to see!
Everybody say, "Yaaaay!"

CHEEEEEESE!!!!!!

Goody Goody TWO shoes!!

2011-02-17T11:17:00.001-06:00

One, Two, buckle my shoe! And, One, Two, buckle these shoes, too! And, these! and those too!

Our resident princess had a very appropriate SHOE themed 2nd birthday party in December. Hence our invitation and party theme: Goody Goody TWO Shoes!
This child LOVES her some shoes, so nothing would "fit" her better than a Goody Goody TWO Shoes party. Since finding "shoe" themed paper goods for a little girl is next to impossible (why is it that all of the party stuff that I did find with shoes on it, also had martini glasses -- ??? ), we developed our own theme and color schemes to match her personality. Although her birthday is in December, we opted for fun, bright colors and patterns that were as far away from "Christmas time" as possible. I thought it turned out to be a very cute party. And, FUN too!

Mrs. Lisa made our cake and cupcakes, and they were so goooooood! And, ADORABLE too!

We opted for 3 tiers of cupcakes, with a small cake for Joy to enjoy, rather than the traditional one large birthday cake Goody, Goody!

we LOVED these shoe sugar cookies, and they were sooooo good too! Mrs. Heather created these, each with a unique design, coordinated with our color scheme. Don't you love them?!! Goody, Goody!

here's our table setting! Mrs. Stacy let us borrow these table clothes - they were just what we needed to tie it all together! Goody, Goody!

snacks, in easy-to-handle "cones" that I made myself. EASY, EASY

close up of the fondant "zebra" print cupcakes CA-YUTE!

THE Princess

a crown for the prissy little Shoe Queen. Goody Goody!

a little modeling...

modeling... shoes, of course

she listened intently as everyone sang Happy Birthday. Goody Goody!

and, she was successful with blowing out TWO candles. Goody Goody!

we set up a little "shoe shop" for the girls to try on, and try on, and try on... until their little shoe-loving hearts were content! GOODY, GOODY fun!

these were her pick for the moment.always subject to change, of course!

Don't blink! She'll change those shoes on ya in a heartbeat! and, in 2 seconds flat!

Opening gifts -- also a great opportunity to prop your feet up :-D

she loves her babies

ah! her first pair of Tom's!! And, look at that!-- they're sparkly- perfect princess attire

There wasn't anything huge or spectacular at the Goody Goody TWO shoes party, but I think it was perfect for this group of prissy little two-year-olds! Kids and adults alike enjoyed the food, and I think the adults enjoyed the constant shoe fashion show entertainment just as much as the adorable little two-year-old shoe models did. Gosh, I think they could even teach some of us a thing or two about walking (and running) in heels!!
Happy Birthday Joy! Goody Goody TWO Shoes!

Wordless Wednesday: Rotten!

2011-02-16T13:54:00.002-06:00

GAPS update

2011-01-24T16:02:00.000-06:00

My kids have LOVED participating in the Great American Postcard Swap. It started back in May (2010), and it has been tons of fun. Not to mention, educational! (You can read my original post on the GAPS here.) At first Joy was oblivious, but after observing multiple instances of great enthusiasm from Jax when a postcard was found in the mailbox, she began to come around a little more. We have been placing the postcards on the wall in their toy room, along with a blank U.S. map. We've been coloring in the states as we receive the postcard from each state. (Side note: we started out with the postcards in the kitchen entryway, where I usually display our beloved Christmas cards. I thought the GAPS would be over by Christmas to make way for the Christmas cards, but alas, it was only mid-way through at Christmas time so the postcards had to be uprooted and relocated to the toy room wall). Joy enjoys looking at the pictures and pointing out mountains, deserts, fields, and other geographic significances that she has learned to recognize in the pictures featured on many of the cards. Jax can recognize some of the state shapes and he knows the general vicinity of their location on the map. He can recall geographic land types for many states, but not all. Heck, I don't know if I could, either, ha! Most of the cards have state history information on them, so we have reviewed those facts occasionally.
I originally joined the GAPS to help Jax understand maps a little better - they are still naturally an arbitrary idea for him. We don't travel a lot, but I recognized last summer that he didn't understand anything about "states" other than traveling to any other than Mississippi meant "far away" and "long ride" for him. This has been a fun endeavor, and I hope we'll get a chance to participate in another one perhaps when Jax is studying the United States in school. Or Joy. Or both!

To bring it all full circle, Jax got a U.S. puzzle for Christmas, and he was so excited about that. But I can still tell that he doesn't fully understand, and that maps are still a tiny bit arbitrary for him. I hope this exposure and practice will help him to develop an appreciation not only for maps, etc., but to also introduce him to basic directional skills (he knows how to read a compass!) and state identification, as well as foster a love for his own state of Mississippi and all the blessings we have here.
Did you know that maps are on their way out of style? I heard a radio broadcast recently that said that our children will be unaware of such things as telephone books, letters, maps, cd's, and chapter books and libraries! These essentials from my childhood years are being quickly replaced by the internet, email/social networking, g.p.s systems, mp3's, and electronic readers. WOW! That is so true; I never stopped to think about it before hearing the broadcast.

The GAPS is not over yet - we are missing a few states still - but we hope to have a complete set of postcards very soon, that we can look at over and over again. Thank you to all of the GAPS participants - we have really enjoyed this project!!

Halloween

2011-01-22T13:49:00.001-06:00

yes, it's January. 2011.
and, yes, I'm blogging about Halloween. 2010.
but, they were too CUTE not to share, okay?! I'm just anal like that. I can not get over it. So, yes, I'm still in "catch up" mode.

But I will make a deal with you, my lovely readers. Since you have long forgotten about Halloween, I'll spare you the details and just let the pictures speak for themselves - how about that?
Ha, I'll let you decide the CUTENESS factor, [wink, wink]

So, without further ado, I present to you... Halloween 2010! [drumroll, please!]

First up, LUIGI!!!!

Jax is obsessed with the Mario Brothers, and idolizes Luigi for some reason. What better Halloween costume? Very fitting for him, right now.

I love the mustache the most! hilarious!


Jax, 4, cannot say "Luigi" no matter how hard he tries, but, bless his heart, he's working REALLY hard on it! When he says it, it comes out as "Lu-wedgie" LOL

And, next up, we have a very lovely.... STRAWBERRY!!!!

isn't this just the most precious thing?

She's BERRY sweet!!!

Love her BERRY much!

Our church had the annual trunk-or-treat, and we had soooo many kids -- it was a BLAST!!! Look at all of 'em!

you could find any creature you've ever dreamed up at Calvary's annual Trunk-or-Treat. Can you say FUN!!

here's a closer snapshot, just before the kiddos hit up all of the "trunks" in the parking lot. That's my niece and nephew (Popeye and Olive Oil) sitting between Luigi and Little Miss Strawberry

The kids got to select a pumpkin from the patch, and decorate it - this was a fun activity for all ages.

Daddy helped Joy - she picked the cutest tiny pumpkin for the project - it was about the size of an apple. It turned out soooo cute! I loved having the kids' decorated pumpkins sitting out on our porch for Halloween. So cute.

Here's the two cutie-patooties as we were getting ready to wrap up the night. GREAT TIMES for the Leggett's

a lesson on pets

2011-01-21T14:38:00.000-06:00

Back in the Fall, Joy's class was doing a study on animals, and pets. One afternoon, I reached into her cubby to gather her belongings, and pulled this out:

YIKES! "What is this?" I asked, and Joy just looked up at me sheepishly. Her teacher answered for her, "it's a gerbil - we're talking about animals this week." Joy just nodded in agreement. OH!, I thought, how silly of me to think it was just a toilet paper roll with some lint on it. "Ok, great," I said, and we went to the car, while I ~~tried~~ worked very hard to stifle in my laughs.

On the same afternoon, when I picked up Jax, I reached into his cubby to gather his belongings, and pulled out a letter, informing parents of the PET SHOW his class would be hosting the next day. It wasn't a live pet show - it was a pet show for stuffed animals or other favorites of the non-living type. What a neat idea, I thought as I ushered him to the car, but, what in the world will we bring for the pet show??!!.

On the drive home, we talked about the usual things: what they ate for lunch, who they played with, what they learned, what they made.... and it was THEN that I had the most wonderful idea!!! --- JAX could take JOY's hand-crafted GERBIL to the pet show!!!!!!!!!!!

He did NOT approve of that idea.
Squashed.
Immediately.

He had apparently already contemplated the issue and had already made a selection mentally -- he wanted to take his "pet" squirrel... the one that was our guest at our recent front yard picnic.
So, that is exactly what he did. And, all of the kids loved it, including Joy, who got to be a pet show audience member.
I still think my idea was better. I mean, how much more unique can you get?

Look Ma! No wheels!

2011-01-21T14:18:00.000-06:00

... training wheels, that is!
Jax was SUPER excited when his Daddy FINALLY removed the training wheels from his bike. He spent all of Fall break getting used to the new freedom... and the brakes! He had no problems riding without the training wheels, but it did take a little while to get used to those brakes.

Getting coached...

a little push...

this is my most favorite picture - exhilaration!

and he's off!...

Look Ma! I can't stop now! ... don't know how to use the brakes!

Joy cheers him on!

Look out for that TREE!

lovely weather for a pic-nic

2011-01-14T14:56:00.000-06:00

During Fall Break (October 2010), we had the most beautiful weather! So, the kids and I planned a little pic-nic for lunch, right in our very own front yard. It was the best idea, we all enjoyed our meal, as well as the time relaxing under the tall, tall pines.
I took my camera along, of course.

Each of the kids chose one "guest" to attend our pic-nic. Since our pic-nic plans were spontaneous, their guest selection was limited. Jax brought along his squirrel, and Joy chose her dog. We also packed along one of my favorite books from childhood, The Berenstein Bears' Picnic.

We enjoyed a meal of Dinosaur shaped ham sandwiches, Cheese-It crackers, and string cheese, with a Rice Krispy Treat for dessert. We also sampled the new JellyBelly Lemonade that I stumbled upon in Walgreens the day before. YUM.

THEN, I stretched out on the picnic blanket and laughed hysterically as these two crazy kids engaged in an impromptu Lawn Mower Race. I enjoyed the entertainment, and I especially enjoyed listening to them giggle and chat as they played together. It made for a great lazy afternoon, and a super adventure for a Fall Break, even though we didn't really "go" anywhere at all.

the Water Carnival

2011-01-13T16:06:00.000-06:00

Speaking of small-town-traditions, I have another small town event that I haven't yet reported on my blog. This year (Aug. 2010) was the first time we got to participate in the Water Carnival. I sometimes have to rethink my words, because I am quick to assume that everyone knows what the Water Carnival is... however, it is apparently NOT a national phenomenon and most people outside of Lincoln County have no clue of what it is. As a matter of fact, if you ARE a Lincoln Countian, you STILL may not know what the Water Carnival is because, for some reason, some parts of this traditional event have been changed over the years, including the name of the event. It is now known as the Lions Club Beauty Pageant. This revamped name more accurately reflects what it is I guess, but being the small town traditionalist that I am, I STILL call it "Water Carnival." I'm no historian, and I certainly was not yet living when this annual event began, but I am assuming it was originally called "Water Carnival" because it was a pageant where all contestants wear Swimsuits - no dresses, etc! The modernized version of the event allows swimwear for the little girls only now, and the big girls have to wear traditional pageant gowns/dresses. I hate that - I like the uniqueness of the "Water Carnival" but I guess there are probably some valid reasons for changing to the new standards. Anywho, I have long dreamed of the time when MY little GIRL would be in the Water Carnival. Joy missed the age limit by just a few months for the 2009 pageant (must be 1 year by the time of the event - she wasn't 1 until 4 months later), so you can bet we were READY for the 2010 event. I was really nervous that she would not WANT to be in it... but that idea was quickly squashed when we began trying on potential swimsuits (glitzed up, of course) --- she LOVED them! As a matter of fact, she PICKED OUT her own swimsuit! Not even 2 years old, and already got an eye for it! That's my girl! My next concern was Josh. Y'all know him - the stubborn southern good ol' country boy - he has always said "no no no" to the idea of pageants. But, I told him, THIS is not a pageant... THIS is THE Water Carnival!!!! (at least in my mind anyway) I was shocked that he really didn't say much at all about it.
Okay, okay, so I'll skip over some of the detailed details! I'm realizing that my readers may not be "into" this event as much as I was. But, can I say here that this Water Carnival was SO. MUCH. FUN. !!!!!! We both had a blast, and I was SO PROUD of my little bit. SHE even PLACED! That wasn't something that I emphasized, because I do not want to create a pageant monster, but that lil fact did make me smile, so I'm throwing it in here!

All of those pictures were taken backstage before the pageant started. She LOVED the bling on her suit, and the fancy ribbon accessory on her foot... she's... such a GIRL! Yay! I love it!
So, now, on to the stage photos.
Oh.
Wait.
We don't have any!
Can you believe that?
Well, you see, we Leggett's can't seem to pull anything off without a hitch. About 30 minutes before we were supposed to be at the event, Josh got called out to a wreck 2 counties away. It was a fatality and would require extra documentation and markings of the scene. I was soooooo FRUSTRATED! He would not be able to see his daughter in her very first stage debut! Can we say UP-SET ?!! I was. Joy had no clue, but I was soooo disappointed that her Daddy would not be in that audience cheering her on. I had to remind myself many times that some other family was experiencing a crisis far more important, and THEY needed him more at that very moment. That is very, very hard to do. But it is a conversation that I have to have with myself frequently, as there is never really a convenient time for a fatality.
So Joy and I carried on. And everything was fine. I had my camera with me backstage, and Josh wasn't there for me to pass it off to as we approached the stage. But, it's ok. My camera ended up being entertainment for the little ones backstage, so it all worked out in the end.
Miss Prissy-and-Independent navigated that stage like a pro! She was precious, if I do say so myself!
Here's some snaps that I took backstage as we were waiting for our turn to enter the stage! That's her friend Layla, who is just 3 months older than Joy. I am so glad that these 2 girls will get to share so many events and experiences together, just like Layla's mother and I did throughout our childhood years. So fun!

small town FAIR

2011-01-11T15:14:00.001-06:00

So, I am reeeaaaallllly liking this new and improved photo uploading tool on Blogger!

So, I thought I'd upload some more old pictures from last summer. HA! Hey, hey, I'm working my way up to the most recent events in the Leggett household, K?! ~I'm getting caught up here!

These photos need little explanation, much like my last post of Beach photos. These are from the annual Brookhaven Exchange Club Fair last August (2010). Jax and Joy ENJOYED themselves, and I had a ball as well. Josh got OLD sometime between the time we started dating, when he would ride any ride out there, (and even make efforts to make them more swirly, spinny, scary, etc. than what they actually were) and the present, when he refused to get on anything! But, I do believe he enjoyed himself just the same - he enjoyed talking and socializing! Because at a small town fair, it is just one big reunion of old friends - the rides are just a side item. :-)

Joy LOVED the carousel! This child WOULD NOT get off! We learned that inflation has even hit the carousel at the fair - $1 per ride is at least twice the amount my parents paid for me to ride the very same horsies as a kiddo! ;-)

Jax LOVED the Farris Wheel - the big one! He was not hesitant one bit! As a matter of fact, he went to the fair with full intentions of riding THE farris wheel. His Daddy watched from a distance, and took a few snapshots for us.

Jax had already sailed thru the big Ferris Wheel experience, but he was just as happy to serve as a riding partner for Joy on the little ferris wheel. They were so cute and he took good care of his little sister, making sure that she didn't get up or fall during the ride.

COTTON CANDY - a fair staple!

They both loved the cars. A fair classic for kiddos, for sure. I love how they chose to ride together rather than separately, even though there was plenty of "single driver" cars available. They both wanted to ride together.

Driving takes determination! Their facial expressions here are priceless! They seem to perfectly represent me and Josh, and our different approaches to driving (and other concentration-oriented tasks). I'll let you figure out which child's expression represents me, and which one is a good reflection of him. LOL

The Exchange Club Fair is so much fun! No, it's not a theme park with super duper rides that attract people from all over the world. It's small. And it's old. As a matter of fact, I believe ALL of the rides at the Exchange Club Fair could be easily considered antique! I mean, they were OLD when I was a kid. But, I wouldn't change this small town tradition for anything. It's ours. We love it, and we're looking forward to next August for another twirl of small town community, good old-fashioned FUN.

it's cold!

2011-01-07T15:22:00.001-06:00

It's January. It's cold. What better time to share some warm sunny BEACH photos from last summer's vacation (July 2010)?!!!

Ah, yes. Most of you see right through that. I know. Actually, I am just now getting around to loading the Beach pictures from our July 2010 vacation. Oh well. At least I am making some progress. Thanks to my friend Angela for the advice on uploading pictures with the new editor, that I didn't know anything about!!! THANKS GIRL - this is MUCH better!

I'll let the beach pictures speak for themselves! Chillax and enjoy!

Dolphin cruise

got a little stormy out on the water, but even the stormy weather was beautiful

Captain Jax got to steer for a while!

Jax's first trip to HOOTERS!

We loved the FL Gulfarium too!

More beach! YUM!

We even got to witness a beach wedding - it was quaint and beautiful!

2011

2011-01-04T16:30:00.001-06:00

To leave the old with a burst of song;
To recall the right and forgive the wrong;
To forget the things that bind you fast,
To vain regrets of a year that's past,
To have the strength to loosen hold
On worthless things of days grown old;
To dare go forth with purpose true;
To unknown tasks of a year brand new;
To help your brother along the road,
To aid his work and ease his load;
To add your gift to the world's good cheer,
Is to have and give a Happy New Year.

conversations with the kiddos = LOVE IT!

2010-11-11T15:29:00.000-06:00

Well, it's now November and I STILL have a gazillion pictures that I really want to post from SUMMER... and of course, there's HALLOWEEN pics that need some attention, too! But, gah, Blogger is so tough on a girl with a bunch of pictures! Does anyone else ever have a problem with uploading pictures to Blogger? OMG! It takes sooooo long! And, THEN, it is a pain to move them and get them positioned the way you want them! There MUST be an easier way! C'mon Blogger-Execs... with ALL of this new-fangled modern technology available, there has GOT to be something you could do to help us snap-happy folks with our photo uploads!!! For crying out loud!!!

Ok, I am stepping down from that soap box now.

Since I don't have a lot of time (like, ever!), I won't be posting pictures today. A'hem, sorry about that. Instead, I want to share some "stories" and some recent "conversations" from my precious, ever-so-talkative, and too-darn-cute children.

I love listening in on kids' conversations. I love when I am invited to participate in conversations with kids, especially when they are MINE! Isn't it funny how their conversations somehow seem eerily similar to things we say ourselves ?? sooooo funny....

The Leggett children apparently have the gift of gab. I think they got that from their Daddy. Well, maybe just a little influence from their Momma too. I've posted about the developing talkative nature of my kids before here, and here, and here, and my absolute favorite eavesdropped conversation ever is right here (Jax and his friend Brandon on "sisters").

Well, here's some more little tidbits to add to the list!

**It was the first week of school (yes, I realize I have not posted pictures yet, but I just can't hold the stories in any more. Refer to above soap box.) and we were headed home. Joy was whipped out and was fighting sleep from the moment we got in the car, so I was trying to keep both Jax and Joy talking as we made the trek home.
Me: "What did you have for lunch today?"
And, Jax spoke up for the both of them: "wellllll, we had three things for lunch. We had ham - that's the protein, Mama... and we had.... uh... um... we had.... well, I can't remember what else we had, Mama, but we had three things. And, Aubree is in my class!"
Me: "Oh, wow! I didn't know Aubree is in your class this year."
Jax: "Yes, she is. I told her she's my girlfriend. ... But I didn't even tell her Leslie is my girlfriend... " {silence}
and Jax continued, "oh, this ain't no good!"

**We have the greatest conversations while riding to and from school, it seems. I guess the distractions are kept to a minimum, so there's really only Chattering for entertainment. One afternoon as we were traveling home, we crossed some railroad tracks. Jax squealed from the back seat, "OH! LOOKY! We're crossing a ... ummm... a.... um.... a... a.... um, a ... train system!!!!!" That's my boy! - creative and original!

**During yet another ride home from school, we passed a garbage truck. Jax immediately noticed.
Jax: "Mama, I think that was G.I. Joe. That MUST be a FAKE garbage truck cause it's G.I. Joe's truck in disguise!! And did you know Batman has buddies? Yeah! And there's one that's a cowboy and one that's really big, and uh... that's it I guess. But do you know who Stretchman is?" Whew! Yeah, I know - being worn out from a long day's work hoping for idle conversation doesn't mean a thing to this kid; he demands thought and contemplation... and very quick answers, or else he just moves on to his next thought without you! ha

**Josh was able to go on a quick hunting trip to Arkansas in early October. As he was leaving he told Jax, "Take care of Momma and Joy while I'm away." Jax nodded. "You're the man of the house while I'm gone," Josh told him. Without hesitation, Jax blurted, "Does that mean I'm the BOSS?" Oh, lordy.

**Not long after that hunting trip, Josh and Jax were preparing to go 'coon hunting, and take Jax's new 'coon hunting puppy, Blue Thunder (I know, I know - pictures coming soon). Josh and Jax were discussing what they needed to take, etc. and Joy commented, "Doy toon huntin, Daddy," [translation: Joy 'coon hunting, Daddy], indicating that she wanted to go with them. Josh explained to her that she could not go this time; it was dark and cold, and even misting rain a little bit. Jax said, "don't cry girl! You gotta stay here and take care of things. You're the GIRL of the house now!"

**Mid-October announcement from Jax: “I want some rocks for Christmas”
Me: “Oh?!! Okay, we’ll have to tell Santa. He can probably handle that.”
Jax: “I want space rocks and ocean rocks.”
Me: “Oh. Ok. Hhhmmmm.”
Jax: “How is Santa gonna get the space rocks, Momma?”
Me: “Hhmm. That’s a good question. I think you should ask Daddy!”

**Jax (to Joy): “you need a boyfriend, girl.”
Daddy/Josh: “Ooooh, no. We don’t want her to have a boyfriend yet – he’ll try to smooch on her and such!”
Jax: “Then, who will she marry, Daddy?”
Josh: “I don’t know. She’ll have to do all of that kind of stuff when she’s …uh… forty.”
Jax (astonished): “Woah! Farty?! Farty is a long time, girl! It's gonna be, like, farty-million years before you get big [old enough], girl! Woah, it'll be all the way til next summer!!!"**Joy has been more interested in the "Pincesses" [Princesses] lately, especially Snow White. She got the movie at Halloween, and we have played it a few times. She doesn't just sit and watch, but she does listen and view some of the scenes as she plays. One evening, the Snow White movie was playing, and Jax, being the very observative child that he is, asked, "Momma, why do those little dwarts [dwarfs] say 'Hey Ho' every time they are walking?"

**11/4/2010 - Jax wanted Joy to play "cop" with him. Jax said, "Joy, you be the bad guy."
Joy: "NO!"
Jax: "Well. Just turn around and put your hands behind your back then!"
Joy: "NO!"
Jax: "Ok." {pause} "Order in the Cot [court]! Order in the Cot!!!"
Joy: "NO!" "Not today, Jax!"

**One evening, I was cooking supper and Jax was just insistent that he was going to help. I told him that I had everything covered, but he kept on. He wanted to help me peel potatoes. I explained that the potato peeler I was using was actually just a knife in disguise, and that he could cut his fingers easily. He continued to beg and plead and he appealed to my soft side when he kept saying, "I just want to help you, Momma". So, again, I explained the potential dangers of the Peeler, and then gave him instructions and a demonstration on how to use it and how to avoid injury. He did very well operating the Peeler, and did not get even so much as a scratch. He peeled two potatoes, and he announced, "I got the hang of this, Momma!" He was so proud. "Good Job!," I said. Jax replied: "You can count on me!" and sweet little Joy, who was playing in the other corner of the kitchen, never missed a beat; she began, "ooonnne... twooooo... th-reeeee...." I love these two.

**One night I was rocking Joy and all was quiet - it was just the two of us.
Me: "I love you"
Joy: "I wuv shoe too." [I love you too]
Me: "That's so sweet, Joy."
Joy: "Doy wuvs Daddy." [Joy loves Daddy]
Me: "What? You love Daddy? Well. What about Mama?"
Joy: "Doy wuvs Mama." {pause} "Too."
Me: "I love you too, Joy."
Joy: "Aaaaaaannnnd. Doy wuvs Dax." [Joy loves Jax]
What a sweetheart! ~ She melts my heart!

**Each day when I pick up Joy, she runs up to me and says, “Joy’s Mama!” as she has her arms stretched out for me to pick her up. One afternoon, I decided to question her a little more.
Me: “Who is Joy’s Mama?” (Joy points to me.) “What is Joy’s Mama’s name?”
Joy: “Neisha”
Me: “What is Joy’s Daddy’s name?”
Joy: “Josh”
Me: “Who is Jax’s Mama?”
Joy: {long pause} “Daddy can!”

Oh, how I love my little chatterboxes! I could go on, and on. These two precious gifts are priceless!

summer snaps: feel the love

2010-10-13T23:50:00.007-05:00

Here's a few more summer memories in .jpg format - an impromptu photo session

of Jax and Joy doing what they do best - PLAYING! I am sooooo thankful that they play together so well. Jax is great big brother - he is constantly looking out for her, and never takes the opposing side. Joy looks up to him for sure - she wants to do everything that he does; and I do mean everything! (Did I mention that we are potty training?!!) They make childhood look so much fun. And, oooh, the energy! Where does it all come from? Oh, if I only knew the secret.

I love these kids - they have captured my heart. I wish I could just "freeze" them, and freeze these times. I would give up my right arm before I would willingly give up just one these memories. Priceless.

she made a discovery

2010-10-09T02:30:00.002-05:00

This:Causes this:

And this:I think she was trying to make herself look like this:

And, although a MESS was definitely made in a matter of just a few short minutes, her Mommy couldn't help but LAUGH and snap pictures to freeze the memories of her exploration and discovery!

Here's to budding artists!

Summer Reading Program

2010-10-08T22:20:00.001-05:00

Jax participated once again in the library's Summer Reading Program this year. Joy also benefited from the many books we read this summer even though she was not officially old enough to sign up for the program. Both kiddos enjoyed every visit to the library this summer, where they explored books and puzzles, made crafts, met new friends, and encountered all sorts of creatures (even snakes!), both real and imaginary. Jax got a variety of prizes for his participation in the program and for reading 33 books over the summer. Here's a few of our favorites from our summer reading list!

We're Very Good Friends, My Sister and I, by P.K. Hallinan. This was a great story about an older brother and his younger sister. Jax and Joy really are great friends and playmates, so I enjoyed reading this book to them. We love P.K. Hallinan. We own copies of both My Daddy and I and My Mommy and I as well as I Know Jesus Loves Me by Hallinan, all of which are excellent children's books with a Christian message.

We also enjoyed John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith. This was a very cute book about some typical "boys" who turn out to be real characters significant to our country's history, John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. It was a comical tale of each, implying how their childhood may have been an early indicator of their adult successes. Cute and educational; love it.

A really cute book about morality and character development, Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller is another one of our favorites. We love Laurie Keller! She has written many unique and appealing children's books, and we are looking forward to reading more of them in the future.

Lizard's Home was also a great book to promote empathy, fairness, and prosocial behaviors. We enjoyed George Shannon's book about Lizard, who finds someone else has taken over his home and he responds to the situation with cleverness, rather than aggression. A great lesson-based book; I guess you could say it is a fable.

And, my FAVORITE book that we read this summer was Who's That Tripping Over My Bridge? by Coleen Salley. This story is based on the traditional story of the 3 Billy Goats Gruff, but the author puts a unique CAJUN spin on it by setting the story around Baton Rouge and including south Louisiana traditions and language in the script. Jax and Joy both giggled and snickered all the way through this book, even when we read it for the 472nd time!! If you ever get the opportunity to read this book to your child, I recommend it! This would be a great preface to a planned daytrip to New Orleans or Baton Rouge with your kiddos, especially if you will be participating in mardi gras events. Just typing about this book makes me want to read it the 473rd time! It is so creative!

Of course, we could NOT go through the summer without some Eric Carle books! He's a standard on our list of favorites! Joy also enjoyed Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr., Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, Bambi Gets Lost by Albert Miller, and Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. Margaret Wise Brown is another one of our all-time favorite children's authors. Bambi Gets Lost is actually an old book that I had as a small chap. I am thankful that my kids now have most of the books that I enjoyed so much when I was a little girl, thanks to my parents and sister for holding on to them when I'm sure it would have been simply "easier" to just give them away.

We are always looking for recommendations for good children's books! Please share your favorites with us!

Summer Update

2010-10-02T23:52:00.018-05:00

Well, it's October. I guess I should update you on our Summer activities sometime soon - before next summer gets here. Poor Josh had to work throughout most of the summer, but he did manage to take a little time off here and there. I got even more confirmation that I made the right decision when choosing a career in Education - I am so blessed to be able to spend the summers at home with my babies. Jax and Joy stayed busy and kept me on my toes. I began the summer with a long "To-Do" list, and I ended the summer with a long "To-Do" list. I had great intentions, but I'm okay with the fact that I actually marked off very little from my list. It will still be there when my kids are grown. We didn't do anything super-duper-spectacular, but we did have a FUN summer, and that's all that counts.

In May, my youngest nephew, Travis, graduated from high school, the same school where my sister and I graduated (but many years apart, ha ha), my parents graduated, and my grandparents graduated. My grandmother (which would be Travis' great-grandmother) graduated in 1933 ~ isn't that such a neat tradition?!! I am so proud of Travis; he's a great kid. I'm so slow getting these pictures up, he has already moved on to the next "big thing" in his life - he's in college! He started 13th grade at Southwest in August, but really, it's okay that he didn't choose Co-Lin; really, it is. I'm just glad that he's in college... I mean, 13th grade!

We were reunited with an old friend again at the beginning of summer. This is the third year that we have seen this frog hanging out around our back patio. I'm pretty sure it's the same one because I have pictures of him from each year. We don't see him (or her - ??!!!) in the winter months, but he can usually be found on the patio near the steps and my potted plants in the spring! He really is photogenic, don't you think?

Vacation Bible School was in June and this year's theme was cowboy/western, Saddle Ridge Ranch. I helped with the crafts for the 2's & 3's, and 4's & 5's. It was hectic, but tons of fun too. I love our kiddos at Calvary Baptist! Here's a few pictures of my two from the commencement service following a full week of lassoing good times:

I almost forgot! Josh and I managed to plan a "weekend getaway" for just the two of us on our anniversary weekend. We have never done that - not since the kids came along, so this was our first time to leave them overnight. It was a real treat. I really had forgotten what it was like pre-kids. We were both a little apprehensive about actually leaving them, but we did it! (insert Dora theme song here, ha) We knew they were in good hands with the grandparents! I think the kids enjoyed their break from us as well! We had so much fun on Pickwick Lake (TN), we didn't even take one picture of us together! As a matter of fact, I really didn't take any pictures at all --woah-- that's not like me - guess I got carried away with the "getaway" mentality! We got to see Crossing Dixon perform, and I did take a couple pictures of the band, so... here's all I got to share from our trip:

Father's Day. Why is it so challenging to get ONE freakin' picture of your husband and the kiddos on Father's Day? UGH - we tried, but NO ONE was cooperative. This is the best I got:
I think he had a good day anyway. I know I saw him getting lots of hugs and kisses so that should make-up for the lack of photo quality. ;-)

One day during the summer, we managed to slip off to the park while Daddy was working! We met some friends and got some energy out that morning! It was very HOT, which made it tempting for me to jump in the sprinklers right alongside the kiddos! Here's a few snaps, but I didn't get many, because I didn't want to damage my camera - it stayed in the car most of the time. That turned out to be a good thing afterall, because a HUGE rain ended up running us off- it came out of no where and drenched us all!

Jax finished up t-ball in mid-June, and was oh-so-sad about the end of the season. This year was his first experience with organized (well, you know) sports and he absolutely LOVED t-ball. He was SUPER-proud of his trophy from Coach Haygood. We are proud of him too! He actually used the tee only once during the entire season; he hit from the coach's pitches all other times. Way to go, JAX! We can't wait for more ballpark Q.T. next year!! Yay for T-ball memories!!!

Joy wasn't old enough for "organized sports" this year, but we did notice a few "trends" in her likes over the summer. First of all, her LOVE for SHOES escalated!!! She is STILL a shoe fanatic! Y'all hear me? !! This child is obsessed with shoes! Her favorite "toy" is a basket of shoes! She puts them on; she takes them off; she puts more on; and this continues all day long if we let her! Actually, she is now beginning to take interest in the entire "dressing up" activities - not just the shoes. But shoes are definitely her FAVORITE! What a Southern girl! Here's some of my favorite pictures of Joy immersed in her "dress-up" play activities!! (Keep in mind that she had no help putting this stuff on! - she is Miss Independent!)

1. Stealing my shoes:

2. been in my closet again:
but, seems to think a pair of her own shoes would be better:

3. a family-contributed outfit: Jax's superhero mask and t-shirt, my underwear (hard to see with that long t-shirt on, thank goodness), and Josh's socks (pulled all the way up to her little hiney!)! This outfit was of her own making, with components supplied by her sneaky little robbery of my laundry basket! You have to fold clothes fast with Joy around - she'll still 'em in a heartbeat!
This girl brings us so many laughs and good times. Our JOY!

We also opted for swimming lessons for Jax this summer. He was very interested in learning to swim, so we began the search for a teacher. Finally, we were able to coordinate schedules with Mrs. Leah Brister, and she was absolutely wonderful with Jax. He does have a touch of stubborness at times, and even though he really wanted to learn to swim, there were some times that I wondered if this would ever be achievable. He started swimming lessons on a Tuesday afternoon, and by Friday, he had it perfected! The best part was getting to see him feel SUCCESSFUL and so PROUD of himself!!

Practicing with his floaties:

Diving off the diving board:
Explaining to Daddy how long he can hold his breath, and how he has learned to swim underwater:

Of course, Joy got some pool time too this summer! She isn't as fond of the water, but I hope that is just a phase for her. After she gets warmed up, she enjoys splashing about but she doesn't venture too far away from Momma or Daddy, especially in the big pool.

Coming soon ~ more SUMMER pics (!), and coming not-so-soon: Fall pictures. Y'all know how slow I am - There's no sense in denying it. I'm just hoping I can get our Beach Vacation shots up before it snows!
Thanks for stopping by! Until next time...

Excited about the two E's

2010-08-02T03:14:00.005-05:00

We're excited about our latest discovery.
Edible.
Educational.
I'm talking about "Scrabble" Cheese-It crackers!
Both Jax and Joy love them for a snack. Although they are not the healthiest snack in the world, they definitely rank much higher in the "healthy" category than many of the snack picks my kids would choose! Plus, these crackers have been a great tool in reinforcing letter recognition and sounds. We really like making the letter sounds before eating them, or spelling out words with a handful, or simply spelling out our names before gobbling these yummies up! As you can tell from the photo, some are better at self-control than others! ha ha

See it in Color!

2010-06-17T13:10:00.029-05:00

Have you heard Jamey Johnson's song?

The name of it is In Color

It's a great song... I love it. I love the tune, but what I love best is that it tells a story. The song's story is that of an old man who is looking through some black-and-white photographs with his grandson. He tells the grandson about each picture, and he follows each description with "you should have seen it in color"... Of course, color is an analogy for reality in the song and it is so true - some things, you just don't "get" unless you were there. Black-and-White photos are better than nothing, but color is so much better.

Today as I was driving home from Vacation Bible School activities with my children, I heard the song. Music really gets me thinking, especially when the little voices in the back seat have zonked out due to a morning chocked full of hyperness and energy at VBS! Since I was not being bombarded with questions, I was able to listen to every word of the song. Again. I've heard it a million times, and I love to sing along - I know every word; and this time, I thought of the same thoughts as the last 999,999 times I've heard the song: 1)I sure wish I had a living grandpa (or grandma, for that matter) who had albums of black-and-white photos and coordinating stories to share with me for hours and hours; and 2) wow, I've got a BUNCH of pictures I need to print/share/frame/put in albums before my grandchildren come along - and along with that thought I always get an overwhelming feeling of urgency. And, today, as I listened to the song, I thought one additional thought besides the standard two: 3.) I need to post some pictures (in color) on my blog before the stories that go with them become irrelevant, insignificant, or the worst, yet most likely fate: FORGOTTEN.

So, here I am. I realize that I will probably never "catch up" on my blog. And, even if I did, I'd probably find myself in this same predicament again at some point in the future - "keeping up" may be even harder than "catching up". Therefore, I have decided to let go, and quit holding out for that elusive "FREE TIME" to blog about each individual picture or story. I've decided that it will never happen, and I'm just getting further and further behind. Most of you just want to see the pictures anyway. You're probably like my eldest child, who loves to look at the pictures, but doesn't care so much about reading the text that goes along with them. I guess he likes to make up his own stories to go with the pictures that he "reads". Oh, and have I mentioned how much JAX loves to read words? LOL - I'm glad he's not taking on ALL of his Dad's habits. ha ha. Anyway, here's roughly the first half of 2010... in pictures...

~ okay, okay, I just couldn't help myself ~ ...annnndd, just a FEW words!

She loves to "cook" and "serve" her latest recipes to everyone in the house, hungry or not! (13 months old)

In January, our family grew. We added four additional feet to our home... TOBY! He's a rambunctous black lab, and the kids loved him immediately. He will never "replace" our precious first child, Max, who came up MIA back in September of 2009, but he sure does give us lots of love and slobbery kisses.

Like father, like son. Jax definitely has the Leggett trait of placing the hands behind the head to relax and to sleep. Oh, and he's a little like his Mama too, because that little orange bear there was one of my favorites when I was a child! ("Teddy Freddy") Hey, I gotta take every chance I get to stake claim. hee he hee

We live in Mississippi, yes, the great Southern, hot, humid state, but by some freak of nature, we have gotten SNOW several times in the last 2 years. Wow, who would have ever thought? The last several times it has snowed significantly, I have not gotten to go out and really play in it, because it always 'happens' to snow on days of major events in our family. It snowed for Jax's 2nd birthday, snowed the day we brought Joy home from the hospital, and on Joy's first birthday... you see the trend... so I was a little, uh, tied up with each snow occasion and didn't get to "play". The February snow day (2010) was a little different - no event for me, so I actually got to take the kids out and play WITH them in the snow! I think that was the first time I had ever really gotten to play in the snow - it didn't do this when I was a kid! I got lots of pictures, but I'll just share a few favorites:

Jax, 4yrs&1mo; Joy, 14mos

Poor little thing! I had put soooo many layers of clothes on my petite little Joy, that she could barely walk, and in all of the pictures, she looks just plain FAT! Oh well, she was WARM and that's all that matters!

our new yard security officer:
Jax had heard about the snow for days (on the radio news, at school, etc) and he made SURE we were prepared... we purchased a whole bag of carrots, that no one in our household would eat, just so we could have a nose for our snowman IF it snowed. Well, I'm glad that our purchase wasn't wasted! It was a fun experience. But, I'm glad it's gone. I don't like cold weather OR snow enough to do this very often. Ok, so enough snow for MS for a while, ok weatherman?!!

If the Feb snow day hadn't happened, we would have never known about Toby's many talents. He can balance snow flakes on his nose perfectly....

AND, Jax's personal favorite of Toby's feats... he can ...

make the snow turn YELLOW!!! hhhhhmmmmm..... amazing little doggie!

Our precious family friend Jessica brought a ton of authentic mardi gras beads to us, and boy, who would have ever thought they would have provided SO MANY hours of entertainment!

In February, we went to the Dixie National Rodeo. Jax especially liked the bull riding, the rodeo clown & his car, and CHRIS YOUNG. Joy really enjoyed the "horsies" and pointed each one out numerous times. She also snagged her daddy into buying her this pink cowgirl hat. Hours of entertainment right here: (14months old)

Chris Young, who happens to be one of Jax's absolute favorite country singers, was also performing that night at the rodeo. After the rodeo, Jax got to meet him, sing to him (!), and get his autograph and photo! How cool is that! Chris Young's popular song, "Black Dress" is one of Jax's favorites --he knows every single word. He has no idea *what* he is singing about, but he does know the song... and he sang a few bars for Mr. Chris Young here:

They complimented each other on their hats and boots, and shook hands until next time. What an impression Mr. Chris Young made on this little fellow! Thanks, Chris! Jax can't wait to see him in concert again.
February was somewhat of a break compared to the busy, busy, busy months surrounding the holidays, and the just-as-crazy fast-approaching Spring Fever months when a million activities crank up for everyone in this household in every way. So, without further ado, let's move on to March, shall we?!!!

The annual Trike-A-Thon for St. Jude Children's Hospital - What an awesome experience! BOTH kiddos took part in the Trike-A-Thon this year. I just love this little event that the Co-Lin preschool/daycare hosts each year. I so want my kids to have a caring, giving spirit and I think early events like this really help set up the basis for excellerated empathy development. They are both too young to have a full range empathetic expression/understanding, but that will come with time. They are old enough to understand the bottomline, and that warms my heart. Jax pushed his little legs to ride so hard and so fast... "for the sick kids" he'd say. He didn't understand that the physical riding of his bike wasn't going to "fix" the sick kids, but that's ok... he made a connection, and that's what counts in my opinion. THANK YOU to all of our friends and family who so graciously pledged money for this oh-so-worthy cause. You know who you are, and we love you for ALL kinds of support that you have provided for us in these endeavors.

We got a brand new nephew during Spring Break, John Parson. He's a spry little guy, and really wasn't that upset - I just couldn't resist posting the "crying pics" - I think they are soo cute!

One of Joy's favorite past times is "cleaning". Wow. I speak the truth, folks. She says "wiping"... and she likes wiping so much that she schemes and plans the perfect times (when I'm in the bathroom, on the phone, or otherwise distracted) to attack the nearest "wipe" sources... toilet paper, baby wipes box, and her personal favorite, Kleenex tissue. Geez, where does she get this?

Jax has been collecting soda cans for recycling since last summer. Well, I have always saved them to avoid the guilt of being wasteful, even before Jax came along, but I usually just passed them along to some worthy organization trying to do anything possible to raise funds. That is, until last summer. I changed the "cause" but the new one is just as worthy! Last summer, I decided it was time for Jax to have a few "chores". One of his little chores was to stomp the cans and put them in the bin. He continues this, along with a couple other very minor chores to this day. He doesn't know they are "chores" though. He actually likes stomping the cans and "collecting" them for "BaCycling". So, I figured, since he was doing all of the "work," he should receive the reward. He had no idea there was going to be anything more to this collection than just knowing we were recycling. During Spring Break, we finally took our collection to the Recycling Center, and Jax got to cash in for the very first time. He earned nearly $25 for his collection; quite a chunk for a 4-year-old. He was very surprised that he got "paid" but he was super excited. This has been a great educational activity - he's learning about recycling and his (and, OUR) duty to avoid wasting when possible, AND he's also learning about money, management, and saving! As a matter of fact, he's done an excellent job hanging on to his cash stash - he STILL hasn't spent it. I think he has forgotten about it actually, but I know he will remember soon. He's still pumped about the collecting part, and he knows we will take another batch to the Recycling Center soon... I think its going to continue to be a great project for him for a long time. Yay for Bacycling!!! ;-)

Spring Break also seemed like a great time for Jax and I to school Joy on the basics of the Southerner's diet (Cookies, Cakes, Candies, and CUPCAKES), and more importantly, how to create the delicacies, as well. We even showed her the real oven - not the microwave that she normally sees me cook with; ha. The resulting cupcakes did NOT look like the picture in the book, but they were yummy nonetheless. Big messes, but big memories. Priceless!

March also brought 3 MORE additions to our family - Jax got 3 little beagle puppies. I think they were intended to be Josh's newest hunting-dogs-in-training, but Jax definitely claims them as HIS hunting-dogs-in-training. What is cuter than a couple kids with some little beagle puppies?!!! I know, I know. You just have to say "awwww". Cute, cute.

Easter.

WHEW.

Just saying Easter wears. me. out. No, no. I am wrong. Let me try again: it wears me SLAP out! My readers from the South know JUST what I mean. Throw that SLAP in there, and you know that's some serious business, LOL.

We attended several Easter gatherings and Egg Hunts over a couple weekends, and THAT's what wore me out. All in all, though, Easter Sunday itself was a great day of worship and visiting with family (all sides and extensions!). Let me just post a FEW SELECT PICTURES. Since the Easter season was so hopping (pun intended), we'll let this part of the blog be the "make up your own words to go with the pictures" section. ha, ha. Go ahead! - Give it a try! I think you're going to see that it is really not hard at all. As a matter of fact, I bet you have some pictures of yourself or your kids involved in very similar activities. See? It's a Cut-and-Paste activity!

Here are the pictures:

Now, these are the cutest set of pictures. Ever! I think so anyway. I wanted to do a separate blog post with these photos, but, you know what I said about that earlier. Although it is tempting, I'm still trying to be realistic here. I hope this series makes you smile. They make me smile and even laugh out loud every time I look at them. Wow. I love these kids.

subtitle: How to Eat a Chocolate Bunny...

Ahh... simple pleasures. That last one is my favorite. They loved their Chocolate Bunnies. Thank you, Easter Bunny! :-)

April also brought us a start of a new chapter... T-BALL!!! I thought Jax would love T-ball, but Josh was a little hesitant about signing him up. So, I did what any mother-who-knows-better would do, and I signed him up anyway. ha. Well, guess what? They BOTH loved it. Jax loved playing, and although he is slow to admit it, Josh loved going and watching him play, even practicing with him. T-ball is so cute, and Jax was a cute little T-baller, if I do say so myself!

these shots were taken before the very first game:

Joy, of course, thought she was just as big as they were. She was a good little sister/cheerleader!

Pep talk from Coach Haygood:

Team photos before the big game begins:
in the dug-out; Royal team bats first!
Concentrating ...

and a last-minute pep talk from Daddy !

He hits the ball, second pitch! No tee needed for this little fella!

On third base! so excited!
...and coming into Home... with congratulatory greetings from both coaches! Yaaay Jax!

April also brought Jax's very first school field trip! The 3's and 4's preschool went to Hattiesburg, to the zoo, and guess what, PARENTS were invited to attend. I had been to the zoo in Hattiesburg a bunch of times when I lived there during my college years. Josh said the heat was just too much, and he wasn't wanting to take off of work. So, what did I do? Yeah, I did what any willing parent would do! I cancelled my classes (treat for them) and I tagged along with Jax and his class (treat for me) to the zoo - I wouldn't have missed it for anything. They were SO CUTE! That morning, they were beyond excited. I just had to break out the video camera before they even boarded the bus and left the parking lot -- they were just too darn cute with all of their excitement and frolicking. I didn't get any snapshots of the departure, though. But I did get one sneak peak at Jax on the bus. Oh yeah, excited beyond measure.

Here's some snaps of a few of Jax's new friends from the zoo:

This was the sweetest, friendliest little guy.... He just showed out for the kids, and you could tell they loved the attention just as much as he did!
Then, just like all friends do, Jax had to try on his clothes! bwaaa haa haa haa

And, here's Jax checking out the home of his new Prairie Dog friends....
Jax-the-mini-politician, never meets a stranger. I think he was the only child to even notice the "conductor" of the little train that toured us around the zoo campus before we had to head back to Wesson. Within seconds, they were big friends, and before I knew it, he was showing Jax all of the controls on the little engine car, and he even let Jax blow the train whistle. I love that he dresses the part; cute,cute.
The kiddos had a GREAT day at the zoo. I had a GREAT day at the zoo, too. I'm so glad they let me tag along. It is so wonderful, and refreshing, to get to see the simplicities of the world -through the eyes of a child. We ended our day at the zoo with a carousel ride. ahhh, nice.

Soooo.... this post is getting to be longer than I expected. I think I'm gonna stop right here, since it has taken me a couple months to get this far... and, maybe I'll pick up with May in the next post. I hope you have enjoyed the pictures. I tell ya, if you think these pics are grand, you should have seen it in color! ;-) Until next time...

how much can fit into ONE PURSE?

2010-06-06T18:34:00.002-05:00

I have always laughed and taunted my sister, mother, and friends for carrying a BIG purse. As a young girl, I really wasn't big on carrying a purse as some "fru-fru" girls are; I guess I was somewhat of a tomboy in that respect. But when i began driving and working after-school as a teenager, I found a new need for a purse, so I began carrying one more consistently. However, I have ALWAYS carried a small purse. I have always adored all things compact, and never desired to carry a suitcase of things I may need once in a hundred years like my friend Amy. Or, my sister. Or my mother. ha. That is, until I got kids. Plural. KIDS.

When Jax was born, I continued my small-purse-habit without hesitation. As a side note, I did always carry a larger diaper bag than necessary with all of the things that I may need for baby Jax, but, you see, he was a baby... I don't think I realized it at the time, but that very fact could have been the thing that would eventually lead me away from the small-purse-obsession. Anyway, let's continue with the story...

Then, Joy was born. I found myself carrying her diaper bag (big - she's a baby), a smaller, but still larger-than-my-purse-preference "toddler" bag for Jax, PLUS my purse, everywhere we went. It was too much. So, first I tried condensing but still found myself with too much baggage. I found myself snatching my wallet out of my purse and placing it in Joy's diaper bag when I went out in public, and I'd leave Jax's bag in the car, where I could return for it if we needed it. This somewhat worked, but could get confusing and cumbersome at times, especially when in a hurry - I would forget where I put what. And Josh would just roll his eyes and stand and wait for me to find whatever it was that I needed - even though the task often required complete search of all three bags. He would comment that we should leave something at home, but then the few times that I did leave something behind, he would be the very one to request that item.

Then, Christmas came. Christmas 2009. I received what I believed to be a purse for Christmas. It was a large hobo-style bag that I guess could be either a small diaper bag or a purse. Since it had a large "N" on it, I assumed it to be a purse, so I treated it as such. At first, I sorta set it aside, because it did not meet the "small purse" qualifications that I looked for in my bag selections. But after the holiday hoopla calmed down, I decided to give it a try. It was nothing like a purse I had carried before. Nope, couldn't call this one "compact"; there was no compartments; it was just one big gaping hole. So as I transferred my few purse items into the new bag, it sorta looked pitiful. My belongings did not nearly fill the bag, but I carried it anyway, and as time went on, I found out just how handy a "large" purse could be.
I virtually stopped carrying a bag for Jax, and most of the time, no bag for Joy either. I simply stuffed the few things they needed into my "large purse". It's great. Of course, I don't have a baby anymore either. ha.

So, on to the point of this post. Yesterday, I decided that it was PAST TIME to clean out my large, carry-all purse. It had gotten so cluttered, I was finding it hard to find anything, and I was even resorting to my old trick of just grabbing my wallet and leaving the rest in the car when out and about. What was the point? So, a cleaning/organizing/condensing session ensued. I was amazed at the results! I thought I should just share what all I FOUND in my purse. This could be a paid testimony for large purses... y'all are not gonna believe.... well, ok, let me just tell ya - here's what I pulled out of my purse:

my wallet; my keys; a small make-up bag; a brag book with photos of baby JAX (he's 4 1/2 years old now!); 127963 debit card receipts that had not been added to my checkbook register; 98978746725184 general receipts; 11 old grocery lists; 4 department store sale flyers; a pair of scissors; my date book; 3 months worth of bank statements - still in the envelopes in which they were mailed; two sippy cups - one empty and one with something yucky-looking remaining inside; 4 diapers - one of which appeared to be used due to the apparent leakage of a chocolate milk sippy cup at some point; one package of baby wipes; 2 small packets of kleenex; a small measuring tape; 17 grocery coupons - all expired except 2; 6 Toys R Us coupons, also expired; two envelopes of junk mail; 9 deposit slips; three suckers and one ring-pop; one bag of mini-m&m's; 2 check stubs; 4 paper clips; 4 pens; 1 sharpie marker; 6 pair (yes! 6!) of kiddie sunshades; 2 small bottles of germ-x; one package of disposable placemats; one disposable bib; one pair of socks (Jax's); hotel reservation confirmation; neosporin (my Mom would be proud!); 4 band-aids in original packaging; 1 band-aid folded up, apparently used; Magnolia Power & Light refund check (uncashed), dated December 30, 2009; carseat installation instructions; one empty CD sleeve; 3 Red Box receipts, and 2 Red Box promotional codes for free rentals (almost expired!); 3758 used tissues; 3 stickers; 4 appointment cards; 3 packs of gum, all opened but with at least one piece remaining; one wad of paper, suspected to be the home of some ABC gum; one spoon; about a dozen safety pins; a Walgreens CD of photos; two notepads; a bag of Goldfish - smushed; 736 old "to-do" lists; 5 recipes; 2 invitations - one birthday party, one baby shower, both in early May; 7 business cards; one shoe (Joy's - been searching for it for weeks); small bottle of bug spray; one hairbow; one hair clip; a calculator; and about 84927487620748729768537643195020 crumbs!

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!!!!!!!!

So, I now have an organized condensed large purse... but I'm sure it will resume its job of collecting any and everything immediately. Like a magnet - that's how this purse rolls! It's so efficient, how could I ever go back to my previous habit of compact, compartmentalized, small convenient purses?

kids say the darnest things!

2010-05-07T14:07:00.005-05:00

So Jax is 4&1/2. He has never been shy in the Talking area, but lately he has really been talkative. I am amazed at the language development of children. Even Joy. She's 1&1/2 (the "1/2" is soooo important, you see) and can say sooooo many words, and understands so many more. It's a really cool process to watch.

But, I'll be the first to admit: sometimes, all the kid talk can get to be a little much. Like, as I'm driving home in the afternoons, worn out from a busy day of work and the run-here-and-run-there activity that is quickly becoming the "norm", when I just really want a moment to think; a quiet moment, uninterrupted with questions like "WHY?" and other things that I don't know. But they apparently don't understand THOSE words, cause they just keep on, and on. And on. Just when I begin to think about saying, "can't we just be quiet for a few minutes?" something happens. Every time. Every single time I begin to think about encouraging a round of the "Quiet Game," somebody says something sooooo amazing or sooooo funny, that I find myself suddenly changing my attitude and wanting more. Their voices, so sweet, I don't want to change muchless stop. They are communicators for sure, and I truly love the conversations we have. Here's some of the latest quotes I wanted to share from my oldest conversationalist:

We were headed to school. I had just gotten on the interstate, driving along peacefully when suddenly, Jax bellows, "Moooommma!! Daddy said NOT to drive on the weft [left]! WHY are you driving on the weft??" I calmly respond, "There is no need to holler; it's okay. I am driving on the left because I am passing that truck. When you pass, you can drive in the left lane." He canters, "Daddy says you can only drive on the weft when there's four roads [lanes]!" So I explained further, "That's right, we can only drive in the left lane when there are 4 lanes." (bellowing again) "BUT MOMMA! There's only two roads here!" to which I respond, "No, Jax, there is 4. You can't see the other two because of the trees in the median." Then I hear a mumble from the backseat... I'm not positive but I think he said "I'm telling Daddy" but I just let it go, hoping for a moment of quiet before we make it to Co-Lin where I'd have 6 hours of talking non-stop in the classroom. Sure enough, when we got home that evening I heard Jax telling his Daddy all about the morning commute. I didn't let him know that I was listening, but had to step outside to keep from laughing out loud when I heard him tell Josh, "yeah, sometimes Momma don't see four roads, and she just drives on the weft one anyway!"

Amidst all of the discussion of the roads [lanes] and instructions on how to drive from my four-and-a-half-year-old, he throws this one in the mix: "How fast are we going, anyway? 55? huh? 55 limits??" I could not answer one question before the next one shot out, and then I couldn't answer any of them after he said "55 limits" because I couldn't stop laughing.

Jax has been into Monster Trucks lately. He has several toy Monster Jam trucks at home, and they also have some to play with at school, too. One morning on the way to school (this was a different morning from the above conversation, thank goodness) he kept saying "I hope I get there before Bryce," "I hope I get there first," "I hope I get there before Bryce." So I finally asked him why he was saying these things. He explained that he wanted to be the first to get to school so he could have the first choice of the monster truck toys. "Bryce always gets Blacksmith (Monster Truck's name) and I want Blacksmith but Bryce always picks Blacksmith so I want to get there first so Bryce won't get Blacksmith because I'll get the Blacksmith first." Ok, so that makes sense. As usual, all the kids like the same toy, so my child had figured out how he can guarantee getting the crown jewel -- just be the first one there! Everyone that knows us knows that we are always late! I knew this as well, so I figured I better start preparing him for the disappointing fact that he would not likely be the first to arrive. I explained that he should share and ask Bryce or the other children to swap trucks with him after a while, or just simply select another truck to play with. "No Momma, I really really want Blacksmith. Momma, he's the BADDEST aaaaaaaaaand the BONE-EST!" [I'm pretty sure this was in reference to the phrase/song "Bad to the Bone"] Now, what do ya say to that? hee hee hee

On that very same day, on the way home from school, Jax informed me that he got to play with Blacksmith that day, and he was tickled. He said, "I think I want my own REAL Monster Truck." oh great. I quickly responded, "oh, you'll have to talk to your Daddy about that - I think Monster Trucks are very expensive." He seemed surprised yet genuinely concerned. He said, "oh, well, how much do they cost? maybe... uh... 255 GALLONS??"

On Fridays, we have t-ball games, so it was one Friday afternoon on the way home from school that we were discussing the evening's t-ball game. He was so anxious and excited about the game, but the clouds were dark, and the forecasters had been predicting rain and storms for a few days now. I told Jax that the games may be cancelled if it rains any more. "Naw, it ain't gonna rain here," he said. "Its waaaaaay over in Texas!" So I now have my own private 4-year-old personal forecaster!

We were heading to church one Sunday evening, and Jax apparently opened his question box again, ha. "Is church going to be in the fill-up hall again this time?" LOL! fill-up hall. yep, you guessed it; he meant "fellowship hall" And, just for the record, church was indeed in the fill-up hall, and that is exactly what we did that night - Bro. Gene made the biggest pot of jambalaya that I've ever seen, and it was so good too.

One afternoon, as we were heading home from school yet again, Jax asked me if his Daddy was at home. I said, "I don't know, we'll just have to see when we get there." He said, "well, I sure hope so cause I need him to buh-johnge my nose." WHAT?!! The trek from school to home is about 35 minutes on a good day... it literally took me the whole trip to figure out what he was trying to say. "Buh-johnge, Momma! You know, he buh-johnges it, and it feels better!" Finally I glanced back at him in his seat, and noticed that he was rubbing the bridge of his nose up and down. Massage!-I realized he was trying to say "massage"! As it turns out, Josh has buh-johnge'd his nose before when it was stopped up due to sinus/cold, and it made Jax feel better, so he was wanting another buh-johnge!! LOL

Another afternoon as we were making the trek home, I commented to Jax, "I could really use a nap!" He never slacked up, and said, "What? You don't have nap at your class?"
Ooooh, how I wish we did, son.

Sometimes as we are traveling to and from school/work, I just listen to Jax and Joy have conversations. He's such a sweet big brother; he always talks to her, and asks her about her day. He has even taught her to sing her ABC's and a couple other songs too. They are so funny together. One afternoon, I was just listening. They were talking about the puppies, and Elmo, and what they ate for lunch, and all sorts of random kid concerns. Joy dropped her "Bay" - that's what she calls her beloved Blankie - and Jax handed her his sippy cup to hold, while he bent over in his car seat to retrieve Bay. She held the cup while he stretched to reach the blankie for her. When he finally was able to grab it, he said "here, sweet pea!," a phrase I have used frequently myself. Without missing a beat she responded "here-ah peet peet!" as she passed his sippy cup back to him. Sooo sweet (peet)!!!

and one more: Yesterday, when I arrived to pick up Jax, he and his classmates were out on the playground. He saw me coming, and as I approached the gate, he told me to "wait right there" because he had to go "tell my dirlfien (girlfriend) bye"! WHAT??!!!??!!! So, he spun around, and there she was apparently. While Jax was chatting with the little girl, Ms. Melissa commented on the new relationship. So Jax said his goodbye's and casually mentioned as he was exiting the gate that they are going to get mare-weed [married]. WHAT??!!!??!!! I said, "oh, when?" and while she stood inside the fence nodding her head in the affirmative, he explained that it would be a while. "Like, when we drow [grow] up!" Soooo... I guess that about as formal of an introduction that I'll get. Yesterday evening, their class had their End of the Year Program, and Jax was so excited. We took the opportunity to have their engagement pictures made after the program. The wedding will be in 30 years, and all friends and relatives are invited to attend the outdoor (playground) ceremony, weather pending.

wintertime birthdays

2010-04-16T08:32:00.015-05:00

Being a Type A, I'm a planner by nature. The older I get, the more I seem to "let go" of the need for constant planning, but, still, I plan a whole lot. Or, at least attempt to.

Before I had children, I always said that IF I got the choice, I'd prefer not to have a child born in December or January, and November and February were the next "least desired" months on the list. Why? Birthday parties! Fun birthday parties in the winter months are scarce. Plus, the winter calendar is pretty much overtaken with Holidays and holiday celebrations.

So, fast-forward a few years. We decided to grow our family. What'd we get? A boy born January 9, about two and a half weeks after Christmas. And then, three years later, a girl born December 9, about two and a half weeks before Christmas.

I had a miscarriage before Jax, and another miscarriage between Jax and Joy. Those babies were "due" in August and May, definitely not winter or Holiday-dominated months! I guess God definitely has to show us who the real planner is from time to time!

Soooo, since both of my kids have birthdays in the midst of the winter and Holiday hoopla, now maybe you understand why I'm just now posting birthday party pics... in APRIL!!!

Let's begin with Joy. Her first birthday. I'm still in shock over how fast that year flew by. When I went to the hospital early that morning (Dec. 9, 2008), it was nearly 70 degrees outside. I am NOT hot-natured by any means, and I can remember pushing the sleeves of my long-sleeve t-shirt up while I was filling out paperwork. When we left the hospital two days later, it was SNOWING. And I do mean SNOWING! in Mississippi!

Since we have this unique story of bringing Joy home from the hospital in the snow, AND since she has a winter birthday that is not exactly conducive to a cool pool party or outdoor fun, I thought it would be neat to go with a snow theme for her party... a Winter ONEderland!

Honestly, I ran out of time and wasn't able to carry out the theme as thoroughly as I had planned, but it was sufficient. We had snowflake sandwiches, snowman soup, and hot chocolate at the party, among other "snow"-themed edibles. We decorated the house with pale lavender, turquoise, lime green, white, and silver snowflakes. It was actually fun planning the Winter ONEderland. But the best part of all wasn't actually planned. Not planned by me anyway. SNOW. Real snow. Yep, it actually SNOWED -- in Mississippi -- AGAIN -- just in time for Joy's Winter ONEderland party. How cool is that?!!!

First, here's a few pictures of the snow. Joy wasn't really interested in getting in it. She had been woke up for this?!!?!!! ha ha, she stayed out long enough for a few pictures, and a quick look at the snowman greeter Jax built!

Inside, it was warm...

It took some warming up, but she loved her cake!

Joy has lots of friends her age. We were happy so many of them could join us for the celebration. I regret that I was unable to get a picture of ALL of her friends together at the party. I guess you have to be SUPERMOM to get a group shot with these busy toddlers these days! Of course, BAY (blankie) was invited and attended the party.

It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to... You would cry too if you were this tired! LOL

Joy's party was held on the 5th; here's some pics taken on her actual birthday, Dec. 9th:

Opening her cards - she already LOVES mail!

Ok, so one winter birthday party was a success. Now, on with the seasonal festivities - it was such a busy time! I'll post a few pictures of Christmas and the Christmas festivities in another post. Let's move on to Jax's birthday party since we're in a "birthday party" kind of mood.

Jax made the big "4" on January 9, 2010. He was super-excited about his party. We opted to have his party at our church so we would have plenty of space for the kids to run around and play. My house was just not up to another event after Joy's party and the Christmas celebrations. Jax and his Daddy love to watch UFC fights on t.v. Jax has watched it since he was a small dude. I guess it may be the quick movements that catch his attention, I don't know. His Daddy thinks its the coolest thing; his Momma does not. I fear that my son will learn aggressive behavior from the experience, or develop a fear of injury or something - hey now, there IS some blood on there. However, Josh assures me this will not happen; they have discussed that it is a professional sport, and that Jax is not a professional fighter and therefore will not try to mimic the behaviors he sees. We wanted to do something different for the birthday party, but had limitations for activities due to the cold and unpredictable WINTER weather, ugh. So, I got the idea for a boxing party! Josh did not agree with the idea at first --can you believe it?-- but I did a little research and planning, and he came around to the idea. I ordered a pair of inflatable oversized boxing gloves for every child, and let them play with them at the party! It was a little wild, and maybe somewhat scary, but the kids LOVED it! Plus, the boxing gloves replaced the traditional party goody bag -- they got to take them home, and box until their little hearts were content at home. LOL You're most definitely welcome, parents!!! ;-D

His cake was a "boxing ring," complete with his picture! We LOVED the cake - sooo creative, Mrs. Lisa! She also made Joy's cake - both were perfect, and yummy yummy!

The gloves were tons of fun, for both boys and girls, of all ages... even a few parents got in on the fun!

Boxing can wear a little fella out! Hey, now, Boxers sleep sometimes too!!! :-P

THANKS to everyone for taking the time out of your busy holiday schedules to help my Sweeties celebrate their special day!

a unique dwelling...

2010-04-15T11:54:00.001-05:00

NO! It's not a mouse! look again...

NO! It's not a rat... It's a SQUIRREL. An adolescent squirrel, I'd say...

... who happens to have taken up homestead in...

OUR MAILBOX!!!!

We have already evicted him once, but he's baaaaaack!

and, this time, I didn't stick my hand in the box to get the mail without looking inside first! :-)

that's right, squirrelly... fooled me once, shame on you; fool me twice?, no way!!!

no t.v. = even better times

2010-04-15T07:35:00.002-05:00

I am so disappointed that I have missed nearly all of American Idol this season. I have not been an American Idol fan from its beginning. As a matter of fact, I have never watched a whole lot of t.v. at all. But I did discover American Idol and became somewhat addicted the year that Jax was born (2006). Jax was born in January, which happens to be the month that the new AI season begins each year. Since I had a newborn in the winter months, I did a lot of "just staying in," rocking, and watching t.v. during that time. Each year since, I have tried to make it a point to watch AI, even if I didn't get a chance to watch anything else. I like the audition phase as well as the competition phase. This year, I saw the first two shows of the season (the first week) and then... our satellite went out! It's been "out of order" ever since. Josh attempted to readjust the satellite, but he's not really a Mr. Fix It - in other words, his attempts didn't help. Obviously. I have been hesitant to call the company because 1) it's never a quick call - and screaming children always seem to work their way into the picture when I get on the phone with this type of call, and 2) we will have to be home when they send a technician out to look at it -- and, that's hard to plan! The only guarantees they will give is that someone can come between the hours of 8 and 12 or 1 and 5 during the week. Well duh, that means either Josh or I would have to take off the entire day. I'm trying to hold out until summer.

Anywho, Jax was just starting to get interested in some television programs just before we lost our signal and all connections to planet T.V. When we lost the service, he was disappointed at first, but now it seems that he has adjusted to NOT having t.v. access... just like some of the rest of us. The withdrawals were not that bad at all, ha. As a matter of fact, we've had some pretty good times around this house with no t.v. lately. I'm wondering if I should really make that call to the satellite company when Summer arrives....???

We haven't been tempted to forego the family suppers at the table in exchange for a perching spot in front of the t.v., as we have been guilty of in the past. I think we've all really enjoyed discussing each other's day during the meal, and, surprisingly, I have been more apt to actually cook with no t.v. around. One night, we did pick up some yummy Chinese from our favorite Chinese Restaurant in McComb (China Palace) and then returned home where we had a picnic in our living room floor -with NO t.v. It was nice, very nice.

Josh taught Jax to play Go Fish! one night - that would have never happened if the t.v. had been available. Jax has really gotten into "games" since the satellite service died. He got Gator Golf for Valentine's Day, and Hungry Hungry Hippos for Easter, and he's been practicing up on his skills with those; and he's also learned some jump rope skills too.

Jax and Joy both have been enjoying the great outdoors more --heck, what am I saying? -We have ALL been outside more since the t.v. doesn't have us tied up inside. We have all enjoyed playing with the new puppies (those pictures and the story coming soon in a separate post), back-porch sittin', riding the 4-wheeler/rhino, and the kids have re-discovered the swing set.

We have read so many books! And, this is great! I wish we had time to read EVEN MORE but I am proud of the times that we have had, thanks to the failure of the satellite.

Besides games and books, I feel like Jax and Joy have fostered their lurking creativity skills too by being forced to play with each other and their toys - without the background noise and sometimes-distraction of the t.v. These boxes, for example! Who would have ever thought two young'uns would have soooooo much fun with just a plain ole box! It never cesases to amaze me how children prefer the "make-shift" toys over the pricey REAL toys.

Let the imaginations run WILD!- there is no t.v. service here! And, who ever said that t.v. is a necessity?!! I'm seeing that t.v. is not THAT important afterall. Not even American Idol!!

Great American Postcard Swap

2010-04-14T08:44:00.003-05:00

We are so excited to be a part of the Great American Postcard Swap (GAPS). For my readers who are not familiar with GAPS, let me explain: Aimee over at Adventures and Pursuits has coordinated a fun postcard exchange with one family representing each of the 50 states. Each state rep-family will send postcards to all the other GAPS members over the next year. The postcards depict each state's uniqueness, so this is a great learning opportunity for the kiddos. We have already received Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona postcards. Jax has so enjoyed getting "mail" and getting to see the pictures on the postcards. He's only 4 years old, so maps are still a bit arbitrary for him, but this opportunity is still so beneficial in helping to promote the development of spatial skills. We have a small U.S. map that we are looking at each time we receive a postcard. We talk about the location of the state and compare it to our own state of Mississippi. We have also been talking about the differences in weather (like, Alaska) and terrain (like, Arizona), etc. He is coloring in each state on the map as we receive the postcards. This is soooo much fun!
We send our postcards in October, but we are already talking about what kind of postcards we want to send. Any suggestions? We want to send postcards that share the really cool stuff about our state! What should be the Mississippi postcard theme? Help us decide!
I hope to post some photos soon. Stay tuned.

a little Josh-er (pun intended)

2010-03-05T08:03:00.000-06:00

Well, well, well. We have a little JOSHer... just like his Daddy!

Jax was getting ready to take a bath, and I walked into the bathroom and saw this! I had to look twice! Here, you need to look a little closer, too:

That little stinker! At 4, already a purdy gud prankster!

It is so true: the apple don't fall far from the tree!

lil' Popeye

2010-03-04T13:09:00.001-06:00

Jax has become interested in "healthy" eating, thanks to a change in the daily menu at preschool. It's amazing that his teachers can get him to eat things that he wouldn't dare touch at home! I won't say much about that because I can very specifically remember doing the same thing when I was a child. But, I still admire his teacher's ability to get him to try some of the things on their "new and improved" lunch menu because many of the items I would never touch in a million years myself, regardless of how many stickers, praises, treats, and prizes are offered!

So, now that Jax is a "health nut", a grocery shopping trip is EVEN MORE interesting with him tagging along. Just this week, he pitched a fit as I was loading a 5lb. bag of sugar into the buggy. He was screaming, "MOOOOMMMA! SUGAR IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU!" All of the other shoppers just strolled by, as I attempted to explain that some sugar is okay. He just got louder.

A few aisles over, he found the canned Spinach. Yuck. I tried to ignore his suggestions that we buy some. How was I, the totally-non-healthy-eater, going to tell him that I wasn't going to buy it? He told me all the reasons it is healthy - it is green, it is a bedge-able {vegetable}, AND- it is what Popeye eats, and HE is really strong and healthy.... Ok, yes, you got that right - we are now the owners of this:

So, I held my breath as I unloaded the groceries and put them away at home that evening; I hoped he would forget that we bought the stuff. And, he did. For now, anyway.

So here's the dilemma: What in the world am I going to do with this stuff??? I have NO IDEA how to prepare it (or are you even supposed to do that?)!!!! SUGGESTIONS? Please! How do you cook this?!!! help!!!!

raising a big heart

2010-03-01T15:55:00.004-06:00

This year, Jax and Joy BOTH are participating in the Trike-A-Thon at school, to raise money for St. Jude's Childrens Hospital. It is such an educational experience, even for the little ones like Joy. This will be Jax's third year to participate and he is already looking forward to raising money "for the sick kids" and riding his bicycle in the event on campus. With each year, he is understanding more and more about helping others. Plus, our little friend Felder and his experience with leukemia has helped Jax to understand even more that he/we are very blessed. I love these teachable moments! (p.s. - if any of my faithful blog readers would like to help them with their efforts to raise money "for the sick kids", you know how to contact me! I'd love to come by to pick up your donations! :-) )

As we have begun preparing for our Trike-A-Thon fundraising efforts, I began to think about the last cause that we supported - the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with the Light the Night walk, back in September! It was a family event for us - yes, even Josh walked! The festivities and service were great, and although they didn't understand everything that was going on, both of the kiddos had a blast!

I turned my back for just one moment, and Jax got a tattoo!

And, Joy, well, she continued her teething activities, using any prop that she could get her tiny little hands on.... doesn't this look like a billboard ad? LOL
Actually, this "fan" that she is chewing on was passed out as we entered the Braves stadium, where the LLS walk was held. I had actually joined the efforts to "donate life" by becoming a member of the MS Organ donation registry just about a week before.

They had many balloons for the service that took place that night. They were winners with the kids, of course! Jax continued to play with his, even after we got home. The things these kids can come up with -- and to think we have "wasted" so much money on trendy toys!

We are looking forward to "helping" more people through the upcoming Trike-A-Thon... it's a different cause, but we hope to foster the same giving spirit with this opportunity. I hope our efforts will help not only the "sick kids" but also my own kids... I want them to see the many daily blessings that have been bestowed upon them... not by their Daddy and I... but by their Father above! I hope to post some more updates on our St. Jude Trike-A-Thon fundraising efforts as the big day draws near (March 11!). Yay!

Joy at Mountain Joy

2010-03-01T15:51:00.003-06:00

I just realized I forgot to post a photo of my sweet girl in my last update, "Dreaming of Spring". She was asleep when we toured through Cade's Cove, but we had a slight photo session back in the cabin later on, just after her bath - she loved the furry rug!

Dreaming of Spring

2010-03-01T15:09:00.006-06:00

Lately, it's been really cold and wet, followed by teasers of semi-warm, only to be followed by more rain, cold, and SNOW... and, not necessarily in that order.

Typical.

Mississippians know that the Mississippi weather forecasts should be taken with a grain of salt, because its... well... it's Mississippi Weather! You didn't realize "Mississippi" can be used as an adjective, did you?

Well, all of this cold, wet, rain and snow has just made me realize one thing more: I'm ready for Spring, no, make that SUMMER!

So, in the back of mind, I've been contemplating summer routines, vacation, VBS, warmth & sun, among other things "summer".

And, then I begin to feel overwhelmed. OMG, where will be our 2010 summer vacation destination?? I have GOT to get on this!!! I'm late getting around to research, research, research and that could ultimately cost us, and you all know how thrifty I am, ha ha. Sooooo.... what are your suggestions for a summer vacation destination? We are interested in places that are not over-the-top, over-priced, or overly-crowded. In other words, KID-friendly. Suggestions, everyone!! :-)

Meanwhile, I'll continue to dream of SUMMER and I'll let you know if it helps to speed the process any. Here's some photos from our wonderful summer vacation last summer (Aug '09) in Townsend, TN - the Great Smokey Mountains. It was fabulous... my only complaint is that we didn't have more time to stay.

Our cabin, "Mountain Joy":

View from the front porch of the cabin:

We enjoyed seeing the wildlife, and even got a few photos of some creatures... the bear, unfortunately, was much too swift for this photographer as it ran across the road in front of us and off into the woods. So, our photo memories shall consist of the lovely deer, and this woodpecker, who apparently wants to be a model in his next life.

Jax and Joy both enjoyed the "shows" in Pigeon Forge, much to my surprise. The Comedy Barn was a favorite of the whole family.

No Smokey Mountain vacation is complete without a trip to Cade's Cove. Love it. It's serene, it's beautiful, and it's free! Most of the wildlife that we saw were inhabitants of Cade's Cove. We also like the history - I love the old cemeteries and churches, and we even helped ourselves into an old house too. I sorta felt like Goldilocks, sneaking in while the 3 bears were gone. But there was no porridge; not that I would partake had we found some there, ha. Well, whoever lived there left a great place for photos of the kids... too bad mine weren't exactly in the mood for an impromptu photo session! Just my luck. Anyway, we also enjoyed the gift shops, which had some great educational items, and some, well, unique items. Jax purchased his very first compass there, with his own money, and Josh found the funniest book there, although we didn't feel the need to purchase it this time (we already knew the answer, ha)

And, I think we'll end this post on that note.

How do we top the '09 laid-back, yet fun-filled vacation? Don't forget to send me your suggestions!

so far behind...

2010-01-21T14:55:00.001-06:00

I'm so far behind with my blogging, that I just don't know where to begin. In regards to scrapbooking, people always say to start where ever you are in life, vow to keep up as you move forward, and as time allows, go back and pick up the stuff that you missed previously. Wellllllll... a part of me wants to start with January 2010 and move forward as suggested by the "experts" with my blog... but the more anal part of me is having a hard time dealing with the idea that my blog photos and stories would then be completely out of chronological order, and you would miss the last 6+ months of my fun-filled life!

And so... you have... now... discovered... ME

This is an example of ME in every sense of my life. Not really sure where to start, so I just turn in circles... hoping to find the "start" button... but never really do. I just see a blurred "start" button, because I'm spinning so fast and can't stop. Darn those circles. Ha.

So, anywho, back on subject --tsk,tsk-- what to do?, oh what to do? Major decision, here. and I'm torn.... hhhhhmmmm....

well, I think I'll just share a couple of my favorite pictures with you now in this post and then promise to go back to the "stories" behind them ASAIC (that's As Soon As I Can). Then, we'll all be happy (all of my personalities, that is). And, you'll get to see my beautiful children before they move off to college. So, there. Happy Day.

Back in AUGUST (geez! I know, I know. don't remind me), we had a great time on vacation. We went to the Smokey Mountains, and invited Josh's family to come along with us this year. A good time was had by all. I have some great scenery photos, and of course, some great snaps of the kiddos, but those will have to wait...

We walked in the Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society along with Team Felder in September. This was a family event for us, and we ALL had a blast. More news about this and other TEAM FELDER events coming... But here's a photo to tide you over...

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Also in September, my Mom retired after 40 years -yes, 40- with the bank. So proud of her and so happy that she has finally

reached "Retirement". She has been doing exactly what she wants to do, when she wants to do it, and I think that is just wonderful.

It also makes me really look forward to retirement myself.

Ha, I know, don't remind me how far off that is.

In October, we shifted into high-gear. Apparently so much that I haven't even slowed down enough to get the pictures printed. Yet. Ugh. Okay, I will have to look for the October pictures. But meanwhile, I'll go ahead and tell give you a few hints: fun times at the pumpkin patch, and one adorable little pirate and his precious lil sidekick, a butterfly. No, I have no idea what happened to the parrot. Just take my word for it, this butterfly was much prettier!November continued with a whirlwind of events and holiday get-together's. Joy worked on getting some more teeth (besides the bottom two that she's had to depend on for the last 5 months with no sign of any help coming) and Jax worked on his "A-TENnnn-TION" (it's never too early to begin preparing for one's future career!)

December brought us snow for the second year in a row here in South Mississippi! Last year (2008), it was 70 degrees when I went in to the hospital for Joy to be born... and it was SNOWING the day we brought her home. In the spirit of this amazing feat, we decided to go with a "Winter ONE-derland" theme for her first birthday party. And, we did have one special birthday party because it also SNOWED the night before, and the morning of her party. It was really cool that she got REAL snow at her Winter ONE-derland party. How many kids living in MS can say that??!!! I promise, more party pics coming later, but here's a couple of the Birthday Girl to tide you over:

The holiday festivities continued in December with MORE gatherings, reunions, and parties. Although Joy really didn't understand the whole Christmas ordeal yet, she was able to participate in most activities planned to celebrate the season. She could "sing" a little in the children's Christmas program at church, and she was really good at jingling the jingle-bells, and of course, looking like a sweet, pretty little angel. Jax was so much fun this year, as he looked forward to seeing Santa to give him his list, giving AND receiving presents, and he was even excited about feeding the reindeer and leaving cookies out for Santa to have a snack. I can't wait to add more pictures of one of my MOST FAVORITE times of the year...

And, then, of course, there's January. Our little baby boy turned FOUR on January 9. Wow, where does the time go? He too enjoyed a GREAT birthday party, despite the 14-degree temps outside! Winter birthdays are definitely a challenge to plan, but Jax's Knock-Out Boxing Party was a whole lot of fun! Again, more pics later, but just a teaser for now:

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Check out that REAL black eye - it was MUCH better by the time his party rolled around, but it was still visible for sure! Just goes right along with the theme, doesn't it?!! More on that story later also.

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So that, in a nutshell, brings me up to date. I cannot BELIEVE I have let the most eventful time of the year for us slip by "uncovered" on my blog. Maybe it was because I was busy planning and attending those events. I won't say that I made it a formal "resolution," but I'm hoping that I can do better this year with my blogging and photos.

I did make a resolution to STOP giving up ALL of my personal time for work stuff... so hopefully, that will help me to not sweat the small stuff in my work hours, so that I can get done what needs to be done, and not have to sacrifice my personal and family time making up for time wasted on the menial things. I have found that students really do not appreciate the little things, and most of the time that's not their fault - they just don't notice them so they don't know to appreciate it. Sooooo... out with the small stuff, and on with the fun stuff. Both at work, and in personal time.

Oh, P.S. - any suggestions on HOW to get more time out of a day will still be accepted and appreciated! (I still need that genie, regardless of the so-called resolution. LOL)

enjoying my children; remembering my angels

2010-01-18T10:36:00.000-06:00

Today, I'm at home, off work for the national holiday, enjoying the extra day with my kiddos. They are so bright and so loving. I love them so much.
Today also makes 5 years since I miscarried our very first child. Its a bittersweet day - glad to have the time to spend with my little ones but also a time that I cannot forget my Angel Baby. I still wonder if it was a boy or girl?, and what would he or she look like?, and because I don't know much about them (I had a second miscarriage between Jax and Joy) will I know who they are in heaven? Will I recognize them as my Angel Babies, the children I never got to meet and never got to hold but who I have thought so much about?
Today also reminds me of the many, many blessings God has given me. Today I will enjoy my family and praise Him for each and every one. Additionally, I'll keep those who are struggling with miscarriage and/or infertility in my prayers but I already know God will take care of them too! He's just wonderful like that!

Welcome back! or Go away! ??

2010-01-05T16:12:00.003-06:00

Many of you know that I follow WLBT-3 meteorologist Barbie Bassett through her own personal blog, Barbie's Forecasts & Faith. I think she is an amazing woman and mother - she has such a way with words, and people. She seems to be one of those people that cannot be brought down, no matter what. I aspire to be more like her - to look at the positive side of every situation, and to look to God for the answers when I don't have them on my own.
Barbie posts some weather forecasts and weather-related information on her blog, but she primarily posts stories about her family and her personal walk with God. But, some of the most shocking posts on her blog are related to her professional duties as WLBT Chief Meteorologist. On several occasions, she has shared emails from her viewers - both fans, and foes. I AM AMAZED AT THE THINGS SOME PEOPLE WILL SAY (write)!!!
Like Barbie, I get a lot of emails, mostly from students, but I usually keep them to myself, too embarrassed to admit the things that people have said about me. Today, I decided that it is time to share some of the things that YOUR leaders of tomorrow have on their minds. Here's two emails that were in my Inbox when I returned to work from Christmas break yesterday:
1.) "i just want to say thanks for that lovely d in your class now i have to repeat that class over and my gpa is messed up and has me on probation as well . i do not known why u think that an online class has to be that hard and when u seen that it was a blank page submitted why didn't u email to if there was some kind of error with the submitting because what i had on that page was some work but why it did not get to u i do not known , but it is a lost call with u."
Since I'm in the Alphabet business now, I thought I should extend the offer to my friends and family as well! Why should I GIVE letters to students only??!!! Are there any blog-followers out there who are in dire need of a letter? Apparently, I have some tucked away somewhere, and I just freely pass them out. So, get yours while they're free -- it would be too much trouble to actually earn them.
Here's the very next email that was in my box:
2.)"Hey Ms. Leggett. I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed your class this semester. I thought you were just an awesome teacher that actually made psychology fun and interesting.(haha) Really have enjoyed your class I wish I could have taken your human growth class, but I just took what I could. Hope you have a nice holiday.
P.S.
Your a great teacher don't give up on these kid's. I can see where they would be a challenge."
Boy did that one come at the right time or what?!! Wow
And this is how my days go... the little feedback that I do receive is so contradictory... like a roller coaster. It is so difficult to devise my classes to quench the thirst of the "good" students who really want to learn, but to also tolerate the "bad" student who is only keeping my classroom desk warm just long enough to get his/her financial aid refund.
FRUSTRATING is an understatement.
Tomorrow begins Day 1 of the Spring semester. I'll go over the syllabus and explain how COLLEGE works to the students who show up for the first day of classes. Of course, that will be only the "good" students - those who want to learn, who want to be in college, who want a degree, and who want to BE somebody. The others - well, they'll come dragging in next week sometime, and they'll be the ones who fail or nearly fail because they were not present to hear the rules and the explanation of tests and assignments; they'll be the ones complaining because they chose not to come to class and they missed all of the "answers" that were given out and therefore that mean ole Mrs. Leggett GAVE them a D... or an F... or whatever she felt like that day. humph. College. Who would have thought it would be like this? WORK and RESPONSIBILITY, that's crazy. College is for free internet, free socializing, good cafeteria food, great dorms to shack up in, lotsa partying, and most of all, financial aid refunds and a free "get out of work" card - for at least 2 years, if not 7 or 8... geeeez!

Long time, no post

2009-12-28T23:58:00.002-06:00

First of all, let me say that the blog is still "on" and I have not forgotten about my dear blog. I LOVE blogging, and I would never just abandon you three faithful readers! I have felt the urge to blog soooo much, but just haven't been able to find the time... or the available technology to get it taken care of. The fact that our home internet access has been very MOODY hasn't helped at all. But, I can't just blame the out-in-the-sticks technology alone. The last couple months have been nothing less than absurdly crazy, hideously hectic, non-stop run-run-running for us, especially for the Queen Bee balancing the end of the semester paperwork and grade submission crunch for 9 class sections (!) along with the family plans of not one, but two, birthday parties all mixed and mingled with the holiday hoopla with the immediate families, semi-immediate families, extended families, and extra-extended families..... whew... that is a run-on sentence for sure. ha. ANYWAY, you know what I mean - time has just FLOWN by!
I have a MILLION AND ONE pictures to share and blog about, plus at least 375, 731 funny stories to share about the Leggett little ones and even a couple about the big Leggett's too, ha ha. It may be next year, but I will get them posted, eventually.
2010 is just around the corner. I go back to work January 4 - only to face 9 classes again (one class shy of 2X the contracted courseload!) for the Spring semester, but I am bound and determined to get some time penciled in for my blog somehow. Afterall, this is my way of documenting so much, and I enjoy re-living by going back and reading about the various phases of our lives on this blog.
Stay tuned, faithful bloggies, I'm dying to share some of my favorite stories and pictures with you!
much love to you all -
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
-neisha

to make you laugh

2009-10-14T10:02:00.000-05:00

Are words really needed for these photos? I hope you have a happy, JOYful Wednesday!

write about your summer break

2009-10-13T16:50:00.001-05:00

I am so far behind on my blogging, it ain't even funny.
But I really don't know why I expect any different... I am consistently behind on EVERYTHING! ugh.

I have TONS of pictures to post from the summer (and even more that I haven't even VIEWED since taking them - they're still on my memory card!).

We stayed busy, busy, busy during the summer days. And, even after all 3 (!) of the kids were in bed, I'd stay up half the night doing the things that I wanted to do - there was no time for my chores or hobbies during the daytime!

Of course, I tried to blog some at night, but dial-up was very frustrating. I did some cleaning, and tried to organize a bit, but never could really label either of those tasks as completely "accomplished". So, they remain on the list, even though summer is over, like many of my other "to do's".

I also did a little sewing, and I learned to make bows for Joy, so I toyed around with those two new hobbies in my late night "me" time. Here's a few pics:

my first attempt at an A-line dress. I took a class for the specific purpose of learning how to sew a lined A-Line dress. Since Joy has many summer clothes, I decided to contruct an 18-month size for next summer's wardrobe. So, she won't be wearing this one for a while. Hopefully, she'll have some little boots by the time she grows into this dress. The cowgirl fabric is so cute, and will be perfect with little pink boots I think!

Next, I decided to try the lined A-line dress on my own. I even got a little creative with the flower applique. I guessed on sizing and came up with this one, which is still too big for this summer, but oh well; more for next summer's wardrobe!So I tried it a third time, cutting down the size even more, and this time, it worked! Joy wears this little dress quite well! It is pink John Deere fabric with brown accents. Looks great with her pink/brown John Deere soft-sole boots.

Next, I tried a top/pants set. I picked out the pattern, materials, etc. all by myself. Those patterns - whew- it is like reading greek to me! So I was proud of myself in being able to pick it out and buy all the things I needed to make the outfit, then go home and actually put it all together. It was fun, too!

she would NOT put down the blankie long enough for a picture of the outfit! I'm thinking Modeling is not going to be a part of her future, if she keeps this blankie-attachment going, gah! Here's another outfit (and better modeling, except for the mysterious location, LOL):

Before returning to work, I had the opportunity to take another one of Jennifer's sewing classes. It was so much fun to make a sweet pair of bloomers to match the first dress that I made. I still love the fabric. These are gonna be cutie patootie next summer with the matching a-line dress! Tune in next year for pictures of her wearing the ensemble! :-)

And, Jax. I could not forget my dear sweet boy. It is harder to find things to make for a boy who demands only jeans and t-shirts for his daily attire! However, I did find that he was quickly outgrowing his current supply of pj's.... so... viola! --I just whipped up a couple pairs for him! (ha ha)

The first set has construction equipment on them, and the second set has John Deere tractors. I know it is odd to see a child with both pj's and a backpack on at the same time. Let me explain. The second photo was taken on "Pajama Day" - a fun part of Homecoming Week at Co-Lin. Jax really enjoyed getting to wear his PJ's to school that day, and has requested to do it again! LOL

Is it Monday again?

2009-09-28T07:23:00.000-05:00

Oh!

Hello!

Is it Monday again?

Mondays and bad hair just seem to go hand in hand.

But that doesn't halter the sweet and precious smiles from our Joy.

Joy. How fitting.

worth a photo op

2009-09-26T01:29:00.002-05:00

There's nothing cuter than a sweet little princess in her robe and slippers, feeling comfy yet sassy, and all grins!

There's also nothing functional about baby robes and slippers besides photo opportunities. So, photo op it is! Enjoy!

Doesn't this make you want to have a "Girls Night"???

Oooh, the things she has to look forward to as a Princess girl.

catching up: summer picks

2009-09-26T01:17:00.003-05:00

Little farmer Jax had more veggies than he could pick! The gardening got a little old as the end of summer approached, but he had a great time overall. This year, we had tomatoes, squash (oh, did we ever!), butterbeans, and a little bit of corn. Plenty for us, and much left over to share. Next year, we may try something different... Jax is already looking forward to planting time next spring.

week 2 update

2009-09-25T23:53:00.003-05:00

Whew! It's been a while since I have gotten to blog. I have been wanting to blog so badly, but I have been so busy just trying to keep ahead with my classes.
When we left off, I mentioned that Jax's car went to a pit stop on Day #2 of the new system. Well, knock on wood, that has been the only visit to a pit stop that he has experienced! Great news! Just as he promised, he has been an angel ever since that initial learning experience.
At the end of Week #2, he got to select a prize but he did not receive a treat due to the pit stop error that occurred earlier in the week. And, yall!, do you know what my sweet boy picked for his prize? A RING for his Momma!! isn't that just so sweet? His very first prize, and he chose something for me. I thought it was the sweetest thing ever, but I also felt bad that he didn't get something that HE wanted. But he assured me that he really wanted me to have the ring. It's orange, his favorite color!
And more evidence of his dripping-sweetness followed: that night, I was rocking Joy to sleep in one recliner, and he was laying accross the other recliner. Finally, Joy zonked out, and I quietly got up to go put her in her bed. As I walked by Jax, all stretched out in the other recliner, he reached up and lightly touched Joy's dangling leg and whispered, "Night Night I love you Joy" as I walked by with her. Doesn't that just melt your heart?!! He's a sweet, sweet boy. I love him.

And then there was week 2

2009-08-28T08:27:00.002-05:00

Week 2... getting adjusted, getting used to the routine. This week has been quite interesting with lots of ups and downs. I've enjoyed making fun of all of the excuses (for being absent or tardy from class) that my students are already giving me -- they must truly think that I am so dumb. Oh well, nothing a little reverse psychology can't cure. I also got to make fun of a student who thought the desk in my classroom was a nap mat... NOT a good idea on her part... great fun for me.
Joy is still doing wonderful at daycare. She is always smiling when I drop her off; still smiling when I pick her up. She really likes her little friends. She's had a bit of a runny nose this week, but I think she's gonna pull through it. I think it may be a result of the change in the weather. It's been cooler at night and in the mornings, and actually not-so-sweltering during the daytime too. Josh took us all for a 4-wheeler ride to see the trails that he's been working on in the woods behind our house. She loves to ride! But, it does put her to sleep everytime!! Sooo cute.
Jax. Ooooh, Jax. He's had a great week, too -- both a fun and educational week. This week, Jax's preschool class started a new "discipline system." All of the kids have a racecar on the wall -- the "track." If they engage in disapproved behaviors, their racecar goes to a "pit stop." The Green Pit Stop is a warning and results in the child not receiving a treat at the end of the week, but they still get to select a prize from the prize box. The Yellow Pit Stop is a strong caution and results in a treat at the end of the week, but no prize. And, the Red Pit Stop indicates extreme misdeeds and results with no prize or treat on Friday. Those who do not get off track at all during the week, receive both a prize and a treat on Friday. Ok. So we understand the rules. A letter was sent home last week, explaining the system, and I worked with Jax all weekend to make sure he understood how it would work when he returned to school after the weekend. Monday was great. No one had to go to a pit stop. Tuesday, 3 children went to the Green Pit Stop according to Jax. And one of those was little man Jax himself. ugh! The offense? - not listening and not following directions. As I picked him up Tuesday afternoon, his teacher told me about the situation and Jax stood below us, steadily trying to change the subject by showing me all of his pretty drawings and pictures he had created. Ok, so the Green Pit Stop is just a warning. It just means no treat. Ok, yeah, I understand. But still. ugh! Both Jax and his teacher assured me that he would be better the rest of the week. And, he has been -- no more Pit Stops! Hopefully, that was the only time he will "test the rules out". Lord, bless Ms. Melissa for having sooooo much patience with the preschoolers; she's amazing. :-)
In other "Jax adventures," he was super excited about "Show-and-Tell" this morning. Since they are studying the letter "W" this week, they were supposed to bring something "wild" for Show-and-Tell. Jax picked out his "toon ['coon] skin hat" and this morning as we were on the road, he asked, "Momma, where is Show-and-Tell?" I explained what it is, and he still was confused, thinking he was going to a place to show his hat and explain where he got it. He was so cute as he rehersed what he wanted to tell his friends about it, and he would ask me for verification that he was saying the right thing. Yep, a little politician in the making! Planning his speeches, and going to Momma for verification. That's alright little man!
Last night, as he was laying down, I asked Jax if he had already said his night time prayer. He immediately broke into "Dod [God] is dreat [great], Dod is dood [good], Let us thank him for our food..." I said, that's great Jax, but at night time you're supposed to tell God "thank you" for all the things you are thankful for. He began his "thank you for my____...." prayer and I listened quietly and proudly as he thanked God for his baby sister, Momma, Daddy, fwends at stool, etc. "...and the fwees, and..." WHAT? I had to interrupt. "What did you say, Jax?" "Thank you, Dod, for the fwees [fleas]. We have to tell Dod thank you for the fwees too, Momma, tuz [cause] he made them too!"
oooooooooooooo-kay, thank you, God, for fleas.

Lessons learned the first week of school

2009-08-23T22:56:00.004-05:00

So, we all started or returned back to school last Monday. Jax started PreSchool, which he reminds us often -- "prestool, Mama, it's Pre-Stooool!" Joy started daycare. And, I returned to the classroom to teach tomorrow's future leaders everything Psychology, even though it is a well-known fact that they already know everything about everything.
We completed the week, barely sane, and in the chaos, I even managed to learn a few things in the process. Hence, lessons learned the first week of school:

It takes forever to drop off two children, even when their classrooms are located very close to each other. Get this one out, get that one out, get this bag, get that bag, redirect the mobile one that has run off into the parking lot; get his blankie, get her blankie, instruct both to not drop, drag, or step on blankies; hold on for dear life to all gear and pick up blankies off the ground, and try to brush dirt off with no available hands; get his cup, her bottles, sugar for him, sugar for her, then pick up everything that I just dumped out of bags on my shoulder as I bent down for good-byes; yep, now i'm the one causing all the other parents to shift from drive to reverse, and back and forth, as they try to weasel out of the drop-off line.
Do not stop to get gas in the mornings. Because, inevitably, someone will decide that it is time to pee and cannot wait any longer, no matter how much I beg or complain about how long it takes to strap and unstrap children in the carseats, muchless lugging said children into public restrooms and still managing to balance all of my hang-ups about touching stuff in a public restroom. ugh. #1 applies here again.
Playgrounds with bark-looking stuff are much, much better than playgrounds with sand. I am happy to report that we no longer have a sand pile in the floorboard of my car each afternoon. Yay.
Kids will do stuff at school, even when the parent who has spent the most time, not to mention the entire summer, with him/her says that he/she can't do some particular task yet. examples: She doesn't drink juice. He doesn't like academic stuff. She doesn't really crawl. He doesn't write letters well. She doesn't like a sippy cup. He doesn't eat anything. Yep, they tried their best to make a liar out of me this week. The list could go on...
There is no "run in real quick" anymore. No, I do not want to stop by anywhere and pick up anything for you, darling husband. I am tired... and I just do not desire to re-live that nightmare from #1 (or #2) again just because it would be nice for you to have some WD-40 for your deer stand. Or whatever. It's gonna have to be something real good to get me to stop anywhere "real quick"... like, um.... blue lights. ha. And, not yours, so don't even go that route.
Bye-Bye to "time to think and get my thoughts together" on the way to and from work, a 30 minute drive. Now, I listen to Jax's constant questions followed by his own answers, I guess because it takes me more than a quarter of a second to answer. On top of that I listen to random crying/whining from Joy, who still has to face backwards in her car seat, and just cannot understand that the car is not the best place for a game of Pick-Up with her favorite, must-have-all-the-time blankie. When blankie falls, no one can reach it to return it, no matter how much she fusses. Not beautiful music, but yet priceless times.
It is better to have blankie nearby at all times rather than having a clean blankie nearby only sometimes. Washing is not a fun time.
"I go where ever you go," says blankie. And, if you forget, you will get phone calls from teacher. and ten minutes between classes is plenty of time to book it over to drop off a blankie and save the day in the process. Yay, so it is still easy to be a hero from time to time.
The cafeteria food must not be bad, because no one ever remembers what they ate. But Jax always remembers what his friends ate. "I didn't eat the peaches, MaMa. But my friends ate the peaches AND the broccoli. But not me, I didn't eat the peaches or the broccoli, Mama." And, Joy, what did you eat? Hhhhm, that's what I thought.
Even Math Majors agree that there are NOT ENOUGH hours in the day, no matter how good you are at planning, budgeting, and organizing time. Sad, but true. The anal superego within me is starting to settle with this as fact, and my house, car, and office reflect this revelation with one glance. Oh well. I wouldn't trade any of it for anything in this world. I may be crazy, but I like my chaotic life.

Stay tuned for more after Week 2.... :-D

First Day Update

2009-08-19T15:36:00.006-05:00

As promised here are the pictures from the first day of Preschool for Jax, and the first day of Daycare for Joy:

Yes, I know, it looks like tons of fun and lots of rebellion going on. But actually, they were both ok with going; Jax was crying because he didn't want his picture made (sleepy!) and Joy was crying because I took her beloved blankie away for the photo op (sleepy!).

Day 2 was much better so I took photos again:

That's about all I got... we were running late and Jax's Photo Tolerance level is currently at an all-time low.

1st day of Preschool / 1st day of Daycare

2009-08-17T12:14:00.003-05:00

Today's the day. Both of my children are Co-Lin students now. What classes are they taking? Well, Jax is taking Preschool classes, and Joy is in the Child Development Center. They're hard-working little Wolves! :-)

Jax started his first day of Preschool this morning. He was excited. And tired. He fell asleep on the way this morning, but was happy to wake up and see his new classroom, and all of his friends, both new and old. He was super excited about getting to play on the "big" playground today. Lord, please don't let it rain today so my little man can play on the big playground. I just don't know if he would survive if they didn't let him get out on that big playground today. When I dropped him off, he ran into the room, and immediately returned to get me to show me something cool that he had found to play with (a rocket). Then, off he went again, and never looked back. He found his buddies and was so much into playing and chatting it up with them, that he never even noticed me leave. Aw. Bye, Jax, have a good day! I can't wait to pick him up this afternoon and find out how preschool went!

Joy started her first day of daycare this morning. She was excited. And tired. She fell asleep on the way this morning, but was happy to wake up and see her new room, new friends, and new toys. She was super excited about the mirror in her room. ha. And she was enjoying watching Amelia and Aiden when I left her with Ms. Margaret this morning. Ok, well, actually, she was inspecting them. But at least she was doing so quietly, and not calling attention to herself. yet. I put away all her things, and waved bye, but she was so busy inspecting, she didn't notice me leave either. Aw. Bye, Joy, have a good day! I can't wait to pick her up this afternoon and find out how her day went!
yes. she will tell me. stop snickering.

First day photos coming soon. In the haste to leave the house this morning, I forgot to bring my camera for uploading photos. Guess I thought I may be a little tied up with MY classes; it never occurred to me that I could do a little live blogging today during lunch break, since I forgot my lunch at home. ugh

tu-tu fun

2009-07-26T23:28:00.006-05:00

what says GIRL more than a TU-TU???!!!!

we had so much fun with these pictures, I am finding it hard to pick which few I will post here. warning: picture overload ahead! :-)

once in a while, a girl kinda gets tired of all the fru-fru... and that makes adorable photos, too!

6 months old

2009-07-26T22:46:00.000-05:00

oh my goodness, my precious little Joy is 1/2 year old! Time FLIES...

6/4/2009 -- I wanted to be sure to post the date these photos were taken just so you all could see, I was a little bit EARLY taking her 6-month photos, because she was not actually 6 months old until 6/9... so that is 5 DAYS early!!! woah! even I am flabbergasted! ha.

I guess the teeny weeny fact that I am nearly 2 MONTHS late posting them does sorta ruin the party... oh well... better late than never, that's my motto.

dedicated

2009-07-26T22:37:00.000-05:00

May 31, 2009 ~ Baby Dedication Service ~ Calvary Baptist Church

we anticipated this service for a while, as we wanted to dedicate our precious baby girl to the Lord, just as we had dedicated Jax when he was just a wee one. the service was very nice, and special to us because our extended family was there. our children are definitely loved. we are so thankful that the Lord picked us to raise them up in his way here on Earth.

there were four other sweet babies (all girls!) dedicated on the same day as Joy. These girls will be friends as they grow up together, I'm sure.

here's a few pictures from the ceremony:

Jax is a wanna-be player...

2009-07-19T12:52:00.001-05:00

an old wise man (who happens to have been my very first crush!) once said...

"Mommas, don't let your babies grow up to be Cowboys...."

But, what about guitar-players?????

buddies

2009-07-19T01:02:00.001-05:00

Jax calls him Davin 50% of the time. (He intends to say Gavin, it just comes out as Davin)

The other half of the time?

"Buddy"

they are cousins but Jax doesn't really seem to care to hear about the family tree.
Buddy is good enough for him.

they make me think of the Fox and the Hound... such good friends... and SO CUTE when they call each other "Buddy"

big taste made by the little folk

2009-07-17T23:49:00.004-05:00

Jax is at the age where he sincerely wants to help. Help clean. Help cook. Help anything. Just help. He is excited to exert his growing awareness of his independence, and loves to display his skills by helping me or his Daddy do just about anything.

Sometimes, help is just a hindrance. Too much help can actually slow you down. But I try to remember what it was like to be in this wonderful age of discovery (yes, I can actually remember wanting to help my mom in the kitchen), and allow him the opportunity. I know, like so many other things, this won't last for long... so I better enjoy the help, whether desired or not, while I can. More importantly, I cherish the time spent during all of those occasions that I'm receiving the unsolicited help. They really are sweet times.

If your toddler is ready to help, try these for a fun supper one night. The kids can do practically all of the preparation themselves, and they are oh-so-proud of the resulting meal. And, it's something they will actually eat themselves! yay - everyone wins

Jax loves to make little pizzas. We take English muffins and cut them in half (we like the sourdough ones best). Place them on a cookie sheet (I always ask Jax to count them as he places them on the sheet.... you know, just to make sure we have enough!). He uses a spoon to spread pizza sauce (from a jar) on each muffin. Next, he adds other toppings that each person in our family will enjoy. Canadian bacon, pepperoni... Josh likes mushrooms and black olives, so we aim to please, and customize a few with those yucky-looking things. Sometimes. Sometimes, we make Daddy eat only the "normal" stuff. ha ha. Anyway, Jax also loves to sprinkle "white cheese" and "yellow cheese" on top. I help him put them into the oven, and we bake them until the cheese is melted... they are yummy. These are great snacks or appetizers. Sometimes, we make these little boogers for our main meal! (It's sad to say, but being the picky eater that I have always been, we aren't a very nutritionally-conscious family... these little pizzas are very "healthy" compared to some of the other junk foods I have suggested for our meals in the past!)

These are really quick (great for those little attention-spans!) and easy (no measuring; no right or wrong way to do it)... plus, what kid doesn't love PIZZA??? Even the big kids in your household will love them. Sometimes, you just gotta forget about the nutritional meal stuff and let the kid come out! YUM

an afternoon abbenture

2009-07-02T02:19:00.004-05:00

"Momma?" he said, randomly, out of the blue, "Can we go on an abBENture [adventure]?"
Um, like what, Jax?
"An AbBENNNture! C'mon, Momma, it's a dreat [great] idea! Let's doe [go]!"

and, so, we spent the majority of the afternoon outside, walking around the yard, on an adventure. Jax, donning only shorts, and Joy, happy-go-lucky as usual, riding along in the wagon.
Where did our spontaneous adventure take us?
well, we never ventured out of the yard, but we visited every tree in this exquisite jungle. Our mission: to collect as many different leaf specimen as we could, and also to check for fruits and/or flowers ("gold" or "flags") before the squirrels ("sharks") eat them up. We let our imaginations lead us on this adventure... so much so, I honestly have forgotten all of the stops that we made.
But we had a blast all the while.
Thanks, Jax, for the wonderful abBENture.

the Leggett Playground

2009-06-30T01:15:00.010-05:00

Oh! In all of my haste as I was playing "catch up" with my blog (and I'm STILL behind - more catching up to come, goodness) I somehow forgot to give some very important kuddos and share the corresponding story with you bloggies out there.

So, without further ado:

THANK YOU, DADDY!

Don't let the small font fool you. It is not small based on importance, no, nothing could be further from the truth. It is small font, you see, because it is a message of gratitude from the little voices of two little people, Jax and Joy.
For his third birthday, which was in January, ahem, Jax received a swingset. It was really cute in the picture.... but when the delivery truck brought it, it was somehow mistakenly in two teeny-tiny boxes. I could have swore that thing said ASSEMBLED when I purchased it. Well, it did, Josh. I don't know WHAT happened... those dang Made-In-China Products! They must not have known what they were saying!

ha ha, ahem, ha ha.

Anyway, Jax got the swingset in two tiny boxes for his birthday in January. And, FINALLY, four months later, in May, it was totally assembled and ready for little feet to operate all the gadgets.

Uncle Mike and Paw-Paw Johnny are to thank for getting the ball rolling. Josh would have never attempted to assemble the thing on his own. He needed the extra hands, but he also needed the extra encouragement. (I still have no idea why the box said that 2-3 adults should assemble the product in approximately 8 hours. Maybe Webster has a new definition of assembled ??!!!)
Jax bounced all over the place while the men were trying to put the swing set together. He would ask occasionally, (about every 5 minutes) if it was almost done. I was busy feeding Joy when they began the project but joined them outside as soon as she was finished. Joy was happy to play in her Exersaucer nearby, while Jax jumped around, and I organized all the pieces and insisted on taking the Instruction booklet out of the plastic and read it to them. All the while, the men ignored my dictated instructions and kept making statements that began with "I can't believe..." About 8 hours later (hhhmm., those crazy lying china people may be hitting it right on afterall!), the product was FINISHED!

It took me several days to get Jax to slow down enough to get some pictures. And, these are not the best, but they will do - you get the point. He calls it his "playground". Ha, I'm glad that he has a playground of his very own. Joy likes to watch him play on it, and we even added a little swing for her but it's still a little overwhelming for her. She doesn't do the slide too well yet, and the rock climbing wall and trapeze is for boys only, as per Jax -- he says it's too "dangerous" for her. He's a smart little dude - I totally agree.

Let us know when you're in the area, and you can certainly come over to play on the playground. Jax will not let you leave the premises without the grand tour (featuring, playground, garden, and firetruck!) Come on down!

love the dress, tolerate the rest

2009-06-28T01:13:00.002-05:00

She tolerates the bow and shoes....
But only for a little while.

The dress... she loves.

Mostly because dresses are lose, and easy to chew on when there is absolutely nothing else handy.

Such as, when MaMa has already confiscated the tasty bow and shoes.

she's a perfect lil doll

2009-06-28T01:09:00.002-05:00

This picture of Joy makes me think of a porcelin doll. She's perfect. I love her.

Wizard of Oz play

2009-06-23T01:50:00.002-05:00

Although you can't really tell it by looking at this picture, Jax really, really enjoyed going to see Brookhaven Little Theater's production of The Wizard of Oz. Jax has been a fan of the Wizard of Oz for a while now (and never once frightened by the storyline or the characters!). In the BLT production, Jax personally knew the Wicked Witch of the West. He kept saying, "that witch (his pronunciation almost compromised!) made my birthday take [cake]." And he was right about that! Ms. Lisa is a very crafty and creative person. She bakes and decorates cakes, paints/draws, sings, and now, her newest discovered talent: she acts! Ms. Lisa's personality is nowhere near "witch-like" but she definitely knows how to act, and she even had the witch-y laugh down pat!!!
I think Jax (aka - the little politician who never meets a stranger) was trying to drum up some extra business for Ms. Lisa. ha ha He told everyone he saw "that witch made my birthday take! that one - the dreen [green] one - the mean one - yeah, her - she made my birthday take!"
After the show, Jax had only one question for the Wicked Witch of the West (Ms. Lisa) - he wanted to know what happened to her sister and if she was ok (only her legs were shown in one scene sticking out from under the house - the house fell on her). Now, isn't that observative and thoughtful for a 3-year-old!!?? Of all the things to remember from the 3-hour play!
We also had a picture made with "Dorfy" [Dorothy] but Jax's eyes were closed, so it's not even worth posting.
We are ready for the next BLT play! If it's something age-appropriate for Jax, we'll be there!

Mother's Day

2009-06-20T03:51:00.008-05:00

I know, I know. Mother's Day has come and gone. But, I think we have already established that "Late" is my middle name. I took pictures and even thought about what I wanted to blog for Mother's Day... and then... I never got around to doing the actual post.

Part of the problem lately is that I am home for the summer (yay! - that's really NOT a problem... just when it comes to blogging) and dealing with Dial-Up, which is so, so frustrating. Yeah, they're still saying we are too deep in the boonies for DSL. Still. Hhheeeeeellll-llllllloooooooo out there! can anybody hear me? hello?!! If any BellSouth people happen to be lurking around my blog, please have mercy on me! I desperately need DSL. Us people in the boonies need it more than you city people! You know, so we can get online and buy shoes and research the DIY for indoor plumbing. help! (p.s., would it help if I also threw in that I teach a couple online classes? and that your dial-up is hindering the learning of tomorrow's leaders?!!) :-)

Ok, sorry folks, just had to take a moment to appeal to the imaginary BellSouth Blog Reader guy. I hope he will leave a comment this time... hey, I can't continue to give shout-outs if you don't ever comment! y'all understand.

anyway, mother's day. yeah, I took pictures, thought about the post, was inspired, and just never found the time in between. So, I'm posting now. So there. More evidence that I am late, in the Blogosphere just like in the Real World. The good thing is that being late in the Blog world doesn't really change anything; not really. So, here's pictures from Mother's Day. Taken on Mother's Day. Posted Late. As in, not on Mother's Day. Or, the day after. But, nevertheless, posted, and that's all that matters. I received the sweetest gifts from my children and husband. I just couldn't resist sharing the sweetness. Posting late just allows me to enjoy them all over again. So, maybe, just maybe, my tardiness was on purpose.

Pictures Above: Jax made this sweet gift for me at school, brought it home on Friday, and gave it to me to open on Sunday. Look at the wrapping! The "flowers" are his actual hands, traced and cut out of construction paper. I knew I'd love it before I even opened it. I didn't want to open it, but I did, and I managed to save the flower hands - they look great in a vase in my kitchen window. Inside the adorable wrapping was a little candleholder - a glass jar, painted green and decorated with little ladybugs - made from his very own thumb prints! LOVE IT! The next two pictures are more handmade gifts from my beautiful children. These were made at church. The first is a picture of flowers, made by Jax, with his thumb prints (flower petals), finger (flower stem), and finger prints (grass). Adorable! And, sweet little Joy made the cute pink footprints in her Sunday School class, with a sweet poem attached. Both are definite framers!!! love these!! Josh came up the the charm bracelet idea all on his own. I LOVE IT. The bracelet features a little boy head and a little girl head, each with their names and birthdates inscribed, and also a charm with my initials. This was perfect.... so ME! And lastly, a rare picture of me with both of my children - not everyone has a perfect smile in this photo, but at least we all have eyes open! ha. Thank you, Josh, for honoring me on Mother's Day. Being a Mother is the "hat" that I cherish most.