Matthew's first completely on his own cooking experience

The kids wanted lunch and were happy to have mac n cheese...Matthew asked if he could help me (as he usually does) and I told him he could do it all if he wanted to.
So,I told him to put water in the pot and where to turn the stove on at and then step by step of what to do next.

He did as told and with me standing thisclose to make sure he and everything stayed safe,we had wonderful "Matthew made" macaroni in minutes! :)

Caroline's Candid Chitchat

These are just a couple of funny things Caroline has said recently...now remember,she gets most of these things from big brother Matthew.


Yesterday,I was sitting at the computer and Caroline was talking to me from the hall and said,"I need to talk to you Mama"...now what does a two year old need to talk about that is so important that it sounds as if you need to sit down before you hear dreaded news? Is she tired of me telling her she can't have junk food for breakfast and is running away from home? Has she secretly been living a life a crime stealing straws at restaurants?No,these were not what she needed to talk to me about.

I asked what was it and she said,(and I will type it just as she said it)"I need to talk to you about monies".I asked why she wanted to talk about money and she then said,"Gimme Daddy's bucks...I need thirty bucks!"

She just said it so matter-of-factly that it was hysterically funny!She even had her hand out waiting for thirty dollars.All this from someone who is just as happy to have a few pennies in her hand.

The second thing that is funny that I want to tell about is a little while ago,I was in the kitchen and Caroline asked,"What's that mell(smell)? I told her I didn't smell anything and so she waited a few seconds and then giggled and said,"I fahted"!

I know some of you may be a little put off by that word but thanks to having a big brother saying things like that and he supposedly forgets that he's not supposed to be saying them,it's become more commonplace around here.And no...we do not allow any of them to speak this way in a public setting or around other kids as we would not want the other child to start saying something that their parents might not want them saying.But around the house,I pick my battles and just try to see the humor in things.

Pell City tornado damage @ Lakeside Park

A view of Kids Kastle

Picnic table

the roof of a pavilion

trees through the toddler swings

trees through kids swings

tree blocking walking trail

Collapsed pavilion(Josh took this pic;I wouldn't have let Matthew go in there).

Weekend getaway to Helen,GA

Old Bavarian Inn

Matthew,Caroline and me

Matthew feeding Cadillac Jack after riding in the carriage

Sideways phone booth...never seen one of those have you? ha ha

Sweets-R-Land

Cadillac Jack

Josh and the kids in the carriage

Daddy and Caitlin

The Castle Inn

Some guys fly fishing

Carriage ride

A rare picture (because I'm usually the one behind the camera)of Matthew and myself

Caitlin being,well,Caitlin

Caroline sipping her Huddle House milk

Matthew's 6th Birthday Party @ Gatti Town (also pics from the park)

Pregnant Aunt Rachel


Aunt Rachel again


Caitlin rowing


Matthew and me in the bumper cars


Matthew and Mee Maw








I think Josh was a little too happy to ride on the carousel,ha ha


Matthew and Jonathan


The girls driving to "their favorite place when they drive",Walmart


The girls again

Daddy and Caroline shooting hoops....hey Caroline,crack kills


me again


Matthew opening his presents


Jonathan


Caroline has found someone to understand her on her own level,Aunt Tracie (just kidding)





Matthew and Caitlin


Aunt Tracie (or Tay-she as the girls call her) and Uncle Lavon


Very tired Aunt Rachel and Uncle Travis

Uncle Jeff and Jonathan