Gabe-isms

This little guys is really something else. He is sooooo full of life, smart, funny, a little (okay alot) stubborn, with some mischief sprinkled in to keep us on our toes. You never quite know what Gabe is going to come up with. His teacher assures me that he is a joy to have in class and is a great helper; always anticipating what she might need next. However, with two teenage brothers, I'm afraid he is educated beyond most children his age.

Gabe has been particularly funny this week and I'm afraid if I don't start writing down these cute little gems I'll soon forget them.

Story #1...every morning as I drop Gabe at school, without fail he kisses me goodbye, confirms that he rides the bus to my school in the afternoon, asks if I packed his lunch, and tells me he loves me. He surprised me this week when I pulled up to school and he opens the door to get out without a single word. As he's standing outside the car with the door open I say, "Hey wait, where's my kiss?" he replies, "Sorry, no time for kisses today. Love you." and off he went. I was left speechless with the irrefutable evidence that the baby of the bunch is growing up. That night as I tucked my little guy into bed, I smothered him with kisses and told him under no circumstances would he be allowed to leave for school in the morning until he kissed his mother goodbye. He agreed, with a little pressure from the tickle fairy.

Story #2...After school today Gabe was entertaining me with his daily adventures. He has many I assure you. I asked, "Are you feeling okay? You sound like your nose is stuffy." It was then that he informed me..."Mom, I'm not stuffy at all. That's just my voice, it's just changing and getting deeper...you know, like Jacob's?" I was driving at the time and couldn't see his face, but I imagine that he gave me the teenage why are you so stupid eye roll.

Happy Mother's Day everyone! We started out the day with breakfast at Crackerbarrel with the Williams clan. We missed Joseph & Tara and Brian & Tonya and their little ones, but it was a wonderful start to our day. I was even able to capture a group photo (see above), which is no easy feat (see picture below). After breakfast we were going to till up a garden for Romayne, but the ground was too wet from all the rain we've had so we headed home. The boys made me a thoughtful mother's day card (much better than store bought), Scott made the bed :), Scott had the boys do all the laundry for me (washed, dried, folded and put away!), and made sure I had a 2hour nap while they all did yard work. I must say that they certainly made me feel pampered. Thanks guys you're awesome!!!

Cousins pose for a shot.

Aren't they a beautiful couple!

Jacob decided to fish a little while we were at Grandmom's. Since the water is so high (you can see the dock in the background), Jacob got his lure stuck in a tree. It's not easy casting through a yard full of trees. Colleen and Michael paddled through the "yard" and got Jacob unstuck.

For all the mothers in my life. Over the years , you've taught me so much...how to laugh, how to give, how to take care of myself and others, how to cook, how to clean, how to work hard, how to be kind, how to love, how to pray. I thank you not just today, but everyday. You are a special gift to me.

Happy Mother's Day!

Courtesy of Colleen, I have a test for you....

Can you say Irish Wristwatch?

The Great Debate

Every week before I head out to the grocery store to stock our cupboards with nutritional food that will fuel my family, I ask the same question..."Does anyone have any special requests?". I don't stop asking until everyone youngest to oldest has either given me an idea or I have received an unequivocal "no". Before you begin showering me with accolades in regards to my mothering skills and asking me for advice, I must divulge the true reason behind my search for special grocery/meal requests. First, each week I hope they have a better meal idea than I have thought of myself. Secondly, if they don't contribute to the plan, then they have no right to complain about what is prepared for them.

While I didn't receive a meal idea this week, I did have a request for Oreo Cookies. They didn't stop there, they specified "NOT KIDDO's". For those of you who are not familiar with Kiddo's, I will enlighten you. They are Kroger's answer to the Oreo (what some of you may call store brand or less favorably generic). For years I have purchased Kiddo's and for years my family (and extended family) have heckled me. Yesterday, I had had all the ribbing I could take. You might say I cracked. I was bound and determined to get to the bottom of the great cookie debate.

I returned from Kroger with both Oreo's and Kiddo's in tow and a taste test ensued. I had 9 test subjects, that included Scott and our boys, David, Colleen and Michael, and Colleen's boyfriend Nelson. I had them each close their eyes while I fed them a cookie (yes, I fed them because I didn't want the test skewed by reading the name on the cookie with their fingers--this is a highly accurate test we have going here).

I know you are dying to find out the results so I won't delay in telling you that it was a close call, but the Oreo did come out on top in a 5 to 4 split decision. I tried to argue that it wasn't an overwhelming win, but Jacob had a really good point. The people that I buy for are the ones that can tell the difference. He had me there. It was at that moment that I vowed to never again purchase Kiddo's over Oreo's unless of course it came down to Oreo's vs. Diet Coke and then Oreo's are out.

Stay tuned...next week we will contemplate the virtue of Apple Jacks over Apple Dapples.

I have been so blessed with so many great people in my life. One of my favorite, is definitely my brother Mark. Mark and I go weeks and weeks without talking, then WHAM, he will send me a random text. Today was one of those random days where Mark sent me a smile.

Mark (by text): If you like pina coladas...

Me (by text): Getting caught in the rain

silence

It's at this point that I realize that Mark is trying to send me a gift (of sorts). He's trying to get a song stuck in my head. Doncha just hate having a song stuck in your head? What to do, what to do? Mark left me no choice, I had to pull out the big guns and reply with the ultimate stick in your head song.

Me (by text): Sweet Caroline ba, ba, ba

Mark tried, unsuccessfully I might add, to over ride my trump.

Mark (by text): Love shack, baby love shack

You might find this game we play silly, but it never fails to make me smile.

http://music.aol.com/song/player/audioplayer.jsp