Jacobian Funnies

Yep, that's my boy.... in his big sister's pink panties. My cross-dressing son in his Auburn jersey and his little girl underwear. Well, what do ya do?? I choose to laugh.

That boy is always making me laugh. I love this age. Just about everything three year olds do is cute.... well, except for the tantrums, of course. Today he said, "Mommy, I really want another tornado to come." And my reply was, "well, Jacob, why in the world would you want another tornado to come to our house???" He said, "Because I REEEEEEALLY want it to snow again."

Guess you have to live in Alabama to get that one but he's quite observant. A few weeks ago we had a tornado on Saturday and woke up to a snow-filled lawn on Sunday. He must think that's the only way to get to play in the snow.... you have to suffer through sitting in the closet with your parents telling you to HUSH!! and having pillows all around and on top of you, riding out the tornado warning.

A couple of days ago Jacob and I had some snacks.... mine was Cheerios and his was pudding.... and afterward I told him it was time to take a nap. I went to my room to lie down with him (yes.... I'll admit.... I'm doing exactly what I said I would NEVER do.... but it's the ONLY way to get him to take a nap and believe me.... I'll take 10 minutes of faking that I'm asleep if I get 1 1/2 hours of peace anytime!!) Anyway, he's going through this anxiety about me leaving him so he gets in my bed, making sure he's holding onto one of my hands with his and he's got his other arm wrapped all the way around me and we're lying face to face, nose to nose. I immediately close my eyes (to convince him that there's no more talking.... just sleep from this point forward) and as he's drifting off I hear him very sleepily & dreamily (is that a word???) say, "Mama, you smell like Cheerios." To which I replied, "Jacob, you smell like pudding." He never opened his eyes but he kissed me and the next thing I knew he was snoring. I couldn't help but smile. That's just his effect on me... he always makes me smile.

Then yesterday he wouldn't go to sleep without his lunch plate that he hadn't finished eating. Yes, I gave in..... really, what's more important.... clean sheets or a little "me" time for mommy?? So I let him take the plate of chicken nuggets and a whole peeled banana to bed.... I do my "fake sleep" routine.... hear him snoring and then do the normal drill.... open my eyes and sneak VERY cautiously out of the bed. I turn to look at him, and he looked so cute... chicken nugget in one hand.... banana in the other...... sound asleep. Sound. They were like his security blankets or something. So I go over to carefully pry his little fingers off the food and he sits straight up and says, "NO, MAMA!" He takes the food back, gripping it tightly in his little hands, somehow comforting himself and proceeds to snore again..... content as can be.

His latest thing is, "Mom, did God make that?" It seems like 15 times a day he asks me that question. He understands that God made us, but he's having a little trouble understanding how if we bought the candle at Hobby Lobby, how in the world did it really come from God. Maybe some of you out there can help me explain that one to him. Oh well, until then, I'll keep trying.

Pretty Birthday Butterfly

I Had my first actual Birthday cake to bake the other day, it was for my niece, she is turning 3 on saturday. I was a bit stressed as to how it would turn out but sure enough it looked just fine when it was finished. So here goes... first i baked to 23cm square madeira cakes it was approximately 4cm high then i put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. When i was sure i would be able to cut it nicely i took it out and placed butterfly template over it secured it with pins and cut it out. I then put some apricot jam all over the cake so that the fondant i was going to work with next would stick. I tinted fondant pink, purple and yellow and began rolling, when i was sure it was big enough to go over the cake i placed it over. Then i did the other wing and finally the body. At first i thought it would be quite tricky, but i did the two wings first on the cake board and then i did the yellow body part seperately and then with a spatula i slid it in between the two wings. It worked just fine... Finally i decorated it with some more fondant and made a border with royal icing as well as the antenae... Oh and i also cut the name out of fondant with letter stencils.

Thanx for browsing and have a great day!!!

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It's a good day in the neighborhood

Joy, joy, joy. Read a good book last night -- yep, a whole book in one night.... it was THAT good. Talked with some good friends this morning on the phone and laughed. Checked my Facebook page and giggled some more. I love having Facebook to reconnect with old friends. My girls are loving softball.... my house is getting cleaner by the minute. Laundry's almost caught up. It's pretty outside.... going to the beach this weekend with my hubby -- ALL ALONE! Jacob's at lunch bunch today so a little more "ME" time.... Life is good. Hope you're having a great day too!

Spring Break... It's OV-AHHH!

Jonathan and I decided to go to Disney in May a few weeks ago, so when it came time to plan our Spring Break, I chose to stay around Auburn instead of going to the beach like we've done for the past few years. I was actually happy to just stay put this year. Honestly, I'm tired. I've let things go around the house that I used to never do. Blame it on my last year of "introspection". My former self was the "always neat, everything organized, drawers cleaned out, closets tidy, project-ridden busy-busy-busy girl".... Well, not so much anymore. Now I'm reading more, relaxing more, and just not that interested in keeping everything perfect. But I have to say it's kind of getting to me.... maybe I overshot the mark a little and need to revert back to some of my old ways. I do LOVE to have a cleeeeeeeeean house.... so I was glad to have a little extra time to devote to a few projects around the house.

The kids were gone to my mom's some of last weekend and that was just what the doctored ordered. Then Alli, our 17 year old niece, came in on Monday from north Alabama to stay with us for the week. We've eaten out at almost every meal.... and that's led to a few unwanted pounds... but it was wonderful to have her here. Since her sister Sarah died and they moved to north Alabama, it's been tough seeing each other as much as we used to.... so the kids were beyond excited that she could stay with us for so long. Wednesday we all went to Birmingham to the McWane Science Center with some other friends of mine, Heather and Vicki, and their children. Great place! My kids always love going. Then Thursday we spent alot of the day on campus showing Alli around and shopping and eating downtown. She's almost certainly going to Alabama (her dad was a quarterback there back in the day and she has full tuition paid), but she really wants to come to Auburn to be closer to us. So we toured campus anyway.... just to show her what she'll be missing when she goes to that "other" school.

The girls have started the softball season and both had practices on Thursday and Friday so that messed up some plans I had to go see my best friend from high school in Birmingham. She lives in Dallas now but was in B'ham visiting family and I desperately wanted to see her but it just didn't work out. Until next time, Lucy!! Miss you, girl....

So it's been a good week despite not going to the beach. Although I'll have to say it was like a ghost town around here... no one left in the neighborhood and all the college students were gone. We have around 50 kids in elementary school or younger on the two streets around my house so normally it's always a party.... always someone to play with.... and my kids were definitely missing their friends. But sometimes it's nice to have that little break... a little time alone just with your own family... and then the grass all of a sudden becomes greener on the other side and you want everyone to come home and ring the doorbell again....

Here are some pictures from our day at McWane Center........

Madison, Foster, Macy, Alli and Jacob building their remote controlled race car

Little Sulli playing in the water exhibit

The "How to Dissect a Cow's Eyeball Lab Teacher"..... yes, the kids DISSECTED AN EYEBALL!

Madison making the first cut on that NASTY orb

Stuart Scott & Macy cutting into their eyeball..... I could hardly watch!

Visiting with the McWane robot.... he's amazing.... interacting with everyone... asking them questions and responding intelligently

Working together pays off!! And the arc of blocks stands alone...

The whole gang in the perspective house...

Stuart on a bed of nails!

In the tornado tunnel.... Jacob was ready to GET OUT!!

Heather being a goofball and playing Dodgeball on the electric dodgeball mat.... somehow I'm thinking she was really just reminiscing about her old "nightclub" days....

And Heather, AGAIN, being a goofball with the googles digging up dinosaur bones....

Macy & Jacob playing on the third floor...

Madison and Alli learning about dinosaurs....

Foster taking a daring ride over the first floor.....

Stuart followed closely behind.... notice that my scaredy cat kids are nowhere to be found....
if I didn't actually give birth to them I'd wonder if they were really mine....
come on kids... ride a rollercoaster with me sometime!!

Jacob and Ryan playing in the dinosaur digging area....

And here we are on our way out after a long, fun-filled day...
a little tired but so glad that we went!

Hope you all had a great break at Disney & the beach and Nashville and all the other places my friends went... can't wait to hear all about your trips!!

Insanity has it's merits....

My friend sent me this email.... Jonathan and I were dying out laughing reading it.... and I think it's quite fitting on a week with 4 kids at home EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT. When does school start again????

To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity

1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.

2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice.

3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.

4. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks . Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.

5. In the memo field of all your checks, write 'For Marijuana'

6. Skip down the hall rather than walk and see how many looks you get.

7. Order a diet water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

8. Specify that your drive-through order is 'To Go'.

9. Sing along at the Opera.

10. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can' t attend their party because you have a headache.

11. When the money comes out of the ATM, scream 'I Won! I Won!'

12. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!'

13. Tell your children over dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity....

14. PICK UP A BOX OF CONDOMS AT THE PHARMACY, GO TO THE COUNTER AND ASK WHERE THE FITTING ROOM IS.


Have a great day!!

Rainy Day Monday

It has rained for 3 straight days. Three. Non-stop. My kids are so ready to get outside that I found them in the garage earlier skateboarding and riding the 4 wheeler in a circle. We've had a couple of extras here too for the past day or so since Madison and Macy both had friends spend the night last night. They are about "Rock-Banded" out and I've had about all the Nirvana I can stand. Let me rephrase that.... I love Nirvana... I'm just tired of hearing 8 year olds sing it over & over & over again. So what do I do to make everyone happy? Crank up MY music and pull out the paints and brushes. First we painted, then we danced. Quite an afternoon I must say.

Here are Makenzie and Madison working on their projects

My little artsy lefty

And the dancing begins....

And the swinging....

And my the best part of all..... dancing with my little man

And now for the show stopper.... Jacob with his pants on his head... it seems we never make it through an afternoon of dancing without this little number....

Testing Testing 1...2...Cars!!

a Friend told me the other day that her twin grandson's just adores The Cars movie especially Lightning Mcqueen and that she wanted to make them each a L M cake for their birthday. I said that i would be glad to help so yesterday i went over to her house to see if i could get a cake to at least resemble a Lightning Mcqueen. She baked the cake and i cut and decorated it with rolled fondant/plastic icing.

Seeing as this was only a practice round i didn't add all the detail it still needs lights, a tail fin, and all the things around the car oh and better wheels... The real birthday cakes will be made at the end of april and i am also going to help with those so i will post a step by step when the time comes...

Enjoy your day~~~

Chocolate gift box for grandma...

Ons Sunday we went to my Grandmother, she had her birthday in the week and i wanted to bring her a cake seeing as i am able to bake one these days...I saw this chocolate gift box with cake balls on a few blogs and in different cake decorating books so i decided that was what i would bring her. It came out ok... it was quite difficult to get the border around without it sticking to the itsself, but it tasted very gooood!!!

The Chocolate was cracking a bit dont know why, maybe it was the brand of chocolate i used...

Enjoy your day!!!~~~

Pink Candyfloss Cupcakes

I decided i would like to make some cupcakes, and decorate them with candyfloss!! Now, i made it, but the candyfloss "melted" away on the cupcakes but luckily i could take some photos before it was all gone...

Enjoy your day...~~~

Interview with Macy.... Who's Your Mama???

What a great weekend!! Friday night mom took ALL 3 kids to her house to spend the night so Jonathan and I got some much needed alone time. He took me to Amsterdam for a dinner... it was crowded so that gave us a little more time to spend together waiting on a table and talking for a while. It always surprises me how much one little date night can help you reconnect. Then Saturday we woke up, ran some errands, ate out again for lunch and then went home to revel in being all alone in the house together. I even finished the most amazing book that I'd started reading the day before. Loved it.

Saturday night we went to pick the kids up and ate dinner at mom's house. Mom's great at alot of things, but cooking isn't really her forte' so we were both impressed with the spread she had for us..... a wonderful salad, grilled asparagus, and a unique but surprisingly yummy gourmet spaghetti dish. Oh, and she made cosmos with fresh lime and Cointreau. Pretty impressive, Mom!

Macy and Madison came back home with us, but Jacob decided to stay over again...... the girl's were so excited. They love their brother but he does put an annoying little damper on their plans sometimes. I'm that momma that makes them include him on almost everything, so they were glad to have a little space for a while. Then last night they each had a friend spend the night with no threat of their little brother barging in their rooms, begging to play with them. So everyone's had a little break..... feeling a little refreshed and now we're getting ready for our niece, Alli, to come stay with us for the week. Counting down the hours we are!! The girls can't wait.

I thought I'd finally make this post that I didn't seem to have time to do last week. I was on Facebook and a friend sent me an interview to do with one of my children. It's an interview about your mommy...... I ask the questions..... the child answers and I try not to cringe if it's something I don't like. It was actually pretty fun. I decided to ask Macy the questions.... Jacob's too little and Madison is getting a little too old and thoughtful to get to the REAL truth. So here it goes..... my interview with Macy.......


1. What is something mommy always says to you?
Macy: "Oh... to pick up my stuff off the stairs."

2. What makes mommy happy?
Macy: "When we are nice to each other"

3. What makes mommy sad?
Macy: "When we don't mind her."

4. How does your mommy make you laugh?
Macy: "By tickling me."

5. What was your mommy like as a child?
Macy: "She liked gymnastics and she liked school."

6. How old is your mommy?
Macy: "Let's see.... 38."

7. How tall is your mommy?
Macy: (getting up to measure me with her hands....) "Maybe like 5 and a half feet."

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Macy: "Spend time with her family."

9. What does your mommy do when you're not around?
Macy: "She plays on the computer and goes out with all of her girlfriends."

10. If your mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?
Macy: "She will be President because she's cool and smart and then she'll be on a $25 dollar bill."

11. What is your mommy really good at?
(Before she can answer I hear Jonathan cracking up.... LOUDLY!!! I give him THAT look.... you know the one.... HUSH UP OR ELSE!!)

Macy: "Painting and art and cleaning."

12. What is your mommy not very good at?
Macy: "Basketball.... no offense, Mom."

13. What does your mommy do for a job?
Macy: "She cleans up our house and takes care of us and works on the computer."

14. What is your mommy's favorite food?
Macy: "Chocolate Cake!!"

15. What makes you proud of your mommy?
Macy: "When she decorates our houses and all the things she paints."

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Macy: "I don't know but Daddy would be Spongebob!"

Madison chimes in: "Oh, she would be Wonder Woman"

17. What do you and your mommy do together?
Macy: "Play games and curl up and watch American Idol"

18. How are you and your mommy the same?
Macy: "That's easy. We are both artistic and we both like the same music"

19. How are you and your mommy different?
Macy: "Well, Mommy doesn't go to her friends houses and rock out with them like I do."

20. How do you know your mommy loves you?
Macy: "She takes care of me and sings 'You are My Sunshine' to me."

21. What does your mommy like most about your dad?
Macy: "When he acts silly"

Jacob: "No, when he kisses!"

22. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go?
Macy: "That place she likes to eat with her friends.... Amsterdam something. Oh and the beach and Disneyworld."

23. What does your mommy not like to do?
Macy: "Yell at us, clean up and be the maid."

24. What's your favorite thing about mommy?
Macy: "When she gets excited and jumps up and dances!"

Madison: "No, I like her style."

25. What is the best thing mommy can cook?
(Jonathan interrupts, trying to redeem himself from the last outburst, I'm guessing: "Well, you cook a lot of things that are really good, you are a great cook.")

I'm thinking.... "that's nice... he must REALLY want something...."

Macy: ".... oh, poppyseed chicken and pumpkin bread"


So I guess that wasn't too bad.... I especially love #9.... somehow she thinks I just play all day with my friends!! Don't I wish! And #10 was pretty cute.... president.... well, uh... I don't think so -- wouldn't want that one anyway, but it's nice to know that she thinks of me in that way. And how right she is on #12....... I wish I could play basketball!! Actually, I think she knows her mommy pretty well.

Amanda Needs...... the game

I really don't have time to be doing mindless stuff like this right now, but the answers to this game were either so appropriate for me or funny to me that I HAD to post it. I was on Facebook earlier today and saw this game where you type into Google your name and then the word "needs." Then you're supposed to write down the first 10 sentences you see that make sense. So I did it.... I typed "amanda needs" in the search box. Here goes the answers..............

1. Amanda needs to pee (yes..... that was the first one I saw!)
2. Amanda needs prayers and the Lord Jesus Christ's guidance and protection (yes, I surely do)
3. Amanda needs a wise friend to tell her that this too shall pass (don't we all??)
4. Amanda needs a mom in her corner with lots of time and attention to give her (uhhh, yeaahh)
5. Amanda needs to start taking risks (tried that last year..... didn't work)
6. Amanda needs a loving home (awwwwww, that's sweet but I've already got one)
7. Amanda needs some direction (true, true..... that's one of those things I always thought I had but I seem to have lost my way recently)
8. Amanda needs to get over it! (I'm right there with ya on that one!)
9. Amanda needs help (well, yes....I DO have 3 children)
10. Amanda needs a bone. (I promise! That's exactly what it said -- I'm still giggling!!!!)

OK, go try it. NOW!! It's quick and fun and maybe you'll get your belly laugh in for the day.

Meet Lill Suzy!!

Meet lill Suzy, she just loves baking... And from now on watch out for her she will be popping up from time to time!!

Oh, and almost done with the cupcakes... got held back because of this silly flue but i had to introduce you to Lill Suzy first... Have a nice day ♥♥♥♥

Macy's Birthday Party

Can't believe it's here already.... Macy's 8th birthday!! Do all mom's do this every year.... the "I can't believe she's this old" thing? Well, she is and I was really happy this year to not be working on a "mega-party" at the house like I usually do. Nope... this year Macy said she wanted a Shakey's party -- HOORAY!!! And it was good timing, too. With the strep I had last week there is no way I would have ever pulled together a party at the house.

All Macy really wanted for her birthday was for her best friend Laura to spend the night and play. My strep kind of put a kink in those plans so Sunday before the party, we invited Laura over. They've been the best of friends since they were three but haven't seen each other in a while since they're at different schools now. Macy tells me EVERY, EVERY day how much she misses Laura. It must be mutual because Saturday they were on the phone for 2 hours! Yes, two.... and they're only in 2nd grade. I can't imagine what kind of sign that must be for what's to come when she's a teenager.

Laura & Macy playing at the house

The gang in the car on the way to the party

Thomas & Tyler... it seems they always take pictures like these...

Kate, Elizabeth Ann & Madison

Macy & Mommy

Tyler... the big winner!

Anna, Wheeler, Kate, Stuart Scott, Morgan & Justin taking a pizza break

Happy Birthday to You!!

Tyler & Emma

Morgan, Macy & Laura -- Macy's Best Girlfriends

Kate & Madison hogging Deal or No Deal

Madison hit the Jackpot!

Stuart Scott, Wheeler & Justin acting like goofballs...

Heather & Stuart Scott

Elizabeth Ann

Macy blowing out the candles

The mama's and the papa's

Yes... ANOTHER Spongebob cake... I'm hoping by next year she'll be grown out of this one...

Jacob, Macy, Mommy & Madison

Macy opening the one present she wanted from us.... Lego Batman Wii..... Sorry Elizabeth!!

Macy & the presents from her friends....

Macy and her "boyfriend" Owen

OK, now here's the funny part. Macy has known this little boy Owen for 3 years since they sat next to each other in kindergarten. Owen is a character.... cool... fun... has older siblings and they're all into music and play guitar and drums. Even in kindergarten his hair was a little "surfer-ish".... long in the front and hanging into his eyes.

Well, Owen had a crush on Macy from the first day of school.... she however, would just roll her eyes every time he would declare her his girlfriend. Yet, by the end of the year, I think little Owen had grown on Macy a bit and she talked about him all the time. Then in first grade they went to different schools. Ever since, Macy talks about him almost every day. "Mom, I miss Owen. I want Owen to come over and play. Do you think he still likes me?" But the playdates are few and far between and we really don't see him much anymore. So when it came time for her birthday party, she definitely wanted to invite Owen.

I noticed at the party they weren't spending a lot of time together so when we got in the car I said, "Macy, how was it seeing Owen again?" And she had a funny look on her face and said, "Weellllllllll.... he asked me if I still liked him and I didn't answer and just walked away."

I couldn't believe it.... she talks about him ALL the time. But in the back of my mind I knew what was coming next. I said, "Well, Mace, what did you think of how he looks now?"

She said, "Well, he came up to me later and said, 'Macy, do you still want to be my girlfriend?'

So I said, "What did you say?"

Macy said, "I told him, 'Cut your hair and we'll talk.'"

I couldn't have laughed any harder. I gave her a high five and thought to myself.... this little girl is going to have no problem dealing with the boys later on in life. I told her I was proud of her.... he did need a haircut!!