MarytheKaytheBlog

Parenting 101: Life According to Nathan

 I know I've written several times about my crazy brother-in-law Leader (what we call him.)  When he sent me these pictures from our recent family beach vacation, I nearly spit out my Coke from laughing so hard.  (Thankfully, no precious Coke was harmed or lost during this incident.)

Evidently, Leader wanted to snap a picture with his son Nathan in front of some sailboats.  When he checked the picture, and saw that Nathan did not comply the first time, he said in a more serious, fatherly voice, "Nathan.  Cut that out.  Please smile this time."

Annnnnd....

 

Annnnnd....I give you Exhibit #2:

 

Ya'll.  I wish you could get to know my nephew Nathan.  Nathan is seriously one of my favorite kids to be around!  He keeps me giggling the entire time I'm around him.  From the day he was born, he was a little man.  All matter-of-fact, and never wasting an opportunity to have fun, or to explain the world to those around him.  Nathan's matter-of-factness is evident in the fact that he NEVER says "I don't know" to ANY question you ask him.  That boy always has an answer on the tip of his tongue.  And, it's rarely the answer that you're expecting.  My family has started playing a little game when we're together with Nathan, where we try to stump him with a question.  Plus, we just love hearing the creative answers he gives!

So far, Nathan reigns supreme in the question answering game.

Here's just an example:

 

"Nathan, where does Superman live?"

 (without missing a beat) "Batman's house."

"Where is Batman's house?"

"South Dakota"

"Nathan, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

"A fightah fightah."

"What is a fightah fightah?"

"He twains and goes to fires and spways wata.  Den he goes home."

"How much does a fighter fighter make?"

"70 dollars by 2"

"Nathan, how do sailboats go fast in the water?"

"The sand"

"Where does the ocean water come from?"

"It comes from houses.  It connects to da hose and it goes.  It looks like a snake, but it's not."

There you have it.

I have to say...in a world plagued with uncertainty and relativism, it is refreshing to be around someone so sure of his answers, his world.

And if Nathan says the ocean comes from garden hoses, then I believe him.

And I feel much safer knowing...that it's a hose, not a snake.

What I Googled this Week

Recently, there were e-mails going around saying that big bad Google was about to start tracking my search history something or other, and I'd better go change the settings in my search history what's a doodle, so that Google couldn't sell my private information whatchamacallit to the who'sits.

Or something like that.

(If this didn't make sense to you--don't worry.  It didn't make a lot of sense to me, either.)

Anyway, I *think* I made the appropriate changes so that Google can't track me down and steal all my childhood secrets.  But, since I blog, I tell ya'll all my secrets anyway, don't I?

In light of these crystal-clear thoughts, I thought it would be fun to share my recent (and always RANDOM) Google searches.  I'm always intrigued by what people are looking up on the computer.  Plus, I am kind of partial to Google.  I feel like Google is the smartest person in the whole wide wide world.  If Google doesn't know the answer, then...well, there isn't an answer. 

Here are my recent Google searches, in no particular order...  Have you ever wondered about some of these same things?

 

What does Jimmy Crack Corn mean?

How much does a television writer make?

McAlister's

Whataburger near Mobile, AL

Whataburger near Hattiesburg, MS

Shell Island

Walton Arts Center

James Bible Study, Tommy Nelson, Denton, TX

Pik Monkey

Pic Monkey

How to use an iron on patch

Problems with an iron on patch

When an iron on patch won't stick

 The Palms song

Great beach reads

Stop thumb sucking appliance

Wilton icing recipe

Instagram for Android

Twitter badge for Typepad

How to get children to obey the first time

Coping with frustration

How not to nag

How not to yell

How not to pinch your children when they argue

How many calories does a Route 44 Sonic Coke have?

How to lose weight by drinking Coke and watching reality t.v.

Milkshake home delivery

What to do when Mama's really tired and dinner's not cooked yet

(Okay, so you know I'm only kidding about the last few...BUT, if you know the answers to ANY of them--PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!!!)

You know I'm gonna ask...What have YOU Googled lately?

Where I've Been: Snapshots of a Family Vacation

I didn't do a very good job of blogging last week.  In case some of you wondered if I died, or broke both my hands and couldn't type anymore, here are some photo explanations of what I've been up to...

Our family traveled to Rosemary beach, Florida, with my parents, brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews.  

After not being able to connect to Wifi the first night, I never even got out my laptop again.  I have to say--being unplugged for an entire week was GLORIOUS, and very very needed.

During our week together, we didn't do anything glamorous.  What we DID DO was spend time together relaxing--and reconnecting.  It was perfect.

 

Putting a puzzle together

 

Playing cards

Hanging out together.  

(After the first night, this room became the Disney Channel room.  Can you guess WHO spent time here???)

Eating yummy food.  Mmm...we did a little TOO MUCH of this 

(In case you heathens don't know--this is Key Lime Pie!)

Clean-up time!

Each family took a different night to cook AND clean up after.  That way, we all had a real break from our normal dinner-cooking-cleaning routine.  It was wonderful!

By the way, I am SAVING this picture for ALL OF ETERNITY.  Look!  It's a picture of my crazy brother-in-law cleaning up the kitchen!  (I sure love that guy!  But, he doesn't necessarily know his way around the kitchen...)

 

Pool time!  Chicken fight with the cousins!!!!

 

Beach time!  (Are you CRAZY???  I'm not posting swimsuit pics!)
 

Fishing time! 

This was a real highlight of the week--my nephew Brady caught a baby shark while night fishing on the pier with his Uncle John!

 

And after all the excitement...we also did some of this...

Napping on the huge porch swing!  Pure heaven.

 

Reading books

 

And one of my FAVORITE highlights from the whole week was a nightly devotional my dad planned for the grandkids.  It was such a neat time to circle-up after a full day.  "Pops" did such an amazing job of engaging all the kids--ages 4-17.  Each night, a different grandkid had the chance to answer a special Bible question and win a money prize. 

Pops planned 5 nights of devotionals, writing that night's key word on a big posterboard--spelling out the word B-E-A-C-H by the end of the week.  (I'll dedicate another post on the meanings of each letter!) 

I don't think any of the kids--or adults--will forget...either the devotional topics...or the special time together as a family last week.

What a treasured time...praying together as a family 

(Uhhh...I think SOMEBODY had his eyes open to take this picture...)

What's your favorite way to spend a vacation?

A letter from 23-year-old Mary Kay

Recently, my dad was going through some files, and found a letter I'd written my parents 18 years ago. He laughed so much, my mom asked him what was the matter. And when he called to tell me about it, he laughed some more.

He thought it would be a funny blog post.  So, here ya go!  I dedicate this to...as I wrote on the envelope..."The old man and his little ole lady." 

 I give you February 22, 1993:

Hi, Ma and Pa!

I am writing on this type of paper (notebook) because I'm in the middle of the Student Union writing you. I should be studying for a Research Methods class. But, who could study for Research Methods on a day like this? For that matter, who could ever study for a Research Methods. Gross! To be a little creative, and to entertain myself--(I laugh at myself more than anybody else does!) I am going to fashion the rest of this letter in a multiple choice test...

Name: Ma and Pa Moore

Directions: Please select the correct answer--OR--Select the most unusual choice to make Mary Kay's life more creative and exciting!

1. It is now twelve noon. At two o'clock, Mary Kay has to:

a. Go to class.

b. Go to the bathroom.

c. Go to class in the bathroom.

d. Go to the bathroom in class.

 

2. Tonight for entertainment, Mary Kay hopes Dave will:

a. Take her to the dollar movie.

b. Bring home a video.

c. Not make her study.

d. Leave.

 

3. Mary Kay's favorite thing about her birthday was:

a. The fellowship of being with her family.

b. Having all of her family together.

c. The time spent with her family.

d. Who are we kidding? THE PRESENTS!!!

 

4. Mary Kay likes her Ma and Pa because:

a. Ma secretly sends her $300 a month (well, it's a good idea!)

b. They don't whip her too hard.

c. They let her watch t.v.

d. They're so much fun to be around.

e. Both a and d. (PLEASE a, oh please choose a!!!)

 

Okay, well I have to close the multiple choice test for now. My creative juices have stopped flowing. Maybe I should eat some more M&Ms. Are those what get Daddy acting so crazy?

Thanks again for such a special birthday! I just love my bracelet! By the way, will you please tell Dave he can not hock it. He thinks we could get at least 50 bucks for it at Big Bud's Pawn Shop. Big Bud said them green and blue glass rocks are real nice. He said he has a customer named JaNita that likes that shiny jewelry! Bug Bud also thinks we oughta melt down my flute into a couple of belt buckles. He said them big silver buckles get about $10 each at the flea market. He said, "What's the use of a flute if a man can't hold his pants up!"

Please refer to #1b to see why I am closing this letter now.

Love you!!

Mary Coon

Write back.  As ole' Skeeter says, "I need the mail!"

P.S.  You'll be SO PROUD of your auctioneer son-in-law:

The Flip Flop Exchange: A FUN Way to Celebrate Spring!

Oh my word, I can hardly contain myself!  I am just sooo excited to tell you about my FAVORITE Spring Party!!!  I mean--picture this:  You've endured a long winter--this year much longer than usual.  You are sick and tired of the brown, dead grass in your yard, the barren branches overhead casting dismal shadows.  One day walking to the mailbox, you SEE it.  That teeny tiny green stalk peeking up from the ground!!! 

 And you feel like cheering.  Right there at the mailbox.  And doing a little jumpy dance.  Wheeeee!  Spring is a comin'!!!

 So, instead of the embarrassing jumpy dance, you know how I like to CELEBRATE Spring's arrival?  With a FLIP FLOP EXCHANGE party!!!

Because, what says SPRING better than a sassy Flip Flop???

 For the past 3 years, a group of my friends has gotten together in late March/early April for a Flip Flop Exchange Party.  It has gotten to be a real highlight for us each year...and has really grown in numbers.  You could use this idea for any women's group--a book club, a church women's group, a group at work, a neighborhood get-together...

 Here's how it works: 

1.  Pick a date.  For us, weeknights work best (free childcare, if Daddy keeps the kids!!)

2.  About 3 weeks ahead of your party date, send a mass e-mail to all the women you even think might be interested.  In your e-mail, tell the ladies about the Flip Flop Exchange idea, tell them the date of the party, and ask if they would like to come.  If they DO want to come, they need to do these things: 

-Reply to you (the party hostess) with your FLIP FLOP size (give closest WHOLE size, since most flip flops don't come in half-sizes)

-Start checking out fun flip flop shops--either in town, or online.  Be looking for a return e-mail, with your secret flip flop pal.

-Once you receive your Flip Flop Pal and her Flip Flop size (our group keeps our pals a secret until the party night), purchase a fun pair of flip flops that fit her personality--spending between $15-20.  (That is the limit our group sets.)

-On the party night, wrap up your flip flops--including a gift receipt (in case they don't fit). 

3.  This year, our Flip Flop Party hostess has really amped up  things.  Each of the attendees is bringing $2 to put towards 2 contests.  The first contest winner is awarded cash for bringing the CUTEST Flip Flops.  The other contest winner is awarded cash for bringing the best PERSONALITY MATCH for her Flip Flop Pal.  (The party attendees will vote on little slips of paper.)

 
4.  I love the contest idea!!!  Because some of the girls coming this year I don't know as well, it will be up to me to find out from others in the group the personality of my Flip Flop Pal...or I can always chat with the hostess, who knows everyone coming.  And WHO doesn't like winning a little CASH in a fun contest???Now, go ye out and planeth some Flip Flop Parties!!!!  I'd love to hear back from ya, if ya do!!!

No Man's Land has been redeemed...linky dinks

Happy weekend, lovely readers!  I hope you have fun and relaxing plans ahead.  If I weren't so doggone tired right now, I would go take pictures of my daughters' No Man's Land.  If you read yesterday's post, you saw some pretty messy pictures.  After much nagging, threatening, giving of consequences, and gnashing of teeth, both girls' rooms are sparkling clean!  Now, we all need to GO SOMEWHERE QUICKLY--before anything gets messed up!

Here are some fun links I've found recently.  Prop up your feet, nibble on some bon bons, and read on. 

 

Easter craft ALERT!  Wouldn't these paper mache eggs be fun to make with your kids?

Darling art prints that make me wish I were an artist...  I keep thinking I need to purchase Daisy and Rose for my two daughters.  What do you think?  Yes?

Want to try out the funky new hair colors--without any long-term commitment?  Brilliant--hair chalk!!  My daughter Rebecca would DIE to do this.  Hmm...shall I show her this article, or not???

If you have young children, Impress Your Kids is a wonderful blog resource!  Go there now and check it out!  You might recognize the author from her blog Oh Amanda.

Grammar nerds, unite!  20 common grammar mistakes (almost) everybody gets wrong...  What's your most common one?  "Farther" and "further" always trips me up.  If you're a REAL grammar nerd, the Comments are interesting to read.

 

That's IT.  I'm moving to LA--I mean, a SPRINKLES CUPCAKE ATM????  I am in.  I am way way way in!!!

 

Happy weekend, good people!  I love ya all as much as Oreo cookies and milk.  Really, I do!

What are your plans this weekend?  Has anyone started some Spring cleaning?

My favorite part about my kids' rooms (or maybe NOT)

 Today, Mama Kat is hosting a Writer's Workshop where one of the topics is "What is your favorite part about your child's room?"

So, I walked down the hallway to my precious daughters' rooms...just to peer in and see what part of their rooms touched my heart the most...

Oh, my sweet baby girls.  Their rooms are like little rays of sunshine on a cloudy day.

I'll just show you the rooms, instead of telling you.

I'm sure you can *guess* what parts of their rooms are my very favorite...

But, first:  A little sign to welcome us in:

 

Don't you feel welcomed?  Don't worry--that sign was for her sister.  Come on in!

 

Before we go any further, I feel obligated to give you some helpful room terminology:

"No Man's Land" - The small space between the bed and the wall;  Usually hidden from view.  Sometimes used as a hiding place for treasures...or dirty clothes...or stuffed animals lost during the night.

 

I give you...Room #1:

And...I give you Room #2:

(Are you sitting down?)

(No, really.)

(Okay, here goes nothing...)

There.  I have no pride left.

Just the other day one of my friends was over, and when she saw the girls' rooms she commented, "I'm surprised you let your girls keep their rooms this way."

Um.  Well.  Uh.  Hey--how 'bout this nice weather we're having?

Yeah, okay.  So, I don't necessarily *LET* my girls keep their rooms this way.  It's just that life sort of happens.  Or more accurately--a LOT of life happens around here.  And, sadly, but also very honestly--clean rooms are not at the top of our list.

But, room cleaning is on THE LIST for tomorrow.  I promise!  Right after school work, and lunch, and the library, and maybe the outlet mall for a quick errand...

See what I mean?

Do YOU have a "No Man's Land" area of your bedroom?  C'mon--be honest!  Mine is my towering stack of to-read books. 

Ooh La La Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

I'm pretty much a sucker for anything that says "cheesy" or "baked"--so the minute I saw this recipe, I knew it would be a good one.

Recently, when I needed a recipe for a Frozen Dinner Co-Op, I googled "cheesy baked spaghetti" and Tammy's Recipes blog came up.  Click here for Tammy's AMAZING recipe.  Seriously, this recipe is my favorite baked spaghetti recipe I've ever made!  It's very similar to lasagna--but with spaghetti noodles.  (And angel hair noodles are my favorite, too!)

 This is one of my FAVORITE time-saving ideas:  I made my Cheesy Baked Spaghetti in round foil pans--so that I could freeze it, and then easily slide it out frozen, to put directly into my Crock Pot.  (I explained all about From Freezer to Crock Pot to Table here.)

So, what are you waiting for?  Go purchase your ingredients and 2 round foil pans.  Make one for yourself, and one to freeze for later.  Then, when you find out someone who needs a yummy meal, you will feel like Holly Homemaker when you pull out your frozen Cheesy Baked Spaghetti to share.

Oh, and I forgot one thing.  After you make this dish, you might as well get on the treadmill.  But, just remember--its cheesy goodness is worth every minute of sweat and tears.

What food do you think is WORTH time on the treadmill?

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Celebrating my Mom's 70th Birthday!

 This weekend my mom celebrated her 70th birthday.  Our whole family is planning to celebrate her when we're all together later this month, but my sister and I wanted to plan a special day just for the 3 of us--a girly day!

We met my sister in Fayetteville, AR, and started the day with pedicures! 

Here we are--all relaxed--post-pedicures.  And just LOOK how much we 3 are alike.  We all picked very similar polish shades...

I just had to snap a picture of the salon's adorable child's pedicure chairs.  Aren't they the cutest things ever?  There were 2 itty bitty girls getting their toes painted while we were there.  Note that there is also a little dvd player, so the girls can watch a movie!

After pedicures, we let my mom choose where she wanted to eat.  She chose a place she and I had never been...OH MY HEAVENLY CHEESE...

We ate at Hammontree's, a little eatery on Dickson Street that creates the most amazing gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.  Oh my!  You should totally check out their menu.  We all 3 had the Spinach Gorgonzola soup (SWOON) and a grilled cheese.  My mom chose the Caprese Melt, my sister chose the Jack to the Future, and I chose the Bries Company.

(I was thrilled to find out--once we got there--that the name of the restaurant is NOT  Ham in Trees.  I just couldn't figure out how Ham in Trees sounded the least bit appetizing for a restaurant name!  Ham on the Plate, maybe.  Ham in my Tummy is even better.  Ham in my Hand.  Ham that's been in my Fridge too Long.

Oh I could keep going.  You know I could...

Ham in the Oven.  Ham in the Skillet for Breakfast.  Ham on a Biscuit Slathered with Butter.)

Okay, I'll stop.  You know--I'll stop HAMMING it up...

After filling our bellies with lots of gooey cheese (and not ham), we felt the call of the mall.  Namely, we were on a search for new swimsuits for our upcoming beach trip.

Note to self:  When trying to enjoy a fun day with your sister and mom, do not start out by shopping for a swimsuit.  Especially with a belly full of gooey cheese (and not ham). 

Shopping for swimsuits can be downright depressing.  And sometimes funny.  At one point, we were in 3 dressing rooms--3 in a row.  We were all 3 trying on swimsuits.  And we were in separate dressing rooms because...well, there is no kind of nekkid like swimsuit-trying-on nekkid.  (FYI: You get naked at the doctor's office.  You get nekkid in the swimsuit dressing room.)  I got to giggling pretty hard when I started trying to get on a Miracle Suit.

Have you ever tried on a Miracle Suit?

It's not called "Miracle" for nothing.  Miracle to get it on your body. 

It's been quite a few months since my body has shimmied into a Miracle Suit.

I called out to my mom and sister, "Hey!!!  I might need some help in here!  I'm not sure I'll be able to get this thing off my body once I get it on!"

Verily I say unto you...there is no love like a sister who hath helped peel off a Miracle Suit.

There was a whole lot of shimmying going on in that dressing room.  A Miracle Suit requires certain shimmies and bends and squats to get that dang tube of lycra stretched over your parts.  I'm pretty sure my upper lip broke into a sweat.

Oh, but I'm getting all tangled up in our swimsuit trying on.  We eventually moved on to more fun shopping...like Yellow Box flip flop purchasing (3 matching pairs for 3 sisters on the beach--yippee!), shorts and shirts purchases, and even the cutest-ever red Born espadrilles for the birthday girl!

After all that shopping, it was time to head home.  We hugged my Sissy goodbye, and loaded back into the car.  Just in case you don't know--our family's car ALWAYS stops at Sonic before any road trip.  So, after Sonic, we headed back to Branson.

It was such a fun day, and a fun way to celebrate with my mom.  Rarely, do we get to spend time alone with my mom without 475 interruptions from sweet little kids.  We were very sad my other sister couldn't join us...but we plan to make up for it on the beach soon!

Happy birthday, Mom!!!  Of all the women I know, you are one of the kindest, most loving, wisest, most serving, most generous, obedient to God, example of a loving wife, continual example of love poured out I know.

I love ya, Ma!!!

Love, your favorite daughter

(Let's see if that gets either of my sisters to comment...)

What do you / did you love most about your mom?

True friendship is...

Someone who loves you through the thick, and the thin.

(And I'm not just talking about my waistline)

Someone who makes you laugh every single day.

Someone who laughs at you.

And even at your cornball jokes.

Someone who tells you the truth.

But also is totally on your side when you need it the most.

Someone who brings you the best chicken noodle soup of your life when you're sick.

And any leftover dessert--so we can gain weight together!

"Reply to All" e-mails.

And group text messages that make you giggle.

A traveling dress that is shared for special events.

And purses or necklaces offered up, too.

A picture-taker who never thinks one photo is enough.

And her friends who never move--because they know more shots are coming.

A large cherry Coke from Sonic on a difficult day.

An offer to come pick up your kids at a minute's notice.

Friends who stand beside you, no matter what the outcome.

And who pray for you, when you don't even know what to pray yourself.

Who know what you're thinking, without ever having to say a word.

Putting up with your weird quirks, and loving in spite of them.

Knowing when to send an encouraging text, and when to pick up the phone and call.

Not letting there be carnations on your coffin.

And making sure that coffin stays closed...unless I look really really good.

Not letting my widowed husband marry some hussy.

And making sure that hussy doesn't go through my things.

Taking care of my kids if something ever happens to me.

And making sure they know how much their mama adored them.

And not letting their fingernails or hair get too scraggly.

Someone who knows your deepest secrets.

And guards them forever.

Someone who has seen you at your worst.

And rejoices with you on your happiest days.

Someone you might not see as often anymore, but still knows you just as well.

Sharing first gray hairs, first kids, first surgeries, first cancer, first parent's funeral, first 5Ks, first half marathons, first beach trips, first skinny jeans, first teenage kids, first pet geckos and hermit crabs and pedigreed rabbits.

Walking through life together, decade after decade.

 

True friendship is...

One of life's sweetest blessings from our Heavenly Father.

 

Happy birthday, sweet friend!

Love ya like crazy, and you know it!!!

What does true friendship mean to you?

photo credit