Spend the night Party

We had such a GREAT time when Jake and Presley spent the night with us!  "Aunt Key" is JUST LIKE ME WITH HER MONKIES!  I NEVER let them out of my sight.  So, when Grant asked her if they could spend the night (again) and she said YES (for a change), He was more than elated!  Jackie was nervous that Presley may not stay.  But....... when you they all stayed awake until 3:00AM, it isn't long that you have to actually SLEEP!  I loved hearing all of the giggling and laughing.  It sure caught up with me the next day.  The last picture is of Grant and Reagan at Chuck E Cheese's.  They enjoyed it too!  They have really improved a lot of the games and the character interacts a lot more.  That is good if your child likes characters like mine do, but not so good if your child is like Presley~ and is terrified of characters because..... "they all have really big heads."  

Four "Peas in a Pod"

Reagan and Grant love, love, love when their "Honey" comes over to visit.  So, we have asked "Honey" to start a new tradition with us on Sunday after church.  I need to start to learning the exact method that my mom uses to make certain GOOD food.  Today, she taught me how to correctly prepare cubed steak.  She has a certain technique with the flouring of the meat before preparing it.  Also, she makes the BEST fried okra.  She also has a certain way of flouring it.  Boy! I have a ton to learn.  I hope once a week cooking lessons will help me.  Moving on to AFTER LUNCH.... PINTEREST!  Jackie started me on this website.  And yes, I knew of it LONG, LONG ago, but I knew that once I started it, I would be hooked.  That is pretty much the same reason I haven't got a Facebook account.  But, Pinterest has some awesome activities, that are very inexpensive, to do with the kids.  Today, we sat on the porch, watched it rain, and made SOCK BUBBLES.  My mom rocked on the porch, watched the kids, and shelled peas that their Poppa (Scott's dad) grew in the garden.  It made me think of being at my grandparents when I was young.  I want to raise my children to remember the good things in life........ Fun can be Free, and FAMILY is EVERYTHING!!!!!!  I love the way they are starting to play together.  You can see Reagan's excitement, Grant's determination, Honey's patience, and the LOVE that we have for one another so clearly.  My mother has taught me so much in life.  One thing she said today was........ "Your babies will remember this when they get older."  And, she is right.  I remember her always spending time with us having fun and learning life lessons from the very best teacher..... HER!  

And , by the way, the sock bubbles are made from cutting the end off of a water bottle, using an old sock, and a rubber band to hold it in place.  I used Dawn dish detergent and we added drops of food coloring to the sock to make the bubbles change colors.  SO MUCH FUN!!!!!

Summer Fun with Family

So this is how things go around our house.  I leave my cell phone at Jackie's house, Jackie says she will bring it to me after Presley finishes swimming lessons, Jackie goes to Walmart- then heads to my house, the kids agree NO SWIMMING- they will just have a picnic outside....... slowly but surely..... clothes start coming off.... First the boys remove their shirts because they are hot.... then, Presley gets her shorts wet sliding down the slide..... one thing leads to another AND... all four kids are almost naked.... swimming in the "redneck swimming pool".  They have so much fun together.  They are making some GREAT memories!!!  Hopefully we will have an in-ground pool next summer.  We are on the waiting list....We can't wait much longer!!!!!

From Never to Non-Stop

Okay... so I can go "from NEVER to NON-STOP" when it comes to updating this blog.  But I did want to include some things that I have left out recently.  Some things require that you have read prior post, so if you are confused by some of the comments, you may want to read the later dated info to make sense of it all.

                Some handsome little guy has refrained from "little white lies".  Note the super LONG hairstyle!

 Coach Ian made a comment about Grant's long locks when he gave him his baseball trophy.  He also commented on how Grant ALWAYS came through for the team when they needed him.  He makes us so proud!

 Reagan would not leave my side after I got home from my Nursing Conference.  She is such a little sweetie! She fell asleep on my shoulder watching TV.

                 This is what Reagan looked like as she watched all of the boys at kicking camp.

        This is a typical day at the Horne House. Both Grant, and Reagan are helping Scott get his work done.

                                This is my mother's day present........It chimes~ I LOVE IT!

                 This is what my stylist says we should be doing with our nails........ Reagan is my stylist!

This is our Christmas picture.  I couldn't remember if I posted it yet.  I love how Grant is super happy, Reagan is trying to get out of my arms, my teeth are tightly clinched, and Scott is READY TO GO!!!!

Kicking Camp at Hoover High School

So, Grant has taken up.......kicking!  He was the youngest participant- by a LONG shot!  He was the only 1st grader-going into 2nd grade, and the next child was going into the 5th grade.  My little guy held his own though.  He is NEVER intimidated by any situation.  He sets his mind to something..... and he always makes me proud.  

This and That in No Time Flat!

We have been so busy lately.  The pictures below are an assortment of photos from various events.  The "girls" stayed with Aunt Alli while the majority of the family attended Alyssa's Hoover High School graduation.  Scott, Grant, Uncle Mark, Jacob, Will, and MaryLynn went to an Auburn baseball game while we were at the graduation ceremonies.  That is one of the downfalls of having a HUGE family..... we ran out of tickets!  That is about the only bad thing I have found though.  

I included some photos of the beach trip, Grant attending a "kicking camp" at Hoover High School hosted by ProKickers.com   And, last, but not least, we attended Mary's baptism.  She is the most precious child.  I love how the family is growing and the children are getting so close.  They love each other so much.  

Not Fun To Post..... But definitely Noteworthy.

Okay, so my friends and family, wise advisers, and EVERYONE I consulted, have all informed me that this is ONLY A STAGE!  I am super paranoid about it though.  Grant is telling "little white lies".  Now, as normal of a "stage" as this may be, the approach to deterring this behavior at the Horne home is anything BUT!  So, many of you know that Grant really isn't bothered by spanking, taking away toys or games, or any of the traditional disciplinary measures.  So, when a friend of mine shared a technique that her friend used with her "strong willed boys", I had to implement it with Grant.  So, Grant has started having great behavior in class because he knew that if he "pulled a ticket" that he had to wear "church clothes" to school.  I told him if he looked nice, maybe he would "act" nice.  This has worked...... I thought......or maybe he just got good at making me THINK he was being good.....AKA "little white lies".  So, we WILL NOT DO THIS.... mainly because we won't have to.  But, don't tell Grant please. It has been a great tool in making him tell the WHOLE TRUTH!  Every time he tells a lie, we are going to cut a little of his hair (so he thinks).  This picture is enough of a reminder for him to make him think twice about lying to Scott and I.  Please don't judge unless you have had a "strong willed child" to raise and nurture and grow to be a successful, happy, Christian man.  That is our goal! We are giving it our best effort.  If he turns out ANYTHING but this, it IS NOT because Scott and I didn't try our hardest!

Moving on to "Little Miss Reagan".  She is super vocal about any and all that goes on in her presence.  When a little boy in her class walked in on Tuesday crying..... she stated "come ober here Cannon...sit by me."  The little boy looked up at his mother and said.... "I don't want to sit next to Raisin Corn."  The mother, teacher, and I started laughing so hard.  It is so funny to listen to them translate our world in their personal point of view.  Reagan said "HEY... that's not my name.... my name Way-gan."  We laughed more!  Off to work for me.... I wonder what I miss when I am at work.  I love these little monkeys!

Oh So Many Blessings!

Week-end review……. Again already!  So, as always, it was an exciting, fun-filled week-end.  We had several dance party sessions, a dress-up party, and lots of fun with family and friends.  The dress-up party included Little Bo Peep looking for her sheep, a Viking, and a dancing diva mermaid. Moving on to Sunday…. Wardrobe change, then to church… I made Scott take a picture of me with my babies.  I just want them to know I really was a part of the daily events because I AM NEVER IN A PICTURE! I really, really don’t like having my picture taken. 

Home from church, and we hit “GO MODE”.  We have to rush and get ready for lunch at my mom’s house.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME.  ALL in-laws, friends, anyone… we have a great time.  Reagan dressed herself to go to my mom’s.  She felt like a good wool jacket and panties were the perfect option.  I let her wear it (because of being in a rush) but did an additional wardrobe change once we arrived.

I put numerous pictures of everyone eating and having fun.  The kids rode the go-cart and dirt bike.  Reagan loved the swing (note the food on her face), and I love the look Grant gets (with his long growing  out hair) after riding the go-cart. 

Then there is a couple of family pictures with-out Jackie and Joel- Jackie was at the beach for a little bit for Jacob’s soccer tournament, and Joel was in Birmingham. 

Then we have the traditional baseball game…… and……. The dreaded SUPER SAD GOOD-BYES!  They are NEVER FUN!  Reagan cried as she told Uncle Jeff, Alyssa, and the dog- Alex good-bye.

I put a random picture of Colby on his tractor in to note that I am going to TRY to raise a son that can drive a tractor, change a tire, and fix things that may break or tear up.  Colby is an “old soul”.  He is just like the “good-ole boys”.  He can fix anything, and he will make a GREAT husband for a lucky girl one day.  I want Grant’s wife to feel safe in his care.  I think this is something that computers and technology is taking away from us these days.  I like a MAN who can fix things and who is confident. 

The last picture is of Reagan’s school nap mat.  She loves her nap mat.  If it is in her sight, it has to be either on her back (it is made like a back-pack that rolls out) or it is spread out on the floor with her little prissy tale on it.  In the kitchen, in the den, in the hallway…. Where ever she may need it to be.  She loves her ladybug nap mat.

I hope everyone had a wonderful week-end.  Happy Mother’s Day!