Shillig 4 Family

 She always has the cutest poses (that are self taught). She is so smart and catches on to things so quickly.  She scored extremely high on her kindergarten "discovery" testing. She loves to dance as soon as music comes on.  She has some great/interesting moves. She and Malachi fight less these days. She comes home from school looking like a complete ragamuffin.  Her hair is all askew and her hair bow is no where in sight. She is a whiz with technology.  She often asks for me to turn on WiFi so she can watch Netflix on the Kindles.  I never even taught her what WiFi was but she understands it. She misses me during the day she says and it breaks my heart. She is still a great napper. She still loves animals and Zelda. She knows now when her eye is crossing and makes sure she has her glasses. She is great at sweeping and loves to help around the house. She is such a sweet daughter and I love her so. She reminds me of myself in so many ways. ...

This week I keep thinking about this $5. When we went to Ft. Desoto Beach the entrance fee was $5/car. We were able to scrounge up $4.86 but that's not $5. We offered (me)hoping she would take that or a debit/credit card. The park ranger lady at the gate let us know we could turn around and go back to an ATM. I couldn't help but laugh (and weeks later find another pocket of my wallet with some more change in it). As we pulled forward Jake's window was still down.  We began to U-turn when the vehicle behind us pulled forward and yelled out, "We got it!  Enjoy your Labor Day!"  (or something like that) When is the last time I did something unexpectedly for someone? I was raised in the South so I hold doors open, use my manners, I'm polite, I try my hardest to be kind to those I meet, but when is the last time I did something other than that? When is the last time I "paid it forward." Who would have thought that $5 would conti...

He is an absolute mess. He is always dirty.  His sisters play with him and the other day sent him downstairs with this cool hairstyle, very 1990s Coolio. That hair just made me want to sing "Gangster's Paradise."  He is #4 so he is pretty good about doing his own thing but when he wants me, he wants me and nothing will stop him.  Not even my bill paying on the computer, he will be right there "helping."  He goes to bed really easily.  I just tell him to get in his crib, tuck him in, tell him I love him and goodnight and he says it all back and goes quietly.  Now he sneaks a leapster (kid tablet) into bed and I try to take it away he pitches a Sellers' hissy that's for sure.  I loved seeing him fall asleep the other day in a random spot.  (yes that pull up needs to be changed, no potty training is not going very consistently despite my efforts) He gives me really long hard straight lipped kisses. He is talking SO MUCH MORE. ...

 Downtown Disney has a 4 story arcade where all games are FREE. It costs a fortune to get in but once inside it's a sensory overload of lights and sound.  It took us awhile but we finally found the KID floor that could rival any Chuck E Cheese. (we switched Solomon's monkey leash to the front to help him keep up, that place was distraction city)  See, kid friendly.  We then made our way over to play some driving and motorcycle games for all of us.   I really had a blast! I don't know if it was worth the $40/person to go if you pay normal admission but tacked on to your Disney Park hopper it's a total fun spot. (Thanks Ashleigh and Justin for the ticket hook up!)

 My friend Katie (Meadows) had already planned to book herself a little getaway for a few night's at a resort here in town.  I asked Jake about going up to hang out with her one night after he got out of class and he offered to take off work one day so I could spend the night.  Thursday night after Jake got home from class I went up there (around midnight).  We ended up staying up ALL night talking and eating caramel apples and making ridiculous videos.  I think we reverted back to a teenager like state (Jake said it when I got home that he enjoyed seeing me rejuvinated and saw not just my wife/Mom side). At about 5am we checked to see when breakfast was or the pool opened.  We thought about sleeping but couldn't and when we saw breakfast wasn't til 6am I said WAFFLE HOUSE.  It keeps me in touch with my Vidorian roots.  She had never been (and Jake doesn't enjoy going there) so it was perfect! I got the pecan waffle and hashbrowns sca...

While driving we hear from the back seat the following... Mali Su tells Aimi Lark that her breath stinks. Aimi Lark responds, "everyone's does." Jake just nodded while driving in the front seat and said, "good point, it's true, no one has naturally good smelling breath."  We just laughed. While we were gone to Texas Jake sent me this picture, he told me how much he loves our children.  These are their dirty foot prints on the way into our storage unit.  They loved helping Daddy move stuff to and from storage. Solomon counts now on his fingers and will ask "what's this one called?" pointing to a specific finger.  He thinks each finger is named a number not that they are a tool for counting.  He can count to 11 no problem.   Malachi is really into "pinky promises" and you can't break a pinky promise he says. Tonight I laid in bed with Mali Su and talked to her and held her.  I loved that one on one moment in t...

 We joined our friends for swimming for a birthday party for Adi (Miss Ashlynn's daughter). Solomon was so brave and took off with his swimming thing on his chest and swam everywhere. The girls made friends and did flips into the water. Malachi played games with baby Adi. It rained most of the time we were there but that didn't stop the fun.  Disney has a great meteorology department that monitors radars I guess and shuts down things when there is lightning within a certain mileage.  So we felt comfortable swimming and swimming and swimming til the rain came down just a little too hard for our comfort.  We rushed back to the hotel lobby and enjoyed Mickey cupcakes with the birthday girl. A nice man took us in Mickey's golf cart back to our vehicle. Disney is so much fun!

 They are demanding and sometimes impatient with my inability to meet their needs right then.  Like each morning I swear I'm too slow for their hungry tummies. This house makes me realize how loud my voice is.  It echoes like you wouldn't believe.  The tile, the high ceilings, two-stories, each kid in their own room.  I need one of those PA systems like the Duggars or schools have to talk to each room without raising my voice.  I don't like yelling but sometimes feel like it's the only way they hear me.  Then I end up with a headache from the echo and decide it's the worst idea. Two piggy banks were broken the first day I put them on the boys' dresser in Malachi's room.  Why did I think that was a good idea?  Solomon is clueless and broke his then Malachi wanted the money out of his and took the brute approach.  Way to go Mom. Solomon is so rough and using force to get his way.  He has no desire to be potty trained de...

I love that our children get to go on "dates" with me or Jake. It gives us bonding time, awards them for good behavior unexpectedly, and they LOVE it. Malachi got to stay for open house alone with Daddy and afterward they picked him up a little something. He came home so happy and full of joy. The kids are so sweet on their dates and always grateful, I love that. I hope the kids always remember their dates with us and look back on them fondly.

I finally setup my desktop computer so I should have normal posts back up soon. I deleted all the photos on my phone but before I did I emailed what I had. We had dinner with my Berryhill family in TX.  For 4th of July we had a big group over.  Brody posted this picture from back in Key West.  Cheddars dinner in TX with Marianne and Kayla.  On the beach in Key West with my needy baby boy, Solomon.  My kids love to cuddle and I love the sweetness of it all.  I feel blessed to be home with them each day.  The kids love the kindles.  I love family movie outings and this handsome son.  I had never seen my high school graduation picture til recently when a friend sent it to me.  I heard Mali Su caring for Solomon from the other room and cried "happy tears."  Jake did portraits of the kids.  It's like Christmas when we go to the bank.  The kids love these little suckers. ...