Attempt at Rededication

It has been a while and as my precious friend, MSKS, pointed out it is time to rededicated my life to my blog! So, to ease back in to it here we go. I'm home with the pack this morning and they are already asking what they can do. So, I thought I'd let them provide me the information for today.

It will be funny to look back at their answers over the years. I've done this several times with the Princess, but never posted. I do think her BFF hasn't changed over the years!

How old are you? The Princess-7 Monkey-3

What do like to do for fun? The Princess-Color Monkey-Christmas

What is your favorite subject/thing to do at school? The Princess-Art Monkey-share

Who is your best friend? The Princess-Maris Monkey-Brooks

What is your favorite color? The Princess-Light blue Monkey-red

What do you like to wear? The Princess-My jammies Monkey-red

What is your favorite movie? The Princess-Belle Monkey-My baby ones

If you go on a trip anywhere where would you go? The Princess-The beach Monkey-Go with Millie

What are you thankful for this year? The Princess-My family Monkey-Mommy

What is your favorite song? The Princess-Jingle Bells Monkey-Jesus loves the children

Hurt Feelings & Another Birthday for America

I knew the day was coming when I just wouldn't have an answer for the Princess. It has been a rough little week for the 6 year old. It took 6 years for a member of my McCarty Rabbit Hutch to lose an ear and less time than that for my Parlevelous OPI (purple) nail polish to shatter all over the bathroom floor. Then came Wednesday and I heard "they don't like me and they like each other better." OH NO, she is only 6! Her sweet little feelings were so hurt and she did not understand why a 7 year old and 4 year old didn't come right back when they said they would. This immediately brought her to tears and a protruding bottom lip with the thought, "they like playing with each other more than they do me." I knew this day would come and I just didn't have the answer to make it ok. All I could say was, "That is so not true. I know your feelings are hurt, but you have known the 7 year old much longer than the 4 year old has and you have been at summer camp all day playing while they have been at home bored." Nothing seemed to make this scenario acceptable, so finally I changed the subject and told her I would beat her at Mario Cart on Wii. Drama diverted!


This weekend marks another birthday for our amazing country. During my time of travel for work, I have learned how precious it is to live in the United States of America. We are allowed to fly our flags whenever we want, vote in every election and listen, read and worship exactly like we want. Also, as I have grown up (never ending process) I have a very small idea of what a sacrifice it is for so many of our men and women in the armed services to protect our freedom. Over the last several months, I have found a blog through a blog from someone I worked with for a small amount of time 10 years ago. I have heard her name off and on through the years through mutual friends and now am an avid reader of the blog they have for their family. Her husband is currently serving time away from his 3 children, wife, family and law practice. This week he blogged about attending a service for one of their fallen soldiers and that he will never forget the sight for as long as he lives.


Thank you to our veterans and real life heroes that are currently protecting our country and keeping our freedom as our founding fathers meant it to be!

Happy 4th of July and Happy Birthday America!

Election Part II

So, it is just over one week and everyone has come to grips that Barack is our new President-Elect. I was busy working at Mistletoe Marketplace last Wednesday morning and heard many moms mentioning how they "broke" the news to their children that McCain had lost. Somehow, my 5 year old wasn't too concerned with it because she never asked...that is until yesterday.

The Princess picked up this week's copy of People magazine with President-Elect Obama on the cover. I asked her, if she knew who it was and she said "yes, but why is he on the front, that's not who we want to win?"

Hmmm...I broke it to her easy that he did win. She said ok. Wow, if only the rest of us could have taken it so well! Again, lessons from a 5 year-old!

Election 2008

Who are you voting for next week?

During a trip to the princess’ class last week, I noticed a board that read:
ELECTION 2008 and had pictures of McCain and Obama. So, I knew that they had been discussing the election.

Last night as Daddy picked up the girls from school, the princess had a questions for him:
Princess: “Who are we voting for?”
Daddy: “What?”
Princess: “Who are we voting for?”
Daddy: “Oh, your mother and I are voting for Senator McCain.”
Princess: “Hmmm, which one is he? The elephant or the zebra?
Daddy: “Excuse me?
Princess: “Is he the elephant or the zebra.”
Daddy: “Well he is an elephant, but the other is a donkey not a zebra.”
>
So, from the mouth of a kindergartener:
Are you voting for the elephant or the zebra?

Be Careful What You Ask For...

So, the princess and I were in the car going home from ballet. The conversations went like this:

The Princess: "Did you have a meeting, Mama?"

Mama: "No baby, I needed to meet with Ms. Mary Beth at work so Daddy took you to ballet."

The Princess: "Oh, do you work with Ms. Mary Bef?"

Mama: "Yes, she is my boss. She's pretty isn't she?:
The Princess: "Yes m'am"

Mama: "Is she as pretty as Mama?" Am I fishing or what?

The Princess: "Yes m'am"

Mama should let it go now, but NO....

Mama: "Is Mama prettier"

The Princess in her serious voice: "No m'am she is much prettier."

Lesson learned: If you don't want to know don't ask. When I told the hubby about the conversation he just laughed. I said, "You wouldn't have said that would you". Again, laughter!

So not that I'm asking for comment or even for you to be the judge just want you to see what I'm up against! Not to mention the brunette is amazing herself! Also, I have to add that I think this is a horrible picture of me, but just want you to see what I'm up against!!!

The Letter....P

Mama to the Princess: "How was school today? Did you stay on green?"
The Princess: "I'm on green today, Mama."
Mama: "Great"
The Princess: "Guess what letter we started today."
Mama: "ummm...z....."
Princess: "No, Mama....P, silly"
Mama: "So what letters start with P?"
Princess: "porcupine, penguin, pink, purple, popcorn..."
Mama: "plate, paper, pretty, princess"
Princess: "I know what else starts with the letter P..."
Mama: "What?"
Princess: "Something you do in the bathroom but we don't talk about" (huge smile on her face)
Mama: "Who told you that?" (muffling a giggle)
Princess: "Nobody I just know."

Wow, again how do you respond. Of course once again she was right!

Another Weekend with the Family

Well, somehow it is February again. In a way I am happy that January is behind us, but then again it makes me a little sad that my baby is now officialy 1 year old. We had a perfect weekend. Friday night was spent in Indianola with Mimi because I had an appointment in Greenwood early Saturday morning. After a great lunch and hugs for everyone, the McCaskills were back in the car headed south again. Over the years I have decided that if we had a song it could be "On the Road Again". Our friends in Jackson wonder why we even have a home here at times! All 3 of the McCaskills girls napped while "Lucky Daddy" drove us home. What a life!

So besides the boring details of our weekend here is what we thought was our funny moment. We overslept Sunday morning and Stiemy thought we could still get 4 dressed and out of the house for Sunday School that started in 1 hour (we live 20 minutes from church). Now, it takes him alone 45 mintues to get dressed (maybe a good blog topic for another time). So at 8:50 I recommend that we slow down, eat breakfast and just get to church for "big church". He insists that we can make it and I willingly attempt to get 3 of us ready (I can only do so much). At 9:17 we pull out of the driveway and head south for church. Finally, as we are nearing the church he says "Krispy Kream"? Wow, spontatnity at its best! I say sure because we were going to be 40 minutes late for Sunday School. So, as we make our detour we watch the Princess's reaction.
"We took the wrong way" she said.
"No baby we are going to make a stop before church" the parents reply.
"We have to go to Sunday School now...let's go" she answered.
"Well, we are running late and we just aren't going to make it" we muffle with laughter at her disappointment.
"Why are we late? We have to go NOW" she insists.
"Baby it is our fault but we slept too long and we don't have time. You are right we should have gotten up earlier. We are sorry." we explained.
"Where are we going then?" she asked
"We have a treat" we answered not trying to make a treat sound better than church.
"It isn't Christmas though" she told us.

Of course we are not encouraging parents to skip church for donuts and how do you explain this is ok to children. However, all of this to say this was one of those moments when we thanked God for letting us be parents and teaching her that we are suppose to be in church on Sundays and that Jesus loves her. After some sugary treats, we did make it to church and she had communion which in my opinion may be one of the most precious parent moments to watch her take the bread and dip it in the cup, while the preachers tells her "remember that Jesus Loves You."

Did I mention that one day last week when we were leaving her daycare that the bells were chiming and she said, "Mama do you hear the bells? We are suppose to pray." So we did just that.

You just have to love St. Francis of Assis that she and the monkey attend. I had another one of those moments when Ithought...she loves Jesus and may we just always keep this little girl so sweet and innocent and protected. If all of us could slow down and remember the basics and take the time to pray kinda out of the blue like that. It was also a moment that reminded me one of my favorite movies "The Sound of Music". I could just picture the nuns walking through the gardens and the when the bells chime they stop to pray.

Amen!

Do You Remember

In the last week it seems our family has begun a new tradition. Hold on to your hat because you may get sucked in to our idea! We have started watching "Little House on the Prairie". I think that Daddy and the Princess watched an episode last night and now twice this week our routine has included reruns of this old classic. Last night there was a really heated brawl (as Carolyn would call it) between Sleep Eye and Walnut Grove's baseball teams. It was a tight game, but of course Walnut Grove won in the end. The Princess did seem to narrate and talk the whole way through, but we were snuggled on the couch in our warm pjs and under a warm soft blanket. We laugh and tell our oldest that she sometime acts like Nellie Olson! We think it is much more funny than she does! Oh well. If your family wants to join the fun you can catch an episode on TBS at 7 p.m. tonight.

Get To Know Me (and you) during Christmas

The whole reason I am even trying to be cool with this blogging stuff is my friend MSKS. I found this list of questions from her blog that I do think she copied from someone else and I thought- “fabulous idea”. So here it goes. Let’s get to know your Christmas traditions….

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I do love a wrapped present and how it looks under the tree. However, most of the wrapped presents under my tree now are because I bought them and the store did the work for me. I have never done those corners well. Always wondered about the movie presents where they just lift the box off the top with a beautiful ribbon. Not sure if that would be fun or not. However, I must admit that I am guilty about a bag and tissue paper as it gets closer to Christmas day. The husband hates it and thinks that is the easy way out, don’t see him helping wrap though!
2. Tree--Real or Artificial? I have ALWAYS had a real tree. Just last year my mother gave and bought a pre-lit artificial. My mother-in-law did that this year and offered to buy us one. I just hate the idea of my girls not growing up with the excitement of going to find “the” tree. However, I must admit that some of my vivid Christmas memories include my Dad sighing heavily and trying to find the tree from Ms. T’s that didn’t have a crooked trunk. I think taking the stand with us to have the “pros” put it in the stand is worth paying for a tree alone. This year the McCaskills have 2 trees: a fun white pre lit with colors artificial tree in the kitchen (with the retro Christmas tree skirt I grew up with in Clarksdale). This tree dons those ornaments that the girls love and that we have inherited that really don’t “match” the red, gold and purple theme I have going on the real one!
3. When do you put Christmas tree up? Always after Thanksgiving. This year it went up and stood “naked” for a few days, then we added the lights and about a week after that the decorations went up!
4. When do you take the tree down? I grew up “knowing” that the tree must come down before New Year’s Eve or it was bad luck. When we return from celebrating Christmas, I am pretty much ready for the tree to hit the street or a lake to attract the fish!
5. Like egg nog? Not the store bought type. I have always grown up with my Granny bringing Egg Nog from Memphis and it is ALWAYS in the “egg nog” Tupperware container. Not sure it would taste the same. I can’t say I love it, but it isn’t Christmas with our “spiked” egg nog in a Christmas mug on Christmas morning. Just one mug full and then off for something else.
6. Do you have a nativity scene? Of course and it is one of the first things we put out each year (probably because it is the easiest. My in-laws started my Fontanini collection before I married into the family. It is fun to unbox each piece and have the princess place it. When you come in to our house, you will know who has decorated that area. It is either Daddy or the princess because everything is in a perfect line (of course she does have everyone looking right at Baby Jesus). One of my memories I have of growing up and playing at my grandmothers’ in Shaw, MS is her nativity scene. I am sure it was nothing “fine” but I remember it had a light that would switch on and off and I know exactly which cabinet it was kept in and would play with it year round. Wish I had it now to share my girls.
7. Favorite gift received as a child? There are many gifts that stand out:
The Barbie multi story mansion with the elevator, the dollhouse that the princess and my niece play with now that is at my moms, my Olivia Newton John “Let’s Get Physical” record (little brother got the Michael Jackson Thriller that year). Also, it seems that I got the twin Cabbage Patch kids that year (Andrew and Annalise). Obviously, it was all about the dolls!
8. Hardest person to buy for? Probably my daddy. Anyone else out there shop for someone that insists he wants nothing?
9. Easiest person to buy for? My husband.
10. Worst Christmas gift? I can’t think of what my worst would be (plus why would I say if that person still buys for me, I might get coal this year). However, I do remember my dad giving my mama one year a jigsaw puzzle (fun for the whole family), a swiss army knife (practical) and a whirlpool/Jacuzzi bath mat to place in the bottom of a tub (it had a hose that attached to the pump). Wow, what a year! However, he has made up for that over the years with great jewelry!
11. Mail or email a Christmas Card? Snail mail all the way! I love getting the cards out of the mailbox each afternoon, opening to see everyone’s kids and hanging them around my house. Also, it is fun to have mail that isn’t a bill!
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Does “Meet Me in St. Louis” count. Seems like there was a Christmas scene in it. Also, “The Sound of Music” I like to watch it on Christmas night when the network shows it. Other than that I do like “Christmas Vacation” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I buy my first gifts in July when Judy C. Martin’s puts their Christmas china ½ off for Christmas in July. After that I bought my nephew something in San Francisco. Then I thought I was in good shape since I had started “early” only to find out 2 weeks ago, that I better get on it!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not on purpose. Well, now that I say that I may have recycled some Christmas napkins that were given to me one year.
15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? Hmmmm…..lobster in Clarksdale on Christmas Eve, followed by pluckin bread on Christmas morning and then beef tenderloin with twice baked potatoes followed by Death by Chocolate for dessert. Did somebody say food?
16. Clear or colored tree lights? As you will see from the above answer to #2, colored lights don my white artificial tree and white go on “my” green tree. However, I am really into the “funky” décor right now and think I could do color everywhere!
17. Favorite Christmas Song? I just have to say “Christmas in Dixie” (…down in Jackson, MS…). Also, I love “Drummer Boy”, “O Holy Night” and if you haven’t heard “Happy Birthday, Jesus” (sung by a 4 ½ year old) I will try to download it after the princess Christmas play on Friday.
18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? We leave before Christmas and come home after we have done the tour of the delta! One day we will stay put, for now we are travelers!
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Donner, Comet, Cupid and Blitzin and Rudolph. How many were there? Still not sure when Rudolph became part of the team because he is not mentioned in the “Night Before Christmas”
20. Angel or Star on tree top? Gold star on mine and of course a pink one on the fake in the kitchen.
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Always Christmas morning. We do Christmas with the McCaskill clan a few days before but only because of the traveling schedule. Growing up we did open 1 on Christmas Eve and it was always pajamas to sleep in.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? County Line Road and the songs that mention snow, because here in the South have you ever seen snow on Christmas morning? Most importantly, the stores and people that refuse to say Merry Christmas because of the Christ that is mentioned. Anyone remember without Christ there is no Christmas. Even the princess can tell you that! If you took away all the gifts, Santa, the tree and all that comes with that it would still be Christmas. “Happy Birthday Jesus. I am so glad it’s Christmas”….

The Thoughts of a 4 1/2 Year Old

So often the thoughts, ideas and temper tantrums that come out of a 4 1/2 year old are amazing, special and frustrating (sometimes all at the same time). All in a one hour time frame tonight, we:
1. Threw a fit because our new sweatshirt with our cute initials on it hurt (how can it hurt, please tell me)
2. said that Daddy was going to be so "proud" that we bought the princess fruit snacks at the grocery (proud her word, not mine)
3. As we closed our night, she prayed for Mama's friend Jennifer Steckler to feel better.

You will see from previous postings that I lost a dear friend 5 weeks ago tonight to a hard fought battle with leukemia. I am still looking for those perfect words to share what she means to me, but am not quite there yet. We explained to the princess that Mama's friend that we prayed for for 2 years was not sick anymore and that God had made her better. She had a lot of questions that night mainly wanting to know how she got to heaven with God and what was she in getting there. Do you say a box, a coffin, the dress she was wearing?
Mama answered: "I believe angels came to get her"
Princess: "What color was the angel?"
Mama: "White" (what would you have said)
Princess: "no, not white"
Mam: "well do you think the angels were a lot of colors?"
And finally, the princess: "Yes ma'am. Good night, don't let the bed bugs bite?"

Now, we have gone over several times in the last 5 weeks that Steckler is better, and sometimes she says "Thank you for making Jennifer Steckler feel better" and sometimes it is "Please make Mama's friend, Jennifer Steckler feel better".

Again-Wow, the thoughts that go through her head amaze me. Maybe she knows that Mama still wants to hold on to those prayers and hear that precious friends name said by a 4 1/2 year old.

Good night to my little princess. I hope the bed bugs don't bite. Good night to my precious friend, Jennifer Steckler. Sherman and I shared in a smile in your honor this morning via text messaging! She heard a song that reminds us of riding around in Starkville acting like college students. Man, those were the days (that is the 2nd time I have thought that today).

Tis the season...to meet Oliver

Tis the season for what?

Chaos, fun, stress, decorations, smiles, tears, Santa...the list goes on. A friend who is a new mom just said to me this week that having a baby really changes Christmas. It is so true, try having 2 and one that really understands more and more about the season.

The Princess has been rehearsing for her Christmas program at school for weeks. What it does to my heart to hear my 4 year old sing every word of "We Three Kings of Orient." She is apparently a "mean" sheep in the program and has a great line that she demonstrates valley is really more than 2 syllables. Try 5! Vaaaaaallllllllleeeeeyyyyyyy. Maybe I will get it downloaded when we get the video to share.

We have been on Santa's lap twice so far and I know we should run into him at least one more time before the big night. The other fun we have at our house is Oliver. Oliver is our elf that joined our family last year. If you do not have an elf member in your family you should really fine one. Our Oliver is a hoot and entertains us daily with his fun places he likes to hide. Every morning we wake up to find where Oliver shows up and the Princess has an eye for this little fellow. So far we have been in stockings, the kitchen, our bedrooms and last week he even left a note wondering who the lady was in our guest bed (it was Bebe, by the way). This week he even made a visit to our freezer we think it was way too warm on his return trip from the North Pole (where we hope he told Santa we were good that day). Yesterday morning we found Oliver upside down in a mint julep cup (only in the south, at least we know our elf has some southern roots) and this morning he appears to be swinging on the stars from our dining room chandelier.

Stay tuned on more adventures of Oliver and no doubt the McCaskills!

Merry Christmas.

Halloween 2007

Each year we wonder what should they be
And 2007 turned out no different for me.

There were ghosts, heroes and more than a few Hannah Montanas,
So it only seemed fitting for one of ours to need a few bananas.

Our oldest, the princess was the frilliest kitty cat you can recall,
She ran and she twirled, then jumped and danced with them all.

And the youngest was the cutest monkey with pink ribbons she donned,
She made her appearance and entertained the few that she saw.

The cat did reach a point when she told us she was home bound
No trick or treating she wanted, she heard there were ghosts to be found.

After just a little coaxing on the hayride she was gone
I don’t think she noticed her Daddy got lost and left her as one.

Once Daddy appeared she had not missed a beat
All this occurred while the monkey was asleep.

The black tutu and cat ears were put away for a while
Scrubbing the whiskers off of her face left a permanent smile

It is hard to believe that October is no more,
Halloween was blast and the fun was times four.

We look forward to seeing what next October will bring
I am sure that our girls will be out ready to sting?

It is true that a poet I am not
Does anyone know what to do with a pumpkin that has rot?