weekend recap...

Friday night, Jaden went 2 go out on the porch 2 throw some recycling in the bin & found another praying mantis - right on our screen door! he's so lucky - always running across his favorite little insects

Saturday morning, we were up & out the door bright & early...not as early as daddy tho - he was at the local BBQ pit at 4:30am! 2 help the Cub Scouts with their chicken fundraiser...about the time he got home, we all headed out 2 the church so the kiddos could practice 4 their big performance the next day...

we took these pics right b4 leaving 4 the church...u might recognize the above 1 from my new blog header...the 1 below just cracks me up - look at Corinn's face ;0)

Curtis stayed at the church & helped some fellas with spreading out mulch & doing some landscaping, while i went ahead & ran errands...1 stop 4 me was my brother's...he was busy down in 1 of the chicken houses gathering eggs...& he had the cutest little helper EVER!

Matthew is such a pro at this already...he turns the belt on & off on his own, makes sure the egg is clean, then places it correctly in the flat (they have 2 sit with the big end down)...it's adorable!

we spent the rest of Saturday packing up some boxes & hanging out around the house...i had some baking & prep work 2 do 4 the barnyard cake i decorated that night, & the kiddos had fun beating daddy in video games while i was in the kitchen

at 7pm, Jaden says "hey ma, it's 7pm - time 4 our walk!"...it's funny how much the kiddos look forward 2 this now that they can ride their scooters!

& it was even better on Saturday - cause daddy got 2 come along! ;0)

Sunday was Homecoming at our church...117 years for Broadway Baptist! we had a wonderful service (our pastor from 1987-97 came back 2 visit & preach - he was my fav pastor growing up!) & then a meal afterward

then we all gathered back in the sanctuary 4 the Joyful Noise (our childrens choir) performance...the kiddos have been practicing their little hearts out over the last few weeks

the program Ms. Sharon chose was awesome! it was Veggie Tales - O Veggie, Where Art Thou?...here's a description from their website:
"Hymns, spirituals, and bluegrass favorites highlight this collection reminiscent of the 2001 hit film O Brother, Where Art Thou? Join the Veggies as visit 'Grandpa Bobs Old Time Radio Hour,' singing favorites from days gone by."

you can also preview some of the tracks here (my fav song is #10, One Lord)...the whole show was really fun & the kiddos had a blast! it was neat hearing them sing old hymns that i grew up with

here's the girls singing a trio with their buddy Seth...



Jaden had his own little solo...
(btw - he totally didn't need that paper...he's been singing his part over & over 4 the last week!)



& the closing number...



needless 2 say, we were SUPER PROUD!!!

we got home late that afternoon...just in time 4 me 2 deliver the barnyard cake 2 Macyn's party...then i came home & we all got busy moving some more stuff over 2 the new house

we're slowly, but surely, getting there...this weekend will b the final big move...we've got family (along with their trucks) ready 2 come & help on Sunday...hopefully by this time next week, we'll b sleeping there...please say a prayer 4 us that everything goes smoothly

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oh...& happy International Day of Peace
☮

e-i-e-i-o...

i think i've done a different variation of this cake about 6 or 7 times now...it's pretty popular round these parts ;0) but it's a fun one too...reminds me of playing with the Little People Farm when my kiddos were smaller

this one was for 1yr old Macyn...i've made 2 cakes for his big brother, Kadyn (1 featured here & the other here) - 1 for each of the birthdays he's had so far...& now it's little brother's turn...it's cool that i get 2 make a cake 4 each birthday these boys have

everything u see is edible!
the sheet cake, smash cake & barn r all white cake...iced in butter cream...the barn has a chocolate fondant roof

i made all the little farm critters out of fondant & gum paste...the hay stacks r little icing piles (hello sugar coma!)

the fence is gum paste...the mud & pond r icing too

the cake matched Macyn's party decor perfectly!

& i could tell that Kadyn approved of his little bro's cake...he put a fingerprint in the side of it almost immediately after i set it down! ;0)

earning Bionicles & a good work-out...

these toys r called Bionicles - they're made by Legos & Jaden is OBSESSED with em!

he's got about 5 or 6 of them currently...mostly from birthdays & Christmas...& one, he actually spent his own money 2 buy

the ones u see pictured here r actually 2, 3, 4 different ones, pieced 2gether 2 form new creations - Jaden's favorite way 2 play with Bionicles

he's named the one above "Spider Bionicle" - u know? since it has 8 "legs"

& the one below is "Walking Stick"

he's got his eye on another one...so he's saving up his money - doing xtra chores around the house for quarters, & tucking away the dollars that the tooth fairy brings (he's loosing molar teeth like crazy now - she just came 4 a visit again last night!)

i'm actually pretty proud of him...it's been tough, but he's proving that he can b patient & he will work hard 2 earn what he really wants...sometimes i have 2 remind him that it's gonna take a while 2 earn that $15 - but he's getting it! ;0)

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i found a new way 2 get a little exercise in the evenings...i used 2 speed walk 2 miles every morning, but when school started & we had 2 start getting up even earlier, i stopped walking...i would literally have 2 start walking at 5:30am just 2 get my 2 miles in...& let's just say, that ain't happenin!

so in the evenings, i try & make up 4 it...the kiddos (especially the girls) love taking walks around the neighborhood! but of course, it isn't too speedy when u have 3 kiddos 2 corral & keep moving

so when Gabrielle asked if they could ride their scooters on our walk the other nite, i was like y didn't i think of that?! since then, we've made this a regular evening activity (when we can - some nights we have too much going on...or like last nite, it was raining)

we try 2 go where we can stay on the sidewalk - putting Mama's mind at ease about the kiddos darting out in front of cars...& we even took a route the other nite that had this HUGE STEEP hill!

once at the top of the hill...the sunset over
the cemetery is sweet!
(sorry, only cell phone pics - movin too fast 2 carry my camera)

well, & a lil spooky sometimes...

the kiddos LOVE these walks/rides!

& it's really nice when we leave just b4 it gets dark...cause then we have 2 rush 2 make sure & get home b4 it gets too black out...there r street lights on most of our route, but the sun going down puts the kiddos in high gear...especially on the downhill parts like this...

they have Mama practically jogging 2 keep up!

& i like it!
;0)

acrobatics & a (not so) secret handshake...

last nite was the girls' 1st acro class of the season!

we've made some tough decisions lately...we pulled Jaden out of martial arts a couple of weeks ago...& told the girls that they wouldn't b able 2 dance this season...we just simply can't afford it all right now with Curtis' recent lay off (although, he's been getting 35-40hrs a week with the electrician he's been working with...it's just not a permanent gig cause we're not sure how long it will last)...& with our upcoming move...we really need 2 just save up this year

we promised every1 that next season, we'd work it all out so they could jump right back in...they understood...they were sad...but they understood

then, we found out this week that not only would the girls b able 2 take the 1 class a season that we normally allow...but 2 classes each! i can't go in2 details about how - let's just say that God works in mysterious (& WONDERFUL) ways!!! :0)

& the best part? they're in the same classes this year!

last nite was Acro...& on Monday, they'll begin Tap...they're thrilled!!!

Mama & Daddy r grateful!
God is so good...we praise Him 4 always taking care of not just our needs, but 4 also blessing our family with many other opportunities!

so now, we're on the hunt 4 another martial arts program 4 Jaden (we've been told about an awesome, Christian-based 1 that we're gonna look in2)...the Sensei he worked with 4 the last year was great - but very tough...& yes, i realize that Jaden needs some tough - especially when training...but i don't think the Sensei really "got" Jaden - or necessarily wanted 2 try 2...he was kind, but had very little patience...Jaden was super close 2 earning his green belt, so he did well overall...but we'd really like 2 find a Dojo that's a better fit 4 us...& a little cheaper too ;0)

4 now, we've signed Jaden up 4 Cub Scouts...another activity that's not based on how well a group or team does, but had individual goals...Jaden has a hard time when things don't work out the way he'd like...especially if it's because of some1 else (Autistics tend 2 do better with individual sports/activities)...plus, Cub Scouts isn't a weekly thing - they'll meet 2 or 3 times a month, & have some fun monthly activities (racecar derby, creating a float 4 the Homecoming parade, chicken BBQ fundraisers, camp-outs, etc)...it'll b a fun creative outlet 4 Jaden, but not something so demanding (or expensive)

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i also wanted 2 share this video with u

it's of Curtis & Jaden doing their (not so) secret handshake last nite...they've been doing this 4 years...every couple months or so, they'll add on more...actually, as soon as i took this video, Jaden suggested another move they should add on 2 the end - it's so funny!

ps. any1 else getting grainy photos when uploading them 2 blogger? it's so weird! & annoying!

wordless Wednesday - Matthew's 3rd birthday party...

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th...

1st...

enuff about Kanye already! seriously!
yes, he's an ass...we all know it...let's move on please


2nd...

look at this beautiful family!
does it get any better than this?
i think not!
;0)


3rd...

is what place i'm gonna b in if u guys don't vote 4 me!
i promise - this is the absolute time i'll hound u about it!
(voting ends 2nite)
but if u haven't already, please please please
go vote for #20 - nobody puts Becky in the corner


4th...

RIP Patrick
u were 1 of my very 1st crushes...Dirty Dancing is my all-time fav movie! there r just so many greats - Ghost, The Outsiders, Roadhouse, Point Break, To Wong Foo (i'm totally serious - he was great in that!) u fought a long hard fight against a vicious cancer...ur amazing relationship with ur wife was the perfect example of what i want my marriage 2 b!
u'll b deeply missed!

weekend recap...

we kicked off our weekend with a little photo shoot...

Corinn was proud of the manicure she'd just given herself & asked me 2 take her picture

i should have known where that would lead us...she's such a ham!

& she loves putting on a show whenever i get the camera out!

she picked this outfit out herself too - she's starting 2 follow in her sister's footsteps & becoming very opinionated about what she will/will not wear

but i love that! u know i'm all about being proud of who u r & doing ur own thing!

i was up most of the night Friday, busting out the Mario Bros cake 4 Saturday...once it was picked up at 3pm, i laid down 4 a nap...Curtis was awesome enuff 2 take the kiddos skating at the park so it would b quiet in the house...then he came home, fed em dinner & did the dishes! seriously, how did i get so stinkin' lucky?!?!

(yes, he washes em by hand & uses the dishwasher as a drainer - he HATES dishes being washed in the dishwasher)

& even better?
he took the camera with him 2 the park & snapped pics of the kiddos skating - a man after my own heart, i'm tellin' ya!

i admit, i about freaked when i realized he'd not only taken them 2 this park instead of the skate park (the skate park has a softer surface - like a tennis court)...but also that they didn't wear helmets! ahhhh!

but there wasn't much falling...he said Corinn busted her butt once & was just fine

it had been a while since they had been skating - guess it's just like riding a bike tho, cause they picked it back up pretty quickly...Curt said he was seriously impressed!

Sunday, we went 2 church...in our matching duds ;0)

then came home & did some moving...
(excuse the rest of these pics - they were taken with my cell)

this 1-room-at-a-time, slowly-taking-stuff-over-as-we-can stuff is working out nicely!

would u like a sneak peek of the inside of our empty (retro) house?
it's pretty interesting!

my parents bought this house from a lady that musta went crazy in the 80's - spending her dough on multi-colored carpet & wallpaper galore! i never got 2 live there - i had moved away from home b4 my parents & siblings moved in...but i spent plenty of time visiting as an adult...my parents didn't change much about the design (which is 1 reason y i think they had trouble selling it), but kept it in very good condition...oh, there was 1 change - there used 2 b carpet in the dining room! yes, can u believe that?! right b4 they put it on the market, my peeps finally tore the carpet up & put down new linoleum (new linoleum in the kitchen & tile in the baths too)

ok, enuff back story - come on in!

u see that there r 2 front doors - the 1 on the left leads in2 the kitchen...the 1 on the right, in2 the living room - complete with it's pink carpet & wood paneling ;0)

but it's VERY spacious! plenty of room 4 our sectional (which we couldn't fully fit in our current living room) plus tons of space left over! u see the door 2 our back porch directly in front of u...& on the left wall is a little open window that sits over the kitchen sink, & then a door in2 the dining room

here, i'm standing in the dining room - the door 2 the living room is on my left...straight ahead is the kitchen...down the hallway on the right is 1st the kiddos' bathroom, then on in2 Jaden's bedroom

let's go in2 the kitchen tho - there's that little window over the sink i was talking about...tons of counter & cabinet space...& do u see that? yes, an almost brand new gas range - oh baby!!! ;0)
straight ahead is a window on the front of the house & beside it is the other front door...if u turn right (by the front door), u'll pass the door leading 2 the basement on the right, then the grown up bathroom...

then u're led in2 the master bedroom...check out that black/dark blue carpeting!!! imagine putting up a black light up & tripping out in here! ~lol~

ok, let's turn around & go back thru the kitchen...here we r, looking in2 the dining room (door 2 the living room is on my right)...& on the other side of the dining room is the girls' bedroom

it's actually a den or office space, but will work perfectly for our 2 high maintenance girls that need lots of space! ;0) it's got windows all around the room & is super bright! & it's the only room in the house with neutral colored carpet ;0)

if we turn left from the dining room instead, & head down the small hallway...u pass the kiddos' bathroom on the left...u can see it goes all the way across the house, 2 right outside our bedroom...it's connected 2 our bathroom by a separate little room in between, with the shower stall...yep, no more baths 4 the kiddos!

wallpaper, wallpaper EVERY WHERE!!!
~lol~

past the kiddos' bath is Jaden's room...look, now here's some green carpet! & u know he's totally thrilled by the flowery border in here! ;0)

& that's it! well, i didn't show u the basement or the huge closet just outside Jaden's room...but i'm sure u've gotten ur fill of Retro - that's totally what i'm calling the house from here on out - a nickname of sorts ~lol~

regardless of it's crazy 80s vibe, we still love it...it's gonna fit our family so well! & once we get some furniture in there & put some pictures up on the wall, u'll barely notice the black carpet or flowery wallpaper! ;0)

i hope u guys had a great weekend...ours went way 2 fast yet again! we're creeping closer & closer 2 the end of September - our official move date...so say a prayer 4 us as we try & get everything taken care of

i may even b posting here a little less frequently too - we've still got lots 2 do once we get home in the eves & get dinner/homework/bedtime out of the way...never a dull moment in the Skates home!
;0)

ps. yet another reminder 2 go vote for me - #20 Nobody Puts Becky In The Corner...there's no chance i'll get back in 1st place, but i hear there's some honorable mention prizes - so please help keep me in 2nd place! 2moro is the last day 4 voting too - go tell ur friends! ;0)