Comment of the Day

Ben's constant monologue blab tonight goes like this,

"Hey, what are you doing out of your box?!" (mixed with a few other funny lines).

Uh, too much "Toy Story 2" lately?? A totally cute movie. I'm partial to the classic, Mr. Potato Head. However, I'm starting to feel like a guilty toy who is trying to escape from the playroom every time he tosses the line at me...then I think, "Hey I can get out of my box whenever I want!" Poor toys...controlled by the kids :))

The Gift of the Robin

For the past three years, robins have made their nests in our window ledges. Typically, they have chosen right outside of Sam's bedroom window. This year, she chose my window. I always wonder why they don't select a nice tall tree, or someplace more private. We are quite loud, especially when the boys discover them and are constantly bothering her at the window, with their noses smashed into the glass.



Have you ever fully watched a bird make her nest from start to finish, lay her eggs, sit on them, and have little birdies outside your window, until they are able to fly away? It truly is an interesting and exciting thing to experience---and we have three times! The process really is quite short. She finished her nest last weekend while I napped (I heard her patting mud, twigs, and dried grasses into a bowl shape, which kept me awake). By the end of the week, there were four eggs in the nest---one or two each day. Within another week or so, they will hatch and we will watch her bringing food to them. Within another couple of weeks, they will turn from fuzz to feathers and one-by-one, she will push them from the nest.



Momma robin is quite patient, determined, organized, and plans everything just perfectly. She cares for the birdies carefully, but also runs a "tight-ship"! and soon, boots them out and is on her own again. She does ALL of this within a couple months time. How thankful I am that I get so much more time with my little ones before I "boot them out." Why didn't God make me as efficient as a momma bird? That's why I need more time I guess...surely about 18 years is enough to get these little ones in shape and ready for the world?



As I have watched her each day, I am reminded that my time with my kids is fleeting. They are growing and maturing faster than I will ever become the most proficient or perfect mom---but, I am inspired by the robin! Efficiency, productivity, and nurturing are being modeled for me right outside my window. Even in the storms, she is content as long as her babies are safe and by her side. Ah yes, during those times, productivity ceases and is unimportant. She sits quietly waiting for the storms to pass; she knows that the sun will come out tomorrow and she will again be busy. But for now, she watches the rain and waits....resting and watching over them.

Ahhh...Spring.

Last night I enjoyed a quick stroll through the neighborhood. I refused to let any kids come...hmmm...in fact, I think they were all in bed EARLY! I took the opportunity to escape and what I experienced while I walked to clear my mind, was an overwhelming Spring greeting :)

The air was damp and warm/cool, with a brisk breeze. The smell of freshly cut grass and wet earth was mingled with the sights of bright pastel color in every branch---light green leaf buds; creamy white, lavender and hot pink blossoms. Birds chirped in the distance and lawnmowers hummed into the early evening while it was still light. Every sense was immersed in Spring and I realized again, "yes, spring is definitely my favorite." Only at this time of the year, are we surrounded by the visuals of a fresh start, new beginnings, and blooming life!

My walk was cut short, as the sky started to grumble; and throughout the night I was lulled by the steady stream of water falling from the sky....what a peaceful sound. Today was a day made for sleeping in. Gray, thunder, wetness...the perfect day for cuddling up with a warm drink, a long book, and napping the day away. Unfortunately, that type of day has vanished from my life. The last time I had a day like that was vacationing in San Diego several years ago with no kiddos...ah, serenity!

Happy Birthday, Grayson!

Our sweet North Carolina nephew, Grayson, is SIX today.

Happy Birthday buddy! I hope your Lego party is a super-villan hit!

Isn't this your modeling session pic??? I stole it from your mom's site :)

Love, Aunt Teresa

Viennese Strawberry Cream Cake

Sam's b-day was 3 weeks ago and we just now rounded up the family to get together. Poor kid!

Party planning and organization are really not a strength for me...the kids are lucky if I can pull it all together---cake, people over, food, and gifts---it's overwhelming. Can't we just put a candle in a bowl of ice cream, sing and call it a great day? Just kidding, I do love to make them happy; just stressful for me.

This time was even more frantic, because Sam would not decide on a cake until that day. He was going to go with the old standby "Grandma Muenks' Chocolate Sheet Cake" because he felt sorry for me that I might not have time to create something else. BUT, I knew that he had been analyzing my new 2-inch thick Cake Cookbook, the glossy prints making him drool and dream of sweet treats. He literally sat in the kitchen for an hour, flipping through the pages, reading the ingredients and imagining beautiful cakes, chatting about them as he went---kind of strange, but warmed my heart. How, then, could I settle for chocolate sheet cake?!

So, with 3 hours until guests arrived, I purchased all of the ingredients to prepare the "Viennese Strawberry Cream Cake." The picture looked beautiful and the ingredient list was long (including 2 tablespoons of kirsch, which set me back $12 a bottle for those 2 T.!). Several steps later, I had the sponge cake in the oven and was beginning to puree strawberries for the syrup. It was going well...or so I thought!

My mom arrived just in time to help make the kirsch syrup, which was to soak up in the cake. After a few minutes she heard me wailing that the cake "just doesn't look right." My mom is quite the experienced cook/baker and announced that "no" it didn't look right at all. Instead of a puffy spongecake, I had crepes in the oven!

After I practically threw the pans across the room, my mom jumped into high gear. She knew just what went wrong---too little whipping of the batter and not quite right sequence of steps. Hmmm, "don't over beat" and "don't under beat" which is it?! I was trying to be kind to the eggs and not create a tough cake :)

So, leave it to my mom; she had a new spongecake whipped up in no time, prepared the syrups/gelatin mixtures and arranged the thing. A Mom who can save the day, while the guests are arriving, without batting an eye, is wonderful indeed---I am blessed!

And, so is her grandson...no crepes for his birthday cake. Her creation was delicious!

Above pics...Sam got a new guitar with instructional DVD. He is actually quite good..after a few hours, I could start to hear some strumming that sounded a bit like a song ?!

Happy Birthday Carter!

Our Chicago nephew is "1" Happy birthday little bean!

I couldn't get your picture any bigger! Your Daddy has it fixed I guess!

A big kiss and hug,

Aunt Teresa

Celebrating Our Savior

Happy Resurrection Day!



My bunnies had a hard time being agreeable for pics today. Coordinating clothes and everything, but a few scowls and growls!

Lydia was excited to learn that she, too, had an Easter basket. The boys were hollering about theirs and she was happy to watch. Then they told her to go look in hers "huh? my basket?" EB brought her a beautiful black haired fairy doll. Asian-looking dolls are extremely hard to find; so, it was a must when I saw it.

Birthdays and More Birthdays

In all, we have SEVEN birthdays this month (including both the Pickens and Kemper sides). Add in Easter and Grandparent's Day at WA and we are super busy this month!

I enjoyed my b-day doing some of my favorite things---browsed in an antique shop and a used book store, went out to eat (people watching and chatting over a glass of wine), and ended with a bit of shopping (a new swim suit). Don't think that my whole day was this relaxing though...all of this was after I gave 4 haircuts, did 5 loads of laundry, Jason smoked a brisket, I finalized the taxes, AND arranged the Easter Bunny treats! OH, and made the requested breakfast for my niece and nephew who spent the night...pancakes and bacon! Am I crazy? I did have a nice day celebrating my older age....I make it a habit to forget how old I am, so it is quite nice to have "my day" with no thought to age :)

Ben loves his fat duckie and blankie. He's our only "Linus" child. None of the others would commit to any particular stuffed friend! Duckie even joins Ben at dinner and enjoys being allowed to sleep in Mommy's bed on occasion :)

Lydia is enjoying the birthday celebrations. She loves watching others be happy and is content to be a part of any type of action even if it is not focused on her!

Jack continues to be our serious, yet goofy boy. He had a hard time on Sam's birthday, lamenting that he wasn't getting enough attention! On a birthday, that's a bit unreasonable; but on regular days though, if any child creates guilt in my heart, it is him!

As the "middle" he does get gypped quite a bit, because the personalities and ages of the others require a lot of attention. He is very self-sufficient and can occupy himself, so he does get less "intervention"---needs less correction, more independent. I hate to say, but it does take special effort in making sure he doesn't get overlooked because he's so low-maintenance! He does let us know if he's feeling left-out though...usually an all out blow-up that lasts several hours (which is what happened on the evening of Sam's b-day) :)

An Egg Hunt

We made it over to the Clubhouse for the neighborhood egg hunt. Eggs were found, but no one wanted to get near the Easter Bunny. My kiddos are always wary of huge costumed figures and I don't blame them. It is a bit freakish if you really think about it...the types of things that little ones see in scary dreams!

My baby is 9...Happy Birthday, Sam!

Nine years ago, my sweet first-born came into the world. I hope that I will never forget the moment I first stared into his blinking, curious eyes. It was a moment full of awe and wonder; also a moment of fear, relief, and happiness. What a huge day! The birth of a child is such a miraculous and overwhelming event!

Even today, nine years later, I experience these same emotions as I watch Sam grow up! Awe, in living with him every day...realizing what a wonderful person he is, how intelligent he is, seeing the compassion that flows from his heart, and the craziness that he brings to our home. His impulsiveness, boundless energy and free-thinking is a challenge most days, and brings fear to a mother's heart when I ponder what will become of him if he doesn't learn to harness those qualities that God has given him!

pic...here Sam looks over his new "Magic Eyes" book (visual puzzles).

Tonight we celebrated his birthday at Siki, the local Japanese Steakhouse. I figured that he would choose someplace more common, but wasn't surprised as it was his opportunity to experience some fire! Birthday dinners are getting more pricey, as they are learning to forgo the chicken strips and appreciate the steak and shrimp instead. We're in trouble once they realize the difference between the sirloin and the filet...that will come soon I think :)

pic...Sam holding the plate of pink cakes. I think that he might become a pastry chef (if his inventions don't turn out).

Some pics of our chef entertaining us. Notice the flames jumping out towards the kids? I think Lydia almost got her face singed off. She left with some pink cheeks! The chef made it up to her for scaring the wits out of her with fire, by hooking her up with tiny bits of diced steak and shrimp, and a huge pile of fried rice.

Ben was successful with his "kid chop-sticks" and eagerly ate his plateful of steak... "no rice!" he yelled at the chef. Thankfully the guy was cheerful and was not offended by our verbose child.

My beautiful girl...

Lydia stopped long enough for a photo this morning...all it took was for me to style her hair and tell her how pretty she is. Any girlie is ready for a pic after that! :)

After pondering that point, isn't that what all girls want...to be told they are pretty, and often? And, if that is so, why are guys such slobs in noticing and attempting to offer some genuine compliments??

Lydia LOVES to call attention to herself when she has on pretty clothes or her hair done...she will seek out any of the four guys in the house and say,

"See? see my hair? Mommy did my hair" or "Look my clothes!"

Typically, the male brains around here are fixated on some other topic and ignore her.

"Psst!" I hiss, "She's talking to you ___! Tell her she looks pretty," I whisper, as they stare obliviously into a book or leap around on the couch.

"What?" they reply, "Oh, yeah Lydi you look pretty..." and then return to their fascination du jour.

She scampers off, smiling happily that someone "noticed". I, on the other hand, sigh at the scene--ugh, so wrong! Can anything be done?!

NOTE: This post is not meant to bash my guys; just a friendly female observation :) In fact, I do know someone who is perfectly observant to beauty and is always full of compliments and sincerity....my Dad :)

Quotes from a 3 Year Old

As he's wearing an alien mask and flying a Lego creation through the kitchen, Ben sincerely says,

"Mom, I'm tired. I think it's because my feelings hurt. I'm ready for bed." :))

"Oh really, where are your feelings? Where do you hurt?" I probed.

He was quiet for awhile. "Mom, where are my feelings?" he asked.

That's a tough one! Ready with my three year-old explanation, I said,

"Well, they are here and here," pointing to my heart and my head.

"Here and here? OK." and he ran off holding one hand over his cheeks and one on his neck!

Awww...totally sweet. Luckily that was all the explanation he required. I didn't have the energy to explain that feelings don't cause physical pain and make you tired....well, wait...yes they can I guess in certain circumstances. Perhaps his three year-old thoughts are not so basic after all...

OK, Spam on my Blog??!!

In an effort to assist my family and friends in posting comments more easily, I have unknowingly invited some snooty stranger in to post spam ads on my blog...how rude and creepy! So, the commenting may be more difficult now, as I'll have to go back to moderating them.

Splash Time

The last Hurrah of Spring Break...Splash Time at Legacy Park. This time with five kids, as Sam has been pleading all week to have his buddy Phillip over. It all worked out okay, and they were even brave enough to go down the water slide.



As I trailed Lydia around the fountains, I gazed longingly up at the treadmills and weight sets. Haven't gotten to work out since Jason broke his arm and had knee surgery in January---that whole series of events really crushed my workout momentum (as he claimed the four kids would be too much for someone with a broken limb and bum knee?)!



Maybe once out of my cold medication fog, I'll escape there for an hour or two. After this week, maybe a long soak in the hot tub too :)

Fever, Chills, and the Zoo?

In my ongoing quest to achieve some kind of non-existent "super-mom" status, I managed yesterday to attempt something totally ridiculous....the Zoo! Maybe it was to raise my ratings on the Mommy meter due to the sickness that has left me drooping around, or perhaps it was the remnant of Tylenol PM in my system or the various other cold/cough remedies that I had taken...whatever it was....that made me flippantly mention a trip to the zoo. WHAT was I thinking?? Once the words leave your mouth though, you can't take them back or you are a Mom who doesn't keep her promises...

So yesterday with chills, a fever, and a vicious-sounding cough, I slapped together PBJ's and tossed some juice boxes in a bag. I am not too proud to admit that I was crying by the time we left, frustrated that I am sick during a week that should be fun, and peeved that a sick Mom can't find any rest or sympathy.

Sam..."Mom why are you sighing?"
Me..."I'm not sighing, that's just me trying to breathe..."

They try to be compassionate, but can only muster up a few child-like attempts.."I know you're sick mom, but the zoo will be SO fun!" What?

I managed to get a grip on myself, hoping that the 80 degree weather would make me snap out of it...until we reached the zoo. I guess everyone else in KC had the same thought...Hot Weather + Spring Break = Zoo. No parking, people in green shirts everywhere. I almost drove away...but remembered the mission, to make my kids happy :)

In short, we ate our picnic, saw a couple of animals, and spent most of the time dodging other people's strollers. I have noticed that my boys have become quite the "people watchers"---they were more interested in gawking at those on the OUTside of the cages, rather than those on the INside. I could hardly blame them...it was an interesting crowd to say the least; and those kind of places always brings out the best in people :) I spent most of the time answering their questions about why people said or did such-and-such...maybe we need to get out more? Actually, I think they are just getting good at spotting fools :)

Thankfully I was rescued by mentioning ice cream (an offer on purpose this time). Little did they know my crafty plan! No Dippin' Dots at the zoo at this time of year. So, the end result? Smiles for them and an escape plan for me, as we had to drive to Dairy Queen :)) Blizzards and NyQuil for dinner anyone? I may get that "super mom" status before the week is over...ugh, tomorrow I promised pancakes!