Questions I Don't Want to Answer.

Here are some things I have heard recently:

1. Hey Mom, What does SEX mean?



2. What is GAY?



3. How do babies get out?



4. What does it mean when you do this? (sticking up the middle finger)

Needless to say, these are things I am not ready for. I have had to answer these, and tread lightly, giving minimal information.

Would you like to know my answers?

Sure you would. Here we go.

1. So I said, "What do you think it means?" and Emma replied, "Wellll, Sally asked her daddy and he said it means if you are a boy or a girl. You usually check it on a paper for school so they will know what you are." Horray for Sally's daddy! I bypassed that and I would have never thought of it. Feel free to borrow :)

2. Again, this wonderful questions came from Emma as we were driving through Nashville the other day. I wondered what she had just saw. I asked "Why?" and she replied, "Just tell me, already." So I reverted back to when Eli was in 3rd grade, and he refused to sing, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" for Veteran's Day Program at school because Johnny would be gay. And I said, "It means HAPPY". Emma replied, "Tammy's mom said it meant something different - something bad." And I said, "Oh, Emma! Look! It's Toys-R-US!"

3. This question came from all three -Emma, Mallie and Tripp - as Aunt Terri was having our new baby Adaline. After listening to various comments that included a "door in the belly that a baby can open" and Tripp's answer - "Momma's poop babies out of their butts", I answered with "Momma's have a special place for babies to come out." And that ended it with two of them. But not Emma. So we had a mini -conversation of where that special place is located.

4. This one came from Tripp, while I was in the Verizon store, upgrading my phone, sitting at the counter. We were the only customers in there - with three workers who thought my kids were "the cutest things ever". Until Tripp stuck his middle finger up at every one of them as he asked loudly. I took him to the car as they were programming my new phone. He tried to run from me. I swatted at him and I missed. He then told them that I smacked him in the head. And for the record I didn't but I felt like it. :) Not only did my sweet boy flip people off, his momma hurt him. Needless to say, he was grounded when he got home.

Christmas Break.

I made it to Christmas break.

I am so excited to have this time off with my family. As you can tell, it is three in the morning. I have a cold (imagine that!) and I am having trouble sleeping. But no worries, because I don't have to be up at any time tomorrow. Horray!

Yesterday we had the big family Christmas, which only lasted for an hour, then we came home and hung out on the couch, just the five of us. Then we divided up. Eli stayed at home, Dave took Tripp to the woods, and Emma and I went on a girl date and did her shopping.

Then, later in the night, Dave threw Eli the keys and we went driving. I about died. I cried in the van as he drove us around town. This was only the second time he had ever driven. The night before, I let him drive around the high school parking lot. Now, on day two, it is open road. I guess that it is just another sign that he is almost grown.

Eli has never shown any interest in driving. Ever. And he will be 16 in two months. He doesn't have a permit. So from one day to the next, he is wanting to drive. And it makes me sad.

This year, it doesn't feel like Christmas. I am not really in the "Christmas Spirit". I am almost done with my shopping. I ordered my Christmas cards a month early, and I have not even mailed them yet. In fact, I have only received three, and I usually get about 50. I guess some others are not feeling it either.

Let's hope this next week brings me tidings of comfort and joy. Maybe I will bake some cookies.

Thanksgiving 2011 - Now On To Christmas!

It has been a great five days off of work. When I left school on Tuesday, I had everything prepared so I will be OK to walk in on Monday morning. Right now, I can't tell you what I am going to teach, but I have it all written down in my lesson plan book. I am thankful for the break from the "excitement" of my class.

On Wednesday, I helped Dave at the store and I cleaned the house. My sister in law was not feeling well at all after having my new niece Adaline last week, so we decided to do our own Thanksgiving meal at home on Thursday. I went shopping on Wednesday night, and I am thankful that I got to cook.

On Thursday, we had a great day. We danced with the kids that morning while we cooked. Dave played "his music", as Emma calls it, and we laughed and ran around the house. I wish more days could be like that, because we are always so busy and on the go, go, go. I got all the food done and the kids bathed and ready by 1 p.m. while Dave went to visit with his extended family for a couple of hours. I spent the afternoon eating, hanging out, and cuddling my new sweet girl. She is just beautiful. And then, we all napped. By 8:30 p.m., we were off to Walmart, with Eli experiencing his first "Black Friday". Dave stayed at home with Emma and Tripp. I planned to stay out all night, but we were finished by 10:30, and the next store didn't open till 12. So we came home, and got in bed, and all was well.

On Friday, I worked at the store with Dave and then ran a few errands. After that, we went to Christmas in the Country on the square, and had a great time.

On Saturday, I was going to clean again, but my mother in law took the little kids to the movies, and my father in law took Eli to a football game. I was ALL ALONE. So I went Christmas shopping and had a great time by myself. I don't recall that I ever enjoyed my time alone so much. No pressure to be finished or hurry - everyone was occupied.

Now, I have to get the tree up, and the decoratin' done. It is time to go back to work. Only three weeks till Christmas break and lots of skills to teach. :)