The Birthday Cornbread

My son has always had a love of cornbread and rice.
So for his fifth birthday meal we had to have Red Beans & Rice with Cornbread.

Cate, my sweet girl.

Remember when she looked like this. Time goes so fast.

Monday was Reed's birthday and at dinner we all went around the table and told Reed what we liked about him. Cate said she liked how Reed loved her and played with her. Tonight at dinner, I think the shots had caught up with Reed and he was an emotional mess. Then he spilled his milk into his plate. We were all trying to get his mind on something else when Cate said why don't we going around the table and tell Reed what we love about him again. Such a sweet girl. She is always looking out for brother. She helps him when he needs it. Shows him the ropes at school. She loves playing with him and is always saying how sweet or funny he is. Cate, one of the things I like about you is how loving you are and how sweet you are with your brother. I am blessed to have such a precious girl.

Reed Quotes #8 Shots and Soldiers

Can I just say, the boy never stops talking.

When Reed found out he was going to get three shots at this doctor appointment he said, "I'm going to be brave." Well he was brave alright. One in the leg and each arm. I asked him later if he had wanted to cry. He said "yes but when he got the shot his brain finked (thinked) about it and he didn't cry, then after the next shot his brain finked about it again and he didn't cry and after free (3) shots his brain finked about it again and he didn't cry any tears."


The doctor gave him a Certificate of Bravery with a coupon for ice cream at Chick-filet. There were lots of National Guards there eating lunch. Reed kept going over and telling them about his shots and thanking them for being soldiers. One soldier came over to our table on his way out and gave Reed the American Flag patch from his uniform. Reed loves soldiers especially his Uncle H. Then he started talking and talking. "Some soldiers are boys some are girls. Some soldiers are good and some are bad. Are they going to a real war? Some good soldiers die. Some bad soldiers die too. How do you know which ones are the good guys? That was nice of him to give me his patch. Do they fly in helicopters? Actually I think they fly in bombing airplanes. Are there bombing airplanes, mommy? Do they live in Tennessee?"

I think his brain put in some overtime today.

Reed's quotes 7

Reed: How old will I be when I grow up? Will I be 59?

Another Way to Kiss

I was sitting on the end of my bed when Cate came in and started hanging off the end of the foot board. She kept putting her face up about an inch from mine so I puckered up like I wanted a kiss. She kept popping up and down but didn't kiss me. So when Reed walked in I said, "Reed you won't leave me hanging will you?" He said, "Kiss your hand! That's another way to kiss."

Reed's Buggy Birthday Bash

Reed had a wonderful time at his birthday party. He's all into bugs so everything was a little buggy, creepy or slimy. I realized after the party that Cate and some others wouldn't even try the dirt cake because they thought it had real dirt in it. I'm really sorry if any kids (or Grandpa's) were traumatized by the bugs. One of Reed's favorite things was painting the whole family of multi-colored ladybug rocks. At the end of the day he just didn't want it to end. Thanks to everyone who helped make this a special day for him.

Reed's 1st Day of Kindergarten Readiness

My baby is going to school. He was so excited that when we got in the car he said, "It's my first day of school. I'm so happy." Mommy said, "I will not cry, I will not cry."

Cate started before Reed but I decided to walk them both in for Reed's first couple of days.

Picture with teacher. Reed is getting that "deer in the headlights" look. Couldn't manage a smile as mommy got ready to leave him. "I will not cry."

First day was only a 1/2 day. He looks okay as I pick him up.
I still haven't cried.

There's that smile I love so much. Reed said, "Ah, I had a GOOD DAY!"
Mommy said, "sniff, sniff."

Cate's in 1st Grade

This is the only picture I have of Cate's first full day of 1st Grade. She was so brave that she didn't want me to walk her in to her class. I just pulled up to the curb and she jumped out and never looked back. My little girl is growing up. Lord help me provide her with the guidance she needs, help me be patient with her, help me inspire her, help me guide her into Your tender care.

Our Reading Corner

I've been working on the playroom lately. It now has a fresh coat of paint. We made a craft/homework area. Today's project was a reading corner. I'm not sure I'm done with the area. But here's what we have so far.

We made a bunch of bookmarks out of empty boxes from the kitchen.


The kids are checking it out.

See Rock City

We wanted to make a quick trip before school starts back. The kids had never been to Rock City in Chattanooga. It was a lot of fun. Reed really enjoyed the Rock City Raptors Birds of Prey show and Cate really like the Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village. The views were breathtaking. Enjoy the pics.