Hitting the Campaign Trail...

no Obama...
no McCain...
Just Alex throwing her hat into the ring
to be her 6th grade class's
Student Class Representative.
~~~
She is the underdog.
but you don't know what can happen...
if you never try.
That's what we have been trying to teach her along the way.
She has two opponents that I know of,
both are certainly more well known,
(especially since she has been out of school the last two years),
one is the popular one, the one who typically stands out in a crowd,
the other, I don't know that well,
but from all accounts I have heard,
is a sweet, yet spunky, opponent.
~~~
How will it turn out?
Only God knows...
but one things for sure
she would never know...
unless she tried.
I believe in her.
I know she has good heart
who looks out for everyone...
not just the priviledged and the popular.
After all, she's had her share of rough spots
to deal with.
~~~
I am so proud of you, Alex,
for being willing to jump in and take a chance.
You are so much braver than I ever was.
I certainly respect you for that.
Whether you win or you lose
come September 2nd,
you are ALWAYS a winner in our book,
and there is ALWAYS next year!
~~~
We spent last night coming up with ideas for posters that she liked...
here's what we came up with.
~~~

~~~
Amen, Amen!
~~~
a few treats we had for handing out to her class...
Blow-Pop Suckers
with the phrases...
~~~

~~~
on one side
~~~

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on the other
~~~

~~~
I was so temped to try and get her set up
with a milk moustache for this
but as you can see from the look on her face...
she wasn't going there!!
~~~

~~~
is she beautiful or what?
~~~

~~~
Another treat...
can you guess the name of the candy?
~~~~

~~~
Her favorite poster...
in case you can't tell by that smile on her face!
I was quite proud of that guitar...
but Vincent Van Gogh need not worry...
his legacy will remain in tact!
~~~

~~~
one last sweet treat...
Hershey's Bar.
She IS very creative, always thinking out of the box.
She IS very caring, going out of her way to help those that others won't.
and
She IS very courageous.
don't know if I could've walked back into school this year,
with my head held high like she did.
Once again,
Sis,
you make us very proud!
Good Luck.

Down in Tennessee....

and up to NO-O-O good.
I believe there is a country song
of a similar title.
This song however...
is not about some country girl...
it's about....
one ornery big brother
named....
Conner.
~~~~~

Rewind to 24 hours ago.
As I sit in the living room chair
I hear a little voice quietly whispering,
"Hey Carson,..... psst, Hey Carson, come here."
That would be the voice of...
Who else...
Conner!
I wonder what the sneakiness if about...
but decide to give it a second.
Carson makes his way to Conner...
and after a few seconds, I hear a door shut,
I realize they are in Alex's room...
door shut...
oh yeah...
my mind knows...
somebody's up to no good all right!
After me calling several times
for them to get out of Alex's room,
I suddenly hear another little voice...
a very unhappy voice...
it's Carson...
"I AM NOT A GIRL... Conner,... I am NOT a girl!"
then I see this....
~~~

~~~
You know me...
I always have the camera at the ready!
While I shoot a couple of quick shots...
Carson continues...
"I don't like skirts...I DON'T like skirts!!"
Granted he's not wearing the full get up...
just the shirt and the bloomers...
but he is NOT happy...just the same.
~~~


~~~~~


~~~
Then I turn my head to see this face.
Just with that smile...
he is saying yes..
I did it...
and I am proud of myself for it!
~~~
I thought I would use my
Dr. Phil psychology on him.
I explained how Carson did not appreciate him doing that...
that he was a BOY...
and boys don't dress like girls.
I then proceded to tell him
that he could see how Carson felt by putting the clothes on himself.
~~~
I had forgotten...
this IS Conner we are talking about.
All previous attempts at reverse psychology have failed on this kid.
see below...
~~~

~~~
Does that look like a kid who cares about reverse psychology?!!
~~~

~~~
How dare he mock me as I snap yet another picture...
and try to keep myself composed.
Trust me, this is one behavior I do NOT want to encourage!
~~~

~~~
He actually seemed so amused at himself
so much so...
~~~

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that he thought he would take it one step further....
~~~

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and add the perfect finishing touch...
~~~

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the hair ribbon to go with it!!
~~~
So much for punishment...
he thought he was
a headliner on
the
Blue Collar Comedy Tour.
Heaven help me...
Gotta go..
Dr. Phil's calling me back on the other line.
~~~
Sorry for the picture quality
in the next couple of posts.
He had me so torn up,
I forgot to change my camera settings!
Imagine that!

Answering the World's Most Important Questions...

yes, that's my job.
Who says stay at home mothers
don't have an impact on the world.
For example,
just moments ago
I had the most important conversation with my three year old.
~~~~~
"Do you have a weenie, Momma?" Carson asked.

"No, Carson, I don't." After composing myself, "Why are you asking?" I asked.

"Because you have a booty!!hee-hee!!" Carson replied.
~~~~~
What would I do each day without knowing I am responsible for answering
the world's most earth shattering questions!!!

You can have your dream job, I'll keep mine!

A New Day...

has dawned for this little man.
He is living the life.
This was his expression when the answer was "Yes"
to his request for pop corn AND ice cream for lunch.
~~~~~

~~~
yes, that's the look of shock!
When two of your siblings are now gone everyday of the week,
and your closest sibling, who is your buddy, is now gone on
Mondays & Thursdays,
well, lets just say....
the world is your oyster..
or should I say popcorn and peanuts!
~~~

~~~
What kind of lunch is that for a kid?!!!
Someone call his parents!
~~~

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Yes, he was still smiling in disbelief as he ate til his little heart was content
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~~~~~


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He was eating by handfuls at a time...
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~~~~~

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Cookies & Cream
his flavor of choice...
through the fuzziness
do you notice that little mischievous
looking guy in the background?
~~~

~~~
He kept that look on his face for a while..
He really thought he was getting away with something!
`~~~

~~~
His expression suddenly turned serious
when he saw our black Durango coming down the road.
I think he thought it was the gang returning to spoil his fun.
~~~

~~~
However, it was only Daddy returning from his errand...
so the fun continued(s)!
~~~
WE NOW INTERRUPT THIS BLOG POST
WITH A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
.......
This is to inform you that this child was not harmed during
the taking of these photos.
He was given a "REAL" lunch afterwards!
~~~
Sometimes it's nice to just break the norm with our kids.
Now that most of mine are out of the house during the week,
I realize I have just one little one left at home.
Sometimes the smallest rules, like this one, can be broken,
After all, you're only a kid once!

Football Madness has taken over!!!

~~~Here he is again...The newest football player to hit the field.
~~~
~~~Much to our surprise & dismay,we weren't the only ones thinking of him this past Saturdayas he faced his first scrimmage game.This wasn't the only Blake fan in the stands either!Oh my, though she is a cutie and a sweetheart, I am NOT ready for this!!Nor is he!~~~~~~The team gathered on the field,but he sat out the first few downs.He is the one with the name Hughes on the jerseysince his hadn't come in yet.~~~~~~Then,they called his number...Thank God for the knee padsbecause I know his knees were knockin'!~~~~~~Uh-oh...I braced myself.~~~~~~so did he.He popped right back up for a couple more playslike nothing ever happened.~~~~~~Then this rookie stood on the sidelines for a while~~~~~~and waited...~~~ ~~~and watched
~~~

~~~Would he get another chance?~~~

~~~~~


~~~Some of biggest fans waited patiently
~~~~~~well, most of the time anyway!~~~~~~Finally, the rookie was given another chance.
~~~
~~~He seemed more confident the second time around.Who knows if it was the fact that he now knew what to expect or...~~~ ~~~or he knew his parents were there for him...~~~

~~~as well as this little guy....
~~~
~~~
However...I believe it could've had a little something to do with the new cheerleaders he suddenly had on his side!!!
~~~
~~~Yes, I believe that is the most reasonable explanation!!~~~
~~~Walker , his cousin & buddy,waited around after his game was overto cheer him on.~~~ ~~~One last run,and it all comes to an end.~~~~~~The gang makes it's way to the sidelines.~~~~~~This rookie has had a lot to learn.There has been more to it than he expected but...a high five from one of the coaches....~~~~~~a pat on the back...~~~~~~a little refreshment...~~~~~~~~~~~& a few moments with his buddyand he was ready to do it again!~~~~~~this new opponentwas a little more experienced...~~~~~~but with a little help fromWalker, Alex, Kara, & Conner...~~~~~~their opponent was brought to his old, worn out, torn up knees...but all with a smile!~~~
~~~It looks like turning 10 means a lot of new things for Blake.Some things we are ready for...some things we know we have a little time to adjust to...some things I will never be ready for...So, I guess, once again, it's all about the changes that are inevitable in a child's lifeand the struggle I deal with as a parentto love them as much as possible...cheer them on through the victories as well as the defeats...and prepare them to face each new phase of lifethe way God would want them to.I am so proud of his guyjust in case you didn't know!Love you tough guy!~~~~~There will be more to come.First game is this Saturday.Alex will be cheering her first Jr. Pro football gameanother first for the Conwell clan!You can bet I will be therecamera in hand to capture it all!Have a good humpday.