Cheap Entertainment

The main entertainment around here is not only cheap - it's free. My children's words and antics keep us chuckling daily. I hope I always have young'ns around to keep me smiling. My oldest daughters, Erica an Audrey play beautiful music on the piano. Julia and Natalie put on their ballerina dresses and dance around. Julia is graceful and dainty. Natalie is...well...let's just say we hope she gains some poise as she grows. Her chubby, squatty moves are missing the ballerina marks. Scroll down for more free entertainment.

I would link back to Kim's (and Crystal's) site, but I haven't figured out how to say here and hide the link in a pretty way.

Frugal Fridays

Can you believe that it's Friday again? My tip is simple, but tried and true. We all love to splurge on ourselves and our children. When you do - SHARE! I have friends that take their children to Mc D's or somewhere and everyone gets their own drink, fries, etc. My children know that when we do enjoy a special treat, we share. Sometimes, we'll go to the convenient store and buy a big slush, then divide it into smaller cups. They wouldn't be able to drink a whole one anyway. I wouldn't want them to.

Strong Soldier

I have composed *ahem*( I use that word loosely) a song for each of my young babies as I rock and cuddle them the first few months of their lives. Benjamin was our first (and only) boy. Here are the words to his song:

"Benjamin my son

You are lots of fun

A gift from God; a special boy

You bring your family lots of joy

Some day you will be...

A strong man like your daddy!"

Okay, quit laughing. He loves it and each of my other children still like it when I sing their (and everyone else's) special song.

As Benjamin continues to grow up, he is showing sure signs of becoming a strong man like his daddy. It's exciting to watch his rudimentary endeavors to protect me and his sisters. I have to admit that I still don't completely understand his (or his dad's) testosterone-driven behavior. But, I will continue to help him to channel his innate desire to conquer and protect his mother and sisters.

I edited my picture to show my strong soldier in a tux and on his best

behavior. :) Isn't he the cutest ring bearer you've ever seen?

Hope for the Technologically Challenged Person

It's kind of scary thinking about the fact that my 19 year old daughter will some day leave home. Since she's in love and we like the guy, it will happen. What will I do when I get stuck ... uploading my "about me" photo onto my blog? Or when the computer just freezes. Or what about installing new software or other gadgets?!
As a matter of fact, she just rescued me from HTML mode. I could be in big trouble...

Just look at the counter that I copied and pasted all by myself . That's not where I wanted it. I don't know if it's really working.

Here are a few things in which I have succeeded: I have learned how to send attachments, I have organized my email inbox, saving important info in folders, and I have learned *somewhat* how to drag and drop! There is hope for the technologically challenged.

And my 14 year old daughter won't be getting married any time soon.

Princess Prayers

Princess #1 (Julia, age 5)

"Deaw Lowd, Thank you fow this day. Thank you fow my mommy and daddy and sistews and bwothew. Thank you fow the sky and moon and staws. Thank you fow dying on the cwoss fow us. We love you Lowd. Please help me to be a sewvant. I pway that we can sewve you fowevew, Lowd. In Jesus name, amen."

Princess #2 (Natalie, age 2 1/2)

"Deaw Lowd, Thank you that I go potty and poop in the toe-let. Amen."

I've finally done it. I started a blog. Who will read it? I don't know. Maybe my brother will. Hi Steve. You're the best *little* brother in the world.

Brace yourselves for the excitement.