Monday, December 31, 2007

by teresa

Five minutes to midnight...and I'm the only one awake.
We had a nice, quiet night at home. Katy and her kids...Jackie and George all came over for hot dogs (Nick grilled it up for us) , chips and roasted marshmallows. I also made some yummy sherbet punch. Everyone left a little before nine and we all got into our jammies. I was tired and ready to crawl into bed by ten...but decided to enjoy some alone time and relax on the couch with Dick Clark...and one ....or four glasses of punch.
Tomorrow is a start to another year for the Green's.
Will it be touched with heartache like last year...maybe.
But that's just life...right?
We will get through all that life brings us with God's strength and the love of our family.
And we will go on like we always do....with a smile on our face and joy in our hearts.
The clock just struck midnight...and it sounds like a fireworks factory lite afire outside (crazy rednecks).
Happy New Year to you and your family...from all of us here at the Green Family Circus!


Sunday, December 30, 2007

How to tell that it's time to take down the Christmas tree....


___________________________________________________
When you come out of the bathroom and find the tree sprawled across the living room floor. Ornaments scattered...and the star cracked and bent a foot away.
Notice the vent cover duct taped to the tree stand. This is my handy work. It was leaning forward when I put it up. So I crawled under and taped it to the vent underneath. Don't laugh...it worked. For thirty days it worked. I love how the fall pulled the vent right out of the floor. That duct tape is strong stuff!

Friday, December 28, 2007

by teresa

We had a nice Christmas.
Everyone came over and enjoyed each others company.
Everyone except Chris.
We saw him for about five minutes the entire day.
He was sick in bed with the flu (or Family-itis) for two days.

Since Christmas we have just chilled at home.
Watching tons of movies and eating all the party leftovers.
We have also played tons of games. Checkers, MadGab, Cranium, Speed Stacks, Yahtzee Turbo, etc.
Nick and I have played with his checker rug for hours. He is really good....and almost beat me last night. Almost.

We have been sleeping in everyday(waaay in)...and I know this is going to come back and bite me in the butt Wednesday when school is back in session.

Lauren moved back in this week. She had been living with mom(next door) since my daddy passed on(can you believe it has been 3 1/2 months?). I think she moved back in to reclaim her room. Ben has been sleeping in there since she left. And he had slowing started moving some of his toys in there. The Daddy (my 90yr old grandfather) moved in with mom on Wed. to recover from surgery (he was in the hospital for over a week). He had some injuries resulting from a fall down the stairs. He is great now...but needs to stay with mom till the doctor gives him the ok to be on his own again.

Today we plan on going out for breakfast and then shopping. I hope the crowds have lessened by now.





*********************************************
Don't you love my cool new crocs? Red with fur lining.
They are so comfy!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007



















**********************************************

Christmas Eve 2007

Monday, December 24, 2007

I wish you enough...

by teresa

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

What's more annoying than your 8yr old playing gps while your driving?

by teresa



NOTHING!



Ben decided to make up a new game.



While you drive...he plays gps.



He's a little peek into our drive home from dinner last night.



"Hey dad...let me be the gps on the way home."



"Keep straight."



"Keep straight."



"Keep straight."



"Keep straight."



"Turn left at the next street."



"Turn left at the next street."



"Turn left at the next street."



"Turn left at the next street."



"Keep straight."



"Keep straight."



"Keep straight."



"Keep straight."



"Go slow." (so he could look at Christmas lights)



"Go slow."



"Go slow."



"Turn right at the next street."



"Turn right at the next street."



"Turn right at the next street."



"Turn right at the next street."



"Keep straight."



"Keep straight."



"Keep straight."





Sounds like fun...huh?



Nick was so aggravated by this I thought we were gonna have a reenactment of the Ali vs. Frazier match right there in the back seat.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

by teresa

Weird dreams around here lately.

One night there is some wacko chasing me around town : I ended up hitting him with a rake and he cried and apologized saying he was just trying to give me a present.

Next night I loose my niece Kaden in a crowded place: I ended up rescuing her from a crowded, moving train where she was locked in our churches old prison looking cribs.

Last night....chased from a tree house into the ocean where a squid monster was trying to get me: I ended up swimming faster than aquaman on steroids and leapt to dry land just in time.

I need to lay off the snacks before bed!

We had such a good time last night. Chris had a great idea. The ODU monarchs had a game in SC. It wasn't on tv...but it was being broadcast online. So we packed up and went to his office. He brought up the game on his laptop and ran it through the projection system in the conference room. We popped popcorn, made hot chocolate (all of which we brought from home) and enjoyed the game. I even finished up my Christmas cards (I know, I know...talk about late).
Chris and Ben ran up the street and got dinner at half time.
Another memory made.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Tickets and Blisters

By Chris

I'm shocked Teresa hasn't given this tidbit of information up. It really thrilled her when it happened:

Phone rings in office ... it's the wife. "Guess what you got in the mail today?" she asks. .... "A pretty picture of your car on Connecticut Avenue." "Hahahaha."

Yep. It was a ticket by mail. I didn't even realize it had happened. Driving to, in and around our Nation's Capital is one of my leaset favorite things to do. But, I have to do it. Usually, very slowly. Painstakingly slowly, in fact. The place is an eternal traffic jam. But, somehow, according to this new device, I was going 43 mph in a 30 mph zone. I've heard of the red-light cameras in different places, but never one for speeding. Until now. The letter requested a $40 fine. Not bad, I guess. Far less than a real speeding ticket, I've heard. (I wouldn't know, since I have never gotten one!!). And, apparently because it was not human-issued, it can't be put on my driving record, nor reported to insurance carriers. So, the logic is, these are not reliable enough for lots of things legally, but they are reliable enough to collect $40 from you! I'm tempted to write them to say that surely that only brings my lifetime average speed in that darn place to 5 mph. Oh well. It was bound to happen. Just last week I was bragging about my untarnished history, when it comes to tickets, and my ability to talk my way out of them on several occeassions. Well, there's no talking out of this one. But, I did want to get it down for the record, that this is not an OFFICIAL speeding ticket. It says so right on the letter. You know . . no points, no insurance, small fee. Just so everyone knows ;))

And, on the blisters. Teresa was right. They were nasty. But, I have perservered. In defense of how wimpy I must have seemed, I did walk my butt all over half of Atlanta to get them and never once "let 'em see me sweat." Although I did come close to tears when I had to remove them and put them back on at the airport security line. I think I played it off pretty good, though. Of course, to me, even worse than hurting feet would be the thought of wasting money and retreating to more comfortable old man shoes. Because, my new kicks are very hip and in-style (at least, I think they are??). So, I have worn them, discomfort be darned, two times this week after stretching them out a bit this weekend.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

does anybody have any bandaids?

by teresa

What started out to be something beautiful...turned into something tragic.

It all started with a dream.

A dream...of new shoes.

New, black, shiny, hip dress shoes.

Something the hubby has been in need of for months now.

He's just so busy that finding time to shoe shop proves to be impossible.

He finally went...and alone at that. I was so proud of him.

He came home with really great new shoes.

He was so happy and eager to model them for me.

They looked super (very hip and trendy...unlike his older (old man) shoes).

He was happy to have his new kicks for his impending business trip to Atlanta. He even got a new coat to complete the look.

Off he went...looking good and feeling fine.

Until....*dramatic music*...blisters.

OH NO!

And it was a two day trip. And he didn't pack any other shoes. And it was alot of walking...and touring a new facility...and walking...and agony...and smiling and being a big shot impressive man on the outside...while crying and screaming like a little girl on the inside.

Poor Chris.

He came home with the worst blisters I have ever seen. I seriously should have called Ripleys! From heel to ankle and side to side. Ouch!

He has been shuffling around like one of those feet binding geisha girls ever since.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Sorry for the long post....but it's been a busy weekend.

by teresa

We had a full...but happy weekend.
I'll give a quick re-cap.
Friday nights pajama party went good.
We all ate too many hot dogs and waaay too much popcorn.
The place was jam packed with kids and parents.
And judging by the laughs, hugs and thank you's I think a great time was had by all.


**************************************************
Saturday started with an early morning choir practice for Ben and then we headed over to LetsDish for their Christmas party. Ben had fun with the inflatables and free toys. He also enjoyed some hot apple cider, more popcorn and cotton candy. Nothing like starting your morning with a hefty portion of cotton candy (I'm such a cool mom).
*************************************************
I dropped Ben off with Chris (Jackie and George picked him up later to help wrap presents at their house) and then Nick, mom and I went to church for the Bless a Child Christmas party.

*************************************************
72 kids...and twice that many caregivers came and enjoyed the best food and entertainment around. We didn't have fru-fru Christmas music either. We know what the kids like! The church hired a Christian rap group called 12 strings to perform. It was amazing!!! I was upfront (everyone stood, jumped around, waved their hands and screamed the whole time) and one of the guys came over and started dancing with me. Thank God Lauren wasn't there or she would have died of embarrassment right on the spot. All the kids were thrilled and enjoyed it very much. Present time was emotional. Lots of squeals, smiles and tears (and that was just from me :). I am so honored to have been a part of something so wonderful.

**************************************************
After the church party we came home...rested for about an hour and then headed across the street to Chuck and Geri's for the neighborhood cookie exchange. Oh my gosh! It was super! My oreo balls were so good...and sooooo sweet. Wow! A chocoholics dream. We sang carols...pigged out and got to take home some of everyones cookies.

Yesterday was church...and the cantata. It was beautiful and Ben did such a good job singing. He loves to be in front of a crowd and sang loud enough for me to pick out his voice. After church we all headed over to Primo's for some yummy Italian food and then home. Chris, Nick and Lauren went to the ODU game. Lauren went with friends...and we saw her on tv in the student section whooping it up. And after Ben and I finished his history project he went with Jackie and George to their churches Christmas party...and I actually had a few minutes to myself.

*************************************************
Today I am meeting mom at The Daddy's to paint his bedroom (as a surprise). I can't wait till he gets home this afternoon and finds it all done.


Friday, December 14, 2007

by teresa

I get to go to a pajama party tonight.

Jammies, a movie, popcorn, hot dogs and sweets.

Sounds great huh?

Oh...I forgot to mention.....there will be 50 elementary school kids there too.

So I guess we won't be watching a DiCaprio film or the latest Johnny Depp flick.

Probably something with a talking tomato.

Should be a hoot.

I'll make sure to take lots of pictures.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

by teresa

I have a lot going on this week(MOPS party, wrapping party at church, Good news bible club pajama movie night, Christmas Blessing banquet, Ben's choir practice, neighborhood party/cookie exchange).
A lot of fun stuff...but still a lot of stuff that takes me out of the house.
Chris is finally back in town (he crept in while we we sleeping last night). But I will be out tonight and tomorrow night. I guess we will meet up again over the weekend :0)

Something remarkable has happened.
Ben has gotten up great all week!
Would you like to know my secret strategy?
An alarm clock. For him.
He loves it. And get this.....he sets it for even earlier than we usually got up. He likes to get completely ready (we pick out his clothes the night before) before my alarm wakes me up.
It's been wonderful.
And...he is ready so early that he has been getting in some reading before the bus comes.
Love it!
Except for the new book he's reading (The Book of World Records). With every page read he feels as though it is very important knowledge that he must share with me.
E v e r y p a g e !
Hey mom...did you know that the longest sea cave is in Oregon?
Hey mom...did you know that Mexico drinks the most coca cola?
Hey mom...did you know that the world's largest vegetable is a yam that weighs 150 lbs.?
Help me.

Oh yeah...I almost forgot.
Ben wants to see this movie when it comes out this weekend.

Do I have any volunteers?
Nanny?
Lauren?
George?




Wednesday, December 12, 2007

You have to go try this yourself!!

by teresa

This is the funniest thing ever!


And this too.


Also...this!


Sorry...I couldn't resist one more.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

comments and questions from this week

by teresa


Mommy...if you really loved me you would buy some more m&m's.


I dropped a jujubee into my cleavage and it's lost forever.


I wish I was deaf! Not all the time...just a couple days a week.


I bet I don't get anymore booty till 2008.


I don't care...as long as I get a foot massager for Christmas!


GET NAKED NOW!

Can I get a bumper sticker with my blog url on it?


Me and the boys square danced in the front yard to the neighbors Christmas music.


I don't like children.


If somebody ate the last Christmas tree cake I had hidden under the sink I am going to be ticked!


WHO ATE THE LAST CHRISTMAS TREE????


If somebody drank the last can of diet coke I had hidden in the crisper, under the carrots I am going to be ticked!


WHO DRANK THE LAST DIET COKE????


The kids last day of school is December 20th...I'm leaving for vacation (I think I have some time accrued) on the 21st!

I washed in my most stinking parts.

Monday, December 10, 2007

by teresa

Well the cookie contest is over.
I drew a name.
And the winner is...*drum roll*....BETH!
So I will be making the Oreo balls for the neighborhood party this weekend.

And because I'm such a wonderful person....and the fact that only 3 people entered the contest to begin with.....I am sending all 3 ladies (Beth, Melanie and Sterling) a special something. And by sending ...I mean I will give it to you when I see you (cause postage is too expensive...and I'm cheap like that).

Saturday, December 08, 2007

I'm running on fumes people!

by teresa

I've been up since 6:00am (that should be outlawed on a Saturday).

After running from function to function ALL DAY LONG I am finally home.

And what did I do?

I invited Ben's friend to spend the night.

Am I insane or what?

Friday, December 07, 2007

we had a chance of flurries here yesterday...we got nuttin!

by teresa

Ben lucked out yesterday and they didn't race in P.E.
He was very happy...and in a better mood when he arrived home.
I was up at his school all week working Frosty's shop...but today I am not going up there.
I promised myself.
Sometimes you gotta let someone else step in.
Tomorrow (yes Saturday) I will be up there at 7:15am to set up for the Santa breakfast.
I was volunteered to fill the Santa photo taker job.
Already 230 people have made reservations for the breakfast....and many people will just come for the pictures.
That's alot of snapping I gotta do.

Today is going to be filled with errands, cleaning and wrapping.
I need to get it all done before 2:00pm so I can pick up the kids for bible club.
Rush rush rush.

Before I go I want to remind everyone about the cookie contest.
So far I only have two entries. Sterling and Beth.
The drawing will be Monday...so hurry and submit your favorite recipe to get your chance at the prize!

Thursday, December 06, 2007

He gets it!

by teresa

Don't you hate it when you forget to change the dial on the washer from small back to JUMBO load before washing all your families jeans. Leaving a lovely, soapy residue caked around all the seams.

And don't you hate it when you forget to put said "tub 'o jeans" in the dryer before you go to bed? Leaving your son to wear his "skinny fit" jeans you bought from the thrift store. The ones he hates to wear. The ones he can't bend his knees in. Now I have ruined his entire life because (and I quote) "Today is the running test in PE...and since I can't bend my knees I won't be the fastest in the school this time!!" "I'm always the fastest....and now you've ruined it!!"

I nice mommy would dry those pants and take them up to school for him to change into.

I won't...but a nice mommy would.
by teresa



Well...I finally caught up on my sleep.

7:30pm.

That's what time I crawled into bed last night.

6:30am.

That's what time I crawled out this morning.

Man...that felt good!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Is it ok to NOT like your own child?

by teresa

I love him...but I don't like him at the moment.

8yrd old boy + smartmouthsassyhead=5:00pm bedtime.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

by teresa

I am so tired.
Up late last night watching my Little People Big World and John & Kate Plus 8. I had to record them earlier in the evening...because the boys were monopolizing the tv (they wouldn't go in the other room...cause apparently The Year Without Santa can't be viewed on anything less than a 50" screen).
But I had PTA stuff to do...so I was on the computer all night.
So after watching 2 hours of TLC's reality tv I headed to bed.
It was almost midnight.
I finally dozed around 1:00am cause I kept being pulled from the first stages of sleep by our overly sensitive motion sensors in the hallway. They are either too sensitive...or the Ghost from Christmas Past was roaming the hall all night setting it off just to punish me for that horrid Christmas sweater I used to wear each year.
Then....bbbrrring bbrrring!
1:30am. Phone ringing.
What?!? Who??!
I answer....cause what if it's my hubby...and there's an emergency in The District of Atlantinamore ( at 1:30am I couldn't remember if he was in DC, Atlanta, NC or MD!)

Me: "HELLO!"
Some dude: "Tisha....Marleen is waiting for you at the bus station girl!"
Me: "Who?"
Some dude: "I knew you were gonna forget her!" "You need to pick her up now!" "I'm with Moesha and my car is dead...so you have to go by yourself!"
Me: ???
Some dude: ???
Me: You have the W R O N G N U M B E R M I S T E R!
Some dude: *click*

No excuse me for waking you up at the wee hours of the morning....no sorry....just *click*.

I could not go back to sleep.

So me, Shorty the dog and the GFCP came down and had a party (bowl of Captain Crunch) till 3:00am. Cause it ain't a party...till the Captain arrives.

Monday, December 03, 2007

cookie contest

by teresa

A very busy week ahead for us.

Out of town for Chris (just two days), Band concert (tomorrow), PTA board meeting, MOPS meeting, Bible Club (for Ben and Nick), Santa breakfast at Ben's school (which I am working for 3 hours), ODU game, Pythian Christmas party (with Grandaddy) and last but not least...Frosty's Wonderland (where the kids bring in money to shop for gifts) all week at Ben's school.

I'm looking ahead to next week....and there are twice as many things then.

Have mercy!

Something I am really looking forward to is our neighborhood Christmas party. The wonderful Ford family (Chuck and Gerri thanks for the pot roast dinner last night) are hosting.

There's gonna be a cookie swap...and I need to find a really good recipe.

Do you have a favorite cookie recipe? One that you have made and everyone raved over it?

Put it in the comments and I will write them all down and draw the winner.

I want alot of entries. I have around 70 visiters a day... most of which are just lurkers. So delurk...and add your favorite to the mix.

Make sure it is super yummy...and not too hard to make.

You can put in entries all week (you can enter more than one)...and I will draw next Monday.

The winning recipe will recieve a "Joy" gift in the mail!
So make sure to check back in next week to see if you won...so I can get your email/address!

questions and comments from last week

by teresa

The remote control smells like crotch!

I don't smell anything.

It's the buttons...the buttons smell like crotch!

Get back in the bathroom and actually get IN the shower...don't just dampen your hair in the sink, spray axe everywhere and wrap yourself in a towel!

Where are my underwear? Did you hide my underwear?

It was like I gave birth...but it wasn't that big.

The bully on Popeye was Pluto.

No..that was the dog on Mickey Mouse!

The bully on Popeye was Bluto!

Who gave the dog salami?

I don't want to hear anymore about the size of Nick's poop!!

What are you writing down? Are you writing down what I'm saying to put it on the blog? Stop that!

You are such a Roloff!

I cried during the movie Fred Claus because I was on my period.

If you touch me I might explode.

Mom (child coming down at 10:00pm...2 hours past bedtime) I forgot to eat lunch today....so I want it now!

If I'm ever "stopped up" all I have to do is eat a plate of your mom's food and it cleans me right out.

I'm NOT putting THAT on...no matter how much you BEG!!




Saturday, December 01, 2007

by teresa

Christmas lights!!!!!!!
I love to ride around and look at peoples Christmas lights.

Forget the lights at the beach.
It's more than $10 a car.
On top of that they try to sell everyone in the car donuts and hot chocolate.

I go by 7-11...buy the kids hot chocolate and donuts for $1...and then ride to the rich peoples neighborhoods and see their house lights.

Friday, November 30, 2007

by teresa

Chris and the boys have been practicing basketball...alot.
Nick and him even have a tournament going.
Last night they were all three outside playing....and when they came in Chris plopped down on the floor (on his back) with the ball. I thought they had killed him....but he was just showing them a helpful tip to help them shoot better. He said if you lay on your back and flip the ball toward the ceiling (in correct shooting form) the ball will come straight back to you.
"Like this", he said.
Then he threw the ball up...it flipped the wrong way...slammed into my (yes...my) Christmas tree...and knocked (and broke) ornaments off the tree.
He was then sent straight to his room for time out!

P.S.
When I got Ben up for school this morning he had a basketball beside his bed. Apparently Chris didn't see the error of his ways (no playing ball in the house). He had put Ben to bed with a glow in the dark basketball so he could practice his new tip..in the dark...without mom knowing about it.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

by teresa

Ben and I watched Shrek The Halls and The Grinch last night.
He took his shower...we got in our jammies and snuggled on the couch together. His bedtime is usually 8:00pm....but he promised to get up good in the morning so I conceded to the extended hour (what kind of mother would I be not letting him watch The Grinch?). He reneged on his promise by the way. The morning was filled with grumbles, whining, stomping and cries of displeasure. And Ben was grumpy too.

My hands are bent and achy. Yesterday and today I took on the task of cutting out Ben's school's Campbells Soup labels that parents have sent in since the beginning of the school year. There must have been 1,000 labels in the barrel. Oh my goodness! It's a neat idea. If you cut out and send in the proof of purchase from the labels...they will give the school free educational equipment. Any school can sign up....you just need volunteers to send in labels and cut them out. My old hands will let someone else do it next time.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

by teresa

All our decorations are up.

Tree.

Bushes.

Wreaths.

Mantle.

We let the boys have some left over stuff to make a winter wonderland in the backyard. Mom also contributed to the boys "Griswald" back yard fantasy.

Although she put up lots of wonderful things (the most special). There were some things of Dad's she left in the attic or let the boys borrow.

My father did Christmas up special. Window displays(fake snow,Santa and Mrs. Claus,etc.), animated figures(elves, angels and snowflakes) and Santa's sleigh in the front yard(filled with wrapped gifts). Passers by would slow their cars to a crawl to linger in front to see all he had done.

It hurts.

We miss him so much.

It's as though someone ripped off the bandaid just as the scab was healing.

It's the elves that got me. Those awful, ugly elves he loved so much. He rejoiced over the ebay wins for each of them. He would find a place of honor for the set of them. Katy and I remarked at how scary they were...with their saw, hammers, etc.(they were toy makers). Did I mention that they move? Yes...move. Creepy. She put a Barbie head in one of the hands last year and Dad got all grumpy about it. How dare we dishonor his elves. hee hee

I love those darn elves!



*sigh*








Monday, November 26, 2007

comments and questions from this week...

by teresa


Stop wiping your boogers on the pillow!


Why do you want me to fall down the stairs?


Who put a finger nail in the butter?


Why are there four pitchers of tea in the house?


Who could drink all that tea?


Is there anymore of that tea left?


We need to get more tea!


Your chili makes my butt quiver.


Why is there poop on the couch cushion?


I like boobies!


If Katy has her boob out mom...I'll just close my eyes tight!


I'm not sharing my booty! I need to ration it!


hahahahaha Ben jumped into my fart cloud hahahaha!


If I buy you a new nightgown...will you throw away the grapefruit?

Sunday, November 25, 2007

by teresa


What a super Thanksgiving week.

Everyone came over...and we did have the feast outside on our patio. More space and freedom for the kids (all 7 of them) made for a relaxing time for the adults. And goody for me...no spills on my carpet!

Friday (and a 30 degree drop in temperature) brought us back indoors and made for a perfect "chili" day. I made a big pot and we hosted our assistant soccer coaches and their kids. Five hours of fun, food, football and fire (Nick made a fire...and we ate waaaay too many marshmallows).
The kids played so well together. The game of Life, Twister ,SingStar and some cold (44 degree) basketball games out back made for a fun day.

Saturday Chris and I watched some more football (we love Va.Tech) and munched on some leftovers. The boys spent most of the day with different grandparents...helping with Christmas decorating and shopping. Last night we all met up together and headed over to Jason Deli for dinner. I guess no one was in the mood for leftovers.

Today after church we will clean out the fridge with a post Thanksgiving buffet. Everyone is invited and no one can leave until all the tupperware is empty!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving!

by teresa

The other day...as we were sitting at the dinner table...Nick said,"I feel like we are in one of those commercials where someone is standing outside a window, looking in at a family eating dinner ...they are eating, smiling and laughing and he wishes he had a family like that one."

That melted my heart.
I wish that for all of you.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of food and love. We are hosting this year...so all the family is piling in here around 1:00pm. It's so nice outside (74 degrees and breezy) that we are seriously thinking of setting up the tables and chairs outside. Crazy Virginia weather.

I am thankful for....

by teresa


My Jesus: He holds my hand, carries me, whispers in my ear, cheers me on, wipes my tears and gives me a pat on the back whenever needed.


My family: We are all as close as ever. I know some people who don't get along with one or more of their family members....that is not the case with us. It's one for all and all for one!


Memories: Of loved ones and good times!


Now for the important things (just kidding):


Chinese food(especially egg rolls with lots of duck sauce)


Internet (and everything bloggerific)


Barnes&Noble (sigh)


Target (double sigh)


DVR(I haven't watched a commercial in months)


Netflix (I get very happy when that red envelope is in the mailbox)


Fabreeze plugins (I have so many Chris teases that the vanilla is choking him)

Colorful sharpies (I do not share my sharpies)






What are you thankful for?

I want one serious thing...and one frivolous thing.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Hangin With the Boys

By Chris

Sheww. I still remembered the password. Since the madam of the blog skipped today, and I finally had a free minute, I thought I would fill in the blank. Today was the first time Ben, Nick and Dad all went together for an ODU basketball game this season. Nick and Dad went solo to the first two games, which was great for a variety of reasons.. Lauren secured a free ticket for tonight (well . . . sort of free . .. it comes with the thousands in tuition we are paying). That, plus my two season tickets had us all there to root on the Monarchs to a victory over Iona. I have this thing called the "Bank of Dad." The records are kept on my Blackberry. Any money the boys earn ends up there. Then, they can spend it with me. So, Ben hit the Bank of Dad hard tonight. The ODU Store has lots of neat stuff. He got a big old "No. 1" foam finger and a crazy blue wig. He sported both for the entire game. It slightly embarassed suddenly cool and almost-teenager-with-long-hair-and-American-Eagle-clothes Nick. But, not too embarassed to prvent him from taking little brother Ben around to all the concession stands and hookin' him up with dinner sans dad during halftime. Of course, Ben embraced persona Super Monarch Fan and danced to the music, blue hair and big finger drawing all kinds of attention. This got him a very long appearance on the Jumbo-Tron screen at the game. Realizing all 6,000 people were seeing him on the four screens . . . he hammed it up and danced more. Humongous Ben showing off for the whole crowd. That's so Ben. The camera loves him . . . and he loves the camera. We also got selected as the "row of the game" . . . of all the rows in the building. So, we have free tickets to see a Christmas lights display now (so, family blog readers, we'll be pilin' in to the Green van soon to hit that display if anyone wants to go) Pretty cool. That got us on the Jumbo Tron too. I don't really like to see myself on that thing . . . but Ben thinks it is really, really fabulous. During our evening prayers, he thanked the Lord for such a cool evening. Then, I thanked the Lord for the same. The boys and I at basketball with my boys from my college days. Pretty nifty. Sometimes God gives you yucky, sour lemons. Then, on nights like this, he gives you tasty lemonade, just to make sure you don't forget you're blessed. Go Big Blue ... and Praise the Lord!

Monday, November 19, 2007

by teresa

I have finally broken down and allowed my teenage son to grow out his hair.

Since he was three it has never grown past his eyebrows or ears. And NO side burns. Just say NO to side burns! Clean cut...that's how we roll.


He has begged me for years to let him grow it out. "I want Elvis hair mom!"

I finally caved....and I have to admit (admit to you , not to him) that I love it! He reminds me of my floppy hair toddler boy.

Here's some pictures I took of him. Don't you love his new furry hood pimp jacket? We were coat shopping...looking for a simple khaki cotton canvas jacket. Then he saw this and had to have it. "It's sooo cool mom!"




Sunday, November 18, 2007

brrrrr...it's so cold here. I love it!

by teresa

Nick made the nicest fire in the backyard (fire pit) last night. It was in the low 40's...so you had to keep close to keep warm. Mom came over and we all roasted marshmallows and laughed at how close Shorty's tail kept getting to the flames. But we couldn't keep him away...he's a mallow thief. Hot or not...he'll snatch it right off the end of your stick if your not careful.


**********************************************
I made a big pot of chicken noodle soup yesterday. I got the recipe off food network and it turned out so yummy. I also bought a bunch of deli meat and sandwich buns and those kettle chips. We will be comfort fooding it for the next couple of days.

I was expecting company...that's why all the food. I also cleaned the entire house. And I do mean e n t i r e house. You know how it is....when you have company coming over you clean a little more thorough than you usually do. Cause...what if they want a tour? What if they need to use the upstairs bathroom and they look in the linen closet? What if they stumble, fall and happen to look under the children's beds? What if they mistakenly turn left instead of right and end up in the coat closet?
You gotta be prepared...right? Or am I the only one who thinks this way?

I did all that yesterday with a messed up tummy. Really messed up. From Friday night (with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese when a slice of their greasy pizza poisoned me) to last night. I trudged on though. I even left the house and went grocery shopping. Of course I was parting the crowds (like Moses and the Red Sea) with my Chuck E. Cheese "fumes"....but I got the job done!


Friday, November 16, 2007

questions and comments from this past week

by teresa

Ghandi didn't have a penis?

No, you can't have a horse.

I don't want to see your butt hole again!

Who pooped and left it?

Can I have a third glass of Mountain Dew?

Can I take Mountain Dew in my thermos to school?

Who bought the stupid Mountain Dew?

Can I move in with Katy...she always has poptarts and we only have granola bars?

Did I remember to feed the kids dinner tonight?

I like boobies!

Ewwwww...Shorty farted and it smells like cabbage!

Stop farting in the car or your going to be on restriction!

Go ask your father!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

by teresa

I love this song!
If you don't have your speakers on...turn 'em up.
If you are reading this after I change the song...it's Alicia Keys: No One.
I bought (downloaded from itunes) this cd for Chris for our Anniversary.
I also burned it for my sister...and she says she has had it blaring through her house ever since.

Tonight I am heading to Nick's school for a book fair (you know that makes me happy). Hopefully Chris will be home from Baltimore before we leave so he can watch Ben. I don't feel like chasing him through the halls.

I can't believe Turkey day is one week from today. I need to get cleaning, planning, shopping and preparing. I think I'll ask Kitty (church secretary) if we can borrow a couple of tables and chairs from church like we have the past few years. It makes it so much nicer when we can all sit and eat together...instead of spread out in different rooms at tables and tv trays. If Katy doesn't stop having kids we are going to have to buy a bigger house just to accommodate her growing family.
I will go onto Crayola.com and print out things for the kids to color and decorate the table and house.

Yesterday at MOPS they asked as the divide and sit at each table according to what we liked more. Turkey, stuffing, the company or desserts. I chose the stuffing table. I really , really love stuffing...with gravy. Oh man...that's good stuff. And not gross stuffing with fruit or oysters in it.
Where are you spending Thanksgiving?
What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

by teresa

Do you remember my post a couple of days ago about the lemons? I said If life gives you lemons...you make lemon meringue pie! Well my friend Melanie did the most wonderful thing. I came home from church on Sunday and there was a message on my answering machine telling me I had a surprise coming. She came over later with a freshly made lemon pie. Isn't that the nicest thing? I am so blessed to have a friend like her.

Last night was Nick's soccer party. It was at the mall food court and we all had a good time...and good food. Chinese, bbq, taco bell and chick-fil-a. Everyone got what they wanted and then came together for trophies and cake. What a great idea. It takes pretty much no planning (we went on a night that the mall wouldn't be crowded) no reservations, no menu prep and no clean up.

Before I leave I have a question for you.
Why do 8yrs insist on using an entire roll of toilet paper to wipe themselves? And why do they try to flush it down all at once? And why does that small boulder of toilet paper clog the toilet, flood the bathroom and leak through the ceiling and said 8yr old never mentions it to anyone?
I'm going to install one of those industrial toilet paper rolls. You know...the ones that are so big and so tight you can only unfasten one square of paper at a time.

Monday, November 12, 2007

It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.

by teresa

Happy Anniversary sweetie!!

****************************************
A couple goes out to dinner to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. On the way home, she notices a tear in his eye and asks if he's getting sentimental because they're celebrating 50 wonderful years together. He replies, "No, I was thinking about the time before we got married. Your father threatened me with a shotgun and said he'd have me thrown in jail for 50 years if I didn't marry you. Tomorrow I would've been a free man!"

Friday, November 09, 2007

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

by teresa

Things are on the up swing here at the Green house.
We had a less than perfect week. But it only makes you stronger...right?And you know what we always say?
When life gives you lemons....you find someone with a paper cut and rub it on them.
I'm just kidding.
You make lemon meringue pie!
Seriously...I want some pie!

Gearing up for the last soccer games of the season and the beginning of Upward basketball. Chris and the kids have already been shooting hoops (when the weather allows) and basketball fever has already begun.
On Sunday he and Nick will head over to ODU's first regular season game of the 2007-2008 season. Chris is beside himself with excitement. That man loooooooves his ODU b-ball. He once again purchased two season tickets...so he will be rotating games between the boys. I wonder if Lauren is going since students get in free.
I think I will use that alone time to relax and catch up on my reading. I have three half read books sitting on my bed table. Shame on me.

Some of my favorite perseverance quotes:

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. ~Mother Teresa

If you're going through hell, keep going. ~Winston Churchill

A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn. ~Author Unknown

I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.Some come from ahead and some come from behind.But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see.Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!~Dr. Seuss

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

by teresa


Haven't had the energy to post lately.


I feel as if we have been on an emotional marathon this week.


Not giving details ....just asking for prayer.


That's all you really need to know...right?


Pray. For. Us.


In better news....Ben got up great for school today. The schools around here were closed Monday and Tuesday for teacher work days. So today we got to experience the effects of the hour clock change on Ben's early morning mood. He sprung up, dressed, washed a bit and came down with 15 minutes to spare. Hooray!

It was such a lovely day and the sun was shinning bright
A gentle breeze was blowin my way, not a storm cloudin sight
And suddenly without a warming, a storm surrounded mylife
But even in the storm, I can feel the calm, and here´s the reason why
CHORUS
I know the Peacespeaker, I know Him by my name
I know the Peacespeaker, He controls the winds and waves
When He says "peace, be still", they have to obey
I´m glad I know the Peacespeaker, yes I know Him by name
There´s never been another man with the power of this friend
By simply saying "peace, be still" He can calm the strongest wind
So now I´ll never be sorry when storm clouds come my way
I know that He is near to drive away my fear, and I can smile and say
REPEAT CHORUS
Peace, peace, wonderful peace.
Coming down from the Father above.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Thursday, November 01, 2007

by teresa

Last night was terrific.
Our churches trunk -r-treat was jam packed with families.
And I got my Reese cups...oh boy did I have my Reese cups.

Ben and Kai aka Mario and Luigi won first prize for their costumes...and Kaden aka chunky ladybug won first prize in her age group.

Now that Halloween is over...we move on to soccer party mode around here.
Our season is coming to an end and our parties are this Saturday(back to back).
Two teams...which meant two slide show presentations.
Lots of photos to take, crop, sort and put into the show.
It took me most of yesterday ....but now they are done.
And, man do they look cool.
Thanks to the Windows Movie Maker/DVD Maker on Lauren's laptop.

I can't believe it is November.
We finally have some chilly ...jacket worthy weather here.
And now Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner.
I have Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Family Fun , Martha Stewart and Southern Living magazines on my table...and I'm ready to get my craft on.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

boo

by teresa

Happy Halloween to all.
Or....happy harvest day...fall fest...or whatever you call it.

Me and the family will be spending the evening at our church sampling chili (it's a contest) , gorging ourselves on hot dogs, cotton candy and whatever Reece cups I can get my hands on. They are my favorite!

Yesterday I took my niece Kaden to the pumpkin patch. She had a blast...and wore me slam out! I don't know how Katy does it. She ran from the bouncer to the slide to the fire truck back to the jumper to the tunnel back to the jumper....and so on. The only way she would jump is if I got in it with her. That was comical. There were no pictures taken of that I can assure you. I kept tumbling over to the inside corner of the stupid thing. Like a turtle on it's back.
When it came time to pick a pumpkin she went straight for the big ones. I suggested a few(smaller ones)...she would look them over and inform me that "they had boo boos". Which meant they had a stain or were dented. Only a perfect pumpkin would do. She pulled the wagon around until she found one she wanted. I put it in...and she insisted on pulling it back to the stand to be weighed (30+ lbs) all by herself. She hugged it and when I asked her what it's name was...she said..."Sam".
Very cute.

Pumpkin patch

Monday, October 29, 2007

by teresa

Last night Chris and I noticed that all Lauren's car windows were rolled down.
How strange.
We called over to mom's to ask her why.
Here's how our conversation went.





















Me: Lauren...why are your windows rolled down?

Her: Uhhh....I threw up in there.

Me: WHAT?!!??

Her: Well actually...me AND Christina threw up in there.

Me: Your so weird. What happened?

Her: *laughing hysterically* Well, after church Christina and I went to lunch with some people...after lunch we were driving to Hunter's house and Christina sneezed. Snot came out of her nose and it made me puke. Then she saw me puke...and it made her puke. So we just kept puking.

Me: Grooosssss!!!!! You are so sick!!! Did you clean it up(this is a reasonable question for this girl)?

Her: When we got to Hunter's we borrowed their shopvac and cleaned up the car. We sprayed lots of fabreeze and rolled the windows down to air it out. That's why the windows are rolled down.

As gross as this is...I still don't think it's as funny as when she peed while driving (in Chris' car) because her friend made her laugh too hard. Then to "clean" it up she poured her drink on it. The next day Chris sat in the mess on the way to work. Funny stuff!

I really can't talk. When Chris and I were teenagers he was teaching me to drive a stick shift. I got so mixed up...and the car was jerking and lurching. I laughed so hard I peed my pants(in his car). He must have really liked me to keep me around after that.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Saturday, October 27, 2007

by teresa

All three of our soccer games were rained out today.
What a disappointment.
We were up early....the whole team out there...ready to play.
We waited and waited.
But after four straight days of rain our soccer fields were flooded.

Later in the day it finally cleared up...sunshine...rainbows...and mud.
Lots and lots of mud.

We watched the movie Evan Almighty yesterday. I highly recommend it for you and the kids. It's clean (no cursing, boobs or violence), has a positive message and is pretty funny. Our boys were glued to the tv.

Tonight our friends from soccer are hosting a Halloween party for the kids. It starts at 6:30...so they should all be in a sugar coma by 9:00.
I'll make sure to take lots of pictures.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Insane people are always sure that they are fine. It is only the sane people who are willing to admit that they are crazy.

by teresa

Why are my children not perfect like yours?

What is your secret?
Time outs?
Restriction?
Sedatives(for you and them)?
Cattle prods?
Shock therapy?
Lobotomy?

I'm losing it over here people!

Most of the time my kids have pity on me and only act bad one at a time.
You know....if one is being horrible...the other two are angels.

But not this week.
This week all three are pushing me to the limit.
Heck....they have pushed me so far past "my limit"...that the light from "my limit" will take a billion years to reach the Earth.

Give me a break! And I'm not talking about a kitkat bar!

I like things neat. Neat and tidy. And not just physical things. Emotional things too. Everyone needs to be happy, sweet and confident. When they are the opposite (angry, disrespectful and anxious) it throws my whole world off kilter.

I'll take the purple straight jacket in an XL please.


Wednesday, October 24, 2007

by teresa

Not good.
Ben whined and lingered upstairs too long this morning.
When I came down he was dressed (save his shoes).
But apparently it takes him ten minutes to walk from his room to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
I kept calling up to him..."Ben, the bus will be here any time now!"
He came down and threw himself on the couch....still no shoes on.
In the middle of yet another rant about his brothers hour later wake up than his...we heard that familiar diesel engine chugging up the street.
I looked out the door..and sure enough...it was his bus.
Come...and gone.
Ben jumps up....grabs his shoes (which are still not on his feet) and chucks them across the room.
He turns to me with tears in his eyes and says...."SEE WHAT YOU DID MOM!"

Monday, October 22, 2007

by teresa

Ben has such a hard time getting up for school in the morning.
Not every once in a while either.
Every. Single. Morning.

It doesn't matter what time he goes to bed.
Early. Late. Right on time.
Still whines, moans and begs when I get him up for school.

It's not what you think. He loooooves school!
He also looooves the bus. So when I suggest that he sleep in...and I'll drive him myself....he refuses adamently.

I know what he's feeling. Getting up at 6:30am for school...is ridiculous.
It is still dark...and every day he accuses me of changing the clock.
"look...it's still dark!" "You must have changed the clock!"
Grrrrr....what a grump.

Today, as his bus was coming down the street and he was walking out the door he turned to me and said, "School should NOT start this early....you are on the PTA ...you should speak up and get that fixed!"

Sunday, October 21, 2007

by teresa

We are about to close mom's pool.
Dad's brother Timmy, Nick and Josh are going to do the deed.
Chris is in DC today so will not be able to help.
Dad would always complain each fall that he had to do it by himself. But that was only cause he would sneak and do it while we we at church or something.
He knew no one could ever do it right "his way"...so it was best to let him do it alone .....and then give him accolades afterward.
It's so warm here..we could still swim in it.
But with fall here....my trees are shedding around the pool, in the pool and everywhere else. *sorry dad*


This picture reminds me of my daddy. He would rake all the leaves (every last one) from his yard....and then dump them over my fence. He would say," They came from your tree...I was just putting them back!"
We are wanting to take down the six foot privacy fence in between our yards so it will be easier for Nick (our newly appointed handyman and groundskeeper) to access Dad's garage and mom's yard work.
We will need to have a wedding for KiKi (ruler of mom's yard) and Shorty (ruler of our yard). So they can cohabitat...without living in sin.

Friday, October 19, 2007

by teresa

Last night Chris and I went to a viewing for nine minutes.
That's not long...but it's all I could take.
My granddaddy's sister passed this week and I wanted to honor them (as they did us last month) by going and telling them how sorry I am that their parent died.
I walked in the funeral home and felt a huge elephant climb on my shoulders. All the tears...long faces...grief. It was heavy...and sucked the breath out of me. Daughters with the same sad eyes as me, grandchildren with the same look of loss as my kids, a husband with the same sorrow as my mom.
I said a few hello's as I made my way to "the room". She lay there as lovely as always...and at peace...free from disease and pain again. Her husband greeted me from a chair by her side. I remarked at how beautiful she was...then I noticed she had a blue purse by her side. I asked him about it and he said tearfully...,"It was her favorite...she would never go anywhere without it."
*sigh*
I teared up, turned around and walked out the front door.
I miss my dad so much....and that was just too much...too soon.

It made me tired. More tired than I have been lately (and that's very, very tired). I came home and went to bed...at 8:00pm. I dreamed that I was home alone..and an intruder broke in. It (I never saw what it was) tackled me in my hallway (actually it was mom's hallway) and wouldn't let me up. That's it. No hitting...screaming...robbing. Just pushed me face down and wouldn't let me up. The only thing I kept yelling out for was...GRANDDADDY!
Weird.

Did I tell you that mom got my Daddy's truck all fixed up? Scratches, dings and rust off. Paint touched up. She also got a personalized plate(I won't give the exact lettering) that says "MISS*YOU*JIMMY". It sits ther in the driveway...kinda like a shrine :)
He would love it!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

by teresa

We had such a hectic evening.
Two soccer picture appointments and two soccer practices in two different locations. At the same time!
Before and after all this Nick had to finish up his history project.
He was finally done with homework and project around 11:00pm.

I dropped by Katy's this morning and surprised her with Starbucks. Her and Josh got me a giftcard for my birthday. I think she bought it knowing I would spend it on her. She loves the caramel frappachinos (extra caramel/extra whip). I wish I would have taken my camera to catch her huge smile when she opened the door and saw me (and her sweet beverage) standing on the porch.

Before I go I wanted to show you this funny email someone sent me today.
Enjoy!

Sisters Mary Catherine, Maria Theresa, Katherine Marie, Rose Frances, & Mary Kathleen left the Convent on a trip to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City and were sight-seeing on a Tuesday in July.

It was hot and humid in town and their traditional garb was making them so uncomfortable, they decided to stop in at Patty McGuire's Pub for a cold soft drink.

Patty had recently added special legs to his barstools, which were the talk of the fashionable eastside neighborhood.

All 5 Nuns sat up at the bar and were enjoying their Cokes when Monsignor Riley and Father McGinty entered the bar through the front door They, too, came for a cold drink when they were shocked and almost fainted at what they saw.

Nuns on bar stools that look like legs


Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Happy Birthday Kristian!

by teresa

Today is my niece Kristian's 9th birthday. We love all Katy's kids to the moon and back. But Kristian is special. Katy was a teen mommy...still in high school when she had Kristian. So Chris and I (along with mom and dad whom she lived with) became extra mommy's and daddy's to her. Extra hands, hugs and support. I was her childcare provider...and once Ben was born (4 months later) there wasn't many times that they weren't together. The two of them are more like brother and sister than cousins. We "feel" as though she is ours too. A strong bond...never to be broken. So on this ninth year anniversary of her birth...we want to say, "Kristian, we adore you." "Happy Birthday...and stop growing up so fast!"

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

oooohh....I'm telling!

by teresa


My nephew Kai is a mess.
They should make a sitcom of his life.
"Leave it to Kai" *like Leave it to Beaver*
I could create an entire blog of the bizarre and knucklehead things he does each day.
Like kicking a man in the head who was standing by the bleachers we were sitting on, or yelling "hey big momma!"...to the heavy set cashier at the 7-11 or peeing in the yard in front of company. It's endless.


Yesterday...in his frustration over the neighbors telling him to keep it down(the kid is constantly screaming, yelling, whooping and growling loudly) he got embarrassed......and threw a rock through the window.


Oh no!


He got in big trouble by Katy.....and you don't want to be in big trouble by Katy.


Later in the evening, mom picked up Katy's kids to drive over to Kristian's game. She said Kai got in the car all droopy faced. He said, "Nanny....I had a bad day!" Then he proceeded to explain to her what happened. She gave him a lecture on being good...and making Jesus happy with our decisions...and obeying mommy....and controlling his temper. He sorrowfully agreed.

After a minute of silence he spoke up.
"Nanny?"
"Yes honey?"
"You got a hundred bucks I can borrow?"


This cracked me up!
Apparently Katy had explained to him that it would cost a hundred dollars to fix the neighbors window.

The whole time mom was thoughtfully lecturing him and it looked as if he was remorseful......he was working up the nerve to bum a hundred off his granny.

Monday, October 15, 2007

pretty in pink

by teresa

My niece Kristian's 9th birthday party was Saturday (her bday is Wed.). It was a cookout at Katy's house. Hamburgers, hotdogs and smoked sausages...mmmmm. The weather was perfect for sitting outside (high 60's) and the company was even better. Friends from school, soccer and family. I think Kristian had a blast...and we enjoyed honoring (spoiling) her with gifts and hugs. Chris and I bought her a book (of course), pink and white heelys, a lip gloss ring and lotion(pink buttercream icing lotion). But I ended up keeping the lotion because it was just too awesome. It smells just like icing and my hubby has a sweet tooth! So I decided to hang on to that little treasure. I also took her to the beauty shop and got pink stripes in her hair. They were having a breast cancer awarness deal. For $10 (all of which is donated to a local cancer walk) they put a little pink in your hair. It's bright pink for the first week...then turns pastel pink for the next month or so. Too cool!

















Thursday, October 11, 2007

by teresa

We have been busy around here.
Lots going on.
Some good...some not so good.
But...that's how it is in normal families.
We can't be perfect all the time. Right?

I think I'll take a couple days off from blogging...so I can give everything around here my undivided attention.

When things calm down...I will make time to sit and catch up with you.

I'll be back soon!

*feel free to miss me*

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

by teresa

Lauren and Kaden had a great trip to the zoo. She did take the stroller...but said she let her get out and run around most of the time. Lauren said of all the animals there....her favorite things were the ducks. Not the elephants, lions or monkeys. The ducks...which you can see anywhere around town. She would squeal and give chase. Also...the kid has no fear. If there was an animal within reach...she would grab it. No hesitation. Lauren taught her the word "Emu" when they approached that exhibit. Apparently Kaden enjoyed seeing this animal...and saying the name. For the rest of the afternoon she ran through the zoo yelling...EEEEEEMMUUUUU!..at the top of her lungs. Most people would try to distract her...shush her...contain her. Not Lauren. She loved it...encouraged it...joined in. She is going to make a great teacher someday.


What is your favorite animal at the zoo? Mine have always been the monkeys. They are so smart and funny.