Crash and Burn

Okay, yep that is what I did this morning. It started out with a rocky morning with the kiddos. Ty had grandparent's day at school today so I wanted to dress him in a nice pair of jeans and a short sleeved polo shirt. He decided that he hated the jeans and just had to wear shorts. It was cold this morning so we argued for 30 minutes about the clothing choice for Grandparent's Day. I won that round, but gave in when in came to the shoes. We agreed on short sleeve polo shirt, jeans, and sandals. He did look awful cute though. Next, I found out right before walking out the door that Tristan lost her brand new uniform hoodie sweatshirt. I just bought it on Tuesday, and she left it at school on Wed. It is now MIA. I was not a happy camper. Things got better at breakfast and on the way too school. Then they started getting rocky again. I usually put Evan in the stroller to take the kids to class, but today I decided I would carry the 21 pound chunky monkey in. What was I thinking? We got to Tristan's class room and I had forgot the ice cream money (they can buy ice cream on Fridays only) and also the spirit wear money( paying a dollar to wear a non uniform shirt) So I had to go back out to the car with Ty following and me carrying chunk-a-monk. So I get the money, come back in and that is when it happened. Of course my arm was about to completely break off from holding Evan. He also decided that now was the morning he would try to do back flips out of my arms. So as I am about to go to the couch in the front entrance area to reposition Evan and sit down for a minute, Ty walks right in front of my feet. I couldn't see him b/c of holding Evan . So like in slow motion... I CRASHED hard. I fell on my right knee and arm. I am sure it wasn't a pretty sight. I am proud to say though that I held on to the prize-EVAN!! He did not go crashing into the floor with me. So mission accomplished. Luckily, my cousin Missy was sitting on the couch so she helped me regroup. She held Evan for me, so I could then hold Ty, who was now crying thinking he had maimed us for life. Whew! what a morning. So now my knee is really sore. It defintely could have been worse though. It is just truly embarassing to fall like that. Especially when you are holding your infant son! Hope everyone has an awesome weekend.
Until next time...

Camping again!

We are getting this camping thing done! We just got back from another family weekend. This time we went with the Groom's family to Gatlinburg. It was a blast. The kids had so much fun just spending time together. They haven't been able to do that in a while. Our schedules have changed a lot since the kids have started school. I told Tracy after looking at some of the pictures I took of the kids this weekend that I was kind of sad to see them grow up. This picture in particular made me a little nostalgic. I can certainly remember five little kiddos downstairs on my couch eating popcorn and watching T.V. after swimming in the pool. Little kiddos does not really fit the description now. God has blessed both of our families tremendously. It is amazing to hear some of the things that they are learning. Mason just led a little boy at school to Christ last week- How awesome is that? Tristan talks constantly about her love for Jesus! She has such a compassionate heart that is only from Christ. Her and Carter are getting ready to start our church's "Now that I am a Christian Class" This is the class that saved kiddos take before they are able to be baptized. She couldn't be more thrilled. She is so ready to get baptized. She asks me daily.

Ty is learning lots of things too. He is so sweet. He has not a care in the world. A little stubborn at times though. I have to laugh at him when I ask him what he learned at school for the day it is always, "NOTHIN". Then when he thinks I am not listening I will catch him singing songs, reciting his memory verses, or doing his vowels.

Evan is growing, growing, growing. He is now sitting up for short periods of time unassited. We are still waiting on those teeth to come in.

Well it finally happened! Tristan learned to ride her bike without the training wheels this weekend. She was so excited. Tracy and I both believe that she wasn't about to let Mason and Carter show her up. She really is just one of the boys at times. She loves her Mason, Carter and Trent. Here you can see her pedalling away. As for Ty, he would rather do the Fred Flinstone on his big wheel. He can get around faster that way. He really has no desire to learn to ride his bike even with the training wheels on. Oh well, I guess I will be getting the bike that attaches to mine so that I can haul him around. We have scheduled Ty's 16th laser treatment for the day after Thanksgiving. Andy and Ty will leave on Thanksgiving Day and have the treatment that Friday. It will be crazy busy up in NYC with the holiday. I am praying now for travel mercies. On a positive note though, Ty's face looks amazing. We are praying for a few more treatments until we can claim maintenance. That is about once a year. Here is another picture of Ty this past weekend. Yes, he is nasty. What else should boys look like? That bath water sure was black.

Until next time guys....

All Tuckered Out!

All tuckered out! This is the theme for our week. I can't believe I haven't posted in three weeks. Where does the time go? We have had much happen in the Pritchard family in the past three weeks.

Labor Day weekend was our first family camping trip to Point Mallard Park in Decatur, Alabama. We had a great time, and we got to meet some wonderful birthmark buddies and their families. Check out the slideshow for the pictures. We are hoping to do it again really soon. The kids had a blast. Evan did great too. It was super hot, so praise God for air conditioning. Tristan and Ty met a little girl- Laney, who was camping two campsites down from us, and they played with her quite a bit. There were not many boys around so as usual Ty filed right in with the girls. He plays well with them. He is used to it with Tristan.

So the kids were making us laugh. They along with three other girls they met there set up a display show on one of the picnic tables. They had found things around the campsite and had them displayed for people to see. They even made out invitations and gave them out to people. To see these "treasures" through the eyes of a child was so cool. Some of the prize objects: a real live crawfish. That sucker was big too. He reminded me of those crabs in "Finding Nemo" that say, "Hay, Hay Hay" when Nemo swims by. He was snapping his claws like that. He was in a bucket of course. There were Chuck E. Cheese coins, leaves, sticks, marbles, bottle tops, and even an old bar of soap. That one kind of grossed me out. I had to not show my face when the kids were like, "Smell this mommy, it is great". All I was thinking about was whose body it had washed- GAG!! Well after I viewed the treasures, a few minutes later I had the kids come up to me wanting a quarter for viewing their treasures. So I obliged. I think they got a few quarters a piece for all 6 of the kids that were playing together. Not too bad for a days work. We had so much fun as a family that we are going again next weekend with the Groom's family. We will be watching the Florida game in style thanks to Mr. Neil Grooms! I can't wait for the kids to spend some time with their buddies. It has been a while since we have played with the Groom's boys. Watch for pictures and posts from this trip as well.

Ty's 5th b-day was last Thursday. He wanted to celebrate at his favorite place- Litton's. What can I say, the boy has taste. So we went with Kiki and Poppy and had our usual fare. The burgers were great.

Ty has been a little stinker this week at school. He has gotten into trouble a few times. His allergies are bothering him, and he is just getting so tired that he has been taking two hour naps when he comes home from school. As you can see in the title picture. He even fell asleep sitting up on Tuesday. That is no excuse though. He has to learn how to listen. Luckily, Mrs. Stephanie knows how to handle him. Tristan is doing awesome in her reading. She is really catching on. Her math is kind of troubling, but I know she will get it with time. Little Evan has decided to grow past the legal limit on his baby carrier. He went to the doctor last Wed. for a six month well check-up and he is 19lb. 7.7oz and 27 inches long. He may have been the smallest at birth, but by golly he is making up for it now. I think he will soon be buckling his momma into the car instead of vice versa. He is now rolling over both ways. So he is going to town when he is on the floor. He is also sitting up for a short period of time with a little help from me or Andy. He is trying to push through his bottom right tooth. It is really swollen so it won't be long.

My newest endeavor is trying to make streamer ribbon ponytail holders. I have made a few and am going to try my hand at some more. Here is a picture of one of them.

I got my idea from a website that sells bows. Tristan's school was selling them, and I bought one. After looking at it, I thought that I could do it and for cheaper. I did it! I am learning. I never thought I would want to be crafty, but I guess that is my momma coming out in me. It has been fun making them, and I am going to try to maybe sell some myself. I have much learning to do though. Well, I am getting ready to hit the hay. I am all tuckered out too! Until next time....