Change of Plans

Category 4 means we get the heck outta here. So, as of now, we are heading to some friends' parents about an hour or so North in MS. My guess is that if it continues to strengthen, shift or get larger we may change them again.

Be Impressed

It is nice to be proud rather than totally embarrassed of your government officials. Bobby Jindal is our new Governor. He ran for Governor in the previous election. Unfortunately he lost to Blanco and was not in office locally when Katrina hit. Ironically, she was not re-elected. Early in the week he had buses ready and National Guard in place and on stand-by. He is already evacuating people who have no transportation. Buses are lined up as are the people. Be prepared to see his face at some point for President.

Gustav

We think we are staying put in Hammond. As of now, 8:55am Saturday, we are farthest enough East to where we really feel safe staying at our house. Looks like it will hit about 2 hours West of us. We do have a few options for evacuating North if we need to. We can get to these places via the highway and should not have to get caught up in contraflow on the Interstate. Of couse, all of this is subject to change as the direction of the storm changes. But, since we have been in LA we have had to decide about at least 6 storms. We did evacuate for about 3 of those. So, I say that to say, we are not being stupid or uninformed. Our television has been on the Weather Channel or local news for about 36 straight hours.

another funny

I love it when I have my blog up when I hear the kids say funny things. Streed was just asking for coke. Relentlessly. Chip kept saying no. It went like this.

S-Daddy, can i have coke?
C-No (these lines were repeated about 5 times each)
S-But I didn't have any last night!
C-I don't care if you had any in three days, you're not getting any
S-Daddy, I don't like you all the time.
C-Well, sometimes I don't like you either.

Flying By

Nate will be 6 months this Thurs. I introduced squash this week. He isn't too impressed. I did something differently with him than I did with the others. I put applesauce or sometimes a little hit of juice in his rice cereal. Why? Good question. I think I messed up.

Yes Streed wore this shirt when he was 2.

See Below

I know things shrink but not that much. It is 18m.

With his arms raised it is as if her were saying...

"Why am I so small?"

"Better yet, why are they so big?"

My answer to all three of them will be:

"I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are His works!"

An update on Streed...

He is into all superheroes and power rangers. I am not quite sure how this happened. He saw Power Rangers once while flipping through the channels. A co-worker of my mom's passed down some clothes again this year. Believe it or not this cute Power Ranger shirt was in the pile. He loves it. I love how it fits his skinny little body.

He loves his Ella and Nate. He is so good with both of them. He is getting a little bit tattleish when it comes to Ella. We have been talking about not delighting in others' misfortune/punishment and trying to spur Ella on to love and good deeds. He then tries to help her obey by reminding her of the rules, mainly staying in her seat during meals. He was pushing Nate's feet and swinging him a little too high here.

He is loving our new nightly routine. He and I have been "cuddling" on the couch doing flash cards before bed time. He is loving the one-on-one time, as am I. And he is actually going to bed easier after we have that time.

He loved the olympics. I think mainly because he got to stay up a little later to watch. He always cheered for the chinese. Once he knew it frustrated us he did it even more. He started eating his meals fast and saying he won the gold medal.

He shares mine and Chip's love for fixing up houses. Once Chip put down the base boards he kept saying how pretty it was. I must admit it is really pretty. A nice change from not having any for about 7 months.

Who do you love?

I love my brothers and my brothers love me!

She was shaking her hips back and forth when I took this picture.

She is a little bit tom-boy and a little bit prissy girl.

She loves purses and shoes.

The many faces Ella

These two are copying Streed. He went through a pouting stage. She started doing it this week. I just copy her when she does it and she starts lauging. She thinks it is funny.

An update on baby girl...

She is a laugh a minute. Getting super close to being potty trained. Talking non-stop in a copy-cat style...whatever we say she repeats it. She does what Streed does all day long. He usually is happy to have her along. Unless she has his cars.

Playing in the yard with Streed. They were pretending to Bob the Builder and Wendy. Actually Streed was calling her Bob's dad and me Wendy.

A little later, also in the back yard. The diaper is optional these days. Most of the time I don't care. Until she forgets she isn't wearing one and wets the floor! When she goes in the potty, which she did twice today, we start singing and dancing. Streed & Ella love it. We say, "Ella tee-teed in the toilet and not on the floor". This is a variation of what Jill sang to Jadyn.

I guess she has seen Chip do this. He has started drinking lots of water.

Always loving on Nate

kidsconsignmentsales.com

A friend sent me this website the other day and I am so excited. Thought I would pass it on. From there you select your state and city to find stores and sales near you. I am planning to get rid of lots of stuff at the sale near here and I am so excited. I am sure I will spend what I make but that is fine with me.

truth

Streed just asked Chip for a cookie. Chip told him he could have one after he woke up. Streed said, "you will eat them all".