Princess Crown

On the way to school this morning, Zach and I had the following conversation:

Zach:  I wish I didn’t have to go to school.

Me: Why?

Zach:  The only thing that’s fun is PE.  And, recess.  And, lunch.  And, music.  All the other stuff is hard.

Me:  All the other stuff is important too.  Like reading and math.  Those are things you’ll use your whole life.

Zach:  Well what if I don’t understand how to do them?

Me:  Ask questions.  Ask your teacher.  Or bring it home and maybe we can help.

Zach:  What if my teacher is wearing her princess crown?

Me:  Silent.  Silent. More Silence.  Are we having the same conversation?  Did my son just say his teacher wore a princess crown?  Finally, Your teacher wears a princess crown?

Zach:  Yes.  When she wears it you can’t ask her any questions. 

Me: Silent. Silent. More Silence.  Mentally picturing his teacher wearing the crown.  Mentally picturing the kids watching her wear the crown.  Wondering why it would take my son half  of the school year to tell me his teacher wears a crown.  Isn’t that something you come home and share the first day?!   I finally pull myself away from the ramblings inside my head and announce … I’m getting a princess crown!

Grandma and Grandpa

Every Christmas at Mike’s mom and dad’s, they like to get a picture of the kids with Santa and Mrs. Clause.  This year, Lilly and Zach started their own tradition of taking a picture with a different set of mr. and mrs.  Grandma and Grandpa are the sweet ol’ folks who sit on a bench in Granny Judy’s living room.  While Lilly pushed Grandma out of the way and snuggled right beside Grandpa, Zach took Grandma for a dance around the living room.  These pictures make me laugh every time I look at them.

When Zach was younger, he was facinated with the little glasses that each of them wear.  Lilly is now curious about the ol’ couple, inspecting each of them VERY close.  She even had Grandma wearing one of her headband bows before the visit was over!

Under the Tree

About a week before Christmas, I was walking by our tree and noticed a new “package”.  

Before I go any further, let me give you a little background as to what a present snooper I am.  When I was little, I knew each and every present that had my name on it.  I could tell you that I had two big, five small, one that makes noise when you shake it and one as light as a feather.  I dreamt about them every night, wondering, hoping for what could be inside those pretty packages.  The suspense and curiosity about killed me every year.  So, even though I shop for my own presents now (I know! I know!  But, it’s easier that way and I’m always pleasantly surprised!), I do still take notice of new presents under the tree.

So, back to my story….I noticed this new package wasn’t really wrapped but folded up like a card.  A bright orange card.  Hmm…I took a peek as I carried a load of clothes to the mud room.  Another look, just a little closer as I made another pass through the living room.  The tree just happened to be RIGHT BY the computer and as I was trying to work, the cheery piece of paper kept catching my eye.  It took every ounce of will power I had not to open it up.  So, instead I took a picture of it.

Can you guess who the package was from?  The sweet seven-year old who lives in this house…Zach!  On Christmas Eve morning (when we celebrated this year), he gave us his present.  The orange card said “For all of you” and had three pencils and a drawing of our family in it.  I’m so glad I didn’t start crying and blubbering something silly, but that’s what I felt like doing.  Children are life’s sweetest blessings and it’s moments like this that I want to remember forever.

I was surprised that he was able to keep his secret for a whole week.  Even more shocked that I was able to refrain from snooping just a tad further.  He has no idea what the suspense did to me.  Although, maybe he did.  I think I passed the present snooping gene on to him!  Next year’s going to be fun!!!

Daddy Said No

This traumatizing and sad event is a little hard to read, don’t say I didn’t warn you.  It all started after Zach’s birthday, we were finishing dinner and about to serve left over birthday cake for dessert.  Zach had cleaned his plate, but Lilly was still lingering over a mostly full one.  Amist listening to Zach tell us each and every detail from the day and asking Lilly to quit putting her chubby foot on the table, we kept reminding Lilly that if she didn’t eat her food, she couldn’t have any cake.

By now you can probably tell where this story is going.  Lilly did not finish her chicken and so there for….dun, dun, dunnaaaa…..Daddy said “NO CAKE.”  I believe these two words were the most heart breaking sounds she had ever heard.  Very traumatizing for two reasons, one Daddy would say NO, and two the word CAKE would follow.  At least every other day, if not EVERY day she will furrow her eyebrows together in a very sad way and tell me “Daddy say no caaaak.”  When I ask her why Daddy said “no caaaak”, she says with a BIG grin on her face, “I not eat my chicken!” 

Surely one day she will be able to close this traumatic, cake denied chapter of her life.  She does have her own birthday coming up so there is hope.  Until then, every time she hears the word “no” or “cake” or we are just driving down the road watching the cows staring at us, she will say “Daddy, say no caaaaak.”  Heartbreaking.

Hometown Christmas

So that was the theme for the parade in downtown Chandler this year.  The Chandler Junior Mother’s Club decided to have a float in the parade and ride on it with our kids.  The float turned out pretty cute.  It was freezing cold while we were decorating it, but the day of the parade was really nice.  We ended up winning second place!

Zach had a great time throwing candy, Lilly contributed by eating the candy and waving.  All week before the parade she kept saying “Gonna ride a foat, gonna be fun, gonna wave to Daddy, gonna wave to Grammy, gonna wave to Papa Bruce, gonna be fun!”  After hearing that for the twentieth time, Zach and I decided to not mention the float until we were actually in the car heading to the parade.  She still talks about riding a “foat” and waving to people and of course “gonna be fun!”.

In the Press!

We are thrilled to announce that PinknCamo has been featured on Simple Finds (www.simple-finds.com).   One of our newest products was featured but I’m not going to tell you which one.  I want you to see for yourself!

Seven

Dear Zach,

It’s hard to believe you are SEVEN!!  Wow.  I know I say this every year, but it really is hard to believe.  The time goes by at heart breaking speeds sometimes.  (I don’t expect you will understand this until you have children of your own. Or, maybe until Christmas vacation is over and you wonder where it went.)

Last week we were at Aunt Linda’s house and they were telling us about your cousin Zeke.  He likes to put on his football gear and run through a towel as they introduce him onto the “field”.  It reminded us of the time (a moment I had almost forgotten) that you would get dressed in your basketball “uniform”, give us a flashlight, turn off the lights and have us introduce “NOW, here’s your Oklahoma State Cowboys!!!”  Then we would spend the next hour “calling” the game for you, with a lot of help FROM you! 

Just the other night you told your Granny and Papa that when you have your own store, gun store that is, you’ll be closed on Friday’s.  When we asked you “why Friday’s?” you said “so you can go to the movies and eat popcorn and see your parents.”  Sounds like a smart plan to me!

Right now you are into hunting, video games, playing army, and you still love sports.  You still have that wonderfully sweet heart.  You are the best big brother a girl could have.  You are great at math.  You make us smile ALOT every day.

I love you more than you will know.  To the moon and back, although you might have me topped with your “I love you as big as God is” reply.  No matter where you go, how big you get, if you own a gun store or are the president, if you play basketball or become a preacher, I will always love you and be praying for you every day (especially if you are president!)

Love, Mama

Before it’s Christmas…

and I haven’t even posted about Halloween, Z’s b-day and goodness knows what else.  Here are a few pics of our little trick or treators.  Aren’t they sweet?

Zach won a trophey (costume conetest) at the carnival in town at the nursing home.  He was very proud of his pumpkin trophey!  Lilly wasn’t so sure about everyone being dressed up, but once she figured out she was getting candy, that was all it took.  She can turn on the charm for candy.  Guess that’s what I should have offered while taking her picture, since she still refused to SMILE!

Hats with Attitude!

PinknCamo is launching it’s newest product, Newsboy Hats!  These adoreable accessories are created with unique comibinations of patterns and textures and accented with buttons, flowers or bling.   See the latest collection here.

Also, check out our “Happy Hunting” sale offering 10% off of any Camo Cutie product.  Check back soon as we will be adding our Christmas line of products as well as a few other suprises!

A Getaway

A few weeks back we took the kids on a quick vacation and went to Branson, MO.  We had a great time and enjoyed just being able to relax and spend time together. 

We packed quite a bit into our four day stay.  The whole idea to take a trip to Branson came about after we had heard about the Noah Musical there.  When we arrived I discovered that there were no shows on the days we were going to be there.  What has happened to my planning skills?!  It’s scary.  Anyway, since Noah was out, we decided to catch an IMAX film on the gigantanormus screen, ride the Ducks, eat dinner at Showguns, visit Branson Landing and the Fish Hatchery.

Grammy and Papa Bruce have a time share and were gracious enough to let us use it during our stay.  The resort was very nice with miniature golf, swimming, pool tables, basketball court and a park all on property.  Zach would have stayed there the entire time and been happy swimming and playing basketball and pool while Lilly hung out at the park every chance she got.

Our last night there, Granny Judy and PaPa Gene met us at the Branson Landing.  We ate dinner and watched the light show on the water.  A very enjoyable evening!