Early Christmas at the Simmons' House!

It's here! The boys were not too excited about their early Christmas present. They hid their faces and covered their ears when Drew and I stood in the bathroom door singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." They DID NOT see the humor in this. We got a good laugh out of it!

I still have to convince Drew that Santa can bring ONE present to each boy. I don't want ruin that for them. We only have a little more time for them to believe in Santa. Plus, I would still be able to say, "I'm going to call Santa if you are not nice to each other." I'm not ready to give that up!

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This was a L-O-N-G week. I don't know why, but I didn't think it would ever end.

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On Tuesday Jackson wanted to cut and glue some things from a book I bought him this summer. Addie had to get in on the action, too. It was too cute not to record.

Many Small Pieces

I was not going to post the following event, but I need to have a record of it for future reference.

This morning I was in my closet getting dressed. Addie was with me and the boys were suppose to be brushing their teeth. I could hear them laughing and talking through the wall. All of a sudden, I heard a loud crashing sound. Something hit the wall and shattered. All I could think of was the mirror had fallen off the wall and shattered on the floor.

As I was making my way to their bathroom, Bryson came running around the corner shouting, "I didn't do it! I didn't do it! Something happened, but I didn't do it!" Well, I knew right away who was the guilty party~ he was. "The toilet broke. I don't know what happened." I could hear water running.

When I got to the bathroom Jackson was standing frozen with fear and the lid of the tank was on the floor in a million pieces. (No, I didn't actually count the pieces, but you know what I mean!) They preceded to tell me they didn't know what happened. It just fell off. I don't know about you, but I am 37 years old and have NEVER been witness to a toilet tank lid "just falling off."

I began asking questions (rather loudly) about what happened. Here's what I got:
Bryson: We were trying to see who was taller.
Me: You are 8 and he is 4. Who do you think is taller?
Bryson: I don't know. We were just trying to see in the mirror who was taller.
Me: Jackson, what did you do.
Jackson: I did nothing. He broke it.
Me: Go to your room. You are getting a spanking for breaking the toilet.

Insert spanking sounds here.

After much questioning and yelling Jackson finally admitted to having a part in the destruction. He also received some tough love for his part and for lying to me.

Here's what I think happened. I think they were trying to see who was taller. Bryson was standing on the toilet, like he said he was. I think the lid probably moved a little bit and he was curious about what was under it. He probably lifted it up a little to look and had Jackson look also. They probably saw all that really cool stuff that makes the toilet work and tried to lift it a little more. As they lifted it slid backward on the tank and slipped behind the toilet and crashed onto the floor. This is what makes sense to me.

Here's where I may have gone too far. I told them to remember this day because come Christmas morning when they don't have any toys under the tree, they need to think back to why there is nothing to play with. I may have spoken too quickly out of anger. I don't know how to back down or if I should even back down. I want them to know that there are consequences for their actions and that if they break something it costs money to replace it. The money has to come from some where and it may just come from extras like toys. If this had been the first time something like this had happened my reaction may have been different. But this was definately NOT the first time they have destroyed something because they were playing around. What do you think? Should I let the spanking stand as the punishment or should I take this opportunity to teach them a lesson? I have conflicting feelings. I am definately feeling like a horrible mom today.

DIY Weekend

This is the view from the kitchen into the living room. Can you see the red carnations from my Pumpkin Pal over two weeks ago! They are still looking good, Katie! Thanks, again!



This is the hallway that took almost 3 hours to paint. The kid's rooms, guest room and bathroom are down the hall.



This is the living room. (I guess you could have figured that one out for yourself!)

This is the view from the kitchen into the front of the house. We painted that room a couple of weeks ago.

Again, the kitchen.

We painted ALL day yesterday. We started at 8:00 and finished 16 hours later! Yes, we even made it to church this morning. And yes, we will be taking naps shortly! The kids behaved fairly well. Drew was amazing again. He helped paint and made the meals. I only stopped twice to eat. I did promise that I wouldn't ask to paint again for a couple of months~ although, I don't think he believes me. I still need to paint the bedrooms (except for Addie's) and the bathrooms. I would like to paint the laundry room eventually. Drew doesn't understand why, but I'm sure I can convince him in due time! :) This is all I have for today. Time for lunch and a nap!

My date, breakfast and a birthday

Yesterday morning Jackson asked if I would go out with him on a date. Bryson and I had a lunch "date" last week, so Jackson wanted one, as well. We actually ended up going on a "double date" with Drew and Bryson. (Addie was there too. She was the fifth wheel!) We went to eat Mexican food at Oscar's. Jackson had to sit next to me. We even shared an entree! Bryson had a PTA program following dinner, but we went to Braum's for ice cream afterwards. Again, Jackson had to sit next to me. Since we had both cars, Jackson wanted to ride with me back home. He asked if he could sit in the front. (This is a rare treat.) Of course, I said yes. I put his booster seat in the front and he held the door open for me. As we were driving, he asked if he could hold my hand "since we are on a date." Again, I said yes! We held hands all the way home. He was so sweet and so happy to be on our "date" together. I hope there will be a second date soon!

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In the mornings I always eat my breakfast in the car. This morning I had a Bagelful (Have you ever tried these? They are a bagel with cream cheese in the middle. They come in several different flavors. There is even a whole wheat one! They are wonderful.) I didn't want an apple this morning, so I got some baby carrots. I thought I needed some protein, so I grabbed an individual cheddar cheese. I also had some juice.
Jackson, still sitting in the front seat, looked over at me and said, "I think I like that. Can we share?"
So, I gave him some of my beloved Bagelful. Addie was yelling, "Mo, mo (more, more)," in the backseat so she got some too.
When I opened the cheese Jackson looked over and said, "I like cheese."
"Do you want some?" I asked.
"Yes. Can I have half of it?" So, he ate half of my cheese.
I reached for the carrots knowing these would be all mine. He NEVER eats carrots at home. "Hey, Mom. Remember when I used to not like carrots. I like them now!" So, he ate some of my carrots!
After I dropped Jack and Addie off at Miss Linda's, Bryson gets in the car and asks, "Hey, Mom, are you going to drink the rest of that juice?"
So much for eating MY breakfast this morning. I think I got to eat half of it! That's one way to cut calories.

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We were sitting at a red light this morning so I decided to put my lipstick on. Jackson says, "Mom, it's not safe to drive while you are lipsticking."

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Today is Drew's birthday. He is 38. When did we get so old? I know 38 is not "old", but I don't feel like we should be this "age." When I was younger, people who were 38 were old! I am so thankful for Drew. I won't elaborate again and risk making you ill! :) I have posted in the past about how wonderful he is. He is still that wonderful! I love him more each day! Happy birthday, Sweetie!

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Bryson lost another tooth today. I say lost, what I really mean is that I yanked it out! After holding him down and him screaming like a banshee for several minutes, he finally calmed down so I could get it out. May the tooth fairy be generous tonight. He owes me a dollar!

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Drew has to scout a Thursday game tomorrow night. Hopefully the kids will want cereal for dinner! I have become used to having him at home every night this week. Yes, he cooked on his birthday. I know, I am a sorry excuse for a wife! Have I mentioned that I HATE to cook?

Back in Time

Me and the boys at the Renaissance Festival on Saturday.



The weather was beautiful and the trees were just starting to change colors.




One of the rides is a huge swing. Bryson doesn't look too excited in this picture, but he enjoyed it.




This is my dad and Jackson. The boys were very interested in all the swords that were for sale.




This was a man who had the back of his head painted like a woman. I laughed so hard looking at this. I finally asked him if I could take his picture. He was glad to let me do it!


We drove down to Plantersville this weekend to go to the Renaissance Festival that is held there each year. I tried to explain what it was like to the boys, but didn't do a very good job. Let's just say that they were pretty freaked out most of the time we were there. If you have never been, it is quite an experience. People are dressed in costumes from the Medieval Period and everything is made to resemble the way things were back then. There was much debautchery and craziness. Women wore corsetts and showed A LOT of cleavage. Some of the men didn't wear much of anything. Others were dressed as dragons and other creatures. I don't know how much of this the boys noticed, but at one time they both said they were scared! They relaxed a little when they started playing games and eating. When we left my dad bought both of them a wooden sword. I think they had fun overall. Bryson asked if we could go back next year.

Saturday night we stayed with my little sister at her apartment in College Station. Let's just say that not much sleep was to be had. Things don't get quiet down there until about 3 in the morning. I guess that's when everyone finally passes out! My sister and her roommates were not the ones partying. It was everyone else in the apartment complex! I finally fell asleep and the boys woke up at 6:30. I kept them as quiet as I could for a couple of hours. We finally left at 8:30 before anyone woke up! We got home at 11:30 and I took a short nap. We had some friends over yesterday afternoon to hang out. I was so tired this morning. I don't think I have fully recovered from our weekend, yet. Hopefully, I can get to sleep early tonight and get some rest.

Hooray for the Weekend

This has been a busy week, so I haven't had time to post until now. I should be cleaning the house so Drew doesn't have to tomorrow, but I am too tired to clean. I am not to tired to type, just too tired to clean! Drew had to go to Wichita Falls tonight to scout a game. He will be back very late tonight. The boys and I are leaving tomorrow morning to meet my Dad and step-mother in College Station. We are going to go to a Renaissance Festival that is somewhere down there. We won't be back until Sunday afternoon. Busy weekend ahead.

I made a gourmet meal tonight~chicken nuggets, mac 'n cheese and peas. Bryson sat down at the table and sighed heavily, "I am so sorry that you had to cook tonight, Mommy." He feels my pain.

Here is a video of Addison trying to jump. This was from earlier this week. Notice how the boys had to get in on the action too!

This one shows Addison climbing in her chair. Tonight I videoed her after her bath. Usually she does this first thing in the morning or right when we come home in the afternoon. This girl loves to eat!

Well, that's all for now. Hopefully I will get some good pictures this weekend. I will try to post on Sunday.

Trick or Treat!

Okay, one of my blogger friends is going to have to tell me how to put the pictures where I want them! I haven't figured out how to do that, so these are not in the order I intended them to be in!

I thought Drew had some coaching obligation on Saturday, but that is NEXT weekend! So,I got "a wild hair" as Drew so lovingly said yesterday and decided I wanted to paint a room. I love to paint and just haven't done it since we moved in almost 2 years ago. (Okay, I painted Addison's room before she was born, but nobody ever sees that room so it doesn't count!) I felt like our house was too boring and needed some color. So, off we went to Home Depot. I told Drew we weren't going to stand there debating colors. I just wanted to get whatever color caught my eye first. We both reached for the same sample, so that's the one we chose! I painted for 12 hours straight. I only stopped to eat twice. Drew helped too, but he also did the laundry, kept up with the kids and made wonderful hamburgers for dinner! I was determined to finish in one day. I hate to leave things undone. So, I worked all day and we finished about 10:30 last night. I think it turned out great! Next, I will paint the kitchen, then the living room, then our room........ That's what wrong with painting~once you start there's no place to stop! This is going to be my year-long project. Whenever I have a free weekend, I am going to paint a room!

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These pictures should have been first! Oh, well.

My three trick or treaters!

Addie cruising aroung the neighborhood!

Hi, pup pup!

I am the Fairy Princess!

I'm too cute to cause any trouble!

The kids had fun trick or treating Friday night. Drew was able to be with us this year which made it fun. Last year he helped at church. Bryson is an old pro at trick or treating. He is not shy at all. Jackson wanted to stop once he got a good amount of candy in his bag. He was also thirsty and told me to remember to bring water next year! Luckily at one of the housed they were handing our Capri Suns and he was able to get replenished so we could go a little longer. The boys were pretty good at remembering to say thank you at each house. Addison was just interested in going IN people's houses and playing with their puppies! At one house she made it in about 3 feet before Drew could stop her! She had no idea what was going on. Once she got some candy in her bag she would try to give it to the people at the next house when they answered their door! She spent most of her time riding in her car or talking to the dogs in the neighborhood! We lasted about an hour. Of course when we got home the boys dumped their bags out on the floor and sorted through the bounty!