Sep. 29, 2009 - Our Summer in a Short

Sep. 29, 2009 - Great Cookbook for your Little Chefs

If you have a little chef in your house, you might like this free download of the "Betty Crocker Cookbook for Boys and Girls."  It was originally published in 1975.  

Jun. 22, 2009 - A Contest for Waterproof Training Pants

It's about that time.  Potty training time that is for Sweet Cheeks.  She is 3 1/2 --yep a little old by some standards, but was not ready last summer and I don't potty train in the winter months.  If you'll when she came home at 10 months from Liberia, she couldn't even sit up on her own.  And we weren't sure what medical needs were going to need addressed. So I think we've made significant progress... so I was searching for waterproof training pants to have on hand.  Apparently Walmart and Babies R Us (at least online) don't believe in carrying the "old fashioned" kind...  Maybe they believe that throwing millions more training pants is better for the environment... sorry bunny trail I don't want to go down...but I do have some ideas

So as I was searching I came across a contest onmommyworks blog.

She is giving away a pair of training pants from babybayrs  because she thinks they're great. 

So, of course, I get an entry for blogging about the contest.  Go check it out... they are really cute.

Jun. 10, 2009 - Happy Birthday!!!

Where does the time go???? It seems like yesterday Princess was coming home... she is 13 today.  In a way, she's at the beginning of her legacy.  We purchased a hope chest for her a few months ago to give her in honor of her beginning journey into womanhood. 

This pic was taken at the Daddy/Daughter dance she attended a few months ago:

Happy Birthday sweet daughter!  May you continue to grow in grace and in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!  We LOVE you!

May. 1, 2009 - The Last Few Weeks in Bullets

*  We have a "new to us" kitchen (look for pics in near future)

*  Had a WONDERFUL time a both homeschool conferences (MPE-- KC metro,  and SHEM, Springfield, MO)

*  Heard Jim Weiss, James and Stacy McDonald and Michael Farris among others at the homeschool conferences...

*  Re-aquainted with old friends and made new ones too.

*  Is sick of hearing about the swine flu... esp. when good old fashioned influenza kills more people each year than swine flu has so far.

*  Is tired of Mr. Obama's "change"  wonder's where all the people are that "aprrove of him, because I don't know anybody...even those that voted for him.

*  Has been visiting a wonderful church.  The church we were visiting when we found out about Precious-- they prayed so faithfully for us.  It should have been our clue that it should have been our church home 2 years ago.

* Doing lots of hands on school--love it

* building a new chicken house with Bubba.  If it'll ever stop raining, we might get it finished

* Tired of the rain

* visited the Steamboat Arabia museum (fascinating), City Market, and 2 Asain markets (one complete with a huge "fresh" fish counter... yep, they even had squid... yucky.  You could get your fish six ways...

*  Children are enjoying acting classes with CYT

*  Enjoying Scrabble on Facebook with friends and family

* Does not like it when dogs eat brand new shoes or when complete strangers ask heath questions about your child without knowing what they're talking about.

*  Is ready to be done with recordkeeping for the year...

That's what we've been doing...

If you're still reading me (after this hiatus) would you leave a quick comment...  you don't even have to sign in, just put your username in the blank.  Thanks!

Feb. 16, 2009 - Checking Out for Now

Shane and I bought "new to us" kitchen cabinets this weekend.  We will be busy getting them out of my dining room and into the kitchen over the next few weeks, so I expect I won't be posting much.   I think I will be able to keep up with reading blogs however... with my new and improved internet connection via T-Mobile and my Blackberry.

Hopefully, I will be able to keep up with my FB page, so contact me if you're interested in being my friend there. :) 

Look for pictures in the coming weeks.... 

God's blessings to each of you...

Feb. 4, 2009 - Vitamin Code Vitamins

A few months ago, I picked up a bottle of Vitamin Code vitamins after my friend Kellie, tried them and felt considerably better after only a couple of days.  I mentioned it briefly in a blog entry a while back and was contacted by a representative of their company wanting to know if I wanted to be a part of their focus group.  Sure!  I'm all about free vitamins!  (well, I'm all about free anything if it's worthwhile).   So we signed up.  She let Shane sign up and also Kellie and another friend of ours.  She also offered Fucothin, so, what they hey!  We're trying that too, since Shane and I both have a few pounds to loose. 

Shane nor I either one, have lost any significant weight.  With the winter months, my excercise level was down.  I started back on T-Tapp this week and am feeling great!  I will say that I think I am more hungry since starting the Fucothin... the first month of vitamins I had were the "perfect weight" and I was not as hungry when I was taking them. 

So the original rep changed jobs and now we're working with another lady, Rhonda.   I LIKE this gal.  She sent a bottle of family vitamins for Hannah to try, she says she feels better when she's taking them.  I feel better when I'm taking them.  Yes, sometimes we miss a dose, or a day's worth :(  She also sent a sweet Christmas tree ornament, and a couple of Fucothin protien bars to try.  (okay, they weren't that tasty) But it's protein and I need that!  Shane, on the other hand, felt better when he ran out of them and was off of them for a few days... that to me is interesting!  But he has not been able to ever notice any difference in the way he feels on any vitamin...

I just got this months supplements and another protein bar and a "Perfect Weight America" coffee cup!  How great is that? 

Jan. 27, 2009 - Quick & Easy Veggie Soup

It has been super cold in the Kansas City metro this week.  I think the high yesterday was 20!  BRRRRRR..... I have really been working hard to give the children better lunches than sandwiches for some time.  I really don't want to feed them canned soups and ravioli's, so I've been throwing my own versions together.  So easy and less expensive than canned stuff.  And it TASTES better too.   So for lunch I made the children soup. 

1 Box, organic beef broth 32 ounces

2 cups frozen mixed veggies

1 small bag/box alphabet pasta, cooked and drained

1 cup water

heat broth and water, add veggies cook until tender, add pasta heat through. 

I guess you could add some onions and seasonings, but my children gobbled this easy stuff up!

Jan. 17, 2009 - A New Recipe

Many years ago, Chef Boyardee made a chicken ravioli.  They didn't make it for very long, so maybe I was the only one that liked it.  After looking online and finding only chicken ravioli with red sauce, I decided to create my own version...

It's not Chef Boyardee, but it was pretty good.  And it was an absolute hit last night for dinner... Not one bit of leftovers.

I'll be making it again.

Here is a rough recipe:

2 quarts of chicken broth

4 Tablespoons cornstarch

3 Tablespoons water

3 cups cooked, cubed/shredded chicken

2 packages cheese ravioli

2 small cans mushrooms

garlic and pepper to taste

Make a cornstarch gravy by heating broth to boil.  Mix cornstarch and water and add to broth.  Stir until thickened.  add garlic powder.

Cover the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish with a small amount of gravy.

Add chicken and mushrooms to remaining gravy. 

Spread half of the raviolis on the bottom of the dish, sprinkle with pepper.  Cover with half of the gravy.  Spread remaining raviolis, sprinkle with pepper (if desired) and then remaining gravy.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes, until bubbly.   

Jan. 8, 2009 - Happy Birthday and Happy Birthday Again!!!!

I'm a bad Momma!  Sweet Cheeks birthday was December 30th and I totally missed blogging about it. 

It's hard to believe that she is 3!  Seems like just yesterday Shane was getting off the plane with her and she was so frail and tiny.  Not anymore.

Sweet Cheeks is such a blessing to our lives.  So full of life and song.  This little one sings and chatters so much.  Our home is never quiet-- and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Monday is Little Bit's birthday.  He will be 8!  Yikes! Where does the time go?  I am so proud of the work he's done on his life and of the young man that he is growing up to become.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY 2 BLESSINGS! 

Dec. 26, 2008 - A Day Late

Merry CHRISTmas!  Happy HOLY-days! 

 Yes, even holidays comes from the HOLY days celebrated during the Advent season... the pagans can't get aways from it--even though they think they can.

We began our celebration on Tuesday.  We exchanged our Christmas eve gifts then.  And lit the Christ candle (yes, a day early but we knew we wouldn't be able to on Wednesday).  I made Priness a skirt from an old pair of blue jeans.  Very cute... she was so excited. 

We had dinner with Shane's family Christmas Eve and then went to a really nice church service just down the road on the way home.  (I think we may visit Sunday).  

We had a nice day at home yesterday.  We took our time and it took until 2:00 to open every gift.  We'd open a while and play a while.  And then repeat it again later. 

Dinner was about 2ish.  Smoked Ham, hashbrown casserole, green bean casserole, rolls and White Grape juice and 7 up punch.   Chocolate chip cheesecake with a homemade cinnamon graham cracker crust. 

Princess LOVED the boots!  Bubba LOVED his stamps (he has recently taken up stamp collecting)  Little Bit LOVED his remote control car and Sweet Cheeks LOVED her little stroller LB got for her.  We are going to get a handgun for Shane before the new President takes his oath so he didn't have much under the tree.  I imagine there will be many people doing that and buying ammo.  Shane heard the Pres-elect doesn't want to take away our guns, but he wants to tax the ammo 300%.  Thanks sir!  My favorite gift is my new digital photo keychain.  (after I end up so many places without a picture of my sweet family, it's the perfect gift for me). 

Shane is off work until the 5th.  We are going to town today.  Need to exchange the Wii knockoff we got a Walgreens.  It stopped working after about 30 minutes.  I can see the fun and benefit of it though.  Wish the reall Wii's weren't so expensive.  Maybe someday. 

Sunday, we'll have another Christmas with Shane's dad's family.  Then Tuesday we'll exchange gifts with Shane's family. 

So we have entered the 12 days of Christmas hehe

Dec. 18, 2008 - On Oasis at Home

We have been having a relaxing week.  With our day out Tuesday.  And yesterday friends came over for lunch, a cookie exchange and we sang some Christmas Carols.  The children played for a while and then watched Charlie Brown Christmas while Tammy and I visited. 

Last night, I was supposed to be kicked out of the house so everyone could finish their homemade gifts for Christmas eve.  But it was COLD and I was warm.  So Shane made me an oasis in our bedroom.  He took our little glider rocker back, and poured a glass of wine.  I took some Christmas music for the CD player, and some books,   I could prop my feet on the bed.  It was wonderful and quiet and relaxing.  I probably should have been back there working on my own Christmas eve gifts, since I really have no one's complete and Christmas eve is less than a week away. 

I better be getting busy huh? 

Dec. 10, 2008 - Christmas ramblings

There is a lot on my plate right now.  Between the Christmas  season, adoption stuff, trips to town mainly for Dr. appointments, and things that are beyond my control... like the relationship with my Mother, that is bothering me more than usual during the Christmas season. 

But it is a good Christmas season too.  With Christmas music playing on the local radio station,  Bubba even called in and got on the radio when he requested "Polar Express"  He's never even seen the movie.  We've trimmed the tree last weekend, and had our traditional watching of "White Christmas"  although it was a hard choice because Shane got me "Holiday Inn" for Christmas last year.   It has been a fun season even with the struggles.  And of course, we started our Advent devotionals...  

 One fun thing we're doing this year is wrapping gifts and giving them out to the clerks, servers, or other people that we happen to cross paths with.  A few weeks ago, John Piper had a deal on his little book "Seeking and Savoring Christ."  It's a great book for those that are believers or those that aren't believers.  The children have been so excited about this, they've been wrapping the gifts and handing out most of them.  It has been fun to see people's response to the wrapped packages.  They almost don't know what to think.  I pray that the little book will draw those that receive it to Him.  We've decided to give them to everyone in our families too. 

Little bit is wearing  an expander right now to prepare for his next surgery.  I am taking him into town about every 3-4 weeks for that.  Shane takes him to the Dr. because it the waiting room is to small for me plus 3 other children.  We have had a hard time keeping the expander in,  and the Dr. is almost ready to wait a few months for his molars to grow more before we spend anymore time on it.  With a cleft, apparently, the child can lose their eyeteeth if the bone is not grafted before they come down.  They will come down and fall right out.  But ortho says we have enough time before that will happen.  He gets his tubes out tomorrow.  Can you say nervous Mommy?  He's never not had tubes-- it's a "part" of having a cleft. 

I am a little nervous about our Darling in Honduras.  With the CP and what she will need... if it happens.   Can I do it?  Will I have the strength?  Will I be deligent with the therapy?  What about SC making the adjustment to having "competition"?  We're just getting our family back to "normal" after the long battle with Little Bit?  Where will the money come from?  Yes, these are just ramblings, but true nonetheless.  Yes I know God is Sovereign and He will provide for everything IF he allows this adoption. 

I'll be glad when January comes and things slow down a little...but for now, I will enjoy being reminded of the Christ, born of a virgin in a stable.  What an incredible gift. 

Nov. 25, 2008 - Happy Thanksgiving! Our Menu and Other Stuff

This year will be the 2nd that we are hosting Thanksgiving at our house.  Some of the extended family from Iowa haven't been able to come the last 2 years and we have friends that have no extended family close.  Our house has the next biggest family room, so it's logical.  And  Grandma (Shane's Grandma) doesn't over extend herself.  We LOVE having gatherings at our place.   

I thought it would be fun to post our menu for Thanksgiving and traditions and see what everyone else did for the occasion.  At our house, everyone pitches in, so no one is overwhelmed with kitchen duties all week our 3 oldest are helping too).   We make one long table  and use large Chinet plates, served buffet style from the kitchen island.  This year I will have the punch bowl out, but I will also have the larger plastic cups available for those that want more than a little punch glass will hold.  I would LOVE to do an elaborate table, but, imo, ease is more important when it involves a lot of people.  Shane will read a historic Thanksgiving day Proclaimation.  And we might all tell what we are thankful for from the past year. 

Oh and we get to do all this in my newly painted great room... my mil and I painted Saturday while the men worked outside.  The younger girls watched Sweet Cheeks.  The back wall is a nice rich red (looks great with our G. Washington print and the Lincoln plates, beside the Constitution and Declaration and our woodstove pipe). The other walls are a light chocolate brown--my own creation after a trip to the hardware store, when I started painting and found the same color going up that was already there .  I got a darker chocolate brown and mixed both together.  The back wall still needs to be done, but the bookcases would have taken way to long to move. 

So here's the menu:

Shane's smoked turkey (all night on the smoker--this year there are 2) Absolutely delicious!

cheesy corn casserole (me)

sweet potato casserole (brown sugar, and spices, topped with pecans--me)

green bean casserole --the classic with frozen grean beans instead of canned (little bit)

homemade noodle with gravy over mashed potatoes (grandma and mil)

Stove Top stuffing (me--it's moist and easy)

Canned Cranbery sauce-- it's tradition!

Grandma's sweetheart salad (crushed pineapple and cherry jelled salad mixed with cool whip and cream cheese--Bubba)

Pumpkin pie (Princess)

Pecan pie (mil)

fruit salad (family friend)

White grape juice and sprite in the Princess House punch bowl (sil--she travels so this is easy for her.  She's also helping Grandma with noodles--that's their tradition). 

Okay... so what's your menu??? Please comment if you decide to post your Thanksgiving menu and traditions. 

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!  No matter what your place in life at this time, there is something to be thankful about. 

BTW, look for that special announcement after Thanksgiving... that's when it'll be coming :)

Nov. 10, 2008 - It Took 12 Years...

but we finally made our first trip to the ER. 

The children were outside yesterday afternoon getting some energy out. (And it's only November).  Sweet Cheeks got a hold of a mushroom in the yard. Bubba came running in to tell us.  Shane called poison control and they recommended the ER.  We knew that if she swallowed any at all it wasn't more than 1/4 teaspoon because Princess got to her right away and dug it out.  But we also didn't want to take any chances. 

Shane and Princess took Sweet Cheeks, while I stayed home with the boys.  Princess went and picked some of the mushroom and put it in a paper bag.  That's instructions from poison control, no plastic. 

I was sorting clothes and making a good dent in it, and their room was a mess, so it made sense for Shane to take her-- on that front, I got it all done in one day and no boxes of clothes are sitting on their floor for weeks at a time--yippee!. 

I also called our family doctor (gotta love him) and he recommended ER unless we could confirm that it was a Morel.  We're not very mushroom savvy, but we know it wasn't a Morel. 

Sweet Cheeks bounced her way all over the ER.  She was so active that Shane wasn't able to do anything but watch her, eventhough he had taken his laptop.  She never acted sick or anything.  The ER doctor apparently spent about an hour on the internet researching and never found the exact mushroom,  he also researched the top 30 poisonous mushrooms and this one didn't look like any of them.   (I'm thinking I could have done that at home and saved an ER visit).  But in this situation, I'd much rather be safe than sorry and it could have been a dangerous mushroom and made her very ill, or caused her kidney's to fail.   Especially since she can't really tell us that she didn't swallow any. 

ER doctor, gave us instructions to keep an eye on her for the next couple of days, if her urine becomes bright yellow or she is producing less or more than she usually does, bring her back or to our Dr.  

Shane was only gone about 3 hours.  And we were even able to go on with our usual Sunday evening ritual, even though it was a little later than usual.  Something fun to eat (in this case smoked ribs and fries) and a DVD  "Ben Stein's Expelled".  Which we had not seen yet. 

So that's it.  Our first trip to the ER.  Actually with Bubba in our house, I'm very surprised it took 12 years.  I expected it much sooner

Oct. 24, 2008 - Freedom

There is a praise and worship song that Dennis Jernigan sings that I love... "make me more free, free me... with wings like an eagle, my heart's made to fly...over sin over sadness to knew realms of life... from morning to morning my gaze fixed so high..."  I'm working from memory, since my computer is working incredibly slow today...

God has been making me (and our family) more free of late. 

1.  Little Bit has chosen to forgive his birthmother for poisoning him with drugs before he was born... this has freed our entire family from his anger.

2.  Shane bought a Suburban yesterday that I haven't even SEEN yet.  Once upon a time I would have insisted that I see it, drive it, etc.  I've seen pictures--they were on craigslist.  It has high miles, but was very affordable and we can keep the van too.  Must have been what God wanted because we found it right after we changed our perspective :)

3.  My hormones have been a mess for nearly 5 years.  I had some issues and was prescribed natural progesterone that long ago, began having hotflashes, etc.  found another doctor that feed that and I had been drugged on bio-identical hormones ever since.  3 months ago, I found a new dr. She told me it was crazy for me to be on HRT at my age.  I'm taking 5 HTP, Vitamin D and a multi.  And feel better than I have in a long time! 

4.  Church issues... yes, we are looking AGAIN.  Unfortunately, the one we were attending and thought match our doctrinal beliefs changed their doctrinal beliefs over the last year... so we're looking again.  But God is given me such peace.  For the first time ever, I don't feel the pressure to have a place to "belong."  We have enjoyed visiting different churches and getting to know our larger church family.   I'm giving Shane input, but he is deciding where we go each week, and I'm content with not placing membership for even a year or more...

5.  Hopefully, in 5 weeks or so, I'll be free from dial-up thanks to T-mobile and EDGE.  They say I'll be able to use my new phone with my laptop and have high speed internet...

Have BLESSED weekend ya'll!

Oct. 22, 2008 - Suburban The Story Ends-- I Think!

For all 5 of you that are sitting on the edge of your seat wondering if we are driving a new to us Suburban... the answer is NO.  Here's what I hope is the end of that story with the red burb from the weirdos. 

Friday morning, after we won the auction and paid the $500 deposit on Tuesday, I open the email account I use for ebay and low and behold our deposit had been refunded along with a short email stating that the sellers accidentally started bid had been $1000 lower than they intended. (note, this was after Shane had talked to Ms. and we had agreed to talk on Sat. morning to set a time to pickup the burb.  Now, anyone that has sold on ebay KNOWS that there is a page to confirm that the listing is correct before it is listed.  Furthermore, anyone knows that anytime before a bid is made the listing can be revised and any information can be changed.  We did not make the bid until approx. 2 hours before the auction ended... so what this tells me is these people are liars. (Of course we knew their social skills were lacking, and that Mr. had a huge anger issue), so am I surprised? No.

I imagine they were starting low with a no reserve auction to generate bids.  Hey, I've done the same thing (only not on a several $1000 item).  And, honestly, I've lost sometimes.  That's part of the game.  But when that happens, you honor the bid, suck up and sell the item.  It's called integrity!  You don't make up a lie and refund the deposit because you lost the bet. 

Okay, so I file a greivance and am told that because of "privacy issues" Ebay won't tell me what action was taken.  I left negative feedback (maybe the 2nd time EVER).  A couple of days later, I get an email stating that the seller has requested a refund of their Ebay fees because it was "mutually agreed to cancel the transaction"  WHAT!  They're basically saying that we backed out of the sale by asking for this.  So I deny it and in the comments explain again that we did not want to back out of the sale and I can't even believe the seller has the audacity to ask for a refund of the fees.  

So we've driven a few others but can't find anything in our price range (cheap) that will work for a daily driver. And honestly the thought of 12 miles to the gallon turns my stomach.  So we're reconsidering.  Princess says she's not cramped unless we're travelling or hauling groceries when we have things to drop off at the thrift store in the back.  :) 

 Maybe we'll look for one with high miles really cheap (as opposed to just cheap) that we can use to haul extra people and things around the metro, and IF it happens to be roadworthy we can take it on trips too.  Shane has been wanting another truck, so maybe a really cheap one would do double duty. 

Sep. 19, 2008 - Car Shopping Humor

Since our van went kaput on the way home from vacation, we have been considering selling it.  Honestly, it's not the first time.  But it is the first time we've even somewhat seriously started looking to see what was out there. 

Since we've had it we've:

*put a new engine in it (Thankfully, it was AFTER we returned from Colorado on vacation)

* had a major computer piece go out (read big $$$)

*brake job $500

* radiator nearly $700

*new key (not a remote key, just the key) $150

*Still needs a driver side window regulator at least $500.

Memories ... expensive memories, like the corners of my mind... misty water colored memories of the van that was... (those of you under 40 probably wont remember that song...do you hear the sarcasm??) 

Okay, so I'm looking on craigslist, the KC newspaper, etc.  Shane wanted me to take it to carmax to see what they would offer... it's not even worth mentioning --it let's just say the radiator alone cost nearly what they offered.   And for what we've put in it we could have had a nearly new van...

So here's what I've found so far:

* A 1996 Ford 15 passenger van for $3000-- without any seats or even seatbelts, but it was listed as a passenger van. (No, not my first choice but low miles and cheap.)

*A BMW that cost more than our house.  ( I forgot to put the search parameter of "van" in the proper box)

and I found a lady looking for someone to give her a vehicle because she's letting her teenage girls run her life.  I wanted to email her and ask her who the momma was and why she is letting them "leave her without a vehicle" and why SHE is paying their insurance etc.  But I didn't want to cross the line.  I got so many nosey emails when I was listing our doggy a while back from the PETA lovers that I wouldn't want to do that to anyone. 

I'm thinking a horse and wagon sounds good about now... we could haul anyone anywhere, with anything in the wagon.  Feed for the horse has to be less than $3.50 a gallon, although going to the city would end up being an all day affair.  ETA's for a horse and wagon are a little bit longer than for a vehicle with an actual motor.  Hey, maybe we could rent a car and driver when we had to go to the city like the Amish do... it's a thought.  Wonder what Shane would think of that????? 

Shane said the problem with the horse and wagon is the exhaust. 

Sep. 19, 2008 - My Funny Boys

Little Bit comes out today and says to Bubba:

I tried keeping my eyes open as long as I could last night.

Bubba:

It hurt didn't it?

Me:

You've done it? Is that how you know?

Bubba:

Yes

Me:

LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!! 

Funny boys! Now I really HAVE  to go make breakfast and get in the shower.

Why is it that I either don't post at all or post several in a days time?  I guess that's the way I am... an all or nothing call of gal.

Have a blessed day!

Sep. 19, 2008 - Birthday Boy!

Bubba is 9!  His birthday was yesterday.  It's hard to believe that my baby--yes he's the only child we've had from birth, is 9!  

We tend to have unusual requests for dessert at birthdays.  Most children want a cake for their birthday.  Not ours.  This year Bubba wanted Toffee bars.  This is a treat I normally make at Christmas time.  So easy.  Graham crackers,  melted brown sugar and butter, baked for a few minutes and sprinkled with choco chips that you spread after their melty. I also convinced him we needed something to put candles in, and he said he's heard Banana Creme pie is good.  After probing I found out that the creatures on one of the "Jungle Jam" cd's said it was good... we need to get out more...

 In years past I've made Key Lime Pie (yes, I peeled all the tiny key limes and won't do it again), Zucchinin Cobbler, tastes like apple, and pumpkin pie among other interesting desserts.  One year when he was 3 (I think) Shane's Grandma made him a cake that looked like a vacuum cleaner.  Yes, you read that right... and it was green.  He LOVED it.  Of course this is the child that used to get excited when he's see the big yellow mop bucket at Walmart and the "wet floor" sign.  He still likes to clean... but doesn't care much for picking up his dirty clothes off the floor. 

With the Chaos of vacation, and general craziness, we didn't get his gift ordered in time, so we paid UPS 2 day delivery and are opening gifts tonight.  Although he did open his cards last night.   We ordered an ESV hardback with a concordance.  He wanted a Bible with a concordance and hardbacks seem to last longer.  They offered imprinting for another $5.  He'll think that's neat.  The children got him some legos.  And we may end up at LJS for "Talk Like a Pirate day" for dinner tonight matey... not sure yet.