Party Hardy

It was off to Birmingham last weekend to celebrate "The Big 3" for my nephew, Hardy. And party.....we did! The festivities began at The Fun Factory - one of those places with the plethora-o-inflatables. Everytime I step foot into one of those kid's paradises, I begin to sob uncontrollably, and not because I'm afraid my children will get hurt (Richmond has catapulted himself off of the top of one before). No, I am insane with grief because I didn't think of this inflatables-in-a-big-room concept. Such an elementary idea with such big bucks involved. Oh well......after I regained my composure, it was time to party! In taking in the scene, it was hard to tell who was having more fun, the 15 kids there or Richy. Who knew? I guess its The Fun Factory for Richy's 38th! Even Knox, who has typically been less than interested, joined in the fun and gave us a few smiles. Hardy had a blast - he's such a funny little kid, very expressive. When he was first learning to communicate, he would laugh hysterically like Woody the Woodpecker....absolutely hilarious. His new thing is toddler cussing - only it's not the four letter words - instead, he says, "NUGGETS!" And he means it........whatever nuggets means. I guess my sister is just grateful its only nuggets. I accidently taught Richmond to say dang it while watching a UT football game when he was 3. For about a month, I had to lay low around town, for fear that my little dang it boy would let it fly at the most inopportune moment. It's true, we reap what we sow. No more potty mouth for this mommy!

When we returned to the Thompson hacienda, it was naptime for the kids. So what do all normal adults do when they have been to a birthday party all morning and then put their children down for naps?? They play HORSE, of course. That's right.....basketball....about 20 games of HORSE. The only adult who did not participate was my mom. Her idea of fun on a Saturday afternoon when the kids are asleep is to shop, not play basketball. What can I say......she was in the band. And yes, I realize that it is she who is the normal one. I'm not sure why all of her children turned out weird, and then chose weird spouses?? Nevertheless, a fun time was had by all, and Richy totally dominated our HORSE tournament. At one point, I thought he might let my Dad win. He didn't. I also thought he might let me win. He didn't. He won every game. Congratulations Richy.....you won every game. I'm not bitter. Really.

And then, we ate. It's what we do best when we get together as a family. We all love it, and we all do it well. We talk and eat, eat and talk. We drag it out as much as possible. I just love eating with my family. Sounds very simple, but to me - there is no place I would rather be than gathered around a table with all my "peeps".

The weekend came to an end much too soon, as always. Richy completed a few "honey-do" items for my sister on Sunday. Yes, she has a honey-do list for my husband on each visit. It's the price he pays for being a do-it-yourselfer. She is soooo glad "we" married him! Me, too. Although, one of his projects involved two big holes in their siding made by woodpeckers and a can of "Great Stuff" - not Richy's best work. But, hey.....the woodpeckers can no longer call the Thompson house their home. I think my brother-in-law, Tre, just thinks we're rednecks. He loves us anyway!

As a side note: For those of you following our progress on Richmond's training program to be Nick Saban's successor, please know that no trips to Alabama are complete without some side training. We were sure to indoctrinate him with as much high quality Alabama literature/cinematography as possible. Please see pics below for documentation.

The Birthday Boy and His Mom

My sister and me......and our hats!

Richmond and Hardy......looking guilty

Knox discovers powdered donuts

Yummy.......

Nick would be proud (and so would the Bear)

He's so dedicated! Even at age 4, he knows 30 million is a big number.....

Saying Goodbye to our Day Camper

We knew when Cousin Camp began in late October that the day would come when we would have to say goodbye to our most favorite day camper, Will Barrett. What we didn't know is how difficult it would be. We have enjoyed him even beyond our expectations! I am a little sad that Will Barrett will not remember just how much his cousins loved having him be a part of their day. Knox woke up every morning saying, "Bebe, bebe?" Actually, he still does. At least 10 times a day, Richmond would say, "Look how cute he is, Mom!" We are so thankful for the time we were given to love on him. I know that his precious, toothless smiles will be etched into our hearts forever!

And since he won't remember, we took lots and lots of pictures........

Our little Prince.....and the Court Jester!

Little Cutie

Sweet Smiles

The weather outside is frightful.....but our hats are so delightful!

The Next Huggies Model

So long "Little Chief".......We will miss you!

Forget Reading......Let's Talk X's and O's

That's right.....let's learn some football 101. I have a grand plan for Richmond's future after yesterday's 30 million dollar announcement by the University of Alabama. Before yesterday, Richmond and I had been spending some time each day working on phonics (and by the way, he is NOT hooked). He starts school in the fall, so I am trying to prepare him in advance - just a little. We don't spend too much time on it because I know that he is going to be spending the next 16 or so years in school. So, most of the time, we are just having one big party! But alas, the University of Alabama has taken me off the hook. I don't have to worry about being that Mom who works on phonics, math, and all of that other stuff we're suppose to be doing before our children go to school. Does anybody have an old copy of the Alabama playbook? An hour a day of studying the in's and out's of Alabama football - and maybe a couple of hours a week looking at old footage and films about the Bear - and my plan is in place. Who needs phonics and math......we need to know about blitzing and screen plays. By the time Nick Saban decides to retire from Alabama with some crazy nickname and a statue in front of Bryant Denny Stadium, Richmond will be ready to take over the program. That's right, I have begun grooming Richmond to be Nick Saban's replacement as the Head Football Coach at Alabama. Today we just simply began by learning to say "Roll Tide". You have to start somewhere. And, yes, we are huge fans of the Tennessee Vols, but when it comes to our son's future......we're willing to convert. For $30 million over 8 years, we, too, can say "Roll Tide". Of course, by the time Richmond steps in, no telling what he'll be worth......I just hope he'll be able to part with the Tennessee Titans. We'll probably add that scenario into our learning program - so he's prepared. In this crazy world, you have to have a plan for your children's future!

OK.....so if he decides to do his own thing and not be swayed by the dreams of his mother, if he doesn't want to be a legendary coach of the Crimson Tide........well, there's always Knox.

Coach Knox, I like the sound of it!

A December to Remember

Wow....what a December - crazy, just like when I was working, but much more enjoyable because I wasn't! December brings standard events no matter what season in life you find yourself. Christmas shopping is a given, but when you do it is the key. For the first time, I found myself in the malls and shops during the week in the middle of the day. Now that alone was worth giving up my career!! No more nighttime jaunts and weekend haunts....... My little day camper, Will Barrett, and I hit the stores on Tuesdays and Thursdays when Richmond and Knox were at school. The only problem shopping with Will Barrett - I found myself distracted by his "cuteness" sitting in his infant carrier smiling at me. The great thing about shopping with Will Barrett - all Christmas secrets were safe with him :)

Our Christmas tour around the state was fun. Lots of excitement with kids galore at every stop! Remember that lull when you hit the teenage/college years and there don't seem to be any young children in the picture at Christmas? What did we do? B-0-r-i-n-g. No boredom in our families - 7 kids under 12 in the Mitchell family and 7 kids under 16 (4 under 4) in the Roberts family - a nonstop party!

On a very sad note, we lost my Grandmother, Julia Mitchell, on December 16th. She was 89 years old. She had a long and beautiful life. She had been ill for several years, and in the last year had lost the ability of communicate. She is at home now with the Lord, a place for which she spent her life preparing. Every memory that I have of her is wrapped tightly in love - the unconditional type that only exists in the heart of a grandmother. I will miss her. I feel so blessed to have had her for 38 years. I wanted to do an entire entry about her, but I haven't had the strength or courage to do it justice. Perhaps another day......after all, she was an incredible woman.

Below is the "visual" of our wild and wooly December:

Our first attempt at the Christmas card picture

It got progressively worse!

Will Barrett......a Huggies model??

Richmond and the Roberts' Initial Tree at Grandmommy's house

Christmas morning cheer!

Where did Santa go??

Hardy and Richmond with Light Sabers.....the Force be with you!

Two of a kind!

The 3 oldest stinky boy cousins

The Barrett Boys

The Whole Roberts Gang

My Sweet Grandmother......can't wait to eat at your table in Heaven!