I am not the funnest mom when it comes to breaking out the crayons and markers. If fact with the latest art work that has been displayed on my walls, doors, car (outside and inside) counters and carpet might have led to a little tantrum that I threw and tossed ALL coloring devices in the garbage and wrote notes to all their teachers that "due to extreme circumstances in the Bryce home my kids will NOT be able to turn in complete homework if it calls for coloring." And it wasn't just Toby that colored on my walls, doors, carpet, car (inside and out) counters and carpet...it was Mason, Tia, Joey, Dexter, and Mac. Some were just little lines to see if it wrote on a counter, and some were names in Pen! Those were my favorite because when it said D E X X X E T E E R R D X X, I automatically assumed it was DEXTER! I loved confronting him with this and his face while he tried to Lie and say, "It wasn't me mom!" Which it totally was and finally after I said, "YOU SPELLED YOUR NAME...I KNOW IT WAS YOU!" I got an "OKAY IT WAS!" UGH! Well, slowly but surely the crayons and pencils got repurchased.

Mac has been my little artists lately and loves to color. He often asks, "Hey mom can I color you something beautiful?" How can I say no to "something beautiful?" Well, the other day I commented on his work, "MAC that is something beautiful, who is that person?" He scowled at me and said, "its not a person, its a SUN with some Ting in it!" Well in my defense it was a circle with two circles in it (head with two eyes) and long lines coming out from the side and the bottom (arms and legs) and short lines on top (hair) BUT what do I know? I'm just the mom!

I'm not exactly sure what planet Joey is from somedays! If I ask him to do anything he says, "Yes YOUR MAJESTY!" Then if I get after him he always replies with "OKAY YOUR HIGHNESS!" Really it makes me laugh every time! It has been going on for several months. I have no idea where he got it from...but it has really gotten him out of trouble lately...only because can't not laugh! Funny kid!

It was way past bedtime. All the kids were in bed or so I thought! I popped some popcorn and couldn't wait to settle down and watch a little TV. David walked in with my half empty bag of popcorn and said, "Toby had this in his bed." I totally didn't even hear him get into the kitchen. David then goes on to tell me how he was walking downstairs to get some ice as Dexter was crawling up the steps of his bedroom. Dexter almost jumped out of his skin when David said, "Dexter what are you doing?" Dexter looked back and forth trying to come up with something and finally said, "dad, Toby has the bag of popcorn!" I guess there were two little boys up in the kitchen sneaking goodies. I wonder if I turned my ears off, or if they have gotten so good at sneaking around at night!

I guess I have been telling the kids they are bugging the crap out of me alot lately. I know I am a terrible mother but I didn't really know this until I was digging around in the fridge and Dexter kept asking me a question over and over and over again. I let a big sigh out and he said, "am I bugging the crap out of you?" I almost started to laugh and said, "YES!" He let out this big laugh and said, "no you're bugging the crap out of me!"

Dexter when out with David for a little ice-cream and a visit to Dad's work. They were walking down the halls of the hospital and passed a Gurney. Dexter who only has one volume and its LOUD said, "HEY DAD ARE THOSE FOR THE DEAD PEOPLE?" David just laughed and said lets hope not!

Every morning it is free reign on hairdos for the boys...almost! Joey usually comes in with a little comb over, Mac loves to slick his straight up and Mason loves to do "ho-mocks" Or what normal people would call Mo-hawks! I have corrected him a million times, but he still says ho-mock! Just as soon as the "ho-mock" gets long...his hair gets cut! Call me old fashion but I'm not really a

"ho-mock" fan!

Mason and David went to run some errands. David let him pick out a Kit Kat bar as a treat! He ate two, gave one to David and was saving one for "his mom." David told him how sweet it was that he was saving one for mom, but it was melting and he should go ahead and eat it. I'm sure he didn't hesitate to much. He got home and told me he had a "kitkacks, but Dad told me I could eat yours!" I got the full story from David...what a sweet little boy!

There is no secret that I try to be thrifty! My favorite store is the goodwil. I often find my kids new jeans with tags still on them for $2.50...and I also buy all their shoes there! I don't dare buy new shoes that they will grow out of the next month! I bought Joey and Dexter a nice pair of sneakers. Joey's were in a little more mint condition than Dexter's, but Dexter's were "super fast running shoes." Dexter is really hard on shoes and Joey, a little lighter. Dexter's shoes started to show some hard wear and tear! I started noticing Dexter switching shoes with Joey. Finally I said, "Dexter go get your own shoes on and give Joey's back to him." Dexter's feet were a little bit bigger than the shoe, but somehow he managed to squeeze all 9 toes in...ha ha, just kidding he has 10! He argued that Joey let him have his shoes...I argued that they didn't fit him...he argued that his shoes were too old...and I played it off that they were is super fast running shoes! My poor little Dexter was ashamed of his shoes! I don't want my kids to be spoiled brats, but I don't want them to be so embarrassed of their shoes that they squeeze into a smaller pair just to avoid wearing old shoes! A couple of trips later I landed a 13.5 size shoe...with Velcro straps...and pretty new. I called David and told him to tell Dexter I had a super big surprise for him when I got home. Dexter got so excited and said, "Maybe my mom is buying a hot wheels car, or a remote control monster truck, or a motorcycle for me!" David thought he was going to be so disappointed with shoes! BUT, I opened the bag and got them out and with eyes wide open he said, "MOM THOSE ARE FOR ME???? YIPPEE!!" It was cute!

I was helping all the kids with their homework. I have to admit there is a little yelling involved. But it is usually directed at Toby for CUTTING Joey's homework, or COLORING all over Tia's...the list goes on. Well tonight he was MIA (I'm sure I'll find his handy work later tonight) and it was quiet. I was going through numbers with Dexter and Mason said, "wow mom you are really good at kindergarten!" I'm going to have to say...IT'S TRUE...I AM!

I was babysitting my friends kids the other day. I think it was the first time they had been to my house. It was cold outside so all 9 kids were playing inside. The oldest is Mason's age. He was peeking out the window in awe of the Tree House. Mason was so funny saying, "my dad built it...its so fun!" His friend kept repeating, "I just don't know if I can go up there." Mason gave him a confused look and said, "Why are you allergic or something?" You never know...he could be!

I asked Dexter and Mason to change the laundry around...this consists of them emptying the dry ones and putting them on the couch and then putting the wet ones in the dryer and starting it! Mason came in to inform me that Dexter was climbing in the dryer. He heard my voice as I was about to enter and he hid himself inside the dryer. As fast as I could I closed the dryer door and pushed the start button! Now, you may think I'm a terrible mom...I sorta am, but I didn't let the dryer even do a full Spin...not even sure if it made a half spin. Dexter was screaming...as I was laughing! I pushed the button again, just to make sure my point got across! I opened the door and he flew out, still screaming. As he was running past me I told him if he ever played in my clean clothes again, I wasn't going to be so nice and let him out so soon! He might be so traumatized of this experience to ever help me change the laundry around again!

Mac came running in telling me that Dexter hit him. I yelled for Dexter to come here "this instant!" Dexter saunters in and I told him to sit on the white couch for time out. He rolled his eyes and softly said, "whatever...." "WHAT DID YOU SAY?" "uhhh nothing..." "YES YOU DID...what did you say?" "Uhhh, I think I forgot." "You better watch your mouth mister!" He just raised his eyebrows and tried really hard not to let a smile leak! I think I might be losing control of this one!

We were on our way to a little pampered chef party! I was told to come even if I had my kids! So, I brought the 5 that were home. It was lunch time and I told the kids they were going to have bagel bites there for lunch. Tia somewhat disappointed said, "they are gonna take bites out of our bagels?" I thought how sad it is that I have deprived them of bagel bites...thinking they were mini bagels with cream cheese. Then we got there and bagel bites are actually mini pizzas on bagels. I guess we are ALL deprived here at the Bryce home! :)

As I was sitting at my computer when a rubber ball came flying past my face and hit the screen. I calmly grab the scissors which happened to be within hands reach and popped it! "I said no throwing balls in the house." I toss the slowly deflating ball over my shoulder and Dexter said, "That was cool, you just popped it mom." Not exactly the response that I was expecting to get!