House

Ok- this is kind of a weird post. We are renting our house for Master's Week and I had to take pictures of the house- and in order to do so, needed to clean it (or at least where the camera would show). So, I thought this the perfect opportunity to show my house to family that hasn't been able to come here yet. That way, they can understand fully when I say we spilled hot chocolate in the living room, got poop on Daisy's floor, or the kids hid behind the couch eating candy.

You can now have a full visual.

(Except I didn't get the school room- sorry, there are only so many hours in one day.)

The grass is a little greener in the summer. We are environmentalists- no fertilizers or weed killers. Yes, we realize this makes the property value dwindle a little.

master bath 1

Master bath 2





Master bed:

Ok- so this isn't our decor at all. I didn't feel like cleaning this room, either. So- I used the picture from the previous owners when they lived here and were selling the house to us.

Guest bath

Alexis' room. (Ok, again. Used the picture from previous owners- but it basically still looks like this minus the matching bedspread)

Ben's room. Yes, I know we need more things on the walls.






Daisy's room. She actually has a lot of things on her walls and a princess thing hanging down. We took it down for the pictures. The men staying here probably wouldn't want to go "all" out-even though real men like pink.

kitchen 1

kitchen 2









living room 1







living room 2







Now, I must say- this was for family NOT coming to our house. If you were to actually come to Augusta to stay with us- you must not expect things to look like this. THE MOMENT I took the picture and moved on to the the next room- there became a fort, a dungeon, a block city, lunch happened, tea parties happened, dress up happened- and life in general.

There will be NO "after" pictures!

Weekend fun

Two of my sisters came to visit this weekend-Autumn and Amber and Amber's son, Luke. (We missed you Jaime-next time!)

Some memories from our events:
*Good time at Monkey Joe's.
*Good food at Poblanos. (Although if it is freezing outside, everyone will pack in the waiting area like sardines-and if you have a party of nine (shoot-six of them was OUR family, when did that happen?) you have to wait an extra long time.
*Good movie. Action packed Iron Man. Oh, that is what that Halloween costume two years was about.
*Good games. Hide-n-seek in the dark. Jumping rope. (Good job, Luke. First timer with some great co-ordination!)
*Good secret Sonic treat after the kids went to bed. "Mom- what is that in the freezer?"
*Good projects. Autumn had three school projects to do over the weekend. I wanted to get some shots of our families playing together, but it never happened... so you get pics of the project that Autumn did. Who are we kidding? The project that AMBER did:)

Autumn was a teacher's aid for school and had to make a power point presentation on her duties and responsibilities. Here we go...

Autumn was a pnenominal organizer.

She took attendance.

She did errands.

Autumn made copies.

Autumn helped tutor. Man, Rhet, that is some good acting. You really looked stressed out over that 2nd grade math workbook!

Thanks for coming, ladies (and gent)!!! We love you and always have a great time when family is near.

My basketball stars

There is not many things cuter than kindergartners attempting to play basketball. It is hard to help them understand that the normal day-to-day rules that we use are NOT part of playing a team sport. For instance:
*They have been taught to have manners (and not "snatch". We now say "It isn't ok to snatch-unless you are playing basketball).
*To "walk" indoors.
*To treat everyone equally (including passing the ball to the other team if they haven't had a turn in a while).
*To share (including letting someone else get the re-bound if they had a "turn" to shoot and didn't make it)
*To look fashionable (including wearing their pink sweats, pink tennis shoes, and pink hair bows with their green, black, and white jerseys)
*That snack time is the most important part of the day ("Is the game over yet? Is it snack time?)
*That we need great smiles for camera shots. (during game...pause on the court...pose...smile for mom since her camera is up)
*Mom and dad like for us to acknowledge them. (during game...pause on the court...wave...mom didn't see....wave again...."Mom! Hi!... "Mom, aren't I doing good?"... "Mom, I ALMOST got the ball."..."Mom, I ALMOST shot a basket."...."Mom, this is fun. Thanks for letting us play basketball."...Meanwhile, kids are running back and forth actually playing the game.

Other things to teach the kids when they are playing basketball:
*You can't run to the other side with the ball under your arm, you have to dribble it.
*If your dad starts yelling stuff to you, it is just because he is overly competitive- you don't have to run over to him to see what he is saying.
*You are supposed to guard one person on the other team, and not follow the ball wherever it goes. (You may not be able to see the ball, but there are some clues as to where it is...Entire two teams go left, entire two teams go right, entire two teams run out-of-bounds).
*You aren't supposed to scream,jump for joy, and keep repeating the score when you are winning 20 to 2.
*You don't get points for "guarding" your person.
*You don't get points for "almost" making a basket.
*You don't have to fight for the ball when your own team has it.
*You don't have to automatically throw it to the star player as soon as you touch the ball.

You girls are doing great. I love to be your #1 cheerleader!!!

Next sport: Soccer (No! No hands, girls! It is a different kind of "dribble!!)

Bathroom Remodel

Here is what the bathroom USED to look like.

Here is some mid work post demolition.

And the FINAL product.

Great job, Rhet!

We won't talk about the #1, #2, or #3 deadlines. We won't dwell on the fact that there are still small things that need to be done. (curtains, baseboards, re-paint, ceiling textured). We will merely say that you are fabulous, talented, and have an excellent eye for detail.

It sure is handy to have a handy man!

Sorry, friends- he is not available for hire. We already lost him to "his"bathroom for months and have really enjoyed seeing his cute face in the family room!

King Tut

The fam went to the King Tut and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibit in Atlanta. That is what happens when your mom teaches you history. Instead of Six Flags or the Coke Factory- you get Sarcophagi (mummy casket) and canopic jars (mummified internal organs). Lexi and I thought it was great. Daisy "liked it" cause she "got to pick something in the shop afterwards." Ben wanted to "go home" the whole time. And Rhet thought "it was a lot of money."

Next time, we'll take the pictures BEFORE the exhibit.

Proud Parent Part II

Benjamin. He is my independent son. He lives to tease, to rough house, and to be with his dad. While having a stressful pregnancy, I wasn't up for the chore to toilet train. We had tried various times with no success and a lot of frustration. Then, after Colby arrived, I didn't have the energy. Finally, I realized that Ben was now 3, and going to Sunbeams soon. I didn't want him to be embarrassed with a diaper while all the other kids had "potty breaks."

Side note: We don't say "potty". Anyone who watched Gilmore Girls would understand. We say, "Do you need to use the restroom?" Yes, I know, quite old-school, we also say, "Ma'am, and sir". We are always in the wrong era. My lifestyle perfect for the '50s. My music taste perfect for the '60s. My free-thinking perfect for the '70s. My hair perfect for the 80's!) But I digress...

Finally, I decided I would bite the bullet and begin the daunting process of toilet training. I had to mentally prepare- for it is more consistency and dedication than I previously had been giving. School was winding down and Rhet would soon be off for Christmas break to give me a hand. Yes, we would be out of town. Yes, we wouldn't have our normal routine. Yes, we had a lot of outings and activities planned. It was all the things I avoided with the girls.

YEAH- BEN!!

It took less than a week and he is completely toilet trained. We haven't had any accidents for over a week and a half. I am reminded that every kid is different. The change in pace and routine helped him. He liked going to the bathroom in new places. He was proud to show his new skills to extended family out of town . Wonderful job, Ben. I am proud of you!

Proud Parent Part I

My little girl. I remember closing the door to your nursery because I couldn't figure out how to calm you down and I needed a "time-out". I remember feeding you baby food making goo-goo noises while Rhet secretly video taped. I remember dancing with you and spinning- you would say, "Gen, Mama, Gen!" I remember having color days- with red snacks, red toys, and red clothes. You had a fit because you only ever wanted to wear pink. I remember watching you play in the snow, building the smallest snow-man there is. I remember you sneaking into our bed and cuddling during a thunderstorm. It amazes me how smart you are, how coordinated you are becoming, how much you are growing.

"I love you forever, I like you for always,

as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

Friday, January 2, 2009. First unassisted bike ride.

Twilight

I am NOT a film critic. I go to the movies for relaxation and a break from reality. I don't care (or know) if acting is bad, the scenes are unbelievable, or the action looks fake. Often, a movie rated at a two or three is often fine to me. I am well aware that a movie made from a book is never as good as the book. Yet, I enjoyed the Harry Potter movies and other book-made movies.
HOWEVER, I was thoroughly disappointed with the movie Twilight. I waited and waited to see it and it never worked out- so finally, last night- I said, "I'm just going to go... right now." And I went by myself.

It was sooooooo sloooowwwwww!

They would keep the camera on Bella and Edward looking at each other for a full minute. Then they film them talking in a tree for another two minutes. The vampire wasn't really made to "sparkle" in the sun. And, and, I'm going to stop before I get all worked up again. Poor Rhet had to listen to me ramble on for 15 minutes when I got home at midnight. Sorry, Twilight lovers. I used to consider myself one of you- I'll give it another try.
But next time- if they decide to make The Host a movie- I might bring a Meyer's book with me, just in case.

Sugar Creations

Rhet, my sister, Autumn, and I were up late one night getting ready for gingerbread houses. We "glued" the walls together with carmelized sugar. After a while, we decided to get a little creative and use the melted sugar to "make" things.

Caution: Very addicting and hot, hot, hot. Sorry, Autumn- someone else can be the glue person next year.

Jessica's Star

Rhet's Gingerbread/Haunted House

Autumn's Awesome Flower

What happens when you aren't SUPER careful

Can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man

Cousin Luke

Daisy Maizy

Cousin Elise

Ben-Man

Lexi-Lou-Lou

Sister, Amber

To Wii or not to Wii

Guitar hero.

sister, Autumn

Its the new past-time in the Tucker (and Stuart and Parnell) household. Why is this, and the other Wii games, a good past-time to have?

*hand/eye coordination
*more active than other video games
*a babysitter
*reward system for school work completed
*relaxation from stressful day at work
*teaches beat, rhythm, and classic rock songs
*sports games teach coordination and timing to use with T-ball, basketball, tennis, soccer, and dodgeball
*spacial awareness
*quality time with the fam
* Doesn't take a lot of strategy- you can talk together while you play
*children and adults can play together. Levels don't matter.
*G-rated (well, not Guitar hero's choice of clothing for the guitarists)
*can tell the kids we finally aren't the last ones at getting an electronic device (ex. age 28 till first cell phone, Nintendo when Super Nintendo was out for a year, DVD player because Blockbuster wouldn't rent VHS tapes anymore, one TV in the house, one computer in house, cable last year, MP3 player last year, still don't have laptop)

There is only one problem that I have with this great family game.

I don't enjoy it.

Retraction

Regarding my previous post:

OK- Apparently you aren't allowed to vote someone else's husband as husband of the year. I had to hear passive aggressive remarks ALL night and got this face...

Therefore, RHET you are officially allotted the title "Husband of the Year" (you are pretty great) and Brett has been demoted to the new title of "Husband that Does the Most Dishes of the Year." (sorry, Brett-its still a good title, though)

P.S. No matter how much whining you do, Rhet, I won't be awarding you Brett's new title...ever. You see, I have to maintain a sense of integrity.

Husband of the Year

AND THE HUSBAND OF THE YEAR GOES TO?

My husband is wonderful. Sensitive, caring, compassionate, helpful, smart, a great dad, thoughtful, and handsome. HOWEVER, I am going to have to give the man of the year award to...

my brother-in-law, Brett.

Pictures speak a thousand words- but let me tell you about this man:

He does the dishes. Not, I'll do them tonight, but you owe me one. Not, you are pregnant and throwing up, so I'll do it. Not, its your birthday, I'll help you with the dishes. Not, I'll do the dishes if I can go watch a football game at a friends house. Not, I'll do the dishes if I can have the last piece of pie.

He does them on a REGULAR basis.

Says he doesn't mind doing them. Doesn't mind? Does this man really exist. Yes, I have personally seen it. Day after day of dish washing. Not one dish dinners- but huge family gatherings with sticky, gooey pans and tons of side dishes; a plate, bowl, and more than one utensil for each of the 15 people.

OK, so he isn't smiling. But is that really important?

Congratulations, Brett.

The award...

A night of eating out!

Family pictures

Family pictures. Oh the joy! This is what you see...

Me, dad, sisters Jaime, Amber, and Autumn
Me, Jaimers, Al, AJ

Nana, Grampy, Grandkids:Luke, Colby, Benjamin, Alexis, Elise, Daisy Jaime and husband, David
Amber and husband Brett

mom and dad, Gaye and Bill
Alexis, let's play in the sand AFTER pictures

Behind the scenes...

THIS is what happens in order to get the first pictures.

"Girls, stick your heads around Ben. Hurry, I am about to drop your brother."

"She is squishing me." "No I am not!" "Are, too!" "Ben, just a few more. Please smile and unfold your arms. PLEASE smile. I'll give you a cookie after. I'll give you two treats. You won't have to take a nap." "Alexis, it is too fair. You never have to take a nap. Yes, all of you can get two treats if you smile."

Jess-lose the blanket, Amber- your hair is fine and lose the glasses.

Ben, quit pulling down Nana's shirt. Jaime-it isn't cold.

Brett-smile. Grampy, Alexis, Daisy, Autumn, Luke- Look this way.

WHERE'S DAVID AND RHET???

Elise, thank you- practically perfect in every way.

"Man, that sand sure does look nice to play in. This is boring," thinks Luke.

Alexis- let's wait till after all the pictures to throw crackers to the birds.Where are the three boxes of snacks I brought for the kids?

An hour later...

Things to do: give kids treats, go to a restaurant, aplogize for being bossy about people hurrying (and grabbing arms to put people in place), thank yoiu note to Brett's mom for taking pictures, redo my "beach hair" (Yes, I combed my hair for pictures. Straightened and nice. Thank you, Florida humidity), get pictures to CVS before their 10c special ends,

TAKE A NAP!!!

Oh, and for those that haven't seen me in a while and are thinking, "Oh, how cute, Jess gained a few pounds but what a sweet family." Well, first of all- RUDE. Second of all, see that little baby...well, fat baby, it's mine. I gave birth to a huge meloned baby two months ago. I have to eat twice my normal diet to keep him satisfied. Give me a break! (and a year or two)