The Naughty Virus

I went to the park with two great girlfriends yesterday and we were sitting around talking while the kids were playing nicely. They were sharing how yesterday was a rough day for them as far as behaviour and discipline goes. They asked how my day went, and it was fine, just had to do some stuff for work. I joked that we don't have behaviour and discipline issues at my house... big mistake! Like karma out to get me, that afternoon turned into a nightmare!!! My almost four year old peed in his pants, then later pooped in his pants, constantly yelled and talked rude to me, while I was on an important phone call, he and his brother tore up their rooms. Every drawer was turned upsidedown and emptied. Clothes were thrown out of the closet into a big pile on the floor, blankets and pillows were thrown out of Gabe's crib, the list goes on. It was unbelieveable. When I walked around the corner and saw this all I could say was "you've got to be kidding me". I was already exhausted because Gabe got up super early, so I wasn't even able to respond with a spank, or timeout, or to find a dungeon somewhere... oh, I'm sorry, did I actually type that? Just kidding, not really, but just kidding. So anyway, stay away from us for about 5-7 days. Unfortunately they don't have a vaccine for this.

That was a "Blind Boys of Alabama" CD that we've been "borrowing" for the last year-and-a-half from Jon & Shannon! It's the boys favorite dancing music. It seems the boys might have my rhythm, something Justin doesn't have a lick of! But it's very cute to watch him try. Of course Justin did pass on his brains and good looks!

correction

Major mistake!!! Justin noticed that I left out the main ingredient to the chocolate oatmeal balls... peanut butter!!! I add about 1/3 cup. So sorry if you tried these already!!!

Check out these moves!

Pictures from the Parade

In the hands of the Potter

I was talking with my sister-in-law the other day about how God is humorously trying to reshape my cares and prioroties when it comes to the way my kids look and dress. I will admit, I am probably a bit anal when it comes to things appearances. I try to let things slide that don't matter in the eternal scheme of things but it's hard sometimes. For example, check out this little number:




My three year old insists on picking out his own clothes every morning, and three or four other times a day for that matter, and my heart pounds as I await his always interesting fashion statement of the day. The other day he picked out a great outfit, as seen above, but of course had to throw in my belt to shake things up a bit. Only my parents can appreciate the incredible humor in this. As a little girl I would wear belts with all of my clothes: nightgowns, dresses, you name it, I had a belt on, along with tights and great sounding shoes. I about fell to the floor when he requested my help with this belt. He was completely serious, not just using it as a holder for a sword,which they also come in handy for. He just wanted to wear it.
At the beginning of the fall I had to roll up most of his pants at the ankle, still trying to figure out what size he was going to be this year. Well, he got so used to me doing that, that now he wants to roll up every pair of pants at the ankle, even ones that are not too long. He pairs them with boots that are slightly too big, and shirts that totally don't match, but he thinks he's the man... and he is. I constantly have to bite my tongue and let his personality blossom, as it is a beautiful sight. God's so sneaky. Through my son, He is teaching my the difference between "the cares of this world" and that which really matters.

Who needs toys

This is what my kids love to do - make "tracks" out of every pillow and cushion in the house!!! The toys just get in the way!

Precious Moments

Although these moments can seem few and far between, they're awesome when they happen!

Forbis Family Favorites

Zucchini Cakes

2 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp. butter, melted
3/4 cup italian style bread crumbs
1/3 cup onion, finely minced
1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning, or more to taste
flour to coat patties
oil to fry with

1. In large bowl combine zucchini, egg, butter, bread crumbs, onion and seasoning. Mix well. Let sit a few minutes.
2. Shape into patties and coat with flour. In a medium skillet over medium heat fry until golden brown on both sides. The slower you cook them the better.

* Justin & I have talked about trying to come up with a sauce for these but they're so good plain! We eat these once a week. The kids inhale them!


No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Balls

2 cups quick oats
3/4 cup white sugar
3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup butter softened
confectioners sugar to roll balls in

1. Combine all ingredients in mixer.
2. Roll into balls and roll in confectioners sugar until coated.
3. Refrigerate until firm
4. Don't blink... they'll be gone!!!

Happy Halloween

We went with our neighbors to their church's Halloween Festival. It was a lot of fun. Isaiah was a Clone Trooper from Star Wars and me and Gabe were Batmama and Robin. Justin was working in Washington DC yesterday and wasn't supposed to get home until tomorrow but made it home by about 9pm. He missed seeing the kids in their costumes but I took plenty of pictures. Isaiah stalked the Chick-fil-a cow all night long, while Gabe was terrified. If the cow came in the same room as us he literally began shaking and clung to me for his life! I'm sure next year he'll be stalking the cow with his big bro. He copies everything else he does!

Toe Sucking

Here are some pictures of Gabe sucking on his toe the other night! I guess this is what happens when you try to ween an almost-two-year-old from his passy! Well, at least he had just gotten out of the bathtub!

Silly Mommy tried to sleep again!

It was a great day for a nap today and when I dozed off Isaiah got up and took the container of brown sugar and hid behind the chair. I found him eating it with a spoon. He should only be wired for a few hours, right?

Rainy Day Celebration

After one of the worst droughts in recent years, we finally got some rain... and boy did it rain, and rain, and rain!!! When we said the kids prayers at night we always asked God for rain and we said that we would dance in it when it came. Well, Mommy held to her word and it was a blast!

Halloween Fun

Here's a video of the kids doing a little song they learned at story time at the library last week. It's so cute! We don't make a habit of teaching the kids witchcraft! The lady was just trying to do some Halloween songs.

A Trip to the Fire Station

My sister-in-law arranged for us to take a trip to the local fire station last week. It was great. After a tour through the inside of the fire station the kids got to climb in the trucks and even hear the siren and see the lights. We learned that the new ladder truck they got a couple years ago cost $360,000!!! Cut the truck in half and it would more than pay for MY HOUSE!!! But I sure am thankful for our brave firemen. We had a scare a little too close to home a couple weeks ago. We're in a terrible drought and apparently someone threw a cigarette out their window at the end of our street and it started a brush fire. The entire corner at the end of our street was on fire! We're out in farm country so I was very impressed when several different area trucks showed up and got it under control. It could have been a very bad situation! THANK YOU FIREMEN!!! Anyway, my parents got Isaiah this fireman's suit last year for Christmas so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to wear it and get the kids excited about our trip. You'll notice that Isaiah combined the fireman's suit with cowboy boots for an unforgettable look. He sure thought he was "the man". He's definiately my little hero.

Gabriel is part chipmunk

I finally firgured it out. Frustration has been mounting towards my 19 month old, who often decides not to swallow his food and carries it around, sometimes unbeknownst to me, for hours at a time, before he decides to spit it out somewhere on the floor. It started out with just grapes. I quickly discovered that he wasn't able to, or didn't want to, swallow the skin of grapes. I would be innocently walking around my house barefoot and "ahh!", I would step on a partially chewed grape skin. Lovely. He now will be eating a meal that he loves and get to the last bite and realize that he didn't really want anymore, but refuses to just go ahead and swallow or spit it out. He holds his jaw tight and there's not much you can do. After watching a Curious George episode the other day, yes I watch Curious George, they showed Jumpy Squirrel hiding nuts for the winter. Then it occured to me. Gabe must be sensing that winter is coming, although you woudn't know it by the weather. I must be doing a pretty crappy job of making him feel safe and provided for if he feels the need to save food in case he doesn't get his next meal. Anyway, mystery sloved! ;)

Friday Night Family Fun

Who would have guessed that your idea of ultimate Friday night activities would include watching your kids run around in their underwear screaming at the top of their lungs and listening to thier echo? And playing hide-and-seek where Gabe looks like he's "head-banging" while we count? We were laughing so hard our sides hurt! I couldn't have imagined a better night! Here are some pictures... wish I had video!

Justin tried to camp out with Isaiah Saturday night. They had a great time a few weekends ago but this time around, Isaiah had a few too many M&M's too late at night. He was wired until about midnight. Justin eventually brought him inside and put him to bed.

Too funny not to share

We went to the park this afternoon. One of my nephews asks:

"Has it been 60 seconds?"

"Since when?" I responded.

"Oh, since about 5 minutes ago?"

HILARIOUS!!! I love that child! Let me tell you he also "broke a liver" once after slipping down the stairs. :) Too funny!!!

Mama's got a new 'do!!!

I don't know that I'll keep it this way, but it's been a fun adventurous experience... and boy did my hair need it!

It's almost Friday...

Isaiah peed out the window yesterday. He removed the screen and peed out the window. Just thought that visual might help you through your day. Make it a great one!