A Pajama Mama

TOP FIVE!!! "Will anyone lose their cool tonight?" Ryan asks. As if! OH!!! Tonight each one will sing two songs! Fun! Grammy winning artist, Neil Diamond, huh? I guess I know quite a few of his songs, but didn't exactly own any of his 8-tracks. He has a really deep, growly talking voice, doesn't he? Jason "Forever in Blue Jeans" - As long as I can have you here with me, I'd much rather be forever in blue jeans baby . Ok. That's my theme song. heehee. Rayray and Doodle thought it was pretty cool. My Hero thinks his voice sounds really good tonight. It sounded JasonCastroish . That's a new term, you know. JasonCastroish is a new music style that's similar to JackJohnsonish . David C "I'm Alive" I liked the lyrics to that song a lot! I thought he did a great job...so glad to see him with the guitar again. My hero said he sounded very professional tonight. Brooke " I Am A Believer" What? I didn't remember that he di...

This past weekend, we travelled to Monroeville , Alabama, home of Harper Lee who wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird." Each spring, locals put on a two-act production of the book. Some of our dearest friends live in Monroeville , and this year, their oldest son played DILL!!! (See Rayray and Dill to the left.) I read the entire book aloud to Rayray , furiously I tell you. I MEANT we were going to finish it before the trip! I haven't read it since high school and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Scout, Jem , Dill, Miss Maudie and Boo. The play was in two acts. One was outdoors, a neighborhood/street scene. The second half of the play was inside the historic courtroom. The Mockingbirds did an excellent job, especially Dill, but we ARE partial. If you're a Mockingbird fan, a trip to Monroeville would make a great weekend getaway. There's plenty to do, in addition to the play. (Click here for more info.) We had a wonderful time with our friends this weekend. Besides seeing...

What is Bite Back, you ask? It's a Compassion International campaign to raise money for mosquito nets to prevent Malaria. Please consider donating. Here's a quote from BooMama's blog (because she has been there and knows what she's talking about more than me.) "This Friday, April 25, is World Malaria Day. And through the Bite Back campaign, people can give a one-time donation of $10 and provide a mosquito net for a child - or a family, if they’re all sleeping in the same place - who otherwise would have no protection from this completely preventable disease. That $10 will also provide education and treatment for people who are already sick with malaria." Check out BooMama's blog by clicking on the Bite Back banner or the link above for info on how to donate. Thanks...

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Broadway songs, AI top six and the orchestra on the stage! Fun night!! Here we go!!!! 1. Syesha - "One Rock n Roll Too Many" I thought she was absolutely wonderful!!!! She needs to be on Broadway, absolutely. Brought the house down. My girls loved it. And her hair is very pretty tonight. And our guest commentator Britha said, via email, "She's beautiful! That dress is hot! I think this style of music is perfect for her. I loved it!' 2. Jason " Memory" NO!!! Not hand waving in the mosh pit! Spare us, please! I thought he sounded very sweet. I didn't lovelovelove it. But, I really like HIM. He makes me smile. "I didn't know a cat was singing it..." Rayray didn't think it was one of his strongest performances. Britha's comments, "This is my favorite broadway song. I love Jason's voice. Hummm..I think I like it. It was good. Not my favorite Jason song, but still good. I would love to hear Syesha belt t...

Exactly what does every Princess need in her Secret Princess Agent Belt: One shiny pink stretchy belt with heart buckle One pink beaded lipstick holder with Care Bear Green Apple lip balm One set of keys with Princesss-created beaded key chain One pink princess cell phone One pressed powder compact One wallet crammed with: One Barbie credit card Two dollar bills One princess mirror and One princess lip gloss ring Add all that with the favorite outfit which includes the " chicken skirt, " a necklace from her own Princess-created line, and her own hair design, and we've got ourselves Secret Princess Agent Girl! (who can pour her own milk peel her own tangerines, and put on her own bandaids, too thankyouverymuch.)

Rayray went with her Mema to the Retirement Home today to help with the circle meeting Mema leads. Rayray was the musical entertainment, playing her violin for 15 sweet little old ladies. Once she returned home, she related the following. "Mama, I made up my mind before I started playing to make every second that I was playing count. And I prayed and asked God to help me be a blessing to the ladies. And you know what happened, Mama????? I was the one that was blessed! Isn't that so cool?" Yes, Rayray, that is "so cool." And I think you're pretty cool, too. She's written two pretty incredible songs this week...accompanying herself with the guitar that she's basically teaching herself, with JellyBean's guidance. Above is a pic of her singing her Sisters song for me on our porch. Yep, she's a pretty cool chick.

Taken this morning, this is how our typical homeschool days look. On warm days, we migrate to the back porch and learn there. We're headed now to the den to get comfy while we read.

A new family moved in next door last fall with twin 7 yr olds. It's the first time our littles have had neighbor children to play with and play, they have. The other day, The Butter (our 8yods) showed me a little trinket that little neighbor boy "J" gave him.....a pocketknife (!). Besides the fact that it's a dangerous, sharp object that could potentially cause harm to said Butter or his sisters and knowing that blood makes this Mama queasy, I also knew that this particular shiny pocketknife was a souvenir from their recent trip to Stone Mountain Park and was special. So, I instructed The Butter to give the weapon back to J the next time they played. WELLLLL, shiny Stone Mountain pocketknife got lost somewhere around the climbing tree before it returned to its rightful owner. The Butter was particularly distressed about the lost item and I finally found out why. Apparently J borrowed (stole?) this pocketknife from his sister Z WITHOUT her permission or knowledge. And ...

Let me begin by saying how disappointed we all were that Michael Johns was voted off last week. But you know, maybe The Dad was right...Back when this season began, he said that Michael Johns was too good for AI...that he needed to bypass AI, go straight to a recording contract. So, maybe being voted off was for the best for our Michael Johns. I'm sure we've not heard the last of him. "Down to 7, up to you," Ryan announces. Listen at the girls scream for our little Ryan. They prob read the news report that he made $10 million last year alone. The girls all have on lovely dresses tonight.....perhaps in honor of the phenomenal Mariah Carey!!!! Everyone's doing Maria songs tonight. This should be interesting...We don't know many Mariah songs. So...we'll see. David A. - I think it was absolutely beautiful and heartfelt. Rayray thought he did a great job and little Doodle says, "I like his shirt and I really did like his song." The Daddy really liked ...

The girls with Miss Ruby I'd like to introduce you to a priceless gem in our family's life....Miss Ruby. Isn't she beautiful?Miss Ruby is 102 years old, although at times, she declares herself to be 300 years old. Miss Ruby has outlived her 15 siblings, her husband and her only child. My Love met Miss Ruby two years ago and she's been a blessing to our lives ever since. Miss Ruby's body is weakening and sometimes she is very confused. Yet, she still manages to live alone. Last night, the girls and I dashed to Miss Ruby's home to turn her heat on. What should have been a 2 minute trip, quickly turned into a 30 minute visit. But that was perfectly ok. Sweet Miss Ruby never ceases to touch my heart in the deepest of places. She loves Jesus and speaks of His goodness to her throughout her life. She also loves to tell of her encounter with an angel. Last night, she told me that she knows I'm busy with the children, but to never forget that my life is in His hand...

On Valentine's Day, My One True Love walked in with a gorgeous plant for moi with beautiful pink blossoms covering it. It's a running joke that I don't exactly have a green thumb, although my Farmer-Gardener Daddy has the ability to effortlessly grow anything anywhere. I quite obviously did not inherit this trait. So, my beloved was mighty brave to bring me another houseplant to kill. But it looked hearty enough to survive even me. I put it on the porch in the direct sunlight as suggested and kept it watered. Imagine my dismay to see the beautiful flower beginning to look quite scraggly, in spite of my TLC! I just passed it off as clearly my lack of horticulture expertise. UNTIL I HAPPENED UPON THIS:

The kids on Idol sang Shout to the Lord again tonight...this time FULLY ARTICULATING THE NAME OF JESUS. It was just beautiful. I don't know what on earth to think. NOW, for all of you ipod people, run your little fingers over to itunes immediately and download the Shout to the Lord from Idol Gives Back single for .99. You won't regret it.

If you watched Idol Gives Back last night, your heart was broken by the orphans in Africa. My heart was particularly broken over the four orphaned brothers who lost all relatives to AIDS and Annie Lennox's visit with them. I kept saying," I'll take them. I'll take them all." HUH? Where on earth did that come from? We don't have space in this house to adopt a child, we don't have finances for more...BUT. If this is what Father wants, He'll do it. Of course, He needs to first and foremost make an announcement to my precious FeO who thinks I'm off my rocker. So, a little handwriting on the wall would be good, Lord. Lysa Terkeurst blogged here today on a huge shortage of rice at the orphanage where her two boys came from. Rice is all they eat. With no rice, they just heat up water and drink it. That's it. If you can help, please let her know. P. S. Were you as slack-jawed and shocked as we were that the contestants closed Idol Gives Back with the w...

Final 8!! Our theme tonight is "Inspirational Songs." We again welcome JellyBean to our family review panel. Paula. That dress...um...a bit snuggish? Michael Johns - Dream On by Aerosmith Daddy- It's hard for me to listen to anybody else sing it. JellyBean- But he did good! Me - He has a necktie tied in a double knot around his neck. (Hey, Sinbad!) I actually thought he sounded spot on. Rayray - What was up with those really high notes? (She has obviously never heard this song before in her 12yo life.) Sayesha - I Believe by Fantasia We all agree that she did awesome. Jelly Bean thinks Randy is trying to change his image and be the bad guy. She's Rayray's fave tonight and my 2nd fave of the night. Jason Castro - Somewhere Over the Rainbow Jelly Bean - He did PHENOMENAL! He's my favorite! Daddy - I loved it! He has become my favorite as of tonight. I know what kind of album he'll put out...hippie music. (HUH? heehee) Rayray and Apple Doodle like him a ...

Does a private concert of chamber music sound like royalty has arrived in south Georgia, or what? Nah. It was just us and The Jupiter String Quartet . Because public schools are testing in the area, no one was able to take advantage of the student outreach in a nearby city today except us and one more homeschooling family. Our friends are president of the Concert Association and tip us off to the cool things coming to town....like this and the Russian Folk Singers and Dancers a few months back. Nelson, Daniel, Meg and Liz make up the Jupiter String Quartet. They. Were. Phenomenal. We honestly felt like royalty bc the auditorium is old and beautiful...and they were performing just for a dozen of us. When they began their first piece, my eyes teared up from the sheer beauty of the music. Nelson and Meg play the violin, Liz the viola and Daniel the cello. Between each piece, they chatted with us about the composer and history of the piece. One in particular told a story of a battle durin...

To those of you anxiously awaiting my American Idol Reviews....I am sorry to let you down. I fell ill last night. Sudden onset of symptoms. I was doing good to actually watch the show.... nevermind live-blogging. I did think most everyone did fantastic. The dh is buying at least two of the songs from last night on itunes . I do have a couple of random comments about last night's show, though. First, Kristy Lee never ever should have jabbed at Simon that way. It was awkward for me to watch and we were embarrassed for her. Secondly, how positively TACKY for Simon to call the fiddler behind Brooke "weird." I couldn't believe it. The instrumentalists...who are awesome....are NOT being judged. I thought it was rude and offensive of Simon. That said, I must tell you that my April Fools Day was a sandwich. A peanut butter banana mayo sandwich...but with MOLDY bread. (That's my favorite sandwich minus moldy bread of course......but you may substitute your favorite sandw...

This morning, I heard the AppleDoodle squalling. I mean...Suh. Kuh. WALL, y'all!! It was her "something has scared me to death" kind of wail. She reached me before I could set down my coffee mug and get up from my comfy porch perch. Well, she had discovered a huge fire ant bite on the back of her leg. It is SO large it looks like the fire ant sat there awhile and enjoyed itself immensely. (For those of you who have never had the pleasure of angering a fire ant, a bite looks like a red bump with a white head on it. And it's called a fire ant bc the bites burn like FIRE.) She apparently attained the bite yesterday. She didn't complain of pain. And in my opinion, a bite that big would have HURT. In my motherly wisdom, I knew it wasn't pain making her scream bloody murder. Something about the bite had frightened her. When she finally calmed down, she confided in me. "At first when I saw the bite, I thought it was a new nippum behind my knee." (Please ...