Mother's Day

As you all may know, if you have kids in school they really do a good job helping kids understand and appreciate the different holidays. This mother's day was no exception. It was Walker's first year in preschool so it has been full of fun events all year long. Although I have to admit that this one was the best! They invited the mothers to come to school for a Mother's Day Tea Party. I walked into Walkers class and he eagerly greeted me, took my hand and led me to the table where we'd be sitting. He pulled my chair out and sat beside me and gave me a gift. What a gentleman. Who's teaching him this stuff? The gift was a necklace he made in class that was a compilation of a porcelain heart a few beads one being the shape of a cat that is classic. Then we had lunch. They served the mom's salad and a roll and the kids had chips and mini corn dogs, followed by lemon pound cake. Then they read us a story and we could go home from there. I really had a good time with Walker. It is VERY rare that he and I spend time alone together. I need to do more of that because we enjoyed ourselves and it was fun to do something just for him. He's such a great boy and I love him dearly. Here's to many more years (so long as the school system probes them to do something) of mothers day celebrations.

Easter Fun

So Easter came and went this year much like many of the holidays that are consumed with candy, gifts and kids asking if there was another holiday next week. Thank goodness all we have to look forward to the next few months are birthdays but with 4 kids now it seems to never end. I thought I'd share some of our easter weekends events.

Easter Sunday

Easter Festivities with the Watson cousins

The loot left by the Easter Bunny

My favorite picture! While the kids were busy hunting and picking
up easter eggs, dad was busy hunting and picking up weeds!

Introducing....

Maddox Clayton Watson

April 7, 2009
8 lbs. 14 oz.
21 inches long

We are so glad that he is finally here to complete our family. I delivered on my due date and all went very smoothly. Now we're trying to adjust to a fourth child and getting a routine down. The other three kids absolutely love him and want to hold him all the time. Life is good for this Watson family!

The Name Game

So Cordell and I have been racking our brains the past few weeks trying to come up with a name for our baby boy that will be coming into the world in a few short weeks. We have had such a hard time and have turned to the internet and baby naming books for ideas. When Cordell received this book in his office the other day, it gave a completely new insight as to possible names to give your child. If you have a chance it's really the best baby book EVER!!! A book I'll be giving to every new mother at her first bay shower! Here are just a few of our favorites.

Beau: It's time to take a look in the mirror. Beau literally means "handsome" and everybody knows it. So you're gambling. It's like being bald and stuck with the nickname "Curly." You know what everyone's thinking when you're introduced. They're thinking "Hey! That guy's named Curly, but he's got no hair!" And that kid's named Beau, but...why tempt fate?

Greg: If it weren't a name it would refer to skin tags. "Eeew. I"ve got more gregs growing on my butt again, honey. Can you get the lighter and burn off these gregs?"

Graham: Likely nickname: The Cracker. Not a funny nickname if you happen to be a Southern racist.

Oliver: Insurance rates run higher for Olivers since they are more likely to get beat up.

As for some girl names we thought a few of these were particularly funny.

Betty: Bettys wear aprons and spend far too much time worrying about spots on their silverwares. Bettys live in ranch-styles houses and make pot roast on Thursday. I wish my mom were a Betty.

Blair: Means "flat". That's going to hurt come puberty.

Callie: Try saying this name without sounding like you have a speech impediment. Now what are going to do when she really does? Don't tempt the gods of irony.

Cheyenne or Dakota: How arrogantly chic to name your daughter after a nation of people your country conquered.

And lastly the reason why I have chosen to go by my birth name at the age of 19!

Becky: Nobody names their kid Becky. It's just an unfortunate thing that happens to girls names Rebecca.

Now please help a lady out. Send me any boy names that we can take into consideration. We are particular to last names that we can use as first names. Our other two boys are Walker and Talmage. Here's your chance to have a child out there that you named.

Have you forgotten about slavery?

So we finally broke down and got ourselves a cleaning lady (is that the proper name to use now days?) because being 8 months pregnant and with three other kids it has made it next to impossible to get all the cleaning done that I need. Sure, I can pick up the toys, put books and papers away, makes the beds, do the laundry but we're talking the down and dirty stuff. The toilets, the shower walls, the inside of the oven and well, you know what I mean. Today was her first day and as I write this she has already been here for 4 1/2 hours. Cordell and I thought it would easily take about 2. We were way off. Either she is very thorough or our house has gotten that bad.

So while she was working inside I took the kids outside to play to get out of her way. Abby started asking me why she was in there and why she was cleaning our house. I explained that it's hard for me to do it now because of the baby inside and that it takes a lot of time to do it when I am busy kids. I told her what she was cleaning and how often she'll be coming just to help out for a while. I thought she could understand that but she just looked at me with this disgusted face. I asked her what was wrong and she said "mom, that's just mean. It's not nice to have a slave. Don't you remember what Abraham Lincoln did for slaves? He stopped people from having slaves and now you went and got one!" Ouch! I had to explain that she does this as her job and enjoys doing it for people to make them happy. By having her come it helps us and helps her with a job to get money. Then she slowly walked away and sat by a tree.

I have a feeling Abby will never look at me the same! I'm a slave driver in her eyes.

Not so American Idol

For those followers of American Idol, be glad that we haven't ended up with something like this.

Magnificent Mustang

Abby was chosen by her teacher to receive the Magnificent Mustang award at her school. The teacher selected one student from their class to receive this award for the month. She received the award based on the "Character Quality of Caring".

The attributes she displays at school are kind words and actions, think about other people's needs and feelings, help others, and give to others without thinking about what they will get in return.

They have an assembly at school for all the kids and surprise them when their name is called out. We were sitting in the back and she saw us and was completely surprised and excited to get an award and to see us there supporting her.

It's nice to know how your kids really act outside the home. She has her own issues at home that we struggle with now and again. To learn that she really is a good girl outside the home makes us think we are doing something good as parents.

We are proud of you Abigail!