Sweet!

Sweet! Vick is back! That 50 cent garage sale find is back in business. Just kidding!

To see what I am talking about, click
HERE.

Trash Bag Kids!

My kids have continued their love affair with trash bags and making outfits from them. I am hoping this creative streak can continue. Maybe with a little duct tape and the garbage bags Maddie can create a prom dress/wedding dress for herself someday. I know, we reach for the stars in this family, and only want the BEST for our children. It's just the way we are. And no matter what it looks like, we are NOT white trash (at least not on the inside:).

I have to say my daughter is getting more creative. She created quite the little dress yesterday out of the garbage bag. Style is getting better over time. She has evolved since her first Walmart Unitard. It all started with this:
http://laurascoop.blogspot.com/2008/12/walmart-unitard.htmlWalmart Unitard

Graduated to this: http://laurascoop.blogspot.com/2008/12/you-dont-need-walmart-bag.htmlWhite Trash Bags


And now, she is producing these amazing trash bag outfits: note the back of the trash bag dress. This takes talent and coordination for a three year old. No help from Mommy. And look at the amazing, versatile neckline Maddie created in the dress. In the first picture she has created a shrug-type effect in the neckline. Then, the neckline evolves. Through time, she has ripped it more and more until it is a whole new creation. If Maddie's hair appears a little greasy and messed up, it is because she decided to put a ton of gel into her hair right before her "fashion debut". I know, Project Runway, here we come.








Benjamin (4) doesn't have the same sense of style as Maddie, his creations are more basic and haven't evolved as much since his first creation. Maybe Maddie can help him in the future with his trash-bag creation skills. Poor Benjamin, not as talented with the trash bags!


Maybe one day Maddie can earn a scholarship with her creations! Again, reaching for the stars around here!
Take a look at these duct-tape prom dresses/outfits. What creativity!http://www.stuckatprom.com/contests/prom/entries.asp

Motorcycle Visions

This may be TMI. Maybe.

So, my husband Brandon sees a motorcycle for sale. (We are in the van driving by.) He points it out to me. He suggests we could buy it to save on gas money. Whenever he makes this suggestion he gets several reminders of past accidents. I remind him that I like him better living. Then he always tells me about the insurance money and how rich I would be. Cuz that almost tempts me. Raising five kids by myself, without my best friend, that would be fun.

When that offer falls on deaf ears, he tells me, "hey laura, what do you think. We could get a motorcycle, some leather vests, and some leather chaps. We'd wear those leather vests and the chaps, and nothing else." (Now I'm getting tempted.) Then he says, "Yeah, you could sit behind me and hug me tight." Then he does the motions of revving up the engine and riding on the motorcycle. I just had to share because I was busting a gut laughing. My husband always makes me laugh. I know you wanted to share in his motorcycle vision. Such a glorious thought! Do they make plus size motorcycle vests?

Mud Slinging

Kids don't need a lot to have fun, and Benjamin (4) had so much fun playing with the mud today. Beautiful day, in the 60's, and little kids getting dirty. Perfect.

She dresses herself and more of the umbrella.

60 degree weather. She wants to ride her "tippy". She makes sure she has her gloves and hat, and her umbrella in the back of her tippy. Such fun. We are totally not white trash.

This is part of my new segment called: We are not white trash. I think it is self-explanatory.


I just don't know which is my favorite part of this outfit. The boots? The leotard with the winter coat? Or the hat? We are fashion forward around here. It's not too late to emulate this fashion statement. And I won't get mad if you are all copying our family style.

How to Clear a Pool

Just coincidentally, after our family of seven arrived at the pool and started splashing, jumping, making noise, and being us, everyone else at the pool left. I wonder if there was some hotel scheduled party. Cause I am sure they all didn't leave on such a beautiful day just because of us-----------if you ever want to clear a pool area within minutes, we can help you out with that.

I have been wondering what exactly caused the simultaneous clearing of all pool patrons. Could it have been......

Jumping from chair to chair like Tigger? I think Maddie thought the chairs were mini trampolines to bounce on.


Or could it have been jumping into Daddy's arms in the hot tub and splashing everyone?



Or maybe Dylan's jumps?



Or just all the splashing in general?



Was it the kids hiding in the bushes?



The older boys jumping into the water?




Or perhaps all the "bubbles" in the water?




Hmmmm. I will have to be thinking on that. Let me know if you have any thoughts---

Our Little Britney Spears

Future Blackmail Pictures

Dylan insisted on putting the Cinderella wig on----I thought it made him look more like Britney Spears! Now we just have to teach him some moves!

Dylan or Britney Spears

Dylan and his Daddy


Oh baby, baby..........

"Mommy, look. Stickers."

"Mommy, look. Stickers." Whenever you hear that, it is the signal that your stamp collection has been discovered and demolished. Her smile says everything. Just think. For several dollars, your child can experience great joy also. Who needs toys?

Everything is Better with an Umbrella

After Brandon and Ethan went to school today, Maddie said she wanted to go play in the backyard. Luckily, it is a lot warmer today (in the 40's) so it is a perfect day to play outside. After putting on all the snowgear, the 3 babies, Teddy, and I headed to the backyard. Benjamin insisted on taking the umbrella. My kids all love umbrellas. It is the toy that never stops giving. Rain, sun, or snow, the kids always love to play with the umbrella. (Maybe they get that from their Grandpa. Here are some pictures from our snow fun today.

Benjamin sledding in our backyard (4)

Dylan (2) and Maddie (3)

Dylan and our dog Teddy

Oh Maddie, I don't know where that has been. Icky.


Benj, Dylan, Maddie, and Teddy.

Why does everything always come back to Star Wars? Benj was thrilled to find a huge sword icicle.

Little Dylan

Taking a slide

Best Baby Grumps Ever!

Benj kept making ice discoveries.

Hey Mommy!

Diggin' the truck out.

Umbrella smiles

Umbrella slides

Throwing snow with glee

Going head first

Handsome Dylanator

Benj under the protection of the umbrella

White Trash New Years Idea for Kids

Seriously. You can get the huge thing of it for $2.00 at Walmart. I bought two of them. You should have heard Ethan (6). He was so excited that Mom had bought Hawaiian Punch for him. You would've thought it was freakin' Christmas morning. Not to mention the excitement from my husband Brandon. Yeah, we may a bit easy to please around here. Who knew New Years could be so exciting?

When little boys dress themselves......

this is what you get. A Miami Vice crew. I came down the stairs from changing the babies, and there they were in their suit jackets. Benj (3) and Ethan (6) both were wearing suit coats and as usual, Ethan was wearing capris. Ethan is so thin, he will put on his younger brothers pants. Not a cute look. I told him he did have to wear his own jeans, but could wear the suit jacket since he was insisting on it. He changed his mind right before we left for school. Funny and cute little boys! Best of buddies!

Why you should never take kids out to restaurants

Reason #1:
They stick straws in their ear, and try to wiggle their loose tooth out

Reason #2:
They climb all over the place
Reason #3:
They climb all over the place and even begin to spit.

(And I am not mentioning our sound effect system that comes with our family everywhere we go)

Why do we continue to go out with five kids in tow?
Reason #1:
We're stupid.
Reason #2:
At least we don't have to clean up the mess.
Reason #3:
We foolishly keep thinking it will get better.
Reason #4
Mama and Papa don't have to cook.

Walmart Unitard

Benjamin was the first to make himself a Walmart bag Unitard and Maddie soon followed. Hours of fun with a Walmart bag. Who needs expensive clothes when you can make such a fashion statement with a Walmart bag. Now we are officially white trash.

Need a sensory experience?

Try a lasagna foot soak.

Here's a little hint I learned the hard way: If you are a Mom, you cannot excuse yourself to use the bathroom. Learn to hold it all day long. If you do take a 2 minute potty break, you may return to your little 2 year old son Dylan, up on the counter, placing his feet in the lasagna. Don't look inside my unorganized messy cabinets----that's why they have doors that are usually closed. Anyway, I love his look of triumph. Luckily, I had placed a portion in the microwave already, that we could eat for lunch. The rest, trash. Work on holding that bladder, then you can avoid some of these "fun" incidents.

After eating the lasagna, all 3 babies were quite messy. Maybe there is a reason chicken nuggets are a staple in the diet of children.

Mom, what do ya' expect, ya' gave me lasagna!