The Kids Behind The Blog: September Edition

It's time for another monthly edition of The Kids Behind The Blog! I can hardly believe it! I mean, didn't I JUST post the August edition?

The reality is that so much has changed since I posted last month's interview. Liam turned 4, Dylan started 7th Grade at a new school, Lexie started 5th Grade at a new school, Lily started first grade which means she is in school all day, Liam returned to preschool, and Lexie started soccer. And this mama is struggling to juggle it all!

I'm taking a break from our usual everyday chaos to share their amusing answers to our monthly interview with you!

How is school going so far? Tell me something you have learned. 

DYLAN: "Good." Can you expand on that? "Pretty good." What do you like about it? "The day is shorter." What don't you like about it? "That we get a lot of homework." Tell me something you have learned. "Learned already? In what class?!? I'm learning about gasses, liquids and solids."

Mom Thoughts: Getting information from him is rough!

LEXIE: "So school is going good, because I have two great teachers! I learned how to write a professional paragraph, and I also learned how to divide with decimals."

Mom Thoughts: Nerds rule the world!

LILY: "It's going really good! Mom, I only had the clip down one time. Not today. But on the third day of school. Actually second or third. Okay?" What have  you learned? "I learned about 10 minus 3 is 7. That's what it was!"

Mom Thoughts: Lily came home from school yesterday, sat down next to me and talked...for 55 minutes straight. And the clips are the behavior chart. She ends up on Great Day or Outstanding every day!

LIAM: "Good!" What have you learned? "Draw!"

Mom Thoughts: He loves school. And I'm just impressed he said draw!

Have you made any new friends yet?

DYLAN: "Yes." Who? "Do I have to answer who? Seriously?!?"

Mom Thoughts: My bad.

LEXIE: "Yes! I made a friend, and her name is Lexie, too! And also Ella!"

Mom Thoughts: Lexie was in her class last year, but this year they really started to talk. And Ella is on her bus and soccer team.

LILY: "Yeah, I made like...wait, let me think...1...2...3...4...5...6...um...7...8...9...NINE friends. I made nine friends! One does cheer and one loves Halloween. One is Avery and then Alex...Audrey, Addie, Addison, and Jillian. And Michael!"

Mom Thoughts: Apparently she likes to give me ALL THE DETAILS.

LIAM: "Yeah." Who? "Kareem. Dolly."

Mom Thoughts: He better never stop calling Kareem "Kweem!"

What is your favorite thing to do after school?

DYLAN: "Hang out with my little brother, Liam!"

Mom Thoughts: He is going to be an amazing dad one day!

LEXIE: "Lay down on the couch and watch TV or read a book."

Mom Thoughts: She NEVER does this! Literally never."

LILY: "My favorite thing is grab my homework, grab some cookies, put my lunch on the counter, get my iced tea from the morning, and do my homework!" 

Mom Thoughts: This is 100% accurate. And it's usually followed by an "I LOVE homework!"

LIAM: "I go outside. Outside?"

Mom Thoughts: All he ever wants to do is play outside!

What is your favorite TV show right now?

DYLAN: "Fear The Walking Dead."

Mom Thoughts: His days of watching cartoons are long gone!

LEXIE: "Spongebob! It always is!"

Mom Thoughts: Fact.

LILY: "My favorite TV show is Jessie!" 

Mom Thoughts: She has watched every episode on Netflix multiple times!

LIAM: "Elmo."

Mom Thoughts: Liam doesn't watch TV. At all. His answer was prompted by Lexie!

Do you have any pets? Tell me about them.

DYLAN: "Yes. A fish and a rabbit. The fish really doesn't do anything except swim. The bunny is fuzzy and fun to play with. The bunny is Arctic and the fish is Skirt."

Mom Thoughts: He bought the fish with his own money, and takes care of it on his own, so I had NO say in the name!

LEXIE: "Yeah! Bernie Sanders. And my Spongebob hermit crab. Named Spongebob!"

Mom Thoughts: Yes, she has a bunny named Bernie Sanders.

LILY: "Yes! Four bunnies. One is a baby and black and little! Two are girls and two are boys. Oh, yeah, the hermit crabs! We have FOUR!"

Mom Thoughts: Apparently 4 is the magic number!

LIAM: "Hop Hops! Wabs!"

Mom Thoughts: Translation: Bunnies and crabs.

Yet another entertaining edition of The Kids Behind The Blog! Stay tuned for next month's interview!

I'm linking up HERE for The Kids Behind The Blog.

The Kids Behind The Blog: August Edition

Happy Wednesday! I'm in the middle of an absolutely chaotic week, and I'm not quite sure how I'm going to get everything done before we leave for vacation this weekend. We are so excited to go to the beach, but I really could use one more week to prepare! I'm taking a brief (and much needed) break from the overwhelming stress to bring you August's edition of The Kids Behind The Blog! 

THE KIDS BEHIND THE BLOG:

Dylan - Age 12 / Alexandria - Age 10 / Liliana - Age 6 / Liam - Age 3

If you could change one of your family's rules, what would you change?

LIAM: *Gives me a kiss.* "Smooch smooch smooch smooch smooch." Mom Thoughts: He is the sweetest!

LILY: "I would change it and make it no locking the doors. If we hear the door open, we can just run out and grab him." Mom Thoughts: We had to install locks on the top of each exterior door because Liam likes to escape! It's kind of a pain for the rest of us, but his safety is what matters!

LEXIE: "I would change jumping on sofas and beds!" Mom Thoughts: They totally broke our couch doing just that.

DYLAN: "Let me think. To let me play basketball in the house. I mean...I don't know." Mom Thoughts: You already do.

Are you a good friend? Why or why not?

LIAM: "Uh, yeah." Mom Thoughts: He is when he doesn't pinch cheeks!

LILY: "Yes. Am I? Because I'm nice and I take care of animals and I care for people, too. And I'm cute." Mom Thoughts: She definitely is cute!

LEXIE: "I guess, because I help people and animals." Mom Thoughts: She most definitely is a good friend!

DYLAN: "Yes, because I care for people and help people." Mom Thoughts: He drives me crazy, but he really does!

Where is your favorite place in the whole world? 

LIAM: "Haha! Lily!" Mom Thoughts: Remind me to conduct these interviews separately next month!

LILY: "I'm going to say Lightning Bug. Because Bump-errrrrrr Caaarrrrrrs!" Mom Thoughts: She has been obsessed with The Lightning Bug since we went there for her birthday!

LEXIE: "Virginia Beach! Of course!" Mom Thoughts: Of course!

DYLAN: "Virginia Beach!" Mom Thoughts: Good thing we're going there on Saturday!

If you could invent anything in the world, what would it be? 

LIAM: "Mom." *smooch* Mom Thoughts: Hmmmmm.....

LILY: "I don't know what you mean. I would make a castle. If I could. I would make a cage." Mom Thoughts: A castle and a cage are great options?!?

LEXIE: "A flying device, because then you could fly around wherever you like and you would have wings on you like a bird!" Mom Thoughts: I like it!

DYLAN: "I would invent a teleportation device." Mom Thoughts: Start working on that, buddy!

What are you most excited about this year in school?

LIAM: "No. School. Bad! Bad!" Mom Thoughts: Don't believe him. The kid loves school!

LILY: "I'm very excited to go eat lunch in school!" Mom Thoughts: She really is! I, however, am going to miss those half days of school and having her home for lunch!

LEXIE: "Having to organize my locker!" Mom Thoughts: Nerds rule the world!

DYLAN: " I am most excited about being more independent, having more teachers, and not having the same kids in my class." Mom Thoughts: We had 7th grade orientation last night and poor Dylan looked so overwhelmed. I'm glad he's excited!

Next month when I share The Kids Behind The Blog interview, Liam will be FOUR! These kids of mine need to stop growing up so fast!

Now excuse me while I cry as I try to fit in swimming, basketball, two days of preschool, 10 loads of laundry, packing for vacation, preparing for Liam's birthday and writing five blog posts into the next three days!  I'm going to need all the luck I can get!

I'm linking up HERE for The Kids Behind The Blog.

The Kids Behind The Blog: July Edition

Happy Wednesday, my friends! I can't believe it's already time for another edition of The Kids Behind The Blog. I ask the questions, and my little tribe answers candidly. It's one of my favorite featured posts each month!

Nothing marks the passing of time quite like this monthly interview. Each month seems to fly by faster than the one before. Next month, when I interview my four kids, Lily will be 6 and Liam will be days away from celebrating his 4th Birthday. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry! 

Even though Dylan is just months away from becoming a teenager and Lexie is in the tween years, they are still willing participants. Their answers aren't quite as funny as their younger siblings, but I have high hopes that they will continue to answer my questions. (Come on, crew. Do it for your mom!)

THE KIDS BEHIND THE BLOG:

Dylan - Age 12 / Alexandria - Age 10 / Liliana - Age 5 / Liam - Age 3

What do you need to make s’mores?

LIAM: "More!" (Mom Thoughts: He isn't wrong. There's never enough!)

LILY: "Ummm. Two crackers and chocolate and a marshmallow and then you put it in the microwave! I'm the longest!" (Mom Thoughts: Just a typical incredibly detailed answer from Lily. S'mores in the microwave? Guilty.)

LEXIE: "You need chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers." (Mom Thoughts: Keeping it simple. I like it!)

DYLAN: "Graham Crackers, Hershey's chocolate, marshmallows, a fire and a stick." (Mom Thoughts: Dylan is in charge of making S'mores from now on. He got this!)

{Shirt - Trendy Bubs}

What is your favorite summertime treat?

LIAM: "Paw-oools." AKA popsicles. (Mom Thoughts: He isn't kidding. The kid is addicted!)

LILY: "It might be...strawberry cake! With rainbow sprinkles!" (Mom Thoughts: Well, this is random.)

LEXIE: "Ice cream and popsicles!" (Mom Thoughts: Covering all bases. Well played, Lex, well played!)

DYLAN: "Popsicles by far!" (Mom Thoughts: Frozen yogurt or gelato is superior. Just saying.)

Would you rather fly in an airplane or ride on a ship?

LIAM: "Fly!" (Mom Thoughts: The Toddler Tornado on an airplane is a TERRIBLE idea!)

LILY: "Umm, fly in an airplane." (Mom Thoughts: She has never been on a plane and always asks to fly!)

LEXIE: "I would...ride on a ship!" (Mom Thoughts: Playing it safe. I'm not surprised.)

DYLAN: "Ride on a ship." (Mom Thoughts: He would probably be steering the ship.)

Mom Thoughts: Okay, who stole my daughter and replaced her with a teenager?!?

How would you change the world if you could?

LIAM: "I would!" *flashes a huge smile* (Mom Thoughts: I have no doubt, buddy. You already are! #mysmilewillchangetheworld is a thing!)

LILY: "I can change it to an ice cream world so we can eat everything because it's ice cream. Even the door. Even the water!" (Mom Thoughts: I foresee an incredibly sticky mess.)

LEXIE: "I would change the world by making Bernie Sanders, my pet bunny, the president." (Mom Thoughts: Yes, her bunny really is named Bernie Sanders.)

DYLAN:  "Make there be peace. It just needs to be peaceful." (Mom Thoughts: I agree.)

Mom Thoughts: Again...where did my baby go. He looks JUST like a teenager now!

What comes after summer?

LIAM: "Water." (Mom Thoughts: Perhaps I need to add working on seasons to his IEP goals in the morning!)

LILY: "Christmas. No. It's Fall." (Mom Thoughts: She's already starting to sound more mature. Stop growing up so fast, LilyBug!)

LEXIE: "FALL!" (Mom Thoughts: Couldn't stump her with this one. Haha!)

DYLAN: "Fall." (Mom Thoughts: I believe I caught an eye roll.)

That's a wrap!!! See you next month for The Kids Behind The Blog interview with my BIG kids! Phase One AND Phase Two are growing up way too fast. (Yes, I'm going to cry. Slow down time!)

I'm linking up HERE for The Kids Behind The Blog.

The Kids Behind The Blog

Happy Wednesday! Welcome to another edition of The Kids Behind The Blog! I ask the questions, and my kids answer candidly. And, well, kids really DO say the darndest things!

This is my absolute favorite monthly feature, because I love getting a glimpse at how they all think. Their answers always make me laugh or smile, and these interviews are a great keepsake! I'm definitely going to love reading through these when they are older!

The Kids Behind The Blog {June 2017}

Dylan (Age 12), Alexandria (Age 10), Liliana (Age 5) and Liam (Age 3)

Do parents get a summer break? 

Dylan: "Sort of, because they still have to work, but they still get to do stuff with their kids, go cool places, and go on vacation." (Mom Thoughts: Vacation is definitely awesome!)

Lexie: "No! But kind of yes, because they still get to go on vacation and go outside, but sometimes they still have to cook, and do activities with us, and set it all up. So...I'm going to have to say no." (Mom Thoughts: I love this kid.)

Lily: "Well, parents can get a Summer Break, but not that much because they still need to work and stuff, but they can still hang out with their kids a lot." (Mom Thoughts: We do need to work and stuff.)

Liam: "I love you. I love you." (Mom Thoughts: Okay, then. I love you, too!)

If you could change your name what would you change it to? 

Dylan: "I would say Christopher. I guess." (Mom Thoughts: I am truly surprised! Christopher?!? That's Lily's rabbit's name!)

Lexie: "So I like the two names Shay and Maddie. Either of those two!" (Mom Thoughts: I predict Lexie will have a Shay or a Maddie if she has a daughter! I picked out her name when I was a kid!)

Lily: "Let me think. I would say Emily!" (Mom Thoughts: I thought it would be Elsa!)

Liam: "Tickle, tickle, tickle! LILY! Me!" *Reaches over to tickle my cheek.* (Mom Thoughts: I hope he never stops saying ticka ticka ticka!)

How much do you grow in the summertime? 

Dylan: "Like tall? Height-wise? I don't know. 2, 3, 4 inches." (Mom Thoughts: If that's the case, I will definitely have to buy him new pants before he goes back to school!)

Lexie: "I guess I don't really grow in the Summer. Because if you are outside playing, you get some energy and blow off some steam, so you would lose weight if you are playing all day!" (Mom Thoughts: Makes sense! If only that worked for me...)

Lily: "Mom, I don't know. I don't know those things!" *Sighs and puts hands on her hips.* (Mom Thoughts: Her teenage years are going to be ROUGH.)

Liam: "Nigh-Night! Tickle Tickle Tickle. Mama, night-night. Said night-night. Bye Bye. See you soon!" (Mom Thoughts: OBVIOUSLY he's done with the interview.)

Would you rather go to the beach or to Disney World? 

Dylan: "The beach! In Disney World you can go on a bunch of rides, but at the beach you get to swim in the ocean and walk on the boardwalk!"

Lexie: "THE Beach! Because at the beach you get to swim, have fun with your family and stay at a nice hotel. I really like the beach instead of Disney World."

Lily: "I would say beach! Because it's all fun and stuff!"

(MOM THOUGHTS: A) I'm glad we didn't plan a trip to Disney World. B) It's a good thing we're going to the beach this Summer!)

Liam: "Go outside!" (Mom Thoughts: He has a one track mind!)

What is your favorite kind of ice cream? Least favorite? 

Dylan: "Vanilla. By far. Blueberry is my least favorite." (Mom Thoughts: Have you ever even had blueberry ice cream?!?)

Lexie: "Vanilla! I love it! Oh, it would have to be strawberry. I hate it." (Mom Thoughts: Not surprising. She hates all things strawberry and watermelon!)

Lily: "Oooo, I'm going to say...strawberry! I have no idea! I like it all!" (Mom Thoughts: Good answer, Lily, good answer.)

Liam: "Eat. Yum yum yum yum yum yum yum. Yeah yeah yeah. Ha!" *Signs eat over and over again.* (Mom Thoughts: Oops. Should have never said the word eat.)

There you have it! My chaos in a nutshell. And I wouldn't have it any other way!

I'm linking up HERE for The Kids Behind The Blog.

The Kids Behind The Blog - May Edition

Nothing marks the rapid passing of time quite like The Kids Behind The Blog monthly interview. Every time I sit down to write my post for the month, one thought comes to mind: How is it already {insert month here}?!? This year is flying by even faster than last year!

Each month, I ask my kids a set of questions and I love to see how they answer. It just gives me a bit of insight into their thought process and some of their responses are hilarious! I love this link party, because I know that one day I will be so grateful that I did this!

The Kids Behind The Blog May 2017

If you had a magic tree-house that could take you anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Liam (Age 3): "See Dada. See Papa." (Mom Thoughts: Not surprising!)

Liliana (Age 5): "I would go to the beach! Virginia!" (Mom Thoughts: It's her favorite place!)

Alexandria (Age 10): "I would go to Bunny Land. When I go to sleep, I see it. Okay? Don't judge me." (Mom Thoughts: When Lexie gets old, she's going to be the crazy bunny lady.)

Dylan (Age 12): "Can it be fantasy places? I would want to go...I'm thinking here...fantasy place...maybe a medieval castle back in the 1500's! That's where I would want to go!" (Mom Thoughts: Bonus points for creativity!)

Finish this sentence ... "Red Rover, Red Rover..."

Liam (Age 3): "Red Red Red Red Red. Red Rover Red Rover!" (He followed this by laughing so hard that he fell over!)

Liliana (Age 5): "I don't know what that means! Wait...I would say I'm coming for ya!"

Alexandria (Age 10): "Sees rainbows."

Dylan (Age 12): "Call Dylan over. I guess. I don't know what Red Rover is! Weird..."

Mom Thoughts: None of my kids have ever played Red Rover. I had to explain it! Definitely a sign of the times I guess. Apparently a game of tag called "Infected" is a thing now?

What is your best childhood memory?

Liam (Age 3): "Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah."  (Mom Thoughts: I think Liam is done with the interview. And Dylan is going to be grounded for teaching him how to say blah blah blah!)

Liliana (Age 5): "My favorite memory was when you babysitted Charlie, and she fell over by your door and said, "I farted!'" (Mom Thoughts: What is it with kids and farts?!?)

Alexandria (Age 10): "My best childhood memory was when I went to the Deckhouse and I got a prize." (Mom Thoughts: Awww! It was her birthday and she was SO excited!)

Dylan (Age 12): "Let me think here. I'm going to have to say whenever we built the swing set in the backyard. But now I can't go on it because I'm too big!" (Mom Thoughts: He's right and it makes me sad!)

What is your favorite part about nature and being outside?

Liam (Age 3): "Outside. That. Bounce bounce bounce!" (Mom Thoughts: He's LOVES to go outside and he loves to jump on the trampoline!)

Liliana (Age 5): "My favorite thing is finding baby animals that are hurt. I help them survive and when they feel better I let them go." (Mom Thoughts: Can you tell what her current career choice is?)

Alexandria (Age 10): "My favorite part about nature and outside is that there are pretty flowers and creatures." (Mom Thoughts: Typical positive Lexie answer!)

Dylan (Age 12): "My favorite part of nature is toads, and finding them. Any reptiles really. My favorite part about being outside is basically you can do anything you want. You could build a tree fort or sword fight with sticks." (Mom Thoughts: If only we could pry the football out of his hands...)

What do you think Mommy would like for Mother's Day?

Liam (Age 3): "Pig. Oink, oink, oink."  (Mom Thoughts: Only if it's one of those teacup pigs that I could dress up in tiny outfits. Anybody have a few thousand dollars to contribute?)

Liliana (Age 5): "I would say a picture of a flower and a tree."  (Mom Thoughts: I would treasure it!)

Alexandria (Age 10): "A nice day to relax!" (Mom Thoughts: BINGO!)

Dylan (Age 12): "I don't know! LOTS OF CHOCOLATES!" (Mom Thoughts: He DOES know his chocolate-obsessed mom quite well!)

That's a wrap! As always, I loved hearing the kids behind MY blog answer these questions. Check back next month for June's interview!

Linking up HERE for The Kids Behind The Blog. 

The Kids Behind The Blog {April}

I love the month of April! The days are longer and warmer, Spring is in full bloom and Easter is right around the corner. It definitely makes me happy after a dreary winter, and the promise of the (slightly more) carefree days ahead just lingers in the air!

My kids have Spring Fever, too, but they kindly took the time to answer a few questions before running out the door! Here are their answers to April's edition of The Kids Behind The Blog:

What is your favorite thing about Spring?

Liam (Age 3): "Play!"

Liliana (Age 5): "My favorite thing about Spring is...going out to play!"

Alexandria (Age 10): "It rains, and it's nice and pretty outside."

Dylan (Age 12): "The warm weather."

Mom Thoughts: Well, this is going to be a straightforward interview...

If April showers bring May flowers what do May flowers bring?

Liam (Age 3): "Mama!"

Liliana (Age 5): "Honey?!? Because bees and butterflies come and get honey from the flowers!"

Alexandria (Age 10): "Ummm. Leprechauns? I don't know!"

Dylan (Age 12): "Fun outside."

Mom Thoughts: SERIOUSLY? Not a single one of you said pilgrims?!? 3 out of 4 of you told that joke over and over and over and over again at Thanksgiving!

What does a flower need to grow?

Liam (Age 3): "Shhhhhh..."

Liliana (Age 5): "Rain."

Alexandria (Age 10): "Water."

Dylan (Age 12): "Water."

Mom Thoughts: Obviously Liam wants me to shut up.

Do you like that it's starting to get warmer or do you like the cold and snow better?

Liam (Age 3): "Outside!!!"

Liliana (Age 5): "I like when it's hot."

Alexandria (Age 10): "I like that it's starting to get warmer."

Dylan (Age 12): "I like that it's getting warmer BY FAR."

Mom Thoughts: A sure sign that we need to move south!

What do you want to do over your Spring Break?

Liam (Age 3): "I don't know."

Liliana (Age 5): "Hmm...let me think about that. You bet! I like to have playdates with my friends! Mom, can we actually do that with Charlie?"

Alexandria (Age 10): "I want to lay in bed and rest my arm. I want to get this thing off."

Dylan (Age 12): "Swim, play basketball, jump on the trampoline and hang out with friends."

Mom Thoughts: I like Lexie's plan. Hey, kids, let's all lay in bed and rest our arms!

What is your favorite thing about Easter?

Liam (Age 3): "I don't know. Jump jump jump! Sneeze!" (Or in his own words, "I duh-know. Ju Ju Jup! Sneeeeeeeeeeeee!")

Liliana (Age 5): "My favorite thing about Easter is having an Easter Hunt!"

Alexandria (Age 10): "That we get presents from the Easter Bunny." *Smiles.* "Yeah. Just because I'm ten years old doesn't mean I'm not allowed to believe." (She doesn't.)

Dylan (Age 12): "That I get to spend time with family and friends."

Mom Thoughts: Liam clearly wins for best answer of the day!

These interviews are one of my favorite things to do each month! I love how Dylan and Lexie are good sports and still participate, even though they are cool tweens now. I just love hearing all of their thoughts, and I love to record their answers, exactly how they say them!

I'm linking up HERE for The Kids Behind The Blog.