The Cutter Family

TRENTIN-ISM

Whenever we make a stop at the bank, Kroger or to get gas, Trentin always wants to go to Blockbuster to rent some video games. Always. Saturday, we needed to drop by the bank, and as we stopped at the intersection, I see a huge, yellow sign hanging over Blockbuster that says "STORE CLOSING". Here's Trentin's reaction:

ME: Uh oh! Trentin look!! (pointing to Blockbuster)

TRENTIN: CURSE YOU NETFLIX!!!

ME: hahahahahaha!!!!!

TALENT SHOW!!

The kids' school held a talent show for 4th & 5th graders. Just a simple performance, where no prizes were awarded, and anyone could participate. Haille wanted to sing!! She was so excited about it!! She practiced & practiced & practiced - with the music teacher at school during recess, and every time she got in the car. I secretly thought she might chicken out when the time came, but she didn't!! Her song of choice: Lady Antebellum's 'American Honey'. She was super nervous, even wrote the words on her hands. She did such a great job!! I really admire her courage, because there's NO WAY I could get up and sing in front of a group of people like that. I'm so proud of her!!!

CHRISTMAS DAY 2010!!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year!! The kids actually slept until after 7:00, which was a gift to Jason and me!!

After months and months of begging & pleading, Haille FINALLY got her own phone!!

TRENTIN-ISM

Sometimes in the car, we play a game where we pick an object or person, giving 3 hints to what it is, and we take turns trying to guess it. It can get very interesting!! So, Trentin guessed my person after just one hint (Peyton Manning) and here's our conversation:

ME: Wow, Trentin! You guessed it after only one clue!!

TRENTIN: Yeah, I've got psychic abilities.

ME: Really? Cool!! What am I thinking right now?

(he looks at me studying my face for a second)

TRENTIN: Well crud. I've got to charge them.

ME: hahahahaha!!!!

As with tradition, we spent Christmas Eve at Grandma & Papaw's house!!

We went to visit Santa again this year!

Notice who's missing? Axten REFUSED to go anywhere NEAR santa!

Here's our Christmas tree this year! It has been with us through 11 Christmases. I totally surprised myself when I pulled out all my decorations - last year at an "after Christmas" sale, I bought all new ornaments & stuff for like 75% off!! Completely forgot about it!!

And I cannot wait to get a new couch so we can use our fireplace again!! Hopefully, sometime this year.

CANDLELIGHT LUNCHEON!!

The kids' school hosted a Holiday Candlelight Luncheon, so my mom & I went to eat with the kids.

ALL THAT JAZZ - 2010

Haille's school has a special performance choir for 4th & 5th graders - All That Jazz. If you want to be in this choir, you have to try-out, singing in front of your peers & the director. Lo and behold, Haille made it! The choir practices twice a week, after school, and the kids need to be picked up at 5:00. Problem is, I don't get off work until 5:00, and I could not leave work early twice a week for the entire school year, not to mention I already leave early every other Friday to pick her up from Girl Scouts. My boss wouldn't be too thrilled. I explained this to Haille, and she was disappointed, but understood that she couldn't participate. The next day at work, I get a call from the director BEGGING me to let Haille be in this choir, as Haille "is one of my strongest voices". So I promised the director I would try to work something out, but I couldn't guarantee anything. It is a big commitment all year, and the kids even have to sign "contracts" that they couldn't miss more than 3 practices/performances. They also compete in a competition down in Gatlinburg, TN in the spring. Last year, they received more awards than the Perry Meridian High School choir!! So I knew Haille would thoroughly enjoy being a part of this. I was torn about what to do. Turns out, Melissa's son (babysitter) also made the choir, and she said she would take care of picking Haille up after practice!! I was so relieved, and Haille was ecstatic!! Don't know what I would do without Melissa!!!

Haille has to dance with a boy, and she was so nervous about telling Jason!! He jokingly acted mad & said "WHO IS HE?!?" and she she said "I have to!! I signed a contract!!!" So we tease her about it.

Here is their Christmas performance. They really did an excellent job!! Haille is 2nd from the top, in the middle.

2010 BASKETBALL SEASON!!

Haille has started her 2010 basketball season!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AXTEN!!

Happy Birthday to my little "Punk"!! Axten is now 3 years old!!! How did that happen so fast?!?! I am amazed by him every single day. I'ved watched him grow from an adorable, happy, content, chunk of a baby - rolls & all - into an energetic toddler, running every which way, always at his big Bubbie's side. And if Haille's not in his eyesight, he always asks "where's Ha-Wee?" He's happy playing with his "Ma-yo" (Mario) or "BobBob" (Spongebob) on his PSP. He knows how to work Jason's blackberry to watch his favorite YouTube videos, and he knows how to navigate on the computer to play his favorite games. I'm telling you - this kid is SMART!! We cannot drive by a McD's without him yelling "DONALDS!!!!" (I think that's kinda sad - LOL) I think my favorite is when I'm cooking dinner, he will sit in front of the fridge and say to me "Co-here. Sit down." and pats the space beside him. He jumps in my lap and I ask him for letters, and he identifies them, and we sing a song for each one. I've been asking him this week if he's ready to start using the potty like a big boy... his response - a simple "no." Well, he doesn't have a choice!! We've got his big-boy underwear, so as soon as my year-end projects are wrapped up, I can focus my full attention on potty training him. Now all I need to get is a big stash of suckers - his favorite!!

TRENTIN-ISM

We get home last evening, and I head up to my bedroom to change clothes & use the restroom. I can hear Haille and Trentin arguing about something - not sure what - and I think I hear Haille tell Trentin to "Ask Mom!" (Trentin has a habit of just barging in without knocking) So then I hear Trentin stomping up the stairs, and before he barges into my bathroom.......

ME: I'm in the bathroom!!

TRENTIN: Man, she just SENSES me coming. (walks away)

ME: hahahahahahaha!!!!

TRENTIN-ISM

Backstory: Every Friday, it is our "thing" that on the way to the babysitter, I ask WHAT DAY IS IT??? And Haille says FRIDAY!!! Then we go WHHHHOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!! Trentin doesn't do WhooHoo, so we tease him by calling him a party pooper, and beg him to do it just once!! (he thinks we're weirdos) Even Axten does it!!! It's become a tradition, every single Friday - WhooHoo, tease Trentin, WhooHooo, tease Trentin, all the way to the babysitter (approx 4 minute drive). So here is our conversation on the first day of Christmas Break for the kids:

ME: What day is it?!?!

HAILLE: FRIDAY!!!

ME & HAILLE: WHOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!

ME: Double WhooHoo because it's Christmas Break!!

ME & HAILLE: WHOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!

ME: Trentin, you get to play video games all day!!!!

TRENTIN: I've only got one whoohooo.

ME: hahahahahaha!!!!!!

SOME MORE TRENTIN-ISMS

Episode 1: We are in the car, after I picked the kids up from the babysitter. As usual, I asked how their day was......

TRENTIN: I got a bloody nose today, mom.

ME: How? What happened???

TRENTIN: My chair knocked some sense into me.

ME: Knocked some sense into you??

TRENTIN: Yeah, I tripped, and the back of the chair said BBBSSSSHHHHHH (pretending to hit himself in the nose.)

ME: hahahahahahaha!!!!!!

Episode 2: In the kitchen, I am making dinner.

ME: Trentin, we have to go over your spelling words.

TRENTIN: I know.

ME: Do you want to do it now, or after we eat?

TRENTIN: After.... so I'll have my functions back.

ME: hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!