Kookie Krums

What She Said . . .

There's this great interview between parents and their children making its rounds on Facebook. So a few nights ago, I took advantage of some "Mommy and Hailey time" to ask my four year old some questions about me. Here's what she had to say . . .

1. How would you describe Mommy?
I really don't know, Mommy. Are we almost done? Can we play Webkinz when we're done?

2. What makes me happy?
Umm, being good and not doing anything wrong.

3. What makes me sad?
Not listening and not doing the right things.

4. What is something I always say to you?
Here comes the kissing bug! (This followed by lots of giggles)

5. What makes me laugh?
When I say, "I love you, I miss you, I'll see you tomorrow."

6. How old am I?
I don't know . . . . 43??   (oh my . . . I'm speechless)

7. How tall am I?
12 feet.

8. What is my favorite thing to do?
Watch me play and play with me.

9. What do you think I do when you’re not around?
Do laundry (sad, but true)

10. If I became famous one day, what do you think it would be for?
Because you have a cookie store   (gotta love a girl who can dream)

11. What am I really good at?
Playing Webkinz

12. What am I not so good at?
Playing the car game on Webkinz.

13. What is my job?
Making cookies for customers.

14. What is my favorite food?
Cookies. 

15. What do I do that makes you proud?
Making cookies.   (I'm sensing a theme here . . .)

16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be? Why?
Tinker Bell.  Because you look like a fairy princess.    (winning back some points from that age comment!)

17. What do you love to do with me?
Play with you.

18. How are you and I the same?
We have the same sound.

19. How are you and I different?
Because you're big and I'm a little small.

20. How do you know I love you?
Because Jesus is in our love.

21. What do you think I like most about Daddy?
Going out to dinner with just him.   (out of all the things she could have chosen . . .)

22. Where is my favorite place to go?
Sonny's?? . . . no, honey, that's your favorite place! Oh, Checkers? . . . nope, still yours . . . Ok, to Dunedin!!

23. What’s your favorite thing about me?
Playing with you

24. If you could change one thing about me, what would you change?
If you were gone, I would miss you.   (wow, talk about melting my heart)

25. Do you know how much I love you?
So so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so much!!!

And . . . end of the interview . . . with many giggles and lots of hugs.  Children are a joy, and so often we don't capture these precious thoughts of theirs.  How special (and telling) to hear what our kids are thinking!!

Community Helpers

Last week I had the opportunity to go into Hailey's four year old class at preschool and talk about my job. What a fun, fun time we had together!! Let me start by telling you that it started out looking a little sketchy.  My husband had his chance earlier in the week, and being a fishing guide with OtherSide Charters, he had all kinds of amazing things to wow these kids! He brought in a redfish, a mullet, and even a HUGE shark jaw (just ask them, they'll tell you it was HUGE)!! Let's just say I had a pretty big act to follow.

So when I came in and was introduced as Hailey's Mommy, my first question was, "Ummm, Hailey's Mommy, did you know Hailey's Daddy is a fisherman?"  Me: "Yes, I did know that, I kind of live with the guy." "Ummm, Hailey's Mommy, did you know Hailey's Daddy brought in a HUGE shark jaw?"  Me: "Yes, I've heard about that constantly over the last few days. So would you guys like to know what I do?"  "Ummm, Hailey's Mommy, I really think Hailey's Daddy is the coolest."  Me: "I agree, he is pretty cool. But I make cookies."  "Ummm, Hailey's Mommy, can I please have a cookie?"  GOTCHA!! Now they're listening!! 

So we talked about what a cookie bouquet is, and how we deliver them to people to make them smile, and how we can send them all over the country. "Ummm, Hailey's Mommy, but my grandma lives in Georgia, and that's really far away".  And then we talked about the different flavors of cookies I make every day. "Ummm, Hailey's Mommy, can you make strawbewwy?? Because I really like strawbewwy, it's my favorite."  And then we talked about all the different designs I have painted on the flower pots. "Ummm, Hailey's Mommy, do you have Power Rangers, because I really like Power Rangers."

Then we got to the good stuff.  Each of the children were given a frosted cookie, and food markers were passed out to everyone. They each got to decorate their sugar cookie however they wanted to with the markers. We had flowers, smiley faces, some very scary black cookies - all according to the various personalities represented by these awesome kids.  They also got to sample all the different flavors of cookies while they were coloring their own cookie.

When it was all said and done, I had made a lot of new friends. I even stayed to hang out on the playground with them for a while.  And my heart melted with an adorable little boy tugging on my shirt and saying, "Ummm, Hailey's Mommy, I think you make the best cookies ever."  And what could be better than that?!

Point well taken.

This past weekend, as it got closer to bath and bedtime, my sweet Hailey was just bored. Me, not so much. Between cleaning up dinner, getting things ready for the weekend, etc., etc., I was doing just fine. Hailey would come to me every few minutes and go "what can I do now Mommy?" Then a few minutes later, "ok, we're done with that, now what can we do?" I am not exaggerating (too much) when I say I think we went through this about 23 times.

I went into the girls' bathroom to start the bath, with Kahlee hot on my trail. She's always getting into something, so I started the bath, brought her out, shut the door, and gave her strict instructions not to go into the bathroom. She gave me a very serious "yes, sir." I know, I know, I always get a yes sir from her, but I've gotten over it. Now I tell her to say "yes, Mommy," and I get "nah nah Mommy." Not sure which option is the better choice. Anyway . . .

Hailey comes right up and says in her best "I'm the big sister, so I can do more than you" voice, "Well, I can go into the bathroom, because I have to go potty." I replied with a "No, no, no, you're just trying to make your sister mad, stay out of the bathroom until the bath is ready." She went through about seven more "but I really have to potty"'s, and then went back to the "Ok, Mommy, what can we do now?" Nearing the end of all sanity very quickly, I tried to make her think about it. I said "So, Hailey, tell me, does Miss Lois (preschool teacher) tell you what to do all day every day, or does she sometimes let you use your wonderful imagination and think of what to do all by yourself?"

Hailey put her little hand on her hip, gave me "the look" (you know the one), and said "Well, Mommy, I will tell you this. Miss Lois always lets me go potty when I need to."  Point taken. Enough said.

Congratulations Coach!

Wouldn't you love for someone to show up at your door with a gift like this?! I certainly would! This was created for the baseball coach at Clearwater Central Catholic High School, who celebrated his four hundreth win! Amazing accomplishment, deserving of the greatest of gifts.

We took the red galvanized tin, then anchored the baseball flower pot inside the tin, painting "400 wins" across the rim of the flower pot for a memorable keepsake. The flower pot was filled with cookies, and the rest of the tin was filled with a variety of popcorns, chocolate covered pretzels, snack mixes, coffees, chocolates, and more cookies. This is a celebration in itself!!

Our congrats to the coach, and to the school for honoring this victory!

Delicious Gardening

Don't like your veggies?! No problem with this new twist on gardening! We took these adorable gardening bags, complete with small tools in the pockets, and filled them with cookies. Perfect for spring, the bags come in three different bright colors, and add a splash of fun. A useful gift too, as the bag can be used long after the cookies are gone, and the tools in the pockets are just precious. This has quickly become a spring favorite this year!!