Flat Chicken

Overheard in the kitchen tonight...

Sam: mom, whats for dinner?
Cathy: flat chicken.
Sam: where did it come from?
Cathy: from here. i'm making it now.
Sam: no, i mean what part of the chicken did it come from?
Cathy: huh?
Sam: i mean, which part of the chicken is the flat part?
Cathy: there isn't a flat part, sweetie. i flatten it.
Sam: good. because i think a flat chicken wouldn't taste very good.



PS--This picture is not "our" flat chicken...

The Artist in Residence

This morning, Will decided to get out his paints and easel again. He set up camp in the kitchen and set to work.



Sam walked in and saw Will's work, and he exclaimed, "Will, you are an artist!"

Halloween 2010

A little Kiss for Halloween?














Nothing like a little kindergarten angst to make the outfit complete.

Absence...and guilt...make the heart grow fonder

OK, so it's been a while since I've posted anything new. Or old. Or anything at all. Someone who used to read this little blog on occasion blames it on that internet Satan, Facebook. And she is, in part, probably right. I tend to share pictures there that I might otherwise put up here.

In any event, here are a few new pics of the kids from the last day of school, courtesy of my friend Dewey, that were taken at our second annual Buzz Party.*

Our new fifth grader!
Now in third grade!

A kindergarden graduate!**
The newest WRE kindergardner!

*There is actually some legitimate debate over whether this was the second or third party. The first year, 2008, was not actually called a Buzz Party, and it was not an organized party at all. It was the last day of school, and it turned into a pretty big and wild gathering at the house on the last day of school, but I don't recall there being any haircuts. Last year was the first "official" Buzz Party--there were buzzes, and an Evite, and "Come and Get Your Buzz On" cups...

**This is what I call Will's Wallace (as in http://www.wallaceandgromit.com/) face.

Happy Birthday, Sammy!

Five years ago today, Sam Hutton made his surprise entry into our lives--well, we knew he was coming, just not that day and definitely not the way he came!

It was as if he was saying, "I will not be ignored!"

Sam is growing up so fast--and if you see him, please wish our Sam monkey

Happy Birthday!

Thanks

On Thanksgiving morning, I ran in my first Turkey Trot. Eight miles--farther than I'd ever run at one time before. I was lucky to start the very chilly run with a fun group: David, Allison and Angela.

I found myself alone by mile 5, which was a very tough mile. However, right after the turnaround point headed to the marker for mile 6, I saw a wonderful sight: my family, cheering me on. I was greeted with very loud cheers and awesome homemade signs.

This was the front of Will's sign: "You can Doo it Dad."

Luckily, at that point in the run, I just needed to pee.

This was the back of Will's sign.

Made me feel a little like Forrest Gump!

This was Jack's sign.

"Go Ames" -- I think he knew I couldn't chase him down at that point in the race!

All of the kids were very concerned before the race about whether or not I would win--they were sweetly convinced that I would win--at the end I think that we all were just glad that I finished in one piece!

And this was Annie's sign. Very creative!

Sam's sign contained secret messages that only he and I can decode.

All of this said, I was reminded on Thanksgiving, as I rounded the turn and saw my family waiting for me on the race route, cheering and waving their signs, how thankful I am to have such a wonderful family that supports me and loves me. I am truly blessed by my family and I appreciate all that they do to lift me up and love me! Happy Thanksgiving indeed!

Be on the lookout...

If you are out on the soccer fields (as we always are this time of year), be on the lookout for.......

Lightning Sam!!!

He's fast, he's purple, his tongue is sticking out (his secret weapon)
.....it's Lightning Sam!

Neighborhood Patrol

Anyone who drives down our street knows that you have to watch out for our Neighborhood Patrol. They're kinda like the White Rock Valley version of the A-Team. Here is the resplendent younger contingent of that group,

in all their glory:

Watch out, folks, or the Neighborhood Patrol will getcha!

PS: I love the fact that Reed has got his 'Horns up

in preparation for the big game this weekend!

Roughriders (Alt. hed.: Sarah G. is jealous)

Last Friday, I took Annie and Sam to the Frisco Roughriders game. We had a blast. There were hot dogs, cotton candy, Dippin Dots, and soft drinks galore. The park was very nice and they really try hard to make it a fun family atmosphere. Annie and Sam really liked the Diaper Derby, Sneaker Scramble, and the antics of the mascot. We also had the chance to meet a few folks from WFAA, Channel 8 at the game. We met Pete Delkus, Cynthia Izzaguirrrrrrre, and Chris Flanagan, and the kids had their picture taken with them! Link to the picture on the WFAA website is here.


Sarah G. was quite jealous that we got to meet her weatherman crush, Pete, at the game. Since she was sick, we got an autographed ticket stub to bring home to her! Pete was funny. When I explained that the autograph was for our neighbor who had a crush on him, he immediately asked "How big is he?"

Galveston remote blogging: night 1 and day 2

Oy vey. Looking back at what I posted yesterday evening, in light of last night's events, I feel bad for ever suggesting that my eldest child and most precious daughter may have been left by the road yesterday. Long story short, dear Annie was riding her scooter and fell, breaking her right arm. (A new one for us as she's broken her left arm twice, but not her right. Hi, Dr. Sackett!) So that entailed a LONG trip back into Galveston for Cathy and Annie last night to get a dubiously applied splint, which is covered by the plastic bag you see here:


In any event, it sounds like everyone is making the best of the day, and I've seen some evidence of that...

...like Jack prowling in the shallows...


...and Will building a sand castle empire...


...and Sam asking, "Where's da beach?"


It looks like Mary Shannon and Annie are having a good time at the beach!


And this alleviates my concerns from last night and confirms that Will Tompson is still being taken care of well!

Here are all six of the big kids out in the water:

I'm headed down tomorrow! Yippee!

Happy Birthday Sam!!

What more can a boy want on his 4th birthday than to wake up to......SNOW!!!!

Happy Birthday Sam! We love you!






Birthday fun continues...



...with presents, always a good thing


...and cake!





Way to go, Sammy!!

Hutton Dialogues, Part Two

highs and lows.....

sammy: my high is that i got to sing in my christmas program and my low is that i wanted the toy that preston had at school.

jack: i have no lows, only 3 highs. first, my high is right now. my 2nd high is that i have no homework all week. and my last high is....i don't remember anymore.

will: mine are just the same as jack's

jack: yours can't be the same. you don't have any homework.

will: i know. i'm happy that you don't and i can't remember the other one either.

the end

(Ed. note: We do "highs and lows" at dinner every night so that the family can share the favorite and least favorite parts of our days. Cathy was particularly tickled by this one.)

Hutton Dialogues, Part One

jack: mom i have a joke for you

mom: ok

jack: why do fish not like to play tennis?

mom: why?

jack: because they get caught in the net. doyagetit. ido. (said all together..very quickly)

mom (laughing): yea, i get it. good one.

sammy: mom, i have a joke for you

mom: you do? what is it?

sammy: why do fish not like ennis?

mom: why?

sammy: cause they are caught in the nets. do ya get it?

mom: yea, i get it. do you get it?

sammy: no.......(long pause) not really. what's a ennis?

the end

From the mouths of babes...

I am constantly amazed by what our kids pick up on, especially figures of speech or mannerisms they observe in adults. A few days ago, I had the unusual pleasure of driving alone with Sam and listening to him without the normal din and cry of his siblings. We were stopped at a light, and all of a sudden Sam--in a very grown up voice--says, "Dad, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

It was all I could do to not laugh, both at his grown up tone and at what he asked. After stifling my giggle, I answered "I don't know, Sammy, what are you thinking?"

Sam paused, evidently thinking about what he was supposed to be thinking about, and finally exclaimed "SNOOPY!"

Needless to say, I was not thinking about Snoopy but I was glad that his sweet, precious little mind didn't have anything more serious to think about than Snoopy.

Halloween!

We had a very fun Halloween. Each of the kids picked out their own costumes. The two Littles had a superhero theme going with Superman and Ironman:


As you can see, by the time the Bigs got into the act, Superman had a little too much kryptonite... Thanks to the Hungarian whip that Tita brought back from her semester abroad a long time ago, Jack had Indiana Jones down pat. He even put his candy in his satchel! And Annie was a very beautiful and popular Cleopatra. Even Cathy got into the act!


The kids told me that since I looked scary every day of the year, I didn't need a costume for Halloween. I tend to agree...

Punkins

We had a fun day on Sunday at the Farmers' Market. The kids enjoyed picking out their own pumpkins and naming them. Big Tex, Big America, Big Mike, Flat Face, Giggles, Tickles to name a few. We also had a lot of fun in the front yard carving the pumpkins. We got some good pics of the kids...

GO HORNS!

Sammy says, "Beat OU!"

Who am I?

I had the privilege of reading to Sam's 3-4 year old class at the end of a recent school day. When everyone was seated around the rug next to the reader's chair, Sam's wonderful teacher Mrs. Rhodes asked Sam to stand up and introduce me. He said, simply, "This is my Daddy!"

Mrs. Rhodes followed up with, "Sam, is his name Mr. Hutton?" In all seriousness, Sam responded, "No, his name is Coach Ames."

I don't think that Sam had ever introduced me before. It's always interesting to see how your kids think of you: first, as Daddy (or Mommy), and then, as other kids see (or refer to) you. I am known to a lot of kids--Jack's soccer team, the Dragons, and their siblings especially--as Coach Ames, which I think is great. I love not being "Mr. Hutton," because whenever I hear that I think my dad is there! In fact, there's one notorious *cool* kid in Annie's class who, since Kindergarten, has just called me Ames. And that's just fine with me.

It is my hope as a parent that my kids' friends will be comfortable enough with me to speak with me casually and share things with me...maybe even the things they don't feel that they can share with their parents. And for what it's worth, I think that the title "Coach" is a very special one indeed. Those who know me well know that I had several coaches in my brief athletic career, but for me there will only be one Coach with a capital "C." I can only hope that I can live up to his example.

PS--I was very properly reminded after I originally posted this, as I should have been, that I am even more proud and honored to be Daddy to Annie, Jack, Will and Sam. And I have a pretty great example to look up to in that role, as well.

Introductions.

With the beginning of the blog, it probably makes sense to introduce the primary cast of characters as well as those making frequent appearances...

THE HUTTONS: Ames thinks he's the head of the house but everyone knows that Cathy's the boss. She's fond of telling everyone that she has 5 kids. Annie, the oldest, has been warped by her parents' love of 80s music and knows the soundtrack to Mamma Mia by heart. Jack, the oldest boy, wants to be either Jeff Corwin or Indiana Jones when he grows up. (Together, Annie and Jack are "the Bigs.") Will, our blond bomber, is the middle boy, and he's known for full contact hugs and preschool politics. Sam, the youngest (Hi Dr. Cochran!), is anything but the baby, and he loves the movie Cars. (Will and Sam make up "the Littles." But don't tell them they're little.)

THE GRANDPARENTS: Grammy, Mimi and Big Mike are a big part of our lives. Until they tell us otherwise, their true identities will be kept secret.

THE GRAHAMS: What could we do without the Grahams? Kyle and Sarah are our neighbors, our friends, our role models...and they have four great kids who we love to have as a part of our lives! You can follow their equally crazy life at http://grahamhalfdozen.blogspot.com/.

THE AUNTS AND UNCLES: Aunt Tita and Uncle Andy live too far away in Indiana, and Uncle Jason lives too far away near Denton. In addition to our biological kin, we have a host of other aunts and uncles who are near and dear to us all. Embarassing pictures of all to follow.

Asheville trip: night #2 in Crossville, TN (alternate title, "The Best Laid Plans...")

(Ed. note: As described below, this is posted out of order because it was originally "published" by e-mail installment on the date it was written. If you don't like it, well, you get what you pay for, and I don't remember you sponsoring this blog. But I'm open to offers...)

Hello, all, Clark Griswold here with installment #2 of the Hutton's July 2008 cross country trip. We're in lovely Crossville, TN tonight at the Hampton Inn. Very nice place, damp spongy carpets notwithstanding.

We didn't make it as far as we'd wanted today--one of our fellow travelers was not so lucky (see http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/jul/13/i-40-closed-sunday-afternoon-cleanup-continued/ for details) and that shut down I-40 for us. Short version: tanker spill in Crab Orchard TN that created a cloud of hydrochloric gas closed the interstate. Apparently that's not good for growing bodies. Not wanting to detour to Chattanooga tonight, we just decided to stay put here. But how did we get here, you ask? Excellent question...

Had a slow start this morning. We had three different shifts hit the breakfast bar at the La Quinta in Memphis (technically, Germantown TN but who's counting?) and we still didn't get filled up. Hardboiled eggs were on the menu for the Bigs and the Littles chowed on Froot Loops. FINALLY got out of the hotel and headed to Graceland. On the way, we stopped at Sun Records (cool but not as much for the kids as for us) and then on to Graceland. Got out, walked around the fence and took pics at the gate (awesome pic of Will hitting a mighty lick on his air guitar) and passed up on the $27 per head entry fee.

Instead, headed back to Beale St. for a little lunch with a plan to go over to Mud Island afterward. Big mistake. We chose poorly on lunch (Pig on Beale does not, in contrast to the advertising, have good bbq nor are they very service-oriented; also, Jack didn't believe us when we told him he wouldn't like the bologna sandwich, but I ate it up) and the kids hit the wall there. We trashed the original plan, headed back to the car and started heading east again. In the car the kids had a picnic lunch out of the cooler on I-40 while watching a movie.

We made pretty good time once we headed out of Memphis--at 1:30--and didn't stop in Nashville. On the east side of N'ville, we saw highway signs that alerted us to the highway troubles ahead. We checked it out best we could with the highway radio info station and calling our resident traffic guru in Asheville, and finally hit traffic just outside Crossville, where we'd planned to stop for dinner. We took the atlas inside Chili's and got lots of suggestions from the waitstaff and Sambo on the phone. Ultimately, we decided to head south out of town and cut east again in Sparta, TN. That was not to be, as the local Red Cross chapter was redirecting traffic and that's where we got the news that we would be heading to Chattanooga. Everything eastbound was shut down for about 60 miles. At that news, we made a 180 and headed back to Crossville, found a room at the Hampton Inn (thanks, desk clerk Gretchen!) about 6 blocks from the Chili's we'd left an hour before,managed to get our reservation cancelled in Knoxville with no penalty (thanks, LQ Rewards person!), and got into our spongy hotel. The kiddos got baths while I ran out and got a 6 pack of beer, and again at 10:30 with 5 sleepers, that's the rest of the story.

It looks like they're going to re-open some of the east bound roads by the morning, so we'll probably try to press on in the direction of Knoxville. If not, we'll head south toward C-nooga and then east and north through the Great Smoky Mountains Nat'l Park. Either way, it will be an adventure. Good thing we packed our gas masks.

Some funny things from today: Sam got his camera at Graceland. Took a picture or two of the gate and fence, but really enjoyed taking pics inside Barbara's car. At one point in the car, Will said "Daddy, smell!" We finally figured out that he'd tooted and was very proud of it. He's truly Cathy's boy. Annie didn't feel so great most of the day and had a rough day. She seemed to be bouncing back at the very end, however. Jack really enjoyed having his camera but there's no telling what he took pictures of today. He really wanted drumsticks from Sun Records but we decided that between drums and his current fascination with kung fu, not to mention the close confines of the car, we were not going to buy them at that time.

So far I've done all the driving, and my constant checking of the soft-sided luggage bag on the top of the car, I truly feel like Clark Griswold checking to see if Aunt Edna is still up there. I'm still waiting to see Christie Brinkley drive by, however...I do hear that she's single again.

Until Asheville...