Should McDonald’s Change It’s Name?
Posted by Brandon on December 20, 2011 about Aubrey Ann, No commentsOn the way home today we passed McDonald’s and Aubrey Ann told me (Brandon), “McDonald’s has been there too long. They should go somewhere else.”
Me: What would go into that building?
AA: Maybe a new store.
Me: Like what kind of store, what would the name be?
AA: Maybe, Donald World or Cheese Burrito King.
Me: What restaurant are you thinking about right now?
AA: Burrito King.
Her mind is very linear and it’s often fun to try to predict what she’s thinking based on what she’s talking about.
During Breakfast AA Said…
Posted by Brandon on February 20, 2011 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offToday we were sitting at the table having breakfast when Aubrey Ann said, “I would kiss 100 frogs. I would bend over to the ground and kiss them. If I picked them up, they might pee pee on my hand.”
We don’t know what prompted her to say that or what she was thinking, but I imagine she was thinking about the Princess and the Frog.
Is Heaven Past Disneyland?
Posted by Brandon on February 11, 2011 about Aubrey Ann, 2 commentsTonight before bed, Aubrey Ann and I were talking about how far away Disneyland is. Shortly after that conversation she said, “I get to go to Heaven when I die.”
“Yes you do,” I replied. “But that is a long ways away.”
“Is it past Disneyland?” her curious mind asked.
The Gingerbread Man
Posted by Mari Jo on December 31, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offRecently I ordered Aubrey Ann a copy of “The Gingerbread Man” and it has become a fast favorite in our household. Within a day of getting it, Aubrey Ann had a good portion of the book memorized, and she has asked us to read it several times daily.
The day after Thanksgiving I came down with a stomach flu, and Aubrey Ann and Daddy went to the store to buy me some much needed sick person supplies. Daddy came home with one of those little pre-packaged cookie dough mixes and Aubrey Ann came home from the store VERY excited about making her very own “Gingerbread” (aka Chocolate chip cookie) man.
I thought it was so precious that Brandon came up with the idea all on his own, and it gave Aubrey Ann something to do while I was sick in bed. Aubrey Ann really hit the Daddy jackpot with Brandon.
I was very sick, but while the “Gingerbread” man was baking in the oven, I sent Brandon and Aubrey Ann out of the house to get some dinner. Lo and behold, when they returned home and checked the oven, the gingerbread man had escaped! That sneaky little guy led Aubrey Ann on a scavenger hunt all around the house before she finally caught up to him laying in her bed! I was afraid that she might not want to eat her “Gingerbread” friend since she had worked so hard to make him, but I shouldn’t have worried! Here are some pictures from the gingerbread creation and the gingerbread man scavenger hunt:
Run, run as fast as you can…
Charlie and Chocolate Factory Party!
Posted by Mari Jo on December 7, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offAubrey Ann finished reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory several weeks ago, and I have been anxiously waiting to throw her a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Party! Her advent card for December 3rd read:
Today there will be a BIG surprise, so ‘Cheer up Charlie’!
When she got up from her nap, I gave her a chocolate bar to open, and when she opened it, could you believe that it had her very own “Golden Ticket” inside? Aubrey Ann was thrilled to learn that all of her friends were coming over for a night filled with pizza, movies, and of course CANDY.
We had 13 of Aubrey Ann’s friends over and each of them brought a bit of candy to share. The kids had pizza then got to visit the candy table and load up on goodies before watching “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”.
All of the kids were so snug and cozy in there pajamas, and I think everyone had a WONDERFUL time. Some of the kids watched the movie all the way through, but most of them bounced back and forth between watching the movie, and making a HUGE mess in the playroom! It was a FANTASTIC time, and all of the kids did great.
When I put Aubrey Ann to bed at night she asked, “Did I turn another number?” I didn’t know what she meant, so I asked her to clarify and she said, “You know, am I like 7 or something?” She thought it was her birthday party! Ha! I think it is fair to say she had a WONDERFUL time.
I just love all of these special times. It is a lot of work, but at the end of the day, it was TOTALLY worth it!
I didn’t take nearly enough pictures, but you get the idea:
Book Review- Shepherding a Child’s Heart
Posted by Mari Jo on October 13, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Family, 2 commentsI have never done a book review previously, but I am currently reading “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” and feel compelled to write a review. I am not yet finished, but I thought that I would write a few words about it, just in case any of my Mommy friends out there are looking for a good (and CONVICTING!) read.
When I first started this book, I almost skipped reading the forward, but luckily I decided to read it, because in just the first few paragraphs of the forward I was brought to tears, and on my knees before the Lord on behalf of our children.
The premise of the book is that discipline should be a heart issue, not simply a behavior modification issue. It is easy enough to get a child to obey, but to change a child’s heart so that his behavior is a reflection of his love for the Lord, is a completely different matter.
So far the book has discussed how parents are often afraid to take a leadership role in the home, and then when they do, they do it without the right intentions. Teaching a child to follow a set of rules, but not change his heart is in essence, hypocrisy. It is my desire not only to teach my children to behave appropriately with proper respect for authority, but for that behavior to be a reflection of a changed heart that loves and obeys the Lord.
I am only four chapters in, so I will write a full review when I am completely finished, but nearly every chapter has brought me to tears, and has caused many deep discussions between Brandon and I.
Now I am off to put some of this into practice!
Ch-ch-ch-changes!
Posted by Mari Jo on October 2, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offThese last couple of months have brought some pretty big changes to the Hopkins Home. Life as we know it will never be the same. Currently, there is a double dose of testosterone in our house, and Aubrey Ann and I were just getting use to being the queen bees around here. So here are some BIG things (ok, not all of them are so big, but they are still worth mentioning!) that have happened in our home recently.
1. Landon is welcomed into our lives. (Obviously the biggest change around here).
2. The introduction of College Football, with not only one, but TWO fans to watch it.
3. Our very first BIG GIRL hair cut!
4. We finished Charlotte’s web, and are now just waiting to receive our third novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”.
5. Aubrey Ann’s first day at preschool.
6. Landon’s first trip to see Grandma Nita.
7. Landon’s first real smiles!
8. Landon’s first bath, bottle, and first time in his crib.
9. Aubrey Ann’s first day at gymnastics.
10. Aubrey Ann’s first time writing her name with NO help from Mommy! And did I mention that we have a FIRST time reader?
10. Love at FIRST sight, when meeting our littlest member to the Hopkins Clan, Landon Christopher!
Double the Love
Posted by Mari Jo on September 25, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offYou know how when you are about to experience some momentous life change, there are all kinds of people telling you, “Just wait until…” I have to admit, it can be rather annoying to hear all of the well-meaning words of wisdom (although I know I give them myself!). I remember thinking “How in the world can I love another child as much as I love Aubrey Ann? It isn’t physically possible to love THAT much!” I really truly worried that I wouldn’t love Landon as much as Aubrey Ann, or that Aubrey Ann would always be a ‘favorite’ in my heart. I remember talking with other mothers and asking them, “How is it possible?!” And they all just told me, with their all knowing words of wisdom, that it will ‘just happen’.
Boy, were they right.
From the moment Aubrey Ann was born, I was smitten. From her beautiful eyelashes, down to her stubby little toes, I loved every inch of her. I even loved her cry! (Ok, maybe not so much, but I did love that “NOBODY pushes Baby around!” ) As she has grown, I love her more and more. There are some days that Brandon and I have gone to bed and talked for hours about how blessed we are to have her. I NEVER thought anyone or anything could match that kind of love.
Boy, was I wrong.
The moment Landon arrived, I had the exact same feeling as I had with Aubrey Ann, all over again. The emotions may have even been more intense because I knew exactly how much I was going to love and be changed by this new little life. Every time I look at him I have the same sense of pride as I have when I look at Aubrey Ann. I can’t believe that I had any part in creating something so beautiful, so perfect, so absolutely wonderful. How could I have ANYTHING to do with the creation of these little lives? I truly feel honored to be a mother of not one, but TWO beautiful people. The fact that God entrusts Brandon and I with the care and upbringing of these children is truly amazing to me. I am so in love.
So to all of those mom’s with your all knowing words of wisdom…
You.were.right.
Don’t make me say it again.
Come out, come out wherever you are!
Posted by Mari Jo on September 25, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, 5 commentsIn the last few days, I have had several people tell me that they check our website often. I am always surprised by who comes to see what is going on with our little family. So I thought I would make a post, because I am just curious and want to know who our audience is. So if you are reading this, post a comment and let me know. I love knowing that friends and family are getting updates through our website. Thanks!
In Desperate Need of a Pick Me Up
Posted by Mari Jo on August 13, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offI don’t want to be a complainer, but being this pregnant is starting to wear on me. There are many things to dislike about being nine months pregnant. From the “cankles”, the oddly shaped belly button, to the fact that I cannot bend over without moaning so loud it sends Brandon running in to see if my water broke, the ninth month of pregnancy isn’t pretty.
In an effort to be more positive, I am going to try and think of a few things that I love about being this pregnant. I am really going to have to wrack my brain here, and get in touch with my inner optimist (which is VERY hard, for me).
What I LOVE about being 9 months pregnant:
1. People letting me go ahead of them in line at the grocery store.
2. The way my belly makes a resting spot for all my plates of food and drink cups when I lie down.
3. All that ice cream, none of the guilt.
4. When I drop something, everyone makes a mad dash to help me pick it up. (Thank goodness for this one!)
5. Brandon’s help with vacuuming, every.single.night. Gotta LOVE that one!
6. I can’t see my thighs any more! Woo hoo!
7. All the rolling and kicking in my tummy. I know I will miss this feeling very soon!
8. I have the perfect excuse to cry at any given moment, and NOBODY gets to say a thing about it! 
9. Ummmm, can you say “Thank you pregnancy hormones” for nice skin, hair and nails for 9 months? I can! I haven’t had a zit in forever! Now that is a reason to stay perpetually pregnant!
10. All the extra hugs I get from Aubrey Ann because she wants to hug her baby brother. This one might be the BEST of all.
11. Oh yeah, did I mention that I get to have a BABY! How awesome is that! Superman, eat your heart out!