Melanie Nicholas

If you haven’t played with … well, you aren’t living. Her illustration of made me laugh so hard I cried last night. Literal tears into scratchy napkins! If you’re looking for a fun group game, this is it!

Universe — we need this.

said she looked like a rotisserie chicken ;) Our sweet managed to tear her ACL and meniscus last week, so she is laid up for the next two months after having surgery last Tuesday. She will spend most of her time attached to me on a lead or in her crate so she can’t run, jump or give chase. Squirrels throughout Oklahoma rejoiced!

Just put Little Son on a plane to Germany. It’s been a big summer with nationals in Academic Bowl and Speech and Debate - now he’ll vacation with my German son for 2 weeks. So very proud of him. Also dying a little inside. This feels like one of those pivotal moments. You work so hard to give your kids wings and then they have the audacity to use them. Have a great time, Parker! (He LOVED taking pictures with me as you can see.)

Little Son qualified for Nationals in policy debate, which I think is like cross examination debate in Texas. It’s the biggest of the big deals in speech and debate competition, and they’ll face off against teams from all over the country this summer. He won’t brag on himself and his awesome debate partner Aiden, but I will. They have worked really, really hard this year He celebrated with Cheerios for dinner 😉

Someone. Who shall not be named. Ate the Christmas decorations and knocked out half the tree lights. She’s a hazard y’all. A hazard.

Super proud of Bodhi and her classmates. They delivered more than 10,000 easy-to-eat foods and snacks to a local elementary school yesterday to help feed kids over Christmas. You can see her in the black hoodie and plaid flannel pants at about 1.17. How she managed to keep her face out of all the broll footage is amazing, haha!

KIDS HELPING KIDS: Riverfield students compete to collect food for TPS school KIDS HELPING KIDS: Riverfield students compete to collect food for TPS school

got new jammies. I think she likes them but it’s hard to tell — she could also be planning to trip me in the kitchen for revenge. Thanks

My sweet . Waiting for her dinner.

Our kids are much more interested in politics than we were at 16. Presenting George W., Al Gore and Joe Lieberman.

Tonight Parker and his friends will take over the yard and the house to celebrate his 16th birthday. I decided to spend a little quiet time in the pool reading before everyone came over. I looked down and saw this leaf floating by me, with a perfect drop of water on top. It was beautiful and unexpected. A lot like motherhood. A lot like my son. I can’t believe he is 16 tomorrow, my Christmas miracle. He is so smart and kind, steady. He is a good friend and a great brother. Handsome and funny and always helpful. I still can’t believe he is ours. Happy birthday not-so-Little Son, you are a wonder. Hope this is a great year for you.