Giving Thanks

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for. I have a wonderful husband who works hard so that I can stay home with our kids. Even though it's hard work, it's one of the greatest gifts he has given me (besides our two beautiful children). I'm thankful for my kids, I may be a tad biased, but they are the greatest kids in the world. And finally, I'm so thankful for our families, friends, and all of our loved ones.

We had a great day yesterday. It started off with a parade downtown. The kids loved it. Miss C's favorite was Grimace on the McDonald's float. Mee Maw and Goompa bought them plastic horns and they had a blast blowing those. After the parade, we headed to Mee Maw's and Goompa's house for Thanksgiving dinner. The kids were so worn out, we were home and had them in bed by 7 p.m. J and I got to enjoy a nice relaxing evening miserable on the couch from eating too much :)

Here are a couple from the parade

10 on Tuesday

Ok, here we are again.  I feel like this is the only day of the week that I really post.  I've got to change that.  Notice how Flashback Friday has become a thing of the past (ha, ha)?  That's going to be one of my resolutions......

Here we go!

1.  Little J has got some new words.  I feel like there are a ton of them.  Here are just a few of the highlights because I'll never remember them all.  Fishy, owl, nose (and he can point to it), again (we hear this a lot), is it off?, is it hot?, oh shoot, oh dude, talk (when he wants to talk on the phone), doggie, kitty, hat, and blocks.  I know there are more, but he uses these pretty consistently.

2.  Both of the kids had their well checks last week (Miss C's 3 year and Little J's 18 month).  They both went well.  Both kids are average for height and weight and the doctor is pleased with their developmental progress.  Whew.  You know every mamma sweats those well visits.  

3.  Miss C had her tea party this past weekend.  Here are a few more shots from the occasion.  It went really well.  The kids seemed to have a great time.  Once they all arrived, we let them play for about 30-45 minutes.  Then Miss C announced that she was inviting them to tea.  They all marched into the dining room where they had tea, cookies, and lots of great company.  Lunch soon followed and then more playtime and finally cupcakes.  I had so much fun planning this one.  I let out my inner girly girl.  Miss C even cooperated and wore a tutu and a crown.  I was so surprised since she normally doesn't dress up.  That's my girl.

4.  The only downside to this party is all the sweets that are left over.  I think I ate my weight in rice crispy treats yesterday.  Thanks Aunt K for bringing those.

5.  Miss C has been saying some funny things lately.  The other day she was in time out and loudly announced, "I don't need this!".  Oh boy.  That one is all me I'm afraid.  And when Little J was in time out, Nana was peeking around the corner at him and Miss C marched up to her and said, "Nana, that is NOT your business".  That one is all me too.  When other kids are crying or misbehaving and she asks what they are doing, I always say it's not her business.  I've even caught her yelling at Little J that it's not his business (especially when she is getting in trouble).  I guess I better find some other way to handle these situations.  I just love 3 year old honesty.  They truly do repeat everything.

6.  Why, why, wwwwhhhhhhyyyyyy?  Oh man.  I thought we were going to skip right over this phase.  But it's in full swing.  Miss C has always asked a lot of questions.  She's a pretty verbal kid.  So I thought we were going to get a reprieve from the dreaded "why".  Nope.  I've seen a dramatic increase in this word over the past week or two.  Everyone said that once they hit three I would see changes overnight.  Boy were they right.  She really has changed quite a bit over the past couple of weeks.  Some for the good and some for the not so good.

I'm usually pretty good at answering up until about the 1500th "why?".  Then I go to a place that I swore I would never go.  Yep, the dreaded "because I said so".  Ugh.  Every woman swears they would never say that to their children because they always hated it when their mom said it to them.  Well, when you are just too tired of answering "why?", you go there.  I guess you kind of go temporarily insane.  So mom, I totally get it now.  But I still have a fighting chance to never use the, "because I'm your mother, and I said so."  Right?  *stop snickering*

7.   Miss C got some new PJ's for her birthday.  They are.....you guessed it....Lightning McQueen.  The second she opened the package she wanted to put them on.  She wears them every second she gets.  Every second.  It's a fight to take them off to put clothes on or to even wash them.  Thanks H family.  Thanks.

8.  I'm obsessed with that peppermint bark that they sell this time of year.  I've been buying one little bar at a time.  Maybe I should just buy the whole dang box, eat it all, and hopefully be sick of it until next year.

9.  The other night the kids decided to have an impromptu picnic on the couch.  Who told them this was ok, I don't know.  But it was too stinkin' cute not to get a pic.  They even took a little time out for a quick kiss.

10.  Here's my week 2 submission of "52 Weeks:  My kids and I".  I had about 10 seconds before they totally lost control.  Not exactly how I envisioned this shot, but hey, it usually never is!

Don't bother me with the details.....

For some reason, Miss C has started saying this.  I have no idea where she got it from.  She says "Frosty the Snowman".  She's been watching that movie lately.  The only other thing she really watches is Mickey Mouse.  So, I guess I better pay closer attention to that movie.  I didn't think I would have to start "screening" what she watches this early..... 

Anyway, I'm going to bother with the details.  The details of the big birthday bash this past weekend.  We had Miss C's tea party on Saturday and I think it went well.  All the kids seemed to have a blast, and loved our version of tea time.  I'll have more pics tomorrow for my 10 on Tuesday.  But for now.....here are the details....

11/18/05, 5:18 p.m.

That is the exact moment I became a mom.

And the one who gave me that honor turns three today.  I can't believe it's been three years already.  Watching her grow up before our eyes has been so amazing.  Happy birthday baby.

So it's a special 10 on Tuesday today

1.  We have a special dinner planned for Miss C.  All her favorites.  Macaroni and Cheese (and not the box kind, the real southern kind), carrots, cucumbers and "dip dip".  Throw in some cheese and crackers, some "wine of apple juice" and you have one happy little girl.  Here she is with her "appetizers" and doing a cheers to her 3rd birthday.

2.  The cake of choice tonight is blue.  That's her new favorite color (well, it's been a favorite for a couple of months now).  It's also in the shape of Lightning McQueen.  Yep, a blue Lightning McQueen cake.  I worked on it all day yesterday.  And it didn't go exactly as planned.  First of all, it came out of the pan in about 8 pieces.  Now, I'm no Betty Crocker, but I don't think that was supposed to happen.  So I had to "glue" it together with frosting.  I don't think my three year old munchkin will mind.  That's the beauty of a three year old.  It could be a pile of blue cake and she wouldn't care.  So stop laughing.  She loved it.

3.  Here's a shot of my three year old.  Today, on her birthday.

4.  Here she is this morning seeing her birthday gift for the first time.

5.  Here is Little J ringing the birthday bell during gift opening time.  It's a tradition in the C household.  J used to do it with his parents when he was a little boy.  I love little traditions like that. 

6.  I think her favorite gift was the Hello Kitty personal CD player from Mee Maw and Goompa.  She couldn't get enough of it.

7.  So much so, she wouldn't take it off during cake.

8.  Without even missing a beat, once the candles are blown out this is what happens.  I swear she nearly bit my hand off :)

9.  The aftermath

 

10.  And drumroll please.....

Here's the addition to 10 on Tuesday.  A little background.  I was just thinking the other day that I don't have enough pictures of me with the kids.  I'm always the one behind the camera and I hate to think in 30 years I'll be looking back at these photos wondering, "where was I during all of this?".  So on this special Tuesday, the date three years ago I became a mom, I'm starting "52 weeks:  My kids and I".  Every week for the next 52 weeks I'm going to make a special effort to get in front of the camera with my kids.  It's my new #10 on each 10 on Tuesday.

For my very first picture, I was inspired by the phrase, "Dance like no one is watching".  We often have impromptu dance parties in our living room.  Usually it's to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song, but the kids love it.  The sillier the better.  Both of the kids really love music and I try to have it on as often as possible.

So here we are shakin' what our mamma gave us.  Like we get paid to do it!

Don't laugh at this one either.  I thought no one was looking :)

10 on Tuesday

Here's my attempt for this week :)

1.  Happy Birthday Aunt J!  We all hope you have a great day!

2.  Today is day #1 of Little J's gluten free diet.  God help me.  This is my last resort.  I kind of hope it doesn't work because do you know how much of a pain a gluten free diet is?  I'm going to have to get creative!  But I'm hopeful that we can curtail some of the fussiness.  I really have this gut instinct that he doesn't feel right most of the time.  He's kind of in the middle of that spectrum.  Not sick enough (thank god) to easily identify what's wrong but not "healthy" enough to feel good all the time.  So hopefully this will bring some relief.  If not, then I'm at a loss.

3.  I was sick with some sort of stomach bug this past weekend....so I missed out on a lot of the activities.  I also haven't picked up the camera in almost two weeks (to photograph the kids that is).  I miss it!  But I think I also needed the break.  So unfortunately, this post may lack some pics unless I can get out the camera today....and right now, the chances aren't lookin' so good.

4.  Miss C has a busy weekend.  She had two birthday parties to attend.  She's been friends with these little girls since they were weeks old.  First was Miss M's party at build a bear on Friday.  Unfortunately Miss C wasn't in the greatest mood.  She feel asleep during quiet time and I had to wake her up to go.  Not pretty.  Little J only had a 20 minute nap that day.  So I was one stressed out mama.  I missed Miss A's b-day on Saturday.  I was sad to miss it.  J took her to the party instead.  I got a full report from Miss C when she got home.  It was at an equestrian center nearby and the kiddos enjoyed pony rides, tractors, etc.  Miss C didn't go near the ponies, but went on and on about the tractors and cupcakes.  That girl loves her some cake.  Happy Birthday Miss M and A!

5.  Little J's new favorite phrase is "No Way!" (and not as in "get out of here" or "are you serious").  It's the dreaded toddler "No" with his own little spin.  We kinda laughed at first.  I mean, how stinkin' cute is that?!  But now it's not so funny.  I'm waiting for him to pull the "No Sir".  Cause that's usually what I'm sayin' to him.

6.  We finger painted today.  Here's the before:

Here's the after:

Notice how she managed to get it all in her hair!  You will also see the huge chunk that she decided to cut a couple of weeks ago.  Nice.

7.  I love to see this little guy smile.  I wonder if the gluten free day is already working it's magic.  I know it's scientifically impossible to see results already, but I'm still hopeful!

8.  Let's see, I'm running out of steam here......oh, I know.  I promised a few out-takes of the b-day invite.  Here are a couple.  Not the best, but funny in their own way :)

I know she is thinking, "crap!  Now what do I do?!  I don't want to take my hand off the tea cup in case Little J reaches for it, but he's eating my Marshmallows!"

Serving up tea

And I wish she would have done this before we decided to get into the pumpkin costume....

I'm thrrrrreeeee!

9.  Little J's new words......yuck (thanks J) and buns (as in Hot Cross Buns).  He is also really getting into pretend play.  He loves Miss C's kitchen.  Right now he and J are pretending to make and drink coffee.  I guess it's bitter, because that is where the "yuck" is coming in.  I just love the life lessons daddies teach their kids.

10.  Ok, I think this is it.  I'm getting ready to head out to dinner with the ladies and frankly I can't think of any more right now.  Next Tuesday I plan to add a special addition to the 10 on Tuesday (which will become part of the 10 on Tuesday every week).  I was hoping to work it out for today, but I didn't get it done (surprise).  Plus next Tuesday is a special day anyway, so stay tuned for what I have up my sleeve.....

progression of a holiday photo shoot

I attempted to do a photo shoot for our holiday cards this past weekend.  We had beautiful weather and I had already purchased the kids holiday clothes (instead of waiting until December and then scrambling to do the photos).  You would think that since this was my passion, I would have some sort of kick ass holiday card to show for it.  Ha, ha.  Let me just show you how the afternoon went.

This was the first photo of the day.  I nearly squealed with delight when I saw it in the view finder.  I didn't even have to try, and I got a half way decent shot of the kid.  I will admit she is getting a tad easier to photograph (ahem, I mean a tad easier to bribe).  I just love the little cutesy expression.

Then look who decided to join us.  Things pretty much went downhill from here.  I started by singing and Miss C even managed to get into the tune.  Just look at Little J.  He's probably thinking, "I can't believe you are behaving for this.  Just what do you think you are doing?  Am I going to have to screw this up all by myself?  I thought we were a team here."

Not a nano second later, I get this.

So I bribe with the big guns.  Lollipops.  Notice how the crying immediately stops.  Look at those little beggars.

Gotta love Miss C.  I imagine she was thinking, "touchdown!  We got a lollipop within 2 minutes of starting and I didn't even have to throw a tantrum.  Way to go Little J!"

So they decide to throw a little bone my way and actually both look at the camera.  The problem is they both have lollipops shoved in their mouths.  I don't even think they took them out for one second.  Nope, not one second.  Believe me I was ready just in case they did.

So I decide to switch it up a bit hoping to get a decent shot.  This is Little J's best, "and what the heck do you think you are doing?  I'm not going to cooperate.  So just get any hope of a good shot out of your head."

Once the lollipops were gone, Miss C decided to put her own little spin on ruining a photo shoot.

And that's just about when I decided to give up and vow to try again another day.

Kids 1

Mom 0.

Daylight savings + halloween

Hate it.  Extra hour of sleep.  Yeah right.  Tell that to my 17 month old who was up at 5 a.m. this morning.  Every parent knows that their kids are not going to sleep the extra hour.  In fact, daylight savings manages to screw up their entire sleep pattern.  There is a silver lining though....they went to bed an hour early tonight :)

We had a great halloween.  The kids were really into it.  We kicked off the festivities with a party for all of the kids.  

Caroline ate her first caramel apple.  Do you think she liked it?

Then we met up with Mee Maw and Goompa for a quick dinner and then we headed out for some trick or treating fun.  Here's Little J on his way out...

Miss C in action.  She just loved going up to the door and ringing the bell.

Even Little J got in on the action.  He was able to mutter out something that sounded like Trick or Treat.  I was quite impressed.  He also loved all the candles in the pumpkins.  He kept trying to sing happy birthday and then blow them out.

Miss C with me and with Mee Maw.

Finally, surveying all the loot.  They were up late that night on a total sugar high.  That could explain why daylights savings has been so hard on us :)