10 on Tuesday

Here is this week's addition!

1.  So I had a few of you comment on my Thursday's post.  You know, the picture of our family.  Some so generously said the reason I was so much bigger than J was because I have a bigger presence in her life.  Not that I'm physically bigger.  I like that explanation so much better.  So that is what I'm going with :)

2.  Just look at this hot mess.  This is how she decided to roll today.  Even went out and ran errands like this.

3.  Little J hasn't been feeling well.  Poor kid.  Turns out he has a pretty bad ear infection (his first).  Nothing contagious, thank goodness.  He's on antibiotics now and hopefully will be on the mend within 24 hours.

4.  So, we are in the middle of "I want to do it all by myself."  This means everything.  From getting dressed, to buttoning her coat, getting her milk, everything.  I know she is just expressing her independence and I need to encourage this behavior, but sometimes you feel like you should just intervene.  I guess that's better than sitting back and laughing your head off.

Now, I did repeatedly tell her it was on backwards and wanted to know if she needed my help.  She kept insisting she could do it all by herself.  

5.  Little J really wants a helmet.  Kept on wanting to put Miss C's on (and of course she was going to have no part of that).  So I found the next best alternative.  

6.  I need to paint my house.  I hate the builder beige and it makes the pictures I take have a weird yellowish cast to them.  Hate, hate, hate it.  Maybe in the next couple of months....

7.  I just love my babies.  They have been so lovey with each other lately.  They love to hold hands and the other night Miss C was holding his hand and taking him around the house and describing things for him.  "See Little J, that's the sink.  It's not hot.  I don't want you to burn yourself."  "See Little J, that's the refrigerator.  Are you thirsty little buddy?  You can get some water."  It was so dang cute.  I can tell she just loves being the big sister and showing him the "ropes".

8.  Cheese!

This was what I was really going for:

9.  I have a secret.....no, I'm not pregnant.  But someone in my family is :)

10.  As a tribute to my hot mess, we all put on our shades for the 52 Weeks:  My Kids and I installment.  Little J did fine with them on until I ran over and put him in my lap.  Didn't like that so much.  As you can see from the exposed diaper, there was quite a bit of kicking and thrashing.  I don't think my remote works with my camera anymore, so I had to use the self timer.  Note to self, find a better solution.  Or better yet, don't wait until Tuesday to take the pic.  Have J or someone else take it earlier in the week.

Are you SURE it's not daddy?

Ha!  It's not even Tuesday and I'm posting!  Check the box for New Year's Resolutions kept.

So Miss C was drawing today.  She's been into drawing pictures of our family.  So she whips up this (ignore the "keep Louisville Weird" paper--we recycle in this house).  

Now being the proud mama that I am, I ask her who all the characters are.  Little J is top left, Miss C is top right, mommy is bottom left and daddy is bottom right.  Now wait a minute.  Let's go back to the mommy and daddy characters.  Why is the mommy three times the size of daddy?  So I ask, "are you sure that's not daddy there (pointing to the bottom left)?"  She replies, "no, that's mommy."  Me:  "Are you sure?  That looks a lot like daddy."  Her:  "No, that's mommy.  This is daddy over here (pointing to the right)."

Damn.  That is just not fair.  

By the way, the circles in the middle are the belly buttons in case you were wondering.  Be glad she didn't draw our anatomy too.  Usually that ends up on the final version some how or another.  

We were drawing pictures the other day and we included Max (or dog) in one of them.  I had to draw Max because Miss C apparently only draws people.  So I draw the dog with four legs and all.  Then she asks me where his anatomy is (by the way, she always uses the correct terminology for it).  So I had to include it.  That picture is proudly displayed on our refrigerator.  If you ever see it, don't ask why the dog has five legs.

This pic I like to call "Where's Little J?".  Can you see him?  He thinks you can't.  I just love when little kids think that because they can't see  you, you can't see them.  

This is how I am blogging this morning.  Yep, the kids are watching the Polar Express.  God love that movie.  Can you just hear Miss C saying, "mom!  Will you get out of the way!!!  I can't see!"

And finally, this is how we are spending most of our afternoons.  Going for a walk.  It has been so bitter cold lately that we haven't been out in a week or so.  I kind of had this idea.....why don't they make blankets with elastic (kind of like a bunting) for older kids/double strollers?  You know, something that will have elastic on the bottom to go over the foot platform and elastic on the sides that goes over the kids.  The solution here is just not cutting it.  I have to tuck this blanket over and over and over again.  

So, in case any readers out there want to make a prototype (cough, cough, nana), I just happened to measure this morning and it's 26 inches from edge to edge (so give allowance for two kids plus elastic, etc on each side) and 36 inches or so from top to bottom (I was generous with this and kind of allowed for feet, etc.).  

I mean, I'm just sayin'.

10 on Tuesday

1.  Today we saw history.  Our first African American president was sworn in.  It was truly an inspirational day and I only wish my kids were a little older so they could better understand how important this day is for our nation.  

We had the TV on all morning and invited a few play group friends over to watch.  I don't think we got to watch as much as we wanted with all the kids running around, but it was a valid attempt.  I actually taped it and will probably watch it later.  I'm sure the footage will be run over and over again, so one way or another I'll get to watch it without distraction.

2.  So, I kind of shot myself in the foot.  As we continue the holiday season by watching the Polar Express about a million times, Miss C keeps asking if Santa will come back when it snows.  For the first 3,422 times she asked that question, I told her that Santa already came and won't be back until next December.  Then I used the opportunity to have her learn the months, etc.  You know, being a good parent.  But right at about the 3,423rd time she asked, my response got a little different.  When she asked if Santa will come back when it snows, I replied, "yeah sure".  I know, I know.  Don't judge me.  You have to understand that it rarely snows here.  I mean, only once in the 4 years that we have been here.

Until this morning.  

We woke up to a dusting (and I'm generous when I say dusting) of snow.  Once Miss C found out, she said:  "Mommy, mommy, look it's snowing!  Will Santa be coming this afternoon?"

Ok, ok.  I feel like a jerk now.

3.  I love when the kids try to pronounce words and can't quite get it right.  The funny thing is, when you correct them and they say it properly, they go right back to the incorrect way the next time they say it.  Little J says "wadoo" for water.  When Miss C was his age she called it "mamoo".  Miss C also called strawberries "baccas", watermelons "mongas", and airplanes "ibee" (pronounced ee-bee).  Little J says "tractdoo" (tractor), and "boo bus" (school bus).

4.  We had a great weekend filled with birthday party after birthday party.  Here are a couple of Miss C and Little J at one of the festivities.  I didn't take my camera to the other party (forgot it at home).  But I did manage to "borrow" the other mama's camera and snap some shots.  I did concentrate on taking pictures of her kids though.  It wouldn't be right if I stole her camera and then took pics of my own :)

Miss C and "I" making birthday crowns

Modeling her birthday crown

5.  Yesterday J had the day off and we've been experiencing cabin fever.  It's been so cold and rainy here lately that we haven't been able to spend much time outside.  So I insisted that we get out of the house.  Unfortunately we still couldn't go outside, so we headed to the mall for a little fun.  We rode the carousel (two times) and rode a little train that takes you around the mall.  It was pretty cute.  We managed to squeak in some time for the play area.  I think the kids had a great time.

6.  J and I are still gluten and dairy free.  We were heavily tempted this past weekend though.  We went to a friend's house for a dinner party and they were serving chocolate cake for desert.  That is just not fair.

7.  I feel like I'm not off to a great start with my New Year's resolutions.  I've been able to keep the gluten and dairy free one, but all the others have kind of gone by the way side.  Like this blog for example.  I'm pretty much down to posting only on Tuesday.  I vow to change that and post more frequently!

8.  Little J's hair is getting longer.  It kind of has a wave to it.....I'm thinking he's going to have curly hair.  Poor Miss C, her hair is poker straight.

9.  I skipped my entry for 52 Weeks last week.  It won't happen again.

10.  My entry for 52 Weeks:  My Kids and I.  This is us on the carousel this past weekend.  The kids really, really, really love to ride this thing!

10 on Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!

1.  Here is a conversation with Miss C this afternoon:

Note:  I had little J on my lap giving him his afternoon milk

Miss C:  Mommy?

Me:  Yeah

Miss C:  When Little J is done with his milk, can I have some candy?

**She brings me over her pez dispenser**

Me:  Do you have any candy left?

Miss C:  Yeah, here's some.  Oh and I think there is more over on the counter.  See mommy, it's there on the counter.

Me:  Well, as soon as Little J is finished with his milk I'll get up and get it.

Miss C:  Well, I'll just go get my stool to reach it.  That will be easier.  Ok mommy?  That will be easier.

Ha!  Gotta love it.  

So I give Little J three pieces.  I walked away for a minute and noticed when I came back they were all gone (and so were C's).  So I asked Miss C if she ate all of Little J's too.  I got a smirk.  Hmmm, doesn't take a genius.  So I ask Little J:

Me:  Little J, did Miss C eat all your candy?

Little J:  Yeah

Me:  Oh yeah?

Little J:  Sissy can

Me:  Sissy can eat all your candy?

Little J:  Yeah

Man, he's getting so big!  I can't believe I can have *somewhat* of a conversation with him.

2.  Today is day 13 of this gluten free lifestyle change.  I'm trying really hard not to call it a diet.....SINCE I HAVEN'T EVEN LOST A POUND YET!  No, I'm not bitter.  Ok, ok.  I said I was going to do this to see if it would make me feel better, not necessarily for weight loss.  But come on, not one freakin' ounce!  This is so not fair.  Even J has lost a couple of pounds so far.  So do I feel better?  It's hard to tell.  The first couple of days I felt like I was sleeping better, but the last two nights I've been tossing and turning.  So who knows.  It has only been 13 days.  13 grueling days.

3.  I let the kids finger paint the other day.  I dragged the easel out into the foyer (where there isn't any carpet) and let them go to town.  Miss C did really well (and by well I mean that she didn't get paint everywhere).  Little J, not so much.  Here are a few pics.

I just love that periodically Little J would throw his hands up and yell "Yeah!".  I'm not really sure why he was doing it, but it was amusing to Miss C and I none-the-less.

4.  We are still addicted to the Polar Express here.  In fact, Miss C is now re-enacting a couple of the scenes from the movie.  Her favorites are the Hot Chocolate song, losing the ticket and having to jump from train car to train car, and the little boy wanting to stop the train and the conductor yelling at him because there isn't any time for delays.  It's quite possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen.  My favorite one is the Hot Chocolate song.  She gets a microphone from one of her toys and yells out, "does anybody want a beverage?".  Then she dances and sings, "Hot, Hot, Hot Chocolate.  We only have one rule, ever ever let it cool."  Then she passes out pretend cups of hot chocolate to Little J, J, and I.  We all take turns doing this.  Oh yes, J and I even get in on the action.  I think I almost peed my pants the first time J did it I was laughing so hard.  I hope I always remember these family moments.

5.  I took Little J out the other day and tried to get some pictures of him with a hat on.  Just for practice.  Just for fun.  Man it sure was fun.  This is how it went down

Finally I caved and gave him a lollipop.  I couldn't even get a smile after that.  But at least he wasn't crying.

6.  I've started to kind of rock Little J a little bit before bedtime.  I don't rock him to sleep, but just for a few minutes to settle down.  I've really come to love this time.  We sing Twinkle Twinkle and Baa Baa Black Sheep a couple of times.  Little J has got a lot of the words down and tries to sing with me.  Then we point to body parts.  Little J has the nose, eyes, head, ears, teeth, tongue, cheek, hands, and feet down pat.  That's about as far as we get before he gets distracted and starts putting his fingers up my nose.  For some reason, doing that over and over again is really funny to him.

7.  Little J can count to 10.  I'm so proud.  We don't really practice that often, so I was surprised when he did it.  I guess they really do pick up a lot just by having some one talk to them all the time.

I'm going to finish up the rest tomorrow.....including the 52 Weeks picture.  I was supposed to get one today, but I didn't.  So I'll motivate tomorrow and post.  See you then!

Revenge

It does taste sweeter, doesn't it?

10 on Tuesday

It may be a new year, but it's still the same old 10 on Tuesday.  Happy New Year everyone!  

1.  We had a great Christmas!  The night before we had dinner at Mee Maw and Goompa's house.  After a good meal, we took a walk around the neighborhood to look at the lights. 

Miss C had to stop at each house and feed the reindeer.  

Little J kept shouting "Frosty!" at everything he saw.  No matter if it was Frosty, Santa or a Reindeer.  Too cute.

2.  After Christmas Eve dinner, we went home to put milk and cookies (and carrots) out for Santa and his reindeer.  Miss C even wrote Santa a little note and told him what a good girl she has been all year.  Of course she had to ask why Santa needed the cookies about a million times.  Just gotta love those "why" questions.  Kinda like the energizer bunny.  They just keep going and going and going....

3.  Christmas morning the kids were greeted to a mountain of presents including their very own brand new ride.

I think little J really liked it.  When Miss C got up, I hear her upstairs say, "Santa brought us a new car!".  He sure did.  Dubbed out and all.  Man I wish I were a kid again.  Miss C has been eying this ride in the store for some time now.  It's funny that this is the one that she preferred over any of the other ones.  I swear I have a tom boy on my hands.

4.  Miss C also got a new guitar for Christmas.  She did ask that Santa bring her a red one, but she didn't seem to mind when she opened it.  She serenades us just about every day (usually the Polar Express song).  Maybe we have a future musician on our hands?

Miss C and Little J had two very different approaches to opening presents.  Miss C preferred to just unwrap as fast as she could with wrapping paper flying everywhere.  I don't think she stopped to look what was inside once she got the box open.  If she had a hard time getting a gift unwrapped, she just threw it to the side and went for another one.  That's a girl after my own heart.  Little J was a little more subdued.  Each gift took 3 hours to open because once it was unwrapped he would let out a big gasp (like it was the best present in the whole world) and then wanted to immediately check it out and play with it.  Getting it out of the box wasn't even a priority.  I think we would still be opening his presents today if Miss C hadn't stepped in and helped him out a little bit.

5.  Miss C's newest obsession is her pink Hello Kitty bathrobe.  She got it for Christmas from Mee Maw and Goompa.  She wants to wear it all the time.  All.  The.  Time.  We now have to limit the usage to in the house or else some of you might see her around the 'hood in it.  It even has a little kitty on the front that lights up.  Magical to a 3 year old.  She has decided that most of her clothes are not good enough because they don't have Hello Kitty on them.  Fantastic.  We think she got this from the Polar Express since we watched that movie about 5200 times this holiday season.  She keeps referring to the little boy in the blue bathrobe.  Great.  So now not only do I need to screen movies for inappropriate content, but I also need to scrutinize them to make sure one little 3 year old doesn't pick up random obsessions.

6.  Little J jumped for the first time last Saturday!  He actually did it 3 or 4 times, so we know it wasn't a fluke.  I can't believe how physically active he is.  Miss C didn't really jump until she was after two.  I guess that is the difference between boys and girls.  My little guy is the happiest just running around.  It's kind of funny when he does laps around the house.

7.  After Christmas we drove up to Nana's house and spent a few days with her.  Santa was kind enough to remember to stop by Nana's house and bring Miss C and Little J another mountain of presents.  We had to wait until Aunt K, Uncle M and Aunt J showed up.  That was torture for them but well worth the wait.

8.  While we were at Nana's, we rode bikes, went to the park, played outside and had a good time.  

9.  Uncle M and Aunt J invited us to the Temple to see the Christmas lights.  It was so beautiful.  They put 450,000 lights in the surrounding bushes and trees.

10.  This is my 52 Weeks:  My Kids and I.  It's only of me and Little J, but hey, at least I was in front of the camera!

Year in Review

I'll post later about what has been going on around here, but I wanted to get this up.  It's taken me forever to do it.  Gawd.  I hope the images are not too small to see for all the effort I put into it!  But anyway, these are just some of my favorites of us over the past year.  I hope you enjoy :)

**edited to add, if you click on the image it will enlarge in a new window.  Pretty nifty!**