La Preciosa

Just a second to gripe about radio. Radio bites. I must have really bad taste in stations because my favorites seem to be revamped all the time. It started in San Antonio when I was but a mere girl. My beloved Q96 that played all the Erasure, Depeche Mode and New Order that my adolescent heart could ask for changed to - well, I don't really know. And since then, periodically, my favs have followed suit. So, I shouldn't have been surprised when I tuned into my country station that played all the good stuff fromt he 90's (when country was cool) and I heard Spanish. Now, it's 105.7 La Preciosa playing songs like Dame tu Amor. I'm sure Dame tu Amor is a great song. Actually, to me, it bites. And, Shauna, I know you love the stuff. Don't hate me for being ethnocentric. I'm just a little bitter.

The story of my sad little life

I just wish I could eat the dang cookie and not feel guilty about it 2 seconds later. Or the 3 Musketeers cherry candy bite. Or the chips. Why must the good stuff be so bad? And why must I obsess so much?

Avery's hair

Susie wanted me to post pictures of Avery's hair in a little piggy tail. Her hair is getting long enough to look funny in the head band. So, I've been experimenting with the piggy tail - and I love it. The first day I didn't curl the tail, but today I did with a little spray gel. So cute. Oh, yeah - and check out the brand new teeth.

Catching up

I never posted pictues of Scotty's birthday at the beginning of the month. He had two parties - one with just his family and one with his friends. My boys don't usually ask for cake. For his family party we had a big cookie and for his friend party we had a doughnut cake (actually a pile of doughnuts). That's what they ask for. I can't help it if I'm the lucky mama who doesn't have to make a cake. Anyway, it was lots of fun with cute kids. Can't beat it. Now, I'm finished with birthday parties until the end of May. Woohoo!

Thank you Mr. Electric Blanket

I have this thing about me. I'm almost constantly on a quest for warmth. I haven't figured out the exact perfect temperature my skin has to feel to be happy, but I bet it's warmer than most. A few years ago Tom gave me a wonderful winter coat for Christmas. It's faux fur lined suede - and it's divine. I can go outside with my hat, gloves, scarf, snow boots and the coat in 10 degree weather and feel just fine. But, I also have to wear the coat for up to 40 degrees. It's funny because I'll go out to walk Gracie in all my gear looking like some sort of Eskimo (is that politically incorrect?) and see someone else outside just fine in his sweatshirt. But I'm not embarassed because I'm warm. Two years ago Tom bought an electric blanket. Now, I'm fairly cheap so I protested a bit - but he bought it anyway. Thank you Tom because I LOVE that thing. If any of you are on the fence about spending $70 on a blanket, dig deep because it is worth it. The only problem with it is I just can't seem to peel it off in the morning to get out of bed. "Why am I posting this?" you ask. Simple. I'm cold and I'm thinking of my coat and my blanket. Oh, and hot chocolate.

Just teasing me

After mild temps and rain instead of snow - this is what reality is. Actually, if I remember right, even the 30's are mild for this time of year. Maybe since we're heading out of January it is supposed to be in the 30s. I don't know - but it bites.

And then there is good old San Antonio. And I bet the old fam is bundling up for that 50 degree day. Rough. Hope y'all make it through the winter all right. Even the freakin' graphic looks warmer!

Afterthought High Chair

If you remember correctly we got rid of EVERYTHING before we realized we were preggers with Avery. Actually, the only thing we didn't rid ourselves of was a snuggli baby carrier I never liked in the first place. I found it hanging in a closet after she was born. Anyway, we bought some really nice stuff for Avery even though we knew she'd be the only baby to use it. Except for the high chair. I've always hated the whole high chair thing. It's big and clunky and doesn't match the kitchen (you know, because I have so meticulously decorated my house:)). So, when Tom came home with the cheapest IKEA high chair he could find, I really didn't care. But, the problem was, it LOOKED cheap. So, being the ultra creative person we all know I am, I figured something out. I went to the mall and found the vinyl sticker kiosk and had them design one for me. Then I haggled the price down. (The original price was more than the high chair. Oh, and Ben was so embarassed that I haggled. So funny.) Anyway, I wish I had substituted one color for another, but all in all, it turned out well. Now I really like my high chair - something I never thought I'd say. So, here are the pros and cons.

Pros

1- No padded cushion. The kids wear diapers and don't need the pads. Plus, they are hard to clean up under and get cracked and stuff. Never have liked the pads.

2-Does not take up the whole kitchen. In fact, it is easy to hide in a little corner.

3-No silly animal/circus print to detract from my ultra decorated kitchen.

4-Easy clean up

Cons

1- The tray is kind of small and does not come off. But really, it hasn't been a problem.

2-I had to mod-podge the sticker on just in case it decided to peel off. But it hasn't yet.

What a Great Way to Start a Day

Saturday morning. 5:30 am. Avery wakes up. I think, "Crud, it's going to be a long day." Then, she went back to sleep. And so did I. Until 9am. And, when I woke up, the boys had done most of their chores. It's raining instead of snowing.
ps- It got even better when Avery and I had a mother/daughter shopping trip at Target. Can't wait for spring so we can buy those cute dresses. (If I buy them now, I'll just go crazy until she can wear them.)

For My Sanity

If you are a mom of one of the cute girls that likes to call Ben - please make her stop. Your girls are adorable and sweet and fun. And he loves the attention. But, I don't like it. He's getting a big head. He thinks he's cooler than he needs to be. And I have no idea what 5th graders really have to talk about that they can't discuss during recess. Oh, and when he wants to play football at recess, girls - go do something else. Just let him be a kid for a couple more years. Thank you so much.
PS - I was SO not allowed to call boys when I was his age.

Cub Scouts

I STINK at scouts. Really - I'm the absolute worst mom when it comes to Cub Scouts. Case in point - Ben has been a Webelo since July and I still haven't bought him the book. It isn't that I don't want to. I just never think about it. And the office is in a place I never go so I can't just pick it up on the way somewhere. You know. But, here is my pledge. I pledge to buy the book this week. I pledge to help both Ben and Garrett work on passing off requirements and get them caught up this month. And I pledge to sew on Garrett's patches that I have had sitting on top of my fridge for months and months.

PS - This picture is two years old but it's the only scouts picture I have.

Inside Jake's Random Little Head

Conversation between Jake and Tom today in the car.

Jake: My teacher said I lived in heaven a long time ago.
Tom: Yes you did. What do you think you did there?
Jake: I made people coffee.
Tom: Why did you make people coffee?
Jake: Some people like coffee.
(Note - to any of you who aren't familiar with our church - coffee is a no no. At three he has had minimal exposure to it and I'm surprised he even knows what it is. He then went on to other random pre-earth life experiences like drinking water from dirty boxes. Huh?)

What Happened?!?!?

She was doing so well. And then last night she cried for 1 1/2 hours. Really. I didn't get her because I didn't want to undo all my hard work. But, it was hard. Now I'm exhausted and she's still sleeping at 8:45. Must be nice.

Disturbed

I just got Cinderella from Amazon the other day. It's "in the vault" so I can't just drop it in my cart at Target and buy it like I should be able to. Really, this vault thing bugs me. I never bought Cinderella when it was out because I had a bunch of boys who wouldn't be interested. So, am I supposed to plan my movie buying around what may or may not happen in the next decade? So annoying. But, I digress.

Scotty, Jake, Avery and I watched it. Scotty was afraid to watch it because he thought his brothers would make fun of him so I waited until they were at school. Jake protested because it's a "gril movie". But they both really liked it. And I did, too. Kind of. I was immensely bothered by the fact the the goofy duke had to go search all night long to find the lazy prince's beautiful lady. I mean, put a little effort in. Never mind the whole love without knowing her name issue. That's part of the fairy tale. But I want my kids to know that anything worth anything is worth working for. The prince should have been the one to slip it on her tiny little foot. Oh, and what if Avery has large feet? Is she going to have some sort of foot complex? Not so much in our generation but in my mom's I've heard of ladies suffering with foot pain to fit into a smaller size shoe. Now a pair of jeans is one thing - but shoes? The last thing I need is to raise a child with feet issues. Having said that, I'll still let Avery watch it. I mean, it's Cinderella.

Then I watched Pretty in Pink. (Tom is out of town so I had a free night last night.) That used to be one of my favorite movies when I was in high school. Don't assume I'm older than I am. I watched the video because when it came out I was WAY too young to see it - or even know that it existed. I am young and fresh and a 90's teenager - not 80's. Anyway, the end of that one bothered me, too. Blaine totally blew her off and then had the audacity to tell her that she didn't believe in him? And then she ran out in the misty parking lot and made out with him - while dropping her purse on the wet asphalt with no worries to the stains that might form. Come on. At least make him chase after you, Molly.

How am I going to raise my daughter in a world where movies are out to get her? And these issues are the silly ones. Never mind over sexualization, gender issues, body issues, godlessness, hopelessness and the myriad of other problems. Where can you buy a bubble to protect your children? I know, I know. Teach her when she is young and strengthen her so she isn't influenced. But I think that's naive. I think that these issues are part of living in our world today. Again- the bubble. That's reasonable.

To my friend of many years

Happy Birthday Jessica!

I feel so REFRESHED!

After several nights of almost unbearable crying, we have success. Last night Avery slept through the night. The night before she slept until 5 am, but we got to 8 this morning. And I feel great. It's funny, though, I keep waking up several times a night. Almost like my body is trained to not sleep. That will pass, soon, though. I'm so excited I can barely contain myself. That, on top of the fact that she has cut two teeth in the past week and a half without so much as a whine, makes her the best baby on the planet today. Go Avery. Oh, and she made forward progress on her tummy scooting last night. For a while now she just scooted backwards becoming further and further away from her goal. Now if she would stop biting me (you nursing mommies know what I'm talking about), she might just be the perfect baby. Ouch - double ouch.

Not much around here. It's mid January and I'm begging for some warmth. It is fairly mild compared to past Januarys - but I'd love some 70's. Anyone for a Jamaican vacation with me? How spoiled am I? We usually can't get out of the 20's this time of year and we are 40 today. Why can't I just be happy with that little blessing?

Scotty is 6!!!!

My little Scotty turned 6 today! Where has the time gone? Man, I love that kid. He can be somewhat of a stinker, but he really pulls through when he needs to. Notable Scott things - um. . . he's in kindergarten this year. He is learning to read and is doing great at it. Scott learned how to ride a bicycle at age 3 and a scotter at age 2. He is probably the most coordinated of our boys but the least interested in sports (at this point). And he is creative. Scotty's my first child to actually want to sit down with crayons/paints/scissors and paper. When he is acting up I usually only have to say, "Scotty, come and sit with me for a while," and he'll curl up in my lap and tell me what's wrong in his world. The picture above is when he lost his first tooth on Christmas Eve. Anyway, Happy Birthday to my adorable Scotty.

Mother of a "Tween"

You know you are officially a mother of a tween when your son makes you listen to "Livin' on a Prayer" sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks. Ben got an ipod for Christmas with a gift card to download a bunch of songs. Um, I'm getting a little nervous about this looming teenage thing. The Chipmunks are fairly tame. But he had me download some Pink and Boi Soulja. Boi Soulja? Really? Why? My grandmother is turning in her grave right now. I made sure the songs were appropriate, but after that - what are my limits?

ps- The kid wasn't too happy about sitting on Santa's lap. So, for any of his friends out there who are reading this, Ben is super cool and sat on Santa's KNEE for only a second. And then he got off as soon as he could.

We're ba-ack

Sisters

Mom and Dad

Philip and Liz

Cousins


More Cousins

It's COLD. I was riding a friend I saw who lived in Houston about the humidity. But, snow is ridiculous. Not lovin' it. It's good to be home, though. Tom got home a couple of days ago so he had everything ready for us. We got up at 4:30 and were at the airport by 5:30 for our 6:30 flight. The boys were super good and we got several compliments from the flight attendants. (I had to put that in because I'm sure anyone who has ever sat by us at church has formed some less than favorable opinions and could not imagine a bunch of our boys in an airplane:) .) Now, I'm unpacked, clothes are put away, Christmas toys are in the toy room, Christmas letters are read and recipes are being sought after for my new, heavy duty Kitchenaid. (Woo hoo!)

Highlights of the trip - seriously, I have over a hundred pictures so we'll see how many blogger lets me post.

-Seeing family. I love you guys and miss you already. I can't imagine not seeing little nieces and nephews daily.

-Seeing friends. I was able to see several people I haven't seen in years.

-Santa's visit on Christmas eve

-Enchanted Springs western village. The first time the boys can say they had a cowboy experience in Texas

-The riverwalk and hot chocolate at Philip's and Liz's.

-WARM weather. I laughed when a "cold front" came in and we had to wear our light jackets. Other than that, we enjoyed upper 60s-70s most of the time.

-Just being home. As Dorothy puts it so eloquently, "There's no place like home."

It's late and I want to go to bed so I'll post a thousand more pictures later.